One key to a positive birth experience is learning about pregnancy and the birth process. Oftentimes there is a lot of fear associated with pregnancy and birth, but having a basic understanding of these things can help dispel that fear. And while reading books or taking a childbirth class won’t guarantee your dream birth experience, you’re much more likely to have a satisfactory experience if you’ve taken time to learn, prepare, and explore your options.

Since I’m a bookworm and can’t help giving out book recommendations, here’s a short list of my favorite books for the childbearing year!

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and The Newborn

This book is a wonderful all-in-one primer on well, the title says it all! I read this book as part of my doula certification and quickly placed it high on my recommended reading list, especially for first-time moms. Whether you are planning a hospital birth or home birth, medicated or unmedicated, the authors do a great job of objectively presenting all the basic information a mom needs to navigate pregnancy, prepare for birth, and plan for postpartum. This book is a great place to start for a first-time mom or a mom who wants to be better prepared for her next pregnancy and birth.

Natural Hospital Birth

I’ve birthed all our babies at home with a midwife and and we’ve been very happy with our choice. However, since birth is incredibly unpredictable, I wanted to be prepared in the event that a hospital birth was needed. I also support doula clients who birth in the hospital, so knowing how I can best support them in their desire for a natural birth is vital. You’ll learn how to craft a realistic birth plan, assemble a supportive birth team, and navigate early and active labor without pain medication. This book also covers interventions that are often implemented or offered in the hospital, equipping you to ask good questions and make wise decisions.

Expectant

This wonderful book was written by a dear friend of mine. Since birth is an interest of mine, I’ve read quite the stack of pregnancy and birth-related books. And while I’d recommend many of them as great resources as you walk through pregnancy and prepare for the birth of your baby, there are very few I could point you to that contain foundational biblical truth geared specifically for the expectant mama’s heart. This book contains plenty of practical ideas to implement in the everyday joys and challenges of pregnancy. But even better, you’ll encounter rich spiritual truth that brings you back to seeking Jesus and prioritizing Him throughout your pregnancy. My post here contains my full book review and a Q&A with the author.

The Birth Partner

If you’re looking for a book specifically on labor and birth, this is a must-read. You’ll come away with a very clear idea of what to expect during the stages of labor, comfort measures for coping with labor pain (good to know even if you’re planning for an epidural), breastfeeding support, and postpartum tips. It also contains highlighted “in a nutshell” sections written specifically for the husband or other labor support person to read during pregnancy and quickly reference later. This book isn’t geared specifically towards natural birth, so it’s a great one to read if you’re still exploring your options or planning to utilize pain medication in labor, as it provides detailed information on those options.

Note: I recommend purchasing the 4th edition of this book, not the most recent 5th edition. The 5th edition takes a gender-neutral stance and avoids the use of mother, woman, she, etc., in reference to a pregnant woman, instead using “laboring person” or “birthing parent” all throughout the book. The 5th edition also promotes the gender-neutral term “chest-feeding” instead of “breastfeeding”.

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way

This book is a classic and is based on the Bradley Method. It’s a staple for those wanting to have an unmedicated birth and will give you all the tools you need to prepare for your birth. I love that it contains inspiring birth stories peppered throughout the book. There are also specific sections written to the birth coach. I also recommend Husband-Coached Childbirth as a great read for dads.

If you’re interested, check out this video from a mom of 7 sharing her experience with the Bradley birth method. Whether or not you utilize this specific method, surrounding yourself with positive birth stories is a must! You can also find information here on Bradley childbirth classes.

The Birth Book

This book was written nearly thirty years ago but I just recently read it! The Birth Book offers a lot of wisdom on the benefits of physiologic birth and how to best support that natural process. I especially appreciated the chapters on having a healthy view of pain in childbirth, pain management options (medicated and unmedicated), cesareans and VBACs, and how to practice mind and muscle relaxation techniques for labor.

I hope this book list is helpful and sets you up for some good birth-related reading! Do you have a favorite you’d add to this list? Comment below!

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A few weeks ago, I stood in front of our hutch, fashioning dried orange slices into garlands and Christmas tree ornaments. It was an unusually quiet moment in our home, Elijah having taken the kids out for a bit. As I hung the translucent slices on the tree, pleased with the soft glow and old-fashioned simplicity they added, a familiar wave of desperation washed over me. I longed to freeze the moment, to forever preserve the small bit of beauty in front of me.

I’d brushed up against this feeling before, but this was the first time I was able to put my finger on it. It’s a sneaky sort of discouragement that arises in the moments after I’ve rearranged a bookshelf or hung a pretty art print on the wall or potted summery flowers for our porch. A low-lying anxiety simmers even as I survey my work, delighting in the accomplishment of order and beauty before me:

I find such joy in this work, but it’s so fleeting and temporal. I know it won’t last. Why does this effort even matter if I can’t hold onto it?

And it’s true. Despite my best efforts, the work of my hands won’t last forever. That bookshelf will get dusty and jumbled, I may decide to hang the print elsewhere, and eventually, those jaunty flowers will die.

But this shouldn’t deter us from crafting beauty, order, and good things from the raw materials of everyday life. As Christians, we have the utmost confidence that our work is never in vain. We can work and create in hope, because God imbues our smallest tasks and glimmers of creativity with the reality of His life and purposes. This gives true meaning to our work, no matter how temporal or unseen.

If my sole aim is to craft beauty for beauty’s sake, then I will be disheartened and discouraged over the heaping laundry basket, the shattered teacup, the endless crumbs under the table. But if I can see the beauty and order I crave as a vehicle for His reality being communicated in our home, then it’s no longer up to me to desperately preserve what I create. The work of my hands can simply can serve its purpose, regardless of its temporality.

C. S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory:

The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.

As Lewis said, the good and beautiful things do not in themselves contain the fulfillment we long for. They serve as a mere whisper of God’s glory meant to direct our gaze to Him.

I packed away our Christmas decorations over the weekend, though the greenery and orange garlands will stay through the winter. But eventually even those will be tucked away as when spring comes. Then it will be time to begin the work of adding touches of springtime beauty to our home.

Friends, we’ve all been given a place and provision for creativity. May we defy the darkness and despair around us, working and creating in hope, always with an eye toward eternity.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3: 23-24

If you have been afraid that your love of beautiful flowers and the flickering flame of the candle is somehow less spiritual than living in starkness and ugliness, remember that He who created you to be creative gave you the things with which to make beauty and the sensitivity to appreciate and respond to His creation.

Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

You might also enjoy:

Healthy Pumpkin Bread (Gluten Free & Naturally Sweetened)
Cultivating a Reading Life
Embracing the Restorative Rhythms of Winter

The post On Beauty, Creativity, and Hope appeared first on Engraced Living.

“Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.” | C. S. Lewis

The beloved author of the Narnia series and other wonderful books like Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce wrote a lot of profound things–and this quote is one of them.

This gluten-free pumpkin bread is the perfect compliment to your steaming cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee… and a book. It is naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and a stevia/erythritol blend. Your house will smell so cozy inviting while this delicious treat bakes!

