305. trick or treat!

A very excited monkey ready to trick-or-treat!

We practiced knocking and saying trick or treat at home.
In the car he was very enthusiastic about it.
But when it came time to do it at a stranger's house, he developed stage fright.  Staring at the home owner, clutching the closest parent.  He slowly warmed up and would whisper, "trick or treat". 
MM and I loved watching him go out for the first time on Halloween.  This evening was one of those parenting moments when we couldn't stop smiling.  Everything J did was adorable to us.  The 3 of us had a lot of fun!

Once Baby J was fast asleep, mom and dad divided up the loot (parental perk!)  MM took his stash to work, I don't think he trusted me to stay out of it while he is away!     

304.

A favorite activity of Baby J's is going on walks.  He is quite observant; and polite, never forgetting to stop and  say 'hi' to the concrete rabbit, pumpkins, wire duck, lawn flags, and flowers.

According to J...
Big trucks on our road belong to Papa.  Unless it is the UPS man, then it's a twash twuck.

He will scold you (while pulling on your leg) if you forget to walk in the grass.
We collect leaves, sticks, and rocks along the way. 
Recently, he spotted the moon and now we look for it each afternoon/evening.

303.

The weather has taken a turn, but that didn't stop us from braving the park.  As Hurricane Sandy rolls in up north, here in Georgia we faced a 20 degree drop in temperature and some gusty winds.  Child's play compared to what everyone north of us is battling.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the masses caught in this storm.

Latest Sandy Damage Article

If you would like to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy consider texting RESPONSE to 80888.  It will give a $10 donation to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  A trusted organization that gives 100% of donations to the effort.    

 

302.

"Drive"

301.

 

The late night last night for Baby J prompted him to sleep in until 830am, an hour+ later than usual.  His sleepy parents were grateful.  MM made his delicious vanilla pancakes for breakfast.

J dressed up in his monkey costume and I took him to a pumpkin patch.  He had fun running through all the pumpkins.  I took my camera (when don't I?) with hopes of capturing some amazing shots of him surrounded by pumpkins.  A photography-enthusiast mom can dream.  But, I must have had a mental lapse, forgetting I'm the mother of a 2 year old.  J refused to look at me while I snapped photo after photo.  The one and only photo (out of approximately 50) where he actually looked straight at the camera captured him with a such pouty face; he looks like the saddest kid at the patch.
case in point

• North Augusta Fall Festival
• Jack o'latern carving
• OU vs. Notre Dame

300.

A few friends, a few beers, a few pumpkins, and a lot of pizza!  

Baby J hung with the adults until after 10pm, staying surprisingly happy for a toddler up way past his bedtime.  Josie, the Gilmores' new dog provided him with plenty of entertainment.  All the candles being burned inside the jack-o-laterns prompted him to repeatedly yell "Birfday... Yay!!".  Ever since his party, all candles are associated with birthday celebrations. 

The awesome Faunces with their awesome jack-o-latern!

 

299.

It's been a food experimenting day...

For breakfast I decided to try banana smoothie recipe I found on pinterest.
It calls for 2 bananas (ripe enough to have black spots on peeling), 2 cups of ice, 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, almonds, and greek yogurt.

I happen to have 2 bananas turning black in the fridge, and because I am extremely picky about bananas I knew these would up in the trash if I didn't cook with them.

I would give this recipe a sideways thumb.  It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't great.  If one was looking for a quick way to get some nutrition, they could suck this down.  I would consider using it as a fuel breakfast when long distance running.  The flavor was bland, I added a scoop of peanut butter, which helped, but still didn't make it thumbs up worthy.


Baby J has a love for macaroni and cheese.  Just like every other American child I have ever known.  He will try to con his parents into making this for him at each mealtime.  Batting those eyelashes, giving you a sweet smile, and asking quietly for "mac cheese peees".

I decided to try the deceptively delicious way of kid friendly cooking.  I made a box of mac and cheese, just as J had requested.  I also steamed and pureed cauliflower on the side.  Mixing both together in the end to create more nutritious meal.  

