As I hinted, last night was great! For some reason Mazen decided to go right back to sleep after each feeding, so soothing was minimized and sleep was maximized!
I made a big bowl of pumpkin oats to get us going. As evidenced by the camera straps in the below photographs, taking photos with a baby in a carrier is quite challenging. Mostly because I can’t bend over and squatting down low is hard to keep from wobbling. So a lot of times I’m just pointing and shooting, peering through the viewfinder from above with one eye shut!
Coach’s Oats sent a bag of oats to my doorstep “Welcome Mazen!” along with this logoed mug – perfect for servin’ em up! I made this bowl with 1/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup water (CO recipe) and 1/3 cup milk, half a banana and a ton of pumpkin – about half a cup! Plus cinnamon, ground cloves and a pinch of all spice and salt. Barney Butter and Autumn Spice on top! Definitely the flavors of the week.
We are still practicing liking our crib. He likes to play in it, but when it’s time to sleep, he needs me arms.
“Hi Mom!”
Little turtles everywhere!
After Second Breakfast, Maze and I went out on a walk! In an effort to minimize crying, I took both the Boba carrier and the stroller. This way I could take the diaper bag in case we needed to stop and feed, my water bottle, my keys and my wallet to run some errands. M fell asleep in the carrier in minutes and miraculously when I tried transferring him to the stroller, he stayed asleep! That is until I stopped movement at the ATM! Then crying baby went back in the carrier for a few blocks and then back in the stroller. It was a bit of a process, but we were able to walk 2.67 miles together!
Chillin’ on 3rd Street!
I must pause here and thank AnneP for recommending Endomondo! I have never used a GPS tracker with my phone to track my workouts, and this free app is awesome!! I loved how it tracked time and mileage just like a Garmin and even spoke out loud to me at each mile. Will be so helpful for stroller walks in the future!
By the time we were home (and covered in sweat!) and had stopped to see Karen and our friend Lara on the way, it was time for Maze to eat, and then my lunch didn’t happen until 3pm! Thank goodness for big breakfasts or I would not have survived. More point n shooting!
I made an egg salad sandwich, although rather than dice the eggs, I just smashed two hard-boiled eggs in a bowl with about a tbsp of dijon mustard and a tsp of mayo plus salt, pepper and smoked paprika. It was kind of like my Deviled Eggs for One recipe but with the whole egg! Served on High Five (consumed with a knife and fork!)
Alongside some sharp cheddar and apple slices
with Caramel Apple Nutty Butter for dessert!
This afternoon we started Call The Midwife (recorded from PBS) during afternoon feedings. I’m a fan already! Watching women in labor has a whole new meaning to me now. And you know what, I really can’t even remember how bad the pain was. My mind has been wiped clean!
Dinner tonight was a beautiful meal brought over by our new friend Whitney and her daughter. I can’t say thank you enough to all of those who have brought us meals!! And I can’t wait to do the same in the future for other moms. I must say that a few people have said they are intimidated to bring a meal, but I’d like to say that I love the elaborate meals and the quickies equally! You could bring us a bagel from Bodos or Whole Foods hot bar and we’d be very happy. So don’t be shy if you have a friend who needs support but you are not a cook!
Whitney’s daughter created the menu : )
We had this incredible chicken marsala that was bursting with flavor! And there was so much of it that I chopped up some for tomorrow’s lunch and we also froze two pieces to enjoy in the weeks to come!
We also devoured these sliced rosemary potatoes and a baguette from Albemarle Baking Company. We don’t make baguettes at Great Harvest and love switching up breads from other bakeries. This was delicious toasted with a drizzle of olive oil and salt – and was even better dunked in the marsala sauce!
Lastly, salad – for nutrition!
And I almost forgot – Carpe Donuts for dessert! Matt and I were full, so we shared one to end this delicious meal. Thank you so much Whitney : )
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow what great friends! That meal looks delicious! Especially the uber thin potato slices!
Count your PBS blessings now. Ha
How cute are those turtles? Love all of the little blankies you have for him. How thoughtful of them to bring you dinner and I love the menu. So cute.
Have a great weekend!
I definitely could not thank the wonderful people who brought us food for the first few months with twins enough. So thoughtful! Before that, I always thought I was being intrusive but now I know just how much it means.
awwww I love all the turtles on Mazen’s onesie and blanket! My little brother loved turtles, he has a stuffed one (don’t tell anyone… he’s 21 now…) and he used to have a real turtle for years! Guess what he named both of them? Mr. Turtle. Yes, such a creative child.
Can’t believe it’s the time of year for leaf plates. Fall is wonderful, but I miss summer already.
Wow. You’ve got some pretty professional food-making friends over there! That dinner looks perfecto. It’s so kind of everyone to make you meals, but I bet you’re antsy to start making some more yourself. Can’t wait to see what you cook up with Mazen by your side!?
I played music boxes for my boys when I left them in their crib…it helped to soothe them off to sleep. Chicken Marsala looks sooo good…love the dish it came in too! The roasted rosemary potatoes are so thin and crispy…delectable! Hope you have another great day! So impressed with your ability to keep up with the posts…loving the daily posts!
Those photos of Mazen in his crib are just too precious! Such an adorable baby!!
Is it fun getting to try everyone’s cooking? So nice of your friends to cook for y’all!! I’m sure it helps with the transition.
Yes! I am amazed at how different food tastes when its prepared in different styles – loved them all!
The menu her daughter created is so adorable! I like the new watermark – very minimal and professional!
Please tell me you meant to say “me arms.” Pirate talk = awesome.
Yarrrrr!
That dinner looks so good! I just had chicken Marsala this week and it was amazing. You are blessed to have such wonderful friends, and that menu Whitney’s little girl made is absolutely adorable! Would make anyone smile!
Have you tried nursing in the wrap or carrier? I figured out how to quickly lower it (easier to do with an backpack carrier but very do-able in a wrap), tucked an aden + anais blanket either on the side of the carrier or over the wrap, and went to town. It might have been easier to do when my girl had full head control but it was my saving grace when we traveled. I also HATE carrying stuff and babies have lots of it. I would (and still do) tuck a diaper, sample pack of wipes (smaller) in my purse (I do cloth diaper so I also have a small wet bag or a grocery bag too for just in case but think I’ve used it once and we go lots of places). My car has extras like onesies, disposable diapers, etc. and we usually keep a blanket or two handy for diaper changes or clean ups. I never really carried toys since babies love anything handy and now that my LO is 17 months, I keep snacks in the car at all times. I try to be pretty minimal since I think the more i think i need to bring means the more I am likely to forget!
I haven’t tried it yet, but I need to! I guess I’m waiting for BFing to be 100% comfortable first (almost there, I think)
Oh my goodness Kath! I wish I could eat lunch with you every day. Your lunches (and pictures of them) are just gorgeous.
It’s been a pumpkin and autumn spice granola week for me, too! I can’t believe how quickly Maze seems to be growing–hope to see you two soon!
Wow, what an amazing meal from your friend! Sounds like all three of you are getting some great fuel in these days! I’m so glad you got a good nights sleep after the crappy one from before. Hopefully that will happen more often! Have a great weekend Kath!
I am definitely looking into that app. I always wonder how many miles I walk when I’m out for a stroll and this app sounds perfect.
PS- For holding a babe and multi-tasking, your photos look pretty outstanding to me.
Have a great weekend Kath!
Quickest way ever to make egg salad is to smash the egg(s) w/ a potato masher. One quick smash per egg and it’s ready to mix. No more dicing or fork mashing needed.
wow thats a fancy meal!
Can’t wait to start Call the Midwife!
I’m so glad you liked Endomondo! I love that it talks to you, too. And the map is my favorite… the app is just so PRETTY.
Love it for walks.
You’re right – it’s very well designed!!
Love the fall leaf plate! And I totally second bringing friends dinner… Anything from homemade to a take out pizza is appreciated equally! Really it is the thought that counts and make you feel loved!
What a beautiful day. It’s so good to be able to get outside and walk in the fresh air. What wonderful thoughtful friends that bring food. It’s such a huge help when you are trying to navigate life with a new baby on little sleep.
You’re photography is always so crisp and beautiful. Even if it’s just a bowl of oats, I don’t tire of looking at it!
I still have yet to try Coach’s Oats and really want to. Where do you suggest purchasing? Also, baguettes… market opp for GH! love em!
Amazon has ‘em…as does http://www.coachsoats.com/. I’m not sure if they are in stores? I think I’ve heard that Costco has them?
Awesome! Thanks, Kath. In the Amazon cart!
Yes, Costco has them
i bet GH would make a GREAT baguette…
Matt makes a great one at home : )
Cutecutecute pictures of Mazen! That dinner looks to die for!
That dinner looks amazing!
Thank you for the kind words and photos, Kath! It was great seeing you and meeting your sweet boy. New moms need food and community. Camille Glenn, the late, great food columnist for Louisville Courier Journal, wrote “Good food blesses all, the one who cooks it and the one who eats it.” It was a pleasure to pay forward the many meals I received when my babies arrived. They truly saved me.
Mazen has such pretty eyes
You still manage to take beautiful photography!
Baby pics are so cute!!! Absolutely gorgeous!
I have a request. Is there any way you could either skip a day or just double up the posts for one day? I understand that you’re very busy now, but it just gets confusing seeing pictures and tweets on twitter, and then reading about it here 2 days later. I think most everyone would enjoy it more!
And that dinner looks great!
That dinner is lovely! It looks restaurant-quality. Yum!
Maze gets cuter by the day!!
Those potatoes look fantastic! I’m making a list on how to ‘lighten up’ Thanksgiving without giving up the faves.. gotta have potatoes right? But I think those look super tasty and kind of fancy.. which is perfect for Tgiving, but still very healthy.. no cream, etc. love it!
That’s so nice of your family/ friends to bring you meals- a great idea during an especially busy time!
P.S. Those potatoes look so pretty!
Okay, I have gotta try the pumpkin oats soon! I just went to TJ’s and they had pumpkin EVERYTHING- coffee, rooibos tea, cereal bars, etc.! I was kind of embarrassed when I checked out with pumpkin soup, pumpkin coffee, and pumpkin bread mix.. and of course, canned pumpkin- do you think I’ll O.D. on pumpkin?? haha..
Awww, the TURTLES are so cute on baby Maze!!
On another note, I just stopped taking my birth control pills, so wondering if you ever took them and how long did you stop before trying for a lil one? (I’m thinking at least 6 months off them would be good) Hope that’s not too personal, just wondering if that’s enough time, so asking everyone I know with kids.
This post might answer your questions : )
Ok, I don’t know if the link didn’t go through, but I still found the old posts where you talk about these things! YAY! So helpful, so Thanks for replying.
Love your last post with the baby pics of you and Matt + Maze…You’re SUCH a cute family! I think he looks like BOTH of you, which is so cool. Maybe he’ll be a great photographer/baker too?!?! hehe, Lucky lil guy!
can not deal with the cuteness that is Maze…holy moly!!! What a stunner.
Those oats look yummy! An your baby is so cute
That food all looks so yummy! You have great friends
That app sounds cool, ps.
You inspired me to make egg salad today! If you like green olives, try dicing up a few and adding it to the mix..that’s how my Dad use to make it for me growing up!
loving all the pics of cute Mazen!
great looking rosemary potatoes and donut!
and isn’t it amazing that a simple walk around the neighborhood, more or less, you need a stroller, carrier, and diaper bag just in case – and multiple transporting options for baby b/c some methods work some days, when others don’t. I never got it til I was a mama but yes, options!! are good
I can’t decide who he looks like…I see both of you in him! Darling photos!
That is so nice of your friends to bring by a meal for you. What a life saver it must be some days.
Happy weekend.
Mazen is already losing the newborn look, they grow too fast (I sound like my mom!)
That is so sweet of your friend to bring a meal over. Anything helps when there isn’t time to cook at home
I have few friends who are pregnant currently, I hope I’ll have enough time to help them with couple of meals too!
Maze is so adorable!!!
Kath, I love reading your adventures with Maze. It reminds me of my early days as a new Mom. I’d walk for hours.
Now that I am a Mom of 4 I need to wake early before everyone else to squeeze in my exercise but that is fine with me. It has become “me time”.
Now if I could only figure out how to add about 5 hours to every day…..;)
You guys sure have some wonderful friends! (Who make some wonderful looking meals!)
I have a question about the pumpkin. I live on the west coast and the only canned pumpkin we have is Libby’s. You have mentioned a couple of times about keeping one can of Libby’s on hand or the special places you buy it. Is this a east coast/west coast thing? Or am I missing something. Thank you.
I only hoard it because there was that pumpkin shortage and even though it’s sold year round, it’s still hard to find. For example, when I went last week, Harris Teeter was all sold out already!
your egg salad lunch looks picture perfect
That menu is adorable. I love the leaf plate. I like random shaped dinnerware.
I used to LOVE using Endomondo before I got my Garmin! It made transitioning to a running watch so awesome. Glad you got the app!
Everything looks great! I’m pretty sure you could photograph your food with your eyes closed and it would still look amazing
love the egg salad idea. Make it as you need it, probably a better way!
You do have great friends! I need to remember to cook my new-mommy friends a meal. Although, commuting is a little trickier in NYC, so I’d have to think of something that carries well. Ohhh, thank goodness for chili season!
I tried ordering some nutty butter from the smart kitchen but she hasn’t gotten back to me….is that usual or should i try emailing her again? desperate to try this stuff!!
I would email her again… She is pretty on top of things!