Last Friday, I captured a day in the life with a 14 month old!
4:45am – Mazen wakes up crying. This isn’t typical since he usually sleeps 10-11 hours every night, but with daylight savings we’ve been thrown through a loop. I eventually go in to assess and find his PJs a bit wet from a leaking diaper (also not usual). I change him and put him back in his snuggly sleep sack and amazingly he goes back to sleep.
7:15am – I wake up in the middle of a vivid dream with my right hand completely asleep. I can’t believe it’s past 7 – Mazen usually wakes up at 5:45 to 6 these days. Wahoo for extra sleep!
7:17am – I swear we are still interconnected because M wakes up 2 minutes after I do. We nurse in bed and play under the covers for a bit before getting up and making the bed.
Mazen starts on breakfast right away – so fast I forget to take a picture. He had eggs, toast and banana.
My breakfast is two scrambled eggs, Apple Cobbler Bread and an orange. Plus decaf coffee!
We play around for a bit in the living room. I check up on emails and comments and M gets out his toys.
Mazen starts to chant “side” that he wants to go outside. It’s below freezing out there!
Costume changes for us both!
I tackle the breakfast dishes.
Meanwhile M gets fussy so I give him a few Chex to keep him busy until we are ready to get going.
Clean up crumbs from above Chex. I suck up all the crumbs at least twice a day!
I quickly put away the dishes and toys before we leave so the house is neat when we return.
We read a few books until it’s time to head outside.
9:00am We walk downtown to baby yoga at Bend! Mazen has fun singing songs and playing on the yoga balls. He here is rehydrating at the water fountain after his hard workout.
10:30am I decide to fit in a quick workout so we head to my gym. M gets a snack there in the kids kitchen, and I get my groove on with HGTV Magazine. 20 minutes on the Stairmaster is all I need to get in a good sweat since I am short on time.
We pass all the fun downtown restaurants on our walk home. I wish I had my wallet on me because picking up a hot lunch sounds delicious. But I only carry an emergency $5 for a cup of coffee in the stroller, so my pre-thought-out strategy not to splurge on lunch out works.
11:30am Lunch for M. He has frittata, sweet potato fries, and ravioli (all leftovers). Milk on the side.
Mom cries over spilled milk.
Five minute after beginning, he’s signing “all done.” He probably spoiled his appetite with a later-than-normal snack. Perfect mom I am not!
Off to play!
12p M signs he is hungry again and points to banana so he gets a few bites.
12:20p Naptime is looming. We read more books and I darken the room.
12:35p He dives into his crib and is fast asleep in less than 5 minutes.
1p Shower time for me! Followed by lunch. I have some Trader Joe’s pumpkin soup from a box (love it!) with yogurt on top, plus buttery toast, herby cheese and an apple. I eat with an episode of House Hunters, soaking up the relaxation.
1:30p Time to work. I am in the process of updating my media kit and format a guest post from an RD. I also clear out my inbox and work on getting the Great Harvest Thanksgiving menu up on the website.
2:45p Shocked that Mazen is still asleep….
3pm Awake! Snack time is cheese + whole wheat crackers. A few for me too.
3:15pm Our friends Sarah and Lucy come over to play. We spend our time in the backyard and the basement. It’s nice to chat adult talk while the kiddos play.
4:45pm Matt is home!!
5:30pm Karen comes over to say hi. Mazen has dinner – more of the same from lunch – followed by the eggplant parmesan that Karen and Matt share. He loves the eggplant! I am going out with a friend, so I just hang out while they eat and have a few tastes of Matt’s plate to tide me over.
6:30pm Bath! Matt usually does the bath while I clean the kitchen, but we reverse tonight. I give M a scrub down while Matt finishes eating and cleans up. Karen joins me for the bath and we try to get Mazen to say “KK.” He’s close – he can say “OK!”
7pm Now clean with jammies on, we take turns reading M some books before bed.
7:15pm We try to put M in his crib but he isn’t quite ready so we get him back up for another story.
7:20pm Naomi arrives and I give M and M each a kiss before I leave. Matt reports that Mazen went to bed 5 minutes after I left.
7:30pm Naomi and I have a great time at the Palette opening (from my weekend post!) and dinner at Pasture.
9:30pm I arrive back home, chat with Matt for a bit downstairs and clean up my inbox.
10pm I crawl right into bed. No reading tonight – I have no idea what time my day will start tomorrow!
Kimberly says
Looks like a lovely, relaxing day!
