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Something Has to Change

I had a post drafted for today, sharing pictures and highlights from our weekend in Vermont. But, in light of the tragic event that occured during the night in Las Vegas, it doesn’t seem appropriate to share that post today.

Last night, for the first time in ages, Katie woke up around 2:30 AM.  When I grabbed my phone to check the time, I saw multiple New York Times news alerts on my phone. My heart dropped as I read the details. When I went into the nursery, I held Katie a little bit longer and a little bit tighter.

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Maybe it’s because I’ve gone to Las Vegas many times on business trips. Maybe it is because on two of those trips I stayed at Mandalay Bay. Maybe it’s because I’ve run through the Las Vegas strip and surrounding neighborhoods eleven times and have always been in awe of this city in the middle of the desert; which should have never been possible due to the lack of water sources.

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Maybe it’s because I have a daughter and want nothing more than for her to grow up safe and sound in this world. Maybe it is because I am so sad and overwhelmed by the horror that greets us multiple mornings throughout the year. There is very little we can do to prevent natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and tornadoes. But, I believe there are things that can be done to prevent what occured last night.

I do not have the answer, nor do I want to use this blog as a political platform. I am going to take time today to hug loved ones a little closer, take a few deep breaths, and learn more about the current gun laws in America.

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My prayers and thoughts are with everyone impacted by the tragic events as of late and, if you are in a position which allows you to donate to the victims, here is a link to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund which was organized last night by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair for Las Vegas.


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Where to Eat in Savannah, Georgia

There is no denying it, the best seasons to visit Savannah, Georgia are fall, winter, and spring. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this lovely Southern town is the perfect destination for a long weekend especially if you live in an area of the country that has brutally cold winters. As most of you know, Bo and I were both raised in Savannah, calling it home until we each left for college at the age of 18. While we only get back 3-4 times per year, the gorgeous moss covered oak trees, marsh grass sunsets, beach walks, history, and, of course, our family still make it our favorite city. Whether you are in town for 24 hours or moving there permanently, I thought I would put together a list of our favorite places to eat in Savannah and Tybee Island

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Most of these spots are conveniently located within walking distance to downtown, historic Savannah hotels but a few of them are out on Tybee, our beach which is a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Savannah.

Eats

  • B. Matthews Eatery – This bistro located near River Street is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but their weekend brunch is what keeps me coming back! The made from scratch biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, or mayme’s omelette make this a regular stop anytime I’m home.
  • Mrs Wilkes Dining Room – There is no better fried chicken in Savannah. Only open Monday through Friday the wait is well worth it. Enjoy family style Southern food in the heart of historic Savannah and wash it all down with sweet tea.
  • The Olde Pink House – A perfect location for a date night dinner their menu will leave you drooling but leave room for dessert. I highly recommend the scored flounder.
  • Zunzi’s – Incredible sandwiches and an extensive vegetarian menu bring locals and tourists alike to this small spot which blends South African, Italian, Swiss and Dutch flavors together due to the owner’s backgrounds.
  • Vinnie Van GoGo’s Pizza – A cash only Savannah institution serving up thin crust pizzas in the heart of City Market.
  • Crystal Beer Parlor – When all you are craving is a burger and beer there is no better spot than this Savannah institution which reopened downtown a few years ago.
  • Vic’s on the River – Enjoy views of the waterfront while enjoying fried green tomatoes, crawfish beignets, lump crab cakes and shrimp and grits. Go hungry and with a fun crowd because this is one of my favorite places to steal tastes from other people’s plates!
  • Elizabeth’s on 37th – You can go for lunch if you aren’t looking for a formal dinner experience or date night while you’re in town. Everything on their menu is incredible and the staff makes you feel like your family as you dine in an old, Savannah home. The herbs on your salad are from their garden, I dream about their cheddar biscuits and orange marmalade and the restaurant has hosted the likes of the Marc Jacobs and the Dalai Lama to name a few in recent years.
  • Starland Cafe – This is currently my favorite lunch spot in Savannah. While their sandwiches and soups look delicious, the salads are what I always find myself ordering as they include a unique menu of ingredients and are always piled high with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients.  Their famous, homemade pimiento cheese is also a delicious way to start the meal!
  • Treylor Park – This downtown spot is perfect for lunch, dinner or drinks as the fun atmosphere is perfect for almost any occasion. We’ve been to wedding festivities as well as a casual afternoon of “bar food” here and enjoyed the food and drinks both times. While the PB&J wings and friend avocado can’t be missed, their drink menu is creative as well. If you go on a weekend expect to wait as this is a very popular spot especially during the cooler months when their back patio makes the perfect spot to dine or sip.

