Hello! I know, I know. It’s been three weeks since writing a recap blog. We had family in town last week, and it’s been nice taking a little break from blogging and social media. I’ve been going on walks, tackling home projects, and spending time with my family. There aren’t enough hours in the day, and time is flying by way too fast. My Bug is already three months old, and sometimes when I know I should be catching up on blogs or emails, I feel like spending time with him because I’ll never get these moments back. He’s changing daily, and I love witnessing every little milestone of his.
Our mornings are still starting around 5 am. We get up, get a bottle, sit outside on the patio with coffee while the dogs play, and then I go for a walk. It’s been excellent in the mornings, and I try to get most of my outdoor things done before the scorching afternoon temperatures. Almost every morning, the sky is purple and orange. It’s what motivates me to get out of bed (JK, it’s a crying baby wanting a bottle 😂)
Last week, Kyle’s dad came down to visit.
I kept the house stocked with goodies, and we were excited to show him around. I made my oatmeal cream pies, strawberry pretzel salad, and homemade granola with morning parfaits.
I’ve been trying to fit in workouts at night (if I’m not too exhausted.) I’m officially down 36-pounds three months postpartum and have about 16 pounds left to lose. I know it’s going to take me a year before feeling like myself again, but I’m working towards it every day, even if it’s the smallest thing like taking a ten-minute walk, playing tennis, doing a 15-minute workout, or making healthier food choices. It’s hard to get outside when it’s SO HOT outside, so I’m looking forward to those fall temperatures. I’ll be able to go on long walks and get outside more often. I just wanted to update you on where I’m at on that! And if you’ve read a few of my other blogs, then you know this isn’t something I’m stressing over or worrying about. I’m being kind and taking all the time I need to heal. I enjoy getting active again without feeling like an 80-year-old smoker! 😆
Once August hits, petunias start to get lanky and die out. I swapped out my porch petunias for some lantana! I may limit my petunias next year because they are so much to maintain, even though they are so pretty!
My candy cane zinnias turned out so pretty this year! I’ll put more of these in my front garden bed next year.
We got the house all cleaned and ready for company! I love when we get visitors because it motivates me to finish projects I’ve been putting off.
When you spend the day cleaning, the last thing you want to do is get the kitchen dirty by making a meal, so I ordered Clean Eats for dinner. I had their BYO bowl with chicken, rice noodles, Thai peanut sauce, brussels sprouts, peppers, asparagus, and carrots. I also ordered their whole wheat black bean wrap to keep in the house for lunch the next day.
Kyle picked up his dad from the airport on Friday afternoon, and I made an early dinner.
I put together a build-your-own sandwich board with marinated grilled chicken, peppers, onions, garlic, lemon & dill cream cheese spread, and toasted multigrain bread. I made roasted carrots and a mandarin cranberry goat cheese salad on the side with a homemade honey vinaigrette.
On Saturday, we had lunch at the Pump House. With temperatures reaching 99 degrees, we planned an entire weekend of inside activities. I ordered a lunch salad with grilled shrimp and a side of tomato bisque.
After lunch, we headed to the Nascar Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte. I’m not a Nascar gal, but it was still pretty fun! When we got home, I made my turkey meatloaf with a berry goat cheese salad, roasted carrots, steamed broccoli, baked beans, and homemade chocolate chip cookies!
I love having these cookies with coffee in the morning! 😋
On Sunday, we went to the movies to see Elvis. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this movie. It was AMAZING! I may have to see it again, and I rarely watch a movie in the theater twice. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d go asap. Austin Butler was incredible in his role as Elvis. I still want to see Where the Crawdad’s Sing because it was one of my favorite books.
After the movies, we headed to Restoration Hardware rooftop restaurant in Southpark for lunch. I love their chicken Caesar salad, truffle fries, and coffee! 😋 I usually treat myself to their homemade ice cream with a chocolate chip sea salt cookie, but I decided to have it at home (how adult of me.) Bugs and I slept in on Monday morning. While Kyle’s dad and his wife rode the Peloton, I had coffee and finished a few chapters of Meant to Be while Bugs slept. The funny thing is that he’ll sleep until I wake him up if he’s in our bed. Anywhere else, he’ll wake up within a few hours during his naps.
I made delicious cinnamon buns for Monday morning’s breakfast! These are a crowd, please, and super simple to make with only 4-ingredients.
