on my heart

My heart completely breaks for those directly affected by hurricane Sandy.  I can't even begin to imagine losing EVERYTHING: wedding pictures, scrapbooks..shelter.  There are millions of people without power & New Jersey & New York are almost out of gas. We have a lot of friends & family that live in New Jersey, New York & New Hampshire.    

{SOURCE}

{SOURCE}

{SOURCE}

{SOURCE}

My friends, family & those I don't know are on my heart & in my prayers.  Don't take your warm cozy couch, clean water, gas in your car or power for granted.  

A Visit to The Pumpkin Patch

Saturday my Mum, Philip & I spent the afternoon with Addison at Hill Ridge Farms. She we had a BLAST. I wasn't sure if the environment would be extremely friendly for her age but they definitely have plenty of fun & interactive things for her to enjoy. Get ready for a photo bomb.

Her favorite part was probably the horses.  She said "horsey" in an high pitched, slightly scared voice & would point & say "neigh, neigh".  Against my better judgement (with all the e.coli outbreaks), we bought her a pony ride. I am so glad we did because she definitely enjoyed it.

 
 She was a little hesitant at first.  But as soon as the horse moved it's head she squealed with excitement. Once she got comfortable she rocked back & forth (like she does on her rocking horse at home) & had a giant smile plastered on her face.

We took our time & let her explore. 

She played in the wood fort, yelling at all the big kids that ran past her. 

She explored the teepee but was over it pretty fast.

The tunnel was a huge hit (minus her slipping & falling).  She loved hearing her voice echo inside it & was totally intrigued by the fact that I was at the other end.

 She wasn't sure what to think of the hayride at first.  I think she was overwhelmed with the noise & the amount of people on it but once the tractor got going she hammed it up as usual.

As we pulled up to the pumpkins. She kept pointing saying "ball". 

 We couldn't get her off the tractor fast enough.

We told her to pick out a pumpkin & she kept walking around pointing.

Finally she found one she liked & sat down beside it.  At this point I think she was completely over having her picture taken & intentionally would not look at Philip with the camera, lol.

We all climbed in the hay & threw it around like crazy people.

 Our final stop was the general store. We picked up some fudge for my Dad since he wasn't able to make it.

It was so much fun & there was a ton of stuff to do. Next year we will definitely do the hayride & get her face painted.  

this week

Per usual life has been chaotic. This week...

• I made 4...FOUR trips to the grocery store. I know totally insane for a family of 3. I wasn't able to make it to the farmers market this week & we go through produce like it's nobody's business.
• I spent Addison's morning nap folding laundry & while I was showering etc. she "helped" me & thew everything around the room.
• The weather got a bit cooler (more fall like) & she was able to wear an adorable long slouchy cardigan from 77 Kids (6-12 months) I have been DYING for her to wear  

•  we were paleo rebels & treated ourselves to fro-yo. Addison went nuts. 

•  We did a little shopping...2 Target trips in 1 week.  I need an intervention. I went in for a headband & came out with, well...a whole lot more than a headband.
• Addison is now participating in the shopping trips & snagging things off shelves. She even convinced me to buy her 2 stuffed animals on one of our Target runs.

•  we went for a gorgeous run on a fairly new greenway.  5 miles in, 5 miles out. I am not going to lie, I was convinced we were going to get murdered. It was beautiful (not thinking that we were going to get murdered but the the landscape/scenery).

• Her hair is officially outta control. 
• I made the most bangin "garbage" breakfast
• We went to the park & walked almost everyday

• And we bought her Halloween costume. A unicorn.  I think she is a fan. She'll have a cute painted pink nose & pink leggings & top to match but I couldn't resist slipping it on her. 

grain free coconut banana bread

I had three extremely ripe bananas on my counter, desperate to be used & a sweet little one year old that would gobble up just about anything I fed her.  I searched the internet for paleo banana bread recipes & with a few adjustments, this is what I came up with; A super moist paleo bread with just soft undertones of coconut & a punch of banana. A perfect snack for Addison. 

The original recipe was adapted from Running to The Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• ½ cup coconut flour
• ¼ cup flax seed meal
• 1½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 small loaf pans with some clarified butter or coconut oil. 
2. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
3. Combine wet ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together.
4. Pour wet into dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
5. Divide evenly (dough will be thick) into loaf pans and smooth the tops.
6. Bake for about 35 minutes.
7. Remove loaves from oven, let cool in pans for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.

