Blogging is a daily writing exercise for me. It’s a creative outlet and a way for me to stay consistent with writing because it’s always been something vital to my sanity (so says my diaries from second grade on). Still, it doesn’t mean I don’t blank of exactly what I should write about each time, so yesterday I put a plea out on instagram stories asking for any questions you may be curious about for a Q & A post. Sometimes I feel like I share too much so I didn’t expect much of a response but got almost 40 questions! It totally made my day because talking with you guys is my favorite. Still, at the risk of boring you, I’m going to break them into a 3 part mini series and if you have anything you’re curious about, leave it in the comments! This is so much fun for me and I feel like I also have questions for you, so if you want to chime in down below, please do!
I know y’all are big on extra curriculars, but I’d love to know if you have a schedule for the girls for days y’all are home together?
A quick note about extra curriculars: I’m actually a believer in not over-scheduling kids, yet here I am carting Hailey around to dance, tennis, and music. The overlap feels suffocating right now, but its short-lived. I am looking forward to things chilling out for summer!
To answer your question though, days at home are so nice and chill! I get up before the girls and by 7:15 they have wandered down stairs (they aren’t allowed out of their rooms until 7:00). We all head to the kitchen for breakfast, which usually takes 45 minutes to an hour since I cook, we chat, they run around. With nothing planned we clean up, get dressed then find something to play with around the house. I usually do chores simultaneously (laundry, etc). They are really into painting, board games, and reading books at the moment. We eat lunch at 12, then the girls have “quiet time” until 2:00. Mostly apart but sometimes I let them have it together. The afternoon is either errands or outdoor time, the dinner around 5:30, followed by bath and books, then in bed by 7:00/7:15.
I want to hear your review on Aldi!
Oh man, Aldi is awesome!! I’ve been to our newly redone store many times now. The prices can not be beat. I think it’s great for cheese and pantry items. The produce has been pretty good too, but now with my CSA and my love for Whole Food’s quality produce, I don’t get it too often.
How did you know you were ready to have kids? I’m 29 and have been married 2 1/2 years and we are starting to think about it, but worry too. Will our kids get both our bad traits? Will it mess up our good marriage? Will it be too expensive?
We talked about it, decided to wait another year before trying, then, pregnant. Best surprise ever and I’m grateful I never had to make the official decision because I’m not sure if I ever would have been 100%. For reference, I had Hailey at 27 (5 days before I turned 28).
No, your kids won’t get both your bad traits and you will be so in love with them that even if they do, you won’t notice 🙂 As for marriage, personally I think having a baby makes a weak marriage worse and a strong marriage better. It amplifies any issues and certainly stresses even the sturdiest of marriages at times, but seeing David as a dad has only made me love him more! As for expense, babies don’t really need all that much I found, but goodness the costs multiply as they get older. I’m grateful that nowadays there are so many options for kid stuff (second hand stores, online consignment), free activities, etc, that you do have some (not all) control over how the cost. However, I do think it helps to be financially stable before welcoming a child because an extra cause of stress certainly doesn’t make any thing easier.
Baby Hailey at 15 days old… hold me.
I need summer reading list suggestions? What about podcasts?
I am not the one to go to for book suggestions, so reader friends, please fire away in the comments! Right now I’m reading the second Harry Potter and listening to Brene Brown’s The Power of Vulnerability on Audible.
Podcasts. Again, I listen mostly to kid music, but I enjoy the podcasts David listens to when I can: Planet Money, My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, TED Talks (you can subscribe by topic and I love the kids and family, society and culture, and health topics). I’ve listened to a few episodes of The Homeschool Sisters and just finished up S-Town, but honestly wasn’t a big fan of the second Seriel series.
I’d love to hear about grocery and overall budgeting. What changes have you made?
Monthly instead of weekly is working out really well for us! I’m also hopping stores again. Now in a month I hit up BJ’s, Aldi, Whole Foods, Publix, and Food Lion based on what my needs happen to be. BJ’s is always an expensive trip, but I get a ton, then I fill in the pantry largely with Aldi, produce from my CSA and Whole Foods, and odds and ends from Publix (convenient!) and Food Lion (also convenient!).
What are your favorite toddler meal ideas?
By far, modified versions of whatever you are eating. Because it’s easier and cheaper and because I think it’s a good habit to get everyone onto the same page (plate?) early on. However, for more specific ideas, check out my Munchkin Meals page for recipes and roundups of what my girls have eaten over the years!
What is your favorite thing about having two girls?
Never in a million years did I think I’d have two girls, but I love that I didn’t get to choose because raising sisters has been an incredible blessing. I love the constant singing and dancing, the snuggling, the clothes sharing (passing down), the dress up and nail painting, the fact that often times they enjoy similar activities and usually (not this past week, but usually!) they play so well together. That’s not to say it’s not without challenges (the drama starts early with girls, yall!), but I am grateful everyday that David and I were blessed with two sweet girls!
What is your early morning schedule for blogging?
