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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Sneaky...

I have a confession...
sometimes I let my kid be sneaky.. 
like when I tell him he can't have a toy in bed.. 
but then I spy it under the covers... 

Sometimes,
I get my parent voice on and take it away.. 
but sometimes.. 
I pretend not to see it.

He has such satisfaction, 
that I didn't find it.. 
that he got away with something.. 

I really don't know what I am fostering here.. 
maybe a future kleptomaniac.. 
that will be fun.. 

But in a way.. 
I feel like I am giving him some independence.. 
to have a little secret
all his own.. 
an accomplishment..
even if sneaky and against the rules.. 

He must think I'm inept.. 
unable to see the toy clearly in his bed.. 
but I advert my eyes as he quickly covers it up.. 
and turns to sleep.. 
our little sneaky game.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Need: Pantry Organization!

I can't stop looking at beautiful organized kitchens in magazines...
beautiful containers adorning the pantry...
instead of what I have adapted.. 
which is random boxes thrown into the cabinet..
millions of different colors, sizes,
and just much disarray...

So now I just need to decide... 
what jars to begin my organizing process with.. 
because every good project begins with
buying something pretty!

I kinda love these Weck canning jars from Crate and Barrel.. 
great price and great shipping price too!
WeckCanningJar4p5ozF11
(picture from crate and barrel)

And then there are these from the Container store.. 
(picture from the container store)

I know.. 
so similar.. 
but then a little different.. 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Brotherhood...

When I found that I was having another boy.. 
I wasn't sure how I was feeling.. 
was I disappointed at not having a girl.. 
no pink dresses for me.. 
more mud and dirt and bugs.. 
but maybe I kinda like that... 

but I do know now that I am not disappointed.. 
far from it.. 
for I have entered a magical world of the brotherhood.. 
it is emerging slowly.. 
with jealous inclinations.. 
establishments of what is "mine"

but we are reaching moments... 
moments of absolute bliss
where two brothers lay side by side in a bed.. 
and look into each other's eyes with something I had never seen before.. 

we have entered into brotherhood.. 
I look forward to these growing moments.. 
even the growing pains 
that are to come.. 
 for now.. 
we are a house where brothers are made.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

At a Loss...

Five months yesterday... 
and my hair is still falling out.. 
not in the shocking handfuls as before.. 
but still.. 
drain clogging..
floor covering..
madness..

I feel robbed...
I move my hair different directions...
to cover.. 
to hid.. 
the light skin showing through..

I want to reclaim my body.. 
in small manageable ways.. 
if only I could keep my hair on my head.. 
from falling so carelessly...
marking my path like bread crumbs.. 
haunting me so...

Even still every strand I wouldn't trade...
every moment I wouldn't return..

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Things I love... Baby Wash..

Although I do love me some regular Johnson and Johnson.. 
I was looking for something a bit different..
organic maybe..
delicious smelling, a must..
and when looking for a new shaving set
for my hubby for Valentine's...
I found this baby wash
from Flying bird botanicals..
baby bird head-to-toe wash...100% organic baby wash and shampoo
(picture from flyingbirdbotanicals)

I love it..
it smells super yummy..
is so silky and soft..
and leaves my baby's skin so luscious..
almost edible..

I definitely plan on buying more..
and maybe even trying the baby oil..
(perhaps some rosewater toner for me!)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Monday....

It's a whirlwind of chaos... 
The walls of the house are closing in on us.. 
and it's making us crazy...
frustrated.. 
angry voices at each other.. 
how did the house get so small so fast.. 
why are there toys everywhere... 

In my anger and frustration.. 
I always think.. 
if this was it .. 
this moment was the end.. 
would I regret how I was acting... 
the words I was saying.. 
usually, if I think this the answer is 'yes'... 
but..
Isn't it okay to be angry for a moment.. 
and frustrated for a second..
I always feel so guilty.. 

but really.. 
we have been potty training for months.. 
and we are still potty training.. 
and you have one more hour till you need that bottle
so why are you screaming...
and I'm tripping on toys on my way to make the bottle... 
and you are running on the couch in your shoes.. 
because we were supposed to go on a walk now.. 
but we just need a few more minutes.. 
and I just changed
but my shirt got all wet..
it's just a walk.. 
it will dry on the walk..
Breathe.

and finally we are out of the house.. 
and the walls are gone.. 
and we are moving forward in one direction.. 
instead of spinning in circles.. 
or running on couches...
and the air is so fresh.. 
and we can start over.. 

