Getting around

This past couple of weeks Jack has really started to get interested in what's around him more and more, this includes trying to gravitate towards objects.  Mostly baskets, laundry baskets especially.  He loves them.  The diaper basket that I keep in the family room has really caught his attention lately.  Yesterday I caught him rolling over to it and pulling everything out onto the floor.  A fun new game I guess seeing as he continued to do it throughout the night!
 

 
I've been meaning to post the pics of the bibs I made, I'm sure I've ranted about this in the past but most of what you can buy in the store are just not big enough.  Although he's gotten a lot better, food still ends up EVERYWHERE, hence me deciding to make my own!!  Plus these are WAY cuter for little boys!!   I found the idea on Pinterest to use old t-shirts of Johnny's and I sort of made my  own pattern.  I found a bunch but still NOT big enough to cover the most surface area.  Here are a couple pics, I've only made two so far but after raiding my husbands dresser FULL of nothing but t-shirts I've got a TON more :)

Yes he's on the counter and NO I never left his side, I know its not safe but I would never walk away while he's in the bumbo on a counter!  

With Grandpa at Scripts

Denim jumpsuit from Baby Gap....LOVE it!!!  Visiting the Scripts crew with Momma

I bought this cupcake at wegmans and am determined to re-create it!!!  What a cute idea especially with Spring right around the corner

DIY dining room -China Cabinet PART 1

We decided to paint the dining set and start with the china cabinet!!!!!  I'm SUPER excited but am slowly realizing that this is going to take forever.  I'm the kind of person that likes things to happen instantaneously :)
So as I briefly explained in my last post, we received an entire dining room set (table, chairs, buffet, china cabinet) from a good friend's parents who were getting rid of it.  So we gladly took it since it was FREE and we had nothing!  NOT my style at all but I had high hopes that we could turn it into something great.  Here is a picture of what it originally looked like......

sideways but you get the idea.....an older style, not really what I was going for

I decided to remove the doors and the wooden post in the center that allowed the doors to close and just have it be open shelving.  I like this look and didn't like how the doors limited what I could put on the shelves.  For instance I couldn't put any of my cake stands or larger dishes on the shelves because they stick out too far and the doors wouldn't close.  So problem solved....no doors!  Once its all painted I'll change the hardware to something more my taste and we will be all set.
In the mean time, we still have a lot of painting to do.

Where to start you may be thinking??  Well so were we, neither my husband nor I have ever re-purposed furniture (so that it looks professional) before.  Besides painting smaller pieces like end tables and bookshelves, things like that.  Oh he did paint a pretty large rocking chair for the baby's room which turned out awesome!!  So maybe we aren't going in so blindly after all :)  Anyway, friends of ours painted their kitchen cabinets and since I've been DREAMING of white cabinets in my kitchen for years now, I think we will probably do the same thing.  But anyway, they used a rust-oleum paint kit for cabinets sold at Home Depot.  It comes with everything you need included a deglosser which you do instead of sanding.  it strips a layer off so that the paint will stick., and a decorative glaze (optional) that gives a more antique look if you choose.  The glaze tints the paint color, the more you wipe off the lighter the effect will be, more dramatic/darker if you leave more on.   All you need to purchase besides this kit is a paintbrush, so we thought we'd give it a try.  The kit was I think around $70 and comes with 2 paint cans that you pick the color (options given on box) and the nice people at Home Depot will tint it for you.  I chose pure white and then thought if it turned out too white (which I was afraid of) then we could just use the glaze and tint to my liking.  The kit also comes with a handy DVD which gives a much better idea of what glazing will do to your project, they do a nifty little demonstration for you.   

front of box / name of kit

Doors are GONE!  Had to remove all hardware/screws/hinges, etc... and then fill the holes in with wood filler.  Then sand to a smooth finish before starting to paint.

VOILA!!!  Hutch part finished and ready for the decorative glaze and final coat which is a protective coat and also adds some shine.  I want to finish painting the bottom half and see the entire thing white before we proceed to glazing.  I am going to test a small corner first to see if I even like it.

some color options on the box, our friends did their cabinets black which isn't shown, you can see the difference between no glaze (on left) and glazed (on right) with each color. 

