Five Things A Year of Motherhood Has Taught Me

I can’t believe that I have officially held the title of “Mother” for a year already. The past twelve months have flown by, and I can’t tell where the time has gone! Our little squishy-faced newborn has turned into a happy toddler with a big personality. Such a joy to watch her grow and learn and become a part of our family. Reflecting on this huge milestone, here are five things (there really are more!) I’ve learned in a year of parenthood.

Practice True Self-lessness and Serve with Joy

The reality of my life right now is that my needs do come second. They’re eventually met, but in a lot of cases, there are the needs of others that are more urgent. Not to say I never shower or eat, but it does happen, heh. 

Serving with joy, I suppose, goes along with self-lessness in some ways. It’s easy to grudgingly do things or take notice that I do carry a large burden of the day-to-day things that go on in the home. When I remember that it is a privilege to serve my family in the way I do, it brings me joy.

Take Time for Wonder

Watching my baby girl take in the world for the first time is inspiring. It was so fitting that my word of the year was “wonder” during this time. I’ve been able to slow down and appreciate how amazing things could be the first time it is experienced. From the first time having sand touch my toes, hearing the ocean, seeing all of the animals in the woods to tasting new flavors and experiencing new textures, all of these things can bring wonder. This wonder, of course, has pointed me to the Creator. His love is new and fresh every morning, and all of the wonderful blessings He bestows and continues to give are cause for wonder. 

Lean on the Everlasting Arms

I’m helpless without help from above. There have been countless times, okay, all of the time, where there is just no way I feel I can go on. Between sleepless nights and frustrating milestone days, motherhood can be completely exhausting. I find that on the days I spend time with my Creator in prayer and Bible study, things go smoother, or at least my heart is much more at peace. I need to intentionally lean on the arms of Jesus to get through with patience and love.

Enjoy the Current Season

People constantly comment, “Oh, just wait until [insert milestone here],” and I’m tired of it. While there are certain aspects of parenthood I do look forward to, I don’t want them to detract from the current season we are in. It happens all the time: we look back at a past season wistfully and wish we could have lived in it more fully. Well, I am choosing to live more fully in these moments. I won’t always get the cuddles and excited smiles. I’m sure I’ll miss having naptime one day too. Having one vs. two will also be something else. There is a time for everything. 

Taking Care of Myself is Important too

Getting enough sleep and getting healthy food is important, but so is taking care of my emotional needs. I have found that getting out of the house by myself at least an hour or two a week - not to run errands, but to just be alone - has been really necessary for staying sane. It could be as simple as taking a walk with an audiobook, or taking myself (or a friend, if one is available!) out on a Starbucks date. When I take the time to feel my best and recharge my introvert self, I can also give my best to my family.

Twenty-Five Things I Don't Buy Anymore

Over the years, I have simplified many things in our household. We work on having a minimal-ish home where we are content and not overwhelmed with things. We also try hard to eliminate waste, and while we are not at zero-waste, we practice a near-o-waste policy. There are definitely more than 25 items that I do not purchase anymore due to different reasons, but twenty-five seemed like a good number for today’s blog post. Maybe I’ll expand it to fifty or one hundred at some point! The following list of random items I don’t purchase anymore is either due to finding an alternative that works better or is more eco-friendly, it is cheaper not to purchase it, or I have zero use for the item(s).

Affiliate links are used in this post.

In the Bathroom

1 | Makeup

I have my selection of favorite nail polish shades, but other than that, makeup is on the non-purchase list. I stopped buying it years ago, opting for a better skincare routine, and have not looked back. 

Related Post: What Happened When I Quit Makeup

2 | Makeup Wipes

I don’t wear makeup anymore, so I wouldn’t need these anyway. A good facial cleanser, and argon oil (and maybe some reusable cotton rounds) are all one needs to remove makeup, though!

3 | Shaving Cream

Instead, I use the same soap I already use in the shower. I’ve not noticed any difference in the shave since I stopped buying shaving cream, and honestly, it saves me a step in the shower, saves me time, and saves me money (wow, that stuff got expensive when I looked last!). You can always make your own if you feel you can’t live without it. 

