Weekending: Sickness, Birthdays, and a Day in Philly

Goodness gracious, it's been a little while, but we are back!
Here today with a little bit of an update, and a weekend recap :)

I can't believe it, but we made it 9 whole months without a single cold, runny nose, or cough from the little guy.  Until this week.  Apparently our whole little group of baby friends all got the same cold, and it was no bueno.  And can I just be real for a second.  I am not a "booger" mom.  I'm gagging just typing the word.  But I pulled it together so I could take good care of the little guy all week, resting, napping, and of course lots of snuggling...I felt so sorry for him!
I mean how sad is this face?


(yep, he is carrying around his nose drops, such a big helper!)


(and the nose drops again)


We finally made it out of the house towards the end of the week, to enjoy this beautiful fall weather that is finally coming around.

I got to wear my first puffer vest of the season!  ;)

....and soon Andrew was feeling better again, back to normal!
(until I decided to give him scrambled eggs for the first time, and he had a reaction, and we had to immediately drive to the doctor's office in our pajamas and that's just a whole 'nother story)


But speaking of puffer vests...
Look at these adorable striped ones I found at T.J. Maxx!  So cute right? You better believe I scooped one right up!




This weekend we celebrated John's birthday!  It was so special, because Andrew got to be a part of all the festivities!  ;)



I made Creme Brulee for the first time (John's fave), and it was a success!  So delicious!
I used this recipe.




Saturday, we took a little road trip to Philadelphia for the day, and found the cutest BBQ restaurant on the way, which John absolutely LOVED!









After lunch, we explored the beautiful Morris Arboretum for the afternoon.  The leaves have just started changing colors here, and we had the best time enjoying the gorgeous gardens.





They had a whole section that was literally hundreds of feet up in the air, in the trees.
Swiss Family Robinson style.












It was a great week, and weekend!
Hope y'all had a good one too!

Check out lots more weekend updates over at Biana's blog!

Thoughts for Thursday

Happy Thursday, y'all!

We have had a fun and busy week so far!  A few play dates, a shopping day, some cooking and baking, and lots of walks outside in this gorgeous weather!  

I'm linking up with Nat and Annie today to bring to you:

Thoughts for Thursday :)

So without further adieu....

1. Beauty Steal of the Week

Ulta Tarte "Exposed" kit 

I'm usually a Sephora gal, but I was over by an Ulta this week, and just had to stop by to see if anything caught my eye.  Well, it turns out, Ulta is in the middle of a fabulous month of awesome deals and steals :)  I am a big fan of the Tarte line, especially the Amazonian clay blushes, so when I saw this kit, I was intrigued!  You get a full sized lip gloss, pigment lipstick, cheek stain, and deluxe sized blush!  All in the color "Exposed" - a gorgeous neutral dusty pink.  Oh, and it's an $87 value for $34!  Right now, you also get a free gift with purchase (a sample mascara and setting powder.)  

Hurry up, because it's a limited time offer!  

2. Consignment Confessions

I'm officially addicted to Kids Consignment sales!  From online, to in-store, to local annual sales, I've been hitting the jackpot lately!  I've picked up new toys, cozy pajamas, winter jackets, a Halloween costume, and my favorite....these mini Hunter boots! 

Also, Facebook has a few great groups that I've been loving:

Smocks Rock

Snips and Snails (boys only) 

Smocked Boys Boutique Resale (boys only)

Have any of y'all gotten into consignment shopping??

3. Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls

I made these for a football party this week, and I just had to share the recipe! They were easy to make, delicious, and a perfect bite-sized appetizer. 

Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls

4. The Black List 

John and I just started watching The Black List on Netflix, and ohmygosh, we're hooked!  It's so good, and James Spader is such a phenomenal actor.  He was made for this role.

Also, we are getting really excited about the return of "The Mindy Project", and of course, "Scandal"!

5. Fall Fashion Faves

Now that we're finally seeing some cooler temperatures, I'm getting my closet all fall-ready.  A few of my favorite items have been brought out, and moved to the front, and I'm so darn excited!  

Some of my "MVP's" of the season include: 

Frye boots 

John gave me these for Christmas last year, and I am in LOOOOVE. Cannot wait to pair them with skinny jeans, wool jackets, and knit dresses with thick tights.  

Plaid Plaid Plaid

Yep, it's my favorite!  I'm been wearing the ones below on repeat already. 

(top left similar, top right, bottom left, bottom right) 

H&M Skinnies

These are some of my favorite pants - I own them in several colors and love them for fall!  They are so flattering and forgiving, and look perfect with flats, heels, or tucked into boots.  

(And they are $15!)

Faux Fur Vest

I just love a good faux fur vest - and I seem to pair mine with just about everything!  Love these two below especially :)  

I'll never forget the first time I wore mine around my 5 year old niece, and she asked me if I was "wearing a wolf"?  

Forever 21 

BB Dakota

And my last random Thought for Thursday....

Babies in Pajamas are just about the cutest things ever.

Hope you're having a great day!

Happy 7-8 Months!

Well, as you can see by the title of this post, we have been slacking on monthly updates!  So we're doing a two-fer.

A two-for-one.

Andrew, you have grown and changed so much over the past 2 months!  From sitting and crawling, to new foods and favorite toys.  It has been such a joy to watch you see the world every day, through fresh and curious eyes.  You are so happy, content, and easy-going.  

7 Months

Loves:

Touching faces (obsessed with mouths and teeth!)

Soft and fuzzy textures (carpet, rugs, stuffed animals)

Trying new foods! You love everything except peas 

Keys

Remote Controls

Your radio

Watching Mommy and Daddy dancing

Falling asleep in the car 

Dislikes:

Getting Dressed 

Getting out of the Bathtub

Buckling into the Car seat (but you're fine once you're in!)

You can now lift your arms up to be held, and you're having just a little bit of separation anxiety. 

You're napping 3 times a day, and  sleeping 11-12 hours a night (yay!)

Bedtime: 7:00-7:30pm

Awake: 6:30-7:00am 

You haven't grown much, just a little peanut weighing in at 15 lbs, and 26 inches!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 Months

You're finally crawling!

Well, scooting ;)  It's more of an army crawl, but you are definitely on the move!

And you are so curious, you love reaching into baskets and bookshelves.

You were quite the little traveler this month!  And a good one at that!

Planes, Trains, Subways, and more ;)

And you loved your first trip to NYC and the Central Park Zoo!

Food favorites:

mashed bananas, peaches, pears, and green beans

You love people and smiling at everybody.  You have such a sweet demeanor, and especially love playing with other babies.  

You have become quite the talker and have really found your "voice"

Favorite sounds:

"Ba, ga, da, ta"

Loves:

Bath Toys

Flashlights

Mum Mums

Tummy Smooches, especially from Daddy

Playing "Peek-a-Boo"

Your pacifier

Dislikes:

Lack of Food

Getting Dressed

Getting your diaper changed

You are sleeping 11-12 hours at night still (7pm-7am), and still taking 3 naps a day.  

You weigh in at a whopping 15.5 lbs - and are 26.5 inches.  

Oh, and everyone thinks you're "she" ;)  Must be those eyelashes!

We love you darling boy!

Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bread

Summer is officially coming to an end, and you know what that means...

cooler temperatures, sweater weather, scarves and boots, lounging by the fire

ALL THINGS PUMPKIN!!

I found this delicious recipe here, and just had to give it a shot while my parents were in town.  I knew I would eat the entire loaf myself, unless I had a little help from some house guests :)

It was amazing and the perfect blend of spices, pumpkin, and cream cheese (though I would probably add a little more cream cheese and sugar next time to make that filling a little sweeter.)

I also whipped out my big girl camera to take some shots while I drooled over the plate while I let the bread cool a little.  I am NO fancy photographer and my pics look nothing like the original recipe, but I did end up using a setting other than my Auto button ;) 

Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bread

via 

INGREDIENTS:

Bread

1 large egg

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil 

1/4 cup cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2  teaspoon baking powder

1/2  teaspoon baking soda

pinch salt, optional and to tast

Cream Cheese Filling

1 large egg

4 ounces softened brick-style cream cheese (lite is okay)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray one 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
2. Bread - In a large bowl, add the the first ten ingredients, through ground nutmeg, and whisk to combine.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, optional salt, and fold with spatula or stir gently with a spoon until just combined; don't overmix; set aside.
4. Turn about two-thirds of the batter out into the prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula and pushing it into corners and sides as necessary; set aside.
5. Cream Cheese Filling - In a large bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. Alternatively, mix with a hand mixer.
6. Evenly pour filling mixture over the bread, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula and pushing it into corners and sides as necessary.
7. Top filling with remaining pumpkin batter, smoothing the top very lightly with a spatula as to not disturb cream cheese layer and pushing batter into corners and sides as necessary.
8. Bake for about 48 minutes or until the top is domed, golden, and the center is set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Note this is tricky because the cream cheese never gets totally solid so the toothpick test isn't the most accurate. Tip - Tent the pan with a sheet of foil draped over it at the 35 minute-mark if you feel the tops and sides will become too browned before center cooks through. Baking times will vary based on moisture content of bananas, cream cheese, climate, and oven variances. Bake until done; watch your bread, not the clock.
9. Allow bread to cool in pan for about 15 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

ENJOY!!

Do you have a favorite pumpkin treat/recipe for fall?