Hi! Hi. I’ve missed this. Grab your coffee or your Spindrift and let me catch you up on what’s been happening lately.
September Coffee Date – 2021
Big sigh.
Hi! Hi. I’ve missed this.
I have been here, there, and everywhere on POY lately – in recipe mode, planning, scheduling, development, etc.
But it’s been so long since I wrote one of these coffee date posts. Do I say that every time? Does it get a little longer between every time? I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m very tired. But I’m really glad to be here and to (finally) be giving a little update on our personal lives.
What I’m drinking – well, at this very actual moment I’m drinking the very last strawberry lemonade Spindrift that was in our office fridge. But in the coffee department, over the last few months I’ve become very habitual with my decaf oatmilk shaken espresso order from Starbucks. I don’t even know how to describe it other than a barely sweet, espresso-based creamy iced drink, but it’s delicious.
Pumpkin spice? Yes or no? I am pretty medium on it this year. Maybe this means I’m growing up or something? If you love pumpkin spice, get after it. We need all the little joys we can get!
Grab your coffee or your Spindrift – there’s a lot to catch up on. ♡
Our Hard Thing
Alright, this is the big one.
Like so many others, our family is currently facing a hard thing.
A few weeks ago, through a random series of events, we learned that Solvi’s heart isn’t working normally.
We went for what we thought would be a reassuring appointment with cardiology where they say, “thanks for coming to get this checked out, but everything is fine!”, but instead we came out with an out-of-the-blue serious diagnosis and instructions for scheduling a minimally invasive heart surgery to implant a small metal device that would correct her heart.
This week at her pre-op, we got some more unexpected news: our surgeon estimated that, for her heart issue specifically, there may be only a 60-75% chance that this minimally invasive procedure will correct the issue. And if it does not correct the issue, she’ll need to have open heart surgery.
I feel so connected to the community here, and I know so many of you who read Pinch of Yum and leave comments and stop us at the bagel store to say hi – you are wonderful, deep, real people. You allow us – Bjork, me, Pinch of Yum – into your lives and your kitchens and that is such a huge, incredible honor. And that is why in the work we do, I feel best when I can be a whole person, not just a recipe person. A whole person who has good times, and a whole person who has scary heart surgery times.
And, frankly, this week is scary heart surgery time.
I make breakfast, I show up at work, I talk about normal things, I put the girls to bed… but also, I am constantly aware of what is just days ahead on the calendar and the lifelong ramifications it will have one way or the other.
Thank you so much for your support, love, and especially your prayers this impending procedure and for our little girl’s heart. These are some really anxious times for us.
The Soup Series
On a so much lighter note, the soup series is coming up and I’ve been ready for it since the day I was born.
Half of my camera roll is photos of soup like this – this showstopper is a tomato-based Mexican-style soup with some corn fritters and excessive cheese and crema toppings and let me just say, it is worth watching for.
More info about the soup series here!
The Summer Of CSA
Overall, this was really not a great summer for us.
But one of the ways this summer was FUN and HAPPY and FRESH was that we did a CSA for the first time! You pay at the beginning of the summer for a whole summer’s worth of fresh, locally grown produce boxed up straight from the farm. We have a weekly pickup point that we drive to (it’s a standing Bjork-Solvi date) and then we bring the box home and have just the best time unboxing it and seeing “what we got from the farm” this week.
The most unplanned, unexpected benefit has been seeing Solvi get so excited about vegetables. It’s like unwrapping a giant present of vegetables every week, and she now knows most of the names of the veggies, and knows which ones she likes (the tiny tomatoes, the pea pods, the cucumbers, the green beans), and gets excited to make recipes with the produce (zucchini muffins x100). Next year we’ll try to actually take her to the farm for a field trip so she can see where everything is grown.
Have you done a CSA? Heard of it? This was only our first year but I would highly recommend looking into it if you love vegetables, have little kids who might enjoy the process, or want to buy more locally grown produce!
On Parenting
While there are so many joys about being a parent to two littles (exhibit A in the photo above! omg!!), I wouldn’t say this is a season of thriving for us, that’s for sure. 😂
In this chapter of my life, most days feel like a blur of toddler baby work home baby toddler repeat.
Most nights, after the girls FINALLY go to sleep and the kitchen finally gets cleaned up and I settle in for my 30 minutes of free time, the general mood in the house is this:
(Thanks, Bjork, for always capturing me at my best!)
It’s hard to explain how much I love and struggle with this season all at the same time, but I know I don’t really need to explain it because a lot of you just understand.
I’m just drinking deep from the experiences and joys of having a three year old and an almost one year old. Every single day I’m laughing at their antics and nibbling their cheeks and loving their little selves so much it hurts. Lena gave me a floppy wave on the way out the door this morning, and Solvi kissed me three times and insisted that I bring her toy dustpan to work so I could “give dad a reminder to clean up at the office.” I mean, this is it. This is the good stuff. I just want time to stand still so they can be this squishy forever.
And at the same time, I’m feeling stretched very, very thin. I’m tired. I’m struggling to find the right work-life balance (always). And I’m looking forward to a day – maybe? someday? – when I can get a full night of sleep.
(A pause to talk about sleep which seems to be always a thing! Yes, we did do sleep training for Solvi and she has always been a great sleeper until this summer. We are full blown toddler sleep struggle bus these days. And we did sleep training for Lena as well – we even worked with a sleep consultant, lol – and she just has never quite gotten it, maybe due to reflux issues or maybe just because BABIES ARE BABIES. I don’t know. She’s slept through the night maybe 10 times in her whole life. If you’re looking for a good way to be humbled and aged at the same time, might I recommend kids!)
Bjork and I always come back to this mantra or idea that this season is definitely hard, but it’s simple hard. There’s no lack of love. There’s cuteness and goodness and pure joy everywhere… it just comes with a price tag of never having a clean house, always feeling behind, and all-around total exhaustion.
Anyone out there feeling this? Maybe you stepped away for a second coffee?
We Now Own A Double Jogger
And it is life changing.
We have built up a fleet of several strollers in the last few years:
- Uppababy
- BOB Jogger (single)
- And most recently, a Thule jogger (double)
And I have to tell you – if I could only pick one of all these three, it would be the new Thule double jogger. It’s super smooth, light, and comfortable for both of them. We are LOVING it.
I found this one on Facebook Marketplace, and even with a little bit of wear and tear on it, it is just such a dream. It’s the only way I can stand a chance at exercising right now because I can make it into a whole activity for the girls. And by exercises I mean a 20 minute walk/run maybe twice per week! Starting small!
And Then There’s Bjork
Bjork is, even in a sleep deprived state, just generally funny, clever, and kind. Why are some people just good?
Here is a photo of him drinking an NA beer on a date with me because he stopped drinking alcohol and eating sugar? I don’t know. We now have boxes of keto cereal in our pantry and carrot juice and Diet 7UP in our fridge. I obviously don’t support this but he can’t be stopped.
I think he is just as tired as I am because he is Lena’s Night Parent and is often the one to get up with her in the middle of the night (she doesn’t usually nurse at night, just wakes for a paci or a snuggle or who really knows why). I take Solvi’s wake ups, he takes Lena’s wake ups, and in the midst of all that is crazy and hard right now, I am so thankful for such a true partner.
We’ve been able to go on a few dates over the summer which usually feels like an entire vacation packed into 4 hours. It’s usually enough time for us to talk about work and kids, get into a little fight, recover from a little fight, and enjoy dinner, dessert, and a walk. It’s great. God bless date night.
Thank you so much for checking in. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Solvi. Thank you for sharing this space with us in ways that are real and genuine.
Sending all the love in the world through my computer screen to you! May you find a moment of peace in whatever good or hard things you’re facing today. ♡ xo
Filed Under: Life
September 22, 2021
Nice to meet you!
I’m Lindsay and I ♡ FOOD. I used to be a teacher, and now making food and writing about it online is my full-time job. I love talking with people about food, and I'm so glad you're here.
Did you make a recipe? Tag @pinchofyum on Instagram so we can find you!
Leave a Reply
238 Comments
Comments could not be loaded. Please try again.