4 | Single-Use Feminine Hygiene Products

All for the menstrual cup and period panties! It feels amazing not to throw feminine hygiene in the trash. The only exception is postpartum when cups are not usable.

Related Post: I Switched to a Menstrual Cup. Here’s What Happened.

5 | Hand Soap

Seven years later, I still make my own! It’s so easy and saves on single-use plastic (and money!), not to mention we are better able to avoid fragrances and other harsh ingredients that are commonly found in cheap hand soap. 

In the Office

6 | Wall Calendars

Unnecessary, in my humble opinion. I choose to use a digital calendar (and planner!)

7 + 8 | Pens and Pencils

I have so many of these, especially from conferences and from my teaching days. I’m pretty sure I can go a very, very long time without buying another pen or pencil. So I won’t! I’ll also mention that I’ve transitioned quite a bit to digital planning, so I haven’t used pens and pencils in quite some time. My husband is relieved, I’m sure. 

9 | Physical Books (with a few exceptions)

If I want to read a new physical book, the library is right around the corner from me. Everything else is a digital ebook or audiobook! The only exceptions to purchasing books are books that will be reread or referenced. If we don’t reread it, we pass it on to someone we think will enjoy it. 

10 | Notebooks

Another thing I have an overabundance of from my teaching days. I don’t need to purchase a notebook for a long time, and I’ve honestly been making the switch to digital notebooks, so I don’t think more will be much needed!

In the Kitchen 

11 | Vegetable Broth

Once I started making vegetable broth from collected scraps. I have not looked back. Not only is the price tag worth it, but it also does not take much time to make it - especially when I’m using my Instant Pot. The flavor is richer, and even my husband can tell when the homemade stuff is used. 

12 | Bottled Water

We choose reusable water bottles. And we may have a slight obsession with them - especially glass water bottles (I love this one from Amazon!)! We do have non-glass water bottles that are more practical for activities like camping, hiking, and going to the beach, though.

13 | Sparkling Water

We decided to get a SodaStream (check it out on Amazon here) because I am obsessed with sparkling water. I was tired of all the plastic bottles involved in satisfying my craving, and the SodaStream has been a fantastic tool to have in our kitchen.

14 | Plastic Tupperware

Instead, I reuse glass jars or purchase glass containers. They’re heavy but so worth it, and I’ve had no problems freezing or storing them. It’s gotten to a point where I can tell just by the taste that something was stored in old Tupperware. If you can’t use glass, there are other alternatives, like tin containers, that are great (and light) for activities that aren’t glass-safe! You can always upcycle any current plastic Tupperware you own for all kinds of uses!

In the Closet

15 | Scarves

I used to have an obsession with scarves. Obsession. I had boxes of scarves when I went through them all, and it was becoming a problem! My husband even recently remarked that I constantly wore scarves when we first met and started dating over a decade ago. I finally downsized to a few favorites (and I’m talking, a maximum of three scarves) a few years ago, and I have not purchased a scarf since. It does help that it’s not overly cold in Maryland, but even so, I’ve realized that having just a few in a cold place will do the trick for me.

16 | Disposable lint roller

With a cuddly cat, lint rollers are necessary for us. Reusable lint rollers work great (like this one), are less flimsy, and don’t fill up landfills so quickly.

In the  Supply Closet

17 | Fabric Softener

Aside from the plastic containers that add up from buying it, fabric softener is not good for your clothes. I stick with a sustainable laundry detergent (please, not a homemade one) to keep our laundry clean.

18 | Dryer Sheets

These are essentially fabric softener sheets for the dryer. I have some, but they were gifted, and I’ve never used them! They are not compostable or recyclable, so they need to be disposed of. I’ve also researched and found that they contain potentially harmful chemicals and the fewer chemicals I can have on our bodies, the better. Instead, I use reusable dryer balls made of wool (like these ones). They work well, catch lint, and are compostable. I find that a set lasts me years!