Even mom's have cases' of the Monday's... 
sometimes.. 
on more days than just Mondays...
good luck out there... 

Sunday, March 4, 2012

WeekNight Dinners..... Vegetarian Style

So every weekend I make my list.. 
I start on Fridays and finish on Saturday.. 
I plan a whole week in meals.. 
allowing for at least a night of take out.. 

Lately I have been trying to incorporate more 
vegetarian meals into our weekly meals.. 
and this one from Real Simple
has become a favorite.. 
we make it every few weeks.. 
(without the raisins though.. yuck!)

Plus it's not too hard or takes too long.. 
especially if you use quick cooking brown rice.. 
or even the frozen stuff from Trader Joes.. 
which is actually quite good.

Chickpeas with Chard and Pan-Roasted Tomatoes
(Picture by Romulo Yanes from Real Simple)

What are your favorite weeknight meals?

Friday, March 2, 2012

Dancing in the hail...

This week was full of many things...
wonder, magic, slight insanity..
but best of all.. 
it was filled with magic moments.

On our way to M-'s nap...
we heard it start to rain... 
when all of a sudden the soft lull of the rain
turning into the loud crashing of hail...
I wondered...
has he ever ever seen hail.. 
so we stopped everything... 
and ran to the door... 
I opened it so M- could see what was happening.. 
and then he bolted.. 
ran right out and started dancing in the hail..
the little pellets of ice hitting his skin..
and he just laughed and laughed..
I will remember this forever.. 
laughing in the hail...
without shoes.. 
in shorts.. 

it was something fairytales 
are made of.. 
but it is our story.. 
and it is a great one.




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Book in Review: The Paris Wife

Still riding the high of how good Midnight in Paris was
(which I did come late to..
who gets to go to the movies anymore..
oh maybe people without infants =) )

 I read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.. 
It took me a while to get it.. 
as I was number 45 on the waiting list at the library.. 
45.. 
product image
It was really enjoyable.. 
I love a book that I can becoming easily 
sucked in to.. 
and quickly too... 

I love to become a little too involved in the books I am reading.. 
taking the pain of this scorned wife a little too seriously... 

In fact after reading this I feel inspired to go search
out Hemingway's work.. 
which I have read a bit here and there, 
but not for a long time.. 
maybe match up some of the stories 
with his life events.. 
even though this book is fiction.. 
the basis is in real events.. 


This 1920s Paris has a bit of a hold on me
as of late.. 
and I think I might go read 
Zelda by Nancy Milford
(Zelda Fitzgerald)
Especially because I have it hanging around 
on my bookshelf.

What are you reading?
I love a new book.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Baby Food...

So like many others I have decided to
make my own baby food...
I did make my older son's food for a few months.. 
and then stopped when I started my student teaching.. 
but I am back at it with kid number two... 

It's comforting to know what exactly 
is going into those little bodies.. 
and especially since my older son had so many 
allergies, 
it's actually a little easier than standing in the store
reading labels forever.. 

I found this book to be a great resource..
Top 100 Baby Purees

And I just recently stumbled onto this website... 
and it looks pretty good too!

This week we are still working on apples.. 
and then moving to pears.. 
so exciting!

Cook

Puree 

Freeze

Store

and heat when ready!

No added anything.. 
and it actually tastes pretty good.



Saturday, February 25, 2012

Inspired Kale Chips...

On Thursday armelle 
posted a recipe for kale chips..
as I have been meaning to make these for a while
I decided to try it after a trip to our local farmer's market...

They turned out quite yummy I think...
and even my son and husband ate some..
avid veggie dislikers.. 

Before 

After

Go here for the recipe...

These little chips would be very lovely 
on salads, soups, and even some scrambled eggs.


Thursday, February 23, 2012

ready, set, and go...

Hello world...
and welcome..

I thought I would make a little place for myself
to chatter away...

A place to share pretties..
to share my mommyhood experiences...
maybe a few recipes..
a little bit of my everyday life..
the bliss amongst the chaos..
such as life with two little boys brings..
and here we are.

I hope you enjoy..
and thanks for visiting.