Oliver Mason

Loving our new little man, Oliver.

Born this morning 5:17 am, 7 pounds and 14 ounces of pure joy.

Momma's Kitchen {Chai Tea}

I love making Chai Tea as much for the smell as for the taste. Once you stock up on the ingredients it's very simple to just whip up a pot.

Start with your spices. It's very forgiving on the amounts so adjust according to taste.

10 Peppercorns
5-10 whole cloves
5-10 whole cardamom pods
3 cinnamon sticks (I only had one left)
(1) 1 inch peeled slice of fresh ginger

You can find most if not all of these in your grocery store, or at an international foods store. If you've never bought them before, don't feel intimidated (I did). I quickly realized they were more common than I thought.

Add these to 3 or 4 cups of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
Add 3 Black Tea bags (I had to use decaf English Breakfast) and steep for 5 minutes.

Remove the tea bags and add:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup milk

Stir, strain out the spices and serve.

Maybe a New Years morning picker upper?

I.M.

Presents Under The Tree

Brian reading the Christmas story to Henry during breakfast.

New trike from MorMor and Grandpa was a hit.

Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

I.M.

Merry Christmas!

We are staying in today, just the three of us. Having cinnamon rolls, and chai lattes from scratch for breakfast, fondue for dinner, and a Black Forest Cherry Roll for desert. Love us some food! Hopefully by the time this posts we'll have gotten started on some present action and playing with toys. Looking forward to a skype session with my parents!

Pictures from Thursday night at Brian's parents house.

Maternity

38 weeks, Christmas Eve

I got the loveliest package from my friend Sara. We went to high school together and she is just the sweetest.

How cute are those fabrics? It will make spit up so much better...

I.M.

Momma's Kitchen {Butterscotch Bites}

It's been a while since I've posted about food. Surely it isn't because we haven't been eating. It just gets dark so early, and the light is already pretty bad in our kitchen so it makes for difficult photography. But I really wanted to share these because they are so easy, and so good.

My grandmother made these for us every Christmas growing up. She made some for Brian and he was hooked. There are only three on the plate because I ate them all at one in the morning a couple nights ago Brian likes them so much.

Combine in a double boiler:

- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- (1) 11 oz package butterscotch morsels

Heat the double boiler and stir constantly until morsels melt and peanut butter is mixed well.
Add:

- 3/4 of a 6 oz can chow mein noodles

Stir until well coated. Drop teaspoonfuls onto wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill till set.

Minimal ingredients, inexpensive, and so yummy.

I.M.

Last Year

We decided to forgo/forgot about going to see Santa this year. Henry isn't super crazy about strangers, and I'm guessing a stranger dressed in red wouldn't be his favorite person. I'm sure we would have looked back at pictures of him screaming and smile a little when he hits adolescence, but he's still our sweet little guy who we try to keep moderately unscathed with scarring life events. So here is a photo from last year. He was about 5 months and it was a perfect setting to see Santa. We were on vacation, in the mountains, no line, Santa and Mrs. Claus chatted with us for a bit and then Henry told him what he wanted.

This one would have been Christmas card worthy if it weren't for the dude in the back. Guess that gave me a reason not to send out Christmas cards last year?

While we are at it, here is a photo of lil H on Christmas Day last year.

Somebody pinch me, he's so cute. 

I.M.

Coaster Rides

Nesting is in full force and emotions are running high. Projects are happening during naps and the time between is spent staring at Henry in amazement of how big "my baby" has gotten. He is seeming to linger for extra snuggles just before his naps, which gives me pure joy along with a dose of guilt for the fact that we are about to bring a major "attention stealer" into the house.

At points like that I just want to cry and I'm not really sure if they would be tears of joy or tears of sadness. Which is odd because I have felt so much connection with the little guy currently residing in my belly. That connection comes from knowing the wonder and complete world changing aspects of having a child. When I was pregnant with Henry I had absolutely no idea what I had coming to me, to us. Now we know...or at least we know what it is like to have one child.  I love the glances that Brian and I get to exchange whenever we see Henry do something amazing. Because to the untrained eye, it is very ordinary. But to us and to Henry, it's a milestone.

I am eager for labor to start because I'm just plain uncomfortable, but I also really want to cherish and enjoy the time we have left as a family of three, including the time we have to sleep 8 hours a night. (Which is often foiled by insomnia and dancing baby belly.) On Monday night we bundled up and went out for pizza at our favorite Old Chicago on the riverfront, and then made our way to the local Festival of Lights. Once we were in the park we pulled Henry our of his carseat and into the front with us so he could see better (a.k.a so we could see him and his excitement better). He squealed, pointed, and cried when it was over. Then back home for a hair cut, bath and bedtime.

