Our Cool Down Weekend

About a month before I became pregnant with Cruz, Beau and I started P90X, a super intense workout program that does not mess around.  For sixty minutes every morning, Beau and I worked muscles we didn't know we had, and Tony Horton became this semi-annoying brother that lived in the basement.  Thanks to P90X, I now know what a pot-stirrer is, and will forever have Drea Weber to thank.  

I've never been one to work out, although I wish I was.  It's all about the start for me, and once I get started, I find that I actually enjoy doing it.  It's one of the few things in life that instantly makes you feel better about pretty much everything after you're finished.  You work really hard, feel pretty good, and keep your eye on that clock waiting in anticipation for that rewarding, deserving cool-down at the end of a job well done.  And unlike some, I savor that cool down for every second it's worth.  

This weekend, we finally entered cool down mode.  After a whirlwind start to October with birthday parties, work conferences, and a few busy weeks at work, the marathon is over, thankfully, just in time to enjoy our victory lap with a weekend at home with 70 degree warmth and lots of sunshine.  After weekends full of plans and places to be, we abandoned all plans and soaked up a weekend with absolutely nothing to do.  Well, besides pick up a turkey and watch a pumpkin launch across a field in a punkinator...
 

Our weekend was the best kind of weekend.  It started with a Friday night date night, Cruz happy at home with his favorite baby-sitter, and Mom and Dad soaking up some overdue alone time with pumpkin pasta at the Montage, a stroll through the mall, and cuddling up with some lattes and guitar at Cup of Joe.  Saturday morning brought a slow morning in pajamas, a trip to the Farmer's Market to pick up our Thanksgiving bird, an afternoon of baking, and a Saturday night in, watching football, devouring apple crisp, and cheering Cruz on as he mastered every one of his puzzles.  He's pretty awesome at puzzles.
 

Sunday brought a pumpkin spice latte at church, an afternoon nap for three, and an inaugural trip to the pumpkin patch.  I'm even surprised that I've never visited a pumpkin patch before, and have always done my pumpkin shopping at the front entrance of Hy-Vee.  This year, however, a pumpkin hunt at a real patch was in our stars, and it didn't disappoint.  With hay rides and corn mazes, blow-up houses and our favorite, a pumpkin canon better known as 'the punkinator,' that 'chucked' pumpkins through the air towards a yellow school bus that had definitely seen better days, there was something for all of us. 
 

 

  
Cruz loved petting this piggy --- he's quite the fan of petting zoos!  

After an afternoon of fresh air, pumpkin hunting, and a pit-stop for some ice cream at Hanson's, we ended our weekend outdoors with one massive leaf pile in our backyard.  This was another first for our family of three, and at first, Cruz preferred to stay on the outskirts of our mountain while Beau and I lounged in its luxury.  Soon, Cruz climbed on his daddy, stuffed leaves up his shirt, and insisted on catching some family pictures of the moment.
 

 

 

When it comes to taking pictures lately, Cruz has been somewhat of a ham, however, he's learned a thing or two about being behind the camera from his mom over the last couple of years.  I had the tripod set up, and Cruz turned into quite the photographer behind the lens.  He would hide behind the camera for awhile, push some buttons and make sure his settings were just right, then peek out from behind the lens and wave at us with this cheesy grin on his face as if to coerce his parents to smile for the camera.  It was at this point that I realized that although Cruz may not always smile for the camera, he is paying attention to his crazy mom's tricks along the way.
 

It was a happy, restful weekend around here, a perfect cool down after quite the start to October.  I'm looking forward to a slower end to this great month, more weekends with abandoned plans and firsts for this family of three. 

Cruz is TWO

Well, we're one week into Cruz as a two year old and I tell you what --- he's definitely acting it!  Both Beau and I have commented on how different he acts lately, how much he's picked up the last week or so, and how fun he's been at home.  I've heard other parents say they can almost see their child grow from age one to two, and I'm now seeing the proof.
 

   
A few things to remember about Cruz's first week as TWO...
 

