It’s already March 17th—halfway through the month—and I’m finally delivering our monthly newsletter to your inbox. Please forgive me; I am three weeks postpartum.

Sticking to March’s theme of Growth & Productivity, our family has grown! Please welcome Zora Ray!

Zora was born in the evening on February 26th at home (as planned). Brian caught her in the tub while Jen, my midwife, held my hands as I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Both Grandma and big sis were there to welcome her into the world.

Before Zora Ray decided to make her debut, our entire household caught a nasty flu (nasty is an understatement). Maya and I celebrated our birthdays in bed while I struggled to deliver keys to my clients who were closing on their new home. Instead of arriving on her due date, she waited until everyone was healed and healthy.

After Maya was born, I was able to take four months of maternity leave while the whole world shut down during the pandemic. This time around, I took only four days off before getting back to work to help my clients sell their home—which we successfully did, as promised. Thankfully, I’ve chosen the perfect career, allowing me to work from home and be a mom. (Brian has been very helpful as well!)

I’m not going to pretend it’s been easy—because it hasn’t been—but growth has never been comfortable. We wanted to grow our family, and we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. And this blessing is stretching me in more ways than one. It’s required me to develop my leadership skills, both at home and at work, in order to embrace teamwork—the only way I was able to give birth, prepare a listing, and start making sourdough all at the same time. It has also required me to let go of or press pause on anything that doesn’t allow me to fulfill my commitments to my family and my clients.

As mentioned, this month’s theme is Growth & Productivity. I invite you to read our blog and take whatever tools and insights may help you on your journey.