PART-TIME!!!!

Yesterday was my first official day on a part-time schedule at work and I am currently enjoying my FIRST FRIDAY OFF!!!!! I am SO excited.  So far, I've lounged around in my pajamas, shopped online and purchased a tasty starbucks beverage.  I did actually cross something off my to-do list:  I went to the grocery store and there was NO ONE there! I got to park in the very front space!!  (This qualifies as excitement in my life.)  Also, on my way to the grocery store, I had to cross I-395, the highway that leads to DC, and I laughed at all the poor schmucks in traffic.  "HAHHAHAHAHHAAAA....SUCKAS!!!!!"  That's actually what I said.  Out loud.

Now part-time at a major law firm only means one day off a week...but still, if you add up all the Fridays in a year, that almost TWO MONTHS of freedom!

You know what else this means? More blogging! Get excited.

fall family pictures!

We took advantage of the Holmans' visit to take some family pictures while the trees were in full fall color.  Of course, then we couldn't find a bench near a pretty tree, but oh well :)

baby push-ups

back to his favorite outdoor activity - leaf eating.

He's mobile.

Dear blog readers, we're officially mobile.  In the last 2 weeks, James has transitioned from rocking on his hands & knees to full-blown crawling.  He can cross from the living room to the kitchen in 15 seconds (yes, I've timed it).  And THAT, my friends, is why I haven't been blogging.  I've been too busy chasing James and trying to baby proof in his wake.

Now that he can choose a destination on his own, we're learning about all his favorite spots.  For one thing, he likes any corner with electrical cords or dead bugs - both of which he enjoys eating.  Last week, Dave had a pull a dead beetle out of his mouth.  Groossssss.

Second, he loves the front door.  He spends hours in front of it planning his escape.

And when I come home from work, this is often what I find.

Thankfully, I'm still faster than him, so I can still get inside before he can wriggle himself through the door and into the great outdoors.  But its just a matter of time.

Seven months old!

In honor of James' 7-month birthday, I thought I'd make a list of 7 things you might not know about James.

1.  He loves baths.  LOVES them.

2.  He has a gross rash all over his torso from contact dermatitis (and maybe a little eczema thrown in).  We now have to slather him with petroleum jelly twice a day.  Gross.

3.  His favorite toy?  His parents' smart phones.

4.  Favorite song?  Itsy Bitsy Spider.  It rocks his world.  Dynamite by Taio Cruz is a close second.

5.  Favorite football team?  Please.  Like that's even a question.  We only allow one toy in his crib: a Notre Dame football.  It's a surefire method of brainwashing.

6.  Still no teeth.  But he gums on everything in sight.

7.  Favorite outing?  The park.  It's like heaven.  They've got bucket swings, dogs, other kids, sand, grass, sticks, dead leaves . . . you get the picture.

and, as a bonus . . .

8.  Most impressive new skill?  Driving a car.

Cox Farms

With fall settling in, we decided to check out a nearby farm that hosts a huge Fall Festival.  We had a good time, but I think James will appreciate it more next year.  At least we got some tasty Virginia apples & apple cider out of it!

James.  Yes, we abuse our child.

James LOVED the petting zoo, especially the goats.  He clearly takes after his mom.

James enjoyed the hay ride, until we went through a dark tunnel with loud noises & scary creatures jumping out from the dark.  We had to pull out all our parental tricks (i.e. force feeding him a bottle) to keep him from bawling the entire rest of the ride.

Much to the clear disapproval of some nearby parents, Dave took James down the slide.

I think this expression kind of sums up James' take on the fall festival: can we go home now?

First weekend without the third wheel

This past weekend, Dave & I went to Chicago and South Bend and left smalls at home with grandma.  I was pretty anxious about leaving him beforehand, especially since I see him so little during the week as it is, but I'm glad Dave made me go :)  We had a great time in Chicago on Friday.  I got to meet up with lots of old friends from law school & we went to an AMAZING place for dinner called the Publican.  (You can check out its awesomeness here.)  My college roommate managed to get us reservations at the last minute, PLUS free appetizers and dessert PLUS 25% off the entire bill.  She has connections.

Out for drinks with Chad

At the Publican with Katie.  We ate until 10:30pm.  If I look fatter, its because I am.

We only spent half a day in South Bend for the wedding, but it was great to be back on campus.  And I had never been to a wedding at the basilica before---it was gorgeous!  Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of the wedding or the stunning bride, so you'll just have to trust me about how pretty the whole affair was.

So the first weekend away from James was a success.  That said, I think it will be awhile before I'm ready to leave him again!

Butternut Squash Soup

The one good thing about cold weather is that it gives me an excuse to eat lots of tasty soups.  Growing up, Mom made soups for special occasions (such as Vichyssoise on Christmas Eve....mmmm) & the dinners in highest demand by her kids were all soups: chicken & dumplings, gazpacho, chili, spaghetti & meat sauce so thick it was basically stew.  So its probably no wonder that soups are my favorite thing to make (and eat).

I kicked off soup season with a butternut squash soup.  Dave rated it "pretty good" but I think he's crazy.  I was scraping the pot for leftover morsels after dinner.

I used the Cooking Light recipe found here, but I cheated by using pre-packaged cubed butternut squash (who wants to chop all that squash anyway?).  I also used two pounds of squash, since that's what I had, and I thought it was perfect.  Oh yeah, and I used an immersion blender because its so much easier to clean than an entire blender.

Sauteing the squash, carrots & onions.

Adding cream.

Using the oh-so-convenient immersion blender.

Ready to eat!!

new carseat!

We finally bit the bullet and bought James a new carseat....since he's about 2 inches from outgrowing his infant car seat.  Plus, he doesn't look comfortable in his infant car seat anymore.  I think the straps (even at their loosest) are a little tight on him.  James got to ride in a friend's forward-facing big kid car seat a few weeks ago and I cannot tell you how much he loved it.  He loved being higher up & he stared out the window with a huge grin on his face for the entire 10-minute car ride.

Anyway, the new car seat should arrive tomorrow....I'll get some pictures with James in it & post them.

Now we just need a new car to go with the new car seat... :)

Apple Dip

My friend Elizabeth gave me this recipe for apple dip and it is my favorite football-watching snack ever.  The apples trick you into thinking its healthy...while the cup of sugar ensures that its addictive and delicious :)

Apple Dip:

8oz cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup regular sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat with a hand mixer.  Serve with Granny Smith apples.

Such boys.

A typical afternoon for the boys in the Holman house.  Both are focused on their electronic gadgets.

Of course, only one of them is actually putting that gadget to its intended use...