Baby yoga! ↓
Oh my goodness, the sun is shining and I’m feeling better then I have since, well, the last time the sun was shining! Sure, snow is potentially on the horizon this weekend, but for now I’m focusing on the 50 degree day at hand, the 70 degree one on tap for tomorrow, and a whole afternoon of childcare. Can I get an Amen.
This has been the toughest winter (there, I said it) I can remember in a really long time between this miserable weather, virus after virus, planning for the arrival of a new baby (exciting of COURSE but so many things to work out between potentially buying a new car, stroller, figuring out bedroom configurations, etc in just over 3 months – holy $@!&) and well, just really missing the dang sun! This Type A has to remind herself to stop and smell the roses which, as I’ve mentioned, I’ve been doing a much better job at lately. More time with friends, solo Saturday morning errands, and baking lots of these cookies. Best you’ll ever have.
Anyway, here’s what else is currently going on!
Time and place: 12:36pm in my office/photo studio/Ben’s hobby room/guest room/baby girl’s bedroom. Like I said, we’ve got some rearranging to do!
Researching: 16 personality types. I took the 16 personalities quiz earlier this week and the results were SPOT ON. Have you ever taken? I’m an ISFJ personality – aka “The Defender” – it’s been so exciting reading the results and nodding along as though someone finally understands me, ha!
Sniffing: Capri Blue Candle. The little boys and I walked into Anthropologie a couple months ago and almost immediately turned around because of the stares we were getting from employees (I get it – two baby bulls in a china shop) but the scent that was wafting our direction from a lit candle encouraged me to press on. This candle you guys – so lovely! I’m not a floral candle girl – actually, I’m not really a candle person at all. Up until that point I owned zero – but the scent smells just like Anthro (yum.) I actually haven’t lit it since buying as simply leaving the lid off still provides a ton of scent.
Craving: Crispy Chicken, Bacon and Pesto Gnocchi Skillet. One of the most difficult experiences as a recipe creator is sharing a recipe that you know in your soul is a winner, then having few people actually try it (or at least letting you know they tried it, I guess!) Thankfully that hasn’t been the case with Crispy Chicken, Bacon and Pesto Gnocchi Skillet. You guys are not only making this recipe but LOVING it, too. I’ve been making it once a week since posting – so quick and delicious.
Loving: Tuxedo Teeth Whitening Activated Charcoal Powder. I bought this product based on a review from a fellow blogger and it’s truly a miracle worker. It lifts surface stains in one use, is pregnancy safe, and a little goes a super long way. Using the powder is a bit messy so I only brush with it before my regular toothpaste maybe once or twice a week, but it’s so great to have on hand for a quick pick-me-up.
Avoiding: social media. Maybe it’s amplified by this never-ending winter, as I’m already feeling kind of blah, but I’ve just been feeling worse and worse after spending time on social media lately! Can you relate? Constantly being bombarded by vacations I’m not taking, workouts I’m not doing, crafts I’m not making, recipes I’m not creating, etc. Snarky Mom memes are about the only thing keeping me on there, ha! While a social media presence is required for my job as a blogger, I’m thinking about taking a one or two week hiatus from using social media for personal use. There’s just no time in anyone’s life for spending even a minute feeling bad about themselves based on what others are doing. Will share my thoughts after making it happen.
Living in: Ingrid & Isabel Maternity Leggings. I’ve been pregnant three times and thus feel I can speak confidently to good and bad maternity wear. Trust me when I tell you that through three pregnancies I have not owned a SINGLE pair of maternity leggings or jeans that don’t need to be tugged up 1,000 a day (without spending $200+ that is,) until I purchased these leggings. Tell your friends, tell your sisters, tell your co-workers – anyone who is pregnant needs to own a pair. I have them in black and wear them at least 5 days a week (not kidding!) Incredibly comfortable, no sheerness, adorable zipper detail on the ankle and, as I mentioned, they do not budge.
Wondering: What are you eating? I know half the country is still in spring limbo, including us here in the Midwest, but I’m so ready for lighter, springier foods. You too? What kinds of recipes are looking for right now?
Making: Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars. I feel like maybe I’ve only told Facebook this recently, but we are still going strong baking Maple Cinnamon or Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars every Sunday. I cannot stress to you enough how low-stress they make breakfast time. Pair with a few links of Jones Dairy Farm Sausage and/or yogurt, then boom, onto the next thing.
