Parenting, The First Year

We celebrated my son's birthday just a few days ago.  It's really true, time does fly.  I have no idea where that first year went.  I can say that with ease looking back on it, but during the day to day, many of them felt too long.  A year ago I was just leaving the hospital with this little person who needed me for absolutely everything.  I am glad to say we have come a long way, after many sleepless nights, crying, and seemingly never ending days.

So I was trying to think about what's happened in the last year.  Sometimes it just seems like this is always how it was and other days there are glimpses of what life was like before a baby.  I still don't feel like a parent.  I don't know when that happens, but I am sure it's around the same time they start verbalizing that more (mama, dada, etc).  I know I am responsible for a little man and I worry about him pretty much always and maybe that's what it feels like to be a parent.  I wouldn't know.

But if I stop and think of all the things my son has accomplished over the year, it really is quiet amazing.  He went from being this helpless tiny bundle to a babbling, cruising, drooling toddler.  His first word was kitty ("Gigi") and he current favorite toy is a dustpan and small dust broom.  He still doesn't like getting ready for bed, but he does like bath time most of the time.  He thinks flushing the toilet is a riot and playing in the cat water dish is just something to do when mom and dad aren't looking.  He knocks over Sparky on a routine basis, but has learned to start petting him nicely ("Be nice to kitty"). He has four teeth and is working on the next two.  He loves macaroni and cheese.

He really has been a wonderful baby, but I am not going to lie, those first 6 months were the hardest.  Months 6-9 were a little easier, but we were still getting up in the middle of the night for feeding.  At month 9 we slept through the night and it was glorious.  We have been enjoying pretty much solid sleep for a good 3 months, although now it feels like we never got up in the middle of the night.  It's amazing what you get used to and how fast you get used to it.  At month 9, I stopped pumping during the day and at month 11, I stopped nursing altogether.  That had it's pluses and minuses.  We saved a load of money on formula and washing bottles, but it was demanding and it's a sole source job. 

We still have a hard time leaving the house with everything he needs.  Diapers, wipes, emergency pacifier if he gets out of control, change of clothes, snacks, water bottle, food, bottles, toys, stroller if needed.  Of course you also have to plan around naps.  We are still at a solid two naps which I think is great.  They are great when you need to get household stuff done, but they are a pain when you need to go places.  Usually we can plan it so he is in the car for at least one of the nap times, but we are rarely in the car long enough to make it really count.  It's a give and take thing. 

So the first year is over and we survived.  I think that's really what the first birthday celebration is all about.  :)  The good mews is I remember a lot more of the laughs and smiles than the really bad days (and we have had them).  I think that's why people end up with a second.  Haha! 

Molten Chocolate Cakes

My mother-in-law visited for her birthday so she could spend the weekend with her favorite little person, her grandson.  To celebrate her birthday I told her I would make her any kind of dessert she wanted, so long as I didn't have to set it on fire.  She replied, "something chocolate".  So I thought for a short while and said "OH I KNOW!"

So I made her this:

Molten Chocolate Cakes!

They are the most decadent dessert I know how to make.  And lucky for you, you'll know know how to make them too!  The only "special" equipment you'll need are ramekins and a double boiler (which you can improvise if need be - I do).  If you don't have ramekins, the best deal I have found on them is at Pier 1 Imports of all places.  For a double boiler, you can use a regular pot filled with a couple of inches of water and setting a glass or metal (my preference) bowl on top of the water.  It'll do the same thing without add another pot to you cabinets.

Active Time: 15 minutes Total: 30-35 minutes
6 servings

2 sticks unsalted butter plus more for ramekins
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cake flour, plus more for dusting (I have used regular flour, so don't sweat buying special flour for such a small amount)
1/2 bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used Ghirardelli - 70% Cocoa, usually found in the baking aisle)
1/2 cup sugar
4 large whole eggs
4 large egg yolks
Unsweetened cocoa and confectioners sugar, for dusting (to make it "pretty")
*Not listed as an ingredient, but you should definitely get vanilla ice cream to have with it

1. Preheat oven to 350*.  Butter six 4-ounce ramekin dishes and dust with flour.  This step is ubber important, make sure they are well buttered, it's how they pop out smoothly.
2. In the top on the double boiler, melt the butter and chocolate together.  Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar, whole eggs, and egg yolks.  Whisk in the flour.
3. Scrape the batter into the 6 ramekins, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sides of the cake are set, but the center is still slightly loose.  Let the cakes cool for 1-2 minutes and then run and spatula around the top part of them to loosen if necessary from the ramekin.  Then invert them onto plates.  Dust with cocoa powder and confectioners sugar and serve.

