Yummy! (lick)

Yummy! (lick)

I could have watched him eat his cupcake all night. He savored every lick of the icing.

"Momma, you some?" he offered. "No baby, it's ok. I'm having too much fun watching you eat it."


When I went in to get him from his crib the morning before (his actual birthday), he was already awake and in a very good mood. I took the four red balloons from my arms, tossed them into his crib and shouted, "Happy Birthday, Kaleb! You are 2 years old today!!"

He smiled and said "Ba-oots!" (balloons) He loves balloons. Every time we are anywhere (Target, Wal-mart, Fry's) he manages to find that one stray balloon stuck on the ceiling in the corner of the room and questions how it got so high. I knew balloons for his birthday would be a major hit.

I took him into the kitchen to get his morning milk and he smiled when he saw his Happy Birthday banner hanging on the wall.
"Momma, dat mine?" he asked. "Yes, that's yours. It says, 'Happy Birthday'. Do you like it?"
"Pufect." he answered.
That conversation will forever be etched on my heart. What a sweet response from a sweet little birthday boy.

The rest of the day consisted of a playdate with my Mom's group and their little ones where we had cake and sang happy birthday to him. He was delighted. (Oh and I have to mention, the cake was not just any cake...it was made with love by his Daddy! It was red velvet with vanilla icing and it was good!)
When we went home, I let him open a couple of gifts. But for the rest of day, he only wanted to play with his ba-oots. (of course)

The following day was his birthday party. All of his buddies were there...there was pizza, cupcakes and pure mayhem. Just as a 2 year old's birthday should be. Everything had come together so well and I couldn't have done without the help of my hubby and my girlfriend, Janae. Thank you both so much!! It was such a great birthday party!

When I watched him down his 2nd cupcake that night, I starting reminiscing about the last couple of days. It came and went so fast. I tried to make mental notes of all the things I didn't want to forget...
His face, his voice, his excitement and his laughter. He will never be this age, this way again. I started to tear up as I glanced back at him, still enjoying that cupcake. I hope I can make every birthday, every year, special for him. So that when he thinks back about times like this, only one word will come to mind...

PUFECT.

A look back...

Our baby boy is one week and 3 days away from celebrating his 2nd birthday.
His 2ND birthday!!
Where did my baby go?
The coos, the little hands and feet, that big bald head...

Honestly, the baby phase was not my favorite time.

This....THIS is my favorite time.



We have conversations.
He laughs at my funny antics and I laugh at his.



He helps me take care of the dogs with a few extra treats.



He even shares his Dolce Vita mango sorbet with me. And for an almost 2 year old, that is how you express your love without ever having to say it.

I love you my precious baby boy.
I can't wait to celebrate another year of your life.

Juice Anyone?

Doctors say you should eat your fruits and drink your veggies. Well, we have definitely been eating our fruits but veggies-not so much.
Until now...

We got a JUICER!!
And I love it! It's a Breville and it's so easy to use. It's also easy to clean and if you so desire, you can save the pulp it creates and use it in breads or other yummy recipes. (so I haven't gotten to that part yet, but give me some time!;-)

Here was our first juice recipe:

4 Granny Smith Apples
3 Carrots
3 Celery Stalks



And here was the result:



About 20 oz. of sweet goodness...yum!
Kaleb however was not so thrilled. After taking a sip, he said "I no like that."
Mmmm, maybe something sweeter next time.

I love V8 juice so I decided to try to make my own and this is what the recipe called for:

2 large tomatos
1 cucumber
1 bunch parsley
3 carrots





The result was NOT V8!! It was thin and bitter, I think from the parsley and Alf and I both had to choke it down.
Why? Because that's what you do when you just destroyed $10 worth of produce. ;-)

Now I need help! Anyone have a fruit/veggie combo that they love?
I am thinking of trying a strawberry, pineapple and carrot mix next.
I think Kaleb would love that one-bring on the sweet!!