Reading: Pigeon Wants a Puppy. I guess I’m not reading Pigeon wants a puppy, rather, Lincoln is! The “pigeon series” of books have been a huge hit with my little man, who is 4.5. He’s always loved books but this particular series has encouraged him to not only try reading on his own, but illustrating and writing his own pigeon stories (and when I say “writing” I mean he writes out letters to make “words and sentences”.) Truly they have just brought out an entirely new enthusiasm for reading and writing that I didn’t know we were potentially missing! Plus they’re really fun for parents to read too…an important element when you’re reading the same book aloud for the 400th time. ;)
Swiping: Counter Cloths. A friend recently hosted a Norwex Party and I snagged a set of Counter Cloths, among a few other things. I appreciate their size, which is that of a single sheet of paper towel, and they’ve been great for small jobs like wiping up the floors after the boys are done eating (my Lord, the crumbs!) or wiping down windows and appliances. Best of all, they only use water to remove 99% of bacteria on surfaces. My paper towel usage went down drastically after starting to use e-cloths earlier this year, and these are helping us further reduce the amount of trash coming from out of our kitchen. Love them!
Laughing. Like I said, God bless parenting memes!
Watching: Will and Grace. I didn’t watch W&G when it originally aired back in the late 90s/early 2000s but am so glad I picked it up now – SO FREAKING FUNNY!! The first couple of episodes felt so-so because 90% of the plot line would never happen in real life, but after deciding to appreciate it for what it is – truly hilarious 90s-esque comedy – it’s been 30 minutes that I look forward to every week.
Pick a “Currently” category and fill me in!
HJ 04.11.2018
Currently working from home — on a lunch break and making choc chip blondies for my crew to take to a hockey tourney this weekend. My youngest is 11 and I had gnocchi when I was pregnant with her. I did not like it at all and have not given it a 2nd chance. This recipe may suck me in! Love these columns! I forget the toddler years! Take me back — at ages 14 and 11, I am not sure if I can make it through the teen years! Too much!!!
Kristin 04.11.2018
A friend once told me – the hardest stage of parenting is whatever stage you’re in – I truly believe it!
Jaime Bobadilla 04.11.2018
As always, love reading these “currently” from you!!!
Kristin 04.11.2018
Thanks Jaime – I really enjoy writing them! :)
angi 04.11.2018
the cookies referenced in today’s post….are they gluten free, i ask because i am brand new to the gluten free adventure and the recipe said all purpose flour which i thought was a no no in the gluten world.
Kristin 04.11.2018
I’m sorry, I should have clarified! I use King Arthur Gluten-Free “All-Purpose” Flour in place of the regular AP flour called for in the recipe. :)
Kristin 04.11.2018
Just took the Personality Test – NAILED IT. Oh Lord, not sure I should let my husband and kids read it because it’s so spot on they’ll feel redemption!! Also, heck to the yes on social media detox….maybe it’s a lack of Vitamin D (Spring, where ARE you??) but I’ve been down and cranky and def think it’s social media triggered :(
Kristin 04.11.2018
For sure lack of vitamin D related for me too – come oooooon SUNSHINE!
Kathleen 04.11.2018
Mo Willems “Elephant and Piggie” books are also fun !
Kristin 04.11.2018
We haven’t gotten past his pigeon books yet but those are on the list for sure!
Jill 04.11.2018
I just took the personality test – I’m a fellow ISFJ-T! Type A, Introvert all the way :)
Kristin 04.11.2018
Introvers unite!
LaurenL 04.11.2018
I LOVE your crispy chicken gnocchi skillet recipe, and I just tried your gnocchi chicken sausage vegetable skillet this week too which was equally delicious! I’d love to find more recipes like these that are geared towards spring and summer. I’m also on the hunt for easy, throw together lunch ideas for spring/summer.
I’m going on vacation next week, and my goal is to stay off social media as much as possible. Fingers crossed I can stick to it!
Kristin 04.11.2018
The best vacation I ever had was a few years ago in Mexico – I didn’t have an international data plan, and didn’t open my computer once. THE BEST!
Stephanie 04.11.2018
Going from 2 to 3 children is really life altering. We also had to go from a SUV to a minivan in order to accommodate all the kids and the larger (!!) stroller. Physically, being pregnant with baby #3 was very difficult as well. However, baby #3 was so easy. I wish you guys the same. Hang in there!
