This past weekend my parents came up for a visit! They couldn’t stay away another day from their grandson
We ate 3 amazing dinners and had a great mix of sightseeing and chilling out at home
Mom played with Mazen in the mornings so I could go back to sleep for a bit, and I made her breakfast in return.
She also watched him while I went to the gym twice – such a treat!! And we watched the first few episodes of Downton Abbey (I’m ready to watch it again!) and made our next Real Health video on baby developments.
Grand Pepaw, who we simply called “P” all weekend, did lots of walking and enjoyed drinking Matt’s beer for lunch : )
Our first night’s dinner was a recipe from Better Homes & Gardens – herby fish with tomatoes, parsley and raisins
Served with pan-seared Brussels sprouts and Mediterranean Olive bread from Great Harvest
Yummy cotton carrots!
We went to the bakery for lunch on Saturday – hot soup and mini Cheddar Garlic sandwiches!
And then we walked to Sweethaus for buttercream. I had to show mom was it was all about!
Night two we had spaghetti – Mona Lisa Pasta with red sauce and pork sausage and salads on the side
Cupcakes for dessert!
The next day we paid a visit to Champion Brewing so they could taste the new beer flavors
Night three was baked brie with blueberry-lavender jam for appetizers
Followed by Organic Butcher Herbed Chicken with brown rice and canned green beans
We ended the weekend with brunch at Beer Run with Karen (who had been out of town)
I enjoyed salmon atop a biscuit with veggies and two eggs
We were sad to see them head back to North Carolina – until next time!
[email protected] says
Serious food (and secretly baby) envy going on over here! 🙂
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Such adorable pics of your parents and Mazen! Their faces are beaming!
Kim says
Hi Kath-
I have been reading your blog for well over a year, and have yet to post any comments, I can’t hold back any longer. Mazen is so darn CUTE!!!!!
KathEats says
First comment yay!
Sara says
I need to start making out a meal plan each week so we have better meals at home. Drooling over all of your dinners! Yum!
Spice Chicken says
Planning the week’s meals in advance is the only way to fly. It makes weeknights and grocery shopping so much easier.
Laurie says
OMG…Gorgeous family pics…Everyone looks so happy to be together!
Christine says
Everything looks SO yummy! And I absolutely love that pic of Mazen with the IKEA veggies. You’ll love it when he starts eating too 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I sometimes forget how lucky I was to have grown up with my whole family all within a few blocks of one another! But that’s great that your parents are close enough to visit frequently, and I’m sure it makes the visits that much more special!
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body says
Ah I love this post! I love all the cuddle photos, Mazen looks just as in love with them as they are with him. Mazen is super cute and all but if I were related to you I think I would feel compelled to conveniently drop by around meal times. I would only do it like… every other day. I wouldn’t want to be the annoying relative.
Lindsey @ Pas de Deux says
Looks like a great weekend! I still haven’t made it to Champion… must go soon!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Mazen looks SO happy in all of these photos – I love it! He looks more and more like you too. Glad you guys had an enjoyable weekend! 🙂
hazel says
WOW! you need to frame the last pic and give to your dad as a present. It’s awesome!
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
WIth a title like that, you’re going to get some creepers on this page… Kidding, kidding. Everything you eat looks so good. I think your parents are very lucky in the food for baby tradeoff. :).
Ka says
I’ve gotta add that the photos of Mazen and your parents are lovely. The love they all feel jumps right off the screen!
Alexa says
Two questions:
What high chair did you chose?
And
Where did the link for the Berf page go??
KathEats says
We have the OXO Sprout. Haven’t tried foods in it, but so far we love it – especially the colors!
And you can still see the posts from BERF – I just thought the box was a bit cluttered
Jennifer says
The herby fish looks delicious! I’m making salmon tonight and want to try something different.
Mazen is so cute and smiley. I think he looks like your dad. So cute!!!
