Happy Place

We're back from our week-long visit with Mr. S' family and I've learned a few more things:

1) A baby's schedule is sacred (actually, I kinda figured that one out already).

2) Baby's, even as young as 5 months, DO have a memory!!

It was fantastic to visit with friends and family and not be in a rush to get back home however as the week went on, Gavin had a harder time sleeping. Naps were a daily fight and even sleeping at night was becoming a struggle. By Friday I was at my wit's end... we were even thinking that maybe Gavin had an ear infection (ruled out for the moment because he was fine laying down as long as I was next to him).

Fast forward to Saturday night, arriving home. After screaming in the car for about an hour (and when I say screaming, I mean bloody murder screaming; my ears were ringing at times), our "so exhausted he was practically cross-eyed" baby seemed to calm merely at the sight of our garage. We got him inside, out of the car seat and just wandered around the downstairs a minute, taking things in again and allowing Mommy and Daddy a second to grab what we needed for our typical at-home bedtime routine. This involves me taking him upstairs to change his diaper and put on jammies while Daddy gets the bottle ready. Well, normally when I change him I lay Gavin in his crib, which usually brings on fussing. Saturday night though, the moment his back hit the mattress and he saw his bumper he clearly got his 64th wind and was rolling around laughing and playing with his feet. Clearly he remembered his crib, recognized his room and even in a BEYOND tired state was oh-so-happy to be back in his room. I just stood back and watched him giggle and flip-flop over every inch of his mattress before intervening and getting him prepped for bed.

Now, you'd think then that he would sleep through the night now right? WRONG!!! He woke up once as I was going to bed (just as I was drifting off to sleep actually; grr) and then again at 1:21 a.m. He woke up again at 5:40 and by then I was tired to fighting him to sleep (I'd be getting him up between 6 and 6:30 anyway).

Today wasn't too bad, but still not great. He had a really good morning nap; good enough that Mommy ran away and bought groceries. Afternoon nap was more of a struggle though. I ended up having to nurse him twice to really get him to go down and I think he really only slept maybe 2 hours this afternoon? Not sure... I'm grateful for every moment I can get though. Not only does the sleep help him but it also gives me time to visit

MY HAPPY PLACE

If you don't know me, this would be my kitchen at a time when I can work in it (not clean it). My brother and SIL gave me the Deceptively Delicious cookbook for Christmas and it was burning a hole in my laptop bag for a week before I could actually make anything out of it. This afternoon was my chance! I quickly pureed some carrots I steamed in the microwave and got to work putting them away and prepping the butternut squash and sweet potatoes for roasting later. I couldn't resist temptation though and ripped into one of my little carrot cups to make Applesauce Muffins. At that moment I was really in my own little heaven (baking). Haven't tasted them yet but judging by the smell I think they'll be REALLY good!). I also whipped together a quick Ranch dressing using Great Northern white beans, mainly because I was curious. You know what? It really DOES taste like Ranch!!! I'm flabbergasted. I have a couple more things planned this week using this cookbook so I'll keep you posted. Mr. S is pretty skeptical so I'll let you know if I can bring him around on this whole deception thing. ;)

Well, I myself am cross-eyed tired so I'm off to bed. Toodles!