This weekend was a rejuvenating one. We stayed close to home and I enjoyed quality time with my mom, Chase and Sadie in the midst of cleaning up the house, eating good food, packing for an upcoming trip and getting a jump start on some work.
(Pic from my short-lived Instagram Stories share… Right now I’m not really feelin’ it and definitely prefer Snapchat for sharing behind-the-scenes pics. Who knows if that will change in the future. We’ll see! )
It was a low key weekend, but sometimes those weekends are the best, right?
Friday
Friday was a mix of work and play!
I wrapped up a bunch of recipes and photos for an upcoming project I cannot wait to share with you guys soon and squeezed in a brief afternoon play date with my friends Carrie, Casey and Elisabeth and their adorable babies.
Elisabeth and I were on the same page and dressed Chase and Oliver in USA-themed apparel in honor of the Olympics!
(Thank you to my Aunt Laurie for Chase’s onesie!)
My mom and I were pumped for the opening ceremonies and loved watching the best athletes in the world compete throughout the weekend.
Chase clearly played hard during his play date, because he fell asleep on the way home but thankfully transferred well to his crib and continued a solid afternoon nap. Chase’s sleep has been all over the place lately which, thanks to a lot of your comments, I realize can be quite common at this age. It’s a bit maddening from a schedule standpoint – all predictability flew out the window last week – but by now I’ve learned to roll with the punches because everything always ebbs and flows.
My mom and I played with Chase at home after he woke up from his nap and he ended up refusing to go to sleep until 90 minutes after his usual bedtime. Any plans for a relaxing dinner went out the window, so we ended up taking turns eating the delicious tinkerbell pepper quesadillas my mom whipped up thanks to a Blue Apron delivery I ordered and they hit the spot.
I could not get enough of the cherry tomato salsa in this recipe! It was so easy – simply combine halved cherry tomatoes, lime juice and fresh cilantro with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper – and will absolutely be making it again soon to pair with everything from chicken and fish to eggs and more! SO good and so fresh!
Once Chase was in bed, we flipped on the TV to watch the 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremonies and I my eyelids felt heavy by 10 p.m. so I put myself to bed early. Clearly some solid sleep was needed!
Saturday
Saturday morning began around 6 a.m. thanks to Chase’s need for breastmilk, but his early wakeup time allowed me to make the early Burn Boot Camp class, so it wasn’t too bad. We went through a gymnastics-themed workout and I was out of the house and back home within an hour.
My mom was hanging out with Chase when I arrived home, so I joined them for some seriously noisy playtime thanks to Chase’s new birthday xylophone. I’m pretty sure I love Chase’s xylophone as much as he does and pounded out the same two songs – “The First Noel” and “Do Re Mi” – over and over again since they’re the only songs I know how to play by heart. Apparently it’s Christmas in August in our house!
Eventually Chase went down for his first (and only) nap of the day around 10:30 a.m. and I headed out on a 45-minute walk around the neighborhood with Sadie.
Once Chase was up from his nap, my mom and I had plans to head out to the local outlet mall to do some shopping and exchanges. After loading Chase up in his car seat, we were off!
The mall was absolutely SLAMMED, so we didn’t end up browsing much and just headed into one store before making our way back home.
(Can you tell shopping with a very mobile one-year-old is quite an experience? Ha!)
I am not a fan of crowded malls and apparently the ridiculously hot weather made everyone want to spend the day in the cool air conditioned mall, so we cut our trip short and popped into Whole Foods for some groceries before driving home.
Chase was still going strong and ended up refusing his afternoon nap, so we played and played (and played) before he finally went down for the night around 8 p.m. What a goofball! I don’t know where that little man gets his energy because my mom and I were pooped by the end of the day and Chase was still crawling, climbing and chattering away!
Once Chase was in bed, we flipped the TV back on and caught some more of the Olympics before heading up to bed just before 11 p.m.
Sunday + My First Orangetheory Fitness Class
I was really psyched for Sunday morning because I registered for my very first Orangetheory Fitness class! This class has been on my radar for YEARS ever since some of my girlfriends started raving about it when it first came to Orlando.
I signed up for the 7:30 a.m. class because I knew Chase would have me up early anyway and I arrived 20 minutes early as instructed to meet with the instructor to learn more about the workout, get set up with a heart rate monitor and go through the class format before it began. (FYI, your first Orangetheory class is free and I signed up for my free class on their website.)
I shared a little bit about my first Orangetheory class on Snapchat and I received more messages from you guys than ever before (not counting Chase’s birthday – thank you!) with your messages saying one of of two things: 1.) How much YOU love Orangetheory and 2.) Your requests for me to share my experience on the blog. Since I want to be sure to share more details with you than I would in a brief weekend recap, I’m planning to share a more extensive recap of my first Orangetheory class on the blog soon. Stay tuned!