It’s amazing to be a parent but I’ve heard that it’s just as amazing to be a grandparent. I think your parents would agree. 🙂
Sally says
Yum Mona Lisa pasta – the best! Your little one is absolutely adorable – such sweet smiles!
Amy says
Mazen is getting so chunky- I LOVE IT! so cute
Elisabeth says
What a happy, smiley baby these days! Love the mom n me green vests 😉
Jennifer says
Wow. All these meals look delish! Your salads always look so vibrant and colorful. Where do you get your lettuce and what type is it? Just mixed greens? And how do you store your lettuces? I love mixed greens, etc. but they do not last more than 24 hours in those bags or snappy boxed containers. I’ve tried various stores all over town, including TJ’s of course.
KathEats says
I get different kinds – baby spinach, half and half mixed greens/baby spinach, and my latest is “power greens” which is baby kale, chard + spinach. I buy them at Whole Foods and generally get a full week out of a big tub.
sam says
How to you measure out portions of pasta? Do you weigh it or just eyeball?
KathEats says
Eyeball
Tiffany says
How much would you consider a portion? Thanks!
KathEats says
It depends on the person!
EllaS says
Hi Kath, I saw that the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends one cup of pasta, about the size of a baseball, as explained in this link http://www.eatright.org/public/content.aspx?id=4294967941#.UQouzo4vLBI. With the recent changes to your blog and the survey results you posted a few days ago, I’m surprised you didn’t answer this question from the lens of a RD. I love your blog and have followed it for many years now and your RD knowledge is one reason I keep coming back. There are a ton of bloggers out there who give unsolicited and scary advice to their readers with zero credentials or experience. This is an opportunity for you to really shine and it’s disappointing that you just replied “it depends on the person.” Maybe next time you could say something about your own serving, that would even be helpful. Like “it depends on the person, I usually serve myself this amount and Matt prefers this amount.” Again, I love your blog but we’re all dying for that RD spin on things! Help us out here, girl…!!!!!!!
Katherine says
Aww – sweetness 🙂
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
Jess. says
I really enjoy the new diection of the blog. I started reading your first year & always enjoyed your 3x a day meal posts & thought I’d be a little bummed not to see that anymore. Reallt, it just made me realize that the thing I like most about your blog is the combination of tge food & your lifestyle & that shines thru stronger than ever!
Dawn says
LUV the pictures of Mazen with your parents! Too bad he’s not a happy baby. Lol
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
What a great time with your parents…all the food looked delish…especially that braided bread! 🙂
Lily says
Hi Kathy! You have gorgeous skin! What do you use/what is your skin care regimen?
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Man that is yummy food overload! If we ever make it down that way we are so going to that cupcake place! Looks like you guys had a good visit! Woo hoo for adorable pics with the grandparents!
Regina says
My son, Jackson, is just a few weeks older than Mazen and I have to say it’s so nice to see another bald looking baby boy!! Jax has very very fine blonde hair (I’m sorry, son. I’m afraid you get that thin hair from yo’ mama) and I always wonder if he’ll look bald forever. Good thing bald looking chubby babies are ADORABLE! I love that you guys match a lot. So cute 🙂
Ella says
I was going to say the same – I am biased because of my son, but I love me a bald baby!! So adorable.
Amy in Canada says
Well that made me happy! Thanks! Smiley, adorable babies should be a requirement for everyone to see every day.
Shephalli says
I love all the pics! We have a 3 month old and I think they just get cuter and cuter as time goes on. Question – what high chair do you have? Do you love it?
KathEats says
We have the OXO Sprout. Haven’t tried foods in it, but so far we love it – especially the colors!
Bonnie says
I love Mazen’s expression in the cotton carrot pic!
Your meals look so good over the past few weeks!
a farmer in the dell says
how fun!! great photos
Katy @ just playing house says
Mazen is so stinkin’ cute! Is he always smiling!?! Looks like a fun weekend. 🙂
Ashlee says
Love yalls matching vests 🙂
I keep hearing about Downtown Abbey and still am unsure of what it is! Guess I’ll Google it so I’m not totally out of the loop!
