Month: July 2016

WIAW: Case of the Mondays

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

For some reason I thought that Mondays during my maternity leave would be easier. I wouldn’t be waking up earlier than usual to go to work … I wouldn’t have the usual pre-workweek anxiety about getting everything done in  time. I wouldn’t be recovering from staying up late evening night during the weekend.

Well. I was wrong. Mondays are still hard. Why? Mostly because B goes back to work- which means less help for me with FW,  less sleep (I sorta sleep in on weekends because B able to watch FW in the morning) and the slight anxiety of wondering how FW and I will survive the week ahead of us.

Needless to say, Mondays are still hard. Thankfully, this last Monday was a little easier. One of the reasons was because of food. B made me lunch (so I wouldn’t have to prep something during the day with FW), I had made snacks ahead of time and dinner was an easy semi freezer meal. It’s amazing how much a little food can make the day even better!  Anyway, onto today’s What I Ate Wednesday.
Breakfast was some yogurt and fruit. I get into breakfast habits and have been really enjoying nonfat plain Greek yogurt with honey and berries. I would also usually add granola, but I haven’t made some in a while and I need to do that. B also surprised me with a skinny cinnamon dulce latte- I haven’t had a caffeinated beverage like that in a year!

20160725_090930

For snack, I had nearly this entire large container of fruit salad.

20160725_112402

Lunch was a salad B had made me. It was awesome- under the corn/bean/tomato/cilantro salsa (courtesy B’s mom) was some chicken, pepperoni and cheese.

20160725_114756

Snacks were some grapes and one of these whole wheat oat peanut butter and jelly muffins modified from Running with Spoons.

20160725_170652

20160724_153302

Dinner was zoodles with some meatballs B made and homemade pasta sauce I had made plus a delicious salad. I was starving – we had gone to B’s softball game and didn’t get home to start cooking until after 8! I was pooped and tired. Thankfully B also feed me some cheese and pepperoni as a snack (unpictured) while dinner was being prepared.

20160725_204411

There we go – another What I Ate Wednesday. And not a bad Monday!

Some questions for you:

  • What is your favorite day of the week?
  • What’s your go-to breakfast?

Disclaimer: Stemilt sent me some complimentary Skylar Rae cherries, and I loved them. All views are my own. 

HOT in Cleveland (The Weekend We Bought a Car)

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 3 Comments

Well, we survived a HOT weekend in Cleveland, after a HOT week with the RNC in town. A heat wave came into town and it was already 80 by the time I woke up on Sunday morning. Yup, 80. Still,  we did manage to spend some time outside.

Some of the highlights:

Some baby wearing. Because FW seems to like that.

20160720_112554

Friday night patio beers to celebrate the weekend. Again, I finished half of one. 20160722_194349 20160722_194723

Saturdays at the West Side Market.20160723_123334

Buying a new car! Yup, we bought a new car.

20160724_171047_001

And celebrated with a drink on another patio.20160723_170421

Sushi.

Screenshot 2016-07-24 09.23.03

Oh, and I worked out for the first time since FW was born 4 weeks ago!! I ran 2 miles (slowly) on the treadmill and did some arms. Nothing big, but I was so excited! AND I ran 2.3 on Sunday. And my hips were a little sore!

Snapchat-7296365126280160920

Baking some healthy-ish PB&J muffins (from Running with Spoons) for breakfast/snacks this week.

20160724_153302

And spending some time with B’s family for Sunday dinner. FW got in some quality great grandma time!

20160724_171316

Some questions for you:

  • What’s the longest you’ve taken off from working out?
  • Did you have a heat wave where you are?

I’m linking up with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

Thinking Out Loud: 10 New Mom Musings

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

OK, I’ve only been a mom for 4 or so weeks (OMG MY BABY TURNS 4 WEEKS TODAY! </gush>), but despite the lack of sleep and exercise and healthy eating, my brain has been going nonstop and I’ve had so many random thoughts on motherhood. Instead of putting together a formal post on everything and life thus far, here are some of the random thoughts I’ve had over the past 30 days and I’m joining up today with the Thinking Out Loud linkup. As you can see, my brain goes all over the place and is completely opposite sometimes. Welcome to motherhood!

10 New Mom Musings

I LOVE our new family of three! It’s so much fun and my heart is so full. // I wonder if we could still be considered a party of two. Or I could sneak a baby into a theater? (This was uttered after B and I were offered 2 free last minute tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld. He was performing in a theater near our apartment)

family of 3!

family of 3!

There is no way I need a hundred and something diapers for him this month. // Holy cow, did I really go through 40 diapers in just 4 days?

I wonder if my body will ever look like it used to. // I can’t believe how mysterious/magical/powerful the female body is!

Wow, the days sure go by so slowly! Is it almost time for B to come home? // How is it already 6 o’clock? I don’t think I’ve gotten off this couch in 4 hours.

Wow, breastfeeding sure is convenient. I don’t ever need to bring a bottle or anything with me! // Wow, breastfeeding sure is inconvenient. It’s like I am just being used. I don’t ever get a break!

I’m so glad that ice cream can be eaten one-handed! // Will B and I enjoy a normal meal again ever?

I am so so so so tired. // I got 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night!

Newborns are great. They are so portable, are immobile, & I can bring one everywhere! // Newborns are tough. All they do is cry and eat; I can’t take one anywhere. Especially during meal times.

These freezer meals are amazing! I am so grateful for all my family and friends for helping us take care of ourselves. // If I have to eat another baked pasta dish or casserole tonight …where are the vegetables?

I can’t wait for FW to be older, sleep through the night,be able to tell us what’s wrong, etc. // Wow – I can’t believe how much he’s grown already! I don’t want him to keep growing – I wish I could freeze time!

fwc

So there you have it. A few thoughts after being a mom for one month. Moms out there- can any of you relate?

 

WIAW: Housesitting in the Suburbs!

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 7 Comments

Happy What I Ate Wednesday! We are halfway through a crazy week- it is madness in Cleveland because it’s the RNC! Yes, the RNC is in Cleveland and all our favorite places have been taken over by groups and media – and there are barricades and security checks all over our neighborhood.  SO – this week we have escaped downtown! We are housesitting in the burbs. So, today’s WIAW features some suburban eats 🙂 (yes it’s the same as downtown eats I suppose).

Anyway, I still haven’t gotten the hang of being productive and keeping a newborn happy. I’ll work on it – but I’m SO MUCH more productive and things are SO MUCH easier when B gets home from work.
Because we were planning on not being home this day, our meals were pretty much planned in advance. We brought over meals and just ate them at the house. So, here you go – day of pretty planned and delicious summery meals!

Pre-breakfast (yes, there was one) was some of Arman’s black bean brownie bars again. I got up at 5 am to feed FW and then B and I went for a walk to get some coffee, so I was needing some quick and easy fuel before my real breakfast.

20160711_164311

Here’s my iced tea I got at the coffee shop. I love Ruthie’s Tea at Phoenix Coffee and it’s not too bad iced!

20160718_082809

Here’s the real breakfast- I didn’t get a photo of it  all together (life is hard with baby) but it was plain yogurt, tons of fruit and very delicious.

20160718_104428

Lunch was this great salad. I also had some dressing on it (not pictured) and cheese. And some bread and peanut butter because I love the two together.

20160718_102935 20160715_150302

And a peach for a snack.

20160718_160646

For dinner, we grilled some vegetables and halibut steaks that we had gotten at the West Side Market. They were so good! It is nice having a grill to use because we don’t have one downtown.

20160718_195641

And it dessert? Coffee ice cream. Eaten a few spoonfuls a time while the baby was crying. That’s life I guess?

