I wanted to jump on here and tell you all, albeit VERY late, that Brady is here! And I’m officially on maternity leave until the first week of May. Thank you for your patience in my extended length of response time to your emails, and for tolerating my auto-responder pinging you every time you send me a note.

Brady arrived on February 6th at 6:33pm after a wonderful labor experience. He weighed 8lbs 11ozs and was 21 inches long. He has his daddy’s nose, and his momma’s eyes, and today he rewarded us with his first smile.

We are in love, if the word love can even describe what we are feeling.

I’ll return to my regularly scheduled programming in May, see you then!!

He was coy, and charming. A master of elusiveness, never around, always busy… too busy for the normal components of a college social life. Handsome, so so handsome.

I remember the first time I met him because it was very different from my normal encounters with guys during this time of my life.

He ignored me.

Flat out, uninterested. I was blond at the time so I get it… he probably thought I had nothing to offer to the conversation. I was getting over a bad breakup at the time, epic breakup of  dramatic-Jersey-Shore proportions, so I was caught off guard by his lack of interest, but not offended.

We gathered a group of friends and neighbors maybe a week after our first encounter and headed to the movies. Basketball season must have been over, because he wasn’t coaching that night and was able to join us. Randomly and unintentionally I landed in a seat next to him.

The movie itself wasn’t that amazing, but what happened in the 8th row from the bottom, 4th and 5th seats in was amazing. He laughed, and then I laughed. We giggled, belly laughed, lost control, I cried laughing tears. I loved him instantly for his genuine expression of joy.

To this day, if he laughs, I laugh. I knew I would marry this man. Almost the moment I met him.

photo by Jonathan Canlas

It’s not uncommon to find me in a coffee shop in Seattle as soon as it opens in the morning, like this one. Truthfully, I’m a morning person, and get the most out of my day between the hours of 6am and 11am. Sometimes Billy doesn’t believe me because he leaves for work at 5 in the morning, but I’m usually up and starting my day not too shortly after him. I like to keep on (somewhat) of the same schedule, that way I’ve put in a full day by the time he strolls in the door at 3:15 and I don’t have to feel guilty about turning work off for a few hours to just hang out with him and live LIFE.

Life, what’s that? Oh yeah, it’s the stuff we’re doing when we aren’t taking phone calls, answering emails, having meetings, attending events, or running work related errands. It’s the stuff in between, the stuff we actually work so hard to enjoy. The “life” part of my life is about to get more complicated with the addition of the Bean come February, so I’ve been spending some time researching work/life balance.

How many of you struggle with work / life balance? I would wager than anyone who has the kind of profession they feel a slight twinge of passion for takes part of it home with them, finds their mind wandering during down time… to what has to be done at the office, or genuinely would rather work than do most things. That’s where I’m at. I would rather do “work”  than do most things.

According to most of the things I’ve Googled on the subject, including Wikipedia (our most trusted source) and the Mayo Clinic… that’s pretty unhealthy.

Some of my favorite tidbits on how to manage a freelance, self employed life have come from the genius mind of local Seattle writer Michelle Goodman. She’s the author of the Anti 9-to-5 Guide, and My So-Called Freelance Life. Good friend and fellow freelancer, Liz Andrade turned me on to her books right after I took the freelance plunge in 2008, and while I’m completely guilty of not following a single word of her advice on most occasions, I think she’s got it right. I use Liz as my shining example of what to live up to when it comes to work/ life balance. She has a fabulous blog on what it takes to be a freelancer, and you can check it out here.

Things to consider when the Bean comes in February to maintain both a healthy thriving business, and a healthy thriving life:

- Taking actual maternity leave. Setting all autoresponders and voicemails to reflect that I’m taking legit time away from work. Every new mom is entitled to that.

- Working hours will likely change, and a lot will have to give.

- Learning to say no. I’m fully aware that I have a problem saying no. Anything and everything that isn’t directly contributing to the happiness of my life or the success of my business is going to have to get the axe. I’m only one woman. I’m going to have to practice this one over and over. “NO I’m too busy to help you” “NO I’m sorry, you’ll have to either hire me or find someone else to do that project for free”, “NO” “no” no” “no”. Next time you see me, ask me to practice on you. Trust me, I need the practice.

