diapers and skinny jeans

Nothing fancy today, guys. I didn't even bust out the DSLR!  This is a photobooth video still from a little crazy thing we did today.  I had a "quiet as it gets" morning with a cup of tea, some yoga, and a failed attempt at homemade flatbread pizza.  This was a bit of an irregular Saturday with no husband around, so I've been distracting myself with what I do best: amateur home hair-cuts .  (Don't worry, it's still growing out.... just did a little bang trim. Hah.)  It's funny, ever since Abby posted about blogging being a peek into someone's life, like you're inviting them over for breakfast... I've thought a bit about that lately and have decided to let you in on our not-so-perfect, kinda crazy things we don't really talk about! A lot of you probably haven't heard me talk in "real life", and my older readers definitely haven't since my pregnancy updates a year or so ago.  I don't know if this is even suppose...

Okay-- so I know I said health posts were coming... and hopefully you didn't think I'd go all salad and quinoa on you right away!  To start, I should clue you all in that I can't really "bake" anything, so I figured I'd throw together a raw desert where the only thing I had left to do was freeze it!  Easy as cake! So, as you may have guessed I'm not really making any bold moves here, this is a very simple recipe to make as long as you have a good (enough) blender.   Why I've been considering more "raw" options as well as easing into a grain-free diet isn't a fad or a plan to lose weight.  Last November after having Sofia, I was rushed to the ER one night for excruciating abdominal pain.  We didn't know if it was appendicitis, an ovarian cyst, an ulcer... there were so many possibilities.  You name it.  After a long eight hours and a rude staff to boot, I was sent home with some Maylox, Vicodin, and an unclear diagnosis....

And almost as if on cue, our chilly, wet weekend opened up with warm rays of sun. Most days we don't know whether or not to bring our jackets, but today they were off and it sure felt wonderful!!  Erick, Sofia and I spent our Wednesday together downtown in La Grange, IL to walk around outside, grocery shop, and grab a bite to eat.  And really... who are we kidding, of course we got frozen yogurt .  If you're ever in the area, this is by far -- the best frozen yogurt I've ever had. I sincerely hope all of you are enjoying your week! I really hope to post some yummy recipes up on the blog as long as my novice-ability doesn't get the best of me! ;) I feel like I have a lot to say in the realm of food and health lately, but really haven't had the time to just sit and hash out how I want to say it.  The ideas, though, they're there, and they're flowing... you better believe it!  It's invigorating. 

Last week, I was driving home from work and my thoughts were racing a million miles a minute.  Every once and a while it seems like everything in my life-- whether it be responsibilities that need to be tended to, a marriage that needs more nurturing, a future that still has so many unanswered questions, or just a blog post that's been lacking my voice-- all seems to creep up on me at once. This was one of those weeks. While amongst it all, I find myself in more control by losing control; meaning, I let the storm run its course.  Sitting here at my desk tonight, I'm greeted by the familiar smell of my caribbean scented candle and I feel like the cyclone of negative thinking has lifted and come crashing to a halt.  There are so many great things happening lately, but I haven't taken a breath to notice. Mindful breathing. I know I forget often that a slow and steady pace always gets you to your destination,  you just have to have a little faith that you'...

Happy eighty first birthday to the healthiest, funniest, and most lovely Grandfather in the world.  We are so glad we were able to spend the day with you, and are grateful you've touched our lives for so many years. Here's to many more.

The sun was warm and the breeze, cool.  A perfect, eighty degree second day of spring was our time to meet up with friends, catch up, and enjoy the weather.  For as many times as we all tried to get together, we've had quite a few flops -- so we made sure to do as much as we could this past Wednesday. We started early, around 11AM to head over for lattes at Metropolis , then walked to the nearest beach to stick our toes in the water.  We refueled with frozen yogurt up on Belmont, then trekked to eat one of the best hot dogs you'll have in Chicago.   To note, Sofia loves pickles.  And Abby. You can find Abby's perspective on the day  here .   Any photos that you can see me in were taken by him .

