Graham's First Birthday

Since it has been some time since I posted, I figured as I begin again I should take you back.  So let's go back to Graham's first birthday.  Just like Addie, Graham's first birthday fell on a Saturday so we were really excited.  I decided on a whale theme, because I think whales are about the cutest thing.  I never had this fascination before but for some reason, I love whales.  I made the cutest invitation but can't locate the picture file at this time.

I decided to make the food related to our whale theme.  We had sea shells (tortilla chips) along with caviar (cowboy caviar).

Along with seaweed dip (spin & artichoke dip).

The sea urchin (sweet meatballs) were a big hit!

Sea anemone (broccoli slaw) is a big favorite of mine.

Chicken of the seashells (chicken salad) was also a big hit for the adults.

While sea snails (pigs in a blanket) were a big hit with the kiddos.

Addie and I painted the whale sign that we hung above the gift table the day before his party.

I made the cupcakes and coordinated them with the colors of the party.  His cake should have been sitting in the spot on the table but the icing was in serious danger of melting off his cake.

My girlfriend helped make the sign above, however he was not 28lbs at one.  I misjudged and we hadn't gone for his year check yet.  He was actually 23lbs.

Miss Addie spent her time watching cartoons while we set up.

I wish it was warm enough for shorts and tanks right now.

Unlike Addie, Graham was ready to eat cake.  So much so that I barely made it to him and the tray locked down for him to begin.

It's much easier to bring your face to the cake than the cake to your face.  Everyone had a great time, especially Graham who didn't even nap the entire day.  Caused for a cranky night, but how many times do you turn one?!

-stephanie

Fourth of July 2014

Each fourth of July, or rather, third of July we rotate going to my in laws lake house to watch fireworks or to Red, White & Boom with my family.  This year was the year of the boom!  Knowing the kids would be up rather late I put Addie down for a nap a couple hours prior to leaving.  Of course she feel asleep about 30 minutes before we were to leave so we got this.

Crabby pants.  So shortly after arriving, I grabbed this.

My dad is a firefighter and every year for the fourth, they have a big party for all the firefighters an their families at their union hall.  Free food, free beer, and a front row seat to the fireworks.

They even put up that fantastic fencing since you need a wristband to attend.  

Very American with the hot dog & burger dinner.  Pasta salad and cowboy beans...it doesn't get much more American.

We were at the party for about 6 hours so Addie was getting a bit bored after hours of bouncing in the bounce house.  Rick took her out into the crowds to walk around and she came back with Elsa face paint.

It looked fantastic with her blue eyes. So pretty.

Rick and I decided to leave the kids with my parents and take a walk ourselves out into the traffic.  Thousands of people in attendance.

Addie loved the fireworks.

As did Graham for about 5 minutes and then he fell asleep.

We had unseasonably cool weather.  We were wearing sweatshirts in the middle of summer.  So the next morning we were able to take a walk without sweating buckets.

Then we went to Mary's house for a seafood boil.  

Addie ate every last one of the mussels in the picture below.

Graham spent the afternoon playing and smiling!

We even got to go to a parade.  Addie caught a lot of candy and had we not told her to come back she probably would've ran a mile down the road to pick up any lone candies.

Such a fantastic weekend!

-stephanie

Strawberry Picking

A couple weeks ago I saw that a local farm was promoting their u-pick strawberries so I packed everyone into the car at 8am to race over before the fields were picked over.

Addie was in heaven.  Hardly any strawberries she picked made it into the basket.  Most made it to her mouth and that was it.

Strawberry picking is hard work when you're baby wearing so I highly suggest bringing along a friend or a husband to help out.

I also highly suggest wearing closed shoes.  Flip flops + itchy pokey hay = not a happy girl.

Graham did pass out briefly.  The reflection in my sunglasses is so pretty.  Fields of green.

Addie finally filled her basket full of strawberries.

The farm also had fresh made, warm strawberry donuts.  I'm sort of a plain jane girl when it comes to donuts but omg, the strawberry donut was amazing!

Blackberry picking is next on our summer to do list!

