... at least some of this is getting in.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Something New
I held it off as long as I could. As you may remember, last month I blogged about how I was loathe to start Piper on cereal and other foods, that I didn't think she was ready yet. Well, the time has come. It arrived with a combination of Piper being frantic hungry even after she had finished her bottles at daycare and how she became absolutely upset and angry if anyone ate their meal in front of her.
So, today was our first day of cereal.
To say she liked it is an understatement. There was no hesitation and she knew what she wanted right away. After a few bites she grabbed the spoon and told me she could do this all by herself.
Willow got in on the action as well. It was more like, "Is it my turn now? Is it my turn now? You promised I could feed her, too!"
Lucky is just happy there is someone new he can steal food from now.
Is it my turn now? Is it my turn now?
So, today was our first day of cereal.
To say she liked it is an understatement. There was no hesitation and she knew what she wanted right away. After a few bites she grabbed the spoon and told me she could do this all by herself.
Willow got in on the action as well. It was more like, "Is it my turn now? Is it my turn now? You promised I could feed her, too!"
Lucky is just happy there is someone new he can steal food from now.
Is it my turn now? Is it my turn now?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Next Stop, Swimming Pool!
I love being in the water and swimming - and I can't wait until Piper is 6 months old and we can do the parent and tot swim classes at the Y. There is only one problem - non-toilet trained children must wear swim diapers while in the pool (and I completely understand why) but Piper is a skinny bean and commercial swim diapers start at 16 pounds. At this rate, Piper isn't going to fit those until she is over a year old! She is only about 11.5 pounds now. I started looking into washable swim diapers, and came up with two options from Mom's Milk Boutique.
First - the Applecheeks swim diaper:
Forgive the blurry pictures - she was windmilling away and it was hard to catch her still enough to do anything.
Second - the ImseVimse swim diaper:
I can tell you straight away that I like the AppleCheeks diaper better. Not only did it feel nicer, but it was obvious that it would have a snugger fit.
Elastic around the waist and thigh to keep out any errant poop:
Versus a waistband loose enough that I could get a few fingers in without even touching Piper's skin:
The obligatory babybum shots:
She was doing her damnedest to get up and crawling in that picture above. Anytime you put her on her tummy now she is wiggling, getting her head up and legs pulled into position.
The AppleCheeks diapers is more expensive than the ImseVimse ($18 vs. $14, if I remember correctly), but I think you are getting your money's worth. The AppleCheeks is a size 1 and is supposed to cover babies from 7 - 20 pounds, and they have three rows of adjustable snaps in the front so you can make the diaper tighter or looser as need be. The ImseVimse is a size small, and covers babies from 13 - 17 pounds. The reviews I read said the ImseVimse was supposed to feel like swimsuit fabric - but to me it is more like a cross between fabric and a plastic diaper cover. The AppleCheeks is 100% polyester, with a mesh lining on the inside. For the record, swim diapers, be they disposable or washable, are not supposed to hold in pee - only poops. Reading the reviews on Amazon and Diapers.com was very funny - all these indignant people who were outraged when their baby peed on them.
I have one last picture to leave you with. I was trying to catch a close up picture of Piper, so was snapping randomly whenever she looked at the camera. When I downloaded the pictures I came across this one and I laughed out loud.
Don't I look sinister? I didn't even realize I was in the picture! You can't tell me this kid's eyes aren't going to be light coloured - they may change to be green like my Mom's or aqua like Jaime's, but they sure aren't going to be hazel like mine!
First - the Applecheeks swim diaper:
Forgive the blurry pictures - she was windmilling away and it was hard to catch her still enough to do anything.
Second - the ImseVimse swim diaper:
I can tell you straight away that I like the AppleCheeks diaper better. Not only did it feel nicer, but it was obvious that it would have a snugger fit.
Elastic around the waist and thigh to keep out any errant poop:
Versus a waistband loose enough that I could get a few fingers in without even touching Piper's skin:
The obligatory babybum shots:
She was doing her damnedest to get up and crawling in that picture above. Anytime you put her on her tummy now she is wiggling, getting her head up and legs pulled into position.
The AppleCheeks diapers is more expensive than the ImseVimse ($18 vs. $14, if I remember correctly), but I think you are getting your money's worth. The AppleCheeks is a size 1 and is supposed to cover babies from 7 - 20 pounds, and they have three rows of adjustable snaps in the front so you can make the diaper tighter or looser as need be. The ImseVimse is a size small, and covers babies from 13 - 17 pounds. The reviews I read said the ImseVimse was supposed to feel like swimsuit fabric - but to me it is more like a cross between fabric and a plastic diaper cover. The AppleCheeks is 100% polyester, with a mesh lining on the inside. For the record, swim diapers, be they disposable or washable, are not supposed to hold in pee - only poops. Reading the reviews on Amazon and Diapers.com was very funny - all these indignant people who were outraged when their baby peed on them.
I have one last picture to leave you with. I was trying to catch a close up picture of Piper, so was snapping randomly whenever she looked at the camera. When I downloaded the pictures I came across this one and I laughed out loud.
Don't I look sinister? I didn't even realize I was in the picture! You can't tell me this kid's eyes aren't going to be light coloured - they may change to be green like my Mom's or aqua like Jaime's, but they sure aren't going to be hazel like mine!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Hey Auntie Teri!
Remember this shirt!?
Yes, hope sprung eternal - I held onto baby clothes for 8+ years. Here's a picture of baby Willow wearing the same shirt:
It was red day at Piper's daycare today, so I went searching in the baby clothes bins in the basement and came up with this Yukon shirt. I also found this hat - I think my Mom made it...?
In any case, it was a big hit at the daycare!
Yes, hope sprung eternal - I held onto baby clothes for 8+ years. Here's a picture of baby Willow wearing the same shirt:
It was red day at Piper's daycare today, so I went searching in the baby clothes bins in the basement and came up with this Yukon shirt. I also found this hat - I think my Mom made it...?
In any case, it was a big hit at the daycare!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Rhubarb Plum Crisp
The rhubarb is starting to wind down - it's so sad. The lady at Highland Orchards this morning said that the extreme heat we have been having has been finishing off the rhubarb, so I won't have much more to play with. I think this is the third weekend in a row we have had a rhubarb dessert for Saturday night's dinner.
This is what I made today - Rhubarb Plum Crisp
Looks yummy, doesn't it?!? Here's a close up:
And as much as I love rhubarb, I think my favourite part of this dish is the oatmeal crisp topping:
Here is the recipe:
Rhubarb Plum Crisp
Filling:
4 cups chopped rhubarb
2 cups chopped sweet Italian plums
1/3c white sugar
1/3c tapioca starch (you could use flour instead)
1 tsp cinnamon
Crisp Topping:
2/3c all-purpose flour
1c old fashioned oats (not instant!)
2/3c packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2c melted butter (1 stick)
butter or Pam spray for greasing baking dish
Preheat oven to 350'F. Melt the butter in the microwave and let cool while you assemble everything else. Add all filling ingredients in bowl, stir, and set aside. Grease 9" square baking dish with butter or Pam spray. Pour filling in dish. Rinse out bowl, dry, and add all topping ingredients in and stir until mixed (will be all clumpy). Use you hands to sprinkle topping evenly over filling.
Bake at 350'F for 40 min, or until topping is golden brown and toasted. Let cool for at least 30 min before eating unless you like eating napalm. Trust me - it will still be warm thirty minutes later. Serve with ice cream.
And now for the money shot:
It was lovely - definitely on the tangy side - but that is what you want with rhubarb!
This is what I made today - Rhubarb Plum Crisp
Looks yummy, doesn't it?!? Here's a close up:
And as much as I love rhubarb, I think my favourite part of this dish is the oatmeal crisp topping:
Here is the recipe:
Rhubarb Plum Crisp
Filling:
4 cups chopped rhubarb
2 cups chopped sweet Italian plums
1/3c white sugar
1/3c tapioca starch (you could use flour instead)
1 tsp cinnamon
Crisp Topping:
2/3c all-purpose flour
1c old fashioned oats (not instant!)
2/3c packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2c melted butter (1 stick)
butter or Pam spray for greasing baking dish
Preheat oven to 350'F. Melt the butter in the microwave and let cool while you assemble everything else. Add all filling ingredients in bowl, stir, and set aside. Grease 9" square baking dish with butter or Pam spray. Pour filling in dish. Rinse out bowl, dry, and add all topping ingredients in and stir until mixed (will be all clumpy). Use you hands to sprinkle topping evenly over filling.
Bake at 350'F for 40 min, or until topping is golden brown and toasted. Let cool for at least 30 min before eating unless you like eating napalm. Trust me - it will still be warm thirty minutes later. Serve with ice cream.
And now for the money shot:
It was lovely - definitely on the tangy side - but that is what you want with rhubarb!
Thursday, June 09, 2011
I'll Make A Fan Of Her Yet!
Last night Andrew, my brother-in-law Stewart, and I took Willow out to her first MLB game - the Phillies vs. the Dodgers. She has been to minor league games before - the Wilmington Blue Rocks play less than 10 minutes away from here, so we have seen quite a few of their games. I love both types - the intimacy of the minor league park, and the spectacle of having 45 thousand people in one place cheering on their teams.
We did have nosebleed seats - this was our view from Section 426:
It really wasn't all that bad - I was worried about the sun and heat because it was up above 90'F yesterday. But then I started thinking about where we would be sitting - facing New Jersey - which meant that the sun would be setting behind us. And once we got to our seats, we found that the canopy was overhead. So, still 90'F+, but we were covered and had a bit of a breeze.
The failed family shot. I've got to learn to let Andrew take these because he has much longer arms than I have.
Willow and her favourite uncle/playmate:
Yes, she is wearing a different shirt. We bought her the Phillies shirt and she put it on right away (and in fact, she is wearing it again right now - she insisted on wearing it to bed).
The first six innings were pretty tedious - not much in the way of hits, and it was scoreless until the bottom of the 6th inning. Stewart was doing his best to explain things to Willow - but I don't know if she cared too much about the whys or hows of the game... but once the teams started revving up and hitting and making some good plays, she was transfixed. I asked her this morning what her favourite part of the game was and she said the cheering - she loved yelling when the Phillies started hitting. We even got to see fireworks - but not put on by the Phillies. Going by the direction of the fireworks, I think they must have been at the Camden Mud Sharks game. The Mud Sharks play right across the Delaware River from Philadelpia under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
We left at the end of the 7th inning, planning to make it back to the car and get out on the highway before the crowds let out. You know what they say about the best laid plans... we got as far as the Philly Airport and traffic slowed to a crawl, and bumbled like that until the PA/DE border. Penndot was doing night construction, and had narrowed the road from three lanes to one, and it only let up until a few miles away from our exit. Oh well - but the Phillies won!
We did have nosebleed seats - this was our view from Section 426:
It really wasn't all that bad - I was worried about the sun and heat because it was up above 90'F yesterday. But then I started thinking about where we would be sitting - facing New Jersey - which meant that the sun would be setting behind us. And once we got to our seats, we found that the canopy was overhead. So, still 90'F+, but we were covered and had a bit of a breeze.
The failed family shot. I've got to learn to let Andrew take these because he has much longer arms than I have.
Willow and her favourite uncle/playmate:
Yes, she is wearing a different shirt. We bought her the Phillies shirt and she put it on right away (and in fact, she is wearing it again right now - she insisted on wearing it to bed).
The first six innings were pretty tedious - not much in the way of hits, and it was scoreless until the bottom of the 6th inning. Stewart was doing his best to explain things to Willow - but I don't know if she cared too much about the whys or hows of the game... but once the teams started revving up and hitting and making some good plays, she was transfixed. I asked her this morning what her favourite part of the game was and she said the cheering - she loved yelling when the Phillies started hitting. We even got to see fireworks - but not put on by the Phillies. Going by the direction of the fireworks, I think they must have been at the Camden Mud Sharks game. The Mud Sharks play right across the Delaware River from Philadelpia under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
We left at the end of the 7th inning, planning to make it back to the car and get out on the highway before the crowds let out. You know what they say about the best laid plans... we got as far as the Philly Airport and traffic slowed to a crawl, and bumbled like that until the PA/DE border. Penndot was doing night construction, and had narrowed the road from three lanes to one, and it only let up until a few miles away from our exit. Oh well - but the Phillies won!
Monday, June 06, 2011
Cowgirl Piper
Piper has a new toy - a Fisher Price Galloping Horse Jumparoo! I can't even tell you how much she loves being in this thing. She can touch the floor with her toes, jump around, and as she moves, the toy makes neighing and clip-clop sounds. Best $20 I ever spent on a toy!
We have an online bulletin board at work where people post things for sale, trade, etc. and there is always baby stuff being offered up - and sometimes people are just flat out giving stuff away because they don't want it anymore. Someone with a 10 month old was getting rid of a lot of younger baby stuff, and I snapped up this jumparoo (which retails about $70) for $20.
Willow joining in on the cowgirl fun:
Does this expression give you any idea how much she likes this jumparoo?
Trust me - this is Piper's "I'm pleased with myself" expression - and I love any toy that gives me time to read or knit while she happily plays!
We have an online bulletin board at work where people post things for sale, trade, etc. and there is always baby stuff being offered up - and sometimes people are just flat out giving stuff away because they don't want it anymore. Someone with a 10 month old was getting rid of a lot of younger baby stuff, and I snapped up this jumparoo (which retails about $70) for $20.
Willow joining in on the cowgirl fun:
Does this expression give you any idea how much she likes this jumparoo?
Trust me - this is Piper's "I'm pleased with myself" expression - and I love any toy that gives me time to read or knit while she happily plays!
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Cheater Cookies
We all have them - those semi-homemade recipes that we pass off as fully-from-scratch when we have to make things in a jiffy. Well, these are one of them. I have been assigned to bring something sweet to Willow's end of school year party on Friday... and yes, I have known about this for a few weeks now, but none of that matters when you have a little one. Tuesdays and Thursdays are shot, so that left tonight for me to whip up some cookies.
Here you go:
Cake Mix Cookies
1 box cake mix (doesn't matter what brand, flavour, whatever. I used Duncan Hines Supreme Lemon and Supreme Orange above)
1/2c egg whites (see - I even cheated with the egg whites and bought a container rather than dividing the whites and yolks up myself!)
1/4c melted butter
icing sugar
Preheat oven to 350'F.
Dump all ingredients into bowl, stir until the consistency of cookie dough. Roll into 1.5" balls, roll in sugar, then place on prepared pan (I used Reynold's nonstick foil). Bake for 10 minutes (cookies should still be soft on top). Take out of oven, leave on pan for 5 minutes, then move to cooling rack. Makes about 2.5 dozen cookies.
Willow says the lemon ones taste like lemon bars :)
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