I have become a puree-ing fool. We puree Eli's food of course but I'm also on a kick to add more vegetables to what we eat every day. I am a very bad vegetable eater. For Christmas I asked for, and received, Jessica Seinfeld's Cookbook 'Deceptively Delicious'. It's about adding purees to all kinds of dishes to increase the vegetable content. This weekend we made chocolate chip cookies with chickpeas (my new favorite cookie recipe!) and last night Tim made mashed potatoes with cauliflower. They were quite yummy.
Here's hoping I can do better with my veggies!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
My friend Owen
Eli is so lucky. He has a friend in the neighborhood - Owen - that is exactly two weeks older than him. Ok, so maybe Owen's mom Kara and I are the lucky ones! We're both first time moms and help each other maintain some small bit of sanity. The friendship that has developed and the shared experiences are priceless. It is so nice having someone so close - we're just a short walk through the backyard apart. We have decided that Owen & Eli have no choice but to be friends. Their first playdate consisted of a lot of sleeping - them not us- but as you can see, they're getting bigger and will be wresting and playing together before we know it.
My pal Owen - aren't we cute?
Let the games begin!
My pal Owen - aren't we cute?
Let the games begin!Meeting Aunt Cary
This weekend my dear friend Cary came to visit us from Colorado. She is such an amazing person - so much zest for life, her energy is contagious. She is a great athlete and a great motivator. She gave me some tips and encouragement for getting the last of the baby weight off. Eli very much enjoyed meeting his "aunt" and getting spoiled a bit.
Cary arrived Friday afternoon and we did take-out just hanging around the house. Saturday was water class (she swam at the pool), Farmer's Market, a bike ride for Cary and a movie for the girls. We went to see '27 Dresses' and loved it. I highly doubt I could have dragged Tim to that one! Tim cooked us dinner that night to round out a full day. Sunday, Cary & I went on a bike ride in the morning. Tim & I made some of Eli's food in the afternoon and then Cary, Eli, Belle & I went on a walk / little jog around the neighborhood. Aunt Cary got to test drive Eli's fun Bob stroller and I was able to get a little extra pull from Belle! Last night we made some yummy cookies and homemade chicken noodle soup.
It was a fun packed weekend. Eli had so much fun and was such a good boy. He smiled at Cary and she smiled right back. With his 2-tooth smile, it's obvious that she's his aunt!
My aunt Cary
Cary arrived Friday afternoon and we did take-out just hanging around the house. Saturday was water class (she swam at the pool), Farmer's Market, a bike ride for Cary and a movie for the girls. We went to see '27 Dresses' and loved it. I highly doubt I could have dragged Tim to that one! Tim cooked us dinner that night to round out a full day. Sunday, Cary & I went on a bike ride in the morning. Tim & I made some of Eli's food in the afternoon and then Cary, Eli, Belle & I went on a walk / little jog around the neighborhood. Aunt Cary got to test drive Eli's fun Bob stroller and I was able to get a little extra pull from Belle! Last night we made some yummy cookies and homemade chicken noodle soup.
It was a fun packed weekend. Eli had so much fun and was such a good boy. He smiled at Cary and she smiled right back. With his 2-tooth smile, it's obvious that she's his aunt!
My aunt Cary
Feed me....putting Aunt Cary to work
Eli took a break after breakfast to read the paper
Faster Aunt Cary.....Faster!!
Eli, Mom & Aunt Cary
Cookie Monster and Farmer Jim
This past Friday Eli had his first "cookie" - Zwieback toast. He loved it! Since he has 2 teeth already, we figured it was ok to let him try them out. If he's anything like his Daddy, he'll be a cookie monster!!
Yummy...got me a cookie
This is pretty good
Check out those teeth!!
Notice Belle lurking behind the dinosaur waiting for a crumb.
Yummy...got me a cookie
This is pretty good
Check out those teeth!! 
Notice Belle lurking behind the dinosaur waiting for a crumb.One of Eli's nicknames (well the main one!) is Bubba Jim. Tim started it and we think Tim's dad used to call them Bubba Jim. We thought this was a cute picture of "Farmer Jim" in his overalls ready to go to school.
Farmer Jim
Friday, January 25, 2008
Parent....Job Description
Found this on line and thought it was cute. Guess this really is the "toughest job you'll ever love" as everyone told me. =)
POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in anoften chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass youPREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately.On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis..WAGES AND
COMPENSATION:Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS:While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
** AND A FOOTNOTE? THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!
** If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents!
POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop
JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in anoften chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass youPREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately.On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis..WAGES AND
COMPENSATION:Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS:While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.
** AND A FOOTNOTE? THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!
** If you are fortunate enough you will become grandparents!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
and I'll take kilograms....
Had a funny thought today. Instead of focusing on the fact that I want to lose 30 pounds, I should think of it in kilograms. 30 pounds is only 14 kilograms - doesn't that sound much easier?!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
5 Months old....Wow!
Today is Eli's 5 month birthday. Hard to believe that exactly 5 months ago today, Tim & I drove to Rex completely unaware that we were going to meet our son that night.
At 5 months, Eli weighs about 17-1/2 pounds. He hasn't been measured for length lately but I imagine he's pushing 28 inches or more. He smiles a lot - Tim & I were just talking about how good it makes you feel when you walk in a room, he sees you and then smiles really big.
We spent today hanging out and playing. Eli worked on sitting up and rolling over. We also went for a walk around the block in the burr chilly cold. Oh yeah, and he is still an eating machine!
Eli & Daddy
Look at me, trying to sit up
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Green peas.....the verdict
Eli is an eating machine. So far, he's had (and loved) rice cereal, rice cereal with bananas, acorn squash, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, bananas, applesauce and now....green peas. Tonight was green pea night and I was worried with all the orange and yellow vegetables that he wouldn't like green, but I was wrong. 3 tablespoons of peas later, it's obvious that he likes them!
Little pea face
Yumm....
This is what happens with green peas....a green froggie!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Look Alike
I stole this idea from Stella and Noah's blogs and tested the Look Alike Meter. Not sure if I believe that he looks more like me by 3% but I do know that he's pretty darn cute!!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Finding ourselves
Not sure if any of my other "new mom" friends have experienced this....
Tim & I are finding ourselves again. No, we haven't really been lost - just pushed into the background behind all the diapers, feedings, crying and general new baby stuff. Eli will be 5 months old next week and we're ready to work on ourselves and be Evia & Tim, super parents and super people. (We're not really super heroes.....but we try!) Over the past 5 months, we have focused so much on learning about our new son and figuring out how to take care of him that we haven't focused on ourselves. Exercise and hobbies have gone by the wayside. And we're ready to change that. =) We have talked about our daily routine and have figured some ways to allow us each some free time to exercise and do whatever else we wish for a certain period of time. We have given up on our past expectation of exercising every day - at least for now with Eli's age and the current lack of sunlight after work - but we have a plan that will give each one of us every other day. A minimum of 3 workouts a week should help us both get back into some sort of shape (and me lose more of this baby weight) and help us stay happy.
We're excited about our new plan and look forward to continuing to tag team parenthood. We both actually got a workout in today - a great end to our wonderful weekend and the perfect start to a new week!
Tim & I are finding ourselves again. No, we haven't really been lost - just pushed into the background behind all the diapers, feedings, crying and general new baby stuff. Eli will be 5 months old next week and we're ready to work on ourselves and be Evia & Tim, super parents and super people. (We're not really super heroes.....but we try!) Over the past 5 months, we have focused so much on learning about our new son and figuring out how to take care of him that we haven't focused on ourselves. Exercise and hobbies have gone by the wayside. And we're ready to change that. =) We have talked about our daily routine and have figured some ways to allow us each some free time to exercise and do whatever else we wish for a certain period of time. We have given up on our past expectation of exercising every day - at least for now with Eli's age and the current lack of sunlight after work - but we have a plan that will give each one of us every other day. A minimum of 3 workouts a week should help us both get back into some sort of shape (and me lose more of this baby weight) and help us stay happy.
We're excited about our new plan and look forward to continuing to tag team parenthood. We both actually got a workout in today - a great end to our wonderful weekend and the perfect start to a new week!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A Whole Lotta Happy
We have had such a great weekend.....and there's still one day left!!
Last night, my mom came up to spend time with Eli and give us a break. We went out to dinner and then to Barnes & Noble. We love to just go hang out and browse at B&N; it was nice to be able to go and not worry about Eli; he was in good hands.
This morning Grandma took care of Eli and allowed us an extra hour of sleep (see I told you it was a great weekend!!). After breakfast, Eli, Grandma & I headed to Pullen Park for our first AquaMoms class. I was so excited because all of my friends from PreNatal Yoga were also going to be there. Eli did great in the pool - his first time - and we even put his face under water. He didn't cry or anything! Everyone in the class was so nice and it was a lot of fun. The babies seemed to have a good time and it was great to see Robin, Amy & Jacque again with their little ones, Noah, Stella Dot and Elizabeth.
After AquaMoms, we came home and piddled around the house a bit. We made Eli's sweet potatoes for the next week and then (more fun stuff ahead), Tim & I went to the movies. We went to see 'The Bucket List'. It was really good and especially nice to relax and enjoy the movie. I can't remember if we've been to a movie together since he was born.....maybe once, but I can't specifically remember. We got back and hung out with Grandma for a bit before she had to head home. Tim, Eli & I then went to Brier Creek to run some errands and Eli slept the entire time.
See, I told you it was a great weekend! My mom loves to come see Eli and it is such a treat for Tim & I as well. We really appreciate her coming up this weekend and giving us a lot of time off to do fun stuff together. We love you Mom!
Tomorrow we hope to hang out with our neighbor Kara and her son Owen and also do a few more chores. Should be a good day!
Some fun pictures from AquaMoms.
Last night, my mom came up to spend time with Eli and give us a break. We went out to dinner and then to Barnes & Noble. We love to just go hang out and browse at B&N; it was nice to be able to go and not worry about Eli; he was in good hands.
This morning Grandma took care of Eli and allowed us an extra hour of sleep (see I told you it was a great weekend!!). After breakfast, Eli, Grandma & I headed to Pullen Park for our first AquaMoms class. I was so excited because all of my friends from PreNatal Yoga were also going to be there. Eli did great in the pool - his first time - and we even put his face under water. He didn't cry or anything! Everyone in the class was so nice and it was a lot of fun. The babies seemed to have a good time and it was great to see Robin, Amy & Jacque again with their little ones, Noah, Stella Dot and Elizabeth.
After AquaMoms, we came home and piddled around the house a bit. We made Eli's sweet potatoes for the next week and then (more fun stuff ahead), Tim & I went to the movies. We went to see 'The Bucket List'. It was really good and especially nice to relax and enjoy the movie. I can't remember if we've been to a movie together since he was born.....maybe once, but I can't specifically remember. We got back and hung out with Grandma for a bit before she had to head home. Tim, Eli & I then went to Brier Creek to run some errands and Eli slept the entire time.
See, I told you it was a great weekend! My mom loves to come see Eli and it is such a treat for Tim & I as well. We really appreciate her coming up this weekend and giving us a lot of time off to do fun stuff together. We love you Mom!
Tomorrow we hope to hang out with our neighbor Kara and her son Owen and also do a few more chores. Should be a good day!
Some fun pictures from AquaMoms.
Floating on my back
Noodle time - kick kick kick
Mom, this is so much fun!
(L-R) Moms: Evia, Robin, Amy,Jacque
Babies: Eli, Noah, Stella Dot, Elizabeth
Saturday, January 5, 2008
5k Photos (finally)
Finally recovered pictures from the memory card - thanks Amy!
Pre-Race
Pre-Race
Go Mommy Go!
