our bedtime routine

Now that Patrick sleeps through the night pretty consistently (maybe 5 of 7 nights?), I really look forward to going to bed.  There's a calm in the air that wasn't always there, and knowing that we'll both be rested in the morning makes it that much better.

Since Patrick was about three months old we've had him on a bedtime routine (probably not unlike many other babies) and it really works for us.   He's always gone to bed early - it's just something we couldn't control, so our routine starts early.

5:30 - Supper. 
Usually consists of whatever I make that night, but if it's too spicy or has hamburger in it, I'll chop up an avocado or sweet potato.  By the way, the perfect sweet potato?  350° for an hour, right on the middle rack.  After 30 minutes, poke it with a fork a few times.


6:00 - Bath.
Recently Jeff has been taking Pat in the shower with him.  When we first started doing that a couple months ago, he would SCREAM bloody murder, but after a few nights he couldn't wait to get in with Daddy.


6:30 - Stories. (and I sneak in a few prayers until he gets antsy)
His favorites haven't changed much, but he is really digging these Fisher Price flap books lately.  And really, he just wants me to point and name everything in books these days, forget the words.


7:00 - Relax.
This is when all of us hang out in the family room, talking and playing.  Before the evil time change, this was collapse-in-crib time after watching Mike the Knight.  Not anymore.  Now we have to listen to Diego and his liberal animal-saving, green Earth CONSERVE OUR NATURAL RESOURCES bullshit.  However, being a scientist I kind of buy into it.


8:00 - Night Night.
I hate that I got suckered into Mommy talk (but I kind of love it too), like night night and boo boo and horsey.  But you just do it automatically, like it's been inside you all along.

Anyways, I still rock Patrick to sleep.  And he still takes his paci to go to sleep.  And I sometimes have to sing our lullaby if he's wound up.  But this is the best part of the day.  Such sweetness in their closed eyes and full pouty lips.  Makes ya wanna have four more.


P.S. - The sheet for sleep.
After visiting Jeff's cousin and wife in Chicago, she swore this fitted crib sheet from PB kids was the reason her son was an awesome sleeper.  She happened to have an extra one in her nursery closet and she actually GAVE IT TO ME.  Like, how do you say thank you when it doesn't do your gratitude justice?  They are so comfy and luxurious, I will never buy anything else for my babies.

Night night!

chicago

Okay so Chicago.  Don't get mad, but we should've known we wouldn't be crazy about it.  I used to think I would like to live in the city for a couple years after college, but I know deep down that I'm just not a city girl.  The small spaces, the traffic, the murderers.

Anyway, just me and Jeffy went for a little vacay sans baby.  We haven't vacationed together since our honeymoon, so it was overdue.  Obviously it was put off because of Patrick (whom we missed dearly and talked about most of the time).  We were all Can't you just see Pat's reaction seeing that flamingo?   

Since Jeff and I are certified historians (him) and scientists (me), we were most excited about the Field Museum. 

We got to see Sue, a T-Rex with an almost-complete set of bones!

If I think back to what I got most excited about, it would be this six-foot tall replica of DNA.  I literally almost collapsed it was so freaking awesome.  There was an entire lab behind glass where you could watch scientists analyzing DNA of all types of organisms.  Unfortunately, scientists don't work 24 hours a day and sleep on a cot in the lab, so we weren't able to see any working at the time.

A triceratops that took me back to The Land Before Time immediately.  "No Sarah, two horns never play with long necks."

We spent three hours at the museum until I could no longer stand on my own two feet.. I was exhausted!  Jeff was so mad that we couldn't go to the bottom level and see the UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES and the MAN-EATING LION.   Sorry honey, I've done enough learning.

On our last day we visited Navy Pier and froze to death got lunch at Margaritaville.  Yum!


Other thoughts:

• Driving through Indiana was like driving through District 12 in The Hunger Games.  It was straight-up creepy.  It really made me appreciate Ohio's updated, clean infrastructure.

• Instead of staying in a hotel, we opted for a free stay at a friend-of-a-friend's apartment.  It happened to be on the 38th floor. 

• I'm glad I had my riding boots to wear around the city to ensure that I fit in with every other female (and some males).

• I was adamant about going to Mass, but everytime I mentioned it Jeff would say "Oh darn I think we just missed it!"

• The cab drivers were not talkative nor friendly.  I kept thinking of all these questions like How long are your hours?  Or Does your mom have to drop you off at work?  Or What ethnicity are you?  Or Do you realize you have the worst effing job in the world?  All of which I held in so I didn't get socked in the face. 

• We're glad we visited, but we will never see you again Chicago.  It's been real!

makes it feel like fall

Okay, I swear this isn't a food blog.  But it would be criminal not to share some of these recipes with you.  If this immediately turns you off because of the whole maple syrup overkill, I promise you will not taste it by itself - it's so mild.  And the sage is to die.  I didn't even have a side dish with this, just whipped it up by itself.

Maple-Glazed Chicken

 

Ingredients

 

2 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts, cut into large chunks

Kosher salt

2 T EVOO

2 apples (1 red, 1 green)

8 shallots, quartered lengthwise

1/4 c fresh sage, torn

1/2 c chicken broth

1/4 c maple syrup

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

 

 

Directions

 

Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt.  Heat a large heavy skillet over medium high heat and add the olive oil.  When the oil is hot, add the chicken skin-side down and cook, undisturbed, about five minutes.

 

Turn the chicken and add the apples, shallots and sage to the skillet.  Reduce heat to medium and cook until chicken is cooked on the bottom, 4 more minutes.  Transfer the chicken to a plate and continue to cook the apples and shallots, stirring until golden, about two minutes.

 

Meanwhile, make the glaze:  Mix the chicken broth, maple syrup, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl.  Add the mixture to the skillet with the apples and shallots and boil until reduced by three-quarters, 2 to 3 minutes.  Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat until cooked through, about 2 more minutes.

four years ago today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~favorite memories~

 

year 1

 

In between our wedding and honeymoon we had one night at our newly renovated home.  Unfortunately it wasn't completely finished - the wood floors had yet to be stained and therefore our brand new couch was still covered in plastic in the living room.  I'll never forget, I made tacos that night (our first meal at home as a married couple).  We sat on the plastic-covered couch and scarfed those tacos.

 

 

year 2

 

Jeff plays softball for a church league (because he is an avid church-goer) and I've been going to his games since I can remember.  But this year was particularly memorable because it was just me.  Just me and the other wives.  None of us had kids, we were just there to cheer on our husbands.  Isn't there something so romantic about that?

 

 

year 3

 

Bring pregnant with Patrick holds some of the best memories for Jeff and I.  We did a lot of bonding in those summer evenings - watching TV, Jeff just laying his hand on my belly waiting for Patrick to roll move around.  Every night I would say "You know, it's not going to be just me and you for much longer."  The birth of Patrick came on time and in perfect harmony.  I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery, and sharing those moments with Jeff were priceless.

 

 

year 4

 

Our mornings with Patrick stand out the most.  He's an early riser, so all three of us usually flop around on our big bed for a half hour, just giggling and playing peek-a-boo.  Making Patrick say words that make us crack up, like FLAMINGO (bingo) and TAPIOCA (ca-po-ca). 

 

 

Here's to our fifth year, Jeffrey!  I love you more than words can describe!