The Pink Elephant in the Room

Aunt Lindsay found this pink elephant at Anthropologie this weekend and thought Claire needed it (that, and she drooled all over it while we were shopping. You drool on it, you buy it.)

I was trying to take a picture of Claire on my love seat in the bedroom, but I couldn't get the angle, the light, or the background right (although I love them anyway!). Sooo, guess who is taking everything out of the dining room and converting it into a "cute" room that I can use to take pictures in...

Neutral walls, hardwood floors, and lots of light. It (dining room) has never been used, so why not re- purpose it. Camera equipment everywhere ... just in time for the holidays ...

A Problem?

I think I might be an addict. The UPS guy was here again today. He might be here tomorrow, too...

Our Weekend

Our weekend was so fun - but can you believe I do not have a single picture to show you?

Saturday I took Claire to old town Littleton (which reminded me of Brookside in KC) to shop. We went to Prince Street Dry Goods (linens, pillows, rugs, fun home stuff), Chandler Farms (girlie store with great gift ideas), and a shoe store that I fell in love with - found the most adorable olive green Miz Mooz shoes that I have been practically sleeping in.

When I got home, my parents and my sister Lindsay came over with a birthday cake and we celebrated at home ... I was in bed by 7 pm!

On Sunday we went over to my Mom's house to see her gorgeous hardwood floors that are installed on the entire first floor and the stairs. What a difference!!

Sunday night we opened up some wine and had dinner (see previous post).

Anyway, it was a great weekend! Hope yours was, too.

Yummy Dinner Recipes

We made a wonderful, yummy, can't wait to make it again dinner on Sunday night ... I highly recommend it! The chicken is baked and is super moist and the veggies are out of this world ...Caeden even ate the brussel sprouts!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 25 min

Serves: 4 servings

4 chicken breasts skinless and boneless
4 thin slices prosciutto di Parma
1/2 pound Gruyere, grated
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup panko bread crumbs
4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs
Extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lay the chicken breast between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, gently pound the chicken to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove the top sheet of plastic and lay 2 slices of prosciutto neatly over the top to cover the breast and sprinkle a quarter of the cheese over the prosciutto. Tuck in the sides of the breast and roll up tight like a jellyroll inside the plastic wrap. Squeeze the log gently to seal and twist both ends tight to form a nice log. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Season the flour with salt and pepper. Mix the bread crumbs with thyme, garlic and kosher salt, pepper, and melted butter. The butter will help the crust brown. Beat together the eggs and season so the flour, the eggs and the crumbs are all seasoned.

Remove the plastic wrap. Lightly dust the chicken with flour, dip in the egg mixture and gently coat in the bread crumbs. Lightly coat a baking pan with olive oil and carefully transfer the roulades onto it. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Cut into pinwheels and serve on top of Brussels Sprout Hash with Chicken Jus and Cranberry Chutney, if desired.

Bacon and Brussels Sprout Hash

Serves:

4 to 6 servings

Extra-virgin olive oil
4 slices thick-cut bacon
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 pints Brussels sprouts, cut in 1/2
1 pound fingerling potatoes, split down the middle
1/2 pound red pearl onions, peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves roughly chopped

Set a large saute pan over medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil. Cut bacon into long strips and add to pan together with thyme. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes to render the fat then strain and set aside. Add Brussels sprouts, potatoes and pearl onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook until slightly browned. Add chicken stock and steam for 3 to5 minutes until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are tender. Add balsamic vinegar and toss to coat. Cook until balsamic has reduced then fold in fresh parsley and bacon.

Roasted Chicken Jus

Serves: approx 1 cup

6 chicken wings
1 large onion, quartered
3 medium carrots, roughly chopped
2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
5 sprigs thyme
1 head garlic, cut in 1/2
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a roasting pan add chicken wings, vegetables, thyme and garlic. Season well with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes until the wings are nice and brown.

Remove from the oven and set over medium-high heat on the stove top. Add white wine to deglaze and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon. Add the chicken stock and continue to simmer for 5 minutes to reduce the liquid until about 1 cup remains. Remove from heat and strain through a china cap, pushing some of the vegetable pulp through the strainer with the back of a ladle - this will help thicken the jus slightly. Add the cold butter cubes to the jus and swirl until it melts. Season again with salt and pepper.

I signed up for a free class here.

This project is to record (or how to gather what you need - whether digital or not) the little things that become the BIG things. The important things.

Take a peek.

Baby Love Letters

I find it extremely important to document. Caeden has 2 journals that I hand wrote, watercolored, & drew in ... capturing my thoughts, his milestones, and everything in between. Then I had Claire, and I felt compelled to do the same for her. Except ... her journal is mostly empty, but sporatic sticky notes are tucked inside with things like, "rolled over on 10/13" "smiled for the first time on 7/02." Not cute, inspiring, or heartwarming. Just the facts, Ma'am.

So I am trying hard to use the blog as documentary of their lives. My love for the kids and Wayne, etc. But, it isn't as personal, and to be honest, I am not sure I want readers to know or read every little thing about the family. Some things should be just for them. So, I thought maybe I would create another blog (or email addresses for each child) and record their lives in a manner that is more private, but still effiecient (not sure when I will ever break out the watercolors again). I came across this idea: Baby Love Letters. Every Friday a question is posted that is meant to be answered for/to your children. Can you just imagine how amazing it would be to stumble upon a journal that revealed your parents' thoughts about random things - important things ... things you might never had known otherwise? I am using this as a jumping off point for the kids, and just thought I would share it.

This does not mean I will not post daily here. I will! But when I want to tell Claire how, for the rest of my days, I will never forget the way she rubbed my arm up and down with her sweet, pudgy hands when I was feeding her ... or the day Caeden told me (un-bribed), "Mommy, I really love you," I will post those things somewhere private for them. A digital journal, but still a journal. Still my words...sans the pretty watercolors.

Anyway, I thought Baby Love Letters was a neat idea.

Happy Weekend to you all.

New Shoes

I had never ordered anything off of Zappos before. How did I not know about this amazing store? Free overnight shipping? That appeals to my need for instant-gratification and my cheapness.

I got Claire both pairs of shoes above. I ordered them at 10 pm and they were on my doorstep the next afternoon. Seriously, who needs the hassle of the mall?


I am quite aware her outfit does not match her shoes. Just wanted to take a pic for the grandparents. :)

Playdate

This is Kaija. Caeden ADORES her.

Kaija's Mom, Michelle. I adore her.

The kids playing together like there is nothing better in the world.
I adore that!

Memory Lane in the Mountains

Last fall we took a trip to the mountains. We left Denver on a gorgeous, warm morning only to arrive at the Continental Divide to find snow, wind, and 30 degree afternoon.
We had to stop and get Caeden a jacket to keep warm. Total mountain novices, I know.

We took the long way there. Over Independence Pass (scary, winding, tiny road leading over the mountains), through Aspen ... down into Glenwood Springs. We thought it would be so fun and that Caeden would love it...except he didn't. When we got to the Divide, where the air is so thin I think oxygen masks should be required, he decides he will not walk. He is screaming and crying, "I don't like it! I don't like it!" and I am pregnant, trying to lug his rigid body to the overlook...where, "we WILL get a picture, Caeden Koop!"

We left the overlook, defeated and tired. We tried booking a hotel in Aspen (we had stayed at the Little Nell the year prior -- the best anniversary to date) but were stunned to learn their peak prices were in effect. We were not willing to pay 895 for a room, so we headed to Glenwood Springs to the Holiday Inn Express. We took warm showers, gave Caeden a bath, and ordered the yummiest take-out/Italian food we'd had in a long time. After everyone was warm, fed, and rested, we packed the SUV back up and headed home (the same night). We promptly ran into a blizzard in Vail, where the visibility was so bad, all Wayne could do to keep the truck on the road was to look for the white dividing lines. The snow was coming down so fast it made me dizzy to watch. Talk about scary. This is probably where I should mention Wayne and I do not have coats, and I am wearing flip-flops. Please do not crash, baby.

We arrived home late, late that night. Fell into bed and haven't been to the mountains since!

Anyway, I can't look at the mountains without thinking of that perfect mountain getaway. :)

What Celebrities Would Look Like If They Lived in South Dakota

This just came across my inbox. I am cracking up! So funny!!!
Now, anyone from SD reading this ... just remember I lived there, too!

(And you expected a preachy "go vote" entry...)

P.S. Go Vote!

Parent Teacher Conference

Today we got to sit down with Caeden's teachers and talk about how things are going at school. We were so excited to hear about what they thought of him.

We arrived. Late. Thought the appointment was at 12:30 - but no, it was at 12:00. Great, we are those parents.

We leave and come back again at 1:30 ... Caeden sits down to play with Play Doh while we talk. Interestingly, he only talks to his teachers while we are there - "Look, I am playing nicely." And, "Where are my friends?" And then the real doosey - "Look at my monster truck (pointing to the toy he brought with him) it's going to start on FIRE!"

Crap! We're still those parents!

As I try to ignore my son's pirotechnic comment, I see him out of the corner of my eye, crashing his truck into the play doh and making exposive sounds. It occurs to me at that moment, maybe YouTube isn't exactly the best past time for him...

I can't believe I'm that parent!

So, back to Caeden's progress. He has fantastic fine motor skills. That kid can color the itty bitty-ist of things. Very cool to see his handy work. He has great social skills - friends he runs around with and is great at sharing (Which would be so hard! I mean when you think about it, usually sharing at his age means giving up a toy you want to play with just because some other kid comes and pulls it out of your hand, at which you must "share" and give it up. Totally hard!).
Anyway, he is good at that.

He has a bit of an issue with the alphabet. Isn't interested in letters or the song at all. Yes, Wayne and I have noticed that. Yes, we have been working with him. No, he could care less. Unless there is a fleet of monster trucks out there that have the alphabet painted on the door, he just could care less. Trying hard to work on that, though. In fact, after hearing his teachers talk about how he "guesses" the letters, I am headed to Target to find every Leap Frog learning tool out there. The flashcards just aren't cutting it.

I'll have him writing his name better than that Parker kid in his class who writes his name very well (so annoying!). Watch out Parker. Caeden's Mommy is bringing it!

Anyway, all kidding aside, Caeden's teachers sang his praises and had such nice things to say about him. We're so proud of our little man and are glad to hear he is learning so much.

"I'd rather be playing without clothing than learning the alphabet..."

Halloween

Claire in her Halloween onsie that she wore for exactly 2 minutes.

Here she is as a Monkey. Again, wore the outfit just long enough for pictures, then off to bed.

Mimi & Monkey

First there was the Halloween party. Then, the "Caramel Apple Fairy" delivered huge, yummy caramel apples in the afternoon (thanks Mom!!). Finally, the night came. Mimi and Papa arrived, ready to celebrate Halloween with the kids.

Wayne, Caeden, and Papa strolled the streets, trick or treating the night away. Caeden came home with a ton of candy (and two full-sized candy bars -- apparently the economy hasn't hurt everyone in our neighborhood!). Mom stayed home with me to help with Claire and the trick or treaters.

I had grand plans of making chili for dinner, but it was so warm yesterday (high 70's) that it didn't sound good. We went the easy route and ordered pizza instead. Pizza, beer, and candy. Gourmet, I know.

Caeden had a blast trick or treating, and what I love the most, is that he really isn't into eating the candy. Oh no, small candy bars make perfect "cars" for his monster trucks to smash. Love that!

Caeden's Halloween Party

There were itty bitty pumpkins to be found ...

Games to be played ...

Hula Hoops to do crazy things to ...that had nothing to do with your hips.

Cookies to eat (and decorate).
Punch to drink.

Totally blurred ... but when asked to smile,
our child (on the end) yells, "Raaaaaaaa!"

Class of princesses, a lawn mower man, monsters, an astronaunt, and one little honey who wanted nothing to do with dressing up.
Ms. Julianna as the Bee and Ms. Loretta as the Butterfly

Caeden staring as the Lawn Mower Guy. ;)

Caeden's party was so much fun. It was awesome to see him in action, with his teachers and classmates. 99% of my pictures were blurry and I am so sad I couldn't share the school parade. Caeden was prancing like, "Oooh yeah, people. That's right, the Lawn Mower man has arrived!"

Claire Update

Claire slept until 4 am this morning (has never, ever slept that long - she is up every 2 hours on average). She ate, went back to sleep and slept another 2 hours. I am thinking maybe she is on the mend - all that sleep is so good for her.

Her rash is still there, but fading.

I think she is going to be just fine!

Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and emails.

If anything changes, I'll be sure to post.