That look on her face, the windswept hair, those rosy cheeks... Sofia had more fun yesterday with all of her friends than I think I've ever seen her have.  We took another trip to the beach and I can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you.  It really was an amazing day. Check back sometime this afternoon to see a follow up post. (photo by Erick )

I know a lot of you have been wondering where the videos went, and I'm happy to say that they're back.   It truly is so wonderful to be able to have these memories, as simple as they are, to look back on and treasure forever. We are so lucky. Of course this was shot, edited and color corrected by Erick , whose vimeo profile you can view here.

Sofia, your two bottom teeth finally came through-- madness, I tell you!  Besides drooling and shoving whatever you could into your tiny baby mouth, you barely made a peep regarding your newly cut gums.  You look magical!  Papa says that your "baby teeth better grow in straight," and I think that means he doesn't want to pay for your braces.  It's okay.  You'll have a few awkward years and we'll love you just the same. Today we had another historical moment-- your first ride in a swing !  The weather has been beautiful around here lately and you've loved taking walks with me in our ergo carrier.  You really are the perfect companion:  you smile and wave at passerby's at Target, we pick out soaps together at Lush, and if we could only get your dad to get over that one tank top we bought that apparently shows "too much of your baby boobies".  We'll work on it.

La  Colombe Torrefaction 955 W Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60607 West Loop Neighborhood Erick, Hector, Sofia and I all took a quick trip for some lattes on Saturday morning, and stumbled upon a new gem hidden in the city's West Loop neighborhood.  The West Loop has so many amazing little shops and restaurants that I don't think I've ever seen before, a lot of them opening up for the first time so we'll definitely be making a trip back.  It's so nice to have family in town visiting, we always wish they could stay longer (or live closer!) why you should visit • beautiful interior • fresh milk straight from the farm • full size, in house coffee roaster • awesome mugs and saucers • complimentary sparkling water good to know • no wifi • no menu (traditional espresso drinks only) • no fancy flavors what to order • latte • mocha • bottled iced coffee

There's nothing I love more than spending time with these two important people in my life.  This weekend we're recovering from 12 hour work days and crazy retail madness, but are trying to take the time for outdoor cups of coffee, midday afternoons still in pajamas, and of course -- each other.  I hope to have some new recipes this week and more progress on my website.  Hope you are all having a great Saturday!

Every Wednesday is our Family Day.  It has been for as long as I can remember.  Even when Erick and I were only first dating, we had our Wednesdays off from work together and we would always wake up late in the afternoon for brunch and spend the day exploring different parts of the city or sometimes -- just lazing around the house making sure to take as many naps as we could. Now with our daughter, we've made it a point to make sure we get out of the house almost every Wednesday to show her something new and make new memories together as a family.  Yesterday we went back to Oak Park which honestly feels more and more like home each time we go.  Erick shot some video of our day and I can't wait to show it to you!  I miss posting the videos on my blog, and it's something Erick really enjoys putting together. Things have been really great lately.  I love this little family of mine more than I love anything else in the world.

This is the first post in my food series - hurray!  Now I already know I am really, really  terrible at baking, but for some reason I fare better in the breakfast department.  I found it only fitting to start this off with a favorite fancy breakfast of mine:  baked eggs. This recipe is based off of this one I found and tried a while back, but the great thing about eggs are they're so versatile and can be customized basically any way your palate desires!  Here's how I made mine: -     -     -     -     - INGREDIENTS: 1-3 organic cage-free eggs 3 tablespoons butter 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream 4 strips of bacon (or any cured meat -- pancetta might be nice!) grated parmesan or romano cheese coarse ground salt freshly ground pepper STEPS: • preheat oven to 400º • place one tablespoon of butter on the bottom of each ramekin you'll be using for your eggs • pour a little of the heavy cream to coat the...

There aren't a ton of photos of Sofia and I together.  Finding moments like these on the memory card are always a great surprise. Thanks,  Erick.