Category Archives: Daily Grind

Pregnancy Must Haves

Mornin’ All,

Between the Tony Awards and the Apple Keynote Address things have been borderline hectic around these parts. I know, the excitement knows no boundaries…

We still have four (or less!) weeks to go and I’ve turned into a total watched tea kettle. I’m never going to boil at this rate.

So since we have a little extra time before the blog becomes one giant baby face picture after another let’s talk about some of the more practical items that have helped me survive the last nine months…

1. Starbucks Cold Cups - If pregnant women had a security blanket it would look a whole lot like a Starbucks Cold Cup. We have six of these, three in the 24 oz size and they’re on constant rotation. I don’t know what it is about drinking through a straw, but it makes that gallon of water (what to the what?!) I’m supposed to be drinking each day more bearable.

2. Body Butter, Oil, Lotion, Crisco – For the sake of your skin, now is the time to lather up. I have no idea if it really helps avoid stretch marks (we’ve reached three on the SM count over here, ugh) but I can tell you it helps prevent the nasty dry skin itch. I’ve gone through many, MANY jars of body moisturizer in the past few months and this one from The Body Shop is a fast favorite. I received it as a gift and the first day I used it Ryan asked what that AMAZING smell was. What’s that? Did my husband just ask his nine month pregnant wife if she smelled delicious. Don’t judge, when you reach nine months you’ll take any compliment you can get. Plus it is affordable enough that you can coat every limb and not feel guilty at all.

3. Hipster Undies – Yes, we’re going to talk about my underwear. Why? Because I don’t know what I would have done without these gems. These stretchy, non fading, generous coverage briefs hold all your growing assets (ahem) and are absolutely comfy enough to wear all day, and night, and the next day… depending on your showering schedule.

4. Toms or other Slip Ons – Forget anything that has to be tied, you’re not going to want to make the effort. Heels? Sure, maybe for fifteen minutes… then those beauties are definitely getting left behind. I’ve found that Toms are a perfect fit for the pregnant foot. They slip on easy, have a bit of padding in the bottom and are soft enough that when you come home and crash on the couch you can totally fall asleep without reaching down to pull them off. I’ve been making the most of my snow leopard pair from winter, but how AMAZING are these Giraffe ones?

5. Body Pillow, Extra Pillow, More Pillows – After five months you’re going to want to feel like you fell into a jar of cotton balls when you go to bed. Trust me, the more pillows the better – between your legs, under your stomach, behind your back, everywhere. I have a whole new appreciation for our king sized bed too, it allows both of us and my army of pillows to fit. Feeling fancy? Try this fun body pillow cover!

6. Pocket Tissue – Say what? Just trust me, you’re going to want some tissues. Usually, when you least expect it. I don’t know which of the 500 pregnancy hormones affects your nose, but one of them does and not in a good way. One minute it’s dry, the next minute running like crazy, you wake up and it’s bleeding. Seriously, this has got to be worse than having a nose job. Plus things in your nose start to drive you nuts. Maybe it is preparation for when you’re going to have to worry about someone else’s snot? Either way – pack some tissues.

So there you have it – six goodies that have aided in keeping me (and Ryan) sane over the last nine months. What would be on your list? Any “must haves” for postpartum?

I’m all ears,

Let Your Light Shine

I have been a bit absent lately for two very obvious, and hopefully excusable reasons. The first is that I was finishing up my first year of grad school, and the second is that my brother tied the knot this weekend. Two extremely exciting events that I was highly involved in. I do enjoy some event planning/coordinating/decorating on the side ;)

However, there is a third reason I have been MIA. Limbo. I have been patiently waiting for the calm after the storm to relax. Recoup. Rejuvenate. It’s here and it’s scary. I’m not sure how to do those things. I tend to say “yes” way more than “no” and end up hoping one commitment ends 5 minutes early so that I will only be 10 minutes late to the next one.

When I think about relaxing, recouping, and rejuvenating I think about knowing myself more; doing things that are uplifting and bring peace into my life. For some reason, this summer feels like a gift of time that if I choose to spend wisely, will result in a life change so big my shoe collection and coffee consumption will look miniscule in comparison.