7 Months Old!!

To think about the fact that my baby is 7 months old already makes me want to cry.  I'm already thinking about his first birthday and all of the planning to do!  I was just telling my husband that in 5 months he'll be 1 year old already!!!  The first 7 months have flown by so I can't even think how fast the next 5 are going to go.  I'm thinking a lot will happen this month, scooting or maybe even crawling....we shall see!

As I was driving down to Scripts to close last night I noticed that it was still really light outside at 5:30pm!!!  This gave me a huge sense of excitement to think that warm weather might be just around the corner.  Even better.....SUMMER!!!  I can NOT wait for summer to come.  I see so many cute things in the stores now for spring/summer but I'm refusing to buy just yet, as it will just sit in a closet for at least 3 more months!  That's what usually  happens, I buy things, stash them away, and keep buying things.  Then when its time to dig everything out I realize I have a ridiculous amount of stuff.

Soooo on Valentines Day, as I was getting Jack's dinner ready for him I heard him say "BA BA BA" - his first consonant sound!!!!  I looked over at him and he was (very carefully) making his lips in the shape that would allow him to make this sound, and was very softly saying it to himself.  It was SO stinking CUTE!  Then as dinner progressed he got more confident and got louder and louder.....hahaha I love the little face he makes when trying to talk.  I LOVE when he smiles with his lips together and doesn't show any teeth, its hilarious to me.

Another first....we all have colds in our house.  Jack has his first cold, I don't think its all that bad though, runny nose, I can hear slight congestion at times when he breaths, but other than that we've been extremely lucky when it comes to getting sick.  In fact I think he's who I caught my cold from since I kiss him a million times a day.   In addition to not feeling well his top front teeth are coming in!!!!  This makes for no sleep for momma and a cranky baby.  I feel so bad for him, his gums are VERY swollen, his drool has increased to a ridiculous amount (for Jack), and I can tell they are really bothering him.  I catch him rubbing them with his thumb.....poor baby :(  Just hoping they pop through soon so we can be done with this for a while.

I'm thinking I want to paint my china cabinet in my dining room, its not my style and I don't like the color.  It was given to us for free so I'm thinking why not??  It has doors on it and I think I'm going to have Johnny remove them, this would look better in my opinion plus make for easier painting.  Only problem is that its a big project and I'm not sure I'm in the state of mind to tackle something like this right now. I'll save that decision for another day :)

Here is a pic of my little monster on V-Day.....

Valentine for Jack!!

V-Day lunch at Five Guys with Daddy

Homemade Baby Food

I've been attempting to make my own baby food, well some of it.  I don't really know how one makes 100% of their baby's food homemade  and never have to buy a single pouch/jar!!  It doesn't take a ton of time and is actually really easy..... but still a process!!   My kid seems to go through baby food like there's no tomorrow so you'd really  have to be on the ball - which I'm totally NOT!  I feel like I'm constantly needing to stop by a store to pick up something.....which is one reason I thought I'd give making it myself a shot.  Today I made sweet potatoes and butternut squash.  The other day I made mangoes, and this weekend I plan on making bananas.  All organic of course, and YES it really is cheaper.  Those little packets run from $1.25 to almost $2.00 EACH!!!!  I started with them just so I can get an idea of what he likes and doesn't like, allergies and things like that.  And I do still buy them but really try to stock up when on sale.  But now he can eat like 5 or 6 pouches/jars in a day!!  Plus the oat cereal on top of that!  Can you say $$$$ ????
   
I use the Baby Bullet to make baby food, I got it as a shower gift, didn't register for it, NEVER thought I'd be interested in such a thing, BUT I can honestly say that I really like it and think its a great product.  I like the little serving containers & lids that come with it, they're great because the lids have dates on them and you can twist it to whichever date it is that you're making the food.  This way you know how long its been sitting in your freezer or fridge.  Super easy to use, easy to clean, a must have if you have any interest what so ever in making your own baby food one day!

The little rubber freezer tray is great because it really does make for the perfect serving portion.  I freeze the tray and then pop them out and put in labeled freezer bags.  When I want to serve I just take a serving out of the bag and I use those little tupperware containers (you know the ones probably made for salad dressing) which is the perfect size for one serving....then just let thaw in fridge. 

one squash made so much I had to resort to ice cube trays

I ran out of ice cube trays so I just froze the remaining amount in a breast milk storage bag....hey if  it works for milk why not squash??!!!

As you can tell Jack loves his orange veggies.  I can usually sneak a couple spoonfuls in of something green before he notices and then I have to start mixing with something else.
There are lots of recipes for home made baby food but the thought of trying them all is a little overwhelming...SO I just stick to the basics and try to always have them on hand to pull out and mix with or have in addition to a more complex blend that I'm perfectly happy buying from the store.  Like country chicken and veggie dinner or chicken/turkey, corn, and squash.....get the idea?
The pediatrician told us at our last visit that I could start blending things we are having (not everything!!), just things like chicken noodle soup....but take some out prior to seasoning it and blend it up.  I never think to do this though when I'm making dinners, I'm too quick to season and do it without thinking usually. 

**My advice to any mommas getting ready to try this, just from what little I've done so far I've learned that if you can roast something rather than boil it to get it soft then do it.  Reason being is that you won't lose nutrients from roasting something like you will boiling - nutrients will go right into the water.  My other piece of advice is to add water as you go, a recipe may call for 1 cup of water but this might be too much for your liking and make the food really soupy.  So start with about half of what it calls for (usually its one cup per 1 veggie like a sweet potato) and then add as you blend it and can see the consistency.  **

Middle of the Week

Its Wednesday and all I can say is this week is flying by so far!! Isn't that crazy how some (most) weeks drag and then some just fly by??!!  Actually I can't really say that, for me the weeks are soaring right by me, I blink and my baby is already almost 7 months old!!!
We had an amazing full page article (more like a review) written about us in the Buffalo News, and we didn't know it was happening either.  A woman came in with some friends and ordered lunch....soup/sandwich/dessert.....and then wrote about us and our menu in great detail......THANKFULLY it was ALL GOOD :)
Just proves that you've always got to be on-point at all times because you just never know what could happen.  Thanks to the article we've been getting a TON of brand new customers....people who never knew we existed until they read about us in the paper!!!  Super exciting......THANK YOU free advertising!!
Today I decided to make chocolate cupcakes with cream filling and frosted with chocolate ganache.....can you tell I was craving chocolate????
In other Scripts Cafe news, we are gearing up for the Chinese New Year.....year of the black snake!  I'm thinking we'll have egg drop soup this Friday and Saturday in honor of the Holiday.  It is the only actual holiday that my husband's family really celebrates and keeps as tradition.
Then there is the all too hallmark holiday...Valentine's Day!  Is it just a day for retailers to capitalize  on??  I totally think it is but I'm also a hopeless romantic and a sucker for a day to celebrate LOVE  hahahaha.  Now I have my Jack to celebrate and write valentines with!
I received an order for 30 cookie pops today for an event the theater (next door to us) is doing this weekend.  I think I'm going to make some heart shaped ones for Valentines Day as well.  I might as well take advantage of the opportunity to capitalize on this ridiculous day also!

In Jack news.....kid cracks me up!!!  He's so funny these days, he's now rolling across the carpet (although he's still pretty lazy and happy staying in one place most of the time), sitting up all on his own, discovered a new sound today, and I'm pretty sure will be pushing himself up on his knees pretty soon.  He's been so lovey and clingy lately.  Sometimes we just have days where he just wants to be held all time.  He is getting more excited about reading books, likes to help turn the pages and then tries to eat them.  EVERYTHING goes in the mouth, and tries to grab anything and everything within reach.
Just last week he sat up in the bathtub for the first time and splashed and played with his toys.  SO much fun watching him enjoying this...he absolutely loves bath time :)  I gave him avocado today to taste and was NOT a fan, I will keep trying though.  Oh and sleeping through the night......I probably totally just jinxed myself and will most likely be up all night tonight now but he's been doing really well, like 8pm to 7:30-8am well!!!!!!!!!  I don't sleep well though, I'm constantly checking the monitor to see if he's moved positions or flipped over or is crying and I was sleeping through it.  I don't know, I'm not sure the worrying will ever go away.

At Scrips with Momma

first time sitting up and playing in bathtub

Superbowl, all we have is Bills gear!

Love <3 how peaceful he looks when sleeping