Window Shopping

I get the itch for "new" this time of year. Maybe it's the back to school bug, or just the change in seasons? Either way, I wish I had a justification for the fabulousness of a new leather bag or smart looking coat. In reality, I know the bag would hold baby things and would collect Cheez-it crumbs at the bottom.

The coat I could justify ... it's cold here today! Oh wait, I have a closet full of coats.

What about a new shirt ....?

Okay, okay. Nothing new for me but if I could get them, I know people would whisper about me in line at the grocery store. I'd be the envy of everyone. They'd say, "Look at HER. She is just fabulous in her new coat ... and look at that bag! Too bad she hasn't washed her hair and has baby spit running down her back."

Sigh. A girl can dream.

Koop Family Visit

Dave, Donna, and Nikki were all here last week/weekend. I hope they weren't bored - we did alot of visiting, cooking, and hanging out. Maybe next time we'll be ready to take them into the mountains and do some sight seeing. It was just too hard with Claire not sleeping to convince me to do anything other than hang out. Forgive me, guys!

{We loved having them here (miss you guys already!) and can't wait to go up to SD over Labor Day. I think Caeden has already started the countdown.}

The Mirror

To see yourself in your children is somewhat surreal. Caeden is 3 and I am just now starting to see bits of me in him (mostly the eyes). His mannerisms are just like his Dad. He reminds me so much of Wayne in personality (always looking for the loophole) and looks (those lips!)

And there's Claire. For so long she's just been a skinny stick of a baby with sharp features. I was having a hard time figuring out who she looked like ... but she's up to around 10 pounds now (and just shy of 3 months old) and is starting to look more like ... ME. Last night I was giving her a bath and it was like looking into a mirror. So crazy and wonderful! I don't have a picture of her from last night, but here is one of last week (Grandma Koop holding her):


Genetics are fascinating.

In other news, I made the Andes cookies today. For my high altitude friends: decrease butter by 2 TBSP., add 1 more TBSP water and 3 TBSP of flour. They will come out perfect.

AND, get this: it is only going to be 60 degrees here this weekend! I am ready for fall - bring on the long sleeves and jeans, football, chili, and firepit weather. I am ready.

On Anatomy

Caeden is starting to notice that there is a difference between boys and girls. He asks a lot of questions about people he knows, trying to place them in the proper boy/girl categories. Lately he has gotten a bit more pointed in his questions.

"Mommy? Is Grandma a girl?"
"Yes, Grandma is a girl."
"Does she have a penis?"
"No, that means she does not have a penis."
"Ohhhh... That's really too bad."

Andes Mint Cookies

I got this recipe from another blog years ago and love them! Just wanted to share a fun after school snack for all our kiddos (and the rest of us!).

I use the green Andes mints most of the time, but at Valentine's Day I break out the red ones (usually you can find the red at Christmas - I just freeze em until Feb.)



ANDES MINT COOKIES

3/4 c. butter (or margarine)
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 T. water

Melt in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and then add:

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring until completely melted.

Cool for 10 minutes. Pour into a mixing bowl and beat in 2 eggs.

Add:
2 1/2 c. four
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together and chill for about 45 minutes. Roll into balls (like 1 - 1 1/2 inches big), flatten slightly, and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes (for my oven, this is the perfect time, keeping my cookies soft; your oven may be slightly different).

When cookies come out of the oven, place an Andes mint on top of each cookie and allow to melt for a few minutes. Swirl the melted chocolate like icing. Allow to cool.

We All Scream for Ice Cream

What is with the ice cream truck cruisin' around the neighborhood before dinner? It never fails... and then I ask Caeden at the dinner table, "why don't you ever eat anything?"

Duh.

And get this: the ice cream he had last time (thanks to his awesome Aunt Nikki) was Spider Man. With eyeballs. I kid you not. Totally gross, huh?! But, there's something so sweet about the music that little white trucks plays that takes me back to the days. Waaaay back. Caeden should have that, too. Even if it's before dinner.

Recap on First Day of School

Miss Loretta (one of Caeden's teachers)

(Caeden right at home with the Play Doh)

The conversation after school:

What did you do today, honey?

Oh, played in the sandbox with a tractor.

Did you make any friends?

Yes.

What are their names?

I dunno.

Did you have a snack?

Yes.

...What was it?

Cheez its.

What do you think of your teachers?

They are nice.

Did you like school?

Yes. (A very bored sounding "yes." -- As in, please quit asking me questions.)


We went home and he slept until it was time for dinner, and today he is asking when he gets to go back. Super cute.

Tag

Tagged by Sara!

Ok, here's what I'm supposed to do: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people. Leave a comment for the people you tag so they know they have been tagged.

joys
1. Watching Caeden with his grandparents. It's happiness in it's purest form.

2. Zoning out to great music on my iPod while working out.

3. Waking up (early) after being up most of the night and seeing coffee waiting for me. My husband is wonderful.

fears
1. Not having enough time to record all of the clever things Caeden (and eventually Claire) does and says. I don't want to forget a moment.
2. Not fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothing.
3. Staying in Parker a moment longer than we have to (love our neighborhood, but dislike our town very much. Please turn around, housing market!).

obsessions
1. Anthropologie - everything from clothing to housewares.
2. Internet - reading blogs, shopping, reading the news ...
3. Eradicating clutter. I cannot stand clutter. Anywhere.

facts
1. I want to run a marathon next year. I will run a marathon next year.

2. I rearrange the furniture in my house at least once a month.

3. I have had photoshop loaded on my computer for a year and still have NO IDEA how to use it. This fact drives me crazy!

Tag Five People:
1. Nikki
2. John
3. Cathy
4. Delise/Jeff
5. Destine

He's Growing Up

First Day of Preschool

I thought I was ready. I thought of all the things he was going to learn and all the friends he was going to make. This is good. I am ready for him to have all the experiences school has to offer. Until.

Until he put on his new rocket backpack. Until I saw just how much he has grown over the summer. Until it hit me just how fast it goes. Until I realized that from now on, he will always be in school until he leaves our home (well, unless he lingers a bit too long in college and we're forced to cut him off) .

I honestly didn't think I was going to cry because I was SO EXCITED for him. Until the clock read it was time to take him to school. Until he grabbed his dad's hand as they walked out to the truck.

I cried all the way to school but pulled myself together just in time to walk in. Until.

Until I saw his name on his own locker. Until I saw his teacher guide him to his chair to play.

I cried some more. And then pulled myself together for real.

Wayne and I went to lunch (where I promptly ordered a Lemon Drop Martini - no judgments, please!) and reminisced about Caeden and how fast it has gone, and how proud we are of him ... of us ... to actually be parents of a child in school. It really makes me feel like I am in a new "Mom Circle/Group" now that I have to worry about snacks days and volunteering for the Christmas program.

Then we picked him up from school. It was an amazing feeling to watch the kids all run out of the room and into their parents' arms. To lock eyes with Caeden and feel his little arms wrap around me and give me a squeeze was the BEST feeling. He had a great time. Sang songs, colored a picture, listened to a story ...

I am just so thankful he enjoyed himself (after the gym playroom situation I was a bit nervous). I am truly thankful for this day. Progress is a wonderful thing.

Child Care ... Revisited

I took Caeden with me to the gym. It's the first time he's gone and he was SO EXCITED. When we got to the play area he took off for the tunnels and didn't look back. I tried to tell him I was leaving - that I would be back, but he could have cared less at that point. He was having so much fun climbing and sliding ...

Dejected, I introduced myself to one of the caregivers - telling her it was his first time in a setting like this, and if he needed me just page me. She told me that most Mommies feel this way, and that we are much more anxious than the kids are. "He'll be fine." And she sent me off with a wave.

Okay. Off I went to hop on the treadmill, where I completely got caught up in competing with the teeny boppers on the treadmills beside me. I can't remember a time when not one ounce of me jigglied when I ran ... but these girls where all business - and nothing moved on them except their legs. Well, it goes without saying, but there was a certain amount of jiggle going on over on my treadmill, but I did better than the day before and felt great!!

So, after my workout, I went downstairs to get my little man. I was heartbroken by what I saw when I got there. He was bunched up in a ball on the floor behind the main desk area - crying so hard that his shoulders were shaking and snot was coming out of his nose. I scooped him up and told him I would always come back for him, but he just kept crying.

It was one of the most awful moments I've had as a Mom. Seriously, I should have only left him for 15-20 minutes for his first time. What was I thinking?? (Don't answer that. We all know I got caught up in trying to keep up with those unhuman treadmill girls. I mean seriously, who in the world can run at a dead sprint for 45 minutes?! It was insane to watch.)

After I talked Caeden down by offering/bribing him with fruit snacks (that contain zero fruit, mind you), we got to the truck, and this is what he said:

"Mommy? I am so sad."

"Honey, I will never leave you for long. I will always come back. I promise."

"I'm still sad..."

"Baby, I am sorry. I was gone too long. I'm really, really sorry."

"Well, I need something."

Pause. He knows he has me where he wants me. Damn!

"What do you need?"

"A new toy."

Folks, it's manipulation at it's best.

Pizza

We brought dinner over to some neighbors who just had a baby [Hi Campbell!]. The mom eats only a few things ... one of them being pizza. So Wayne fired up the Green Egg (a grill/smoker) and proceeded to make homemade pizza. It had a bit of a wood-fired taste to the crust and was sooo good. Who needs Papa John when I have Papa Wayne?

I'll post the recipe soon.

Gimme a C

Claire Bear (the nicknames have started to kick in) is 9 weeks old. When Caeden was this old, I already had a computer hard drive packed with photos. I think I have a dozen of Claire. While Caeden beats her in photos, I think she's ahead in number of clothes. ;)

Here's what she's up to:

She still loves to be swaddled (well, she tries to get out but I won't allow it - I have her wrapped up like a mummy because she'll sleep longer...).

Doesn't like anything near her face.

Loves to be sang to (in contrast, Caeden loathes music - can you believe that?).

Can't get enough time in the bath.

Starting to tolerate her swing and carseat for a few minutes.

Weighs 9 pounds 9 oz. and is almost 22" long.

Has 1 roll of baby fat on her thigh - no more scrawny chicken legs.

Likes to cuddle, cheek to cheek, in bed -- this is my favorite thing to do with her.

Won't sleep in her crib unless I make sure she is in a deep sleep, having a heating pad on the mattress to warm it up, hunch waaay down into the crib so we have maximum contact before I unfold her from my arms, have the fan running for white noise ... and tip toe out. This nifty little dance wasn't working last night, though. I was up until 2 am repeating and repeating until I finally lost all patience and took her to bed with me. Of course, she slept until 6 am without a fuss...while I woke up every 30 seconds to make sure I hadn't smothered her.

Is totally, completely ... adored and loved.

Life Time

What does it take to get back into shape after having a [sweet, precious] baby? Apparently not the cute workout clothing I talked about earlier.

With Caeden it wasn't hard - I just jumped on the treadmill when he napped (...and there was also a Cindy Crawford workout DVD involved, which is embarrassing to admit, but MAN it kicked my butt!).

This time around I walk with the kids in the morning before it gets too hot. The walk isn't as much exercise as it is 1) Rock hunt for Caeden's dump trucks 2)Resting at benches so Caeden can drink cherry water 3) Detouring to the park for some quality swing and slide time.
I LOVE our walks - love them. But apparently it is going to take a bit more to get back into my skinny jeans.

