June 9th

I go back to work tonight after six long days off. I'm so grateful I got a short vacation to spend time with my prince before starting up the graveyard routine again. He has the sweetest personality! Today I took a nap with Kade- when I awoke he had both of his little hands on either side of my face and his nose touching mine, fast asleep. He melts my heart and makes me feel so proud to be his mama! He is so close to being able to crawl! He scoots backwards and rocks back and forth on all fours. I'm guessing he'll be crawling all over the house by tomorrow afternoon. That's so exciting!! But scary at the same time- I'm slacking in the baby-proof-the-house-ahead-of-time department.

Because I had a few days off and because of the wonderful inspiration I got from the new quilting book Ian got me- I made Kade a pair of pants. I am so proud of myself I can barely contain my excitement! They are so deliciously adorable and they're reversible! What could be better, really? I'm also making a lovely dress for Kades little friend, Athena. And all sorts of other things- If I tried to list my projects then..well, this would be another list blog. And we don't want that.

Something else I did today? I went grocery shopping at the health food store. I guess the theme of this blog is Pride. I know the store is there- hell it's right across the street from Target- but I never actually dragged my butt in there until today and I'm so glad that I did! Tonight for dinner I made pizza without the red sauce on whole wheat and honey crust- every single ingredient one hundred percent organic. And it was seriously to die for. It was certainly one of my most satisfying meals I've ever experimented with. I also stocked up on Organic baby food for Kade. Since he's not a huge fan of the food Mommy makes him, organic is the next best thing.

I wish I had a way of sharing the smell of the pizza that we made- it was mouth watering. Instead, I'll share the recipe. You're silly not to try it. It's so incredibly simple and you won't regret it!

I had to throw in an extra picture of how adorable Kade looks in his new pants.

Back to the daily grind-

Pizza without red sauce

2 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp sun dried tomato pesto
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp grated Parmesan
1 bunch fresh spinach, torn
1 sweet onion, sliced
1 fresh jalapeno, chopped
1 cup Mozzarella cheese
1 tomato, sliced
1 unbaked pizza crust

In a small bowl, combine butter, oil, garlic, pesto, basil, oregeno and parmesan cheese. Spread mixture evenly over crust. Arrange tomato, spinch, onion and pepper on pizza and top with cheese.
Bake according to crust directions.

Mommy Smiles

At the end of a long day, sometimes you have to sit yourself down and force calm thoughts. For example- the baby has been screaming non-stop for two days straight, the bedroom is still not organized even though you've made it top priority for a week now, your diet coke is warm because you keep forgetting to put it in the fridge and you forgot (again) to make an appointment- or five- before the offices closed. At this point its important to sit yourself down and take a deep breath before you explode.

It's times like these when I have to make a list. I'm a big list-maker. Grocery lists, to-do lists, goal lists, things-I-want-but-will-never-have lists. Making a list calms me.

Okay, I have a plan now. It will be okay.

Reasons to Smile:

1. Kades new moccasins. They were made at the Black Foot Reservation in Idaho. They smell like barbeque beef jerky from being dried over a camp fire.

2. Kades new sock monkey and his ever-growing book collection. Ian and I have made a point to buy him new books regularly and his shelf is finally filling

3. Ian got me a new book- Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner. I've made a goal to complete every project by the end of the year. And the buddhism book I got for christmas? It's a heavy read but every word is so inspiring.


4. Packing Kades diaper bag for his weekly sleepover at Grandma Danielles house- babbling about each item and what it's for as I place it in the bag. He stares like he understands every word I'm saying.

5. Being the mother to the most amazing and sweet baby on the planet. He has taught me so many amazing and irreplaceable life lessons.

Beautiful Weekend

Finally a beautiful and warm weekend! I have a week off work before starting graveyards on Thursday and I've been soaking up every minute of time I have with my sweet Kadertot until I go back. The last few days have been spent rolling around on the floor, trying new finger foods, buying new jammies, continuing to redecorate Kades room, baking and so much more! It has been amazing. My new schedule at work is graveyards Thursday through Saturday- which means I'll be home with Kade Sunday through Wednesday!! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. I have so many fun activities going through my head, I've had to write them down so I don't forget them!

Kade got new pajamas, and got to wear a tank top for the first time this year! We also bought him a sock monkey- we finally found one at Target that wasn't pink.

Oh, and I've created a Cheese Monster. He would eat it for every meal if I'd let him.


