Because I am a Sucker...

Because I am a sucker for all things sweetly romantic. Brad sent me this video in an email he said, "Because you like these kinds of things." Yes, yes I do.

Perfect Sunday Afternoon

A baby asleep in your arms.

The Sweet Tooth Fairy

I may be stoned for writing this post. Most people praise the Sweet Tooth Fairy, this is not that post.

I heard all about this place. "Best cupcakes on earth!" I've heard people proclaim. So I went. I got some delicious looking cupcakes in a cute little box. I bit into one, red velvet, it was blah. So dry. I liked the coconut they added to the cream cheese frosting, but that was it. And I didn't have just one, I had 3 (consecutively) all 3 were dry. AND for the record that is not normal of me to eat 3 cupcakes in one sitting but I was slightly depressed, and unlike my husband who is an emotional non-eater, I am and emotional eater (and nail biter). We found out Sydney may have cancer, I probably shouldn't be sharing that on here because we are not certain, but there is a pit inside of my stomach. She had these lumps on her gums they were removed, we figured they were nothing; we learned they are something. It could be 2 things. 1 of those is not serious, the other one is, and we won't know until the middle of next week, so I am a little sad. You see, I love that dog. She is my four legged furry child, whom I have done everything in my power to keep as healthy as possible, so she will live as long (and as healthy) as possible. Because the thought of losing her... is well, unbearable. (Yes, I am one of those dog owners). So all we can do is wait, and hope for the best. Don't worry you will know the results too :)

That is why I ate 3 cupcakes consecutively. Anyway, you want to know who makes a good cupcake? Her name is Betty Crocker and you can make 24 cupcakes for less than $1 (24 cupcakes less than the cost of one!)

On a happier note: After the call about Sydney I had to go to Petsmart. I walked in to find this cute little guy. He is a Bernese Mountain Dog. He was born without his right ear, so he can only hear out of his left (and he cocks his head with his left ear up a lot, cutest thing). And he made me smile... also his name... it's Vincent Van Gogh.

(I know bad picture, but he is a puppy he wouldn't stop moving)

Take Your Daughter to Work :)

My boss and our nurse manager are wonderful. After I left work to be a full time mom, in July they created a job in our department for me. It is a part time, work from home position, which I work as needed. So I work from 10 - 20 hours a week depending on the week (oh, and part of that is weekends). I don't have to be "logged on" certain times of the day, they tell me what needs to be done and I do it at all different hours of the day. Pretty awesome gig, right? Well, I needed to go in to the office to get trained, and the babe came with me.

I found this portable bed thing at Smith's Marketplace. Here she is napping at my desk.

With Auntie Stephanie.

Even David held her.

We went down and visited the PC Support department. Above, she is with Nancy (she is naked because she just had a blow out, on Nancy).

And with Troy (after said, blowout).

I feel very lucky, to have this job, and I am so grateful that I can be with my baby.

Harvesting

It's that time of the year again. When it gets dark by 7:30, and every night it's a little bit earlier. The time when I have to say good-bye to the sun. Really, it is not my favorite time, however, the harvest season makes it bearable... well, even likable. I do like the harvest, I just wish it was a different time the year.

There is a raspberry patch, which has the most gorgeous raspberries. The babe and I headed down and we (I, but she was a good sport) picked 8 pounds.

What do you you do with 8 pounds of raspberries? Lots of things but one of those is this heavenly dish:

Chris has been living with us this past month, just temporary (and I can't believe I am saying this, but I am going to miss him when he leaves) but he brought these peaches home from a client's tree. You know that saying "Nectar of the Gods"? Well, I have never eaten anything that I would use that phrase with, but these peaches; one bite and I realized that phrase was coined from a peach like that.

So I made a peach pie, and I dare say, one of the best I have ever made.

Another day gone another milestone reached...

The Apple is sleeping in her crib tonight... the first night... and, well, it's hard for me. She has been ready to sleep in her crib for sometime, she has been an amazing sleeper. She was sleeping 8-9 hour stretches since she was 10 weeks old and since she was 16 weeks old she was sleeping 11 hours at night. It was me, I wasn't ready. I loved being able to peep up and look into her bassinet and see her sleeping soundly. To check on her to make sure she was breathing, but above all I just loved having her close. But, I guess part of motherhood is "letting go". This is my first "letting go" experience. And really, it's not even "letting go", but you get my point?

Every day that goes by, every milestone reached is a reminder to me that my time with her is limited, and more importantly cannot be taken back. It is something that cannot be made up; and it gives me anxiety. Have I spent enough time with her? Do I read to her enough? Does she get enough tummy time? Do I talk to her enough? Does she know how much I love her?

I love watching her progress, but I love her being my baby too.

9.11.11

Most of the photos make me teary eyed, this one makes me cry. A father should not have to mourn the loss of a son.
(Source: Associated Press)

The Help

While I was back in PA (yes, folks I am now back to reality - after 2 weeks it's hard). But while back there I went and saw The Help with my parents, since we all read the book. The movie left me craving one thing... fried chicken and not just fried but fried in Crisco (gross craving, right?) (Side note: all my favorite scenes in the movie [comical and serious] contains Cecilia Foote. Well, I don't make fried chicken very much, I think I made it one time and I fried it in coconut oil (healthier option). But I was set on chicken fried in Crisco just like Minny.

Here we are with my breaded chicken and pan of Crisco:
Frying away...
The finished product:
The verdict: It tasted the exact same as fried in coconut oil! I really didn't know what I expected... heaven, that is what I expected. It was still good, but it didn't taste any different.

On an end note while we are talking about food: The Apple had Sweet Potatoes for the first time today, verdict: She loved them, gobbled them right up.

Meet the Family

The Apple and I are back east for a nice long vacation (sans Brad). We are enjoying ourselves. I will let the pictures tell the story. Hurricane Irene has thwarted our plans of the shore but we were able to spend sometime there.

Comparison

When Apple was first born I thought she was all Brad. As she has gotten older that has changed. I see both of us in her; then I looked at a baby picture of Brad... well you can decide.

Me as a baby once again just wrApple

Apple and her daddy. I am writing Brad

And my new favorite picture of her: