Good morning friends! Today I'm sharing a look into my life as a mom to two. This season of my life has been truly filled with more joy and grace than I could have ever imagined; And being a mom to two has expanded my heart in ways I didn't think was possible!

Ollie is now 2 months old, which is really a sweet spot in his development, as he has just recently started to smile, giggle, and interact with us! He is also sleeping for longer stretches at night, (anywhere from 4-6 hours), which means I wake up about 1 time in the night.

When he first came home I slept until Maddie woke up, (around 7 am), but more recently I started to set my alarm to 6 am to give myself some alone time in the beginning of my day. I start each day with a cup of coffee and big glass of water with electrolytes. I like Nut Pods Oat Creamer and Monk Fruit sweetener in my coffee, and Ultima Electrolytes.

I also have something small to eat with a bit of protein and carbs to start my day. Lately have been loving the Chocolate Oat Bars I meal prepped before having Ollie.

I read my bible while drinking my coffee as well as pump so Sean can give Ollie his first bottle of the day. I did this with Maddie as well so we can keep our babies aquatinted with bottles in case I need to leave for the day. This ensures they are used to bottles if they need to take one. I also try to pump a bit more than his morning feeding to save some milk in the freezer. I never created a "freezer stash" when I had Maddie, but wished I did, so this time I started pumping before feeding him at about 2 weeks post delivery so I could adapt my body to make about 8 oz extra each day.

After spending time with Jesus, having coffee and a snack, and pumping and feeding Ollie, I take a walk or more recently, I started working out again.

My walks started off incredibly slow and short due to my C-section healing. It was good for me physically and mentally to get outside and move in a gentle way, and it was also good for Ollie to get a little sunlight since he had some jaundice at birth. My walks gradually got easier, and I have progressed to 45 minute walks at a much faster pace, but it took me a good 6 weeks to do so!

For workouts (since I was 6 weeks post-delivery), I have been doing some strength training sessions in my basement. I started with body weight and bands, and have since added very light weight when I feel like I am able to use proper form. The one thing I'm focusing on this recovery is healing my core the proper way.

I never realized I had Diastases Recti after Maddie, but have since learned so much about how to safely train your core after pregnancy. I have been taking it slow and listening to my body, while focusing on good form. If you are currently pregnant or have had a baby within the last year, I would strongly encourage you to educate yourself on this topic. It's incredibly enlightening when you realize how "traditional" ab exercises can actually do more harm than good after carrying a baby.

After some movement, I am ready for breakfast, which is something quick and protein packed such as a yogurt bowl or one of my protein shakes or smoothies.

The rest of the day since Oliver's been born has consisted of as much time as possible with Maddie and Ollie, both one-on-one, and together! I purposefully planned all my recipes and content for Dashing Dish to give myself about 12 weeks maternity leave, so I could focus on my babes!

When one-on-one with Maddie I've been doing as much as I can outdoors to enjoy summer with her. This has meant a lot of juggling between Sean and I, since Ollie's too small to be outside in the heat. Sean has spent half of the day working from home with Ollie, while I go out with Maddie, and then we swap. T

his worked well most days, but also took a lot out of me physically! I didn't spend anywhere near as much time resting or napping as I did when Maddie was a newborn, but such is life when you have more than one kiddo i've learned! I didn't want to miss the summer with Maddie, but also wanted to get in as much snuggling as possible while Ollie's small, so I did my best to balance it all.

We also got to spend a lot of sweet time as a family of four this summer! I was thankful to have the experience of being a second time mom because going out and navigating life outside the house with a newborn has been much easier this time around.

For lunches I've been enjoying all of the freezer meals I prepared before Oliver was born. I can't believe what a huge help it has been to have meals made that I simply heat up, especially having had surgery!

We have still been whipping up snacks and treats plenty as well, which has been a lot of homemade ice cream and frozen treats being that it's been so warm outside! Which I will mention that I am all about the snacks these days! Breastfeeding demands a lot of energy from your body, which means snacks are welcomed to keep me fueled.

But i'd be lying if I didn't say that most of my days lately has consisted of breast feeding Oliver! It has been such a blessing to be able to feed him, one I will never take for granted, however it an also be incredibly demanding of my time and energy! It is a precious way that God has designed us momma's to connect and bond with our babies no doubt, as it requires us to just sit and "be" with them all throughout the day! I'm embracing this season knowing its one that goes so quickly.

And let's be real... these smiles make it all worth it!

A lot of people have asked how I'm doing emotionally in this season, as post-partum can be a rough time for many women. I am thankful to say that I have truly been doing so good! Tired at times certainly, but I have a supernatural peace and joy that has been upon me, that has truly carried me through!

For dinners, we have been enjoying a combination of freezer meals, grilled food, and a lot more takeout and eating out than I ever remember us doing...Ever!

I think the fact that I had surgery made this experience different in a lot of ways. One being that I just didn't have the physical energy some days to even think ahead to warm up a meal, or prepare anything. On those days, we ordered food and I chose options that would be as close to something I'd make at home.

I have given myself a lot of grace in this season, and I realize it is just that... A season! I also have given myself permission to just enjoy my babies and not worry about the details of life as much. I enjoy my routine and schedules and plans, but life lived outside of that this summer has been refreshing and needed in order to rest- which I believe is why I've had so much peace this time around!

We finish off every day with a bath for both kiddos, and story time for Maddie. Maddie goes to bed anywhere from 7-8 pm, but Ollie has proven to be a late nighter! We have found that he has consistently fallen asleep around 9-10 pm every night, which we hope will be earlier when we start more of a schedule in the fall. For now, we are enjoying the extra time we get with just him in the evening!

And that my friends is a look into life these days- as a mom to two! It's been beautiful, tiring, and such a sweet season that I will forever cherish!

Things in our daily life will shift again in just a week or so, when Maddie starts school again. This is also when I plan to start working again, and I will get Ollie on a schedule in a few weeks when he is 12 weeks old.

Regular naps in his crib and routines will come, (and will be welcomed), but for now, I’m soaking up all of the snuggles. My personality is one that loves structure, but I’ve learned with Maddie how quick the time goes, so I’ve been careful not to wish this time away! This is one season I know I will not regret soaking up!

Thanks for joining us on this journey! xo Katie