^^ The latest in baby clothes and my current favorite outfit from Old Navy! It’s soooo soft, and da hood is super convenient for unexpected winter days in the middle of fall.
We had a great night’s sleep last night (out of the last 7, 6 of them have been great!) and Maze played in his bouncer seat while I made oatmeal.
Pumpkin whipped banana oatmeal with Barney Butter + Autumn Spice Granola. And sprinkles because I only get to use my Halloween sprinkles one week a year and I’m sure it will take me 26 years to go through the container!
We had lots of fun just playing today hanging out in our basement bunker from the dreary weather. It’s supposed to get worse here, but not nearly as terrible as it is on the coast. I’ve been watching the Weather Channel, and it’s so scary.
I call this move “grabby baby hands.” You know when they just reach out and grab something on your face? Or punch you in the nose. I forgive him.
How many baby photos does it take to get a good shot? About 3x this many! Call me maybe crazy, but I feel like I haven’t taken enough photos of Maze. He is growing up SO fast!! These went on the external hard drive to remember 7 weeks.
One more!! Practicing sitting up!
Ah food. Where were we…lunch! I had to eat this lunch with my non-dominant hand (right) on the couch when Maze was going through a fussy hour. It still tasted good!
Green salad with peppers and carrots, almonds, a drizzle of honey and a can of Trader Joe’s smoked trout. (Our brand new Trader Joe’s opens in a matter of WEEKS!!) I love this smoked trout more than salmon, tuna and sardines combined!
A slice of Great Harvest Tuscan Herb with butter and a few crackers on the side.
A piece of this dark chocolate my mom brought home from Paris on the side. The French (and pretty much all of Europe) sure know chocolate.
After fussy hour, we had a happy play hour. I caught this miracle of a shot of him smiling at his birdie friends! 
He loves his Octo Pirate too.
Afternoon snack was a bowl of chopped pear with yogurt and some granola crumbs
Do you guys know Jasmine?
She has an Etsy store called Bama + Ry where she makes beautiful custom jewelry. I first heard about her necklaces on Meals + Miles and immediately bought one for me with Mazen’s name and a few more as Christmas gifts. It’s obviously my favorite piece of jewelry now!
Upon my order, Jasmine offered to give a discount to KERF readers – you all can receive 20% off any order with the code katheats at checkout.
In other gifting news, look what smell Seamane got me for my birthday! Rose 31!!! I’ve been heavenly scented all day.
For cocktail hour, I opened the growler of Nugget’s Kombucha I bought at the city market. The Citra-Hop flavor is SOO good! The best ‘bucha I’ve ever had.
Matt came home this afternoon for some tummy time, but he had to go back at 6:30 for a meeting, so that’s why we made tonight’s dinner last night.
Our Baked Potato Soup!
Matt made it a bit richer with all milk instead of half broth and a cup of half and half. It was so thick it was like mashed potatoes!
The green layer is some sautéed cabbage on top (for some green!) plus cheese + bacon crumbles.
Such a perfect soup for a chilly night.
Back to the Weather Channel…
I wanna snuggle! I want his outfit too…so cold here :).
aww mazen makes my heart smile. glad you guys are not in the face of weather danger.
That is one adorable outfit and now if you’ll excuse me, I have some discount shopping to do!! 🙂
I love hearing about etsy stores! Sometimes it’s too overwhelming.
I love those sprinkles! Now that you have a kid, I bet you’ll go through them much faster than 26 years. 🙂
Maze looks so much like you in that last picture of him! It’s always fun to see who they’ll look like next… changes from minute to minute it seems!
I made baked potato soup a couple of weeks ago because it’s winter in Alberta nearly year-round (or so it seems). Sauteed cabbage sounds like a good addition, always nice to sneak some greens into dinner.
Mazen is getting so big!! Those necklaces are beautiful.
Did you drink Kombucha while you were pregnant? I have not been drinking it, because I assumed I couldn’t. I really miss it though, and would love to drink some. I am due in two weeks, so I don’t have to go for much longer without it, but I was just curious. 🙂
Not regularly, but I had it a few times
Hi Kat,
Can I correct you on one thing: Cote d’or is NOT French, it’s Belgian chocolate. French chocolate is awfull actually, always buy Belgian and if you can’t find that, swiss.
Ahhh that’s why it’s so good! What makes French chocolate bad?
