Thursday Latelies

It perplexes me how I don't know that my daughter's teething until I find a new tooth poking through.  You'd think the unexplained crankiness would be a red flag, but I never catch on.  It always makes for a rough week for all of us.  Thanks to Thursday Latelies and Bex for reminding me to be thankful and see good in all things.  Here are a few things that helped me get through my week.  Be sure to visit Bex...A Style Diary and the others who have linked up.

99 cent iced coffee @ Dunkin' Donuts

Experimenting with hair styles

Baby toes

$5 find at Target

Potato Salad (Baby and Me)

 

 I have always been a HUGE fan of potato salad.  I find it funny, however that I've never tried to make it. I was inspired to try it for a bbq that we were hosting.  After a few Google searches, I realized how easy it is.  I love that I can also share it with baby.  

Boil eggs.

Boil chopped potatoes.

 

Save an egg and some potatoes.  Chop and serve to baby. (Use egg whites only if baby's under 12 months.) Mix in mayo, mustard, celery and seasonings to taste.

Fownd Some Rest

When my sister-in-law was contemplating getting another dog, I told her "You get one dog and love it so much, you get another.  Then you have a baby and then you tell yourself 'Why did I get so many dogs?'" (They now have two dogs and are expecting a baby soon.)  

Aren't dogs supposed to bring companionship, relaxation, therapy? Mine did, until I had a baby.  

Now it's 

barking - at the door, at each other, at nothing, while the baby's sleeping.

whining - for a toy, for food, for attention, while I'm busy with the baby.

Dog Whisperer, please help. My whispers turn into yells, which do not translate to dog language.

I sit here writing this after the most annoying morning with my dogs.  I sit here during the most beautiful monsoon evening with my Yorkie on my lap.  Both of us lavishing the cool, moist wind blowing our hair/fur. Dogs can still provide therapy after all, if you take the time to let them.

Fownd a project

This is a fun and easy craft idea. I bought iron-on printer paper at a craft store along with a 3 pack of tote bags and some ribbon.  All together it cost me around $20. This craft can be adapted in so many ways. 

Here's how I did it:

1. I tied bows and stitched them onto the bags.

2. I printed out 3 copies of a picture and cut them out.

3. I ironed them onto the bags face up.

Fownd Perspective: Thursday Latelies

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a great blog called Bex...A Style Diary.  Bex is inspiring with her great outfits (on a budget), and her positive attitude.  I am linking up with her Thursday Latelies post. She encourages her readers to stop and think about the things that have brought them joy this week.  This can be powerful, especially when you've had a rough week.  When I started reflecting on my week, only the challenging things came to mind.  As I starting finding the good, it just kept coming to me until I had a long list of joyful things. Thanks, Bex.  

First: 

Crafts make me happy.  I picked up these embellishments at JoAnn's for about $2 each and glued them to a headband for me, and a barrette for the baby.  We are going to wear them to my brother's wedding this weekend.

Second: 

Speaking of the wedding, I wanted to find a gift that was personalized, unique, and affordable.  I was not having luck, until I found Fancyprints on Etsy.  I ordered the Love Birds in a Tree print.  It's perfect!

Third:

Baby's first trip to the zoo! 

Fourth:

Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha! After a few hard weeks of weaning, I'm about done.  It's been an emotional and physical rollercoaster, but something that's brought me joy is adding a little caffeine back into my life after a two year hiatus.

These are just a few things that have brought me joy.  What has brought you joy this week?  Check out Bex...A Style Diary.  There are more links to other Thursday Latelies. 

Fownd: Party Ideas

1. Name banner created with Word
2. Party hat idea and tutorial from Oh Happy Day!
3. Letter monograms from Martha Stewart
4. Pom-Poms tutorial from Martha Stewart
5. Number cake templates from Martha Stewart
6. Month-by-Month banner created with www.picnik.com

7. Monogram sign inspired by Oh Happy Day!

I hit up the local JoAnn's for some scrapbook paper and ribbon, and the dollar store for tissue paper, plates, cups, napkins, and plastic table cloths. It took a lot of time to create these, but it was fun and I like them better than store-bought decor. There are a lot of websites and Etsy shops where you can buy party decorations and print them out.  They are very cute, but with a little research I was able to find everything I wanted online for free.

If you have any type of party coming up, you should check out Karas Party Ideas. It's an amazing blog with tons of ideas and pictures.

30% off at Francesca's Collections

One of my favorites at Francesca's Collection

Check out Dear Baby, a beautiful blog, and get a code to get 30% off at Francesca's Collections good through May 11. I already own two of their dresses that I bought at ridiculous prices with discounts like this one. Oh yeah, and a cardigan, purse, and sunglasses.  I finally bought a tripod today, so (fingers crossed) I will post pics soon.

Baby Memory Quilt

My baby's first year is coming to a close.  Time for a new chapter.  Part of the process here is letting go of some of her things.  I've been meaning to go through all of her clothes to give away what doesn't fit her. It's really easy to put it off.  Especially because there are so many memories, and I don't want to get rid of her 'baby' things yet. It's so exciting that she's turning 1.  However, it's kind of sad too.  I found this wonderful idea for a memory quilt over at Elle Belle Creative, and thought it would be the perfect thing to do with all of the baby clothes and fabrics I cannot part with.

Top Baby Products

We're just rounding out our first year of having a baby in the house.  It's been so wonderful and fun.  (I'll be honest, it's also been challenging and scary at times.)  Here are some of the products that have helped us this year:

Playtex Binky

 This is the only pacifier that our baby would use. 

Boppy

Oh, we could not have lived the same without the Boppy.  She spent most of her first few months lounging and eating in it, and I always used it for nursing.

Munchkin Disposable Bags

These little bags come in so handy when we we're out and can't throw away a dirty diaper. I love that these are only around $5 and are very portable.

Munchkin Trainer Cup

 I just recently came across this sippy cup at Target, and it is a hit! Other cups were not really keeping the baby interested.  This one has a silicone spout and no valve. It works a lot like a bottle, so she loves using it!

Leap Frog Musical Table

The Leap Frog Learn and Groove Musical Table is a toy that has grown with our little girl for the last 6 months. At first, we took off the legs and set it next to her.  She would pull on a few of the toys and listen to the music.  Once she was standing with support, we attached the legs so she could stand and hold on.  Now she pulls herself up and plays with every part of this toy.  She has never gotten bored, and its motivated her to stand and play.

Medela Pump In Style

Lastly, my most prized possession for the past 12 months: the Medela Pump In Style.  I pump exclusively, so this little baby has never left my side!

Free Message Prints

I found these wonderful message prints online today at Make it Perfect. There are many to choose from. All you have to do is drag them to your desktop. I can't wait to print and frame these for my daughter's room.  She gives some other clever ideas for using these on her blog. Check it out!

How Time Flies

I am so excited that my little sweetie will be turning 1 next month! It hit me a few months ago... I have to plan a kid's birthday party! I'm not used to throwing parties, but now that we're parents it's a new yearly tradition.  I've looked around at decorations, and am not excited to spend (so much) money on cheesy paper decorations that will go in the trash. Being the creative and crafty girl that I am, I think I'm going to design my own.  I'm thinking of a #1 theme.  I found these GREAT blogs for party inspiration. Check them out if you have any kind of celebration coming up.  Also, please share your favorite birthday party idea to help me out.  Next month I'll post the party pics.

Elle Belle Creative

Hostess With the Mostess

 Sweet Designs - A Blog by Amy Atlas

Amy Nichols Special Events 

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

I really don't mean to have a chocolate theme going here.  I do have to admit that I am more of a chocolate lover lately. Maybe it's a postpartum thing. Speaking of pregnancy... Isn't it so fantastic when your best friend is expecting?  That's how I feel, so I was so excited to whip these up for her baby shower.  Ok, you can't just whip them up.  They're a little more time-consuming than I thought, but still fun and easy.  However, if you are not using a candy mold it's super fast and easy.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

You need:
1 small bag White chocolate chips
1 small bag Milk chocolate chips
1 small bag Candy Melts
sprinkles
2 bags Pretzel rods
2 Candy molds
(makes 24)

With my candy mold, I decided to only use one color, so I melted the blue candy melts first in the microwave.  Melt them at half power for 1 minute.  Stir, then heat at 30 second intervals until melted. After a few trials, I found that a toothpick worked great to fill in the spaces with blue. (That's the time-consuming part.) When your done, you have to let it set for a while.  The fridge or freezer will help speed up the process. 

Next, I melted the chocolate in the microwave at half power for 1 minute, then at 30 second intervals until melted. I never knew it was this easy to melt chocolate! No double-boiler needed.  I spooned the chocolate into each mold and spread it out evenly.  The pretzel rod fits right into the mold, and with a turn is covered in chocolate.

