I’ve been struggling with this post for some time. About a month in fact. I wanted to share the joyous news of our newest little lady, Lucy, joining our family about 7 weeks ago, but I have literally no time. Sitting down in front of my computer is a rare occasion these days. Truth be told, I miss it. I miss staying on top of this blog, of feeling as though I’m accomplishing something besides feeding my baby and eating large quantities of cookies. Of interacting with all of you. Of knowing I will get a shower and a golden cup of coffee tomorrow morning 😉 This all makes me sound like a downer, when in reality it’s so very special. These moments aren’t happening again. I’m trying my best to throw myself into Lucy’s world and take whatever I can from it; whether it is the best smiles on earth, or sleepless nights.
The other day was the first time Lucy smiled at me (and not because she was gassy, but because I think she actually recognized me and apparently enjoys the song “The wheels on the bus”). There’s something about these precious moments. A part of me said “grab your phone and take a photo!”, but I knew I just needed to enjoy that moment on my own. It was too special to share or document. A moment that I hope I’ll carry with me always.
Blogging has become a real challenge. I feel extremely guilty taking any time away from our twins, Zoe and Isla, in addition to the demands of Lucy being a newborn. Not to mention a few moments to myself to do things like shower, eat something that resembles a meal, etc. I’m having to work on avoiding the mom guilt as much as I can. Finding balance of any kind is extremely difficult as a parent, especially when you have a newborn.
Our food life has taken a beating. Take out and delivery is much more common than it ever was. We never got delivery or take out until we had kids. Our meals are now much more strategically planned. It has to pass the Zoe and Isla test, because there is no way I’m making more than one meal at a time. This also means, it has to be balanced and healthy. I’m not talking extreme clean eating, but rather eating all foods in moderation to make sure we’re getting all our nutrients. Being a nursing mom this is hard. I’m hungry all of the time. No joke. And I need treats. Not want, but need those additional calories.
I’ve been making a lot of kitchen sink meals. Ramen or soup like noodles in particular.They’re easy, healthy and satisfying. Below is my recipe for quick and easy Coconut Turmeric Noodle Soup. If you’re vegetarian don’t add the chicken and you’ve still got a delicious meal.
- 1 lb skinless / boneless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 large head of broccoli stem removed and large florets separated
- 1 bell pepper sliced
- 100 grams mushrooms sliced (optional)
- 1 x 14 oz can coconut milk
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- salt and pepper
- 4 ramen cakes or other noodles cooked as per package instructions
- 1 lime cut into wedges
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In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat until starting to brown. About 3-4 minutes. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, occasionally stirring for about 3 minutes. Add broccoli and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes and add turmeric and if using, red pepper flakes. Stir for about a minute until fragrant.
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Add coconut milk and broth and stir until well blended. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are crisp tender and flavours have blended nicely.
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Serve soup on top of noodles in bowls with a wedge of lime or squeeze wedge for lime juice in soup.
Enjoy! xo
Brown Butter Cauliflower with Garlic Breadcrumbs
I love your daughters’ names! So pretty. You’re pretty amazing. Do the twins eat all the lovely food you cook? My guy is a pretty good eater but I fear I’ve ventured too far into the grilled cheese and macaroni zone … 🙁
Congrats on baby Lucy!! I hope I can have another lil babe one day! Xo
Hi Lyndsay! Thank you. Naming our girls was one piece that took a lot of time and tons of discussion. We didn’t have one single name picked out for sure until they each were born.
They have to “try” everything I make. I attempt to keep them involved so that they at least want to taste it. Mostly I find eating in front of them makes them want to try what I’m eating … which to be honest is a lot and I should probably reel calories any time now!
I hope you can have another baby too. I’m very impressed by your strength, grace, and beauty through your treatments. My mom had breast cancer as well and I can only imagine what it would be like to go through it as mom now that I’m one too.
Is your son old enough to ask for a “baby” yet? The twins were not before Lucy came along. They had no idea what was coming!
How wonderful! I really love seeing the cute interactions of your children together. You’re doing great keeping up with your personal and blogging life! Trust me. I don’t have children and I’m super behind on my posts. Bravo to you! Like you said, Enjoy this time without feeling the need to capture it digitally 🙂
I envy your food life. It’s epically good! Let’s get together so I can partake it in for a very short period of time. I’ll capture that digitally, while I’m taking the time here to enjoy my babies.
What feelings I get from reading this.. Remembering the first time with newborns, especially from AnnaMay cause life is really different when you all of a sudden have more then one baby! Wow, you have three now.. What a strong mama you are<3 and that bit about not taking out your phone and just cherishing the moment for yourself, what a beautiful moment! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, hope you have a great day!
Thanks for coming by Mikaela! I love all your posts and seeing (the limited) photos of your life way over in Sweden. I hope that we do get to meet one day! xo
I don’t know what to say but sending you a HUGE hug over from Port Moody. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to balance everything, never mind a newborn! Don’t be too hard on yourself, there is only one of you! Do what’s important and what feels right, the blog will always be there.
Your girls are beautiful, just like thier mommy! xo <3
You’re so sweet. Being a mom is the most challenging piece of my life and I don’t see that changing. I’m sure our drinks on Thursday will help things though:)
Love this post, Sam. You write beautifully and honestly about trying to do all / be all & the guilt that naturally arises when we simply can’t. Proud of you.
The feeling so mutual friend. I love your compassion and ability to see into topics that I don’t. I always feel like my eyes have been opened a little bit wider after we have a talk. Let’s not wait so long for our next one. xo
Beautiful post and beautiful family! The soup sounds delicious, sans chicken for me 🙂 .
Thanks! It’s so packed with veggies that I doubt the chicken would be missed in all honesty. My hubby is a big meat eater and I’m only now getting him on board with one meatless dish per week … it only took me 8 years! 🙂