19 + 20 | Disposable Swiffer Duster/Broom 

Instead, I have a washable duster (similar to this) that goes right into the wash when full and I use a normal broom and mop (this is my favorite mop, by the way). A microfiber cloth and cleaning solution also works fantastic for dust. 

21 | Disposable furnace filters

We have a washable furnace filter that we switch out every couple of months (here’s a similar one). It works great, and there are no more trips to the hardware store to buy new disposable ones. 

22 | Scent boosters for the laundry

Why add more chemicals when not necessary? I’m sensitive to perfumy smells, anyway, so this has never been a product for me.

23 + 24 | Plug-ins or Air Fresheners

Again, more unecessary chemicals.

In the Nursery

25 | Disposable cloth diaper liners

I never understood what the point of disposable liners was, though I understand why parents would want to use them! When I found out about reusable fleece liners (I use these), I was here for it. They work great for us!

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Are there things you don’t buy anymore? Let me know about it in the comments!

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Ten Baby Products We Use Every Day

Having a tiny human can be extremely daunting. When we first found out we were expecting, I already knew in my mind that I truly wanted the bare minimum amount of things possible. I searched for the most minimalist and versatile products out there that we could use and incorporate into our new normal. 

To be honest, I hated every second of research. I thought I would be excited about looking at baby things, but it was not the case. I got so sick of reading about baby gear and clothes and all the things people claimed we would need. I got tired of researching the best prices. I grew weary of reading reviews and consumer reports. It was all just so exhausting to me. 

I did, finally, get to a point where I felt pretty good about the choices we made for the newborn stage (and beyond - since we were thinking ahead as much as possible), and now that that stage is over [insert crying over my growing baby], I’m sharing my top ten must-haves!

(You can see more must-haves in my Amazon storefront here!)

Of course, this list is my list. Based on our needs. It is also not an exhaustive list; there are items we use every day that didn’t make this list because they’re so striaght-forward, like bodysuits, etc. There will definitely be some who disagree or don’t relate because their daily lives and setups look different than ours. So take it with a grain of salt. Just know, though, that I always only suggest things I personally recommend, so while there are some affiliate links, be assured I use and trust the products!

This blog post contains affiliate links

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

I love this high chair. We got the newborn attachment so that Baby Z could be at the table with us, and I’m so glad we did! The price tag is higher, but I like that this chair will grow with her. Not to mention it looks fantastic and will blend in with our decor. Get yours from Amazon today.

Lovevery Play Gym

Another high price tag, but worth it. Baby Z loves this play gym, and it’s been so fun watching her skills improve daily. Now that she’s almost a year old, we’ve attached the tent, and it adds such a fun dimension to play. I see us continuing to get a lot of usage out of this item! Get yours from Amazon today.

Copper and Pearl Blanket

I love love love this blanket, and we use it every day. I’m going to buy another one. It was fantastic for swaddling, for covering the car seat, for laying on the floor - seriously everything. On top of that, it’s so soft and stretchy and so well made. Get yours from Amazon.

Boppy Pillow

This pillow gets so much hate, but honestly, I LOVE it. There are definitely mixed reviews out there, and everyone’s situation is different but I have used this every day since we brought our tiny human home. It has been so helpful for nursing and all kinds of propping (both me and the baby, hehe). I’ll mention that a lot of people prefer the My Brest Friend nursing pillow, but I haven’t tried it yet. Get yours from Amazon.

Burp Cloths/Muslin Cloths

These pieces of cloth get so much use, it’s insane. Spit-up, slobber, and all of the messes…these do the heavy lifting. Especially during those early nursing days, I was never far from them - and I couldn’t have too many. I will mention that I had a variety of kinds, and I liked the muslin ones best - personal preference. These are so great, and you can get them from Amazon.

Skip Hop Changing Pad

I opted for this one because it was a little cheaper than The peanut one and was still a wipeable option. It’s not as portable as the other would have been, but that hasn’t been an issue (and we are a year in). I am more of a station person than a “let’s change the baby anywhere in the house” person since we only have one. I’m sure that will change with a second, but I have no problem taking a wipeable one around. Baby Z also likes the mobile on it, though it is removable if you’d prefer not to have it on there. Get yours from Amazon!