After Orangetheory, I headed home to find my mom feeding Chase breakfast, so I joined them by toasting two waffles and eating them with two runny eggs on top. Love that combo!
After breakfast, Chase was ready for his morning nap, so once I put him down, I headed into my office to get crackin’ on this weekend recap before popping in the shower and heading to a local nail salon to meet up with my girlfriend Casey for a pedicure date!
There’s something about OPI Cajun Shrimp that simply calls to me because I seem to frequently randomly select that specific color off the nail polish shelves whenever I get a pedicure. I can’t stay away and love the way it seems to perfectly blend coral, pink, orange and red in one polish.
Casey and I chatted away, staying at the salon for quite a while after our pedicures were done while we waited for our nails to dry and enjoyed some distraction-free conversation. (I think this may have been only been the third time we’ve hung out without our babies in tow!)
After saying goodbye to Casey, I headed home but couldn’t resist popping into Baskin’ Robbins for a small scoop of Snickers and chocolate chip ice cream.
Is it just me or does ordering ice cream when you’re out make you realize how ridiculously large your portions of ice cream are when you eat at home? Can’t stop, won’t stop.
My mom was kind enough to encourage me to enjoy some quality time away from mom-mode this weekend and I arrived home feeling rejuvenated and happy. It’s amazing what a pedicure, quality conversation with a friend a cup of ice cream can do!
The rest of our Sunday passed by in a blur of baking up a batch of baked steel cut oatmeal, playing with Chase and Sadie, running out to Ulta for my favorite travel-size volumizing hairspray for an upcoming trip, making another Blue Apron dinner and watching the Olympics!
I hope you guys had a great weekend as well! Ryan gets home from the Keys today and we are pumped to see him again. Apparently his spearfishing trip with my dad went well and he had blast. I’m psyched for the fish and lobster comin’ our way!
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What a great weekend! I’m going to have to try that nail polish color next time. I’m in a hot pink toe nail habit that has lasted way too long.
So glad you got some quality time with your Mom- sounds like just what you needed.
I JUST got rid of my hot pink toes! I can’t help but love hot pink for summer! <3
There’s an Orangetheory coming to my area soon and I signed up for a free two-week opening trial. Like I need one more fitness membership haha. I’m excited to hear your experience!
Know the feeling on the naps (or lack of naps)! We were only blessed with about a month of predictability because our son has just been all over the place since he was born. However, I would say Chase is probably going through a little regression and not totally converting to one. He might be walking soon! I remember we went through almost 6 weeks of regression and then he walked a couple weeks later…their little minds are soaking up so much these days, it’s really incredible. Best advice I ever got was when they skip naps or have crappy ones, get them to bed early. On those days, we do 6pm bedtime in hopes of making up for some lost time (and so I can also keep my sanity because 12+ hours with a very active 15 month old who only naps for 30-45 mins is so exhausting!).
OPI Cajun Shrimp is one my all-time favorites too and wear it often!! I also love Your a Pisa Work!
Hi Julie! Happy Monday! I just wanted to tell you that I think you rock this whole mama thing so well 🙂 I have two little boys, and I have to say that rolling with the punches is the best you can do at this age. I feel like nap time during the 1 year old stage can be very hit or miss since usually they transition from 2 naps to one! Also I think that it’s great your mom can come & help you with Chase! Plus taking some time for yourself 🙂 Glad you got to enjoy a pedicure!!
Your mom is awesome for encouraging you to enjoy some alone time. That can be so rejuvenating! Looking forward to your post on OT!
My sister is obsessed with orange theory & she got me to try it last month & I definitely see what all the hype is about – I loved it! 🙂
And maybe if chase is refusing his afternoon nap, you could try just giving him 1 nap a day. That happened with my son & he eventually dropped 1 nap (his morning nap) & now just has 1 long nap, which I kind of prefer because it gives us more freedom to go out & do things in the mornings, rather than being stuck at home for the morning nap! 🙂 like you said though, it all ends up working out…you just roll with it! Since I have 2 babies now my biggest challenge is getting everyone to nap at the same time! There are days where I have a kid awake all day long. Lol – I tell my husband on those days that God just blessed me with quality time with each child thanks to no overlapping nap.
I just recently shared my version of a restorative weekend on my blog and I love hearing how other people recharge! I don’t have babies in the mix yet so I’m sure the definition of a perfect relaxing weekend changes with that phase of life :). Now I’m thinking I need to call up a girlfriend for a pedicure next weekend…. Happy Monday!
Mom time is the BEST time! What a great weekend 🙂 I’m with you – nooootttt really feeling the instagram stories thing, deff like snapchat more. It’s so hard to keep up!
Agreed! I just find myself ignoring the stories on IG and enjoying everyone’s Snapchat shares more.
