I think one of the questions I’m most commonly asked is what advice I would give to those facing infertility.

I discuss my own journey with infertility, as well as my advice, and what NOT to say here; but this only gives one side of the story- my perspective, as a woman trying to conceive.

Happy first full week of 2020! I hope everyone enjoyed the transition back to reality after the holidays- whether you’re taking it easy or going full speed ahead. I’m somewhere in between. Last weekend Phil and I took a one night staycation on Saturday at our local Delamar, followed by a day in the city with my mom and some friends; so my Monday morning was chock full of a case of the Mondays.

A few months ago I posted a picture on Instagram stories of my go-to takeout order- my favorite sashimi from Sushi Soba, paired with a nice glass of pinot. And my coziest PJs. I’ve never gotten so many DM’s asking where we ordered out from- and I was surprised to hear so many people hadn’t tried our local favorite.

Please excuse the sub-par image; but my mama’s in town and whipped up one of her signature dishes and it needed to be shared in time for your weekly dinners. I think we really just need to start a series called “In the Kitchen with Kath.” She really is a culinary whiz, and does have a few novice-friendly recipes up her sleeve for those less gifted than she.

Happy first Monday of 2020! The holidays are officially over, and we’re easing back into the swing of things over here. This sweet babe turned four months old today, and I can’t believe how quickly time seems to have flown by. While the first few months were filled with that newborn fog, we are now in that sweet phase where life begins to settle; where sleep isn’t so scarce, and our new normal is beginning to feel, well, a little more normal.

Last week, on Christmas night, I laid in bed- with a belly full of wine and food; a house overcome by ripped-open boxes and toys and clutter; and two happy, sleeping babies in the rooms next to me. And instead of staying up late to clean and organize and tidy, I instead cozied up with Netflix and a peppermint cookie, and scrolled through Instagram.

If you follow along, you might remember that my girl is one picky eater. If she had her way, her diet would consist nearly entirely of french baguettes and white pasta with butter. So last night when she asked me to make her broccoli soup, I happily obliged.

Casually popped a bottle of bubbly, in this super low-key look, on the coldest day of the year to celebrate the beginning of a brand new decade. Luckily it only took about five minutes because Julia and I were freezing our booties off. Especially when my hands were covered in all the champs. Boy, the things we do for the blogs.

2019- what a year you have been. I would have to say, of all my years you’ve been the most unexpected yet.

I started it off coming to terms with the idea that our little family was complete- that Maddie was enough, and that after all the trying and ups and downs, we were whole. And then, after cleaning out baby closets and feeling content, we found out we would be welcoming another beautiful being into the fold- our Lila Lee.

Happy Friday, kids! It’s hard to believe it’s the last Friday before Christmas. Where has the month gone??

This week was our first of Maddie’s winter break, and we’ve been spending lots of quality time together as a family. We’ll be home for the next few weeks, meaning I need to plan some serious activities for our girl.

Taco Wednesdays are a thing right? Two recipe posts in one day, because ‘tis the season to eat all the things.

Sitka Salmon Shares sent me a package this week of premium, sustainable wild-caught Alaskan seafood- delicious salmon and cod sent straight to my doorstep from the fishermen that caught it. I thawed one package of their cod yesterday, and whipped up some cajun cod tacos tonight. Not only were they SUPER easy, but they were tasty, too. All the ingredients I used were on-hand.

Winter break is officially in full swing, and we’ve been spending a whole lot of time cozied up at home. Originally, I was going to sign MM up for a few December camps, but instead I opted to keep her home- to fill our days with some festive crafts, Christmas movies, a few playdates and whole lot of baking.

Only nine more sleeps until Santa arrives, and we are soaking it all in while we can! It’s always a little bittersweet for me this time of year- it’s my very favorite and I love every second of the holiday season, but it always seems to go by a little too fast. The forecast calls for a {slight} chance of a white Christmas, and I have my fingers crossed they might be right.

Since Maddie started school two years ago, we’ve loved spending a little time together after pickup- catching up on our days and enjoying an afternoon snack. For the last few years, it has been some of the most precious time for the two of us; or at least for me, as her mom. I get to learn about her day; to take her emotional temperature; to sense how she perceived the way she was treated and what she learned; what made her happy or sad or mad.

Yesterday my little elves were up before the sunrise, and we were greeted with the most beautiful dusting of snow. We had a a few hours to kill in the morning, so I decided to whip up some dehydrated oranges with my first girl. I’ve made them a few times before- they always leave the house smelling so sweet and are so pretty strung up as a pop of color in some holiday garland.

When I was pregnant with MM, I was gifted this pretty gold bar with my initials on one side- “MVM”- and “Maddie” on the other.

And I’ve worn it pretty much every day since- initials side out until she came; then “Maddie” from that day forward.

Since then, I’ve collected several sweet charms that I layer as daily reminders of a few of my loves.