Happy Birthday, little man

Two years ago we welcomed our little man into the world.  Triage denied me twice, but I was determined to meet our boy.

He arrived blue-eyed, plump, and fair.  Gentle and peaceful.  Offering sweet sneezes instead of cries.  Our son.  God's gift of comfort and joy. 

And today...



he is as bright and blue-eyed as ever, with fair cheeks round, and voice sweet.  He is playful, always looking for a laugh and when something truly amuses him his head rolls back in raucous intentional laughter.  He is assertive, finding his voice within the walls of our home (and out).  He moves with purpose, climbing high, lagging behind, observant of every squirrel dashing by, plane above or "wee-ooo" on the road.  He flutters his eyes in flirtation, wooing each grocery clerk, sales assistant, and nursery worker.  He loves to be cherished, and pauses for cuddles.  He is full of expression, and has a flare for the dramatic; he uses his tiny mouth to produce a variety of sounds, words, and melodies all day long.  His sissy continues to be his favorite companion, seeking her approval as he moves about his day.  He follows and emulates her every move, yet is not afraid to hold his ground when they disagree.  His giggle is infectious, his grin both bashful and sly.  He rises early, and begins his day with a moment on the couch rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and then focuses all of his attention on his toy trucks while I sip my morning cup of coffee.  He loves to snack, enjoys each meal, and is learning to enjoy milk before bed just like his big sister does. (Even if he does not drink it, he requests it, knowing she would approve.)  He identifies that there is a routine to our day, and is familiar with well-traveled streets around town alerting us when we are close to school, or on our way to church.  He loves on and off ramps, highway systems, and is familiar with every fire station in town.  He pauses to admire construction work, delights in sirens blaring, and is amused by piles of dirt.  And, yet he does not like to be dirty outdoors, while eating, or when at play.  When hurt he runs to his mama, and quickly requests his "blantey."  He is allowed more "blanties" in his crib than his older sister was ever allowed.  He is both compliant and obstinate, cautious and daring.  He is mischievous one moment, and predictable the next.  He is squishy, but strong.  When he accomplishes a task, he pauses for effect, appreciates praise, and responds with clapping.  He can't help himself in the bath, splashing and shouting in delight.  He is a ham, more so than I ever expected.  He is full of surprises.  He is full of love. 

 He is our boy, our treasure, our little man.

Favorite sayings at two -

"Oop." (No "s." The "p" final and accented.)

"Tuuute!" (Upon seeing his sister dressed in a darling outfit, or seeing a tiny baby in public.)

"Huuuge." (While scooping an overflowing bite of food to his mouth, or carrying a heavy object; his tone low and breathy.)

"Sissy!"  "Sissy?"  (Excited to see her; perplexed when she is gone.)

"Jejuse" (His request each night before bed to hear "Jesus Loves Me" sung over his crib.)

"Ummmm?" (A thoughtful pause before decision making each day.)

"Back hoe" (Slow and low, perhaps his favorite construction vehicle.)

"Nooope!" (His go-to answer when he's not interested in something, with a heavy nasal long "o" sound and accented "p.")

"Oh" (Hushed and barely audible, his response to questions answered.)

"Luv you." (A new spoken sentiment. Heartwarming; enough said.)

His special day began with pancakes sweet and ended with a heavily frosted cookie from the supermarket. (The little lady was so over cake.)  He enjoyed every minute of licking the frosting, never making it to the cookie.

 

And just before bed (Daddy arriving home only minutes before) he opened four more presents, sent with love from his "Aunties" - Ashley, Becki, Adri, and Rachel.  Each present was hand-picked with love and perfect for our little man.

Receiving his first real Packer jersey from the Livingstons.  (His Daddy was only slightly jealous.)  Minutes later, we received a phone call from the Livingston crew singing "Happy Birthday" over speaker phone.  Our little man was delighted, and listened attentively to every word sung.

New transportation books to savor and explore.

Joseph Bradley, the Lord knew we needed your little face to gaze upon each day.  We are so thankful for the little man you are and the young man you are growing up to be. We love you, sweet boy.

"TWO."

Before winter

Soaking in the beautyof autumn.

Discovering fish.

(I may have taught my children that if you spit into the water the fish will gather expecting food.  We peered over the bridge spitting for 20 minutes.)



Encouragment for today

from Jesus Calling - Devotions for Every Day of the Year

January 9th

(Obviously I'm choosing to read this book in non-sequential order.)