Yield: 2 loaves or 2 dozen muffins

INGREDIENTS
2 cups pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1/3 cup stevia & erythritol blend (I like Pyure, Truvia, and Trim Healthy Mama Super Sweet)
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups gluten-free flour (make sure it is a cup-for-cup flour for best results)
2 cups chocolate chips (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease loaf pans or muffins tins (or line with silicone muffin cups).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, eggs, coconut oil, butter, sweeteners, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, salt. Mix until smooth.
3. Add in your flour and mix well until batter is smooth (it will be somewhat thick).
4. Divide batter into your prepared pans.

For loaves: Bake at 350F for 60 mins
For muffins: Bake at 350F for 18-20 mins

Cool loaves in pans on baking racks before slicing (if you can wait!)

Note: You can also make this bread not gluten-free by just using 4 cups of regular all-purpose wheat flour.

I hope you enjoy this easy gluten-free pumpkin bread, perfect for the cold winter months!

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Note: Affiliate links are used on this page. This means that I may make a small commission if you purchase through my links. This doesn’t cost you anything extra but does help support my little blog!

The post Healthy Pumpkin Bread (Gluten Free & Naturally Sweetened) appeared first on Engraced Living.

Today on the blog, I’m sharing a guest post from my sister, Hannah! She is amazing at whipping up the sweetest little baby gifts and other beautiful handmade items with the help of her sewing machine. This summer, she gave me the sweetest little trio of flannel bibs for Nora and I wanted to share her simple tutorial here!

I love how personal handmade gifts are… the time and effort, combined with special touches of unique fabric or other details make thoughtful and treasured gifts. I still have a blue flannel fox print bib she made for Elliot. And Chloe uses a soft white muslin blanket every single night that Hannah made for her as a toddler.

Whether or not you’re a seamstress, I hope this post inspires you to take the time to make something beautiful. I’ve never made a baby bib, but Hannah’s clear and easy instructions (and adorable results) have me ready to pull out my machine and try it myself!

SUPPLIES

• sewing machine
• scissors
• sewing pins
• fabric (flannel, terrycloth, etc)
• Velcro

DIRECTIONS

1. Trace pattern on the wrong side of the top fabric. Find a free pattern HERE.

2. Cut a piece of terry cloth to match the flannel and pin the wrong sides together.

3. Sew around the edges of the bib. Be sure to leave a 2-inch gap at the bottom where you will turn bib right side out.

4. Trim off excess fabric and turn right side out.

5. Sew a topstitch all around bib, making sure to sew the gap closed.

6. Cut Velcro and sew onto bib.

And you did it! You now have a handmade baby bib for your little one or to gift another mama.

Hannah DeYoung

Hannah lives in Central Illinois with her husband, Chris, and their three boys: Gabriel, Gideon, and Noah. As a certified educational interpreter, she is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). When she’s not wrangling her little men, she loves whipping up delicious baked goods (her carrot cake is THE best), reading, hitting up thrift shops, and crafting with her Cricut. You can connect with Hannah on Instagram.

OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

Our Baby Essentials: Mom of 5 and Mom of 3
Planning for a Grace-Filled Postpartum: Part 1
The Minutes of My Hours: Encouragement for the Weary-Hearted

The post Handmade | How to Sew a Baby Bib {Guest Post} appeared first on Engraced Living.

Lauren:
If you’ve been following my posts the last few weeks, you know that I teamed up with my friend Heather for a short series on postpartum encouragement. Our desire was to encourage and inspire moms in this sweet but challenging season of transition after having a baby. It was so neat to work together and see what the Lord brought to the surface as we shared from our unique perspectives.

Heather focused on how to prepare for the postpartum period spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I shared on basic postpartum changes, why we need to plan for a season of rest, and then compiled a list of my helpful postpartum resources. You can find links to all these posts at the bottom of this post!

Now as a little “bonus”, we’re sharing some of our favorite baby items here in this post. With eight kiddos between us, we’ve figured out what our “must-haves” are and what we can live without. Baby essentials will vary by person, of course, but we hope this will give you some ideas if you’re pregnant or looking to bless an expectant mom. Baby items can pile up quickly and there can be a lot of pressure to buy all the latest new things, but you really can keep it simple when it comes to babies!

Heather:
When Lauren suggested we do a little bonus post to top off our postpartum mini series, I was completely on board! I’ve talked to so many mamas-to-be who are overwhelmed trying to put together a baby registry because of the (literally) thousands of items available. I hope these suggestions from us will give you a helpful starting place! 

CLOTHING

ONESIES OR ONE PIECE OUTFITS

Heather:
With each child I’ve moved more and more to using mostly onesies or one piece outfits (like rompers or sleepers) for the first few months of life. They’re so practical since babies generally need to be changed more often due to, well, baby messes (if you know what I mean).

MUSLIN SWADDLE BLANKETS

Heather:
Someone gifted me two Aden and Anais swaddle blankets before our first baby, and they’ve been a staple ever since. They’re a bit bigger than other baby blankets, so they stay wrapped more easily and can double as a nursing cover. There are a couple of other brands that now carry similar ones that I love.

BOOTIES OR SLIPPERS

Lauren:
I tried so many kinds of tiny baby socks with my first baby and very few of them stayed on her feet. Sleepers are great for keeping little feet warm, especially in the colder months, but for other outfits, I love booties or slippers. When I was expecting Nora, my sister gave me a pair of Doudou et Compagnie hand-me-down booties and I fell in love with them. Nora wore them all the time and because of their neutral color, they matched with nearly everything. They have an elastic ankle so they fit snugly but comfortably, are high quality, and completely adorable. Find them here or on Ebay. And these Carter’s booties are similar!

SLEEP

PACK N’PLAY

Heather:
We’ve used a Pack ‘N Play for all of our kids instead of a regular crib. This has come in handy in the midst of several moves and a good bit of traveling. Even if you have a regular crib for everyday use, it’s really helpful to keep one on hand for overnight stays or road trips. 

ZIPADEE-ZIP TRANSITION SWADDLE

Lauren:
These things are amazing. I am a big fan of swaddles and sleepsacks, but when Nora outgrew swaddling, she wasn’t quite ready to be completely hands-free in a sleep sack. This transition swaddle was a lifesaver. It gives babies the comfort of a swaddle but is perfect for when they start to roll over because they are able to safely roll over, push up, and use their arms. It’s also really great for babies who have outgrown swaddling but still have a startle reflex that wakes them up. Learn more here.

SOUND MACHINE

Lauren:
A sound machine is so helpful when you are bringing a baby into a home and need to muffle some of the noise. Newborns will usually sleep through just about anything those first few months, but after that, a sound machine is essential in our home! I find that they are also a helpful sleep cue, as the baby learns to associate hearing the sound machine with sleep.

BABY MONITOR

Lauren:
I know there are much snazzier baby monitors out there, but this kind has done the job for us since our first baby, so we’ve stuck with it! Maybe we’ll upgrade to something fancier next time around. I really just like being able to hear baby when they are sleeping upstairs especially over the noise of other kiddos, the dishwasher humming away, or if we’re outside on the porch.

BATH TIME

GENTLE BABY PRODUCTS

Lauren:
One whiff of these lavender vanilla baby products and I’m instantly drawn back into Nora’s newborn days. These products are gentle on delicate baby skin and naturally scented with plant extract and essential oils. The balm is amazing for diaper rash. And confession, I might have used the lotion more than Nora ever did… it is just so moisturizing and and the scent is so calming.

OTHER BABY GEAR

BABY CARRIERS

Lauren:
I love wearing my babies, especially in those snuggly newborn days. I really like using a Boba wrap (very similar to a Moby wrap) for the first few months or so. Solly Baby wraps are similar and available in the prettiest patterns. A friend loaned me her Solly when Nora was born and I appreciated that they are a lighter weight fabric, which is so nice for summer babies (or just those postpartum “hot flashes”!). Once my babies are around five months, I find that a sturdier carrier like an Ergo provides more support for my back and shoulders with a heavier baby. Plus, Elijah enjoys wearing our babies in the Ergo. (Keep an eye out for a great deals on used Ergo baby carriers on Facebook Marketplace!)

As you’re figuring out what kind of carrier works well for you and your baby, ask around to see if you can try out carriers your friends or family already own.

Heather:
I’ve always wanted to try a baby wrap, but to be honest, got a little intimidated by the process. So when I saw this Konny baby carrier, I thought it was worth a try! It carries the baby similar to a wrap, but you slip it over your head. I love how lightweight it is, too.

BUMBO SEAT

Heather:
A Bumbo seat really comes in handy once babies start getting a bit mobile, and you want to keep them near you while you fold laundry or make dinner. They’re easy to move around the house with you or pop in the car when you go to someone else’s house. 

BANDANA BIBS

Heather:
These bandana bibs often work far better than other bibs, because they have little gathers that catch the drool and spit up before it runs unto their clothing. They also come in so many cute patterns! 

BOUNCER SEAT

Lauren:
With each baby, I’ve found it helpful to have a specific seat or bouncer to place the baby, especially in our main living area. This bouncer fit the bill as its smaller profile worked well in our tiny townhome when Nora was born.

STROLLER

Lauren:
I’ve really enjoyed having a stroller that coordinates with the baby’s car seat. Especially with a newborn, it’s so nice to simply lock their car seat right into the stroller and avoid wrangling a tiny baby into stroller straps. From walks in the neighborhood, to browsing the library, to providing a “seat” for Nora at church, our stroller is a super helpful baby item that we will get years of use from.

FUN BASKETS FOR ORGANIZING

Heather:
This isn’t exactly a baby item, but these baskets have been a life-saver. I wasn’t sure exactly how to organize a fifth child’s belongings without buying a whole new dresser (especially all the baby odds and ends), and baskets have become my new best friend. They keep all the baby’s things from getting mixed in with the other kiddos stuff, and stay easily accessible in a cute way.

Well, that’s a wrap, friends! We hope you’ve been encouraged through this little series on postpartum encouragement, as well as some of our baby essentials. What are some items you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

PIN FOR LATER

READ LAUREN’S POSTPARTUM POSTS:

PART 1 : Understanding basic postpartum changes
PART 2: Planning for a season of slowing down
PART 3: Postpartum essentials (all the links and resources!)

READ HEATHER’S POSTPARTUM POSTS:

PART 1: Spiritual preparation
PART 2: Mental preparation
PART 3: Emotional preparation

Note: Affiliate links are used on this page. This means that I may make a small commission if you purchase through my links. This doesn’t cost you anything extra but does help support my little blog!

The post Our Baby Essentials: Mom of 5 and Mom of 3 appeared first on Engraced Living.

For this mini series on postpartum encouragement, I am teaming up with one of my close friends, Heather. She is a mom of five kiddos and is currently right in the middle of her own postpartum with her sweet baby, Jack. Heather was at two of my births and I was so thrilled to be her doula this time around. She is an incredible example to me and many others in glorifying God through the joys and challenges of motherhood. You can read her posts HERE.

In the previous two posts, we’ve focused in on some of the changes a mom undergoes during postpartum and why a mom needs to slow her pace during this time. In this post, I’m excited to share lots of helpful resources and tools for a healing and restorative postpartum. When I find a helpful tip or effective product, I just can’t keep it to myself! I hope these ideas help you practically prepare for your postpartum.

Read my previous posts:

PART 1 : Understanding basic postpartum changes
PART 2: Planning for a season of slowing down

Read Heather’s posts:

PART 1: Spiritual preparation
PART 2: Mental preparation
PART 3: Emotional preparation

PERINEAL HEALING

With my first baby, I was a little shocked by how painful this was. Even with no tearing, I experienced quite a bit of swelling and it was pretty uncomfortable all around. I think this is another reason why we should plan to sit a lot in the first week. We need to give our bodies time to be still and give ourselves the best chance for a full recovery.

Here are some products that I’ve found super helpful in healing this area and staying as comfortable as possible. 

Peri bottle. This is a great tool for keeping clean after using the restroom. Wiping can be painful while your perineum is sensitive and sore as you heal, so filling this bottle with warm water and rinsing is the way to go. You may get one from the hospital or your midwife may provide one as part of the birthing kit. I’ve always used this kind but I love the newer, more thoughtful designs that allow you to spray/rinse from any angle.

“Padsicles”. I know, I know, the name is really cheesy, but… it’s kind of accurate. If you’ve never had a baby, you will appreciate these one day. And if you have had a baby, well, then you know how great these iced pads are! Again, your hospital or midwife may provide you with a few of these, but you can also order more here or make your own–I’ve used both kinds! They are very soothing, especially if you have any kind of swelling. (The pre-made ones have a sealed cold pack inside an absorbent pad that is activated after you “crack” the pad–kind of like those glow-in-the-dark sticks you played with as a kid!)

Another great option are these reusable hot/cold perineal ice packs from Lansinoh. I haven’t tried these but I’ll be keeping these in mind for next time!

Herbal bath. This has been one of my absolute favorite parts of my home births. About an hour or so after the baby is born, my midwife gets an herbal bath ready for mom and baby. By then, the herbs have been steeping for a few hours and are then strained off into the bath water. And oh my goodness, it is the best thing ever. The herbs are so healing for the perineum, the bath water smells incredible, and it’s so nice to freshen up after the intensity of labor. It’s also great for healing baby’s cord stump. This one gives you enough for at least two baths.

Herbal perineal spray. I’ve not personally used these, but I’ve heard they can be really helpful! I love the Earth Mama brand and thought this one looked great.

BREASTFEEDING

Nipple butter. I’ve used several kinds over the years and hands down, this one from Earth Mama is my favorite. I really like that this one isn’t quite as thick and “stiff” as other brands, so it is very gentle to apply. It also provided instant relief whenever I would apply, which I hadn’t noticed with the others I’d used before.

