Today was a really good day. Mazen and I had lots of fun together, we had minimal chaos around the house and a really long morning nap! We got in a fun bath with daddy before work, a long walk in the BOB, delicious meals, a visit to our friends Jen and Baby M and dinner out with more friends!
Bath time to start.
Followed by breakfast for us both
The last of my baked pumpkin oatmeal. Today it was topped with sunflower butter, natural sprinkles (chias), fake sprinkles (leaves) and white sprinkles (coconut).
Sunflower butter in honor of our Trader Joe’s grand opening!! Can’t wait to go. I decided to sit out opening day, but maybe next week they will have restocked all the good stuff!
MY OTHER RECIPES
M and I played this morning. I can’t get over how much his toys are his friends!
And here is evidence of that super long TWO HOUR nap! I was so impressed. One of his longest ever! Half of it was spent in my arms as I gazed down at him. I transferred him after a bit and he kept on sleepin’.
After our walk, I had a quick lunch. I knew I had about 20-30 minutes until he was ready for his, so I threw this together and dove in!
The highlight was Food Should Taste Good chips (the best!) that were delivered in a #simplesurvivalkit care package to my doorstep from friends at multiple brands, including FSTG, Larabar, Justin’s nut butter and more!
Plus spinach, roasted squash, lentils, beans, and white cheddar.
M did end up needing me during lunch, and I finished with him sitting on my lap. He is definitely not a newborn anymore!
I was still hungry after that (and more chips) so I added an apple. I think exercise + breastfeeding is really catching up with me these days.
We went out running errands this afternoon, including new mom delivery #2. Loved see sweet Baby M and her mommy. We also went to the car dealership. SO close to buying one!
This evening we went to Jenn, Jamie and baby toddler L’s house for dinner. So sweet of them to invite us over.
Would you believe that I forgot my camera!?!??!!? That has almost never happened in the 5 years I’ve been blogging. Thankfully Jenn had an SLR that she let me borrow (and I’m kind of in love with their lens!)
We sipped Matt’s pumpkin beer and ate cheese and crackers before dinner
And then dined on delicious turkey meatballs with cranberry sauce (!!), mashed potatoes, Asian green beans and cheddar garlic bread.
I went back for more cranberry sauce. Love that stuff!!
Jenn just wrote that when toddler L said his goodnights he said “goodnight mommy…goodnight daddy…goodnight Mazen.” So sweet!
Goodnight blog friends!
Love all of your breakfast “sprinkles”! It makes breakfast that much more fun! Aren’t those sweet potato chips wonderful? It’s been hard for me to put the bag away!
I’m curious – since you said “goodnight” at the end of the post, does that mean you write these at the end of each day? Or do you write them the following morning?
Yeah I’ve started writing at the end of the day when Matt is home to play
I have those same blue swirl glasses! Except i only have 3 left because I apparently have an affinity for dropping things…
I made your baked pumpkin oatmeal and since only 2 of us are eating it, do you store it covered on the counter or place it in the fridge?? By the way, Mazen is one cute baby!
In the fridge, covered
I love how your baked oatmeal looks like dessert! yum!
I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but thought I’d mention that next week I’m sure Trader Joe’s is going to be super busy too – at least where I live, grocery stores are PACKED and a PAIN to shop at during holiday weeks… however you might have more stock available next week so it’s trade off, I suppose!
A pre thanksgiving! How fun, Thanksgivig is definitely my favorite holiday!
Food Should Taste Good chips are awesome!! I am definitely hooked. What a fun package to receive in the mail!
I *love* my dslr camera, but cannot imagine taking it EVERYwhere with me. It’s soooo heavy!!
I find myself taking many (most) pictures with my iPhone these days. I always have it with me, and the photos come out pretty good.
I’m doing that more and more, but I love my Dslr for food : )
I love Trader Joe’s! Where I live, grocery stores have massively inflated prices compared to the rest of the country. But TJ’s keeps their prices the same as national. As you can imagine, in addition to their delicious food, this makes them a constant go-to spot in the city. On certain days/hours, there is almost always a line to get into the store. But, I find if I go mid-morning on a weekday, it’s not too bad. Maybe you’ll have similar luck. Anyway, just wanted to wish you happy shopping! 🙂
He’s getting sooo big! He’s even starting to look like a person and less like a newborn. Too cute.