I was going to say the same 😉 Cote d’or is probably the best Belgian chocolate 😀
In Belgium, we are known for our beer, chocolate and french (!) fries…
Another proud Belgian who was going to say the same 🙂
Côte d’Or is the best chocolate I know and I’ve tasted a lot of different brands 🙂
By the way Kath, don’t know if you know but Biscoff is originally a Belgian brand as well!
Sounds like I need to visit!
Oh good. I picked it off the shelf in a Paris grocery store because I thought it was fun that it had pistachios!
yes, definitely! I’ll babysit while you explore the country and our great food! 😉
Lovin’ Mazen’s hood! It will definitely help him stay nice and cozy in this crazy weather!
I don’t know, but those look to me like they could also be Thanksgiving sprinkles…
Haha good point!
I used to buy the French chocolate your mom brought back at Auchan or Cora hypermarche(French equivalent of a Super Walmart or Super Target) when we lived in Europe. Yum!
i keep meaning to try that smoked trout, but when i get to tj’s, i always forget which kind you mentioned! our tj’s opened in august, and it has completely changed the way i buy groceries- in a good way. i love it!
the mazen pictures are so adorable! especially the first one with you and the last one with him on matt.
i just posted about my version of jenna weber’s white chilli, but i need to make potato soup next. that looks SO good!
Maze is going to have about a million more baby photos than I do! Haha I think I only have a few from special occasions!
Oh, the picture of him looking at the birdies is soooooooo cute! (My kids are grown but I get to hold babies at work-I teach music at a childcare facility. So thankful to get a baby fix for 2.5 hours each week!)
@ Kat: it just tastes different.
It has to do with the Belgian rules concerning the amount of cocoa and cocoa butter chocolate has to contain in order to be able to call itself chocolate. Other countries, including France, have rules that are way less strict so they add less real cocoa and cocoa butter to their chocolate. It makes it taste less chocolaty.
As a Belgian born and bred I simply can’t eat non-Belgian chocolate. If you’re used to the good stuff, you can’t fall back on the bad stuff.
Cote d’Or is perhaps the most known chocolate manufacturer, but it’s not the best chocolate. Jacques is better (for supermarket-stuff) and there are wonderful local chocolatiers everywhere that do an even better job. As far as pralines go, Godiva is very, very, very good.
So please guys, don’t call one our nation’s pride and joys French. Same with the fries. They are simply not french. Not that the french don’t eat fries, but you won’t find as many friestands in France. And they bake them differently (only ones versus twice) which makes them soggy in stead of nice and crispy on the outside.
Can we agree to call the fries, the chocolate and the waffles Belgian? And as far as the waffles go: there are two big types: Brussels and Liègois. The second one are sugary and soft. The first ones are very light and crispy and come with powder sugar, or fruit, or chocolate, or whipped cream.
Njam.
You’re making me hungry! Sounds like American chocolate. So much of it is so waxy with fillers.
That soup does sound perfect for this weather. Now I think I know what I’m making for dinner!
Aww I love his little hooded onesie too – so cute! Your necklace with Mazen’s name on it is beautiful.
The cabbage addition is genius! That sounds tasty and healthy. And now I want soup….
Maze is such a content baby! I’m so looking forward to play with my little girl. Nowadays she only sleep, eat and fuzz. I can’t find her not fuzzing or crying when she is awake and it’s so frustrating as parent to not how to please her. Maybe it’s the 5-6 weeks fuzziness peak. Did Maze also go through a fuzz period? How was it?
I think you mean fuss : ) I think his peaked around 3-4 weeks, but he magically changed at 6 weeks. They talk about the brain needing to organize… Maybe that’s what happened.
yes, I mean fuss, that’s all I gotw these days.
good to know that there’s light after six weeks. 1.5 more to to! 🙂
Yum that baked potato soup looks amazing!
Mazen looks like such a happy little guy in these pics! Too cute!
The SWISS know how to do chocolate. Just sayin’ 🙂
Mazen is such a cutie – I love his facial expressions!
I read KERF (and BERF!) nearly every day, and I am aMAZEd at how quickly he is growing! Are you able to see the changes in his appearance even though you’re with him all the time?
Yes. Some days I wake up and he just feels heavier.
Wish I could borrow that baby for snuggling! My little beagle will have to do!
I’m amazed you can eat things like cabbage (known to cause gassiness) while nursing a baby.
