The Real Life RD

helping you find peace with food and your natural body size

  • the RD & NP
  • Online Courses
  • Women’s Wellness
  • Speaking
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Other

from miss to mrs {chicago shower}

March 6, 2017 By Robyn 23 Comments

I worked Saturday night, got home at 12:30am, was up at 4:45am for a 6:40am flight to Chicago and spent yesterday in a coffee sustained total whirlwind. The best kind of whirlwind.whole30_0132.jpg

whole30_0129.jpg

whole30_0117.jpg

Nick’s sister, Sabrina, who I totally adore and can’t wait to be sisters with (I have four brothers and have never had a sister so I can’t wait) threw a bridal shower with Nick’s family yesterday. My momma drove up from Indy and it was sooooo good to see her.

whole30_0110.jpg

The theme was “traveling from miss to mrs.” and how adorable is this?!

whole30_0130.jpgwhole30_0118.jpg whole30_0119.jpgSabs is so crafty. I called three weeks ago being like, “What is a welcome table at a wedding?! I’m stressed about this thing and have no idea what to do about that or a dessert table!” And she was like, “Don’t worry about a thing, I got it ok byeeee.” Love her.
whole30_0121.jpg whole30_0122.jpgNick’s mom made these amazing salads – a strawberry poppyseed and asian coleslaw plus little ham and cheese sandwiches – and his aunt made this really good chicken Caesar salad. Plus these incredible and cute little bundt cakes. Give me all the frosting.whole30_0124.jpg whole30_0126.jpgSabrina and Nick’s mom brought this whole shower together and I was so thankful I could cry.whole30_0133.jpg whole30_0136.jpg whole30_0138.jpg whole30_0140.jpgIf I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be a bread and cheese board with a bottle of wine. Sabrina knows me too well.whole30_0128.jpgI ate two plates of salad, some deviled eggs and several hunks of cheese and prosciutto and sipped a glass of Pinot Noir throughout the afternoon. It was perfect.whole30_0148.jpgAnd then we opened gifts. You guys, opening gifts with my soon to be husband just made the wedding + marriage super real. With me wrapping up school and sitting for boards the wedding has just seemed like another thing on the to do list…but now Nick and I feel like, “this is real and coming in fast and we are SO PUMPED.”whole30_0150.jpgAnd it’s so fun!whole30_0143.jpgIn between gift opening we played a few games Sabrina came up with, one of them in which people tried to figure out if a statement fit more with Nick and with me. My mom won by guessing them all right…go momma Coale.whole30_0142.jpgwhole30_0154.jpgHere are some fun facts if you feel like reading – actually people were a little surprised at the answers.

Who is the better cook? Nick (I’m the better baker)

Who learned to walk at an earlier age? Robyn

Who has more siblings? Robyn (Nick has a sister and 2 brothers, I have 4 brothers)

Who has done more wedding planning? (My momma & Nick! … they have been amazing while I finished school)

Who got better grades in school? Robyn…but Nick is a very close second 🙂

Who played more sports in school? Nick (I ran, Nick was a 3 season athlete)

Who has traveled the farthest? Nick (He’s been to so many places)

Who has broken more bones? Robyn by far. I have 4 brothers..

Who said I love you first? Nick and I said it right back.

Who asked the other out on a first date? Nick…but I was internally FLIPPING OUT.

Who brought up marriage first? Nick..but I was on the exact same page.

Nick definitely led the way on all the milestones in our relationship…whole30_0153.jpgI haven’t seen my mom since our Europe trip 6 weeks ago (which is a lot in our world) so I was so excited to see her!And Nick’s family is so welcoming. From the first time they met me two Christmas’s ago, they have been so loving and feel really, really grateful for such a warm hearted second fam.whole30_0157.jpgReceiving such generous gifts made us so so so excited to move in and build our first home together. Gusshhhhh.
It was a sweet day and we felt very, very loved so thank you SO MUCH to the Nohling fam for hosting.whole30_0115.jpgWe’re staying at Sabrina and Josh’s today and then fly out tomorrow morning super early back to the city. A quick trip but a break from the city that was so very needed.

Have the best week!