- Rearranging my priorities; Family first, then business/clients, then every other distraction.

—

It’s going to take some work, as there are a lot of changes to come. Changes I’m sure I’m not even aware of, but in the end it will be worth it. Having a family, for us, is what life is all about.

What are some of your helpful work/life balance tips? Anyone have advice on managing self-employment with kids?

And because everything is better with a photo, here is a belly update! This crew photo is from a recent commercial shoot I did with Bella Signature Design for Event Solutions Magazine! We used the new space next to Sodo Park, The Oasis. So excited to share the details and rest of the images of the shoot, but it’s pretty top secret, so I even blurred the props out. You might recognize me  [Sidenote - I'd like to point out that this dress was a flawed purchasing decision and has since made it's way to the bottom of my closet, never to return. I think I look HUGE! It's either the dress, or I need to put down the bagel chips. I'm going with the dress (probably in denial)], the rest of these amazing people are Daniela and her Bella Signature crew. A team of very talented Seattle Designers.

Get in touch or View more work.

Last year around the holidays, in true Oprah fashion, I blogged my favorite things for the winter holiday season. Crafty me, I actually scored some of the things on my list as awesome Christmas gifts. Too easy, easier than writing to Santa Claus. Truthfully, winter… eh. Take it or leave it. Fall is where it’s at for me. In the last two weeks, we’ve plummeted into the fall season. I took an escape to Hawaii for a couple weeks, and when I returned, fall was here patiently waiting for me. What a glorious gift to come home to.

Today I wanted to celebrate fall with you, and share some of my favorite fall things.

1. The Pumpkin Spice Latte (2 pumps, not 4 please)

Fall always arrives for Starbucks before it does for the Northwest, but when the PS Latte rolls into town, you know that the cold and wet are following diligently behind. I actually like the taste of coffee, so I order mine with 2 pumps of syrup instead of 4, and currently I order it in decaf form. (Decaf, pish posh)

2. Crisp mornings, sunny days = sweaters with skirts

I’m not going to go on pretending like I’m some kind of fashionista… 99% of my clothes are recycled. HOWEVER, if there is one season I identify with the most style-wise, it’s fall. Bust out the Layers, warm hues, scarves, sweaters and boots! finally the boots are back! But still cling on to some of those key summer pieces. It’s not time to pack them up yet.

3. Early mornings that can start calmly

There is something about waking up with the sun in the summer (admittedly I’m a morning person), that charges me with a jolt of energy. The fall is quite different. I’m still up early, but the sun sleeps in. It gives me a solid 2-3 hours before it decides to crawl out of bed. In this time I’m able to stay in my bathrobe, make my morning decaf tea, have long talks with Brady (and Lady), read, write, and relax. The fall is a wind down from the busy summer months, and in this profession we deserve a little calmness at some point during the year.

4. Parties, Soirees, Wedding Showcases, Fundraisers galore…

These are the months when a majority of my favorite events for the year happen. Let me highlight a few that I can’t miss each year.

Every weekend in October is the Camp Korey Fall Festival, which the hubs and I fully plan to attend with bells on. Proceeds go to support this amazing charity, and we can score kettle corn, s’mores, and pumpkins. HOLY COW!

October 10th, my bestie Marie has her birthday. She usually tries to come home from Missouri around this time each year because she likes to party. This year she’s throwing a bash at her parents house featuring a tiered Harry Potter cake. I’m going as Hermione.

October 13th, Urban Unveiled happens at Benaroya Hall. Wedding showcase unlike any other put on by two of my favorite designers in the Seattle area, Jesse and Travis of True Colors. Still contemplating what to wear to this one. It’s going to be phenom!

