Latest Milestones
March 4th, 2010
We took Izzy on her second flight to go see Grandma and Grandpa Cowboy out in Colorado a few weeks ago. Now that she’s getting to be a willful toddler, I was worried about how it was going to go. Lots of people told me to dose her with Benadryl to knock her out, but I wasn’t comfortable doing that. It’s funny because I don’t have a problem popping a Xanax to get me through a flight, but the idea of doping up the kid just didn’t sit well. She had been suffering from a long standing cold though, so I did break down and give her some Benadryl with the hopes that it would relieve her of her congestion (and yes, hopefully knock her out). The plan backfired as it does with some kids. There was no congestion relief and she stayed wide awake for both legs of the flight.
Fortunately, I was prepared with Plan B. I brought her backpack stuffed full of toys she hadn’t seen in weeks, books, crayons, paper and an iPhone filled with Disney movies. I pulled each item out one at a time and was able to keep her attention in 10 minute increments.
Once we cycled through all of the toys, I brought out snacks–Goldfish, raisins and pumpkin pancakes. When her belly was sated, we cycled through the toys one more time. The flight was just over two hours and we made it through without much fuss.
The second leg was much shorter–35 minutes. Daddy was in charge of her for that trip. I used that break to my full advantage and ordered a glass of wine and watched part of a grown up movie with cussing and everything! It was awesome. One of these days l’ll be able to finish that movie.
We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa Cowboy’s house. We played in the snow, went swimming, played with the kitty, and took lots of naps. Oh yeah and I came down with a lovely case of Pink Eye.
The flight home was just as easy–no, actually easier–than the flight out. She fell asleep for the second, longer leg of the trip. I took advantage and ordered a cocktail. I tried to finish the movie I started on our way out, but my headphones weren’t working. It didn’t matter. I had my drink and a little bit of peace among the dull roar of the plane.
We have determined that Izzy is an awesome traveler and we’re making plans for our next trip to San Diego.
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The other day Izzy was playing quietly with her toys. She was wrapping her stuffed animals in a blanket and lying them down. I asked her a question–maybe inquiring if she was hungry. I just don’t remember because i was taken aback by her next move. She raised her finger to her lips and she shushed me! SHUSHED ME! She was putting her babies to sleep and didn’t want me to wake them.
I immediately felt scandalized and elated at the same time. No one likes getting shushed, but that was one of the funniest things I’d seen her do. I broke out into laughter (wrong wrong wrong) so now she does it whenever she plays her sleeping game with her babies.
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My kid is typical. Potty humor makes her laugh. When ever she passes gas, she screams, “farting, farting, farting,” and laughs maniacally. I don’t know who taught her this trick, but it was hard to stiffle a snicker (wrong wrong wrong), so she just got encouraged to keep it up.
I’m trying to not raise a savage, so for the last few weeks, I didn’t laugh or smile when she did this. You have NO IDEA how hard that was. It really is funny to hear a little a kid chant farting, farting, farting.
Tonight was a little different. My sweet little angel farted during her bath, and then she said, “pardon me.” What?! And then she repeated it. That’s right. Pardon me. I showered her with praise and hope this trend continues.
I’m so proud of my little girl. I just might succeed at raising a child with manners after all.
Recent Videos
February 15th, 2010
Little Fashionista
February 1st, 2010
Izzy has been growing like a weed again and has outgrown many of her lightweight pajamas. I stopped at the Carters store to see if they had anything on sale over the weekend. Jackpot! New PJs for $3.99 and $5.99. While I was flipping through the racks looking for cute jammies in Izzy’s size, I noticed she was copying me on the lower rack next to me. She moved hanger by hanger pausing occassionally to say, “wow” or “ooh.” She plucked a few items off the rack and held them up to herself. She picked out a couple of really cute outfits, but they weren’t in her size. It’s too bad though; I would have bought them for her.
When they bagged up the pajamas, they left them on the hangers. When we got home, I gave them too her. She’s been playing “shopping” ever since. It’s the cutest little pretend game ever! She picks up the PJs one by one and inspects them, oohs and ahhs, then walks around house showing them off. Too bad I need to take them from her so I can send them to laundry. I’ll just have to put something else on the hanger so she can continue the game.
My baby is growing up
January 12th, 2010
We changed her crib in to a toddler bed tonight. Kirby approves. Izzy loved being able to crawl in and out of bed. Pray that she goes to sleep and stays asleep tonight.
