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Howdy! I’ve bought a sleeping child sitting beside me and an iced lavender latte in hand and thought I’d reap the benefits of nap time this morning to pop in with an extended overdue life replace. ♡

I spotted the opposite day that it’s been over a yr since I final typed out certainly one of these posts whereas sitting in our sunny kitchen in Barcelona. Which, to be trustworthy, looks like a lifetime in the past. (And in addition by some means like…yesterday?) It’s arduous to know the place to even start to summarize how life has modified since then. We’re now again throughout the ocean dwelling in Kansas Metropolis, which is slowly starting to really feel like house once more ever since our whirlwind transfer again with a toddler, aged canine, eight suitcases, and a newly-positive being pregnant take a look at final June. Since then, now we have…

• moved right into a 90-yr-old Tudor, which we (in all probability over-ambitiously) determined to renovate earlier than our second child’s arrival, whereas working to inventory the place 100% from scratch with every little thing from beds to bicycles to blenders and past
• walked by means of our second being pregnant and gave beginning within the States, which went mercifully easily this time round (and was additionally a really fascinating distinction to how issues are executed in Spain)
• welcomed an exquisite Costa Rican au pair to our household, who’s going to be dwelling with us and serving to with the boys over the approaching yr
• checked off what felt like one million “getting settled” logistics, together with buying two vehicles (an excellent unhappy farewell to European strolling tradition), re-establishing our companies in Missouri, and diving again into the fantastic world of American healthcare, insurances, taxes, and many others
• navigated an intense yr of “sandwich technology” studying curves, doing our greatest to try to take care of getting old mother and father and little youngsters on the identical time

After which in fact, we introduced this little sunbeam house. ♡♡♡

We joked on the day Milo was born that he appeared simply “simply completely satisfied to be right here”, and 4 months later, that also just about sums issues up! He has turned out to be such an easygoing little child who’s simply completely satisfied to eat, completely satisfied to sleep (main change from our first!), completely satisfied to smile and coo and snuggle with anybody…and we really couldn’t love him extra. It’s outstanding how a lot pleasure he has added to our little family. And after a reasonably disorienting yr, his arrival has felt just like the lacking puzzle piece that’s lastly helped Kansas Metropolis start to really feel like house once more. In fact, the new child stage has been intense and exhausting in all of its ordinary methods, however attending to step away from work for a couple of months to absorb sunny spring walks with Milo and nuzzle his smooth pores and skin and and be there for all of his lovely little “firsts” has felt past particular. It’s by no means misplaced on Barclay and me what a privilege that is to get to do that all yet one more time, particularly after the lengthy street to satisfy him, and we’re simply so grateful that he’s lastly right here.

All that to say, goodness, it has been a yr. Undoubtedly one of many tougher ones on file for our little household, however nonetheless with loads of glimmers of affection and pleasure and enjoyable sprinkled in there all alongside the best way, as life at all times appears to supply. We’re feeling very grateful to (at the least largely) now be on the opposite facet of the worldwide shifting chaos. And whereas I’ve loved time away from Gimme Some Oven throughout maternity depart, I’m glad to be getting again into some work rhythms once more. Extra updates on all of that under.

Anyway, clearly, tons to share! So with out additional ado, right here’s the replace from our little nook of KC…

Kansas Metropolis 2.0

“So, how’s it really feel to be again in Kansas Metropolis?”

I really feel like we’ve been requested this query a thousand instances and I’ve in all probability answered a thousand other ways relying on the day.

Mmmm…good? Laborious? In some way equally acquainted and disorienting? Refreshingly filled with inexperienced areas and longtime buddies and Dealer Joe’s? Far too filled with driving and extreme air-conditioning and…weapons?

The easy reply is that our day by day life right here is simply so extremely totally different than it was again in Barcelona. And whereas we actually anticipated a good dose of reverse tradition shock upon returning to the States, I’d say that “settling again in” has usually been tougher and brought longer than we anticipated in just about all classes.

The very best factor about being again — additionally our predominant purpose for shifting again — has been dwelling close to our households once more. We deliberately purchased a home 5 minutes away from Barclay’s mother and father and usually see my people from Wichita, which has given our boys the possibility to spend a file period of time with their grandparents over the previous yr. Watching Teo develop so shut to every of them, and now getting to observe everybody benefit from the new child stage with Milo (one thing our prolonged household largely missed out on in-person with Teo whereas we had been dwelling overseas) has been much more particular than we had imagined. On the identical time, this previous yr has been a type of deeply good-but-hard seasons in the case of caring for getting old mother and father — navigating advanced well being points collectively, studying by trial-and-error assist, relations studying on their finish let us assist — we’re nonetheless figuring all of it out. However after two years of attempting to supply help from abroad, it’s such a aid to now be bodily close by for the entire little and massive stuff.

One other factor we’ve actually appreciated about being again is how supportive our longtime family and friends have been in the case of giving us area to reimagine our lives right here on this new season of life. (Or Kansas Metropolis 2.0, as we prefer to name it. 😉) Considered one of my largest considerations upon returning was that everybody was going to count on us to instantly click on again into the very same rhythms and roles that we had once we left seven years in the past, a few of which now not really feel like a match after our time in Europe. However our buddies right here have kindly reminded us that they anticipated us to come back again modified. And, in fact, so many issues right here developed whereas we had been away. So it looks like we’ve been given one of the best of each worlds — a heat welcome again, plus the total freedom to recreate our lives right here — which has been a stunning shock.

Talking of surprises, it’s been humorous (and a bit humbling) to appreciate upon shifting again how little we knew about Kansas Metropolis in the case of elevating youngsters! We had been clearly childfree earlier than we left and realized just about every little thing we knew about being pregnant, beginning and parenting the Spanish approach over the previous few years. So it’s been an fascinating expertise to relearn do issues the American approach — shifting all of our day by day schedules about 2 hours earlier, adjusting to lengthy stretches between ultrasounds, main waitlists and excessive prices for childcare, hoisting youngsters out and in of carseats all day lengthy, studying our favourite parks and swimming pools and playgrounds across the metropolis, scheduling all issues kid-related upfront (I can rely the variety of spontaneous playdates we’ve had this yr on one hand), plus 100 different massive and little issues. There are numerous parts of Spanish parenting that we actually miss. However I’ve to say, we’ve found that the Midwest is a decidedly unbelievable place to lift a toddler, particularly in the case of the abundance of inexperienced areas, playgrounds, splash pads, swimming swimming pools and backyards for play. It’s additionally been actually enjoyable to expertise American holidays by means of the eyes of our toddler for the primary time (hiya lovely trick-or-treating, 4th of July fireworks, lastly assembly Santa and the Easter Bunny!). As a reasonably anxious individual in the case of being pregnant and parenting, it has additionally been comforting to return to a tradition that errs on the facet of over-explaining medical stuff and supplies a number of early intervention screenings and assets for youths, subjects that I discovered fairly irritating in Spain’s (for higher and for worse) laid-back “wait and see” tradition.

Anyway, a number of change this yr. American and Spanish cultures actually simply really feel like apples and oranges in so many ways in which it’s arduous to not consistently evaluate the 2. However we’re attempting to develop the place we’re planted and take in the issues (specifically, the folks) we love most about life in Kansas Metropolis proper now. Fortunately, there are numerous. ♡

Howdy, Milo!

Okay, the mama in me can’t assist however simply share a couple of extra updates about this candy little pea. ♡

As I shared earlier than, Milo was our last-chance embryo from our second full spherical of IVF in Barcelona. The jury was out final spring as as to whether or not we had been going to have time to squeeze in a remaining embryo switch earlier than our transfer. However in the long run, the celebrities aligned and the switch befell and we discovered 4 days earlier than leaving Barcelona that we had been formally pregnant. (An emotional week, to say the least!) Fortunately, the remainder of our being pregnant progressed easily after our transfer and we had been thrilled to welcome Milo to our household this previous Valentine’s.

From the very starting, he has simply had the sweetest little spirit. And from the very starting, his older brother has been completely smitten with him. We had been ready for any variety of eventualities when introducing a brand new child to a toddler, nevertheless it’s actually been just about pure cuteness to this point. Teo is continually giving Milo his toys and hugs and kisses and “mild pats” (lol, the lingo with our canine conveniently transferred to the infant), and Milo in flip reserves a few of his largest grins for his adoring massive brother. Oh, and so they look so much alike, which I do know is completely predictable however nonetheless type of wild to see your DNA replicated in one other child!

I additionally must say that it’s been very nice to do the entire new child stage once more once we’re not in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, lol. There are a selection of issues we missed out on the primary time round — attending to go to in-person prenatal yoga lessons and child showers, having a mask-free beginning, having the ability to plop our new child freely into the arms of family and friends — which have been enjoyable to expertise with Milo. Our buddies right here additionally loaded us up with one million hand-me-downs, which have been tremendous useful since we gave away all of Teo’s stuff earlier than leaving Spain.

That mentioned, two-kid life remains to be taking some getting used to. Getting out of the home with each boys and all of their stuff nonetheless looks like a little bit of a circus. Barclay and I can’t appear to remain awake lengthy sufficient to observe a complete present after they go to mattress. The boys have a powerful knack for melting down at the very same time. And weekends really feel like they final — oh — about an eternity. 😅 However we all know how shortly this all flies by. And currently, I discover myself desperately attempting to memorize the texture of Milo’s smooth head pressed towards my cheek, the earnest sparkle in Teo’s eyes once we play along with his trains, the nostalgic summer season smells of sandboxes and sunscreen, the numerous quirky and lovely toddler conversations taking place currently — how do mother and father do it?! There’s simply a lot to absorb, and it’s shifting so quick, and it’s all so very (very) arduous at instances, however goodness, it’s additionally so very excellent. What a experience.

