Girly things

I'm averaging about one post a month. My friend in Hawaii who got me to blog hasn't in a year. Patria, if you are reading this, post something - I miss you! When I'm not feeling tired and spacing out, I am excited for the days as they come. As for being tired, like most babies I think, Max goes in and out of being a solid sleeper at night. The past couple weeks I've been up a lot and even though my memory is hazy, I know I'm not getting the good sleep I want (last night was good). I'm definitely not able to watch any of the good shows I keep hearing about past their bedtime (for sure no movies) or spend much time chatting with hubby. After I put Max down, then I do my part in saying goodnight to Maggie which involves maybe a book but singing songs softly in the dark. 95% of the time I'm waking up a few hours later to move to my bed and then there are a few more wakings before morning. I'm not complaining though, just sharing, because I know this is a sweet time that is probably my last, as all of these phases will probably be my last since Max is probably our last, and I know that the phases don't last long. Days and months yes, years no.

A friend shared a great article with me on modern mommyhood. I enjoyed it.

Max has gone from walking around assisted to standing unassisted, then dropping down when his little legs get tired. He likes to push things across the floor, like their little Ikea chair. It's pretty cute to see him go. As long as you point him in the right direction, he keeps on walking. He has entered the stage where he freaks a little if I leave his side. He says "mamamama..." when he's tired and crawling after me wanting to be held and "dada!" when hubby walks into view. He likes to put his hand up to people's faces to say hi (right when you think he's going to grab your eyeballs) and he likes to pull on Maggie's curly hair. Seeing Maggie and Max together is awesome, they've already developed a special bond.

One of my ideas for this year with Maggie was to switch her from gymnastics to dance. She seems to have a love of singing/dance/performing so I thought this would be a step in that direction. Plus side for the parents and grandparents: we get to watch her through the magic window at dance class. I can't wait for the recital! The other bonus is seeing your 3-year old done up in a leotard, leggings, ballet skirt, ballet shoes or tap shoes, and hair in a bun. Never imagined it, but I'm loving this period of being the mom of such a little dancer.

Happy foggy (where is the sun?) Saturday!



Seeing clearly

I'm happy that 2013 is here. I'm feeling refreshed and I like the number 3. I turned 33 a few months ago and with our two kids in tow, we're on a roll. This year I won't be pregnant or living in the trenches of one of our baby's first year. I don't make new year's resolutions because those just seem silly but I do hope to get in some more exercise and reverse some of these wrinkles I'm seeing. I also am going to develop more quality time with hubby and just have more fun, some of that was in short supply last year.

This year I am going to take a trip (or maybe four). I'd love to go back to Hawaii, but I also want to take the kids to Monterey and I know we'll be visiting Aptos, and hopefully Oregon and Cayucos.

I also want to read more which means I need to stay up after the kids go to bed. Hmm...

Our holiday vacation was full of long days but then it was over in an instant. I got a lot of things cleaned out ("spring" cleaning), and I rarely went outside. Too cold. We spent lots of family time together. I cooked new recipes and a really yummy, moist turkey on New Year's Eve. Maggie fell asleep on my chest that night shortly after I told her she could stay up. I think she was holiday'd out and it was just really sweet to have my baby girl peacefully sleeping on my chest. We went on a NYE daytime date to see this movie. Billy Crystal had us cracking up. We saw the snow but didn't make it past the parking lot (our plan was to snowshoe with the kids and friends). It was a challenging 24 hours but I'm still glad we went. Trying times (or ones that don't live up to your expectations) seem to make the best laughable stories and memories!

{More good recipes to share}

Really awesome chocolate chip cookies - the dry ingredients were gifted to us at Christmas. I let the batter chill for 36 hours.

Comfort food one-pot pasta meal with bacon and butternut squash - I used what I had on hand, so instead of shallots I used leeks and white onion and instead of provolone I used cheddar. I didn't use rosemary because I was too lazy to go outside and clip it and I didn't think I'd miss it.

Leftover turkey pot pie - I have been making this for a long time, I think I clipped the recipe in college (the one linked is similar). This time, I used turkey of course, frozen peas and white corn, fresh carrots and onion, herbs de provence, leftover turkey gravy mixed with country gravy to give it creaminess and water to get the right consistency.

Checking things off one by one...

...and taking it day to day. We're four days away from the big day. This month has been such fun with Maggie. Things we've accomplished:

-both kids sat on Santa's lap and it was quick and easy. Then later that night, Maggie sat on a different Santa's lap (more realistic, not creepy) while we toured the zoo lit up with lights. She hopped right up there and started chatting away. No tears for this girl. Not sure if I'm in trouble because even though we wrote out our list to Santa beforehand, she came up with new stuff to talk to Santa about. She told Santa that she wants a ladybug that walks and talks. I think it's a toy xylophone she saw on Doc McStuffins. Yeah, not happening. We don't do crazy presents and I still have shopping to do for others, the kids are set. Hopefully once Christmas morning appears and she opens her goods, the ladybug will magically drift from her mind. Oh, and she asked after leaving the first Santa "Why does Santa love me?". Then after leaving the second Santa she said enthusiastically "Santa really loves me!" Yes, we do :-)

-we made our gingerbread house and tree, thank you Lito and Lita!

