Good morning! How are you guys doing? I am feeling rejuvenated after a weekend with family and friends and a few hours of baby-free boating. Aside from the day I spent away from Chase in New York back in May, I haven’t been away from our little guy for more than a couple of hours at a time, so four hours of boating on the lake while Chase hung out at home with my mom left me feeling more rejuvenated than I thought possible. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself… Let’s back it up a bit and begin with Saturday!
Saturday
Saturday began with a Burn Boot Camp workout that included a bursts of cardio and some kettlebell strength exercises. It was tough but not a total killer and I arrived back home feeling energized. By the time I arrived home, Chase was getting a little fussy, so I nursed him and put him down for his morning nap. My mom offered to stay at home on baby monitor duty so Ryan and I could take Sadie on a walk before the heat of the day set in, so the three of us headed out on a three mile walk around the neighborhood.
Ryan and I had to laugh because Sadie found a stick almost immediately and started jumping all over the place as we walked down our driveway. I think she noticed the lack of a stroller on the walk and couldn’t repress her joy and enthusiasm.
By the time we made it home, Chase was just beginning to stir, so I grabbed a quick shower and got ready for the day. We spent the rest of the morning playing, snacking and entertaining Chase before it was time for us to drive over to my friend Megan’s house for her son’s first birthday party!
(FYI for those who order regular Stitch Fix deliveries, my maxi dress came in a recent delivery and I love it! The back has a crisscross open design that I adore.)
Chase’s friend Carey turned one last week and we had so much fun celebrating his special day with some of Chase’s baby BFFs.
We first met Megan and Carey at Gymboree when Carey and Chase were the only two boy babies in a sea of girls. Carey is such a sweet little boy and Megan had him looking extra special for his party with his hair parted with gel.
The party was a lot of fun Megan did such a great job decorating her house to fit the party’s Dr. Seuss theme.
All the little ones crawled around and played in the backyard and living room until afternoon naptime rolled around and we all had to say goodbye to the birthday boy around the same time.
Chase fell asleep in the car on the way home but thankfully transferred to his crib for a long afternoon nap after a brief nursing session. Ryan and I hung out with my mom and I made a batch of baby banana oatmeal muffins for Chase while he rested. (I’m planning to share the recipe on the blog soon because they were ridiculously simple and Chase loved them!) Eventually Chase woke up and we all headed out for some oh so exciting Saturday night errands to Lowe’s and the grocery store. Woop woop!
Sunday
Chase ended up sleeping past 7:30 a.m. on Sunday (after waking up to nurse at 4 a.m.) so we got to ease into the morning a bit which was really nice! Ryan headed off to the gym while my mom and I hung out and ate breakfast. Eventually Chase woke up, so we played for a while before my friend (and former blogger!) Caitlin came over with her two adorable kids to spend a few hours with us on the boat!
For all the former Healthy Tipping Point readers out there, Caitlin says hi!! She’s doing so well and we had a blast catching up and spending time together in the summer sun.
Initially my mom and Chase were going to join us on the boat, but my mom said she wouldn’t mind some time alone with her grandson and kindly offered to watch Chase and give us some baby-free time which was so nice.
Last summer, Ryan and I would often pack a cooler, take the boat out at 11 a.m. and not return home until after 6 p.m., but now that we have Chase in the mix, our boating time is typically limited to 90 minutes or two hours at the very most so it felt special to be about to be out on the water for almost four hours on Sunday.
We made it back home right before Chase was ready for his late afternoon nap, so the timing of everything worked out pretty well! While Chase was sleeping, I worked on the blog a bit before dinner and more baby playtime. This weekend passed by in a flash and sort of felt like the official kickoff to summer to me. I’m hoping for a lot more weekends filled with family, friends and fun in the sun in the coming weeks!
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Looks like such a nice weekend with friends AND family time. Four hours out on a boat an summer day sounds fantastic.
also- I love that Stitch Fix maxi dress!
https://thedogtribe.com/2016/06/27/finding-the-perfect-engagement-ring/
Sounds like such a wonderful weekend! It sounds like we treat the mountains like you guys treat the lake – a short distance away, but a way to feel like you’re on vacation in an instant. We headed up to Vail for a day hike that was HARD, but I felt so accomplished at the end.
So great that your mom is back in town for an extended period of time, too! I’m sure it’s been a blast to watch their relationship blossom while you and Ryan have some time to connect as a couple of two. 🙂
Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
Seeing them together really is so great! Chase absolutely lights up around her!
It sounds like you had an amazing weekend. It was so nice of your mom to stay with Chase so that you had time to spend on the boat. My family used to have a boat and now that I am older and could really appreciate the time on it I miss it so much. Maybe some day there will be a boat again in my life.
So nice to see Caitlin! I miss her blog. I remember my first long stretch away from my son when I was able to hang out with my husband as we did Pre-Baby. It felt so refreshing to have a few minutes to unwind, relax and bond with him. Looks like a fun weekend!
Fun weekend.
Caitlin ~ ~ I miss your blog…. you and your kiddos!! I’m glad you are doing well.
Her kids are the cutest! <3
Hi there 🙂 Thank you! I’ll always remember your sweet comments Reenie!
Looks like a fun weekend, and it’s so nice to see Caitlin! She looks so beautiful and happy!
Why don’t you just have Chase nap on the boat? Babies are so adaptable! Give him a chance to show you how adaptable he is! It might surprise you!
Oh man we’ve tried!! He freaaaaks out. He has always been really distractible and just doesn’t sleep unless he has a room free of stimulation. We’re hoping that might change!
Unfortunately all babies are not “so adaptable”! Like Chase, my daughter also doesn’t nap unless she’s in a quiet, stimulation free environment – and yes, we’ve tried many, many times! I was totally that person before I became a parent that was like, oh, my kid is gonna be able to nap anywhere … but, alas …. whomp whomp. No.
I would love to know where your bathing suit is from. It is adorable!!
Thanks! It’s from BCBG but I bought it several years ago.
That sounds like the majority of our boating- 90 minutes is about normal and I am actually planning a day when we can go down for hours kid free! I wasn’t able to do any water sports last year and I’m so missing it.
Thanks for the update on Caitlin! I miss her blog. I think I initally found PBF through HTP.
Me too! I found your blog via hers.
Glad she’s doing well….I always enjoyed her blog!
Boating looks fun…glad it was a good day for you guys!
Sounds like you had a fun weekend. The cupcakes at the birthday party look delicious. It must have been nice to have some baby free time!
What a fun weekend! I loooove the idea of hours on a boat, where you get to let your guard down and not have to worry about checking a watch minute by minute.
My husband and I loooove to sing that song “Pontoon” by Little Big Town, and every time we hear it we’re like, “we need to rent a pontoon!!”
Great weekend recap, as always.
Love your dress! How nice of your mom to keep Chase so you guys could enjoy baby-free boat time. My husband and I spent all weekend on our boat too. We like to stay out for at least 5 hours each time. Time seems to go so quickly on the water!!
I agree! There’s something about “lake time” that passes by SO fast!
What a fun weekend and you look amazing! Holy abs Batman!!! Way to go!
I initially found out about your blog because of Caitlin and HTP! Miss her blog so much! I love in Charlotte but we were up at LKN this weekend and on the way home tried Brusters— have you been there? I had salted caramel with toffee and OMG, it’s amazing! You gotta try Brusters for ice cream if you haven’t yet- it would totally make it on one of your Friday Faves!!!
That’s so wonderful your mom can help out with Chase when she’s in town. It wasn’t until my second kiddo that I finally took up the free babysitting from my parents! Also where is your black suit from?!..
It’s from BCBG but I bought it 3 years ago or so? 🙂
There is nothing better than boating in the summertime!
I just want to comment on your ability to make random friends and turn those friendships into REAL relationships!! I feel like it is SO hard to make friends when you move to a new place, but it seems like you’ve had no trouble at all making new mommy friends and really getting involved! Way to go!
Me too I always feel like its me we just moved and I”m having the hardest time making friends too !
I feel like so much depends on the area! I had a much harder time finding people my age and connecting with people when we lived in Ocala. It’s definitely challenging to move and meet new friends and I feel very grateful that the women I’ve met in the area here have been so kind and welcoming.
Ahhh I need a boat day! The water looks so nice. I don’t like getting in it, but boating on it is probably my favorite happy place. I’m glad you got to enjoy the weekend outside and with your mom!
Love that dress! I know you said you got it from stichfix but what is the brand of it? 🙂
Very cute dress. Love the maxi look.
I’m impressed you make it work with only 90 minutes. It inspires me to actually go do something with my son. Ha! 🙂
You look great! I remember your post about it taking 9 months to fully get the baby weight off, but you don’t look like you ever had a baby!
Isn’t it amazing how just four hours alone with your husband…without any baby interruptions can be totally refreshing?! And even better to have Grandma there to love on your little one while you’re away! I completely (totally) understand having 60-90 minute windows between naps and nursings to go out and have fun! The schedules are so worth the snuggles though! 🙂
Glad you were able to get some boat time with just the two of you! Im sure your mom wanted it so she could have Chase to herself! haha 😀
You look amazing!!!!!!
Ok, you look amazing mama! Holy abs, batman!!
I miss Caitlin and her blog! I found your blog through hers, and I miss reading her controversial, thoughtful posts, and about her beautiful family!! Thanks for the update on her!!
What a fun party! I love your dress!
Looks like an amazing summer weekend 🙂 That stitch fix dress is super cute!! Thanks for sharing the details!
So nice to see Caitlin! And glad to hear she’s doing well. I miss her blog!
I am getting that maxi in my Stitch Fix box tomorrow!! I hope it fits because it is super cute (and it will be my first maxi)!! Now I have to find cute shoes to wear with it. 🙂
Caitlin!!!! Miss your blog like crazy!! You look amazing & happy! 🙂
Dude, your body!!! Wowowowow
Love that dress, you are way too freaking cute! Please tell Caitlin to come back, I really miss her blog…:)
Isn’t it amazing how refreshing you feel after a couple hours away?? Love it!
As in THE Caitlin, HTP Caitlin!! I find myself thinking about her frequently since our kids were about the same age and I followed her through pregnancy and the newborn days. So glad she is doing well!
Omg Caitlin! Miss your blog and your family stories so much!! Great to hear you’re doing well. You look happy & healthy!!
I was wondering when Caitlin would make an appearance on your blog as I knew you were friends. Glad to see her and hope she’s doing well. I, too, miss her blog!
I’m running in the Runner’s World Festival here in Boston next weekend and I remember introducing myself to you both a couple of years ago at the expo at Boston College! It was a bit of a fangirl moment seeing some of my favorite bloggers together!
Happy Summer!