Last night might have been our worst night yet – we are back to survival mode! [Foreshadowing – the night after will be awesome!] Somebody did not want to sleep. Matt had plans to go into the bakery mid-morning, so I was looking forward to having him around for shower/breakfast time. However, instead I went back to bed to catch up on sleep I missed in the night. Thus, I didn’t end up eating breakfast until 11am! Before baby I would have been starving to wait until 11 to eat, but now it seems my appetite knows it comes second to my darling little boy. [That and the granola bar I often eat at 3am might help to tide me over.]
Matt went off to work, and I ate the first thing I could think to make with one hand – cereal! Raisin bran, granola, milk, coconut, Barney Butter. Delish!
Coffee too – although I didn’t finish it all because it got cold while I was baby tending!
Maze and I played and worked together all morning. I’m enjoying doing tasks like laundry, spot cleaning and running the dishwasher more than ever, and I have no idea why. Maybe, like baking, something in my brain wants to be more mom-like. Or maybe it gives me a sense of order in our unpredictable days : )
Matt came home at 2pm with half a pimento cheese sandwich for me (from our bakery, upon request!) and we ate lunch together with Mazen between us.
Served with apple slices and Nutty Butter!
On this dreary Tuesday, we had family laundry folding time and family play time! Maze is getting so strong and can push up in a mini push up and hold his head nice and high. We are impressed!
Matt worked late tonight and I had to scratch our dinner plans for chicken in lieu of something much quicker. No Bull Burgers to the rescue!
Served with a side of steamed kale drizzled in a smoked maple syrup, which we sell at the bakery, and sea salt. When I make kale, I wash it but don’t spin dry. I add about a quarter cup to a big stock pot and add the kale. Put a ring lid on it and stir occasionally for about 5-7 minutes. Removed and drizzle in any flavors you want: olive oil, coconut oil, maple syrup, garlic gold nuggets, smoked paprika and more.
And those sweet potatoes I roasted the other day for lunch. I’m trying to be smarter about food prep and the sweet potatoes (and hard-boiled eggs!) have been really handy. Back when I worked full time and during my busiest days in school and my internship, I used to be really smart about preparing food in advance. I didn’t need that so much over the past 2 years, but now it will be making a comeback!
And your baby picture of the day comes from story time! We read him a book for the first time but alas, it did not lead to immediate sleep.
Poor Mom and Maze! I’m predicting a much more restful night tonight for you both as well 🙂
Haven’t had Barney Butter in foreeeeever. Naturally Nutty, too. I can’t believe I’m still alive!!
Reading is good for children and babies of all ages…even if it doesn’t put them to sleep! It aids in their language development and language understanding, even at Maze’s young age (I’m a Speech Pathologist so I know a little about this subject 🙂
That’s what I was thinking – our voices probably change when we read stories and he probably likes it
I’m a SLP too, and I was about to make the same comment! Keep on reading!
Liz, can you tell me about what reading to small children gives them above and beyond talking to them a lot? My husband and I were recently discussing this recently. Thanks!
Reading is important for vocabulary development. Also, not JUST reading aloud to your children, but engaging them in the story, asking questions to build on comprehension, talking about what is happening, making predictions, preliteracy skills of how to turn the page and reading from left to right. Identifying letters and letter sounds, joint attention skills…oh there is so much! These skills are all important! Even just learning to love to read. Kids with weak reading skills tend to have weak oral language skills.
Yes to Leah! Reading and talking are different things. My parents read to me as a baby and I started reading my own kids’ books well before school – and I grew up loving books 🙂
Books are food for the mind&soul 🙂
When my kids were very small they loved loved loved when I read a story having them sitting in my lap and holding the book in front of me so that they were hugged and read to at the same time. It made them feel in heaven. We still do it in a way when the have reading homework from school.
ps: my kids are trilingual and we do read A LOT!
Girl, your posts make me want to nap! I hope you get to sneak a few in!
