This little dude is just so sweet!! When he’s awake, he’s all smiles.
Morning necessities:
VIDEOS
Daily Harvest smoothie + coffee x2 in the Yeti mug. I was careful about drinking too much coffee while while pregnant. I had half a cup during the first trimester and inched up to a full cup later on. It’s fun now that I can have unlimited amounts of coffee!! I still don’t go past two mugs in the morning (I can’t do caffeine in the afternoon) but 2 > 1 
The folks from Panera sent me a gift card as a Christmas gift, and I ordered a Fuji Apple Salad (my favorite salad they make) and broccoli and cheese soup on a rainy day. Did you know Panera delivers now!? We also have one with a drive-thru, which is what I did. I ordered on the app and did the drive-thru with kids in the car. Game changer!
Thomas makes really delicious tuna salad and made a double batch for lunch. (I have been pressing him to add some veggies to his recipe for a little extra color, crunch, and nutrition and he has started to add chopped bell pepper!) When I was in high school I used to eat tuna salad with saltines all the time. Since we’ve had a box in the house, I dove in. It’s such a great combo.
Little B has started napping in his bassinet! Shortly after I wrote about how he takes almost all of his naps in the Solly, we started to test the waters with stationary naps. I wait until the 1:45 awake time mark and then take him up to the master, turn the white noise on really loud, and swaddle him. He often fusses or cries out (very mildly) for a few minutes and I pat his chest or lean in and give him a kiss, sometimes picking him back up for some swaying. But overall, he goes to sleep in 5-10 minutes and we’ve gone from 25 minute “non wearing” naps to 1:45 minute naps (on a good day). It’s been a huge relief to have some baby-free time to get things done around the house.
Also note the swaddle switch. Silly Birch figured out how to get his hands out of the Ollie and was waking up often hungrily sucking them (he LOVES his hands, hungry or not!) I have two Miracle Blankets from Mazen’s infancy, and they were the only swaddles that worked for him. Birch is doing great in the Miracle Blanket. I did see a video on how to use a receiving blanket to get the same arm layer effect with the Ollie swaddle. If I didn’t already own two Miracle Blankets I’d try that combo, but since we have these we’re using them.
When Grandma Nona comes over, I think it’s a “treat” to be able to vacuum out the car Also another reason why I love my badass Dyson Absolute! No way I’d be hauling a full-size corded vacuum outside.
I also went for my longest outdoor run yet – just shy of four miles – while Nona visited with Birch. Mazen biked with me through the neighborhood while I ran. The difference between before lunch runs and after lunch runs a NIGHT and DAY. And it’s not like I’m eating huge amounts of heavy vegetables or rich comfort foods at lunch. But I think just having that second meal in my stomach makes me feel that much heavier. My favorite time to run is after breakfast has digested – 10-11 am-ish. All that to say – it was not my best run.
We’ve made quite a few things in the Instant Pot this week! The first was Skinnytaste’s Chicken Tikka Masala. The second dinner we made was a very loose interpretation of Nom Nom Paleo’s Beef Chili. Ours had legumes and less beef and a slightly different ingredient list, but I followed the same method that she did. Turned out great! This mac and cheese is next on my list. (This is the Instant Pot I got for Christmas.) I have another IP post coming up soon!
Ooh, I love that you’re cooking more with your Instant Pot! I want to get one so bad!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Such a smiley baby! I want to get his little dimple cheeks!
Oh my goodness, Birch in the swaddle is the cutest thing ever! His little dimple and smile! Swoon.
Will you post T’s tuna salad recipe? I would love to know how he makes it.
Birch is just adorable! His smile is the cutest! You can’t help but smile when you see it. 🙂
I think it’s just two cans of tuna, a few tablespoons of relish, and he said yesterday “5 tablespoons of mayo” (OMG) He also added salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of dried dill, plus maybe 1/3 cup chopped bell peppers.
My favorite thing to make in the IP are hard boiled eggs. I put in a cup of water and anywhere from 8-12 eggs, stacked in a loosish pyramid on the removable rack, and cook for 4 minutes (after reaching pressure), do a quick release of pressure, and then plunge in an ice bath for 30 seconds or so, they are so easy to peel it is a game changer ! Also love to make rotisserie style whole chickens.
I tried it and it was fab!! Next project: an egg “bowl” that I can chop into egg salad!!
Thank you for this comment, I just did hard boiled eggs yesterday following a different recipe and they were so over done. The yolks were very green. I’ll try your method next time.
I hope you don’t mind this off topic comment, but I tried Aaptive because you liked it so much and I LOVE IT. I’m already super active, but I have a hard time running in the winter because I don’t want to run in the dark by myself. Aaptive has me looking forward to treadmill workouts for the first time ever. Thanks for the recommendation!
Yay!! I love it too!
The Instant Pot has totally changed our way of cooking! Eggs, Mac and Cheese, shredded chicken, pulled pork, ribs, cheesecake, yes, cheesecake! I’m looking forward to more of your posts with the Instant Pot.
Oh, and Birch is ADORABLE!
Awesome! What’s your favorite recipe?
Did Birch end up liking the newborn insert for the Halo? We have ours in waiting for baby to arrive and are curious on others’ experience with it.
No I thought it was pointless because it wasn’t a hammock just keeps them in the middle. I returned it unfortunately.
To be fair, the description of the newborn insert specifically states it is NOT a hammock. My 4 week old much prefers his bassinet with the newborn insert as it serves to decrease the amount of empty space in the bassinet and make it feel smaller and more secure. But every baby has different preferences so YMMV!
Hi kath!
I am a safe sleep advocate and wanted to let you knowthat the American Academy of Pediatrics Changed their stance on swaddles in The past 2 years. They now say to not swaddle after 8 weeks regardless if your baby is rolling or not. If your baby unintentionally rolls while swaddled, it increases their SIDS risk by 19 times.
Just thought you should be aware ??
Really??? This is the first I’ve heard. My pediatrician just said to continue until he rolls back to front but I’ll look into it.
I love tuna salad, and it is great on crackers 🙂
Birch is an adorable baby, and he looks so cute all wrapped up!
Hi kind of a random question but what do you put in your coffee? I put a little organic half n half but always struggle with a real food approach to sweetener. I can’t seem to let go of the artificial sweetners even though I don’t use much.
I just use half-and-half and I actually don’t like my coffee sweet at all!
Help!! My only issue with my Dyson is getting it apart to use to vacuum car etc. Is there a trick? I pull up and push red button but its hard. How do you get it apart? Ty.
Hmm. Yes you use the red buttons. Maybe yours is defective?
Yummy! Beef chilli looks great… Adorable baby also
Birch is the cutest all snug in his wrap. Love that smile! How do you stand it?
Simple soups, salads, and smoothies are so nourishing. Looks like you’ve got great options with limited time. And your little bean is so sweet. Love the smile!