Snippety Snip Snip

Can I be absolutely ridiculous for a minute?  Actually, this entire post is going to be ridiculous.  This is just one big ridiculous mom moment.  So here goes!  We cut Liam's hair on Saturday.  Really cut it.  Practically shaved his head, cut it.  And it feels like a really big deal!  I'm still on the fence about it. I like to talk about things a lot before actually doing anything about it.  So this wasn't a spur of the moment decision by any means, nor was it his first cut.  He had a teensy tiny "trim" from Daddy around 8 months old.  Then we took him in for his 1st official cut about 2 months ago, but we barely cut any off.  I've had such a hard time cutting his hair, which really surprises me.  I never thought I would be the type of mom that cared about this sort of thing; nor, did I think that I would have a boy with long hair! But his curls were the cutest.  His hair the softest.  I may be biased, but every stranger we encountered always commented on his hair.  It was his signature.  Still just hair, but beautiful hair!  However, it was pretty high maintenance.  I had to "style" it each morning and after his nap just to keep it out of his eyes.  And even still, it always seemed to be covering part of his face.  Lately, Liam had perfected the hair swipe, so I knew it was time for a cut.  I knew Liam would be happier having it out of his face and not needing to have it fussed with. He hated every single second he was in the barber chair, screaming & crying crocodile tears! Traumatic for us both!  When it was finally over, I could see his whole face.  His beautiful eyes & face.  The face of....my really big boy!  His hair cut aged him!  Where did my little boy go?!

I think I like it.  Still not quite sure.  I shed a few tears on the drive home.  Because I am being a ridiculous mom.  I know it's not a big deal.  I know he is still so handsome.  And I know that none of this really matters.  I will laugh at myself when I read this post in a few weeks.  But today, it IS a big deal.  And I may be slightly mourning the loss of my young baby boy to this new little grown up.      

Haircuts are tough business.  Feel free to be a ridiculous mom about it!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Now that the warmer weather seems here to stay, I am dreaming of summer and the opening of farmer's markets.  I love picking out fresh produce each week.  I also plan on having my own vegetable garden again this year, which I am very excited about.  There is nothing like walking out your backdoor and harvesting from your own garden!

I have recently seen rhubarb make its way into the grocery store, so last weekend I made a strawberry rhubarb crisp!  This recipe is mostly my mother's, but I have added my own little touch to it!  This is one of my go-to summer desserts, particularly because it is so easy to make!  I am by no means a recipe writer or food photographer; nonetheless, here's my recipe...

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Ingredients:

Filling:

3 cups rhubarb, chopped

1 cup strawberries, chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar

Topping:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup old fashion oats

Directions:

heat oven to 350 degrees

cut up fruit

in a medium bowl, mix together all filling ingredients

in a separate bowl, use a pastry blender to mix all the topping ingredients

(if you don't have a pastry blender, a fork will do)

pour filling into a 9x13 pan

then add the topping

bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes, or until bubbly

serve by itself, or with a scoop of icecream

ENJOY!

Five on Friday

Cheers to Friday!  Liam's best friend, Max, turns two today, so we will be celebrating him all weekend long!  I'm also hoping to be productive with finishing projects around the house and getting the yard ready for Spring & Summer.  My daffodils are just starting to bloom, and the tulips are not far behind!  Now let's get to my five...  As always, thanks to all the lovely hosts: Christina, Darci, April, & Natasha!

 

-ONE-
This is the time of year that one of my favorite fruits, champagne mangos, are available!  They are so incredibly sweet that you can trick yourself into thinking they are dessert.  I might need to go mango crazy on Pinterest; I'm envisioning margaritas, baked goods, & maybe even some icecream.  

-TWO-
I have officially booked my next flight home to visit family!  Conor has business trip in May, so I will be flying back to Spokane with Liam for a week.  While flying alone with little L isn't exactly my favorite thing in the world, a week at home is more than worth it!  Two gin & tonics for seat 16C please!  (Real life: Liam would insist upon trying my gin & tonic, a struggle would ensue, and then said gin & tonic would be all over my lap).  I'll stick with water.

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-THREE-
Even though it's almost the end of March, we are still rocking our Christmas jammies in the Keenan house!  I have on some red flannel pants with white reindeer as we speak!  Anyways, Liam has recently become obsessed with his and can now say Christmas "kissmiss"& jammies!  To say I am proud is an understatement!  He will wearing these 'til they no longer fit.  Perhaps they will make it until Christmas in July...

-FOUR-
I am currently on the hunt for some deck furniture.  While I would love to have more of a "lounge" style that would be completely ridiculous now that we have a kid.  I can guarantee that I won't be doing much lounging in the backyard anytime this summer.  So instead, I want something functional for meal time.  I plan on having most dinners outside this summer.  I am loving the Union Collection at Crate & Barrel right now.  I am being drawn to the picnic table look...

-FIVE-
We finally finished Breaking Bad this week!  I am so sad to see it go.  I feel the same way I do after reading a really good book, just slightly more disturbed...  And can I just say that I will miss looking at Aaron Paul's sexy face!  Is it just me?  What to binge watch next?!

Enjoy your weekend lovies!

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It's the Little Things...

... like a moment of calm during a busy day.

Toddlerhood is busy.  Liam is always full of energy and wanting to play nonstop.  But every so often, he slows down for just a few minutes.  He will crawl into my lap and ask for "nini".  I love looking down at his sweet face and into the same eyes that I saw the very first time he nursed.  He is becoming such a big boy, but is still my little baby.  Nursing a toddler has been an incredible experience!  I treasure these moments.  I never thought I would here, in this moment, but I have loved all 20 months that I have breastfed Liam.  I want to remember this forever.

Thanks to Ashley & Jess for the link up!

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It's a Gamble

Temps hit 73 degrees today with tons of sunshine, so Liam & I took our weekly trip to the zoo!  Apparently so did every other mom in the state of Utah!  Nonetheless, we had an awesome time.  The leopard & tiger were out prowling, the sea lions were putting on a show, & the carousel was in operation.  But little L was most excited about the turkeys & the llamas.  He talked and talked about those damn turkeys.  "Turkeys, feathers out."  All day long.
After said zoo trip, I strapped Liam in his car seat and headed towards my happy place, Whole Foods.  I figured I could fit in some grocery shopping & lunch before nap time...  But right when you think you have your kid figured out, they like to change it up on you!  As I pulled into the parking lot, I realized that the backseat was quiet.  A little too quiet.  Liam is usually jabbering constantly during all car rides.  I turned around to assess the situation, and he was completely knocked out!  Drool-trickling-out-of-the-corner-of-his-mouth out!  And then the snoring started...
Liam hasn't fallen asleep in the car for months, and we were still an hour away from typical nap time!   Whole foods wasn't going to be happening for me, so I drove home contemplating a big parenting decision...  It's a little something I like to call the nap time gamble.  Option A: let him sleep in the car (in the garage) but know that he probably won't last longer than 20 minutes.  Or, option B:  take him out of the car seat and ever so quietly & quickly move him to our bed.  All while hoping that the napping gods are smiling down, and he will in fact go back to sleep.  If option B is successful, I have about 2+ hours of nap time ahead of me.  BUT... if he wakes up enough during that transition, I can kiss that sweet nap time good bye!
It's a risky decision.  A big gamble.  (See how dramatic the life of a SAHM is?!)  I wanted big rewards, so I decided to move him.  I won't keep you all on the edge of your seats; it was a success!  A huge success.  We slipped right into bed where he barely nursed and then slept for another 2 hours. I enjoyed the snuggles while catching up on some blog reading, pinterest, & a side of candy crush.  My life is so glamorous!...
We ended our day with Conor coming home from work early to spend a couple hours playing outside.  Liam loves to "float" on the grass, just like he does in the pool, so we spend a lot of time laying around the backyard.  I love it!  These warm days & evenings have been some of the best family time together!

20 Months Old

And we're in the twenties!  But at this point, most people would find it absolutely ridiculous to still refer to your child's age in months.  So instead, I always say that Liam is one and half.  I can hold onto that for one more month and then I suppose he will be "almost two".  Almost!  Shh...I'm not ready for that kind of talk!  Here's an update on our little boy; let the bragging begin!

Juuuust a little bit taller with his new submarine bath toy on his head...

Favorite Foods:  We are finally making some progress in the food department!  While he still eats way less than "most" toddlers, he has been willing to try many more things.  He thinks all meat is called chicken, so we're just rolling with it!  He's back to enjoying yogurt and has also liked canadian bacon, chicken, pasta, eggs, cheese, & pizza.  He's still hooked on Z bars "num nums" & fruit leather "sticky".  We can't force anything on him, but when he's interested he'll ask for a bite.  Every once in awhile, he really hates something but will never spit it out.  He just freaks out about whatever is in his mouth and we have to either wait for him to swallow it of help fish it out for him.  Fun times for all!...

Breastfeeding:  Still following "don't offer, don't refuse" tactics.  We both still very much enjoy our breastfeeding relationship and don't plan to end it anytime soon.  He's typically nursing morning, nap, & night but rarely in between anymore.  He's even cut back during the night a little bit which I am quite thankful for!  Because Liam has slowed down on his frequency of nursing, my milk supply has decreased.  L gets frustrated at nap & bedtime after he drains both sides and still wants more!  He'll jump back & forth asking for a new "side" just hoping there will magically be more milk there.  He should adjust soon.

