While my mom stayed to help us out with Chase for a while after his birth (<—AMAZING), my dad met him the first weekend after he was born but hasn’t seen him since he was under 6 pounds. So much has changed since then both from a mental and physical development standpoint. (Physically Chase is nearly four pounds heavier and two inches longer!)
My dad agreed that Chase is more alert and seems to like to interact much more than he did when we first brought him home from the hospital. Back then his prerogative was simply eating and sleeping! Now he’s a fan of playtime and likes to spend hours kicking, wiggling, bouncing and staring. It was such a treat to hear my dad talk to him and see his relationship with Chase continue to grow.
Though we, yet again, spent most of our weekend around the house, it was great to have company to hang out with who were completely content to soak up time with Chase. My mom prepared a delicious pork tenderloin for dinner on Friday night and the weather was nice enough for us to dine outside.
(The above picture was actually taken a few weeks ago, but I love it and don’t think I ever shared it on the blog.)
Saturday morning started before dawn for me when Chase decided he was up for the morning at 5:30 a.m. (Friday night was also a bit rough for sleep.) Eventually the rest of the gang awoke and I had some help with Chase while I escaped into the kitchen to make breakfast. I whipped up my chicken sausage and spinach frittata for everyone to enjoy with a side of fresh-from-the-oven biscuits.
After breakfast, we spent most of the morning discussing our upcoming vacation plans before lunch and an early afternoon walk around the neighborhood. During our walk, we came upon an adorable French bulldog that escaped from a neighbor’s fenced-in backyard. He was the sweetest pup and gave us lots of kisses before we were able to locate his owners’ house.
Once we were back at the house, I prepared a quick snack mix to share to satisfy a raging sweet tooth.
It wasn’t exactly healthy, but it was tasty!
My dad then had to catch a 6 p.m. flight back to Jacksonville to make it home in time for an early morning bike race on Sunday (my mom stayed behind to hang out for a while longer) and while it was sad to see him go, knowing we’ll all be together for our mountain vacation in a month made saying goodbye a little easier.
And now I must give a quick shout out to my dad who completed his first century race on Sunday! I can’t believe he rode 100 miles!
I am so impressed and very, very proud of him.
Our Saturday night plans may seem pretty lame to some, but I was proud of us because Ryan and I took Chase out of the house together for our first super-short family grocery store run.
We headed to The Fresh Market right after Chase finished nursing, hopeful that he would sleep for most of our adventure. We lucked out and he slept the entire time which was a blessing and helped build our confidence a bit for future outings.
Sunday
Our Sunday was fantastic due, in large part, to the gorgeous weather! We had a high of 75 degrees in Charlotte and the sun was shining brilliantly for most of the day. My mom volunteered to babysit Chase in the morning so Ryan and I could work out right after we woke up, so I took full advantage of her sweet offer and took an 8 a.m. Pure Barre class.
I grabbed a green juice from the new Clean Juice store located next door to my Pure Barre studio before heading home to eat breakfast and join Ryan, Sadie and Chase on a four-mile walk.
By the time we made it home, our stomachs told us it was time for lunch, so we ate with my mom while watching the Panthers/Jaguars game. We spent the rest of our Sunday hanging out at home and tackling chores around the house before making a quick trip to HomeGoods (I am hoping to revamp our dining room!) and ordering pizza for dinner.
I hope you guys had a good weekend and are enjoying your Monday so far! Thanks for checking in!
P.S. Thank you for your sweet words and well wishes regarding Sadie’s surgery today. I will keep you guys updated and appreciate you thinking of our sweet girl this morning!
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Chase is soooooooo cute!!! That’s awesome that your mom is still staying and helping you out! My mom helped us for 3 mos after my son was born and it was great. She lives in Florida so it was awesome to have her. How long do you think your mom can help for? The more time the better I say especialy diring the newborn phase..those first 3 mos are a lot of work ESP with nursing and sleep deprivation.
Totally agree, that relationship with the grandparents is so vital. That bonding is so special. The grandkids have actually brought me and my MIL a little closer……Ha….something I didn’t think could happen. Good for your dad biking 100 miles. Laura and I love biking too as our #1 exercise routine. It’s just easier on our knees as we, um,……age. Yah. 35 feels super old!!
