Brainfreeze

Dearest Baby,

Oh my gosh, look at you! Hahahaha!! Amy gave you a bite of her pop and you demolished it!! You were so good at Katelyn's housewarming party this past Saturday.

>^..^<

I know by seven months I can start making you mango pops, but I think it is time now. I love how you always want something cold. It's super cozy inside from it being so warm from the fire, and your teeth hurt, so I see why it calms you lovie.

In this beautiful moment (present time, not picture time), you are walking around like a toddler in your walker. We need you get you a bouncer, or just a trampoline, because by the looks of it, you'll be walking before we know it. May I mention your dancing skills are stellar and on point with the beat every time I play music? You are a wonder child.

Love you always & forever my flower princess

XO

.::meow::.

My Mama in Color

Tee is DIY from my father. Skirt is my cousin Annie's from H&M. Boots are Dr. Martens.
Photo Credit: Max Martinez (my beloved cousin)

I absolutely dig this shirt. My father made it for my mother back in '87. Her face graces the tee. I find myself throwing this on when I have nothing else to wear. Pajamas? I throw it on. Going grocery shopping? I throw it on with my leggings and boots and I'm out. I'll wear it over a dress, or with shorts..it doesn't matter. People always ask where I bought it, and I'm lucky to say it's one of a kind. I am utterly inspired by this piece lately. My favorite thing about it are the vibrant colors after all these years.

xo

The past couple days...

Dear Elya,

Hello little lady. Today I wanted to catch up because Mama has been M.I.A lately. Our computer broke lovie! Believe mama when I say I have been craving to post more pictures of you and FOR you.

Recently you started eating more solids, and the other day I tried something awesome.

Your mama is going to get you to be a super eater and I think we are well on our way...

Love Mama.

P.S. It's really hard for me to change that diaper of yours lately. You just have so much control over those muscles its ridiculous!! You try to even pull yourself up if you are close to something to hold onto. Mama may have a lil' dancer on her hands...

xo

******************************************************************

.::::Leek and Potato Puree::::.

I peeled and chopped up four small russet potatoes and boiled them. In a small pan I cooked the leeks in butter for about seven minutes until tender. (I had to look online for a leek recipe because this was indeed MY first time trying a leek!) I wasn't too sure how to cook the leeks from the Annabel Karmel recipe.

After the leeks and potatoes were ready, I put the leeks into the potatoes and drained the remaining liquid into the potatoes as well. I then pureed the mixture in her Annabel Karmel Mill. I also received a couple recipe cards in which the leek/potato/and pee puree was included. I left out the peas because I didn't have any at the time.Super rad. Super simple. If you are a mama who is into making your own baby food, you should definitely check out the Annabel Karmel website.





Elya was so interested in her first bite. I don't think she knew what to think!

After taking a few bites she absolutely made this into her favorite meal. The other night I mixed it with her roasted carrot puree I made.

I prepare all of this ahead of time and freeze my food. I take out what I want to feed her the night before and place it into the fridge so it can thaw for lunch and dinner. To heat up the food I place it on the stove and double boil it until warm. We don't have a micro. We're too cool for that.

Plus, Kyle and I don't want to let radiation into our home.

DUH!

..:::: BOMB DIGGITY! ::::..

******************************************************

As for me lately, I have been focusing on my art. I am opening up my own shop on Etsy where I plan on selling the doo dads I make. I really do not want to get into detail about what is up and coming, but let me just say its going to be stellar. Everything is still in the making, but I do have a couple pieces up for sale here.

I feel myself feeling a bit lethargic lately and do not feel like putting any make-up on or even dressing up. I apologize for not doing any posts like that but I soon promise my wardrobe will be up to date soon. I mean, I could post my awesome "not-giving-a-*&$%-hippie-homeless" outfits I practically live in from day to day.

Don't judge. I am comfortable and cool. I am warm in my long skirts, tights and multi-colored, psychedelic patterns. I guess I can show you...but then my blog would be a mix of baby advice from myself as a new mama, my fashion sense and letters to Elya all wrapped up into one giant hairball. I can dig it.

Meow.

Until next time,

Peace and Kisses

MUAH!

.

