Pause Pages: Smash Cakes, Sign Language, and Surprise Baby Fever

a monthly care package of thoughts, faves, and little joys — plus some prompts for a little mom self-care woven into your day.

Welcome to the monthly roundup! Think of this as a little care package of all the things I’ve been loving, thinking about, and obsessing over lately — books, baby stuff, articles, and random life joys that deserve a shoutout. It’s also a time to pause, reflect, and nurture yourself — a little mom self-care woven into your day.

July Intention: Soften into the celebration.

Hi friends! It’s the home stretch — Keira’s party is in three weeks! But in my mind, it’s in two, since that’s when family starts to arrive. I’m planning to start setting up a week early just to make sure I have what I need and I’m not scrambling last minute. While I’m hunkering down to get things done, I know that once the celebration is here, I really just want to immerse myself in all the feels. I want to enjoy every minute.

I have so much I want to reflect on and share around this first year of motherhood… one whole year of Keira… a year of exclusively breastfeeding… but I’ll save that for a separate post. Right now, I just feel flooded with emotion. There’s so much joy, pride, gratitude — and a little bit of that achey sadness too, because wow, time really flies. I totally get why people have more kids… it’s like, this can’t be the last time I experience this stage. And yet, if I do it again, it will be completely different — while juggling a toddler this time.

Anyone else got baby on the brain?? I have a feeling we’re not done. I mean, I’d love a three-year age gap ideally, but who knows what life has in store. What are you all thinking or feeling? One and done? Thinking about more?

As someone who was pretty certain she’d be one and done… I keep surprising myself. I’m not who I thought I’d be, lol. So I’m just meeting myself where I’m at.

I can already tell I will get emotional when we sing “Happy Birthday” to Keira, so I need to remember to nix the mascara.

💭 Prompts to Ponder:

• What surprised you most about this past year?

• Is your current season one you want to savor, shift, or both?

• How has becoming a parent (or being around little ones) changed your relationship with time?

Reflection: 11 months into motherhood

• Keira is saying “mamamama”… pretty much anytime she is upset and wants me! She also says “dadadadad” and “moooo” like a cow. She is getting up and down (feet first) very well! She’s super brave when it comes to climbing things. She really has no fear, but she also is slow and steady as she lowers down. She’s communicating with sign language… signing “more” or “I’m hungry” or just aggressively grabbing my shirt if she wants milk. We’re on 3 meals a day, plus snacks!

• I have so many gray hairs that have appeared this year. Andrew has a few too! No, I don’t want to embrace it lol… I will continue to color them, because it makes me happy.

• I’m feeling better this month… less lethargic… less sad girl. Actually, I’ve been feeling more like myself again. I wonder if that dip around 9/10 months had something to do with my cycle returning? This is the first time I’ve had my period two months in a row. So, maybe it’s back for good now?? We shall see!

• This came up in our Substack mom chat, but anyone else’s baby run super warm? Our bedroom is around 69-70 degrees at night, and I’m wearing long-sleeve/long-pant pajamas with a wool blanket from the waist down… shivering! Meanwhile, I dress Keira in this short-sleeved pajama set (my absolute fave…so soft & stretchy) with her Woolino sleep sack, and her head/neck gets sweaty! She does sleep in the crook of my arm, so I probably radiate more heat… but dang, I don’t want her to overheat, but I also am dressing her in the lightest clothes.

• As I mentioned above, there really is so much I want to reflect on… but I’m going to save that for a future post. One year is a big one! Gotta have the space to really dive in.

🧠 Mom Brain Moment: We were getting to go for a walk, and I said to my husband, “I’m almost ready. You can go ahead and put Keira in the fridge.” Stroller… I meant stroller.

Life Lately: things worth sharing (birthday edition)

1. Beyond getting everything party-ready, I’m also babyproofing the house — securing dressers and mirrors to the wall, using these magnetic cabinet locks so no one smashes their fingers, and museum wax told hold down decor I love. Since we’ll have a few little ones staying with us, plus over a dozen kids at the party itself, I just want to make sure everyone’s safe. Honestly, this was the push we needed to finally check some of these safety things off our list.

2. We bought this birthday banner for Keira’s party and I’m in looove. I picked the pastel colors and love that her name is on a separate piece — which means we can use the “happy birthday” part again for future parties (mine included, lol). It’s handmade, linen, and just feels special.

3. For the high chair moment (smash cake time!), I grabbed this garland. Nothing fancy, but it did the job. Etsy had some cuter ones, but honestly... our budget was like: “please stop.” 🥸

4. I’m making this healthy cake recipe (minus the maple syrup) for her smash cake and might do a swirl of Greek yogurt + strawberry puree on top (or coconut cream if I’m feeling ambitious). Baked with these sprinkles because of course I want it to look cute and be healthy for my bebe.

5. We’re doing a little Korean doljabi game (where baby picks an item to “predict” their future — doctor, artist, entrepreneur… ya know, the usual lineup 😂). We will print out these cute coloring pages for people to color/guess what they think she’ll choose. It’s such a fun tradition and a sweet way to weave in culture, while surrounded by all of our family and friends. My mom can’t remember if I picked the money (wealth) or the book (wisdom)… she has me and my brother mixed up, so we’ll never really know haha. Good thing my generation (and beyond) are chronic over-sharers and over-documenters — Keira will always know what went down at her dohl!

✨ Got any topic requests or questions? Let me know in the comments!

See you next month, mamas!