{My new running shoes: Kayano Asics–the most fabulous running shoes I’ve ever slipped my feet into.}
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a {MM}, & I’ve missed it. I’ve missed regular blogging. Because for me, blogging is about expression, connection, & those two things are sorta my oxygen.
Life since baby has been, a whirl. Days & days go by in a blur. Adding another little one to the brood seems to suck up any extra time I used to have (& I mean this in the best kind of way) .
Yesterday I was in a cranky mood. I couldn’t figure it out. Was it the broken sleep from the night before (Tyndale woke up every 2 hours)? Joseph had kindly taken the kids all afternoon so I could nap as long as possible between feedings. When I woke up, instead of feeling refreshed & alive, I felt cranky, cantankerous. I hate feeling that way.
Joseph made dinner. As we sat down & ate our baked potatoes & discussed the events of the day, the crankiness slowly melted away. I can’t explain exactly how it happened, but sometime between dinner & going to bed, the harsh edges of life softened. It wasn’t much–we ate dinner, I got around to playing dolls with Mali & Salem, helped the 3 older kids with a school project due today, had some family time sitting around listening to Joseph reading to the kids. But it was enough of the deliciously simple mundane, enough interaction & laughter & connection to bring me back from the haze of discontentment.
I feel a bit like I’m just getting my sea legs.
After you have a baby, there’s always this adjustment period. Of trying to figure out how to fit another little human being in the sometimes complex and messy puzzle of family life.
I once had a professor in college, one of my favorites, who was a mother of seven children. I remember her once saying, “I hate holidays, weddings, vacations.” I could not understand why she could say something like this–after all, aren’t those the times when she could really enjoy herself? When I asked her to explain why, she remarked that she didn’t like anything that pulled her away from her routine. Her routine was what kept her sane & grounded. Now that I have 5 kids, I understand what she was saying a bit better. More than anything, I desire to get back into a regular routine–to get back to the predictable rituals of life. This is hard when you have a newborn, but for me, keeping some sort of schedule, trying to figure out our new life with our newest addition in the mix, is absolutely imperative for my sanity.
It may take some time for me to figure out, so thanks for understanding & thanks for all your thoughtful excitement about Tyndale & his birth.
So, the {MM} good stuff.
Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:
♥ One of my favorite bloggers, Bethany, opens up, in a fresh & honest way about perspective, weight loss, & change–a must read. I agree with Bethany, hitting that perfect number on the scale doesn’t change much. Is no guarantee of bliss, happiness, or contentment.
♥ This clip made me laugh (a lot)–proof that I don’t take healthy eating too seriously (at least most of the time).
♥ Mormon friends, did you see this article in this month’s Ensign (an official LDS publication)? I’ve received some emails from readers about it. It made me so happy to see ample encouragement for reducing our meat consumption (totally in line with counsel found in the Word of Wisdom) & delighted to see T. Colin Campbell’s research in the footnotes.
♥ I know the Superbowl was yesterday, but this roundup of Superbowl party recipes is a good one to have around for any parties/get-togethers you may have coming up.
♥ Recently watched:
Finally got around to watching The Godfather (I’m probably the last person in America to do so), thanks to Clearplay. One of the best shows, ever. Al Pacino–that steely gaze (!), & Marlon Brando, what a performance. Definitely going to watch this one again. Also, those Godfather references by Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail finally make a lot more sense now.
Mud–Mathew Mcconaughey was stellar, but my fave actor was the 14 year old boy.
Also, I’ve been watching episodes of The Good Wife during my middle of the night feedings to keep me up (I hate falling asleep while I’m breastfeeding). I think this is my new fave TV show–love that the lead is a smart, bold woman in a non-abrasive way. Cast & writing is top-notch.
to pin:
(all recipes are vegan & gluten-free)
thai vegetable slaw w/
siracha, lime, & nut butter dressing
radicchio salad with endive, orange, & walnuts
5 ways to bake better kale chips
Lots of love, hope you have a fantastic week.
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