You can make these earlier in the day and park them in the fridge until you are ready to make them.  Just take them out for about 20-30 minutes before hand to get them to room temp.  If you want to put them in straight from the fridge, you'll need to extend the baking time accordingly.

Enjoy!

Back in Atlanta

This weekend was too short. Of course spending 20+ hours in a car in 4 days may have something to do with that. You know you have made that length of a trip often when you start to think at hour 7, man, time is flying by today. We had a pretty smooth ride until we got back to Atlanta tonight, but really, can't complain. We have had much worse.

Overall it was a great weekend. The weather held out and we were able to picnic for lunch on the way up and on the way back. Rob and I are pretty much over stopping at Burger King or other such establishment on these trips. Picnics work out better for wallets and stomachs alike. :)

We stopped into the jewelry store that we bought my engagement ring setting at and we think we have our wedding bands pretty much picked out. They were just as nice as when we went to get my ring set last May. They even recognized us and we dealt with the owners directly. They shinned up my ring (OMG - HUGE difference) and fixed Rob's necklace for free. Yes, they are definitely going to get more business from us.

We talked with a few tentative vendor-ish people. We know were are early on these things, but well, we know what kind of time lines to work within now for them. We also got to talk with quite a few housing people and I have to say, the people at Outer Banks Blue and the people at Village Realty were the most helpful. I felt like they were the most honest and listened to what we were looking for.

One of the things we were looking to do on this trip is see what the tempurature is like at the time of our ceremony. It varied a bit, but the sand was comfortable to stand on. The wind is really my only concern for my bridesmaids. I think it will work out ok though. And because we were there, we decided to stick our feet in the ocean. Now, considering that it's normally in the 55 degree range when we go in May, April is going to be colder. MUCH colder. In fact, I would say that going anywhere near the water this time of year is just plain stupid. There were people in the water of course, but they had on wetsuits. I still think they are nuts.

While we were there, Rob got his birthday gift early. He now has his very own body board so he doesn't have to borrow mine this year. :) We had a hand-me down, but still working fine all foam one we shared two years ago and last year I bought my own and he used the other. Well, kind of, he used mine too. :) So now he has his very own to play on too.

My Birthday and ME!

Some may know, I had a birthday recently. It's finally pushing me into the late twenties, but I am protesting that it's mid twenties until March. Mostly I don't care about that. Although I do know that youth is something to treasure and am trying to enjoy it.

Last year I mentioned the birthday week and this year I am happy to say, I executed it quite well. Andrea and Tyler's visit kicked it off and had a blast with them. Having only a 3 day work week was pretty fabulous. Wednesday I went out after work with some co-workers to help celebrate with a happy hour (or four). Thursday by default was a celebration day because it was my sister's birthday.

My actually birthday fell on an off Friday which was a pretty spectacular bonus. I slept til I felt like getting up, then watched TV for an hour or so and ate breakfast. I took my time getting ready and headed out for my spa appointment. I stopped over to Borders first to use my gift certificate I received. I got the next Jasper Fforde book and one I mentioned before, I Was Told There'd Be Cake.

The spa was lovely although sadly, it was not the best massage I have ever gotten, however it was still relaxing. I also spent an additional hour in their locker area in the steam room, then shower, and getting ready. If I am going to spend that kind of money, I plan to use their facility to my advantage and pamper myself.

I headed over to Vinings for some ice cream from Cold Stone for lunch and shopping. I was quite successful on both counts. I even landed on a surprise bonus round at Ann Taylor Loft. Every now and then they have sales for about a month where if you buy $50 worth of stuff you get a $25 off coupon in the next month when you spend $50. They were double the coupons so when you spent $50, you got 2 $25 coupons. My kind of deal.

