Toys and more toys

I love hydrangeas at this time of year

Fall is in the air...

This is one of Henry's favorite things to do during playtime...peek-a-boo?

Henry's toy box is getting pretty full

I love to make noises while I play

One of my new toys

Mom puts LOTS of choices out...

I am quite the reader already

Since Henry has officially hit the "I am interested in toys and anything I can put in my mouth" phase, we've been accumulating lots of different kinds of objects and toys for him to explore. This morning we went to a class called Learning through Baby Play that the local hospital puts on. It's a four week series and we are going to learn all kinds of ways to support Henry through his play. Some of the neat ideas from today were: put scarves in tissue boxes and have the babies pull them out for fun, use cups as toys and put out different kinds of toys each day (like balls one day, books the other, etc). I also learned that it is important to give Henry different kinds of play each day- play and interaction with us and then time for exploration and free play. I am hoping that some of the new toys we've picked up this week (many from a second hand children's store) excite Henry and allow his imagination and senses to soar. We'll see...

Last night I went on a "MNO," which for those of you who might not know, stands for "Moms Night Out." About fifteen moms met a local watering hole for good food, drinks and conversation. It was really fun! I left right after Henry went down and stayed out for a couple of hours. I am definitely going to do more of those! It's important to get away and have some "me" time every once and a while. I find it really rejuvenates me and makes me a better mom and wife.

This afternoon we are going to our weekly playgroup with some of the moms and babies that we have met in the last several months. It is amazing how many friends Henry and I have made since April. They all bring such wonderful experiences and wisdom with them and I have really enjoyed making so many connections with such great moms. There is nothing more helpful than to talk to someone who is going through the exact same things you are.

This weekend is the Portland 1/2 Marathon so I will be lacing up my sneaks and getting pumped for that. It is on Sunday and the forecast is great-50's and sunny! Should be a beautiful morning for a nice, long run. It's good to be back.

Hope you are all enjoying the last of the rain, at least for now.

Oh, and rain makes me want to bake so here's a classic...

Maine Blueberry Muffins

Makes 1 dozen

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups fresh blueberries

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter a standard 12-cup muffin pan and dust with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Working over the bowl, toss blueberries in a fine sieve with about 1 1/2 teaspoons flour mixture to lightly coat; set aside the flour mixture and the blueberries.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a handheld mixer, beat butter and 1 cup sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Mix in vanilla.

With the mixer on low speed, add reserved flour mixture, beating until just combined. Add milk, beating until just combined. Do not overmix. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the blueberries. Divide batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. If desired, in a small bowl, mix together remaining 1/4 cup sugar and nutmeg. Sprinkle sugar mixture on top of muffin batter.

Bake, rotating pan halfway though, until muffins are golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center of one muffin comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes. Turn muffins on their sides in their cups, and let cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Blueberry Muffins Recipe - MarthaStewart.com

mmm..homemade blueberry muffins..nothing like it...