Embracing the Seasons

Hello Minnesota! Hello Fall! 

See you later summer! Our time together was great!  So we really enjoyed our summer around here. We spent time with family and friends, discovered Austin, Minnesota, visited Boston, enjoyed the sunshine and even moved to Minnesota at the end of August... just in time for the fall. 

The move to Minnesota went really well. We have moved into our new house and are really excited to make it our HOME!  Though we are extremely excited to have moved and feel so blessed all the pieces came together nicely, it's bitter-sweet to move away from family and friends. When I get nostalgic about being away from close family members, I remind myself that this new chapter in our lives will be a great adventure and I'm really excited for that. 

Excitement for sure is the sentiment that fills my heart in this season of life. I'm excited for the family-life-work balance we now have and I’m ohh soo excited about what we will do with the extra time we now have ( #1 reason we made move).  Allan has been in his new role for 2 months now and he loves the work, the people he works with, and most of all he loves being able to spend more quality time with us. I have been very fortunate I am able to work remotely from home. I love waking up in the morning knowing that I will get to spend my day in close proximity to my son. I get to see his bright-brimming face more often, I get + give him more hugs and kisses, and absolutely adore when on occasion he “breaks-into” my home-office with a huge smile on his face as he calls out "mamiii!!” 

We look forward to slowly decorating and adding our personal style as we make our house a home.  Most importantly we will be focusing on being more present, enjoying every moment we have together, laughing more, loving more, dancing more, savoring the journey, enjoying the big and the small moments, appreciating the mundane and seeing the beauty in each and every day, learning and growing, leading by example, being more grateful and kind… Just living life and making memories. 

Hope you also had an amazing summer! Embrace this season of your life with LOVE! #loveisallyouneed

Xx,

Rocio

Alexander Turns One

Happy first birthday my love!!  

Alexander turned one on May 6th! It's hard to believe its been a year. Time sure does fly.

The past year has been truly amazing. Our lives have been filled with nothing but true joy, excitement, gratitude, smiles + lots of belly laughs, and appreciation for the big moments, the small things, and everything in between. I have been so blissfuly happy and extremely grateful to have our baby boy in our lives and for the life we are building together as a family.

Its been wonderful to watch Alexander grow + learn, develop his own personality and become a more independent little guy.  I am also proud of myself for surviving my first year as a mommy. Yay! There have been no shortage of challenges and self-doubt, but I have chosen to embrace everything + I wouldn't change a thing.  I have learnt so much about myself (and life in general) in this pass year and for that I thank my son.   

 As Xander's Birthday month approached, I was extremely excited to celebrate this huge milestone, but I was also feeling a bit nostalgic because my bebe is growing way too fast. Time please slow down!

Gabby Young Photography

Birthday Letter to Mateo | May, 6th 2016

Today we celebrated your first birthday. You woke to snuggles, hugs + lots of kisses. You spent your day with people who love you dearly, you laughed, you played, you hugged, you cried, you partied, and you danced. You loved eating the raspberry cake and raspberry ice cream Mami made for you. You pretty much had a blast and so did we. Tonight Mami snuggled you extra long and extra tight. Baby boy take advantage of each and everyday because time really does fly!

                                                                                                                                                       Gabby Young Photography

Love,

Mami

Happy Earth Day + New Traditions // 10 Easy Ways to Reduce Our Carbon Foot Print

Happy Earth Day!!  Today is Xander's first Earth Day and we intend to celebrate it by planting a tree.  It's important to me to raise a respectful, kind and conscious human being and by planting a tree, I am hoping to plant those seeds.  Xander and I had so much fun at the nursery that I intend to make planting trees our newest family tradition.

Enjoy the images from our little adventure  and see below for additional ways to love up on mother earth.

1.  PLANT TREES // Trees are earth's purification system-- they improve our air quality by reducing emissions. Trees are little miracle workers, see why here.  Partner with Arbor Day Foundation to source affordable trees and shrubs here 

2.  LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD //  Reduce emissions by cutting down transportation miles and reduce unnecessary packaging. Whether you grow a food garden or source from your local farmers, be sure to favor growers who do not spray their crops with pesticides and other petri-based chemicals as these erode the soil and end up contaminating our water supply.  Find a local CSA (community supported agriculture) in your area here

3.  DITCH BOTTLED WATER  //  Help reduce waste by investing in a water filtration system and reusable bottles

4.  REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS  //  Replace all  your shopping bags (paper and plastic) with reusable bags

5.  CLEANING SUPPLIES  //  Use biodegradable cleaning products or even better make your own. Replace paper towel with reusable towels

6.  PACK LUNCH  //  Pack your lunches and snacks in reusable containers

7.  ONLINE SUBSCRIPTIONS  //  Sign-up to receive monthly statements and magazine subscriptions electronically  

8.  PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS  //  Program your thermostat accordingly while sleeping or away from home

 9.  REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION  //  Take shorter showers, shut off the facet while brushing teeth or washing hair, and water your lawn in the early morning or evening to minimize water evaporation

10.  PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION  //  Use public transportation and ride sharing as much as possible. Biking and walking are also great ways to reduce carbon emissions

The key is to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  When possible void packaging or purchase items with the least amount of packaging, support environmentally friendly companies,  buy second hand, repurpose, donate, and recycle.  For more ways to reduce your carbon foot print visit The Nature Conservancy here.

Happy Earth Day!! How are you getting involved?

Xx,

Rocio