Hi, I just put Bugs down for his afternoon nap and decided to hold off on laundry and start blogging instead. You never run out of tasks after becoming a mom, but sometimes, you have to walk by the laundry basket and say, “see ya later.” I have so much content to share, but finding time to sit down and write is challenging. I used to dedicate my morning time to blogging and coffee, but I decided to change my routine in 2023 and start focussing on my health, and now I workout or ride the Peloton early morning, take a shower and then go into mom-mode as soon as Bugs wakes up. I need to get better at finding time to write because I have so many exciting things coming up!
My goal is to be active every day. Since joining the Peloton app, I’ve been able to bike, track walks, do yoga, and do strength training (which I need to be better about.) My cycling goal is three 30-minute, one 45-minute ride, and one 60-minute ride each week. I like saving the hour-long ride for Saturday mornings. After riding, I shower, have breakfast, and then Kyle and I go for a walk. I needed to jump on the fitness train now that I’m finally feeling 100 percent myself again after having a baby. I love feeling stronger and building back my muscles.
Breakfast lately has consisted of toasted sourdough bread with butter, eggs, and fruit.
I know it’s getting out of hand, but it’s been so therapeutic.
My favorite little grocery shopping buddy. It’s much easier going to stores with him now that he can sit in the cart, and I don’t have to get a stroller set up. He thinks it’s fun. I bring a little cart cover and throw it in the wash after our store trip.
Tux had a little playdate with Lulu ♥️ She lives a few doors down, and they always stare at each other across the fences. Leo goes on walks with her, and now that she’s fixed, they can play together. Tux is getting his teeth cleaned and neutered tomorrow, and I’m so worried for him 🙁 I don’t want him to be scared, but I know it needs to be done to protect him from testicular cancer.
After a long day of baking 150 cookies, I was ready to have a big glass of kombucha and my favorite pizza from Costco! The supreme Kirklands pizza is to die for! It took my top spot for frozen pizzas.
After my morning Peloton ride, I shower, make coffee, and head outside with the dogs if Bugs is still asleep. They love to wrestle around the yard while the sun rises. We’ve had some beautiful sunrises lately.
I’ve managed to stay on top of walks this month and have done a three to four-mile walk every day. Leo needs the long walks, or he gets naughty and tries to seek attention by eating toys and paper towels or barking outside. It has helped his energy and makes him feel more bonded with me. We had kept the dog’s routine the same as before we had a baby. And actually, they get even more walking time now.
If you missed my blog on my go-to blueberry oats, check that one out! I love having them in the morning!
Bugs LOVES to sit on the piano and bang the keys. I sit behind him to ensure he doesn’t fall, and he’ll hit the keys, laugh, and babble for a long time. I love it.
Last Thursday, I met with some girlfriends at Poppyseed Kitchen for brunch.
I ordered their chicken and avocado sandwich with their side veggie. The butternut squash was on top of whipped goat cheese, and I NEED to figure out how they whipped it because it was my favorite dish. I also had butternut squash soup on the side. I had their breakfast with Kyle a few weeks back, and we loved it.
I brought Bugs with me, and he loved sitting in the high chair drinking his coffee cup toy. He’s so fun to take places, and I’m lucky he’s a pretty content and happy baby!
After brunch, we headed out on a walk, I finished making some bread, and then, Bugs and I spent the afternoon outside with the dogs after his nap. It was so warm outside. 70’s in January is my kind of weather!
He loves crawling everywhere, and even though the grass was wet and dirty, it was much safer than letting him crawl around our sharp furniture inside.
Besties.
Bugs does this new thing with his hats on walks. He likes to pull them down and fling them off his head now. It’s hilarious, but luckily spring is almost here, and we can ditch the hats. I have to pick up his hat about 100 times while we walk.
I’m still on a Trader Joes’ dinner kick. I only buy three products to make this healthy and inexpensive dinner! I get their carrots, salmon, and brussels sprout kit. Dinner is ready in about thirty minutes!
Coffee and morning walks are our favorite. 💜
Here’s another one of my new favorite meals! I sauté the beef, veggies, and onion together to make the best tasting sesame teriyaki stir fry! It was so good.
Humble Cup just opened up in our town, and it is the CUTEST coffee shop, and the coffee is amazing. I have always been a fan of their coffee when I’d get it at the Fort Mill farmers market, and I’m so happy they have a storefront now. It’s adorable inside.
I had their oat milk cappuccino, and it was perfect. It was so smooth, and I’ll be returning for more! if you live near Fort Mill, definitely try Humble Cup out! You’ll love it.
Another one of my favorite Trader Joe’s meals is buying their Asian Crunch salad, adding in rice crackers, avocado, chopped onion, and air fried salmon! 😋
Another morning, another ride, and another cup of coffee with my favorite pups. The weather has been amazing here lately. I hope it stays this way because plants are coming up, trees are budding, and my tulips are busting through the mulch layer.
Yummy sourdough avocado toast with eggs, blueberries, and coffee.
So…the garden project has begun! I cannot believe my cedar beds are built. Kyle did such a good job on them! Now, we will dig up the space in the backyard, lay down landscaping fabric, add the edging, put the stepping stones down and pebbles, line the garden beds, add dirt and the trellis, and get to planting! I’m looking forward to all the garden content this summer!
