Hi friends! My blogging schedule will probably be a little all over the place right now to the point where I probably shouldn’t call it much of a schedule but it’s only because I’m doing my best to soak up every second of these precious newborn days with my family and Ryder.
Ryan and I felt very fortunate to have a house full of our favorite people this weekend. My sister and brother-in-law and my parents bunked up with us this weekend and got the chance to meet Ryder for the first time. (Well, my mom already met Ryder since she drove in town early to help with Chase after his birth but it was everyone else’s first meeting!)
After everyone arrived, we spent Friday night grilling chicken thighs and digging into juicy watermelon, roasted sweet potatoes and a deliciously whipped and creamy icebox cake before calling it a night around 11 p.m.
Saturday
Ryder’s sleep is predictably unpredictable at the moment and we’re currently up every two(ish) hours for feedings in the night. I’ve been struggling to fall back asleep after Ryder’s 5 a.m. feeding but thankfully on Saturday I fell back into a deep sleep until a little after 7 a.m. which felt fantastic!
Once everyone was up for the day, we dug into a giant breakfast casserole and hung out on our back patio for several hours. It was so nice to ease into the day with my family and enjoy some time outside while we sipped on coffee and took turns soaking up baby cuddles and playing with Chase.
Eventually everyone was itching for a little activity and while the majority of our crew headed out on the boat to spend a few hours on the lake, I figured 90+ degree heat wasn’t a great idea for our new baby so my sister joined me and Ryder for an afternoon outing to Birkdale Village.
How beautiful does Leslie look!? She’s officially 28 weeks pregnant and just entered her third trimester. She’s been feeling great during her pregnancy and it was so wonderful to be able to see her and her belly!
During our time at Birkdale, we popped into Clean Juice for smoothies and then picked up some treats I’m planning to take to the hospital this week for the amazing nurses and doctors who took such wonderful care of Ryder after his birth.
By the time we made it home, my family was back from their boating adventure and we spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around, baking a belated birthday cake for my sister and chatting away.
Once Chase was up from his nap, we piled into our cars and headed up to Mooresville for pizza at Alino’s. My family is almost as obsessed with Alino’s pizza as we are and request a visit to our favorite pizza spot almost every time they come in town. You don’t have to twist our arms to make that one happen!
(Chase was clearly not feeling the family photo!)
We shared three large pizzas and they were fantastic as always!
Our Saturday night concluded with birthday cake at home and Leslie was sweet enough to let Chase help her blow out her birthday candles.
Sunday
Sunday morning began a lot like Saturday morning as we all dug into a French toast casserole. We had plans to take the boat out at 9 a.m. before the heat of the day set in since I cannot swim at the moment and we wanted to keep Ryder’s exposure to summer heat to a minimum. It felt so nice to be on the water even though Ryder’s wasn’t a fan of his infant life jacket. Thankfully he thankfully fell asleep quickly and the boat ride was nice and breezy!
By the time we made it home, we were ready for an early lunch and Ryan and Ross grilled up some burgers and we threw together a big salad and paired it with a bunch of fruit for an easy summer lunch.
Leslie and Ross had to hit the road to make the drive back to Florida after lunch on Sunday and though we were sad to say goodbye, we feel so grateful that they were able to take time out of their busy lives to spend a few days with us and meet their new nephew!
My parents are staying with us for a few more days (woop!) and the rest of our Sunday was rather low key. Ryan and my dad went to work out a little after lunchtime while my mom and I began watching Hart of Dixie on Netflix with Ryder while Chase napped. The show isn’t television mastery but it’s cute and entertaining and I have a feeling it might be my new go-to nursing show. (When Chase was a baby I discovered Grey’s Anatomy for the first time and got totally sucked in!) I was pretty tired after a weekend filled with family fun and we were all content to change into our pajamas early and spend the rest of our Sunday around the house.
Our plans for the rest of the week are pretty up in the air but we’re hoping to make it out to a local Fourth of July celebration on Wednesday and Ryder has another pediatric visit on the agenda.
I hope you all have a great week!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
First, you look great (blonde on point) and Ryder is the cutest! Second, I binged watched Hart of Dixie and can say it does suck you in! It’s a good “feel-good” small town show, so good nursing vibes!
definitely a “feel good” show with drama that doesn’t feel TOO dramatic, ya know!?
“Hart of Dixie” was my maternity leave show, too!
