Can't believe I delivered Tanner 4 weeks ago today. Seems like forever ago, yet almost like it was yesterday and still very fresh in my mind! Hard to imagine our family without him---so refreshing to have the little guy around. I would sit and stare at him all day if I could. Such a good baby. He's establishing a better sleep schedule and doing better overnight, except for the hours between 2 and 4 am. That's when he really wants a bottle. It's amazing how many informercials are on TV that time of day.
I made a sad realization that in the past 4 weeks I've only left the house like 6 or 7 times. Yikes!! Maybe because it's too much work to get everyone in the car!! I started driving carpool again last week just so I could have something to do! Adjusting to life as a mother of four has been hard for me on many levels. I'm so concentrated on Tanner's needs most of the time that I feel guilty for negliecting other people and responsibilities. I walk upstairs and look around at the piles of laundry and messy rooms and want to cry. When my kids ask me what's for dinner every night I let out a big sigh and think to myself---
1. I haven't made any plans for dinner
2. I have to come up with something fast and somewhat nutritious
3. Wait, I haven't eaten anything all day!
4. Where's the phone number for Dominos?
That saddens me because I really enjoy cooking. I like to try new recipes and plan menus and grocery shop. I just haven't had the energy or the time for it lately.
It was funny because during that first week Taylor asked me after school, "So Mom, who is bringing us dinner tonight?" I laughed and had to explain that people bring you dinner for the first few days and then you're on your own. She seemed disappointed......so was I. In my perfect world someone would deliver a home cooked meal every night to our doorstep at 6pm. But I love to cook, so maybe instead my request would be that someone take all the kids out of the house for an hour so I can whip up a yummy dinner for my family. I need to get on the ball because our dinners have been less than stellar recently and serving bowls of cereal is getting a little old.
Do any of you get in a dinner rut? What do you do on those busy nights when there's no time to cook or you're short on groceries? What is the one staple or favorite dish that your family could eat over and over again? I need to try those recipes that some of you posted on your blogs.
Give me your ideas !
11 comments:
We didn't know you had a baby! Congratulations!!!!!!! He is very beautiful and now you are like us with 3 boys and 1 girl.
I definitely get in the recipe rut. I am still in the phase of getting meals delivered, but it has only been a week. My dad showed up with an empty laundry basket and told me to fill it with dirty clothes and my mom would bring it back tomorrow with clean clothes. It is so nice to live around family, although I think in the next day or two I will be back on my own. Good luck, I feel your pain about getting out of the house and everyone has needs all at once. It does get easier right?
Heidi, you're making me nervous...I was told that having #3is the toughest and anything after that is no different. :)
Anyway, I have come to love my crockpot since having my third. I have (some) energy in the morning, but none at night when it's time to cook. So I throw some stuff in the ol'crockpot around noon, then it's ready to go at dinner time. I'll find some easy recipes and send them to you.
--Celeste
Oh the dinner Rut. I hate it. I always keep bacon and eggs in the fridge for those "I forgot to plan dinner nights". My kids love fried eggs. I could help you out. Whatever you need me to do, I could watch the kids while you run somewhere or anything.
Well I probably won't be much help with dinner but I just want to say Tanner is such a beautiful baby, I totally would just stare at him all day too. One dinner I do make on short notice is beef and brown gavy. Ground beef then add a can of cream of mushroom with a pack of brown gravy and a cup of water and serve over rice with some veggies on the side. One of Ryan's favorite meals.
my mom will always just make eggs or ill make mac and cheese. but if you ever need someone to babysit i could for u
Holy cow! IT's been 4 weeks already??? WOW! He is beautiful!
Anyway - the Dunn's are always in a dinner rut. I don't enjoy cooking, and don't enjoy eating, so it's a struggle. Why invest all that time into something I that doesn't yeild an enjoyable result? I know, I'm crazy. Sorry I can't help!
Angela--What a blessing to live by family. I know I wouldn't have made it thru this without Andrew's mom and sisters. Will it get easier? I hope so!!
Celeste--I look forward to those crock pot recipes. What wonderful gadgets they are!
Jill--you truly inspired me today and we had waffles for dinner tonight with hashbrowns and bacon. Yum! You're such a sweetheart to be willing to help. I just may call you when I'm at the end of my rope.
Carter--can't go wrong with Mac n Cheese! I'll keep you in mind for babysitting, but doesn't your mom need you at home to watch your sisters? You Johnsons are so nice to me!
Stefanie--thanks for the dinner tip, I will have to write that one down.
Lindsay-- I understand your point of view. I know those times when my family is complaining about the dinner I've made them I think, why did I go thru all this work?
I am a little behind sorry! I am sorry that I am not there to take your kids for you or continue to bring you some dinner ocassionaly! I don't know what the adjustment to four is like but I know it felt like it really took me a long time to adjust to three! I just didn't feel like I was on top of ANYTHING for a very long time. It will get better as I am sure you know!
We also make breakfast foods in a jam. We usually have eggs and pancakes and toast or something. We also do grilled cheese sandwiches and soup when needed. You really need to set up a dinner group. I have thought recently how nice it would be to be pregnant right now or have had a baby because I seriuosly only cook two to MAYBE three days a week and my family still gets yummy home cooked meals. Find some people to set it up with seriously it will CHANGE your life!
I agree with Jessica, the meal groups are great! It's so hard the day you are preparing- but worth it when you have a house full of dinner you didn't have to make! He's adorable and I wish I was there to make you a dinner- or dessert to cheer you up.
Congratulations you guys. Beautiful baby.
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