Before I unplug for the weekend, I wanted to be sure to hop on the computer this morning and share a short list of some of the things that made me smile this week — Things I’m Loving Friday style! As always, feel free to participate and tell me about something you’re loving in the comments section. Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of sneakers I can wear when I’m running around with the kids that don’t look like I’m about to bust out some burpees. I wanted something comfy and casual but not overly athletic-looking and when I found these New Balance kicks, I immediately added them to my cart! They arrived earlier this week and I absolutely love them. I was initially attracted to the subtle animal-print design on the back of the shoe but the Fresh Foam insoles sold me on the shoes because they’re so incredibly comfortable. Plus, at $60 the price point is decent for a brand new pair of sneakers.
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Apple Picking + Oatmeal Apple Crisp
Earlier this week, I caught wind of the fact that the last day for apple picking at the local farm where we usually go to pick apples every year was Wednesday. What!? Every year I forget that apple picking in our area is more or less a late-August/early-September thing but thankfully we were able to quickly claim a reservation for a hay ride to the orchards on the very last day of apple picking season. (There are other orchards still open for apple picking but they’re all mostly 90+ minutes away and this one is much closer for us.) My mom, Ryan, the boys and I headed out for our big adventure for the week and arrived home with bags of apples, perfect for making all the apple things! First up was my oatmeal apple crisp, aka my all-time favorite apple crisp recipe. It’s everything apple crisp should be — crumbly, buttery and sweet and perfect for spooning on top of a bowl of creamy vanilla ice cream. Up next = Jen’s Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins! Any other must-try apple recipes I should put on my radar?
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Rhett’s 2-Week Pediatric Visit + Any Postpartum Questions?
On Tuesday morning, I took Rhett to the pediatrician for his two-week checkup. I was so thrilled to see he’s gaining weight like a champ and is officially over 7 pounds. Rhett LOVES nursing non-stop right now so it was really nice to feel like all of the time I’m spending breastfeeding is paying off as he gains weight and gets bigger by the day. Keep chunking up for us, little man! I also feel incredibly grateful that breastfeeding is going well so far. This is my third rodeo but I always try to go into breastfeeding with an open heart and mind because I know nursing and feeding experiences can vary so much from kid to kid. (Chase’s tongue tie, for example, really made the early days of my first experience with nursing incredibly painful and rather stressful.) I’m counting my blessings that Rhett seems to have a genuine interest in nursing and the fact that this is the third baby I’m nursing gives me more confidence.
Also, while we’re on the subject of baby stuff, I am hoping to eventually put together a postpartum Q&A post like I did after Chase and Ryder were born. Please let me know if you have any specific questions you’d like addressed! And in case you’re interested, here are the Q&As I shared after the births of our oldest two boys: Q&A All About Birth and Life with a New Baby / Postpartum Q&A: Part One / Postpartum Q&A: Part Two
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Majesty by Katharine McGee
Last fall, I read American Royals by Katharine McGee and loved it but was super annoyed when I finished because it ended on a cliff-hanger and I didn’t realize the sequel was not yet published. You better believe I instantly downloaded the sequel to my Kindle and began reading it once I saw it was released! Majesty was similar to American Royals in that it gave me Gossip Girl vibes but with a little more depth and creativity. Both books follow the royal family of America and two women close to the royal family, Nina Gonzalez, the ex-girlfriend of the prince and best friend of his twin sister, and Daphne Deighton, the prince’s on-again-off-again girlfriend who is determined to become a princess at whatever cost. Majesty picks up right where American Royals left off — I don’t want to give too much away because it would be really easy to spoil the first book if I share too much — and is a great book to read if you’re looking for a novel that feels like you’re sitting down on the couch to watch a favorite high school drama television show that isn’t a total cheese-fest. Very entertaining!
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Around the Internet
Food: Vegan Thai Green Curry / Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Bowls / Zesty Italian Pasta Salad / Nutty Granola
Fitness: Barre Wild Card Workout (Video) / Circuit Tabata Workout
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Friday Flashbacks
Oatmeal Pumpkin Protein Pancakes (One of my all-time favorite fall breakfast recipes)
Total Body Workout: Arms + Legs + Abs + Cardio (A total body workout that hits all the major muscle groups and includes a burst of high-intensity cardio)
Questions of the Day
Any must-make apple recipes I should put on my radar?
