Weekend & Post Pregnancy Update (Week 4)

How was your weekend? Ours has been busy (in a good way!). Friday, I took my first post baby Body Pump class (whooop!), baked & ran errands. Friday night we hit up dinner with Mandi & Bryan:

and Josh’s parents:

 

Saturday was more errands and lots of baby time! We took Kaylin over to Josh’s parents to “swim” for the first time. They have a salt water pool and the pediatrician said it was more than ok to put her in it! Hooded towel:

With Daddy:

Close up:

With Mimi:

Letting her toes hang loose:

She actually loved the water- I was shocked! Saturday night, we went to a wine tasting party. I made two different kinds of bars and mozzarella stuffed turkey meatballs for the party (info to come tomorrow).

This morning, I went for a run and now we’re off to brunch with friends!

Post Pregnancy Update (almost 4 weeks post partum):

 

Still feeling stronger each day! I have hit a bit of a weight loss “wall” and I know now will be the time I will have to put more effort into getting those baby pounds off. I wore a bikini for the first time on Saturday and freaked out a bit when I saw the pictures. I know patience is the key and that it took 10 months to put all this on….but its hard to not let it get to you! Josh has been amazingly supportive through my freak out moments

Kaylin is still doing great! Sleeping like a champ and doing wonderful in social situations. We are so blessed!

What are you up to today? I hope everyone has stayed safe through these crazy storms!

Weekend & Post Pregnancy Update

How has your weekend been so far? Ours has been great- very relaxing!

Friday night was date night in with Josh, Kaylin & Frank. I made pizza (olive oil & garlic base topped with artichokes & fresh mozzarella, and peperoni on Josh’s portion) & his and hers salads:

Saturday included cleaning, errands and a six mile run!!

Saturday night, my sweet parents treated us to dinner at 17 North:

They give you cheddar biscuits to start (amazing):

 

Josh got the 17 North pasta with chicken without tomatoes(Chicken,, linguine, local asparagus, spinach, basil, pesto cream sauce):

I got the pasta special with onions, peppers & chicken. This was massive and I only could take down about 1/4 of the pasta! But yay for leftovers!

A great meal!

Post Pregnancy Update:

18 days post partum-

 

Still feeling better every day! Running is definitely challenging, but I am feeling stronger!

Kaylin is still a good sleeper and is generally pleasant. We had one rough day this week when she wouldn’t stop crying unless I held her. Timing is everything with a baby. As long as she has just finished eating & has gone to the bathroom, she is great running errands. Another wonderful trick- the Carlos (aka my baby bjorn). She loves this thing. This week, I dusted with her:

 

She had a checkup this week and did great! She gained a pound (since her post delivery weight loss) and now weighs 7 lbs 3 ounces!

 

What are you up to today?

Kodak Photo Book & What to Pack for the Hospital

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my post pregnancy progress! How has your week been? Things have been going well around here! I am happy to report that I got in another run yesterday (thanks to Josh’s Mom who watched the peanut) and did 5 1/4 miles!

Recently, I was selected by the FoodBuzz Taste Markers Program to build my own Kodak Gallery Photo Book (disclaimer: I received a coupon code to make this photo book for free).  This opportunity came at the perfect time! I made a photo book of Kaylin’s first two weeks.

Kodak Gallery is super simple to use:

 

I uploaded all of my photographs:

And then began cropping:

adjusting the order of my pictures, layout of the pages in my photo book (including backgrounds), and adding text:

I was super happy with the outcome and cannot wait for my book to arrive!

Want to make your own photo book? Kodak Gallery is providing an exclusive 40% off a medium photo book for you! You can redeem this offer at www.kodakgallery.com/creativity anytime before 8/31.

 

I have been getting a lot of questions lately about what to pack in your hospital bag for labor and delivery. There are lots of great lists out there (including this one), but here were the items I thought were important to have:

• Flip flops for the hospital shower
• Dry shampoo (once you have the baby, if you just want to clean up without fully taking a shower- dry shampoo rocks)
• A robe
• Socks
• Snacks (for both you and your husband/partner)
• Laptop (you won't get on it much- but its nice to have)
• Video Camera & Camera
• Pads (the hospital provides heavy duty pads- which you may want to use, but its nice to have your own too)
• Comfortable clothes (easy to nurse in if breast feeding) & a going home outfit for you and your baby
• My breast friend/boppy (whatever you’re going to use for breast feeding)
• Nipple cream/butter (apply after every time you breast feed- I used one by Burt’s Bees)
• Chap stick/lip balm
• Drivers license & Insurance card
• Contact case/glasses (if applicable)
• All other bathroom necessities/toiletries
• Slippers
• Music!
• A change of clothes (or a couple) for your husband/partner (warm clothes and cool clothes- the hospital room temperatures can be unpredictable)
• Cell Phone
• Car seat

Hope this helps! Be back with more food & a giveaway on Friday!!

Post Pregnancy Update & (Not My) Auntie Pearl’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sorry for being MIA yesterday! We had lots of family in town and it left for very little computer time. You can find my post pregnancy update at the bottom of this post!

