Good morning and Happy Valentine’s Day!! I hope you all feel extra loved today because you certainly are loved by me! We don’t have anything too crazy on the agenda for today but I do have a small surprised planned to hopefully make Ryan smile when he gets home from work. Nothin’ fancy, but sometimes simple is the best, right!?
Before we’re off to eat way to many chalky-but-still-delicious candy hearts today, I wanted to hop on the computer this morning and share a recap of yesterday with you guys from beginning to end!
Morning
Ryan and I were both up just after 5 a.m. yesterday morning and while he headed into our mini home gym to row, I made my way downstairs into the kitchen to fix myself a bowl of triple chocolate protein oatmeal to enjoy along with my daily devotionals. The triple chocolate protein oatmeal never looks good in pics (especially when I make the microwave version) but it always tastes delicious, especially to a chocolate lover like me.
I managed to squeeze in nearly two hours of work before saying goodbye to Ryan and switching into mom-mode for the day when Chase woke up and began calling out to me from his room. “Moooom! The sun is up!!!”
We read some stories in his room before making our way downstairs for breakfast (a whole wheat pumpkin muffin for both of us) and then Chase saw me pull out the slow cooker for a little dinner prep and insisted on being my sous chef. We threw together everything we needed to start Pinch of Yum’s Queso Crockpot Chicken Chili and then made our way upstairs to get dressed and ready for the day.
Up first on our agenda: Exercise! We arrived at Burn Boot Camp in time for a late morning workout and while I modified the heck out of this one, it still felt good to get out of the house, move my body and work up a bit of a sweat.
(The varied font and strike-throughs represent my modifications.)
After our workout, I had one mission for the morning: Get Chase a haircut! Ryan and I have been putting off a haircut for Chase for-ev-er because we actually love the way the longer length looks when it’s styled and parted… But it NEVER stays that way for more than 2.5 seconds since Chase doesn’t sit still for more than 2.5 seconds. Shorter hair was becoming a must because his bangs were getting in his eyes all the time and it was beginning to bug the heck out of me.
He was a champ at Snip-Its and we left with trimmed hair and a grape lollipop in hand. (Chase is all about purple everythinggg when given a choice these days.) Before driving home, we made a pit-stop at a local coffee shop to pick up gift cards for Chase’s two preschool teachers as a little Valentine’s Day surprise because they are just the best. I also ordered a decaf latte and Chase picked out a sprinkle macaron which made his whole day.
Afternoon
We spent the rest of our morning assembling Valentines for Chase’s preschool classmates and coloring cards for his teachers.
Chase got really into it thanks to markers and a wide variety of stickers. Eventually Chase went down for his nap after a quick lunch of half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, green beans (he loves the garlicky ones from Whole Foods’ hot bar) and apple slices. One he was settled, I began working on the computer which included getting a jump start on a future blog post and responding to time-sensitive emails.
Though I ate the other half of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I made for Chase for part of his lunch, I was still quite hungry for a real lunch during Chase’s nap and reheated a bow of Thai coconut chicken soup to eat as I worked.
I swear leftovers save me almost every day! I also rounded out my lunch with a small bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch because I cannot stop with the cereal lately.
Once Chase was up, my friend Carrie and her two kids came over for about two hours for a play date. When I told Chase his BFF Lilly was on her way over when he woke up from his nap, he was so excited and we quickly assembled a Valentine for him to give to her, complete with a lollipop that of course Chase had to have, too.
Chase and Lilly had a blast running around the house while Carrie and I caught up and snuggled her baby boy.
Evening
We said our goodbyes to Carrie and her crew a little after 6 p.m. and Ryan arrived home from work just before 7 p.m. After some indoor soccer and golf in our family room with Sadie and Chase (oh yes, Sadie gets very into our games), it was time for dinner.
Dinner came together in a flash thanks to the crock pot and we all loved the queso chicken chili which was no surprise since it’s the fourth time I’ve made it in three weeks. Clearly a winner for the Fagan family!
After dinner and Chase’s usual bed time routine, he was snuggled up in his crib which gave me and Ryan a chance to catch up and chat about our days. Before cracking open my latest book (errr.. turning on my Kindle) and eventually falling asleep, I also watched half of Monday night’s episode of The Bachelor and I am just noooot loving this season. I’m kind of bummed about it because I really liked Arie on Emily’s season but I am sticking with it because I accidentally stumbled upon some spoilers via Instagram and the ending of this season seems INTENSE. Drama city, here we come!
Before signing off for the morning, I want to, yet again, wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you all have a fantastic day filled with chocolate and love. Thanks for stopping by PBF today!