Sweets

  • Leopold’s Ice Cream– Located on Broughton Street this local ice cream shop has been in existence since 1919 but reopened in the current location in 2004. The small shop draws crowds daily thanks to the delicious, creamy ice cream. My favorite flavors are mint chocolate chip, peanut butter chippy and lemon sorbet.
  • River Street Sweets – A perfect rest stop during your River Street exploration, you can thank me later for introducing you to turtles and Southern pralines.

Sips

  • Rocks on the Roof – The roof of the Bohemian Hotel has become an evening or weekend meeting spot due to the gorgeous views, delicious cocktails and convenient location.

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  • North Beach Grill – After spending the morning enjoying some beach time or an afternoon climbing to the top of the Tybee Light House there is no better spot on Tybee then sitting beach side enjoying some life music and seafood fritters, fish taco or one of their more Caribbean dishes.
  • The Breakfast Club – This diner features a chef who is a Culinary Institute of America alum and a multi-page menu filled with dishes such as the Blackhawk burrito, Grill cleaner, country fried steak and other solid foods. I personally love their omelets, filled to the brim with vegetables and shrimp or their egg florentine. They do not take reservations so I recommend getting there early, especially in the Summer months.
  • AJ’s Dockside – My family loves enjoying lunch or dinner dockside at this restaurant as they have some of the best seafood in Savannah. Over the years a number of local places have come and gone but AJ’s has been a staple since 2003 and seems to get better with every visit.  Their menu includes all types of options but the only thing I typically order is their fried shrimp and oyster plate.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have via the comments, Twitter or email!

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A Day In The Life With a 3-Month-Old

This post is sponsored by The Quaker Oats Company, but as always, the opinions are my own.

It has been 2.5 months since my last Day in The Life post and recently many of you have asked for an update on what my life looks like during maternity leave. Schedules and life change so quickly with a child, but here is a glimpse into what my day looks like now that Katie is 3 months old.

6:45 AM – My alarm goes off and I quickly head downstairs to prepare Katie’s morning bottle. I use a little tray to bring her bottle back upstairs as well as our morning cup of coffee.

7:00 AM – 7:45 AM Bo and I wake Katie up together each morning. After waking her and changing her diaper, I breastfeed her before handing her to Bo. As I’ve mentioned before, due to his work schedule, the only guaranteed feed that Bo is home for is the morning or “breakfast” feed so this is the one that he does. While he gives her a bottle, I typically either hang out with them or do some things around the house such as fold laundry. Right now her bottles consist of an average 4-5 ounces of formula for a total of 6 ounces per feed. After Katie is done eating we enjoy playtime in bed which includes cuddles, resting in her favorite spot or even some tummy time.

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7:45 When Bo hops in the shower I head downstairs with Katie for more coffee, breakfast and catching up on social media and the news. I bring the activity mat into the kitchen so Katie can play while I eat breakfast. As a new mom, I rarely have more than five minutes to eat. Therefore, Quaker Overnight Oats have been a welcome breakfast option during these busy days. A convenient, nutritious and hearty option that can be prepared ahead so it is ready and waiting in the fridge for the morning.  Over the past month I’ve had the opportunity to try all the flavors (Blueberry Banana & Vanilla Bliss, Toasted Coconut & Almond Crunch, Orchard Peach Pecan Perfection and Raisin Walnut & Honey Heaven) and my favorite is still Toasted Coconut & Almond Crunch. I make it with 1% milk and a spoonful of Greek yogurt. Stirring in Greek yogurt gives you a creamy texture. I enjoy the Quaker Overnight Oats with a banana for a quick and easy breakfast.

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8:30 – 10 AM While Katie naps I typically try to do a few things around the house. Today this means washing bottles, unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and making the bed.