Why are you calling Liam Toddler L?
His name isn’t Liam…?
Ah! Sorry, I was thinking you had friends with a boy named Liam and assumed that was him!
It’s amazing how long you can just stare down at a sleeping baby isn’t it?! Just watching every little breath can be so enthralling. I can only imagine what it’s like when it’s your own!
Glad you had a good day!
Hooray for long naps! So glad you had a great day together!
<3 that fall leaf plate!
Everything looks so yummy! I love the sprinkles addition to your breakfast bake. My best friends brews a pumpkin beer that is to die for! I have so much respect for home brewers. Side note, I noticed the hubby wearing a Great Harvest shirt–do y’all have one in Charlottesville? It was my FAVORITE bread place growing up but ours closed down 🙁
We OWN the one here in Charlottesville
glad to hear you’re a fan!
I didn’t realize your bakery was part of a chain–for some reason I was thinking it was in your area only. Now that I know there are more of them, I’m going to have to see if there’s one in my area. Your bread always looks so tasty!
How is it that sprinkles makes everything more festive? That dinner sounds delicious. Thankfully it’s almost lunchtime because my stomach literally just growled reading that!
Cranberry sauce is always a win. And so is that SFSButter from TJ’s. I happened to find a spoon and that jar last night…and boy, it was perfect 🙂
He looks so peaceful in his nap!
Loooove those sweet potato chips 😉
Lunch looks delicious!
I’ve been meaning to try that baked oatmeal…it looks so good! BTW- I love all your dishes…it makes me want to go spend half my paycheck on cute plates and bowls for pics of my food too, but ssshhhh….don’t tell my husband!
I had Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce at the Vanity Fair food festival last year; the turkey meatballs with cranberry sauce reminds me of that. So yummy!
hey, I can see in the picture where you hold him on your lap that Mazen’s hair is growing! Too cute! Love the picture where he looks at his toys :-). He really enjoys those!
I can’t wait to learn what color it’s going to be. All colors are good, I just want to know!
Looks like sprinkles with your breakfast was a fun way to start a fun day! That dinner is getting me excited for Thanksgiving, especially the cranberry sauce.
Hi Kath! you are doing great with maze. he is getting so sweet.
my kids and i did brave the tj opening (grant wanted the free prize, a bag that they ran out of). we went around 5 and even though it was crowded, it was not insane (i did not lose either kid) and they were happy with the cookie butter free samples. the cashier was somewhat overwhelmed and said that they had not expected it too be such a crazy day…really? c’mon.
hope to see you around….maybe you will make it back to pump soon?
lara
Fun! I hope they have cookie butter samples next week : ) And I hope to be back on Monday!
I’m sorry, but you were really hungry so you ate an apple? Why not something more substantial?
Because I had just had a big lunch. It did the trick.
I am considering writing a blog and wonder how you approach all your friends about taking photos of their food and posting pictures of them (or their children) online?
Do they all know you have a blog?
Is it ever awkward when you ask to take/post their photos?
I am amazed (and admittedly a bit envious) of all the friends you guys have! It’s hard to meet new people as a SAHM and we have a very small circle of friends we socialize with (and most of them don’t have children yet or they don’t live nearby)…it’s encouraging to see you guys get out as much as you do with your cute baby in tow.
Most people know about it, but I always say “can I take a photo for the blog?” if it’s someone who doesn’t know about the blog, I probably wouldn’t be taking their photo. With the exception of big group shots.
Glad someone brought this up, because I have wondered about this as well!! Do you need to ask permission at restaurants (or other public places) before taking photos? If so, do any of them ever decline?
Also, Matt seems like he is a good sport. At a certain point, my husband would be “Really? ANOTHER picture?? Can’t we just eat while the food is hot for once???” 😉
I don’t ask about things that aren’t people except for creative things like art
I’m glad you asked this as i always wondered how it works with established bloggers! when i’m out and trying to take photos of my food with people who do not know i blog, i must look like i’m up to something dodgy as i get a bit paranoid that everyone is watching me! I guess i just need to be proud of what i do and not worry about what others think!
