Sunday, February 26, 2012

Winter blues

I am so tired of winter.  Maybe it is because I have a kid that can't walk meaning, I am limited to what we can do outside right now, especially with snow on the ground.

Or maybe it is the cloud looming over me telling me I will never get it all done.  This semester is kicking my ass.  Especially this week.  I realized everything that needs to be done in the next couple months and it is freaking me out.  But I think I am back on top of it.  I really have to stick to focusing on one thing each day/night to accomplish.  Otherwise I get overwhelmed and shut down. 

Also to help this, the next few Sundays I will be leaving the sweet babe and baby Daddy to get some work done out of the house.  Nights just aren't going to cut it with a thesis to write on top of school work.

I am also having one of those moments where I really miss my 'old' friends (high school and college friends).  I have friends here but it seems I am constantly having to make new ones as well, it is tiring.  I made friends at IAS but then left and so we drifted, same has happened with VC friends.  I now have a baby, so it is a bit different with non-baby friends.  They still go out to drink and I stay in with Leland.  Not that my 'old' friends have kids, but it is just different with them.  It is nice not to have to explain my relationship with my siblings or even tell them I have siblings.  They just know, they know my past.  They really should just move to Colorado.  But instead we live all over the country.

This is the face that keeps me going:
 Even when he only takes one nap a day (that happened Saturday).
 This face happens all the time.
 Plotting his next move. 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What We Ate

 For Leland: quesadilla (new favorite), hummus, avocado
For Momma: Grilled cheese with red pepper and avocado & Roasted cauliflower and broccoli soup

Breakfast for dinner! (this needs to be more common in my opinion)
For Leland: sauteed kale, banana, avocado, mango bake
For Momma: Baked eggs, mango bake, Bacon! (yes it deserves a capital B)
For Leland: grilled cheese (which he didn't care for), avocado, banana
For Momma: Grilled cheese with avocado, carrots, grapefruit

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Ramblings

Lelando turned a whopping 10 months over the weekend.  Crazy stuff. 

He is so squirmy lately, it is almost impossible to get a decent photo of him.

 - best photo ever, cheese face
 - being sweet
 - he loves the vacuum, has to follow it around the house
 - loving his ball
 -cutie

I also think out of nowhere my supply is dropping.  It is the worst in the morning, isn't that weird? But maybe it is just Leland not wanting or needing as much at that time.  It is just sometimes it takes a really long time for let down to happen or for him to actually be drinking versus just sucking.  I don't know the full reason of this, but in case it is me I am drinking Mother's Milk tea twice a day now.  This stuff is disgusting.  But manageable when combined with chai tea, milk and honey.  His feedings before naps and bedtime are fine, it is just during the night and morning where the problem is.  

Adding to this, the past few nights Leland isn't waking up as much, woohoo!  I am fine with him waking up as much as he needs, but it is also wonderful getting long stretches of sleep.  He has only been waking up twice at most the past couple of nights, it is awesome.  That includes when he wakes up once I go to bed. 

Leland's birthday is approaching,which means my birthday is approaching.  I still can't get over how fast time is going lately.  It is a bit ridiculous, I mean I still have thing to do, a lot of things to do.  Particularly a thesis to write before a specific deadline, so time needs to take a chill pill for the next couple of months.   

I am going to be 26 soon, really?  Not that it is old or I feel old, but I can't believe how long it has been since I was in high school or at K-State.  Those ideas kind of freak me out.  But then life didn't really ever exist without Leland, or so it seems. 

But now someone is awake from a nap...

Monday, February 20, 2012

Friday, February 17, 2012

Books!


Leland has been so book obsessed lately.  I don't know how may times I have read "How Loud is a Lion?" the past week.  Which by the way is a really cute book.  I will find him just looking at his books, pulling them off the shelves, turning the pages.  I like this obsession of his.  Last week at playgroup he sought out the books and sat there by himself playing with them for awhile. 

