8 Random Things: A Peek Into the Week
- Cashew Milk Lattes from Clean Juice Are Amazing
Early in the afternoon on Sunday, we headed out to Birkdale Village to do a little shopping and couldn’t resist popping into Clean Juice for a pick-me-up during our little adventure. If you happen to be local to the area and love coffee, you must try their cashew milk latte. It has the perfect amount of sweetness and spice and is deliciously creamy.
Also, for those who asked on Instagram, my hat is from the Brooklyn Hat Company though I ordered it from RueLala. (These hats are similar and less than $22: Women’s Floppy Hat + Mossimo Floppy Hat) My blanket scarf came from Zulily and the brand is Cocoa and Main but this $18 scarf from Etsy looks identical.
- Cashew Milk Latte Popsicles Are Also Amazing
My mom and I bought a couple of bottles of the cashew milk lattes from Clean Juice to bring home with us to make into popsicles and they were fantastic! I kind of want to do this with other tasty drinks we find around town now! It felt like such a treat to dig into the freezer and pull a cashew milk latte popsicle out to enjoy on Monday afternoon. (I used the Zipzicle ice pop pouches my mom put in my Christmas stocking this year. Love ‘em!)
- Treadmill + Kettlebell Workout
On Sunday, I completed an at home workout that incorporated both the above treadmill workout and a short kettlebell workout I saw Tina post on her Instagram account on Saturday. After two snow days, I felt a little stir crazy, so beginning my Sunday with a sweaty workout felt great.
- Our First Story Time
Late Monday morning, Chase and I ventured out to the local library for our first story time with a few friends. I found the story time online after I looked up children’s programs at the library and was so excited to see a story time available for babies up to 17 months old. Part of me assumed story time for kids wouldn’t begin until they were a bit older, so it was a pleasant surprise to see a story time catered to little ones. We had a lot of fun singing and playing with our babies and it was especially nice for me to hang out with some of my new mom friends as well.
- A Fall
Monday morning’s story time was followed by a bit of a scary event. As I was coming down the stairs with Chase after he awoke from an afternoon nap, I tripped over the final two steps and fell with him in my arms. It was so scary. It was almost like I fell in slow motion. I felt fear rush through my body as I held Chase with both arms and crashed to the ground, completely twisting my ankle in the process. It was SO incredibly painful but it could have been so much worse. Chase wasn’t hurt at all but I was stuck on the floor with him in my arms for a while as I waited for the pain to subside (and accepted billions of kisses from Sadie when she found me on the floor).
This may sound weird, but I’ve had a fear of falling down the stairs with Chase ever since he was born and try to be so careful. I am so grateful we only fell a short distance and that he was completely unharmed and I just had to share this here as a reminder to walk down stairs with extra care when you’re carrying a little one. I gave Chase a million kisses after our fall even though he clearly had no idea something so scary happened. I am still counting my blessings that my sweet baby boy is okay.
I am currently walking around our house like a pirate, dragging my right foot behind me, and I’m hoping it heals enough for me to put pressure on it before my trip to Denver on Friday. Ouch!
- Making a Murderer
After hearing way too much about this show, we finally caved and started watching it on Saturday night. We are now officially ALL IN on this show and I cannot help but read every article I happen to find about it now that we’re almost done. Anyone else totally hooked on this show? I do believe Steven Avery is innocent, even after I’ve read some articles that address aspects of the trial that were not covered by the series, and I also cannot help but have some seriously strong opinions about the lawyers in the case. (I cannot stand Ken Kratz and I love Dean Strang and believe he truly does have a passion for justice and fairness.) Thoughts?
- Chase’s Tongue Obsession
This week Chase apparently found his tongue and cannot stop sticking it out! It makes me laugh every time I look over at him and see him sticking out his tongue over and over again. Bless babies and their ability to make you smile at the simplest things!
- Brownie Batter Truffles Disappear Fast
I made a batch of these healthy brownie batter truffles on Sunday afternoon and they were gone by Monday night. Can’t stop, won’t stop. They’re made with four simple ingredients (walnuts, dates, cocoa powder and unsweetened coconut flakes) and are gluten-free and vegan. They’re easy to make and they really do taste like brownie batter!
Questions of the Day
- Share one random highlight from your week so far!
- What is the best thing you’ve had to eat so far this week?
- Anyone else obsessively watching Making a Murderer?
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I made your chocolate peanut butter chia seed pudding for dessert last night and… Heaven :). So sorry to hear about your fall – glad Chase is okay and you are semi-okay!
I’m so glad to hear you liked it!! Thanks for reporting back. 🙂
WOW, that cashew milk latte (and popsicles) sound incredible!!! And your hat is just the cutest. Happy Wednesday!
Glad you and Chase are ok! I tripped and fell while carrying my then 14 month old while I was 35 weeks pregnant with my second. I remember thinking the same thing, holding on to them for dear life so they don’t hit the ground. Natural Mama’s instinct.
I’m so glad you were okay, too! Definitely a scary experience.
My dad often tells me about the time he fell down our entire set of stairs with me as a toddler. Apparently we basically somersaulted the whole flight, and at the end I said “Again!!!” 🙂 Little man probably thought it was a fun little trip! I hope your ankle heals quickly.
Your reaction made me laugh out loud!! Only a toddler! 🙂 I hope your dad was okay, too!
So sorry you fell! Stairs seriously are so dangerous. When my son was about 10 weeks old my mom was walking down our stairs and slipped and since she was holding him, had no hands to catch herself. Jack was perfectly safe thanks to my mom, but she actually broke her T-8 vertebrae and had to have surgery! I felt so terrible, but all she kept saying was that she would do anything to protect my baby! Thank the Lord for good moms and grandmas! ❤️
Oh your poor mom!! So glad your boy was okay!
Love making a murder, it was so addicting.
Also, I don’t have kids but I have this fear that when I do have one that I will by accident forget they are on the floor and step on them! I don’t know why but its a reoccurring fear!
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad your fall wasn’t worse and Chase is okay. Ice, ice baby on that ankle and a compression sleeve if you can! Helps promote healing.
On a telework day, we watched the entire MaM series on Netflix. My opinion isn’t popular so I won’t say what I think. But the Mr and I think someone who lights a pet cat on fire and holds it in a fire regardless of whether they were hanging around the “wrong people” or not ain’t no angel sistah! 😉
Heal up quick lil mama!
Oh wow, I totally agree. Does no one realize that he lit a pet cat on fire?!?! I’m actually a prosecutor, so I have my own (unpopular) opinions. I will saw I completely disagree with Julie’s opinion that he is innocent. There is a difference between innocent and not guilty. At most, he may be not be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt (again, I don’t believe that but whatever…), but innocent? No way!!
I’m so glad someone else shares my view. Torturing animals is a classic precursor to murdering someone and I can’t believe they glossed over that. Not to mention his letters to his ex-wife threatening to kill her!
We will probably never know for sure if he murdered Theresa but I do NOT think he is innocent.
Eek! That’s so scary but I’m so glad that you’re both safe! Take it easy on the ankle and it’ll heal fast!
A random highlight of my week is this little orchid I bought at trader joes this weekend to bring a little life into my apartment after what I thought was a major fail at growing a bulb…which was then followed up by my boyfriend digging his finger into the pot of soil and seeing that I just planted the bulb too deep and it was trying to sprout under the dirt. Maybe I don’t have as much of a black thumb as I thought?! 🙂
Omg that’s definitely a fear of mine!! Glad you guys were ok!! William has been sleeping til at least 5:45 this week which is beyond amazing! He was in a bad 4:30am rut!
Im so glad you and Chase are okay! Hope that your ankle heals quickly! Those almond milk Popsicles look amazing! I did a random things post too today–guess its just one of those random days! haha 🙂
wow I’m so glad you’re both okay, minus your ankle! I hope for a speedy recovery for sure. I did the same thing with my dog actually. When you are carrying something/one you love you have a natural tendency to fall in a way that will probably half kill you but protect them. I had my feet slide right out from underneath me on brand new, very slippery hardwood floors and because I had my dog, I grasped her so hard and took the fall directly on my tailbone…ouch but she was okay ha!