Nursing pads. I loved these ones after Nora was born! I used disposable ones with my other two babies and they had worked just fine. Probably the only thing I hadn’t liked about the disposable ones was that they were a tad bit scratchy on my tender skin. I decided to try something new this past time and these ones from Kindred Bravely did not disappoint! They are SO soft and absorbable. Even during the days of my milk coming in and regulating, I never leaked through these.

If you prefer the convenience of disposable nursing pads, these are the ones I liked the most.

Soothing gel pads. My midwife gave me these after I had Chloe and I’ve made sure to have some on hand after each baby since! They feel amazing when you’re sore from nursing in the early days postpartum.

Nursing bras. I’ve been super impressed with the Auden line from Target this time around! They are comfortable, pretty, and functional. The price is perfect, too. I noticed that Walmart has some great nursing bras, tanks, and other pieces like this lace-edged grey robe. I also have their hands-free pumping bra and it’s great!

Nursing-friendly clothing. This is a separate post and one I can’t wait to do, but I at least want to mention Latched Mama. They are a mama-owned company and they make the most amazing clothes for nursing moms. I have several of their pieces and they are worth every penny–I’m pretty sure I wear them each at least once a week!

If you are wanting to boost or even just support your milk supply, these are two of my favorite products! I’ve seen a noticeable increase with both of these:

Mother’s Milk tea (you can find single boxes at most grocery stores in the coffee/tea aisle)
Mama’s Magic Milk Boost tincture

A FEW MORE POSTPARTUM SUPPORTS

AfterEase tincture. Girl, go put this in your Amazon cart now and thank me later! This herbal tincture is wonderful for easing (hence the name) those awful post-birth cramps. These cramps tend to get worse with each baby, so having something like this on hand is very helpful, especially in the early days when breastfeeding induces uterine contractions.

Heating pad. This is also helpful for soothing the aforementioned after-birth cramping. I liked placing it right on my tummy over my very sore uterus. Be sure to check with your midwife or doctor first before applying heat in the first couple days postpartum if you had heavy blood loss after birth.

Postpartum Balance tincture. I’ve not used this personally, but a friend said that she felt this tincture was helpful for her postpartum. I will definitely be trying this out next time!

A solid multivitamin. It’s super important to continue supporting your body with a prenatal or other quality multivitamin. After building a baby and then continuing on to breastfeeding, many mamas can wind up a little depleted. I love this one from Plexus, but there are many great options out there! Heather mentioned that she is using this postnatal vitamin from Pink Stork and really enjoying it!

The Christian Postpartum Course. One of my friends has gone through this course by Angie Tolpin, a mom of 9 and birth doula (she’s had couple more babies since launching this course!) and highly recommends it. I recently listened to this podcast episode with Angie and her husband talking all things postpartum and loved what they shared!

The First Forty Days book. This is such a neat book. While some of the ideas might seem little far-fetched and impractical in our American culture, there is a lot of wisdom from other cultures to glean in this book. Author Heng Ou really helps pregnant moms think through how they can plan for a season of slowing down after having a baby and exactly why you should plan to do so. I love this book!

BONUS TIP FROM A MOM OF THREE: GET READY FOR THE DAY

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a mom is that when I take a little time to get ready for the day, I feel energized and motivated. Of course, this looks a little different postpartum when I’m low on sleep and the needs of a newborn are all-consuming. The tips here aren’t in the context of the first couple weeks postpartum when you should really be taking things slow, but more so when you are finding your new normal. Here are a few things I’ve found personally helpful:

• During pregnancy, build a small wardrobe of pretty but comfortable pieces specifically for postpartum. These might include a few camisoles or flowy tops, a couple neutral cardigans, a nursing-friendly dress, a couple pairs of joggers or other lounge-type pants, and pretty robe. The goal here is have some things on hand that you are excited to wear and that you feel good in as you recover. You likely won’t fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes right away and will be tired of your maternity things, so having some special things saved just for postpartum is fun!
• Take that shower. I know it’s hard! Morning comes and maybe the baby is fussy–and the older two are squabbling (I mean, I’m not speaking from personal experience or anything). It’s easy to put something as basic as getting clean on the back burner. But I encourage you to make it happen… you will feel so much better when you are fresh and ready for the day. Nurse the baby and make sure she’s dry. She can sit in her car seat or other safe place in the bathroom where you can see her. I know I sound like a meanie, but if she’s fussing, a few minutes of crying won’t hurt her. And the other two can watch a short show nearby while you whiz through the shower!
• Spend a few minutes on a routine that helps you feel feminine and refreshed for the day. Even on days when I don’t wear makeup, just cleansing my face with my favorite cleanser, spritzing on a rose water facial mist, and smoothing on some moisturizer makes a world of difference. A quick swipe of concealer, a twirl of mascara, and some pretty earrings leave me feeling polished and put together.

I hope these links and tips have been helpful for you! If you know a mom who would be blessed by this post, would you share it with her? I’d love that!

And please chime in–what are some postpartum essentials you’d add to this list? Leave a comment below!

PIN FOR LATER:

Note: Affiliate links are used on this page. This means that I may make a small commission if you purchase through my links. This doesn’t cost you anything extra but does help support my little blog!

The post Planning for a Grace-filled Postpartum: Part 3 appeared first on Engraced Living.

For this mini series on postpartum encouragement, I am teaming up with one of my close friends, Heather. She is a mom of five kiddos and is currently right in the middle of her own postpartum with her sweet baby, Jack. Heather was at two of my births and I was so thrilled to be her doula this time around. She is an incredible example to me and many others in glorifying God through the joys and challenges of motherhood. You can read her posts HERE.

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘postpartum?’  Baby snuggles? Breastfeeding? Stretch marks? Do you cringe? If you’re pregnant now, do you feel nervous?

Since my first postpartum experience, I’ve dealt with some trepidation as I’ve approached the final weeks of pregnancy with my two other babies. Now don’t get me wrong. I love all the skin-to-skin, those silky-soft baby cheeks, tiny eyelashes, and well, just the fact that my baby is in my arms instead of my belly. 

But I’m also familiar with the hard things that can come with being a postpartum mama. If I’m not careful, my entire outlook as I approach birth can be shaded with fear and dread. If I’m going off past (and very real) challenges, it’s easy to focus only on those hard things and view this season as just something to survive.

However, I encourage you to use those past experiences to help you strategize–prayerfully–how to thrive in your next postpartum. If you’re a first-time mom, spend time gleaning practical and spiritual wisdom for this coming season. Ask some godly women in your life to share what they’ve learned in their postpartum seasons. There are also some great books and other resources I’ll be sharing in a later post.

Note: Heather does an incredible job of tackling this topic of mentally preparing for postpartum in her second post in this series. She goes much more in depth on how we as Christian moms can lean into Jesus and His Word during the tenuous days after giving birth. Read it HERE.

PLAN TO SLOW DOWN

A slower pace of daily life seems obvious after having a baby, but you might feel pressured to swiftly return to your normal routine. Or maybe you feel really great post-birth and are ready to hit the ground running a few days later. However, your body recently grew a baby over a period of almost ten months, birthed that baby (whatever kind of birth you had), and now your body needs time to heal and rest. 

