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Blog

Bobby is One

January 3, 2018 Laura Morton
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GUYYYYYS. Some sort of time warp happened because I was just pregnant and now I have a kid who wears button front shirts and high fives people.  

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Bobby is the sweetest child. He is full o’ joy 90% of the time, teething 10%. He sleeps about as soundly as I imagine a hummingbird would which may have contributed to the blurriness of this year flying by.  

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He eats anything that is put in front of him. I either got incredibly lucky to have great eaters or baby-led feeding really does result in minimal pickiness. Ask me again when they’re a little older and we’ll see. We've gone through all of the potentially allergenic foods without issue (YESSSS) and are still working our way through this list.

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I’m a cosleeper to my very core. I wanted nothing more than to have Ruthie’s tiny 5 lb self right near me as she/I slept when she was born. But everyone from my OB/GYN to the entire internet told me this was the wrong thing to do so I spent about a month straight falling asleep in a rocking chair with her. My mom inadvertently got me an attachment parenting book from the library and it was basically all of my sleep related instincts written down (I totally get that Dr. Sears is not everyone's cup of tea - he has strong views on many topics. I also love Janet Lansbury and fully believe different methods of parenting can be successfully combined. If everyone parented the same way, we'd probably all be weirdos). I flipped open The Baby Book right to a chapter titled “can my baby sleep in bed with me?” To which Dr. Sears responded "YEAH DUH". Now our bed is crowded as hell but it makes my heart burst. I know it will be one of my fondest memories of parenting young babes.

The following are affiliate links for the books I mentioned - that means I would make a small profit on anything purchased through the links. 

The Baby Book, Revised Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Sears Parenting Library)
By William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears, James Sears
Elevating Child Care: A Guide to Respectful Parenting
By Janet Lansbury
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I made these quinoa brownies into a cake for Bobby to “smash”. He didn’t really smash it, more politely picked it apart. To make a mini cake out of the brownie recipe, use a sharp knife to cut two circles out of the rectangle, I used a teacup saucer as a stencil. Remove from parchment paper and freeze to firm up before frosting. For a lower sugar frosting, use 1/2 cup chocolate chips. I am all for a regular ole full sugar smash cake (I die over some of the beautiful fancy ones), I just felt like lowering the sugar a little because we have had SO many sweets around since Christmas. Not to mention it’s really really good (really). 

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Happy birthday sweet boy.

Main Ingredients - 12 servings

2 cups quinoa, cooked and cooled
1/3 cup milk
4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly
3/4 cup sugar (i've also made with 1/2 cup sugar and the result was good!)
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can full fat coconut milk* or 2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups semi - sweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13" pan with parchment paper.

In a food processor, combine quinoa, milk, eggs, vanilla and butter and blend until very smooth. Add in cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Pulse until smooth.

Pour into parchment lined pan and bake for about 20 minutes, until a fork comes out clean.

For icing, combine chocolate chips with coconut milk or heavy cream in a saucepan and heat over low until melted, stirring frequently. Alternately, combine in a microwave safe bowl and heat until melted. Move to refrigerator and chill completely. Remove from fridge and beat with hand mixer or in stand mixer with whisk attachment until soft peaks form.

*If using coconut milk, make sure it is the full fat canned variety. Drain off most of the liquid and use only the solid portion, the cream. When buying coconut milk for this, shake the can. The less sloshing you hear, the more cream and the better for this recipe. Stick the can in the fridge for a while to help the cream separate more distinctly.

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In Parenting Tags Cake, Birthdays
← How I Clean Up RecipesChristmas Tablescape with Rosie at Sock Box 10 →
Remember when the sun was out and plants were green?!? #februarythoughts
Remember when the sun was out and plants were green?!? #februarythoughts
MAN toddler whining gets. to. me. (And I used to be a real whiner. When we were little my sister would get anxiety before going on a family vacation in preparation for all of my whining). .

A few things I need to write down so I can quit losing my cool guy facade when there is a whole lot of whining in one day: 
Whining isn’t about me and I’m mature enough to not allow whining/toddler mood swings to affect my mood and therefore my vibe. 
Whining is normal, unhappiness after things don’t go your crazy toddler way is normal. 
Unhappy toddler feelings last as long as they last, it’s not up to me to decide “ok that’s enough, time to wrap up your unhappiness”.
Whining doesn’t mean that I have massively and permanently failed, I can remain calm and confident even in the face of a 10 minute long “WHYYYYYYY”.
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This is a realization that many probably discovered a lot sooner than I: being a capable leader all the time is HAAAAAARRRRD.
MAN toddler whining gets. to. me. (And I used to be a real whiner. When we were little my sister would get anxiety before going on a family vacation in preparation for all of my whining). . A few things I need to write down so I can quit losing my cool guy facade when there is a whole lot of whining in one day: Whining isn’t about me and I’m mature enough to not allow whining/toddler mood swings to affect my mood and therefore my vibe. Whining is normal, unhappiness after things don’t go your crazy toddler way is normal. Unhappy toddler feelings last as long as they last, it’s not up to me to decide “ok that’s enough, time to wrap up your unhappiness”. Whining doesn’t mean that I have massively and permanently failed, I can remain calm and confident even in the face of a 10 minute long “WHYYYYYYY”. . This is a realization that many probably discovered a lot sooner than I: being a capable leader all the time is HAAAAAARRRRD.
Valentine’s flower delivery to one of our very favorite people, great grandma. .

Also, swipe for a toddler activity that I didn’t have high hopes for, but actually turned out super cool. A cut bunch of celery = perfect rose stamp. Left the grocery store with these flowers and a cart full of celery to make roses with Ruthie’s preschool class tomorrow. Just draw a green stem on a piece of cardstock and have yer tot add a celery stamp on top. 🌹🌹
Valentine’s flower delivery to one of our very favorite people, great grandma. . Also, swipe for a toddler activity that I didn’t have high hopes for, but actually turned out super cool. A cut bunch of celery = perfect rose stamp. Left the grocery store with these flowers and a cart full of celery to make roses with Ruthie’s preschool class tomorrow. Just draw a green stem on a piece of cardstock and have yer tot add a celery stamp on top. 🌹🌹
Breakfast with a side of Magnolia Table choco chip cookies ❤️ #valentinesweek
Breakfast with a side of Magnolia Table choco chip cookies ❤️ #valentinesweek
Sometimes it’s handy to have a quick summary of how to raise great eaters (in case someone at preschool pickup asks for advice on their grandson’s picky eating, or a family member wants to know why you’re not helping baby eat). This has become my go-to, quick advice. .

It is a different perspective for a lot of parents and grandparents, putting babies/kids in charge of their own intake. Shifting the focus from “getting food in” to providing good food and letting babe do the job they are so capable of doing.
.

It took a little practice at first, not getting too involved when Ruthie was struggling to get food in her mouth. Once I got used to it I found that it has spread from feeding into other areas like playing and drawing. I’ve gotten better at resisting the urge to help or fix every thing I perceive as a problem and let her figure things out on her own. Then I get to watch how proud she is when she finished something herself (on the other hand it sometimes results in a huge tantrum because she couldn’t figure out whatever it was, that’s all part of it too I guess!)
.

Tagging a few other moms who share amazing advice around this simple but super effective approach. ❤️
Sometimes it’s handy to have a quick summary of how to raise great eaters (in case someone at preschool pickup asks for advice on their grandson’s picky eating, or a family member wants to know why you’re not helping baby eat). This has become my go-to, quick advice. . It is a different perspective for a lot of parents and grandparents, putting babies/kids in charge of their own intake. Shifting the focus from “getting food in” to providing good food and letting babe do the job they are so capable of doing. . It took a little practice at first, not getting too involved when Ruthie was struggling to get food in her mouth. Once I got used to it I found that it has spread from feeding into other areas like playing and drawing. I’ve gotten better at resisting the urge to help or fix every thing I perceive as a problem and let her figure things out on her own. Then I get to watch how proud she is when she finished something herself (on the other hand it sometimes results in a huge tantrum because she couldn’t figure out whatever it was, that’s all part of it too I guess!) . Tagging a few other moms who share amazing advice around this simple but super effective approach. ❤️
Both babes napping rarely happens anymore AND it’s finally sunny! Even if it’s 12 degrees I am so glad to see you ☀️. Holding Sam 😺under my arm (so he doesn’t have the nerve to snuggle them awake), probably just going to sit here and stare at them for a while.
Both babes napping rarely happens anymore AND it’s finally sunny! Even if it’s 12 degrees I am so glad to see you ☀️. Holding Sam 😺under my arm (so he doesn’t have the nerve to snuggle them awake), probably just going to sit here and stare at them for a while.
Sometimes when you tell one of your best toddler buddies that it isn’t snack time, they open the fridge themselves and eat a yogurt cup in their favorite window and you can’t do anything but take a pic. .

I have compiled a big ‘ole list of some of our favorite snacks on the blog. check out the list so far (link in bio) but be sure to save it somewhere because I’m going to add to it foreverrrr so none of us will ever be in a snack rut again. What are your go-to snack faves??
Sometimes when you tell one of your best toddler buddies that it isn’t snack time, they open the fridge themselves and eat a yogurt cup in their favorite window and you can’t do anything but take a pic. . I have compiled a big ‘ole list of some of our favorite snacks on the blog. check out the list so far (link in bio) but be sure to save it somewhere because I’m going to add to it foreverrrr so none of us will ever be in a snack rut again. What are your go-to snack faves??
Bringing some sun into the kitchen this morning (and also working through a 10 lb bag of grapefruit from Fresh Thyme). Sprinkled some coarse sugar over thin slices and broiled on low for about 10 minutes. Ruthie informed me that “burnt” grapefruit is not acceptable but then ate half the pan💪🏻💪🏻.
Bringing some sun into the kitchen this morning (and also working through a 10 lb bag of grapefruit from Fresh Thyme). Sprinkled some coarse sugar over thin slices and broiled on low for about 10 minutes. Ruthie informed me that “burnt” grapefruit is not acceptable but then ate half the pan💪🏻💪🏻.
Pre-dinner time is like inconceivably insane lately at our house. The day can flow by completely without breakdown until the second I pick up a pan. I’ve been trying to avoid TV before dinner because it makes the transition to the table super difficult so figuring out some new activities. This weeks successful project: moon sand! Thanks x 1000 for the idea @littlesagemama (2 cups flour + 1/4 cup oil if you haven’t made it before). it is v messy but I’ve avoided shouting “ALRIGHT, TIME FOR CLIFFORD” for like 4 days in a row so I’m down.
Pre-dinner time is like inconceivably insane lately at our house. The day can flow by completely without breakdown until the second I pick up a pan. I’ve been trying to avoid TV before dinner because it makes the transition to the table super difficult so figuring out some new activities. This weeks successful project: moon sand! Thanks x 1000 for the idea @littlesagemama (2 cups flour + 1/4 cup oil if you haven’t made it before). it is v messy but I’ve avoided shouting “ALRIGHT, TIME FOR CLIFFORD” for like 4 days in a row so I’m down.
Had a brown smoothie day 🤷🏼‍♀️. Many days Ruthie isn’t interested in smoothies but Bobby is ALWAYS down. We usually have them as part of breakfast or snack and just like with other foods, I put the smoothie cup by their plate and leave it up to them to choose whether or not and how much they want to drink. .
This one was Ruthie’s creation featuring frozen bluebs, frozen banana, purple kale, cashews, and coconut milk kefir.
Had a brown smoothie day 🤷🏼‍♀️. Many days Ruthie isn’t interested in smoothies but Bobby is ALWAYS down. We usually have them as part of breakfast or snack and just like with other foods, I put the smoothie cup by their plate and leave it up to them to choose whether or not and how much they want to drink. . This one was Ruthie’s creation featuring frozen bluebs, frozen banana, purple kale, cashews, and coconut milk kefir.
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