I get up at 5:30 am to have 1.5 hours before the girls get up. I usually write my blog post for the day and schedule the social media to accompany it. From there I get through as many emails as possible but when the girls get up, the computer goes off. I spend the hour of quiet time also doing emails or editing pictures and sometimes I get back on after they go to bed, but I really try to keep that to a minimum because that’s my time with David. But if he has work to do, then I join him in the office!
Do you have any ideas on how to cook for 2? I usually end up making 3 things for the week and eat that for lunch and dinner but would like more variety!
Hm, good question! Honestly, I don’t know because I feel like most recipes I make are portioned for 2 people, but I think David just eats large dinner portions. We hardly ever (like never) have leftovers. In fact, I’m always looking at ways to bulk up a meal or recipe.
I guess the only advice I have is to check the serving sizes. Obviously soups, stews, slow cooker meals are going to make more food and in those cases, I’d utilize my vacuum sealer and freezer to store it for another week or month just to space out eating the same thing. Then I’d chose recipes that serve 4 to cook because we eat those in a single sitting without issue, but anything leftover could be eaten for lunch the next day (I love it when that happens!). I wish I was more help!
What brings you joy?
At the risk of sounding obnoxious, so much brings me joy. The foundation of course is my family, both immediate and extended. I’m really lucky to have grown up in a loving, family-centric house and to have married into a really wonderful, loving family too.
But beyond the big stuff, little things bring me great joy: time with girlfriends, lighting a candle, a glass of wine on the back porch, a hot cup of tea, a day with nothing on the agenda, good food!, getting a surprise kind comment or email from a reader, thinking about the holidays, when the girls match their clothing, learning a new skill, looking through family photo albums, checking off my to-do list, jamming out to music in the car, art made from the girls’ hand prints, seeing people do good, getting my hair done, combing through memory boxes and reminiscing, organizing a closet, being near water, traveling, afternoon coffee and conversation… the list could go on and on!
Play along! Pick and question and answer below!
Or at least leave your best book suggestion since I’m no help in that arena 😉
And thank you so much for the questions!
Brynn says
Absolutely love the introduction to this post. Yes! For kids’ meals I like to feed my two year old similarly to what I eat. I also remember how wonderful flavors taste without added sugars and toppings- eating with my son has taught me a lot, too!
Heather Warner says
I am working on extracurriculars for this fall since I will be home with my 2.5 year old and newborn. I want my toddler to get out and about even if it is just free story time at the library, but I am also terrified about juggling a newborn in the mix. I see some all day movie days in or future when I just can’t handle it, but I also know I NEED to get out more with my second. Pray that this little boy is the opposite from his sister and a super easy going infant for me, OK?
Brittany Dixon says
Prayers for you Heather! Though I imagine you’ll find the second baby easier just because you’ve done it before. Everything felt a lot less overwhelming to me! I wouldn’t even think about extra curriculars if I were you- movies, games, books, and making it out of the house on the days that you all feel like it sounds like a perfect set up to ease into the mom of two gig. So excited for you!
Coco says
I have two girls too so I can totally relate! 🙂
one question…. how do you make sure girls don’t come out from their rooms before 7am? do they read the clock?
Brittany Dixon says
Hailey reads her clock and Kaitlyn has an “OK to Wake” clock that glows green when she can get up. Honestly I think the clock is kind of a pain and wish we would have just stuck to having her recognize the 7 like we did with Hailey 🙂
Laura says
I decided to keep a list of books read this year and I started out strong but haven’t managed to finish a book in a couple of months. Anyways, I just looked at the list to see if I would recommend any and I can’t even remember the plots of some of them. Mom brain!
Re: getting pregnant. We were ready to start a family about a year after getting married but for various reasons, we didn’t end up welcoming our first child until 3 years after our wedding. But we were young, so we weren’t in a huge hurry. With our second, we dealt with some secondary infertility, but also had the hardest time deciding if we were even ready for another. So they are are 4 years and 9 months apart and while that has it’s positives, I do kind of wish we had just gone for it sooner. Basically, my advice is just go for it if you’re in a good, financial place. They are so worth it! And the sibling relationship is so wonderful to observe.
Brittany Dixon says
The sibling relationship really is so cool to watch. I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for sharing your story <3
Heather says
This is so awesome, Brittany! I just love all of your blog posts.
Random question….I am not the healthiest eater, but trying to do better. I rarely buy organic, but if you could only buy a couple of organic things, what would they be? I am thinking I should do organic milk, and possibly eggs and meat? (Honestly, I am lucky to get many fruits/veggies in at all, so I don’t really care if they are organic LOL). I am just looking for the most important organics, if that makes any sense.
Brittany Dixon says
Hey Heather! I love your realness! 🙂 Milk I typically buy organic because I find for the little bit we drink it, the cost isn’t that different. I try to stick to organic leafy greens or any fruit or veggie with a large surface area for less pesticides. Meats I try to do organic but am not always successful keeping it organic and in budget so I’ll buy “natural” too sometimes even though I know “natural” on labeling has no real meaning. I feel the ingredients lists are usually better!