Historically, new mothers have had more support postpartum than we usually see today, whether from a mom, aunt, grandma, sister, or friend. This is primarily because our view of postpartum has changed. We tend to think of postpartum as the first two or three weeks after having a baby but we really should think a little longer-term. 

Often the first couple weeks postpartum can be a flurry of visitors, appointments, and meals brought by. But if we haven’t thought past those first two weeks, all of a sudden, we are five weeks postpartum. By now all the helpful visitors have gone home, the meals have ended, and we are exhausted and overwhelmed by trying to manage a newborn–and daily life!

Our modern American culture doesn’t do a great job of recognizing a mom’s need for a restorative postpartum. We applaud the idea of fitting into our pre-pregnancy jeans soon after giving birth and being able to do “all the things”, just now with a sweet baby tucked into our Solly wrap. The idea of resting in bed with our baby or directing life from the couch for a week (or more) doesn’t feel right to us. Believe me, I am super excited to get back into pre-pregnancy jeans (still working on that ten months postpartum!) and love babywearing, but we need to have a reasonable view of the fourth trimester. 

Healing from the inside out

For example, let’s think about the uterus. This incredible organ housed your baby for almost ten months and then during labor, contracted to move that baby through the cervix, into the birth canal, and out into the world. During pregnancy, your uterus also housed your placenta.

Sometime after you gave birth, your doctor or midwife may have showed you your placenta (another amazing organ). Do you remember the size of your placenta? A typical placenta is about the size of a dinner plate. And while you were pregnant, that placenta was attached to the inside lining of your uterus through blood vessels that provided circulation. 

After your baby was born and your placenta detached from the uterine wall, it left behind a dinner-plate-sized wound! And as with any wound, it takes time to heal.

This is one of reasons why you experience postpartum bleeding and cramping. Not only is your uterus contracting to shrink down to its pre-pregnancy size, it is also working to close off blood flow from blood vessels that were connected to the placenta. The uterus is also shedding blood and tissue from the uterine lining.

My midwife (who has delivered over 3,000 babies!) always tells her clients that if their post-birth bleeding slows down–or almost goes away–and then returns, they are doing too much, too quickly. She gives this same counsel if a mom’s lochia has slowed or turned a darker red or red/brown and but then turns bright red again. In both scenarios, she gives firm instructions… slow down and rest.

If you’ve given birth before, you might also remember the odd, slightly unnerving sensation of standing up for the first time after having your baby. All those organs (think bladder, stomach, intestines, etc) that were so crowded and temporarily displaced, kind of slither and slide back into place now that your baby is out. This isn’t painful but serves as a reminder that there are lots of internal adjustments taking place after birth.

The way we handle postpartum recovery can make a difference in our long-term health. I believe that when we take care of our bodies after birth, we can honor the Lord as we steward what He has entrusted to us. Not only does your body need this time in the weeks and months after birth, but the way that you handle postpartum recovery can make a difference in your future reproductive health, possibly even in menopause.

… we have forgotten the time-honored wisdom that this special cocoon of care should extend to the mother as well. In those first forty days, which roughly correlate with the six-week phase that Western medicine calls the postpartum period, the old ways teach that an amazing opportunity presents itself to a woman. During this time, she can revitalize herself and replenish her reserves, creating a solid foundation from which to tackle the demands of motherhood (whether for the first, time, second, or more). Furthermore, they teach that with the right postpartum care, a mother can preserve her reproductive health for future children or eventually experience an easy menopause,
aging gracefully over the decades to come.

Heng Ou | The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nurturing the New Mother

PLAN TO REST

If you’re at all familiar with the days and weeks after giving birth or heard others talk about it, the idea of postpartum sleep seems laughable. And it’s true. Sleep is in short supply during this time and most newborns aren’t interested in honoring your normal routine. But again, let’s use what we know to proactively craft a postpartum strategy, instead of simply dreading the shorter nights ahead.

Catch a little sleep during the day

Since nighttime sleep can be unpredictable for a while, you need to plan to catch some sleep during the day. This can be really challenging if you have other little ones at home, but be creative! Talk with your husband. And as Heather mentioned in her first post, pray about it. God’s wisdom is unlimited and He gives it generously. (James 1)

Getting rest during the day can also be tricky with other young children at home, especially if their nap times are all a little different. If the baby was napping but my other kiddos were up, I found it helpful to pile on the couch with the kids while we watched a fun episode of The Andy Griffith Show. They were close by, so I felt fine drifting off and catching a little power nap. Or I would put on some kind of audio drama while I rested on the couch and they played nearby (two of our favorites are Adventures in Odyssey and Ranger Bill). Again, because they were close to me, I felt comfortable dozing off for a bit.

Some evenings if I was really exhausted, shortly after Elijah got home from work, I would head upstairs to take a nap with the baby. I tried to have a simple dinner ready for him and the kids and after we chatted for a few minutes, he would send me off to nap.

I really struggled with this for a while! I felt guilty that I wasn’t downstairs with the family, but Elijah would remind me that this was only for a season. I was able to get some much-needed rest and the kids loved having extra time with just Daddy. And often after napping, I felt so much better and was able to enjoy some family time instead of slogging through the evening grumpy and half-awake.

Work as a team

It goes without saying that the postpartum period can challenge your marriage. My main encouragement here is to communicate–your husband cannot read your mind. Share what you are struggling with and ask him to pray for you. Pray together about solutions to challenges you are facing… a colicky baby, breastfeeding issues, your hormones, a jealous toddler, etc. 

Elijah and I have also learned that it’s really helpful to have a plan for how we will work together during the night with the baby. Often, I am the one who gets up with the baby since I breastfeed. I also know that I can likely catch a little nap later in the day, whereas Elijah definitely does not have that option. That said he does usually gets up if either of the older two kiddos needs something in the night. And as I mentioned before, when he gets home from work, he will often ask if I want to go rest and then cheerfully wrangles our little crew of kiddos. 

Each marriage dynamic is different, so together with your husband come up with a plan to help you get rest. For example, I’ve heard of husbands who take over all the diaper changes once they are home from work or get up to bring the baby to mom to nurse at night. But maybe your husband works nights or for some other reason, that is not an option.

My encouragement here is to talk through things with your husband so you can work as a team. Don’t allow discontentment and frustration to brew as you compare him to your friends’ husbands and their unique dynamic. God has blessed you with your specific husband and his unique ways of loving and leading your family.

Don’t stress over the housework

I know it can be super hard to let some of the housework go, but mama, those dishes can wait. After having three babies, I am here to tell you that eventually, at some point, those dishes will get done. Maybe you’ll do them, maybe someone else will do them for you. But no one else can sleep for you. If the baby is napping or ready for a nap, and the other kiddos are resting or having a quiet time, it’s time to rest.

