motherhood

The boy wears blue.

1:17 PM


Last Friday my mamma packed up some food and we headed out to make a trip to the firehouse to pay my dad a visit. At the end of a 96-hour shift we were warmly welcomed, especially with dinner in hand. Grandpa introduced Holland to all his fun toys like the firetrucks and rescue boat. ;) Holland soaked it up. He loved just about all of it. He's been to the station before but this was the first time he really got to check things out. Fourteen months has been a blast thus far…so much excitement, curiosity, joy. Of course there are the challenges too, but overall I am really loving it. Grandpa gave Holland the grand tour. Upstairs. Downstairs. Firetrucks. Lights. Horns. Buttons. Right up Holland's any toddler's alley.

After all the excitement downstairs, we headed upstairs to the living quarters so our boy could see where Grandpa slept on-duty. We even got to enjoy dinner together, firehouse style. Does it get a whole lot better? There are definitely perks to having a firefighter dad. I have memories of dinner at the firehouse, even holiday's spent there. I always loved it. It is sweet to pass along some of these memories to our little guy now, and make new ones. I'm pretty sure Grandpa like it too. 

And at the end of all this, Holland was presented with his very own blue to wear. It was pretty stinking cute to see him with all the firemen fitting right in with his very own blue shirt to wear. And he wore it proudly.

Sweet, sweet memories in the making. Thanks for the grand tour Grandpa! And everyone else for putting up with a toddler in the house. ;)




Yes, they really do have that many controllers. Holland was in utter awe. All those buttons just lined up and waiting. ^



Holland, this is Grandpa. Over.




Holland, do you copy?


That little device tracks inferred heat and costs thousands of dollars but that didn't stop Grandpa from showing it off ^^

The screen sort of reminds me of something you'd see on ghost busters ;)


Melt me ^^^

I see you buddy ^^



Dressed to impress back upstairs ^^

And…not Holland's finest picture, but proof of his blue just like the real firemen :)
Thanks again guys!

recipe

Creamy Broccoli Soup

1:00 PM



This is my favorite broccoli soup, so much so that we made it all through the summer. Now that fall is upon us it seems appropriate to share.

Creamy Broccoli Soup
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp coconut or extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 head broccoli, trimmed and chopped (6 cups)
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 1 avocado, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:
Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add broccoli and cook, covered, until bright green and tender, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, stir in spinach, and let cool slightly.

Transfer soup to blender and puree with avocado. Work in batches if needed. Adjust seasoning. Garnish with avocado and a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle more of peppers. Serve along side crusty bread for dipping.

motherhood

Photos from San Francisco and my how he's grown!

7:50 PM



Today this little munchkin started the morning off washing dishes with me, as in he stood on his own stool and scrubbed away with his own wash cloth. Tonight he ended the day eating dinner with me at the table in his own chair. No highchair, no booster. His own chair, just like mine, with his own plate, cup, and fork. He insisted. I hesitated. But you know what? He knew and he was fully capable. And if it wasn't for his adamant attitude there is no way I would have done so. So thanks Holland for showing your mamma just how grown you've become.

Surreal? Big time. He blows me away with how big he has become SO fast. I can't deny we've entered the toddler years. Infancy was sweet, cherished, and gone in a blink, but how sweet what lies ahead will be. Being a mom is hands down the best "job" I've ever had.

And because posts are so much better with pictures, here's a few from Thursday. We were able to spend some much needed family time together in beautiful Golden Gate park where we enjoyed a walk, hand in hand with our cutie and a whole lot of fun at the Academy of Science. I know we'll be back soon. It's quickly becoming one of Holland's favorite places and ours too! And lucky for him we have an entire years pass thanks to a very dear to us and generous family. We love you guys.






In the Children's Eel Garden, his favorite little nook at the Academy of Science ^^

My hair needs some attention I know :/ but he's cute!


Run, run, run!

Dancing in the street sidewalk.

Dog sighting ^



Heart throbs!







MAMASTUFF

Last Wednesday

8:56 PM



Last Wednesday we snapped a few shots and basked in the glory of how awesome our son is. Motherhood is only getting better. More challenging? Yes. But SO rewarding. I mean look at that smile. He melts me.

And guess what? I feel normal again. Actually, I feel great. Praise the Lord. The haze has lifted. I awoke a couple days ago and just like that I felt like my normal self again. I'd missed that normal self. The female body can be challenging can't it? I know guys have their quirks and challenges too, but sheesh. Was all that "feeling" really necessary? Glad I'm out of that phase!?? I'm not even sure what to call it. Isn't it crazy how quickly we forget what really feeling great feels like? Odd isn't it? I almost settled for well I guess this is just how I've always felt. NOT. That would have been hormones talking.

And today we lounged around the house (which really looks like errands and cooking and cleaning) until we sent Will off to work this afternoon. Went on a diaper run. I always sorta freak out when I open the diaper drawer and only see three. And then we basically just came home and baked some squash bread, did a little paining, dinner, bath and bed. And it was fabulous. We haven't just been home in a long time with no park dates or grocery shopping or appointments to go to. A slower pace was well…refreshing.



And my heart just melted ^^^




I could kiss those sweet cheeks all.day.long.

How is it that baby toes are the sweetest thing ever?





 

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