10 AM –I wake Katie for her mid-morning feed. Since we have somewhere to be at 11, we head out the door as soon as Katie is finished eating, burping and has a clean diaper.

11:00 – 12pm I head to our local Crossfit box for a workout. While I complete the tough workout Katie plays nearby. Unlike our first visit, this time she entertains herself quietly for half the class, intently watching the large fan and then falls asleep. With just a few minutes left in class she wakes up with a wet diaper but otherwise is a champ. The deadlifts and burpees were especially challenging!

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12pm – 1pm Since Katie falls asleep in the stroller on our way home, I keep her in the stroller once we get home. I grab the monitor and dash into the shower to wash off the sweat before quickly eating leftovers for lunch and prepare her next bottle.

1-2:30pm I can’t contain my laughter during this feed session as Katie keeps trying to smile while sipping on the bottle. Now that she’s almost three months old she loves to squirm and try to hold the bottle while feeding. I try to keep Katie upright for 15-20 minutes after each feed as this helps with spit-up and gas. While she bounces in her chair I read three books to her. We spend the next twenty minutes on her activity mat doing back and tummy time. She practices rolling for most of the time, finally giving up in frustration and exhaustion.

2:30 – 4pm During her afternoon nap I focus on blog work and writing thank you notes. While we were traveling I fell behind on thank you notes and now have a long list that I’m trying to get through each day. After writing a few thank you notes I move my focus to the blog. Just as I start to type my blog post I hear Katie on our monitor. After a few cries I head upstairs to change her diaper and try to calm her back to sleep. She isn’t interested in taking the last 15 minutes of her nap so I move her downstairs to the swing.

4pm – 5:30pm This afternoon feed tends to be when Katie is her fussiest so after she finishes her bottle we go on a walk around the neighborhood. It starts to drizzle so we quickly head home. Before going down for her last nap Katie and I play on her activity mat. This time she spends most of the time giggling as she looks at herself in the mirror and squirming around to music. clip_image007

5:30-6:30 The shortest nap of the day is also the most unpredictable. Some days Katie sleeps like a champ during this nap and other days she boycotts the nap. Katie must have been tired as I’m able to spend 45 minutes prepping tonight’s dinner before I hear her stirring in her crib.

6:30 – 7:30 Our hour-long evening routine is all about getting Katie relaxed for a good night’s sleep. Katie loves her evening bath these days, often kicking her feet and then smiling when she’s wrapped in her cozy, hooded towel. Next we change into footed pajamas before heading to the glider for her last bottle of the day. After she is done eating we typically read for 10-15 minutes before I put her in her sleep sack and kiss her goodnight.

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7:45 Once Katie is asleep I head downstairs to put the finishing touches on dinner and prep for the next day while enjoying a glass of wine. Once we are done with dinner I like to be “done” for the day so Bo and I can relax together. Therefore, while the chicken is in the oven I take 10 minutes to wash bottles and their parts, grind and program the coffee and prepare my Quaker Overnight Oats for tomorrow morning. In order to prepare the Quaker Overnight Oats, I simply open the individual cup container, pour 1% milk to the fill line, stir and cover with the lid, put in the refrigerator and let the flavors and ingredients cold steep overnight.

8-8:30 We eat dinner together while catching up on each other’s days.

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8:30 After dinner Bo suggests that I go upstairs to take a shower and read in bed while he cleans the kitchen. There are few words that sound sweeter after a long day and I so appreciate his willingness to help even though he had a long day at work. I take a luxurious 20-minute shower before heading to bed.

9-10pm My bedtime routine these days includes a candle, sipping tea or sipping wine, and reading a book in bed.

While no day looks the same at this point, I have found that building in some social time during the day really helps me while I’m staying at home with Katie. Whether that is a long walk with a friend or a workout, these dates help me feel less isolated. The other thing that has also helped is talking to Katie throughout the day. Even though she’s only 12 weeks old, I talk to her like an adult and provide a running commentary during the day explaining what we are doing and why we are doing it, even during the simple act of changing the diaper.

As always, if you guys have any questions, please continue to send them my way. I am in no means an expert but happy to do my best to answer your questions or lend support!

Thank you to The Quaker Oats Company for sponsoring this post.

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