Sounds like you are enjoying the good days and rolling with the rough ones. I have realized as a new mom too that there are plenty of each and I need to stay flexible and not get too anxious-I find myself repeating ‘this too shall pass’ a lot. 🙂
Yes!! I repeat this phrase a lot. 🙂 We had a HORRIBLE night Tuesday night and then last night was MUCH better. Hoping the same pattern follows for you!!
That picture of him with the book is so cute! Haha. Instead of doing book reviews on adult books, you should create a rating system for Children’s books! Like… “This one had the best pictures,” or “this one will make me bang my head against the wall if I have to read it again.” Lol 😀
My mom is a children’s book author and former librarian – she would love that!
What’s on top of the no bull burgers?
Mustard : )
I am on a sweet potato kick right now. They’re just so easy to prepare, and so versatile. I can’t get enough. I’ve never heard of smoked maple syrup and now I really want to try and find some! It would come in handy for the Kale I get from my CSA I love that last picture by the way. He looks so adorable!
I went through those little sleep/can’t drink my coffee before it gets cold/love doing the dishes during naptime because at least I get to use both hands days not too long ago 🙂 They pass in a blur, I wish I had documented them (and survived them as cheerfully) as you are doing! Great job mama!
A push up already?! Wow!!
Also, I haven’t really noticed your countertop before, but it looks so nice as a back drop in your breakfast photos! What is the material?
It’s concrete!
You are doing great! The reading books is so wonderful & keep doing it. I know you know already.:-) My two have been read to since birth and now still love to read (one more than other), read to find an adventure and still get read to by my husband & I. It’s sad that because they can’t always fit on our laps, (ages 7 & 9) we sit close or lay on the bed looking up at the book.
As for 3 meals a day & breastfeeding your baby, that is wonderful! You are a super “Amazen” Momma. Dinner menu plans sometimes will get pushed to the next day. You were awesome to still have a nutritious meal (no other choice!).:-)
What could be healthier-looking than the colors on that plate? I love when I have a bright, vivid plate like the kale + sweet tater!
The little sweet tater in the last picture is pretty cute, too. 🙂
So so cute – story time! We have yet to read to our 3 week old but I was wondering if I should start. It’s so true what you mentioned about these new late morning breakfasts, I too would be starved and and uneasy without an immediately-upon-waking-up shower/workout followed by a delightful breakfast. But now? It’s all about feeding baby first, who is usually hungry right when I am, and showering only once I got a little food in me and little Santi is sleeping – which can be much later than I ever expected. Oh, motherhood!
Wow, I’m just impressed that you’re still eating 3 meals a day! I work with so many clients that say once they have babies they just forget to eat. Ah! I can only imagine. Great to see that your health is still a priority for you and your little team of 3 is making it work!
I have never forgotten to eat in my life! Busy, yes, but never forgotten!
I totally hear that! I never understand when people say they forget to eat. Not being hungry is one thing, but even if I’m in the middle of working or studying, food is not forgotten. 🙂
Yeah they must mean they never got hungry, which does happened to me on occasion
I have four kids…at one point three were under 2(I have a set of twins). There have been days where I don’t realize until the end of the day that I haven’t eaten, had anything to drink or gone to the bathroom!
Did he seem to be listening? If so, Grammie will send more books, pronto.
Whenever I prepare food in advance, I thank myself so much. I often did it on a Sunday afternoon when not much of anything was going on. I don’t know why I don’t do it more often!
Love your red mug – I am a big believer that half the fun of hot coffee or tea is a pretty mug to enjoy it in! Sorry it got cold on you though!
I can’t believe you held off to photograph your breakfast so nicely! Haha I don’t think I would haw had that will power!
Man, if someone read me a book, I’d TOTALLY fall asleep! 😉
Hope you get more sleep tonight!! That dinner looks delicious-esp the swt potato & kale. Mmmmm!
Even in all the craziness and absence of sleep, you STILL manage to take beautiful food pics. You’re amazing, mama! Fingers are crossed for a good night’s sleep tonight.
