This & That

This week has been CRAZY! Organizing and packing for an upcoming vacation has me scatterbrained and my thousands of lists are not helping but I must press on and somehow get it all done. I was scouring Pinterest for 1st birthday ideas (yes it isn't until October) but I was just looking. In someone's post they had these "Brookies" or brownies + cookies recipe. Hmmmm nothing better than cookie dough and brownie batter, so genius idea to combine them. I of course whipped up the best brownie batter and made my cookies from scratch for this winner of a treat :) Ok so I cheated a little, but with a crawling baby I want EASY! The key is to get the mini chocolate chip cookies, they cook much better. Seriously get your muffin tin, spray your coconut oil or Pam, fill with1 heaping spoonful brownie mix then push the cookie dough down in the middle. I baked them at 325 degrees for about 22 minutes, just put a toothpick in them to check! Want a smaller "brookie"?? Use a mini muffin tin and half as much brownie mix. Genius! Let's hope these are still around for the upcoming car ride....

Trader Joes. I don't get it. Maybe I just don't know what the heck to get? Plus I hate how they don't have everything I need so another grocery run is NOT in my vocab these days, even though I said "Have baby, will live". We just live slightly different :) Sooooo I went there to get "healthy" snacks. I literally threw crap in my cart and when I got home, I had a little Fear Factor show in my kitchen. Haha

First I got Cowboy Bark. Dark chocolate with toffee, pretzels, Joe Joe cookies, peanuts, almonds, a salt. Verdict: YeeeeeHawwww I cheated and got my favorite bars, Think Thin crunch bars. I love the chocolate dipped nuts one best. They are non-gmo, soy protein, Gluten free, 8g protein, 6g sugar, and 4g fiber. Yum. My husbands favorite are the individual packages of almonds, cashews, and cranberries trek mix, so I was a good wife and stocked up on that for him. Next I must have had wine on my brain (weird) and I bought Parmesan crisps. I am not sure about healthy but what is better than cheese and bread? These would be a good cheese plate addition or just plain. Next were these roasted Gorgonzola crackers. Again with the cheese, bread, and wine. Verdict: Tastes like a fancier Chicken and a Biscuit cracker, I am assuming you all have had those before?! I felt the need to eat these with a pinky in the air. Kidding. Verdict: Yummy. And I saved the best for last. What's not to love about dried fruit? Well upon opening up the crispy Jeju mandarin orange slices, I noticed a Silica-Gel packet, you know the thing you find in your new shoe boxes? Gross. Why oh why did they do that? Verdict: Almost too creeped out to eat but once I did, I probably would never buy these again, like ever.

If anyone has a Trader Joe cheat sheet, it would be much appreciated. Until then I will stick to Whole Foods and HyVee :) Speaking of Whole Foods, their dried fruit is my favorite. So with a sleeping baby, I swung by to get the goods.

Best idea ever....gave my baby an apple ring to chew on. Didn't fall apart and kept her entertained for hours...okay minutes but still!

Today was our first mommy and baby swim class, so cute. I purposely joined a new gym just for this class (if you know me, you know I hate the gym). We sang some pool songs (I have learned every baby thing comes with a tune), got her ready to go under water eventually or what the teacher called "conditioning". Well she accidently dunked her face during bath time and she was not a fan...just warning you. Did I mention she missed her nap today before class? Oh so during back float time, in my arms, she fell asleep. Like out cold, no joke, sleeping in the pool. Cutest thing ever, wish my phone was waterproof. Come on Apple, get with it. Needless to say she was bored and not impressed :) I got my official gym bag today in the mail...no im not taking the free one the gave me with their name and logo splattered on the front, not to mention everyone else carrying the same bag. Ugh. I ordered the Spring Tote in Black/Coral Sizzle from Athleta. So. Freaking. Cute.

I see that they also sell my wet/dry bag on their website, but mine was bought at BuyBuy Baby. Apparently great minds think alike! I wanted a bag to use for yoga and swim class...and I may have to go back just so I can try out this new beauty. Lots of pockets, space, and looks like a cute tote not a manly duffle bag. Plus this coral spice inside....

Well I will get back to getting ready for our cabin camping vacation. If I post no more blog posts, assume a bear ate me. If no bear encounters occur, I will try and sell you on another vacation to take your family or significant other on...just like Travel Barbados :) Free of charge. Almost forgot. Time to lower the mattress....again.

Yes that is a princess crown above her bed, just blame me :) and thank Restoration Hardware.

6 Month Milestone

We survived! Sometimes I am not sure how we survived sometimes and I hardly remember some (most) nights, but maybe that is why people end up having more children. Not this lady :) Time has flown by and sometimes I wonder how she got to where she is at and look back a few days and she was only just starting to "talk" to me. We have determined that the ONE thing my child got from me was my personality which means when she is 14 she is going to live with her Nana...ok Mom? This weekend my brother graduated from high school and on the way to dinner my husband and I were talking about our child's future. Not gonna lie, I tear up every time I even think about Kindergarten let alone her graduating. Oh boy! I also mentioned how I always wanted a boy and never pictured myself with a baby girl, but I truly think God knew what he was doing because she is the apple of my eye. That girl has my whole heart and now I don't know what I would ever do with a boy now. I am at the point where I can't decide if we should buy an actual video camera or just keep using my trusty iPhone? I capture things like her playing with our dog, trying new foods, and her pooping. Yes, you heard me right, I am not sorry it is so cute and funny. Plus I may need blackmail for the future, remember she acts like me! Haha I love capturing her sitting up, crawling, and now trying to pull herself up to stand. We are so over just sitting, she thinks she is bigger than she really is. Why do they have to grow so fast? If I could bottle up a stage/age it may be this one right now. What does everyone else do? Buy a camcorder or not??

I made another round of baby food Saturday and her favorite one at that. 1/2 avocado, 1/4 pineapple, 1 banana, and 1/2 container of Yo Baby pear flavored yogurt ( from Whole Foods). Blend and freeze. Super simple and to use the all of the goodies, like yogurt and avocado, make another batch :) Oh and my brother licked the spoon clean after I was done...he is 21. It's seriously that yummy. Her second favorite food....pizza crust. Don't judge, she loves carbs like her daddy plus her Pediatrician said to do this, oh but add butter to it (which I don't do). I am not Paula Deen. Most of you know that I have a garden and my awesome hubby built me a new raised garden so I could plant more goodness. I love everything about it, but now I have another itch that I am trying to NOT scratch. I may want chickens...only 2 of course but someone please talk me out of it because I can't seem to leave the idea alone. Thank you in advance. My husband would appreciate it also. Baby proofing is becoming a constant task these days and I swear she finds the smallest pieces of nothing before I can even blink! I feel like I will never be able to move any furniture in the future because it will be all bolted to the walls or strapped to the floor! Would it be bad to use the dog kennel as a corral? Kidding. Who needs to exercise when you are chasing a crazy baby? And as far as leaving her unattended in her Mama Roo....

I think our question is answered about that one. Time to rid of another baby item :(. We had our 6 month photos taken this month by Sarah McConnell Photography (she is awesome) and I swear I leave a photo session feeling like I just put in 12 hours at work. I mean seriously the things I do to get her to smile...turd. Listen, I pull out all of the stops and by all I mean ALL. So embarrassing. One of my favorites is for some reason I started saying "Scooby Doo" in the voice of the character and she laughs most every time, but I sound like a buffoon. I also wonder if in her tiny little head of hers she is secretly cracking up at the fact that I am clowning around yelling her name, clapping my hands, making every noise and face you could imagine to make her laugh? She probably knows what she is doing and laughing inside at me. Well baby, mamma's got news for you....it won't be the last time I embarrass you :) Huge thank you to Sarah for joining in on my madness to get that perfect picture.

Copywright Sarah McConnell Photography. To whine or to wine? We do both. Maybe 6 months comes with whining, I would not bottle this part up, believe me people. I started teaching her simple sign language at 4 months old, which is too early, but she knows what they are but can't quite figure out how to coordinate her movements yet. Not a genius yet, but close :) If she can't get a toy, she whines, if she want's another bite faster than you are going, she whines. Oh and I put her in a dress the other day and it inhibited her crawling, she threw a holy hell fit until I took it off. Whoa! Is this normal or do I really have a diva on my hands? So therefore this mamma loves a glass of wine on occasion! My current favorites are Simi cabernet and La Crema chardonnay! Ahhhhhh bring on the whine or wine. Cheers! My absolute favorite things about her being this age is when I sing to her she instantly gets a smile on her sweet face and I get to snuggle her still without her pushing me away. Almost every day since she was born I sing "You are my Sunshine" to her. Oh these are some of the days that I will never get back but I hope she always remembers. So before the Bachelorette (for a good laugh, follow @Possessionista on Twitter) comes on, I am making some brownies (from the box of course because they are the best) and pouring myself a glass of wine to celebrate this weekend being over, and cheers to a 7 p.m. bedtime. Ahhhhhh

Frittata

This is my go-to breakfast because I am hungry as soon as I open my eyes and I am lazy at 7am so I tend to reach for crap I can eat STAT! I make this the night ahead (like Sunday) and eat it throughout the week. Super easy. Call me crazy but I like this cold sometimes after a morning run...don't act like you don't eat cold pizza?! Same difference :) I am not a quiche fan because the crust adds more calories than you need, and I don't like it re-heated. Customize this recipe with whatever you like in your "omelet" and enjoy. This recipe is also great for using up leftovers you have in the fridge. Ingredients: 6 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1 tsp butter 1/2 tsp pepper Salt to taste 1 tbsp dried parsley 1/2 cup chopped Canadian bacon 3 spears asparagus, trimmed & cut 1/2 cup mushrooms

-other things to try in your frittata are: tomatoes, spinach, ham, bacon, sausage, onion, peppers etc.

To make: 1.) Turn oven on to Broil setting med-low. 2.) In a bowl whisk together eggs, parmesan, parsley, salt, & pepper.

3.) I like to sauté my veggies before adding them to the frittata mix so they are nice and done and well seasoned. I will add garlic salt and Sriracha sauce depending on what is in my mix that week! Over medium heat add the butter to pan and melt. Throw in veggies & sauté for 3-5 minutes.

4.) Pour your egg mixture into your pan and stir until all is blended. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until your mixture is set (no longer runny).

5.) Place your frittata into the oven to broil for 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from pan, allow to cool, then cut your portions.

Happy eating!

Birthday Weekend

Oh I used to count down the days until my birthday arrived but the older you get you try to balance out the days leading up to the day with cocktails! At least I am still hanging on to my 20's....by a single tiny thread :) I am a girl who likes to celebrate the whole week leading up to my birthday, spoiled I know, blame my Mom. It's really a great excuse for whatever you want that week, try it but don't tell your sig.other I told you too ;)When I first met my hubby he couldn't remember if it was the 3rd or the 4th...so he refers to it as May turd. Nice huh? Whatever works I guess and he has never forgotten the day. Also people assume he won me over with lavish gifts. Think again. He won my heart with a cheese grater, you heard me right! He knew I loved to cook and he is very uhhhh let's say eclectic. That has to be one of my favorite qualities about him, anyways never again has he bought me a household object for any gift, he knows better. That same grater sits right next to my sink this very day.

The best "non gift" thing I got was my lovely child sleeping in 5 hour incriments. Yeah yeah, poo on you people whose child already sleeps all night but my child must just love me more because she wants to see me more often. Kidding :) Oh and let's not forget the other one....SHE IS TAKING A BOTTLE!!!! I couldn't love this face more right about now.

Opening day of the downtown Des Moines farmers market was Saturday and what a perfect way to start my day. Awesome weather, sun a shining, and baby all strapped in her Baby K'Tan wrap. I will not add to the mess of dogs or a stroller, much too busy and my dog would be another dogs lunch. Breakfast was a Farm Boys burrito oh and a cinnamon roll from Java Joes for later. Hey it's MY birthday.

Some of my favorite actual gifts I received were jewelry from Stella and Dot (love), a new purse (thanks to my love), and Birkenstocks (oldschool kicks). I have been wearing these shoes all weekend! I forgot how comfy they are. Call them what you want: Jesus shoes, mom shoes, old, or ugly, these babies are all mine to wear :) Don't mind my big fat toes creeping in the photo!

Dinner/date night Saturday with the hubs was awesome! How do people live without family close by?? My Mom is a saint. I picked to eat at the new Eatery A in downtown Des Moines off of Ingersoll. Arrived at 6pm ( close to gray hair special time) and put our name in. A 40 minute wait, but sans baby, I would wait for hours. We stood at the bar and I ordered my first martini since baby, a Pompeii Rising. Perfection.

The atmosphere is airy, relaxed, and current, if that makes sense? Contemporary style with a mix of the old using barn boards to contrast. Great windows, lighting, and a patio to please all ages.

For dinner we ordered a few things to try of course and we were not disapointed at all! We started with chicken croquettes, the hummus plate with pickled veggies, and our waitress picked the Sambusak. Her pick was actually our favorite! Get your own order because the plate only has 2 and you may want more :) We agreed from all of the reviews we had to try the wood fired pizza. #5 was our pick, lamb gyro, feta, pickled onion and raita. Don't worry I googled almost everything I ordered, under the table of course :). This pizza was BOMB, yes I am yelling!

Dessert was on the house thanks to my loud mouth husband telling them it was my birthday...I picked the Salted Caramel Budino which was like a caramel pudding, heavenly.

After dinner I was rolled to the car. We will be back! Sunday was my relaxing day, just taking in all of the weekend while enjoying one last day with my family. Who am I kidding? My birthday is long over once it actually hits, that is why I tell you to celebrate the week before :) Sunday was laundry day...with my helper.

And a trip to Whole Foods for goodies to make baby food for the month. I tasted everything I made and why don't I remember my food tasting that good? I was tasting all of it! Kale, green beans, potatoes, and parmesan, what's not to love?

All in all it was a great week and Facebook has a way of making you feel like 100 people really care that it is your special day! Thanks to everyone for making my weekend awesome :) Until next year....