GIRL!

Rob and I were so surprised at our appointment last week to learn that this little baby is actually a she. Rob is one of four boys and his oldest brother has two sons--ever since we've been together I always pictured myself as a mom to sons.

For the past few months I've tried to picture this tiny person in my head and couldn't do it--I thought it must be a boy, but maybe it could be a girl? I never had that gut feeling one way or another, so I figured I'd wait until the ultrasound and just be as surprised as anyone. And still, part of me felt like it must be a boy, not because I knew it in my bones or anything, but because I just always assumed I would have a son first, maybe only sons. I guess I always pictured our family looking somewhat similar to my in-laws'. I wrote down two boy names for every girl name and refrained from adding anything pink to our registry.

And then there we were, unknowingly watching our daughter on the screen, waiting for the sonographer to let us know what we were looking at. 

"How do you feel about a girl?" she asked.

We looked at each other and burst into laughter. But our hearts immediately felt so full. Maybe on some level I had already known it, but at that moment it felt like the best surprise in the world. A girl! Born in California, just like her mom.

I'm so looking forward to meeting our daughter in November, and I get teary-eyed thinking about Rob as a dad to a little girl. He is going to be the absolute best. I went home that afternoon and added some adorable pink moccasins to the baby registry, because why not?

I think I could get used to this.

I don't know about you guys, but this extra-long holiday weekend really wore me out! It took me a little bit longer than usual to get back into the swing of things, but I couldn't resist sharing my friend Kenzie of Cave Girl in the City's newest book with you! Weeknight Cooking for Two is full of delicious, perfectly-portioned meals that come together in 30 minutes or less--perfect for weeknights, especially ones like these right after a holiday.

I can't wait to dig into this chocolate-chia seed pudding (I love that you can make it ahead of time and that it doesn't require any cooking! Win-win.) Check out the recipe below, and make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post for a chance to win your own copy of the book! It's available now for pre-order and releases on July 18th. Congrats, Kenzie!

Chocolate-Chia Seed Pudding from Weeknight Cooking for Two

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 cups almond milk
• sea salt
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cocoa powder, chia seeds, maple syrup, and almond milk. Add a pinch of sea salt and whisk until well combined and the cocoa powder has dissolved.
2. Divide the pudding into two jars, cover, and place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until the pudding reaches desired consistency.
3. Top with blueberries and serve.

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Every summer I find myself at the library, checking out more books than I know what to do with. My graduate program at Hollins consisted of an intensive three months during the summer (then online throughout the regular school year), so from June through August I was always reading a ton and spending a lot of time between classes at the library on campus. I'm a big fan of fall and that new semester feeling, but there's just something so magical to me about a big stack of books in the summer.

Here's what I've got on my list this year:

• The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri: We're reading this for my book club this month. The library actually didn't have any hard copies available so I'm listening to the audiobook, which I never really do. I like it a lot and I'm actually enjoying listening to it in the car a little at a time.
• Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson: Next month's book club pick--I want to get a jump start on it (especially since I have the other one on CD) because I have a really bad habit of waiting until it's too late to start and then I have to speed read the books before we get together, even though I always really enjoy the stories.
• Encyclical on Climate Change and Inequality: On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis: I saw this in a bookstore the other day and was so intrigued by it. I haven't really identified as Catholic for a long time but I do quite enjoy Pope Francis. 
• Theft by Finding by David Sedaris: I'm a huge Sedaris fan. I've been to two or three of his readings and my favorite part was always when he read excerpts from his diaries, so a whole book sounds like a dream come true.
• Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother by Beth Ann Fennelly: I haven't read any pregnancy or parenting books yet but this one was recommended to me by an Instagram friend whom I really respect and am excited to start here.
• A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: It's no secret that I'm obsessed with Game of Thrones. I've been meaning to read the books and since Rob and I just started re-watching from the beginning, now is as good a time as any to pick up the first book (especially since the series will be over for good so soon!)

What's on your summer reading list?

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