Winter Hike
With the holidays in full swing, making time for myself has been very…tricky…to say the least! Blake and I juggle kiddos and work and house projects…the list goes on and on. When I’m feeling the weight of my responsibilities and the overwhelm of life starts hitting too hard, that’s when I know I need to get outside and hit the reset button. Just a simple walk around the block can work wonders, but this week I had Blake watch the boys so I could get a couple hours to myself and go hike around the Austin greenbelt with my sister. It was so beautiful out and I came back home feeling energized, happy and ready to tackle my day ahead (…the coffee run on our way home helped, too, ha!). I know firsthand it can feel intimidating when winter weather is right outside your door – but with the proper gear to keep you warm and comfortable, that mid-week hike may just become routine. 😉
PATAGONIA JACKET / SOREL BOOTIES / SMARTWOOL SOCKS / BEANIE / FJALLRAVEN KANKEN BACKPACK / RAEN SUNGLASSES
SHOP MORE WINTER FAVORITES
Our little dude is on the MOVE! Not sure Jude has it in him to stop for a photo anymore, ha! We love watching him grow and feel out his coordination…it’s amazing how quickly he went from walking to climbing to running…and we are all for him getting those wiggles out. Now that Ezra has joined the fam, our morning wakeup call is around 6:30am. While at first it was a struggle (more coffee, please!), now we make a point to seize the day and take advantage of getting out while the rest of the city is still waking up. Zilker Park is usually packed with dogs, workout groups and people in general…so getting there before the rest of the city has its perks, like a good parking spot and the lawn all to ourselves!
Popping in quickly to give you some fantastic news! No no I didn’t have the baby just yet… 😉 Although that would be fantastic x 1000…ha! It’s been pretty exciting to online shop for my future non-pregnant body (!!) and thus, I discovered some lovely sales I want to share here. I’m talkin’ like 
I can finally say it: we’re in the home stretch! Currently 38 weeks over here doing my best to stay calm, comfortable and as active as I possibly can. Two days ago the word to describe this stage of pregnancy would have been “miserable” haha ah! (Hey, when you’ve reached the stuffed sausage feeling of pregnancy, I give full complaining rights, ha!). But today is a new day and after a morning walk on a nearby neighborhood trail, I am feeling energized, less achy and overall, content. I know I’m a broken record with this mindset, but getting outside and breaking a sweat (even if waddling at snail pace, like me) really can do wonders on your mental and physical state. Pregnancy is not easy, but something as simple as a daily walk can make a HUGE difference in how your feel!
Nothing like time outside (…and near water, it’s HOT in Austin!) to help revive my soul during the monotony of quarantine life. The days seem to blend together when we are doing the same thing day in and day out, which is why a morning at the lake was exactly what we needed this week. Plus, it felt SO good to throw on a bikini (this one is seriously amazing) and just let my belly soak up some much needed sunshine…and probably the rest of my body, too, ha! Anyone notice that shorts tan? 😉
First off, a big slow clap to all the amazing dads out there! Father’s Day is around the corner and in our family, Blake sure is deserving of a day dedicated to celebrating HIM! To help prep for this special day, I’ve asked our favorite guy to share 10 “Blake-approved” gift ideas! These range in price from $25 to $200, but most are on the more affordable end. We hope you find something extra special for the dads in your life!