Rob and I went to dinner out to the Thai Dinner. I didn't really have any particular place in mind, but I had been craving Thai food. Not to mention, they wait on you hand and foot and there's never a long wait for your food.

All in all, it was a fantastic day. I only hope next year is just as nice. :)

Birthday Week

That's right, an entire week for the birthday celebration. I started my partying last Friday and it will probably carry over until Monday. It's not exactly a week, but I am willing to bend the rules as I am the birthday girl.

My sister first came up with this concept. You should probably know that our birthdays are right next to each other. Hers is today and mine is tomorrow. My good friend Sean's is the day after mine as well. Since we already had two days for celebrating, what's a few more? Then you are sure to get at least one weekend (two if you are me and greedy) no matter where your birthday falls. Also, we happen to have birthdays right around or sometimes on Labor Day. This can cause logistical problems with people being out of town and places being closed or what have you. So the birthday week was invented.

Having a birthday in early September can have its drawbacks, but also some pluses. My very first day of school was my birthday. In college, my 21st birthday was the first day of classes. The downside was growing up, people were getting ready to go back to school or had to do the last family vacation, so I was sort of stuck for parties, but its gotten better.

This year I will be heading home shortly after my birthday and my sister and I are planning to goof off all of Friday and I can't express how happy that makes me. First I get to spend time with her, second, we are going to the spa, and third, we are going to sit back and drink wine while my brother in law makes us dinner. If that's not a perfect day, I don't know what is. :)

I plan to embrace all of my birthdays and to try not to get too depressed about what age I happen to be turning, whether it's 26 or 46. It's not like you can stop time and linger at a particular age anyway. Why not embrace it and have fun? I am being optimistic about this whole idea and my 50 year old self might want to punch my 25 year old self, but that's ok.

It's my birthday and I am going to do what I want. Right after I go to work and some meetings,but then totally, whatever I want to do. And whatever Rob has planned. :)

My Super Sweet 26!

I have been inspired! I was watching My Super Sweet 16 the other night and thought to myself; why the hell did I not get a big party and $100K car for my 16th birthday? As far as I can recall, my 16th birthday consisted of a party of about 10 people at the house after we all went ice skating. We ate cake and there was no car. I think it's pretty lame in comparison. I have decided since I can't go back to my 16th birthday, that I could just fudge it a little and go for the 26th birthday. Although Mike P. seems to be confused about my age and I could probably convince him that I was turning 16. ANYWHO! This is what I have decided to go with for My Super Sweet 26th birthday!

I am going to invite everyone I know, including people I don't like just to show them how much better of a party I can throw than them. The bonus; if I feel like being a total bitch on my birthday I can have my bouncers deny them entrance to my super exclusive party. How awesome! I am going to go with a beach themed party which will be hosted at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Buy tickets now to avoid the rush and secure your seat for the number one party of the year! We are going to do an official luau right there on the beach and roast a pig in a pit and have a fully catered menu for everyone. I will have the bouncers set up in a perimeter around the party to kick out anyone not worthy of such coolness. I, of course, will be the star of the hula dance dressed to impress in authentic costumes (that's right - the real coconut bra and everything!) to kick the night off right! We'll pump up the music and get the party hoping! I will be having a well known pop star perform at my awesome party. I can't say who it is because it will be a surprise to all guests. After you all have adored me for the entire evening I will receive ridiculous gifts, least of which being a Bentley Brooklands or similar car in quality and price.

So you should all clear your labor day weekends as it will be "the best party ever!"

Happy Half Birthday to Me!

You may be asking yourself, what exactly is a half birthday anyway? The answer would be it is the day that is 6 months from your real birthday. This really started with a friend of mine who was born on December 25th. In an effort to make things fair and celebrate both a birthday and Christmas, they celebrated her half birthday, June 25th. That way she would actually be able to enjoy both holidays equally like a normal kid. So I decided to adopt this just as a way to have another personal holiday. To tell you the truth, I am surprised that Hallmark hasn't jumped all over this. It could very well double their sales! In any event, I encourage all of you to celebrate your half birthday which gives you another reason to have some cake!