 |
| I am so cute. |
 |
| I think I'll eat my hand for a bit. |
 |
| What? |
Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News ...
Friday, March 29, 2013
Ethan at Month Four
To say this past month has been busy is an understatement! Here is a little recap of what Ethan's been up to these past few weeks.
Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News ...
Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News ...
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Paris-Themed Ladies' Night
Each year I like to host a Ladies' Night. My friends are amazing, and I feel like there is never enough time to spend with all of them. What better than a girls-only night to gossip, gab, and get dressed up?
This year's theme was "An Evening in Paris." I went with a red, white, and blue theme, complete with hanging tissue pom-poms, a French flag, and Eiffel Towers at every turn.
The menu consisted of quiches, Brie, and croissant sandwiches, and the dessert buffet had mini eclairs, madeleines, and macaroons.
Best of all, the ladies got into the spirit and dressed up in their Paris-inspired finery. We had a blast, and the evening was truly magnifique.
This year's theme was "An Evening in Paris." I went with a red, white, and blue theme, complete with hanging tissue pom-poms, a French flag, and Eiffel Towers at every turn.
The menu consisted of quiches, Brie, and croissant sandwiches, and the dessert buffet had mini eclairs, madeleines, and macaroons.
Best of all, the ladies got into the spirit and dressed up in their Paris-inspired finery. We had a blast, and the evening was truly magnifique.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Box Mix Brownies Made Better - Reese Cup Edition
I've been super into doctored box mix recipes lately, probably because they are quick and easy, and let's face it, I've been a little busier lately. ;)
Brownies are delicious no matter what, in my opinion, but I thought it would be fun to come up with a few "recipes" to make them even more tasty.
Ingredients
For the brownies:
1 box brownie mix (plain fudge or dark chocolate)
Ingredients called for on box mix
1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips
For the frosting:
1 box cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 TB vanilla
Garnish:
Reese's mini cups
Directions
1. Preheat the oven, prepare a baking pan, and make brownie mix all according to the box mix directions.
2. Before pouring the brownie mix into the pan, add the peanut butter chips and mix thoroughly.
3. Bake the brownies according to the directions on the box mix. They will be ready when a toothpick inserted about 2 inches from the edge comes out mostly clean.
4. While the brownies are baking, make the frosting by combining all of the ingredients together and mixing until smooth, using a paddle attachment on your mixer.
5. Cool brownies completely.
6. Frost brownies using a piping bag with a large star tip, or frost completely. The recipe yields enough to frost the entire pan; if you use the piping bag, you will have extra.
7. Garnish with Reese mini-cups, if desired.
Brownies are delicious no matter what, in my opinion, but I thought it would be fun to come up with a few "recipes" to make them even more tasty.
Reese Cup Brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies:
1 box brownie mix (plain fudge or dark chocolate)
Ingredients called for on box mix
1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips
For the frosting:
1 box cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 TB vanilla
Garnish:
Reese's mini cups
Directions
1. Preheat the oven, prepare a baking pan, and make brownie mix all according to the box mix directions.
2. Before pouring the brownie mix into the pan, add the peanut butter chips and mix thoroughly.
5. Cool brownies completely.
6. Frost brownies using a piping bag with a large star tip, or frost completely. The recipe yields enough to frost the entire pan; if you use the piping bag, you will have extra.
7. Garnish with Reese mini-cups, if desired.
Quick, cute, and super tasty!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Ethan at Month Three
Our baby is three months old! Here's a look at what we've been up to this last month.
Health Stats
Weight: About 14 lbs. a month ago, so maybe around 16 lbs.?
Height: Probably around 24 inches, he was 23 3/4 inches a month ago.
Ethan's been happy and healthy this month. His belly button finally finished healing at the beginning of the month (he had an umbilical granuloma), which was the only tiny thing that we were keeping an eye on. His (adorably chubby) cheeks get dry, so we put lotion on them every morning after bath time. Otherwise, he's happy as a clam, growing and thriving.
Food
Our big boy has gone up to eating 7 ounces at each feeding. How did this happen?! We had to move to the big bottles, and he polishes them off. He eats about every 3 1/2 - 4 hours during the day, and will go a 6-hour stretch over the night.
Milestones
This month we've seen some major accomplishments!
On Super Bowl Sunday Ethan decided to roll over (belly to back) for the first time. I couldn't believe it, so I kept re-positioning him to see if he could do it again, and he did! He rolled over all on his own seven times in a row. Of course, he decided that since then he didn't want to do it anymore, but I still feel like we can count this as him being able to roll over. He's also rolled over back to belly multiple times, although he has trouble with that last push over his arm. We'll keep practicing!
Head control is getting better and better every day. He can now keep his head up during tummy time for a good 5 - 7 minutes straight, and we can sit him up on our laps and he can keep his head up for a few minutes without it wobbling. Good progress!
Over the past two weeks, he has also been (mostly) sleeping through the night. He goes a good 6 to 6 1/2 hours at a stretch, wakes up to eat, and then goes back to sleep. We've also been getting on a little bit of a schedule for naps, taking a one hour nap around 12:00 noon, and then another nap, usually 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours, around 4:30 pm. This schedule isn't set in stone, but it is regular enough that I'm happy with it and I feel he's getting a good amount of regular sleep throughout the day.
Clothing
Most of the clothes he's wearing now are in the 3 - 6 month range. Three month clothes are starting to get small, and 6 month clothes are a little big. Oddly, he's in 6 - 9 month zipper pajamas, and those fit great. Our favorite sweater for him, from Baby Gap, is size 0 - 3 month and still fits him great. Go figure!
Social
Baby boy has been busy this month!
We started going to gym class at Gymboree twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. To say he loves it is an understatement in every sense of the word! His favorite part by far is when they do the social circle and he gets to look at the other babies' faces. We've got a social butterfly on our hands!
In addition to gym class, we've gone out to several ladies' get togethers, at which he has been a total trooper. He will stay in his stroller for about half the time, and then sit on my lap and bounce for the other half. Mike and I go out to eat every week, and he's been great at the restaurants, happy and smiling. Running errands with him continues to be fine, although he sometimes cries in the car to and from whatever store we're going to. My only guess as to why is that the sun gets in his eyes in the car sometimes, which he seems to hate. He loves going to the mall and looking at all of the lights and colors. Usually when I take him on walks he'll fall asleep in the stroller and get a good nap in - the motion soothes him like magic! If he ever does get a bit fussy, sucking on his pacifier calms him down instantly.
We had a small Super Bowl get-together, with about six people and one other baby. Ethan did well, and ended up sleeping the last half of the evening.
We also took Ethan on his first overnight trip, to Lake Tahoe. He was a total superstar on the long drive there and back, and did really well in the unfamiliar environment. His sleep ended up being off the two nights we were gone, with him waking every 3 hours or so, but that is understandable seeing as how he had to sleep in the pack and play instead of his crib. I thought the trip went well, and it was nice practice for our trip across the country coming up next month. Mike and I probably totally overpacked, but we ended up using everything we brought. For being a tiny baby, he sure does require a plethora of items!
Highlights
Ethan has been gracing us with great laughs and giggles, for which we live. They are truly the best thing in the whole world. I also get a big smile every morning when I get him from his crib, which is the best way to start the day.
Baby Gear
The play mat, bouncer, and swing are still in use every single day. Ethan naps in his swing, and we use the bouncer for him to sit in while we get ready or are upstairs. The play mat is fantastic for playing, kicking, rolling over, and tummy time during the day. We now use the Boppy pillow for tummy time, as well.
Ethan's favorite toys continue to be his bibs, which he loves to hold, and his dragon pacifier. He loves to look in mirrors and to gaze at our ceiling fan, too, which is hilarious. He also likes holding and grasping his O-ball, and can now reach out and grab it with no help from us at all. We got him a small rain-sound cylinder, which he likes the sound of, but makes no attempt to grab or hold. The twilight turtle, used at bedtime, is still a favorite, also.
Health Stats
Weight: About 14 lbs. a month ago, so maybe around 16 lbs.?
Height: Probably around 24 inches, he was 23 3/4 inches a month ago.
 |
| Why yes, I am cute! |
 |
| Posing with his pillow from GiGi. |
Food
Our big boy has gone up to eating 7 ounces at each feeding. How did this happen?! We had to move to the big bottles, and he polishes them off. He eats about every 3 1/2 - 4 hours during the day, and will go a 6-hour stretch over the night.
Milestones
This month we've seen some major accomplishments!
 |
| Trying to change this kid's diaper is getting to be a challenge with all of this new rolling over business! |
Head control is getting better and better every day. He can now keep his head up during tummy time for a good 5 - 7 minutes straight, and we can sit him up on our laps and he can keep his head up for a few minutes without it wobbling. Good progress!
 |
| I'm having fun in my swing! |
 |
| Oh wait, I'm supposed to be napping?! |
 |
| Nah, that's no fun! |
Clothing
Most of the clothes he's wearing now are in the 3 - 6 month range. Three month clothes are starting to get small, and 6 month clothes are a little big. Oddly, he's in 6 - 9 month zipper pajamas, and those fit great. Our favorite sweater for him, from Baby Gap, is size 0 - 3 month and still fits him great. Go figure!
Social
Baby boy has been busy this month!
We started going to gym class at Gymboree twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. To say he loves it is an understatement in every sense of the word! His favorite part by far is when they do the social circle and he gets to look at the other babies' faces. We've got a social butterfly on our hands!
 |
| Playing at gym class |
 |
| Touchdown! |
In addition to gym class, we've gone out to several ladies' get togethers, at which he has been a total trooper. He will stay in his stroller for about half the time, and then sit on my lap and bounce for the other half. Mike and I go out to eat every week, and he's been great at the restaurants, happy and smiling. Running errands with him continues to be fine, although he sometimes cries in the car to and from whatever store we're going to. My only guess as to why is that the sun gets in his eyes in the car sometimes, which he seems to hate. He loves going to the mall and looking at all of the lights and colors. Usually when I take him on walks he'll fall asleep in the stroller and get a good nap in - the motion soothes him like magic! If he ever does get a bit fussy, sucking on his pacifier calms him down instantly.
We had a small Super Bowl get-together, with about six people and one other baby. Ethan did well, and ended up sleeping the last half of the evening.
We also took Ethan on his first overnight trip, to Lake Tahoe. He was a total superstar on the long drive there and back, and did really well in the unfamiliar environment. His sleep ended up being off the two nights we were gone, with him waking every 3 hours or so, but that is understandable seeing as how he had to sleep in the pack and play instead of his crib. I thought the trip went well, and it was nice practice for our trip across the country coming up next month. Mike and I probably totally overpacked, but we ended up using everything we brought. For being a tiny baby, he sure does require a plethora of items!
Highlights
Ethan has been gracing us with great laughs and giggles, for which we live. They are truly the best thing in the whole world. I also get a big smile every morning when I get him from his crib, which is the best way to start the day.
 |
| Daddy, you are so funny! |
 |
| Laughing away! |
Baby Gear
The play mat, bouncer, and swing are still in use every single day. Ethan naps in his swing, and we use the bouncer for him to sit in while we get ready or are upstairs. The play mat is fantastic for playing, kicking, rolling over, and tummy time during the day. We now use the Boppy pillow for tummy time, as well.
Ethan's favorite toys continue to be his bibs, which he loves to hold, and his dragon pacifier. He loves to look in mirrors and to gaze at our ceiling fan, too, which is hilarious. He also likes holding and grasping his O-ball, and can now reach out and grab it with no help from us at all. We got him a small rain-sound cylinder, which he likes the sound of, but makes no attempt to grab or hold. The twilight turtle, used at bedtime, is still a favorite, also.
 |
| Eating and holding his bib. |
 |
| Play mat fun time! |
 |
| O-ball time! |
We've had quite the month, and man have we enjoyed every.single.second. :)
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| Our sleepy little Birdie. |
 |
| Snuggle time with Mommy. |
 |
| Daddy hugs are the best in the world! |
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Baby Product Faves 0-3 Months
Now that we're almost 3 months into this wild ride of parenthood, and I thought I would share some of my favorite products.
Boppy Pillow
I know everyone loves these, but honestly, they are the best. In the hospital, I relied on the Boppy to help with positioning Ethan correctly for feeding. It saved my arms from exhaustion and allowed me to hold and feed Ethan as much as he wanted. Now that we are closing in on month three, we use the Boppy for excellent tummy time and for propping up, and Ethan loves it. We have the doggie cover, shown above.
Summer Infant Mother's Touch Deluxe Baby Bather
Ethan loves his baths, in no small part thanks to this great bather. The kind of infant baths that are made of solid plastic were just too hard for him, and he would cry the whole time. This bather is made of soft mesh, which cradles Ethan and is nice and soft. It adjusts, too, so we can sit it up more and more as he grows. It also collapses totally flat, which means we're able to take it with us when we travel overnight. It was also very reasonably priced, which is a great added bonus!
Fisher-Price Rainforest Bouncer
This is a total lifesaver. I can put Ethan in it when he is fussy and it helps calm him, since it has a vibrating massager in it. I can use it to sit Ethan in when I'm in the kitchen or in the bathroom getting ready, so he can be with me in the same room. It comes with an attachment that has a light-up waterfall and plays music. Normally I feel like it is too much stimuli, but we put it on for him maybe once a week or so.
Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Swing
As I type this, Ethan is napping in his swing! It is the perfect place for him to take a cat nap during the day. It plays soothing sounds, and it has a mirror at the top that he loves to look at. He smiles and laughs at his reflection in it, which I find hilarious!
Dragon Wubbanub Pacifier
Ethan prefers the Soothie brand pacifiers, and Wubbanubs are Soothie pacifiers with little stuffed animals attached. The weight of the stuffed animal helps keep the pacifier in Ethan's mouth, and if he spits it out, it never goes far. Now that he is able to grasp, he holds on to the dragon stuffed animal part either while he's sucking on the pacifier or just when he's in his car seat. He loves it! It helps soothe him when he is upset, and since the dragon is bright red, it is never hard to find around the house or in our diaper bag.
Boppy Pillow
I know everyone loves these, but honestly, they are the best. In the hospital, I relied on the Boppy to help with positioning Ethan correctly for feeding. It saved my arms from exhaustion and allowed me to hold and feed Ethan as much as he wanted. Now that we are closing in on month three, we use the Boppy for excellent tummy time and for propping up, and Ethan loves it. We have the doggie cover, shown above.
Summer Infant Mother's Touch Deluxe Baby Bather
Ethan loves his baths, in no small part thanks to this great bather. The kind of infant baths that are made of solid plastic were just too hard for him, and he would cry the whole time. This bather is made of soft mesh, which cradles Ethan and is nice and soft. It adjusts, too, so we can sit it up more and more as he grows. It also collapses totally flat, which means we're able to take it with us when we travel overnight. It was also very reasonably priced, which is a great added bonus!
Fisher-Price Rainforest Bouncer
This is a total lifesaver. I can put Ethan in it when he is fussy and it helps calm him, since it has a vibrating massager in it. I can use it to sit Ethan in when I'm in the kitchen or in the bathroom getting ready, so he can be with me in the same room. It comes with an attachment that has a light-up waterfall and plays music. Normally I feel like it is too much stimuli, but we put it on for him maybe once a week or so.
Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Swing
As I type this, Ethan is napping in his swing! It is the perfect place for him to take a cat nap during the day. It plays soothing sounds, and it has a mirror at the top that he loves to look at. He smiles and laughs at his reflection in it, which I find hilarious!
Dragon Wubbanub Pacifier
Ethan prefers the Soothie brand pacifiers, and Wubbanubs are Soothie pacifiers with little stuffed animals attached. The weight of the stuffed animal helps keep the pacifier in Ethan's mouth, and if he spits it out, it never goes far. Now that he is able to grasp, he holds on to the dragon stuffed animal part either while he's sucking on the pacifier or just when he's in his car seat. He loves it! It helps soothe him when he is upset, and since the dragon is bright red, it is never hard to find around the house or in our diaper bag.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Mommy Style
Here are a few outfits I've been wearing (or planning to wear!) now that I'm in Mommy mode instead of work mode.
I've found that flats are the key to getting into and out of the house with ease. When I've got Ethan in my arms and I'm trying to get the door open, I love to be able to just flex my foot to slip on or pop off my shoes. I have no time for laces on shoes anymore! Knit tees are also my new best friends, since I have to wash my tops more frequently (thanks spit-up and drool!). A colorful scarf helps me hide said stains so I don't have to change my shirt throughout the day, at least.
This dress caught my eye right away. I love the stretchy knit fabric, which makes it easy to wear and comfortable enough for more day-to-day outings, but the hemline and the crochet lace detail make it just a little nicer so I feel like I made an effort. With boots and a cardigan it is perfect for winter in Northern California, and I can also wear it throughout summer with wedges. Perfect!
A cute dress with tights is a weakness of mine. The hemline on this dress and the elastic waist make it flattering on my "not quite back from baby" body, and the heels, being wedges, are more comfortable and practical. Now if we could just figure out a way to get out of the house on a date night ... that's a whole new challenge!
I've found that flats are the key to getting into and out of the house with ease. When I've got Ethan in my arms and I'm trying to get the door open, I love to be able to just flex my foot to slip on or pop off my shoes. I have no time for laces on shoes anymore! Knit tees are also my new best friends, since I have to wash my tops more frequently (thanks spit-up and drool!). A colorful scarf helps me hide said stains so I don't have to change my shirt throughout the day, at least.
This dress caught my eye right away. I love the stretchy knit fabric, which makes it easy to wear and comfortable enough for more day-to-day outings, but the hemline and the crochet lace detail make it just a little nicer so I feel like I made an effort. With boots and a cardigan it is perfect for winter in Northern California, and I can also wear it throughout summer with wedges. Perfect!
A cute dress with tights is a weakness of mine. The hemline on this dress and the elastic waist make it flattering on my "not quite back from baby" body, and the heels, being wedges, are more comfortable and practical. Now if we could just figure out a way to get out of the house on a date night ... that's a whole new challenge!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Introducing Ethan Grey!
It's been awhile since I've posted, but I've been a little busy ...
we have a baby!
Ethan Grey Wiacek was born on November 29, 2012. He is a perfect, feisty, lovable, adorable little boy. We are pretty smitten over here. Not only do I have a new baby, but I also (kind of) have a new job, which is to be a stay at home mom. I'm taking the rest of this school year off from teaching, and the following school year, as well. I'm pretty excited, to say the least! I'll be posting on my adventures of being a full-time mom, new parent, and on my usual interests, like baking and clothing. Thanks for sticking with me!
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