Freddie's First Halloween

Love this family photo.
Forgot to take some of Freddie by himself.

Ford and Meredith had everyone over and we finally got to meet Baby Trey.

Freddie was decked in his chicken costume and we were thankful for the "fall" weather because it is quite the bundle. Charlie and I dug out some outfits of Mardi Gras past. I planned on just a black dress for the evening, but Charlie insisted that dress up. We are just that kind of family, he reminded. Thankfully the costume box had something easy that still buttoned up. Love the costume box.

Tomorrow I'll hit some sales in search of costumes for Mardi Gras and just good deals to add to the costume box. We are trying to plan some "family" themed costumes for the future, but I need to plan far in advance.

Freddie's First Hornets' Game

Opening night for the Hornets'. Where else would you expect us to be?

The boy must love basketball because he LOVED the Hornets' game. It didn't start until after his bedtime, and he was up far beyond his bedtime but was *happy* all night. We have aisle seats, and just like his mama, he liked watching everyone walk by, checking out their cocktails, dates, shoes. He's quite interested in it all.

Hornets' games are far better than Saints' games because of all the music. Freddie was wiggling and bouncing to the beat for hours. I have taken note and will get the music going at home more often.

We stayed until the 4th quarter, beat the crowd out of the arena, and the Hornets' won. It's going to be a good season for us.

Lunch

Today my sweet little Buggers took one look at my breast, placed a hand on either side, and chomped down.

Chomped.

He obviously needs more solids in his diet, because he acted as though he were sitting down to a half pound burger.

35 Weeks

Mom, can we get this over with?


Come on.


I am ready TO GO!


You are on the move, officially crawling. You've got everything in synch and moving right along. There is no holding you back. I think you'll be walking sooner than I'd like or even sooner than I think, probably. You see nothing wrong with letting go of the furniture or my hand to move right along. I suppose a few crashes and head konkers would help tame you a little but I am still catching you, when I'm quick enough.


You're back to kisses this week. We haven't heard them for a while. You also wave to every person we pass. Yesterday in the waiting room at the doctor's office you were the welcoming committee, smiling and grinning at everyone who walked through the door. Evidently you were cheesing it up in the back seat in the parking lot too because I had a group of women huddled around the car carrying on as they peered through the window. Oh my. I cannot wait to see how all of this flirting manifests itself over the next 15 years.


You're carrying on "conversations" now too. It is clearly evident that your vocalaztions are in response to ours. This pleases The Daddy to no end. He's crazy about his boy.


We visited another preschool today. It's four blocks from our house, which is nice. You loved being with the "big kids." I set you down on the floor and they pounced on you, huddled over you to check you out. You smiled and waved and crawled from under their scrutiny and they followed you around. I know you'll have a hard time leaving me when it's time for school, but I also know that you're ready to be with other kids and other people. There is so much out there for you. It is so exciting watching you discover it.

Vaccinated

Today Freddie had his flu shot booster and the H1N1 vaccine.

Charlie had his H1N1 last week and got the flu vaccine a few weeks ago.

I am searching for the H1N1 for myself and will likely get a flu shot as well. I really want to do all that I can to protect Freddie.

First Beach Trip

Sand doesn't taste so good

• Pensacola, Florida
• Sandy toes
• Sandy hair
• Sandy mouth
• Sandy diapers
• Long walk
• Collecting seashells
• Peg Leg Pete's
• Love for whip cream off the top of key lime pie
• Sweet eyes at everyone around
• New favorite: yogurt!
• Snuggling in the king sized bed
• Watching the surf from the balcony
• Hobie sailing on the sound
• Toes in the waves
• Sun kissed cheeks
• Sea salt kisses
  

34 Weeks

Peg Leg Pete's
Pensacola, Florida

Sent from my iPhone

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

From this:


To this:


To this:


Ingredients:

• Seeds from 1 pumpkin
• Olive oil
• Salt
  
• Pepper

Directions:

1. Rinse pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. (This is easiest just after you've removed the seeds from the pumpkin, before the pulp has dried.)
2. Place the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet, stirring to coat. If you prefer, omit the oil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 325 degrees F until toasted, about 25 minutes, checking and stirring after 10 minutes.
4. Let cool and store in an air-tight container.

I'd like to try some variations...perhaps a sweet variation or spicy but since I doubt we'll be doing another pumpkin carving photo shoot, it may have to wait until next year.

Happy Fall!

I knew you'd be a great pumpkin a year ago!

33 Weeks

Weekly pictures are getting tricky.


I've got to move fast because you've got other plans.


Places to go and people to see.


You really think you can walk and are letting go of the furniture more and more. And although it ain't pretty, I'm going to go ahead and say you're crawling. It's more of the worm with some arm motions involved, but you're getting places.

Three course meal: carrots and apples, acorn squash and corn, blueberries and pears. I love the colors.