This experiment gets a thumbs up.  Baby J was happy to eat his cheesy noodles and I was happy he was getting a vegetable serving.  




Lastly, breakfast-for-dinner...

First, our bacon decision.  After having to throw out spoiled bacon (oh how I hate wasting money and food!), we decided to start baking entire packages of bacon at a time and storing the leftovers.  It's been a great decision.  Don't hesitate to try it!  If you do, the trick is to place the raw bacon in a cold oven, then turn on and cook at 400 degrees.

My made up-ish egg bake...
In a skillet melt some butter.  Chop green onions, saute.  Add in minced garlic, stir, and fresh spinach.  Spinach welts quickly and cooks down small so add lots.  Once the buttery, garlic, onion, spinach mix is thoroughly heated, set it to the side.
In a bowl mix 6 eggs, sour cream, and a pinch of salt until creamy.  Stir in cheddar cheese (I crumbled up a couple pieces of bacon in it too).  Fold in the spinach mix.  Bake at 350 degrees in a greased, glass, 7x11 pan for approximately 25 minutes.

This I give a thumbs up for sure!  It tuned out even better than I had hoped.  MM loved it too.  The spinach and onion and garlic flavors complimented the cheesy eggs so well.  We both went back for a second helping.  

*reheats well

298.

297. white garlic pizza

On tonight's menu: White Garlic Pizza made from scratch.

Step 1: To make the dough...

• 1 package active dry yeast, or instant yeast (if instant, water doesn't have to be warm)
• 1 cup warm water (105F-115F)
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add salt, olive oil, sugar, and 2 cups of flour. Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute, or until flour is incorporated. Continuing on speed 2, add remaining cup of flour and mix until dough clings to hook and cleans sides of bowl, about 5 minutes. (add teaspoons of flour or water as needed for proper consistency.)

Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and refrigerate (at least 4 hours is best.)

Preheat oven to 450F. Remove dough ball from bowl, dust generously with flour and shape. Add toppings and bake at 450F for 13-16 minutes.

Step 2: To make the white garlic cream sauce...

• 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 1/4 cup of 2% milk
• 1/4 cup of feta cheese,crumbled (the original calls for Parmesan here, but we like feta)
• Generous pinch of salt
• Generous pinch of black pepper

Begin by melting the butter, along with the olive oil on medium to low heat. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic, and give a good stir. Raise the heat up to between  medium and medium-high.  Add in the cream and milk and give a good stir. Keep stirring until it comes to a boil. Toss in the salt, pepper, and cheese, and continue stirring. The sauce will thicken pretty quick, so continue to stir. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from the burner, and set aside.

 Top the pizza with anything that sounds delicious.  I will tell you the white sauce compliments sausage the best, as far as meats go.  We also added spinach, tomatoes, olives, and scallions to ours.  And of course a generous helping of mozzarella cheese to the top.  To fancy up the pizza, MM rolled a ring of cheddar cheese into the crust of the dough while forming the outer lip.  

I am slowly becoming a full-fledged foodie.  I love eating food (who doesn't?!), I enjoy bonding over it, I enjoy making memories of it (have you ever heard MM and I reminisce about Italy?!), and I even have a good time making it (usually).  

I especially love the process when it is shared with a loved one.  To have my husband in the kitchen, working by my side, while we discuss our days and salivate over the deliciousness baking in our oven is one of the greatest way to unwind in the evening.    

296.

Baking hour with Momma + Manski

295. cold turkey

We finally did it.  We cut off the bottle.  It is a habit MM and I have known needs to be broken, but couldn't find the right time. 
If I am being completely honest, I don't think either of us really wanted to stop Baby J from drinking from a bottle.  It's one of the last "baby" things he does and in our sentimental parental sappiness we weren't ready to let go of it.
Also because J would drink the bottle dry in a couple minutes (as opposed to sipping, chewing and playing with it over extended periods), the pediatrician said it was nothing to stress about.  Baby J's bottle was his comfort item and it wasn't causing any harm, reaffirming our delay.
   
For the last year all drinks, excluding milk, have been served in a sippy cup. [Said drinks are only water, because we are cruel parents who do not let our toddler have any happiness!] 
For the last few months he has taken milk out of the sippy cup at least once a day, if not more often.  But any noy (J's made up word for milk) near a bedtime (going down or getting up) had to be served in a bottle or else... meltdown! 

Yesterday I convinced J to skip his morning noy and go straight to eating breakfast before church.  On the drive there, he was given noy in a cup.  After church we had lunch and more noy in a cup.  He went down surprisingly easy for his nap without the bottle and while he snoozed we cleaned out the cabinet, hiding all bottle evidence.  When he awoke, we gave him noy in a cup.  And that was his breaking point.  He had put up with our milk-in-a-cup non-sense all day! 
Really upset and crying for the bottle, it was hard (for both Daddy and I) to hold firm.  We let him get his frustrations out for a few minutes and then sat him down to explain that all the bottles had went bye-bye and there was nothing we could do about it.  I showed him the empty cabinet and tried to help him understand.  The next several minutes were spent walking around the kitchen saying "bye bye noy" and "bye bye bottle" in the sweetest, smallest, sad voice.  Then he climbed onto the couch, snuggled into Daddy and drank out of the cup. 

We successfully made it through night one of bedtime routine without bottle. 
The non-bottle future is looking bright.   

294.

Busy little family Saturday.

• Farmer's market
• Walk along river
• Goodbyes to friends who are moving to Alabama
• First birthday celebration with Tepe family
• Naps
• Georgia - Carolina Fair
• Chinese take-out
• OU game

 

 

 

293.

 I have been trying out a number of new recipes lately.  Last night I made creamy avocado pasta.  We loved it so much that I re-made it tonight for dinner.
Only change... I cooked more.  Also added olive oil - parmesan roasted tomatoes as a side.
MM said this is one of his new favorites!  I'd have to agree.   

292.

Some fall festivity has made a stop at our front door.

Closeup shot of my cozy yarn wreath.
I have been wanting to make one for quite a while
and am so happy with how it turned out. 

Not sure mums have any smell, but happy he wasn't picking off all the blooms.

291. Year 2 - State of the Baby Address

Height: 34 inches          Weight: 25 lbs          Teeth: 16/20          Healthy!

getting vaccinated

• We are still unsure which hand is his dominate
• Vocabulary has exploded - too many words to count
• Loves music-  "nummit"
• Sleeps in big boy bed with no night light, no stuffed animals, no pillow
• Asks for prayers at dinner and bedtime
• Always eager to "pway wif keeeds" - big fan of church and "cool", the 1 day a week- 4 hour morning preschool program he attends.
• Has mastered turning doorknobs... parents are not thrilled about this milestone
• Learning to pick up after himself, with guidance
• If leaving or going outside is mentioned, his immediate response is, "socks and shoes"
• Says "bye bye" and "night night" to EVERYTHING near him before leaving/going to bed.
• Excited to see trucks (or buses) of all kinds
• Excited to see flowers "powpers" (which he is improving at smelling instead of picking) and animals
• Favorite show right now is sesame street... asks for Elmo and Abby's bubble episode DAILY.  Curious George is a close second.
• Favorite movie: Rio
• Favorite Foods: yogurt, blueberries, mac and cheese, peas, granola, pretzels, fruit snack ("nack nack")
• Noy-aholic
• Loves his furry "siblings", sometimes more than the dogs want to be loved.
• Points out mommy and daddy to strangers
• Mr. Independent
• Prefers showers over baths and gets upset if mom or dad shower without him
• SMART, constantly amazes us
• Affectionate... gives out hugs and moochies often

It was difficult to find a stopping point while making this list.  Baby J has grown and changed so much over the last year; I couldn't possibly record everything.  So with this list you will get a snapshot of who he is, at this moment in time.  By tomorrow he will most likely start doing something else new and exciting.  

290.

First flowers for Momma.

Baby J picked these one by one and gave them to me.  He was so proud as he handed over the tiny gifts.  My heart melted little by little with each "powpur". 

It is positive to my parenting to have sweet thoughts like such when my son has a afternoon of meltdowns and grumpiness, like he did today. 

289.

sleeping beauties

288.

which way?

Five miles from our house, just outside of Augusta is a working dairy farm, called Steed's Dairy.  In the fall they open their farm up to the public, hosting a number of family-fun activities.

J lead us through a 5 acre corn maze.

   

287. OU- Texas

Red River Rivalry!
The OU - Texas game rolls into the Cotton Bowl each October.  If you aren't a fan, it's hard to explain the sheer size of this rivalry.  To give you an idea, the game is never played at either school, but instead they meet half way between the universities in Dallas to play on a neutral field and is always scheduled during the Texas State Fair.  An equal quantity of tickets is sold to each school, splitting Sooner and Longhorn fans on the 50 yard line   Many fans travel to Big D whether or not they have a ticket to the game... the city swells and everyone shows their team spirit, some more appropriately/reserved than others.  Everywhere (restaurants, bars, streets, hotels, the stadium) is split down the middle by color- Crimson on one side, burnt orange on the other.

Friends + Food + Football

63-21 Boomer Sooner! 

It's a family affair.

It turned into a full-blown football day.  As one set of friends headed home after the Oklahoma game, another set came over to catch the LSU-South Carolina match-up.  Joe cooked us homemade pizza using a creamy garlic sauce instead of a tomato base sauce.  It was out of this world!  Ayla and Trevor (new friends who recently moved here from Hawaii, but are originally from the KC area- whoop whoop!) brought secret-recipe cookies for dessert.  I want the recipe, but you have marry into the family to receive it... maybe it's time to start hooking Baby J up.

286.

A date night at Crums on Central.

The Hartshorns, a very sweet older couple from our church, had Baby J over to their house for the evening while I surprised MM with a date at his favorite Augusta restaurant.  We had a great time [fab food and good conversation while dining al fresco] and so did they [outdoor walk, feeding fish, swimming in a big bathtub, "hide and seek" with the cat].

285.

It is not always the prego who has intense cravings...

MM did a night run for a little Ben & Jerry's

Unrelated to ice cream, but pregnancy relevant...
This morning we were blessed with more face time with Baby Jellybean.  She is growing well, but has decided to turn around and is now breech.  Thankfully she has 8 weeks to flip head down before there is a need to start worrying. 

284.

Yogurt tastes best if smeared on hands, arms, mouth and chin, and of course forehead. 

283.

Baby J's birthday bubbles are a hit!

Lion pajamas + galoshes + carhartt jacket =
toddler fashion statement.





If you are wondering about the ghetto looking cinder blocks in the backyard, it's our cheap way of keeping Wrigley from digging out of the sandy areas. 

282.

A good looking group of Jordans.

281.

• Church 
• Kolbie's 1st Birthday
• Quality family time before M&S returned to NC.
• Delicious steak, salad, and artisan bread dinner
• Evening with Papaw and Barbe

                                         Baby J digging into dessert.

280. Birthday Boy!

Our special, smart, sweet, and oh so cute boy turned 2 today!  We celebrated with a trash truck themed party at the park surrounded by friends and family.  We couldn't have asked for nicer weather.  He had a lot of fun "pway"ing, eating the icing off his cake, and opening presents.

Happy Birthday Baby J!  Momma and Daddy love you so very very much!  

279.

Girls Craft Day!!!

278. sushi cravings

A spicy, crunchy, dragon roll for lunch for the 2nd day in a row... don't mind if I do!

277.

Baby J and little sister received a gift from Aunt Sam in the mail today.  Gorgeous Eric Carle ABC/Animal flashcards.  He had a good time looking through all of the cards and trying to repeat the names of the animals.  I foresee many bonding/teaching/enjoyable moments happening on my bed using this cards.  A wonderful surprise indeed!