happy things + odds & ends
I'm not sure if it was our recent trip to the Como Park Conservatory but throughout the past few days my mood has been more lighthearted, and hopeful of the coming spring. I've been doing some experimenting with regards to my bedtime and morning routines to help me start my days on a more positive and productive note.
First of all, I have been sneaking Pippa's dream feed up earlier and earlier each night, with the hope of eventually phasing it out. This helps me actually get into bed with time to read before my head hits the pillow.
Second, I have been practicing setting a mental alarm clock for 6:30 a.m., which is about a half hour before Baby Zero Hour. I remember hearing or reading that it's possible to train yourself to wake up at a certain time just by thinking about it. I'm not sure if it's my husbands alarm + snooze combo that's actually waking me up, or simply my desire to start the day a little earlier that's working, but on Monday and Tuesday I was able to greet the day with a smile at exactly the time I wanted to wake up. I Googled this very phenomenon, and found this fascinating article. Apparently, routine and intent are essential to a great morning.
Other things that have been making my winter days brighter:
baking cookies
Borrowing some magic from Martha Stewart, but with my own "healthified" substitutions. I substitute one of the sticks of butter with a 1/2 cup of coconut oil, use wheat flour instead of white, and sugar in the raw instead of granulated sugar. Still not healthy by any means, but it makes me feel a little bit better about indulging myself. The texture is just how I like it - soft and chewy.
nature music on youtube
Flowing streams, ocean waves, and birds chirping are my favorites right now.
chugging water
I don't know if it's the dry winter air or not, but I find myself with more frequent headaches, scratchy throats, and fatigue during the colder months. More water seems to help!
vitamin D
Gummy vitamins, of course.
new books!
Pippa's great grandma got her a Barnes and Noble gift card for Christmas so I could pick up some more Spanish books. Yesterday we picked out three: ¿Eres Mi Mamá?, Frida, and Siempre Te Querré
(Are You My Mother?, Frida - a children's book about the painter Frida Kahlo, and I'll Love You Forever.)
longer days
Has anyone else noticed the slightly later sunset? Less than a month until Daylight Savings and even longer days! Spring is coming, people!
this kid
First of all, I have been sneaking Pippa's dream feed up earlier and earlier each night, with the hope of eventually phasing it out. This helps me actually get into bed with time to read before my head hits the pillow.
Second, I have been practicing setting a mental alarm clock for 6:30 a.m., which is about a half hour before Baby Zero Hour. I remember hearing or reading that it's possible to train yourself to wake up at a certain time just by thinking about it. I'm not sure if it's my husbands alarm + snooze combo that's actually waking me up, or simply my desire to start the day a little earlier that's working, but on Monday and Tuesday I was able to greet the day with a smile at exactly the time I wanted to wake up. I Googled this very phenomenon, and found this fascinating article. Apparently, routine and intent are essential to a great morning.
Other things that have been making my winter days brighter:
baking cookies
Borrowing some magic from Martha Stewart, but with my own "healthified" substitutions. I substitute one of the sticks of butter with a 1/2 cup of coconut oil, use wheat flour instead of white, and sugar in the raw instead of granulated sugar. Still not healthy by any means, but it makes me feel a little bit better about indulging myself. The texture is just how I like it - soft and chewy.
nature music on youtube
Flowing streams, ocean waves, and birds chirping are my favorites right now.
chugging water
I don't know if it's the dry winter air or not, but I find myself with more frequent headaches, scratchy throats, and fatigue during the colder months. More water seems to help!
vitamin D
Gummy vitamins, of course.
new books!
Pippa's great grandma got her a Barnes and Noble gift card for Christmas so I could pick up some more Spanish books. Yesterday we picked out three: ¿Eres Mi Mamá?, Frida, and Siempre Te Querré
(Are You My Mother?, Frida - a children's book about the painter Frida Kahlo, and I'll Love You Forever.)
longer days
Has anyone else noticed the slightly later sunset? Less than a month until Daylight Savings and even longer days! Spring is coming, people!
this kid