My first attempt at Bokeh. 

Productivity! All the presents are wrapped. I still need to paint a rocking chair that I have for Henry, and a trike that my parents shipped still needs to be assembled, but the tape and paper part is done. The extra scraps from the stockings came in handy. I used regular kraft paper, fabric and yarn (and a trusty glue gun on some). Here are a few of my favorites.

I also finally got my hot cocoa into jars. I made yarn poms using Dana's tutorial here.

One of the things I wanted to get done before the baby came was get some pictures up on the big blank wall in our living room. Blah!

I had won a 16"x20" canvas from HelloCanvas on the blog Your Photo Tips. I finally decided on a photo and got it ordered. Then I used frames that I had collected from yard sales and painted white to highlight my less interesting black frames.

Better yes? Thanks HelloCanvas! I realize the balance of the frame spacing is a bit off, it's a work in progress. I was also using some existing nail holes because I have a phobia of putting holes in the wall. Now I need to find a different lamp.

And lastly I had bought some fabric to make Henry a flannel crib sheet a while back, only to realize it was too narrow. But it was plenty to make a fitted sheet for baby boy #2 and his cradle. Brian graciously moved a lot of furniture (including some out the door and into his parents basement) and we situated the cradle next to my side of the bed. The fitted sheet was a breeze and was started and finished in less than 45 minutes. I used another one of Dana's great tutorials.

Whew, you made it the end of the post! I'm impressed. I need to tackle a couple cleaning jobs while the cherub is napping and maybe even pack my hospital bag!

Thank you so much for reading! I know there aren't many readers, but I appreciate each and every one of you and your lovely comments of encouragement.  Hope your next couple of days are filled with joy and relaxation!

I.M.

Does Not Own a Log Cabin or Live in the Country

I was bound and determined to make our family members each a stocking this year. I had in mind something muted, still Christmas-y, but down played a little. I've been loving Scandinavian design lately, so even something in a gray would have been fine.  Last week we were headed to town to meet some friends/family for dinner so Brian agreed to go a bit early so I could look for fabric. I had picked up something that resembled a candy cane, not in love with it, but didn't hate it. I ended up putting it down and moving on to some Ginghams. Lingered for a bit, and some how ended up with this combination. A solid maroon, maroon plaid, and green burlap.

Not what I went in thinking of, but I was excited about it and the possibilities. With most projects, it took me a bit to get started, keep going, and complete. But I did the majority of it last night and today. I finished Henry's stocking first, hung it on the wall and stood back in horror. "Little House on the Prairie" came to mind.

I kept going and my thoughts at the end of every stocking got worse and worse. It's not like I can throw these away either...I made these...for my family.  The sentiment is locked in. I even made one for our unborn son with his initial on it. By the time I got to the third stocking I had images of people giving me things like a rooster wearing a Santa hat, because "that's the lady that decorates with that sort of thing".

We have no fireplace, this is the best I can do for now.

So somebody please tell me I'm just pregnant, crazy and irrational. Or tell me that country chic will be all the rave next year and for years to come.

Next project, getting this homemade hot cocoa into jars, labeled and gifted. MMmmm...

Brought this munchkin with me to another OB appointment today. He got really excited when the Midwife turned on the heartbeat doppler.  Loves his lil brother already.

I.M.

Thoughts of Trying to Be Something That Cannot Be

I find it really difficult to not try and jump ahead in life. This mostly happens in my mind, where I transport myself to a little dreamland where our family is in the cutest little house (but with more space,) where I would be making various crafts with my kids, homemade presents for friends, we have all the energy and time to do all the Christmas traditions our hearts desire, and we have ample money to buy everyone a really rock'n present. Plus I'd have a very successful business on the side, one that is running so well that my wonderful employees have it under control for the most part, giving me lots of family time.  While we are at it, I also fit back into something other than sweatpants and T-shirts.

Instead this year I find myself on the couch due to pregnancy related issues with ideas of what we could do but haven't, piles of projects, and a cute little cradle in the back of my 4Runner that has been there for well over a week since we haven't cleared a spot for it in our room. But I should know better. I should know that we aren't in a stage of life where any of the above should seem feasible. I should enjoy what we can do, and not fixate on the have-not's of life.

I also know I should be thankful. Thankful that it's 14 degrees outside, and a toasty 71 inside.  Thankful that at the end of the next 4 weeks we will welcome another little boy into the world. Thankful that Henry is too young to even know what is going on and wish that his mom had her act together for Christmas like all the other mom's seem to.

So the best I can do is play our Christmas music, get to the piles of projects when I feel better, pop open a can of green beans and spaghetti o's for Henry and smile because he's just so darn cute.

Ending on a lighter note. I found these books on the Chronicle Books website, which is wonderful by the way.  You can even search for a gift by the category "hipster". I have no idea what is inside the books, but the covers made me laugh.

All My Friends Are Dead

The Book of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks

Milk It: How to Get More Than a Baby out of the Next Nine Months

Life's Too Short To Fold Fitted Sheets

Chronicle Books is running a 35% off + free shipping sale. Code HAULIDAYS through Dec 16th.

I.M.

A Few Things

I've added a couple things to the side bar. First I've added some links to our work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. There is a link for you to learn more about our ministry and how you can help, as well a link with Wycliffe related posts here on Indie Mom. I've also added a section with some favorite posts from the past, as well as a search box.

Moving on. Brian and I have been talking lately about Christmas traditions, and fun things that we can start doing as a family to create memories for our kids. This year may be a bit soon to put too much energy into this since Henry still doesn't quite get the concept of Christmas, but a few posts caught my eye.

Vintage Postcard Calendar Journal

Sally's Advent Calendar

I share Ashley's ::hilarious:: discomfort with Elf on the Shelf

Added bonus, a little toy throwback to my childhood. Would love to get these for Henry...so that I can play with them.

Cash Register

Little People Fire Truck

Tudor House

Jolly Jalopy Clown Car

Doesn't it just take you back?

I.M.

Keep on swimming...

Taking it one day at a time over here in the majorly pregnant household. I feel about 150% better today. Though that is just speaking of cold season issues, don't get me started in pregnancy aches, woes and complaints. No one wants to hear that, so I'll spare you.

I took Henry with me to an obstetrician appointment yesterday. Wish I had a video camera with me to show you how perfect he was the entire time, sitting in a chair, watching his iPod, while I had one of those appointments women dread...the one where you walk in and there is a sheet on the table to "cover up". We then went on to Best Buy where Henry provided some visual birth control for everyone in line, not really the perfect cherub he was at the doc's. I must say, it is very difficult to hang on to a toddler who is wearing layers with a poofy jacket on top, like holding onto Jello.

But most of the time we spend cooped up in our little house. It's not supposed to get above 22 degrees today so we spend time moving from kitchen/dining room to living room about 30 times a day. Pull everything out...put everything away. Have a snack...throw a tantrum when the snack is over. Sometimes Henry cries about it too.

I wanted to make sure I got some pictures of him wearing these PJ bottoms the other night. They have been my favorite, and it makes it even better that they were a hand me down.

The moments when he is in his Pajamas are my favorite. That means we either just got up and he's all smiles because Momma and Da are both still home, or it means he is about to go to bed...which of course is every parent's favorite time of day. Or is it just me? Most nights he starts to get really loopy just before bed, falling all over himself, playing with Brian and laughing hysterically. Then I say "give daddy a kiss", and then "let's go find your paci and blankie" and he either runs to his room or we get to walk hand in hand down the hallway for what has become the easiest bedtime routine ever.

Oh how our lives will change in just a month!

I.M.

The Sickies

Henry and I are sharing a box of tissue today. But I don't really have much to complain about...it's snowing, frigid cold, Brian is going to the grocery store for us, and I have nothing on my calendar all month but Obstetrician appointments, Christmas, and my sister and brother-in-law flying in for New Years and possibly the delivery of baby boy #2 if the timing is right.

Image Source

Little Red Wagon

I want to share a few more pictures from our recent adventure to California. My dad got out our old Radio Flyer wagon from when we were kids and revamped it. I remember the last time I saw it...very rusty and missing a lot of paint. I'm sure it was a lot of work, but it turned out great.

All pictures are by either my sister Tina or Bro-in-law Adam.

Henry loved it.

We even brought it with us while we were in the mountains.

This is my mom, Henry thinks she is the bees knees. I asked her if she was giving him sugar when I wasn't looking, because he was following her around like "this is the lady that gives me sugar!"

Henry loves the mountains, just like his momma.

More special moments in Fresno...

I.M