Marjie Scheib says
I don’t know how they can resist not moving 2 doors down with such a cutie has he is! I love how his vest matches yours. The worst thing for me is when I check in to see your posts on my morning break and I have to wait another 2 hours till lunch- so afraid one of my co-workers is going to see me licking my screen!!!!! Especially the baked brie……oh my…(stomach growl)
Mom says
And there are houses for sale not far away. Tempting, tempting! (esp. if they’d keep cooking for us!)
Janey says
Is that really the amount of pasta each person ate? Wow, my teenager could eat the entire dinner-for-4 at a sitting.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Sounds like an amazing weekend with your parents! Oh my gosh, Mazen is getting so big and he is incredibly adorable! He looks like such a happy little man! I’m glad your enjoying your time with your family.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Great pics of your parents and Mazen!
The Mediterranean Olive bread looks like a work of art…would love to try a piece! Or some of those cupcakes 🙂
Maria Tadic says
You look just like your mom! I loved all the pictures of the family – its nice!
The herbed fish looked so yummy. I like the tomatoes on top. Not a fan of raisins though -think you could leave them out without sacraficing too much flavor?
KathEats says
Totally! We agreed they were a bit awkward anyways
Amanda Cowan says
How fun! Love grandparent visits! Looks like a yummy weekend! I’m excited, btw- to hear you post about buckwheat. I know you mentioned it at one point. We recently went vegetarian (until I can do more research about sustainable and humanely raised meat sources here locally) and I know that buckwheat is another one of those plant-based complete proteins. So I’m really trying to research how I can incorporate it more in our diets (especially with my kiddos).
Emily J says
Kath, that first picture is beautiful! You should frame it:)
sara @ fitcupcaker says
I could scarf down that bread…it looks so amazing! Its so nice to spend time with family, I bet it was a great time to see everyone! At our family Christmas we had brie cheese with blueberry jam and it was my favorite!
Tracy says
Such cute photos! You really captured some great smiles! 🙂
Irene says
Is that a Boon High Chair? 🙂
Lauren says
The happiness that Maze shows with his grandparents is priceless! Also, love the matching mommy and son outfits. 🙂 He is too cute!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
brie, crusty bread, and jam is my weakness, and I am lactose intolerant! haha. Looks like an amazing weekend with family. Maze is cute as ever!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
All this food is making me hungry! Btw, your parents look so young! 😉
Kat @ Kat's Health Corner says
I cannot take how cute Mazen is! That big smile is just adorable, he looks so much like you!
And I think I spy some artichokes on your brunch plate…I would never think of that combo, but my mouth is now watering.
Amelia says
Love the grandparent pics – they look so smitten – as they should be!
Jennifer says
Mazen, as everyone else has noted, is absolutely precious! I see a mix of you and Matt in him (though maybe a touch more Matt), but in the photo of him with your dad–he looks a bit like your dad! It’s so much fun to watch babies morph into kids, kids morph into teens and teens morph into adults.
It will be interesting, if you continue with blogging, to see how much you continue to share about Mazen. My kids were teens when I started my blog, and I knew that I wouldn’t be sharing much of their lives online. But that was only because they were old enough to express their wishes to me. It would have been much harder to know what to do if they had been babies (toddlers or under 10) when I began my online life. I am sure you already have a plan already in mind. 🙂
Oh, and the food looks yummy too.
Nikole says
Love that last picture with Mazen and your parents. I think watching my parents as grandparents is such a joy. It is amazing to see them so excited to see my son and him for them.
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
OMG, that picture of you and Mazen in your matching vests…dying. SO cute!