Sorry to hear that you had a rough night. But you are still so positive which is awesome and the right attitude. 🙂
Kath – I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks now and find myself drooling over your breakfasts 🙂 So, today I finally made my first bowl of whipped banana oats…. AMAZING! Thanks for sharing and being an inspiration to us all!
Glad you liked them!
Thanks to Kath I have re-descovered almond butter… now I added everywere! 😉
And I so adore the Tribute to Oats section (I am vegan and addected to horse riding, so oats are my very best friends)
I love children’s books! When my baby brother was born, I had such a fun time reading to him from an early age. He LOVES books now and devours everything in sight. We have a public library near us so we go twice a week and borrow a stack of books.
Food looks yummy!
That’s life with a baby, isn’t it. Just about the time you think you’re out of the weeds, you’re not! 2 steps forward, 1 back. Sorry it was a rough night. I remember right around 2-3 weeks having some doosies. Well, we had months of doosies but I’m pretty sure there’s a really solid 3 week growth spurt the baby books even talk about and you’re probably heading into that. Fun times! 🙂
I enjoyed housework right after my son was born, too. I think it was a combination of having a predictable, “normal” task to do and feeling like I was adult/responsible/momish, like you said.
We have that book also and it is one of my least favorite children’s books ever. 😛 However, my son loved it when we read books to him at that age, even adult books on complicated subjects. Keep it up!
is the coconut you sprinkle on your cereal sweetened?
Yes, I finally decided the unsweetened is only good for baking and I bought the sweetened for garnishing only ( so very small amounts)
Love this post 🙂 What a sweet family!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/2012/09/so-delicious-giveaway.html
awww you guys are such a cute family. Hopefully last night was better 🙂
Have you noticed if any of the foods you eat upset M’s tummy? Like the coffee or smoked fish? Might be why he’s fussy at night….just a thought!!! 🙂
No, not really. I read somewhere recently that only 2.5% of foods affect babies (or something like that, unfortunately I can’t remember the source). I don’t think I’d attempt diet unless he was doing something abnormal for his development. This fussiness is totally normal!
Well, just keep an eye on it. A ton of fussiness isn’t really all that normal for this age. At less than a month old, he’s hardly woke up to the world yet. What does cause fussiness is reflux, which can be exasperated by irritants in mother’s milk (spicy foods, caffeine, etc). Please don’t just rely on what a book may have said, and disregard the advice and experience from other mothers.
Oh and I know you’ve mentioned he spits up. That, coupled with the fussiness points to possible reflux to me. I had 2 kiddos with it, and those are the tell tell signs. Just something you might want to discuss with your pedi.
Totally off topic – just wanted to let you know after looking at your blog for meal ideas for years I finally tried your oatmeal pancakes. They come together so quickly they’re a perfect morniing meal and they taste so sweet it’s amazing they have no added sugar. My toddler and I both love them hot w/yogurt and maple syrup. But we also love them straight from the fridge leftover for snacks dipped or slathered in nut butter or yogurt. Thanks for sharing such a healthy, delicious breakfast recipe.
Glad!! 🙂
Do you boil your hard boiled eggs ahead of time for the rest of the week? How do you keep them? I always feel like they get smelly and I am not sure if they are still good.
Yes I did – and put them in a bowl in the fridge, covered. I think they should be good for at least half a week
That is a gorgeous photo and Mazen!
Reading to my two boys was my favourite ‘mommy time’…I would read to them at bath time, naptime, bedtime and as they got older I would read to them at lunch or even after school. The older years had me reading to them books that were a level ahead. Stopping at the cliff hangers encouraged my older son to continue on with the next chapter. I read all the Harry Potter Books to them and then when the movies came out we would rent or go to the movie. So much fun! For every book that was made in to a movie, we would read it together and then see the movie…the books were always better…great incentive for them to read! Keep on reading!
Despite the lack of sleep and crazy schedule, you still are able to write wonderful posts and eat delicious looking meals! Maze is precious!!!