Congratulations to your Dad, and congratulations on your firs trip out with Chase! Honestly, when I have a baby, I think I’ll be absolutely thrilled and terrified on that first trip out!
I have to ask, who do you pull for now, Jacksonville or the Panthers? Even though I am in NC now, and a Panther fan, yesterday I had to pull for my home team haha.
This post makes me happy:) I’m glad you had a sweet and relaxing weekend with your family and got to enjoy this weather! It’s great reading about your transition to a mommy.
WOW congrats to your dad! He looks so strong in that pic.
Hope Sadie’s surgery goes well today. Chase is growing so much!! Don’t worry, you will sleep again and you will forget all the sleepless nights you had in the beginning. Has he smiled at you guys yet? That and their first laugh is honestly the greatest thing…or when they say mama and mean it. Isn’t it an amazing feeling to get out of the house and how excited you get to go to the grocery store?! Enjoy your week!
No laugh yet (I can’t WAIT!) but he is doing some spontaneous smiling. It isn’t long-lasting but it absolutely melts my heart. Can’t wait for BIG smiles!
glad you had a good weekend with the grandparents! i was always very nervous to take william out as a newborn but it definitely got easier and easier!! good work, momma!!
What a beautiful family you have! The love just pours out of all of your pictures! Hopefully Sadie’s surgery goes well!
For the first 2 or 3 months I would ALWAYS nurse my son right before getting out of the car for anything – dinner, trips to the store, etc even if I had just nursed before getting in the car. It worked 99% of the time!!
I think I will be the same way! Full belly = Happy baby (most of the time… 😉 )
Awww the sweetest post! And so nice that you got to take advantage of the nice weather 🙂 Your mom must get this a lot but she really has the kindest face. And congrats to your dad – that’s amazing!
So much awesomeness is this post! Chase is so adorable!
Your Dad is a biking rockstar.
I totally missed Sadie having surgery… lots of love your way today!
So jelly of your weekend! It looked perfect (grandparents,workouts and weather!). Love all the pics. xox
What a wonderful weekend – glad you were able to have your first outing with Chase! And congrats to your Dad – what an accomplishment!!
Oh my goodness, I remember my first outing with my son – so I totally understand how much it feels like an accomplishment. I can’t wait to hear about your vacation and all you bring for Chase 🙂
It definitely felt like a mini-victory! 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful weekend!!!!
I just have to say I love the name of your blog! So cute!
Sounds like a great weekend, glad that Chase got some bonding time with his grandparents! And wow…Chase is getting so big!
Sending lots of love and prayers to Sadie and you guys today! Hoping everything goes well. 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how weekends take on a whole new meaning with a newborn? How wonderful that family and friends have been visiting and keeping you company!
I know exactly what those little family outings feel like. My husband and I went to Target with our little one (he is now a week old) and I felt like a new person. It felt so good to get out of the house and around people. I’m still a little nervous about taking him places, because people gawk at him and want to touch him, but I’m sure I’ll ease up over time.
Congrats to your dad – a century is a huge feat!
Aww I remember my first outing with my daughter. It’s definitely a strange feeling! It gets so much easier/so much more fun though. 🙂 In my opinion anyway! Chase is such a cutie pie!
I seriously can’t believe how fast he’s growing! Maybe it’s just because I only see the recaps on your blog, but time seems to be flying and to think it’s already been this long since you gave birth… like what?!?
He is such a love nugget! And a big congrats to your dad as well. What a huge accomplishment!
Aww that picture of your dad kissing Chase, TOO CUTE! Such a lovely family :). Sounds like you all had a great weekend, fall is almost here! YAY
My goodness – he’s turning into a little man!
Congrats to your pops on his first century, too! My first centuries, etc rides were BRUTAL – I’m impressed with how much he’s smiling, ha! But I’m much more likely to ride a distance again rather than run a half or full marathon. These knees don’t lie. 😉
Have fun with your ma!
xo, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
Good luck to Sadie today!! I hope everything comes out alright! The weather here in Springfield, MO is pretty amazing too! The windows have been open for a few days now, I’m loving it! Oh and PSLs are back at Starbucks 😉
I love that picture of Chase with your dad! SO sweet!!