Grandparents are the best. It’s hard having my parents out of town (as I’m sure it is for you!), but it just means that we really take advantage of every visit!
robin says
That sweet, sweet boy:)
Katie @ SkinnyMinnieMoves says
I’m determined to one day come to this site and not drool over the bread… never gonna happen 😉
Anna says
A million people have said this already, but I love the baby joy!!!!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Mazen looks just as excited to spend the weekend with his grandparents as they are to spend it with him! So cute!! 🙂
Lesley Zinn says
Hi Kath,
Looks like a GREAT weekend with the parents. And great food and beverages, too 🙂
I have the same OXO Sprout highchair for my daughter Penny. She is 6-1/2 months old but I feel she’s still too small for it. She is maybe 15+ pounds now (her last weigh was at the doctor 4 weeks ago and she was 14 pounds so maybe even more).
Can I ask how much does Mazen weighs?
I’d love to get her in the chair as she has started solids but for know we have her in the bumpo (with safety strap) and tray.
Thanks!
www.thegabesleybunch.com
KathEats says
He’s over 17 pounds – probably 18+ right now! I feel the straps feel pretty secure with him – we have them pretty tight
Lesley Zinn says
Thank you!
Clara says
That last picture is just perfect!! 🙂
Sarah (The Simple Dietitian) says
Oh my gosh…that SMILE!! That would make anyone’s day. He is just the sweetest little thing. 😀
Donna says
I don’t know who was happier—the grandparents or that baby! Both look awfully happy!
Katie @ Real Food Katie's Way says
Holy matching vests batman! I love it!!!
That looked like some quality family time and amazing food!
I bet you really appreciated going to the gym without having to pack everyone up!
Jen says
Haha, loved this comment. Vests are too cute and you look a-mazen 😉
Wish I could eat those spreads. I seem to be gaining weight just looking at food lately.
LOVE this new style of blogging for you!
Becca says
I have been reading since 2009 and this is one of my favorite posts! Wonderful combination of meals and family fun. PS the matching green vests are too cute!
lindsay @ fuel my family says
grandparents are the best. I envy those people who live in the same town!
Alyssa says
These photos are so adorable I can hardly stand it! I need me a baby 🙂 Oh the parents and in-laws will be so happy to hear me actually saying that 🙂
Katie says
Great post Kath! Gorgeous pics and I’m glad to still get updates on your life!
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
lavendar blueberry jam sounds just lovely! looks like a most perfect weekend 🙂
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook says
Such lovely family time! Maze looks so much like you Kath!
Michele Sparrow says
The photo of your parents with Mazen is absolutely adorable. I love how chunky he is and how happy he looks! When my oldest was 4 months old, he weighed 22 pounds! 🙂 I suppose that was indicative of what he would be like later. He is now 16, 6’3″ and 165 pounds! Ah…time flies. Glad you enjoyed your folks! 🙂
Emily says
That is the most precious smile. I just had to comment. He is simply adorable!
tiffany @dynamics of happy says
mazen is soooooooo cute! he gets cuter everyday! and i swear, mazen is definitely one of the cutest blogger babies. EVER!
i am so sad to see that a large percentage of readers didn’t want to see mazen pictures..it just saddens me, because the pix really do brighten up my day!
would you consider having different tabs, so maybe a mazen tab where you can post pix but not have it show up on the main page? i would really love to see more mazen pix!
KathEats says
There will be pictures on babykerf.com 🙂
Ella P says
Dear Kath,
“salmon atop a biscuit with veggies and two eggs”. By ‘biscuit’ do you mean a sort of sweet(ish) kind of white bread?
Ella
PS: thank you for the lovely sum-up and, please, smack a big kiss on the Cutie Pie’s lil’ nose.
KathEats says
A breakfasty biscuit…yep!
Ella P says
Thank you. Oh, I am sure it was a perfet combination to balance the fish saltiness.
Let me add that I love this new baby blue!
Ella
Kel says
You can see how in love your parents are with Mazen in these photos.
