Happiest of Fridays friends! Can you believe that we’re just 11 days out from Christmas? The only real shopping I’ve done so far is for a 10 year old girl who I “adopted” from our local school system who wasn’t going to have much of a Christmas otherwise. I got her all sorts of fun things from her wish list like a diary, colored pencils, books, puzzles, games and more. I’m wrapping the gifts tomorrow and dropping them by a neighbor’s home who is organizing all of it. I am so grateful to her for doing this!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and feedback on FB and IG about yesterday’s post, Instead I Held You. I ended up doing my first Instagram live last night to talk about it a little more. I feel like I’ve done a lot of blogging about how hard the transition into motherhood is…on so many levels…and especially in regards to the abrupt change of pace that happens with a newborn.

I’m not living in lala land over here gazing at my baby all day…it can be crazy-making to spend all of your time with a baby and while I do enjoy moments where Finn naps in my arms, I also REALLY love it when he goes down for a nap and I can work/eat/clean/get dressed/whatever the current need is. Related, some kind of sleep training is in our future because mama needs some evening adult time.

And I try to take advantage of the time that he’s not with me to take care of myself and my needs, whether that is working, working out, sleeping, enjoying downtime or whatever it is. It’s OKAY and healthy to also enjoy time away from your baby.

I mostly subscribe to the style of parenting where the baby comes along for your life and you kind of narrate that for them and let that be their entertainment. So yes, I am trying to be present in the moment of doing life with him but I’m still getting on with my life to an extent.

The whole point of my Instagram live was that there is no one right or wrong way to do this whole mom-ing thing but I think we can all agree that it is hard. “The days are long, the years are short.” Right?

While we are talking mom…

This is mostly how solids are still going for us over here but we have made progress! He still makes this face once food makes it into his mouth but he’s much more interested in putting food in his mouth. Baby steps! 🙂

So far we’ve tried avocado, butternut squash, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, pears, bread, gnocchi, spinach, salmon, tomato and greek yogurt.

Mealtimes look like this now. Me at the table, Finn in his high chair and dogs very close by! 🙂 I absolutely LOVE having Finn at the table now and it’s nice to have company…as silly as that might sound.

He’s MUCH more into this cup than he is food right now! The pediatrician said he could start having a little water so I got this cup. It’s very highly recommended by dentists, occupational therapists and lactation consultants and many of you commented on my Instagram story that you love it too.

Two balls, a bone and a toy. Love this sweet nugget. (No reason for this photo other than it’s cute!)

Here’s what is on deck for us over the next few days!

• I’m going to take Finn for a swim lesson on Saturday morning. He’s been going with his dad for a few weeks and loving it. Apparently, he’s been submerged and enjoys being on his back.
• I’m going to check out the Girl Tribe Pop Up on Saturday or Sunday. If you’re in the Charlotte area, come!!! It’s an awesome event!
• I’m also going to swing by Erin McDermott’s studio for her open house on Saturday! Another one you shouldn’t miss if you are in Charlotte!
• Take Finn to see Santa! (I will probably wait until it’s not the weekend to do that)
• Holiday shopping…if you also need to work on that, don’t miss my gift guide. It has over 100 ideas for you!

That’s all from me! Have an amazing weekend friends!

Have you started your holiday shopping? 

What are your weekend plans? Anything holiday festive? 

Any tips for a first Santa visit?