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Hi, I was wondering what kind of rowing machine you have at home? I’ve been considering buying one, but the Concept 2 brand that I use and like at the gym, is quite expensive.
After a lot of research Ryan settled on a Concept 2 and absolutely LOVES it. He got it after Chase was born because he found he wasn’t making it out of the house to the gym as regularly and it was definitely a splurge but he uses it almost every single day. He loves that it’s compatible with their app and he can participate in virtual competitions, too!
Thanks for your reply! I may just have to bite the bullet and invest in Concept 2, as I love it as well.
Of course!! I know he doesn’t regret it AT ALL but if you have any specific questions or concerns, I can definitely give you Ryan’s email!
Corry, I would check out CraigsList. Sometimes when gyms (especially CrossFit gyms) go out of business or people move they’ll sell their rower on CraigsList. I know a couple people who have gotten a really good discount on a Concept 2 rower this way!
Happy Valentines Day! So cute chase made cards for his pre school class. In elementary school this week we’re talking a lot about trying to be a good friend for valentines day.
And omg having SUCH a hard time getting into this season of the bachelor, I dunno what it is. I’m not the biggest fan of Arie maybe plus the episodes are just SO long, but I didn’t know there’s lots of drama at the end. I guess I’ll have to keep watching lol.
That chicken chili recipe looks delicious – I am going to need to try that out soon. And I have heard such good things about Yum Earth candy lately – I want to try that, too! Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day with your boys today 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day! I helped my son make Valentines for his friends too. It’s so fun to see how excited they get! Have an amazing day with your boys 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope that you do an update on Chase soon, my little guy is a few months younger and I always love reading about other moms’ eating/sleeping/play habits with their babes! I’m also so excited for some posts about your hopes for the transition to two babies! Can’t wait to see Chase as a big brother! <3
Ahh!! I need to do this! I’ll try to get it up next week!
I’ll second the interest for a post in transitioning to two kids and your thoughts on everything! That’d be great!!
yes!! I heard the Bachelor spoilers too and can’t wait for the finale!! Are you skipping celebrity big brother?
We are! The last two seasons were fun to watch but for some reason the celebrity component doesn’t intrigue me as much! Are you watching? Are we missing out!?
It`s okay but not nearly as good as the summer version! I fast forward a lot (same with the Olympics!) I couldn`t tape Monday`s episode because I was already taping Bachelor and the Olympics but I will just watch the recap. I can`t wait for Survivor to start!
Can you post the recipe for the Thai coconut chicken soup? It looks wonderful!
Yes! Here ya go: https://www.fannetasticfood.com/thai-coconut-chicken-soup-recipe/ It is so tasty and quite healthy, too!
Happy Valentine’s to you! Love how creative Chase is…and purple is one of my favorite colors too!
Happy Valentine’s Day! Have a good one!
What a sweet day!! Would love to hear your thoughts on some good devotionals!
I looked up that recipe for the queso chili yesterday- do you follow it exactly or Just dump everything into the crock pot? Thanks and happy Valentine’s Day!
Hi! I’ve actually played around with it A LOT. I’ve made it the way the recipe calls for and I’ve also completely omitted the skillet-roasted veggies (so it was essentially just black beans and chicken) and both versions were awesome and very flavorful! Last night I was feeling lazy and didn’t add the corn and peppers and we still loved it.
I have two book recommendations for you. First, I’m reading The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and I’m also listening to “In Farleigh Field” by Janet Quin-Harkin on Audible. I’ve not finished either one, but I’m SO into BOTH of them and they seem to stream-line with the types of books you read as well!
I read In Farleigh Field and it was so, so good!! Glad you are enjoying it, too!
This soup looks so delicious! And I agree, this season of the Bachelor is so horrible. I can’t even make it through a whole episode!
You’ve mentioned a couple of times now that you stopped doing planks since you found out you were pregnant, but can you explain why?
Hi Theresa! I’m still doing them on occcasion if they feel okay but lately they haven’t felt great for me in my lower pelvic area and my lower back so I’m just opting out on a day-to-day basis and seeing how they feel. I do think planks can be a perfectly safe core exercise during pregnancy but also think it’s so important to listen to my body right now.
Happy Valentine’s Day!! So cute that Chase makes Valentine’s cards for his preschool teachers and friends, I love everything you do with him! I am also so not loving this season’s Bachelor. It is just horrible. I hope you have a great love day!! Xoxo
I’m 13 weeks and cannot stop with the kid cereal! Your Cinnamon Toast Crunch treat made me laugh. I e been having lucky charms for dessert each night lol. It’s the best! Hopefully I can cut it out once baby comes!
