Saturday, September 11, 2010

Recipe: Fruit Smoothie

I know there are millions of different ways to make a smoothie, but I have been making one type lately that I really like & wanted to share.

You will need:
strawberries
banana
peach
apple juice
vanilla yogurt

Before I go to bed, I chop up the fruit and put it in a ziplock baggie in the freezer. Freezing the fruit makes my smoothie have consistency without even using ice. Also, I never have to worry about my fruit going bad.
When it's time to throw everything in the blender, I put in one cup of apple juice and a container of vanilla yogurt with my frozen fruit. And that's it, simple! It make up a serving size for one person, or two depending on your cup size.

What are some of your smoothie recipes? I'm always looking for more!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Talking the Talk & Walking the Walk

By sheer luck, I got Eve's first time crawling AND her first word on video. I find myself watching them over and over again.





Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Summer Summary

It's been awhile. When we went to stay with Matt's parents for the summer so we could both work and be closer to family and friends, I lost all time for blogging. I worked at the gym six days a week, and spent any spare time with Matt and Evee, trying to squeeze in visits with friends the best I could. Relaxation? It wasn't really in this summer's agenda.
Highlights from my summer via pictures:

Evee & I enjoyed every day of sunshine & sundresses.


She started her own blog... well, not yet, but I'm sure in about five years or so she will have one.

My little sister Kara graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design.

When I got back from the trip to Georgia with my family on Memorial Day, Matt proposed. And of course, I said yes! It feels so wonderful to be engaged to him.


Three out of four of the Homer 3 girls were able to make it down to the annual
St. Mary's College reunion.


I brought Matt along, but we quickly realized that as parents we are just too tired to keep up with the college lifestyle - we just can't party like we used to. Nevertheless, it was wonderful taking a trip down memory lane and seeing old friends.


Matt celebrated his first Fathers Day :)


Occasionally we got to have adult time and go out, but I didn't get many chances to stay out late, as I worked early in the morning every weekend.


Maria & Keegan came to visit! In years to come they'll be doing the same things at the same time, but with how rapidly they grow as babies, it feels like they're years apart. Time flies when you're having fun though, because those few days just flew by, and I miss them so much!

And, they seem to be getting along great. Look at that hand holding :)


Evee's first summer meant Evee's first time in the pool. She loves swimming in the water. She kicks her feet like she is swimming when she wants to go after a toy. I think back on last summer, and it is such a change for me from lying poolside as big as a beached whale!


Evee loved lunches with Auntie Alexis!


Fourth of July! My favorite holiday. We spent the day at a cookout at Matt's grandfather's house. Oh, how I love holiday food! Evee didn't mind the fireworks at first, but when everyone kept coming up to her to see if she was okay, she started to
sense something was wrong and got upset.

Family photo op. I love the phases she goes through, like when she spent
the whole day just sticking her tongue out.

Actually, every moment I wasn't at work was a photo op. Like any mother, I can never take enough pictures of my baby!


Family time was the best part of the summer. Whether it was going out for a nice dinner just Matt & I, or sitting outside at Starbucks so Evee could enjoy the weather,
I treasured any time we got to spend together.


Evee took her first plan ride to Texas to meet the Autens. I feel as though they are my family too. I haven't seen them since last year when Bethany got married, and we were both barely showing! It was so nice to just be there, and be around them.

Caleb & Evee seemed to hit it off well :)

Did I mention we went to Starbucks a lot? I found out I was known as "Ice Coffee Girl."
Not a bad nickname at all!


I love watching Matt & Evee interact. It makes me love both of them a little deeper
each time I see them together.

We've been to a few Orioles games this season, but my favorite going with a big group of friends that included my Homer 3 girls for a few reasons: Evee was the star of the show with ten plus people, the Orioles won, and I just love being around my college best friends. I know no matter where our lives take us, we will always be close and there for one another.

We went and had Eve's nine month pictures taken. It was an awkward stage, because she was heavily rolling, and didn't like to sit up much just yet.
But the child doesn't take a bad picture, so we got plenty of good ones.


Eve spent a ton of time with her friend Brooke, either going to the pool or playing at Starbucks.
It is going to be so fun to watch them grow up together.
Sharlene & I with our mini-me girls. I am so glad we bonded over pregnancy and became close friends. She is truly one of the sweetest people I know, and makes me feel ten times better anytime I need to vent about something. Having girls so close in age is so much fun.

I can't believe that in three days Evee will be ten months old. A few weeks ago her first tooth came in, and now the second tooth is quickly catching up with it. She started crawling, her first attempt being to pet a kitten. Just the other day she said he first word - "duck." I will post videos of those moments soon :) It feels like just yesterday she could barely lift her head on her own, and now I'm about to start planning her first birthday party. This little girl and my first summer with her have been wonderful. I'm so excited for summers - and beach trips! - to come.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Playroom Projects

It was so nice to have a relaxing Friday. I cleaned, crafted, and cooked a nice dinner. Matt & I took Eve to Starbucks since we finally had some nice weather. Usually we're heading back home so Matt can umpire, but because of Preakness tomorrow, he is only working on Sunday. I'm excited for my first time at Preakness -horse races, getting to see my friends, and Zac Brown band & O.A.R. in concert! I even bought a floppy hat for the occasion :) Today I did a lot of crafting, mainly in Eve's playroom. Here are my accomplishments:

I found a plain chalkboard at a yard sale for $1 and fixed it up. I painted the borders white, and hot glued burlap on the cork portion. I added flowers to the flat tacks. Unfortunately there was no chalk at CVS, but I'm going to write "Eve's Playroom" or a cute message on the chalkboard part. I plan to attach pictures and little designs on the cork, as I've started to do here:


This next project was inspired by Jen from Tatertots and Jello. She is so talented and has some amazing projects! Her version of the burlap wall frame and tutorial are at this link.
And here's my version:


Even though Eve is not crawling yet, I needed somewhere to hide all of my crafts that were in a pile on the floor of Eve's playroom. My parents were nice enough to give my a piece of furniture they weren't usinh, and that's where I put the frames. I also hot glued a ribbon around the basket, just because it needed a little crafty touch.


And lastly, I added a few details on top of the bookshelf. I bought a frame for $3 at Walmart, painted the area around the pictures gold, and added a ribbon. The picture on the left was a Mother's Day present, and has a picture of Eve and I in it, and the vase on the right has dried roses that Matt had given me for my birthday.


All in all, I am very proud of myself :) I'm currently working on another project for our coffee table, and then starting on detailing a mirror for our bedroom. We also finally get to pick up our dresser this week! I am attempting to sell some things at the neighborhood yard sale tomorrow, so I will be getting up extra early! Matts parents are coming in the morning so they can watch Eve while we are at Preakness, so I have a lot more cleaning to do tonight. I will be sure to post lots of pictures from Preakness tomorrow!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

My 1st Mothers Day!

I know I'm getting around to this late, but I've been on the go the last couple of days. I have to share about my first holiday being recognized as a Mommy! It feels so strange to have been included in Mothers Day this year. While I was a mother in the making last year with Eve in my belly, this year it truly felt real. Matt and I went home for the weekend so he could umpire, as we have been doing for the past month or so. It was was nice to be able to see our mothers for Mothers Day weekend.When we got in on Friday we dropped Eve off with my parents and went on a dinner date to Applebees. I love our little dates. It's nice to relax in our apartment with Eve, but every now and then I enjoy that we get to go out and focus on each other.
Saturday Eve and I met up with Sharlene and her almost four month old daughter Brooke at Starbucks. I love chances to get together and chat with Sharlene; we are on the same page about a lot of things and it's nice to share concerns, advice, and stories on being new mommies. When I held Eve up to see Brooke, she immediately grabbed her hand. I'm so mad that I forgot to take pictures!
After coffee I met up with my favorite shopping buddy and roommate from college, Rowena. We browsed Target, which is one of my favorite things to do when I go out (besides getting my iced coffee!) I got a cute pair of clearance shoes and leggings, and a bunch of Mom/Grandma cards. Those things really add up! I went from buying one card last year to buying four this year!I spent the rest of the afternoon with Matt's family for his Aunt's birthday cookout.
Sunday Matt & I got up early to go get our moms flowers and Starbucks gift cards. He headed off to work shortly after. Matt and Eve gave me a card with a very sweet message. Having him write that him and Eve are excited to spend all the holidays to come with me meant so much. I feel so blessed to have the two of them.


