my addiction...

I have an addiction.

It's unhealthy, and healthy at the same time. I'm not proud of it, but I also am very proud of it.

I am addicted to my baby... I am addicted to his smell. His kisses. His smiles. The feel of his soft downy hair, and his chubby smooth cheeks. I am addicted to the warmth and coziness of him being in my arms.

I am addicted... to baby wearing.

What started as a mere convenience - being able to have my arms back while still holding my fussy, miserable newborn - turned into a full-blown addiction, complete with now 5 baby carriers.

It all started with this Balboa Baby sling.

My mom bought it for me, and it was so fun to 'hide' my baby in there when he was brand new!

But Bjorn soon started fighting being 'bunched up', because of all the pain he was in. Enter the Moby.

Our favorite friend, and miracle-worker. Still my all-time favorite baby carrier, even though we don't use him much any more. Nothing compares to the closeness, comfort for both baby and mama, and all-day-wearability!

We lived in this thing for months! (I even have 2, because if one was in the wash, we needed to be able to wear the other!) The only down-side, for us? It's not too convenient for occasional wear and lots of 'in and out'.

Now that Bjorn is bigger (and feeling a lot better, thanks to his reflux meds!), we have been using mostly our Baby Bjorn carrier. Great for short wear, or lots of in and out, the Baby Bjorn is an old standby for most people. I like it. And it's the only one my husband will wear!

My biggest complaint with the Baby Bjorn? Since my baby Bjorn doesn't like to face out (too much stimulation!), he is constantly 'walking' on my legs, leaving bruises if I have to wear him for too long! What now?

Well, we are now getting to know our newest friend... Ergo. So far, we like him. A lot! We've only had him for a few days, and are still getting used to the feel of it all, but it's so much more comfortable for me than the Baby Bjorn, as my Bjorn's legs sit more around my hips instead of just dangling straight down!

I'm sure I will have lots more to say about this newest friend of ours as we get to know him better! :o)

starbucks uncle love

This past weekend, we got to spend a little quality time with my brother at a Starbucks in the City. I love Starbucks. I love the City. And I love my brother. I was happy.

As you can see, we think it's important to start young: teaching our kids to appreciate life's little joys... coffeelove being one of them!

We think Bjorn looks a lot like his uncle... except for the brown eyes and the ohsochubby cheeks, that is! They've got the same hands, the same feet... Actually one of the first thoughts I remember having after meeting my son for the first time was how much he looks like my brother. It's a good thing we like my brother! :o)

Navy adores his uncle, and loves to be a 'big kid' now that he has a little brother around. It's amazing sometimes to see how quickly someone can grow up once the responsibility of a younger sibling comes into their life. Navy wants so much to be a good example, a helper and most importantly - a friend to Bjorn. I can't wait to see these two grow up and get to know each other!

Note the coffeelove... smart kid, if I do say so myself! :o)

Thanks for hanging out with us, Uncle Erik! We love you!

here they are!

I was finally able to get a picture of Bjorn's 2 new teeth!

Tooth #1 showed up on the flight to Hawaii (October 29th),

and tooth #2 showed up last week (November 11th)!

Aren't they cute? :o)

better than DQ ice cream cake

My husband's favorite birthday cake is (still) a Butterfinger Blizzard ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. This year, I decided to make my own and will never go back to store bought! So yummy, and SO easy, and best of all... so much cheaper!

Now, I realize this cake looks very... homemade.

Well, that's because it is!!

I could have prettied it up, but why?

Would it taste any better?

Would my husband feel any more loved?

Better Than DQ Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

15 oreos, crushed and stirred

1 quart butterfinger ice cream

1 (16oz) jar (2 cups) fudge sauce

1 quart vanilla ice cream

1 (12.5oz) bag Butterfinger candy bars, crushed

Directions:

Take out the Butterfinger ice cream to soften. Line a round springform pan with plastic wrap. Firmly press the crushed oreos into the bottom of the lined pan and place into the freezer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, place the hot fudge jar into a pan of simmering water to warm slightly.

Remove the pan from the freezer, and scoop the softened ice cream in small spoonfuls evenly over the crust. Spread with a spoon dipped in warm water to fill in any holes and to smooth the top. Pour the entire jar of sauce over the ice cream, quickly smoothing the top. Freeze for at least one hour.

Take the vanilla ice cream out of the freezer to soften for about 20 minutes. Remove the cake from the freezer and quickly spoon the vanilla ice cream over the fudge sauce, again smoothing with a spoon dipped in warm water.

Press the crushed candy bars into the top of the soft ice cream, cover with foil, and freeze at least 4 hours, or up to a week.

Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before un-molding and slicing. Serve drizzled with more chocolate sauce and topped with whipped cream!

**obviously, you can use any ice cream/candy combinations you would like!! Personally, I would do coffee ice cream, caramel sauce, dulce de leche ice cream and crushed toffee candies! But it's not my birthday! :o)