Meal Practice Magic

Okay, the meals blogger in me has to offer a shout-out to a different main spotlight of this yr — the unimaginable meal prepare our buddies organized for us.

Meal trains aren’t actually a factor in Spain, so this was not one thing we skilled with our first child. However this time round, we had buddies stopping by to ship meals a number of instances per week for 3 (three!) full months after Milo’s beginning, which was past beneficiant and simply probably the most useful present we obtained postpartum. The meals that everybody introduced — from do-it-yourself casseroles to tacos, takeout to Dealer Joe’s favorites, bottles of Spanish wine to jars of do-it-yourself margaritas — was simply excellent. And it felt like such a consolation to know that we’d have acquainted faces displaying up usually for a fast hug or some child snuggles together with their meals supply, particularly throughout a few of these blurry, time-warp-y new child days once we didn’t really feel like leaving the home.

I’ve at all times mentioned that feeding folks is my love language, however these previous few months jogged my memory that the reverse is likewise true — being fed by everybody made us really feel extremely beloved and cared for too. The entire expertise positively renewed my perception within the magic of a great meal prepare, so I can’t wait to pay it ahead once more quickly.

Welcoming Our Au Pair

One different surprising shock for our household this yr was deciding to have an au pair come dwell with us!

I actually knew subsequent to nothing about au pair cultural alternate applications a yr in the past. However a pal talked about the thought whereas we had been exploring childcare choices for Milo (since Teo’s faculty doesn’t present toddler care) and the thought shortly resonated with us, particularly as soon as we realized we may match with an au pair who was a local Spanish speaker.

So final fall, we researched numerous businesses and accomplished the applying and analysis course of to develop into a number household. And after doing video interviews with au pairs from numerous Spanish-speaking international locations (the method feels so much like on-line courting!), we ended up matching with an exquisite 24-yr-old preschool trainer from Costa Rica who got here to dwell with us in January. It’s been so enjoyable attending to study from her about all issues Costa Rica and introduce her to one million little nuances about life within the States. And Barclay and I are thrilled to have the home full of Spanish once more every day, which was one factor we’ve dearly missed about our life in Barcelona. (We presently do a couple of 50/50 mixture of Spanish and English all day lengthy.)

Our home has additionally changed into the principle hangout for her native au pair buddies, who’re usually popping by throughout their time without work for a cling or a meal or to offer our boys a hug. So all of it simply feels type of like one massive, bustling, multicultural household round right here currently. We love getting to lift our boys round all of his tías from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico, and hope to do every little thing we will to help these younger girls (all of whom have bravely left their international locations for the primary time) and assist make their time within the States as particular as doable.

Again To Running a blog

Anyway, after a much-appreciated maternity depart, it’s felt very nice to get again to working part-time over these previous few weeks. I’ve a lonnnng record of recipe concepts I’ve been jotting down over the previous few months which have been enjoyable to begin working by means of. We’re additionally engaged on a web site redesign and another techy updates behind the scenes that can hopefully make your expertise navigating this web site even higher quickly.

That mentioned, it looks like a little bit of a bizarre time proper now to be returning to work on the web. Many meals blogs have been hit arduous just lately by Google algorithm modifications and the introduction of AI overviews (which you might have observed now reply any cooking questions straight on the high of Google’s search outcomes, quite than providing a listing of websites to click on on like mine). Right here’s a podcast episode that explains issues pretty properly when you’d prefer to study extra. However in a nutshell, these developments are elevating a number of questions currently about the way forward for on-line “content material creation” and whether or not or not particular person blogs like this one will survive the seismic AI shift that appears to be hitting the web proper now. I actually hope they do, however who is aware of, the web remains to be so younger and consistently evolving. So we’ll see if I nonetheless have a job in a couple of years!

What I do know is that an important factor you are able to do proper now to help this weblog and another web sites that you just love is to join their electronic mail newsletters. With Google and social media being so unpredictable, electronic mail is kind of merely the best and most dependable approach for me to remain in contact. You’ll be able to join our free emails proper right here when you’re . Then we will you’ll want to hold you updated with the entire new recipes, seasonal favorites, and product suggestions which can be shared round right here.

We’re arising on the fifteenth anniversary of Gimme Some Oven subsequent month, which is downright surreal, and I’m feeling extra fortunate than ever to nonetheless name this my job. So for all of you who’ve continued to comply with alongside and check out new recipes right here on our little nook of the web, thanks, thanks, thanks. I’m so grateful you’re right here.

XOXO

Anyway, that’s the newest! Thanks a lot for studying. I actually hope that you just’re all doing properly and by some means staying cool this summer season (holy warmth wave!) and absorbing all of the yard bbqs and juicy watermelon and lengthy days that the season has to supply. We’re sending a number of love your approach right this moment from Kansas Metropolis.

Love,
Ali