Mommy and Kade went for a long walk, both of us slathered in sunscreen. Remember that raging river I was talking about? After the walk, I gave Kade a frozen "Binksicle" to cool down.

We made made Play Dough Cookies! Mommy and Daddy were feeling creative- By the time I had the dough done, Kade was down for his nap. So we made the cookies, just us two.

Play Dough Cookies:
3/4 cup butter- softened
3 oz. cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
food coloring

In a bowl cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to cream mixture and stir until soft dough forms.
Separate dough into four small bowls and add food coloring to each.
Make shapes and designs to your hearts content!
Bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees.

We went to a family BBQ at Shelly Halacy's house. (She's doing an awesome giveaway by the way- you should check it out!) Mike made the best chicken I've ever tasted- slow cooked on the grill for two hours! Kade was a mommy's boy and refused to let anyone else hold him. What else is new? ha!

It was really an amazing weekend- tomorrow we are shopping for Kades first birthday while he has a sleepover at Grandma Danielles house. It's also mine and Ian's date night! Can't wait for the rest of the week to unfold.

Finger Foods

This week we've been focused on introducing Kade to new finger foods. We've been trying to press the importance of self feeding now that he grasps the concept of picking things up between his thumb and index finger.

Here are a few things we tried this week:

Strawberry Pancakes

Carrot Sticks, Cheese, Yellow and Green Peppers

So far, the pancakes are his favorite! With the peppers he just sucked out the water until they were limp and then threw them onto the floor. He LOVED the cheese, but was indifferent to the carrots (odd because carrot puree is his favorite). We can't wait to try more new and exciting foods for his little taste buds.

If you have a finger food your baby loves/loved, I want to hear about it! I need lots of good ideas to keep his diet interesting for him.

Swimming and New Jammies

Yesterday we took Kade swimming for the first time! He absolutely loved the water. We showed him how to splash and float and even after he got a mouthful of water he was still smiling! The pool was sun heated, so we didn't stay long because it was pretty chilly. But it was so much fun while it lasted!! After we finished up at the pool we treated ourselves to Burger Bar shakes and cuddled up in our jammies. Kade just got new pajamas because he's grown out of all of his old ones. This is great news because it means he's finally growing!

We didn't take any pictures at the pool (partly fear of dropping the camera in the water and also no knowledge of whether we were actually allowed to take pictures), but we do have a picture of Kade in his swimming trunks right before we left the house.

Kade in his new pajamas

IanJessKade

My relationship is not perfect- I'll be the first to say it. I'm always getting compliments on how amazing my little family is; so close, so put together, so loving. We have our issues, trust me. There have been screaming fights, slammed doors and lots of curse words. Of course, no relationship is perfect. But, lately, I've been extremely frustrated because I feel like we haven't had enough "family time." By family time I mean entire days spent with just us three- no friends or extended family visiting. I'm not saying I'd like structured family events. I don't want a specific schedule. It's just that in the hectic life we live, its almost as if we've lost touch with each other. I simply want quiet days, just us three, being together. So, I've made a proposition to Ian: Three days of family time a week. Three days of hanging out, making dinner together, going grocery shopping- anything. As long as we do it as a family.

Also, Ian stays home with Kade during the day and it seemed that the second I got home he would leave. I got so angry with him because he was always running off with his friends, but after I really thought about it I realized: he sits home with an infant all day. Kade knows three, maybe four words.That must be so frustrating and lonely! So, I've given Ian a "free day pass." One day a week when I don't work and he can do whatever he wants with his friends, all day. In return, I get to go to the gym a few times a week to vent some steam.

It's a small step- but I think it will take us so far! I'm hoping that this change will bring my little family even closer and get us to be friends again.

I thank God every day for the amazing people He has put in my life- but Ian and Kade are on the top of my list. They have shown me so much humility, strength, passion and loyalty. I can only hope to give them the support system that they have provided me through these trying months.

I love you, boys!

Emilys Baby Shower

My little sister Emily is having a baby girl! Her due date in August 16th- the same day that Kade was due. I am helping my grandma plan her baby shower on July 9th. Kade's birthday party is July 23rd.. What have I gotten myself into?! Oh well, I'm going to be an aunt and my baby will be a whole year old. No complaints here!

Today, Emily and I made the shower invitations- they are all hand made and each one is different.

They turned out so cute! Here's a close up of a couple of them: