Standing on your own two feet

Tiny Milo toe toes 2 months old

Yesterday you were seven months and 22 days old. You had such energy all day and couldn't stop crawling, investigating and pulling up on things. We spent a bit of time in the afternoon just playing in your room and letting you crawl around to see what interested you. You kept switching between studying a few books on the floor and trying to pick them up, to pulling up strong on the books already in the racks trying with all your might to stand. This went on for a while and I wondered if you were starting to make connections to the books on the floor and the books on the rack. Did you know that they were meant to be put away with the rest? It's amazing to watch your brain work this week, starting to notice commonalities in your toys, how to shake shake your mouse, or anything that jingles, and waving at that baby in the mirror. 

We were talking with Grammy on facetime, like we do most afternoons this summer and you were so happy to see her and eager to get to her. I happened to have the phone at the edge of the bed, facing you, and you were looking up at her. You crawled over to the bed, got your feet under yourself carefully, and started to grab at the duvet. Slowly and methodically you started to pull and rearrange your feet until you were like a triangle with your bum in the air. Then bit by bit you grasped higher and higher until you were standing with a huge smile on your face for Grammy. I missed capturing the moment, picture and video wise, but your Grammy was able to witness this huge milestone in real time, even a world away, which was absolutely priceless. I'm so proud of you baby boy; of your determination, tenacity, and pride in your own success. It is wonderful to watch you love your family, and the happiness you get out of just seeing a familiar face or hearing a familiar voice. 

You haven't been sleeping well this week leading up to this point, which is what the books say can happen when trying to reach a milestone. Well that makes sense now, and reminds me to be patient with you as you experience minor setbacks in your development, because that just means strength, growth and success are just around the corner, even if it doesn't happen as quickly as I would like. Because before I know it those little feet that are so tiny now will be filling your first pair of shoes as you take your first steps to me, and then suddenly even bigger still, as you take your first steps away and out to the world. 

xx mama

Afternoon in the Kitchen

Yesterday I spent the bulk of the day rattling around the kitchen, which is a rare occurrence. While I love the results that home cooking and baking produce, the thought of the clean up and step by step instructions usually stop me in my tracks (apart from the necessary daily meal making). Daryll is a more enthusiastic baker and can usually have something whipped up in no time. I had to make baby food, so I figured if I was making a mess, might as well go whole hog.

We recently returned from Vacation in Massachusetts earlier this month, where we spent days eating yummy summer vacation junk food and deviating from our mostly clean eating diet (more on that another time). Last week we were still on the sugar buzz and bought a few packs of biscuits (cookies) to have when guests come over, and mowed through them ourselves :) So this week we refused to buy any more, as they would just get eaten! Out of sight, out of mind right? Wrong! I've been craving cookies all week in a big way! I finally caved as I really wanted a biscuit to go with my afternoon coffee and started googling "vegan cookies coconut oil."

 I came across this site The Minimalist Baker and their recipe for Vegan Gluten Free Banana Pecan Shortbread (Butter-Free). I just happened to have everything on hand so decided to give it a whirl. (FYI there are tons and tons of healthy cookie, treat, ice cream etc. options online and on Pinterest these days which is making healthy eating so much easier!) Check out their link to get the full instructions. Their whole M.O. is to use 10 ingredients or less I think, and one bowl, which suits me perfectly. I actually made them while talking to my mom, and they turned out sooooo good! They are by no means a healthy cookie - see copious amounts of coconut oil. But they are definitely a clean and healthier option to the store bought variety loaded with preservatives and nasties. No production pictures but here is one of the final result.

Yum! (I did sub the flour mix for rice and spelt which is what I happened to have, and used walnuts instead of pecans and they turned out great. You can really get creative.)

Milo's baby food was a big hit as well. I just steamed 4 carrots, 3 parsnips and one apple until soft and then pureed it together with some of the steaming water and a little garlic powder (He loves garlic and cinnamon). I used the remainder of the water to cook up a little baby pasta and just packed it all in the baby food containers for quick and easy lunches. He devoured a portion for dinner! Happy baby. Here is the after shot of lunch today!

I'm starting to get him used to feeding himself. We've started with those little rice puff thingys/rings that he can hold real well and work on his pincer grasp and he also likes to feed himself bananas so we started working on spoon skills. He fed mama with the spoon (only make believe) and he fed himself (again no food, just practicing getting it into his mouth. He's getting there! It's amazing how much they learn and grow every day.

That's all from the kitchen for now! Ta ta!

2 years and 7 months

Two years and seven months! Has it really been that long since my last post?! It seems like only yesterday I was wondering what my next step would be after leaving my job, but still living in NYC, which I wasn't really sure I loved anymore. The possibilities were endless, but I actually felt really stuck. Then life took off, and I'm only now catching up! If I were really technically savvy, I would insert one of those "2.5 years in 60 seconds" videos that are constantly headlining on YouTube, or for the funniest version I just came across....

So true isn't it. A ton of experiences may happen in a year, but to those not so attune your life, it would appear that nothing much has happened at all. Listen, I may look the same but am sooo enlightened on the inside y'all, seriously (not seriously).

But really a lot has happened. It is all apparent as I sit typing this out, in my kitchen in Ireland, while my little man Milo has just woken up from his much needed nap. A baby, a move, a new job and 8 months of Mat. leave in 2.5 years, and like I'm sure many people can relate to, most of the time has seemed like mundane day to day moments,  with a few of the best times in my life mixed in. I figured if I didn't sit back down and start documenting, I wouldn't remember them at all, or I wouldn't notice and appreciate how many good things occur on a day to day basis. I have journals, I have baby books, but it seems like blogging really is the best way to capture the days, moments and occasions; or even a really nice cup of tea that I just had, that makes a rainy day not so bad.

I'll get there. As the last 3 months of my leave begin, I've made a pact to try and post most days and really soak up the rest of the Irish summer and precious moments with my baby boy. I've wasted a lot of time trying to make my blog "be something," instead of just letting it be what it needs to be - which is what's important and what's real. So I'll be back soon. But for now life is calling.

Recap pt. 1- Joining the throngs of the unemployed

October 15th was my last post and now we're on the very cusp of December! Wow time does fly. So what happened in pall that time? Well it turns out lots! The biggest change being that I left my corporate job (that was a very good job I must say, but was a bit soul sucking due to my lack of interest or aptitude in the the given field). I had been looking to make a switch to something more artsy friendly for a while and sadly for the company and many of my colleagues, the team decided to wind down business within the last few months. So I suppose I was given an easy out as I did not really chose to leave but was laid off. However I am grateful for the kick in the pants it gave me to get back on track with a career path that will truly bring me joy, with a bit of a severence to help cushion the transition. So as to that career path... I'm completely lost. My instinct is to return to teaching in some capacity which I really love. Especially at the primary school level. Singing babies is about the most heart warming experience you can have :) However I have this strong, burning desire to work for myself in a creative capacity. I have a few ideas of the direction I can take with this, so I suppose I will be tossing these things around in my head for the next few weeks in the hopes that a super plan emerges. Anyone out in bogland have any experience/tips for changing careers or starting your own business? What was the driving force that helped you jump in feet first? What do you wish you had known when making this switch. I know I enjoy working independently and spending the day in pajamas/work out attire, but I suspect there is more to it than that :) and what about structure? How did you plan your path when you could still barely even see two steps ahead?

Resource Furniture

Image and Article via Apartment Therapy

This post on Apartment therapy is blowing my mind right now! I've seen similar space saving furniture items, but this company seems to be a bit more modern, diverse and ..SLICK! Anyone into Euro/Scandinavian minimalistic design would love their pieces but they would also work for a less modern space as they blend in so easily. What a life changer for city folk. In a world where even young professionals are being priced out of Manhattan, and even Brooklyn and Queens for that matter. I can smaller apartments/studios fitted with this type of functional furniture becoming a trend in the near future. How very Jetsons.

Time to start checking out studios in the village if that's the case! (In my mind Resource Furniture has the same price point as Ikea....don't ruin my dream..) ;)

Pet Costumes

Halloween is just around the corner, and you know who's ready? Rupert's ready! Or should I say, Long John Rupert!



arrrrgh!



How do you feel about pets in costume? Cruel or cute? I'm generally mixed. This hat cracked me up and for 6 dollars, I had to have it, but I don't think I will ever have him wear it for an extended amount of time. I suppose as long as your pet is comfortable and happy, no worries.

Anyone dressing up their pet for Halloween? If you are in need of a costume, check out these hilarious offerings from Target (also where pirate hat came from). They have an amazing metallic shark, a taco with a little sombrero that had me in stitches, and a raptor.. yes a raptor that makes me squeal with glee! I still keep going back to look at it for a laugh. It may be my favorite costume ever!

Corduroy



Cords, Striped top: Gap; Chambray Shirt: Loft; Blouse: Target; Watch: Fossil



Corduroy has been making a come back in the last few years. This year I decided to hop aboard that fuzzy, soft, bandwagon. Gap has some great cord options in both a boot cut and an "ankle legging style." What would you nickname that? cegging? leg-roy. I think I like leg-roy.

So I got 2 pairs of the leg-roy version; one in aubergine (Daryll calls them my Prince pants. For surely every day I wear them is 1999.) and one in the rust color.

As far as pairings go, I have been wearing them with 3 tops. This chambray shirt from Loft, this navy blouse from Target for fancy days, and this stripey top, also from gap, when I'm in a cozy mood. Any mariner stripe tops in black or navy would look cool too or a great big cozy sweater. Loving them with both heels and jeans, or maybe some cute booties?

How would you style them?