Hmm sorry! We aren't exactly sure what you are looking for.

Try the homepage or use the search at the top of the page.

I am on a social media break at the moment so the only people who will be reading this post are those of you who subscribe to my blog. I’m actually happy about this smaller, more intimate group of folks who intentionally check in on this space. Instagram and Facebook have really flooded out these smaller spaces on the internet and I am trying something new which has felt good. Instead of posting everyday on a social media app and spending time scrolling through pages of random accounts, I have deleted those apps for the time being and have gained so much calm and quiet in my days.  It feels liberating to intentionally tune out some outside noise and focus on what is important in my life right now–which is keeping my family close and my phone far away. Seriously, keeping my phone in a drawer has felt SO good. Of course I take it out to make a phone call, send a text or snap a photo but I am handling it way less which just feels so good. I didn’t realize how much I checked my phone until I removed it from my sight. And maybe it’s just the postpartum period that I’m in right now, but making this change is exactly what I needed to really cherish the time I’m in. Which brings me to my big news!

My sweet daughter, Maize Hutchins Bemis, was born on July, 1st 2022 at 6:50am. She is named after one of our favorite crops to grow (corn) and her middle name is a family name which is also the name of the farm Taylor and I worked on years ago. She came into the world calmly right into her dad’s arms and we are so happy she is here. I was fortunate enough to have her at home in the same room that her sister was born in. My amazing midwives were here for a second birth and it felt so good to be in their care again. I have more to say about my homebirth experience(s) and the midwifery model of care but will save that for another post in the near future.

Maize has been a true gift to our family. We are cherishing this newborn time and feel less anxious than we did as first time parents. I think being less anxious has also made for a less fussy and anxious baby because she is CHILL!!! Little Maize is growing so quickly and I’m reminded of how fleeting this newborn period is. Instead of wishing time would speed up so I could get more sleep, this time around I’m just staying as present as I can. Even during those middle of the night feedings, it feels so special to be this little girl’s mom and spend time with her when the rest of the house is dark and quiet.  It’s honestly the best gift to myself after such an emotional and anxiety ridden first year with Pepper (which had a lot to do with the early days of COVID and being completely isolated as first time parents with zero outside help).

Pepper is taking her role as big sister very seriously! She is so sweet with Maize and loves to give her kisses, hugs, and tells her she loves her a million times a day. Also, every time she is doing something she thinks is awesome she’ll yell “look at me Maize!” or “watch me Maize!” It’s so sweet. The only hiccup with Pepper is that after the arrival of Maize her sleep has gone down the shitter! She wakes multiple times a night and it takes us a long time to get her down. Again, we’re just riding this wave and know this is a season of life and this too shall pass. We can’t complain because she’s honestly handled the transition really well otherwise.

I love being a mom to these sweet little girls. I never knew that motherhood was my calling but I have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with this role. And don’t get me wrong, it is HARD. Trying to balance it all. Taylor and I run and operate a full time farm and I’m wrapping up a huge project (a toddler cookbook!!) And of course, trying to be as present and calm during the days with our kiddos can be challenging. That’s also what was calling me to take a social media break. The intensity of trying to feel “connected” and “on” all the time is exhausting and I don’t want my kids to grow up with me behind my phone all the time. This break has been amazing and I’m continuing to take that break for a full 6 weeks. I’ll return to Instagram in the fall with some new intentions for myself on how I want to use the app. Until then, I’ll be cuddling my little people and enjoying the abundance of the fall harvest here at our farm.

Thank you to all of you who subscribe to the blog and check in on this space every so often. This tired mama is grateful for each and every one of you.

Take care and happy end of the summer!! xo