Look at my medal!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Running and Rolling into 2008
Welcome to 2008 - Happy New Year!!
Although we did nothing last night (we followed Eli's mood and just stayed home, laying low), we had a great time today celebrating 2008.
The running: Tim, Eli & I did the Resolution Run 5k. My original plan was to walk the entire thing and finish in under 50 minutes. Well, I learned today that I still have a competitive spirit in me. I started looking at other participants and realized that even though I haven't run in well over a year, I could finish before some of them. Bad of me, I know, but I just couldn't help it. So Tim & I started the 5k at 9am. Me pushing Eli in the jogger and Tim asking a million times if I needed him to push. Being as stubborn as I am, my answer was always a polite no. We ended up running more than I expected and only walked the uphills. The great thing was that the last .6 miles to the finish line was downhill! So, we did our 3.1 miles in 39:54 - averaged 12:42 min/mi. I was pretty darn happy with that. Our first event as a family and Eli got his first medal for finishing! There was a kids' run after and one of my friends was the race director so he gave Eli his own medal for finishing the 5k. How cool is that?! 4 months old and did his first race. He seemed to enjoy it and was smiling when it was over.
The only bad part of the 5k was when I dropped our digital camera on the brick pavers after we finished and broke it. I was (and still am) so upset with myself over that; it seems like everything I touch these days breaks. It's past being repaired so we've got to shop for another one. Ugh. We did capture some good pictures before I dropped it so once I retrieve them from the memory card, I'll post some.
Now the rolling: Eli rolled over this evening for the first time! It was so cool that Tim & I both got to see it. It will probably take him a while to repeat it but we're happy we saw the first one. With him in daycare, we worry about missing this kind of stuff.
Oh yeah, the boy's getting some teeth too! I can feel at least one coming in on the bottom right side. Crazy how things are starting to happen. =)
So all in all, it has been a big start to 2008 for us. No resolutions here except to enjoy our time as a family and be the best parents we can be. It's a tough job and big challenge but Tim & I are "tag team champions of the world" and together we can do it.
Although we did nothing last night (we followed Eli's mood and just stayed home, laying low), we had a great time today celebrating 2008.
The running: Tim, Eli & I did the Resolution Run 5k. My original plan was to walk the entire thing and finish in under 50 minutes. Well, I learned today that I still have a competitive spirit in me. I started looking at other participants and realized that even though I haven't run in well over a year, I could finish before some of them. Bad of me, I know, but I just couldn't help it. So Tim & I started the 5k at 9am. Me pushing Eli in the jogger and Tim asking a million times if I needed him to push. Being as stubborn as I am, my answer was always a polite no. We ended up running more than I expected and only walked the uphills. The great thing was that the last .6 miles to the finish line was downhill! So, we did our 3.1 miles in 39:54 - averaged 12:42 min/mi. I was pretty darn happy with that. Our first event as a family and Eli got his first medal for finishing! There was a kids' run after and one of my friends was the race director so he gave Eli his own medal for finishing the 5k. How cool is that?! 4 months old and did his first race. He seemed to enjoy it and was smiling when it was over.
The only bad part of the 5k was when I dropped our digital camera on the brick pavers after we finished and broke it. I was (and still am) so upset with myself over that; it seems like everything I touch these days breaks. It's past being repaired so we've got to shop for another one. Ugh. We did capture some good pictures before I dropped it so once I retrieve them from the memory card, I'll post some.
Now the rolling: Eli rolled over this evening for the first time! It was so cool that Tim & I both got to see it. It will probably take him a while to repeat it but we're happy we saw the first one. With him in daycare, we worry about missing this kind of stuff.
Oh yeah, the boy's getting some teeth too! I can feel at least one coming in on the bottom right side. Crazy how things are starting to happen. =)
So all in all, it has been a big start to 2008 for us. No resolutions here except to enjoy our time as a family and be the best parents we can be. It's a tough job and big challenge but Tim & I are "tag team champions of the world" and together we can do it.
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