My 9 month old daughter is doing the same thing with her tongue right now! She loves to stick it out and then touch it. It’s hilarious. 🙂
First, so sorry you fell and glad you both are okay for the most part. Keep eating those popsicles and that ankle should heal right up in no time! I’m totally on a breakfast quesadilla kick this week and I LOVE IT!
Hi Julie!
I was trying to find an email address for you, but can’t find one so I’ll just leave a probably very long comment. :). Hope that’s okay!
I love that I have a baby around the same age (about 3 weeks older than chase!). Falling down the stairs has also been a huge fear of mine! Luckily we live in a one floor apt, so I only worry about it when I am at my moms house.
Have you started Chase on solids yet? What approach are you doing? Very curious to hear about this! We are doing baby-led-weaning and was wondering if you are doing the same thing, if so can you please post lots of meal and food ideas! I have no idea how to cook, I eat cereal for dinner a lot, but now that I have a baby who I will be feeding, I want to start cooking healthy meals for him also! I feel like you would have some good ideas and it could also make for some great “evergreen” content for your blog since I know A LOT of moms are looking for this! If you aren’t going to be doing baby-led-weaning then just ignore this whole comment 🙂
Can you also post some good at home cardio workouts? I work full time and with the baby have no time to workout anymore since I can only do stroller strides in Saturday’s 🙁 the classes are getting much harder for me since I’ve only been doing them once a week so I want to try to start doing a few workouts during the week and I love your circuit workouts (the ones that come with pictures). The workouts on your workout page seem older and don’t have a ton of pics so a lot of the exercises I’m not sure how to do.
Anyways! I love reading your blog regardless, especially every and all baby related posts!
Hi Julie!! We haven’t started solids yet (except for a few super random spoonfuls here and there) but we will be trying this next week! (I was just trying to wait until his 6-month bday to introduce solids and that is this Friday.) I am VERY interested in baby-led weaning, but definitely need to do a lot more research on it myself. My friend Brittany actually wrote a book about it which might interest you!! Here’s a link to it: http://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/moms-practical-guide-baby-led-weaning/ I have her book and am planning to read it ASAP since that approach really interests me, too. And YES, I’ll definitely try to post more at-home cardio workouts moving forward. Thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you so much!! I will definitely be checking that book out!!! We also waited until 6 months! So far he has yet to actually eat anything, lots of playing and exploring, but I think he is slowly starting to get interested! I can’t wait until I actually share meals with him!!
Oh and my email address is pbfingers@gmail.com just in case you ever want to email me privately! 🙂
I watched Making a Murderer and at first was convinced he was innocent. He had brilliant defense attorneys. However, I have since done more research and now have serious doubts as to his innocence. Regardless, there was some shady, shifty things going on with both the Manitowoc police department and with the prosecution (and with the defense in the case of Brendan’s trial) which I feel need further investigation. I don’t know that the truth will ever fully be revealed. Such a sad case all around.
Brendan’s case is so, so sad to me, too. 🙁
I agree. In the first episode, Steven mentions that he ‘missed the birth of his first child, because he was in prison for that cat incident’. “Cat incident”? Must be serious if he goes to prison for it. So I googled it. He doused their own house cat with gasoline and threw it in the firepit to die. He was convicted of animal cruelty and put in prison. A tidbit that the director left out. So, for the rest of the series I did not believe his ‘I am such an innocent guy who got framed’ act. He looked more like the cat who ate the canary to me. The producers and director cut out a lot of other evidence to the contrary, too, like that his first wife said he similarly bound and gaged her. So, no, I don’t think he is innocent this time.
anyway.
Good that you and Chase are ok after your fall!
You’ve inspired me to go to story time! I saw someone else post about that and I realized we haven’t done it. I also NEED to make those truffles. Like, yesterday. Oh and your hat in that first photo is adorable!
I fell going up the stairs with my daughter a couple of weeks ago. My slipper caught on one of the steps and I fell forward. Thankfully I landed on my elbows (ouch) and she wasn’t hurt. But it’s so scary. I just started crying even though I wasn’t hurt! And my kids wear helmets so her little head would have been protected!
Glad your little guy is ok. Hope your ankle feels better soon!
I just wanted to throw out there that I am from Wisconsin and watched all of Making a Murderer and feel compelled to tell the rest of the country that not EVERYONE from WI talks like the Averys haha.