Omg I binge watched hart of Dixie last January haha!!! That’s literally all I remember of January 2017 ? it definitely leaves a lot to be desired in the acting aspect but Wade sucked me in episode 1 and I watched all 4 seasons just for him ??? #fangirl4lyfe
hahah Wade is the best! 😀
Hart of Dixie was my nursing show after baby number 2. And greys anatomy after #3! With #4 I’ve been watching scandal though let’s be honest, with 3 bigger babes theres not much time for anything but playing referee
It’s such a cute show so far!! Did you make it through all 4 seasons? I always seem to lose interest in shows like this after a season or two but I’m hoping this one may hold my attention!
I did! But I nursed a lot 😉 and I was actually sad they canceled it. It was the perfect show to watch when brain dead from sleep deprivation
Sounds and looks like a great weekend! My baby was (finally, at 41weeks and 1day) born this morning at 1:23am. Looking forward to transitioning to a family of 4!
If you’re looking for another show, I highly recommend Madam Secretary, it has become my nap time show this summer! Also as a long time reader I love seeing your family grow, Ryder is so cute!
Sounds like such a great time!!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me .. SUBTLE 4th outfit ideas!
I never comment but I have to say that I watched 13 seasons of greys while nursing my first bebe—everytime I see it now it makes me think of that sweet time! Still a fave even though it’s so ridiculous
Haha, I did the same thing! I’ve already seen all of the episodes, at least twice … but Grey’s was what I keep turning to and I’m currently on season 5 with my 3-month-old 😉
Leslie DOES look beautiful! How fun for you two to experience motherhood so close together – those babies are going to be besties! I’m glad you guys were able to have family up so soon, what a huge help I’m sure!
Hart of Dixie is a perfect nursing show! Also “Offspring” — its Australian and generally light-hearted. I got through 7 seasons in 3 months of nursing 🙂
Have you watched GLOW? You look SO much like the character Debbie, especially when she’s dressed up as Liberty Belle!
You look awesome for just having a baby! I laughed when I saw Chase’s face in the family photo!
Since you seem to like books with a mysterious twist, 🙂 I would definitely recommend binge-watching “Pretty Little Liars” next! I binged that show after my first child was born and I flew through the episodes. Definitely a guilty pleasure mystery show!
I second Pretty little Liars! Such a great show!
I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant and as a boating family we are hoping to be able to take our little one out on the boat this summer! We have an infant life jacket ready to go so I’m excited to hear you were up to going out on the lake with Ryder so soon! Hoping to be able to do the same!!
I never comment but Hart of Dixie was my nursing go too! For both of my boys!!? (2 and 6 mo) it’s so stinking cute! Congrats on Ryder! Can’t wait to see more pics of him and Chase together!
Hart of Dixie is definitely not my usual type of show but ugh, it totally won me over and I made it through all four seasons. It is adorable and cheesy but one of those feel-good ones that makes you come back to it!
When I had my son in April 2016, “Hart of Dixie” became my nursing show!! I got through the whole series :). It’s a cute one!!
So happy to see you and Ryder and the family doing so well! And how special that you and your sister will have kids so close together (those cousins might be bffs!) Happy to hear that Leslie’s pregnancy is going so well!
Love being surprised by a post today – you do you, and post on whatever schedule you darn well please! You look great, and I hope the healing for YOU is going well too! <3 Glad you have your family around to support you!
Hi! You probably already have a fan but this one was a lifesaver last summer with a newborn to keep them cool and air circulating since it has two speeds and a long battery life! My 2 year old (and 1 year old when he gets a chance) still use it! It’s been one of my go to baby gift for anyone having a spring or summer baby! Enjoy all those newborn snuggles!
O2COOL 5-Inch Battery Operated Clip Fan, Camping Fan, Portable Fan, Battery Operated… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01508UXTO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_YfToBbC7JSGCD
I have a 7-week old (first baby) and had family in town when the baby was two weeks. I can’t believe you’ve been able to do all that fun stuff with such a little one! Good for you!!
Hart of Dixie was my go-to show when I had my son last year!! It was cute and perfect for those 2 a.m. feedings 🙂 Ryder looks precious!
My nursing show was Parenthood. I get such cozy feelings every time I see anything from it now.
Enjoy this special time!
I looove seeing pictures of Ryder! every time I check Instagram I hope there’s going to be a picture of him!! You can’t post too many in my opinion! You have such a wonderful family! You and your sister will love having little ones at about the same time! So special!