Something catches your eye and you *must* have it. And within seconds you are there, grabbing, pulling up, and trying to examine it. Today I had to take a few things out of your hands and you didn't cry, but you looked at me and undid your diaper. Yep, grabbed the velcro tab and opened that diaper. Three times. I'd rather you scream and stamp those feet than go after that diaper. But I suppose you are well aware of that.


You are so stinking cute. I cannot get enough of that scrunchy nose and squinty eyes and crooked toothed grin.

Look at my teeth! Click to enlarge.

You're still very interested in people, but you've become wary of strangers. You give a coy smile, and bury your head in my chest. But you can't take it to look away for very long so you quickly whip your head back around and start the smiling and giggling exchange.




Today you made everyone, all 38 of us, in the post office smile and talk to each other about something else other than the horrendous service. Really, each and every person in line had the opportunity to interact with you as we snaked through the line. One lady even motioned to her husband waiting outside to come inside. You've got to see how happy this baby is! He had to admit, you sure were cute, but he could only shake his head at his wife.

"Reading" your books...upside down. I always think it is so funny to find you
flipping through books checking out pictures.

I'm so thankful for you, Bug. So thankful for all of the smiling we do. It feels great to be your mama.

Carmelitas Again

Remember this one?


This one is similar. It is more "substantial" and not as gooey.


Ingredients:

• 3 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 2 1/4 cups light brown sugar
• One 16-ounce jar caramel sauce
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
   
2. Butter a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan.
   
3. In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups of the flour with the baking soda and salt. Add the butter, oats and brown sugar and mix until combined.
   
4. In a small bowl, mix the caramel with the remaining 3 tablespoons of flour.
5. Pat half of the oat mixture into the baking pan.
   
6. Bake for 15 minutes.
   
7. Scatter half of the chocolate chips and pecans over the crust.
   
8. Dollop half of the caramel mixture on top.
   
9. Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly into the pan.
10. Cover with the remaining chocolate chips, pecans and caramel.
    
11. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the edges are set.
    
12. Let stand uncovered at room temperature overnight.
    
13. Cut the carmelitas into bars and serve.
14. Once cooled, the carmelitas can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
    

32 Weeks

We stayed home all day today in our pajamas. We didn't even go on a walk. You're sick for the first time and I wanted you to rest as much as possible today and I didn't want to risk exposing you to something else while your immune system was already hard at work. It makes me sad to see you feeling yucky. Your teeth situation isn't helping your mood either. We'll see how you feel tomorrow before calling Dr. J. Not sure I want you exposed to the germs at the doctor's office right now either.

Go Sooners!

And about those teeth... Is it possible that this first batch is already crooked? Those two bottoms are poking up and it looks to me like you'll definitely have an orthodontist in your
future.


Freddie, I'm sorry. I am *that* mama. I told someone, other than your father who hears it almost every time I change your diaper, how cute your poops were. I just couldn't help myself. It may have something to do with the fact that I am so very excited that your system has completely adjusted to solid foods and we are back to making diaper washing easier.


You have been running your fingers along the velcro tabs of your diapers for a while. You'll wiggle those little fingers a it around the edges of the tabs to get that nice velcro crackle sound. Yesterday you gave it a yank and opened your diaper. My eyes got as big as saucers and I quickly tightened it back up. You yanked it again and giggled as I giggled. Oh no. I am in for it.


You squinch up your nose and smile now. I love, love, love seeing that.


What is really funny is when you hear the front door open about 5.30 each evening and you stop whatever you're doing and just watch and wait for your Daddy to walk into the living room. You immediately break out into laughter and start bouncing up and down. I know it turns him to mush, Mr. Spaghetti.

Can you see my teeth? Click to enlarge.
We're working on a better picture still.

You like to stand up and hold on to the ottoman and "work" with your toys. You are getting to the point where you will let go of it and use both your hands to play with things on top and sometimes you will even let go and pivot around to hold on to something else.


It won't be long before we'll hear pitter patter through the house and I know you'll be squealing and scrunching up that nose and leaving us in the dust.

Sick

I enjoy reading through previous posts about our family and actually find myself doing so more lately. But I have also found it helpful to look back on our fertility cycles for stats and such so I will continue to use this space to document for future reference.

Freddie is sick.

The past few days he has been "playing" with the new sound he can make...rattling the congestion in his chest. It is minor congestion, but nevertheless, congestion in the chest.

Yesterday he had fever for most of the day that remained around 99-100 with Tylenol.

After he went to bed his fever increased to 103, but responded to Tylenol. He didn't sleep well and had another dose of Tylenol during the night. This morning his temp his normal as is his behavior.

I should also mention that Charlie is recovering from a bout of the sickies, the flu perhaps. And both he and the Bug had flu shots last week.

Sandwiched Cookies

Think Oreo meets the Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie. Soft, chocolaty cookie with frosting in the middle. They are pretty yummy, and way too easy to not make more often. Sure, had I spent time on uniformity and icing in more accurate proportions they would have taken more time but looked prettier. Pretty is overrated when it comes to food. They taste good. They were easy to make.