...lots of words are now turning into fun little phrases.  My favorite is when he laughs and says, 'No, mommy,' or 'No, daddy,' when we're doing something silly (or annoying) to him like tickling him during a diaper change or standing in front of the TV when he's watching Elmo.  He's also started the twenty questions, all in the form of 'What's this?' for everything, even if he clearly knows what something is.  We play this game with his new kitchen where he pulls each food out one at a time, hands it to me, and asks 'What's this?'  He clearly knows all the foods, but now thinks he's created some fun little game out of it (evidenced by the grin on his face).

...he loves his bed and LOVES his blankies.  After books in the recliner, he knows and appreciates when it's bedtime.  We carry him up to his bed, lay him on his pillow, and pile about three different blankets on top of him.  He burrows under his duvet cover, and usually takes his favorite blanket and hugs it in front of his face.  He looks so snuggly in there and seems to sleep very well under all his covers.

...one of my absolute favorite things Cruz does happens almost every time we change his diaper.  Beau started this thing where after he takes his diaper off he asks Cruz, 'Who's gonna throw this diaper away?' to which Cruz usually lifts his hands in the air and proclaims, 'ME!' with genuine enthusiasm every time.  It's no fail, and happens even when he's in the middle of a cry session, an episode of Elmo, or a favorite toy.  It's hilarious, and he never disappoints.

...Cruz comes to life at story-time.  He loves his books, and has favorite go-to actions and sounds with every one of his favorites.  Like pointing out every instrument in Elmo's Count to Ten book, or making commentary on every page of his favorite, 'Little Dump Truck.'  I read him 'Where the Wild Things Are' for the first time last night, and he was in awe of Max and his monsters.  I could see the wheels turning through his big brown eyes as he watched Max's room transform to the mysterious jungle.  Reading to him is one of my absolute favorite past-times and something I hope we do for years to come.

...Cruz now 'swims' in the tub during bath time.  He rolls over on his tummy, sprawls out like a frog in a pond, and exclaims that he's 'swimming' in his 'pool.'

...We may have the makings of an architect in the family.  Cruz loves playing blocks, and his fine motor skills have finally allowed him to tower blocks as tall as he is.  He, of course, likes to knock them over, too...
 

  
...LOVES his new kitchen, even though I wish he was as organized as I used to be when I played in mine!  Although his kitchen comes equipped with multiple cupboards, he insists on piling every single piece of food in the oven, then proceeds to slam the oven door and inform us that it is very 'hot.'  I've tried to organize for him, but he usually gets upset with me and puts it back where he wants it.

Speaking of kitchen, we celebrated Cruz's birthday with a quiet day just the three of us, some birthday essentials, and a few surprises throughout the day.  Last year, his birthday was special simply because it was the first one, but this year was the first year he seemed to really get it.  He loved being sung to, got into the whole blowing-out-a-candle-thing, and became quite the pro at unwrapping presents.
 

We went for a hike and played in the leaves at Hartman, had tacos and cheese quesadillas at Rudy's, and of course, a birthday in Cedar Falls wouldn't be complete without a cupcake from Scratch for dessert.
 

  

I must say, the big kitchen reveal after nap time was worth the two and a half hours it took us to put that thing together.  Case in point, I will never buy an Ikea kitchen...I'm not sure my marriage would survive it.
 

Love at first sight...
 

The premier of two came big and loud and simple and sweet.  We rang in the year with big parties, but savored that special birthday with a quiet day of play and some of Cruz's favorites --- a gooey cheese quesadilla, restaurant play in the middle of the living room floor, and an epic candle moment at Scratch.  And although the premier may be over, the celebration continues...

Happy TWO, Cruz.
 

          

More Birthday --- My Favorite Memories

Hard to believe Cruz's birthday party is almost a week in the history books.  And as I sit here typing on a quiet Saturday afternoon in the house, with cloudy skies threatening heavy downpours of rain we haven't seen in months, I am glad to say we are on this side of the party instead of the other.  Last year, we celebrated Cruz's first birthday party in 70 degree gorgeousness, and this year we braved low-fifties with sweaters, stocking caps, and socks.  It was a little breezy, but very sunny, and the littles didn't seem to mind digging for dimes and nickels in Big Bird's birdseed or rubber duckies in Ernie's pond.  Kids are resilient that way...

I always feel weird after big celebrations like birthdays.  One part of me is glad it's behind us --- the extra stress, the extra busy, and the extra (okay obsessive) checking up on the 7-day forecast to predict weather patterns and rain chances that might dampen our festivities --- however, the other part of me is sad to see it go, sad to think we have to wait an entire year to celebrate Cruz's birthday again, and sad to think that all I have left is a lot of leftover sweets to eat, saggy balloons, and one little boy who is growing further away from baby with every day that goes by.  

Birthdays are bittersweet in that way.  They are supposed to be some of the happiest days of one's life, yet, I always feel a little sad, too.  In fact, I think I've cried on my birthday every year since I turned 16.  I think it's nostalgia.  The whole loss of innocence, growing older and losing these days that I want so desperately to hold onto.  And the funny thing about it is that while I think at the time that I want to hold on to what I have, to stick my world in a glass case like Holden Caulfield and keep it the same while the rest of the world keeps moving, every year just keeps getting better and better.  Now, it's about remembering them.

  

My favorite memories from Cruz's 2nd Birthday Party...

...the decorations and spread.  The bold colors, the fun references to Sesame Street, and the tiny, calculated details became some of my favorites, and I had so much fun putting all the pieces together on Saturday.  From the chalkboard labels and striped paper straws in my glass Starbucks bottles, to the envelope of Cruz Bucks that looked just like Monopoly money, everything went together perfectly and looked just as I had pictured it in my head. 

...how cute Cruz looked in his green Elmo t-shirt and red Chuck Taylors.  He may not have smiled for a picture to save his life, but he looked pretty dang cute on his big day.

...the games.  I had no idea how they would go over, but they ended up being the highlight of the party.  The birdseed hunt for pocket change was my favorite, and it was so fun to watch each of them 'hunt' for quarters in their own way.  They got so excited when they found a coin, that is, except Cruz, who seeemd to be more content filling his brown paper bag with birdseed and calling it good.  I guess money can't buy happiness, but birdseed can!

...the coloring station.  In honor of Elmo's favorite past-time, everyone had to color a picture for Cruz in exchange for a Cruz Buck.  Jersee took her time and stayed within the lines, Charly found just the right one for Cruz, and Cruz sprawled across the table to 'help' her color the one with 'my drum.' 

...Cruz tackling his enormous mountain of birthday presents.  He knew just what to do!  And with the help of his cousin, he plowed through his loot at lightning speed, excited about every single one.  He loved (both) his Woofer guitar(s), thought his shopping cart made a pretty sweet scooter, and was a big fan of his new dump truck, his Little People bus, and his new books and Bears gear.  He opened presents a little like his dad (I prefer the slow, steady, soak-it-all-in speed, while Beau goes for more of a spastic approach), but this was also due to the massive, never-ending pile, and number of guests waiting to retire.  I was glad I saved a few of my favorite wrapped surprises back so Cruz could take all the time he wanted on his actual birthday.

  

A week later, the cookies are officially finished, the decorations are tucked away, and we're left scratching our heads trying to identify new homes for new toys!  It was a special day to celebrate one special boy, and although I'm sad the street sign is stored away and Mr. Hooper's store is closed, I know history has a way of repeating itself, meaning we've got lots more celebrating to do in the year to come.   

The Details --- Party DIY 1

This is the first in a series of how-tos from Cruz's Sesame Street Second Birthday Bash.  A lot of planning when into this little shindig and I wanted to make sure I took some time to share some of my most favorite details from his party.

I incorporated some fun and simple games for the littles to play at the party, to which they earned 'Cruz Bucks' to spend later at Mr. Hooper's Store.  Mr. Hooper's Store, aka, a cheap three-shelf Wal-Mart bookcase I salvaged from my old classroom and spray-painted red, was filled with lots of fun party favors, including these Oreo pops I dipped and packaged the day before.  They are not only easy and fun to make, but hold out for a long time and taste absolutely delicious!  They were one of the most popular buys at the party and are the perfect little treat for parties or handy way to cure a killer chocolate fix.
  
Here's what you need...

1.  lollipop sticks (I got a pack of 24 at Hobby Lobby)
2.  Oreos (I bought two packages)
3.  one package of white almond bark
4.  sprinkles, toffee, coconut, chocolate chips, peppermint for decorating
5.  cellophane treat bags (also in baking aisle at Hobby Lobby)
6.  candy melt containers (these are found in the baking aisle at Hobby Lobby and I will never dip a piece of food in chocolate without them.  You can buy them in a pack of three, and they are microwave-safe, the perfect height for dipping, and you can throw 'em away when you're done.  Do you need them?  No, but they've sure made my dipping days easier!
  
Here's what you do...
  
1.  First, divide your Oreos.  When you divide them, you will typically have one side with the frosting and one without.  After some trial-and-error, I ended up using my non-frosting halves for crumbs for Slimy's Dirt Cups, and only used the sides with frosting (hence the need for two packages).  Next time, I may just purchase the Double Stuffed kind, since I think the key to getting your lollipop stick to stick is the amount of frosting it has to adhere to.

2.  Melt 1-2 square of almond bark in the microwave.  Dip the end of your lollipop stick in the almond bark and stick on one side of the Oreo.  Taking another Oreo, make a sandwich between the lollipop stick and press down until you can see almond bark ooze to the end of the cookie.  The key here is to get enough almond bark so the two Oreo sides cement together.  Set lollipop aside and continue until finished.  

3.  Once the cookies have hardened, check to make sure they are difficult to pull apart.  This means they are ready for dipping.  Melt your almond bark (according to package directions) in the microwave.  Take each stick and dip in melted almond bark.  Spin to let access bark run off.  Dip in desired sprinkles/toppings and let cool on sheets of wax paper.

4.  Once cooled, wrap each in cellophane treat bag and secure with ribbon.  

Super fun and super easy.  And if you thought Oreos were good, just wait.  I promise :)            

        

Almost Two

When it comes to the age-old debate as to whether one’s child looks more like his mom or more like his dad, I’d have to say that although ours definitely comes close, Beau usually wins by majority.  Attribute it to his wispy white-blond hair, his deviously charming grin, and his high-spirited, busy, and sometimes-disorderly demeanor, but it’s easy to see that in many ways, Cruz is very much his father’s son.  But, while many may say ‘he’s all Beau,’ there are definitely traits that prove he’s got some mama in him, too. 

He’s got my brown eyes. 

And he’s got my nose.

And he’s doing more and more with his left hand lately, making us wonder if Beau may have scored his left-handed Cubs pitcher after all.

But beside the physical traits that appear apparent to most, there is one thing Cruz does especially well that he most definitely gets from his mama. 

He loves to pretend.

The other night, we played for a good hour with his new Sesame Street house and Little People bus.  We took turns strapping Elmo and Cookie in the bus, driving them to Mr. Hooper’s storefront, to which Cruz would whip up whatever I was hungry for.  He made everything from chocolate shakes to chicken pot pie, sat in pride and satisfaction as I tried (and paid for) my dishes.  Before long, Cruz ran into the kitchen, pushing his new shopping cart in front of him at a steady speed.  Not long after, he returned with two leftover paper plates from his party, set them down on the living room floor, placed Elmo on one and Cookie on the other, and got back to work in Mr. Hooper’s store, preparing our next feast --- this time with guests. 

Our Cruz Man has quite the imagination lately, and is content keeping busy on his own, entertaining himself in a world full of pretend, at a level I find pretty astonishing for his age.

Then again, he is almost two. 

Tomorrow, our boy turns two years old.  It’s incredible to think that just two years ago, we welcomed this perfect little person into our lives, a person who would fit so naturally into our mold, yet fill our lives with new lessons, new learning, new laughter, and a new love we could have never dreamed of.  From those early days at home where everything was new and peaceful and pure, to the many milestones we’ve witnessed, and the many memories we’ve cherished, every month and every stage has been its own unique journey.  And in that journey, I’ve learned more about myself and have been challenged to grow as an individual more than ever before.
 

I feel so blessed to get to share my life with this little boy of mine, and am grateful for every gift his life has given us.
 

I am so proud to be his mama.