Tres Meses and some other stuff

Taft turned 3 months on the 16th. It's so fun to see him change, but also sad because I loved it when he was just teeny tiny and would sleep all the time and I could just hold him. He's not much of a cuddler when he's awake now. I blame Seth because his mom said he didn't like cuddling either. Here's the little chunker at 3 months:

Taft and I left Seth again and went to St. George to help my grandma make apricot jam. A friend of hers heard about her apricots stolen so she brought her a whole bunch from her own tree. My grandma has made jam as long as I can remember and I have never learned how until now. It was a lot of fun to spend quality time with my grandma. Lanx came too and was great at keeping T-bone occupied while the jamming was in session.

Being entertained by Aunt Lanxie

Watching us make jam in the bumbo on the dryer

And last but not least, my cousin Natalie Wheatley got married last week. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of her or the wedding day but we (mainly my mom) did do a shower for her. My mom decorated these cupcakes and I thought they were so cute!

And one more cute picture

Really?

It's 4:00 p.m. and time for an intimate pumping session in my office. I close and lock the door and have the window to the hallway covered with paper. I turn on the pump (mmmrrrr, mrrrrm, mrrrrm) and a few seconds later...

Guy from my office: knocks on door "Hey!"
Me: I don't say anything, praying he goes away.
GFMO: knocks again "Hey!"
Me: "Busy!"
GFMO: starts talking, but I can't understand him because the pump is so damn loud.
Me: I stay silent and say to myself "Go away, go away"
GFMO: "Wait. Really? You're that busy"
Me: Can he really not hear that obnoxious motor? "Yeah! I'll come find you in a minute!"

Now what do I do? "Sorry, I was busy having milk electrically expressed from my boobies"? Can someone just come shoot me and put me out of my misery?

Oh. Em. Gee.

How tasty is this? So tasty I did a little dance when I took my first bite. One of my all time favorite restaurant creations is the Rosemary Flatbread from Trio. SO. GOOD. I tried to make a version similar. Now don't expect like the exact same version as Trio, or else you might be disappointed. It's sure is a close second though. Oh and this is a meal for dos.

"I'm Gonna Buy A Goat" Cheese Pizzas

2 pieces of pita bread (make your own flatbread if you are feeling domestic)

2 ounces of goat cheese (just whatever you feel like)

1 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (or chop up some fresh, I didn't have any)

2 roma tomatoes, chopped and seeded

1/2 a red bell pepper, chopped

handful of fresh spinach leaves

fresh ground pepper

few dashes of balsamic vinegar

Preheat your oven to 400. Place pitas on a cookie sheet and bake for about 4 minutes. Mean while, combine tomatoes, red pepper, and rosemary in a bowl. Remove pitas from oven and spread goat cheese on top. Top the pitas with tomatoes mixture. Put back in the oven for about 4 more minutes, just so veggies and cheese can get hot and wonderful. Before serving dash some balsamic vinegar on the pizzas. Top with a handful of spinach, grind some fresh black pepper, and another dash of balsamic vinegar on top.

If I could only have one cheese for the rest of my life, it would without a doubt with goat cheese. No contest. I need to get myself a goat.

I really wish I had a picture, but unfortunately I inhaled this before I could think to take a picture.

Peace

Baby in the Sky

Taft had his first airplane experience. Unfortunately, it was due to the unexpected loss of my uncle, Bob Lam. My mom's brother in law passed away Wednesday of last week. It was a surprise to everyone and has been a hard week for all who knew my uncle. I was so glad I was able to spend time with my family. Much of the weekend was spent reminiscing about my uncle and talking about what a great father, uncle, brother, son, husband, business man, and friend he was. We're really going to miss him.

She's a High School Grad...

Congrats Tay. It was touch and go for a while there, but we knew you'd make it. I guess you were just a little bit too much like me in the school/attendance department. Sorry for setting a bad example. We probably had more fun though than all those people who actually went to every class every day (ah hem...Lanx). And in case you were wondering...there is life after high school and it actually gets way way better.

Seriously?

Dear Apricot Snatcher,

You suck. Seriously. Who steals ALL the apricots off an 82 year old woman's tree!?!
Did you know that she cans and makes apricot jam EVERY year and has done it for like the past 20 years? Did you know that she looks forward to it and loves giving away jam? I am so mad at you. You better watch out...cuz if I find you, you're DEAD MEAT! Nobody messes with my Grandma Shaw!

Playdate with Cousins...

Taft and Mama Scarlet at the park. The week before I went back to work I met up with my SIL Lara and her kids, her sister Darci, and two of their nephews. I wish I could do that every week.

It's too bad we'll be moving away in the somewhat near future and Taft won't be able to see his way cool cousins as much. I loved growing up by my cousins. My cousin Rachel and I were best friends when we were little. We each had our "school best friend" but we were each other's real best friend. I wanted to go on a mission but only if Rachel could be my companion. When my dad used to tickle me I would scream, "HELP! Friends! Cousins! Come quickly!!!" Cousins are great...built in friends for life.

We hope you and Mel have a great day celebrating your birthdays together!

SO. GOOD.

Since I've been making dinners and now consider myself a superwife, I've really been into finding new recipes and just food in general. My most favorite cooking thing is baking. You MUST try these Peanut Butter Bars. SO. GOOD.



I made these to give to people who made us dinners after I delivered. I might have had to make these twice because maybe we ate most of them before we could give them away.

I also like to pretend they're not too bad for you since they have oatmeal and peanut butter (good source of protein?).

Peanut Butter Bars-(from Gathering of Friends cookbook)

1 c. shortening

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. water

1 t. vanilla

3 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

3/4 t. salt

3 c. oatmeal

Combine ingredients and spread flat on a cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 10 mins. Cool. Spread frosting over the top, cut, serve, DEVOUR!

Frosting

1/2 c. butter, softened

3 c. powdered sugar

2 T. milk

1 t. vanilla

3/4 c. to 1 c. cocoa

Whip ingredients with electric mixer until light and fluffy.

On another food note...these are so so good too. Found at Costco. I think these actually are healthy-ish.

And another food note...baked asparagus is so much better than steamed. I got this tip from Tamara. I tossed asparagus with a little bit of olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and baked at 400 for 12 minutes. Perfectly crisp and delish.

Apologies...

Dear Co-workers,

Sorry that every three hours you hear a loud motor sound coming from my office.I don't like it any more than you do.

Dear Taftman,

Sorry I'm at work. I'd way rather be outside on a walk with you.


Dear Lanx,

Sorry our couch is uncomfy and makes your bum hurt. Thanks for babysitting.You're a life saver.