We kicked off the new year with good friends, great wine (one of us) and an epic game of Settlers of Catan.  We even managed to make it up past midnight.  Felt pretty good for being then-29-weeks pregnant and in my 30s.

In January, I’m into asking for help.  I’m decidedly NOT into my long-lasting pregnancy-induced back pain that makes me walk like an 80-year old, but I AM very much into my top-notch husband, who is gracious and patient with my big and small requests for help and makes me laugh and feel beautiful. Yes, please.

I’m [still, always] working on embracing the mess and chaos of life, and choosing to find grace in the messy moments and messy closets.  However, I’m also nesting big time and working on those messy closets when I can find the time and energy.

These girls, some of the very best, threw a shower for me/L1.  It was an overwhelmingly beautiful day, filled with family and dear friends.  I felt so loved.

Also could not believe these girls made the drive to Omaha for the shower. They (plus Courtney) are by far the best thing to come out of my evangelical childhood church & youth group experience.  The miles between us are many and the moments spent together are few, but WOW, I love these girls.

L1 will be into bacon (and learning), natch.

I, meanwhile, am into macarons.  And all the other snacks, really.  I may or may not have gained kind of a lot of pregnancy weight lately, but let’s not talk about it.

Tradeshow season at work took us to Minneapolis for a couple of days, where I squeezed in lunch with this girl.  Her laugh.  I can’t even.  I seriously have some of the best women in my life.

AND, I got to see these little post-bath wet-head chickens in January.  It was kind of a great month, honestly, if a little nuts with the traveling. There was a quick photoless trip to Winnipeg somewhere in there, too.

There is not much better than spending time with my seester.

I’m totally into long shirts these days.  I have no time for maternity clothes or formerly long shirts that don’t cover the belly.  Stripes aren’t my best look, but it’s long, and I’ll take it.

Despite the lovely weather that we started off the month with, Old Man Winter is back for a visit on the last day of January.

What I’m reading & what I’m watching
I did manage a bit of reading this past month, and have more underway.  It feels good to get back into the pages.  See what I’ve read lately here.  All my shows are still on winter hiatus, so I’ve been watching cheesy movies and episodes of Chopped on Netflix. I’m super excited about Gilmore Girls and Friends, but I’m saving them for long labor or long nights up with the baby.  I figure I could use some good TV friends during those moments.  Just 7-ish weeks left!

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I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer for her What I’m Into series. Hop on over to her blog for more.