Declan is really getting the walking thing down. He's even standing by himself for a few seconds now, and he can walk down the hallway holding onto just one of my fingers, and his other hand is free to wave around. Any day now, and then Daniel and I will really be running around trying to keep him out of stuff.
Yesterday, we checked out a new (to us) local farm - Froberg's Farm. I'd heard about it, but could never find the place. Finally did, and it's very cool. Lots of fresh veggies, although I'm not sure how much is local or organic. They have a great smokehouse right next door, and 9 acres of strawberry fields for pick-your-own. We've decided we're going back next Saturday to do some strawberry picking. Would have yesterday, but little guy decided that it was finally time for his morning nap when we drove down there and he slept the whole time I was in the market. Daniel stayed in the car and kept him company and listened to his pod casts.
We had an impromptu lunch of venison sausage and home-made individual cream pies / empanadas. They were okay, but no where NEAR as yummy as the Amish fruit pies I had at the Covered Bridge Festival in Indiana last fall.
Got my raised veggie bed 80% planted and did some yard work.
Made a butter cake from the Cake Bible. I thought I'd try and make Declan' birthday cake from there, and I ought to try it out first so it wasn't a flop on his birthday. Well, it was somewhat of a flop. I don't think it baked long enough. So we tossed it and I'll try another version today.
I also made the best fruit compote in the crock pot yesterday. You've got to try this. It made a ton, so I'm going to freeze small portions of it for later, but it was great on the cake last night and on yogurt this morning. Even Declan loved it.
Summer Fruit Compote (Family Circle, June 2009)
Makes 6 cups
Slow cook 3.75 hours on high or 5.75 hours on low.
3 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 medium pears, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
2 cups frozen sliced peaches
1 cup frozen pitted cherries
3/4 cup dried apricots, quartered
2/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1 T brown sugar
1 t vanilla extract
2 T cornstarch
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Combine pineapple, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, orange juice, brown sugar and vanilla in crock pot. Cover and cook on high or low.
Uncover and remove 2 T liquid. In a small bowl, stir together liquid and cornstarch. Stir cornstarch mixture back into crock pot. Cook 15 minutes more or until thickened. Sprinkle with almonds.
Serve warm with ice cream if desired.
I forgot the apricots, but you can't tell.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Declan's Latest Cool Stuff
He's been cruising the furniture for several weeks now, and even using his walker to go up and down the hallway and around the house. Last week, he managed to stand without holding onto anything for a couple of seconds, usually when he was grabbing a toy and waving it around.
He got his first real toothbrush last night, and he loved it. I brushed his teeth, and he let me because I guess it felt good. Then he grabbed the toothbrush and kept chewing on it for 15 minutes.
He still isn't talking, at least not putting any serious effort into it. Usually he just whines, occasionally he'll do some babbling and call lots of stuff 'da da', but that's about it. I think he's just putting all his effort into learning how to walk. I really think he'll be walking by the time of his 1st birthday.
He got his first real toothbrush last night, and he loved it. I brushed his teeth, and he let me because I guess it felt good. Then he grabbed the toothbrush and kept chewing on it for 15 minutes.
He still isn't talking, at least not putting any serious effort into it. Usually he just whines, occasionally he'll do some babbling and call lots of stuff 'da da', but that's about it. I think he's just putting all his effort into learning how to walk. I really think he'll be walking by the time of his 1st birthday.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Declan Turns 11 Months
Almost a year. Wow.
Here's a couple of birthday pictures, and by birthday, I mean 11 month anniversary. Would that be a birthmonth?
So cute.
Kickin' back and relaxing.
His grandparents brought Christmas and early birthday presents from his Nana and Poppy (my brother and sister in law). He had to have some help before he got the idea of pulling paper off, but once he did, it was a lot of fun.
Hey, look. A toy caught his attention more than the paper.
This was the big winner in the toy department, though. He figured out he could push the buttons and make it play, and stick his hand in and make it sing. Not so much on figuring out putting the shapes in, but he sure did make in sing all night long.
Chilling with Granddad.
My parents brought up my dad's old rocking chair that his granddad made for him. It's been well loved, and looks to be loved by the next generation.
Finally, he slept tons today. I guess having grandparents around tuckers little guys out. I rarely can walk into his room when he's napping without waking him up, so pictures like this are rare.
