this is it

It's over, my friends.

Today is officially my last day as a stay at home mama.  To say I'm not sad would be a big fat lie. 

If you need me, I'll be doing this:

Snuggling, reading books, singing, and just breathing in my sweet baby boy.

when i grow up

When I grow up...

I want to be just like my daddy.

my little pilot

Even though it was a million degrees yesterday...

And even though I HATE to sweat....


I took this little pilot outside to fly.

And he yelled, "high Mama", and I pushed until my arms hurt.  

And then we came inside and collapsed into a stinky heap on the floor.

surly

A certain favorite child of mine woke up on the wring side of the crib this morning.  He has decided today, my last Monday at home, is the day he would like to assert his independence.  Well great, buddy.

It started with an early morning request for juice.  Simple enough, except we don't drink juice in the mornings.  We drink milk.  It's one of those "house rules" I'm sure he'll become more fond of as he ages.  I told him that he could have milk and even let him chose his cup.  I'm sweet like that.  He, however, demanded juice and told me no when he handed him his milk.  Then he threw it-- "No, Mama!"

He ate his entire breakfast without even a glance at his milk cup. He's stubborn like that.  We've made it four plus hours with no milk and I'm not giving in anytime soon.  Water it is.  

And in case you feel like I might be overreacting, case in point number two:

My sweet Daddy {and Reese's BFF} bought a new t-shirt for little man when he came to take care of his tonsil-less daughter.  You may or may not be aware of my dad's affinity for guitars.  It's an obsession.  One that he has lovingly passed on to his grandson. I don't mind because I think that not only do "curls get the girls," but guitar playing boys get girls.  And I also have high expectations that Reese's developing obsession will be funded by said grandparent.

Back to the shirt, though.  Here it is:

We put it on Reese last night after bath time.  He was SO excited.  

"Guitar" "Buck" "Guitar" "Buck"  It was all we heard until bed time.

This morning I made a terrible error in judgement and suggested Reese take off the shirt and put on his clothes for the day.  That small suggestion was met with hysteria.  He yelled, there were tears, and I relented.  If he wants to wear his pajamas to Target who am I to judge?  

I have bigger battles to fight... like the milk.  But it still brings up the bigger issue:  When did my baby become his own person?  

Words like mine, no, and my favorite phrase "back mama" are becoming a little too prevalent in our toddler vocabulary.  And choosing his own food?  His own clothes?

I'm not ready for this...

happy weekend

It's almost the weekend.  


Although that means not much to this home-for-the-summer mama, I'm overjoyed.  It means in a few short hours my favorite husband will be home to hang out with his favorite wife and our favorite son.

Our favorite son, who just minutes ago said, "Bess ew, Mama" when I sneezed.  That would be "bless you" for those who don't speak toddler.

Be still my heart.  And capture these last few fleeting days of summer...and babyhood... and being this boy's favorite person...

He makes my heart hurt I love him so much.

nap nap

There are no words.

Sadly, I've come to the unfortunate realization that Reese's days of three hour naps seem to be over.  I guess it isn't too unfortunate-- school starts back in less than two weeks. But still, the three hour "rest" for Mama was very nice.

After he put back a cheeseburger for lunch, I said "Boo, do you know what time it is?"  His reply?  "No nap nap, Mama." And then he preceded to get in the cozy coupe and try to escape. 


He's unusually clever for such a wee tot.

tales of an exasperated mother

Reese didn't nap yesterday.  He tricked me into thinking he was napping, but alas, no sleep was ever on his afternoon agenda.  Whining was on his agenda.  Hitting me with golf clubs?  Also on the agenda.  Yelling for "nacks" "NACKS, MAMA!!!!" until I cave and give him fruit snacks?  Yep, did that too.

I just can't handle no nap.  Especially when I'm not 100%.  Like by the time Lofton got home from work I was crying.  Real tears. 

I count on naps to rest my aching throat... and shower... and play on the computer...

Today that is NOT going to happen.  We took a little field trip this morning {all part of my wear him out plan} to Earthfare, the new organic grocery store in Auburn.  

Before I go into details it's worth noting that this summer has been a goldmine of exciting grocery store adventures for me.  Publix and now Earthfare?  The grocery gods' have been raining down on me!

So, we went to Earthfare.  It's like a Whole Foods, but smaller, and it was so exciting!  We picked up a few essentials, because I was too lazy to drive to Kroger too, and some delicious chicken salad that I'm going to try and eat for lunch.  Because if i have to eat any more pudding I'm going to slit my wrist. 

I called Lofton when I left {to share my excitement} and he made lots of funny jokes about me buying organic milk and eggs.  Whatever Lofton.  When you live an extra twenty years because I've saved you from pesticides...

AND now, a recipe and a confession.  I have a banana saving problem.  My freezer is stocked full of brown bananas.  

You see, sometimes I buy produce just so it looks pretty on the counter.  

As a result we have lots of bananas we don't eat.  When they start to turn I just throw them in the freezer.  Hence why yesterday there were over a dozen frozen bananas in my freezer.  I thought it was high time I baked some banana bread.  Yummy for snacks and breakfast.  Lucky Ashley even got to take home a loaf.  See?  When you bring cute babies for me to snuggle and smell you are rewarded with baked goods.

Yummy, delicious, and semi-healthy banana bread

{adapted from Cooking Light}

Ingredients:

6 overly-ripe bananas, mashed {and in my case thawed}

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

3 eggs

1 small container of nonfat vanilla yogurt

4 cups all purpose flour

1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease two loaf pans with cooking spray.

Cream the butter and sugars together.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.  Add the yogurt and bananas.  Mix until combined.  Set aside.

Sift together four, salt, and baking soda.

Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients.  Do not over mix.  I actually barely mix it with the electric mixer, then finish it by hand.  {At this point you could also stir in chopped walnuts or pecans.}

Divide batter into the two loaf pans and bake for 55- 65 minutes.  

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Super easy and super delicious. And a super way to use the frozen bananas that sometimes fall out and crush your husband's toes.