 

The pretzels set up after about 45 minutes in the refrigerator, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easily they came out.  I just twisted the mold like an ice cube tray and they were free!

I had a small amount of chocolate left, so I just used a spoon to 'paint' it onto a few more pretzels and  added blue sprinkles.  This is what I would do for us at home, or for a party.

hmmm... What else can I cover in chocolate?

Happy Valentines Day!

We had a great time yesterday making Cole's homemade Valentine gifts.  This is Lily's first fingerpainting, and one of his favorite treats: No-Bake Cookies.

Oatmeal is not just for breakfast.

I recently inherited a large bag of rolled oats from my wonderful in-laws.  It came just as I was wanting some to make baby oatmeal.  However, it would take Lily years to eat it at her rate, so I researched some ideas for using it up.  Here are my top 5.

1. Baby Oatmeal
(from Homemade Baby Food Recipes)
1/4 c oats
1c water
cinnamon
Grind the oats to a powder.  Add oats and cinnamon to boiling water, then simmer 10 min. This can be frozen in individual servings!

Frozen portions of Baby Oatmeal

2. Breakfast Oatmeal
If you're making some for your little one, you might as well enjoy some too.
1/2 c oats
1c water
raisins or other dried fruit
cinnamon
Add oats to boiling water. Add fruit and cinnamon.  Simmer 10 min.


3. (Baby) Oatmeal Bars
(from Homemade Baby Food Recipes)
These would be great with any fruit puree.  They're actually yummy for all ages.  My baby loved them! I'm experimenting with freezing these so that I can just thaw one out for her each day for a snack.
1 banana
ground oats
cinnamon
Mash a banana and add ground oats to it until it becomes a sticky dough.  Spread on a baking sheet. (The bottom of mine stuck to the pan, so I might use waxed paper next time.) Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cut into rectangles.

Oatmeal Bars

4. Granola
2 c oats
1/2 c almonds (or other seeds or nuts you like)
1/3 c honey
2 tbsp canola oil
dried fruit of choice
cinnamon
Mix the oats, seeds, and or nuts together. Combine honey and oil, and pour over oat mixture.  Stir to coat.  Spread on a sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes, stirring once.  Mix in fruit.

Last, but certainly not least...
5. No-Bake Cookies
2 c sugar
1/2 c cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 c milk 
1/2 c peanut butter
3 1/2 c oats
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
Bring sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk to a boil.  Remove from heat and add peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Add the oats and mix well.  Drop on waxed paper to cool.

If you have any other ideas or recipes, please leave a comment and I'll pick one to feature on another post.

With Flowers in our Hair

 After I had my baby daughter, I started seeing these adorable babies with huge flowers on their heads.  What could be cuter? I knew I had to have some.  After looking around and refusing to pay $8 for one, I went online.  I found this amazing website that offers great deals and selections on flowers, headbands, hats, tutus, and more.  It's called www.girlscrochetheadbands.com .  I got this great flower and hat for my daughter.  I looked at the flowers, and decided that I could make them even cheaper. Here's how I did it:

First, I took apart the plastic on the flower.  Then, I hot glued all the petals together.  I actually glued two flowers together to make it more full.  I even made one by mixing pink and purple flowers.  Some of the cutest ones I've seen are a mixture of colors and sizes.  Next, I hot glued a jewel to the middle and a clip on the back. That's it! 

Homemade baby food: Pears

Making your own baby food sounds a little intimidating.   I've always wanted to be healthy and domestic, and my life is constantly evolving in these directions. I knew I wanted to try to make my own baby food.  However, I did not realize how easy it really can be. With the help of some websites like wholesomebabyfood.com and nurturebaby.com I am well on my way.  This recipe works for other soft fruits and vegetables such as bananas and avocados as well.

Homemade Baby Food: Pears

You need:

1 organic pear

blender  

Peel and cut the pear into small chunks.  Put the pear chunks and an ounce or two of nursery water into a blender or a Magic Bullet.

(I highly reccomend the Magic Bullet. It does the job quickly and easily, takes up a small amount of space, and you can put a lid on the same container you blend in and store it.) 

Next, blend to the desired consistency. You can also add more or less water to achieve the consistency your baby likes. Usually that would be very smooth until they are chewing. 

That's it! I can whip this up while the baby's sleeping or playing and have it ready to serve right away. You can also portion it out into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen, you can put them into baggies for easy thawing.