Here's a couple of birthday pictures, and by birthday, I mean 11 month anniversary. Would that be a birthmonth?
So cute.
Kickin' back and relaxing.
His grandparents brought Christmas and early birthday presents from his Nana and Poppy (my brother and sister in law). He had to have some help before he got the idea of pulling paper off, but once he did, it was a lot of fun.
Hey, look. A toy caught his attention more than the paper.
This was the big winner in the toy department, though. He figured out he could push the buttons and make it play, and stick his hand in and make it sing. Not so much on figuring out putting the shapes in, but he sure did make in sing all night long.
Chilling with Granddad.
My parents brought up my dad's old rocking chair that his granddad made for him. It's been well loved, and looks to be loved by the next generation.
Finally, he slept tons today. I guess having grandparents around tuckers little guys out. I rarely can walk into his room when he's napping without waking him up, so pictures like this are rare.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Pretty picture
Snapped this picture one morning as I drove into work. It's the field across from my office building. I thought it was pretty.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
MIA Lately
Between the Olympics and redoing the guest bathroom, I haven't had much of a chance to get on my computer lately. I've had pictures of Declan that needed sorted and edited and put on my blog for a couple weeks now, and I just got around to doing some of it last night.
Of course, it didn't help that my husband gave me a new computer (his old one) with Windows 7 on it, so I had to learn a whole new operating system, and reload a ton of programs. He helped my figure it out though, and supposedly Windows 7 is the best yet. I reserve judgment.
Anyway, here's some new pics of the little guy.
Declan is getting good at pulling up and cruising along the furniture. We even go for walks up and down the hallway holding on to his fingers
Naptime is still difficult. He likes standing up in his crib.
The other day, he discovered a big mirror I have tucked away in our bedroom.
He also found a mirror toy that's almost as good.
And he loves reading books.
And kitty cats. Fortunately, this kitty cat is pretty mellow around him and actually lets him pet her now and then.
Maybe soon he'll start walking with his toy.
Of course, it didn't help that my husband gave me a new computer (his old one) with Windows 7 on it, so I had to learn a whole new operating system, and reload a ton of programs. He helped my figure it out though, and supposedly Windows 7 is the best yet. I reserve judgment.
Anyway, here's some new pics of the little guy.
Declan is getting good at pulling up and cruising along the furniture. We even go for walks up and down the hallway holding on to his fingers
Naptime is still difficult. He likes standing up in his crib.
The other day, he discovered a big mirror I have tucked away in our bedroom.
He also found a mirror toy that's almost as good.
And he loves reading books.
And kitty cats. Fortunately, this kitty cat is pretty mellow around him and actually lets him pet her now and then.
Maybe soon he'll start walking with his toy.
A Change of Plans
Remember in my last post when I talked about diving in to renovate my guest bath? I was taking it fairly slowly, but I was doing a little bit every night. I've got the primer up on the walls and ceiling and I've taking out the hardware and the lights. I had been working on putting up plaster patch on the walls to cover up all the texture, and I've only made it around the shower and the back of the toilet. (Wanted to start small and in unobtrusive places)
Last night, I found out m parents are coming to visit next week, not at the end of March. Okay. I told them they were welcome, as long as they don't mind a torn-apart bathroom. Hey, that even means I can get some extra help in redoing it!
Last night, I found out m parents are coming to visit next week, not at the end of March. Okay. I told them they were welcome, as long as they don't mind a torn-apart bathroom. Hey, that even means I can get some extra help in redoing it!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I'm Diving In
I was reading something on one of the decorating blogs I've been following. She talked about how you shouldn't wait until you're ready to move out of the house to spruce it up. Don't do all the work for the new owners. Rip out the carpet, paint the walls, put up a new mirror and enjoy the results NOW!
So I did it. I primed a small section of my ugly green bathroom two nights ago and then applied a tester paint over it: Antique Pearl by Behr. Looked pretty on the card and it seemed like it would match the floor tiles.
I'm glad we did a test patch. My and Daniel's first thought was 'hrm, that looks a lot like naked flesh, not pearl'. So it's back to the store for more paint samples to try out.
In the meantime, I took down the shelves, removed the hardware and switch plates, and started painting the walls and the ceiling with Killz primer. I'm not intending to cover the green 100% because I'm going to go back over everything with a skim coat and smooth out the textured walls. I've never liked the texture (I think it's called orange peel), and I figure I can start with a small room and see how difficult it is to smooth out.
I'm also painting the primer on with a brush, not a roller. Yes, I'm doing it all by hand and after the baby goes to bed. I think this might take a while, but that's okay. My goal is to have it done by the time my parents visit at the end of March. That gives me almost 6 weeks; 4 if I take some time off to watch the Olympics.
So I did it. I primed a small section of my ugly green bathroom two nights ago and then applied a tester paint over it: Antique Pearl by Behr. Looked pretty on the card and it seemed like it would match the floor tiles.
I'm glad we did a test patch. My and Daniel's first thought was 'hrm, that looks a lot like naked flesh, not pearl'. So it's back to the store for more paint samples to try out.
In the meantime, I took down the shelves, removed the hardware and switch plates, and started painting the walls and the ceiling with Killz primer. I'm not intending to cover the green 100% because I'm going to go back over everything with a skim coat and smooth out the textured walls. I've never liked the texture (I think it's called orange peel), and I figure I can start with a small room and see how difficult it is to smooth out.
I'm also painting the primer on with a brush, not a roller. Yes, I'm doing it all by hand and after the baby goes to bed. I think this might take a while, but that's okay. My goal is to have it done by the time my parents visit at the end of March. That gives me almost 6 weeks; 4 if I take some time off to watch the Olympics.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
One project finished. Next?
Finished my $1.50 thrift store quilt I found. I saw a package in the store labeled "unfinished child's quilt" for $1.50, so I picked it up. For that price, why not?
Turns out, it was a pieced top that was 80% finished, and the rest of the material, already cut, was in the bag. Took me all of 1-2 hours to finish piecing and sewing it together. Then I had a muslin that I used for the backing. I picked up some batting from Wal-Mart, and I got enough to use for the quilt and to increase the padding in an upholstered chair that I'm getting ready to redo. A stop at the fabric store, where I paid another $1.50 for some remnant for binding and I was set.
Over the course of a week, I finished quilting and binding the new quilt. It's not perfect, and there are some puckers on the back where it slid a bit, but you know, for less than $10, I have a new quilt that I can let Declan play with however he wants, and I won't get upset if anything happens to it.
Last night, I needed something new to work on. So I painted some primer on a section of my ugly olive-green bathroom in preparation of painting on some tester paint tonight. Then I started cutting out some pieces of fabric to attempt my first slipcover for a chair. Always working on something.
Turns out, it was a pieced top that was 80% finished, and the rest of the material, already cut, was in the bag. Took me all of 1-2 hours to finish piecing and sewing it together. Then I had a muslin that I used for the backing. I picked up some batting from Wal-Mart, and I got enough to use for the quilt and to increase the padding in an upholstered chair that I'm getting ready to redo. A stop at the fabric store, where I paid another $1.50 for some remnant for binding and I was set.
Over the course of a week, I finished quilting and binding the new quilt. It's not perfect, and there are some puckers on the back where it slid a bit, but you know, for less than $10, I have a new quilt that I can let Declan play with however he wants, and I won't get upset if anything happens to it.
Last night, I needed something new to work on. So I painted some primer on a section of my ugly olive-green bathroom in preparation of painting on some tester paint tonight. Then I started cutting out some pieces of fabric to attempt my first slipcover for a chair. Always working on something.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Go Colts!
Declan's cousin, Garrett, gave Declan a Colts shirt a while ago. It's still way too big for him, but we went to a Superbowl party today, so I decided it was a perfect time to wear his Colt's shirt.
He looks good in blue.
I'd always heard about babies doing parallel play, where they will play next to each other but ignore each other. That's exactly what happened tonight, and it was cute.
Jackson was in the bouncer going to town, and Declan saw that there was a toy on the bouncer he wanted to play with. So Declan pulled himself up and spun the ball on the bouncer, while the whole time Jackson was bouncing and bouncing, and they totally ignored each other.
He looks good in blue.
I'd always heard about babies doing parallel play, where they will play next to each other but ignore each other. That's exactly what happened tonight, and it was cute.
