Things I’m Loving Friday #345

I saw someone say “Happy October!” on Instagram yesterday and I legitimately clicked to the lock screen of my phone to doublecheck the date. Yes it is, in fact, OCTOBER. Fall is in full swing and I’m happy to report our house is looking semi-fallish at the moment. We’ve done a little decorating but I always love picking up an assortment of real pumpkins to put around the house so that is on our agenda for this weekend. Chase keeps asking to carve a pumpkin so we may also do that even though I’m pretty sure that means we’ll have one heck of a rotten pumpkin on our porch by the time Halloween actually rolls around.

As for this past week, it was a pretty good one. I was frazzled more than once but then I felt like things were coming together a bit, too, and by now I know that’s how things feel in these hazy newborn days. I had hoped to check in earlier this week but I’m trying to give myself grace right now and consider at least getting a post up today some kind of a small victory. Celebrate the little wins, right? Scroll on down if you’d like to check out my weekly roundup of favorites!

Have a great weekend, my friends!

Things I’m Loving Friday 

• Rhett is One Month Old!

On Tuesday, Rhett turned one month old! On one hand, I am shocked that one month has passed and on the other hand, it feels like we’ve lived 10,000 lives in one month. After meeting with our pediatrician earlier this week, I left with some tips and tricks to help Rhett with his reflux and got my longest stretch of sleep since Rhett’s arrival on Wednesday night (3 hours!!!!) and could’ve high-fived our whole neighborhood after that happened! Oh happy day! I’ll definitely dive into how everything is going soon — I’m hoping to share a one month update when I can get my act together — but it’s been so fun to see Rhett become increasingly alert and more of a baby and less of a teeny newborn. His “happy awake” time is lasting longer and he seems to be observing so much. I just love watching him with his big brothers because they already seem to captivate him!

• Caraway Cookware

Earlier this week, I received a very generous delivery from Caraway Cookware, the company behind some of the most gorgeous non-toxic cookware out there. I had actually been eyeing Caraway Cookware for several months after one of their Instagram ads caught my attention and even read some in-depth reviews (this one was particularly helpful!), so I was beyond excited to receive some of their beautiful pots and pans to try in our home. I’ve only been using the cookware for a few days (I’ll try to remember to share a follow-up review when I’ve had more time to break them in) but I can honestly say that my first impression of this cookware is that it’s pretty darn fantastic. It’s “cookware without the chemicals” and uses a mineral-based ceramic coating that won’t leach toxic materials into your food.

The cookware is naturally non-stick and I’ve noticed that the coating on the pans allows me to cook with less oil — an egg, made with a small pat of butter, slipped right out of the fry pan! Caraway Cookware is oven-safe up to 550 degrees and it has evenly heated everything I’ve cooked so far. I’m excited to continue cooking with this cookware!! Caraway Cookware also passed along an affiliate link to share with you guys should you want to give it a try. If you order through this link by October 6, you’ll receive $25 off a cookware set. They also have a 30 day trial period with free returns for all of their cookware so if you aren’t as in love with it as me, you can easily send it back!

• Silicone Breast Pump

I realize this next weekly favorite bullet point won’t interest most of you but it is one of my most-used items right now so I had to give it a shout out for any expectant mamas or nursing moms with little babies at home who might benefit from this share! I ordered the NatureBond Silicone Breast Pump several months after Ryder was born when I saw people raving about it on the internet. Unfortunately I think I was past the window of time when it’s really useful as it seems most helpful in the early stages of breastfeeding when milk supply is higher, engorgement is more likely and letdown is faster. After Rhett arrived I gave it another shot and was instantly so, so psyched! I am thankful I have a decent milk supply and would often notice one of my breasts leaking like crazy as Chase, Ryder or Rhett nursed on the other side. I used to place a burp cloth over my breast to soak up the milk but this handy little silicone breast pump suctions onto my breast and collects all of that extra milk that might’ve otherwise gone to waste. I can often get 1 – 2 ounces of milk and since I believe every bit of milk is worth saving, I am so excited about this find! (I’m also triple crossing my fingers that I don’t have the same lipase issue that effected my frozen milk that I had with Ryder and Chase but I’m not holding my breath.) We gave Rhett his first bottle of fresh milk that I got from the NatureBond Silicone Breast Pump earlier this week and he took it well this week which was a relief!

• The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

Having recently read and loved The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda, I quickly began reading The Last House Guest by the same author and am happy to say it was another winner. Hooray for a good book streak! The Last House Guest is a mystery that surrounds the death of Sadie Loman, a young woman from the prominent Loman family, well-known in the small town of Littlesport, Maine. Avery, Sadie’s best friend, is shocked when Sadie’s death is ruled a suicide and when evidence begins to surface a year later that suggests Sadie’s death may not have been what everyone initially believed, Avery sets out to figure out what really happened. When all of the evidence begins to point to Avery, she finds herself increasingly motivated to learn what happened to her best friend while also ensuring the blame doesn’t fall on her shoulders.

Friday Flashbacks

• Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats (A festive fall treat made with only five ingredients.)

• Easy BBQ Meatloaf (A family favorite of ours for years and great EASY dinner to keep on hand for busy weeknights!)

Question of the Day

What is one thing making you smile this week?