Most random question…is that nut butter on your burger?! 🙂
Mustard 🙂
How nice of Matt to deliver a fresh lunch. I’d request it every day! 😀
Prepping ahead is definitely the name of the game. It’s so important when life is hectic, which is always, right? haha
Just saw you on the Real Health ad on a Huffington Post page! How exciting!
Oh wow – fun!!
Ohh yes, sweet potatoes and hard boiled eggs are lifesavers when you’re in a pinch. (Knock on wood) I never get sick of eating them! Thanks for the quick kale instructions…I’m definitely going to test out your method. I usually add raw spinach/kale/arugula to pasta/rice etc dishes but I need to learn how to enjoy them cooked, too!
The first 3 months are the toughest and then things get so much easier…hang in there!!
You are incredible. Dealing with an infant, lack of sleep and still have healthy meals and beautiful photos. You GO girl!
Oh no! That burger longs so naked without a lovely GH bun.
Agreed!
*looks
I MUST try the No Bull Burgers!! Too bad I do not live anywhere close to where they are sold 🙁 That picture of Maze is precious 🙂
What a precious baby photo! The Runaway Bunny is a favorite in our family–always has been. It always makes me a little sad though! I’m a sap. 😉
Your food looks tasty!
I never thought to steam kale and flavor it afterward. Great tip!
If you check out Amazon they sell these amazing Contigo vacuum sealed insulated travel coffee mugs. I’m sure they’re sold elsewhere too, but that’s where I got mine. They will keep your coffee hot for at least an hour or more. These mugs brought hot coffe back into my life! I use one daily. A bonus is that they do not leak at all! Once your little guy is moving around, that’s another bonus.
Maybe what Mazen needs to be read “Goodnight Moon” to know it’s bed time? 😉
Aww…The Runaway Bunny! One of our favorites! Here are a couple more that we loved especially:
George Shrinks
http://www.amazon.com/George-Shrinks-William-Joyce/dp/0060230703
The Big Hungry Bear
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Strawberry-Hungry-Childs-Singapore/dp/0859530124/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349405261&sr=1-1&keywords=the+big+hungry+bear
Blueberries for Sal
http://www.amazon.com/Blueberries-Sal-Robert-McCloskey/dp/B0040YHY8I/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349405333&sr=1-3&keywords=blueberries+for+sal
Make Way For Ducklings
http://www.amazon.com/Ducklings-Viking-Kestrel-picture-books/dp/0670451495/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349405333&sr=1-4&keywords=blueberries+for+sal
Hope you don’t mind all my links! 🙂
Did you like the taste of the oatmeal with all the stuff on it from the start or do you think its an acquired taste? Some of your combinations sound very random and wondered if that was the way you ate when you were growing up or if you just add certain things based on wanting to get in certain nutrients?
I’ve always mixtures of different textures, but the pumpkin is definitely acquired for me
I love apple and sweet potato! 🙂
I love the Runaway Bunny! That book makes me tear up, it’s so sweet. My daughter is at the stage where all books get grabbed and shoved into her mouth, though, ha. Cloth books!
Dinner is perfect for me. Really need to try to find kale and try it. Preparing food in advance is a real plus!
That baked patoto looks so good! And so perfect for autumn 🙂
What do you add a 1/4 cup to the pot for kale, water? Dinner looks delishious, but not as much as Maze! He really is so beautiful Kath.
Ok sorry, yes water for steaming
I’m tired and hungry for you!!!
Love The Runaway Bunny!
You have probably heard this multiple times but Ill say it anyways just in case….
I had my little nugget a little over 3 months ago and he was an awful night sleeper
I read Sleepwise and followed the eat play sleep routine and now he is awesome sleeping 9 hours straight and some solid predictable naps (in his craddle) during the day.
I was on the verge of a breakdown between lack of sleep and constant need for mommy’s milk so i feel ya. good luck, we sure are lucky to have some little handsome men in our lives!
Hi Kath,
Love the blog and Mazen is a gem! How are you planning to deal with all the baby weight?
Dyl