‘Sup? Hope you had a nice weekend!
We’ve had a big week up in this piece!
Lincoln had not one, but two newborn photo shoots, the first one done by my amazingly talented friend/photographer Lindsey Koch, who really thinks outside the box. She brought these adorable headphones to snap this photo as an homage to Ben’s obsession with all things hip hop. I think we’ve got a budding DJ on our hands!
Last Thursday Ben and I also got out for our first post-baby date night. I was so excited to spend some one-on-one time with my (big) guy. The grandparents were itching to babysit, so we headed over to our favorite restaurant in town – Miyabi 9 – for some sushay.
The first sushi I’ve had in 9 months!!! Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we ate about 3/4 of this massive platter. Salmon nigiri and an Asahi for dessert. : )
Afterwards we strolled down to the nearby riverwalk and attempted to grab another brewski by the water. I had maybe 1/2. Boy did it taste delicious, but it was putting us to sleep! So far Lincoln’s been a pretty predictable sleeper (we have him on a 3 hour schedule during the day and 4-5 hour schedule at night) but broken sleep is still broken sleep. We actually joked that we might go rent a hotel room and sleep for our next date night…or just switch houses with my parents for the evening. ; )
Determined to continue our streak of getting out and about, the three of us went out for brunch on Saturday to Jethro’s (we seriously need to stop eating out…but it’s just so good!) Just three weeks ago we were here without a baby – weeeird! I started with a hot cup o’ (decaf) joe…
And face planted into an order of breakfast quesadillas. Crispy tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, and smoked pulled pork, slathered with guacamole. Brilliant.
Later that day we hit the trails for a nice long walk. It was hot but there was a great breeze, and the sound of the cicadas reminded me that while summer is winding down, we’ve still got a little time left. Thank goodness. I reckon we went almost 3 miles.
It’s hard to believe that just 2 weeks ago I was hobbling around the hospital hallways and now I feel 90% back to normal. Ok maybe 80%. Not ready to run by any means, but gosh, the difference 2 weeks makes is night and day.
Saturday evening we had some friends over for a BBQ, and I enjoyed something I’ve been waiting ALL summer for – Hell or High Watermelon Beer! Long story short my Father in Law went to NINE places in Minnesota a couple weeks ago to locate this beer for me. They don’t sell it in Iowa and I’d been seeing it all summer long in my Minnesota friend’s social media feeds. I love a juicy, sweet beer, but the watermelon flavor in here was super subtle, almost an aftertaste. Even so – LOVED it! Sadly I think it’s now out of most stores for the season (hence the reason for having to hit up nine different ones.) Good thing he got me three 12 packs to last all Fall – muwahaha!
Ahem. In order to ration them I had one and called it a day. Someone else wasn’t able to control themselves quite as well. ; )
I hung out until the full moon appeared then hit the hay. L was fussy-boots in his crib, and our busy day had tired us all out. A 9pm bedtime is the new normal for this gal!
IGE Survey Results!
In other news, I am SO jazzed about the response to the IGE survey! Over 10,000 people weighed in, and I am so grateful for your honest reviews. Here’s what I’m taking away from the results:
- More lifestyle posts and continue with a mix of dinner, breakfast, lunch, and dessert recipes
- More chicken and vegetarian recipes. I always knew vegetarian recipes were in demand, but not like this! Will work to get more of those in the mix.
- The majority of you find the step-by-step photos very helpful. I’ll continue to do those, though I may scale back on showing individual teaspoons of spices, for instance.
- The vast majority was very interested in seeing baby posts/pictures, which is good news for the baby channel that I still plan on launching. The channel won’t have a set schedule for posts, so I’ll probably include a link to them on the main channel here, advertising that they’re up.
- You love Friday Favorites! There were many requests and emails to continue Friday Favorites. At this time I haven’t had, well, time, to surf the web, which is why they’ve been on hiatus. I hope to work them in once or twice a month in the future though.
- Several people requested improving the search function on the site. Will definitely look into this.
- Several people also requested easily printable recipes. There is a link to “Print this recipe!” on every recipe, and you can also print recipes from the “Recipe” section of my site, accessed by clicking the “Recipes“ link in the main navigation bar.
- Thank you for all the post ideas – I saw a lot of requests for gluten free recipes and info. Will definitely look into this!
Plus many more! Here’s to the future, and thank you again. I’ll be emailing the winner of the $100 VISA Gift Card later today.
Have a great week, everyone!
