Somehow Matt and I managed to accumulate about 7 hours of sleep between 1am when we went to bed and 8:15am when Mazen woke up. I was very thankful that early morning wake-ups were snuggly and brief and we started 2013 as rested as parents can be with a four month old.
My first trimester pregnancy cravings were cheese (LOTS of cheese!), ground beef, milk, OJ, bagels and cream cheese, among other things.
My breastfeeding cravings include: eggs. LOTS of eggs! Thus, I had eggs on the brain and our seedy sourdough just wouldn’t make good French toast. So I scrambled ‘em! 2.5 eggs for each of us.
Plus crunchy toast with vanilla almond butter
And fresh fruit
A few hours later we made like chickens and crossed the road for a New Year’s Day brunch hosted by our neighbors. They throw the best parties, and their house was packed with friends and food.
Potluck is the way to go!! I love how much variety comes with a potluck event. Everyone was encouraged to bring any leftovers (or freshovers) they had on hand, and they had everything from Christmas cookies to smoked salmon to chili, homemade bread, quinoa salad, fruit salad and more. It was quite the spread!
I had this plate plus a few more nibbles of cookies before we left. I thought I was done with the cookies, but I guess I had to have one last affair! Looooove smoked salmon, and that cornbread + scone pair were both outstanding. Yay for black-eyed peas on NYD too!
After lunch Maze and I walked Matt down to the bakery to do a few business things before production starts up again tomorrow. We took the long way home and covered about 3.25 miles on foot.
Playtime happened later. He made friends with a panda and practiced rolling over.
And for dinner, we had an awesome combination of flavors: sweet potato gnocchi, pork, walnuts and collard greens.
The gnocchi were from our Whole Foods, which has a fresh pasta bar. They have everything from pumpkin ravioli to whole wheat pasta, and I’ve been meaning to try it for ages. These sweet potato gnocchi were awesome! We boiled them and then sautéed alongside two pork chops from our freezer cut into cubes, a handful of walnuts and served all that over steam-sautéed collard greens. Everything had a mild butter-smoked maple flavor infused throughout.
Two thumbs up for this combo of flavor and texture!
Going to bed early tonight – despite the good night last night (longest stretch we’ve had in a month was 4.45 hours!) we’re still pretty exhausted.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I want to live in a place that the neighbors throw awesome parties like that! Lucky girl! I think I’m going to join you in a nap, not sleeping well lately. Happy 2013!
Sara @ fitcupcaker says
Sweet potato gnocchi sounds awesome. I need to hit up whole foods asap!
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
Way to ring in the new year with plenty of sleep. What a treat to parents with an infant! I think a new year’s potluck idea is brilliant. No one around here does much for new year because they are all recovering from new year’s eve. I think I should change that next year. 🙂
Nina says
That dinner looks amazing. I’ve been wanting to make some butternut squash gnocci with sage butter sauce but couldn’t figure out which protien I wanted to use. I think I’m just going to have to add all of your yummy fixings 🙂
Candice says
I love Mazen’s green vest! So adorable!!
Cherleen @ My Personal Finance Journey says
I envy you for having fun and kindhearted neighbors. I wish I could move to your neighborhood but that will remain a dream. I love cheese and eggs anytime of the day. I actually had mushroom and cheese omelette for breakfast today. May we have a healthier 2013!
Elise @ Expeditions of Elise says
I always think New Year’s Day is one of the most relaxing days of the year. Nothing to do but lounge around. 🙂
Karen says
Happy New Year, Kath ! Looking forward to all you have to post in the new year…especially photos of your little guy.
Eating 4 Balance says
That sweet potato gnocchi looks really good. I pronounced it with a ‘g’ for the longest time because that’s how they say it up at school, but I learned the proper way over Christmas break… “noki.” Haha. I never would have guessed!
Allie says
Hi Kath — I know you’re not specifically asking for advice (and I typically hate unsolicited advice, especially when it comes to parenting), but I’ve been feeling terrible for you on the lack of sleep front. We have a little boy who is just slightly older than Mazen; he was born September 2. I exclusively breastfeed too, but I also pump first thing in the morning and right before bed. These sessions produce enough milk to feed our son a “big bedtime bottle” right after his bath. Giving him this big bottle right before bed has been the key to getting him to STTN for us. We tried it on a fluke and it seemed to work, so we ran it by our pediatrician and he thought it was a great idea. Dylan is now consistently sleeping 8-9 hours straight each night (7 hours is now a “bad” night for us), then wakes up to eat in the morning and goes right back to sleep for another 2-3 hours. I just wanted to share this with you because we were struggling for weeks and weeks, but this really seems to work for us. Maybe it’s worth a shot!
KathEats says
Thanks for the tip!
irene says
My daughter was born august 27 and we do the exact same thing and get huge chunks too. She sleeps 7:30-11 we dream feed at 11 and she sleeps 11-5 and she eats again then back to sleep til 8. I also EBF but also pump at night and in the morning to get enough.
KathEats says
I have tried the dream feed and while I do think it buys an hour or so, it definitely does not mean he sleeps through the night 🙁
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Happy new year! Congrats on a great night of sleep!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I LOVE Mazen’s little green vest – adorable! I have a thing for puffy little vests I think. They’re so stinkin’ cute. Glad you guys had a great start to the New Year!
