Stop Planning and Just GO

In case I haven't made it perfectly clear in the past, I am like, stupid proud of my siblings and we're the three best friends.

Here's just one example of why I'm proud of my brother:

Oh hey...

I'm still alive. Mostly. Alex Gately is 4mos old this week. Yesterday, actually. The past 4 months have been simultaneously the fastest and slowest months of our entire lives, the husband and I.

And in the two months since I last posted? Well, I mean, a lifetime has passed. What has been going on you wonder? How many diapers is she really changing everyday? How many frozen Amy's meals exactly HAVE I eaten since November 12th??

Well, I'm back at work and back in class and busy learning how to parent and care for his lordship and being frustrated about the balance of things and generally acting like an asshole to my husband as I whine and complain like I'm the only new mom to have ever tried to balance work and family and marriage and self in the history of time.

Here is a jumbled and lengthy recap of the hot mess that is our life the past two months (Imagine singing this to the tune of camptown races maybe??):

Alex turned 3 months and then 4. I started class again. I went back to work. He started rolling over first to his back and then to his stomach. He got sick. Then he got sicker. We spent a week marching in and out of urgent care and then starting every day with a screaming baby and the nebulizer machine. Then he got better and suddenly he got sick again. RSV is a bitch, folks. I quit breastfeeding and still feel like a chump. Things got complicated with my husbands job. In good ways and bad. We started house hunting. We made an offer and lost a house. We went to Florida for a bit of a family reunion. Alex did awesome on the flight. He melted down in an epic way as we drove off in a rental car. Administered breathing treatment in a Chili's parking lot outside of Orlando. Took our first family photos...ever...in 4 months of his life. Flew home on another successful flight. Endured second epic car ride meltdown. Then we lost a loved one and left town again in a hurry. Then we started having child care issues. Then I lost my temper with my understanding husband for the millionth time since November and I'm still a little embarrassed about it. We started FINALLY the process for our home renovation. We decided to put our house on the market. Then because we're idiots we started sleep/crib training in the middle of all this. It was going ok. Then last night instead of sleeping, Alex just....didn't. So nobody did. I called in reinforcements. Grandma is on her way.

Do I sound negative? Ungrateful? Forgive me, that pot of formula I made this morning just didn't have the same oompf as my usual pot of coffee.

Don't worry though. In the middle of this massive pity party I promise there have been some good laughs and sweet moments. I think I might have Stockholm Syndrome.  Must go. My tiny captor beckons.

Excitement

Here are some things I find terribly exciting lately:

The new raucous smile baby boy has been sporting for mama. (See above. Could you just die??)

A recipe for JUST TWO chocolate chip cookies? Something I never knew I always wanted!!

How to entertain a toddler? SAVED for future reference.

This could come in super useful in our crooked old house.

A wonderful idea. (I once knew a kid who kept a bottle of "Monster Repellant" in his room at night. Monster Repellant smells a LOT like a full sized water spray bottle mixed with a few drops of mommy's perfume FYI;) )

Super PROUD of my home town and our small business. There's no room for hate.

Anxiously awaiting details about Courtney's new home and living vicariously. We hope to move this spring!

Chipotle Corn Chowdah? Oh yes. I think Pa Gately would have approved.

Well said, indeed.


PS. Most of these came from Joanna Goddard because she's in charge of my life.

Wordless Wednesday 1/16/13

Creme Fraiche Chicken and Balsamic Brussel Sprouts

For the first time, in a long long time, I made an ACTUAL meal. It felt good to be back in the saddle-so to speak.

As part of our grocery delivery (produce mostly) from The Green Bean Delivery we were given a package of Creme Fraiche from a local dairy farm to sample. It's basically a buttery sour cream. Soooo.....pretty amazing diet food.


I made this chicken recipe almost exactly (I added a sprinkle or two of dill to the sauce) and I made this brussels sprouts recipe. 

I also made a giant mess in the kitchen and a whole bunch of dirty dishes that husband cleaned up....so, thanks Husband!!

Brother

Here's a neat little video and article from Garden and Gun magazine about my brother and his big trip this past summer. Please to Enjoy.

Two Months-Holy Crap!

Our little man turned two months old on Tuesday! He smiles, makes faces at us, jabbers and once let out a tiny little giggle I swear it!!

He likes:

Animal Noises-especially Daddy's "barking dog"

His crib mobile

His vibrating bouncy seat/bassinet 

And the nasal aspirator (of all things!) Aren't babies supposed to hate those?

He hates: 

Having his clothes or diaper changed

Hats

He is undecided about: 

Baths 

Tummy Time

Also-One Month ago: