Hello October! I love you, and your scents, and your mood, and your food. We welcome you with open arms!
In my drinks world, October means I’m drinking an oatmilk honey latte *almost* every day – sometimes from Starbucks, sometimes one that I made myself before sitting down at my desk. I have a super easy method / recipe coming for you soon that involves oatmilk, honey, salt, instant coffee, and just a regular old mason jar. Stay tuned. Fall is a beautiful thing.
In our personal life world, October means it’s baby month! We have just a few weeks left before little one makes her arrival and we are buzzing with… mostly excitement, a small side of “oh my gosh what is happening that kinda snuck up fast.”
In my work world, October getting ready for maternity leave. The last few months have been incredibly delicious as I’ve been working in advance mode making recipes for the fall, the holidays, even for January! And our team has been working hard to get all the pieces in place to share all that stuff in the coming weeks and months. But for me and my work self right now, I’m in the home stretch. I feel like a senior who’s about to graduate from high school and go immediately to college where the workload now involves caring for a toddler and a newborn at the same time, and that shouldn’t be too hard, right? Gulp.
What is October for you? In your drinks life? In your work life? I’m so glad you’re here – one last coffee date to check in before I’m taking off on my leave for a few months.
House / Kitchen Refresh
Here’s the before and not-quite-after of our kitchen refresh! We aren’t quite done yet (still missing hardware, backsplash, and the center island countertop which will be matching to the perimeter) but we have made LOTS of progress on our little kitchen refresh!
We bought our 90’s house almost a year ago now and while it’s super cozy and nice, we knew we’d probably want do some small things to just make it feel more like us. I have mixed feelings about taking this all on right before we bring a new baby home.
The good:
- We’re not really going anywhere for the next 6-9 months (thanks Covid!) so it will be suuuper nice to have the space where we spend 95% of our time feeling fresh and beautiful when it’s all said and done.
- It’s not going to be easier to get this done after baby arrives, so it’s kind of actually more convenient to do this while we only have one little nugget running around.
- The due date / delivery date gives us some leverage with having a hard deadline to work backwards from, and I have been VERY FIRM with myself and with contractors that we WILL NOT, CANNOT have any work being done in the house in the two weeks leading up to delivery. And I think if not for that, this might have taken a reeeally long time because I am not always good at keeping myself on track with projects.
The bad:
- It’s been really disruptive. We knew it would be, but I think with having Solvi and having to move her around, get her out of the house, plan meals to happen in the basement or outside, not to mention having a very anxious dog to manage as well… it’s just been a bit of a ride.
- Decision fatigue is settling in – I spent at least three hours yesterday thinking about grout colors for our tile backsplash and I’m just at the point where, like, what am I doing. Most every decision I make is one that then gets questioned, re-done, and re-questioned.
All-in-all, we’ve been super happy with the work that’s been done (thank you to everyone who has done everything!) and grateful to be able to tackle one last little home-making project before we settle in for what could possibly be the longest – most snuggly, but still longest – winter of all time.
Outside Is Everything
My heart just sings for the outdoors right now.
This week in Minnesota we have 60-ish degree weather with lots of sun, and it LOOKS like fall, and it SMELLS like fall, but it FEELS like just a sliver of summer still, and I love it.
Solvi has been “gooing hik-een” with us these last few weeks and it’s been so fun to see her explore in the woods, pointing out leaves (she loves to pretend they are bananas?) and trees and birds and the water… I’m just so thankful for outside.
Minnesota has its major seasonal drawbacks, most of which start sometime in January, but right now it is just pure bliss.
Where do you live? Do you get a true, amazing, glorious fall? Also worth mentioning that we are thinking of all our friends and readers on the West coast right now who are dealing with the fires, and realize it’s not a good outdoors situation in every place right now. ♡
Prepping For Baby: Freezer Meals
So part of prepping for baby and The Long Winter (yes, I’m a pioneer woman now – okay if I just start calling it that?) is doing a mega-prep of freezer meals.
We have a HUGE and AMAZING post with all kinds of freezer meal resources – it was published in 2018 before Solvi was born, and has been updated a few times since to add new favorite freezer meals and resources and all that.
But in the next week or two you can look for our LATEST update on the freezer meals post, because there are some new *extremely helpful* and *FREE* resources as well as a few new favorite freezer meal recipes that we’ve added to the collection.
The recipes I’ve prepped so far:
- Cauli Walnut Meat
- Tomato Soup
- Beef Stew
- Barbacoa
- Greek Pork Pitas
- Carnitas
- Quinoa Burgers
- Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas (actually already ate this one – lol – so I will be making it again and doubling!)
