the only way anyone could make me go for a long walk with a bad cold in the middle of the day in July

Today Liam saw his stroller sitting in our entryway and got really excited.  He grabbed onto it and started jumping up and down and making happy sounds.  Having a bad cold makes me want to sprawl on the couch all day drinking tea, but he was just so cute I couldn't say no to going for a walk.  Even around noon in July.  Ugh.  So I caved.  I said "Ok ok" and went to get us both hats.  Liam got really excited and ran to our shoe cabinet to grab his flip-flops.  He threw them into his stroller, then ran into the living room to grab his favorite stuffed animal, Mickey Mouse.  Then he ran over to his stroller and waited next to it until I was ready.  It was so cute!

aah, the easily amused

Liam is officially the most easily amused baby ever.  He has spent the last hour on the back window seat alternating between playing with the light switches (he can reach 4 from his perch) and jumping up and down starring into the backyard.  Oh, and stomping around trying to make his footsteps as loud as possible.  He is seriously having the best time ever.

I am personally a huge fan because he can't reach anything he shouldn't, and therefore can't get into trouble, and also he doesn't realize that he can get down onto the floor by himself (I know this because he regularly gets down off of taller furniture) but he doesn't want me to know he's stuck because that would apparently wreck his coolness factor. 

I leave him there for a while then so I can get some things done, and its ok because he climbed up there himself in the first place, and he giggles all the time playing on the window seat, so I know he's happy.  Win win. 

my current top two reasons why I think Liam is hysterical

1. While Luna was taking a nap Liam interrupted her by giving her a foam sword.  I guess to help her protect herself in her sleep?

2. Liam is very talented at firmly closing the door of whatever room he's in.  Shutting himself in, then throwing a fir because he can't get out.  Sometimes in our room he does this several times in a row.  Probably because there is a mirror on the back of our door and Liam is a supreme narcissist.

best night

making super late dinner at 11:30 pm (homemade channa masala.  I loooooove Indian food!), watching Warehouse 13 with Jeff cause we are supernerds, and playing with Liam because he played with his Nana today and got his sleep schedule all out of whack. 

Plus, I have ice cream and hot fudge in the freezer.    :)  Happy me.

why I love being a mom

Liam had a nightmare around 4 am today (you can tell, because he has a specific cry for nightmares.  I kid you not) so we brought him into our room and he immediately snuggled up in my arm and fell asleep.  So cute!  When he finally woke up he pulled himself up to standing he realized that the mattress is springy.  Liam then started bouncing on the bed.  Then he decided to stand on my face so he could reach the wall and bang on it.  And he giggled the whole time he was bouncing.  He cracks me up!

"so good my grandma asked if they had marijuana in them" chocolate muffins

I really wish I could say that I was kidding about the title.  But I'm not.  My grandma really doesn say some funky things sometimes, but the muffins really are yummy.  And healthy.  Woohoo!

• 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons clear fiber supplement , and
• 2 teaspoons clear fiber supplement
• 3 egg whites
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• ½ cup skim milk
• 1 ½ tablespoons vinegar
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• 3/4 cup water

Mix everything together and put in greased muffin pan.  Makes 2 dozen.

Bake for about 20 minutes at 350.  

When you take them out of the oven cover immediately with tin foil and set sit for 10 minutes before removing them from the muffin pan.  It sounds weird, but it keeps them nice and moist.

I made my batch two days ago and I only have 3 muffins left...

ever busy

It is impossible for me to look at Liam and not crack a huge smile.  He is just so cute!  This is the most active kid ever.  I start everyday thinking my house is baby proofed, and by noon I've found several things the fix.  He uses his toys as step stools to reach things he shouldn't, like the TV.  He figured out how to open the bathroom doors while they are latched closed, he walked eight steps the other day, he loves every kind of food he's ever tried, and he is also an exhibitionist.  I kid you not.  He knows how to magically shimmy out of most of his pants.  It is not  uncommon to see him play in a shirt and a diaper while his pants are in a pile across the room.  This kiddo is just so cute, smart and happy that it is impossible not to be obsessed with him.

ignore ugly Mommy.  Is this not the cutest baby ever?

bath time!

he gets into the cutest positions while he sleeps

all remaining kitchen cabinets are so getting baby proofed tonight!

where did the pants go?

his favorite kitchen drawer.  I never have clean towels now.

he loves the fridge magnets, a necessity in a house with kids, don't you think?