The cat book in the photo, he seeks it out and turns to the page with the tongue.  It is a touch and feel book so the tongue is rough. And the floor next to the bookshelf looks like this by 8 am generally.


Leland's favorites.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear
The Bear Snores On
Hello Bugs
Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes
I am a Bunny

Momma's favorites.
Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm
Is Your Mama A Llama?
Are you my Mother?
Chicka Chicka ABC (Leland dances when I say Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, but he doesn't seek this one out like the others)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

TAT: Party Ideas

I am linking up with Mama G from Growing up Geeky for Toddle Along Tuesday.  This weeks topic is birthday party ideas.





I don't have any great ideas. Sorry
This is because I am one of those crazies that isn't throwing my child a 1st Birthday Party.

Bad mommy I know.

I have the mind set that I will have a party for him when he asks or when he remembers, so I have a few years right?
Instead I think the 1st year party should be for the parents, so if you agree here are some great ideas for a 'We Survived the 1st Year' Party.



Because alcohol has to be involved in this party.  This is tequila over lime sorbet. 



This juice: grapefruit lime ginger juice, should be mixed with tequila, again alcohol needs to be an essential element of this party. 



Punch, enough said.

So maybe I went a little too much on the alcohol side.  The first year isn't that bad, I promise.  But this is a celebration and no better way to celebrate than with some cocktails.
Okay so maybe there should be some food as well.  

Happy 1st year of parenting to me!

Cheers!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Buttermilk Bread: 2 ways


This bread it great because you can add whatever you have on hand or whatever you are craving.

-The loaf had 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup sage.  I also used olive oil and reduced the sugar to 1 Tablespoon

-The muffins had 1/2 cup of cranberries, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 Tablespoon orange zest (from one orange) and 2-3 Tablespoon of orange juice (from one orange)

Basic Buttermilk Quick Bread
Makes one loaf
1 cup (5 oz) white flour
1 cup (5 oz) white flour
1/2 cup (4 oz) sucanant sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (8 oz) buttermilk
1 large egg
1/4 cup (2 oz) grapeseed oil

Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease or spray with nonstick cooking spray a standard 9x5 loaf pan.
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Melt the butter, if using. Whisk it in a separate bowl with the buttermilk and the egg.
Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients. Gently stir and fold the ingredients until all the flour has been incorporated and a shaggy, wet batter is formed. Be careful not to over-mix.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and pat it into the corners. Bake for 45-50 minutes. When finished, the loaf should be domed and golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing and slicing.
Wrap baked loaves tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Baked loaves can also be wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil and frozen for up to three months.
• Use up to 1 1/2 cups fruits, nuts, olives, cheese, or other ingredients, added to the dry ingredients.
• Use 1-3 teaspoons of herbs or spices, added to the dry ingredients.




Sunday, February 12, 2012

A new breed

 Leland has still not produced a tooth.  These pictures prove he is still all gums.  But as you can see, he is drooling like a champ (his shirts have been soaked all weekend).  I have given up the hope of actually having a tooth pop a long time ago.
 I joked to Jeff that he is the start of a new baby breed.  Where they don't get teeth so they can keep on nursing and stop aging when they turn 1.  I think I am just in denial about those two things.  The first birthday is creeping around the corner and soon enough he will get teeth and nurse less and less.
 I think you could say he is teething though.  He has to chew on everything.
But he seems pretty happy about the no teeth thing, and so are the boobs.  We haven't had any biting issues thankfully, and I think it is mainly from not having teeth. 

On a side note, the above photo shows his 'cheese' face that he is currently sporting.  It is pretty freaking adorable. 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Salmon Chard Pasta Bake

This recipe is great.  I am definitely going to make it again.  

The original recipe requires chicken but I had canned salmon on hand and thought it would be better, and it was.  

Recipe Inspiration
Salmon and Swiss Chard Pasta Bake
1 pound whole wheat penne
2 bunches Swiss chard
1 bunch kale
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 onion, chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14 oz) can of Salmon
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes
2 cups good-quality ricotta cheese
Splash dry white wine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup panko crumbs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 375°. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta to al dente, or according to package directions. Strain and set aside (toss with a bit of olive oil if you'd like).
Rinse the swiss chard well and pull the leaves off the thick stalks, discarding the stems. Tear leaves into large chunks and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large dutch oven or heavy stock pot over medium heat. Cook onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Add the swiss chard to the pot and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir a few times to wilt the greens. Cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook until greens are tender, about 10 minutes.
Add the cooked noodles, salmon, tomatoes, ricotta, and a generous splash of white wine to the greens, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a 9 x 13 baking dish. Combine Parmesan, panko, and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle the Parm mixture over the top of the casserole and bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the top is golden.


 

Explanation

I often find myself in a conversation mentioning the fact that I am getting my Masters.  Then the questions start.

What is your degree in? Environmental Science

What are you going to do with your degree? Umm, I stay at home with Leland and plan to keep doing that.

:Awkward Silence:

Then I have to explain myself. 

Why can't I just be an educated stay at home mom?



Let me explain.  I had my baby so I could stay at home with him and spend time with him.  While I know not everyone has this option or even chooses to do this, I did.  So again, what is so wrong with that?

On further note, why do us moms always have to explain every single decision we make.  When is it going to be the norm that we make decisions without an explanation needed?

Really I need to be better about giving explanations, meaning stop giving them when they are not actually given, so always. 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Hair Cut

I finally had to trim up someone's bangs.  They were getting in his eyes and I found them annoying.

I totally saved some to put in his baby book, don't worry. 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Precious

Why are babies so precious when they sleep!?

You just want to wrap them up in your arms but you don't dare touch because you want them to be happy and get enough sleep.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Love

Jeff and I were talking the other night about love and how there should be more than one word for it.  There are so many different meanings and emotions that go into the word love that there needs to be more than one way to explain your feelings.  Eskimos have multiple words for snow since it is such a big part of their society and livelihoods.


Isn't love a major part of our lives and every day activities?  Doesn't it deserve more than one word?

I think so. 


Loves that need a new word:
Motherly love
Friendship love
Spouse love
Parent love
Sibling love
'You are driving me crazy but I still love you' love
Pet love

Can you think of any other loves that need a new word?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Cat Photo Bomb

New Series- Cat Photo Bomb

I just keep having too many photos of them doing this.

So be on the lookout for the new photo series, I will post them as they happen.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Busy Bee

This past week has been busy. 

I am still trying to figure out how to balance everything this semester.  I am taking 3 classes, trying to finish my thesis and TA a class.  It is a lot to add on top of taking care of Leland most of the time.  I know I can do it, it is just all about time management.  So you may hear a bit less from me for the next few months.

I didn't even find the time to upload pictures until tonight, so here are some highlights from the past week and a half.

I hung a swing for Leland.  He is still deciding whether he likes it or not.  In this photo he is sporting his new smile, I am still deciding whether I like it or not.

 There has been a lot of this lately.  I blame teething, but we still have no teeth.

 He has been exploring a lot lately.  Crawling has been a great milestone for him.  Sometimes he forgets he can do it, then he will realize we left him alone in his room and come find us.  It is super cute.

There was a day of pajamas only after a night of awful sleep.  I also took a two hour nap that day with Leland, that has not happened in awhile.  Again I blame teething, but the results are not showing.  Another cute thing he is doing: when he is tired he lays his head down like in the photo. 

This little boy is also nursing less, which I don't like.  I don't think I am emotionally ready for him to start weaning himself.  I mean he is still my baby dammit.  He nurses sometime in the wee hours, but not always when he wakes up for the day.  He nurses before both naps and before bed.  He for some reason stopped the lunch feeding.  He still nurses at random times throughout the night but the times and frequency of those vary nightly.  It also makes me have a little more milk in the tanks than I would like or that is comfortable.  But I am just trying to go with what he wants, damn him always getting his way (just kidding)