Frozen In Time

Temperatures dropped into the thirties last night. My boyfriend Kyle, (my LOVER, and BEAUTIFUL FATHER of our child), had to bring his Bonsai trees and our Goji plant inside. >^..^<

We started a fire after making dinner and just cuddled. Elya is so awesome. She can entertain herself for   short bits of time, so it makes a good balance for babe and I to chill out once and awhile. 

Since I am so stuck on the fact that I'm freezing my butt off right now, I feel the need to warm up with some pilates by the fire. I have not danced in years and I hear the 'tick tick ticking' in my mind. I do ballet around the house, but it's not the same as being in the studio. I promise to myself, right now, that I will submerse myself in the pool of my passions. I will:

(1) start dancing in a studio again

(2) not promise empty promises to myself

(3) get over my fear of open mic and do it already

(4) take more pictures

(5) release all negative my body has collected over the years, through soft stretches to my favorite music

I feel like now that I have a daughter, I have to now balance the 'me' time I cherish so greatly.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::*~>^..^<~*:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Like I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I have a short video of how to help teething in fussy babies. This is fun, and super sweet for baby. They will absolutely go bananas for this. And they will. Literally. You can use any type of puree mixture you choose, but fruits are favorite for Elya.

I'm super obsessed with everything natural, and going the "fresh" route, so I hope some of my ideas and ideas that I have discovered from others, will help! 

(Recommended for babies 6 months and older)

More from Danielle Lacey

(Top Picture Wardrobe includes a dress by Maeve 'she who is beautiful',  faux fur vest borrowed from Dani, shoes from Forever 21. Lower picture Wardrobe consists of a long quilted skirt by Made From the Earth, and black tank, H&M)




Dani was very nice to take pictures in a couple different outfits! I decided not to really stress too much about my wardrobe. My cousin Annie let me borrow her dress and eventually let me keep it :) Gotta love good ol' hand me down from the ones you love! Especially it's an 'Ariel', sweatshirt!


**SO COOL**


Okay until later.


.::peace & smiles:;.

Our Lil' Foodie!

Dearest Elya,

Two months ago you tried peaches. Unfortunately, those pictures and video won't be available until mama (or ney-ney as you call me) finds her card, but until then, these 'nanner' pics will do. The first solid you ever tried was Peaches, and you loved them. Mama just boiled the peach, so it didn't have that flavor packed goodness, so next time i've learned to just smash a really ripe peach in your food mill.  Next we moved on to a banana and...

***JACKPOT***

Mama found something you LOVE! Daddy loves it too! He loves to feed you because I've always been there for that since you were a newbie. 

The next solid was roasted carrots. I cut them into fries, and glazed them in olive oil. I put them into the oven at 350* and roasted them for 20 min. I love to get a slight black char on them, because it adds to the flavor. Roasted carrots are SO GOOD for you baby girl! Rich in beta-cartotene! 

I think you are on a path to being a super-duper baby eater :) 

Mama and Dada Love You!

Love Always,

US

*Today I'll be trying a leek and potato puree. I'll include the recipe and portions I fed her. 

I usually cut up a half banana and freeze 1/4 for her in a washcloth for her teething toys.  I feed her the other 1/4. You can also use a washcloth with apple sauce in the middle and place in freezer. I like to flatten the apple sauce side with the bottom of a cup so it flattens for easy biting.

These make for AWESOME chew toys for babies, because they can taste and eat the apple sauce/banana puree as it thaws.

(I will be making a tutorial for some cool ideas. Stay tuned.)

.::smiles & love::.

Thank-You for the Pictures

Danielle Lacey is an amazing photographer. I think she will make it with the big dogs one day. Hope you enjoy the pictures her and I enjoyed taking! We had so much fun together, and made a good team. I'll be getting some family photos of Kyle, Elya and I to share with family and friends. More to come in the future!

Fast Forward To Today-DECEMBER 1st, 2011

Dear Elya,

Okay, so I'm kind of annoyed that there isn't thirty-one days in each month to give you a proper celebration!! I'm counting you Six Months today baby girl!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIL' BUNNY! 

WE LOVE YOU!!!

*Right now you are hanging out on the floor, reading your book..

...I just looked and you puked on it. HAHA. LOVE YOU.

Love Always,

Mama and Daddy

XO!

P.S You can sit up really well now!! Look at you! (miss silly...)