I don’t know what the changes are. I only have an intuition so strong I’m losing sleep over it. I’m afraid I’m going to screw it up. After all, I am very much a human.

I’m sorry if this makes absolutely no sense to you. It kind of doesn’t to me either but I do know that the first step toward peace is to share, talk, text, blog, etc. I think the whole point is to just get it out (whatever it is) into the world so we don’t feel alone anymore.

So today, let’s let our light shine in whatever way we can. Let’s share what’s on our mind with someone we love. Let’s be grateful. Let’s smile at stranger. Let’s reflect on what life has to offer us right now. It may not be as scary if we just do the next right indicated step instead of focusing too far in the future. I think. I hope. I pray.

What life adventure/change are you upon? How are you handling it? Advice is welcome!

Happy Memorial Day!

32 Weeks

Holy crap, we’re eight weeks or less from having a baby.

Even the sandwich man at Whole Foods noticed I must be getting close. Thank you for pointing that out sandwich maker man.

On the up side, we’re eight weeks or less from having a baby. Yeah, it’s equally scary and amazing.

What’s not amazing? My GINORMOUS belly. Getting up from the couch is a whole new challenge these days. Thankfully Maternity Leave has officially begun… dun dun dun and today I’ve made it priority number one to take a nap. A real, cell phone off, no sound, after lunch, kind of nap. That might be the most glorious plan I’ve had in a long time.

Before curling up in a ball, how about an update?

I told you it was ginormous!

If you need me I’ll be on the couch,

 

 

30 Weeks

Well friends… we’re thirty weeks (and a few days, since I’m a slacker) down and only tenish weeks to go! Holy Bananas! That’s one week away from single digits. We’ve officially started a ten week countdown on the kitchen chalkboard and things are quickly kicking into overdrive (oh right, baby classes, diaper collection, bed linens – those would probably be good to have!)

In the meantime I just keep getting larger and larger… oh toes, how I miss you!

Pretty soon it’s going to be time for baby watch 2013!

A Love Letter from Lindsey

I cannot imagine this past year without breakfast bantering. I look forward to sharing tidbits of my life each week (mostly…we all miss the mark sometimes) and am honored that I can. On here. With YOU. You guys encourage me to be sociable when I want to stay home, by myself, with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey and watch reruns of Gilmore Girls.

Stesha, you are a wonderful blogging partner that keeps me on my toes. Talk about a creative and determined person! Not to mention welcoming me into your lovely Las Vegas home numerous times and showing me around town…even in the midst of fighting pregnancy exhaustion! Are you kidding me?!?! You’re a ROCKSTAR! The little sprout on the way is a lucky man!

The point? I love Breakfast Banter, I love YOU!

I do have ONE wish for all of us: that we would interact more. This multimedia-socialmedia world is tricky! We can feel connected without really being connected. Let’s change it. Let’s connect. Let’s talk.

Comment.
Email.
Facebook.

Tell us where you brunch, what you’re reading, how you rejuvenate, when your next vacation is. We will write back.

Thanks for the ride…and many more to come!

Lots of love,

A Year of Lindsey

It’s been just over a year since Lindsey welcomed us to her breakfast table! Can you believe it? In the past 360something days she’s shared a big move, grad school, a new niece, a new tattoo, countless brunches and tons and tons of beautiful images from her life.

So in honor of her recent blogabirthday (real word) – let’s count down my favorite ten Lindsey posts from the last year!

Numero Uno – A Warm Welcome

When we met Lindsey she was living the apartment life up in Seattle and we knew from the first brunch it was going to be a tasty ride!

Two – A Favorite Recipe

This girl is definitely not scared of the kitchen and came out swinging early on with an Almond Croissant Recipe that still has me drooling. Mmm… croissants.

3 – A Little Motivation

Not only a fun image, but a strong message. How much have you grown in the last year? What motivates and challenges you? Lindsey isn’t scared to bare, and share all!

Four – A Serious Lovefest

Who doesn’t love a new baby? When Miss Avalon came into the world we were right there with Aunt Lindsey for the first face time visit. Talk about special moments.

Fave Five – Tattoo for the Road

Ohmygosh she got a tattoo. Yeah – you know that’s what you were thinking too! Thanks for sharing something I would never have the nerve to do. Holy needles!

Post Six – Drive towards the Sunshine

Going home again isn’t easy, but it can be amazing. We traveled from Seattle to Orange County with Lindsey this year. From packing to redecorating it all went so fast!

Seven - Moxie Moxie Moxie

It’s a PUPPY! Who doesn’t love puppies (and babies, and bagels… I digress) but seriously – A PUPPY! You knew she was going to make the top ten. And Lindsey shared her newfound puppy parenthood with a large spoonful of honesty.

8 – Flying By

As if I didn’t feel like a big enough wimp when Lindsey woman-ed up and got a tattoo, the girl also had to go skydiving this year. Yeah, and then she was super cool.

Not Done Nine – Brunch, Brunch and lots more Brunch

What began as a simple theme turned full blown challenge for Lindsey. The girl has brunched and shared the best of for 52 weeks now!

Final 10 – Check out my Life

And my favorite thing has got to be her weekly snapshots. It’s one thing to see well composed images, but you really get a feeling for someone by the daily goodies. You know – the coffee cups, weird faces, friends, favorites and all the other goodness of a not so ordinary life.

So there you have it friends! A year with Lindsey.

Just in case you had forgotten how stinking incredible this girl is. Thanks for sharing with us Lindsey! The Breakfast Table wouldn’t be the same without you.

Love From,

25 Weeks

We’re rounding the final base (Happy Baseball Season!) on the second trimester over here and I am SO so happy to see things moving along. Toss in the Easter holiday and we’ve managed to stay sufficiently busy.

Baby is moving like a jumping bean and I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that his movement in there isn’t an indication of his personality out here. If so, we’re going to get a great workout chasing this little guy around in another twelve months.

In the meantime I’m going to try and soak up the relative peacefulness around our house and complete a few springtime tasks that have been glaring at me from our todo list.

Here’s to 25 Weeks Down… 15ish to go!

 

A Little (Mountain) Man Nursery!

“Hey Stesha – Do you do anything besides sleep, eat and post weekly update photos?”

Of course. I also Pinterest. Duh.

Winter has been great for avoiding the inevitable amount of work hurling my way. It’s been wrap up in a blanket and ignore the To-Do lists season…until now. Hello Spring! With this warmer weather I got the much needed push to start ordering items for Sprout’s Nursery. Ah – nursery. My “workout” room is going to be a nursery. Buh-bye elliptical, hello crib. Thankfully I’ve had Pinterest to store my ever expanding collection of ideas – what did we do before this genius, seriously?

So without further hullabaloo I present our initial inspiration board for our very own little (mountain) man! Possibly too much Duck Dynasty around these parts lately?

crib . moose print . owl lamp . hedgehog linens . wooly mammoth . friends print . chesterfield chair . rug . moose canvas

Now if I could only find the perfect paper mache stag head. Oh yeah – I’m going there.

See you on the other side of the woods,

 

RELAX.

I have a love hate relationship with the time changing. I LOVE falling back an hour but I hate springing forward. At least at first. It literally takes me a week (at least) to adjust. I have been fighting myself every morning and it just doesn’t seem to be getting better. I have hope that it will. Especially with yesterday being so lucky and all.

My encouragement for all of us, especially our dear Stesha, is to find time to relax. Let’s take advantage of the extra day light hours.

Pick up a book, brew a cup of tea, start a new TV series, float in the pool…do whatever it is that brings you a bit of peace.

 

23 Weeks

23 Weeks Down… 17ish to go!

It feels so good to be heading into the last month of the second trimester – things are really moving now and it feels a bit more downhill from here. After the trauma of last week I’m pretty sure we’re only going to improve, so we’re starting week twenty-three on a positive note. My Mother even came to visit for a night and it was SO nice to have someone else around that is excited about the baby! Sometimes things get lonely in soon-to-be baby world.

Are we missing green beer and a more typical St. Patrick’s Day celebration? Maybe a little… but not nearly as much as I miss my skinny jeans. Oh well, there’s enough Easter candy heading my way in the next couple of weeks to drown my bump filled sorrows. Who doesn’t love Sour Starburst Jelly Beans? Impossible!

I hope your day is all kinds of lucky,