We headed to Inizios for lunch! We all split the Margherita and pistachio pizza. I ordered the antipasto salad without the olives. It was delicious and fresh.
After lunch, we headed downtown Rock Hill to shop at the Mercantile, grab coffee at Knowledge Perk, and get ice cream at Two Scoops! The Mercantile has a new location in Rock Hill with a cafe inside, and I’m so excited to try it out. Before our family left, I made some banana bread bars. I had so many bananas to use up, and you can’t go wrong with my banana bar recipe! Sweet boy!
We headed to my parent’s house on Thursday or a pool day. Bugs used to hate the cold water, but now he LOVES it! It’s crazy how much babies change in a month. It was nice to spend some time outside relaxing with Kombucha, my Bug, and a podcast. I took Leo, too! He loves going over to his grandma’s house and sat staring at Bugs the entire car ride. I always had my arm ready just in case he got too close, but he kept his boundaries. He does this at home, too. He’ll get close and stare at him.
For dinner, we ordered Ilios. I love their chicken and rice plate. We finally put together the bookshelves I ordered for the playroom/loft area! I love how kid-friendly yet cozy this room is turning out! I want to get fun embroidered pillows for the couch and a watercolor print for the back wall. You can shop some of my favorite items in my Amazon storefront. I finally put one together with everything I’ve purchased!
Saturday called for chicken enchiladas and movies on the couch! We watched Ray, and I can’t believe it was my first time seeing it.
The backyard flowers are still growing strong. I’ll have that tutorial up soon. 😊
On Saturday morning, I met up with my tennis group after a year hiatus, and it felt amazing to get back to playing again! I had so much fun and cannot wait to play again this week. This is the kind of fitness I can get down with! After tennis, we headed to Grapevine for coffee. I bought this pool for Bugs and could not wait to blow it up for him. He loves being outside, and we also enjoyed it. We put it on the porch to protect us from the sun. I added this pool and my other favorite baby summer finds on my Amazon page! The hard part was keeping Leo away from the pool! I think we’ll set up his pool next to it moving forward. I’m afraid he’ll jump in and pop it. Double rainbow after the storm 😍
I started another round of Whole30 this weekend. The last time I did it, I went 65 days! I’m doing it because I feel like my hormones are a bit out of whack postpartum, especially after weaning. I read that Whole30 can help manage blood sugars and make me feel better faster. I’ve always felt good after doing rounds of Whole30, so I’m looking forward to doing it again. My joints have been SO ACHY AND STIFF postpartum, and I need to kick out all the inflammatory foods to help me recover. I’ll slowly add back in oats, Greek yogurt, and beans when I finish.
I ended the weekend with one of my favorite Whole30 desserts! It’s a date with almond butter and a pecan on top. 😊
I hope you all have a great week!
Questions for you!
- Is it starting to feel like the dog days of summer for you?
- What has been your favorite Amazon purchase recently?
- Do you have any goals you are currently working towards?
Krista says
I’ve got to say: it really does feel like summer is dragging on a little, but I know that when it’s over, it will be over, so I’m trying to enjoy it while starting to plan our Halloween set up this year! We waited too long last year to formulate a plan, so I’m doing all of the Pinterest searches/planning now!
My favorite recent Amazon purchase would definitely be this movie theater style popcorn salt I came across on TikTok. We have a lot of popcorn to use up (I’m not great at just popping from kernels), ha. It will be delivered tomorrow, so I am excited to try it!
Right now, I’m working on planning easier but healthy meals. We adopted a couple of cats a few weeks ago and have had trouble balancing making healthy meals within a *reasonable* time frame and spending time with them– one is particularly shy, so we just have to hang out in their room for now!
Taralynn says
I think summer would be better if it were cooler! 😂 I need summer views with spring/fall temps lol Ahhh yes I can’t wait to decorate this year! I was so sick last fall/winter that I didn’t even put my Christmas tree up!!
OHHHH that sounds so yummy!
Awww that is so cute! Congrats on the new kitties!!
Katie says
Where did your headboard come from?!?? It’s gorgoues!
Taralynn says
My dad built it ♥️ thank you!
Hannah says
Girl, I read this blog at the exact time I needed it. Baby weight practically fell off after my daughter, and I was within about 8lbs of my original weight when I got pregnant with Barrett. Now, I have like 20 extra lbs hanging around, and it is HARD. I am always hungry, always crave junk, always WANT to feel better, and then never work out 😅 It’s a vicious cycle.
Thank you for making me feel like I’m not alone in not being “back to normal” after a certain amount of time, but also motivating me that I *can* make healthy changes and become the healthier, happier Hannah that I want to be. 💜
I can’t get over your babe’s hair. How. Stinkin. Precious!
Taralynn says
Hi, Hannah!
I get that cycle! My pregnancy weight definitely hasn’t just “fallen off.” I knew going into the pregnancy I would have to work harder than the average person because of my body type. Some people have good genetics, and everything just falls off. Just do one small thing each day that makes you feel good! ♥️
Ahhh he’s starting to lose it 😆 He is half bald with a little mullet. I love it 😆
Haley says
I’ve missed you! Your gym setup is serious goals.
Taralynn says
AW thanks, Haley!
My husband gets all the credit for the gym!! 😊
Valerie says
Yes I’m over summer and ready for fall lol
Please share your Whole 30 recipe and ideas. I never heard of the pecan, date and almond butter dessert, yum! I think Whole 30 would be really cleansing and thought about doing it several times.
Thanks for the re-cap. 🙂
Taralynn says
Thanks, Valerie!
I’ll incorporate the meals into my recaps! 😊 Just doing a lot of grilled chicken, omelets, and veggies this week! Trying to keep it simple 🙂
XO
Kat Leger says
Hi Taralynn,
1. Is it starting to feel like the dog days of summer for you?
I’ll admit it…I’m ready for autumn! I’m in New England, so we have really nice autumn’s up here. I already bought so much pumpkin spice stuff from Target and dressed the kids in their first matching pumpkin pjs of the year. My husband is slightly horrified…you’d think he would be used to it after 7+ years haha
2. What has been your favorite Amazon purchase recently?
My back has NOT been doing well lately, so I just bought a microwaveable heating pad. I look forward to laying on the couch with it!
3. Do you have any goals you are currently working towards?
I want to read 15 books this year. Thanks to fi ally getting a library card again and rh Libby app, I have now read 11 books this summer! It feels so nice to have a chance to read a book (or listen to an audiobook) again!
Don’t stress about postpartum weight (it sounds like you aren’t). I had about ten pounds or so to lose still before I became pregnant with our second. I FINALLY hit my pre-pregnancy weight somehow around 1 year after he was born. Sometimes it just takes a minute for your body to figure it out (especially if your in your 30s. I just turned 33, so I have a much harder time losing weight now than I did in my 20s). It sounds like you know what you’re doing though!!
Ruth says
As a Brit who lives in the West London suburbs, I love the glimpses of your house, and I now have North Carolina on my travel wish list.
I also love the sweet glimpses of your cute Bugs!
Peggy says
I would love for you to share some Whole 30 meals….love the inspiration!
Also, I just finished Every Summer after by Carley Fortune…and The Lion’s Den…both great summer reads!
Taralynn says
I’ll have to add those to my list!!
Becky says
Thank you for posting your Amazon storefront! I’m due in just over 2 months so I’ve been looking forward to hearing what worked, didn’t work, and what you wish you had in your hospital bag and in the early days of being home.
Milena says
Hi Taralynn!
I can’t believe your son is already 3 months old. Time is flying by so fast and you are so right about prioritizing to spend time with him 🙂 I’ve been following you for more than 10 years and I still can’t believe you are a Mom!
Also, your flowers are absolutely stunning!
My goal is to get driving license this Autumn! It’s something I have always been postponing and I finally decided to sign up for classes next month!
I wish you have amazing August, here in Barcelona it’s super hot! Kisses 🙂
Lorri says
Do you ever drink Kefir? It has way more probiotic types than yogurt and tons of health benefits!
I recently had a terrible bout of stomach pain from taking antibiotics. I’m talking emergency room level pain. I read that the pain is from the antibiotics killing off the good flora.
Went out and got four bottles of Kefir, and after drinking it, the pain disappeared in a matter of hours. I knew about Kefir a long time ago and wish I’d started drinking it then.
You only need a tiny amount each day because it’s so loaded with probiotics. Definitely read the labels though, because some have a lot more types of probiotics.
Alyssa says
It makes me so happy to see some of my Charlotte (and Charlotte-area) faves in one post! Inizios, Ilios, and The Mercantile? Yes, please.