So What Wednesdasy

I'm linking up with Shannon at Life After I Dew for So What Wednesday again.  Anyone else feel like their 'So What's' are the same every week?

So What If:

• I spent more time reading this past week than doing chores and housework.
• I left the house on Monday wearing Sunday's clothes, no shower, and hadn't washed my hair in three days.
• I forgot to call my brother for his 24th birthday yesterday.  He got his gift on time.  I thought about it: "I'll call Kevin when I get in the car to drive to playgroup." "I'll call Kevin when I'm done mopping the floor."  I sent a text at 11:15p saying I'd call today & I did call today!
• I haven't gotten or sent my cousin a birthday gift and her birthday is Tuesday! This is not hte person I am- I'm usually all over the birthdays.
• I just ate humus from the container with my fingers. Sh! don't tell the Husband, as he's the only other person eating out of the container.
• I feel like I always say the wrong things and then replay the conversations over and over again.  This week I actually said the right thing to a book club friend & am so happy about it! 
• I spent most of my self imposed budget already this month and I still have a hair appointment to get through.
• I'm excitedly watching the new season of MTV's 16 & Pregnant and I cry every time the baby is born.
• One of the most exciting things about my Wednesdays are either Revenge is on ABC or Jeff Lewis is on Bravo.
• I'm blogging while waiting for Noah to take his nap so I can begin my chores (#1 on the list is shower).  I'm not sure why I feel like he must be asleep before I pick myself up off the couch to do my chores, but I do.

Momma's Got a Brand New Bag!

Last week I almost broke the zipper on my diaper bag trying to stuff some snacks into it and asked some friends about the transitional toddler bag.  When does this happen? Is it possible?

The diaper bag is so bulky now that I'm running after a toddler.  Yes, it has EVERYTHING in it but I rarely need everything anymore.  One friend said I was ready for the toddler-transitional-almost-back-to-handbag bag; "Not a Kate Spade," but a nice transitional bag, she said.

Perfect! I'm ready!  I enlisted the help of some moms on a local mom message board and fell in love with this bag.

What do you know- Kate Spade and out of my price range for a transitional toddler bag.  

I did some searching and found an older pattern of the same style bag and bought my first over $20 Ebay purchase (which was dangerously too easy by the way).  This thing came in like 4 days!  And couldn't have arrived at a better time.  I was having a big case of the Mondays and I was outside inspecting the Husband's car for damage because he got barely tapped at a red light when I saw the package on the front porch!

Oh, and the Husband got just barely tapped on his way to get me flowers for taking care of him and Noah during his slight medical issue.  The doctor cleared him a few days early for lifting over 10lbs (ie Noah)- Hooray!   By the way, Holly's Flowers at Woodcroft is amazing for flowers- pre-order/deliver or just run in and pick up.  And yes, I picked up some Sour Patch Kids to drown my Monday blues away in- plus I figured I can sneak some into the Hunger Games when I see it.  I think they will fit in my new bag!

So I can't fit my whole life into the Kate Spade Stevie but that's part of the charm.  I think it will be an adjustment but I'm eager to test it out!  I rarely carry a black bag, I find it a bit harsh, but I loved the leather trim detail on this bag and figured black nylon was as toddler friendly as Kate Spade was going to get.  Still trying to decide what to do with the sippy cup...

Case of the Mondays

- I got 6 hours of sleep last night, which means I went to bed after 1am.  This is NOT enough sleep for this momma.
- I have not showered, and am on day 3 since the last hair wash (& shave).
- I am wearing the same exact outfit I wore yesterday.
- I put Noah down for a nap noon.  At 1:20p he was still not asleep.
- I've had meatballs thrown at me, while I was on my hands and knees 'mopping' (I use the term loosely) the yogurt dumped on the floor.
- I got bit three times- by Noah.
- And we have no groceries.
We have a case of the Monday's at the S Household.

Good news is Noah did sleep from 1:30-3:45 (admittedly Tylenol was eventually administered) and I was able to continue on with my book club reading.  Only 22% more to go by Wednesday.

Can you tell what 'chores' take priority around here?

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon at Life After I Dew for So What Wednesday!

SO WHAT IF:

- Noah's not napping after an hour in the crib.

- The Husband has to work tonight (the Tar Heels are heading to St. Louis tonight!)

- I have a new bump and bruise... on my face after an unfortunate collision during Zoom Zoom Zoom to the Moon at the library between Noah's head and the bridge of my nose.

- I'm one month late watching the last episode of Glee on the DVR- the rendition of Fly by Nikki Minaj and Rihnna mixed with R. Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly was worth the wait!

- I didn't work out last night.

- I'm only 23% done with my book club book with one week until I have to host book club.

And ...

- I ate the remaining Lemon Pound Cake I made, in it's entirety for lunch today, followed by rice cakes 

Lemon Pound Cake

Tuesday was my day to host playgroup, so I pulled out the Kitchenaid and got to work.  I wanted to make a Lemon Pound Cake with a Lemon Drizzle Glaze and I also wanted to make Ina Garten's Meringues with Roasted Fruit.  Since I went for a run on Monday night I only had time for the Lemon Pound cake; not to mention it was a bit humid to attempt Meringues for guests.  For the babies I made Blueberry Choibani frozen yogurt bites. Much like Noah, some babies liked it, some didn't, and some liked the first bite but not the second.  Never fear, there were also plain blueberries and Annie's Cheddar Snack Mix (Noah only eats the pretzels).