-stephanie

Addie & Graham Meet the Easter Bunny

Last night Addie and Graham met the Easter bunny.  Well, Graham met him first as Addie refused to get close to him.  Then we left and she cried because she wanted to go back.  So we stood in line again, again she had a minor meltdown.  I told her we were leaving then and she stopped and let me put her on his lap.  I quickly tossed Graham on his lap and this is what we got.

I'm happy with this.  No tears.

-stephanie

Just Because

As each month passes and Graham grows a month older, I think about how I love the new age even more than I did the last age.  I remember doing this with Addie for quite some time.  Every single month that past was much more fun to watch her experience and grow.  Then she hit three.

Three is an age that I don't love.  I feel awful about it but there's a lot of personality at this age and a whole lot of, "I want to do it myself".  Which is fine until you're leaving church and she wants to squirt antibacterial sanitizer on her hands but you know she'll spill it all over herself, you and the diaper bag.  So screams, "no, I want to do it myself" and parks herself in the middle of the lobby as church is letting out.

Or the bedtime routine that takes an hour of reading, singing, building tents, "I gotta go potty", "I need lotion", etc.  And she finally goes to sleep and then you're woken up at 3am to her trying to climb into bed with you, or screaming that she has to go potty.

I find myself incredibly frustrated, losing my patience, and yelling too often.  Every day is a battle with her and every day I lose my patience and yell.  And then I feel bad.  Because in all of the yelling I stop and remember, she's only 3.  Three years old.  I am feeling lost as a parent and have no idea how to parent her at this point.  Three years old is a much scarier age than three days old in a lot of ways.

I'm looking for good books, good parenting sites, classes, etc that will teach me how to parent better, how to remain calm and be a better person for her.  So, I'm often reminded to take a step back. This weekend, it was in this picture I took of her at the park.  It's just her.  At three years old and still so innocent.  I have to treasure this.

Wordless Wednesday: Graham Loves Avocado

Happy St. Patrick's Day Potato Pancakes

This really doesn't have anything to do with St. Patrick's day.  The pancakes aren't green and potato pancakes aren't from Ireland, but they're still good.  And I'll still be eating potato pancakes any day of the week.  I guess I always assumed they were Irish since us Irish folk love potatoes. Anywho...

Ingredients

2 eggs

1/2 diced white onion

salt & pepper

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

2-3 cups frozen hashbrowns

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  Start with 2 cups frozen hashbrowns and add more if needed.  You should be able to easily form a ball with the mix without it being too mushy.  If it's too mushy add more hashbrowns.  You could always add a tablespoon of milk if needed.  Roll mix into balls about 2 inches around and place into pan of hot oil.  Press down with spoon until it forms a pancake.  Cook about 2 minutes on each side.  Cool & serve with sour cream and applesauce if desired.

Baby Lead Weaning

When Addie was a baby, I loved making her baby food.  I'd find some fresh fruit and veggies, cook them up and then puree them.  It didn't take me much time and it was cheap.  I enjoyed it a lot knowing I was still making all her food.  At Graham's last pediatrician visit at 4 months, the pediatrician gave the green light to begin introducing foods.  Since Addie was born, the though process on food introduction to babies had changed.  Introduce between 4-6 months and don't limit what they can/cannot eat.  The only food off limits was honey until age one.  So I began making purees, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, etc.  But Graham wasn't a fan.  We kept at it.  Sometimes he'd eat it with no issues and others he'd fuss and cry and refuse.  So I introduced the mesh feeder.

Graham is a huge fan of putting his fingers and toys in his mouth to chew on so I thought, maybe he'll enjoy this.  I put a soft banana in the feeder and let him go at it.  He liked it. Then I started thinking, what about baby lead weaning.  I had read about it when Addie was a baby but because we really didn't have issues with purees, I didn't introduce the idea until she was much older (and had teeth).

Basically, you fully cook or offer foods that are very soft and let the baby eat at their own pace.  It also helps to develop the skill of taking a hand, grasping with a fist and bringing the food to the mouth.  Lots of brain development.  

I have to admit, I was nervous trying this out because I wasn't sure how he'd react.  I was nervous about the potential for him to choke.  Graham did really well, he completely gets bringing the food to his mouth and opening his mouth to eat it.  He did get frustrated a few times when he couldn't figure out how to get the food in easily.

