Bumpo

Miss Lola Belle, how is it possible that you are 3 1/2 months? Pretty soon we'll be taking you to Utah to meet your huge family. Pretty soon you'll start eating other food. You already laugh and "talk". Thanks for being a snuggly baby and sucking your thumb and sleeping through the night and smiling. We're so lucky to have you in our family and despite a year of many disappointments your life more than makes up for them. I am in constant awe of your miraculous life and the wonders of Heaven you brought with you to this earth. When it comes to things that matter, baby girl, it's you, Bluebird, EZ and your cute dad. I can't imagine a more full life. Keep growing and changing and we'll keep loving and learning!

                                                    

Being a mom.

I love being a mom. I really do. When I worked I knew and hoped it was just a means to end till I had kids one day and could stay and work at home with them. I love being a mom. I love planning meals and trying new meals (brussel sprouts tonight, baby) coming up with fun things to do, planning our next vacation, planning special times for when Brad is with us, snuggling on the couch and watching Curious George every single morning for the past 5 years. (they are making a few new ones every now and then!) Kissing Ezra on his neck and hearing him laugh and laugh, seeing the thoughts roll through their brains and hearing them stutter as they try and get those innocent thoughts out, being able to teach the gospel to them in the moment...when it really matters and they will really learn and be receptive. It's all the little hugs and kisses and wiped tears and refusing to eat, but then all of a sudden liking to eat, the moment of quiet when it's just me and a baby eating or breathing hot breath on my shoulder and slowly falling to sleep. Those first smiles, those dimpled smiles, those growing up smiles. The uncontrollable laughter, the falling asleep before we've turned the light out or the up all night chatting to each other nights. All the songs, the reading of book after book and memorizing them along the way.  Or turning movies I've seen into stories for Chloe and hearing her think I am the best story teller in the world. It's the pats on the pillow with little hands inviting me to come sit close and lay together and just talk or sing or tickle backs, choosing clothes in the morning and jams at night, giving tubs, teaching love, feeling love, and giving love. I've learned so much from these 3 angelic faces. Like how to forgive quickly and move on, how to roll with it, how to cook better and more efficiently, how to sing pretty well, how to love, how to respect, how to teach, how to be more silly, how to plan my time, how to sew cute little clothes from my bigger clothes, how to shower at the gym (gross but necessary now) and how to look at my own mom and other "mom" influences and love and appreciate them even more as I become more.

They spoiled me on my special day. Bluie and My Brad has been hushing secrets around the house for the past 2 weeks. I loved seeing her eyes get all big as she made the "zipping" lip motion and would giggle at the surprises she held inside. They cooked all three meals for me and included all my favs.

So, it's becoming apparant that my little guy is going to need a mama who can sew him some pants as he grows. So I found a patter at Made and went for it. These pants are so adorable. They are an actual pattern (yes, I did my first pattern folks. remarkable considering all I've sewn) and they fit him pretty cute. This was a trial pair but I plan on perfecting it and just making him church pants as we go. i made these out of one of Brad's old shirts. They were soft. All day I just kept picturing him on a boat in Cape Cod. he's such a handsome little guy.

 Ez is still in the stink eye phase of pictures, but I love it and embrace it because as we look on back on these we'll remember these funny stages.

 And miss Belle. This is why she sleeps so well. She regularly goes down at 8 and wakes at 6. Really! I put in 2 kids and 5 years of basically never sleeping 5 consecutive hours so thanks little Lola. I am the first to admit that it has nothing to do with anything we've done.  She is a pretty amazing baby all around. I think this thumb sucking has some benefits!

Look at me...

Our little Lola Belle is 2 months old. 

She is the easiest baby for sure. She just sleeps..all the time. She wakes to eat and smile for a bit then back to snoozing. She had her shots. She just started to sucking her thumb.  Cute girl. it's pretty cute to see her sucking away on her tiny thumb.

 And this cute 5 year old wanted her hair cut. Doesn't she look so grownup. We went to the kindergarten fair on Saturday...So not ready for that!

 My loves!

 And a recipe for  you who like 'em. Those cookies over there look pretty awesome, right? They look normal...they taste normal...they smell better than normal. And...they don't have eggs. Seriously, they don't. I often finding myself wanting a sweet treat and sometimes don't have eggs-a key ingredient. Well, i have a recipe for cake with out eggs. It's called a "depression cake" and you use vinegar. Well, today was a chocolate chip cookie day and we got started and discovered no eggs. So, i'm making this a long story. I used flax seed. Use 1 tbsp of ground flax seed plus 3 tbsp of water per egg. Exceptional quality and they are healthier!! for you. I resist fish but flaxseed is full of omega3's like fish and it's cheap and keeps for awhile in your fridge.
2 tbsp of flax see (which is what i used in these cookies) is 60 calories, 4 grams of fiber, no cholesterol, and no sodium. Eggs have 60 calories per egg, no fiber, 120 or so grms of cholesterol, and 60 grams of sodium. So, win win.
Here is my recipe for cookies if you want a go to one that you know someone has tried with flaxseed.
This is a family secret recipe but I am willing to share the deliciousness:)
1/3 cup butter, soft
1/3 cup crisco (yes, it makes a difference to use both)
1/2 cup sugar (I probably use a little more or a little less depending on my helper)
1/2 cup brown sugar packed.
Cream these together then add your ground flax seed mixture that has been stirred with the water.
(if you opt for eggs cause you don't have flax seed! use 2 eggs)
stir.
2 cups flour (if you use eggs then increase the flour to about 2 1/2 cup flour)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 plus a little tsp. of vanilla
As many chocolate chips as you can handle!
Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or until barely browned on top.

Dance and Soccer

Our little Chloe had her first dance concert. She loved being on the stage. She did not love that her costume didn't come with a skirt. Seriously, who chooses a costume for 4-5 year olds with no skirt to "froof" yes, "froof!" around in. She looked adorable though and had a great time. Brad made it in time for the other dances but was there to give her high five after and go eat with us and some friends.

 Chloe and her little friend on the far left. So fun taking dance with a friend because then I had a friend, too.

 Then her first soccer game was the next day.

I suppose i'll have to learn a thing or two about soccer because she seems to really like it and have a knack for it. Go Chloe...this was your week for sure!!

Some Easter and DIY

 My Brad. Cutest guy I know.
Chloe given some Easter egg love.

 Remember this for next year. You put your hardboiled egg right inside the wisk and then you just dip and bob the whisk into your colors. No mess. Pretty sweet. And speaking of sweet...look at Miss Belle

 We represented.

 This guy could've cared less. In fact, he played in the back yard the whole time.

 The Easter photo. We had Stake conference and I took the 3 kids alone. Brad was in the ED. Lame. But he did get to do Easter baskets with us and stick around to take our photo.
Here is us trying to get a cute group shot.

 Here is what our reality is and I love it.

 My friend has the most gorgeous daughter. These 2 are about 7 months different in age. Crazy.

 I love this picture.

 Our dearest friends are moving to Texas for their fellowship year of residency. They will be done with neurosurgery next summer. 12 years!! They are the most AMAZING family and such great friends and I really already miss them. My friend is the nicest person I know and so wise and smart and stylish and pretty.

 An Easter photo with the mamma and her baby.

 Sisters forever.

 Couldn't get enough of this cute dress.
The first DIY-The Headband. I just cut off a cotton shirt sleeve in about a 3 inch piece and then sewed it up. Then I pressed down were i sewed so it kind of made a dimensional headband. Next I just took another piece of shirt and wrapped in around in a circle to make a flower. while you're at the machine just crazy sew all over the rosette. Then add a little leaf with some hand sewing while you attach the rosette to your headband. So cute and it took me about 10 minutes total. My answer to not going to the store and searching for something you can't find or don't have time to look for.

 Second DIY- I am trying to be better making the ideas I gather from Food Network. So here we go. Baked onion rings. Seriously, so good.
Slice a good ole white onion. Rinse in water. Get a bowl of flour. Get a bowl for one beaten egg and about 1/2 cup or so of buttermilk. A bowl for panko bread crumbs seasoned with s and p. Dip in flour. Dip in egg. Dip in Panko. lay on baking sheet with parchment paper. Then you spray everyone with cooking spray. The dude on Food Network actually mixed oil in the panko but I forgot that step and improvised with mine and they tasted delicious and crispy and so healthy. I love me some onion rings and these are guilt free. Try them and tell me what you think.

She smiles.

My favorite time in a new baby's life. The first smile. This wasn't the first smile but the first on camera. Typical scene each morning...I change her little bum and Chloe stands right next to her and talks to her and makes her smile. My heart melts every single time. Love this girl and that girl and the little guy soooo much!

I had to document for our family and for the world that she sleeps in the closet. So, next time you spend time thinking about your nursery wants be glad you have a nursery! (smile) She won't remember this right???

And these are just funny pictures. 

These are what you get when EZ has the camera.

 Am I really this tall to him. I seem like a giant.

In honor of my little Belle...Don't forget to smile today:)

Have a great one.