Esembly Products

We cloth diaper this one with the complete Esembly baby system. It works incredibly well, and we love it! We are into the next size now. I plan on writing more about our cloth diapering experience soon! You can get Esembly on Amazon or directly from their website (try Esembly it for 15% off by using this referral link)

Frida Products

Namely the sucker and the windii. The peri bottle was also crazy helpful during the first six weeks postpartum. We’ve really used every item in this whole package and still do. Get this whole pack on Amazon!

Solly Baby Wrap

After hearing about the benefits, I decided early on that I wanted to babywear and I have so much love for this wrap. Seriously. It’s perfect when I need to be hands-free, but the baby needs to come with me. Great on walks too. It looks complicated and daunting, but once you get the tie down, it’s so easy to use - not to mention it packs away perfectly as well and doesn’t take up a lot of space like some soft carriers. I ended up buying two because I found I still needed to use them if they happened to be in the wash. Get it on Amazon or directly on their website. As Z has grown, I’ve also added their loop carrier to my collection, and I love the ease of it! I have a feeling I’ll love this even more when we add a second!

Muslin Bibs

We got so many bibs as gifts either in packs or ones that came with outfits, but bandana bibs were my absolute favorite - they looked the best, honestly, and these muslin ones especially were so soft and actually absorbent. So necessary for spit up and then later for teething, when drool is out of this world. I thought this ten pack would be a bit excessive, but definitely used all of them. Plus I love the neutral hues. Grab your pack on Amazon.

Bonus: Kibou Bag (you can now get limited colors on Amazon!)

I love, love, love this diaper bag! It’s crazy convenient and holds more than you would think. Plus, it isn’t bulky and obvious to carry around (and is nice looking, so my husband isn’t embarrassed carrying it around either!). Seriously worth every penny!

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So there you have it. ten baby products we use and have used pretty much every day since becoming parents! Mamas, what are some things that you couldn’t live without?

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Daily Habits for your Thirties (with Vegamour)

Now that my thirties are well underway, I’ve reevaluated my daily habits. It turns out that time goes by much quicker than one would think and how I am more than halfway to my sixties is a pretty insane thought. I have seen so many posts about habits to start in your twenties and thirties, so I thought I’d share some habits I’ve adopted in this decade as well. Number 3 is my current favorite, thanks to Vegamour.

There are affiliate links in this post

Skincare Routine

Having a skincare routine is important! I realized this soon after quitting makeup, and I haven’t looked back. I started taking my skincare routine seriously a few years back and was reminded when I was at another friend’s thirtieth how important it was. Someone was sharing advice for her to take into this decade and she mentioned having a good skincare routine! It doesn’t have to be a thirteen-step process, either. Just consistent, and with clean products to get the day off your face (this is my favorite system and you can get it on Amazon!).

Get Outside

Fresh air is good for the lungs and good for the soul. It’s amazing how a mood can change if I just get outside every day to take some deep breaths and enjoy the nature around me. It doesn’t have to be a long time or even involve a walk, either, though it can! I love my daily walks.

Haircare Routine

Hair is another thing to take care of. I always have to think about the Bible verse about how hair is a woman’s crown. I always feel better when my hair is taken care of, and not neglected and then thrown into a top knot. I can definitely tell my hair is aging with me, even if the greys are far and few in-between. I was also a little nervous about the infamous hair loss after giving birth.

The fine folks at Vegamour sent me their GRO serum and lash serum to try out and let’s just say I’ve found a new haircare staple. Both serums are fantastic. Vegamour is a vegan, cruelty-free, hormone-free, and clinically tested serum that claims to give you fuller-looking hair in 90-120 days. I’ll admit that even though I had been looking at their products for a while, I was rather skeptical. How could a serum combat thinning hair and reduce hair loss? After some research, I agreed to give it a try and after just a few months of daily use, I definitely notice a difference in thickness and growth (especially after that dreaded postpartum hair loss!). I don’t shed as much hair either, with no weird side effects. My hair definitely appears and feels much healthier too. Plus, the serum itself is not sticky or gross and smells fantastic. The lash and brow serum are equally as fantastic. I will continue using everything they sent!