Getting more rest is easier said than done. But it starts with re-orienting our minds and replacing old beliefs of “never enough” with the understanding that recovering and tending to baby,
for now, is more than enough.
In fact, it is everything.
Heng Ou | The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

LIFE-GIVING COMMUNITY

The postpartum period can be made a little easier when a mom has a circle of life-giving community around her. This is especially important if you as a mom live far away from your family–those that would naturally support you in this time. For Elijah and I, nearly all of our family lives in another state. We’ve been so thankful to have various family members fly out to visit and help with this transition time after each baby. Our local church body and friends have also been an invaluable support to us. I don’t know what we would do without them!

Whether you are introverted or extroverted, reaching out to others for encouragement and fellowship can be difficult for a postpartum mom. Motherhood is HARD. Wonderful but hard. I think that sometimes as moms, we can feel guilty or ashamed of admitting that we are struggling or feeling stretched. There are probably various reasons for this, but one of them is… pride. It is humbling to admit that we need help, that we are overwhelmed, or that we are so tired that we haven’t made the bed in a week. 

Choose humility

I’ve seen the Lord use moments when I embraced humility to really encourage my heart and refresh my outlook through time with a friend. A specific example of this happened after Nora’s birth. She was about four weeks old and one of my close friends, Brooke, was planning to come over to take some newborn photos. I was stressing because the house was messy, I couldn’t find anything to wear that fit right (hello, postpartum body!), and I really just wanted to forget the whole thing.

But I knew the photos had to happen that day because we had already rescheduled once and we were leaving for a two-week trip in a few days. I remember shooting off some kind of “Lord, help me” prayer and then doing my best to tidy up and get dressed in something pretty but comfortable. As I got ready, the Lord convicted me of my pride and self-focus. I had been stressing because I didn’t want my friend to see me as a frazzled new mom of three. In my pride, I wanted to present myself as a demure new mom with everything under control–instead of simply being honest.

I’d like to note that it was especially ridiculous to worry about Brooke seeing me less than polished! I had asked her to be at Nora’s birth to document my labor and of course, the birth and immediate postpartum. Seeing as she saw me in the throes of labor and watched me give birth, she had already witnessed a rather real version of me! But boy, pride can sure get in the way, right?

If you are a mom approaching the postpartum season, I hope that what I’ve shared helps get you thinking about how you can plan ahead to slow down, get rest, and cultivate community. Also, if you know another mom who might be encouraged, would you share this post with her? I’d love that!

PIN FOR LATER:

P.S. I love sharing the video below with expecting or new moms. Lisa from the Farmhouse on Boone blog and YouTube channel shares a glimpse into her first week postpartum–with her sixth baby! If she can slow down, you can too. : )

You might also enjoy:
Planning for a Grace-filled Postpartum: Part One
The Minutes of My Hours: Encouragement for the Weary-Hearted
Cultivating a Reading Life

Join the discussion:
What is one piece of advice you would give another mom on slowing down, resting, or cultivating community?

The post Planning for a Grace-Filled Postpartum: Part 2 appeared first on Engraced Living.

For this mini series on postpartum encouragement, I am teaming up with one of my close friends, Heather. She is a mom of five kiddos and is currently right in the middle of her own postpartum with her sweet baby, Jack. Heather was at two of my births and I was so thrilled to be her doula this time around. She is an incredible example to me and many others in glorifying God through the joys and challenges of motherhood. You can read her posts HERE.

Heather is also the author of “Expectant”, a book tailor-made for moms seeking to have a pregnancy that is grounded in truth and dependent on Jesus. This is a book you need in your personal library, whether you are a mom or not! It makes the perfect gift for an expectant mama (maybe along with a little chocolate, too!)

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I spent a lot of time preparing for her birth and gathering all the baby things. But after she was born, I wished that I had put a lot more time into preparing for the postpartum season. Once I was in the middle of everything, I realized that some simple, practical preparations would have helped make that transition and time a little smoother.

With my second baby, I was armed with the understanding gained during my first postpartum season. I was amazed at the difference between those two postpartum seasons, even though the second time around, I also had a busy little toddler to care for! The time I spent planning, praying, and preparing for the special season after giving birth was a blessing to our whole family.

Our third little one is now ten months old and with each postpartum experience, I’ve learned a little more about how to practically walk out this season in a grace-filled way. I’ve also been able to glean from my experiences supporting mamas and their families as a birth doula. I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned along the way!

Planning for your postpartum season doesn’t mean that you won’t have hard days or that every moment will be perfect. However, I believe that understanding postpartum and how we can support our minds, bodies, and hearts during this time can help you thrive during these first few months as a new mom… whether it’s your first or fifth baby.

What does ‘postpartum’ mean?

The word ‘postpartum’ simply means “following childbirth”. It describes a specific season— the days, weeks, and months after a mom gives birth to her baby. The first three months postpartum is sometimes called the ‘fourth trimester’. I personally love the idea of the fourth trimester because it is a reminder that even though the three trimesters of pregnancy have come to an end, a mom still needs to give thought to taking special care of herself these first few months.

What kind of changes does a mom experience during postpartum?

Just as a mom undergoes incredible physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy in order to sustain a baby in her womb and then give birth, she also experiences a whole host of changes after giving birth.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes:

The weeks following birth are a critical period for a woman and her infant, setting the stage for long-term health and well-being. During this period, a woman is adapting to multiple physical, social, and psychological changes. She is recovering from childbirth, adjusting to changing hormones, and learning to feed and care for her newborn.

(Read the full article here.)

Though some of these can be uncomfortable or just completely foreign the first time around, these changes do serve a purpose. Some of these include but are not limited to:

• Your uterus. Pre-pregnancy, it is the size of an orange and stretches to hold your baby and placenta. As it gradually shrinks down to its normal size in the first few days after birth, you will often feel this happening in the form of cramping or “after-birth pains”. This is the uterus working to clamp down blood vessels that were once attached to the placenta. Your uterus will also expel lochia, a bloody discharge, for up to six to eight weeks after birth. Your lochia will change in color and flow as your uterus returns to normal.

• Your perineum. If you had a vaginal birth, your perineum will likely feel tender, sore, and swollen after being stretched while your baby was birthed. Sometimes perineal tears occur during birth and may require stitches. This might sound a little scary, but thankfully, there are lots ways to keep you comfortable as you heal in this area.

• Your hormones. While certain hormones like progesterone and estrogen were running at a high level during your pregnancy, these drop quickly after the placenta is delivered. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin take center stage in support of breastfeeding, bonding, and healing. This big adjustment in hormones can manifest in temporary changes like hot flashes, moodiness, crying easily, and anxiety. (Note: While these temporary hormonal changes are a normal part of postpartum, there are more serious postpartum challenges that require professional medical support. If you have any concerns, talk to your care provider and learn more here.)
  
• Your breasts. While you probably noticed some changes happening in your breasts during pregnancy, your breasts are now working hard to provide nutrition for your baby. Even if you aren’t planning to breastfeed your baby, you will undergo some breast changes after giving birth. For the first few days, your breasts will secrete colostrum, a thick, nutrient-rich liquid that is baby’s first milk. This will then transition to the production of mature milk. As you teach your baby to latch properly, learn comfortable breastfeeding positions, and establish your milk supply, you may experience sore nipples, engorgement, and leaking. All of these will resolve in time as you settle into a rhythm. (We’ll talk more about this, but if for some reason you are struggling with breastfeeding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your care provider or a lactation professional.)