Courtney 08.19.2013
He might be the cutest baby ever! What a doll!
Tom T. 08.19.2013
We have the watermelon beer(along with about 50 other summertime flavors) here in Columbus everywhere, people must just love to drink here. 10,000 responses and you have already gone through all of them! You are good, more like amazing.
Lauren Williams 08.19.2013
Wow! Looks like you had a very busy weekend with a newborn! That scrambled eggs quesidilla looks amazing! My friend used to work at Jethro’s and always bragged about the food. Why the decaf coffee though? I figured a new mom like you would need some caffeine ;) That headphone picture is just too cute!
Denise 08.19.2013
Okay, that headphone pic is A-DOR-ABLE!!!! And now I need to find that beer…hell or high watermelon. You look amazing. I am so happy for you and your new family! :)
Mary Hansen 08.19.2013
Breakfast quesadilla?? Recipe, please!
Betsy 08.19.2013
I’ve been missing the Friday Favorites but I’ll happily enjoy your family weekend recaps in their place for the time being!
lisa 08.19.2013
Hi – just a quick thank you for all you do. I can’t believe how you stayed right in the swing of things. I love your blog. I “LOVE” watermelon beer – I had one at a place called beer works two years ago – there’s nothing like it. But, I’m looking forward to some imperial pumpkin stout now that fall’s approaching – I love pumpkin anything. You have a beautiful family – my best wishes to you all!
Sonya 08.19.2013
Love seeing Lincoln’s photos! My fav is the headphone photo! So sweet!
Jane 08.19.2013
Love the updates, and cute pic of L! I noticed you and Ben have that “sleepy eye” look, lol. I don’t think I could stomach watermelon beer, but glad you got to enjoy some! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us, :)
Erin 08.19.2013
Congrats again on the most adorable child ever to be born in Iowa. Glad you are getting out and about with Lincoln! Love the headphones pic…too cute!
Kate 08.19.2013
So yeah the ONE downside of being a new mom is all the unsolicited advice from “experts”. Ugh! That Brant!! YOU be quiet you, and let Ben and Kristen enjoy their few hours of interrupted sleep already and their beer! You are doing a great job, Mama and Daddy, and we couldn’t be happier for your family. Hugs for the baby.
Nichole 08.19.2013
OMG! Cutest pic ever – those headphones?!? I DIE! He is absolutely precious!
Elizabeth 08.19.2013
Love the update on your adorable lil man! I had a sip of a watermelon beer this summer and loved it! I can’t wait until I can have a whole one in about 4 more weeks (that’s when my lil man is supposed to come). Glad you got such positive responses to your survey!
Blair @ wild and precious 08.19.2013
hi pretty momma!! just swinging by for the first time. what a sweet SWEET cutie you have! i’m due with my second in less than 4 weeks! (so ready!)
anywhoo, i actually have a “life Lately” link up on Monday’s — a no rule kinda thing where you can link up anything from… well, life lately!… would LOVE to see you come share your post!!!
http://www.wild-and-precious.com/2013/08/life-lately_19.html
xo
blair
Traci 08.19.2013
L is the most precious little boy! So cute!!!!!
Tracy 08.19.2013
He is a cutie!
Fun to hear the results of the survey and I’m happy because I agree with everyone else :)
Have a great Monday!
The Many Thoughts of a Reader 08.19.2013
Yumm. I need the beer and the quesadilla. Now.
Allison 08.19.2013
I LOVE Hell or High – one of my go-to summer beers!! Did you happen to remove the Freezable Chicken, Rice and Broccoli recipe? I attempted to make it this weekend, but something was a little off – maybe the rice I used. I was going to give it another go, but can’t find the recipe. Thank you!!
Iowa Girl Eats 08.19.2013
I did :( Some other people had troubles with the recipe too so I took it down until I can figure out what’s going wrong with it! So sorry for the trouble!
Allison 08.20.2013
Gotcha! Kind of glad to know it wasn’t just me ;) It looked so good, so I might try the other chicken rice casserole recipe you previously posted. Keep up the great work!
Kerry 08.19.2013
Love the first two pictures. How expressive! You are looking fabulous post-baby! I saw that beer on your IG and I so need to check it out!
Lauren 08.19.2013
I love the photo of Lincoln hanging out on Ben’s lap. And your hell or high watermelon photo earlier this weekend inspired me to pick up one at our local tap house. It was tasty, but definitely just a hint of watermelon. I wouldn’t mind if it was a bit more flavorful myself. :)