Of course, it’s important to implement a lot more like stress relief and nutrition to maximize hair health, but Vegamour is definitely a great natural supplement to try! I can recommend Vegamour. They also have tons of great information on their website about healthy habits that affect hair (as well as amazing before and after pictures from other satisfied customers!).

Exercise

Even just 15 minutes of loving movement (what I’m calling exercise in this season of life) a day is something. Carving out time to consistently move your body is so important - especially if you’re living that stationary desk job life like I do most days. I always feel great after a workout - even if I don’t feel like getting one in. My favorite thing to do if I’m short on time is sneaking in a quick Pilates routine, which leaves me feeling strong and flexible. (Try my favorite membership for $20 off!)

Drink Water

I’ll pair this with “and drink less sugary drinks,” which is probably harder for me than increasing water intake. Growing up, I heard the narrative that water is gross, so I never gravitated toward drinking it. Turns out that water isn’t gross at all, and is actually super necessary for our bodies! And sugar is terrible for us. I recently also found out that our brains are made up of 73% water and that dehydration has been linked to depression and anxiety. So. Drink up!

Morning and Evening Routines

These are nothing new for me, but it turns out that morning and evening routines are fluid and change depending on what season of life you’re in. For me, that looks like adding in starting a load of laundry every morning in this season and factoring in an infant’s nighttime routine into my own evening routine. It also means that I need to learn to be more flexible when things need to change and require adapting. Change is hard for me, and routines are required for my sanity, but without them in place, they can’t help when I need them.

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What are some of the routines or habits you adapt? I’d love to hear about them!

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Top 5 Reads of 2021

This is the longest it’s taken me to get a top reads post out! I got several requests for last year’s top books. Turns out with a newborn around and basically attached to you 24/7, typing out blog posts can be trying! If you checked out my complete reading list for 2021, you saw all the books I read. I enjoyed most of them, but these stood out. And if you were curious about what I didn’t like, I would not recommend the Baxter series if you aren’t willing to devote yourselves to the fictional family. I felt like I had to read them just because I needed closure - not because I particularly enjoyed them. I saw that a new Baxter book is coming out, but I will not be reading it, in case you were wondering. 

I’m already excited to share my top 2022 books - the year has started out great in terms of books! But first, 2021…

(By the way, you can find even more of my favorites on my Amazon page here!)

Affiliate links are used in this post

1. Counted with the Stars by Connilyn Cossette (Out from Egypt #1)

This was great, though I did feel that some of the storylines should have been more complete. I loved the idea behind this book. If you like Biblical fiction, you’ll enjoy it too. Also, the cover art is just *chef’s kiss*

Get your copy here on Amazon.

2. Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette (Cities of Refuge #3)

This entire series is fantastic. I would suggest starting with the first book and making your way through, but I can’t *technically* choose number one to go on this list since I read it in 2020.

Get your copy here on Amazon.

3. Building a Story Brand: Clarify your message so that customers will listen by Donald Miller

An awesome business book that highlights the power of storytelling. Storytelling is near and dear to my heart. I also read Business made Simple by him and it was great. If you are starting a business, both of these books are very practical, helpful, and easy to implement!

Get your copy here on Amazon.

4. Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud

A branch of the original Boundaries book (you can read my review of it here), but so worth the read. Super practical and offered a lot of food for thought.

Get your copy here on Amazon.

5. Dream Big by Bob Goff

It’s Bob Goff. It’s all good. No more to say other than he always makes my top lists when I read him in a year.

Get your copy here on Amazon.



If you want to see the complete list, check out this blog post here. I’ve enjoyed doing these book posts every year for the past couple of years.

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What were some of the best books you read in 2021? I'd love some recommendations for 2022!

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