Note: Some changes a mom faces will be specific to her birth experience. For example, in the case of a cesarean birth (which is a major abdominal surgery), a mom will also have the challenges of an extended recovery time, caring for her incision, and limited mobility as she heals.

What are some basic needs of a postpartum mom? 

While these needs will vary depending on a mom’s individual health, pregnancy, and birth outcome, the following are things that most every mom will benefit from during the fourth trimester.

• Rest
• A slower pace of daily life
• Nourishing foods and hydration
• Lifegiving community
• Tools to help heal, comfort, and nurture her body after giving birth
• A comfortable environment that facilitates this time of healing and rest

Over the next couple weeks, I’ll be taking a closer look at the changes and needs of a postpartum mom and sharing practical tips to help you prepare for your own grace-filled postpartum!

PIN FOR LATER:

The post Planning for a Grace-Filled Postpartum: Part 1 appeared first on Engraced Living.

I remember that brown paper bag. My uncle Frank, an avid reader himself, understood my nine-year-old affection for books. And that large brown paper bag held an assortment of paperback books he had gathered for me from a library sale.

I don’t remember most of the books stowed in that brown paper bag, but I do remember a paperback book with a sunny yellow border. The prairie scene illustrated on the cover drew me in: a blue frontier sky, a serious-looking man with a beard, a little girl clutching a small bouquet of wildflowers, a woman with upswept hair and a soft smile, a log cabin in the background. Mildly obsessed with anything I deemed “old-fashioned”, my interest was instantly piqued.

Some books are so familiar. Reading them is like being home again.
Jo March [ Little Women movie, 1994 ]

Books are an invitation

The memory of that yellow-bordered book always comes to mind when I ponder my deep love for books. Already a confirmed bookworm at nine years old, I had been read to from a young age and then gone on to read stacks of books on my own. Illustrations and phrases from childhood favorites like The World of Richard Scarry, Love You Forever, and Who Put the Pepper in the Pot? are forever etched into my memory.

But then there is the foray into reading on one’s own, specifically what we call “chapter books”. At that point I knew firsthand the delight of a new book in hand, wondering what awaited me in its pages. I understood the sheer pleasure of being utterly swept into a good story.

I mention this specific memory because it is the first recollection I have of reading a chapter book, though I’d read many by that time. It is the first time I remember holding a book in my hands and wondering what was inside, relishing the invitation of a good book. I think I understood then that a book is an invitation into someone else’s journey –– and that within those pages, I could learn and grow, too.

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll.
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul.
Emily Dickinson

God gave us words

When we consider that God chose to reveal Himself through the book of Books, the Bible, it’s not surprising that books hold the power to shape our minds and hearts. We encounter His words of truth as we read the Bible. Whether written or spoken, God gave us the gift of words to communicate. (I realize that we can also listen to the Bible in audio format, but even that is being read by someone else.)

If we lose the gift of reading in this generation, we will lose the ability to reason, to understand God’s greatness, to think well, to have convictions. We must keep literacy up! It is one of the most important works of our lives. If children do not learn to love to read, they will not become readers of the Bible –– the best words. They will love reading if you read out loud to them and cherish them and celebrate great stories together with them in peace and joy.
Sally Clarkson [ Mom Hearts Moments devotional, September 23rd reading ]

Books speak to us

Is there an area in which you desire to grow or need encouragement and inspiration? There’s a book for that. When we take the time to read, we glean from the work and wisdom of others. I’m so thankful that I can pick up a book and…

• be exhorted by Sally Clarkson in my role as a mother
• visit the charming town of Mitford and its endearing residents in Jan Karon’s Mitford series
• “sit down to coffee” with Barbara Rainey and have my questions on marriage answered by a godly, learned, older woman
• expand my knowledge as a doula through the pages of The Birth Partner
• have my faith bolstered as Elisabeth Elliot candidly recounts stories of God’s faithfulness in her missionary life
• be inspired in Little Women by the daily lives of four sisters and their loving, wise Marmee in Civil War-era New England
• learn how to sew a linen apron or make lavender chamomile bath salts in Lisa Bass’s book of simple, natural DIY projects

You get the idea. Books give us access to the voices of truth and wisdom of people we may never meet in person. We have the opportunity to meet them and their words on the pages of their books.

A woman who reads is a rebel, defying the pace of the instant at which the modern world gallops from dawn till dusk. Her mind is her own, formed not by a scroll down the social-media feed or the frantic scurry of too much to do but by her daily decision to walk in company with the wise, those authors who help her to step back, to listen, to pray, and to ponder.
Sarah Clarkson [Book Girl]

Reading quiets our minds

When we pause long enough to sit down with an actual book in hand, these moments have the ability to quiet our screen-frenzied minds. As I sit down to read a book, even for fifteen minutes, I am choosing to read those words by that author. I am usually fairly refreshed or encouraged or informed by this bookish reprieve.

However, I am rarely refreshed by the overwhelming, out-of-context barrage of information snatched in fifteen minutes of reading Facebook posts and comments. While a social media post can be well-written and life-giving, carefully choose the words you allow to fill your heart and mind.

I have many friends who excel at using these outlets to inspire hope and truth. I also aim to use my social media accounts to encourage and uplift others. But I encourage you to set distraction aside as you put your phone down and pick up an actual book. Your book can’t buzz, beep, or ding at you (thank goodness).

We need to have our attention restored, that holy capacity to be fully present to the moment in which we find ourselves. We need to be summoned back from the tasks we have yet to do, the endless scroll of the online world, the frantic pace that nips at our heels like a pesky dog. We need to be halted in our frenzied steps and called back to this moment in its possibility, to this day in its shifting seasonal beauty, to this person, irreplaceably precious. The written word, the greats works of literature and essay––if we will only engage them for a few moments––have the power to arrest us in this way, to demand our attention, to set us back down in the present with a quieter mind and more attentive eyes.
Sarah Clarkson [Book Girl]

Read good books

As we read, it’s vital that we run our books through the filter of what God says is good and beautiful. Around the same time I read Love Comes Softly, I also read quite a few books from The Babysitters Club series. Yikes! There is a vast difference between the simple, faith-building lives of the Davis family and the fluff and folly of secular middle-school girls.

The point here? Read good things. Not what the Goodreads app deems worth your time, but what God says is worth your time and energy. I think we will all navigate this a bit differently, but here are two portions of Scripture that help me in my reading choices:

… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellent, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 [emphasis added]

Is it lovely?
Is it pure?
Does it inspire Christ-like behavior and thoughts?
Is it honorable?

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffer; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

In partaking of a certain book and its ideas, am I “heeding the counsel of the wicked”?
Am I “standing in the way of sinners” –– reading a book that presents sin as right or good?
Am I “sitting in the seat of a scoffer” as I enjoy a book that makes light of God’s Word?

I hope this post encouraged you to pause in the busyness of life and sit down with a good book, even if for a few moments. Or maybe you’re well-established in the reading life, strategically carving out time to read. Either way, tell me, what is one book you want to read this year? I’d love to hear!

This post contains affiliate links. If you shop through a link provided here, I may make a small commission. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, but is a blessing to my little blog! I aim to share only products that I have personally used and enjoyed.

POSTS YOU MAY ENJOY:
Embracing the Restorative Rhythms of Winter
Expectant Book: Review and Q&A with Author Heather Cofer
Amma’s Tuscan Soup & Kalamata Olive Bread

The post Cultivating a Reading Life appeared first on Engraced Living.

This week I’m sharing a guest post from my friend, Brooke. She put this beautiful post together for me in the fall, but I am just now posting it. You’ll be inspired by her lovely photos and warming recipes. I’ve enjoyed this soup in Brooke’s home and made it for my own family –– it is delicious. It feeds a crowd, making it perfect for hosting others in your home. Now I just need to try my hand at that gorgeous kalamata olive bread!

There is nothing quite as inviting as soup simmering on the stovetop and a loaf of homemade crusty bread rising in the oven. I sit here today, typing this up while the first autumn frost is visiting the foothills of Colorado. Soup weather has arrived, much to my eldest son’s delight! He is a boy after my own heart.

Today my little home has the gentle glow of overcast light as a flickering candle fills the air with its soft aroma, matching the soft light hanging over my little abode. It is the perfect day for a nourishing soup.

A Kinabrew family favorite

This soup has quickly become a family favorite and I would love to share it with you so your own family can enjoy it as much as we do. My mother-in-love, Denise, introduced this delicious soup to us years back. She made this Tuscan “wedding soup” years ago when she was catering a wedding.

Since then, we’ve called it Amma’s Tuscan Soup. “Amma” is what our boys fondly call both their grandmothers. This name is inspired by missionary Amy Carmichael, who was called Amma (mother) by the children she cared for in India.

Amma’s Tuscan Soup is great for company or for your family to enjoy over several days. To top it off, this hearty soup gets even more delicious as leftovers, truly! 

A bowlful of this soup is perfect with fresh parmesan sprinkled on top and served with a warm slice of crusty bread and even a small side salad, if desired. My Kalamata Olive Bread is easy, no-knead, and delicious. We thoroughly enjoy it here in our home!

Invite your kiddos into the kitchen

Let’s be more intentional to invite our children to be part of the process of making meals with us. It is a wonderful way to not only spend time with our precious ones but to also build those sweet memories together of cooking with mama. I love seeing excitement and enjoyment on my boys’ faces when we eat a meal they helped prepare. It makes it all the more enjoyable for them. 

There is a task for nearly any age if you get creative. If they are old enough, they can chop veggies. Almost any age can help toss ingredients into the pot and stir. Littles ones can pass you the needed veggies, or taste-test each edible morsel while passing it to you. Be creative and have fun.

I have to remind myself that making a meal doesn’t have to be a task on my mile-long “to do” list, but can be made into something fun and enjoyable. It’s okay if dinner is a little later than usual due to little ones helping. If we are having having fun and making memories, chances are we won’t worry about dinner being on schedule, but instead cherish the time spent together.

Grace your table with simple touches

As fancy as my table setting looks in these photos, I promise, it was so very simple to pull together. With a little intentionality, you can add beauty and warmth. Believe me, my table doesn’t always look this cozy and perfect and we end up eating with stacks of homeschool books and watercolors pushed off to the side.

I simply grabbed a few vintage brass candle holders from my collection, popped a few candle sticks into the candle holders, and placed my cutting board in the middle of the table for a homey touch. Then I strolled out to my backyard and cut the last of my Lady Claire roses and a few raspberry leaves that were turning into the prettiest rust tones. I also added a few autumn-red strawberry leaves for good measure. I slipped these into a crystal bud vase, set it on the table and voila! A few short minutes and table was set for a cozy family meal.     

Savor the tangible things

There is nothing quite like getting a handwritten recipe passed down from generation to generation. Maybe these little cards will be an heirloom someday, maybe not. Even thought I am sharing this recipe online, I wanted to share this extra touch of homeyness.

I hope your family loves our Amma’s Tuscan Soup and Kalamata Olive Bread as much as we do.
Enjoy!

Print

Amma’s Tuscan Soup

This hearty, Italian-inspired soup is full of rich flavors. A Kinabrew family favorite, it is straight from Amma’s kitchen and perfectly comforting on a cold day.

Servings 15

Author Brooke Kinabrew

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sweet Italian sausage
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed or diced
• 3 quarts chicken broth
• 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 15 oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 pound whole wheat pasta shells uncooked
• 8 ounces fresh spinach

Instructions

• Brown sausage on medium heat in a soup pot. Crumble sausage as you brown it. 
• Once sausage is fully cooked, add carrots, onions, and garlic. Sauté until tender, about 7 minutes.
• Add chicken broth, canned tomatoes, beans, pasta, and basil to your soup pot.
• Bring soup boil over high heat then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 7 minutes, until pasta is fully cooked.
• Stir in spinach 5-10 minutes before serving.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan and serve.

Notes

This recipe makes a lot of soup! You can half this recipe or plan to freeze what you won’t eat within a few days.

If you are planning to freeze some soup for later, set aside a portion of soup to freeze before adding the pasta. When you thaw and reheat your soup, add your uncooked pasta shells at that time.

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Kalamata Olive Bread

This Mediterranean Kalamata Olive Bread is baked in Dutch oven for a flavorful loaf with a rustic, crackling crust. It is the easiest no-knead bread recipe with kalamata olives generously folded in. Topped with a bit of butter, this bread doesn't last long in our home!

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 22 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Author Brooke Kinabrew

Ingredients

• ¾ teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups lukewarm water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup kalamata olives, chopped

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the yeast and the warm water. Cover with plastic or a kitchen towel and let proof for at least 5 minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, add salt and bread flour. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until just combined.
• Add yeast and water mixture. Mix on low until a shaggy dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic and let dough rise at a warm place for 10 to 24 hours. Inside the microwave – turned off! – is a handy place. (See notes below)
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a 4-quart Dutch oven into preheated oven, without lid, for 30 minutes.
• Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roughly press dough into a flat rectangle. Sprinkle 1/3 of the chopped olives on top and fold the dough once, hiding the olives and pressing down again to form another flat shape. Repeat this step two more times using the remaining olives.
• With floured hands, shape dough into a ball. Cover dough loosely with plastic wrap. Let dough rest for at least 30 minutes (1-2 hours is ideal) until doubled in size, while your Dutch oven preheats.
• Once the Dutch oven has preheated for at least 30 minutes, transfer dough ball to Dutch oven. Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes at 450 degrees. Then remove the lid and allow bread to bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
• Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow bread to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Allowing the dough rest for a longer stretch of time improves the flavor and texture, as this gives the yeast time to take care of both leavening and kneading. However, if you’re in a hurry, simply use a whole package of yeast and you can cut down the first rising time to about 6 hours.

The post Amma’s Tuscan Soup & Kalamata Olive Bread appeared first on Engraced Living.