Around the House

Lately, I've been feeling the need to redecorate our house. We've been here for almost three years, and I'm getting a little bored with the way things look. I don't want to tackle and major projects, since we plan to move into a bigger place in a few years, I just want to spice things up, and make the space we have work for our family of three.

So...here are some things we've redone recently.

These pantry shelves have allowed me to free up a couple of cabinets, included one for all of Ethan's utensils, bowls, baby food supplies, etc.

A wrap caddy...we now have an empty drawer in our kitchen! The possibilities are endless! {Note: Kevin painstakingly installed it upside-down, and had to redo it...oops!}

I found this idea on-line, but in a kid's room, and thought it would be the perfect thing for our living room. I'm trying to find other forms of wall decor, other than pictures and candles.

Loved this quote, and thought it would go nicely in our living room, too.

Professional pictures {from Sarah, at The Nest Photography}...also in our living room.

Finally, our stairway gallery. Ignore the unfilled picture frame...I'm being very selective with the photos I choose for it. I'm also not sure about the staggered letters that spell out our last name. Who knows, it might grow on me!

Sunday Morning Breakfast...4/29

My mom spent the night last night, so I had to pull out the big guns for breakfast this morning. Kevin and I prepped these individual bread puddings last night, in the hopes of saving some time in the morning. 

Big. Fail.

I think because they came straight out of the refrigerator, it took twice as long to bake and set. Still, once they were finally done, they were delicious. They are topped with apricot nectar, thickened with corn starch, although I think using apricot jam would be just as tasty.

And...We're Up!!

Happy 6-Month Birthday, Ethan!

Phew! This month has been a roller coaster. It was full of ups and downs...but mostly ups! I can't believe it's been half a year since I gave birth to the most precious baby boy. At times, it seems like just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. 

Stats: Ethan just went to the doctor for his 6-month check-up. He was a trooper with the shots, only crying for maybe 5 seconds. No joke. He weighs 16 pounds, 2 ounces, and is 28 inches long. Yes, folks, I said 28. He is in the 90th percentile for height. Sheesh! 

Likes: Wow! I could go on endlessly with this list. I'm tentatively sticking Tummy Time on this list. I wouldn't say he likes it, but he doesn't mind doing it as much. We've even worked up to almost 10 minutes! Ethan likes babbling, but he's recently become obsessed with blowing raspberries, which is cute...except for when he has food in his mouth. While GiGi is still his favorite cuddle buddy, he has discovered the beauty that is Sophie the Giraffe. He has learned how to chew on all her different parts, and has mastered holding her in his mouth. The jumparoo and exersaucer still get a lot of use. Ethan also enjoys sitting in his Bumbo seat and watching me cook and clean in the kitchen. 

Dislikes: Green beans are on this list. I can't say I blame him. When you puree them yourself, they come out a weird texture...even when formula is added. I've even tried mixing them with other loved foods. Oatmeal is not his friend either. He's not quite sure about the texture, and it's given him a gnarly case of diaper rash. 

Tricks: Ethan took a long hiatus from rolling, and just when we were thinking that his two previous rolls were flukes, he did it again! Twice!! We're hopeful that his new tolerance for tummy time will bring more rolling. Ethan is thisclose to sitting on his own. Also, we noticed that Ethan is starting to reach out when he wants to be held my mommy or daddy. Kevin was holding him this morning, and I held my hands out to see if he would come to me, and he reached both his arms towards me, and leaned so I could take him. Finally, Ethan can add eating solids to his list of tricks. So far, he's a huge fan of butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, and bananas. 

Mom: Still doing well! Last week, I stayed overnight by myself all three nights that Kevin was gone. It was so empowering, and a huge step for me. One of the things I've enjoyed doing most is making Ethan's baby food. It can sometimes be tedious, but it's so worth it. I know exactly what's going into each container, and that it is fresh and preservative-free. Right now I'm just making simple purees, but am looking forward to making "meals". 

Sunday Morning Breakfast...4/22

OK. I'm not gonna lie. This morning was one of those days that I thought, why did I start this Sunday Morning Breakfast thing again?? I love the finished product, but it's kind of a pain to wake up super early and cook, when all you want to do is snuggle with an adorable 6-month old, feed him a bottle, and watch the news.

Still, I'm not one to abandon {most} endeavors, so here is this morning's breakfast - Bacon, Tomato, and Cheddar Frittata. This is a WW recipe from this book. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy things like meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and other comfort foods, but are looking for ways to cut calories. 

Kevin gave this breakfast two thumbs up!

