Clueless mom: While he was away...

Last week I meant to post. I had time to post. But, last week my little son went on his first vacation without mommy and daddy. He went to his grandparents. Oh my. No doubt he had a blast.

I, of course, cried for about 45min after he left (I hadn't been apart from him for longer than 24hours except for one other occassion). And then Justin and I sat on our bed in complete bewilderment.....we were alone.


So what was I up to for 2 whole days??:

(been meaning to make a sign for our door. Apparently, the sticky-note we had above the doorbell was too confusing for the delivery people ;) )

I also made some essentials to keep our home green

(wipe cloths for HoneyBear's highchair shennanigans) (Just cut up some towels and sewed--too easy--I keep them in a container on the bar)

Homemade Insect-Repellent. I almost paid $20 for a teeny-tiny tube of organic repellent, then found this recipe and made my own. It's been working great so far! (heavy on the lemon&mint is most effective I hear--not to mention DEET-free!!!)

 And lastly I started a painting for the baby room. Did you hear that?? I said 'baby room'!

No, I'm not pregnant. Haha. But I decided that we are going to keep honeybear's room a nursery for the next baby (again, not pregnant) and move him into the craft room. That way I can keep the crib bedding I love, and HoneyBear can have a new decor theme! (I'm thinking either surf-themed, or Keep Austin Weird-themed (it'll be cute, don't worry)

clueless housekeeper: tips from the MIL

I constantly feel like I'm trying to stay on top of keeping the kitchen organized and clean. While we were at my MIL's last weekend (of course her home is immaculate--I will never live up...), I noticed she uses dishtowels as liners in her fridge. Brilliant! Not only does this minimize cleaning, it's more effective& greener than paper towels and BONUS: Spreads the Cuteness! (God knows I am happier when things look pretty)

(I use the bottom shelf with the damask as HoneyBear's shelf. He has to have his own shelf to make things easier for daddy to remember what is baby-appropriate)

Isn't it funny how baby invades your life. There was a time when I swore our home wouldn't be baby-fied......

Clueless Gardener: Plant CPR

Just got a useful tip from my Aunt regarding my dying-plant-situation!

Per Aunt Dar: Beginning of the day, get the tray out from your automatic ice-maker (if you have one).

Dump half-a-container's worth of ice onto your plant

Done! The plant will get water more efficiently throughout the day, and spread-out throughout the day. This also prevents scorching the roots as sitting water can get so hot in the middle of the day. Hope it brings my cilantro back!

Clueless Gardener: Update

So I was real worried about starting to care about my yard. I mean, it's hard enough keeping three living things alive, but now, another thing to keep alive? Hmmmm.

But I am surprisingly not overwhelmed!

I actually got to use my mini-herb garden in two meals last week! (orange mint couscous as a side and rosemary chicken!)

(parsley, mint, cilantro &rosemary, all I can handle for now)
Mucho gratifying.

And look, here's a pic of week 1 of our grass:

Week 2:

Week 3: 

Amazing! This side of our yard was covered in dirt just a few weeks ago and LOOK! Theres something growing! I never knew how excited I could get about Yard.

I did, however, almost kill a hydrangea. Which, was depressing bc outside of my herb garden, my hydrangeas are my favorite :(

But, it's making it's way back. I'm watering all plants every day and so I'm fighting for you hydrangea, Come back to me

I'll let you know how our yard projects go survive

Clueless Mom: First Birthday: Teddy Bear Picnic

Well. It's over.

My first child's birthday party is officially over. I will never plan another first birthday party for the first time! How did it go in one word? Perfect. Better than I could have planned--I don't know if I've ever had so much fun at a kid's party (probably because I've never had a kid before& it was my own!) but it was the most fun family weekend we've ever had for sure! Everything from the surprise arrival of my sister&brother-in-laws (they live in AZ, we had NO idea they could make it!!) to celebrating the end of the party with almond champagne& Jim Gaffigan, to laughing with friends and good food. Every moment this weekend was spent laughing with the people we love most.

                 

The fooooood

We had gouda-cheese/blue-cheese sliders with my mother-in-law's HOMEMADE sides of potato salad, spicy mac&cheese (with a non-spicy kids version!), baked beans! She is an AMAZING cook!

....And Bear Snacks of course

Some activities for the kids,

 

 (big kids included, his sister dared him)

                   (SO glad we had a son. Because my husband is the kind of guy that needs a son)

Our favors were puppy chow mix in ice cream bowls

& picnic plates to use & take home (had to add a little green-ness, I am an Austinite;))

& then the decor, which I made & was all REAL easy

Since it was, after all, a teddy-bear picnic, we layed out picnic blankets around the yard &tied them to beanie baby bears that I used to be obsessed with collect when they were cool popular

 

Then, we had guests watch a movie of Elijah's life Justin made for him

& after that was of course birthday cupcake time (first ingested dose of sugar ever)!

He got his birthday suit a little dirty, but that's allowed when it's your birthday

(he ate almost the whole thing)

Our surprise guests, sister&brother in law who flew in from Arizona!!

 

Beautiful grandparents--aren't they just cute??

 Some gifts he received included a sandbox, lawn mower, baby pool, bowling set, a Scout doll, drums, a swing, a backpack,  but I have to say, his favorite was

We had the time of our lives. Thanks to all who came & thanks Mimi, Paw paw, Abuelita, Kevin, Kelcey, Felix, Wes& Gina & family who helped cook&clean for me!