To keep it extra moist I am keeping mine wrapped in plastic wrap in an airtight container on the counter. When Addison is ready for a slice I cut a piece off, put it under the broiler for a few minutes & top it with a little bit of clarified butter. I am sure a light coat of almond butter would be awesome too. 

Addison Says

Things Addison is saying these days....

Hot
     - when she says it she sounds like she is getting ready to spit.

Excuse me
    - more like "cues-ma".

Nope
    - said with a very accentuated P.

Yup
     - usually followed by a devilish grin because she knows we are going to laugh at her saying yup.

Choo-Choo
     - this is how she refers to her train.

Down

Night-Night
      - sometimes it's night-night other times it's "nuh-night". she always says it when she is tired & ready for a nap.

Ouch
     - not sure where she learned this from but she says it.

Up
     - as she points to you to pick her up

Snack
     - this is said frequently as she signs eat.  Sometimes it's clear as a bell snack & other times she says "nack".

Cracker
    - my mum keeps animal crackers for her at her house which is a treat since we don't let her have them. As soon as she hits my parent's kitchen she says "cracker...cracker" "snack" & makes her way to their pantry.

Bow
     - she refers to headbands, bows, clips generally as bow.

Hat
     - anything can be a hat if it's on your head.

Doggie
     - while she still says Dog she has not transitioned into saying doggie.

Others: Hi, wow, Bye-Bye, Emma, Mumma, Dudda, Dad, Philip, Puppa, Apple (babble), milk, Hampton, ball, duck, off, on, flower, no (her favorite word), blueberry,  baby, hey, boat.

Family & Wednesday Night Tradition

I'd like to think that I am a happy medium between a type A & B personality but I can be so type A. I am extremely competitive, I feel an extreme sense of accomplishment when I meet goals (I am one of those people that makes a list just so I can check things off). I am pretty aggressive, in that I am a "go getter"...get in there & get it done.  I also function extremely well with routine.  Since Philip's dad passed away part of our weekly routine has been having dinner with my mother in law every Wednesday night.  It's definitely something we all look forward to, especially because it's time Addison gets to spend with her grandma without any other distractions.  Do to life circumstances we haven't been able to get together the last few weeks.

We finally got back into our normal routine & spent the evening together. It was wonderful.  She is getting married December 15th & I am so thrilled that I have been able to be part of such an exciting time in her life.  She bought the most beautiful wedding dress & looks absolutely stunning in it.  I was literally awed be her.  Over dinner we talked about the venue, flowers, the DJ & all the fun details that come along with wedding planning.  I love seeing her so happy...she is literally glowing.  I am so thankful for Wednesday nights but was especially thankful last night as she is including me (just her daughter in law) in such a joyous time of her life.

 I hope as Addison grows up she understands the importance of FAMILY not routine/tradition or type A-ness. I hope I teach her that the reason we get together with Grandma on Wednesday nights isn't because Mum is neurotic & needs a routine but because it is important to spend time with those you love.  As a family unit we choose to love & support one another. I want her to know that our family is a solid rock, even during times of adversity & trial. I want her to experience that closeness & bond.

since I can't post a picture of my mother in law in her wedding dress...here is Addison in all her chic-glory starring at herself in the fireplace wearing my scarf.

personality traits

Sometimes I find myself getting lost while I watch Addison play.  She'll pick a toy up & study every part of it.  She gets a look of determination on her face as if she is convincing herself she'll figure it out.  Then...she does.  It may take 1, 2, 10 times at trying but she'll grit her teeth through the frustration & makes it work.  I get lost watching bits & pieces of her little personality come forth.

She is a pretty good combination of Philip & me (minus her appearance). I think I hear daily that she is my mini me.

I see myself in her strong-will & determination. Unfortunately, I also see myself in her temper.  It doesn't come out very often but boy oh boy when it does. We will work on channeling that one in a more positive way. Her sweet, cuddly, affection is directly from her daddy. She is outgoing, social & energetic; I'd like to think that we both inhabit those traits as well.  She is generous & loves to share; another example of how I see Philip in her.  She is intelligent like him as well. I think her silliness comes from both of us.

She is so happy & cheerful...hopefully people would say the same about me.  Her dad is strong & confident & she is showing signs of that as well.  I love watching her little personality emerge even if she is telling me "no-no".