Minnesota Love

As I said in this post (if you haven't checked it out - you should - it has a SUPER DUPER cute video of Nora and Adelyn), we spent the past weekend in Minnesota visiting family and friends.

I'll be honest, there was a time when both Alan and I felt like we were becoming a bit calloused to "goodbyes." When you live so far away from all of your family you get used to dropping off people at the airport and saying goodbye often. However, ever since having Nora is seems like it just gets harder and harder to leave our loved ones. Sniff, Sniff.

Ok - enough of the sappy stuff.

I'll be honest - we flew to Minnesota mostly to meet this cute little girl...

AND see this other cute little girl...

When you have three of the cutest little peanuts in the whole wide world you MUST dress them alike and take photos. Thanks to Costco's Kids PJ selection and Nana F's purchases we got a number of matching outfit photos. So fun...

Although we spent plenty of time taking photos of the little one's we were also able to see some of our dear friends (shout out to the Klauser's, Waite's, Joyce's and Tom and Elyse for a great night!) and enjoy some great family time together.

Awww.... we miss you guys!!!

~~~~~~~

xoxoxo

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a little preview of Minnesota

We spent this past weekend hanging out with our family in Minnesota (miss you guys already!). Although I'd love to get into the details of how wonderful our time was, I'll leave that for another post. For now here's a little glimpse into our time away...

(Please forgive the crazy commentary and voice...it's a little weird)

and because I'd hate to leave out the newest and snuggliest addition to the family...meet Ella... our sweet little niece! More to come...don't worry!

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Mommy SOS - Teething Baby with Cold

One of my favorite mommy blogs, BecomingMom, has a series entitled "Mommy SOS" where she asks her readers to give their insight into various mommy-matters. I've always loved these posts as I feel like all of the comments are always so helpful - not just for the blogger themselves but for anyone who reads the blog!

So in honor of helping one another, I'm going to also start posting my personal question's as well as other reader's questions.

Now I know some of you are a bit comment squeamish... I know this b/c I KNOW (Google Analytics kind of know) there are a decent amount of you that read this blog but never comment. But - here's your opportunity to shine!

So mommies - Nora has been crazy cranky and fussy the past four days. She's cutting two of her top teeth and in addition to this has over the past couple of days come down with a deep cough - so she has reason to be fussy. I want to know what YOU do (or have done) to make this transition less painful for your little ones. Spill it....

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Steph's Pick - Cakepops

Introducing my new favoritest dessert in the whole-wide-world - CAKEPOPS! Yes - you read that right. Cake - on - a - stick (aka: cakepop)

I met this new treat on the website Bakerella (thanks again Kristina for the introduction) and it was love at first sight. And after making them is was love-at-first-bite (hehehe).

They are the perfect alternative to the celebrations that call for the standard boring cake - birthdays, graduation, anniversaries, etc...

Here's how you do it...

Ingredients:
1 box any cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper
lollipop sticks

Directions:
1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Insert a lollipop stick into the balls before you dip in the coating.
6. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
7. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

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summertime and some nora musings

I just realized that it's been far too long since I've posted an update on our little chicken (yes - we call her chicken - I'll highlight that later). So, here are a few Nora musings...

- Nora is a-cruisin' - all over the place! It won't be long till this girl is walking. She's got places to go and puppies to see! ;)

- Nora has a new bestie - Carly - the English Cocker Spaniel. Her grandparents just got a new puppy and Nora just lights up whenever she see's little Carly on Skype.

- Her nickname is chicken - yes - you read that right. Chicken. Although I'm not entirely sure how this happened, I think it had something to do with the fact that I used to call her our lil' chicky - as in the English Slang version of girl.

- Not only is she our chicken but she's a fish. Ok - we don't call her fish - she just LOVES to swim. We swim almost every day and she just loves it. What are we going to do if we don't live in AZ our entire lives????!!!!

- Nora is very excited about her upcoming first birthday party. Well - maybe mom's a little more excited - but I'm sure you are too! We'll be sure to post lots of pictures.

- And finally, I'll leave you with a few pics...

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Steph's Pick - Viva Towels

Alrighty ladies (and gents - if there are any of you even reading this blog) - my aunt introduced me to Viva Towels probably about 10 years ago now and I have yet to buy another brand of paper towels since. Really - they are THAT amazing!

Now I know what some of you are thinking..."Viva Towels are some of the most expensive paper towels!" And you're right. They certainly are not the cheapest. So it might be hard for some of you to want to spend more money on something you'll throw away after one use. But hear me out...

Why do I like them? Well, they are more cloth-like (aka super-duper soft), more durable and extremely convenient for everything from scrubbing the kitchen to washing your hands and face. And if I were to be totally honest, they are some of the only non-design paper towels I've found. You know me - I like simple clean-lines. Nothing crazy.

So that's it...this may not be the most exciting Steph's Pick in the world... but it makes my home just a little bit nicer to live in.

**************

Looking for something a little more exciting than paper towels? Check out this video I posted on Scottsdale Moms Blog earlier this week.

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Wine Country Getaway

A GETAWAY!!! Yes, yes, indeed! Just remembering our recent getaway makes me grin ear-to-ear.

The month of May has brought a lot to celebrate in our home. Our 27th Birthday's, Alan's graduation and our upcoming 5th anniversary were great reason to get out of AZ and leave Nora at home with Gma and Gpa T (thanks again!). Because we'd never been to Wine Country we thought that would be PERFECT!

Luckily my dear friend, Jess, and her hubby Nate live in The Bay Area so we were able to spend Day 1 with them along the coast. Aren't they soooo cute :)

And on Day 2 we were off to Napa. First Stop - Frog's Leap Winery - where we had a little of this...

and relaxed a bit on their FABULOUS patio...really it was soooo awesome...

We then proceeded to get lunch at Dean and Deluca's and rushed to Del Dotto for a Barrel Tasting Tour in their gorgeous caves (so fun!).

Day 3 - Sonoma - started out at the Fremont Diner. Ladies (and gents) - this is one of the cutest places I've ever been to. If you're planning a trip to Wine Country any time soon please stop here. You'll love it! It's right on the way from Napa to Sonoma but easy to miss - so keep your eyes peeled.

After our awesome breakfast we checked out a couple different wineries - two of which were Arrowood Vineyard and Chateau St. Jean.

We finished our last day with a few more wineries (yes - we know). One of which was the Benziger Winery which was suggested to us at another winery and said to be the best tour in Sonoma. That it was! The folks at Benziger were very informative. They are a Biodynamic Winery which pretty much means they are as green as wineries can get. They use no chemicals in the farming of their grapes and reuse pretty much everything. It's very interesting.

So that's it. Getting away really can do great things for the soul. So long Napa and Sonoma.... till next time.

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Graduation

Have you noticed someone's been missing (well - kind of) for the past two years? I have! Alan has been working full-time and going to school part-time and we can now say HE'S DONE!!! Alan graduated from the W.P Carey School of Business with his Masters in Business Administration. Woot woot!!!


Although I can't promise he'll be coming back to the blogging world anytime soon (although everyone seemed to like his Alan's Two Cents ;)) - he is planning on being home much more often. Nora and I are VERY happy about that.


Here's a few pics to document this big occasion...




Way to go Alan! We're so proud of you!

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Steph's Pick - PostcardBuilder.com

By now ya'll know that I'm a photo-nut. Thankfully I have a cute little subject to photograph and with each passing day more things to capture. It's just so fun.

Because of this I'm always looking for new ways to use Nora's photos. You may remember this Steph's Pick on Blurb.com. Blurb.com is an awesome option for my yearly photo books but I wanted a way to share some of our photos with family and friends. Enter PostcardBuilder.com. LOVE IT!

Postcard Builder is my new found web-bestie. They print, address and mail. That's right - after submitting and approving my artwork I don't have anything else to do! It's perfect for a busy-mom. I've used them for a handful of projects including the three items below (Christmas Thank You's, Valentine's Day and Mothers Day) and have even used them to send out invitations.

Postcard Builder really is an awesome resource. Keep them in mind for any future mailings you may have!

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my birthday in photos

Oh my!!! Wow! I've stepped away from the blogging world for more than a week (that's quite a long time for me). Sorry 'bout that. As you'll see, we've been very busy around our home. Between birthday celebrations, graduation celebrations (yipee!) and travels, we've been doing everything BUT spending time on the computer.

So first up - my 27th birthday celebration! My celebrating started early (well - Thurs night). My hubby sent me to an awesome Create Better Images Photography Workshop for my gift. How cool is that?! Here's a shot I took of a couple other ladies at the workshop. Thanks Kimberly and Jennifer for hosting such a great event!
And I awoke on my birthday to one of the best gifts of all...