We are off to Caeden's Halloween party. His "lawnmower guy" t-shirt is ready to go. ;)

Purpura

We had a very big scare yesterday. Claire woke up from her nap with small, pin-point bruises all over her right leg. I took her to her Pediatrician yesterday, just as they were closing. Unfortunately, the bruises were not trivial. Blood work needed to be done to rule out kidney problems or a blood disorder (they took her temperature STAT thinking it was meningitis, thank the Lord it was normal).

We were referred to Children's Hospital, where a Doctor was waiting for us (talk about scary). They put an IV in Claire and drew multiple vials of blood for testing.

The Doctor came back into our room frequently, checking on Claire, monitoring her ... looking her over each time (looking for the rash to spread).

After 3 hours, we had all the test results back. Her kidney function was fine. Her blood count was normal, everything came back normal. Except that they have never seen this rash without there being something wrong. After a consult with a Blood Doctor (I have no idea what their official title is) to make sure nothing was overlooked, they sent us home.

Now we are watching for a fever, or for the rash to spread. If neither happen, and it just goes away, we will never know what caused this. But that is what I am praying for. Seeing Claire hooked to an IV was as awful of a scene as I can stomach. I don't know what I would do if it was worse. Her diagnosis is Purpura. A disorder where the capillaries burst. There are 3 different sizes of bruising, hers is the medium size. My family has all googled Purpura for more information and the things it can be linked to are awful.

But she has no temperature and her bruising has not spread today. We hope it is some sort of crazy virus causing this - something crazy but mild. For now, we are just watching, and snuggling, and loving on her. Hoping for the best. Please keep her in your prayers tonight.

Monster Cookies

Made these last year. Caeden and his friend Kaija are going to make them again tomorrow. As if sacks full of Halloween candy are not enough...bring on the frosting, sugar cookies, and decorating fun!

Last night my parents (Mimi & Papa) came over to watch the kids so we could attend our home owner's meeting. Caeden was on Cloud 9 playing with Papa ... and Mimi brought him a MONSTER TRUCK. That kid didn't even notice we were gone. :)

Before, During & After

Claire 5 Months Old

Claire is 5 months old today. She is such a good natured, sweet bundle of love. She rolled over the other day while I was busy freaking out about my leaking dishwasher (I missed it!) and every day since, she has been trying hard to do it again. She constantly wakes herself up in her crib because she rolls over just enough to catch her legs and arms in the slats (I took off her bumper until she can roll well - right now I am afraid she'd be face deep in cushion and not know how to roll the way).



She started eating rice cereal (off and on -- when I feel like feeding it to her) and seems to not really LOVE it, but likes that she is at the table with the rest of us.

She cracked me up today -- she was overtired and crying while I was changing her diaper. In mid-cry, she puts her arms behind her head (like she was relaxing) and started blowing bubbles. She was like, "Dang, I got this down pat! "
I mean, mid-cry she did this. And after a few bubbles, went right back on wailing. I mean, she had a point to get across, right?

My Cup Runneth Over

Grandpa & Grandma were here this weekend. Caeden had been counting down their arrival for weeks, and on Friday morning, day they arrived, he sleepily asked Wayne when he woke up, "Is it time to go get Grandpa and Grandma from the airport?" He proceeded to ask every 10 minutes that morning - until it was time.

We had such a nice time. We celebrated Dave's 59th birthday, relaxed outside, went to Cherry Creek for lunch and some shopping, visited Dave's Aunt Ruth (who is 88 and sharp as a tack) ... they played outside with Caeden some more (walking over to a construction site so Caeden could see all the heavy equipment up close and personal ... and gladly gathered up dirt to take back to the house per Caeden's request)...

They left this morning and we all have heavy hearts. Caeden keeps asking when we can see them again (Tomorrow? In 2 days? How about in 4 days?). His words, "I miss them so much when they aren't with me, Mommy." It breaks my heart. I wish so much that we were closer, but I remember that Denver to Rapid is MUCH closer than Kansas City was. For that I am truly thankful.

I couldn't ask for better in-laws. My children are blessed to have such wonderful grandparents and every day I thank my lucky stars our family is as close and loving as it is. My cup runneth over.




Caeden likes to "pet" Claire's head.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Blow!

I love the way he is looking at him.

Dad turned 59 this year. There was a blue tooth device, a corny card, and a yummy chocolate cake (that came with a complimentary little boy to help blow out the candles).

Next year it is 60 for Mom and Dad ... Game On!