I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you.  You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up!  With my help, you can overcome any obstacle.  Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come.  One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events.  If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment.  Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace.  Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

Romans 8:31, Psalm 46:1-3, Luke 1:37

To shave or not to shave?

Busy moms of wee ones know that (at times) "good days" are marked by whether or not one is able to take a shower.  Everything after that shower is a bonus.  A gift from above.  Meaning that wee ones were quiet enough, fully engaged in an activity or completely engrossed in a children's television show (my apologies to the American Academy of Pediatrics) that their mommy was able to blow dry and straighten her hair, dab on foundation, color her cheeks, line her eyes, coat her lashes, and gloss her lips.  If by some small miracle said wee ones remain quiet long enough, an outfit other than the standard v-neck T-shirt and jeans might come together to create an effortless and breezy mom-on-the-go look.  

Each mama has her own strategy for how she will accomplish the daily task of showering.   Mine involves putting our beloveds in the little lady's gated room, encouraging some sort of imaginary play, and crossing my fingers that any fight that will break out will occur once I have towel dried my body, put on undergarments and NOT before.  This morning I had successfully shampooed and conditioned my hair without a peep from the bedroom, and was entertaining thoughts of shaving my legs when a thunderous clatter from the hallway interrupted my thoughts as buckets of toys were pitched over the gate.  The clatter was followed by girlish shrieks, wails and moans as they little lady agonized over her projects being cast "overboard" by the little man.  Abruptly I shut off the water, grabbed a towel and made my way to the scene of the crime.  Sure enough, puzzle pieces were strewn all over the floor, making an obstacle course for my slick feet to navigate. And, there in the hallway wrapped in only my Thomas O'Brien towel I addressed my flustered crew as water pooled around my feet.  With the little lady's soul soothed and the little man's behavior corrected I made my way to the bedroom to pat myself dry. (It didn't take long, for I had been drip drying in the hallway and was mostly dry with a severe chill.)  

In the process of dressing, I had a little laugh and came to this realization.

I no longer take lengthy showers, relishing the soothing sounds of water rushing.  After years of putting on full make-up, I am content with mascara, lip gloss and (hopefully) dry hair.  My go-to outfit consists of rotating v-necks from Target and my favorite jeans, not the latest trends.  Some days I am forced to quiet disputes in the (near) buff.  And, there are days when my legs go unshaven.  Howeves, it's the little things in life (or should I say little people) that matter most to me now - my little lady and little man. 

And, I'm pretty sure they could care less if I have smooth legs.

2 (almost)

Knowing that we would miss out on the opportunity to throw birthday bashes at Doc and Mimi's home this year, we decided to throw the little man a low key celebration while Papa and Nany were visiting us in Cleveland.  (How I will miss our thematic birthday celebrations at 13510 Braemar Drive!)

This year the little man was treated to a made from scratch classic white cake with buttercream frosting.  And, because of his love for all-things-construction, it seemed fitting to create the brighest yellow cake I have ever laid eyes on.  Seeing, hearing, and watching transportation in action is our little man's primary goal in life. 

An assortment of packaged vehicles for the little man to behold.

Taking a moment to appreciate his birthday cards, while his older sister opened each package and described in detail what he was receiving.  Being only 20 months apart in age, what's his really does become hers and vice versa.  Thankfully the little man appreciates playing dress up just as much as she appreciates pushing trucks across the floor.

Enjoying his upgraded roadway carpet.

Plopping down with a book of "wee-oos" (aka fire trucks).

"For me?!"

"Are you sure it's my birthday?"

The little lady was not concerned with the details surrounding the date of his actual birth.  She had one thing on her mind...CAKE.

It was a sweet celebration for our little man who is almost two!



Broccoli Cheddar Soup

In honor of Papa Joe this soup, a favorite of his,  made its way onto our weekend's menu.  Modifying it only slightly, it proved to be a rich and satisfying soup.  The little lady almost licked her bowl clean, a rare occurrence for our dainty eater.

recipe courtesy of the Food Network

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups half-and-half

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 bay leaves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 heads of broccoli, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

2 1/2 cups grated sharp white and yellow cheddar, plus more for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spread broccoli florets evenly on baking sheet, flavor with 2 Tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper.  Roast for 5 minutes, stir with spatula, and roast for an additional 5 minutes before removing. (The original recipe does not call for roasting the broccoli.  After comparing two recipes, I decided to take this additional step, adding it to the Food Network's soup preparation.)

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.  Ad the onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth.  Add the chicken broth, bay leaves and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.  Discard the bay leaves.  Puree the soup in batches or puree in the pot with an immersion blender.  (You will still have flecks of broccoli and carrot.)

Add the cheese to the soup and whisk over medium heat until melted.  Add up to 3/4 cup water if the soup is too thick for your desired consistency.  Serve in bread bowls or with hunks of bread, garnish with cheese and enjoy!

A Visit from Papa & Nany

It felt like Christmas this past Friday when Papa and Nany rolled up after a seven hour journey from Wisconsin.  Their white Nissan Altima might as well have been Santa's sleigh, as they emerged from it carrying gifts from afar (approximately 437 miles). 

They arrived to a quiet house with napping children, allowing our excited but weary travelers a moment to rest and catch their breath.  (I'm pretty confident only grandparents would wake at 2:30 am to make the trip east.)  As they settled into our cozy apartment, taking the "tour" (quick turn right - family room; quick turn left - kitchen, walk down the hall - laundry, bathroom, bedrooms) I could sense the joyful anticipation of their grandchildren's excited squeals, tender kisses and overdue hugs.  It did not take long for our sweet ones to wake and for the real party to begin. As a bonus, Jeff arrived home early from work setting into motion our fun-filled family weekend.

Diving right into Nany's sweet treats, we enjoyed frosting and decorating pumpkin cookies Friday afternoon.

While the little man lacked finesse and self-control (licking the frosting more than spreading it), the little lady approached pumpkin decorating like all other projects, with precision, focus, and creativity.

"Yup...still tastes good."

What's more cheerful than a bright-eyed blue fairy decorating pumpkin cookies?!

(One of Nany's many gifts to the little lady - REAL dress up clothes.  She was beyond delighted.)

Never one to be left out, our other bright-eyed blue fairy.

(A casualty of being the second born.  At least it's blue.)

 Wardrobe change.


Pale pink lippies...check.
Miniature jeweled hair clips...check.
Sparkly crown...(finally someone got the memo)...check.
Fancy poodle skirt...check.
Bedazzled top...check.

One of Nany's requests was to visit On the Rise bakery for (our much blogged about) croissants.


Wish granted!

Despite the chilly autumn temperatures, we heartily consumed our favorite Cleveland bakery item.

(The little man marched straight into the shop, weaved in and out of the long line of expectant customers, making his way to the parchment lined baking sheets filled with croissants, grabbing the first one he could get his paws on.  He was not pleased when his slightly flushed mama scooped him from the front of the line and handed him off to his Papa. On the bright side, it was just one more croissant to add to our already bulding bag of baked goodies.)

All good things in life are worth waiting for.

After croissants we headed to Crocker Park, a delightful shopping promenade in Westlake, Ohio.  In spite of the the outstanding variety of stores we seldom shop, favoring outdoor shenanigans in the very kid friendly courtyard.

Saturday afternoon was filled with activity, including a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the fellas, baking, naps, tea parties, watching game after game of football, consuming Halloween candy, collecting candy wrappers (apparently Papa and Jeff share the same weakness for bite sized candy), ending with a delicious dinner of broccoli cheddar soup and hunks of crisped warm bread from On the Rise.

Sunday we rose early (thank you time change!), and readied ourselves for church.  Our guests were eager to hear the preaching of Alistair Begg at Parkside Church.  After a brunch of baked pumpkin oatmeal, fried eggs, bacon and toast the children enjoyed a Sunday nap, and the adults enjoyed the quiet and good conversation. Post-naps we enjoyed a satisfying Packer victory, and a mini-celebration in honor of Joey's impending second birthday.

Monday morning Papa and Nany returned to the apartment for one last visit before school.  We treasured our last hour together, playing with the little man's new birthday toys, reading books and getting in a few last cuddles. 

It took five shots to get this - the "best."

Precious in its imperfections.


The little lady treated her "Nan" to one last special moment, taking her on a tour of her school.  After a quick chat with her teachers and observing her in her element, Nany was able to sneak one last smooch from the little lady.

The little man and I were sad to watch the white Nissan pull away from our Shaker Heights drive.  It was a weekend filled with many treasured moments, moments only a grandparent can orchestrate.  Knowing the holidays are right around the corner (how can that be?), made it easier to wave good-bye. 

Lots of love Nan and Pops!