I actually just said to Ryan last night, “I wonder how the people of Manitowoc feel about all of this!”
hahaha my husband and I have started saying “yeah?” to each other when we talk on the phone because of that show!
HA!! Totally noticed this during the show! What a funny greeting… Yeah? Yeah.
My husband and I were/are OBSESSED with Making a Murderer. We finished it a while back but we still constantly send each other articles about and discuss it at least once a week. Such a weird case! I have a feeling Steven Avery is innocent, but I DEFINITELY feel like he needs to get another trial. I feel so bad for Brandon Dassey, though. That poor kid CLEARLY had no idea what he was doing when he confessed. So sad.
I hope your ankle heals up! How scary!
My now 2yo sin and I fell down my house stairs when he was 12 mos old. I was walking down with him in the morning prior to day care with socks and slipped on the 4th or 5th step up and landed on my butt and went down the steps all the way to the bottom on my butt n back twisting his leg in the process. I had pretty bad black n blues on back n butt but I was fine.he was crawling and standing but not walking yet and after the fall he couldn’t bare weight or crawl. We went to ER and not fractures just sprain and in a couple weeks he was back to good but it was so so scary. Now I walk so slow down the stairs if I carry him or he walks down the stairs slowly holding my hand. Glad you both are ok!
I am a little in love with Jerry and Dean too (Steven’s lawyers!) – there are so many memes out there for their fangirls! It took me a couple of episodes to get into it but once I was watching my roommate and I just watched with our jaws to the floor. At this point their innocence is fairly irrelevant – it’s simply that there’s definitely too much ‘reasonable doubt’ to have convicted either him or Brendan!!
Those truffles look amazing and I love the sound of cashew milk lattes. Cashews are so naturally high in fat, even compared to other nuts, that I can imagine the creaminess of those. Also, how cute are you in your hat and that adorable tartan scarf? Florida representing in the wintry weather! 🙂
I was carrying my dog out and slipped on the icy step and went over the side of my stairs (new house, no railing put up yet). I wound up twisting somehow in the air and landed in the snowbank on my back. No one was hurt and I received a bunch of licks from the dog who didn’t understand why we took the scenic route to the ground.
I am doing Jenny Craig right now, and the Chocolate Lava Cake is devine! I will be glad to start making my own food soon, and your truffles sound awesome! (5 pounds to goal!! woohoo!!!)
We watched the show as well, and feel that the guy deserved a better trial then he received. I am still not sure what happened, but it does seem like maybe there was some fishy things done to ensure he looked guilty.
When my daughter was around 15 months old I fell down the stairs while carrying her, resulting in her fracturing her knee and being in a full leg cast for a month, talk about mommy guilt! She is 15 now and thankfully hasn’t held it against me, but all these years later I still want to cry when I think about it! Glad you and Chase are ok!!!
This is probably going to sound weird, but the best thing I’ve eaten this week is Cinnamon Roll Toaster Streudels. I’m sick is a cold and sore throat, so nothing but junk food is sounding good to me right now. Cinnamon roll toaster streudel is absolute heaven. Also, I keep hearing Gretchen Weiners in my head going, “And I don’t think my father, the inventor of Toaster Streudel…” lol
Dude, Toaster Strudels are the jam. They take me back!!! I used to get in trouble for taking two icing packets for one strudel… 🙂
So much good content in this post. I feel while carrying my 20 month old while I was pregnant with baby number 2! It was so so scary. I thankfully protected both my babies, but my ankles and butt suffered the brunt of it. I’m glad you and Chase ended up ok, and that Sadie was there to give you kisses.
As far as Making murderer. I honestly want to believe he is innocent. The defense was amzing, Strang and Buting both. I can’t express in words the hatred I feel toward Kratz, and I just want to hug poor Brendan Dassey. I have 1 episode left and will be watching tonight. Sad case.
Enjoy your day!
Agree on all accounts! Poor Brendan. 🙁
I’ll have to try that latte the next time I’m in Charlotte! I loved that hat on Instagram too.
We got into Making a Murderer in the snowstorm and I’m all in too. So good!
I wonder how many people started watching it during the snowstorm! It was a Netflix kind of weekend! 🙂
Glad you guys are okay! I fell down the stairs a couple of times with my daughter when she was little :/ Luckily, Mom-instinct somehow kicks in and you are somehow able to totally sacrifice yourself for their safety! I still get nervous carrying my kiddo down the stairs! Sometimes I think she is better at them than I am!
Re: making a murderer: your comments are literally every single thing I have done/said about the show! We binge-watched 6 of the 10 episodes a few weeks ago … and I spent the following day obsessively reading Rolling Stone articles about Ken Kratz (perv!), Dean Strang (rock star!) and Jodi (not sure how I feel about her).
Glad you and your little guy are ok. I have no kids of my own, – but falling down stairs is also my greatest fear when I am with my niece.
Scary!!
My husband fell UP the stairs with my daughter when she was really little. Fortunately everyone was ok. I am still petrified of slipping while holding one of the twins. Ugh.
Gaaaaah – Cashew Milk is SO GOOD!! Genius to turn them into popsicles. (Wine popsicles? That sounds like fun, picnic fare. Haha!)
So glad you and Chase are doing alright. Hope your ankle heals quickly, too. Sprains are brutal!
Thanks for sharing your week with the PBF crew. 🙂
I share your stair fear while carrying my five month old… I’ve actually started wearing my pure barre socks around the house to help (hello crazy mom)!
Check out Imaginon in uptown for a daily storytime. There is lots to look at and a few fun indoor play areas for babies!
One highlight from this week was entering the NYC marathon lottery! The chances of getting a bib are slim, but I’m holding out hope! 🙂
We watched making a murderer on a trip to the mountains over Christmas break in TWO days! In the middle of the series I was convinced he was innocent but by the end I was more on the fence. I read this article (http://www.pajiba.com/netflix_movies_and_tv/is-steven-avery-guilty-evidence-making-a-murderer-didnt-present.php) and am now convinced that he was guilty. Sure there were some sketchy things about the trial, questionable things that law enforcement did during the investigation, and I don’t think it happened the way prosecution argued it did but he’s guilty for sure!
I finished Making a Murderer a few weeks ago and it’s crazy. I’ve never seen a show like it. It really does leave you wondering how many other cases had shady things going on from the sheriff’s department.
So happy you and Chase are both okay!
Are you happy with the Baby Einstein jumper/activity center you bought for Chase? How old was he when you put him in it? I’ve been eyeing it since you bought it and wanted to see if you were happy with the purchase. Glad the fall wasn’t worse!!
Oh yes!!! We use it EVERY day. It’s great! I think he was around 4 months when we started him in it and he’s only been enjoying it more ever since!
I agree with some of the other commenters – I’m not so sure he’s actually innocent. But I do think Brendan’s case is pretty messed up! Poor guy!!
These documentaries are super one-sided, but it definitely sheds light on a VERY messed up judicial system and how shady police can be. We live in a very sad world!
I don’t know if i can say is innocent, but I don’t believe there was enough evidence for the jury to convict him. Though we are innocent until proven guilty, right? The Manitowoc police are definitely unreal! (And if he is innocent, who did it??) I grew up in Wisconsin and was ~15 when this was going down. I didn’t pay too much attention to it, but my parents and friends’ parents have been chatting like crazy lately saying that he is “definitely guilty” (based on what the media was portraying during the events/trials) and “they refuse to watch it”. It was SO addicting though! My husband and I watched it within 3 days. 😀
Highlight of my week was running 4 miles solo, then picking up our german shorthaired pointer pup (7 months) to add on an extra 3 miles! He is going to be the best running partner. I LOVE your idea for Sadie’s birthday of giving her two food options and placing bets. We started doing it randomly with toys for Finn – one in each hand to see which he will pick. 🙂
Oh you poor thing! Falls are always scary, but it just shows that you are one fabulous and protective Mama Bear! I started watching the first episode of Making a Murderer–does it get better? Because the first episode seemed a little slow.
YES! We almost stopped after episode one!
I was FLOORED by the Steven Avery documentary show… still beside myself over that. I too loved Dean Strang. Such a great great passionate lawyer.
If you were shocked and into Making a Murderer, I would suggest watching Paradise Lost 1, 2 and 3 on HBO. It was an HBO original documentary back in the 90’s – following the trial of the West Memphis Three – the three teens accused and found guilty of brutally murdering three young boys. I will warn you it’s VERY graphic. I was sort of shocked considering the victims were children that the parents of these victims allowed the images to be shown etc.
I won’t give anything away but I have become so obsessed with this story. I’m currently reading Damien Echols autobiography. It’s truly sad what happens in the justice system to many people who can’t afford the high dollar lawyers or specialists to clear their names.
And with all that being said, I am totally going to research some Cashew Milk – I love Almond milk, and I’m OK with coconut but that cashew coffee drink sounds awesome!
Oh no! I’m so glad to hear that you are OK, but what a scary moment! I totally have a fear of falling down the stairs with my little guy too. We temporarily live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building, which means I have 2 long flights to go up and down with him several times a day. He is so squirmy right now (at 8mo) that I’m always afraid he’s going to squirm right out of my arms, or that I’m going to be so focused on holding him that I’m going to miss a step! I’m glad to know I’m not alone in this fear!!
Cashew milk lattes sound amazing!!
Your hat and scarf are so cute! Thank you for linking where you got them from!!! I am going to take the plunge and watch Making a Murderer. I have been dragging my feet but I just need to start! 🙂
Oh my gosh, ever since my baby was born I have been absolutely terrified of falling down the stairs with her. It hasn’t happened yet, but I did trip over my dog with her in my arms when she was about 4 months old. It was totally slow motion like you described, and I ended up contorting my body in some crazy way to make sure she didn’t hit the ground. It was SO scary. There is nothing worse than that feeling of knowing you are going to eat it with baby in your arms!!! Glad you’re both ok!
I recommend listening to Rebutting a Murderer on IHeartRadio…..it definitely gives another perspective!
There are 10 (i guess you could call) podcasts. On average about 12 minutes long each.
I love Making a Murdered! And agree that Ken Kratz comes across as a total sleazeball.
Julie! You must have been reading my mind with the brownie batter truffles! I have been on a serious chocolate kick this week and after making and totally devouring the peppermint bark recipe you posted in December I have been wanting to make the brownie batter truffles for my next chocolate snacking indulgence. Thank you very much for making the recipe so easy to access ma’am. 🙂 Chase looks adorable with his tongue out ! Hope your ankle gets better soon. Injuries are no fun.
Hi Julie, I am a long-time reader and truly enjoy your blog. My little guy is about 2 weeks younger than yours. I don’t comment very often but I did feel though I should comment on Making a Murderer. See I am from Manitowoc and what people forget is that this is a real town that was very affected by this whole case 10 years ago and now. Please remember that this documentary is one-sided and sensationalized to make money. I am by no means defending either side, but it is important to remember that this affects a community and families. Most cities have positives and negatives. I grew up here and later moved back with my husband. It is a beautiful harbor city and my hometown. Please remember that all this negative talk affects us. It is actually a pretty safe place to raise a child and the justice system is in place to do that. We have to trust that too. I hope this doesn’t start a debate. I just wanted to speak on behalf of the hometown that I love.
Hi Abbey! Thank you for sharing your perspective and love for your hometown with me! I hope my dislike for Ken Kratz didn’t rub you the wrong way, as I can assure you my distaste for him is relegated to HIM alone and I not Manitowoc! (I actually think your hometown looks beautiful in the aerial views show in the documentary and absolutely agree people can pick on ANY place and find negative things to say about any city or town.) I am glad you’ve found a place you love to call home and appreciate your comment.
So sorry to hear about your fall! I love those brownie batter truffles and make a batch nearly every week! I always enjoy one or two after lunch. So simply and tasty!
First of all, I am SO glad you and Chase are ok, that is terrifying. 🙁 Secondly, Making a Murderer was so, so good. As of right now, I believe he is innocent, but I don’t know, so many questions! Thirdly, I made your chocolate chia pudding last night and it was divine!! And next are your brownie bites, yumm…thanks for all the yummy recipes, I’m trying (and have so far been successful) to cut out a lot of sugar intake but this sweet tooth is REAL!
That latte sounds amazing!!