Jackson was in the bouncer going to town, and Declan saw that there was a toy on the bouncer he wanted to play with. So Declan pulled himself up and spun the ball on the bouncer, while the whole time Jackson was bouncing and bouncing, and they totally ignored each other.
Guess Who's 10 (Months)?
Here's some pictures of Declan turning 10 months old..
And some random pictures...
Now that little guy can pull himself up, nap time is a lot harder to initiate. He keeps standing up in his crib.
And he looks like he's trying to figure out how to get out.
He LOVES his music table.
More deep thoughts...
Daddy tickles!
More music table love.
And some random pictures...
Now that little guy can pull himself up, nap time is a lot harder to initiate. He keeps standing up in his crib.
And he looks like he's trying to figure out how to get out.
He LOVES his music table.
More deep thoughts...
Daddy tickles!
More music table love.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Blueberry Chutney and Brie
Made a blueberry chutney tonight. It's...weird. It's good, but it's also very strange.
Here's the recipe.
1.5 pints fresh blueberries
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
pinch salt
1 tbsp cornstarch
Cook over medium heat until it boils. Let boil one minute. Cool. Serve over warm brie.
Pretty simple. Can also serve with meats and crackers.
Here's the recipe.
1.5 pints fresh blueberries
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
pinch salt
1 tbsp cornstarch
Cook over medium heat until it boils. Let boil one minute. Cool. Serve over warm brie.
Pretty simple. Can also serve with meats and crackers.
More Pictures. Just Because
What color are his eyes now? Hazel? Brown?
Bedhead!
Gotta chase that ball!
Lost the ball. Still have the bedhead.
WHEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just because.
Bedhead!
Gotta chase that ball!
Lost the ball. Still have the bedhead.
WHEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just because.
He Stood Up By Himself!!
Daniel called me at work this morning and said that when he went to get Declan out of the crib from his morning nap, he found the little guy standing up and holding on to the edge of the crib. He stood up all by himself!
Here he is practicing holding on to the coffee table.
Here he is practicing holding on to the coffee table.
Pictures from his grandparents' visit
We had a great time while they were here. I, for one, didn't work! And we went out to a movie and for lunch and did some shopping, and we had some one else to help take care of Declan! :)
Here's Mom mom and Pop pop (still haven't figured out how to spell that).
Pop pop helping Declan make his toys make noise. He's really good at it now.
Meanwhile, what did Mom mom do? Made funny faces.
And let him play on the table.
Later, Declan managed to de-sock himself. Again. Babies and socks...there's some sort of universal repelling force between the two.
Warning....
Incoming Grandma Kisses!!!
Here they are before they left in the morning. It was time for little guy's nap, so he was more interested in bed than in saying goodbye or practicing waving.
Heard from Mom mom this morning. She said she's already saving her pennies to fly back for another visit.
Here's Mom mom and Pop pop (still haven't figured out how to spell that).
Pop pop helping Declan make his toys make noise. He's really good at it now.
Meanwhile, what did Mom mom do? Made funny faces.
And let him play on the table.
Later, Declan managed to de-sock himself. Again. Babies and socks...there's some sort of universal repelling force between the two.
Warning....
Incoming Grandma Kisses!!!
Here they are before they left in the morning. It was time for little guy's nap, so he was more interested in bed than in saying goodbye or practicing waving.
Heard from Mom mom this morning. She said she's already saving her pennies to fly back for another visit.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Declan's First Significant Boo Boo
I'm not entirely sure how he did it, but last night, he managed to put a huge scratch down his chin. It's at least 2-3 inches long, but fortunately, it's shallow, and it didn't bleed much.
Poor kid. He'd never had a scratch in his life, and he acted like it. It was painful and scary, and he didn't like it one bit.
I think it must have still bothered him this morning at breakfast. Maybe he got some yogurt or something in it, because suddenly, he started crying and didn't want to eat any more. Hopefully it heals up quickly.
Here's his scratch.
Poor kid. He'd never had a scratch in his life, and he acted like it. It was painful and scary, and he didn't like it one bit.
I think it must have still bothered him this morning at breakfast. Maybe he got some yogurt or something in it, because suddenly, he started crying and didn't want to eat any more. Hopefully it heals up quickly.