We started with toasted bread which he seemed to enjoy and will be trying strawberries tonight.  He did gag a few times which nearly stopped my heart but I know he's learning.  I'm really excited to continue down this path as there was no crying and he gets it.  

Have you tried baby lead weaning?  Success?  What foods did you try and how did you prepare them?

-stephanie

It's important to know when trying baby lead weaning, you must be present watching your baby the entire time.  Never leave your baby around food if you will not be watching.

Irish Step Dancing

Before I had kids, I always wanted to have a girl and wanted her to take Irish Step dancing classes.  There's something about that dance that get's me all excited  and to be able to see my child grown into that was a dream.  It became a reality recently...

Well, sort of.  You see, I get Groupon & Living Social delivered daily to my email so a couple months ago when one of those emails came through with 4 weeks of Irish Step dancing, I was sold.  I had to wait for months until Addie turned 3 (the age requirement for the classes) and then had to wait until the new round started.

The first week I didn't know what to expect.  We walked in and Addie was greeted by the most Irish accent I'd ever heard.  Addie was too nervous to sit in the room alone (they don't allow parents in the rooms) so I sat with her for a few minutes until she warmed up.  I was able to sneak out and peek in every few minutes.

The second week - she was sick and had to miss class.

The third week - disaster.  I literally spent the entire 45 minutes in class with Addie because she would not let me leave her side.  I think that's because the very Irish teacher from week one had went out on maternity leave.  In came a very pregnant second teacher.  Maybe it was the new teacher.  She started to warm up towards the end of class but would still not let me leave.

The fourth and final week of class went much better than the prior week.  It took a few minutes for her to warm up again but eventually settled in with the student teacher she's holding hands with below.  Towards the end of class she began crying but was able to stay in the room until class ended.

It's such a cute class and I wish she liked it more for my own dream but I don't think it's right for her right now.  They ask for a bit of structure, lots of listening, and I think she doesn't like that about the class.  We're going to enroll her in gymnastics as I think it will help her to burn some energy and she loves tumbling at home.

Until the day comes when she asks to "point her toes" and then I'll come flying back in!

-stephanie

Graham Month Five

My man Graham.  Five months old already, I can't believe how fast it's all going.  I'm really excited about enjoying spring with a baby who is so interested in experiencing new sounds, feelings, colors, textures, etc.  It will be so much fun exploring and witnessing his reaction to all those things.

Stats:  Last month you weighted in at 16lbs 9oz so I'm sure you're at 17lbs at this point.  At this point, you've doubled your birth weight.  Last month you were 25" long which was up nearly 3 full inches. You definitely hit your 4 month growth spurt!  Since that appointment you've probably grown another inch.  Your head at 4 months was in the 98th percentile.  No surprise there!

Sleep Schedule:  Your sleep may be working into a rhythm at night.  For the past couple nights you've slept a 5 hour stretch followed by a 4 hour stretch.  You get to sleep at approximately 8:30-9 each night and wake up around 6:30 each day.  Your naps are still consistently 45min-1 hour naps so I'm really hoping this is the month those naps start breaking into 2 hour naps.  This will offer me a much need break on the weekends to get things done.  PS.  It might even make you sleep better at night so let's work on that buddy!

Food: Last month I mentioned  we had just introduced cereal and your first solid food, sweet potatoes.  To date you've had those plus carrots, peas, oatmeal and prunes.  You prefer oatmeal to cereal and out of the solids you enjoy sweet potatoes and prunes most.  You drink approximately 5oz of breast milk at each of your feedings throughout the day. Yep, you're still going strong on the breast milk!

Firsts: Well, you're now sitting up completely unassisted.  We still keep a pillow behind you just in case you get crazy on us.  You attended your first party, granted it was your sisters but you did really well.  You you're getting really good at finding a toy you really want and know that your hands will help bring that to you.  I love watching you do this.

Favorites: You still really enjoy nursing so I don't imagine you'll want to stop anytime soon.  You love your sister, you laugh at her when she's not watching you.  It's so cute to watch you so in love with her. You love your jumperoo and have recently enjoyed just sitting by yourself and playing with your toys.  This is huge for you as for the longest time you've needed a lot of one on one attention.

This month has been so much fun to watch you grow and I imagine next will be even more exciting to see what you learn and experience next.

-stephanie