Enter my savior: LifeTime Fitness is the most amazing gym I have ever been in (sorry Lindsay, I know Pure Vida is over the top but I am talking about gyms for non-millionaires). The best part? Two hours of childcare everyday is included in the price. Two hours of cardio ... two hours of pilates ... two hours of ... drinking a smoothie and getting a massage!

Please don't rain on my parade - I DO realize there is no way on earth I could work out for 2 hours straight...it's just the very idea that I COULD makes me positively giddy.

New Things I Like

Smooth Down -- super-duper shiny hair. Love this stuff. Run and get yourself some during Beauty Brands' Liter Sale. Ten bucks and you, too, can have a glorious mane of hair (well, maybe I took it a bit too far, but if not for anything, buy it for the yummy smell!)

Caress Berry Wash - smells sooo good.These cupcakes are so yummy. SO YUMMY. Especially when you are on a diet and can't/shouldn't have them.

Aunt Lindsay & Caeden

Linz has a way with Caeden. His face lights up as soon as she walks through the door and he can't wait to show her everything in his world ... his toys, his room, the shop vac in the basement (yes, the boy loves his vacuums).

I love seeing them together because their interaction is so pure and easy. It's obvious how much they adore each other, and makes me love her even more for it.

Thanks for being so awesome, Linz. You're one in a million.

HGTV

I have a slight addiction to HGTV. I love "Divine Design" and I think I've got Wayne hooked, too. We've lived in Parker for almost two years (hard to believe) and haven't done much to the inside of our house. It has beautiful wide-plank cherry floors, a gorgeous kitchen, and lots of white shutters on the windows ... but the only room that is truly decorated is Claire's room. The rest of the house is a sea of cream paint with no personality.

Well, that is coming to an end. Yesterday Wayne came home from Home Depot with decorative ceiling tiles (that aged copper-ish tin look) and asked me to pick my favorite finish. We're going to install it in the dining room and then finish it off with wainscoting. Funny how excited I am for the dining room to be "decorated" when we've NEVER used it. I think that's going to change very soon ...

Will post pictures as soon as we're (meaning Wayne) done.

I am sooo tech savvy.

Thank you, John.

Hello

Not much going on today. Thought I would share some fun sites. Enjoy!

http://simplemom.net/

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/

http://www.dessertfirst.typepad.com/

P.S. Anyone out there know how to create links where you just click on a word and it takes you to the site?

Last night Wayne asked me when I thought I'd be ready for a vacation.

Ummm .... right this second?! I'll be in the car.

Seriously, the last time we got away was a year ago last Feb. when we went to the Keys with our good friends from Kansas. It was such a blast - but had I known it would be the last time I would have a margarita (and seeing Kenny Chesney wasn't so bad, either), I would have stayed longer. :)

Vacation ... oh sweet vacation. Probably next year when Claire is 1.

Right now, my definition of vacation: a movie on DVD that I watch all the way through without falling asleep (and waking to drool down my face) while having just taken a bubble bath.

Maybe I'll get that vacation sometime next year, too.

Here's to 2009! ;)

Summer Swim

This picture cracks me up because of how the splashing started.

"Come here, Mom. I have something to show you."

The trap was set and I walked right into it. 'Splash Mom' was the game of the day. ;)

The funny part: Caeden didn't get it that I 'got it' after the first time. So, he kept at it all afternoon.

"Mom! I have a surprise for you!"

"Mom, I NEEEED you."

"...Mom?"

Gotta give it to him, the boy has tenacity.
This picture is all Caeden. He is such a boy. By the end of the day, he had every truck and car in the pool with him. Trucks and a snazzy pink and purple pool ... what more does a kid need?

YouTube Lion Video *Must See*

This is absolutely incredible. It's the documentation of a tame lion reintroduced into the wild in Africa ... and what happens when his human parents find him again (in Africa).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr1pWzoLvT8

(forgive me - I have no idea how to make a link other than you having to copy and paste)

Watch it now before you forget!