- Lots of chocolate chip cookies
The ones I’d like to still add to the freezer before baby comes:
Listen, if you’re looking at this list and you’re like, wow, that’s a lot! Please know, I did all of these over the course of about 2-3 hours, all during Solvi’s naps. As a lifestyle policy, I don’t do complicated freezer meals. These are EASY freezer meals. Here’s the post for you to get a head start, but stay tuned – fresh recipes and resources coming soon!
Prepping For Baby: Everything Else
Gosh, there’s really not a whole lot to do this time around. We have the bassinet, the crib, the stroller, the bottles and pumps, and the baby clothes…
I feel like the biggest things to do to get ready are a) prep myself mentally / emotionally / physically, and b) prep Solvi.
We’ve been reading A LOT of books with her about being a big sister and I even made a book (social story style, drawing on some educational experience) about the baby’s arrival. This book in particular is one of her favorites.
Anyone have tips on prepping a toddler (or your own self) for the arrival of a new baby?
A Thing To Think About
Thanks to all the projects going on at home, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the idea that it’s really nice to have something that looks good, but it’s more important to have something that FEELS good.
And then I’ve been thinking about how that’s not just about homes. I think that can apply to almost everything.
How do things feel… at work? for our health? in our relationships? How it looks isn’t nearly as important as how it feels.
Just think: you’re doing it. In the good and the bad and the very, very difficult, you’re doing it. In case you need to hear it… this is a hard season, and you’re doing it, and you’re very loved.
Thanks for sharing this space with me! ♡
My son was 3 when baby bro was born, and he and I made welcome home/one week old cupcakes together for the baby (and since baby was too big to blow out the candle, big bro got to do it.) That went over pretty well! I hope everything is smooth and cozy and snuggle for you all this winter. Love coffee dates!
So excited for you and your family! Quick question – how are you freezing those apple muffins? We make them all. the. time. and it had never occurred to me to freeze it! Just the dough with no egg? Yes egg? Pre- or post-blended? Thank you!!
We freeze them after baking!
I never comment on anything anywhere…but just have to say best wishes🥰
We have an almost 3 year old and an 8 year week old. It really is a special time! ❤️❤️But here is a few things I’ve learned a long the way….which of course it all may look different for you.
1. Be nice and to yourself. You will lose your patience with your older one and then feel guilty and stressed because it is just so HARD for everyone’s needs to be met at this time. That’s ok. It’s a season.
2. A tiny little makeshift changing table has been so fun for my little girl. She changes her “baby” while I change mine.
3. Get takeout😀
4. Routine is impossible with a baby. But some sort of daily rhythm is possible whether it be your morning coffee (drank at noon🙃) or a daily walk.
5. Whatever your feeling…happy, sad, angry, stressed…you are normal!! Even the happiest of changes are stressful!
Best wishes and take care of yourself ! Thanks for all your wonderful content! The new freezer post is great.
These posts are some of my favorite. They’re like a little monthly pick-me-up and leave me feeling happy and like I can handle whatever else happens this month. Thanks for making this space such a positive and safe space for all of us! I’ll be thinking of you and your little family this month, praying that everything goes well with the arrival of your new little one.
You probably already are planning this but I bought a special ‘toy’ on shopping trip with our daughter for the new baby and then also picked out something from the baby to ‘big sis’.
Congrats on baby #2! You all will do great! I had twin girls when my older daughter was 19 months old (surprise!), and having two or three littles is nuts, but sister magic is amazing! My advice – take video recordings on your phone from time to time of Solvi and the baby just going through their day – stuff that seems unremarkable at the time, but you will appreciate later having those little snapshots of time. Especially because the first few months with a baby and a toddler are pretty foggy! Can’t wait for more baby updates!
Prayers you can relax and get ready for your precious daughter. Loved reading your update. Sending hugs and prayers.
I am so grateful for your delicious recipes and for encouraging me to become friends with my Instant Pot, LOL. I know you and your family have been through so much, and I admire how you courageously share with all of us. Many blessings to you and the arrival of your new beautiful baby, and don’t worry girl, you got this! xoxo
Beautiful kitchen update! I’m also expecting the end of this month(#3) with a 4.5 and 2.5 year old (both girls)at home. The memories I have of going from one to two are blurry and messy but for every challenging moment know that there will be pure joy of the time they play together ahead of you! I’d say involve your little girl to feel a part of things and that will help with transition. Can’t wait for more freezer meal prep! We have ours stocked with many from your original post and sooo very much appreciate the style/perspective you approach it with! Congrats and enjoy your time on leave!
Just want to say I love your coffee dates, and I have been working my way through your freezer meals and bought an instant pot because of them. They’re ALL great. Haven’t done the soup ones except the beef stew yet because it hasn’t been too cold but they’re on my list. Can’t wait to see the new ones. Thanks so much for great recipes all the time!
These Coffee Dates are my favorite posts of yours.
Having a second baby was so different from having the first. After my first was born, I was non-functioning for so long, just completely exhausted and overwhelmed and with my second, I came home from the hospital and made Shepherds Pie with my hospital bracelets still on 🤣
Enjoy!
Best wishes to you and your family for a speedy, safe delivery! My girls are 3.5yrs and 15 months, it is organized chaos on any given day in our house! But my girls love on each other and are starting to play together. Your kitchen refresh looks amazing!
Berenstain Bears “New Baby” book. We joke it was single-handedly responsible for my son accepting his baby sister into our family 😂now my go-to gift for a new big bro/sis!
A thing to think about is good, I needed that thought, but I miss a message from Sage, or at least I think that was the name.
Still, these coffee dates are great, best of everything with the upcoming birth and family expansion .
So excited for you and your family!! My first baby is almost 4 months old now, and I have relied on your chicken meatballs, cauliflower walnut taco meat, and your posts about pregnancy and motherhood so much!! Thank you for sharing, it really helps me feel less isolated during these times.
Thank you for the beautiful words of encouragement. Sending positive vibes to you and your beautiful family.
We bought small gifts (coloring books, crayons, trinket toys) and wrapped them before baby arrived. After the baby came home and our older daughter (she was just about Solvi’s age) would seem a little overwhelmed we would surprise her with a special “big sister gift” from her little sister.
It really helped when I had to nurse for the thousandth time but our older one wanted attention too.
I was so excited to see the coffee date post today! Currently drinking london fog lattes on repeat. We are renovating / potentially adding an extension to a house we just moved into and I agree with all of the decision fatigue! My enneagram 6 self is having a great time
So excited for you for your new little one, but mostly for Solvi becoming a big sister. The best part of being a mom for me is watching the kiddos together. The one tip I have is that the first time she meets the baby, someone else should be holding her to so you can be focused on Solvi. And she can “help” a ton, bring you a diaper when you need it, etc. Thank you for the fall coffee date ! You honey latte sounds amazing – I have been using this Naturals creamer in caramel and it’s been one of the things I look forward to the most everyday. And since we are in the area of the fires, getting outside when the air is good is the MOST important thing. Sending you love.
One of the BEST things I did to prep my first and second for the arrival of the next siblings was to make a photobook baby book (I don’t do scrapbooking, but photobooks are totally manageable). It had pregnancy pictures and prepping for baby pictures and ultrasound pictures and then followed them all through the first year of their life. I tried to grab every moment and even added a little bit of text with stories or descriptions of what things were like at each stage in that first year. I read it to my toddler son before his sister arrived and he loved it, but where it really made a HUGE mental and emotional impact was after my daughter arrived and we’d read through it again. I saw all these connections happening in his brain as he realized, “OH! All these things I see Mama doing with my baby sister, those things happened to me!” I made sure to make one for my daughter before my second son arrived and it had the same impact. I loved how I got to witness their little understanding dawn from abstract to concrete. And it just gave us something to look out and snuggle up with together when I had to spend so much time with the newborn.
You’ll do SO GREAT!! Going from 1 to 2 was FAR EASIER, mentally and emotionally, etc, than going from 0 to 1. Even if every single thing is completely different, you already have a sense of rhythm and how that first year goes and a sense of time is so different. The tough aspects don’t feel as big, the periods of poor sleep and reflux and figuring out napping, etc, it all feels somehow more manageable. Even the fears (e.g. OH MERCIFUL FATHER DID MY BABY JUST STOP BREATHING?!?!?! in the middle of the night) feel smaller. You’re just more familiar with newborn and alllll of that, so it feels less overwhelming and more “I got this.” Seriously, it will be AWESOME!! You are going to rock this!
Thank you Lindsay for one final coffee date post. Fall in Toronto sounds like similar weather to Minnesota. So beautiful and peaceful outdoors. I have freezer meal love and have made various from the POY archives. Look forward to that particular post. Take care and sending you and your family much love.
I just wanted to tell you how much I love reading your post. You seem to touch on all the right things for me. I find myself nodding my head saying “yes…” or “ohh good thought.” more than once. Good luck with baby #2, super excited for you all to start this new chapter.
Congrats on your pending new baby. You look so very cute being pregnant. Thanks for all that you do to help the rest of us eat well and to keep it tasty!
Just sending happy wishes to your family! I am so excited to see your little family grow.
I am making your Apple Cinnamon Sugar Cake this week. Love the recipes!
I just so love your post. Have wrote them down for my yearly october dish, carrot cake and crushed nuts with meat and for sure masala chai or coffee. Love you sweets. And not forgetting a walk at the park during october in Malaysai.
Annie – God bless!