Haha! I seriously can’t stop right now! It’s just too good!
Wasn’t making valentines this year SO much fun?? I’m LOVING this age!! And ohhhhh Bachelor. Aye aye aye. Ha! This season is killing me!
My son is a tiny bit older than Chase and also “gets up with the son”. I don’t know what we’re going to do come summer….. Mooooooommmm its 5:30! 🙂
I am TERRIFIED of early sunrises. Does your son like the book Go Dog, Go? I blame that book because there’s a line in there that says something along the lines of, “The sun is up! Now is the time for the dogs to get up. It’s time to get going! Go dogs, go!”
You know we haven’t read that one but we read a LOT of solar system/planet books, so he’s sort of obsessed with Earth’s relationship to the Sun (to the extent he understands it). Harrison basically won’t get out of bed on rainy days because the sun isn’t up yet!!
Hi and Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Yesterday was my birthday 🙂 Today we’re going out for dinner and I agree with you about The Bachelor and totally saw some spoilers too! I personally don’t really care for Arie. He was a dummy for letting Seinne go, she was the total package! Hope y’all’s day is perfect xoxo
Happy Valentine’s Day Julie!
The pic of Chase dumping salsa into the crockpot cracked me up…so much concentration!!
I cannot get into the Bachelor this season either….maybe bc so many of the contestants these days just want to be Insta-famous? Who knows but I’ll keep watching til the end if there’s drama.
Agreeeeeed. I miss when it felt a little more real and genuine back in the day!
This post was fun to read! It sounds like you had a busy, fruitful day. Thanks for sharing.
The chili you made for dinner looks so good!
I saw Chase dumping that salsa can on your IG stories, kids got better aim then me I’m a super messy cook!
Ha! It doesn’t always work that way! 🙂 I’ve cleaned up more than my fair share of rogue beans, quinoa, oatmeal… the list goes on!
That recipe looks yummy, but I’ll admit I’m probably too lazy to actually roast things before tossing them in… would it still be good? haha Have a fun Valentine’s Day over there 🙂
Confession: I definitely skipped that entire step in the recipe last night and it was STILL good! I just omitted the skillet-roasted veggies (so ours was just basically chicken and black beans) and it was still crazy flavorful!
I’d love to know what brand of bread you buy for Chase’s PB AND J. My son hasn’t loved sandwiches and we typically always have Ezekiel which doesn’t make the best sandwich in my opinion! I’ve bought fresh bread from the bakery but it always seems to get hard too fast. Any suggestions??
YES!!! So I was in the SAME situation but finally discovered Dave’s Killer Bread Thin Sliced and it is perfect! –> http://www.daveskillerbread.com/21-whole-grains-and-seeds-thin-sliced/ The ingredients are great and the thinner slices are perfect for little ones. Chase likes it a lot and he’s pretty picky. Plus it stays soft for a solid 5-7 days and we easily go through a loaf in that amount of time.
hi! been loving your blog for years and years! my oldest daughter is Chase’s age, and I am always so inspired to see you cooking with him! can you share some tips and tricks on how you include him in dinner-making? I find my attempts often result in a lot of hazards/huge mess/cranky toddler wanting to eat raisins or chocolate chips LOL. would really love your insight on it! also, does he eat such wide ranging meals?! would love to hear your experience on that too, as she tends to stick to the same foods that she likes. thanks so much!!!!
When were you able to eat Mexican food again? I’m 16 weeks and though I feel a gazillion times better, I still can’t look at food with Mexican spices on it! My husband has been mourning this change since we used to eat it a few times a week.
I swear you have mentioned this in the past, but my searching skills are not up to par this morning. Which daily devotionals do you use? And which one do you like the most? Thanks!
I’m not loving this season either, but I am liking Tia for him the most so far. 🙂
OH man I’m addicted to the Bachelor too and I don’t even like Arie, I didn’t really love him on Emily’s season and this season I feel like the girls give so much and he’s just sitting there like ‘ohh yah’ and then ‘let’s make out!’ but yet each week I tune in and I’m really starting to love some of the girls …and of course I”m always intrigued by the ending..so time will tell..lol.
Yes! Exactly! He’s just kind of blahhh and doesn’t seem to have to contribute or say during the conversations with the women.
For your cereal kick: have you tried the cinnamon toast blasted squares? They are a cross between cinnamon toast crunch and mini wheats…very yummy! I found some on my last target visit
side note: as a teacher we always appreciate sweet gestures like your valentines gift/card 🙂 so thoughtful when parents think of you! (especially when the kids decorate and ‘sign’ the cards..the cutest! )