Kara says
Yowza! Talk about busy!
So, what brand is that snazzy little vacuum?
KathEats says
Electrolux. Love it for crumbs.
Kara says
Thanks!
Leah says
I loved mine until just last week it stopped charging and now won’t turn on! How long have you had yours?
KathEats says
Bummer. I’ve had mine for a while – maybe 9ish months? I use it daily (run down the charge) and keep it on the charger so I wonder if it’s just a battery-not-working-enough thing?
Leah says
Ahh, we’ve had ours two years. Looks like the older models have issues with this. I’ve been googling up a storm about it. Good luck with yours!
Paula says
Yes, I had one about two years and LOVED it. Until it stopped charging. Now it’s good for about 30 seconds. I contacted support and they pretty much said “sorry” no replacement batteries on that one. So now I sweep.
Emma says
At one point early in the post, I was thinking, “Mazen doesn’t eat much!” Then I laughed at myself. I used to read a food blog in which the author showed the lunches she packed for her grade school son, and in one post she said that she received the following comments:
1. “I can’t believe how little your son eats! How is he getting enough nutrition?” etc.
2. “Your son eats such large lunches! My kid the same age eats half that!”
LOL.
Tonya says
I know! it’s perspective right? I look at his meals and thinks it’s a lot of food! But my son is 16 and I can’t really remember how much food a one yr old eats. LOL I do remember that even if it looks like a lot on the tray only about half makes it into their mouths most of the time anyway!
[email protected] says
Awh boy is he cute! He looks so grown up in those pics, standing on the step at the sink!!! Fun filled jam packed productive day! 🙂
cindy says
Good Morning:
I have 2 grandsons (21 month old, Owen, and 6 week old Conor), my daughter-in-law also places meals for Owen directly on the high chair tray, and not a plate. I am curious as to why, and do not want to ask her directly. Can you offer insight? Thanks, Mazen is a cutey.
KathEats says
Because the plate and its contents would be on the floor fast. 🙂
Ashley L. says
What type of sleep sack are you using? We used halo previously, but now that my guy is a little older he doesn’t seem to like them as much.
KathEats says
I got this one on Amazon – the Baby Deedee. It’s HUGE and he can’t walk in it, but it’s really cozy and I like that it’s not unbreathable fleece. He is doing great with it.
Jesse says
oh that electrolux could save my sanity! i am sick of pulling out the big vaccuum every few days!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/11/playtime.html
Brittany @ The Fit Phoenician says
So fun! He’s such a cutie 🙂
Fall looks beautiful there and I LOVE your sweater!!
Rebecca says
I think you posted where you got the radio in the kitchen but can you remind me?? thanks!
KathEats says
I bought it at a flash sale, but it’s Tivoli brand.
Safa says
I have thoroughly enjoyed this post. Having a 13 month old son, it’s interesting to see how other mums manage their time with toddlers that need full time attention.
Valerie says
love it! my little baby is only 8.5 months old, so this is great to know what to expect. i can’t wait until she sits still long enough for me to read an entire book!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Haha I was wondering why you looked so pretty reading to Mazen before he went to bed – dinner plans! He’s such a cutie!
Crystal says
That has got to be the most adorable photo of Mazen at the water fountain! He’s precious. Sounds like you all had a great day!
Livi says
busy busy day!!
Tonya says
Look how flyy you are for your night out! Where’d you get that necklace??
KathEats says
It was a gift from a girlfriend
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
What a perfect day 🙂 I would love to live a day like this someday when I have kids.
Angelica says
Looks like an easy day! No crying? No tantrums? Have you gotten Mazen to help with clean-up? I’m also obsessed with a clean, organized home, and I have to remind myself not to automatically pick up my kid’s messes, but ask her to help.
KathEats says
There were crying and tantrums! I just didn’t write “then we had a tantrum before we went upstairs.”
He’s not quite old enough to get picking up yet, but I will ask him to help when he can understand.
Liza says
If you made a game out of it and talked about it as you cleaned he would understand. Even singing a little “clean up” song would help! One year olds are much more aware then we often give them credit for!
Holly G. says
What a fun post to read! Mazen looks like such a big boy these days.
Lauren says
“I eventually go in to asses”
Kath, I know what you meant, but I must be in a punchy mood today because this cracked me up! Thanks for the unintentional laugh:)
KathEats says
Bwahaha. Just changed it : )
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Sounds like a great day! Mazen is looking so grown up these days!