(Source: The Crepes of Wrath, as seen on Annie's Eats)

Ingredients: For the cookies:

• 1 package chocolate cake mix (or other flavor of your choice)
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

For the frosting:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp. milk

For decorating:

• multi-colored non-pareils, or other sprinkles or candy of your choice

Directions:

1. To make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake mix, egg and butter. Beat on low speed until just combined and all dry ingredients have been incorporated.
3. Roll the dough into 1- to 1 1/2-inch balls, place on the prepared baking sheets and press down to slightly flatten. (Really flatten them. I made 28, so I ended up with 14 sandwiched cookies.)
   
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheets.
5. To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the powdered sugar, and beat until incorporated. Add vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until fully incorporated. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and beat on medium-high speed until smooth. If the frosting too thick, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk and beat until incorporated.
6. To assemble, pair the cookies based on size on a work surface. Frost the flat side of one cookie from each pair. Place the other cookie of each pair on top of the frosting, flat side down. Lightly press down so that the frosting reaches the edges of the cookies.
7. To decorate, place sprinkles in a small bowl. Dip the sides of each cookie in the sprinkles, pressing down gently and rotating to cover the sides completely.

Tooth!

Make that TEETH!

We have been waiting for them to arrive as his bottom gums have had a sliver of white on top with the teeth sitting right beneath. This morning one sharp tooth had made its way through. And by this afternoon the other bottom tooth has also broken loose.

His tongue has been working overtime running along the top of his gums, over and over and over. No pictures yet but by Thursday's weekly update he's got to let me into his mouth with the camera.

Saints Game, Take 2

Practicing with the headphones

We thought for sure the stars would align and our second time in the Dome with Bug would be better than last time. We took the hint though with the thunderstorms moving through all day and Charlie's sick state, and at the last minute decided to stay home.


We wore our jerseys and rooted for our team. Charlie's temperature has bounced around between 99.5 and 101.4 all day. Bug and I are healthy and the Saints are 4-0. Hoping Charlie's just got a case of Who Dat fever and not the swine flu.

31 Weeks

You were in your first car accident today so we made a trip to the doctor.

Stats:

• Weight: 15lbs 14oz (between 5th and 10th percentile)
  
• Length: 26 inches (between 5th and 10th perectile)
  

So you're following your growth curve. I thought maybe you'd had spurt and were moving up a little, but that is not the case.


The accident was scary for me. Very scary since you were with me. I'm the one who is supposed to keep you safe and I plowed into someone's car. Granted, she was at fault, but it still made me feel like I had to be even more careful.


You didn't seem to mind and didn't cry at all. You were very interested in the police officers and their gear and despite having your nap disturbed, you were pleasant and happy to take in the change of scenery, that being the curb outside Henry's Bar. We walk by everyday and today you got to exchange pleasantries rather than just wave to the bartender.


You cheated on Dr. J and saw Dr. M (not my Dr. M). You laid it on thick for her and she may just tell Dr. J you were flirting. She said you looked good, to watch you for unusual behaviors such as vomiting or lethargy, and to expect you to be a bit sore and cranky tomorrow.

He loves the little camping lantern.
I wish I had a camera instead of my phone for this one.

Freddie, this week you are getting into what feels like better sleep patterns. Or maybe our mama is just accepting your sleep patterns. You are napping and your night sleep stretches are a good 5-6 hours and when totaled end up being 12-13 hours of night time sleep. Oh, and you like to sleep on your side but somehow manage to cover all of the territory in your crib at night to get in a comfy position snuggled up against the crib bumper.


You still aren't crawling but you move with purpose. You get to where you need to go by rolling or dragging yourself along. You can make it across the room in just a few seconds if you have your eye on something.

I still love my spoon. Take it EVERYWHERE!

You can be a bit whiny at times, trying to get your way. You have this little cry that announces your displeasure but you usually knock it off after a few minutes. You aren't so fond of getting dressed, and I wonder if we will have to chase you around the house eventually to get your clothes on you.


The mirror continues to get laughs from you. This week Danny gave you a little hand held mirror and after gazing at yourself for a while you took a peek behind it just to see who was there. YOU are the "handsome guy" in the mirror my love.


You are still our Bug but Mama has taken to calling you Toodie. And your Daddy likes to call you Spaghetti, as in Freddie Spaghetti.


You are a chowhound and eat more and more solids each day. Hummus is a new favorite and you really like blueberries. You approve of the foods we've made but you like that turkey with veggies in the jar. I suppose I should figure out how to grind up some meats for you.


I must tell you that while you were squawking at the big kids at the track meet at the park I got all teary watching the boys thinking about how quickly those times for our family will be here. I welcome the track meets and soccer practices and chess tournaments and ballet classes (smile) and even look forward to them but I feel like the past seven months have already gone by too quickly.


We love you, Mr. Spaghetti. Big as the World.