on life lately, part 1.
Oh hey!
These are my Easter lilies. They are pretty, right? Or, uh, they were pretty.
What is most interesting about this photo however is that you can tell that I still DON’T HAVE KITCHEN CHAIRS.
What in the heck. It’s been forever.
You will be happy to know that I finally did order kitchen chairs, eight months after moving in, and they were just delivered and are sitting in the garage waiting to be assembled which will probably happen by the time Max turns three.
I hope.
I’ve wanted to do an update and get back into my weekly updates FOR.EV.ER now, but I spent precisely 12 weeks, give or take two weeks, on the couch/bed/chair/floor snuggling a little babe and savoring every breath during the freezing months of winter. I feel like I’m coming out of hibernation.
No really.
I seriously do.
Right now I can’t stop listening to the Mariah Carey album from 2008. E=MC2. Like, what? Why? How? Why? I should say “we” because Eddie just “happens” to be around when I’m listening to it and we both still remember all the words.
Max has no chance. Especially since this follows an hour of holding him while the three of us dance to the music videos of sugar, uptown funk, IÂ really like you and little red wagon. It’s our routine.
He’s doomed.
I am eating a ridiculous amount of avocado toast. I’d love to be like “oh I’m so basic” as you’d expect, but I don’t even know if you can be basic once you’re a mom. Can you?
And!
I’m only winning at the avocado game right now because I’ve decided my best bet is to buy the bags when the avocados are green and then just sit… and… WAIT.
Waiting is not my strong suit.
It’s worth it though. Topped with an egg and this truffle sesame salt from etsy. Yes please.
Everyday is different when it comes to meals – some days are awesome and I have time to make something fancy (like, um, avocado toast) and other days I can’t even throw ingredients into a blender.
Well that’s a lie. Most days I can do that. I am kicking butt on the smoothie train at the moment. My favorite add-in right now is frozen cherries. Also, spirulina and maca powder are back in full force. I swear, the spirulina makes me feel like a superhero, even if it does smell and sort of taste like fish food. I use this one, but I buy it at whole foods. Same one I’ve used in the past and talked about.
I don’t like any powders or mixes in my smoothies other than those (and maybe cocoa, duh), so lots of frozen fruit it is. Coconut milk. Things like that. YEP. Maybe some greek yogurt? It depends.
Also, I want to consume all of the iced coffee in the universe. Its kind of crazy how two years ago I used to write full blog posts on how I wished that I liked coffee. Now I’ve successfully ruined my pre-caffeine life with a love of it. This will definitely come back to haunt me, I know.
Most of the time I’m drinking decaf unless I have a zombie moment. So that makes it okay? Because I think it’s cool to stay up until 1am and get things done now! Spoiler alert: it’s not.
We’ve been brunching. A lot.
It seems to be the best meal out for a baby. Or should I say, the easiest. It’s just a nice time to be out and about. We’ve done lunches and dinners with Max, but brunch is our favorite. Brunches and burgers.
Marty’s wins for best baby brunch. Aka, the easiest.
Oh! Remember how I kept saying I went to the grocery store hungry? I really did.
Below is the grocery cart of balance.
Baby, brussels and ice cream.
[Note: writing this out and looking at this photo required me to get up off the couch and get some of the ice cream out of the fridge, which is now sitting in my lap with a spoon.]
On the topic of ice cream, it’s finally nice and warm out enough to WALK. GAH. You know how much I love my walks. And one should get extra ice cream for pushing a stroller up four hills. Agreed?
I bought new workout/walking/running-but-no-way-in-hell-will-I-run-soon shoes and am L.O.V.I.N.G. them. I realized it had been nearly two years since I bought a new pair (I know, terrible) and forgot how awesome it feels to workout in GOOD SHOES. I got these ones. I had Brooks for a few years and loved them, then rode the Mizuno train for awhile. Back with Brooks, they feel insanely fab.
[I had a picture of my kitchen after a day of work inserted here, and at the last minute deleted it because OMG WHAT A MESS and just no.]