October 27th, Get Hitched Give Hope is only the single most amazing soiree of the year. Not only is it a party, auction, and wedding showcase rolled into one, but the wedding professionals are donating their services on behalf of granting wishes to cancer patients. Perty amazing. You can support and get tickets here… and if you’re a bride, there are deals galore to be had!

October 30th, Bunco party. Ummm yeah. Can’t wait for this one. Joining up with some fabulous ladies for a night a month of holy hilarity and bunco. Win win.

NOW, to find some appropriate party dresses that A. fit, and B. don’t make me look like a whale.

Know of something in the area not listed here? I’d love to hear about it! Leave it in the comment section below so I can fill up my social calendar. k thanks.

5. Cooking with fall ingredients

Something about the fall makes me want to wake up in the morning and bake something. Mostly desserts, cakes, breads and such. Maybe this is more a pregnant thing than a fall thing… hmmm. Anyhow, I’ve been scrounging up my favorite fall recipes and here are some of the ingredients that really stand out.

Pumpkin (of course) and all other kinds of squashes… yummers: pretty much anything made with pumpkin, I’m guaranteed to like it and ask for seconds.

Cinnamon

Cumin (is it CUE-men or KOO-min) I never know.

Chilis

Walnuts

Flavored Butters

Hearty Mushrooms

Time to make some delicious breads, soups, pasta dishes, and pies… Have a recipe to share? PLEASE email me!

6. Cozy family time by the Fire.

Lady curls up with us, or makes her way dangerously close to the door of the fireplace with a bone, and Billy and I lounge on the couch with the remote and the fall lineup. We do this in the winter as well, but it’s somehow sweetest in the fall when it’s not completely necessary in order to keep from freezing to death. I’m also REALLY excited because now that we’ve rearranged the house to make room for Brady, my office now has a fireplace in it. Score!

7. Fall television is the best.

I’m a TV junkie, ugh, as much as I wish I wasn’t… TV is SO GOOD right now! Summer leaves no time for television, so I relish the fall when regular programming resumes and we can catch our favorite shows. Including but not limited to: Wheel of Fortune, Unsolved Mysteries, The Office, Modern Family, Parenthood, and Fringe.

8. College Football

Could go in above category, but not only is it a television event, but a live one as well. Since meeting my husband, I’ve grown to love college football. I prefer actually going to the game over watching it on tv, because the experience is where it’s at for me. I love the tailgating, cornhole, drinking games (although not at present mother… don’t worry), sporting your cutest team colored outfit, stadium food, mittens/earmuffs/sunglasses, eyeblack, yelling, pom pom shaking… I love it all.

Go DUCKS.

What is your favorite season? Do you love fall as much as I do? Tell me what I’ve missed here… there is SO MUCH TO LOVE! And on that note, I’m off to take a walk in the brisk morning air.

All images snagged from Pinterest… like what you see?

There’s been a string of questions pretty consistently that friends ask when they find our we’re pregnant. The first is usually “how are you feeling” shortly followed by “do you know what you’re having?”. I hear that technically you can find out the sex of your baby as early as 14 weeks, but my clinic waits until 20 when things are very certain.

Our last ultrasound technician gave her best guess, and at 12 weeks said things were looking “girly”. Most of my friends guessed girl, and Billy was having girl visions as well. I haven’t really had a feeling either way, although in the beginning I had a LOT of dreams about having a little boy, of course I also had dreams that Lady was our baby, soooooo yeah.

Having a boy first would be a huge relief. My husband is borderline obsessed with sports, and is the last one carrying on the family name. A boy is a must. Billy was really pulling for a girl though, and I have to say, we’ve had a run on boys lately, so most of the rest of the family was too. My mom is ready to unload all of my childhood dolls.

Heading into the office yesterday was like winning the lottery. We could hardly contain our excitement. We kept sneaking looks and giggles at each other,  the baby must have been exited too, kicks galore!

Without further ado… I’m so so exited to tell everyone that come February we will be bringing home a little….

BOY!!!!

Hello Brady William Boucock. Already such a blessing. We can’t wait to have little boy adventures, pee wee football games, forts, fishing, bugs, slimy things, and snuggles.