Don't let go!

Everett is getting closer and closer to walking every day! I think that he could do it on his own if he wanted to but he just doesn't seem to want to let go of my hands! I guess I'm okay with that though- everyone says "you'll wish he was still crawling" so I am going to hold on to these last few months weeks days of immobility.  :)

This grass is prickily!

I really thought he would be walking by now especially because he has been cruising for two months or more! I'm sure that as soon as he figures it out he will be off to the races! He is a speed crawler and will probably be a runner too!

Don't let go!

Chewy "Granola"

I wanted to make something that I could snack on that is easy and can be out and available throughout the day... not something that I have to heat up, cook, etc. I started looking around online for recipes for something that was paleo friendly and delicious.  I found a few for chewy type bars but none that I thought I would like so I got to work in the kitchen and came up with a "granola" type consistency rather than a bar. It is DELICIOUS! I love it and it is definitely going to be a staple in our house.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of nuts (I used almonds, peanuts, and pecans)
• 0.5 cups of unsweetened coconut shreds
• 2 cups of dried fruit (I used Sunsweet Berry Blend)
• 2 tbs of MCT oil (you can sub this or leave it out)

1. Pulse the nuts in a food processor, I left it in a "chunky" consistency
2. Remove nuts and set aside in a mixing bowl
3. Pulse the fruit in the food processor
4. Add fruit, coconut shreds, and MCT oil to the nuts and mix (you will probably want to use your hands)
5. "Crumble" into a storage container and store at room temperature

That's it! Super easy, super delicious, and super good for you! 

Enjoy! 

Glub Glub says the Fish!

Tyler, Everett, and I spent this past Monday night and Tuesday in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  We stayed at the lovely Baltimore Homewood Suites; side note: we LOVE the Homewood Suites, what's not to love?  

Our hotel!

Everett made it look just like home in our hotel room!

Peek-a-boo!

I see you!

Who is that handsome fellow?

Everett had time to Facetime with Pigpaw before we headed out!

Tyler had to work all day so Everett and I decided to go out and explore the Baltimore Aquarium.  We were lucky enough to have our good friend from college, Patrick meet us at the aquarium for the day! 

Momma, Everett, and Uncle Patrick

Obligatory Everett and Nemo picture!

This is serious people!!

Everett and Momma waiting for the dolphin show to start!

Uncle Patrick kept Everett entertained while we waited!

The dolphin was trying to touch the curtain!

The dolphin waving!

Everett was quite excited to see the action!

Wheeeeee!!

YAY! This is awesome!

Just going for a walk!

The dolphin show was a great hit! Everett was clapping along with the music and dancing in his chair!  After the show we went to check out some more of the aquarium. 

He looks kind of mean.

The "Australian Exhibit

Momma and Everett :)

Watching for sharks!

Uncle Patrick

JELLY FISH!!

Everett enjoyed being able to get down and play in the kids zone!  They had a puppet show area and things to jump and climb on which was perfect for my little explorer man!

A sand table?! Awesome!

Ewww Uncle Patrick, what is this?

After we checked everything out at the aquarium we decided to take a break and get some food.  We dined at the always awesome Hard Rock Cafe and Everett passed out in my lap! We must have really worn him out with all the aquarium fun! 

So tired!

After lunch Uncle Patrick headed home and Everett and I played in the grass for a few minutes while we waited for Daddy/Tyler! 

I can take the picture Momma!

Dad! Dad! Dad! Guess what we did today?!

Overall a fun time was had by all! I highly recommend checking out the aquarium if you're in the Baltimore area! It is a little expensive but worth it! :)  What are you up to this coming week?  Anything fun?

Update: Blog Challenge

Have you visited my friend Jessica's blog lately? She's documenting her life as a busy student!  Gosh I can't imagine being in college again- the papers, the all-nighters, the constant studying... I am glad it's over! 

We're 17 days into our Blog Challenge and so far so good. It doesn't look like either of us is going to be giving in anytime soon!  Actually, we've inspired a friend of ours to start blogging again! Check out Livy's blog here! She is HILARIOUS!


Is anyone else in the middle of a "challenge?"  Leave me a comment below about it!!

