Because I’m using the Baby Connect app to track nursing and sleeping, I can tell you that two nights ago our night looked like this:
2 hours of nursing + fussing intervals
2 hours of sleep, nurse/soothe
33 minutes of sleep, nurse/soothe
1 hour, 32 minutes of sleep, nurse/soothe
1 hour 45 minutes of sleep, nurse/soothe
45 minutes of sleep, nurse/soothe
12 minutes of sleep, nurse/soothe
= ~ 7 hours of sleep, nothing over 2 hours
So when this happened, I was elated:
1 hour of nurse/soothe
2 hours, 20 minutes sleep, nurse
4 hours, 12 minutes sleep(!!), nurse/soothe
47 minutes of sleep, nurse
1 hour sleep, nurse
= ~ 8.5 hours sleep plus a 4 hour stretch and nearly 2.5 hour stretch!
Yee haw!
When I was finally up, showered, dressed, baby fed again, it was 10am! I just made time for a bowl of cereal: raisin bran, granola, banana, coconut, chia, milk. So good!
During a nap in the carrier, I managed a 45 minute walk. Unfortunately I was wearing jeans and 2 shirts and it was HOT out. Add a mini furnace strapped to my chest and that was one sweaty walk! But I wasn’t about to change clothes and risk waking him up.
For lunch I made a variety plate of fun things –
Leftover squash plus a salad with Bleu D’Auvergne and pecans
Smoked salmon
And a deconstructed butter sandwich – almond butter and pumpkin butter!
Mid afternoon, this snack was required. A white cheddar cheese stick and an apple. These cheese sticks are so handy!
When evening came around, we headed to the Nest Realty County Fair!
The whole team at Nest Realty put on an awesome party for their clients. Our fabulous realtor – Karen Ball – was our host. Shown here with our neighbors, who also bought their house with her!
Due to bad weather, the event was held in the Water Street Parking Garage, but it was very well done and impressive for such a large group of community members.
We ran into tons of people we knew! There were also about 20 dads with babies in carriers and about 1,000 kids running around : )
Dinner was provided by Buz and Ned’s BBQ in Richmond. Matt and I were totally impressed!!
The BBQ was super smoky, the beans were thick and rich, and the slaw and mac and cheese, classic.
We shared local beer – a Full Nelson – with dinner, and hung out with friends.
And this cookie – an Oreo Cookie Cookie made my night!!
We lucked out with baby feeding timing – I fed him before we left and we got home just in time for another. He slept on Matt the whole time we were there!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
So glad you were able to get a better night of sleep with longer stretches of sleep! That’s huge! And that barbecue looks like it’s to die for… Yum!
Hilary (Four Little Forks) says
Looks like fun! We love our cheese sticks around here too!
Those first few weeks where sleeping is all over the map are so tough; hang in there mama, you are doing great! My kids both settled into a more manageable routine around 8-10 weeks. I remember how I felt like such a rock star after my first full night (6+ hours) of sleep in months! Women’s bodies are amazing, aren’t they? We can do so much on such little sleep!
Lauren says
Cookies in cookies…creative! That bbq looks wonderful!
Becca says
Wow, you saved the best for last in this post: an oreo cookie cookie, say what?!?!? Sounds epic!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
That app really helps when breaking down the day/schedule. Totally headed on the right direction! …isn’t it crazy how much a four hour stretch can help!
That cookie would have made my night too- yumm!
Have a super day KERF family!
Laurie says
Yeah for the long stretch of sleep….
That County Fair is such a great idea!!! Looks like it was fun!
Nicole says
We downloaded the BabyConnect app yesterday per your recommendation. So many things you can track! Right now we’re focused only on feedings and diaper changes (plus weight/vax/etc), but I’m sure we’ll add more as we need them. My husband loves that we can share the data.
KathEats says
We are keeping it simple too – feedings, sleep, and starting some pumping. I gave up on diapers when we were clearly surpassing the “recommended” amount 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
wahoooo for sleep! Congrats on that! And that looks like a great event, especially since there were so many kids and dads carrying babies, you fit right in!
Sara says
Oh my goodness-you’re neighbors with Christine Stewart. I used to work with her in DC.
Small world! Is she still globe-trotting?
KathEats says
: ) I love it when that happens!
Brianne says
So random, but you were in my dream last night!! There was some sort of contest you had on the blog and you had winners come to your house for a night (you lived with your mom still….maize was there also) and tour your town with you, and obviously, I was one of the winners. So so random but it actually ended up being a really fun night and everyone got along great. congrats on the long stretch of sleep 🙂
KathEats says
: )
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
Looks like you managed an awesome day of eating in with your busy schedule! I love that there were so many dads with baby carriers 🙂
Amanda says
I just love hearing these stories about Mazen and love that you document all of this for us moms-to-be-someday-but-still-too-scared. 🙂 It’s wonderful research!