Liam and cousin Vin.  They are so cute together!

cute little Vin+87

two stair climbing speed demons

Thank Heaven for little boys

Why haven't I posted in a while, you ask?  It's because Liam doesn't like to allow me spare time.  I really don't mind because he is the funniest kid I've ever met, but downtime is really awesome when I get it.  How does Liam keep me busy?  Well, for starters his top four front teeth all decided to pop out at the same time.  That was a super fun teething process.  Also, Liam realized that he is tall enough to stand up against the trash can and reach around in it.  This resulted in him eating/ sitting on (somehow) chicken bouillon powder.  He had the powder all over his face and butt, and when I changed his clothes the powder flew everywhere.  At the same time, he also grabbed orange peels and got rather peeved at me for reaching in his mouth and taking them out.  Then he managed to find the only cabinet I forgot to childproof (the china cabinet of course), but luckily didn't break anything.  Yay!  ALL of my cabinets are now childproofed.  He also likes to take anything he can (DVDs, toys, etc.) of of shelves and spread them out all over the floor.

So yes, Liam keeps me on my toes, but he giggles at the drop of a hat, says "Dada" all the time, and is all around the smartest, cutest little kid I have ever known.  Man, I am so biased.  And also right.

Normally he makes an even bigger mess

I'm baaack!

So between us not having internet for like a month (ugh, right?) and Christmas being completely insane, I have not posted in soooo long.  Since today is Christmas Eve, I have a cute Christmas post.  This is an example of how totally adorable Jeff is.  I currently have two rolls of wrapping paper in the house.  One Christmas, one birthday.  I had them both out because I had a few December birthday gifts to wrap.  Jeff wrapped a Christmas present for me and didn't look at the paper.  He just assumed both rolls were Christmas themed.  Oops.

But he fixed it.

Now it says "Happy Birthday Jesus".  

sorry, I don't have pictures

Yesterday was my four year wedding anniversary.  I honestly can't believe it has gone by so fast.  Jeff seriously had to count the years because he didn't believe me.  The last four years have been great.  Although its not like Jeff wasn't in my life long before we got married.  We started dating when I was fourteen.  Wow, that makes me feel really old.  And nostalgic.  Ok, old pictures of Jeff and myself to come soon.  I just have to find them first.  You know your husband is awesome when we agree ahead of time we aren't getting each other anything, then he comes home with roses, dark chocolate, and since he beat me home he also cleaned the house.  I'm pretty much married to the porn for women guy.  Plus when we got Chinese takeout (awesome!) and were trying to pick a movie to watch he picked 10 Things I Hate About You which I love and scarily have memorized.  Here's to about a million more years with the best husband and father ever. 

Renaissance Faire!

Yeah, I'm a huge nerd.  Like you didn't already know.  Recently a bunch of us went to the Renaissance Faire, which has become an annual tradition.  Yay!  Its so much fun.  This year we added the babies to our group, and of course they had to have costumes.  I made Liam's to be his Halloween costume as well.  I think it turned out pretty well, but because he is so wiggly I couldn't really get many good pictures of him in it.  Of course, the lighting was bad so none of our group shots came out, but whatever.  A good time was had by all.

he was actually pretty comfy in there

Liam's been obsessed with drinking out of cups lately

rare photo of Jeff actually smiling

see? obsessed with cups

every time he sat down he would try to eat his shoe, I don't think you can really see it here, put the toe of his left shoe is dripping with slobber

his eyelashes are longer than mine. no joke.

this is Broon.  He's our favorite performer.  His finale is juggling a bowling ball, a flaming torch and an apple.  While eating said apple.  Plus, he's hilarious.

tomato love

If ever you want to plant tomatoes, plant sun golds.  I have harvested soo many this season.  I love tomatoes and literally have not had to purchase any this season.  This is our harvest after not picking any for three days prior.

I've used them in a million different recipes, but my all time favorite is tomato soup.  I got this recipe from Food Network.

Roasted Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes (mix of fresh heirlooms, cherry, vine and plum tomatoes)
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 small yellow onions, sliced
• Vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, optional
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, optional
• 3/4 cup heavy cream, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Wash, core and cut the tomatoes into halves. Spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.
Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot (set aside the roasted vine tomatoes for later). Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.
Wash and dry basil leaves, if using, and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add cream and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream.

I made a few changes to my soup.  I know its optional, but I didn't add the cream.  I did add the fresh basil (from the garden too.  Yum!), and Jeff likes super thick soup, so I added a little cornstarch.  If you use sun gold tomatoes the soup tastes a little sweet, which I like, and turns the soup a pretty orange color.  Umm, I just caught myself drooling...awkward.

the best. ever.

homemade pumpkin spice latte + sweatpants + yummy scented ikea candles = best day ever.