If you start a blog you will make lots of virtual friends at least and may even find out about baby and toddler groups in your area to meet new people, i met a girl from the next town when i started blogging… its a very small world! If you do start a blog pop over and say hi as i am a SAHM too and love to follow fellow mommy’s 🙂
Quite the day! I love natural sprinkles with my Sunbutter! Best two toppings ever! Good call on holding off on the trader joe’s visit, I’d say it would have been manic!
Well, I just got my 32oz Camelback Eddy the other day. (Purple) and I love it! I’ve really been drinking more water with it. Like that I can see the level go down and know I’m getting lots of water. Thanks for the recommendation!
Yay for TJ’s in Cville! I actually went to the grand opening – got there 15 minutes before it officially opened, and then was one of the first 20-30 customers in the store! It was pretty crazy though – people everywhere! I wasn’t able to browse, so I just grabbed a few of my favorite products and got out of there. I will definitely be back though!
Fun! Hope you left some smoked trout for me ; )
I just bought a jar of sunflower seed butter, but I still like peanut butter and almond butter better.
Hey Kath! I’ve been a blog reader for months now but I don’t comment very often. I LOVE your site. Mazen is getting so big! He’s so cute.
Curious to hear what your running/exercise plans are post-partum? I know you’ve been doing lots of walking, but do you have any races you want to work toward soon?
I’ve started running again – I’m excited to do more soon! I’ve never been a big race runner, but I would like to do a 5K or so. I think my goal is to run the Charlottesville Women’s 4 Miler next year with a jogging stroller – I have till September to practice!
Just fyi, the race is really crowded and they discourage strollers.
I remember it being crowded, but I didn’t know they don’t like strollers. Maybe the stroller will just have to be my cheerleader then.
That salad looks/sounds amazingggggg.
I have never really thought about myself with or without a child (and I’m not in the stage of my life where it’s even in the realm of possibility), but reading about how much fun you’re having with Mazen (and getting a feel for the intensity of the love you feel for him) really makes me look forward to the possibility that it might be right for me one day 🙂
How adorable is Maze getting a bath! My heart melted.
Thanks again for your posts — I have been eating so much better since reading your blog! You mentioned your friends’ lens — I really noticed how sharp it is…do you mind if I ask which lens it was? (Like I need another lens to add to my ever-growing “I want” list!)
I actually don’t know the specs, but it was a Canon and maybe a 20-70 mm range?
You look like you’re enjoying every bits of your life- and you certainly deserve to be!
Now that you’ve Mazen, I guess your priorities sort of shifted a little, hence forgetting about the camera!
i just got that survival kit too but unfortunately had to leave it behind with my husband while i’m away all month. he better not finish it while i’m gone! i’ve a feeling bathing a baby will never get old (until they’re too big to be bathed)
Kath,
I just wanted to compliment and tell you how inspiring your blog is!! I’m currently a PR major and am considering changing to Nutrition! Next semester I’m taking my very first chem and nutrition classes so I am nervous but excited, and your blog gets me even more excited thinking about becoming an RD one day myself!
P.S. your family is adorable
<3!
-Madie
Thanks! And good luck!
Your lunch looks so fun and tasty! 😀
And turkey meatballs with cranberry sauce??? Yes, please. 😀
Those meatballs sound so good! I never thought to make turkey meatballs with cranberry sauce. Must try it sometime! 🙂
Reading Kerf and Berf while deer hunting. Wonder if you’ve ever been read from a camouflage tent before? Also I wonder if your hosts have the same anxiety that I would if I knew you were coming to my house for dinner. Is the food going to be pretty enough? Healthy enough? You’re meals always look so great. I would be a nervous wreck! And again…
.Mazen…too precious!
Haha probably a first!
I sure hope my friends don’t worry… I’m pretty easy to please!
I have always loved reading your posts, and now that you have Mazen I love how you include him as well!
I swear you guys have the cutest baby EVER!
I’m so jealous of these survival kits – they look SO tasty! All of my favorite things.