Luckily this little doll and her momma met us for a much needed "cold one"... (see video HERE)

And despite my photography classes the night before I managed to take a very blurry picture of my parents with our little peanut at Wildflower Bread Company... (sorry mom)

It wouldn't be a birthday celebration without Happy Hour at Trader Vic's with a couple dear friends and family members...

While at Trader Vic's I had to get one of these (or maybe two:))...

To finish off an awesome birthday we stopped at Sprinkles for some scrumptious cupcakes....slurp...I could go for another one of those now....pretty please with a cherry on top...

That was my day. It was fantastic as all get out. I'm so thankful for the loved one's who made it so special. Till next year....

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a mother's day recap

o all of my wonderful mommy readers, thank you for making being a mom so much more fun... Thank you for all of the advice, encouragement and virtual shoulders to cry on.

This Mother's Day was so special as it was my 1st Mother's Day as a Mom! Alan and Nora pampered me far more than they should have and made yesterday so special (and relaxing!). I felt so loved and honored all day long.

First on a more thoughtful note - throughout the day I was reminded of how great the task of being a mother is. I love how Sally Clarkson says it in her book, The Mission of Motherhood:

"The mission of motherhood is the same now as it always was: to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to develop a heart for God and His purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."

Thanks Nealy for this quote :)

And how about a few pictures to recap the day? First we headed to this place... LOVE it!

And spent an hour or so looking at this view :)

Then filling my tummy with this goodness (remember this post - we go here often)...

And finally my favorite little girl (and man) joined me at the pool...

xoxoxo

{Love to Alan & Nora for making Mother's Day soooo special}

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{happy mother's day}

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Steph's Pick - Apple & Raspberry Crisp

If I HAD to choose a fruity dessert over a chocolate one - this would be what I'd choose! I saw this in Everyday Food Magazine (a great gift) and made it a couple weeks back for the first time. We LOVED it!!!


Ingredients.
Unsalted butter, for baking dish
2 1/2 - 3 pounds sweet, firm apples, such as Gala or Braeburn, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
12 ounces raspberries (frozen - no need to dethaw)
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest, plus 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

Crisp.
6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
2/3 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions.
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2.In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, sugar, flour, vanilla, and orange zest and juice.
3.In a large bowl, combine all crisp ingredients. Using an electric mixer, beat on low until coarse crumbs form.
4. Transfer to baking dish and sprinkle with topping.
5.Bake until topping is browned and juices are thick and bubbling around edges, 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.



steph's tip...
Small but Sweet. To make individual crisps, divide filling and topping among eight 8-ounch ramekins and reduce baking time to about 30 minutes.

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happy easter - what?

Now I'd expect one to forgive me if this were baby #3 or #4.... but on baby #1???!!! Come on. Let's back up.

As those who've been reading AlanandSteph know, we were in San Antonio for Easter weekend. So needless to say, we didn't get Nora all dressed up for Easter (frankly - I didn't event think about it). Rather than going to church we were enjoying our small 1'x1' spaces on Southwest. But what kind of mom doesn't take Easter photos (even if a couple days late) of her first born in an Easter dress? THIS mom I guess.

So I finally got her dressed up earlier this week (thanks Gma and Gpa T for the cute dress) and took some photos. I figure in 5 years when I'm looking through her baby book I won't even remember that the pictures were taken a month later :) Yes - you read that right. I'm totally planning on putting these pictures under the Easter portion.

Here's to good intentions and pretty dresses...

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Steph's Pick - Resource Updates: Beaba Babycook & SkipHop's Studio Diaper Tote

Thanks Kristi (check our her blog - she's a hilarious writer!) for asking me to write an update on some of the items I posted about earlier but at that time had yet to use.

{Product 1 - Diaper Bag}

Remember this post? For those who need a refresher, back in February 2009 I was so excited about our pregnancy with Nora that I immediately started looking for the perfect diaper bag. You know - the kind of diaper bag that's cute yet functional. (alright - maybe more cute than functional) After much research I settled on Skip Hop's Studio Diaper Tote in Champagne and couldn't wait to tell all our AlanandSteph readers about it. But at the time I was months away from using it.

Update.

After 10 months of use this bag has lived up to my expectations. It's still cute (yipee!) and carries a TON of stuff. There are so many pockets for everything every momma needs to carry around. I know of at least 5 friends who have the same bag and who also love it! So all in all - 5 stars! *****

{Product 2 - Beaba Babycook}

Right at the beginning of starting to make Nora's baby food I was just too excited not to post about my new-found kitchen gadget. In November I posted here about the Beaba Babycook. As ya'll probably know by now - I'm a wanna-be foodie, which is probably why this was such a fun gift for me to receive (thanks again Tom & Jane). Now 5 months into making baby food I feel like I can finally give it a decent review.

Update.

The Beaba Babycook is a little glimpse into all of the great things God has in store for us in heaven (yes - I'm hoping that I will still cook in heaven :)). Seriously. I have loved every part of this little gadget. Between being a working mom, doing cloth diapers and doing everything else I do - My little Beaba has been a life-saver. Now do I think it's totally necessary - no. I have plenty of friends who make their own baby food using a simple blender or Magic Bullet. But for me it has been awesome. It's so simple. You steam and puree in the same container. My only "beef" - the pricetag. Although I can't complain - it was a gift!!!

I wish I had pictures of the whole process... sorry. This is what Nora's food (blueberries and mangoes) look like after steaming, pureeing and freezing them and before heating them up and feeding them to Nora-bora.

Here's the after picture....

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nora's 1st swing

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that we're just getting around to taking Nora to the park and putting her in a swing. I've had all winter to do this as the weather here has been GORGEOUS but somehow time just slipped away from us. Oh well, that's life...

She seems to like it :)

On an unrelated note, Nora's learning to give kisses. The only problem is she likes to give open mouth kisses....watch out boys!

Happy Wednesday!!

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Nora Recommends - Boon's Bottle Drying Rack

Ok - I'll admit it. I've been eyeing this drying rack for a couple months now. I know ... if I'd known 5 years ago that I'd have my eyes out for a contemporary bottle drying rack I probably would have had a good laugh. But that's what motherhood does to you.

Boon’s Grass Countertop Drying Rack is a minimal, modern way to dry your bottles, cups, spoons and baby plates. Water drains from the utensils into the tray so the products can air dry. Sleek, stylish and functional, the Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack is a fabulous addition to a modern kitchen.

So needless to say, last week I took my 20% BBB coupon to Buy, Buy Baby and bought it! Yipee!! I also decided it was time to do away with the formula cans and got a different container for it. Doesn't it look nice? For those who know me well - you can attest to the fact that I'm all about making sure our home doesn't look like Nora's stuff blew up all over it :)

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Steph's Pick - Trudeau Pot Clip

You know you spend a lot of time in the kitchen when your hubby presents you with one of these for Christmas and you're just as happy as if he would have gotten you jewelry. ***Big Cheesy Grin***

This may sound silly but oftentimes when cooking I would become agitated by the mess that placing the spoon in the average spoon rest would leave. Not only do I have to clean the spoon and the spoon rest but oftentimes I'd drip all over the place just getting the spoon into it's resting position - ugh!

The Trudeau Pot Clip Spoon Rest comes in and saves the day! Fashioned from silicone and metal, this clip is heat-resistant (up to 600 degrees F) - and clamps very securely to most pans. Little silicone bumpers guard against scratches and it's dishwasher safe.

I love what an Amazon reviewer, Emily B, said of this gadget...
" The Trudeau's pot clip is one of those kitchen gadgets that looks like an extra and turns out to be indispensable."

I couldn't have said it better. And at under $10/each they make a great gift for Mother's Day :)

Get yours today. Both Amazon and Sur La Table sell them.

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9 months & a trip to Yogurtology

Nora celebrated her nine month "birthday" last week. We still can't believe how quickly she's growing up. Here are a quick list of her "likes" and "dislikes"

Nora likes...

people (no stranger-danger for her), dogs, silly songs, crawling, walks, our TV Stand, watermelon, bows, being VERY active, colorful and loud toys (ughhh...), her little blankey, skype, grass, swimming, teething biscuits, Mrs. Cherrick and Reagan and finally Elmo. Yes - Elmo. Must be the bright red and high voice :)

Nora's dislikes...

having her nose wiped, sitting still, airplanes (too restrictive), her carseat (for the same reason), when dad gets a haircut (scary) and finally being so far away from her cousins :(

Without further ado....here are her stats...

9 months.

20 lbs. 11 oz. (75%)

30 inches (97%)

Here are a few pics from our trip to Yogurtology with the Cherrick ladies...

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