I really think what people buy organic is so personal and has a lot to do with availability and budget. I also think all fruits and veggies are good and holding off on buying them because they are conventional is silly! A conventional apple beats an organic cookie in my book 😉
Jeanne says
Love this! What do the girls do in quiet time?
Heather says
So fun! I love the differences between my son and daughter and I’m having so much fun being the mama to a girl. If anything, she’s bringing out more of my girly side and I kind of love it.
As for the gal who isn’t sure when the right time to have kids is… I don’t know if there is every truly a “right” or “perfect” time. At the very least, do some planning. If you know you’ll need day care, do some budgeting – is it within your financial means? Honestly, though, sometimes you just have to trust in the universe and go for it. We had no idea how much anything would cost, but in the end it just worked out. I didn’t conceive right away, so I’m glad we started trying when we did, which is another thing to consider. Just because you decide you’re ready, doesn’t mean your body will immediately cooperate. 😉
As for books, I’m loving Fredrik Backman and want to read more by Kate Morton. I also love Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies).
Caley says
What an awesome post and lovely questions (and answers!)
I also try and feed my girls the same food/dinners as us and your take on being ready for children is spot on!! x
SHU says
Love this post too; I’m always interested in your routines. You make staying home sound a lot more fun than I tend to find it to be (or maybe my kids are just crazier, esp my son!). We’ll see how #3 turns out.
As for books – I love the Modern Ms Darcy blog & podcast for book recs! She even puts out a summer reading guide every year. I’ve gotten lots of good recommendations from it.
Brittany Dixon says
I think staying home is truly a personality thing. It just fits me! I see our days as a giant Tetris game and love being the one to make all the parts fit together in the most efficient and fun way possible. Similarly I see others thrive in corporate environments with awe because it just wouldn’t be the best fit for my skill set. Don’t let my girls fool you though, ,we have some drama moments for sure!
I hope your nausea fades soon. I wanted to hug you in your last post. Pregnancy symptoms are no joke!
Maria says
It feels good that someone else never has leftovers. My husband is a garbage truck. Recipes for four will definitely not produce leftovers in our house. Sometimes, he’s super polite and will save me leftovers for my dinner the next day, but then he’s raiding the pantry two hours later, so I usually just tell him to eat up. Now that we have an Instant Pot, I’m hoping to make larger recipes.
I’ve been on a food budgeting kick mainly because I feel like we throw so much out and that PAINS me. What I’ve found to work for me is being creative with whatever is in our freezer, fridge, and pantry. I’ve been able to really cut down on my grocery list because of this and I don’t feel bad that I have to throw out another half jar of pasta or BBQ sauce. Then I just add leftover veggies in the fridge to frittatas, spaghetti sauce, or stews. I basically let whatever we have to use up dictate what we are going to eat, which also cuts down on the stress of having to meal plan. Another super small tip that I’ve enjoyed is shredding my own cheese! I don’t know why I haven’t been doing this before. I buy a huge block of cheese from Costco and shredding it takes no time at all. And, the cheese tastes much better! I also have been using the Ibotta app and Cartwheel, which is not only fun, but has saved me $$$. Clearly, this is a favorite topic of mine 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Yes, shredding cheese myself tastes so much better! It’s that lack of powdery stuff they put on it to keep it from sticking in the pre-shredded stuff 🙂
Love your tips; thanks Maria! Hope you’re feeling well!!
Bethany says
On cooking for 2 we either ate leftovers during the week ( I am a big fan of leftovers) or I would freeze the leftovers into single size portions. No food goes to waste at our house.
Sarah says
Books totally depend on what interests you. I often check Goodreads, Litsy, and Book Riot for recommendations. Right now I’m craving mysteries and thrillers but in a few months I could lean towards chick lit.
JOHN J STATHAS says
Your “Joy” list touched me. So simple, grounded. AND, pleased you are grateful for our “loving family-centric home that you contributed so much to – and still do!
katie says
Your marriage line about kids can make a bad marriage worse, or a good marriage better is really hitting home for me. I’m 29 and not happily single. I’d love to find my person and settle down, but I want a family, and I know I want to take the time to find the right man to partner with. Thank you!
Brittany Dixon says
Love your candor Katie! I think you have the best outlook and my biggest piece of advice is to never settle. Keep filling your life with all the wonderful things you love and enjoy. Married life is incredible, but I also have so many fond memories of getting to know myself from when I was single. Thanks for your comment <3
Clarissa says
Hi Brittany, I have been such a long time reader and realized I have never posted before. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog, you have been such an encouragement in this motherhood journey. Your posts are filled with so much joy and your recipes are wonderful. Thank you so much for being such a blessing and always being so real. ❤️
Brittany Dixon says
Clarissa, thank you so much for taking the time to comment and with such kindness! It means so much to me to get feedback and makes the connections I have to you guys feel so much stronger. I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for reading and letting me share my life with you <3