Slowly but surely, we are getting back to it here. Last night I was on my own – Cullen went to sleep around 7pm, and Casey was still rocking a fever and laying in bed himself. So I put on some music, turned on the fireplace, and sang while I cleaned the kitchen and cooked some dinner.
More and more, Cullen has started eating the same things we eat, so I’m trying to cook in big batches in order to have ample leftovers. Like a giant pan of roasted sweet potatoes…
While dinner cooked, I tackled the mountain of dishes that had piled up for two days.
And sipped on some delicious home-brewed kombucha.
At some point Casey stumbled back down the steps and told me he was already out of Gatorade (that I had just bought that morning!). I forgot how dehydrating sickness can be. While dinner roasted away in the oven, I ran out to the grocery store to get Casey a stash of Gatorade and coconut milk ice cream. Sure to make anyone feel better!
By the time I got home, my dinner was ready! Since I was only cooking for myself, I didn’t feel like doing anything too labor intensive – just a few of my favorite easy sides.
A giant pile of cheesy kale chips – with plenty leftover for lunches and for Cullen (he loves them!).
And my favorite ume plum marinated mushrooms – so, so tasty!
Since Casey had been quarantined in our bedroom all day, I decided to sleep in the guest room to avoid the germs. It was sort of creepy sleeping alone in a new room, so I took Indy for protection.
Everyone woke up feeling a bit better this morning. Still not quite 100%, but definitely a huge improvement. Casey worked from home, and Cullen and I headed out to the beach mid-day for some fresh air!
Normally we spend our afternoons doing play group or meeting up for walks, but since he’s been sick I didn’t want him around any other babies. It’s been sort of a lonely week! We were both getting a bit stir-crazy, and since he seemed to be feeling better, I thought he might like to run around at the park for a bit.
Seemed like a good dose of sunshine and a few sticks to run around with was just what the doctor ordered.
These are the first smiles I have seen in days!
I am lucky that he is generally a very happy and easy going baby. He never really cries or fusses for no reason – his needs these days are very predictable and easy to understand. So when he’s sick, it’s a huge departure from our norm. I’m so glad to have my smiling boy back again.
I don’t know if the park just seemed more beautiful today since I’ve been trapped indoors all week or what, but I was so glad I had my camera with me.
The sun was so bright, and I’ve never seen the water sparkle quite like that. It looked like diamonds dancing all over the lake!
Not a bad place to spend the afternoon…
For lunch, Cullen and I shared last night’s leftovers. Kale chips, roasted sweet potatoes, and tortilla strips with hummus for him…
And a lunch burrito for me – homemade hummus, kale, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms on an olive oil wrap – deeeelicious.
Hoping that we finally get a night with few wakeups, and restful sleep for everyone.
38 Comments so far
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I am so glad your boys are getting better!
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So glad everyone is working on getting better. Photos are amazing and my mouth is watering at the dinner pictures… Must. Have. Mushrooms.
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Awww, so happy to see smiles again! Hope you are ALL well and happy. :) xoxo
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I love the flying pig cup! The 10th anniversary was one of the best glasses. Hope the boys continue to improve.
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Isn’t coconut ice cream delicious? I just discovered it and can’t live without an ice cream sandwich after dinner now !
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Glad they’re on the mend. Those pictures of him running with sticks KILL ME. So freaking cute!
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I tried your mushrooms last night. I loved them! My 1 year old too. Couldn’t get my two year old to try them though. Next time!
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So glad he is feeling better. I love his baby sweatpants!
I know its very simple, but how do you roast your sweet potatoes. I can’t get mine to turn out quite right.
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oh those pictures of Cullen are sooo cute!
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Cullen is so cute and happy! Love your lab too, my lab Lucy always hangs out with me – they are the best companions!
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I hope everyone continues to improve. Best of luck with the continued healing. Cullen looks so happy at the lake!
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Glad to hear your doing better. It’s always hard to get out of a ‘sickness slump.’ Hope everyone is healthy soon!
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Glad you are feeling better. Can I ask what kind of wraps you guys enjoys? Thanks:)
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Even sick, Cullen is quite the cutie pie!
