The Fever

Last night, I rocked Cruz to sleep in the middle of a thunderstorm. I rested my cheek on the top of his blond head and listened to the rain wash away the long, cold winter. I love a good rain storm, especially at night…the raindrops that rest on the windows, the sounds of cars swishing through the puddles in the streets, and the power and mightiness of a good crack of thunder. Cruz slept like a baby (go figure) during our first rainstorm together, and after nestling him in his cozy crib and retiring to bed myself, I silently praised God for the blessings of a warm house, a little baby, and a new Spring.

Aside from the mid-thirty degree temps that just won’t seem to go away, spring is indeed here and I have the fever...

SPRING FEVER.

Spring is the green grass that’s starting to envelop our front lawn. Those unnoticed window boxes just waiting for some fresh dirt and pretty blooms. The need to open my freshly cleaned windows and suck in the fresh air outside. Spring is that salad with cucumbers, that burger on the grill, and that neighborhood walk at 6:00 in the daylight. Spring is a no-coat-necessary, buy-a-new-pair-of-flip-flops, wear-a-cute-summer-dress, and be-outside-as-much-as-possible mentality, even if it’s just grabbing the mail, pulling the garbage out, or walking into school from the parking lot. Tasks that are so hard to do in the winter become easy in the spring. Moods become lighter, days become longer, and life just becomes sweeter.

So what's screaming Spring to me at home this week?  

...A trip to Bath and Body Works to scope out the seasonal Wallflowers, including scents that smell so good, you'd rather pour them down your throat instead of plug them into your wall.  Scents of Peach Bellini, Caribbean Salsa, and Pink Sangria now fill my house and each room becomes a new destination.  

...Pastels.  A pink cardigan, a bottle of Victoria's Secret lotion, and a brand new baby food cookbook, covered in fuzzy baby chick yellow.
 

...A new salad.  Fresh greens, some craisins, bacon (of course), and a warm Gorgonzola cheese dressing.

...A baby dressed in (baby) blue.  A baby who loves to 'talk,' and looks at you so intently, trying his best to communicate with you, as if his language makes absolute sense to him.  I often imagine him as one of the babies in "Look Who's Talking," and wonder what he's thinking about in that little head of his.

...Cruz has this new thing.  Lately, whenever we lie on a blanket together, he'll reach up high on his tummy, shoot me this wide-mouthed grin, then turn his head the other way and bury his face into the blanket.  Then, he'll turn his head, glance at me from the corner of his eyes, reach up, and attempt to put a spell on me with the same smile all over again.  It works every time.  

...A walk in the neighborhood.  Hooded sweatshirts, cozy blankets, and one content baby.   

 

I can't believe it's just about April.  I've just about made it through another school year.  Cruz is just about six months...a half year old!  Seriously, where does the time go?

Carrots

It's Day Two of Project Baby Food.  Day two of carrots.  Day two of my new-found love affair with Beaba.  I couldn't wait to get home to puree more veggies.  It's like the first few days following Christmas when I was a little girl...minus the baby, the job, and the husband of course.  I love my new toy and am having lots of fun starting my very own restaurant for the Cruz Dude.

Tonight, I pureed broccoli and potatoes.  One potato, a cup of broccoli, and voila...an-ice-cube-tray-and-a-half of a beautiful green concoction.  I've experimented with vegetables I've never even tasted before, and look forward to seeing how Cruz reacts to each.  

So how did Cruz do with his very first serving of carrots?  

Well, after a totally hilarious face of "what the heck is this in my mouth," followed by a gag-spit-almost-throw-up action after giving him a tiny spoonful of pure carrots, I decided to mix some with his formula.  Creamy carrots so to speak.  Let's just say we'll stick to this for the time being.  The pure carrots was a little too much for his little taste buds.  

 

I love how big boy he seems in his high chair.  Tonight after school, he sat buckled in and played with his chain links while I prepared his supper.  He squealed in delight and smiled in between every bite; however, grew distracted by Jade pacing back and forth on the kitchen table beside him.  Last night, he opened his mouth like a little bird when the spoon got close; tonight was another story.  He was definitely not as interested, and I basically had to pry his little lips open with the spoon.  He did eventually finish the tiny bowl of carrots, however, he's a slow eater.  I think he takes after his Grandma Kelly... 
  

We're going to stick to carrots for awhile, hoping to eventually lose the formula and try some pure carrots.  Judging from tonight, however, it might be awhile.    

A New Hobby (Obsession)

Well, cross it off the list...I have officially discovered the world of homemade baby food.  And let's just say, I don't think our son will be short on fruits and veggies anytime soon. 

I went overboard.

Instead of a new purse or a coat, some clothes or a Kindle, I chose to spend my Christmas money on a Beaba Babycook.  At first I was a little skeptical, as it cost a pretty penny for the cute little appliance; however, after seeing one for real at Williams Sonoma, I knew I had to have it.