Trader Joe’s pesto chicken with baby kale, parmesan, pepper, cream, and butter! This was so good on top of Caesar salad.
Another day, another sourdough loaf.
After my rides, I get so hungry, so I will stick to more protein-based meals to help with recovery. I had a protein yogurt with blueberries and granola.
Coffee date at Humble Cup with my sweet little Bug!!! I keep buying him coffee toys because he’s obsessed with them. Or if I’m at a coffee shop, I ask for an extra cup because he loves to pretend he’s drinking coffee. He’ll even make the slurping and “ahh” sound after taking a sip.
I had way too much coffee before meeting the girls at Humble cup, so I tried out their Matcha with oat milk latte, and it was amazing!
Trader Joes Asian crunch salad with chicken tenders. I’m on a Trader Joe’s kick lately!
My little coffee buddy is in the background. I bring his skip hop into the kitchen while we eat so he feels like he’s joining us for dinner.
Jalapeño Pimento cheese loaf!
A fun little Freedom Park walk and swing date ♥️
I managed to finish right before he woke up! Thanks for stopping by to read today’s recap blog! 🙂
Questions for you!
- Have you changed your routine in 2023?
- What is your favorite item from Trader Joes’?
- What kind of gardening content would you like to see this spring/summer?
I’m always so happy to see a new post! What time do you wake up to workout? I struggle so much to get up but I know how much better my day is when I get my exercise done first thing. I’m sure it isn’t, but you make it look easy ♡
My workouts depend on Bug’s wake-up/ nap time! If he goes to bed late and sleeps a bit, I’ll hop on the bike around 5:30 am before he wakes up! If he wakes up early, I’ll hop on the bike around 8:30 am during his first nap! And if I miss both of those, I’ll go for a walk and maybe do the bike at night or skip it altogether.
I was never a morning workout person, but I told myself I would change that in 2023! lol
You’re doing great so far!!!
1. I have not changed my routine for 2023 although I do have a new workout that I want to start soon, so I’m looking forward to that.
2. My favorite Trader Joe’s items are their pecan praline granola and their Nourish beauty products (facial cleanser, moisturizer, serum and hair conditioner).
3. I love all of your gardening content, mainly flower gardening. If you come across some good tips or easy fixes that are not commonly known, those are the things I’m always looking for.
Ohhh, I need to find that granola! That sounds so good.
Just wanted to say you’re such a good mom, Taralynn! Bugs is so blessed to have you as his attentive mama ♥️ I still love reading all your content 10 years later!
😭 thank you, Chandler!!
I LOVE reading your recaps. They always make me so excited for my little boy coming this May. You seem like such an involved and great mom, and I love seeing people actually enjoying parenthood rather than complaining about it.
May boys are the best!!!!!
Motherhood has been an absolute dream, and definitely challenging sometimes, but so so so worth it. I’m pretty obsessed with this new life.
This recap made my Friday, Taralynn! Always enjoy your posts and usually have a cup of coffee in hand, but right now it’s dinnertime, so I ate while I read, haha! Your little Bug is so cute and I just love how obsessed he is with his coffee cups! Hope you can always find fun coffee toys for him, and the little cart cover is so nice! My husband and I just have two cats for now, but I saved the cart cover in an Amazon list for a future little one someday!
I’m so happy you’re finding a new routine that’s working for you better! I think that’s what it’s all about. My routine has changed quite a bit already this year, putting more time into my blog and really praying that this year it takes off more and I can see where it may go. For gardening, I would love to see anything you might have in mind for some veggies in a flower pot, like maybe something I could do on my porch? We have deer in our yard often, which I LOVE, and I don’t want to fight with them and put something out in the yard. I thought maybe my front porch would be safer, haha.
Hope you have a fantastic weekend, friend! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
Hi, Ashley!
I’m so happy you stopped by to read, and with coffee, which made me smile!
I always add my favorites that we use to my Amazon shop for your future reference 😉
I totally get that goal. Blogging is hard, especially in an oversaturated industry and with all the extra social media platforms. Keep it up, tho!! Remember to write for you!
Those deer find themselves in all kinds of places to get food lol
Omg his little coffee cup is adorable! I love your recap posts 🙂 I’ve been unwell with a few different bugs to start 2023, so sadly my workouts have been on pause. But I’m looking forward to moving house and finding a new gym to start back up again! Also being from Australia, I WISH we had trader joes…one day maybe.
He loves his coffee. My son 😂
Oh no! getting sick is the worst 🙁 I feel like a ton of people have been sick this January.
Maybe you’ll get one one day! 🙂
Not much has changed routine wise for me, but I am also trying to get a walk in daily and get back on the peloton. I have to say my favorite Trader Joes meat to get is the Rosemary & Balsamic Steak tips. They’re so good, and I am obsessed with the Brussel sprouts too. I can’t wait to see all your tulips! Also did you link the sourdough starter you got on your amazon? I want to start baking some its been so cold here in California
Those were my two goals for 2023! 🙂
Oh, I’ll have to look for those during my next TJ trip! I try to go every two weeks. The brussels sprouts are amazing.
I made my own starter, but I did buy a backup just in case! Here’s the link!
Is that the cauliflower crust Kirkland pizza? That is my favorite!
Yes! sooo good!
I wish they would open a Trader Joe’s in Fort Mill or Tega Cay!!
SAY IT LOUDER!!! YESSSSS