20160718_210452

But who can complain when he mostly looks like this?

20160718_174354

And that was my What I Ate Wednesday eats. Some questions for you-

  • New moms and stay at home moms- do you prepare your meals ahead of time so they’re easier to eat during the day?
  • What’s your favorite type of yogurt? And favorite yogurt toppings?
  • Is it still called brunch if you already had breakfast? Or is it just breakfast for lunch then?
  • When was the last time you had Swedish Fish?

Beer Is Good For You

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 11 Comments

It was another truly beautiful weekend in CLE. It was SO good to have B around – his first week back at work went smoothly for all of us, but it is so so much easier and more enjoyable for all of us with him around.

So what did we do? Well, in no order … (seriously, no order. This is not a summary of Friday through Sunday- trying something new here)

We took a walk and enjoyed great views like this one:

IMG_-38ggro

I wore FW around – I’m liking this baby wearing thing!

20160714_163038

We hung out with this little guy. I’m sorry in advance to all of you who follow me on Snapchat or Insta (@koskim on both) – for the abundance of baby snaps, videos, etc. I can’t get enough of him.20160716_180553

And this one. He is just too cute after his bath!

bathtime

B and I enjoyed some delicious food and drink. It only took me 3 days to finish this iced decaf 🙂20160715_082908

And I drank a whole half of this grapefruit beer. Baby steps. And speaking of babies – did you know beer is GOOD FOR YOU when you’re breastfeeding? Yes, it’s obviously in moderation (as in, I drank half of it …) but I read it on the internet. It’s GOOD FOR YOU. 20160716_203044

We tried out a new pizza place Friday night – it was pretty good!20160715_195551

I made French toast Sunday morning while B and FW hung out. Fact: Monk’s apple cinnamon bread makes amazing French toast.

IMG_20160717_111924

Saturday night called for Buffalo chicken salads.20160716_210407

Patio drinks are the best. Don’t they just taste better when they’re outside on a summer day? And it’s a lot easier to take a baby with you to a bar if you sit outside.

20160715_190338

We got in cute photos with the little guy like this one.

20160716_192917

And a family photo.20160716_193058

We checked out what downtown looked like now that the RNC is in town. Check out the layer of barricades going down the street? The republicans AND media have invaded – you see CNN grill in the background? As of a few days ago that said “Hairy Buffalo.”

20160717_123940

Twitter, Bloomberg, MSNBC and Washington Post have all taken over our former neighborhood.20160717_124257

And as usual we enjoyed a great family meal Sunday night at B’s parents. No photos – but imagine a RARE steak (#postpartumeats) and peach cobbler. YUM!

Well, here’s to a good week! Wish me good luck without B here during the days. I hope FW is getting used to life with just me during the days and will be a little less fussy this week.

Some questions for you:

  • What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?
  • Meat eaters-  how do you like your meat? Rare? Well done?

Per usual, I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

WIAW: Ugly Sandwich

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

It’s Wednesday already? Thank goodness – only three more full days until the weekend and it’s also What I Ate Wednesday! For those of you new, it’s a time for sharing and checking out a random day of eats. I love seeing everyone’s eats and sharing my own! These were my eats from Monday. I was at home with FW and had lunch with Cuoghi.

Breakfast was eaten fast with a crying baby before heading out for a walk to sooth crying baby and consisted of a few bites of a nectarine, yogurt and handful of blueberries with one hand. And no phot.

Lunch, however, was different. My friend Cuoghi brought me a sandwich from Herb & Twine and it was delicious! BUT it may have been the ugliest sandwich ever. It was a vegetarian meatball sub and not very photogenic. I meant to eat half Monday and the rest Tuesday, but I couldn’t help but eat it all.

20160711_124043

We ate outside in the new Public Square which was great, and FW slept the entire time. On the way back we took a break and met up with Nicole.

20160711_140746

After lunch, I finished off a cookie (or two) that I had made on Sunday.

