So long sweet chips of cinnamon, you were a dear friend

I went to Starbucks this morning. I have a gift card and I'm not ashamed to use it. Especially since Zoe is teething and sleep has been elusive this week. Mamma needs a peppermint mocha to make it through the drive to work.

As I'm sitting in the drive-thru I notice the menu has changed. The Pumpkin Spice is back for fall, the Vivano drinks have been added and the breakfast menu has a healthy options section.

What? A healthy options section? Don't they know I don't adapt well to change. I quickly scanned the pastry section. Who needs healthy options?

Then I realized my biggest fear was now a reality.

It's gone. My cinnamon scone is no more. This was the last Starbucks in town to offer the delicious edible. I was fortunate it was the closest one to my home. It's my go-to breakfast on late and/or lazy mornings. Now it's gone. Forever.

I have the same sense of loss when I found out that Olive Garden no longer offered Chocolate Lasagna as a dessert option. Who wants gelato over chocolate cake smothered in yummy white frosting with actual chocolate chunks over the top? C'mon.

Now I can get an oat-and-nut bar instead of a scrumptious scone?

If I had known each of those things were going away, I would've stocked up.

Many of you are probably thinking, so what? Get the oatmeal or the Black Tie Mousse instead. It's not the same. I'm a very picky eater. It's hard for me to find things I like. When I do, they get ripped out from underneath me. Without warning. Without a proper good-bye.

Maybe God is trying to tell me to eat in more? Can that really be? You know what's next, the snack wraps from McDonald's.

This is how Mr. Clean parties in the off season

Last night Zoe and I were back to our routine. That means chores needed to be done. Zoe is more of an encourager than a helper at this point. Although last night she mumbled something about the shower.

I asked, "in the shower?"

She replied, "ewe."

Obviously bathroom duty was way overdue.

As I'm scrubbing I see her get the trash can (which we had emptied and hadn't put a new bag in yet). I hear her giggle.

I turn around and see this:

Mr. Clean has nothing on us.

The so many pictures, so little time Edition

Our weekend was a scrapbooker's dream. Lots of family, fellowship, friends and photo opportunities.

I'm proud to say that my ribs were a hit. Which is quite the compliment coming from Texans.

They were D's favorite too. If you couldn't tell.

E was more into the chicken. Probably because she doesn't have enough teeth to chow down on some ribs.

In a rare moment, all the kids and grandkids were in one place at the same time. This is Micah's first opportunity to meet the family outside the hospital. Although I'm sure all the flashes from the cameras felt a little like an anxiety attack.

We were so fortunate to spend time with Aunt Dee Dee (with grammy). This is the first time she's met Zoe. Last time we got to visit with her, Zoe was still incubating. We were glad she was able to make it. She's such a wonderful blessing, not to mention hilarious.

In another rare moment, Micah was awake and ready to party. His mom sure can bring out the smiles. We can't wait for the giggles and cooing next.

Once the BBQ festivities were complete, it was off to bed to rest-up for the next round of visitors. Phil, Anna and their daughters came over Monday morning for coffee and cinnamon rolls. Phil and Neil were BFF's in high school. Anna and I were BFF's then too. Now when we get together, it's like mini-reunion/great time. Not to mention their girls are around Zoe's age, so there is much laughter and playing.

They are in high demand when they come for a visit. We feel very fortunate to have any amount of their time to catch-up. We're hoping to do it again very soon, but next time we'll go to them.

After our mini-reunion, Grammie C (N's mom) took the girls school shopping, while Bev and I went shopping for the wee-ones. In addition to some very cute school clothes, the girls got to build their own bears. Danni made Jasmin and Erin made Miss Fairy. Zoe has Lamby, (we're not as creative on the names) who came pre-assembled.

These bears come with an adoption certificate, colored eyes (blue and purple, although not on the same bear), wings and shoes. Can we say high-maintenance?

Now it's back to school and work.

The sprinkles will hide any defect Edition

Yesterday we had a welcome home party for Micah. Since tomorrow is his due date, we thought it would be a perfect time to celebrate his early homecoming.

He's over 8 pounds already, even though he's on an apnea monitor. And. Those. Cheeks. They're kissable, squishable and altogether loveable. It's safe to say I'm totally in love with him.

We also decided to have the party over Labor Day because all my in-laws from Austin, Texas are in town for some Micah cuddles. They're HUGE Longhorn fans. Obviously, it's almost sacreligious to be anything else in Austin.

In honor of their devotion, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law got Micah his first Longhorn outfit.

It's a towel that looks like a longhorn. Since Micah was sleeping, his dad Chris decided to show it off.


I think Micah's going to grow up with one fun daddy. Or a playmate. I'm not sure which yet!

My sister-in-law did Micah's room in a rainforest theme. In honor of that, we ordered a cake from Happy Cakes. It was almost too cute to eat.

Almost.
We are having the family over to our house today to celebrate some birthdays. N's mom's, D's, and N's aunt Dee Dee. Because I thought I was secretly gifted in the pastry department, I decided to make one. I do have a KitchenAid mixer afterall. That should make it as easy as ordering one from Happy Cakes!

That KichenAid didn't help much. What you can't see is the crack down the middle. Like wearing a large earrings to distract from some adult acne, I'm hoping those sprinkles work wonders.

If that doesn't work, I'll have already wowed them with some delish ribs.
One can only hope!

The Graduation Edition

Today was the last Shrimp/Kipper class. Next year we'll be a guppie, pike, eel or some other sea creature.

Zoe was a star swimmer and climbed up the wall, put her ear in the water and even kicked her legs for the first time.



In addition to graduating class and earning a certificate (which is on the fridge in its rightful place), we had a grand finale. What, you ask, might that be?

An indoor water slide.

We fortunately both landed, head out of the water. Unlike the poor mother and son behind us.

Zoe loved it. I think we may be ready for next summer already.

The Friday Five Faves - vol. 9 -

It's finally Friday? All week I've had the same thought when I heard the alarm go off. "Thank the good Lord it's Friday."

I've been saying that since Tuesday. That just makes the week all caddywhampus.

I thought I would post about the little joys of this week. Since apparently it's been Friday for 5 days.

1) Starbucks Breakfast Blend. In an effort to cut our spending, I'm making coffee at home. I've actually never done this. We have a fancy pot that has a brewing timer. I can set it for 10 minutes before I go out to the kitchen in the morning and I've got a fresh pot of coffee. I love modern wonders.

This blend is mild and smooth. I quite enjoy it with a little cream and sugar. While it ain't a grande, peppermint mocha, it does fill the void.

2. Tanning goggles. I started tanning in 1995. My sister was getting married and we decided to do some bonding. By becoming a bigger risk for skin cancer. Can you get any closer than that?

After high school I started to go 2-3 times a week in preparation for summer. I'm a pasty person, so it takes me a good 6 months to even look like I have a tan. This is why I was engaged for exactly 6 months! I have to start out at 4 minutes in the bed. For you non-tanners, most people can start at 10-12 minutes.

Once I became pregnant and heard about that skin condition you can get from the sun while your body is surging with pregnancy hormones, my tanning days were over.

Zoe found some of my goggles while we were unpacking. As she was on her changing table getting jammies on, she laid down, put them over her eyes and had that perfect tanning bed pose. I have no idea where she gets it from.

3. Husbands who aren't afraid of animals. Sunday night we experienced a visitor. I went to lock the back door and something jumped off the door. Because we're in new construction, it hasn't been uncommon to see a spider once and awhile. However this was huge in comparison. It was the size of a quarter. It wasn't a spider at all, but a frog. To say I'm not an animal person is an understatement. I especially don't like things that squeak, slither or jump. In my opinion, they're unpredictable. That is not something I can handle from the animal kingdom.

As N went to capture it, the little guy jumped into the couch. Yes into the couch. We had to tip it over and get a flashlight. Fortunately N saw him in the arm and was able to coax him onto his hand.

While I stood in another room. Freaking out.

4. Explanation of odor. Yesterday morning I went into the garage. Not only to take a picture of how much it's been emptied, but to also put something in our pantry. Once I opened the door I knew. The smell hit my throat and I could almost taste it. Skunk.

You have to understand, about a year ago our office experienced this smell for about a month. In the dead of summer. Apparently there was a dead skunk in the duct system. This smell affects me in the same way Jose Cuervo does.

I immediately started looking for the animal assuming, like the frog, that he snuck into the garage as the door was shutting. I found nothing. I was talking to N last night. He ran over an already dead skunk on the way home. It's not real skunk in our garage, but remnant skunk smell. I feel much better.

5. The Neely's BBQ ribs. We are having N's family over to celebrate D's and his mom's birthday. I decided we were going to BBQ up some chicken and ribs. I've never done ribs before, so I consulted my personal cooking mentor - Food Network. The channel has a show called Down Home with the Neely's. They own some BBQ establishments in Tennessee. In all the previews for their show, they're preparing ribs. I figured they were my best bet.

Worst case scenario, I'll buy some pre-prepared Longhorn BBQ ribs at Costco and pass them off as my own. I'm not proud, but I have this need to WOW anyone I cook for.

The Neely's came through for me! I found this recipe on the site. While I haven't cooked the ribs yet, I've made the rub and the BBQ sauce. Yes, I made homemade BBQ sauce. I was feeling ambitious. It's delish. I can't wait to slather it on some ribs and enjoy some down home cookin'.

Hope your Labor Day is full of good food, great company and no unpredictable visitors from the animal kingdom.

The Little Things Edition

With family coming into town this weekend, we've been trying to get the house in order and unpacked as much as possible. While I know the family won't care what the house looks like or how much we've unpacked, they've given us a reason to unpack fast. If you ever saw our garage in Puyallup, you know that's exactly what we need!

Yesterday my mom was kind enough to take Zoe on a trip to the dump with several of our boxes and trash. Apparently it took some bribery with cookies, but it gave me a rare opportunity to be home alone. In my pre-motherhood life, that would mean watching a re-run of Friends, eating cereal for dinner and perhaps reading. If I felt ambitious, I might do a 30-minute workout. Might.

Now it consists of cleaning floors, unpacking boxes, scrubbing toilets, cleaning dishes and organizing. It's amazing what I can accomplish in 35 minutes.

We now have pictures up on the walls and one of our vehicles can fit into the garage. We are making progress!



It also allowed me time with Zoe last night watching some Tigger & Pooh the Christmas Movie. The girl loves her some Christmas movie. She will actually bring the DVD case to me so we can enjoy the Super Sleuth adventure together.

I know Zoe and I both needed that time. As I was putting her to bed, she ripped the bottle out of her mouth and started telling me stories. They were apparently very funny because she cracked herself up. It took 45 minutes to get her to settle down because she had so much to tell me.

While it's great having the house in order and cars in the garage, but the best thing, for me, is seeing my child fall asleep with a smile on her face.