Miss and love you all… so good to see Leslie looking so fantastic! Hart of Dixie is a great show… I loved that it wrapped up completely without having to wait for “next season” add-ons… great amount of drama-without-drama! Enjoy the fourth – we’ll be thinking of you all at the wedding!
Xoxoxo
So great that your family got to meet and spend time with Ryder when he’s still super teeny tiny. They change so much in those first weeks. My sister visited when my daughter was only a week old but my parents didn’t get to visit until she was two months old – huge difference!
I loved “Heart of Dixie!” Makes me want to live in a quaint little town like that. ? Thanks for sharing these fun family updates. Enjoy the together time with your new little man! ❤️
I LOVE Hart of Dixie! It was the best show and had great music. Outfits are cute too 🙂
It seems everyone is in agreement about how great Hart of Dixie is! I loved the simple storylines and her outfits were adorable. I would recommend the new queer eye show on Netflix if you need another “feel good” show. They do an awesome job uplifting people.
Oh dear, now I’m going to have to check out Hart of Dixie… and I haven’t even managed to bingewatch Supernatural Season 13 yet!
Your mom is lovely, by the way 🙂 It looks like you had a nice weekend.
I love Hart if Dixie! I can relate since I’m a New York transplant now living in NC. I watched all four seasons when it aired then considered rewatching it cause I liked it that much!
Julie, you look so good!! And Ryder is just TOO CUTE! As a long time reader, (like literally since your first peanut butter fingers posts) I am so beyond happy for you and your family! It truly makes me smile when I see pictures of you all happy. Enjoy every second of this special time! Xoxo
Thank you, Kayla!! Your comments truly do ALWAYS bring a smile to my face! <3
Hope you enjoyed family time! Clean Juice sounds perfect for this hot weather!
If you have Amazon Prime, check out THE MARVELLOUS MRS. MAISEL — so funny. On Netflix, Gilmore Girls (as yu have sons)
Love Sadie’s and Kona’s ears on the boat and your sister’s bump is so cute!!!
One of my best friends has been telling me to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel forever! I need to check it out!
your family is just the sweetest! Congratulations on little Ryder!
Also, I am SUCH a Hart of Dixie fan, I was so sad when it was over.
All of your photos you’ve been posting have made my heart swell with joy and warmth for you all 🙂 Sending all of the sleep-vibes y’all’s way!
Thank you so much, Ruth! <3 Feeling very lucky right now for sure!
ha I binged that show as well when I was nursing Hudson, so light and easy to watch! Sounds like a fabulous weekend!
Ryder is such a cutie, just like his older brother! I’m so happy ya’ll got to spend quality time together as a family. Those early days of having a newborn and an older child are precious but can also be overwhelming, so I’m so glad you have your family for support. I just visited NC for the first time last week and every time I drove past Lake Norman, I thought of you! My aunt just moved there to NC so I took my 4 month old to visit her. NC is so beautiful with all of the trees and the lake, and Birkdale Village was such a nice outdoor mall. I loved it!
Ryder is such a cutie! That’s so nice your family was able to spend time with you and meet your newest family member 🙂
I don’t think Hart of Dixie is on Canadian Netflix :(. I watched Murdoch Mysteries a LOT when on mat leave with my first and this time around I’m really into Brooklyn 9-9!
Glad to see you and baby doing so well. You and your sis both look gorgeous.
Oh my goodness – Ryder is such a cutie! Having your new baby meet family is so special. We just took Skyler to Florida to meet my side of the family and Scott’s family is next with an upcoming trip to Arkansas/Missouri in just a few weeks! Enjoy this amazing time with your baby (and Chase!) – so happy for you! xo
Hart of Dixie has been my maternity leave show. Grey’s was my late night pregnant show lol
Ahh, love seeing all the pics of your family so much! I’ve never been a huge boat/lake person but your pics sure do make me want to go on one now. 🙂 Your mom looks beautiful and I love how your dad is so distracted by his new grandson that he’s not looking at the camera. 🙂 You and Leslie look beautiful as always! How long is the drive from where your parent/sister live again? If your parents do consider moving, would Leslie and Ross consider moving, too? 😉
OH man I love heart of Dixie!!! It’s super cute, like Gilmore girls meets Friday night Lights ( which if you haven’t watched dooo it nowwww)
SO glad you got to spend some time with your family and it was insanely HOT here too, so much that luckily we got to spend time at my neighbour’s pool and we bought ourselves an ‘adult’ version of a kiddie pool!!! Happy 4th of July to you guys xo