YOU KNOW YOU'RE A MOM WHEN...

I was getting into bed a couple nights ago SO ready to fall asleep. Dream land was near I could almost taste it! I had just put my head onto my big fluffy pillow, something wasn't right, it felt cold and lumpy. My brain reacted by letting out a big scream AAHHHHHHH! I put my hand down to find one of Jackson's toys wishing me a good night. That little toy scared the begeebees out of me. Needless to say it took me longer that night to fall into blessed dream land.

I'd love to hear about all your favorite MOM moments!

DEER AND TULIPS

I just have to register a complaint. Why can't deer eat something other than my budding tulips! Every year this happens...you think I would put up something to block them from eating my favorite spring flower. Anyhow, we have this resident herd that lives and wanders through our neighborhood. A couple days ago I looked out my window at dusk and found 6 deer MUNCHING on my tulips. HOW RUDE! I have planted in my flower gardens plants that supposedly will keep the deer away, but not the case. My daffodils are coming up swimmingly...here's hoping that the tulips aren't lost forever.

EASTER WEEKEND

We had a great Easter weekend! Jack tried out the baby backpack with a little hike up Muler Park Canyon Saturday afternoon. He sung the entire way up, and then not more than two steps down the canyon he fell asleep...what a character. Easter Sunday was fun visiting family and enjoying all the chocolate eggs. NEW FAVORITE EASTER CANDY Dark Cadbury eggs (they are sooooooo yummy)!

Start of the hike
End of the hike
Easter Treats!
Mom and Jack
Rob and Mini-Me

Arizona

Jack and I just got back from spending a couple days in Arizona with our family. Jack had such a great time getting way too much attention from his cousins, grandparents and aunt. We loved seeing Josh and Cheryl's new house, having a fun birthday party with Ryan and playing in the sun. Thanks again Josh and Cheryl, you are wonderful hosts! Here are a couple pictures to document our trip.

Ryan's Race Car Birthday Cake
Ryan and Jack eating breakfast.
Hiking in the sun.
Alex left us all little door tags on our corresponding rooms...I really like the rendition of me (I think that I have pigtails and not male-patterned-baldness)

Uncle Bear and Alex at the park
Hanging out eating. We are so good at that!
Alex and Jack playing with toys.

VEGETABLE BEEF DINNER

Okay, so up to this point in the adventures of eating first foods, I haven't complained, but YUCK! That Vegetable Beef Dinner left some serious residue. There is a little green stuff coming out of Jack's mouth (those are peas). I can handle the green stuff, but the film that takes a sledge hammer to remove is awful! Jane you thought rice cereal was bad...just you wait. Really, what are we doing to our children with their first experiences of food? Here's hoping I haven't tainted Jack's pallet forever!

GRIDDLE CAKES

I have found my new favorite breakfast food...however we just had it for dinner- GRIDDLE CAKES! My Mom introduced me to them a while ago and I think I have made them at least, well a bunch of times. I thought I would share the love and post the recipe. Sorry that I don't have a great picture to post to make all your mouths water, but you'll just have to take my word for it, they are YUMMY!

Griddle Cakes with Marmalade and Clotted Cream

1/2 c. Flour 1 c. Plain Yogurt
1/2 c. Rolled Oats 5 T. Butter
2 tsp. Sugar 1 egg
1 tsp. Baking Powder Clotted Cream, Cream Fraiche or Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda Orange marmalade or jam
1/4 tsp. Salt

1- Heat up griddle or skillet until hot
2- Whisk together flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, yogurt, egg and 3 T. melted butter until combined
3- Use remaining butter to butter the griddle
4- Pour batter onto griddle into desired pancake size
5- Cook until bubbles appear on surface and edges about 1-2 minutes, flip with large spatula and cook until top springs back when pressed gently.

Serve with marmalade and cream. I also like butter and syrup, but my favorite is fresh berries with yogurt.

ENJOY!

TEETHING

Jack has been teething lately! He's such a good sport, but OH I MISS THE SLEEP AT NIGHT! He has two little teeth on the bottom and is cutting two more on either side. So I guess it's pretty normal to wake-up SCREAMING at night when your teeth hurt, right?

I hope to get back to sleeping through the night...isn't that what being a mom is all about? Yeah for Tylenol and naps!