Naptime Reading Material: Parents Need to Eat Too

Play space is at a premium in New York.  On rainy or cold days this past winter, a favorite diversion is a trip to Barnes and Noble.  Reese gets to toddle around, point at Elmo books, and play with a train set and I get to check out the cookbooks.  Win-freaking-win.

On one such trip, as I was admiring the cover of the new Joy the Baker cookbook, I noticed another title next to it....Parents Need to Eat Too.

Holy crap! That is totally true!  

I was in a good cooking groove in Pittsburgh, but we've resorted to take out a lot lately (I'm not going to lie, it's amazing in NY) and I was looking to get back into it with our impending CSA deliveries.  I ended up ordering the book and I love it.  Koenig sounds a lot like most mothers I know who loved making dinners, but just can't muster the energy at the end of the day.  She has great step-by-step instructions on cooking during naps (helpfully adjusted for those babies who have graduated from 2 naps to 1), simple and quick entrees, and healthy substitutions.

The two that are currently on rotation in our house are the Arroz con Pollo and the Lemony Broccoli and Chickpea Pasta.  They were delicious, easy and best of all, Reese fricking INHALED the leftovers.

I highly recommend the cookbook, but I also recommend Koenig's blog for lots of recipes and insight into trying to put dinner on the table as a mother.

Also, the Joy the Baker book?  AMAZING. I'm gaining weight just looking at the pictures.

What I Learned Through Breastfeeding on Babble.com

One of the best part of parenting in the age of the internet is being able to learn from the experiences of others.  Today, I feel honored to share a little bit of what I learned about breastfeeding on Babble.com in a great article by Lauren of A Mommy in the City.

With the amazing hindsight that is 20/200, here it is:

It's what I wish I had been able to hear when I was starting out.  We had a verrrryyyy rocky start as well as some rough patches in the middle, but in the end, I met my goal and am very proud of it.  However, I do wish that I hadn't made myself, my husband, my mother, our pediatrician, our lactation consultant and probably the guy who sold us bananas crazy hearing about all of our difficulties.  It's just not worth it.

Check out the full article and hear from the other mothers.  

Line It Up - Lancome Artliner Liquid Liner

Liquid eyeliner is my arch beauty nemesis.

Just like some people cannot DIY or craft and others are deathly afraid of making pie crust (oh, wait, those are both me too), I cannot apply liquid eyeliner to save my life.

But that doesn't stop me from continuing to try!  I just love the way it looks, the sleek black swoop and a little wing on the end...UGH.  It's so fracking chic.

One day (it was probably actually a Friday night when I was home on my couch checking Twitter) I saw a picture of Lexa posted with the perfect liner.  I quickly asked her what the product was and she replied that it was Lancome Artliner.  And when Lexa tells you what the best black eyeliner is, you listen and buy.

I finally got a chance to try it out (there aren't many opportunities to wear a Bridget Bardot themed makeup look to a playdate) and I really like it.  It goes on smoothly and easily, no skips or jumps in the line and leaves an inky black line.  Others I've tried have been too dry or too wet and the brush could sometimes wiggle mid-line and leave a terrible smudge.  This is definitely a superior product.

Now that I have the tool, I just need to work on my execution to get the perfect line, but I highly recommend Artliner for those of you looking to conquer your "white whale" of a beauty problem.

However, I'm giving up on pie crust.  It's just not going to happen.

Four: Unintentionally Dirty Toddler Words

I know what she's saying, but I also know what it sounds like.

{1}  Sit.

{2}  Clock.

{3}  Fork.

{4}  Crap.

 Ok, the last one might not be unintentional and, yes, I know she picked it up from me.

Parent Life: On Weddings

True story:  This weekend, I was talking to my husband about plans for our anniversary (which is today) and I said I couldn't believe it's already been three years.  I remarked that it felt like we had been married a lot longer.

(Insert a long pause here.)

My husband turned to me and said, "Yeah, it probably feels like longer because it's our FOURTH anniversary."

Oops.

So, anyhoo.  Our wedding was fabulous...it was a great party, a beautiful ceremony, a chance to celebrate with our closest friends and family.  We're still taking about the shenanigans that went down.  But what I didn't realize at the time was how much fun it would be to be a guest at a wedding after having a baby.

I thought at the start of wedding season, I thought it would be fun to talk about what it's like to attend a wedding as a new parent.  Especially a destination wedding.  Maybe you have the kind of life where you have to be out at black tie events boozing it up every weekend without a care in the world, but I certainly don't.  And don't really want to.  But every once in a while...it's awesome.  Here's why:

1. You can travel somewhere.  Without a baby.  The first wedding I went to after Reese was born was in California.  My husband had to fly ahead of me due to groomsman obligations, so I had to fly alone. Five hours with just my iPod, September Vogue, and a vat of hot coffee.  It was the greatest vacation ever.

