Good morning to you! It’s Friday and we have a weekend full of more baby time on the agenda. Big surprise, huh? My Aunt Laurie is coming in town to meet Chase for the first time and we’re looking forward to her visit!
And now, before the weekend sets in, it’s time to chat about what we’re all loving most this week in your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post. As always, feel free to join in the fun in the comments section!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Sushi and Spaghetti Pie
Sushi is back in my life! Oh happy day! Though I had California rolls while pregnant, I steered clear of raw fish ever since I found out I was expecting a baby, so when my best friends from high school had a giant tray of sushi and sashimi delivered to our house for dinner on Monday, I was in heaven. SO tasty! Then, on Wednesday night, Brittany came over and brought the most delicious spaghetti pie for all of us to enjoy. (The spaghetti pie was awesome and Brittany swears it was easy to make. I already printed off the recipe so we can make it again soon.) It was another week of good eatin’ around here thanks to our friends and my mom. I am so, so grateful for the help with food around here because when I’m left to prepare a meal on my own, I cannot help but grab whatever food I can quickly throw together in a flash and call a meal before Chase needs me again. The help with meals makes such a difference!
Bless you guys and your amazing recommendations. Ryan and I tried swaddling Chase in swaddling blankets for the first few nights after we brought him home from the hospital, but he was so darn wiggly and our swaddling skills were apparently a bit lackluster. We quickly realized we needed to explore another option. The swaddling sacks we bought before he was born were all too big for our little peanut, so we ordered a few newborn HALO SleepSacks from Amazon Prime and two days later our swaddling woes went away. I am now obsessed with the HALO SleepSack! It has made such a difference for us and makes late-night swaddling a breeze. Plus, it relaxes Chase and seems to calm him down. We still use swaddling blankets in the day, but the HALO SleepSack is our nighttime savior.
- Coconut Milk Whipped Cream
I had a huge craving for whipped cream the other day and when I realized we didn’t have any on hand, I whipped up a batch of coconut milk whipped cream using a can of coconut milk we had in the fridge. (Just chill a can of coconut milk in the fridge and remove the coconut cream that rises to the top. Beat the cream for a few minutes until it becomes nice and fluffy. Add sweetener of choice if desired.) I’ve been using it on top of fresh berries and crushed almonds for a mid-morning snack and placed a dollop on top of my cup of coffee this morning. (It melts fast in hot coffee!)
- Chase Meeting Family
Every weekend since Chase’s arrival, we’ve had family in town to meet our little one. My dad came the first weekend, followed by my sister and brother-in-law the following weekend and my Aunt Laurie is on her way here today! Ryan’s mom and grandma are coming next weekend and I can’t wait for Chase to meet his other grandma and great grandma. He’s already quite the loved little dude and seeing our family so excited to meet our son is the best feeling. I just wish they all lived closer!
- A Chase and Sadie Milestone
We had a big milestone occur in the Sadie-Chase relationship last night! While I held Chase in my arms, Sadie licked his face three times! She’s slowly beginning to embrace her little brother which makes me so, so happy.
- Friday Flashbacks
Healthy Banana Bread (Perfect to make on a Sunday morning and enjoy throughout the week!)
Saturday Morning Circuit Workout (This workout targets the whole body and makes time fly by!)
- Around the Web
Big thank you to FitSugar for featuring my Gentle Prenatal Workout and Watermelon Pineapple Popsicles on their site!
Healthy Greek Yogurt Berry Tart
13 Tips for Saving Money on Amazon
Running Tweaks to Improve Your Marathon Time
Question of the Day
- Tell me about one thing you are loving this week!
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Those Halo sleep sacks were my favorite for our twins! And when they grew too big for the swaddle we used the regular sleep sacks. They are 16 months old now, and we just stopped using the sleep sacks a couple weeks ago! So excited you found them for Chase!
Still on a high from getting to see Tim McGraw last night :), it’s started my Friday off right. Have a great weekend!
Jealous!!
Good to hear about the halo sleepsacks! We registered for a few so I’m hoping they work well for us too! YAY for Sadie embracing Chase! She is going to be the best big sister 🙂
I was shocked at how easy they were and what a difference they make! I hope they work well for you, too!
Can’t wait to try to the coconut milk whipped cream! I never buy whipped cream but to be able to make it quickly is great! Love that Sadie and Chase are slowly becoming best buds. There’s nothing sweeter than a child and their dog! My heart melted when I saw that photo of the three of you! 🙂
I can’t get over how adorable Chase is! It makes me want another baby!!! 🙂
About that coconut milk whipped cream – try adding cocoa powder, too.
Oh man!!! Doing this ASAP. I’m pretty sure I’d eat all of it in one serving if chocolate is involved…
AW I love seeing Chase and Sadie together!! He’s so little- my gosh! What a cutie… he’s going to be a very handsome boy!
I love you sisters yellow sweater in this post, do you know where she got it??
I think she got it from the J.Crew Outlet!
We switched from swaddling with A+A blankets to the SleepSack about 10 weeks. She didn’t mind the swaddle too much, unless we swaddled her arms. Those things broke free when she was 2 weeks old!
Exactly! Chase is obsessed with his hands, so he always tries to get his arms out of swaddling blankets. Luckily the SleepSack keeps them in place and calms him down.
When is Leslie going to start a blog already?!
Oh man, I wish she would!!! I don’t think it’s her thing though. 🙂
That sushi tray is unbelievable! I could probably eat that whole thing haha! Sadie + Chase = too much cuteness
One thing I’ve been loving lately is Orangetheory! I tried it for the first time this week and am excited to throw it into my routine!
We have an Orangetheory coming to our area (opening this fall/winter, I think!) and I cannot wait to try it!
Chase is so darn cute! Definitely want to try the coconut milk whipped cream — thanks for the tip!
Is Leslie sporting an early baby bump?
Nope!
So glad Sadie is warming up to Chase, in no time they’ll be best friends! Also, love the coconut whipped cream idea..I need to try that one out! Thanks for sharing!
Oooh, I wasn’t’ sure what to have for lunch- sushi it is! 😀
Julie!!! Did your back get better after delivery!? I’m 36 weeks and have the SAME fun stuff you experienced. Just wondered how you were feeling afterwards 🙂 thanks so much. Chase is BEAUTIFUL and you seem to be doing great. Congratulations, enjoy every minute!
YES!!!!! It was SUCH a relief! I hope your pain subsides soon!!!! I know how awful and limiting it can be. <3
He is so so cute!!!
With the coconut whipped cream, if there’s any left over can you save it till the next day??
That sushi looks amazing!!! The two things I miss most during pregnancy are sushi and wine! I didn’t know you could buy swaddles like those- thar seems to help make it a little easier. I have a lot to learn! 🙂
i LOVE halo sleep sacks! william is still in one at 16 months (without the arm swaddle obviously!)
That sushi plate…. YES! I hope you enjoyed every bit of it and then some. Enjoy the weekend with family! xo
Chase is such a cutie!! I’m so excited for you guys. It must be so fun for him meeting the whole family!
Glad everything is going good with little Chase! I am expecting my little one any day now. When your family is coming to visit are they staying with you or at a hotel? I’m thinking it’s fine for our family to stay with us, but a lot of people have told us to have them stay elsewhere. What are your thoughts??
My family is all staying with us but I think having them spread out their visits (not all coming at once) has been really, really helpful. Small amounts of people for a short amount of time is working well for us! (Except for my mom… I wish she’d stay forever!! 🙂 ) Big congratulations to you!
We loved the Ollie Swaddle for our little guy until he was able to roll over. http://www.theollieworld.com Now that he is almost a year he loves the 2-1 Halo Sleep sack because he sleeps with both arms out. I swear he will be swaddled till 18!
Enjoy your weekend and time with family! 🙂
Coconut cream is the best! I love mixing it with some cocoa powder and sweetener for amazing mousse. Also that sushi looks AMAZING and I’m not even pregnant, so I can’t imagine how great that must have tasted to you! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
That picture of Chase and Leslie is adorable!!!
Happy Friday, Julie! This week was a good one — and after a few fun weekends away, I’m excited to lay on my couch tonight with my puppy, hubby and a glass of wine! Three cheers for some free time! 🙂
Sounds fabulous to me!! Enjoy your weekend, Ashley!
That plate of sushi looks divine!!!
Yay for Sadie embracing her baby brother 🙂 So sweet.
My kids both used the halo sleep sack until they didn’t make them big enough for them! I am looking forward to a weekend at my parents and time at the lake while my husband is away on a guy’s weekend golf trip. Soaking up the last few weekends of summer in Indiana!
I’m loving that our house has been converted from propane to natural gas this week! Grown up things, haha!
p.s. I’ve given this recipe to many friends and have made it for many friends that have had babies and it always gets great reviews. Highly recommend it if you are looking for something quick to make! I actually made a few casseroles before our guy was born and stored them in our freezer for easy to go meals! Nothing better than having a quick comforting meal after a day of baby poops and spit up. Almost as good as a shower 🙂
http://iowagirleats.com/2013/01/22/lazy-girls-ravioli-lasagna/
Love this idea! And lasagna is the BEST comfort food. Thank you for sharing!
I’m loving green smoothies this week!:)
Spaghetti pie is delicious! I’m glad to hear Chase and Sadie are getting closer!
We loved the Halo Sleep Sacks when our son was that age. I think we threw in the towel aka swaddling blanket after one night! I immediately sent the Mr. out to Babies R Us! They also make just the gowns which are nice for when they get older (but you don’t want a blanket in the crib).
Julie, thank you so much for keeping us so updated on your life with Chase. I love reading any of your blog posts, but reading all of your Chase updates is so fun and he is adorable 🙂 . I’m pretty young, so I won’t be having kids for a while, but watching your journey with Chase makes me super excited for when I have my own!
I was wondering, would you ever do a post on how you and Ryan chose Chase’s name?
Sure!! I love that idea! I am thinking of doing a big Q&A post with a roundup of the questions I received following Chase’s arrival and will definitely include this in there!
Hope you have a restful weekend and take advantage of all the visitors to get some rest yourself! Chase is adorable.
Licks are a sign of kisses! She loves him. That is so great! (makes me tear up) Oh happy day….
Chase is such a cutie!! Glad to see he and Sadie are bonding! Our dog, Jack, is such a mama’s boy and we think he will be in for a BIG surprise when my husband and I decide to have kids.
The sleep sacks were a game. changer! The Aden and Anais swaddle/sleep sacks are great for hotter weather since they have the thinner fabric.
You still have some time before teething starts, but for future reference I discovered with my second child that the Baltic Amber teething necklace works miracles. I was skeptical about it at first when one of my friends suggested it, but we were going through 3-4 bib changes a day since he was drooling so much and when he started cutting his first tooth the poor guy was miserable and Tylenol only helped so much. As soon as it arrived I put it on him and within 2-3 days he was much better. He’s cut 7 more teeth since wearing it and I haven’t had to give him any sort of medication. Seriously love it!
Thank you for the recommendation!! I’ll keep that necklace in mind!
Aw the pic of you Chase and Sadie is adorable! =) And that sushi tray looks absolutely amazing! After a few weeks of vacationing I am excited to catch up on some DVRed shows with a glass of wine and cook dinner this weekend. Have a great weekend with family!
The Halo sacks are the best! Theyre the only style that you can keep the baby in it once they start rolling – arms out, of course!
I’m loving FINALLY having the time and energy to return to Body Pump after a hiatus to have my little guy 17 weeks ago!!
We LOVED the HALO sleepsacks as well! We also used another one, I think its the “miracle blanket” when our boys were babies and it saved our swaddling woes as well!
Chase is SO PRECIOUS!!
I actually ordered the Miracle Blanket when I ordered the HALO SleepSack, too!! We haven’t tried it yet but I am happy to hear you like it!
Coconut milk whipped cream- what a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I would recommend freezing some leftovers from all these delicious meals from your mom and friends. That way if Chase has a bad day when you’re alone, you can just pop some leftovers into the oven!
Awesome idea! Thanks!
I promise the spaghetti pie is easy!! I’ve made Julie (Bauer)’s recipe for spaghetti pie several times now and always vary up the meat. SOOOOO good!!
Glad that your kids are bonding 🙂
We LOOOOVED it! Seriously SO delicious!
So happy Sadie finally warmed up to Chase! And that spaghetti pie looks great- pinning for freezing before baby!
awwwwwww …. good girl! Sadie finally came around!
Yes! Coconut whipped cream is so easy to make and a very healthy alternative to dairy! I can’t wait to eat raw sushi… sigh!
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So nice to see Chase & Sadie becoming friends!
I can’t wait for sushi to be back in my diet again. It must be amazing 🙂
My four month year old loves the HALO sleep sacks! So glad your puppy is getting adjusted to the new member of the family!
We booked our photographer for our wedding this week!!
Spaghetti pie sounds awesome! It’s so sweet that Sadie is adjusting to (and starting to love on) Chase. Adorable!