Sunday Morning Breakfast...4/15

Oops. I forgot to post this last Sunday! Again, I can't take credit for this. My wonderful mother-in-law made a delicious Big Apple French Toast Casserole. Here is the link to the recipe...gotta love that Hungry Girl!

Progress

Well, I did it...er...am doing it.

I know this might not sound like a huge deal, but it is to me. 

Kevin is in Boston this week, which means I'm on Ethan duty. My biggest source of anxiety has had to do with taking full responsibility for Ethan all day and all night. I just didn't think I would be able to keep up with him with no relief. I also tend not to get the best nights of sleep when Kevin is gone, because I'm overwhelmed with the worry that I won't hear Ethan if he wakes up. In the past, my mom has had to spend the night, which lessened my anxiety.

This week, I decided to take it one day (and night) at a time. I won't say that it's been sunshine and roses every minute of every day, but I've been chugging along. I haven't panicked yet...even during his 45 minute screaming fit last night at bedtime. This is my third night going solo, and I'm super proud of myself. 

Yes, I still have anxiety each morning when I wake up, and it lasts until I'm done getting myself ready for the day (coffee, wash up, hair, make-up, and dress up). However, I do feel a humungous sense of accomplishment at having made it to this point. I feel like I've come so far from where I was several months ago, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm definitely headed in the right direction!

A Roller Coaster Ride

Thanks to my Father-in-Law who found this comic strip in the Sunday paper. Truer words have never been spoken!

Props to Pops

He sure does love his Pops!!

Just To Make You Smile...

Matzah Ball Soup {Jewish Penicillin}

One of my favorite things to eat around this time of year, is my mom's homemade Matzah Ball Soup. It warms me up, body and soul, and makes me feel oh, so good. Just the smell emanating through the house is enough to comfort me.

Each year, Kevin and I attempt to make it just like my mother. I've mastered the matzah balls, which if you ask me, are just as easy to make from scratch as they are to make from the box, but they taste a whole lot yummier.

The soup, well that's a different story. The last two times we've made it, it's tasted like, um, hot water. You can kind of sense that there is a vague chicken flavor, but not really. I'm quite opposed to using canned or boxed broth, but I decided if I struck out again, I'd resort to using the box of low-sodium chicken broth in my pantry. I searched on-line for some tips I could pick up, that might help. 

Some things I did this time around:

• I used a whole roasting chicken...not just chicken pieces.
• I added three tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder.
• I added a tablespoon each of garlic and onion powder.
• I added only enough water to cover the chicken.

It.Was.Wonderful.

See????

Sweet Potatoes

We'll Take One of Those...

We had to stop at our local grocery store to pick something up...

...apparently, they were having a huge sale, and they're flying off the shelves!!

Ethan's First Passover

Each Passover, we go to my parents' house for both the first and second Seders (traditional Passover meals). There are always lots of people and tons of food. Ethan was overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds of the Passover Seder. We had to leave early (both nights), and take our food "to go". He was so overstimulated, that it made bedtime a nightmare. 

However, here are some "pre-meltdown" shots!

Sunday Morning Breakfast...4/8

Well, it's Passover. This year, I put together a menu for these days weeks ahead of time. I hate grocery shopping for Passover, because I always end up spending too much money, with tons of leftovers. Enter my menu plan and specific grocery list.


I had planned to make a Matzah Kugel, but after a very hectic Seder and bedtime (blog post to come), decided we'd pull a switcheroo and choose one of the breakfasts that did not involve as much prep. Plus, Kevin was able to take care of it. So, I present to you, Turkey Bacon 'n Eggs. The best part is, there's no need for a recipe!


Happy Passover and/or Happy Easter, friends!

Lunch with Uncle Yuval

Ethan loved spending some time in downtown Indy with his Uncle Yuval. We had lunch at Circle Center Mall, shopped at H&M, and said our hellos to some of Uncle Yuval's coworkers. Ethan made everyone's day!

Gymboree

This afternoon, Ethan got to show his Safta all of his new tricks at Gymboree. Especially impressive are his tummy time skills. He actually stayed on his tummy the whole time they had the balls and mirror out, without fussing! He has also aced "tracking" - he likes to follow the bubbles Miss Erin blows with his eyes, and even started reaching for them today.

Sunday Morning Breakfast...4/1

I thought I wasn't going to be able to post today about our breakfast, since we would be in Cincinnati visiting Kevin's parents. Luckily, my mother-in-law came through and prepared a scrumptious breakfast for all of us (with the help of my husband, the Pancake Maker Extraordinaire). We had Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes (at least, I think they were called something like that). Since I did not make them, I can't share the recipe, but you can find it in this book.