Let’s go ahead and start with a baby photo, because I know thats why you’re really here:
How is she 6 months old already?
Hi there! It’s been a long time since I’ve checked in. I’ve been hiding behind my busy schedule, and thinking I didn’t have time to write you! I’ve been writing you in my head, promising myself to put pen to paper just as soon as I got a minute. And then, the dogs bark and wake up the baby, the baby is in her constantly-wanting-to-be-held-by-Mama phase, my knees feel like I’m 80, and it’s 6:45pm and I haven’t even thought about dinner yet.
However, I’m taking control of my life, and making sure that situation stops repeating itself.
Now, probably the most exciting thing that makes me squeal is that you guys helped make my second cookbook Comfort and Joy: Cooking for Two debut on the national best seller list a few weeks ago! Seriously, you guys? Thank you so much. It means the world to me. I was nervous to write a book with savory recipes. I had a lot of doubt in my mind that anyone would actually want small-batch recipes for savory and comfort food. But you do! And you’re loving it! Plus, I snuck in 15 new desserts for two in the last chapter of the book, because I know you. You like desserts for two. If you have the book and love it, would you mind leaving an Amazon review, please? I never knew how much those mattered until I wrote the first book. Thanks in advance!
Super serious teacher face. I swear it’s way more fun than it looks!
I’ve been teaching cooking classes at the Kitchen Conservatory lately, and having such a great time! The classes sell out fast, so sign up for my next one on December 21st if you wanna! I’m going to try to teach every other month, as long as my schedule allows. I really like teaching, but it’s hard on Camille to disrupt her bedtime routine since classes are at night. But, Dad says he can handle it, so I’ll keep on as long as I can.
What else is up? Homemade baby food is up. Here’s the thing: I hesitated to share the fact that I’m making my own baby food, because it can lead to a case of ‘mom guilt.’ Mom guilt is when you think everyone is a better mother than you, and also, they have more hours in the day to accomplish such tasks that get the nomination for the ‘mom of the year’ award. So, I want to say that I make my own baby food because I like to. If you don’t make your own, you are a good mom. Truly. I looked at the ingredient list on baby food at Target the other day—just carrots and water. No biggie. I find it thrilling to make Camille’s food, so I do. I prioritize it (meaning, I don’t vacuum my house for 2 weeks in exchange for an afternoon spent making baby food).
Here are the flavors I’ve made her so far (from the top): mango + vanilla bean, pea, apple, pea + zucchini, pear + cardamom, spinach + potato, parsnip + thyme, and sweet potato.
Also: persimmon (just because I don’t love a fruit doesn’t mean I won’t give it to her), blueberry, crimson plum, potato + leek, and pea + leek! I love to mix in cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices into her purees just before serving, with the exception of vanilla bean–I steep the whole pod and seeds with the fruit, like I did for the mango puree.
Many have asked for a baby food recipe list or even cookbook. I just put ‘baby food ebook’ on my To Do list. I’m slowly working on it. I’m not going to rush the process, so I don’t have an estimated release date, but just know: it’s coming. At least I hope it is. You probably still have time to conceive and give birth before you’ll see it. (Kidding. Gosh, I hope.)
Hmm…what else is new? I think last time we talked, I said I was taking Camille off a schedule and just letting her tell me when she’s hungry. Oh my gosh, guys…that lasted for, like, 2 hours. I am all about the baby schedule again. If she wasn’t on a schedule, she’d spent 20 hours a day on the boob. And Mama needs a life too, ya know? So, we’re back on a schedule. I love that she’s getting older and feeding less frequently. There was a time where I felt like a prisoner in the house; I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything because it was too close to a feeding or nap time. I completely 100% understand why Moms switch to formula. And I respect the hell out of it. I really do. I’m just too cheap for formula, but I’m envious of Moms that rely on it and get their lives back. The hormonal fluctuations associated with breastfeeding have landed me in therapy for postpartum depression, so trust me when I say, I really get it. It’s haaaaaard. But, I have so many supportive friends (both on the internet and in real life), and that means the world to me. I am literally counting down the days until she’s 1 and can switch to cow’s milk. So, next time someone gives you Mom guilt, remember me: in therapy, counting down the days to cow’s milk, and doesn’t feel one ounce of bonding experience from breastfeeding. I get kinda tired of everyone painting motherhood to be a joyous journey 100% of the time. Yes, it’s amazing, but it’s also the hardest freaking thing I’ve ever done. Did I mention how hard it is?
What else? hmm..we’ve got a fun pretty newsletter that emails you when I have new recipes up. Sign up here if you like!
Fall is gorgeous blah blah blah, but all I can think about is winter coming. Winter, also known as the time of year when I get trapped indoors for weeks because I refuse to drive when there’s snow on the ground. We’ve made a commitment to this tiny 1920s cute-as-hell bungalow house, and we decided we’re going to do some renovations instead of upgrading to a larger house. So, I hope I can share my renovation story with you. I love good before and after photos in a house! Either that, or I’ll share my divorce decree. I hear home renovations are stressful. Luckily, I have Julie on my side.
Ok, friends! Go forth and make homemade baby food! Or don’t! Enjoy your life.
PS I’ll be in Chicago this week for the BlogHer Food conference. Follow me on instagram to see my travels! Oh, and I finally joined snapchat this week. Lord, help us all. My username is ‘dessertfortwo.’ You may have guessed as much.
your daughter is a total cutie..im no where near motherhood and i have nth but respect because im just freaked out by the idea of having to take care of a human child. i have a dog and i barely give her time..so you are awesome!!!!
you know how Fall in Dallas is..so i try to get excited although its nothing compared to real-Fall else where. i do get my fair share of pumpkin though.
Awww, I was totally freaked out, too. But motherhood will be here before you know it, and you’ll be like ‘why didn’t I read all the books before she was born?’ Your Mama intuition will kick in, and you’ll be fine. And plus, my dogs are way more work than a baby. Seriously! We brought Camille home from the hospital, and she wasn’t nearly as needy as the dogs!
CONGRATS Best Seller. Also, is it weird that I want to eat Camille’s baby food? lol
PS. Super proud of you <3. Thanks for being so honest. Camille has one amazing mama!
looove this whole post!!!! Yay Best Seller! The cooking classes look amazing and just….your entire attitude about motherhood. amazing!
and obviously Camille is the cuuuutest!!!
I am in the middle of a massive home renovation that is about 85% kitchen. Like, down to the studs, haven’t had a kitchen in 7 weeks, probably won’t have one by Thanksgiving kinds of reno. And I’m not divorced yet, so you have nothing to worry about :) But yes! Please share before-and-afters!
Hah! I’m glad you’re still married :) But I’m sorry about your lack of kitchen. But hey, at least you can have the year off from cooking? :)
Oh god! Camille is so cute..i think she loves to be photographed.I was laughing so loudly reading your take on the whole mommy thing.Being a mom of two year old i can relate to your situation ,every mim can.And yes i am also all about schedule;i think i was a step close to going to mental asylum thinking24/7 about how to maintain baby’s scheduleLol.
But you managing so many things with a baby…hats off!! you rock…you really do
All I think about is the baby schedule. And I am one step away from the asylum. Not to worry! Lol! We’ll get through it! Right? :)
Right…Moms have superpowers…For two years i followed/maintained/made neccesary changes to the schedule and now its really paying off…
Hats off to all mothers
Congrats on your second book being a best seller, that’s awesome lady!!!! The baby food is so pretty btw ;) Hope the rest of your fall goes great and safe travels!
Thanks so much for posting this! I think more moms need to talk about how hard it is to be a mom! Nursing and feeding your baby is not all smiles all the time. So many emotions and ups and downs. Glad you have a lot of support. Keep up the amazing work!
Christina,
First I want to tell you that you are amazing. That beautiful little girl and all those rolls? Your hard work! You did that! Our girls are about a week apart. The postpartum breastfeeding stuff is no joke. They don’t tell you how hard something that’s suppose to be so natural is. Due to my daughters acid reflux I was nursing every 1-2 hours up until almost 6 months. She ate half the amount twice as often. We finally weaned her. The bond? It’s there I promise. I think it’s just hard for us to feel it because we’re so tired and nursing becomes such a chore. But it’s there. The bond is so there. Really though you are amazing and you are doing an amazing job with Camille. Cows milk soon!
Ps congrats on the book!!
I think you’re right. The bond is there. I just want free. I want to bond in other ways?
Thanks for sharing :) Aren’t little girls the sweetest? :)
Congratulations on being a best seller! Way to go! Thank you for your honesty about being a mom and the struggles. Love your blog and your books! You’re the best!
Aww, thanks! You don’t have to be so nice, but I’m glad that you are :)
Ahhh, Camille is so cute! And congrats on your second book, that is so exciting! I have no idea how you manage to do so much with a baby… I’m pretty sure if I had a child, I would be sleeping 100% of my free time. ;)
You are all sorts of amazing! I wish we lived near each other–I have a feeling we would be BFF’s (that’s not too creepy to say, is it?). I’d also be available to baby-sit your sweet little EVERY DAY. Congratulations on making the best seller list!! I love my copy. Both your cookbooks have a prominent space on my cookbook shelf. Keeping you in my prayers for the upcoming 6 months. I’m not a mama, so I can’t relate at all, but from everything you have shared with your readers, I believe you are going to be just fine. I know we don’t know each other *that* well, but you have a friend here in Texas who is thinking of you and can be a sounding board whenever you need. Hugs!