Isn’t it awesome to have a successful outing with a baby? It totally builds your confidence & I promise it gets easier & becomes your new normal. I’m hoping for that new normal with 2 at some point, haha.
Good luck to Sadie today <3
Outings get easier the more you do it and you two will find a rhythm that works when taking the baby in and out of the house and car!
I did my first solo outing with the baby last week. I highly recommend having a friend go with you the first time, preferably someone who has a child so they have the knowledge but not have the child with them so they can focus on you. This made a huuuuge difference for me and gave me the confidence I needed.
Also, best wishes to Sadie! She seems like a strong girl and will be oh so excited to see the three of you when her surgery is over!
Our little guy is just over 10 months and I remember being so nervous taking him out those first few times, but I was going crazy being cooped up inside. We would change and feed him right before we left and it worked like a charm every single time. I LOVE taking him out now. He loves to look around and take it all in. You’ll gain a little more confidence each time! I was SO hesitant to take him to the grocery store by myself the first time I took him. I just asked myself what’s the worst that can happen? He cries or he poops. Either way, neither is a big deal! Enjoy the beautiful weather while you can get out. I promise you will be so happy that you did, and you’ll love being out and about with your little sidekick. 🙂
Saturday was so beautiful here too 🙂 It sounds like you had a great weekend!
I love when my parents comes to visit! Seeing them with my daughter is the best thing ever! 🙂
Rachel
Simply Rachel Nicole
Chase is adorable!! I was so happy about the cooler weather also – such a nice change!
YAY for getting out of the house as a family! Good job mama!!
Congrats to your dad! That is an accomplishment!
It’s so awesome that your mom has been around so much to help and bond with Chase!
I remember feeling so terrified to go out of the house in those first few weeks (my son is 20 months now). It gets easier the more you do it, and you’ll soon feel confident to take bigger, more frequent trips. Your lucky to have such lovely weather. My son was born in January in NY so we were snowed in a LOT for the first 2.5 months of his life.
Don’t babies give grandparents a new lease on life! So hard when we have to take our dogs to the vets because they don’t understand why they’re being left behind, I hate how my dog is always a bit down afterwards, she always gets super special treatment when she comes home. Love what you ate over the weekend it all looks delicious & a good balance of healthy/convenient food.
The snack mix look yummy. What are the directions?
These posts are absolutely precious. I still look back on my childhood with my grandmother and absolutely treasure those memories!
Sending Sadie lots of prayers!!
Congratulations to your dad! That is impressive!
Awwwww that pic of your dad with little Chase is so adorable! As is the pic of your mom with Chase! You can really tell Chase is growing! So exciting. 🙂
Anxiously waiting and praying for good news for sweet Sadie, hope it all turns out okay!
These blogposts with updates on daily life with Chase fill my heart with so much joy. It brings me right back to when my son was a baby 🙂
He is turning 7 (ahh!) In October….and now I have baby fever lol
Love those pictures of Chase! And congrats to your Dad!
My son is 10 months old and I still get nervous going out with him! We went out for dinner the other night and I felt like I had to rush through it as I was afraid he’d get bored and get cranky…which he eventually did. I much prefer staying home still…but I’m so envious of people that venture out with their infants. I wonder if my nervousness will ever go away! I can only imagine it will get harder as he gets older? (i.e. we order him one thing and then he has a fit because he wants something else once the food arrives?) Is there a word for parents that have a fear of going out with their young children? LOL
Isn’t it just so fun to see your parents with your baby?! My mom is constantly say “I mean, I love you — but this is WAY better!” I love being able to give my parents that kind of joy and happiness!
A cute baby. ^^
I found a note that I referenced your Brown Sugar Snack Mix back on 9/14/2015. You mentioned the ingredients for it but not the how-to directions. I looked in your recipe index on your blog site but could not locate the recipe there either so I was wondering if you could please tell me the directions to make this snack mix? Please.