20160711_164911 20160710_163004

And then, FW was fussy so I put him in the baby carrier and he slept for 30 minutes! While he slept, I made some of Arman’s black bean brownie bars – they were great! I of course had to taste test them.

20160711_164305

baking with a baby isn’t as easy as it looks

20160711_164311

We didn’t get to eat dinner until late, so for a pre-dinner snack, B and I had some bread and cheese.

20160711_190203

And dinner was toast with pesto and chicken and pasta soup. My mom had brought us a big container of soup when she came and visited and it was SO nice just to be able to take it out of the freezer and heat it up for an easy and satisfying dinner.

20160711_191720

And that was it! I typically have dessert after dinner, but I was so exhausted I passed out on the couch shortly after eating.

 

Some questions for you:

  • Do you have dessert every night? Any go-to desserts?
  • Have you ever made any black bean-type of desserts? Or chickpea? Or snuck other healthy ingredients into desserts (like zucchini, carrots, avocado, etc.)?

Loving Summer Weekends with the Baby

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

You guys. I had a GREAT weekend. I really can’t say it enough – I’m so full of love and happiness. It was a great weekend with B and FW. What made it so great? I can’t put my finger on it – it wasn’t one thing in particular, but it was just so many different things we were able to do, as a family of 3 (still not used to say that), and it was all so much greater than I expected.

Don’t get me wrong – I know not all weekends with a newborn (or child) are going to be great. Or easy. But this weekend had all the right ingredients – beautiful weather, great food, friends, fun things around CLE, long walks (still not able to run) AND beer(s). All of these, plus being with B and FW made for a wonderful weekend.

Some highlights:

Friday afternoon started out great. A pedicure and trip to the new Public Square to watch our niece and nephew splash in the fountain.

20160708_183012 IMG_20160708_143254

And then a visit to Flat Out Fridays- live music and food and drinks along the water in the Flats.

IMG_20160708_185744

Friday night=homemade pizza night for the second week in a row. I could get used to this. And the beer. Confession- my tolerance is zilch right now,  so I haven’t finished a full beer yet. Thank goodness B doesn’t mind helping 🙂

20160708_212546 20160708_213727

Saturday started with a long walk with FW. We hit up our favorite trail and got in the most steps I’ve had since he was born!

20160709_111649

We also took FW to the Cleveland Flea. I picked up some new local kombucha while we were there. It’s crazy to think how much has changed since the June Flea just a few weeks ago!

IMG_20160709_160948

After the Flea we hit up the West Side Market. And since it was so nice out, decided to stay out and hit up a local brewery for some outdoor patio beers!

20160709_161053
At the Market we picked up supplies for dinner – I finally got to have some RARE steak – the only way I like it. YAY! That and some lactation cookies from my friend Reanna (who had visited Thursday) made for a delicious dinner.

20160709_181643
Sunday, we had plans to hit up Phuel for brunch.  FW did great and we got to enjoy our usual and show him off to our regular server.

20160710_101057
It was another gorgeous day, so we opted to head to the park for a walk in the afternoon. We even saw a heron in the river fishing!

20160710_133113

And I spent the afternoon doing something  I’d been wanting to do since FW was born but haven’t – baked! I made these bars.

20160710_163004
That night, it was time to introduce FW to some new friends. We were invited to dinner at V’s house and it was great to see her and my other DCA friends and catch up.  Of course FW stole the show. And the delicious meal V made!

20160710_192652

And that, was our wonderful weekend. I hope all summer weekends with FW are this lovely and he continues to enjoy exploring Cleveland!

Some questions for you:

  • What color is on your toes right now – or what’s a go-to pedicure color? Do you go for pinks? reds? Coral? Or another fun color?
  • What was the best part of your weekend?

I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.

