Holiday Meals

I must write about some of the meals I made over the holidays because I made some pretty awesome stuff if I do say so myself.  Let's start with Christmas dinner.  Mmmmmmmm.  My mouth is kind of watering just thinking about it right now...  Anyway, my sister in law Wendy is a fabulous cook and every year for Christmas she makes delectable beef tenderloin that we always completely devour.  I wanted to take that tradition and start making beef tenderloin for our little family every year for Christmas so Wendy sent me a recipe for spice rubbed beef tenderloin with red wine sauce.  It was so easy and SO YUMMY.  I already posted a  picture in a previous post but let me post it again so you can take in all the beauty.

So now let's talk about those burgundy mushrooms.  Oh those glorious burgundy mushrooms that I've already made once since Christmas because I loved them so much.  I got that recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  I love The Pioneer Woman.  I think we were supposed to be friends.  The minute I discovered her I started reading her blog and trying her online recipes.  For some reason I don't actually have any of her three cookbooks which just seems silly and wrong.  Anyway, if you haven't heard of her, she is a ranch wife and mother of four children who started blogging when all her children were old enough to leave the house for a bit during the day to work the ranch.  She blogs about everything:  life, cooking, entertainment, home schooling, etc. So many people fell in love with her that she got an HGTV cooking show and several book contracts.  Anywho, here's the link to the burgundy mushrooms.  If you ever think about making these, don't be intimidated by the cook time.  They are so super easy and you really don't have to do anything to them once you get them on the stove...you just have to be there!  And honestly, I think you could easily throw these in the crockpot over night or during the day while you are at work.  

Speaking of Pioneer Woman recipes, I also recently made this turkey tettrazini.  I had asked Ryan to smoke a giant turkey for Thanksgiving so we could freeze it and I could use it in dishes when I needed it.  I had already made turkey pot pie and "fancy" mac and cheese (seriously it is kind of fancy...I mean it's got feta cheese and kalamata olives among other ingredients) with it and wanted to try something new...and trusty old Ree ("Pioneer Woman") didn't let me down.  If you ever have leftover turkey or chicken make this recipe.  You can thank me later. 

One food related activity I didn't do well was cookie decorating.  Ryan would like me to present Exhibit A to prove that he is a better cookie decorator than I am:

Guess which one I did.  Whatever.  It still tasted just as good as any other cookie.  So what if the snowman didn't have eyes, a mouth, or a nose.

Christmas (continued)

On Christmas morning we all woke up and stayed in our Christmas pj's to open gifts and eat cinnamon rolls.  Ryan and I try to keep the gift exchange pretty low key between us and want to keep it that way going forward so Copeland can learn that Christmas is not just about presents and that while it is nice to receive it is also very rewarding to give.  Hopefully when he is a little older and understands what is going on we can involve him in philanthropy.  So, Copeland got four gifts from us: something he wants (glow sea horse), something he needs (teething toy), something to wear (pj's), and something to read (Christmas book). And Santa brought him an exersaucer, which he's not quite old enough for yet but he still seems to like it a lot.  

We spent the rest of the day as a family at home and enjoyed a delicious dinner that night.  What a wonderful first Christmas with our sweet son.

I was so lucky to have the rest of the week off and we finished it off by meeting Jodi for lunch, Brian and Judy for dinner, spending lots of quality family time together, and taking Copeland in for a test day at day care.  He did wonderfully and Ryan and I were able to see Anchorman 2, have a late lunch at PF Changs, and go shopping.  It was a nice date day with my beloved.  All too soon my time off came to an end.  It's crazy how quickly a few days can fly by.  I was lucky, though, because my boys came downtown for lunch with me on my Monday back to work.

And then lucky me I had part of Tuesday and all day Wednesday off for the New Year!  We joined some friends on NYE for a few hours - we are not quite as good at staying up late as we used to be!  Then Ryan started back to work the day after New Year's and Copeland went in for his first two real days of day care.  The day care ladies say he is super cheerful and content while he is there, he likes to check out the other babies, and he eats really well too.  

It seems like the transition is going really well for all of us so I'm very thankful for that.  I'm also thankful for the WEEKEND when we get more time with our little guy!  I just wanted to squeeze, squeeze, squeeze him all this weekend.  I did plenty of that, in addition to enjoying dinner with some of our old neighbors and also meeting Dion and Amy for breakfast.

