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...

Catching up...

Henry after bathtime

Just chillin, thanks

I am happy boy in my Daddy's arms

Mommy's whispering, "I love you Henry"

Two peas in a pod..

Henry's in "Command Central"

I like the overalls Momo sent

How do you like our pumpkins?

Hello all. I realized I have been slacking here on the blog front...I guess we've been busy! We had a nice, quiet weekend. We went to Two Lights State Park for a picnic, watched the Patriots game with friends, got our pumpkins and took some nice walks. The last few days have been rainy so we have been doing lots of indoor activities and taking advantage of some nice naps. Today was beautiful and warm so Henry and I got out of the house! Henry went on his first jog with me in the running stroller. I did all the work as Henry slept the entire hour we were gone:) We explored a new trail that is in our neighborhood that was recently constructed. It was fun and Henry seemed to really enjoy his nap while I got a good workout! We also visited the story hour at the library and saw some of Henry's friends. We then took a walk up Congress Street..you never know what you might see on Congress! It's a street full of color, let's say. Tomorrow we will go to a special class on sign language, which I am excited about! I have been teaching Henry the signs for milk, mom, dad, more, sleep, bath and many more...even though he may not be using them yet, he is certainly watching me and hopefully will begin to use them soon. We have also been doing lots of eating in the last few days. So far Henry has tried avocado, banana, sweet potatoes, rice cereal and Daddy gave him water in a big boy cup today! I figured out the best routine for eating is to put Henry in his seat without clothes on, let him eat and "explore" his food and then immediately take him into the bathroom for a bath! I am not sure how much of the food is actually being ingested these days!

Well...that's it for our update. Hope you are all having a lovely week.

Full moon...

I am catching up on my sleep...

My favorite...

Reminds me of the flowers at our wedding:)

Did anyone else have troubles sleeping last night? We're going to blame it on the full moon! We were up frequently..the best was when Matt was up with Henry at 2:30 am (and thought it was more like 5:30 am)and they were giggling, talking, bouncing, etc. when Matt realized it was still the middle of the night!! Oh well...that's life with a baby and we'll take it!! One of the many lessons that motherhood has taught me is that things are always going to be unpredictable and changing and that if you hold onto your sense of humor and be as flexible as possible, life will be a lot more enjoyable!! And, sleep doesn't have to occur between the hours of 8pm-6am...be flexible and be rested.

So, Henry is now enjoying his first nap of the day and snoozing so peacefully. I am attaching a recipe for a good dish I made for the first time this week. And, of course the sunflowers at this time of the year are amazing so I have been taking lots of pictures on our daily walks. Enjoy!

We shall see what tonight brings....maybe more sleep for all? Maybe a midnight dance party?

Spicy Scallop and Snow Pea Stir Fry

Serves:4

6 tbsp. water, divided

2 tbsp. reduce sodium soy sauce

2 tsp. rice vinegar

1 tbsp. cornstarch

1 tbsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

brown rice

1 tsp. canola oil (or olive)

1 lb. all natural, dry sea scallops

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger

1 orange bell pepper cut into thin pieces

1/2 lb. snow peas

1 scallion, thinly sliced

( I added broccoli and mushrooms too!)

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of water with soy sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch until evenly blended. Whisk in sugar and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

2. Prepare brown rice according to package directions. While rice heats, start stir-fry.

3. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet or wok over med-high heat. Swirl to coat pan. When hot, add scallops. Cook until lightly browned..set aside.

4. Add garlic, ginger, bell pepper, snow peas and any other veggies and remaining 2 tbsp. of water to the pan. Cook and stir until the snow peas become bright green. Rewhisk the sauce and add it to the pan along with the reserved scallops. The sauce will thicken as it simmers. Toss and stir until veggies are coated with sauce and scallops are done cooking, about 1 minute.

5. Divide among plates and garnish with sliced scallions. Serve with brown rice. Enjoy!

Stir fry...nice, easy and tasty!!

Happy Autumn

Beautiful hydrangea

Henry in his new hat..looking pretty good!

I like sweet potatoes SOO much!

Getting ready for the day....

Sitting up all by myself:)

Today is the first official day of fall, so happy fall everyone! We sure are enjoying some beautiful fall weather..although yesterday felt like summer with temps in the high 80's. I have posted a picture of Henry is his new hat as well as some other good shots from the last two days. Henry is a big fan of sweet potatoes (as you can tell from the photo!) and doesn't care too much for avocado. So far those are the only foods we've introduced, but we are looking forward to starting some more in the next couple of weeks. Henry's latest trick is putting his feet in his mouth..we wish we could be that flexible. Instead of a recipe today, I will post a quote that we have been reading in one of my mothering circles. I just really like it and thought you might too!

Go Placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what be there may be in silence.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less

than the trees and the stars; you have the right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with god, whatever

you conceive him or her to be, and whatever labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

Desirata

And the hat is...

A strawberry for Henry!! Yeah!! Matt and I finished our knitting project tonight and here it is....

We'll put it on Henry tomorrow and show you how it looks!!

It's Pumpkin Time!

I liked my music class!!!

Isn't my sweater beautiful? Thanks Grandma!

I love pumpkin anything! So, last night after the boys went to bed I stayed up and made two loaves of my favorite pumpkin bread (thanks to a recipe my mom gave me!!). The aroma wafting from the oven was heavenly as I sat on the couch, relaxing and watching the movie The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. So, today my recipe is for vegan pumpkin bread...enjoy!

Henry and I just returned from our first music class together. We had fun singing songs, playing with instruments and meeting other babies and their caregivers. It will be a fun semester! Below is a picture of Henry in his new sweater that Grandma Welch knit him. Isn't it beautiful? And it even matches his eyes perfectly! It was a good morning to wear it! Today is International Peace day so I wish you all peace today and all the days to follow.....

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Jimi Hendrix

Super Moist Vegan Pumpkin Bread

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups packed dark brown sugar

2/3 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 cups pumpkin puree

1 cup canola oil

2/3 cup coconut milk

2/3 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 8"x4" loaf pans. Spread walnuts in single layer on un-greased baking sheet. Toast in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add the pumpkin puree, oil and coconut milk and mix until all of the flour is absorbed. Fold in the flaked coconut and toasted walnuts. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven, and cover loaves tightly with foil. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil, and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent loosely with the foil and allow to cool completely. Enjoy!!

Rolling baby, new recipe

Henry is a rolling machine!! Gone are the days I could put him down on his back and not worry about him rolling off things or furniture:) He has been quite vocal lately too as he experiments with many different octaves. He seems to really respond to music, especially when Matt plays guitar or steel drums. He's content to just lie there and listen. I am wondering whether he will be a musician like Matt....I know Matt plans on getting him a mini set of steel drums any day now! He is also able to sit through an entire book pretty well these days. Among our favorites this week are : A Hunting We Will Go, Shhh Everybody's Sleeping and Five Little Ducks.

Tonight I will begin my tutoring job with my first student. I am really looking forward to teaching again! It will be a nice contrast to being with Henry all day. Matt will take Henry and have some quality time with him while I am gone.

Below you will find a recipe for quinoa black bean salad that I just made for lunch. Pretty tasty....I just sort of made it up. And, a picture of my sleeping angel. Hope everyone is having a good Monday!!

Sleeping angel

Quinoa Black Bean Salad

cooked quinoa

can of black beans (or you can soak dry beans if you wish!)

cherry tomatoes

fresh parsley

fresh cilantro

roasted red peppers

olive oil

white wine vinegar (or whichever kind you prefer)

salt pepper

? add pineapple to give it a tropical taste?

Enjoy!