You definitely need a few moments to yourself from time to time to keep yourself energized and loving life 🙂 I generally like the Cajun shrimp color as a summer red but I’m really loving OPI’s “Feelin’ Hot Hot Hot” and Essie’s “Cute as a Button” as my colors of the summer!
Ooh! I’ll have to look for those!
I totally laughed out loud at your comment regarding ice cream serving sizes, because I may or may not have had a moment like that last night… To be fair, my husband has a knack for leaving the TINIEST servings in containers, but even though there was probably a standard serving 1/2 cup of ice cream left, I did end up having a mini breakdown about it “not being enough.”
I don’t know if I need an “ice cream lovers anonymous” support group (or maybe a “crazy wives” group?), but it did NOT cut it for me – especially after the 8 mile run I did earlier in the day!
I don’t like crowded malls either. I actually was planning on taking my five year old daughter back to school shopping for kindergarten at the outlets, but instead we shopped online. I let her pick it all out and then I could keep an eye on the budget. It was a relief to get it taken care of and not have to fight the crowds. Just hope I’m not creating a monster on internet shopping 😉
There’s an OTF a few minutes from where I live. I’ve been curious about it, but I have yet to check it out. I’m looking forward to your thoughts about it.
I bet time away from the kiddo was great!
I really, really loved it! Plus, the first class is FREE, so definitely give it a shot! 🙂
I have been wanting to try Orangetheory for so long too and your snap reminded me. I hope to go this weekend, yay!!! And omg so jealous you are getting fresh fish and lobster from Ryan’s trip, YUM!
Sounds like such a fun weekend! I adore rejuvenating weekend where you feel like a new person coming into the week.
Pumped you liked Orange Theory! I tried it out about 18 months ago and wrote an extensive review on the class. I really enjoyed it, and love the style of class, but the price was just a bit too much for me to handle. I’m excited to hear what you think, too!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
There are a few Orangetheory gyms around me and I’ve been wanting to give it a try. Maybe now I will!
Nothing a good pedicure can’t fix, right? As far as Orangetheory — so glad you finally tried it. It’s super popular nearly EVERYWHERE now. I think you know that I was a Coach at OTF for quite some time, but not any longer. If you choose to go back — happy to give you some tips! But if you’ve used Ryan’s rower at home, then at least you’ve had a chance to give that apparatus some good work. People TOTALLY struggle with the rower when they come in for the first few classes., but I bet you were a pro. 🙂 Have a great day, Julie!!
Low key weekends are absolutely my favorite kind! I’m really glad you had the opportunity to take some time for yourself. As a new mom, you certainly deserve it!
What a great weekend you had! You must love having your mom around too for a little help / quality time with her in general! 🙂
I die for coral when it comes to nail polish (always) & the ice cream comment .. oh man, I literally eat 3X the amount of a regular serving when I’m home and always try to justify it in one way or another haha
LOVE OPI’s Cajun Shrimp!
I would like to try an OT class, but I don’t think my area offers it :(. Maybe one day! Hope you had a great and sweaty workout.
That salsa looks delicious! I love easy dishes like that where you don’t even need a recipe.
Love that nail polish color! Glad you got some fun time in–so necessary!
I’m wearing Cajun Shrimp on my fingernails right now! I’m getting a little sad that summer nail polishes are only around for a few more weeks…..trying to paint my nails a little more frequently this month and enjoy all my fun colors!
I LOVE Cajun Shrimp! It’s perfect! I don’t know what it is, but the pinks and corals have been calling to me lately. <3
Hi Julie – have loved your blog for years but this is my first comment! My family is moving to South FL this month and wants to take a long weekend in the Keys. What research did you & Ryan do about Zika before he went? I don’t want to be an alarmist but I am trying to get as much info as I can to be prepared! Any tips from a Floridian (and young mom) would be so welcome! Thanks for your great stories!
Julie, I can’t wait to hear about your experience at Orange Theory. My sister in law has a membership and has been dying for me to go with her. I had plans to do so, but nursing a stress fracture in my hip right now. When I get better and my doc approves me to get back to working out how I like (i.e running, jumping, ect.) I’m going to give it a try 🙂
Looking forward to hearing about your workout experience at OrangeTheory.
I have been a member at Orange Theory for a little over 6 months. I LOVE IT! Amazing coaches (at least in MN:)) And I love hove they always change up the classes to keep you challenged.
Hi Julie,
I was wondering if you ever experienced reduced milk supply once you started working out? You seem to do a lot of intense workouts. As much as I try to stay hydrated pre, during and post workouts, my milk supply plummets. Just wondering if you had any secrets.
Where are those white lace shorts from? From the limited glimpse they look adorable!
Loving your weekend! I am just getting back into OTF and hope you’re having fun with it, too!
Those are cute babies! Both of the human and fur variety! 😀