WIAW: Postpartum Eats

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

I’m back for What I Ate Wednesday! It has been a few weeks since I participated and I took off last Wednesday for good reason – I had just had a baby! That’s right, FW was born June 23 and I’m now a new mom. SO this week includes a random day in the life of a new mom on maternity leave, but with help. B was home this week so I had some help around the house, help with FW and time to prepare my own meals. It was great!

The reason I've been blogging less than usual

The reason I’ve been blogging less than usual

Breakfast was some yogurt, granola (my mom had made it and brought it when she came to visit) AND  a huge fruit salad. I’m still on a fruit kick and my parents bought me  a ton of fruit when they came and visited and we were given leftover fruit salad from our Fourth of July bbq, so of course I had to have some.

20160705_105240

I had a midmorning snack of some sushi. I ended up eating only 3 of these pieces that were leftover but they were good!

20160705_123143

B and I then went for a walk with FW. We’ve been taking daily walks with him and enjoying the sunny weather and being home during the day.

For lunch, I couldn’t decide what I wanted. Something sweet? Savory? Leftovers? So I had a bunch of random stuff in our fridge – veggies and hummus (B’s mom had made some hummus and brought it over for us), fruit and cheese, bread and peanut butter and a runny egg with toast. It is SO NICE to eat runny eggs again!

20160705_141147

For an afternoon snack I had a peach.

20160705_164628

For dinner, I decided to once again use some of the supplies we had in the fridge and made ginormous salads and flatbread pizza.  We had pizza Friday night and still had some cheese, homemade sauce and cheese – AND still had some naan from when B’s mom brought it over (to go with aforementioned hummus), and it made for a really good homemade dinner. Oh, and while preparing dinner I snacked on some fresh super soft mozzarella and pepperoni. Only mozzarella is pictured – sorry it’s not super photogenic 🙂

20160705_181843 20160705_192332

And for dessert? B and I shared some Mitchell’s ice cream – this is one of my favorite flavors!

20160705_204203

Some questions for you:

  • What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
  • Pregnant people and moms – did you have cravings during or post-pregnancy? Did they stay the same?

Fourth of July with the Baby

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 5 Comments

Well, B and I survived the first week home with the baby! Honestly, I don’t know how single parents do it – this first week was challenging, tiring and rewarding – but I did it all thanks to B. Not sure how I’m going to deal when he goes back to work in a week … but I digress.

We had a great holiday weekend! Showing FW around town, hanging out with my parents (who were visiting again) for the weekend and of course having some family time for the holiday.

Friday started with a trip to the West Side Market – we showed FW around our normal shops.

20160701_120144

And a trip to Gallucci’s for some wine and pizza supplies.20160701_134706

Because Friday night was pizza night! B made this awesome pepperoni and mushroom pizza with our new pizza stone. It was the perfect TGIF dinner!20160701_213247

Saturday morning was gorgeous, so we got in a short walk to the water and of course took some pics with FW.

20160702_125346

My parents got in that afternoon and they were very excited to see him! 20160703_125523

It stayed gorgeous out all day, so we needed the day with an evening out to dinner – burgers and wine outside downtown. My veggie burger was so good!IMG_20160702_190222

Sunday morning, B’s mom had everyone over for brunch. It was great to introduce the baby the rest of the family – and of course his cousins loved holding him again.20160703_132321

After brunch, we went for a walk around a nearby lake – it was great outside and it’s been so much fun sharing all our favorite spots with FW.

And for dinner? Sushi with my parents. Gotta love being able to eat raw fish again!

IMG_20160703_192316

Monday started out lazy. I had been up with FW much of Sunday, so we hung low and then got in a walk around downtown before heading to B’s family’s house for the Fourth of July BBQ.

20160704_181050

FW even got some bonding time with his great grandma.  He is so lucky to have so many family members nearby and not only all of his grandparents but also a great grandma!

20160704_201010

And that was it- a great Fourth of July weekend and FW’s first celebration!

I’m linking up today with Erin, Katie and the weekly wraps.