Photo cred: the amazing Sabrina Siegers


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • Q&A {Work Life Balance}Q&A {Work Life Balance}
  • FNCE Recap (aka eating my way through Chicago)FNCE Recap (aka eating my way through Chicago)
  • Life Is Not All GlitterLife Is Not All Glitter
  • 5 THOUGHTS including Fresh Starts + Favorite Snack5 THOUGHTS including Fresh Starts + Favorite Snack

Filed Under: Other

« Why You’re Not Getting Your Period {Part 2}
Dating & Body Acceptance »

Comments

  1. Carrie this fit chcik says

    March 6, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    oh my gosh, girl!!!! This is all so exciting and you guys KILLED the shower!! I love the rustic travel theme!

    Reply
  2. Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says

    March 6, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    This makes my heart so full!!! You have such an exciting chapter ahead of you! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says

    March 6, 2017 at 9:10 pm

    Holy smokes, what an incredible bridal shower!!! I love the travel theme— so cute! GAH I’m so excited for you and Nick! You will both be in my prayers ♥︎

    Reply
  4. Emilie @ Emilie Eats says

    March 6, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    My heart is fluttering just looking at these pictures!!! You two are such a beautiful couple. How lucky you are to have a family-in-law that great!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:23 am

      I feel super super grateful. Thank you Emilie 🙂 xo

      Reply
  5. Leah says

    March 7, 2017 at 1:47 am

    What a beautiful shower and wonderful families you both have. I’m tearing up just reading this and I don’t even know you. Wishing you so much happiness!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:23 am

      awww Leah, you’re sweet. thank you 🙂 xx

      Reply
  6. Jenni says

    March 7, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Hey! Looks like a beatiful wedding shower, love the travel theme and everythig look so thoughtful! Not sure if other would be interested in this, but I’d love it if you could do a blog post on study tips etc! All the best x

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:22 am

      yes I will write that down Jenni!

      Reply
  7. Faith VanderMolen says

    March 7, 2017 at 10:55 am

    This post made me so happy and excited for you! Marriage is wonderful and the days leading up to the wedding are so fun and stressful and crazy and everything in between and you just CAN’T WAIT to be married. Ah, yay for marriage! and showers with family:) So happy for you Robyn!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:22 am

      we can’t WAIT TO BE MARRIED! But we also want to soak up these last days engaged 🙂 Thank you faith!!

      Reply
  8. Erica @ fitnfabulous says

    March 7, 2017 at 11:26 am

    What a beautiful shower!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:22 am

      sabrina and nick’s mom did an incredible job!

      Reply
  9. Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says

    March 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    How exciting! You guys must be counting down the days now! What a sweet welcoming family – you two are the perfect match!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:21 am

      we can’t WAIT! thank you for your sweet words amy 🙂

      Reply
  10. Dianne Colquitt says

    March 7, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    I can think of no one more deserving of such incredible happiness (unless it were your sweet momma)! I’m betting though, that she is overflowing with joy and pride seeing you so incredibly happy and successful. She done good. ❤

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:21 am

      Diane! You are incredibly sweet, THANK YOU 🙂 yes my momma deserves it all and she is amazing! hope you guys are well 🙂

      Reply
  11. Courtney says

    March 8, 2017 at 3:08 am

    Ate those cakes from nothing bundt cake?! If so they are AMAZINGGGGG!!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:20 am

      yes that ARE and they are insanely moist and soooo good.

      Reply
  12. Molly says

    March 8, 2017 at 9:18 am

    First of all, LOVE your blog! Second of all, I’m getting married on April 29th as well and I had my shower this past weekend! Best wishes to you for a beautiful wedding and an even more beautiful married life!

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:20 am

      Thank you for reading!! April 29th will be the BEST DAY. congrats!

      Reply
  13. Christine says

    March 8, 2017 at 9:50 am

    What a wonderful, love filled, wedding shower. Sabrina is amazing and so creative with her crafting skills; everything looked perfect. Congratulations again.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      March 9, 2017 at 10:20 am

      She is so amazing! thank you so much :))

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

More On Lady Hormones

How Birth Control Methods Affect Your Hormones, Period and Fertility

What Your Cervical Fluid Can Tell You About Your Reproductive Health

women's reproductive health

Women’s Reproductive Health 101

I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

Postpartum Hormones: what’s happening in your body and how to care for yourself

* indicates required

Categories

Get in Touch!

Follow Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

I talk a lot about moving, eating, and living intuitively so you can be well hormonally and live a fulfilling life in line with your values

The Real Life RD on Pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest
A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years o A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years of getting to spend so much time with my kids: aka another way I’m discovering some pockets of peace so my heart & mind & soul don’t crumble under the reality of dependent & emotionally dysregulated tiny humans.  About once a week we go somewhere for baked goods. We drive or walk, buy something buttery & then find a beautiful, relatively quiet outdoor spot where the boys can romp and I can sit and think my thoughts while I watch them play. This past week we were found ourselves at the Wool Factory where the boys threw rocks & whatever else off the bridge while I ate 90% of this almond 🥐 from @coucourachou that will blow your mind. Boys ate the other 10% bc they were busy playing and didn’t ask for more quickly enough 😜  I’m finding *for me* playgrounds have a time & place but they aren’t where I enjoy motherhood & my two toddlers the most. Baked goods & a pretty outdoor spot without high drops my 15 month old could launch himself off of…I’m here for it.
I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the boys to hike out at one of our favorite spots last week and when I ripped it open I was regretting my choice to share them with my kids. @baresnacks randomly sent me a box of snacks and I usually eat free food we receive or give it to a friend/neighbor and move on. But I felt it my duty to tell you about these bc they are THAT GOOD. I’m not getting paid and this isn’t sponsored - I was just shocked at how tasty these were and felt you needed to know. We ate them with some buttery roasted nuts and the combo was 👌🏻 but they are good just on their own.  The boys climbed rocks and swam in the reservoir - leave it to my almost 3 year old to want to strip down naked and fully submerge himself in chilly water on a sixty degree morning. “Mama can I get super nakey?” Sure baby. Sure. This is your childhood.
It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of extended alone time away from the babies to just be. And that isn’t something that’s best for me, it’s an area I gotta grow in. So this afternoon when Nick pushed me out the door and was like - get out of here plzzzz - I walked to my favorite cafe and ordered a thick pastrami sandwich and sat there for a good LONG while before taking a long, peaceful walk in the rain to wrap up the afternoon. Note to self: stop being such a control freak and go be by yourself sometimes.
a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face from @mariebettecafe this morning when she came to get her toddler who played with us all morning and it is v good. even better when paired with an iced latte 😍
#AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing a #AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing about how taking @alignprobiotic regularly has improved my digestive regularity.  And I’m still taking them! I’ve permanently added Align 24/7 Digestive Support* into the roundup of supplements I take before bed (prenatal, vitamin D, choline & DHA - all which help keep me healthy while breastfeeding) so I can keep seeing the benefits.  Just because you see benefits, doesn’t mean you should stop taking your probiotic. Keep taking Align daily (under the supervision and recommendation of your health care provider of course) to keep seeing the benefits!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - one of my favorite parts of Align probiotics is that they don’t need refrigeration AND they come in a convenient little blister pack that has the days labeled. It’s the little things people! #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoo I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoon (91 and muggy in MAY 🤯) when a toddler nap was refused and a baby nap was cut wildly short ....so my tired mom brain pulled out two plastic storage bins, filled them up with soap & hose water and striped ‘em down naked in the yard. Two hours later, it was almost time for an early dinner and I had magically been able to sit for most of that time and we already had baths checked off the list. 👍🏻 I’m archiving this idea for my future self, hope it helps another tired mama out.
#AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about #AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about getting better at doing the basics to care for myself which included taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic regularly.  Probiotics take time to work so I wanted to give it a full month to see the full effects of @alignprobiotic. So here are my honest thoughts: it took a few weeks to notice any differences, but near the end of the month I did notice some changes in my digestive balance - even while traveling! I’m not someone who experiences occasional gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort frequently enough to notice a difference, so I don’t feel like I can comment on how well Align works for those benefits.  All in all though, taking @alignprobiotic was a positive experience and I really appreciated how the capsules don’t need to be stored in the fridge, making it convenient to take them with me anywhere #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Because the swampy VA summer has already begun (it’s in the low 90s today 🥵 lord help) and creeks are our retreat - not only from the heat but also from the noisy world. I need this just (if not more) than they do! We’ll be at the splash pads and pools too, but the quietness of the creek...my mental health is so about it. And it’s hours of play for them! Win win.  A couple things to note: this scene also included a few toddler reminders on finding another direction to throw rocks instead of at his brother - so not all is serene 🤪 and also, yes I am now that mom who buys the same clothing for both kids bc it keeps things simple & i think i kinda like it too 🤷🏻‍♀️
Things I love about midwifery among many: the appo Things I love about midwifery among many: the appointments, no matter how long, feel so unhurried. 
Just walked in from an appointment with my midwife because I was due for a Pap test + an overall wellness visit. My last pap was during my first trimester with Cal which feels like a jillion years ago, but it’s only actually been three years. Life changes so fast! Pre-baby life feels like a whole other life.  I’m wayyyy overdue for a visit to my PCP bc I’ve been under OBGYN or midwifery care for the majority of the past three years while having babies, but I am pretty good with keeping up with my paps. It seems women often think they need pap and/or HPV testing way more frequently than they do (and providers sometimes perform these tests more frequently than necessary - remember more testing doesn’t always mean better outcomes!)  So if you need it, here’s a quick little reminder on this chilly spring Friday afternoon on how often you need this testing (these are the recommendations from ACOG)  Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.  Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (aka co-testing) every 5 years (preferred). It also is acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.  If you get abnormal results, this testing frequency could change - but for healthy women with normal results, you actually don’t need testing as frequently as you might think. Which is great news for those of you who hate the speculum.  Ok, off to finish up some things on the to-do list (including cleaning this kitchen) during nap time and then come 5 o’clock, crack an IPA with our neighbors 🍻
#AlignPartner Over the past seven months since bec #AlignPartner Over the past seven months since becoming a mom of two, caring for myself has gotten shoved to the back burner. And it's been a challenge to make it a priority. My routine-resistant personality has upsides and downsides when it comes to motherhood. So I'm starting small this year with a consistent bedtime routine that includes taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic and hoping as that becomes consistent, my mornings will naturally shift too.  In short my bedtime currently goes like this….jammies & face care when putting the babies to bed. Before I go to bed (anytime between 9pm and 12am...) I’ll pump, take my supplements and fill my water. Then I go upstairs and brush my teeth. And then get in bed. The kicker: 70% of the time I find myself finishing up tasks on my phone IN BED. I hate this habit.  Back to supplements. This is something I have been able to stick with. On top of fish oil, my prenatal, choline and vitamin D, I recently added @AlignProbiotic 24/7 Digestive Support*§ to see if it helps with abdominal discomfort and regularity because when I don’t drink coffee or am traveling that can get thrown off.  I’ll be taking it every day for the next 28 days since it takes TIME for our bodies to adjust to probiotics - and I'll be taking you guys along with me as I share my honest thoughts. Many people think if they don’t see changes within the first 7-10 days then the probiotic isn’t working, but that’s not the case. I’m giving myself more than just a week or two and instead a full month to see the full benefits. I’ll keep you posted over the next month. Check out my stories to learn more! #MyAlignGutJourney #guthealth
 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care f We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care for a nap. Putting baby down was harder than I wanted it to be. Miraculously, I had a moment of clarity as I was covered in tiny humans and decided I wasn’t doing the nap battle thing a on 60 degree, gorgeous, sunny spring day 🙅🏻‍♀️ so I piled both babies into the car half naked, opened the sun roof, put on white noise for them and an audio book for me and drank a kombucha as I drove a meal to a postpartum mama. Thirty five minutes later we had a sleeping baby and a toddler who at least had a rest. Baby transferred without waking HALLELUJAH and although my toddler didn’t nap today (lord help) at least we got soaked in breezy sunshine 😎🤘🏻💆🏻‍♀️
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!

Copyright © 2025 · The Real RD· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer


Terms and Conditions | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy