Two Very Good Excuses (or at least I think so . . . )

So I have been absent from blogging the last couple of weeks, and it hasn't just been a bout of laziness/business/the fact that Wes isn't sleeping through the night anymore . . . (how many growth spurts can this little guy have? I really am just a milk machine these days . . . ) Anyway, my first excuse is--well--technical.

So my trusty old laptop was having . . . issues. I work from home as a freelance writer, so you can imagine my frustration when I was losing pages of work. So after one particularly frustrating day, the decision was made to get a new one. I hate making big purchases, especially when I don't have a lot of time to shop around. But with my dad's help, I think I made an okay decision. Life has been much easier with the new computer.

My second excuse is, Family!! The best kind of excuse. My parents came to visit Wesley us, and we had so much fun.

Grandpa and his boy!

Grandma time!

Taking walks together.

Reading together!

And just having so much fun we got all tired out!

We miss you guys. Come back and visit us soon!!

My Boy

I have been rather absent to the blog world this past week. My spring allergies hit with a vengeance, and my energy didn't really extend beyond caring for baby and husband and keeping up with my house. But this little guy keeps growing and changing, and I have to keep the grandmother contingency satisfied until they can come visit in a couple of weeks.

We took Wes for a walk down in Provo to see if there were any baby ducks yet. Every spring when the baby ducks arrive I have to go down to the duck pond, because baby ducks are pretty much my favorite thing. Other than my family :o). Anyway, Wes loved the walk--he was fascinated by the trees and the light and all the moving things going by. Luckily he was too young to really pay attention to the ducks, who were doing UNSPEAKABLE things. Really. I guess there will be baby ducks in a few weeks. We'll have to go back then.

We took Wes for another walk--no ducks this time--just to the park around the hospital near our house. This time we brought Che for a little fresh air. It was a beautiful sunny day, and both our little ones had a good time . . .

. . . until Wes had had enough, and it was time to go home . . .

We were lucky enough to get a visit from his cousin Brady and Aunt Mandy. These little guys are only five weeks apart (if Wes would have come on time it would have been a week). We are pretty sure these little monkeys are going to have a lot of fun together when they get a little older--let's hope they aren't as rambunctious as their daddies!

Spring really came to town yesterday with 70+ degree weather. So we had to put Wes in his little baseball cap. I think he's pretty cute! (Thanks Aunt Mandi and Aunt Karen!)

And of course I needed to include a picture of my little sleeping angel with his book. Maybe he takes after his mommy? :o)

My Baby's Growing Up

The other day I realized that some of Wesley's pajamas were getting a little short . . . so I pulled out his six month clothes . . . and they fit. I didn't realize how fast my little guy was growing up! He loves to sit in the kitchen with me while I do the dishes or cook. He coos and laughs at me while I work.

Here he is in his little train overalls. So cute! Yes, I know he's my baby, but still . . .

For the most part he's pretty good about sleeping through the night. If he's not too sleepy after eating, he likes to have stories and be rocked before going to bed.

I really think I have the cutest, sweetest guys in the world. They are quite a pair together. They love to play games, and sing songs, and make Mommy laugh.

Oh, my supermodel baby. Strike that pose!

Giving Back: Infant Gowns

The TAP project ended yesterday--thanks to everyone who either donated or supported TAP restaurants. I was looking online for other ways to help children in distress, and I came across the humanitarian aid site on the LDS church website. They have guidelines for school kits, infant kits for orphanages, or hygiene kits--and instructions for either mailing the kits or dropping them off to distribution centers where they will mail them for you. They have patterns for toys, clothing, booties, mittens . . . many things that don't cost a lot of money, but that can make a big difference in a child's life. One project that I would like to try is the infant layette gown pattern. It looks like something I might actually be able to handle sewing . . . we'll see!

There are also cute patterns for dolls that I would like to try if I can get brave enough sometime. The knit mitten pattern seemed a little bit confusing to me, but the crochet version seemed doable. The booties looked really cute and easy as well.

I would like to complete some of these newborn kits, as time and money allow. If you would like to do some as well, the contents of the kit are:
Place the following items in a heavy-duty, two-gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing
· 4 single thickness cloth diapers, approximately 25x27 inches Birdseye Cloth or diaper flannel, 100% cotton. No pre-fold or disposable diapers
· 4 diaper safety pins
· 1 pair booties or baby socks
· 2 bars of soap 3.5-5 ounces each (Ivory or other non-allergenic brand)
· 1 receiving blanket (36x36 – 45x45 inches)
· 1 layette gown--No footed sleepers, buttons, zippers or strings Size: Newborn to 6 months, Fabric: cotton knit

Do you have any links to other worthy humanitarian organizations or projects? If so, I would love to hear from you. The next big UNICEF fundraiser is in October--so I am looking for other ways to "give back."

Recipe: Baked Oatmeal

I have been laying low the last couple of days. I succumbed to the cold that has been going around our house. Wes got it first and thankfully got the mildest case, the sweet guy wasn't even cranky, just a few more boogies than normal. Then Randy got it and I thought that maybe I actually escaped without getting sick this time . . . too bad it didn't last.

So I haven't had a lot of energy to put into fancy meals (we ate a lot of easy to assemble Mexican food this week and some delicious smoothies) but I saw this recipe on the Money Saving Mom blog, and decided to try it out. Randy loves his cold cereal and even though I always buy it on sale, it still is one of the more expensive menu items on my shopping list. So this is my provident living attempt for the week--as well as a new recipe. It turned out delicious, is really easy, and makes a ton. Since there are only two of us to plan meals for I am freezing the leftovers in smaller portions so we can just pop them in the microwave in the morning. This is way better than instant oatmeal, better for you (if you use the applesauce substitution), is very inexpensive to make, and is a great way to use your food storage oats.

Baked Oatmeal

1 cup oil (can substitute butter or applesauce)
1 ½ cups sugar (can reduce)
4 eggs (I used an egg substitute--worked fine)
6 cups oats
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups milk(I used soy)

Combine all ingredients in order listed. Pour into greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes until lightly browned. Can refrigerate overnight before baking. Serve topped with butter, brown sugar, and milk.

Yields: Approximately 8-10 servings

I just topped mine with a little soy milk (Randy used rice milk) without the extra butter and sugar, and it was delicious. I tried it both ways, and I couldn't tell enough of a difference to justify the extra calories :o)

A side note about egg substitute: even if you aren't of the Vegan persuasion, I recommend keeping a box of this on hand for food storage emergencies. It is very versatile, inexpensive, and works great for most recipes. It stores for a long time and I am a big fan. Even before I was vegan there were always times when I would run out of eggs or the eggs would go bad before I would use them all . . . Plus if there is some kind of emergency it is nice to know you can still bake things that need eggs.

Beary Cute!!

Once upon a time there was a little Wesley Bear . . .

And he was very cute and sweet.

His cute little hind paws were all the better to kick with . . .

And his cute little front paws were all the better to play with.

Sometimes he would get into mischief, but only the adorable kind.

Mostly, he just waited to be loved! Because he was a cuddly bear.

He liked to come to work and help Mom do inventory (yuck!)
(Thanks Aunt Sandy for the cute cute overalls!)

And after a long, fun day . . . sometimes a bear cub just needs a nap.

. . . or maybe two. Like how my little paw is up in the air?
Goodnight!

Crayon Holders

I saw this project last summer sometime on my friend Melissa's blog, and knew that I wanted to do it. I planned on making this as a present for my nieces for Christmas . . . well it is March now . . . please don't judge me! The fabric was picked out and purchased while I was on bed rest, but I couldn't really sit at a sewing machine to complete them. Then my tiny baby came and my life became insane. Anyway, I hope they will forgive me.

They really aren't too difficult to make, although the rick-rack is not my favorite thing to try and sew with. But I think they turned out pretty cute in spite of my novice sewing skills!
Here they are unrolled. The picture is kind of far away to get both of them in the shot, but there are little slots for crayons. Then you roll them up, tie them with the ribbon, and take them with you wherever. I want to make one in boy fabric for Wesley when he gets old enough. I think they would be great to take to church or on road trips. If you are interested in making some, you can find the pattern here.