[email protected] says
Way to Maze! All of your eats look wonderful. I still need to get me some of that smoked salmon.
Emily says
Ive been looking for those white cheddar sticks everywhere! Where do you buy them??!
KathEats says
Whole foods!
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
Buz and Ned’s!!! YUM!! Their BBQ is the best!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
That Oreo cookie and the thick rich looking beans – those are the two things I want to sample from this post!
Glad you all were able to get to the Fair! That’s an accomplishment with a little baby to go to a crowded place like with lots of walking and not knowing where you’ll be able to nurse, change baby, etc…love that you guys are just livin’ life!
Lindsay @ Healthforagers.com says
I love that you wouldn’t change outfits to go on your walk. Ahh, I have made so many of the same decisions over the past 4 months (my daughter is almost 4 months). When it is going well you don’t want to rock the boat.
Tiffany says
Great Pictures 🙂
Is your pumpkin butter from TJ’s? I tried their fig butter and wasn’t a fan….is this one good?
KathEats says
It’s from Parkesdale market, but I do love TJ’s pumpkin butter
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
All of that food looks amazing. Especially those baked beans!
laura says
you look ah.MAZE.ing!!
mary @ minutespermile says
you look great kath! and those baked beans look delish.
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
Your lunches are always so pretty! Need to either make pumpkin butter or get some shipped in to try! Wohoo for the sleeps!
Amelia says
Mmm….pumpkin butter. I love it slathered on warm Dakota! Loving pumpkin smoothies lately for an afternoon snack too!
Dang that BBQ looks good! Too bad we are already having chili for dinner.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Happy to hear you’re able to get a bit more sleep. It’s got to be so helpful (and interesting) to track all of the sleeping and nursing time…
Cher @ Weddicted says
Mm! I might need to make some of those oreo cookie cookies myself!
kate says
Have you had any more four hour stretches? I remember in those early days, if they slept longer than usual, waking up in so much pain because they hadn’t nursed. Something will always wake you up!
KathEats says
We’ve had 2 total – I think!?
j3nn says
You never know how much sleep means to you until it’s interrupted! That plate of BBQ looks yummmmmmy. And that cookie = perfect ending
Caitlin says
Ahh I love buzz and neds. I live in Richmond, well just south-west, and they’re my favorite BBQ place. They’re beans are my all time favorite because of the variety they use and the seasonings. So much better than store/canned varieties. That’s awesome that they catered the event! I’m glad Mazen is starting to sleep longer stretches now so you and Matt are able to get more/better rest.
I don’t comment on the blogs that I follow very often but want to add in there that I really enjoy reading your blog. Don’t stop what you’re doing, you’re awesome!
Caitlin
Jenica says
How exciting he slept for so long! Maybe it’s a new trend?
jenna k says
i’m looking to go to med school at VCU, so i’ll (hopefully) have to keep buz and ned’s in mind. can’t beat good bbq!
i found out yesterday that my sister is expecting her second baby, so these maze pictures/details have taken on a second degree of fun 🙂
JoJo says
Get your sleep while you can!! 🙂
The smoked salmon looks delish!
Michele Sparrow says
Congratulations on the wonderful night of sleep! Here’s to many more! 🙂
Just curious, do you notice that certain foods make your little guy squirmy more than others? Or are you just eating everything, regardless. I remember certain foods bothered my kiddos and therefore I avoided them as best I could while nursing.
KathEats says
No I don’t think anything is linked to diet that I can tell.
Gina @HealthLoveandChocolate says
Yum, I love making snacky plates like that. 🙂
Natasha says
Do t know where to add this so I just adding this recommendation on your most recent post. You should look into watching Bleak House when done with downton, I liked it ALOT!
Sonal says
That’s so great he slept so long! 🙂 And an oreo cookie cookie?? Sounds amazing 🙂
[email protected] Broken Cookies Don't Count says
Everything looks good, Especially the cookie!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
My husband would be in total heaven over that cookie! He is an oreo fanatic! It looks so delicious 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Yay for a good sleep! Well, goodish. I guess it’s all relative once you have a baby! 😉
Also that dinner looks awesome. I love baked beans!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Homemade baked beans are the best! Those look so rich! Sounds like a great evening! I am still enjoying my roasted squash with maple syrup, cinnamon and cayenne pepper chopped up in my salad…need to roast more!
Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut says
It’s so funny how babies can sleep through anything. What am I talking about…I have that superpower too. It’s kind of pathetic! I can fall asleep anywhere. I need that Oreo Cookie in my life!
Monica says
That cookie just blew my mind! Awesome!
Mommypage says
That’s great you used the Baby Connect App! We hope you are able to catch up on your sleep now that you are a mom!! Congratulations!!