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OMG that looks delicious, I never knew you could cook sweet potatoes with the skin on, or am I seeing things? Is it healthier?
Also would love to know what brand you use regarding the wrap?
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Those sweet potatoes look good! My sister made some homemade sweet potato fries last week and they were so delicious (and baked not fried!). I love them baked and topped with a little earth balance and brown sugar.
I hope Casey feels better soon! I can’t believe it’s Cullen’s bday month already! My sister’s birthday was today and I know a lot of other October babies. It’s such a good month for birthdays :)
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Glad the little munchkin is getting better! He has the most infectious smile!
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Turning left overs into burritos – smart! Now I want one!*
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My goodness, Cullen is getting so Big! What a cutie. You’re right it always feels so good to get outside after being sick and inside for days! Looks like the weather co-operated!
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He is the cutest little man!! So glad he is feeling better :)
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Looks like a beautiful day at the lake! Hope your boys are back to 100% soon and that you don’t catch anything! : )
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its so crazy for me to see him running around like that-my nephew turned 13 months on the 2nd and still no walking…crazy how they all develop differently! my nephew is also completely (and i mean completely) bald which makes him look like such a baby. cullen looks like a little man!
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Glad to here that Cullen is doing better!! He is ADORABLE! I swear he gets cuter with each post!! Fresh air totally helps with the germs!
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So glad to hear everyone is on the mend.
Just curious about how you store your kale chips….do you have a way to keep them from getting soggy?
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the first picture of cullen at the park – he looks so much more like you there!
and by goodness i wish i could teach myself to like mushrooms – those look so good.
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Emily, you take the most gorgeous pictures of your little man. It helps that he is soooo totally darling but you do a great job in capturing him. I’m always wondering if he knows to pose for the pics! Enjoy your day and glad he is feeling better.
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What are your bibs? They look so nice and wide – need some for my baby! Hang in there mama… It is SO hard when daddy’s sick too.
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Glad everyone is on the mend. When my kids were little and they would be sick I loved taking them to the park. I think fresh air and sunshine are great medicine (both for Mom and sick child).
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I am glad everyone is feeling better – Cullen’s park pictures are ADORABLE.
And thank you for posting your kitchen sink pictures. I am 38 weeks pregnant and feel like my sink looks like crap, and I am glad to know that I am not alone and I am normal!
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You are such a good wife and mother! I don’t have kids yet, but I have to say, when I do, I’m going to be referencing your blog over and over! You are such an inspiration and I hope to feed my family as well as you do yours. Thank you :)
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Glad to hear everyone is feeling better. Will you do a post on how you home-brew kombucha? I’m so curious how it’s done! :)
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Amy Reply:
October 6th, 2012 at 6:39 am
I second this! I’ve been researching brewing my own and would love to hear your take on it.
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Hi Emily,
Just wondering about your protein intake. Do you tend to eat most of your protein earlier in the day…or? Because I would have been hungry about 30 minutes after your “sides” dinner. Need a hefty dose of protein to get me through the night!
Thanks,
Becca
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Glad you guys are on the upswing!
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Cullen is so cute!!! look at his smile
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I finally tried the ume plum vinegar mushrooms. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I am now seriously addicted. It is indeed a game changer!! Many thanks!
Hope everyone recovers quickly!
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Hooray for being on the upswing!
I was wondering about the play groups you mention usually doing; is this something you set up with other moms/kids you already know? Or did you find a pre-existing group somehow?
I’m a new mom and still sorting out how to spend my time with my little guy (he’s 2 months old), and I don’t know many other moms yet. I’d appreciate any tips you might have on how to find a play group if you ever get a chance!
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glad all are feeling better! just had to mention, i see your fireplace is a glass front with no protective screen. please make sure that you have a screen in front of it or something similar when cullen is around,if it is on. that glass gets dangerously hot and fireplaces are not allowed to be sold like that anymore. a friend had a similar fireplace and despite carefully never having it on around their toddler, he woke up one night after they had it on and in a split second when their backs were turned, touched the glass and had second degree burns on his hands/palms. it was horrible. just an FYI.
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