When I'm Away

I just wanted to share this sweet photo with you all tonight.  While I was at work, Eric sent me this picture of their time at the park down the street from our house, sitting on a hill that overlooks the mountains.
We are very lucky that when I went back to work I was able to go back part time. Toward the end of my maternity leave we still had no clue what we would be doing for child care, and no option seemed to feel like the right fit. It brought many stressful days, tearful fits, and overall anxiety.  For the three half days I'm away at work, we ended up finding a wonderful woman who watches him at her home in an intimate setting with just a few infants.  Tuesdays I work all day, and Eric takes the afternoon off to be with Henry at home.  I feel so blessed that the schedule works well for Henry, and makes us feel comfortable as well.  It has also been so nice for Eric and the babe to have Tuesdays together.  I'm able to enjoy the time at work when I see photos like this, of my boys having fun adventures together while I'm away.

The leaves are falling

And quickly. The termination dust (snow capped mountains) has arrived in the hillside which means that snow will not be far away in the city. We have tried to enjoy every bit of the fresh cool air outside, the crunchy leaves, all the best parts of fall.  Henry already loves the chilly weather and breeze just as much as Eric and I do.  Every time we go outside and the wind gets him in the face, his eyes get huge and a big grin spreads across his face. He often bounces (literally) with pure happiness in our favorite season.  I don't worry about this boy and braving the Alaskan chill that is to come... he's a natural.

I'm sorry, yet again...

Once again, the time has come along for Top Baby Blogs to reset their pages.  If you enjoy this little blog of ours and feel like showing it some love, please click the Top Baby Blogs button on the right of the page, and then hit the owl on the left of the page it leads you to. I would so appreciate any votes so we can stay ranked in this wonderful community of parenting blogs, making it easier to find new friends out there in blog land. You can vote once a day. If you hate what you find here, then feel no pressure to vote. I still love you stopping by anyway.
Thanks all!

Something delicious for your bellies.

I have a new love for curry. I often crave something warm for dinner in the fall, and if it includes pasta and/or tofu, I'm an even happier camper. A friend introduced me to her mother's curry recipe, and I think since my sister in law and I have tampered with it we've lost some of the original touches, but it's turned into a recipe that I love.  To make it even more appealing, it's fast, easy, you can change any and all of the ingredients (different veggies/protein), and makes delicious leftovers. It's my kind of recipe, as I don't like following them too closey.  I usually forget an ingredient or two at the store and I like the option to put whatever is on hand in the dishes.  This is perfect, just toss in what you like. I thought I'd share it with you tonight so that if curry is your thing, you can give this "recipe" a go.  If you're not sure if curry is your thing or not, I encourage you to give it a try.  I make mine very mild, so if you like a bolder flavor add a bit more curry powder than I do. I'd like to share a recipe with you each week, and I hope you'll all leave a comment below and share something with me as well. Don't be shy! I'm inspired by the things other people like, and fall weather makes cooking (and eating!) even more fun.

Please excuse the terrible photos from this dinner. I had just walked in the door from work, and there was a boy who wanted his mama in the next room so I just snapped them quickly. If I made it look disgusting, try it anyway, I assure you it's not.

Yellow Curry: (my loose version of the recipe)

 Ingredients:
1 Potato- I use a large russet or a few smaller potatoes
1 block extra firm organic tofu
A few large carrots
Onion
Spinach- Fresh or frozen
Curry powder
Rice vinegar
Olive oil
1 can coconut milk
1 box whole wheat angel hair pasta, or rice

Chop potato, onion, and carrots into chunks and start to cook on medium-high heat with some olive oil until they soften, turning frequently. I use a separate pan to do the same with bite size pieces of tofu. When they are cooked enough for your taste, combine them together in one pan, and turn the heat down.  This is where I add some spinach, it wilts down quickly, or I just mix in some defrosted spinach if I don't have fresh on hand.

In a bowl, mix together (approximate amounts, change them to suit your tastes) 2 Tblsp olive oil, 2 Tblsp rice vinegar, 1 large Tbsp of curry powder, and one can of coconut milk. Pour into your pan of other goodness.

Serve with whatever you like! I have loved putting it over wheat angel hair pasta, although I know that rice is the more common option. Salt and pepper to taste.

Teensy update about the big guy

You've all probably heard enough about the fact that our big boy is SIX MONTHS OLD!
(Yes, it's absolutely necessary to use that enthusiasm every.single.time. I say SIX MONTHS OLD, because I can hardly believe it!) But yesterday he had his checkup so thought I'd write down the newest on the tyke.
He is 29 inches long (100%) 17 lbs 12 oz (55%) and his big ole head is still way off the charts. That's my boy! (Actually, the head was one of Daddy's contributions) Right, Eric?
He flirted endlessly with the nurse and doctor, and they fell for every minute of it. He's such a good flirt with that big smile.
He had his shots and for the first time didn't react with a fever or fussiness (YAY, because fevers freak me out. every time.)
We chatted about sleep, food (more about that later) etc etc. Henry gifted us all with a wonderful night of sleep after his big day. We are so proud of this little person, the pride just spills from every inch of us.

To my little love Henry...

You are 6 months old today. Half a year old. I just cannot believe you've been in this great big world that long, but at the same time it seems like you've always been here. Getting to know you over the past 6 months has been the absolute most wonderful thing in our lives; you have the most amazing personality in the world. I melt over every single one of your huge gummy smiles, every time you reach out to me, each and every giggle, each sloppy (very, very sloppy) kiss, all the happy squeels, and whenever you look up at me with your big brown eyes. They are getting more and more brown all the time, which I love.
You have a goofy sense of humor like your Daddy and I... grabbing our arms while we try to change your diaper and giggling over it... Spitting and blowing raspberries, bouncing for what feels like hours on end, you truely have the brightest spirit and we love you for it.
To really prove what a big guy you are on your half birthday, you woke up with a little white spot and tiny hole on your bottom gums. How can you already be growing teeth? It seems like you were just born weeks ago.  I'm so proud of how big and healthy you are and how you're growing up... but like most mamas I'm sure, it's hard to see you grow so quickly.  It's the most bittersweet thing.  I want nothing more than for you to grow and change and just be the happiest little boy, but I will miss every passing stage because they just go so quickly. It's hard to fully savor every moment when they fly right by in front of you. But my goodness we sure try!
You're just over 17 pounds, and you're so long and lean.  You learned to sit up 2 weeks ago, and you desperately want to learn to stand  so that it's easier to get into every single thing. You're a curious boy. I feel that after 6 months, you change into a "big baby".  You're starting to eat food and you'll soon be moving around on your own and getting into things that interest you. We'll start to hear you talk in just a matter of months. Your little gums will be replaced with a toothy grin. It's incredible, really, and we're so excited to see all of these big steps you're going to take. No matter how busy you are though, please take time to cuddle your mommy. :)
We love you, sweet baby. It is the most special role in the world, being your Mama.
Love,

The one who first met your sweet self, 6 months ago today...

A little list from A to Z

I found this little list of questions (from A to Z) on the lovely blog Pretty&Fun, and thought why not?! I'm guessing most of you out there know me, but in case you stumbled upon me and wondered who on earth is this lady? Now you know a few very random tidbits. If we don't know each other leave a comment and say hello!

A. Age: 23
B. Bed size: Queen, but switching to a King next month. You'd think this is a good thing, but it's so big it's like we're in separate beds.  
C. Chore that you hate: Loathe folding laundry. Love washing. It's kind of a problem that Eric and I both have. 
D. Dogs: One special mutt, Finn
E. Essential start to your day: a few minutes to smooch and play with Henry, and a shower. After getting up throughout the night, a warm shower refreshes me and I'm crabby without. 
F. Favorite color: Brown, and certain shades of purple. 
G. Gold or Silver: I like both! On my skin silver looks better. I think. Maybe?
H. Height: 5'6"
I. Instruments you play: Well none anymore. But I played string bass. And piano once upon a time. 
J. Job title: At the clinic I don't have much of a title, at the birth center I'm a birth assistant. 
K. Kids: Henry Vincent, 5.5 months. 
L. Live: A bazillion miles away from everything, in Alaska. 
M. Mother’s name: Margaret
N. Nicknames: Toto, To, Vic, V

O. Overnight hospital stays: none so far (knock on wood... please keep it that way...)
P. Pet peeves: Dishes in the sink.
Q. Quote from a movie: 
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: Sisters Rachel, Kate, and Wyeth
T. Time you wake up: um, 11:30, 2:30, 4:00, 4:30, 6:30, 7:30?! Not really, but sometimes it's like that. Up for the day by 7
U. Underwear: yes, I wear those. 
V. Vegetable you hate: Peas. I like pea pods but not plain green peas. Ew. Or beans (we'll call those vegetables.) raw onion, ugh. 
W. What makes you run late: I forget something at least 2 times a morning. Usually baby diaper blowouts make me run late. Or leaving late because I think I can make it in record time when I can't. But let's just blame it on traffic. I hate traffic. 
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Jaw, knee, but more ultrasounds than x-rays (head, thyroid, ute)
Y. Yummy food that you make: Crepes, chicken/mushrooms, salmon,  (these are the things my hubby says are yum) surely I've made something else that's yummy. 
Z. Zoo animal: Elephants, otters, and giraffes. I love watching the goofy giraffe tongues take the little biscuits from you.