Not the same

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See that face up there? It is the face of a pre baby Jenna when my biggest worry was what to cook for dinner. We all love what we can’t have and I guess even when I was going through the motions of my jobs I still loved them, both of them. Sure the PT early mornings were a bitch sometimes but its true the hardest part was getting out of bed and man did some of the teachers drive me crazy when they changed their minds on a prac I had to prep but the job was so interesting and different every day.

If I could go back and tell pre baby Jenna just enjoy the day a little more I would. The joys of a warm and leisurely coffee in the sun, the tv marathon without a baby to entertain and god those sleep ins. Yep they do try to warn you, like with it all but nope I didn’t really listen. Pfffft I got this baby raising stuff it will be fine.

No one told me I would be constantly thinking about the baby and I mean constantly. Sure I would love a conversation that doesn’t involve sleep, food or poo but alas maybe in another 18 years or so. 

So pre baby Jenna you will love your new job and the little human you are raising even though it is the hardest and I mean the hardest thing you have ever done and you will miss all the people of your two jobs ( did I mention how lonely it is?) and the coffee and quiet time. But when that baby goes to be and your just rattling around the house you will think whooaa im super glad she is asleep in bed but think gee it is very quiet almost too quiet.

My biggest worry is still what to cook for dinner but now it is make sure all three of us are fed and I still enjoy a coffee if the sun it just usually involves shoving soggy rice crackers back into Olivia’s hand and ignoring the fact the dog keeps trying to lick her face oh and those tv marathons now consist of one eposide post our over thought about dinner.

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Protein balls

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Just a quick little recipe I whipped up this afternoon in between jobs. This recipe is great because you can sub in any liquid sweetener you like and you don’t need to blitz it in a food processor which is great when you have a sleeping baby.

 

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup peanut butter – Or use a different nut or seed butter
  • 1/4 cup honey or another liquid sweetener of choice
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
  • 1/2 cup protein powder – I recommend vanilla or chocolate flavour
  • 1/2 cup desiccated coconut + EXTRA for rolling

Instructions

  1. Place the peanut butter and honey in a large bowl and use a spoon to mix them together a little.
  2. Add the oats, 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut and 1/4 cup of the protein powder to the bowl (i.e. only add half of the protein powder to begin with).
  3. Using a wooden spoon start combining all of the ingredients together. They should form a slightly sticky dough, with a consistency where it can be rolled into balls. Once it comes together, you can test it by rolling a bit into a ball with your hands. If it’s too wet, add extra protein powder until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too dry add a little water
  4. Roll heaped tablespoons of the dough into balls, and then roll in the extra desiccated coconut to coat or anything you fancy really (chopped nuts or chia seeds would also be good)
  5. Place the balls in the fridge to firm up a little. Leave them stored in the fridge in an airtight container, or alternatively freeze them for a longer life (where they should keep for about 3 months).

Things to Keep in mind

  • Use any sugar sub you would like, maple syrup, liquid stevia or rice malt syrup all work well.
  • any oats works in this recipe.
  • Pick a good protein powder as this really affects the way these balls turn out.

Good luck guys i hope you enjoy the recipe and i would love to see any pictures of any that don’t end up being eaten. I am certainly looking forward to mine with a coffee in the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

In The Middle Of The Night

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Sleep! Anyone who has had a baby will always try to warn you about the lack of sleep, all the while you nod your head in agreement at the same time thinking to yourself meh it can’t be that bad I can cope with you no sleep just fine remember all those nights I stayed up with friends or binge watching that show on Netflix. Warning: you will be so bloody tired while feeding your baby for what feels like the hundredth time that night you will be plotting the death of your nearest and dearest.

I love my husband don’t get me wrong and we make a fantastic team but we have pretty clear roles in the household since we became a family. I deal with the majority of the baby related things he takes care of the income and paying the bills. I’m super lucky in that Graham will do his fair share of the household load. He can smash out some washing like there is no tomorrow or happily wash the dishes or cook a meal even after a long day at work. But those oh so long night times when a baby for whatever reason is unsettled and cranky no matter what tricks you pull out of your hat even the ones that worked yesterday) can wear you down.

Last night is a fine example of a mysterious case of porkchopitis which by the way is a legitimate condition and after taking Olivia to the doctor a few

A few weeks ago for what seemed like a serious problem considering the amount of tears my doctor told me she was just acting like a pork chop. By 1am and what seemed like the thousandth time I got up to a baby who was looking at me with those very awake looking blue eyes, I decided the car was my last option (other then leaving her on the doorstep of the local hospital or church). In the car we get with her magic little music machine running at full volume the heater set to toasty and off we go. What a lovely time to drive around the Clare Valley with it’s misty rain, kangaroos and a couple of people who had overindulged and were just leaving the local watering hole. The call of the 24 hour servo and chocolate was strong if I do say so myself but I did think about all the lovely comments on my video on Facebook that I had posted during the day and thought to myself NO, you do not need a chocolate bar it is not going to make the baby go to sleep any faster or better, and decided against it and kept driving.

 

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A severe case of porkchopitis

 

We made it home with a quick transfer and pat on Mack dog’s head before I fell into bed and slept until just after 6 when the wail of the small creature woke both Graham and he said you go back to sleep I will get her…. the ending to the story I really wanted and needed thanks husband, they really are the magic words any mother wants to hear.

PS- If you are here for my amazing grammar, typing or think I have limitless time to proof read, please leave you seem to be in the wrong place