Prep work

A lot of my energy lately has been spent planning ahead. 

I've adopted this boyscout-be-prepared attitude and I'm really starting to get on my nerves.

For example, if I'm going to sit down on the couch to feed Ray, I make sure I have everything I might need right there next to me. Water? Check. Computer with power cord? Check. Telephone? Check. Two different types of pacifiers? Check. Burp cloth? Check. Pen and paper? Check. Food? Check.

I'm running out of table space...

And all of this just so I won't have to risk waking Ray after he's finished eating.

Lately, (ok, in the past day) I've started wondering what all I'm missing out on by playing it so safe. Babies are spontaneous. Babies are about living in the moment. Babies live for the now. So what if he wakes up. So what if he starts crying. There are more important moments out there, waiting to be had...

Like this one:

xo

a chance encounter

Me and the little man went on a long walk yesterday. We left the house early, while it was still cool outside and walked along a part of the bike trail that I had never been on. At one point there was this funny square of land with a tall chain link and barb wire fence all around it. 

As we approached, I tried to figure out why it was fenced like it was, then I noticed that it had a gate and that it was open. It actually looked like the gate hadn't been locked in some time. While passing by I took one more glance inside the gate and I saw two big ears and two little eyes looking right back at me. 

I stopped in my tracks and a small fawn hopped up to her feet. Her back leg was hurt badly, I think she had been hit by a car. She jumped up and ran into the back corner of the fenced area. I was concerned that maybe her leg was hurt very badly and that maybe she didn't know how to get out of the fence. In retrospect, I'm sure she knew how to get out, but at the time I thought maybe I should call animal control, I mean, she was so small. 

So, I followed her into the fenced area to try and see how badly she was hurt. I didn't want to scare her any more than I already had so I stayed far away and walked very slowly. About 10 steps into the gated area another little fawn popped his head up! I like to imagine that he was her brother; looking out for her until her leg healed.

I stopped right where I was and just stood still and watched. The new little fawn was jumping around and puffing his chest out, being very protective, I didn't want to scare them any more so I just stayed still. The boy took one last bounce and then bolted out of the gate. Well, now I felt really bad. What if she couldn't get out and now her brother had left her too! So I very slowly started to walk around behind her while clicking my tongue. As I did this she moved closer and closer to the gate until AHA! She realized she could get out and ran after her brother. 

It was the coolest.

These sweeties were only up to my thigh, they were still so small but their ears were so big! They had the most beautiful spots on their coats. I can't believe I was lucky enough to see one fawn up close much less two!

Our little walk reminded me of a story people story I had just read:

"She left pieces of her life behind her everywhere she went. It's easier to feel the sunlight without them, she said."

xo

fun with photobooth

sweet sweet baby ray and his stinky stinky momma

little bitty baby kisses

I guess he doesn't care if I haven't taken a shower since Saturday.

xo

ch ch ch ch chocolate

The best chocolate cake:

Before Payday Cake

Sift into a bowl: 

1 1/2 C flour

1 C sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

4 Tbl cocoa powder

Mix well. 

Make 3 holes in the dry ingredients and add:

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbl vinegar

6 Tbl salad oil (canola, safflower..)

Pour over all:

1 C warm water

Mix very well.

Bake 325 degrees - 25 minutes - 9x9 square pan

And finally, I have found the best chocolate frosting recipe to go with it:

1 C sugar

6 Tbl corn starch

4 Tbl cocoa

1/2 tsp salt

1 C water

2 Tbl oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, corn starch, salt and cocoa in a medium saucepan.

Whisk in the water.

Heat over medium heat until it gets thick and starts to boil about 1-2 minutes (not too long or it will turn into taffy)

Remove from heat and stir in oil and vanilla.

Cool and spread on cooled cake.

And on top of it all it is completely vegan. 

I'm not, but some people are.

Even better than that, this cake just gets yummier day after day.

xo

1 down, 74 more to go

As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving

And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May

Just as hate knows love's the cure

You can rest your mind assure

That I'll be loving you always

- Stevie Wonder

happy anniversary my love

xo

stretching

sweet baby ray and grandpa ray

Sometimes I really don't have much to say but I sit here and stare at the screen trying to think of something thought-provoking or witty to write about.

Somedays there is just not much to say.

We had a busy weekend filled with family and friends and bbqs and traveling. 

I think we're all a little wiped out. 

xo

10 good things

Ten Good Things:

1. Baby Ray's sweet, sweet smiles.

2. Strong nipples.

3. Early morning cool breezes.

4. My new Belle baby carrier.

5. My momma.

6. Wet dogs in the summer sun.

7. Feeling creative.

8. Peach fuzz.

9. My Sigg Gorilla water bottle.

10. Decaf Iced Lattes

xo