Here's his scratch.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
In Laws Visit
They came, they coo'ed, they had fun, and they left. I had a good time too, and I think Declan enjoyed all the extra attention. It was nice to have an extra set of eyes and hands to watch him and keep him occupied.
We even got a date night! We saw Avatar and went out to eat. Works for us.
Speaking of eating out...We wanted to go to La Tapa Tapa, a nice, quiet Spanish restaurant that we'd been to once, and it seemed very kid-unfriendly. So we wanted to go back after the movie. We walk in, and there's a guy playing 70s lounge songs on a synthesizer as loud as he can. And he's not very good.
We asked to be seated at the back of the restaurant to get as far away from him as possible, but it wasn't far enough. We had to shout at the top of our voices to be heard over him, and neither of us could concentrate on the menu to see what we wanted to order. We ended up walking out after about 3 minutes. Oh, it was terrible. And I'd wanted to go there so badly.
We didn't have a backup plan, so we just drove until we saw something else to try. Ended up at the South Shore GRill. It was okay, but honestly, the thing I'm going to remember about this date is the horrible lounge singer, not the crab cake. :)
Daniel's mother gave me some pictures of Daniel when he was a wee baby. I think I can see a lot of Daniel in Declan as he gets closer to 1 year old. What do you think?
Here's Daniel at 1 year and some months.
And Declan at 9 months.
For comparison, here's me at 1 year old.
Maybe I'll have to try it again when Declan's a few months older. But sometimes when I'm looking at him, I can see it.
We even got a date night! We saw Avatar and went out to eat. Works for us.
Speaking of eating out...We wanted to go to La Tapa Tapa, a nice, quiet Spanish restaurant that we'd been to once, and it seemed very kid-unfriendly. So we wanted to go back after the movie. We walk in, and there's a guy playing 70s lounge songs on a synthesizer as loud as he can. And he's not very good.
We asked to be seated at the back of the restaurant to get as far away from him as possible, but it wasn't far enough. We had to shout at the top of our voices to be heard over him, and neither of us could concentrate on the menu to see what we wanted to order. We ended up walking out after about 3 minutes. Oh, it was terrible. And I'd wanted to go there so badly.
We didn't have a backup plan, so we just drove until we saw something else to try. Ended up at the South Shore GRill. It was okay, but honestly, the thing I'm going to remember about this date is the horrible lounge singer, not the crab cake. :)
Daniel's mother gave me some pictures of Daniel when he was a wee baby. I think I can see a lot of Daniel in Declan as he gets closer to 1 year old. What do you think?
Here's Daniel at 1 year and some months.
And Declan at 9 months.
For comparison, here's me at 1 year old.
Maybe I'll have to try it again when Declan's a few months older. But sometimes when I'm looking at him, I can see it.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Random Picture
I took this picture the other day as I was driving home. It was a point and shoot, so don't give me grief about driving and taking pictures.
It had been raining for days, and as I came over the rise, the sun broke through in just one section and there was this almost eerie effect of a watery sunshine with the heavy gray clouds all around. It only lasted for a few seconds before the clouds swallowed up the sun again.
It had been raining for days, and as I came over the rise, the sun broke through in just one section and there was this almost eerie effect of a watery sunshine with the heavy gray clouds all around. It only lasted for a few seconds before the clouds swallowed up the sun again.
Cold Snap Update
Looks worse than I thought.
In the back yard, in my fancy new landscaping, looks like I might have lost almost everything: the ginger (some of my favorites), the mini something-or-others, the ones with the blue flowers that were just starting to really go, and the asparagus fern. Oh, and the water plant, but it's still green, so maybe there's hope for it. I'll post a picture a bit later.
I hope these things come back. I'd hate to have to replace them all.
Of course, my native Texas roses look to have pulled through just fine. Maybe I should replace some of the dead plants (if they do die) with a rose or two.
In the back yard, in my fancy new landscaping, looks like I might have lost almost everything: the ginger (some of my favorites), the mini something-or-others, the ones with the blue flowers that were just starting to really go, and the asparagus fern. Oh, and the water plant, but it's still green, so maybe there's hope for it. I'll post a picture a bit later.
I hope these things come back. I'd hate to have to replace them all.
Of course, my native Texas roses look to have pulled through just fine. Maybe I should replace some of the dead plants (if they do die) with a rose or two.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