I've made this Lemon Pound Cake about 4-5 times but have never made it better than my old co-worker who gave me the recipe (more on this later).  I have a feeling this recipe is from a Church Cookbook; I just have a photocopy of it.

Lemon Pound Cake:

• 3 sticks softened butter
• 3 C sugar
• 6 egg yolks (save the egg whites!!)
• 3 C sifted flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 C milk 
• 2 tsp lemon extract
• pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 300.  Spray Pam and flour a bundt pan.

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.

Cream butter with the sugar.

 Add 1 egg yolk at a time, mixing well after each, until all 6 are added.  Save the egg whites in a separate bowl.

Alternate adding a little flour then milk until totally added and combined.

Add lemon extract.

Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into the batter.

Pour into your bundt pan and bake for an hour and 40 minutes.

And so after I did all of that...  

 This is what happened!  

And yes, I did spray Pam and flour my bundt pan.  And no, this never happened when I made it before.  UGH!  This was at 10:20pm and I was not attempting another round.  So I decided to ditch the Lemon Drizzle Glaze since there was no yummy crusty outer bundt for the glaze to stick to.  I cut the bundt into slices and served with roasted berries and Cool Whip.   Everyone said it was fine.  It tasted good even though it wasn't pretty.

The Husband said I shouldn't even fess up- just have the slices out and not say anything.  But of course, I couldn't do that!  Can I just add that this is progress for me.  For Noah's birthday I had a baking disaster (I made a train cake for Noah & little ones, one big cupcake, and little cupcakes for the adults).  Well the big cupcake didn't set- I don't know what happened but it broke too.  So I made the Husband go back out to the store and buy more ingredients and I made that sucker again.  The second time it turned out.  But I never sat down the day before Noah's birthday because of all the baking!

For anyone curious about the glaze and berries.

Lemon Drizzle Glaze:

• zest of one lemon
• 1 TBS lemon juice
• powdered sugar

Mix the ingredients into a glaze.  

Leaving Lemon Pound Cake on the cooling rack, put parchment paper below to catch the mess.

Pour glaze over cooled Lemon Pound Cake.

Roasted Berries from Ina Garten:  

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• 1/4 C sugar  (or less depending on how much fruit) 
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 450.

Place berries on a sheet pan, toss with sugar and vanilla.

Roast for 20 minutes.

Cool before serving.

I don't hate to run anymore?

Yes, it's a question, not a statement.  I don't like to use the word hate; but I do and I should use it less.    If you've read any of the 'about me' parts of this blog you will notice I never mention running, yet I run.  If asked if I am a runner (because I certainly don't look like one) I answer, "No, I don't consider myself a runner, but Yes, I run."  And that's exactly how I feel about it.  I run because it's the best exercise for my body and for my mind.  When I run I either make lists of things, (what to pack for a trip, what to buy at the store, things to get done) or I have full blown, two sided conversations (ie arguments) with someone else about something that's been bothering me.  When I'm done running I no longer need to have that conversation because I worked it out in my head and spoke for the other person myself.

Resolution Run Cary Jan 1, 2011

I ran a tiny bit in college; I ran a little more after college. I ran a lot before my wedding; I ran 5 days a week when I was in the best shape of my life.  I ran 9-15 miles a week after I had Noah while training for any of the 10+ 5Ks I've run since he was born.  I can proudly say that I improved my 5K time by 12 minutes in one year, with my best time being under 27minutes.  But every time (yes every.single.time) I put on my shoes and get ready to run I say, "I hate to run.  I don't want to run."  I say this either to myself or out loud to the Husband as he gets ready to run with me.

I've been on a running hiatus lately.  Partly because I've gotten lazy and partly because I shouldn't push the stroller with my wrist injury.  Let's be honest, my hiatus started before the wrist.  But I'm feeling better and with DST it's lighter later, the weather is beautiful and I'm ready to get myself back in shape.  So I've dusted off the elliptical inside and headed outside solo to run.  One night, after a pretty good run, I thought to myself, "I've missed running and I enjoyed that."  What a surprise- I don't hate it?  After almost 6 years of running fairly regularly, I now actually enjoy it? Maybe it was a fluke or maybe I am just really craving the exercise and solo time.  In any event, this is a new development for me so we'll see how long it lasts.  Hopefully long enough to join the CH Moms at the Brier Chapel Earth Day 5K (ugh the hills!).  Maybe a practice race before? I'm open to suggestions.

Focus on the Fun

I've been complaining a bit lately, and while I feel justified in some of my complaints, I decided to focus on some positives.  Even though napping is not going well we still managed to have a bit of fun-in-the-sun this week.  So I'll show off our joyful side a bit and try to remember these are the things that matter- not how many hours, minutes, or seconds Noah is napping on any given day.

Sunday-
Pullen Park Carousel, Train, and Playground

 Monday-
Breakfast baby (& mommy) date at Mad Hatter.

Then a toddler art class at Durham Arts Council.

Tuesday- 

Hope Valley Baptist Church Park

Wednesday- 

RDU Observation Park and a fish taco dinner eaten out on the deck 

 

Thursday-
Homestead Aquatic Center Swim Class

Friday-
Zoo

We had a lot of fun with our friends this week and made some great memories.  More fun-in-the-sun to come, I'm sure.   Positive focus accomplished by the end of the week.  (And even though Noah has a stunned, unsure-of-what-is-happening look in most of the photos, he did have a fun week with his friends).