Happy 3 Months!

Snack Time!

Anyone who knows Dan and me well knows that we love our snacks. Every night we gather goodies and have our evening snack together. While this habit most likely will catch up to us as we age, for now we can get away with it and enjoy our evening snacks without feeling too guilty.

We are constantly trying to find snacks that are both healthy and not too expensive, which usually is a hard combination to find. Yesterday, in my quest for healthy but yummy snacks, I came across this recipe that sounded perfect and met my criteria: 1) quick to make 2) few ingredients and 3) semi-healthy. I wasn't sure if Dan would be a fan, but to my surprise he loved them. I will definitely be making them again soon because, well.... they are disappearing fast!

Banana, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Chip Oat Balls 

**recipe found here

Ingredients:

2 Ripe Bananas

1 Cup Quick Oats

1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips (we like semisweet)

Heaping Spoonful of PB

Combine all ingredients, roll into balls, and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. 

Enjoy!!

Cutie Noah

Here are some recent photos of Mr. Noah, who turns 3 months in a few days. I can't believe how time is flying. He brings such joy to our lives every single day and as you will see from these photos, he is just full of cuteness and happiness!

Just Relax!!

It's Friday everyone and we are excited because we have a fun weekend planned--including dinner and  games with friends, a bridal shower, and traveling to MD to visit family! Today, Noah and I are spending some time with my sister, Meg.

Noah teaches me something every day pretty much and I love it. Yesterday, for example, we just sat under a tree for a few minutes and took time to enjoy the view of the clouds and trees above us. It's amazing when you try to stop for just a moment in your busy life to try to see, experience, and enjoy the world like our little guy does. He just loves being outside and I love that about him! He is so curious and sort of studies everythingggg around him, taking it all in. Even the wind, he loves it and sticks out his toungue to lick it. This morning, Noah reminded Dan and I to just kick back and relax, as you will see in the photo below. Noah, by the way, is the best sleeper at night, sleeping usually 11-12 hours or so. He spoils us! Anyway, we went into his room this morning and saw this-- he was just chilling in his crib. Happy. Content. Arms above his head. Leg hanging out! It was funny and too cute. Only until he woke up and realized he couldn't move. Then he needed us and his daddy came to the rescue :)

So today, just take a moment to forget about whatever it is that may be stressing you out. When did we start learning that it's a good thing to be stressed anyway? Noah does not stress or worry about anything... other than making sure he gets his next meal:) Life is too short to spend our days worried, stressed, and upset, all of which we know cause health problems anyway!! I'm going to try to take my own advice today, since last night I could not fall asleep because I was letting myself worry about the future (the good ol' career vs. staying at home dilemma--but that's a whole other blog post to write about!). Lets live today like our little Noah: relaxed, curious, and soaking up and finding joy in the little things.

Have a happy, relaxing weekend!!

Late Night Giggles

Last night I could not stop laughing at the littlest things before bed. I played a joke on Dan and got the biggest kick out of it. I want to remember this, since laughter is one of the best things in life. I just came across this quote that sort of sums this point up best:

Date night!

Dan and I strongly feel that it's very important to keep our marriage relationship top priority, even as we embark on the journey of parenting together. It may sound strange, since most people think you simply love your child the most, and make them priority, but I tend to think there is more to it then this. Of course, you do have to make your child a priority, devote your time and energy to them, and show them unconditional love. And don't get me wrong, this does make a great parent. However, Dan and I also feel strongly that one of the best ways to love Noah and to teach him love is to love one another first and keep our relationship strong. If our relationship stays bonded, then we can effectively parent as a team and keep our little family happy and healthy. I am sorry if my little rant bores you or makes you feel like you are sitting in a Marital Relationships college class.....Now that I think about it, it does sound strangely familiar to things I've learned in my undergrad and graduate courses. But hey, it is also something that shouldn't be taken lightly or be ignored. So there you go.

Anyway, back to my little tidbit on "date night". We wanted to get into the habit of having a special date night at least once a month after having Noah. Obviously we spend lots of time together taking care of our little guy, but we both felt that it was essential to plan some time to spend together, just the two of us, each and every month to stay connected and just have some "us" time. :) There is no denying that relationships take both time and work to stay strong and healthy, and a marriage relationship is no exception. Last Friday was our first official "date night" since becoming parents! We had a great time. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, celebrated Dan's b-day, chatted about our new life as parents and ways we have grown, and flirted with one another over a yummy bottle of vino. The food was great and it felt wonderful to spend an evening sharing and laughing together. It is hard to describe just how good it feels to spend time with your first love only to then get to go home and cuddle with the beautiful child you've created together.

 I love our family of three.

Special Visitors

We have had some special visitors over the last two weeks. Some visits have been planned while other have been surprises...which, who doesn't love a good surprise ever once in a while? Last Monday, Noah's Auntie Lauren took off work and spent the day with us. Apparently we had so much fun we forgot to take any pictures! Noah was so excited to spend time with her that he forgot to nap and ended up being overtired and fussy by the time his daddy got home. Good thing Dan has those magic arms and Noah took a nap just shortly after he held him (as I sat, drained and tired, thinking..."he makes it look so easy!"). The following day, which was Dan's birthday, we had a surprise visit from his grandparents, "Nan and Poppy". I heard a knock on the door and thought we had a package being delivered or something. To my surprise, I answered the door and saw their smiling faces shouting "surprise!". They had driven the whole way up from Baltimore to visit us! Last weekend, I was sneaky and planned a little surprise for Dan. He was shocked when at 11:00 am on Saturday there was a knock and the door and two of his best friends were standing there! They had driven up from Annapolis to spend the day with us. They immediately took him out for a round of golf and we spent the rest of the day watching soccer, eating good food, and having a bonfire. They loved meeting Noah and Noah sure did enjoy meeting his new "uncles". Finally, yesterday, two of my cousins and my grandmother came over for lunch. It was great to spend time with them and for my grandmother to see and hold Noah again. She was shocked by his size and how heavy he was getting. There is nothing better than seeing the joy on a great grandparents face as they proudly welcome and love on another generation of kids. Here are just some pictures that highlight the last two weeks. Enjoy! 

Oh and our little guy is starting to get through "tummy time" with more contentment and less screaming. He is a champ and we are constantly in awe of his strength! Here is a short video of him showing off his skills :)

Dan is off of work today, whoo hoo! We have some fun activities planned for his three day weekend, most of which will take place inside, since it is 100 degrees outside! I would be lying if I said I was not eagerly looking forward to the crisp, cool, fall season. It doesn't help that Noah has the most adorable fall wardrobe just begging to be shown off!  

Have a great weekend! 

!!

Wow. I sure could get used to this sleeping through the night thing!! It's happened twice in the last three days. While daytime naps are still unpredictable, getting a full night of rest is just the BEST.

twenty seven

Yesterday was Dan's birthday. I still cannot believe he is twenty seven! This was the eight birthday of his we have shared together, which is just so special.

I remember when he turned twenty--we were just friends (but quickly developing feelings for one another) and Dan decided to drive up to PA for the evening. I had a few fun things planned for him and could not hide that I was happy he wanted to spend his birthday with me. I had made him a CD mix (the first of many) and we drove to City Island, where we spent our time walking around, talking, and sitting by the water just hanging out. Later that night, I presented a fancy shmancy ice cream pie I had made. At that time I was working at the local ice cream shop (gotta love summer jobs). I had made him a "peanut butter puddles" ice cream (sounds crazy, right?) filled pie dessert with an Oreo crust. Gosh, it still makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

This is us from June, 2006. Yep. 

Dan still has that the birthday card I had given him that day. In it was written the verse, Jeremiah 29:11:
                " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Little did I know that was his favorite verse and one he would later tattoo on his right shoulder blade... Life is funny sometimes, isn't it?

I love thinking back on that day and then smiling about what has happened since that time. This year I celebrated Dan even more I think. Thinking about how happy I am that my best friend was born...and that he  is MY husband just makes me feel incredibly lucky and blessed. This year, as I sit here looking at Noah bouncing away in his favorite chair, I am incredibly thankful to have him as the amazing father of our little boy..

Okay, enough with the mushy stuff.

I just couldn't wait to give Dan his "prizes", as his family likes to call them, this year. I actually gave them to him two days early...don't judge! I hate when I do this because then on his actual birthday I feel bad only handing him a card and some cookies. He didn't mind though and was very surprised and happy with the new watch I surprised him with. Since our sink was not installed yet, and our oven was not in place, Dan decided it was okay to have a "simple" dinner last night and wait for tonight for his birthday meal, Tacos. So, for those who are curious, we had sandwhiches on his birthday. I feel guilty just saying that but hey, my hubby is easy to please and loved his dinner :) Tonight though will be great. Yummy tacos in our newly renovated, finished kitchen! Whoo hoo!

I'm getting very exited for our special dinner date this Friday. Noah's Grammy is coming up to babysit and we are enjoying a few hours of good food and couple time.

Happy happy birthday to the love of my life:

Roll Over Beethoven!

Noah rolled from his belly to his back for the first time today!  BOOM ZOOM!

a little life lesson

I recently read an article on one of the many new "baby/parenting" websites I now frequent. I've been reflecting on the ways motherhood has changed me and challenged me (both in VERY good ways) over the past two months and one thing that was primarily apparent was a lovely, but difficult lesson in selfishness. Dan and I both have discussed how parenthood challenges us every day to practice selfLESSness. It may sound silly, but as much as you talk about and prepare for a baby to change your life, there are things you simply don't even think about that get affected and force you to make major adjustments to for the benefit of your child. I'm not complaining here...at all. In fact, I love being challenged to be less selfish. Parenthood is indeed a lesson in selflessness: thinking about and taking care of someone other than your SELF (which, hello...society tells us should be who we only look out for and worry about...this truly makes me sick and sad about our culture--but that's another discussion!). It's understandable why so many are hesitant or worried to embark on such a journey. Yes, we thought we were very willing and desiring to start a family; we wanted to nurture and love a child together, but that doesn't mean that sometimes these reminders of our selfish nature still don't hurt a little :) It's a beautiful process that requires a lot of grace...both from God and one another. And believe me, Noah is worth EVERY SINGLE bit of adjustments and challenges in this area. 

Anyway, back to the quote I mentioned earlier:

"If there’s ever a time for an overhaul of your daily lifestyle routines, it’s during your baby’s first year. As soon as you bring your precious bundle home, you realize all your old ways of doing things — from the way you liked to watch the morning news to the way you chilled out after a strenuous day at work (au revoir to relaxing in front of the TV) — no longer apply." 
                                                                                                          - taken from WhatToExpect.com. 

Need an example? One thing that I definitely noticed that has changed for me is my morning routine. No longer can I spend an hour getting "ready" in the morning. Forget about those days when you try on three or four different outfits before picking your favorite. Or have a bad hair day that requires extra "primping". Nope. With Noah, he needs us and wants to be around us (and we obviously want to be around him!). So forget, primping and leisurely getting ready each day. Instead, I am now the master at the 5 minute shower and at throwing up a wet head of hair, brushing my teeth while shaking a raddle, and throwing on whatever is on top in my dresser drawer. Now, I want to note that I'm not saying that every thing we do to better our selves or for enjoyment is selfish really. Not at all. I'm a firm believer in taking care of your health (mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially) for sure. That's not selfish, but important and necessary  But I'm sure we can all think of things we do each day to meet our own wants and needs that truly are not a priority in our lives. These are the things I'm referring to here.  

I love our little man with everything in me and am truly so thankful for this lesson I am learning since he arrived. Because really, I never needed to spend so much time getting ready each day... lets be honest. I'm humbled as I learn this lesson. I'm also so blessed to have Dan with me on this fun-filled ride as we learn to practice and show love in the best way possible, selflessly.

xoxo