Yes! We struggled for years with infertility and a month after going to a fertility seminar and deciding that we just wouldn’t have kids, surprise, I got pregnant. Here we are with a 9 month old and I always keep it real with people and say how damn hard it is. Seriously, no joke. I have been dealing with some major PPD also but the amount of love I feel makes it all worth it. HUGS and good luck. I support all Mommas in their personal path in motherhood. No judgement.
This made me so happy. I’m definitely of the make-my-own-baby-food to avoid cleaning camp. And, girl I feel ya on the breastfeeding front. It is not all sunshine and roses. Sometimes it feels very confining. And I’ll be glad to have my body, hormones, and normal, non lactating boobs back. I wasn’t sure if I would be a routine/schedule mom but I 100% am. I’d go crazy without it!
Oh hon, I had no idea you were going through that! :( Mom guilt is the worst, though. I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone has their mothering causes, and we tend to compare our weaknesses/non-interests to the things that other moms are passionate about. Like you love making baby food. And you’re sacrificing a lot to nurse Camille. Another mom might be all gung-ho about cloth diapering and homeschooling. (Those are definitely not mine. Please shoot me.) There are a lot of ways to be a great mom. You’re doing beautifully. And I wish so much we lived closer so we could put our babies in the same room. ❤️
love your baby food combos! writing them down now. I like to make it too, but mostly because I think buying jars and containers are more wasteful! And I’m not even an overly environmentally conscious person. I also realized with kid #1 that they don’t eat purees for more than a few months before it’s time for soft food. Your cubes look far prettier than mine. #momguilt.
A: that TINY FALL SWEATER in your first pic is amazing.
B: love how you real this is!
C: I don’t really know what the right words are to say to someone for postpartum depression, but whatever they are, I’m saying them to you now!! <3
You’re probably the only one who could make chunks of frozen baby food look gorgeous Christina, so congrats on that :) I wish I could take one of your cooking classes! So fun!
This is a wonderful post. I am 30 years out of the baby stage and the mom guilt thing apparently continues into the next generation. Keep writing. In my empty nest I love your recipes for two. Works really well for hubby and me. Your daughter is so cute!
dear Christina,
thank you for your honesty!!!!! (also good work with the cookbook and teaching classes and being adorable) I get so sick and tired (as a childless person) of this rosy picture internet moms paint of pregnancy and motherhood. I know it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, it has to be super difficult and I applaud you being real. I feel like the Internet is full of fakes a lot, and a big reason I love you so (along with excellent recipes of course) is because you aren’t deceiving me. so, hang in there, love your family, trust your therapist, and you’ll be to cows milk before you know it :)
u da best!!! love, Annie
Ahhh, Anastasia. You are so kind. Thank you so much :)
I love this post and your honesty about motherhood! It’s definitely not all roses! I can’t wait to hang out with you more this weekend!!!!
PS: Is it weird that I want to eat Camille’s baby food?
Love the baby food! I’m crossing my fingers that I make my own too…we shall see. I appreciate your honesty about motherhood and Breast feeding. I always say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done but also the hardest – obviously there are more good days and wonderful feelings than bad but when it’s bad, it’s really bad. Congrats to you on all you’ve done this past year, professionally and personally! I’m inspired. :)
Ahhhh Jessica! It was so nice hugging your neck this week! Your little girl is adorable! Hang in there, and let me know if you need anything. I’m only 3 months ahead of you in the game since Camille is 6 months, but I’m here ;)
Camille is just so cute and sweet! Seriously love that you make baby food and not just any baby food but gourmet baby food! Amazing!
Christina, it was so great to meet you last night. . hey, I just wanted to offer some encouragement and just say thank you for being so honest and real here in this post. I had a very good friend who experienced very severe postpartum depression after having her first baby. . and she did not seek therapy. . so just wanted to say I admire you for doing it and talking to someone about it . . for your own sanity and well being, and of course for your family. I had no milk supply and tried everything to help increase my milk supply but nothing worked so I started my first daughter on formula in the first month! .. anyway, just wanted to send a hug to you and say I feel you sister. And yes, it’s not going to be a joyous journey 100% of the time. . but it’s a gift and we’re raising little human beings so just take it one day at a time. Every day is a new day! (and C is just the cutest thing ever. I want to squeeze that first photo) :)
Congratulations on your book! Very happy news.
Love your mom honesty. Just because something is awesome doesn’t mean it’s not hard too, but sometimes with our public internet faces we only post the good and boy does that make for guilt. Good for you for being so real!
