Think Spring

Another snow day with Ingrid Cate:

Blizzard of 2011

I've heard this big snow called "the Blizzard of 2011" (pronounced twenty eleven) on several television stations. And while I'm not sure it's a blizzard, it's a BUNCH of snow. More than I've seen in a long time. And with all that snow means more snow days for me. And more time home with my Ingy girl. And sometimes more time with my husby. He got to come home early today! (this has only happened one other time) We worked some more on the office. We totally emptied the desk and reorganized it. On our little trip to Memphis we got to go the Container store and picked up some much needed tools to help finish up the office. It's really almost complete!

Since Derek got to come home early he had time to post the Snow Days video he had been working on! I love it. His videos always blow me away. They manage to capture so much emotion and I know Ingrid will cherish them one day. He also posted some great photos of the game. It was so fun to see a team as legendary as the Lakers. And I loved watching Derek, Lamar, and Kobe.

We were going to stay in Memphis because there had been talks of getting *our* tattoos...but I was too nervous so we jetted back to Little Rock. We were pretty tired upon arriving in LR around midnight...


We knew just what we needed to perk us up. Denny's!


We kind of felt like we were back in college on a study break at the Flyin' J. Good memories! It has become a tradition for D and I to go to an NBA game around the first of the year. It gives us something to look forward to after all the Christmas fun has come and gone. Last year we got to go to the ultimate NBA game courtesy of MB. Here's a little look back.


We have another snow day tomorrow and I'm happy once again. I love staying home with my girl! There are only two problems with these snow days. Problem #1: I might be going to school until Ingrid's birthday (July 7). Problem #2: I can't stop making desserts. I'm supposed to be on a "cut-back" plan to get my "pre-baby-body back." That's written on my goal plan for 2011. So far, I'm not doing so well. I wish I had never found Bakerella...But I did and so I made these.




Cookies 'n Cream Truffles. The easiest recipe. The most delectable dessert. I sending more people over to Bakerella so I don't feel so bad...hahaha. But seriously. Make these. So, so, so good.

Here's to snow days!

Seven Month Birthday

Dear Ingrid-

You are seven months old today. You are getting to be a big girl. It seems Your sixth month of life flew by even faster than all the others. You experienced your first snow this month. I think you are my snow charm because you brought me more snow days than usual. And I soaked up those days home with you. I love the mornings when you wake up and gaze around your room. You first look up at Wink, your owl mobile. You give him a big grin. Then you look over at your wall shelves and say hello to the animals resting up there. Then you move over to your tree wall graphic and peer at the flower leaves fluttering away. But you never forget to crane your neck around to see if Violet watched you sleep through another night. I'm so happy you love your room. Mommy and Daddy spent days, weeks, even months planning your special place. Every detail was thought out and we handmade several items in your room that you can treasure always.

You are still a very good eater. We didn't let you have a bite of baby food until your six month birthday. But you were definitely ready for it. You are eating carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, and peas. Your fruits are peaches, bananas, apples, prunes, and pears. You have loved everything. If we don't give you a bite fast enough you let us know about it! I hope you continue to be a good eater and like a variety of foods.

Toys, toys, toys. You love your toys so much. You love to sit up and play with your steering wheel, spinning ball, light-up flowers, and basketball goal. You love to stand up at your play cube and listen to the blocks makes noises. You love to bounce in your jumper and play with everything on it, but your favorites are the frog and flower. We have your pack-n-play set up in the office, and you love to play in it by yourself if mommy is cooking or daddy is working on the computer.

You love to make noises. Da-da is your favorite sound by far. But you will say ma-ma, ba-ba, and ga-ga. You love to say mmmmmm while you are eating and you have an ear-splitting shriek when you are laughing.

You are the absolute light of our lives. Happy seven months!

Love,
Mommy

P.S. I think you're starting to look a little bit more like mommy. Except for the hair...

On the move

Derek and I had a good weekend. We got a kick out of watching Ingrid move all around her room. She is one scootin' girl!










We also did more work on the office. I (kind of) helped him make some wall shelves. We'll have pics of the newly vamped-up space coming soon! We also cleaned and straightened up the house a bit before we jet off to Memphis tomorrow. Derek had his first visitors come down to the family room man cave to watch the big game tonight. Here's a sneak peek into the space!

Ingrid and I visited a couple of times but we mostly stayed upstairs playing and doing laundry. I made some snacks that were so rich and yummy. I saw the recipe on Bakerella and I knew I must make them for my peanutbutter-cup-loving husband. And they did not disappoint.  Brownies with peanut butter cups inside?  I die with delight!

Tomorrow Ingrid is 7 months old...tear...

Hearts

We had school today. Even though most of the sideroads were still covered in snow and ice, we were at the school house. And it was the 100th day of school. Which is a really big deal to first graders. We did all kinds of fun things, but my favorite was the "100th Day Olympics." I heard all kinds of phrases, such as: "I have sweat coming onto my face." "My legs are all knotted up in cramps." "This is the funnest thing of my life." "I think I might throw-up." "I'm glad I have good muscles." These are just a few of the wonderful comments I heard during the Olympics in my class. I loved it. And all the while we were sweating, it was snowing up a storm outside. The admin graciously let us go at 2:20. How nice. Right before my kids were heading to art and I was going to get some work done. However, I did get home by 3:20 which is extremely early for a Friday, so I won't complain...Once I got home is kept snowing and snowing so our Saturday school was CANCELLED. Yes! I realllly didn't want to go to school tomorrow, so I'm thrilled. Now that the 100th day celebration is behind us, I can focus on the next holiday at hand. Ten days and counting and I'm thinking about hearts.


I found this delicious scone recipe via Prudent Baby and I modified it to fit my lactose intolerant needs. While I'm sure they weren't as delicious as the ones laden with heavy cream, I didn't have trouble gobbling them up. And I got to use one of my heart cookie cutters. So I was happy. Ingrid is also seeing hearts in her ridiculously cute robe from the Statlers.


Heather told me that she and Amelia made some Valentine's decorations and I can't wait to see them. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a little time to make some for our house before it's too late.

Gettin' Closer...

Ingrid is getting so close to crawling forward. She's really getting up high on her knees and rocking back and forth. And then just going backward. She's starting to get a little frustrated. Yesterday she was trying to get to one of her toys and she kept getting farther and farther away. Soon she was across the room from it and she burst into tears. Poor little thing. She dried it up quickly and found out that it was really fun to "help" me fold the laundry. So presh.





Then Derek came home and it was even better! Ing has started doing a "squint-eye" smile that is hilarious. I just love her to pieces. And I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but I love snow days. This is day number 7. YES!

Totally Obsessed With....

There are several things I'm LOVING right now.  So I thought it would be fun to document what I'm "Totally Obsessed With" because it will be so funny to look back years from now and see what really caught my eye.  Everywhere I look I see chevron stripes.  I love the graphic pattern.  I love that you can use it anywhere.  Your home, wardrobe, accessories, etc.  Here are some of my finds for

Chevron Stripes

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Ing and I around Halloween

Snow Day #5

We had our FIFTH snow day today.  I was thrilled.  I got the automated text around 5 o'clock this morning.  Another day to snuggle with my Catey bear.  Ing was drinking her morning bottle around 6:30 when Derek's phone rang.  It was his boss telling him they had closed the office for today!  This was even better news.  D got to be home with us all day long.  And we didn't let one single second go to waste.  I thought I would get us fueled for a fun-filled day with some apple cinnamon muffins.  I wanted to make them heart-shaped to get in the Valentine's spirit. A long time ago I saw an article that said you could put aluminum foil balls in the muffin pan to get the curve at the top. I think I saw it in Martha Stewart living, but not sure. So I gave it a try.

They turned out pretty good!

Actually, they were delicious.

Ingrid couldn't join us with the muffins, but she had apples and cereal and was delighted.

Dad came by to bring our Gymboree package and Ingrid wanted to thank him by sending some muffins home to he and mom.

We were so busy the rest of the day I didn't even take any more photos! Ingrid played hard (she was ready to go to bed at 7 oclock!) and we worked hard. Derek and I rearranged the office. Totally. We moved every piece of furniture more than once. It looks totally different. In a good way. I love it. Pictures will be posted soon.

I'm off again tomorrow. That would be snow day #6. The bad news is, our school only allotted for 5 days. So if we got to school on Friday, we also go on Saturday. Oh well. I would still rather have snow days. I LOVE them.