When Matt left for work I headed over to spend the day with my family. We went to Starbucks and then I picked up some crafts for the apartment at AC Moore. And of course we had a little Mothers day photoshoot :)





Besides the weather not being very warm, I had a wonderful day. I love being able to celebrate being Eve's mommy.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Recalls

Attention Parents! I have been getting emails about A LOT of recalls lately. Check out the links, and if you use any of these products, do some research on whether or not they are safe for your little one(s).

Children's Medicine Recall
40 + medicine's are being recalled, including Children's Tylenol. Generic versions of the medicines are not on recall. Refunds can be collected if you have purchased any of these. The press release and list of medicines can be found here.

Graco and Simplicity Cribs
Simplicity cribs with tubular metal framing has been found to bend and/or fall off of the crib, causing the child to become trapped,strangled, or fall out. 13 cases of injuries, and sadly one death, have resulted from the unsteady frames.
Graco wooden drop-side cribs have a piece of the frame that can become lose or detach entirely, creating a space between the crib and mattress. The same type of danger as the simplicity crib can occur. 99 cases of injury have been reported, but no deaths.
Recall model numbers can be found here.

Infantino Slings
Three infant deaths have been caused by suffocation from the SlingRider. This is its second recall, the first dealing with possible fall danger. You can receive a replacement sling of another model by contacting the company. More information can be found here.

Pampers New Swaddlers and Cruisers Diapers
Although these diapers have only been out for about four weeks, thousands of parents have come forward with complaints about diaper rashes, some as severe as their babies developing bleeding blisters from the product. Article and video link is here.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Family Get Togethers!

Yesterday & today have been very eventful with family visits- but as a result my house is very clean :) Matt's cousins from Florida & their friend are on a road trip, and stopped in Maryland for a few days. Yesterday they came up to Baltimore and we all went to the aquarium. It was Eve's first trip to the Inner Harbor. We did a lot of walking, but had a great time!





Today my parents came up and visited. They brought up some small furniture pieces for the house, and decorations for Eve's wall. I know it has been 6 months, but her nursery is just now finished - and I still have a few touches I still need to add! I just wanted it to be perfect, and organizing/finding a place for all her clothes took a long time! I'll put pictures up soon :)
Since it was another beautiful day like yesterday, we went to Starbucks before they headed out. Of course, I took pictures!




It has been a really great week so far, and I'm certain the rest of the week will be as well - especially with my first Mother's Day being this weekend!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Spooning

Today Eve turned 6 months old! I cannot believe half a year has gone by already. This time last year I was not even showing yet! We started her on cereal today, and it didn't go half bad! She was a little skeptical of it, but enjoyed chewing on the spoon and playing with the little bowl. All in all, it was a success, along with a messy face!



Thursday, April 22, 2010

Crafting: Bulletin Board

The walls of our bedroom were looking a little bare, so I went and bought a bulletin board at Target for like $5 and dressed it up. Our room has a beachy/relaxing vibe to it, with white furniture, and a blue/teal color scheme.
The project was simple... I just painted the border, cut a piece of fabric to size, and push pinned the corners to the board. I'm sure you could hot glue it was well, but the fabric I used was really thin.


Then to add to the beachy feel of our room, I glued a few shells to the board.

Finished product!