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Giant cupcake making – Take 1

Posted on April 30, 2008 11:43 pm by TheAngelForever

As hard as it is for me to believe, my baby is going to be one two weeks from today. His family party will actually be on Mother’s day before his actual birthday. Since the little guy is in love with my cupcake pillow we thought it would be fitting to make a giant cupcake for his big day. I had read about them online many times and finally found one in a local store. With a 50% off coupon for the store I got my cake pan for a great price and decided to test out the pan. All of the reviews said that the pan took some getting used to.

Last night I had everything ready and made the cake for a test run. We decided not to bother baking it since it looked so good like this:

Some of it was eaten in this state, but most was baked into a giant cupcake and 8 extra little cupcakes. Since I used pasteurized egg whites I allowed NHL to have his first cake batter EVER. Yes, you read that right my poor almost five year old son has never had cake batter before. Sad no? Check out his reaction to this big event. Please note where JSL is during this time. He was really trying to get NHL to give him a taste.

Hey big brother. . .

PLEASE share with me!

JSL was not interested in giving up. Watch his progressive movement as NHL moved sides while dodging little hands. Please note the sad little puppy eyes from the little guy. Too bad those do not work on his big brother.

NHL had a blast and loved smiling with lots of cake batter on his face (other photos seen on Wordless Wednesday).

More . . . I need more!

All of the boys were enjoying the time playing before bed while Mommy baked.

Now for the birth of a GIANT cupcake:

A GIANT cupcake is born

Overall the test bake did not go too horribly. It was a very good thing that we did the run through since we learned several things that we will do differently next time that should make it even more successful.

This morning when NHL woke up we showed him the finished cupcake. I do not think he realized how large it was going to be after putting it together. He refused to let me give it away and insisted that we taste test it this evening.

Park adventures with my boys

Posted on April 27, 2008 10:14 pm by TheAngelForever

Last Sunday before the second Passover seder we decided to take the boys to the park for some fresh air. We also thought it would be wise to let NHL to run off some steam. It was an absolutely gorgeous spring day.

Upon arriving at the park NHL bolted from the car (with permission) like this:

JSL was not so sure about the thing in the sky. Thanks to the long, dark, cold winter he forgot what the sun was like. For a while he was content to stay in his stroller under some shade with his sun hat on.

We watched as NHL climbed on anything and everything in his path. My what some amazing therapists can do for a kiddo. Last year at this time he would have asked for some assistance. Now, he could care less if we are there.

Wahoo - sliding fun!

Quickly JSL was getting very antsy and wanted out of the stroller. He saw his big brother having fun and wanted to get closer. JL decided to show him around the park. Please note the big smile behind his binky.

Unfortunately for JL, the little guy did not remain entertained by being out and watching for long. Before I knew it all three of my boys were running all over the playground. The first stop the BIG slide.

Do you think JSL liked his first adventures on the slide? Check these out to see what you think. Be sure to hover over the photos for some captions from Flickr.

Wait for us NHL

Check out who won

JSL's first time down the slide

Even more fun the second time

Third times the charm!

The little kiddie swings here were not too great. They were made for ages two and up and we quickly saw why.

Swings a little too big

When this did not work out JL and JSL ran to catch up with NHL to try something else. The two boys wanted to do a brother train down the smaller slide together. Run ~~Forest~~ JL Run!

The boys go on the slide together

Smiles all around

NHL ran all over the place while Daddy and JSL tried to keep up. Still it was amazing to watch JSL be so happy following his big brother and being in Daddy’s arms.

NHL was very serious as he contemplated the next location to go to in the park.

Serious kiddo

Before I knew it they were all off again . . . to the other side of the park. Before arriving at their final destination, JL and JSL stopped for a quick swing. Not NHL trying to be patient in the background while the other boys were swinging.

Look at NHL waiting patiently in back

Then it was time for everyone to go round and round and get a little dizzy. At first JSL was not too sure about this. Before long he was barking at JL to go more!

Soon it was time to go and get ready for our second Passover seder. Before heading off it was time to catch a quick ride on the T-Rex.

This afternoon we went back to the park for another fun trip before the rain comes in for the week. JSL immediately wanted to go and play. He is so anxious to be able to go and run with his big brother. Soon enough we will be yelling at both of the boys to come back to us.

The nice thing with today, hours after we went Passover is officially over! It is now time to break out the bagels, pizza and other yummy chametz people!

Categories:
brothers fun jl jsl laughs milestone my boys nhl photos weekend

Passover Memories – 2004

Posted on April 18, 2008 10:10 pm by TheAngelForever

As we look forward to JSL’s first Passover tomorrow evening, I thought it would be nice to look at some photos from NHL’s first holiday. We were still living in our apartment at the time. We technically were almost home owners. We were set to close on our house at the end of the month and moved in July 4th. NHL was almost 8 months old at the time. To put it into perspective, JSL is 11 months old now.

Nana and Papa came to celebrate with us as well as Uncle I. JL and I were hosting our first seders that year. It was very spur of the moment and we managed to put it together in less than a week. Here are some pictures of our table all set for the first night.

As you will see our finest china was out for the special event. Since we had a new little one we were too lazy to haul our Passover dishes out. We opted to use paper for quick and easy. It was not too environmentally friendly, but what can you do? It was only for a short holiday.

NHL loved to model his kippah and matzoh bib. Here is his reaction to us telling him he would have no chumetz (bread and the like).

My cute little matzoh ball loved all of the attention and was ready to ask the four question – well in baby talk at least.

All ready for the seder

Biting his tongue about eating matzoh. Oy vey what it does to your tummy!

To all of those celebrating Passover, I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your families.

Categories:
food glorious food holidays jl looking back nhl photos

A beautiful spring day – ACHOO!

Posted on April 17, 2008 8:30 pm by TheAngelForever

Yesterday morning NHL had his allergy testing done. They had to do five trays worth. I believe each tested for 6-10 different items (environmental, seasonal, animals, and food). My mother went with us to help with JSL so I could wrangle NHL. The nurse told us that she wanted to do the testing on NHL’s back. This allowed NHL to still have his hands free to color and do things to pass the 16 minute wait. He was NOT happy about this. Luckily the nurse allowed him to have an unfilled tray to test on his arm and all of us. He finally stopped fussing and allowed the nurse to do the test.

As mentioned yesterday (Houston he has allergies), several items were positively identified as allergen to NHL. Within minutes there were three that were very red and big. They were for trees, grass and I believe mold. Nothing else was too alarming that I remember. She did note that with testing on children there are often false negatives. So, the fact that these were SO drastic a reaction tells us that he is highly allergic to them. The nurse gave me a pack of information and told me to schedule a follow up appointment with the doctor. She also told me to go back to using allergy medicine until he tells us differently. We go back on the 29th for the hearing test and the doctor appointment was on the 2nd, but is now the 7th. Silly Mommy forgot to sign up for swim lessons Monday. Thanks to this NHL was locked out of the Monday classes so we signed up for Friday.

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So what does one do after allergy testing on a beautiful spring day when the trees that you are allergic to are blooming?

In our house they first eat a popsicle that turns their tongue shades of purple and then we go outside to expose ourself to the allergens while kicking a soccer ball around.

I know, bad Mommy! However he is a 4 year old and does need fresh air and exercise. So we said the heck with it he needs to do something fun and we went outside.

First NHL was trying to get a soccer ball past JL and JSL.

JSL was good at blocking shots. Thank goodness NHL listened and did not really kick the ball at his baby brother. Looking back this was probably not a great choice of activities for the little guy.

Then it was time for NHL to be the goalie and JL and JSL to attack.

The little one was quite annoyed that he was not allowed to go down to play. He did not quite understand that he does not know how to walk on his own just yet. For now he had to be content with playing in Daddy’s arms.

Of course he did manage to get into some trouble up high. He may look innocent, but nobody else is near the action to blame.

After a while JSL actually started to say "ball" and "kick". When he wanted the ball he said it and then as he was kicking he said that. It was too funny.

Of course then NHL thought it would be hilarious to take the ball and run away from his little brother.

Although it was very bright outside, it was actually past NHL’s bedtime while we were outside. Good thing it was not a school night. This was a view above our house.

It was really nice to see JSL so happy. The poor kiddo just cut tooth #8. In addition to this we now see all four canine teeth coming in and the dentist told us at least three of the molars are moving. Check it out you can see the new tooth just cutting through.

Of course he was not too happy when someone took the ball away. I was floored when he actually said "MINE" to JL. What are we in for if he already says that at 11 months old?

Here is what I mean. He was baby yelling at JL for taking the ball.

We all had a really nice evening outside. The boys played soccer, then NHL had fun with new bubbles and the little girl in the house next door. A wonderful evening, even if we ended up sneezing.

I love this photo of JL with JSL in his arms. I thought I would use it to wrap things up.

Categories:
allergies fun jl jsl my boys nhl photos teething

Early morning doorbells, X-ray boy and a LONG night

Posted on April 15, 2008 1:49 pm by TheAngelForever

Yesterday officially started April break for NHL. He has the entire week off, plus next Monday since it is the start of Passover. The morning began with the doorbell ringing before 8:00. JL looked outside and saw a man with a bright orange helmet on and neon yellow vest. He went to the door. They were a tree service working for the power company taking care of the lines. They wanted permission to go in our yard and possibly use our driveway for their truck with the bucket to reach the trees. I granted them permission to use the yard and told them to let me know if I need to move my car later.

Just after getting JSL down for a nap I hear the truck pull into our neighbors driveway. This sucker was loud and parked right outside my window. I went to the yard to watch and remind them to let me know if they needed me to move my car. A little while later they asked me to move my car so they could haul all of the tree branches up to the front without a problem. I moved the car. Then they told me that they had to come back and climb our trees since they were unable to reach the main problems with the truck. I decided this was a photo opportunity. I went into the attic and took these photos. They are not the best, but were what I was able to get through the window with my zoom.

Just watching made me nervous

Another man in a different tree

At 11:00 we left the house since they were finally up at the other end of the block. They really took a lot off the trees, so hopefully we will not have any problems with the lines as we had feared before this.

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I packed the boys into the car and went to where JL works for NHL to have his adenoid x-ray done. JL met up with us and we told NHL that they were going to take a photo of inside his body. He was very intrigued with this. JSL and I stayed in the hallway while it was done.

Afterward the x-ray technician showed NHL the films (they are all digital now). He was able to see his spinal cord, his skull and most exciting to him – his new big boy teeth. They are underneath his current teeth and ready to come in soon. NHL was beyond thrilled to be shown the films. We then had to wait in the hall to make sure the films were good enough for the radiologist. While we were waiting I took a photo of my three boys.

What you can not see in the photo is that JL is wearing a Sesame Street tie and NHL has on an Elmo sweatshirt. Everyone there thought we had planned it, but we did not. Right after we had the clear we went to visit people in JL’s department and then went to the cafeteria for lunch.

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After we went shopping for a few things the boys and I went home. When we arrived I saw a package on the porch. Inside the package was the malabrigo yarn (Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool for those that do not know) from Pony Knit. Oh my goodness this is the most amazing yarn that I have ever felt. Now I just need to figure out a project that is worthy of this fabulous fiber. Thank you so much!

The most amazing yarn I have ever felt

Once inside things started to fall apart some. From this point on JSL was a mess. He would not stop crying, clinging to me and would not eat any solid foods. He only wanted to nurse. Not something you would expect from a baby who was 11 months old yesterday (I can not believe my baby is going to be 1 in less than a month). I chalked it up to major teething pain, being constipated, and possibly an earache. I gave him teething tablets, they did nothing. Finally I decided it was time to do Tylenol per the dentist’s instruction. It hardly helped. JSL nursed a few more times before bed and woke up early on. He was all congested and was a mess. He eventually fell back to sleep in our bed for the night.

The poor little guy was not comfortable. He kept waking up at least every hour and would cry for his binky. There were other times that he wanted to be rocked. Finally at about 4:00 we felt he was overly congested so I used the saline and bulb syringe to clean him out. Let me just say – ICK! That helped him to nurse some and fall back to sleep breathing a lot better.

Today is pretty much the same. He has solved the one problem thanks to drinking lots of milk. At least I know his stomach is better. Now he is just congested, clingy, screaming, crying and all around miserable – please note the sarcasm here. I have a feeling it is teething (3 molars moving in and another tooth about to cut can do that), but worry that it is his ear. If his temperature goes up more and we have another bad night I will have to call the doctor tomorrow. Slight conflict since NHL has his allergy testing tomorrow in the late morning. The mucinex is helping JSL to be less congested and the tylenol seems to be allowing him to nap for the time being in his crib. Hopefully he will be fine and those pesky teeth will move along quickly.

Tonight I have to be to the airport at about midnight to pick up my parents. They were in California for my Cousin M’s wedding. I was so bummed about missing this.

Mazel Tov again M and B on your special day and have a wonderful honeymoon.