Well, my goodness, I certainly did not mean to take such a long hiatus from the blog — Happy 2017 to all of you!!
I hope all of you have been able to kick off the new year having fun, being productive, or whatever else you’ve “resolved” to do this year. I have a mental list of a gazillion things I’d love to do, but I know better and realize I probably just need to narrow that down to a solid two or three. Maybe I’ll even blog about it one of these days!
I wish I could say that my short hiatus from the blog was because we were out having a grand old time, enjoying the end of 2016, but sadly, we were stuck in the house for a good, solid week. Just as Lucas started getting a little better with his cold, Alex caught it. And that poor babe was in some rough shape for a few days…and then I caught it.
Whatever “thing” this is going around right now is no fun, but it seems like all of us are slowly coming out of the clear and I’m on my way to no longer sounding like a chain smoker. Whew!
Even though we were stuck at home with sick and crabby kiddos, it wasn’t ALL bad. Jay was such a huge help around the house, since I pretty much had Alex attached to me for the majority of the day, for a few good days. He made some incredible bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches on bagels one morning.
He’s really such a great dad. At the risk of sounding sappy, I really am so freakin’ lucky with this one. : )
I actually managed to finally get some baby food made up last week, too. So far I’ve got butternut squash, peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes…SO easy, and definitely saves money!
(How do I make them? I just buy it fresh or frozen, puree it, divide it out in ice cube trays, then once they’re frozen, I store them in gallon freezer bags that are labeled!)
Sadly, which you may or may not see there, I also wound up using my last bag of milk from my freezer “stash” (I put that in quotes because I’ve never been able to produce a ton of breastmilk to allow me to stockpile a large stash). I was a little bummed about it at first, but Alex is with me more days than he’s not, so if he winds up needing a few extra bottles of formula on the days he’s at daycare then I’m totally cool with it. It is what it is!
Let’s see, what else?
You may have also seen on Instagram yesterday that we’ve been playing about a gazillion games of Candy Land over here…
Who would have thought? The boy who wanted only “cars, trucks, and monster trucks” for Christmas, and his favorite thing is Candy Land. Thanks for that one, mom and dad!
And another thing that has come and gone since we last chatted? Our 7 year wedding anniversary…which blows my mind.
Some days it feels like it was an eternity ago, and then other days, it feels like it was just yesterday.
We were hoping to have had the chance to get out and celebrate with dinner or something (although we would have LOVED to celebrate the way we did last year!), but it just wasn’t in the cards with the kiddos getting sick. Actually, I think the closest we got to “celebrating” was watching some of our wedding highlight videos from this blog post!
If I’m being totally honest (which you guys know I like to do), I had gotten to the point where I was pretty miserable by Monday. Jay and I both had off of work, so we were home with the kids; and after a week’s worth of sickness, my own sickness, being stuck in the house, crabbiness from everyone, a list of to-do items that had gone untouched, and disappointment about not being able to get out and celebrate our anniversary, I was just a major grump.
Don’t get me wrong…there is nobody else I would want taking care of my babies when they’re sick. I’m their mama and it’s my job. This is parenthood and crap happens! But, whew, cabin fever was hitting hard and I just felt like I needed some time OUT of the house.
So yesterday morning, we started our normal routine back up. The kiddos are almost back to themselves (hallelujah!). I’m getting there, too. Alex went off to daycare…
And I dropped Lucas off at preschool (the one who suddenly looks like he’s about 10 to me)…
And by the time I got into work, all I wanted to do was go pick them both up and snuggle them to pieces because I missed them.
I guess there’s motherhood for you, right?!
So there’s a little recap of what’s been going on over HERE lately! I’m hoping to start getting into a routine again soon so I can check back in regularly, and I’m still trying to determine just how and where the blog is going for the year ahead. I’m hoping to incorporate some more recipes again soon, but if there’s anything else you know you’d like to see more of this year, please, let me know! Feel free to comment below or email me (sweettoothcourtney at gmail dot com) – I always love your feedback! : )
Have a GREAT day, my friends!
Sarah says
I really enjoy reading your blog (I’ve been reading your blog for about 4.5 years?)It isn’t about recipes or exercise ideas, it’s mostly about how you manage two kids and life. I have a 2.5 year old and a 3-month-old so I find the day-to-day stuff interesting.
Whichever way you choose to move your blog towards, I’ll still be here reading but rarely commenting( I should try commenting more often)
Courtney says
Thanks, Sarah! And YES, I always love hearing from readers! :)
Jana @ Happy Wife Healthy Life says
I love reading your blog Courtney! I’ve always appreciated how honest you keep your posts. I would love to hear even more about your thoughts on motherhood and how you balance it all.
Jenny says
We had an eerily similar holiday with the illnesses and like you just didn’t enjoy the holidays but it isn’t what it is!!