Jeanette says
I’ve been reading your blog faithfully for about 2 years now. (I found your kale chips video when I was searching “how to make kale chips” and have been reading ever since.) Love your home, your family, your insight/education/professional advice, your honesty. I have a 2 year old, and I spent the first year of her life wishing she’d sleep more, eat more, etc., etc. One of the things your blog has helped me to see is that Emmakate is (and was) a normal child. Some days she wakes up early; sometimes later; but frequently about 6 am which drives me nuts sometimes (because I want to sleep longer). It seemed to take forever for her to eat food, much less from a spoon – but eventually that too worked itself out. That first year, it felt like so many of my friends’ kids slept more, ate “better” than my daughter, etc. I loved today’s day-in-the-life post! Even though our kids are a little over a year apart, seeing your “normal” life and comparing it to mine (then, and even some days, now) makes me feel more “normal.” I know that every kid is different, every family is different, every person is different; thank you for honesty and transparency! Keep it up!
Melissa says
Aww he is so adorable! I love this post and seeing what a day in the life of Mazen is like. Also, I’m a big fan of HGTV Magazine, they always have such great ideas!
Maureen says
BUSY day!!! That pic of M and the banana is too cute!
Claire @ Health Nut Claire says
What a fun packed busy day!
@Simple Green Moms says
I love your home and your kitchen! Great post!
Justine says
I’ve never commented before, but I have followed your blog for about the last year. I just wanted to say kudos to you for still nursing!! I think women need more support and praise for breast feeding, so I’m really proud to see that you’re keeping with it!
KathEats says
Thanks!
Heather @ Fit Mama Real Food says
Oh I love it! It’s so fun seeing what other mom’s days are like with their little ones. Mazen’s such a happy kid and so stinking cute!
Katie says
Hi Kath, I’ve been reading your blog for around a year and a half. You helped inspire me to leave a job that I wasn’t happy with, and to aim high, so thank you for that. (I thought about doing a 180 and going into nutrition but decided ultimately to stay in the environmental field, which I love.) I have really enjoyed your thoughts/ideas/photos/etc on food, and I have to say to say that I really miss food being the central theme of this blog. You obviously still write and think a lot about food, but I feel that it’s not quite the *focus* anymore. I understand that you’re excited to be a mother, but for those of us who come to this blog looking for food ideas and so on, I feel kind of let down when I see posts like this. I know you started a baby-focused blog, BERF. I wonder if you would want to consider putting this kind of a post on that blog, where it seems to fit so much better, and to keep KERF focused on food. That would encourage me (and maybe others like me?) to want to keep coming back to KERF for all of your great insight and photos about food!
KathEats says
I appreciate your feedback. I don’t do these posts often (I could see if they were once a week) and I did include my meals in to put the food in some context, which is another request I get from time to time. I can’t please everyone, so my focus these days is on diversity. I’m just trying to write what I am inspired to write, and I have been doing a lot more nutrition focus than in the past.
Katie says
Thanks for your reply! I see how much others enjoy this post, so clearly your diversity approach is working well for many people. Thank you for considering my thoughts!
Gloria says
It’s so fun to see Mazen getting bigger! I haven’t read your blog in a little while and it was so neat to see how much he’s changed already – he is so precious! Looks like you had a fun day together.
sharon says
Loved this post! Do more of these! Mazen is so precious in those pjs. I really miss those that age and snuggling with my girls in their pjs. Enjoy it. It really does fly by.
Emily @ Life on Food says
i am exhausted just reading this…
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Mazen is too adorable in the banana photo with his mouth wide open!
Sam says
I’ve been a reader since about 2009 and, while I miss how food-centric your blog used to be, these day-in-the-life-of posts are some of my favorites. 🙂 One question I had – as a parent of two young boys, your days seem to go incredibly smoothly, even factoring in some tantrums and early wake-ups – is that really how they are?
KathEats says
Well yes, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have many moments of frustration! The lunchtime up and down for example. This was just one day. We do have a pretty good routine down, so I think that has helped keep both of us more predictable.
Liz says
I love these posts so much! I’ve done a few of my own with you as my inspiration. Thanks for sharing snapshots of your daily life with us! I envy your time at the gym too. With one income it’s not something we can afford, and I’m struggling to figure out workouts now that winter is approaching quickly. I miss being able to take long walks outside! Anyway, Mazen is adorable as always! Also, I’m the exact same way in that I have to tidy up before leaving so that we come home to a clean house! Glad to know I’m not alone 🙂
Helena says
Just wanted to say that I absolutely love these types of posts. They make us see that you’re a normal and real person too, not just something on the internet.
