So I’m usually an early riser. I like to blog in the quiet of the morning before the chaos of the day erupts. However, this might be a bit of an extreme for me, as my clock currently says 3:23 am. I just tiptoed back from the kitchen at my parents’ house after nibbling on an olive and several crackers loaded with hummus. Nope, not pregnant.
It started when I let Koda out at 2:00 am (prednisone leads to excess thirst and therefore extra potty breaks). Then Kaitlyn wanted to snuggle around 2:45 am (heard me perhaps?), but by the time I was back in bed my stomach was convinced it was morning and grumbled until I agreed to get up and feed it. So, I gave up and here I am, tummy full of hummus.
Oh wait, you didn’t click over to hear every minute detail of my sleeplessness? Ok then, let’s backtrack some more.
Friday we loaded up the car and took off for Georgia for no other reason than just to spend some quality time with my bro, SIL and adorable niece who live just outside of Atlanta. The girls (aged 4, 2 1/2, and 1 1/2) took all of 2 seconds to say hello before they took off, chasing each other and giggling- a trend that continued throughout the weekend.
So often we travel only for holidays or specific purposes, so it felt like a mini-vacation to just be there to hang out. Kris and Cara fed us so well, with lasagna, home made pizza and breakfast smoothies too!
I am now feeling inspired to make more fruit and veggie blends at home- delicious!
Also, if anyone is in the market for a high-power blender without the price tag of the Vitamix, I was quite impressed with the power of their Ninja Blender, which easily pulverized ice, kale and everything in between. //thumbs up emoji//
Saturday we paid a visit to Roswell Park, which has 3 large playground sets right next to each other, also known as bliss! All the kids (even the big ones) enjoyed themselves immensely.
That afternoon my cousin came over with her sweet 2 year old and her adorable 3 week old baby boy!
SWOON.
I won’t even pretend I wasn’t tempted to consider a third baby when baby Jack fell asleep in David’s arms. What can I say? The man just looks good holding a baby!
Meanwhile the ladies caught up on everything from breastfeeding to baby sleep while the kids created chaos, ahem, played, around us.
Moments like this made me wish we all lived closer. Letting the cousins run wild and giggle makes for my favorite kind of craziness.
Sunday morning we wised up and remembered to pack a picnic lunch as we headed back to the park. Aunt Cara whipped up some delicious sandwiches that were quickly devoured after a solid hour or two of playground antics.
The girls and I were set to hit the road from there, but being the weird grocery store aficionado that I am, I tagged along to a new-to-me grocery store, Sprouts, where I marveled at the brilliant and simple idea of hummus in a squeeze bottle.
I’m easily thrilled.
Instead of heading back to NC, the girls I took off east to visit Nana, Papa John and Grandma Betty. I arrived with girls that were tired from their weekend whirlwind, but Nana was ready with toy planes to fly and food to help make.
Grandma Betty helped out with crafts
and Papa John shadowed my little acrobat who wants to do nothing more than climb on chairs and play in the sink.
All in all, it’s been a solid weekend full of family fun. I’m so glad we took the trip and now I’m just hoping I can keep my eyelids open for the drive back home today… coffee anyone?!
How was your weekend??
Does anyone else ever wake up during the night and head to the kitchen?
…anyone?
Ali says
Usually the kitchen visits don’t happen in the middle of the night unless I am lying in bed, trying to fall asleep at 9/10/11pm and realize I am starving (eating at 6 and bed at 10 means I usually want a snack at 8:30/9). I hop up and usually grab some cereal or pretzels with PB and a drink and then head back (very quietly) to bed since I am married to THE lightest sleeper ever who usually can’t go back to sleeping if awoken after 3am (not conducive to the baby nursing time period!) Anyway, here I am rambling. So glad you had fun in ATL and drive home safely today.
Karen says
Love the idea of hummus in a squeeze bottle too…
Jerrica says
It’s 4 am on the west coast and I haven’t slept a wink. Must be the night for insomnia. Good luck getting through Monday-at least I am not alone! In all honesty though, my husband and I started watching how to make a murderer tonight and I think that is causing me anxiety…oops!
John J. says
Great being with you and your precious two girls!
Kate says
Wow, by now you must feel either super-productive or super-trashed! 😉
What a great family weekend! Those are the best! Our weekend was really productive – lots of meal prep, cleaning, laundry, and play.
Have a great week – and enjoy your second breakfast!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a fun weekend! That itty bitty baby is so cute!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Looks like an amazing weekend, and you’re right – that combination of man and baby is just darling! It’s funny to think I’m at the age where that’s happened for a few of my friends on the younger side (at 24/25), and while I know I want that in the next five or so years, whenever in that range is anybody’s guess…life just gives you unexpected blessings sometimes. My first friend to have a baby hadn’t planned it with her new husband, but it happened, and he looks just as good with his little man!
Heather says
The kitchen visits don’t usually kick in for me in the middle of the night. If anything, I might wake up thirsty, but that’s about it. Looks like you had a wonderful weekend! I won’t lie, tiny babies lately make me wish we weren’t done having kids. :p
Elizabeth says
Yay Roswell! I love it. We go to that park all the time especially in warmer weather. You were literally right on the street our n’hood is off of (Houze Rd is where Sprouts is; we’re basically at the Houze/Hembree intersection). Did you like Sprouts? I have to try that hummus! Hope you enjoyed your time. It really would be fun to meet up sometime that you’re back in these neck of the woods. Another fun thing to do is to go to North Point mall. My kids love to walk around, look at stuff & sometimes we go on the carousel. Oh, where does your brother live? I wonder if our kids will be in the same schools – that would be funny.
Hilary says
I used to feel the need to do this, then I started eating meal like snacks before bed and now I don’t haha, but I guess it’s what works for you right!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I remember growing up far away from cousins too, but seeing them on rare occasions was the best treat ever. Isn’t it awesome that Hailey will probably grow up, always remember this extra trip! I love that. 🙂
sherry says
So much fun to have you and the girls (and Koda too) make an extra stop to see us! I have, on occasion, made a trip to the kitchen. If I do, I usually grab a pretzel or two and dip them in peanut butter then back to bed. That sounds pretty good for now too.
Sarah says
Night time visits to the kitchen only happen when I’m pregnant! Which I currently am 🙂
Lee says
Ooh, there’s a Sprouts right near my office. Must find squeezey bottle hummus.
Malerie says
Oooh I love exploring grocery stores.. it’s like a treasure hunt to find all the cool and crazy things people come up with (anyone else glad we got rid of the colorful condiments!)…
Your girls are just too cute… but i think your hubby is ready for a little boy!
Cassie says
Uggg… middle of the night eating is my worst habit.
Leah says
What a fun weekend! I wish my kids had cousins! What great memories they are making. Sweet baby too! I love me some breakfast smoothies 🙂 I totally get hungry if I wake up in the middle of the night and have to eat something or often won’t go back to sleep.
Emily S says
All the time! I can’t sleep if I’m hungry. 🙂