Bed Head

Just thought I would share this cute face. ButterBean has his first real cold right now, which has led to increase napping (yay for napping!!) and sleepless nights (boo for tired parents!). But, who can be frustrated when your little sweetums wakes up and gives you this face with his crazy hair everywhere? You can't! And that's why God made children adorable!

Ten Months

Every month just flies by!! He's 10 months already! 
Our little trouble maker is now climbing stairs...

Loves to unravel the toilet paper...

Can hear when the dishwasher is opened and will do anything to try to get dishes out of it...

Is too cool for baby food, if it has no texture - he's not eating it...

Claps, babbles up a storm, so so so close to walking, and keeps getting cuter

with his new nativity scene

I can't believe that in 2 short months he will be celebrating his first birthday. 

Such a lucky family

I just finished a pediatric rotation for school. I absolutely love working with the little children. Who wouldn't love tickling all of those chubby cheeks and playing silly games as you wheel into the operating room? However, it breaks my heart to see these kids who have so many complications, syndromes, illnesses. It just doesn't seem fair that such little darlings should have to go through so much. If you ever want to feel totally blessed, spend a day in a pediatric ICU!! I encountered a lovely child who had gone through more than I could imagine at her young age, yet her bravery, excitement, and sweet demeanor put tears in the eyes of every person in the room. Every day when I came home, I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have a beautiful and healthy baby. I'm glad I did the pediatric rotation after having a baby. I would have been way too paranoid that he would have something wrong with him after that! Even now I worry that all of the sudden he's going to have something horrible go wrong. I guess that's what it is like being a parent. I'll never stop worrying about him! For now I'll count myself among the lucky!

That's my boy!

Holidays and Haircuts

This weekend we went to see Santa! I didn't expect ButterBean to actually behave on Santa's lap, but he did! Not only did he behave, he loved it! We couldn't get any pictures of him looking at the camera because he was totally enthralled with Santa and wouldn't stop looking at him. (I'll post pictures of this when I get them on the computer)

His new favorite thing to do: get the cords to the tree

On another note, ButterBean's hair grows at amazing speeds. I only hope that if I have a girl some day that her head will be blessed with the same thick hair! However, my little ButterBean had begun to look like a hippie/baby Justin Beiber as of late.

In need of a trim

I have attempted to cut his hair before with less than desirable results (a chunk of hair missing...whoops!) This time I cut half of his hair while he was sleeping on his side and then had Gatsby distract him with Elmo on YouTube while I cut the other half. It turned out pretty good considering my lack of hair styling skills!

You can see his eyes again!

Ice cream in December

checking out some snow

Usually at this time of year I swap out my Dairy Queen blizzards, Sebastian Joe's scoops of expensive deliciousness, and my homemade malts for more seasonally appropriate pumpkin spice lattes, tea, and hot chocolate (I was recently reminded of this fantastic chocolate store in San Francisco - if you go there, forget Ghiradelli Square and go to Bittersweet for the best hot chocolate you will ever experience!). 

Life is more delicious with your very own milk frother

HOWEVER! A true Minnesotan can enjoy ice cream even when it is below freezing outside. On a recent trip to Lund's grocery, I spotted something I never thought I'd see here. Wait for it...
GRAETER'S ICE CREAM
Yes, the ice cream gods were looking favorably on me that day!

I realize that most people will say "What the heck is that?". But, a true ice cream aficionado will know that this treat hails from Cincinnati Ohio and is one of the most wonderful ice creams in the world!! Being the food nerd that I am, I know too much about the French pot process used to make my favorite little pint of goodness, but I won't go into detail. I highly recommend finding a grocery store near to you (I have also now found it at Whole Foods) and picking up a pint of Graeter's ice cream. If you live in Ohio, then you won't be quite as excited about this as I am ;)

ButterBean shares in my excitement

It has been at least five years since I've had the decadent taste of black raspberry chip in my mouth and I have been savoring a bite or two every day in order to make it last...also because the calories per bite is steep! In fact, as I watch snow falling outside my window, I believe I will go snatch a wee spoonful...