Library Picks: Pigs & Produce

Toot and Puddle - You Are My Sunshine by Holly Hobbie
While at the library recently, another mom said that if my kids like Olivia we should really check out Toot and Puddle. So check out Toot and Puddle we did. Peanut was so into the story, I was shocked that he didn't make the expected fart joke over one of the character names. Not to mention that my Hubby has yet to make the expected joke about where Toot and Puddle live (Woodcock Pocket...no seriously). But I digress. This is a very sweet story about Puddle trying to cheer up his dear friend, Toot, who is feeling blue. He tries everything he can and nothing works. Eventually a big rain storm helps little Toot feel like himself again. I love the message in this book that everyone gets sad sometimes and there isn't always a reason for it. Sometimes you just have to wait for the rain to pass. We will definitely be checking out more Toot (teehee) and Puddle.

Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert
Sprout pulled this book off the shelf and it was instantly a winner in my mind. A colorfully illustrated book that teaches the alphabet AND a love of fruits and vegetables. Ka-ching! Peanut is going through an "I hate anything green" stage and Sprout, well...Sprout does with his brother does. I love that this book makes healthier foods seem fun and appealing. Instead of C being for cookie, C is for carrot, cabbage, cherries, etc. Delicious!

Mommy Confessions: Oops!

#20 I forgot to feed my kids breakfast on Monday of this week. I did. They got their usual snack around 10:00 AM, but it wasn't until they were melting down at 11:00 that I thought, "Hmmm...did we eat breakfast?" So much for the most important meal of the day!

#21 It annoys the hell out of me when Peanut chews with his mouth open. I fear that he'll be 25 and I'll still be saying, "Please chew with your mouth closed."

#22 When ever Sprout hurts himself he always points his finger at me so I can kiss it. The other day he did this and when I kissed his finger I instantly spelled poop. He didn't hurt himself...he was trying to tell me he had poop on his finger. Gross. So gross.

More! More!

Dish of the Week: Ooey Gooey Chocolate Birthday Cake

It's a tradition in my family to make a rich gooey chocolate cake for every birthday. The kids are the only exception so far because Peanut has always requested "funfetti" cake and some weird colored frosting (he asked for bright yellow last year). But for as long as I can remember, my mom always made this cake for me, my dad & herself on our birthdays. But really...why wait for a birthday to make it? IT IS TOO GOOD! Hubby says the best thing about this cake is having it for breakfast the next morning with a hot cup of espresso.

(I lost my camera's memory card, so we had to take a picture with Hubby's iPhone.)



Ooey Gooey Chocolate Birthday Cake
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/8 - 1/4 cup water or milk
2 - 3 eggs*
1/2 cup oil*

Mix cake mix according to directions on box *(most call for 2 - 3 eggs and about 1/2 cup of oil). Add marshmallows, chocolate chips & pudding mix. Mix well, but don't overmix. Slowly add water until batter is smooth, but not runny. Poor into cake pan (or pans) and cook according to box directions. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. It may need to cook a little longer since you are adding a lot of moisture to the batter with the pudding. Remove from oven and cool on cooling rack. Once cake has cooled, frost with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

8oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Add sugar gradually. Add cocoa powder gradually and mix until smooth.

Perfect on my Ooey Gooey Chocolate Birthday Cake!

Mommy Confessions: Totally Gross

There are just certain things my kids do that totally gross me out, no matter how much I love them!

#17 Boogers and snot make me gag every time. I wipe butts all day, I've cleaned up plenty of puke, I've gone to work with spit-up in my hair, but I just can not handle boogers. Peanut must know this because he loves to bring me nasty green boogs and announce, "Here, Mommy. I don't have anywhere to put my booger." Bleck.

#18 Two words: Raisin poop. When Peanut was an infant, a friend warned me that raisins do not come out the way they go in. At the time I thought it was a weird thing to warn a new mom. But, ewwww! He was right! It's just not fair that I give my kids healthy organic raisins as a snack and am paid back with diaper grapes.

#19 I have a high threshold for the grossness of my own children. However, I have a very active gag reflex with the grossness of other children. I have a friend (you know who you are) that has a thing with vomit. When it happens she has to tell me about it...in detail. I'm starting to gag just thinking about it. Please...if your child grosses you out, it's going to gross me out times ten.

What do your kids do that gross you out?

More Mommy Confessions. Share yours!

Look...No Hands!

Do you remember when I said there are a few mommy items I have spent money on and never regretted it? Well I think this one might take the cake. I've always tried to follow the ideals of attachment parenting, but am a firm believer in the benefits of babywearing. With Peanut I struggled with finding the perfect carrier for us and eventually settled on a Babyhawk mei tai carrier. It was cute, comfy & even Hubby could use it if he wanted. When I became pregnant with Sprout, carrying Peanut became difficult. I found a gently used Ergo baby carrier for Hubby so he could take over babywearing duties for awhile...well, okay...toddler-wearing duties. I think he used it until Peanut was about 2 years old.

When Sprout was born I had a little stash of different carriers to try. I was convinced that this time around I'd be able to comfortably wear my newborn. Plus, I now had a toddler to chase after and needed a way to handle both kids without losing my mind. We still had the Ergo, plus my Babyhawk mei tai and a Moby wrap. But the 1st place winner coming out of the gate was my sweet, soft & cozy Hotslings fleece pouch. It fit like a glove, was nice and warm and Sprout would fall asleep in the pouch no matter where we were or what I was doing. Sometimes just seeing me come toward him with the pouch in my hand would calm him down. I was on maternity leave for just over three months, and I think I wore Peanut in the Hotslings pouch every single day during that time.

This is how much I loved that pouch sling...I had to borrow a stock photo because I couldn't take a photo of mine. Why? Well, my dear friend Donna made an adorable stuffed animal out of it as a 1st birthday for Sprout. I was so attached to it I couldn't bare to sell it or give the pouch away. So now we have Karter Kangaroo to remind me (and maybe Sprout) of those early babywearing days.

I haven't seen the fleece pouches on the Hotslings site for a long time, but I know you can find them on ebay. But, in my opinion, the best place to look for your perfect baby carrier is TheBabyWearer.com. There are wonderful forums there where you can ask questions and read some FAQs. You can also purchase gently used carriers from moms who are moving on from babywearing or want to get rid of something that just isn't working for them.

Next time I'll share my favorite toddler carrier!

Update from Hotslings via Twitter: "We do have the fleece slings back up on the site for now... They're under the sale category."

Dish of the Week: Blueberry Cloud Pancakes

Doesn't the name just sound lovely? These are my favorite pancakes! I've made them for breakfast and dinner. I think I got the original recipe from a friend in our baby group, but have tweaked it a lot to fit my family's preferences. The blueberries really make these babies pop, but I've also used banana slices and chocolate chips. No matter what, the most important thing is to use real maple syrup. Do not...DO NOT eat these with that high fructose corn syrup garbage in the lady-shaped squeeze bottle!



Blueberry Cloud Pancakes

6 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 cup whole milk
1/8 cup sour cream
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup cottage cheese, drained
1 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

In a blender mix the eggs, oil, vanilla, milk & sour cream. Add the flour & baking soda, then mix again. Add drained cottage cheese and pulse blender a couple of times...just enough to incorporate.

Poor batter on to hot greased griddle. Sprinkle each pancake with several blueberries. Flip when bubbles start to rise. Cook until golden brown. Serve with warm maple syrup.