-we made it to the Nutcracker. Plans changed last minute but we went with bells on. Maggie was a hit in her dress, one person even asked if she was one of the performers. In her dreams! She got a little antsy during the performance but I know she liked it. She kept asking me in her loud whisper voice when she could go up on stage to dance. Later that night I went into her room and she had all her ballet skirts/tu-tu's laid out neatly. Dance lessons are on my to-do list for her in 2013.

-we took Maggie ice skating for the first time and she had so much fun. They rent "assisters" and once she got the hang of it, she asked me to let her go (sigh) and there were times I had to keep up with her. There was a lot of slipping too. Again, no crying (I'm not counting the one time she fell on her stomach and cried for a minute).

-their letter to Santa was dropped off at our local toy shop. Supposedly they give them to Macy's who then donates money to charity for every letter recieved. Too bad Santa's not writing us back!

This has been a joyous time for us, but also a month filled with sorrow. I was deeply saddened when hearing about the event in Connecticut. As a parent of young children, it really affected me in that sense. I have grieved for those lost but also for our society as a whole because it feels like this is a sickness that we need to somehow heal. I felt better reading this, it's heartfelt and something positive to focus on.

We will be making peppermint sugar cookies in the shape of gingerbread people Christmas Eve for Santa. I look forward to being with my family near and far and hopefully seeing snow this holiday. Merry Christmas!

Holiday ramble

A lot has come and gone and I keep thinking "I need to write that down". Maggie's comments have been great lately, I want to bottle it all up. Oh wait, here's one:

I am fond of the old Rudolph animated movie and bought it last year to show to Maggie (she was 2). When the scene with the abominable snowman came on, it was too scary for her so we turned it off. This year, we tried it again. I built it up and she was back and forth about it. During a moment where she was for it, we turned it on. During the elf/misfit scene, I walk out of the room for a second and I hear wierd crying so I run back to see what was up and she was really crying, saying she'd seen a "claw!". I guess that was enough for her. She told me this week that we can watch it on Christmas day. Why? Because she'll be big enough then. LOL.

I discovered 4 new teeth popping through on Max Thanksgiving day. That makes 8 teeth on an 8 month old boy (as of tomorrow). He is now crawling, not just scooting everywhere and he likes to stand up holding onto things. Have I said how much he likes paper? He's like a goat. Present opening with him should be fun.

I am very much in the Christmas spirit. I've made my list of fun holiday things to do and I'm crossing them off one by one. Last weekend, when I started writing this post, we had crazy winter weather, we decorated our Charlie Brown tree (truly intentional this time), went to a Christmas party and birthday party, and I made some pumpkin bread and butternut squash soup with Christmas music playing in the background. Maggie watched the Caillou holiday movie and immediately asked for hot chocolate. I searched the cabinet and instead made her atole de pinole (like hot chocolate kind of but made with corn flour). It was "yummy mommy" until it tipped and spilled everywhere. This is our life. Something like that happens most days around here, I'm not sure we can escape it with 2 little ones running around.

I am in need of planning our next family getaway. The snow is calling me...but so is the wintery beach and family.

On my list for this month is taking Maggie to her first Nutcracker ballet! We both can't wait. She plans to wear her flower girl dress that she wore last month to a wedding. It's cleaned and ready for it's 2nd appearance :-)

{Christmas Holiday Fun Short List}

Nutcracker with the girls
Caroling
Have fun with Maggie's daily advent calendar
Listen to lots of Christmas music until we can't stand it anymore
Drink hot chocolate/warm drinks
Make a gingerbread house with Maggie
Watch the Dr. Seuss's Grinch cartoon
Make or get Maggie a scarf
Make cinnamon rolls
Have Maggie write her wish list to Santa
Pictures with Santa
Go ornament shopping
Get a couple new stockings
Go ice skating
Make holiday crafts

Two nights ago, I put Max to bed early and Maggie and I bundled up in her princess tent and read books, drank egg nog, and ate truffles with flashlights and candles until we fell asleep. She liked it so much she did it again last night. Creating good memories (especially for hubby when he sees me scrunched up in the tent) :-)

Halloween comparison

Maggie and Max wore the same Halloween outfit (fleece banana) as babies in their 1st year. Can you tell who is who?

Here is one difference between the 1st and 2nd kid. The 1st you have about 20 different photos to chose from and the 2nd you barely have one good one to use. I always heard this was the case and it's true for the most part!

Overdue

Our household has been sick since the day after Halloween and as of tomorrow, my 33rd birthday, I'm still under the weather with my second round of mastitis. I was really hoping I'd be past my cold and back to health but then this crept up on me this week and it's crazy frustrating! Clearly a sign that I should slow down but I really don't do much more than work, be with the kids, errands, cooking... Maybe this just comes with the territory right now.

Anyways, the other day when I started this post, I was truly getting into the holiday spirit. Spending my morning with the kids listening to Christmas music on Pandora, getting excited about taking Maggie to the Nutcracker this year (her first ballet), thinking about my upcoming birthday, last weekend's beautiful wedding, and being thankful for not feeling sick anymore.

Ah, short-lived. I send a huge prayer out there for us to all be healthy soon so that we can enjoy my favorite holiday next week.

Pictures from over the past few months - it's taken me awhile to get any pictures on here, I'm a bit behind the times as usual by not having a sweet iPhone or something of the like where taking a picture and uploading them to Facebook or my blog would be a cinch. Speaking of, I have a new little iPod shuffle sitting her on my desk. It's been there for awhile and I'm clueless about how to get songs on there. That is what I want for my birthday - my husband to help me put songs on there :-)