What else?
I’m currently reading Three Many Cooks! GUYS. It’s so heart warming.
I’m also ridiculously excited because lots of my favorite authors are putting out their spring/summer novels soon and I’m hoping to read my face off.
Which is hilarious since at this point in my life, any extra time I have should maybe probably kind of be spent sleeping?
Here’s a picture of my fridge! Well, like half of one shelf of my fridge. It’s also quite balanced, like the grocery cart. Juice, juice, juice, coconut water, coconut milk, champagne. I like what I see.
That grapefruit juice is the best thing I’ve ever tasted right after the other 56 best things I’ve told you that I’ve tasted.
It’s really good.
Sometimes I make dinner at night, sometimes I don’t. It depends on the day. We ARE making time for homemade pizza night once a week. With a big salad. Sausage makes me want to die 300 deaths so it only stays on Eddie’s half.
Also, I’m kind of cheating with my pizza dough right now. Once a week Eddie brings home six cookies, my favorite tangy red peppers and this pizza kit from delallos – and HE makes it. It’s awesome. As much as I love making my regular dough, he really likes opening up this package and adding water to it and doing it himself.
It’s quite delicious and I don’t have to do any work. Winning.
I’ve also been making acai bowls in the morning or afternoon when I can. Dude, my life is so weird and different now because I used to eat first breakfast at like 6AM and some days I eat first breakfast at 10AM. I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either and I can’t do much about it anyway, which has been the biggest and best lesson for me to learn ever.
What else, again?
I’m finding myself coming out on the other side of an identity crisis. Dramatic, right? No, not really. Not really a CRISIS. Oh my god. Not a crisis. I am a dramatic jerk. Okay. Let’s say a struggle. It’s not necessarily been a bad thing either, it’s just been a… thing? If you have read my blog consistently or know anything about me, you know that it is my life. This is my life. Gosh I love it. For six years, it has basically been my identity because I love it so much. Which isn’t surprising, considering the all-or-nothing personality I possess (oh that’s fun) and my intense passion for doing the darn thing.
But about two months after Max was born I was like… oh boy. I no longer had the time or energy or time or did I mention time to spend on my work/passion/love like I have for so long, the work/passion/love that has really defined me as a person because I have been thrown so fully into it. It might sound totally weird (because it sure does when I type it out), but with having a new identity as a mom who works a lot and is her own boss but stays at home with an adorable nugget and this huge chunk of my heart (meaning, all of my heart) dedicated to something and someONE else, it shook things up a bit. I swear I spent a few days just being like, well… what do I do with… my life? I have 28 things on my work list that I need/want to accomplish but oh, I managed to accomplish one third of one of those things and it took three whole days. WHAT.
I am probably making no sense. It is quite difficult to explain. Be thrilled you are not my husband. I think he would love a pair of earplugs to wear for an hour when he gets home from work because of my nonstop babbling.
I like to keep most Max-related updates to the baby page, but oomph. This is my life. It’s what’s going on. There will be a little overlap since I am lucky enough to spend my days with this amazing little guy. It consumes approximately 143% of my time which is like 17% more of my time than I expected and exactly that amount of time you all told me to expect when I refused to listen. It’s nuts and insane I love the freaking heck out of it. I love the freaking heck out of you. More coming soon!
60 Comments on “on life lately, part 1.”
I also just had to grab ice cream from my freezer to read this post to. Only it’s 7:38 AM. I’d imagine that you’d start to feel differently about the blog – babies have a really sweet little way of totally shaking up priorities! I guess I wouldn’t worry about it too much, you’re still adjusting! I’ve been really impressed that you’ve posted as much as you have over the past few months, big ups…..although I hope that part 2 isn’t a post breaking the news that you’re taking a break from the blog (that seems to be happening all over the place!)
omggg not at all, ha. it’s much more like hey, this is where we’ve been, what we’ve done as opposed to this general omg-my-life-is-nuts update.