With the new baby at home, we have had so many friends and family members in and out of the house. One night, Josh was having the guys over to see the peanut, and I decided a batch of chocolate chip cookies was in order. Luckily, it was Secret Recipe Club time! This month, I was assigned Sweet As Sugar Cookies. Lisa seems like a total sweetheart! She has been baking since she was 12 and loves to bake and cook for her family. Since Lisa has such a tight connection with her family, I knew I had to make one of her “family” recipes- Auntie Pearl’s Chocolate Chip Cookies. I made a half batch of the cookies and made a few other minor adjustments:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup AP flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 5 1/4 Tbsp. Smart Balance
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tablespoons egg beaters
• Desired quantity chocolate chunks

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the flour and baking soda, and set aside.

Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and the egg and mix to combine.

Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Mix in the chocolate chips.

 

Drop by tablespoonful's onto a cookie sheet:

and bake for 10-15 minutes (took ~12 minutes for me) or until cookies turn golden brown and are set in the center.

Post Pregnancy Update: 2 weeks post partum

No VLOG this week (didn't have time!). I am continuing to feel better and better! Breast feeding made me very sore at first, but is getting easier as the days pass. Kaylin is a great eater and usually eats every 2-3 hours (except at night when she goes longer between feedings). She has been a pretty good sleeper too. The only issue is that she wants to sleep on my chest and not in the bassinet. We're working on this...

A lot of you asked how Frank was doing with the new baby. When we first brought her home, he would go CRAZY every time she cried. He has gotten use to this and is adjusting. He definitely has a little sibling rivalry....but I think it will go away with time. He now lays next to wherever she is sleeping/sitting.

A few people also asked how long I am on maternity leave- I will be out of work for about 8 weeks (maternity leave+vacation). My company has been absolutely wonderful throughout the whole pregnancy and said they would be flexible to me coming back as well (i.e. I can take more time if I need it). I feel VERY lucky!

As I mentioned earlier, Josh's family was in town this weekend. We had an absolute blast with them and did a mini photo shoot:

On the exercise front, I did about 30 minutes of low to medium impact exercise each day this past week. On Sunday, I went for a jog for 30 minutes. It felt a little awkward at first, but I got into my grove pretty quick. I came home with the biggest runners (Joggers?) high ever! Love! Did I mention I signed up for a 10K the first weekend in October? Gulp!

How was your weekend?

Weekend & Post Pregnancy VLOG

Hey guys! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! We have definitely been enjoying ours and have been adjusting into our new roles as Mom & Dad .  Friday night, we had my parents and Josh’s Mom over for dinner. Saturday was cleaning & errand day. At night we went to dinner with Josh’s Mom, sister & her boyfriend. Overall – just wonderful!

Post Pregnancy Update/VLOG:

Post partum picture- 5 days after having the baby (they say you would look about 5 months preggers when you leave the hospital):

And VLOG:

What are you up to this Sunday?

Weekend & Last Pregnancy VLOG- Week 40

Hope you are having a good weekend! A few highlights from mine (note: most of these are instagram pictures!):

Giant pickles from Harris Teeter are awesome:

Amazing pedicure:

Trip to the gym- elliptical & Body Step:

Baked up a batch of oatmeal banana chip muffins for some special people:

Spent time with Josh & Frank. While we made the bed, we buried Frank under the pillows:

Saturday night, we went to dinner with friends. I had a pregnancy request (since I never really had any cravings…I am going to consider this one!), to try the ridiculously large nachos from Liberty Tap Room:

Even with help, there was no hope of finishing this!

Pregnancy Update/VLOG- Week 40:

Enjoy your Sunday!

Grill 225 & Pregnancy Update/VLOG- Week 39

Hey All! I apologize for the lack of exciting recipes lately. As time ticks down to the peanuts arrival, there has been a lot of running around, easy meals at home, and even easier meals out .

How has your weekend been so far? Friday night, Josh and I had an easy dinner at home and passed out early- it was wonderful. Saturday involved Body Step in the morning, catching up on work work in the afternoon, and going to Grill 225 to celebrate Josh’s Dad’s birthday at night. 

Since it was a birthday celebration, they brought out champagne for the non-preggers people to enjoy:

Josh’s parents:

Me & Josh:

We are huge fans of Grill 225- it’s the perfect special occasion spot! As I’ve posted before, my favorite thing is their amazing bread basket- especially their tomato focaccia:

 

For dinner, I had their side pasta with whole roasted garlic.

Josh’s parents and Josh had steak. We also had hash browns and Brussels sprouts.  For dessert, Josh’s Dad ordered the AMAZING peach cobbler (which we all split and couldn’t finish!!). They even made the plate extra pretty for his birthday:

Pregnancy Update/VLOG- Week 39:

Thank you all for your questions for Josh! He had a crazy/busy work week, but will be providing answers soon!

Excuse my sweaty picture:

And VLOG:

Funny story: Josh recently traded in his hot two seater car for a more reasonable (but still hot) four door car. On Friday, we received an awesome gift from some of the people that have worked for Josh:

A second base for our car seat ! I think Josh will look like an awesome Mr. Mom with the car seat in the back of his new car. Thank you guys!!

As a fun side note, look what we pulled out of our garden this week!!

MELON! I am super excited.

What is your favorite summer fruit?