Tami@nutmegnotebook says
What a great idea for a NYD pot luck. Thanks for the review of the gnocchi, that dish looks delicious and so healthy too.
Morgan says
That NYD spread looks amazing! I’m loving the quinoa salad with sweet potatoes…a delicious combo! Have a great day, Kath!
P.S. I can’t get enough of that sweet little face! Mazen is too cute!
Christine says
I was supposed to have a new year’s brunch but had to cancel on new year’s eve because I just can’t seem to kick this cold, ugh! Mine was not going to be potluck but I love that idea and think I’ll do it as a potluck next year. Less work and more food!!!
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
OMG. Baby in a puffy vest. Cutest thing ever! It looks like your NYD set the stage for a great 2013! Happy New Year!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Oooo that sweet potato gnocchi sounds delicious! And I love potlucks, I’m a huge fan of having a little taste of a lot of things!
Melissa says
I can’t believe he’s big enough to be playing with toys like that, all on his own with awesome head control (I know, he should by now, but they grow too fast!)
Happy New Years!
I’m going to have to find me some of those sweet potato things. We don’t have a Whole Foods nearby (I don’t think), but I love sweet potatoes! 🙂
brett says
the pic of maze in that vest….omg.
Ashley M. [at] (never)homemaker says
Eggs + sourdough = heaven. In fact, I’m off to eat that now for a late breakfast/brunch type meal <3
Sarah says
What did you use to cut the freezer into cubes? 😉
KathEats says
A hot knife : )
joelle (on a pink typewriter) says
That gnocchi looks great! Great dish.
Deanna - Coach Calorie says
My goodness he is one adorable baby! You’re not helping my baby itch 🙂
And don’t you love WF for their pre-made stuff? Such a lifesaver in a pinch.
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
We hosted a New Years brunch but I love the idea of a potluck of leftovers!!!
Karen says
Love that green vest!
Amanda, RD- The Nutritionist Reviews says
Potluck is definitely the way to go! You get to try so many awesome options.
Lindsey @ Pas de Deux says
Gotta eat those black eyed peas for luck! I haven’t tried the pasta bar at Whole Foods yet, but that sweet potato gnocchi is calling my name. Happy New Year!
Dani says
Puffy vest!! Too cute.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
I’ve been craving eggs too lately but not just any kind of eggs. I love just simple fluffy scrambled eggs. Maze is adorable in his little vest 🙂
Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin says
I love potlucks! Looks like a ton of fun. I’ve been craving eggs a lot lately too. The cold weather makes me want scrambles and omelettes! I really want to try that sweet potato gnocchi.
kristen @ verbs and vignettes says
breakfast looks so cozy on that beautiful rustic wooden table. and congrats on the longer sleep! new year, better sleep…? haha.
Annette @FitnessPerks says
What a fun-looking party!
Ashlee says
Love sweet potato gnocchi! And love maze’s puffy green jacket!
Pauline says
in the first picture with the sweet panda mazen looks just like Matt! 🙂
a farmer in the dell says
That green puffy vest on Maze is too stinking cute! Thanks for the tip on the whole foods gnocchi. I’m heading there today!
Amelia says
OMG love that little vest!!!!
Sunnie@moderngirlnutrition says
Everything looks amazing! And agreed- potlucks are the best:) Happy New Year!
Diana @ Eating Made Easy says
I haven’t seen the pasta bar at my Whole Foods, maybe I’ve been missing it all this time. Will be on the lookout… grocery shopping today!
Julia H. @ Live Young & Prosper says
I just saw sweet potato gnocchi at Trader Joe’s recently…need to go back and buy some!
Sarah says
I love potlucks, too! What did you take to the potluck? Do you have any recipes of your food or any of the other food contributed? Everything looks great!
KathEats says
We took a plate of NYE sushi (we made extra) and a bottle of champagne. I don’t have the recipes, unfortunately.
Katy says
Looks like so much fun! What a great way to ring in the new year!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
That’s so great that your neighbors had a party like that! I love when neighbors get together. Maze looks so adorable in his vest!
Alan says
Re: sleep:
We have 2 boys, 9 and 12 at this point. When they were 2 mos old, 3 mos old and 4 mos old–each went through a prolonged growth spurt, probably 3-5 days in duration where they ate a ton, slept more in spurts (because they were hungry) and ate some more. It could be that is what is going on. These growth spurts are great for the baby, bad for the parent :-)>
Other thing: I am an infrequent poster, frequent reader, and as much as I love seeing pictures of your delicious looking food, your “Mazen” pictures are even more fun to look at! Thanks for sharing his cuteness and smiles. (And did you know, that even though you are a Duke /Davidson family–he is destined to be a Michigan boy–“Mazen” blue (our team colors ha ha) )
Happy New Year to the three of you
Andrea says
Gnocchi just sounds so good! I have yet to try it! I’ll have to pick some up next time I’m grocery shopping. : ) Happy New Year!
Molly @ RDexposed says
Capers! I need to use these in my own cooking. They seem so intimidating at times.
Meagan says
Wow – Mazen’s holding his head up so well!!
Fran@BCDC says
Looks like a fun party with your neighbors!