So very sweet and heartwarming!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Lots of yummy food in this post! Those cupcakes look so good 🙂
Cait's Plate says
Oh my gosh – Mazen’s little face in these photos! I can’t take the cuteness!!
Sabrina @ Living, Learning, Eating says
Your baby boy is so cute!! And breakfast looks amazing (as always), pinned it!
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
What an incredible weekend! Your food looks to die for- especially that FISH! You always seem to have such a great filled weekend with your parents, too cute!
Naomi says
I love baked brie with any kind of jam/jelly! I’ve never tried it with blueberry before. Thanks for posting these gorgeous pictures of this wonderful food 🙂
Taylor says
That fish… I just had sea bass with an amazing tomato-ey-kalamata olive topping like that. So good. What’s in that breakfast you made? I never thought of putting citrus in a cereal bowl.
Miranda says
Aw, what a fun weekend. Your brunch looked delish. I love you in green…very pretty.
FitPhilanthrope says
Mazen is so stinkin’ cute! He has the best smile 🙂
Rose says
Kath, your family is darling, your photos are beautiful – you look so happy! I don’t think I’ve ever posted before but I’m a longtime reader and big, big fan. Congratulations on everything!
Emily says
Hi Kath!
I’m a longtime reader and love the new blog! I’m doing a postdoc at Duke and am just getting into the field of obesity research. I came across this article in New England Journal on obesity myths today and thought of you:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2013/01/30/obesity-weight-loss-myths.html
Would love to hear your thoughts on whether their criticism of existing “myths” is valid!
KathEats says
I’m quite surprised by most of those (not the sex one though 🙂 ) There may not be convincing evidence to support the claims, but this article doesn’t really say if there was evidence that they are completely un true? I think most of those are true for some people, but maybe not all. And what that says to me is that everyone is different.
Margaret says
Hi Kath,
Looking at the NEJM article, the study does appear to differentiate between levels of evidence.
“In this article, we review some common beliefs about obesity that are not supported by scientific evidence and also provide some useful evidence-based concepts. We define myths as beliefs held to be true despite substantial refuting evidence, presumptions as beliefs held to be true for which convincing evidence does not yet confirm or disprove their truth, and facts as propositions backed by sufficient evidence to consider them empirically proved for practical purposes”
They classify beliefs based on the scientific evidence: evidence disproving, no strong evidence either way, and evidence proving. This is quite an interesting study, so thank you for pointing us to it.
KathEats says
I will reread it (I need to go to the original) because this is interesting stuff!
Rach says
I am still in shock at last weeks episode of Downton Abbey. 🙁
Love the pics of Mazen and the food looks yum! 🙂
Mom says
Me too! Wish they’d go back in time and reverse it!
Melissa says
agreed! does anyone else think that Mary and Matthew seemed more loving before they got married? they seem to be all business, now.
KathEats says
Agreed..
Beth @ CraveableCleveland says
Mazens little smile is just too much!!! Family time and lots of good food is pretty much the perfect weekend 🙂
Kelly Michele says
the last picture is absolutely precious! definitely frame-worthy! 🙂
Emily says
Kath-the blog is harder to look at centered to the left this way. maybe you’re working things out-but just as an everyday reader, it feels off center and not as enjoyable to read. Just feedback that you can use how you would like.
N says
Like that you’re playing around with the design, but everything feels very pushed to the left! Good luck 🙂
Dani's Dish says
Your baby is just adorable!! Family time and good food is the best 🙂
Christiana says
My son Michael who is a month older than your little guy was wearing the same firetruck pjs this morning!! Is the highchair in your post the OXO or the Peg Perego by chance? If so how do you like it?
KathEats says
Oxo! We love it so far
Marcia says
That baby is so cute…
Aubrey says
I love the picts of your parents and Mazen. You can just see the love and joy! The food looks so delish too!!
Charlotte says
Hey Kath,
Where’d you get your green vest? It’s cute and I’ve looking for something just like it!
Charlotte
KathEats says
It’s just old navy a few years back