Pictures from the weekend

 This weekend gets an A+. It felt like we got a lot of family time in even though we only really have 1 full day with each other. Nick is working Saturday afternoons (BOO!) at the moment so we only get to see him in the morning for a few and then before bedtime. We ended up going out to dinner and our little boy was an angel! I can only imagine how hard it is for him to sit still while we eat dinner out, but he did it like a champ. He made some friends with the table behind us and these two 4yr old twins kept him busy so that Nick and I could actually eat and not stuff our faces in a hurry. Made me verrrry excited for his sibling. Everyone keeps telling me how nice it is for them to have a buddy to play with and how nice it is for the parents as well.

He was covered in strawberry juice and dirt after. It was adorable.

Strawberry + Rhubarb deliciousness

Sunday morning we woke up and went strawberry picking! It was so much fun. I love that we live the city life, but that we can head 15 mins out of town and be in the country, surrounded by farms. After an amazing lunch at the farm we picked at, we hauled our 6lbs of berries home and I of course had to bake a strawberry rhubarb pie. It was so damn delicious. I was so sad for the weekend to end. Nothing makes me happier than when my little family is out and about together. We miss Nick like crazy during the week. But this week/weekend is looking just as great...baby #2 appointment with my midwife which is always something to look forward to :)

52 week project / 07. 08

"A portrait of my child, once a week, for a year."

Silas: My baby boy, you are going to be a big brother! I am so excited and yet nervous for you. I know you'll do great, but I'm sad that my attention will have to be divided. You are my everything and I am going to do my best to make sure you feel that everyday.

Baby Boosh #2: Wow. I can't believe this is happening. I mean, we tried for you so obviously I knew it would happen at some point...still in a little disbelief that you will make me a mama of 2 :) We can't wait to meet you and I can't wait for this morning sickness to be gone! Excited for some kicks and movement in the next few weeks!

Surprise!

Here we go again. Baby #2. It's scary, exciting, and overwhelming. The day we found out I cried. I was sad for my baby boy. I kept thinking, "How will I give 2 babies the attention they need?". I love Silas, deeply. It's a bond unlike anything I have ever felt and I cherish the fact that I get to stay home with him and love on him 24/7. He is my baby. I hear that all mama's feel this pain to some sort of degree. How can you love another like your first? Will Silas be jealous? It's no secret that he is extremely attached to me. It wasn't until recently that anyone besides me was even able to hold him. I guess I'm just nervous for him. I know he'll be an amazing big brother though. He is the sweetest boy I've ever met and I have no doubt he'll be that way to his brother or sister. Looking forward to the craziness with 2 though ;)

52 week project / 04. 05. 06.

Currently catching up. On so much. I've let things settle...and in a bad way. Mail has piled up. Voicemails have gone unheard. Blog posts have gone unwritten! Eeks. Here I am though, ready to rumble.

"A portrait of my child, once a week, for a year."

SIlas: Oh my goodness. How much you have grown this past month. Well, kind of. You are having a bit of trouble putting on weight so I've resorted to giving you all sorts of treats. Ice cream? Sure. Mac and Cheese? Why not. Pretty much everything I said I wouldn't allow you to have until later on. You are soooo tall though. Also, 8 teeth my little guy. I'm hoping we are at the end of the teething journey for now. That is of course until we get some molars which I'm sure are super fun. You have learned how to give kisses which are my absolute favorite thing. You love to snuggle and hang out in bed when it's rainy out. Your walking has turned into running and we have had to deal with quite a few scraped knees so far. Comes with the territory though. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you. So proud of the sweet and handsome boy you are turning into :) 

space

Giving someone space. It's hard. I noticed in this last week, since we got to be outside so much, that Silas is cool with going it alone a bit. I mean, I'm not dropping him off and telling him I'll be back in a few hours. He's still a baby. But, now that he's walking he really enjoys just going off on his own. And so I let him. I lie on our blanket and let him wander a bit. Of course, as soon as I feel slightly nervous that people are wondering who the hell that kid belongs to, I yell his name and motion for him to come back. He always does. I sort of get the feeling that I'm preparing for the future. When a child really doesn't need their mama all that much. Maybe being ok with it now is hardening me up a bit so I don't lose it the day he tells me he can do it himself. 

I actually really like doing this. Watching him explore, maybe eat some grass, fall down a few times and always getting back up. I probably have a stupid grin on my face the whole time. Partly because it's just so cute to watch a baby make sweet little curious faces, but also because it is so exciting to see him learning. I'm so mushy! But, honestly I am finding it just super enjoyable watching my baby boy put this world together.

52 week project / 03

"A portrait of my child, once a week, for a year."

Silas: You are cutting what appears to be SIX teeth right now. We are both struggling through this; you with the pain and me with trying to console you. We are also aiming to get you comfortable to sleep in your crib. I have absolutely loved and cherished our co-sleeping journey, but we think you will be more comfortable since you are getting just way to big to share the bed with us. I love you so much baby boy. Hoping next week starts off a little better than today did.

What's for dinner?

This week I totally failed at my normal grocery list/meal planning. Honestly, I was just too tired. When things get crazy like this I tend to just head to the store and grab the basics and that way I don't have to think very hard about what I'm making, I have a bunch of possibilities. I try to stay away from doing this though because then it means I spend a lot of $$ and I tend to make multiple trips to the store to grab items. By planning out our dinners for the week it keeps the reigns a little tighter on my wallet. This week was a great week for leftovers though. I try to make dinners that are great (or even better!) the next day for lunch.

Poulet au citron et lavande. This is by far my most favorite chicken dish. Chicken thighs and drumsticks are so cheap so this is a great dish because it's easy on the wallet and absolutely delicious. It has honey, lavender, and lemon. The recipe is by the lovely Rachel Khoo, one of my favorite chefs. I really look up to her style in the kitchen.

Salade Nicoise. French theme this week? This was my take on the traditional Salade Nicoise. I cooked up a salmon filet and served it with a dill vinaigrette. All of these componets were made ahead of time and that makes dinner so much easier!

Hawaiian style pulled pork with coconut rice. We had leftovers from this for almost 3 days. The pork was made in the crockpot so all I had to do was make the rice and roast some veggies. So easy.

Falafel with a mint + dill yogurt sauce. I was not in the mood for cooking the other night so this came to mind. A healthy and light salad made easy with falafel mix that I get in the bulk bins at my grocery store.

Happy cooking! xo