Just want to say that I really appreciate your attitude toward supplementing with breastfeeding. Especially as a momma nursing her toddler and baby. You’re so right to just do what you can and not stress about the rest. There’s plenty of other things to worry about as mom’s. Good for you!! :)
Courtney says
Thanks, Jenny! I can be hard on myself for certain things, but that’s just one thing I’ve managed to be very chill about. Whatever works for baby AND mama is what is best :)
Caitlin says
Hey! We’ve talked through Facebook about Usborne books and my nephew Landon! I love reading your blog and have started up my own since I love to write also. If you have any tips for starting out I would love to hear! I love your New Year’s post. It reminds me of a quote I found once with the mom saying, “I just need to get out of the house!” Then three hours later.. “I miss my babies!” I certainly feel this way often as a stay at home mom :)
Courtney says
Hey Caitlin! Yes! Congrats on starting up a blog – so fun!! Heading to check it out now :)
Jenna says
LOL that is me every first day back to work for the week. I am so exhausted from my 1 year old and the whole day i miss him, and the whole week i count down to the weekend where i get to spend all my time with him. and REPEAT! haha oh motherhood.
I love your meal plan posts!
linz says
i’m SO ready for routine! the time off was really nice, but little ones (and adult ones?) crave routine!! glad you’re feeling better!
Laura Goodwin says
First off, I love your blog! I’m a long time reader and your ability to be real about motherhood, work, chaos and joys of life make it by far my favorite blog to read.
I have been stuck in the house with a very sick 3 yr old ( severe case of Croup) and now a sick 4 month old has been one of the most challenging weeks of being Mom. My husband works nights and just me with 2 kids who are sick brought me to the brink of insanity! And of course, I got the big one well finally yesterday and my husband and I are just starting symptoms of a horrible cold! Ugh!
I would love to continue to see how you handle the chaos of 2 kids and I love your recipes!
Thanks again for always keeping things real! Great Blog !!
Courtney says
Thanks so much, Laura! And OMG I feel for you, mama! Hope your little ones are feeling much better now – this sickness stuff is for the BIRDS, right?!?
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I can only imagine how tough it is to have two sick little ones. I’m glad that they’re starting to feel better now.
I would love to see more workouts. I’m always looking for new ideas.
Donna says
You have the BEST BLOG OUT THERE!!!!! I do not have children but enjoy reading about all of your life events. You are a great Mother, wife and daughter. You are absolutely the so very real and honest about everything you write and share with us.
Write about ANYTHING just keep blogging!!!!
Courtney says
Donna, you are TOO KIND! Thank you so much!!! :)
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
I enjoy reading your motherhood posts! I’m sure we’ll have our second in a year or so and I love hearing how you balance the babies and work life :)
Marisa says
Hey Courtney! I had a LO this July and will be starting solids soon. When you Puree the veggies are you only blending them or are you adding any water or milk to make them thinner?! I have never done this before so super curious I would love to make my own too!
Courtney says
Hey Marisa! Yes, I add a little water usually (I’d add breastmilk if I had more extra but…I don’t) :) Some veggies need more water than others to thin them out but I do still tend to keep them fairly thick. If I’m cooking them in water (i.e., boiled sweet potatoes) I save the water and just add a little at a time to the blender until its the consistency I want!
Jessica says
I just had a baby myself so I am really enjoying your uncensored posts about your daily life – balancing work, motherhood and so much more. I have learned a lot about what may be coming ahead. I would rather see more of these lifestyle posts than recipes. Thanks!
Courtney says
Congrats, Jessica! And thanks for the feedback! :)
Amanda @ A Blonderful Life says
A cold has been circulating around our house as well! I can’t wait to feel better and on top of my game for 2017. Hope you are having a great new year!
Trisha says
Very similar holiday week for us over here! We’ve all had a bit of the crud and after about a week of both kiddos hanging/lying on me & needing me at all times, I thought I was ready to jump back into a routine, spend a whole day at work, have some time to myself, etc. But Tuesday while away at work I just missed them so darn much! Thankfully that was my only full day all week so we’re back to hanging now. :)
Abbie says
I feel like I should say DITTO to some of the other comments. I absolutely love reading your blog, but never comment. Oops! I have a little one at home, and I love reading about motherhood and your day to day life as I can relate so much (like your comment on formula – I’ve had to supplement too – so hard). I truly appreciate the honesty with your posts…. and I might have stolen some of your decorating ideas (gallery walls, barstools?)
Christine says
Once again, thank you for your honest posts! I hope there are no more bugs in your foreseeable future. It’s such a hard time of year in terms of germs. The stomach bug tore through our home just before Christmas. Not fun! Happy New Year and Happy anniversary!
Sarah says
I literally just stumbled upon your blog yesterday and love it! I’m a full time working mom of 2 with number 3 on the way. I love reading your day in the life posts and other life tidbits! If anything I get some great ideas to try in our house/routine too!
Renee says
Your week sounds just like mine! We had our anniversary and a ton of sick kids and then sick adults. It was not the way to start off the new year but it happens. I hope everyone is feeling better soon. Also my boys both also LOVE candy land and connect 4 too, we still play them both at least once a week and my boys are 9 and 7!
April V says
The one thing I look forward to each week is your menu plans! (whether it be frozen pizza or a nice home cooked meal– I still love them!!) :)