It's brilliant.  An adorably tiny little device that steams, purees, defrosts, and reheats veggies, fruits, pastas, and meats into perfect little portions of tasty baby food.  I pick out some veggies, preferably whatever is going to be our supper on any given night, dice 'em up, and throw 'em in the steamer.  Turn the switch, throw in a load of laundry, play peekaboo with Cruz, and in fifteen minutes time, I have freshly steamed veggies.  Then, with a two minute pulse and some tasting (just to make sure it's smooth enough), I pop it into individual portions of an ice cube tray.  It's so fun, so easy, and so yummy.  Who would've thought I'd be licking the remainder of Cruz's baby food?!  Delicious!

When it comes to cooking, I tend to go a little overboard.  When I can't decide which sides to make for a get-together with family, I choose to make them all.  I boil a pound of spaghetti when we really need half, and mash eight potatoes for the two of us.  And since I haven't done much hosting since becoming a mom, I think I found my new 'food drug.' 

My audience for the day...

I started with carrots.  Moved on to apples.  Continued with pears, and ended with a trio of 'root' vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips.  It smelled like Thanksgiving in my kitchen and I filled four entire ice cube trays with baby gourmet. 

This week, I have big plans.  Big plans that involve broccoli and potatoes, green beans and tomatoes, turnips, apricots, and maybe even an avocado.  Baby guacamole.   

Did Cruz enjoy his first taste of 'people food?'  Did he squeal and smile and open his mouth like a baby bird, waiting anxiously for the next bite?  Or did he make a sour face and gag, spit his carrots out and turn his face away when the spoon got close?  I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out!

Ten Things...

Ten random thoughts on this day in March...

1. Today is Brooke’s birthday. Today is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Beau read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish to Cruz this morning before school. I wanted to make cupcakes and celebrate the Zooks and Wumps and Sam-I-Ams in true birthday style, but realized my time was better spent reading and cuddling with my little bookworm.  Cruz loves his Dr. Seuss and I look forward to introducing him to Horton, the Lorax, and that mean-old-Grinch when he gets a little older.

2. If there’s a mental picture I could freeze in my mind forever, it would be yesterday. A picture of my son, sitting up big and tall, strapped in a four-person plastic stroller, going for a walk at ‘school.’ He was much smaller than the other three riders, but that didn't seem to phase him.  He looked SO FUNNY strapped in that little seat, and best of all, he flashed me the most adorable smile when he spotted me.  It was his first, "Mom, look at me!" smile, and I melted onto the floor in a puddle of love.  A-DOR-A-BLE.

3.  Bless you, NU Panthers.  For the fourth year in a row, the boys basketball team has made it to the Iowa State Tournament, meaning that our Spring Break starts a little early and our 'school days' consist of a trip to Des Moines to cheer on our boys, followed by a yummy lunch with fellow teacher friends.  The energy around school is pretty high right now, and the 'Dog Pound' is getting pretty comfy in those front seats at the Des Moines Event Center. 

4. This morning, Cruz decided to serenade me on my way to work.  He's usually incredibly quiet in the car; however, this morning, I was fortunate enough to listen to him sing/talk/growl the entire way to work.  And trust me, that sound is better than any Cee Lo song on the planet.

5.  Last night, I 'forgot' to bring my school bag home.  And Cruz and I?  We played.  We cuddled.  We talked, and giggled, and sat face to face during tummy time.  Some nights, I want to be Superwoman; some nights, I just want to be 'Mom.'

6. Today is day TWO of my water binge.  I upped the ante, however, and am committing to drink 64 oz. of water a day.  That's eight, eight-ounce glasses of water, the recommended amount for us according to Mayo Clinic.  It may sound easy for some, but for me, it's going to be a challenge.  I'd much rather down a Diet Mountain Dew than a glass of H2O, and usually only crave a glass of ice water after a great run or a hot day outside (to which none are going to occur in what looks like the near future).  Fortunately for me, I've been battling a sore throat and frequent 'tickle' in my throat, so water has not been far from my reach this week.  

7. My 10th graders would be the first to admit they can be quite the unruly bunch.  So this afternoon, after giving them a day away from class to help the kindergarten class roller skate in the gym, I was shocked and humbled to see them in this environment.  Watching them help lace skates, secure helmets, and get started on their feet was amazing.  I didn't know what was cuter...the kindergartner or the helpful 10th grader.  I was proud of them and kicked myself for not having my camera.  I could have watched them shine in this light all day long.

8.  Shamrock Shakes have arrived at McDonalds.  I rewarded myself with one today after finishing my 64 oz. of water.  Just when I thought the Shamrock Shakes couldn't get any better, the McCafe did it.  Now, in a clear plastic frappuccino cup, with more than a dollop of whipped cream and a perfect maraschino cherry on top.  It was pretty, refreshing, and kind of made me feel like I was drinking a frozen grasshopper at work.  

9.  I am longing for Spring more than I ever have.  I am suffocating and need fresh air, a clean car, and walks outside.  And more than ever, I need a shopping trip.  I need Express and American Eagle, Gap and Ann Taylor.  I need to forget about Baby Gap and Focus on Big Gap. 

10.  This weekend, I'm going to begin my new culinary endeavor of making my own baby food.  I'm ready for my baby to try some carrots and parsnips, apples and pears.  After all, we all need a little color in our lives...