Ahhh – so much to talk about! First, brunch is ALWAYS a yes!! Always, with the little one, I’m sure makes it sweeter. Also, those ice cream flavours — I die, we don’t get half of them in Ontario. I’m living through you dude!
Annnnnddd I’m obsessed with Mariah’s Butterfly album — hello 1996/97! As well as anything my magic right now.
Annnd annnndd … You’re a good mom, and seriously you’re killing the blogging game – even if internally you’re wondering what the heck is going on, to all of us, you’re nailing it!!
My freezer is packed with Jeni’s ice cream pints – it’s glorious.
OMG, am I first?! Listen, lady, we love you however we can get you. Recipes, baby updates, what you’re loving lately, makeup and beauty stuff… love it all! Do what you can, when you can, however you can. Your readers aren’t going anywhere!
Amen, to that!!
I’m glad you are loving the crisis/struggle. strugisis? cruggle? Let’s go with cruggle. For what it’s worth, your blog hasn’t suffered one bit. I made the chicken tacos the day you posted them and omg where have they been all my life??
My 8 week old and husband and I just had that EXACT SAME dance party last night (but added Shut Up and Dance With Me, highly recommended). PS I typed 8 MONTH old at first and was like OH GOD WHEN DID SHE GET SO OLD and then realized my mistake and gained 6 months of her life back!! There’s a tip for you when it feels like things are moving too fast.
that grocery cart! I don’t know whats more delicious: the gelati, the caramelized oat ice cream, or Max??!
That pic of your hubby and baby is just heart-melting worthy. You can see how over the moon in love he is with his son. So sweet!
I love these kind of posts.
You sound very happy. And crazed, which you should be with a little guy. I’ve been seriously impressed at your continued dedication to this site even with such a young child. I let a lot of my identity go right off the bat, and it took me a long time (read: like 8-10 months) to get any semblance of it back.
Great post – so real and raw and as always, humor :) Love your posts!
Super jealous of your Lemon Cookie Ice Cream. I may or may not be the crazy woman who calls the ONLY local market that carries Three Twins asking if it’s in stock…almost daily. Not even ashamed…
soooo i might have made my own version of the ice cream 2 weeks ago and it’s BETTER than the store bought. posting it friday!
I just ran over to my co-worker and asked if I could borrow her ice cream maker in anticipation of this! I LOVE lemon desserts!
I’m so excited for Friday!!!!
Yes about the identity crisis! I go to work and find myself daydreaming about my PJ and thinking, “why am I here and not with him again?” Everything pales in comparison even though I really do love my job! It’s a weird thing to be the mom of a person.
Can you PLEASE post some recipe-type ideas for spirulina? I still have a near-full bottle sitting in my fridge and I’m not sure what to do with it.
do you mean like smoothie recipes? i have never used it in anything else – i’m not sure i would because it’s so gross smelling! but maybe you could add some teaspoons to something like muffins??
Love these posts!
psssst- don’t forget I get 20$% off at PB & West Elm, for any future furniture orders that you will assemble in 3 years time. :-)
I just bought my first pair of Brooks running shoes yesterday because I’m training for a marathon in October (eek!). I love them! Also, that pistachio gelato is pretty amaze. :)
Gahhh, love your updates! I totally have been wanting to try that cold pressed juice brand. The one I tried…the one with bell peppers and celery…the one that was ‘supposed’ to taste like pineapple? Yeah, that was a no go, so the one you showed definitely needs to be tried!
First, brunch or lunch is always a win with baby for us. He’s his happiest and most charming between his am and pm naps, so we totally take advantage of that time in the weekends to get out and do something.
Second, how longs does The spiralina last? I’ve been thinking of picking up a bottle to add to smoothies in lieu if spinach/greens since I’m thinking it will last longer and slimy-wilted greens are the bane of my existence.
Side note: I bought some lavender ice cream as an option for the blue part of a red/white/blue project I’m working on and it tastes like fancy soap and ended up being white. Sad trombone.
it lasts forever!! my current jar was bought at the end of 2014 and doesn’t expire until spring 2016 – but it has to be refrigerated.
also, i am sad about your ice cream. whomp whomp.
I totally get the hibernation aspect! My first baby was born in August and we hibernated all through fall and winter. It was the absolute best time! Then, my son was a January baby, and we hibernated as long as we could until spring crept up on us. Yay for winter babies :)
Just wanted to say I think you are doing an amazing job balancing your traditional content with baby stuff. I love that the recipes you’ve posted recently are still very much in the same vein (ie, complexity, etc) as the ones pre-baby, and that the blog acknowledges little Max without letting him take over every post. I follow a couple other bloggers who had babies around the same time as you and I hate to compare because everyone’s experience is different, but it seems like you are by far doing the best job of keeping up your blogging schedule with a little one in tow. Looking forward to more great posts!
thank you allie!
I love your honest thoughts on being a Mom. And meal ideas! Keep it up- I’m having a baby in October and you’re inspiring me!
oh my gosh, please write books. I adore every single word you write.
thank you. this made my day. because this is actually what i am trying to do but OMG HAVE NO TIME.
xoxo
Just curious about the sausage makes you want to die comment, does it make you sick like it makes me sick?
haha oh no – i am just super dramatic and LOATHE fennel seeds. i like fennel, just not the seeds. if i can find sausage without fennel seeds, i’m okay! but it’s tough.
Go ahead, call it an identity crisis! It’s a big deal. I am not a full-time blogger (would love to be) and went back to my “real life job” part time after the baby was born, and OMG…total identity crisis. I had my first one right after he was born because I am a crazy type-A person who has a million things on a to-do list at any given time. I had to completely re-train my thinking about getting stuff done…because…HELLO!? I HAD A BABY TO TAKE CARE OF. Crazy. Then, when I went back to work, I went through another crisis. I’ve ALWAYS been a worker and could never imagine not working, but all i wanted to do was stay home and spoon my baby all day. Becoming a mom is a mind trip and a half. I wonder if we’ll ever figure it out fully? Probably not. :)
I am happy to hear I’m not the only one with an identity crisis…struggle…whatever it is! Love your blog, keep doing what you do and we will all be here to read it!
Love these honest updates! I totally feel you on the Mariah Carey! I have every one of her CDs, including that awful (in my opinion) remix CD that she released back in the day just because I had to have the “complete collection.” Ha!
I love these updates, Jessica! Max is just the cutest.
And you’re probably the most awesome mom in history. So, yeah, Max is lucky to have you. :D
girl, I feel your struggle. I had my little man in October and started staying at home/working from home. Or, trying to work from home. I love my job and the work in entails but I cannot get anything done spending my days with little dude. I want to get work done but I want to play and snuggle with him and there’s just barely any time for both! It’s tough You’re not alone!
I totally get this. I have a 5 week old. I love to death my life now but it is so different and at times I am like is this it. If it is it is OK but I still need to adjust. And getting 1/3 of the list done even over 3 days is amazing. I am working on a thing a day. Today one load of laundry was done by 2 having started at 9:30. I was impressed with myself.
omg i have so been there. i remember one day it took me 7 hours to get the kitchen clean.
So this is semi-off topic, but I just finished The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay and it is SO SO SOSOSO good. I think it fits in with other books you’ve talked about reading and enjoying. The main character is kind of abrasive at first, but she mellows out and then I blew through it and cried at the end and I’m still sad sad sad that it’s over.
thanks for this rec!! adding it to my list. :)
I hear you about the identity “crisis.” I hope that things become easy/feel more new normal for you. I love love love reading your blog and I’m obsessing over your cookbook. The other day my husband was reading it and he was like omg she is so like you–biggest compliment :) I’m so happy for you and your family–the picture of Max and your husband is beyond adorable. What books are you waiting for? I just finished Fangirl, which I think you read before? And I loved it. There’s another book by her coming out soon too!
I LOVE the heck out of YOU! You’re amazing and such an inspiration. I love reading these updates, whenever they come.
love, love, love Marty’s Market!!! I’m going to miss it when I leave Pittsburgh!!!!
Lady, it’s like you took the words right out of my mouth. This whole blog life/mama life adjustment thing? It’s. so. hard. But I will say it does get easier and I feel like I am just now slowly starting to find a new rhythm. But I probably won’t be comfortable with it until my little one is, like, 18 years old. All that to say… you are rocking it. And that Max. What a “cart-stopper,” as my mom would say. ;)
I love your rambles
YAAAAAAS I agree with the reader above — please write books! You are ah-mazing.
Did you take spirulina when you were pregnant? Is it safe?
i really looked into it when i was pregnant – there is some conflicting info out there, i think due to the amount of vitamin A or K? my doctor said it was fine to continue taking. i def had it the first few weeks because i didn’t know i was pregnant. then when i knew, i think i cut down from 2-3 teaspoons in a smoothie to 1 teaspoon. however, i quickly had an aversion to all food, including smoothies (could never really get through one) and didn’t end up using it the rest of my pregnancy since we moved/i traveled a bunch/etc. i bought a new bottle shortly before max (prob 37 weeks?) was born and have been using it ever since. if you’re pregnant, i’d say ask your doctor!
Haaahahaa, babbling at your husband when he gets home, haaa! Have you tried the Talenti Sea Sat Caramel? I ate way too many pints of that pregnant last year.
i have! so good.
IS that hot peppers mixed with that fruit ?
kiwi berries! it does sort of look like peppers though, haha.
This mom thing… it is so good, but so hard, but SO GOOD, right? It’s weird, but I feel like being a mom has come naturally. It’s being ME that doesn’t come naturally any more. I have to try really hard at it now.
Does everyone accost you everywhere you go over Max’s cuteness?
Gah, I hate sausage! It is the fennel seeds! Max at the grocery store…OMG! I love blasting Little Red Wagon, especially when my 6 yo sings it to me. Great, now I want ALL.OF.THE.ICE.CREAMS.
I loveeeeeee how you’ve totally discovered a different piece of yourself through being a mom. I recently lost my job (back in January) and it’s been SO WEIRD to be home tons and I got to the point (almost a month ago) where I was going STIR CRAZY wanting to get out of the apartment. I’ve been getting to play housewife since my babe has moved in, and it’s been great! But I miss meeting/dealing with all kinds of people all week long. So I get your identity struggle thing, cuz I’m dealing with it too. But looks like you’re finding your groove, and hopefully mine will hit the mark soon!
Oh man, your shopping cart is straight from my dreams!
Also, I am back to Brooks, too. I did the exact same thing…Brooks to Mizuno, then back to Brooks. The cushioning in their running shoes is heavenly!
Loved catching up! I don’t think that identity crisis thing ever stops. When he goes off to school you’ll be like “Who the hell am I, anyway?” You’re so good at rolling with life, you’ll be fine. Not that an opinion from a total stranger really matters.
So much yes in this post. Brunch is totally the best time for dining out with a baby. My 5-month old starts to get crabby for bed at night around 6 so we can never go out to dinner. Brunch is perfect timing though! My coffee in-take has also increased 500%. So bad.
Just wanted to say, you are not alone in your identify crisis. I had the same issues when I had my daughter last year. You don’t love your kid any less, but it’s hard sometimes to downshift and meet the new you. I wish I’d known someone courageous enough to talk about it before I had my daughter, because I know I felt very weird about it when I was going through it. Good for you for voicing it! Glad you’re feeling more comfortable with where you are now.
On powders for smoothies/throwing things into a blender….
If you haven’t tried Quest Protein Powders ( http://www.questnutrition.com/protein-powders/) I highly recommend the Peanut butter flavor, it’s like liquid Reese’s peanut butter cup middle, that has a solid amount of protein to keep you full to maximize your Max time!
Also they just came out with a salted caramel flavor… :)