Kristin 04.11.2018
Thanks for the encouragement, Stephanie – much appreciated!! :)
Sara 04.11.2018
That bacon gnocchi! Made it last week and will again tomorrow night. :)
Totally ready for spring…where we will want to go outside and NOT spend all night scrolling my phone and/or watching tv. Time for some softball and sunshine!
Kristin 04.11.2018
Saaame – so tired of the TV. ?
Rachael 04.11.2018
I love the Capri Blue candle too! Target actually carries a candle that smells EXACTLY like this for about 1/2 the price – check out the Island Moonlight candle from the brand Bella by Illume at Target!
Kristin 04.11.2018
Oooo, good to know! If I ever get around to lighting/using this one, I will definitely look there for a replacement candle!
Gail 04.11.2018
Love that Lincoln has embraced reading and writing! (Reports like that always warm the hearts of retired reading/writing teachers.) If you Google “read aloud books for 5 year old (or kindergarten), you’ll find lots of great suggestions for you to read to him. It’s so important for parents to keep reading to their children. That’s what gives them the a sense of what comes next in our language. Keep up the great work, Mama!
Kristin 04.11.2018
Thankfully he has always adored reading and being read to – the writing thing just happened in the past few months. Things really click for kids when they’re ready, don’t they?
Lara 04.11.2018
Check out the Elephant and Piggie books – also super fun!
Kristin 04.11.2018
On our list – adore Mo Williams!
Maureen 04.11.2018
I 100% hear you on the social media! I gave up Instagram, and Facebook for Lent…and I feel SO much lighter! I have decided to keep the apps off my phone…at least for now :)
Kristin 04.11.2018
Such a great idea – if this one or two week period goes well I might just see how long I can keep going. 40 days social media free sounds like a dream!
Kristan 04.16.2018
Same! Lent was the push and boy am I ever grateful! My mind has so much more time for my kids, my husband, and MYSELF! Not in a selfish way, just in more of a present and aware way.
Paige E 04.11.2018
Amen to the social media hiatus! I noticed I get very down when I see what everyone else is doing and I am not. Talk about making me feel more mom guilt. UGH. Like we don’t have enough of that? Spring Break was horrible for me with this. We went nowhere and my kids had to stay at their grandparents house during the day since I was at work. No Disney. No beach. Nada. Sorry kids. :(
Kristin 04.11.2018
I think we put this pressure on ourselves because of what we see others doing – I’m sure your kids had a blast at Grandma and Grandpas!
Teri 04.14.2018
This is so true! I have to say – I felt that way several years ago with a lot of your posts before you started having all those beautiful babies!
Marci 04.11.2018
LOVE the pigeon books. I got my daughter the giant book “Don’t Let the Pigeon Finish the Activity Book” and it keeps her busy for HOURS!
Kristin 04.11.2018
That is on my list to get! We just got the iPad app and it’s been a huge hit!
Kelli 04.11.2018
I love that crispy gnocchi! I’m with the commenter above – I will never go back to boiling. Will & Grace is awesome. And I’m an ISFJ as well – those results were spot on. Have you ever done a DISC assessment? That’s a fun on too, but I think it costs money (we did it at work).
Kristin 04.11.2018
YES – we did it in college. I was one of three “high Ds” in the class I took it in. ?
Kristin Heiden 04.11.2018
The Crispy Chicken, Bacon and Pesto Gnocchi Skillet is super, super delish! Absolutely love toasted gnocchi, not sure that I will ever go back to boiling! We are watching American Idol (eh….), Roseanne and Rise.
Kristin 04.11.2018
I had the best intentions of starting Rise and totally forgot to tune into the first episode. Will have to On Demand it sometime!
Laura 04.11.2018
Please PLEASE do a post on maternity clothing! I am pregnant and due in early fall and I would love to get the opinions of someone who has been pregnant 3 times about what is worthwhile. It’s been a challenge…
Sarah 04.11.2018
I’m munching on a blueberry oatmeal bar right now. I’ve been trying to find a way to incorporate more oatmeal into my on the go mornings. I’m breastfeeding our second and can always use a nice boost to the milk supply. These things did the trick and are delicious!
Kristin 04.11.2018
So glad to hear it and yes, super to eat one handed too. ;)
Melissa 04.11.2018
I’m definitely interested in taking this personality test and already clicked over to the link to complete it! Also, those counter cloths look great, I’m always trying to find a cloth that cleans better than some of the old towels I have!