A zillion years ago when I was nursing my son my doctor told me that nursing is horrible but stick it out for as long as you can and if it takes an occasional glass of wine then do it. So grateful that he acknowledged how hard it can be because I had an allergic to soy, milk, any sort of formula kid so nursing went on for a year and a half. Bonkers.
Your little Camille is a glowing picture of loved, the gorgeous little dollykins! We had four children and none of them nursed easily. I watched the calendar also, but kept it up for times varying from 6-12 months. Postpartum depression is no joke and having had that once, I applaud mothers now for talking about it, making not the untouchable subject, so thank you for that!
Oh. My. Goodness! We empty nesters are sooooo tirrred of the same old boring books written by folks our age with recipes in small portions. Yes! We are here and we LOVE your savory recipes! Well…we love desserts too…just sayin… But we (at least my husband and I) aren’t on salt restricted, no fat, senior diets. Basic good health and weights, we love butter (in moderation) and use whole, organic foods as unprocessed as possible. If you give us a chicken recipe, we shop for organic chicken and veg and the pastry it’s wrapped in, say phyllo, gets a pass, there has to be wiggle room for fun and flavor. And your recipes are so flavorful and make that it possible without touting or preaching one side or the other! That’s why I love your savory recipes!
You’re a great mom, cook, a great photographer, but I think you may have another gem in your writing! Your updates are so witty and fun and well written. Your reality of everyday bumps peek through without overwhelming the bigger moments of optimism and clear joy! Is there anything you can’t do? Btw….thanks for the nod toward wellness mamma! I am now making all of my own own bath products!
EEK! Bestseller, that’s SO exciting!!! You deserve it lady. Love love love this post, so open and honest, which is so refreshing. I’m preparing myself for motherhood to be both wonderful and challenging. I don’t know one person that hasn’t struggled with breastfeeding and motherhood in some way, shape or form and I’m so glad that so many mothers I know have been honest about what it’s really like. Hope you’re having fun in Chicago! Wish I was there!
Okay seriously. I’m right there with you! Why do people act like motherhood is the best thing ever and breastfeeding is painted as this glorious thing. Don’t get me wrong I am in LOVE with our baby but this is the hardest, painful, and most challenging thing I’ve ever had to do! Breastfeeding really sucks most of the time and I cry alot about the pain and feeling trapped by it and my always want to be held baby. Do u have a ring sling? It’s worked wonders! So, today I decided I had to do my life and schedule and baby will feed around that. It’s the only thing keeping me sane… So far so good. Did I mention we are going on week 3?! Ahhhhh! ‘Maternity leave’ is not all that it’s cracked up to be.
I had trouble breastfeeding when my oldest was born in 1965, because breastfeeding wasn’t “in”. The formula lobby was working overtime, so I was the only woman in the maternity ward who was nursing, and there was NO ONE to help me. I didn’t try with the next two, but when my youngest was born in 1984 (my surprise caboose baby), I was determined! We did fine, except for the fact that she would not take even breast milk in a bottle, or a pacifier. I called her the “American Express Baby” because I never left home without her…..lol. We both survived. She’ll be 32 on January 11th, and is getting married 5 days later!
Glad you’re enjoying motherhood and making baby food. It can be fun. I tried it for awhile w/the older ones, but got too busy with the horde.
I so enjoy your recipes. Keep up the good work!
xo Linda
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story, Linda. I know that I’m going to blink and Camille will be 32! And I’m cracking up about the american express baby :)
xo
Annnnnnd this is why I love you. The blogging world can be full of guilt and shaming… and I tend to stay away from those. Don’t need that negativity in my life! Thankful for your fresh, honest, and completely shame-free approach to motherhood and life in general. You are the best!
I love you too :)
I am a new mom too (my daughter will be 3 weeks tomorrow), but I got a piece of advice from a good friend from church. She said “This may sound strange, but don’t be upset if you don’t bond with your child immediately. It took me 6 months to finally ‘bond’ with my son and I thought something was wrong with me. It’ll come in time.” It is SO true. I love my daughter to pieces, but breastfeeding is so painful for me sometimes I just want to pull her off and hysterically cry. Sometimes she cries so hard she loses her voice and I have NO clue why she even cried. I find myself planning everything around her feeding schedule, so sometimes just to go out and get a coffee is too much of an ordeal. I agree that everyone is always painting a picture of motherhood to be total bliss, but it is really hard as you said. You are doing a fantastic job no matter what anyone says (I have to tell myself that too), but to anyone that says motherhood is easy they really just have no idea!
Thank you so much for sharing, Katharine. I wish you a great motherhood journey, even though it’s hard at times! <3
You are amazingly adorable. I wish I lived close and could come to your class!!
Thank you for letting me know about the class — I just signed up ! :) I really love your website and have tried tons of your recipes with lots of success.
Yay, Lily! Thanks so much! I can’t wait to see you :)