Phew...and there.  I'm caught up on all the happenings in our household since Christmas!  Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas with Copeland

We started Christmas week off by taking Copeland to the Denver Zoo Lights on the Saturday before Christmas.  Over 38 acres of the zoo are decorated in twinkling lights, ornaments, and lit animal sculptures.  Ryan and I had never been before and we loved it!  Whoever decorated was very creative and around every corner there was a different theme and something new to catch our attention.  It seemed like such a magical night because it was our first time at the zoo lights and we were with our little boy for his first Christmas, it was snowing, and everyone there seemed filled with Christmas cheer, especially the young kids and the older couples - Ryan saw an elderly couple strolling arm in arm and said "That's going to be us"...awwwwwww.  Someone was so nice they gave us a free ticket to get in.

I had to work on Monday but the office closed at noon on Christmas Eve (Tuesday) so I got to spend extra time with my boys that day.  Ryan and I made sugar cookies for Santa but Ryan said he thought Mrs. Claus was probably fond of sugar cookies but Santa might enjoy my chocolate chip cookies more...so I made chocolate chip cookies too.  

Then later that night we took Copeland to one of our church's candlelight services.  As always, I loved the Christmas Eve service.  I love celebrating the story of Christ through song and it's very important to me to remember the reason for Christmas.  Church was always a part of my holiday experience growing up and I want to make sure it is for Copeland as well.

For dinner that night I made oyster stew again just like last year; however, I tried out a new recipe and it was DELICIOUS!  I may have overdone it on milk products though because we each ate the milk laden oyster stew and then enjoyed our dessert of cookies with milk.  Oh and did I mention we had enjoyed eggnog with spiced whiskey earlier as well?  I think next year I will find a side, drink, and dessert that do not contain any milk.

We got to finish the night off by face-timing with my family and Skyping with Ryan's family.  What a perfect start to the Christmas week.  

P.S.  Here is the link to the oyster stew recipe I used.  The only changes I made were I added diced steamed potatoes and used 2 cans of oysters (with juice) instead of only 16 fresh ones.  YUM!

Back to Work

Well, I've successfully made it through my first two weeks back at work. Everyone has been so welcoming and it is good to join the world again (as my hermit transformation had become complete when I was on maternity leave).  I am slowly getting into the swing of things again and I better do it quickly because we are about to be very busy.  Everyone at work thinks I'm handling the transition well but you can be the judge of how I'm really handling it after you see what book Ryan bought me after I was back at work for less than a week:

Seriously though - it is good to be back at work.  I get to use my non-Mommy brain, I get to talk to other adults about all kinds of things which gets me back into the world (I didn't even watch the news while I was on leave), working is kind of like "me" time, I'm contributing to the financial well-being of our family, and I'm hopefully on track to become a role model of work ethic to my son. Now, having said all that - wwwaaaaaahhhhhhhh - I miss my baby boy!  I know I'm making the right long-term decision for our family but in the short-term...OUCH!  It's pretty emotionally tough to not be with Copeland 24/7 anymore!  Every single day has gotten a little better though.  And I'm lucky to have a flexible workplace that has let me ease back into work AND I have some days off over the holidays to also help with the transition.  And my sweet husband had a surprise waiting for me in my office on my first day back (cue the water works):

And boy is this girl happy that my Mom was here to take care of Copeland during my first week back at work!  I felt so comfortable knowing Copeland was with his Grandma and I got to have my Momma's cooking (yum) and go out on a date with just Ryan for the first time since I had Copeland.  We went to Luke's Steakhouse (probably my favorite steakhouse) and saw Hunger Games.

I also ventured out to my first girls' gathering of pierogi pinching and cookie exchange.  Lucky me I had help with the cookies.  :)

And now Ryan is at home with Copeland every day until the New Year.  What a special time for Ryan and Copeland.  And again, it really makes it a little easier for me to leave in the morning when I know Copeland is with someone I trust and that loves him. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I realize I'm over a week behind but better late than never!  Ryan and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation.  Ryan took the whole week off so Copeland and I were so spoiled to get so much time with him.  We decided to start the holiday week off at the condo.  There was a fresh dusting of snow so Ryan was able to get in some skiing and I got to sip coffee and cuddle with Copeland in the cozy condo with a view of the beautiful, snowy mountains - my idea of a perfect day.  We also played games, went on walks, went out to eat, and went out for coffee.  It was such a wonderful time.  And even though Copeland was happy 99.9% of the time, I have to include the following picture because I think it's hilarious and he looks so darn cute with his scrunch face - even if it is somewhat of an awkward family photo.

Then, the day before Thanksgiving we had some special visitors arrive to see us Copeland:  Grammies and Grampies!  We ate way too much, visited, went on walks, decorated for Christmas, had an early Christmas celebration, and ate way too much.  Did I mention we ate way too much?

Milestones

I can't believe Copeland is already 12 weeks old!  Technically I was supposed to go back to work today but when I was applying for my time off I miscalculated 12 weeks (why yes, I am an accountant) and requested off until next week - lucky me I get one extra week with my baby boy!  I am experiencing a lot of different feelings about going back to work...On the positive side I think day care will be great for him because they're so good about activities there and he'll be able to socialize with other adults and children (whereas I'm a bit of a hermit so when he's with me...well - he sees me) and also we'll all be able to settle into a nice little routine and I'll be able to get some adult time (remember, I'm a hermit).  Also, I know the weekends will become more special to me.  On the down side...wwwwaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!  I am going to miss Copeland SSSOOOOOOOOOOO much and it is going to be so hard for me to leave him.  Also, no matter how good the day care providers are - they aren't me.  But, I am so lucky to be returning to a great place with such a supportive team and Copeland will be going to a day care that Ryan and I both researched and visited and liked a great deal.  But still, wwwwwahhhhhhhhh.

Anywho, enough of my ramblings and on to the subject of this post: milestones.  Copeland grows so fast and seems to change every single day so I'm not always great about remembering when he does something new, like using his legs to support himself when I'm holding him upright, or kicking his legs so much at the toys on his play mat; however, recently he did a couple things that I want to make sure to record:  he giggled and he also rolled over!  The first time he rolled over was two weeks ago Friday.  We were down on the floor doing tummy time and he was kicking and squirming so much I thought he actually might do it so I told Ryan to watch and sure enough the little guy rolled over onto his back!  He just kinda looked around like "what's up".  HAHAHAHA.  Such a calm little guy.  Then he did it just a little bit later in that same day and didn't do it again until last night!  I guess he has to be in the mood or something.

The giggling happened early last week.  Ryan had said he thought Copeland was trying to giggle before then but early last week at the condo he did it several times in a row and it was unmistakable.  Cutest thing ever.  It sounds like "hee hee eeeek".  Cracks me up.  Also, I've since resigned myself to the fact that Daddy is the fun and funny one considering he is the first one to get Copeland to smile and giggle.  Sigh.

In other milestones - I am back to wearing real pants.  You know, the kind with a zipper and a button.

And here are some cute pictures of Daddy and Son watching football:

Good News/Bad News

Good News:  Copeland was a Lil Pumpkin for Halloween and got to greet Trick or Treaters at the door.
Bad News:  We had way more candy than trick or treaters so we have a giant bowl of leftover Halloween candy (some might see this as good news...)

Good news:  Bath time has become a special Daddy/Son time.
Bad News:  Really there is no bad news about that.

Good News:  Copeland smiles now!  He started right around 7 weeks and it melts my heart.
Bad News:  Little stinker can be stingy with those smiles sometimes.

Good News:  In addition to smiling Copeland has a few other expressions in his repertoire.

Bad News:  Some of those faces are vvveerrrryyy similar to what his father gives me.

The "You're Weird" look

The "Could You Stop Talking So Much" look

Good News:  Copeland had his 2 month check up and he is healthy and growing well.

Bad News:  He had to get vaccination which = 4 shots.  :(

Good News:  We got to visit Daddy at work and whew it wore us out.

Bad News:  Daddy was pretty busy so we only got to stay a little while.

Good News:  Copeland got to meet Uncle Rob, Aunt Jaime, and cousins Kylar and Ashlynn.

Bad News:  He only got to spend a couple days with them.

Good News:  Copeland has the cutest little feet on Earth.

Bad News:  Those adorable little tootsies won't stay so cute forever.

Good News:  I finally made it back to the gym when Copeland turned 8 weeks.

Bad News:  I had planned to go to the gym at 6 weeks when I got the all clear from the doctor but I put my back out the day after my appointment.  It was finally feeling better at 8 weeks but then at 9 weeks I decided to run...bad idea - I re-aggravated my back.  Man I'm falling apart.