Do you have any fun fall activities on the calendar for this weekend?
What is one thing that made you happy this week?
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I made Jen’s apple crumb muffins this week and they are amazing!! Have a great weekend!
They look so so good! That crumb topping is calling to me!
In your Q+A blog, I would LOVE to know how you decided on Rhett’s name (first and middle!) – both are adorable! Also, were there any other names you consideredbusing?! I am such a name fanatic! I remember you almost named Ryder Cade instead…he is SUCH a Ryder! It’s amazing to me how people really seem to match their names. It’s very very rare that I meet someone whose name totally shocks me because it doesn’t seem to fit them (this has only happened with adults!)
Oooh love this one! I’ll absolutely include it! And I totally agree about Ryder — I can’t imagine him as Cade at all now!
We are a soccer loving family and Saturday is our first official game for my granddaughter’s competitive team. Things got pushed back a bit due to the corona virus so we are excited. She plays on a competitive/travel team and will also play varsity soccer at her school starting in about six weeks.
I’m 8 weeks postpartum with my first (a perfect, sweet baby boy) and I’m having a really hard time adjusting to my postpartum body. I felt so strong and beautiful while pregnant, and now that I’m no longer pregnant and still holding 20 lbs. it’s hard to not get discouraged and feel self-conscious. I had a very fit pregnancy (I was lifting heavy up until the day I delivered) and got the all clear to resume activity last week.
I’d love to hear more about how you adjusted to your postpartum body.
I know your family loves muffins, so I figured I’d share my favorite apple muffin recipe. It’s simple, delicious, and tastes like an old fashioned donut! https://chapiskitchen.com/spiced-apple-muffins/
How do you do so much so soon after delivery?!
I’m so amazed with how much you’re doing so soon after delivery!
For postpartum queries- I’d love to know how your role as a dog mom has changed between having no kids, to going to 1, then 2 and now 3 kids. One of my friends just had her first and said she was really amazed with how little interest she had in her dog for the first several months after giving birth. I’d love to know if that happens to all Moms!
I’m curious if the whole newborn thing feels “easier” the third time around?
If I Had Your Face by Francis Cha was an excellent book that I just read and highly recommend! I love reading your thoughtful and honest posts as well as book recommendations!
How are you so active so soon after a new little one arrives?? This makes me feel terribly about myself – I’m a month post partum and still haven’t left the house, even with my mom here helping :/ you seem so to have so much energy and be in such a great mood!
Oh Caelyn!! Your comment hit me right in the heart. Please, please do not feel bad about yourself or the pace at which you are recovering and doing anything postpartum. This time is absolutely insane and my energy level definitely ebbs and flows depending on the amount of sleep I get and amount of help I have, etc. I am relying lot on my mom and Ryan right now. Everyone and every body and every baby is so different. Sending you so much love and support! Also, I didn’t leave the house for well over a month (other than the pediatrician) after my first baby. Each baby after Chase, I’ve felt more confident and a bigger desire to get moving earlier and a lot of that has to do with the fact that siblings kind of force you to get out and get moving. It is all so different every time!
Hi Julie! I’m a pediatrician and I would caution you about taking your newborn out and about during the pandemic. Even though you’re doing outdoor activities, any event that is frequented primarily by children tends to be higher risk, given the difficulty with masks and the propensity for children to come in contact with many different surfaces. Newborns immune systems aren’t fully developed yet, and studies have shown that rates of severe variant COVID-19 are higher in this age group. Now might be a good time to work on bonding work your new little one – and a great opportunity to empower dad to care for the other kiddos on his own! Parents who develop a more equal partnership in terms of child rearing tend to have healthier relationships and more well-rounded children. Just a suggestion 🙂
Just got these sneakers in the mail today, so cute and comfy! Thx for the rec 😊
Do you get nervous taking the new baby to public places during COVID?? I’m from the Midwest and everyone up here has said their doctors recommend forgoing public fall outings with kids this year, even those outside! I’m dying because I liiiive for pumpkin patches, but i’m so torn because I also want to protect my kids and be socially responsible
Postpartum??s: how are you doing (like really, I’d love to know) and how have you asked for help? It blows my mind you can create posts so close to giving birth. Rockstar!