Dear Lindsay, Thanks so much for sharing and being open and real about what you are going through, especially with your daughter Solvi and her heart issue. I can only imagine how hard it is. Please give us an update as to how things are going! I think it always helps to share share share.
So sorry for what you are going through. Sending prayers your way.
Hello dear friend, I am sorry that things are so hard and yet, you are holding the difficulty and the joy at the same time. I have had my girls go through difficult medical things and I feel like I didn’t take a real breath until they were better. Also, the lack of sleep is its own form of torture and maybe it’s helpful to think about the future – when Solvi and Lena will be giggling together instead of going to sleep and you will be listening in the hall with Bjork and enjoying every moment. Sending you love and prayers for things to go smoothly with Solvi’s procedure.
Oh how I have missed Coffee Dates posts! (even though it’s 9:45 PM and I’m drinking yucky green juice my kids won’t finish). I’ve been a reader for years and have probably read every single one. I see you mama in the hard season of baby and toddler – it gets easier, I promise!
I’m so glad you got a double stroller and that you were able to make it out for some date nights this summer – you’re kicking butt at adulting.
I’m praying for little Solvi and your family.
Thanks for posting delicious recipes that fill my family’s bellies and my heart. Looking forward to the next Coffee Date!
just read your hard thing and touched by it so much. Thanks for sharing your life and all its different sides, I am honored by knowing another persons victories and hard parts. It really is great to share and feel that there is pain and joy in life, esp when you are going through pain. Bless you and your lovely family.
Sending so much love and support and prayers to you guys and hoping for the best possible outcome for Solvi!!!
Man, can I relate to this post! I have a 2 year old and a 5 week old and it’s sooo hard not to sleep and to be so exhausted all the time but it’s the best season of life, the greatest joy I ever felt. And the paragraph about your and Bjork’s mantra, I copy and pasted that into my notepad because it’s so perfect. You perfectly put into words this amazing and hard season of life.
And thank you for making me laugh, with the photo of you during your 30 mins of free time which we can all relate to!! And the part about Bjork stopping alcohol and sugar! Your coffee date posts are just the best!!! Thank you for being you!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to make a coffee post and for being so candid about your struggles. Prayers for Solvi and your whole family. I hope your autumn is full of goods news, bright leaves, crisp veggies, and renewal of purpose. 🍁☕🐿
Hang in there, Lindsay. You are doing a great job. These days are rough. If you can, you may want to consider hiring some childcare a few hours a week to feel like you can get off the train for a bit. Just a short nap or some time to yourself does wonders. Also, setting expectations VERY low can make you feel like a superhero. Don’t feel like you have to do everything-just enough to keep everyone alive and happy. Fingers crossed for successful surgery.
Hey, momma, I didn’t realize it’d been so long since I’d stopped by, but apparently so as you have a second little lovely! Congratulations!!!
I have twins girls born the month after Solvi, so certainly understand the struggle to appreciate these precious, priceless times with the overwhelming desire to book a hotel for ourselves for the weekend. And it’s okay to actually follow through and do that, if that’s what you need. You’re doing a great job, momma. Just in case you need to hear that.
Last, I know the heart-stopping, out of body experience that occurs when a medical professional says something is wrong with our babies and I’m so sorry this is happening for your family and the beautiful Solvi. It’s surreal to sit in the cardiology rooms and then watch as even the most seasoned professional averts their eyes & stumbles over their bad news. It’s agonizing and I’m so sorry. What I pray is that God will cover your heart with a thick blanket of peace as you approach this procedure and that it will work for Solvi. I’ll be praying and looking for updates! Sending love!
Just wanted give a heart felt “Thank you” for this. Beautifully stated – and sums up life in such a simple yet complex way. This fellow Minnesotan, working mom of 2 (boys on my side) sees you!
Prayers for your precious baby girl. I know exactly what your going through as I’ve been down that road. My middle daughter Kalei is a million dollar child. She’s had open heart surgery 3x. The first when she was 9 mos old. 2nd time @ 14. The last time @ 16. She was born with a hole in her heart. So 1st surgery was to close the hole. 2nd surgery was to install a valve (cow) to increase blood flow. The 3rd surgery was an ordeal her valve became infected (by what we’ll never know) May God be with your family through this time.
Wow! I did miss this, it’s fun to read and true life. Solvi will come out perfect 🙏🏻 hang in there mama ❤️
Mom of eight plus twelve grandkids here. Sending you a powerful hug and so much healing love. You’ll power through this and there will be light. Through my Barrios years of trials and tribulations I used that silly metaphor. There is a light I can see at the end of this tunnel. Believe and breathe. Take care of yourselves. Much love
All of this! I have two small kids and constantly remark (mostly to myself) that this is one of the hardest stages of life. I don’t know any of my other mom friends who don’t feel similarly. You are not alone!
I am sending so much love for your sweet baby girl Solvi. I cannot imagine how anxiety producing that is, on top of everything else you have going on. Thanks for sharing with us so we can support you from afar.
Life brings many joys, and sad things, but know that we hope for you and Bjork only great joy and strength for all times. <3
I, too, have daughters aged 1 and 3. It is hard. It is exhausting. It is rewarding. It is runny noses, sticky hands and lots of laughter and kisses. I can’t imagine it any other way but I feel exhausted and stretched way too thin as well. I am trying to soak up every minute but some minutes I want to press “fast-forward”.
I am so sorry to hear about Solvi’s heart. Please keep us updated and thank you for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes to read. I know that I can’t do anything to help but know that I am thinking of you and your family and wishing for the absolute best outcome for her.
xoxo
I’ve never commented or read your coffee date posts before, but I love your recipes and decided to read one. I’m 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. 3 years ago almost to the day I had open heart surgery. I’m so sorry that you have to go through that. When I read your experience I thought I would share my story. I wrote about it last year and the previous year on a blog because I wanted to share. I haven’t really done anything with it yet, but read it if you’d like. Good luck!
https://storyofmyopenheartsurgery.blogspot.com/?m=1
Caroline
I am so sorry to hear of Solvi’s diagnosis. It’s scary when they find something wrong, isn’t it? And I’m sure it’s worse when you have already lost Afton. Giving you a big, virtual hug, and lots of positive energy for “Solvi will be fine.” You all can do this.
Thanks for sharing. My littles are older now – you took me back.
Hi Lindsay – I’m thinking of your family and the hard time you’re experiencing and I don’t know how religious you are, but I know that you’re wanting to solve everything by yourself because that’s how you are – a solver and go-getter but I know from personal experience that you can only lay this at the Lord’s feet with the knowledge that only He can fix this and that He will lead you to the doctors that will solve this. Be assured He loves Solvi and your family. Hope this helps a little…Susan
I have a one and three year old as well. All I can say is I completely relate. I am dreaming of the day when both kids sleep through the night and I do too. Hang in there Mama!
Well, this is my first visit to your recipes blog! Your blog provided us valuable information to delicious food.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing such private and emotional real experiences. I wish you all the best. By the way, I am 52 and still trying to catch up on the missed sleep from raising children. All I can say is “hang in there”!
So glad to hear your news again. I have missed your updates. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you approach Solvi’s operation. I pray all goes smoothly and successfully. As a mother of three (now adult) children I remember the phase you are in. Daughter no1 slept through the night and six weeks, daughter no2 took nearly 18 months. It does get easier and you will come into the ‘golden age’ soon. The time when children are easier but before the ‘excitement’ of the teenage years. Every age and stage has its challenges and blessings. Great to see you and Bjork making time for one another-so important
Tale care x
Like many other commenters, I’ve been a long time reader of your blog but don’t usually comment. Yours is one that I come back to over and over for recipes and I’ve always loved how you write with such a genuine voice despite the amount of time you’ve been blogging! I have a 4.5 and 2 year old and can so relate to this exhausting, frustrating, amazing and magical time. It’s the best and hardest all at once and my house’s normal state is always messy! Most importantly I’m so sorry to hear about what is going on with Solvi and cannot imagine what you are all feeling. After everything you’ve been through it just isn’t fair. I will be praying for her and your family fiercely. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and please keep us as updated as possible. ❤️
Thank you for always being transparent, vulnerable, open, and true! I am encouraged by your joy even amidst being tired and through this news with Solvi. Praying for you, Bjork, Lena, and of course Solvi.