Thanks for such an awesome blog!
Kathy says
Love the picture of Mazen leaning on Matt for story time..so sweet!
Julie says
Loved it!
Emily - It Comes Naturally Blog says
Great blog post! It inspires me that one day when I start my family, I can bring them up with a healthy attitude to exercise and food, and that I will still be able to go out from time to time. God bless. xx
Regina says
You look wonderful! I love that sweater with the studs on the sleeves. Great color for you too. Where is it from?
KathEats says
It’s from Loft!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Love this idea for a post…I’m SO happy I did this with my son. I have so many journal entries with his schedule and now I go back to them to refer to (even though I know I shouldn’t) to compare to my daughter’s schedule!
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
Hey Kath, where did you get that towel drying rack? I’ve been looking for one for my “overflow” dishes, and that one is so cute! By the way, I loved this post. I don’t have any kids yet, but it’s nice to see how your life has changed since you’ve had one. Mazen is amazen’. 🙂
KathEats says
I just bought it on Etsy!! From ALittleFrayed’s shop.
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
Awesome, thanks for the reply!
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
I love day in the life posts 🙂 I can’t believe Mazen is 14 months already!
Hope says
I am seriously impressed with how organized you are. I love organizing but I struggle to keep it all that way day to day.
Ashley says
Mazen is adorable 🙂
K says
A day in the life of posts are my top favorite posts! Thanks do much for sharing and keep em coming 🙂
Brooke says
I love that high chair… what kind of high chair is it?
KathEats says
This one. We love it!
Ali says
I love these posts that show your day! Especially as I have a 12.5 month old so I can totally relate. Food for the littles is so tough sometimes to think of new ideas – so I’ve found myself heading back to your site occasionally to get some ideas on what to feed the little man.
Re: the OXO highchair — do you find it’s easy to clean? It looks (from the pictures) like there are some crevices that food can fall into – which is my problem with my current chair… or is it super easy to clean?
THANKS
KathEats says
Of the four high chairs I have used/seen, this one has the least amount of crevices. It’s pretty easy to wipe clean
Reghan says
Love this! I have a 15 month old boy and I love seeing how others with kids close in age manage their day. Our days are very similar. I also put Quinn down for his afternoon nap and then I have a relaxing lunch with an episode of House Hunters. Ha! Right now we are working on cutting out the morning nap so it’s nice to see how others keep their toddlers busy all morning. He did well with 1 nap all weekend when hubby was home to help keep him entertained but yesterday her really needed a morning nap so today we are going to try 1 again. I guess we are in the transition stage! Did it take you a few days/weeks to get M on a straight 1 nap schedule?
Looks like a fun night out!
KathEats says
we had about a week of transition naps but he went down to 1 pretty quickly
Reghan says
Also, M has the cutest little outfits and PJ’s! I used to think only girls clothes were fun but now that I have a boy I love buying him clothes and dressing him. They have some adorable stuff. Where did you get those shoes? Quinn is just learning to walk and those look like perfect walking shoes!
KathEats says
Stride Rite! Had him measured and they recommended these
Reghan says
awesome! thanks for the replies. Will look into those shoes!
michelle says
Good for you for continuing to nurse past 1 year! How often is your lil guy nursing throughout the day?
KathEats says
Just once in the morning
@Simple Green Moms says
saw Chica Chica Boom Boom in your book pile… that is our favorite =)
sara says
i love this very very sweety boys
Caitlin says
I know I’m late on this but oh my gosh I love this post! It’s really interesting to me because I’m not a mom so it’s just cool to see a day in the life of one. And I never tire of Mazen. What a cutie. Oh, is that a Manhattan I spy in front of you at dinner? If so, go girllll. I plan on one tonight.
Stephanie says
I absolutely loved this post. I started following you back when you were writing the pregnant posts, because I was pregnant too (2.5 months behind you), and I love reading about Mazen now. I would be so interested in more of these “day in the life of Mazen” posts- it’s fun to compare with my own son, Weston, who is now 12 months!
On a side note, I am envious of your ability to keep your house so clean with a toddler! This has inspired me to do the same!
Kel says
Just a suggestion – could you do a post on signing with Mazen? thanks!
KathEats says
Coming next week on baby kerf