Daily Happenings: 4/26/12

This morning started out pretty awesome because Everett and I had bacon!!  How could your day not be awesome if you have bacon for breakfast!? 

My bacon was not this photogenic! Photo found here.

After breakfast Everett had his good friend Kasen over for a play date! Fun times were had by both mommies and both kiddos! 

Just hanging out!

Pushing Everett around in the car seat

I got the infant car seat out for Everett to "play" in and see that it's fun! 

Everett isn't so sure about the car seat...

Kasen playing with Clive!

The boys hanging out!

So far it's been a fun day!


Update:  We went to Target... surprised? 

Can You Smell That Smell?

You know what one of the most delicious smells is?  Fresh baked bread!  I used to love when my mom would bake bread and the whole house would smell sooooo (sooo sooo) good.  Well after switching to a paleo lifestyle Tyler and I (more reluctantly) gave up eating wheat, grains, etc and kissed bread goodbye.. or so we thought. 

A month or so ago I found a recipe for Yeast-Based Paleo Bread on The Paleo Mom and I was so excited (like couldn't wait to the store to get the stuff I needed excited!)  After making the bread the first time, Tyler and I were hooked!  To realize we could eat sandwiches again!  WOAH! A whole new world of paleo meals opened up for us!  

Photo from The Paleo Mom

So today I am in the kitchen making some more paleo bread and (literally) thanking God for The Paleo Mom! If you haven't already check out some of her recipes, she has some really great stuff!  Check out the recipe below!


Ingredients:

7/8 cups Mineral Water
(if you don’t have a measuring cup this accurate, it’s the same as 220mL or you can measure 1 cup and remove 2 Tbsp)

½ cup Golden Flaxseed Meal

2 eggs

1 tsp Salt

1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tbsp Honey

¼ cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

4 cups Blanched Almond Flour

2/3 cup Tapioca Flour

2/3 cup Arrowroot Flour

2 tsp Active Dry Yeast

1. Mix mineral water, eggs, ground flaxseed, salt, honey, and vinegar in the bottom of your Bread Machine pan.  Use a fork to break up the eggs and mix the ground flaxseed in well.  Let sit 2 minutes before adding the dry ingredients.
2. Add coconut oil, almond flour, tapioca and arrowroot flour on top of wet ingredients.  Sprinkle yeast on top of the flour (or follow your bread maker’s directions).
3. Use the whole wheat cycle on your Bread Machine.  Check during the initial knead that the ingredients are mixing well and none are sticking to the edge of the pan (if they are, use a spatula to gently push them down into the rest of the dough).
4. Remove promptly after your bread machine is done.  Enjoy!

Recipe from The Paleo Mom!

Car Seat Woes

Man oh man we are having issues with Mr. Everett and his car seat. He pretty much hates it- and it's not just our car seat, it's any car seat. He just freaks out anytime we are in the car for more than ten minutes. I feel horrible especially when it's just he and I because there's nothing I can do! I've checked the straps to make sure they're in the right place and not too tight. He's got a mirror and plenty of toys to keep him occupied (most of which end up on the floor.) I don't know what to do.

He is in a convertible car seat and is rear facing- we plan on keeping him that way until he is at least two or if he still fits until he outgrows the height/weight requirements. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2." (Link here.) I don't know that turning him around would help much anyway though.  I would be able to reach him more easily if he were turned around however I think he would still be mad that he was constrained.

This is how E would prefer to ride!
Note: Everett did NOT ride like this- it was for photographic purposes only

Anytime we want to drive anywhere outside of our town we sort of cringe thinking about it because of the torment that Everett goes through. (TMI warning!) I can't tell you how many times I've leaned over the car seat to nurse him!  Today, out of desperation I let him have his water bottle which he loved (I was in the back with him.)  It worries me to just give it to him all the time now, especially if I'm not back there with him because he's not really that used to having a sippy cup/water bottle.

I'm a race car driver mom!
Note: Everett did NOT ride like this- it was for photographic purposes only!

Has anyone else had these issues? We're coming up on the summer which means we're planning a few semi-short road trips to visit family.  Sigh.

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Is your child in the right car seat? View the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website to find out!