According to...

Travis, I am the "homeless homemaker"...Odd but true... I have been "homeless"or without my own home now for quite a while, but it hasn't seemed to keep me from decorating, organizing, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and hosting parties. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in my own home. I wouldn't have time for blogging :)

Pilates Perfection?

I rarely view YouTube videos but this one, forwarded by my favorite Pilates friend and teacher, Jane, cracked me up.

Daddy and Me

Daddy gets me out of bed every morning, he holds me when he gets home and tells me that he loves me, he pats my back and "shushes" me to sleep at night and holds me all weekend long... can you tell that he loves me??

Hair Apparent

We can't believe the hair on this child of ours. Did you notice how much? I'm sure you did. We assumed it would fall out, but it doesn't appear that way. It's growing. Now it's almost like she has a mullet in the back :) Not only that but it gets curly with any moisture and heat. We don't know who she got it from but we are assuming that she got a little from me and a little from her daddy as well as a good dose from the granddads.

Water Baby

Look at my new swimsuit that Grammy gave me! Miss Becky and my friend, Bella, came over and gave me my first swim lesson (of many) this afternoon...and my cute new hat! I loved the warm water. Miss Becky dipped my ears in side to side and I was so relaxed! The water tasted a lot different from my bath and shower time but this was a new adventure that apparently is good for my developing neurological system.

Meal of the Summer

I have only really made two recipes all spring and summer... isn't that sad? Not cooking much around here especially since we have been living with other people. But one recipe, shared by Becky, has become a summer classic and favorite. Griddle pizzas are one recipe that are fabulous by Rachel Ray.

1 cup lukewarm water (105° to 115°) 2 1/4 cups flour One 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar Salt 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 1 shallot, thinly sliced crosswise 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Pepper 3 avocados One 12-ounce package bacon 1 bunch watercress

1. In a large glass, whisk together the water, 1 tablespoon flour, the yeast and sugar; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Using a food processor, combine the remaining flour and 1 teaspoon salt. With the machine on, pour in the yeast mixture and process until the dough forms a ball. Mix for another minute, then transfer to a large greased bowl, turning the dough to coat. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, shallot, olive oil and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados; press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to cover.
3. Preheat a large skillet; add the bacon and cook, turning once, until crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
4. Preheat a griddle over high heat or an electric griddle to 400°. On a lightly floured work surface, divide the dough into 4 pieces, then flatten each one into a disk. Stretch each disk into a 10-inch round (if dough is too elastic, let rest for 5 minutes). Brush one side of each round with olive oil and, working in batches if necessary, transfer to the griddle, oiled sides down. Cook, lightly brushing the tops with more oil and flipping once, until browned, about 6 minutes on each side. Transfer to a cutting board.
5. Spread the avocado evenly on each crust, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Toss the watercress with the tomato mixture and scatter over the pizzas. Crumble the bacon on top.

For Marmie...

We miss you!

The ultimate cup...

Ashley returned bearing a gift from her pantry in Maryland... Maui Coffee. Not just an everyday cup of joe. No, this is the ultimate: dark roast without a burnt aftertaste in the best flavor ever created: Hawaiian Hazelnut, a combination of hazelnut and a hint of coconut. Every afternoon is made amazing with this liquid treasure.

Many Faces of Kate

Morning time is happy time...poop time...and cranky time...all within an hour. And they say women are emotional. This is just a sneak preview of what's to come.

Myth vs Reality

What they say about "milky lips" is true. That look your child gives you of a drunken sailor after they eat, with milky white lips to prove their overconsumption, is precious.
But what is myth is that it smells good. I don't know about other mothers, but my child's breath smells like green onions. Go figure. My husband always has said that I have a strong scent. Her breath proves it.

Super Sling...

I have received several requests for information regarding the sling I use with Kate. She loves her Sleekmama sling... I got the unlined one due to the season and heat, but there are fabulous warmer ones for the winter as well. My friend Heather makes them here in the Phoenix area and they are very popular amongst my Phoenix friends. Thanks Heather for your gift and for your great product!

In the life of a mom...

You can never finish a whole cup of coffee.
I am learning that life is measured in half cups, not whole ones anymore :)

My how things change...

Can I just say that it is incredible NOT to be pregnant? Caveat: I have had an extremely easy and satisfying pregnancy with no true cause for complaint. The situation, however, merits commentary.
I feel like the incredible shrinking woman. Does every postpartum woman feel like this? I no longer have eight pounds of Kate in me, plus, what the doctor commented was "a very large placenta" (coming from the practice who was scheduling my fifth ultrasound for the day after she was born to check fetal growth) and all the other volumes of fluid and such. Every time I look at Kate I think, "How did she really fit inside me?" And...let's be honest: when was the last time you dropped 23 pounds in a week?? I still cannot button my regular pants and I have more to lose, but I have never felt so skinny in my life.
You have this incredible experience watching everything shrink before your eyes in a matter of days. Of course your belly shrinks, but I didn't realize how everything else grew too. My ankles returned, where I thought mine weren't even particularly swollen and my fingers leaned out to where my engagement ring fits again; after a few sweaty episodes, body muscle definition returned; and even my face feels thin again. I am like a swollen grape dried up into former raisin glory :)

Nora & Kate

What a miracle she is. I argue that you cannot find a happier mother.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:46-55

According to...

Drew, aged three:

"Mommy, I want to go see Nora. Jesus took the baby out of her tummy! I want to go see Cake!"

Thus the nickname is born: Cupcake.
At the doctor's office yesterday, the assistant mistakenly recorded her weight in the chart as 8 lbs 15 ounces instead of 8 lbs 1.5 ounces (born 8 lbs 3 oz)-- The joke was that she better be careful with those cupcakes Erin brought over... you know, sweetie, you better watch those cupcakes...they go straight to your thighs :)

hello world

An update from the home front... we are all doing great! all eight pounds of me are eating well, sleeping pretty well (last night I only got up twice!) and doing my "business" at a rate that surprises daddy :) i have my doctor's appointment and my second car ride today. i have taken walks around the block for some tanning as well as to keep up with my highlights (did you hear that i was late because i was at the salon getting my hair highlighted?) my cord stump fell off today and boy did it stink! i also had my first bath yesterday, but i didn't get in all the way... i've had enough water for a while. we have had a lot of visitors too...they keep bringing me presents, which i love, especially the clothes.
most of all, i am a very content baby if i could say so myself, unless i get overtired. i smile at mommy and daddy all the time when i am well rested. they say that they could not be more delighted; they say that i am the most beautiful girl in the world...

Our Little Kate