13 Months

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My little Kaili bear is 13 months old and she just keeps getting cuter and cuter, if that is possible. She has made the transition from formula to whole milk without any fuss, gave up her nighttime bottle without a peep and continues to just go with the flow like usual. She is on a 6:30 pm. – 6:30 Am schedule with 2 naps a day and it’s very consistent. She is so close to walking but the fear of letting go is holding her back but it will happen soon.

She is still a great eater although like me she doesn’t like to eat the same thing 2 days in a row. I can’t get her to eat apricots, eggs or raisins but other than that she will eat most of anything. Oh and she does like guac just like I knew she would.

playing with Rillo
Seaport Village

Handy Dandy {Make Life Easier} Tips

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I have come across some pretty clever tricks to help with some every day PITA things.

  • Meatballs- Love eating meatballs but hate getting the mushy meat in between your fingers? I know I do. Roll the meat mixture into a log form. Cut into 1 inch pieces, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and put them inside a colander. Roll the meatballs around the colander and voila, instant round meatballs with clean hands.

  • Fix broken makeup -Do you have a favorite compact powder or bronzer but hate it when it breaks into pieces. Fix it by adding  a few small drops of rubbing alcohol into your broken makeup compact, after you add the alcohol to the broken powder you will notice it seep into the powder causing it to become soft. Smudge the soft soaking powder around, making it into a paste-like substance and re-form it by smoothing it out with your finger. Let it dry overnight for best results.  
  • Keep your Halloween Jack O Lantern from getting moldy- Carving a pumpkin is no simple feat and they usually get moldy before the holiday even arrives. Keep them fresh by using Silica gel packets.  Once you carve your pumpkin, remove gel beads from packet and embed them into the inside flesh of the pumpkin. 
  • Remove crayon from the wall- Is your little Picasso creating his masterpiece on your walls? Just use WD-40 for easy clean up. Apply a small amount to the surface and rub away with a clean cloth.
  • DIY Chip Clips- Do you have any of those plastic hangers with clips on them lying around? Well turn them into a chip clip  by breaking or sawing off the clips from the hanger. Now you have an instant chip clip, or in my case a chocolate chip clip.
  • Shoo Mosquito!-  Put a dryer sheet in your pocket to keep those mosquitos away. 
  • DIY Lip gloss – Mix a few drops of red food coloring into some Vaseline for instant lip gloss. Want it flavored? Mix in a little Kool-Aid powder, mint or vanilla extract. How easy is that? 
Do you have any other tips that you love? Please share!

Whole Wheat Banana Nut Muffins

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Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed

1/3 cup softened butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour

1 cup chopped walnuts (toasted or raw)

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350.
Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears. Add walnuts, stir to combine.

Pour mixture into a prepared muffin tins. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, it’s done. Cool on a rack.

*adapted from here  and here

Glutton for Punishment

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I started this blog as an outlet for my thoughts and feelings when we decided to go through In Vitro fertilization. A place to share personal things with close family and friends. I kept it private until after we made is safely home with our baby because I never felt 100% sure everything would work out the way I had hoped.

I was sent a blog about a family who has gone through the unimaginable. It took me about a week to actually read the whole thing because it’s just so sad. I have laid awake at night with my heart hurting for them, remembering and wondering how I actually made it through everything I did.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because this story hits home. I feel like I could have written most of it myself. I have never met or heard about anyone experiencing what I did. Unfortunately their story ended differently then mine. I feel guilty thinking about  how lucky we were to actually leave the hospital with our baby, terrible I know. I spent hours in recovery after surgery not knowing if I would ever meet my baby girl and what I would do if she didn’t make it. I just don’t know how this mother is coping.

This will make you cry so if you decide to read it, grab the tissues.

Her story in her own words.

Weekend at the Bay

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We had a fantastic staycation at the bay this weekend. Great friends, food and fun. Kaili really enjoyed herself, between the  all the kids to play with, the sand to play in and  the birds and boats to look at she was in heaven. The weather couldn’t have been better so were able to enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding and a lot of lounging around in our own controlled chaos.

not a bad view to wake up to
big girl
she did great playing by herself
she did great playing with her friends

fun in the sun

Brad and Michelle
fun with the swan
Kaili took her first ride in the kayak with mommy

I took a video of Kali on the beach. She was playing so nicely all by herself and getting a kick out of watching the kids fly kites.

I am looking forward to next year when she will be able to swim and run and get a little more out of it. Much thanks to the Warezaks for another fun Memorial day weekend!