Ah Kath, you glow when you look at the boy.
And, THANK YOU SO MUCH for featuring my jewelry/company. It is crazy exciting.
<3 <3
Hi Jasmine
Went to the website and ordered a necklace for myself but forgot to mention KATHEATS!!! Never mind, I may be back and order more – I’m from Australia by the way so I’m sure I can point a few Aussies in your direction once I get my beautiful piece of jewellery. Good luck for your business venture, I’m sure you will prosper.
Hi Sandra! Thank you so much for your purchase and for your telling other Aussies about my store!!! I initiated a partial refund to cover the 20% off you would have received with the code. Thank you. <3
Glad to hear you’re safe from the storm – so scary out there!
And Rose 31…never heard of it but I want it!
The ‘booch sounds great. Best booch ever? That’s high praise! I love making my own but I like trying commercialized ones from time to time to see if I’m missing anything 🙂
I want that soup. And that stripey baby! He’s so cute.
Mazen’s outfit is the cutest!
That is one cute baby. Oh my goodness!
It’s so cool to see real Belgian chocolate on your blog. I’m from Belgium and Côte d’Or definitely is the best chocolate I know. Enjoy!
I saw the ‘speculoospasta’ on your blog too, belgian product too. Nice!
That potato soup looks tasty!
Mazen is getting cuter and cuter by the day; starting to look like a real little boy vs newborn.
Enjoying him thru the photos so much! My son is 23 and just got married; seems like yesterday he was this age. Enjoy.
When Janelle and I visited the bakery on Saturday, we also swung by Whole Foods and saw the new Trader Joes. She was so excited to have one opening up kind of nearby. Do you know the opening date? We also stopped at World Market. You sure live in an area that offers tons of shopping, restaurants, and culture. We will be back to visit, I’m sure!
Hey Kath,
You have a beautiful baby boy!
As a Belgian, born and raised: Cote d’Or is Belgian! The French know how to cook, but don’t know how to make chocolate like we Belgians do :). Always buy Belgian chocolate, trust me…
Great site BTW!
Kathleen
The only dietetic chocolate my mother will eat, she is Type 1 diabetic, is Belgiun chocolate. My father was always on the look out for it in his travels. Not always easy to find…it was considered priceless in my mother’s eyes…no one was allowed to try any. I am fortunate to have a chocolatier down the road that imports and makes chocolate from Belgium. It is amazing! Fries with mayo are another must try in Belgium! I had to stop wearing my earrings and neclaces due to my boys ‘grabby hands’…somehow they always got a hold of them.
He is so cute! He is definitely getting bigger, too.
My cousin’s son likes to push his thumb into your eye and we figured out that’s because it’s like the indent on the iPhone that turns it on, so he just thinks something will happen if you press on the eye.
love the halloween sprinkles! so festive looking.
You’re a very good baby stylist. 🙂 Mazen always looks adorable. Love your cuddle shots and him smiling at the birdies. Are you planning to do a baby book as well, or just journaling/photographying his life via the blog?
Just digitally! I just don’t have the patience for hard copies of things. They are fun to look at though!
We had Rose 31 products in our hotel on our honeymoon (It was a Fairmont hotel) I tried to take the extra home since they left us new bottles everyday, but my suitcase was already too heavy. Good stuff! Enjoy!
That soup looks delicious with all the toppings. P.S. I also made your whipped banana oatmeal for the first time this morning and watched your hilarious youtube video channel for awhile.. I included pecans and maple syrup and it was divine! I should have added some orange sprinkles I have but I’ll save that for next time : )
I just deleted 6,005 pictures from my trash in iPhoto yesterday! I take sooo many pictures of my kids all the time. It’s ridiculous. All of your meals look great. Looks like you are balancing motherhood and healthy meals really well 🙂
Aaahhh Kath!!! Those pictures!! I LOVE the one in which you are holding Mazen and looking at him adoringly! So divine!! Oh wait, I love the one in which Mazen is practicing sitting!! Yes I like that one more. Oh wait wait,what about the miracle shot?? The lil guy’s smile is so precious. That birdies are so lucky! I love it more!! Oh my Gosh! I can’t decide! One thingups for sure, Maze is the happiest baby on the block :-)) You are doing a great job.
I hope everyone made it through the storm safely! The weather here in NJ was scary, but I’m not coastal, either. I also wanted to comment as another proud Belgian but I see that the chocolate issue was already covered. 😉
In southern WV, we have over a foot of snow & been snowing all day. Power has been off since last night, but the generator is working. Very heavy, wet snow & lots of broken limbs on our trees.
Wow, stay warm and dry. Glad you have power!
Awwww… that photo of Mazen staring up at the birds takes me back to when my guy was teeny (ok he’s only 9 months but those newborn days seem long ago!) We had the same bouncey seat and A&A blanket and he would stare and stare at those birds. So cute.
Im due in 2.5 weeks and I can’t imagine how it will feel once the baby’s here and watching him/her grow. Right now I’m like “oh I won’t be one of those mom’s that wants their child to stop growing so fast” but I’m sure you will be calling me a hypocrite in one month’s time! haha
Absolutely gorgeous pics! Love the one of Maze looking up at you on his belly! So cute! Have you tried the new Bare Barney Butter???
No!!
Cool!! I will have to order some when my current stash is low.
I just logged on and found it randomly! I haven’t tried any of them yet as I usually order stuff in to Ireland from iHerb and they don’t stock it! I might just have to order some direct though! Dying to try it!
You are so lucky! I know you are enjoying your son, but really relish in the fact that you don’t have to take him to daycare. A lot of women are back to an out-of-the home job at this point. They grow up so fast. Now with technology, you are able to document each day with him. I wish blogs were around when I had my children. Now Maze will grow up and really get to see how he grew up. My kids love to look at their photo albums.
Here in Finland maternity leave may last up to the child’s school age (6 years), it is up to the mother to decide. Most women stay 2 or 3 years off work, those who are building a career a bit less, usually 1,5 y. It is a privilege to be able to spend so much time with offsprings.
Love da hood! Maze just keeps getting cuter. And that soup looks delish!
I heard y’all were getting a TJ’s in Cville! So jealous. Although we have one in Short Pump, it’s still a trek. Just looked up your whipped banana oats and I love the technique because I love my oats fluffy. Adding chia seeds in at the same time as the oats does the trick as well.
The pictures of Maze made me smile.
That little baby hoodie is adorable! Looks so cozy.
Baked potato soup sounds wonderful. I’d love some of that right now!
Oh my gosh Mazen is such a cutie snuggling with you! I can’t wait till my love bug does that!
For some reason the Katheats code on BamaRy at Etsy didn’t work. Any advice?
Okay…tried again in a different spot and it did work. Never mind;-)
I just have to say that your son is so beautiful! Those pictures are perfect.
Maze is so darn precious! And I love that necklace you had made for him!
YUM! I love baked potato soup. Glad you are finding time to eat!
The baby is so cute.
I love how you added sprinkles to jazz up your oatmeal for a different look and extra crunch! Your son is precious…..you guys look very happy! Looks like you are recovering well! Whenever I have a baby, I will be sure to ask you for tips!
Hi Kath, Thanks so much for the etsy discount. 🙂 Love the pendant and ordered one for my Mum, with the names of her grandchildren, for Christmas.
Are all the fruits you consume organic? It concerns me slightly as you seem to eat the fruits with skin, which may stains the most pesticides etc…
Nothing like a comforting bowl of soup to warm the stomach (and soul) on a chilly weather!
I aim to buy berries and apples/pears/grapes organic but sometimes I buy local ones that are not. I wash them well.
Hi Kate
It’s funny that your mom went to Paris to buy Belgian chocolate. I hope it’s not too much of a disappointment that it’s actually not French chocolate… After all, the important thing is the taste and Côte d’Or is delicious!
I mean ‘Kath’. Sorry for the mistake
Well the package has French so it was still an exciting gift. You’re right it’s the taste that counts.
I love all the pictures of Maze!! He is so sweet and (is it possible???) gets cuter every day. 😀
That is such a cute picture of Maze, love the little hood. Can’t believe you got 6/7 good nights rest – I am just glad when I can get 3 or 4! Love the pumpkin oatmeal as well, I need a breakfast that is going to get me through the day.
Mazen is absolutely adorable. He is growing SO fast. You will love your Trader Joes. I do 98% of my grocery shopping at mine!
Love the stripes! Soup looks good, too!
The oatmeal and the soup both look heavenly — perfect comfort food for a rainy and generally gross week! 🙂 Also, Maze is absolutely adorable. I love the baby hoodie — it’s incredibly cute!