I love fall.  Like completely love fall. The cooler weather means comfy snuggly clothes, awesome smells, and yummy comfort food.  Anyway, here's a healthy recipe for pumpkin spice lattes, of which I've already drank waaaaay too many of today.

1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup milk
2 tbsp sugar (any kind)
cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, etc. to taste

I blended my mixture in my vitamix to make it extra smooth. 

My advice to you is to make at least a double batch because you WILL want more.  I made mine the night before and put it in the fridge.  This morning I just heated it in the microwave for a few seconds and added my coffee.  You can do the ratios however you'd like.  I did 1/3 pumpkin 2/3 coffee. 

best birthday ever

It's my first birthday as a mom, which already puts it pretty darn high on my list of good birthdays.  Plus Jeff was in the process of making me coffee and blueberry pancakes when I woke up, and Luna voluntarily cuddled with me.  Twice.  Yay!  Cute pictures of Liam to come.

happy boy

I freaking love this boy!  Really, how could I not?  Jeff and I have a joke because my grandma thought I was upset by not having a girl, she kept trying to cheer me up (when it obviously wasn't even needed) before Liam was born.  Now Jeff paraphrases her comments and says things like, "it's ok honey,  Eventually you might grow to like him."  He mostly does his comments directly after I mention how I totally adore Liam.  Anyway, Liam totally is the best baby ever.  He falls asleep at night easily, he wakes up smiling, he has slept through the night since he was a month old (moms please don't hate me, I'm sure your kids will eventually sleep through the night), and he's pretty happy all day.  Although lately he thinks he is a big boy because he can sit up better so he gets mad if you lay him on his play mat.  He wants to sit to play with his toys.  Then he gets too excited and accidentally flings himself backwards where he needs me to sit him back up immediately or he gets grouchy because only infants lay down.  Apparently. 


Also, I've decided that Jeff and myself are totally screwed.  Liam is a super easy baby, so when we have a second baby (unless it is as easy as Liam) we are going to think it is a grumpy demonic baby.  Wow, makes me sound like super-mom, right?  Possibly calling my future next baby demonic?

exciting!

Well, exciting to me that is.  Liam just rolled over this morning.  Several times.  Finally!  Its sooo cute!  He giggles while he rolls, and whenever he does roll Jeff and myself have to clap, cheer, and act like all around mental patients.  The joys of being a parent.  I never realize I'm acting insane until someone tells me.  Yeah, I'm one of those moms.

things that taste super fatty but are (mostly) healthy are awesome

Foe instance, today I made a random smoothie consisting of things I had on hand.  Those can be awful.  Today was yummy!
keep in mind I tend to dump in random amounts and not measure:

1 scoop vanilla protein powder
skim milk
ice cubes
pineapple chunks
coconut flakes
a banana

add ingredients, blend, enjoy!

Most Delicious Homemade Caramels Ever

Not that I'm hyping this or anything.  I haven't yet told my mom the ingredients, because she's so happy stuffing her face with them and being oblivious.  Anyway, this recipe is pretty easy.  And sooo worth making!

Ingedients:
1 cup butter
1 16 oz. pacakage brown sugar (2 1/4 cups)
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup light colored corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Line an 8x8x2 inch baking pan with foil and butter.  Set aside.
In a 3 quart saucepan melt butter over low heat.  Add the brown sugar, half-and-half, and corn syrup; mix well.  Cook and stir over medium-high heat until it boils.  Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and reduce the heat to medium.  Keep boiling the mixture for about 40 minutes (I know, it's long.  Try to get someone to switch with you after a while) until the thermometer reaches 248 degrees.
Take the pot off heat and stir in the vanilla.  Quickly pour the mix into the prepared pan and let cool.  Cut the caramel into pieces and wrap in wax paper.  Supposedly it lasts for two weeks, but we ate ours long before then!

If you want to make some caramel like this, but take some off the stove after about 20 minutes, the softer mixture will be perfect sauce.  Yummy with ice cream!

what I want

Yes, the weather is beautiful right now, but I'm totally over 90 plus degree weather.  Plus, getting fall fashion magazines and ski jackets in my store makes me crave fall.  Plus, if it is a bit cooler then I can snuggle with Liam all day in the middle of a ton of big comfy blankets!  Awesome.

what I want right now:

I conclusion, I am apparently an old lady.

happiness is...

opening your mailbox and finding the humongous September issue of a fashion magazine.  Yay!