2009 November

insecurities…

11/30/2009 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

Why is it that even when we know we are doing what is right - right now - for our families, we still let the judgement of others hurt us?

I believe that I am raising my son the best way I know how. And I am proud of the boy he is becoming. He is content, and happy. He knows he is safe, and loved, and that his needs will be met. He is already a loving, affectionate child, and he brings us so much joy…

Yet even in the midst of that confidence - all it takes is a comment, or a look, to make me start doubting my skill as a mother. To make me start believing that I am not the best person for this job and that my gut feelings that I am doing the right thing for us are wrong.

Will these feelings of insecurity ever go away? Will I get stronger with each child that comes into our family and grows into a little person? Or will I feel more judged, and doubt myself more… as my family gets bigger, and my job gets harder?

Filed Under: mama musings, ramblings ·

pumpkin cheesecake dip

11/25/2009 by Annalise · 2 Comments

(a.k.a thanksgiving food, part 3…)

I wanted to make something pumpkin-y this year but I wanted to stay away from the traditional pumpkin pie. Now don’t get me wrong… I love pumpkin pie as much as the next girl! I just wanted to try something different.

I found a few recipes for pumpkin dip that sounded fun, so I threw one together! It’s delicious!! Just like pumpkin cheesecake (especially if you’re dipping ginger snaps into it!) but without all the work!

This recipe makes a lot - enough for crowd!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip Recipe

Ingredients:

2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 (29oz) can pumpkin

Directions:

In a large bowl, whip the cream cheese with your hand mixer until smooth. Beat in the sugar and spices until well blended. Stir in the pumpkin puree until mixed.

Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve with ginger snaps and apple slices for dipping!

Filed Under: recipes, recipes - desserts, recipes - holiday, recipes - make ahead ·

thanksgiving food, part 2…

11/25/2009 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

Just in case anyone is afraid of rosemary (but WHY would you be?!?), I also made these homemade crescent rolls for Thanksgiving dinner…

They turned out so good and were super easy to make! It was fun to try something different and pretty for the holiday, although this won’t replace my stand-by recipe!

(I was tempted to turn these into rosemary rolls too!) :o)

Filed Under: recipes, recipes - breads, recipes - holiday ·

thanksgiving food, part 1…

11/23/2009 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

This year, we are looking forward to spending T-day with 28 of our family and friends at my aunt’s house over on the other side of the water! Never a quiet holiday with this family! :o)

One of my contributions to the family meal this year are these delicious buttered rosemary dinner rolls! They are so so so good… I had a hard time not eating them all before stashing them in the freezer for Thursday!

I used my grandma’s recipe for homemade dinner rolls and then topped them with melted butter, fresh rosemary and sea salt before baking them.

My husband even said they were “amazing!”… And he doesn’t usually like it too much when I change things up!

If you’re looking for something new and different for Thanksgiving, try these rolls… You won’t be disappointed!

Oh, and don’t worry family… these won’t be the only rolls I’ll be bringing this year! :o)

Filed Under: recipes, recipes - breads, recipes - holiday ·

my addiction…

11/20/2009 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

I have an addiction.

It’s unhealthy, and healthy at the same time. I’m not proud of it, but I also am very proud of it.

I am addicted to my baby… I am addicted to his smell. His kisses. His smiles. The feel of his soft downy hair, and his chubby smooth cheeks. I am addicted to the warmth and coziness of him being in my arms.

I am addicted… to baby wearing.

What started as a mere convenience - being able to have my arms back while still holding my fussy, miserable newborn - turned into a full-blown addiction, complete with now 5 baby carriers.

It all started with this Balboa Baby sling.

My mom bought it for me, and it was so fun to ‘hide’ my baby in there when he was brand new!

But Bjorn soon started fighting being ‘bunched up’, because of all the pain he was in. Enter the Moby.

Our favorite friend, and miracle-worker. Still my all-time favorite baby carrier, even though we don’t use him much any more. Nothing compares to the closeness, comfort for both baby and mama, and all-day-wearability!

We lived in this thing for months! (I even have 2, because if one was in the wash, we needed to be able to wear the other!) The only down-side, for us? It’s not too convenient for occasional wear and lots of ‘in and out’.

Now that Bjorn is bigger (and feeling a lot better, thanks to his reflux meds!), we have been using mostly our Baby Bjorn carrier. Great for short wear, or lots of in and out, the Baby Bjorn is an old standby for most people. I like it. And it’s the only one my husband will wear!

My biggest complaint with the Baby Bjorn? Since my baby Bjorn doesn’t like to face out (too much stimulation!), he is constantly ‘walking’ on my legs, leaving bruises if I have to wear him for too long! What now?

Well, we are now getting to know our newest friend… Ergo. So far, we like him. A lot! We’ve only had him for a few days, and are still getting used to the feel of it all, but it’s so much more comfortable for me than the Baby Bjorn, as my Bjorn’s legs sit more around my hips instead of just dangling straight down!