Animal Hands
January 5th, 2010
These are awesome! Available at Spoon Sisters.
Merry Homemade Christmas
January 2nd, 2010
Last year we went a little overboard with presents for Izzy for Christmas. Fortunately, she really like all the giant, blinking, singing plastic monstrosities we bought her and she’s still plays with them to this day. They’re not even that annoying, except maybe for Animal Train. That toy is kind of evil. It is also a liar. The wretched voice sings a song about how lions run very fast, but hippos cannot. Hippos can run up to 30 miles an hour. That’s pretty fast in my book. I’ve hidden that toy in the closet several times, but it keeps making it’s way back into the playroom. I think I need to bury it in the backyard. Animal Train was responsible for my vow to give only handmade gifts to Izzy this year. I’m pretty sure she liked them, and I had a lot of fun making them too. I also made two of everything to give a set to Izzy’s BFF, Anneke.
First up, these adorable outfits made from patterns found on the Internet. The kimono top pattern is from Habitual, and the yoga pants pattern came from Mani Mina. (I also just bought her kimono jacket and spring dresss patterns too).
This one is for Izzy:
This on is for Anneke:
The Black Apple is one of my favorite artists on Etsy. I’ve been following her career since Etsy was still in beta. I love her work. Mitch gave me one of her prints for Christmas this year and I love it. The Black Apple appeared on the Martha Stewart show showing the audience how to sew her signature dolls. She also gave the pattern away on Martha’s site.
Here are my renditions–the blond for Anneke and the brunette fir Izzy. I also made matching purses using a pattern that I designed.
Finally, I made no see tutus for the girls. These were super easy to make. Just measure out some elastic to fit the waist. Secure the ends an then tie strips of tulle all the way around.
I made everything with the supplies I already had on hand except for the tutus. I had to buy tulle and elastic, but that only cost about $5 each.
Here’s Izzy wearing everything at once.
Mitch bought me a super fancy flash for my camera. I’m able to bounce light around at will and I’m so surprised at how awesome my photos are coming out. No more harsh shadows screwing up my perfect shots.
Izzy is practicing dressing herself a lot these days. I leave a bunch of clothes for her in her bottom dresser drawer that she pulls out and attempts to put on. One day, we had our laundry bag packed and waiting in the foyer. Izzy was able to reaj through the gate and rifle through the bag. She pulled out a few things and got busy trying to put them on. She has one each of my and Mitch’s socks on her legs. She’s got a pair of my underwear hanging around her knees, and she grabbed another one of my really long socks and wrapped it around her neck like a scarf. She’s quite the fashion plate, dontcha think?
And finally, since there is still a kitties component to this blog, albeit not as robust as the kid part, here is a fabulous photo of Izzy’s feline boyfriend, Kirby. Isn’t he just the best?
Crunchy Tilapia
December 29th, 2009
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 parsley, chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp milk
1 lb tilapia fillets
3/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp canola oil
Combine panko and parsley on a dinner plate. Mix egg and milk in a bowl.
Working one at a time, dip the fish fillets in the egg-and-milk mixture and shake off the excess. dredge lightly in the crumb mixture. Sprinkle with salt.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the fillets and cook until golden brown on one side, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook until fish is no longer translucent in the center, about another 4 minutes.
Lemon Tartar Sauce
3/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup light sour cream
2 Tbsp sweet relish
1 tsp lemon zest
salt to taste
Creamed Spinach
stir 1 Tbsp flour into 1 Tbsp milk until smooth. Place over medium heat and immediately add 2/3 cup milk a pinch of nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook, whisking until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 grated Parmesan, then add 1 package 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained. Heat through.
Easy Turkey Stromboli
December 29th, 2009
1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 package refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup pasta sauce
2 tsp. milk
1 lb turkey breast cutlets
2 tsp grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded Colby and Monterrey Jack blend
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Boil a cup of water on medium in a large skillet; add turkey and return to boiling. Cover; simmer 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then chop.
Unroll crust on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Spoon half the sauce down the center length-wise, leaving 3″ on either side. Layer spinach, turkey and cheese over sauce. Cut 12 stripes on both sides of crust. Fold strips over filling, so they overlap. Brush with milk and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Bake for 12 minutes. Serve with remaining sauce.
My little artist
December 24th, 2009
A few photos
December 20th, 2009