2. You get to spend time getting dressed up.  On a typical date night, I'm in "play clothes" all day through bath and bed time, then rush around trying to throw on an outfit and makeup to make our dinner reservation.  For a wedding, you have to really take the time to get dressed in a nice dress and put on makeup.  I blew my hair dry for the first time in about 9 months.

3. It's an excuse to be irresponsible.  Well, a little bit.  When I went on my first trip, there was no way I was going to be able to bring back milk for Reese, so I decided to drink enough coffee and booze to justify pumping-and-dumping.  It was AWESOME.  At least what I remember.

4. The smallest purse ever.  You are going to a wedding!  You don't really need any cash, or diapers, or toys or snacks.  Hell, if you are really out of town, you don't even need your cell phone.  Lipgloss, keys, and ID.  Marvel at how light you feel.

5.  It kind of feels like prom.  And your husband is your date.  It can be nice to get ready separately and see each other all dressed up for the first time (if one of you is in the wedding party).  It's a welcome change from all the seen-everything days of having a baby.

6.  You get to reminisce about your own wedding.  I'm not a crying-at-wedding type person, but I do get sentimental thinking about how far we've come.


7.  Eat!  Calories don't count if it's at a wedding. Or if you are breastfeeding.  Or you are 50 yards from your child.  Totally true.  If not, see the next item.


8.  Dance!!  At my age, there aren't that many clubs that don't make you feel like the whole world's gone douchey.  Weddings, on the other hand, are like the greatest dance party you ever went to in college.  The music is usually classic awesome dance tunes so you can spend the night tearing up the dance floor with your best friends.  Plus, you can burn off all those calories in the booze.

9.  Show off.  Oh please, you didn't actually NOT bring your cell phone.  (ignore the twelve double negatives in that sentence)  Not because someone is going to call you with a baby emergency but so you can show off the latest pictures of your adorable offspring!  Just try to do it before you get too drunk and tired.  Also, you will most likely bore everyone early and will end up doing this with your husband at the table during toasts.

10. SLEEP IN.  Maybe not actually sleep in, but wake up without a monitor or an alarm.  Or at least wake up and just lie in bed and not have to go anywhere for a solid 10 minutes.  Best. Vacation. Ever.

There is is, my 10 reasons why I'm looking forward to wedding season.  For those throwing the weddings, I thank you.  I promise to have an amazing time.  For those new parents attending, I implore you to be a good guest and have fun.  There is nothing that breaks my heart more than seeing people standing against the wall at a wedding not talking to people, drinking, or dancing.  I mean, what the hell is the couple going to talk about for the next three years.  Wait, four.  Four years.

Stock Up for Summer at Piperlime

This spring in New York has been cold and rainy and generally very icky.

While it's been terrible for getting out and enjoying the newly green lawns, it's actually been great for my wallet since I haven't been in the mood to shop for many spring items.

However!

Piperlime is making it very tempting with some killer sales this week. They have an awesomely large selection of everything, is offering 30% off a wide range of summer essentials until May 13th.

I might finally pull the trigger and get these killer flat sandals from Pour La Victoire.

I am in desperate need of a new pair of skinny jeans.  I've been putting it off for ages, but I think my beloved Topshop Moto jeans (I also loved the maternity version!) are stretched out and are kaput.  Everyone raves about J Brand, so I might have to give these a test run at home.

The best part about Piperlime?  Free shipping and free returns.  

So, does anyone have any other skinny jean recommendations?  Are you planning on picking up any last minute spring/summer essentials?  Do you think it will EVER actually get warm in New York?

Weekend Update

This weekend we...

Spent a lot of time on the playground and Reese even wore her barrettes for a grand total of 30 minutes!

Then, I got the greatest all time surprise when I found our Mr. Softee back on our corner that evening.  Nothing like a chocolate dipped soft-serve to follow a healthy meal of baked tofu, brown rice and broccoli.

My husband had an all day Saturday course (being a doctor's wife isn't all like a Grey's Anatomy episode.) (actually, I haven't watched in about 5 years, so I don't know if that was a current reference.) 

So, Reese and I went to another playground.

And a stop at our friendly neighborhood 110-year old bakery, Glaser's.    

This place rocks so hardcore.

We walked home through a church street fair and lamented that we did not have a dog to take to the pet psychic.

Since my husband got sprung early from his course, we hit a THIRD playground in the afternoon and made sure Reese was exhausted for the babysitter that night.  We spent the evening with friends at DGBG.

Sunday, I actually motivated myself out of the apartment and took a nice long run around in Central Park while the rest of my family enjoyed banana pancakes and Premier League soccer.

After a quick trip to a FOURTH FREAKING PLAYGROUND, we hit a diner that always gives out balloons.

Pretty jam packed.  I need a vacation from my weekend.