New Words:  This is the one area that Liam is really advanced (I told you I was gonna be bragging)! He is consistently using three word sentences and even started to string together four words this past weekend.  Example: "Mommy, I need help!"  He is constantly narrating his entire day and wanting to know what everything is called.  He still uses third person a lot but is slowly getting better about using "I".  He's obsessed with Pharell's song "Happy" and is constantly asking us to play it for him.  Happy might just be the sweetest word to ever pass his lips!  While he will repeat the words "I love you", he isn't using them on his own just yet.  I absolutely cannot wait for that moment! When Conor gets home from work he meets him at the door and just can't talk fast enough, seemingly trying to tell him everything he did that day while he was waiting for his daddy to come home! It just makes Conor melt and drop everything to go find some toys to play and let Liam get him up to speed.

Sleep:  We've had some small improvements in the sleep department.  He is staying down for longer stretches (maybe 3 or 3 1/2 hours) and is comforting himself back to sleep at times.  I feel like each month I say that things are getting a little bit better, so you would think that by now those little things would have added up to at least a decent sleeper!  Well....they haven't really added up to much just yet!  I guess the optimist in me keeps thinking that he is bound to start sleeping better any day.  

Favorite Interests:  Riding on Dad's shoulders.  Having us kiss any possible big or teeny tiny owie.  Spinning in circles, then falling down..."again" & "again"!  Slides.  Wiggle cars.  A couple of our neighbors have wiggle cars, and Liam is always trying to snag one when they aren't being used.  He cruises all over and has figured out that he can get much more speed by flying down the driveway.  He does a pretty good job of following the rules and staying on the sidewalk, but he likes to wait until the very last second to veer away from the street!  Needless to say, UPS will be delivering Liam his very own wiggle car this week... He just loves zooming around on those little cars; especially when Conor rides one alongside him all the way down the street. Maybe I should be buying two wiggle cars...

Potty Training:  I am including a little info on this subject for the first time in this monthly update.  Our pediatrician told us that Liam may be good candidate for early potty training since he's so advanced (his words, not mine).  However, this little stinker absolutely hates to sit on the potty.  We have a freestanding one as well as a seat that goes on the real toilet.  I would say that he will sit on it maybe once a week (sometimes clothed, sometimes not) but he has no intentions of actually using the potty.  I can assure you of that!  He loves talking about the potty...and poop...and pee...and farts, but he's not ready for any of this training business.  This it completely fine with us, we are not pushing it by any means.  Nonetheless, potty training should be quite the adventure and we do plan to keep working on introducing him early.

Conor & I both watch Liam with utter amazement each day.  He seems like such a big kid now, especially when running around with the neighbor kids.  He wants to be included in everything!  As his language skills grow, we understand so much more of what goes on inside that little head of his.  Our relationship is only growing deeper & deeper.  I never thought it was possible to keep loving him more, but we do.  He is destined to do great things, I just know it!  :-)

Life has been much sweeter that past 20 months!
Love that boy too too much!    

Nana & Pops

We are all still coming off of the high from having my parents visit last week!  It felt like a mini vacation for me, with all the extra helping hands.  There were extra diaper changers, dish washers, story time readers, train builders, & bath givers!  Both of my parents are so good with Liam, and I love seeing how crazy he is about them!  I also love being able to go "potty" alone, shower alone, and eat my dinner at a regular pace!  Thank you Nana & Pops!  If only they lived closer...if only...

Here's a little highlight reel of their visit:

We had beautiful weather, so I had the genius idea of taking a hike... in the mountains.  Even though we could obviously look out our window and see there was still snow on the mountains, I was convinced that "spring hikes" that open in March would be clear.  I was wrong.  Very wrong.  We were the crazies wearing tennis shoes while everyone else we passed was on skis or snow shoes.  Definitely an adventure!

Story time.  And the second that one book is finished, Liam yells out "Again!!".

St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Every car & truck that passed by was "Liam's".  The boy can dream...

 Lots of park time.  Conor & I watched and basked in the sunshine while Nana & Pops were the designated swing pushers, slide helpers, & toddler chasers.

Beautiful Utah sunsets right from our front porch, cigar in hand for the boys (except Liam... of course)!

 My mom stayed a few extra days which is always a special time for she and I!  Our bond is so strong, I can only hope to have that close of relationship with Liam.  We fit in some good coffee, shopping, & lunch dates! And while Liam & I napped, she swept, mopped, & vacuumed the house and even prepped dinner!  I have a pretty amazing mama! 

It's always hard to see them go!

Good thing I am already planning a trip to Spokane in May!

I am always jealous of those who have family that live close to them.  However, the distance between us only makes me appreciate my family that much more.  We take full advantage of their visits!  Liam always wants everyone included in playtime, so the five of us spent each evening playing with trains, huddled in a closet playing hide 'n seek ("hiding!"), or all crammed into the teepee at his request...
It was one amazing visit!  'Til next time!

Hello Spring

We celebrated for the 1st day of Spring in plenty of sunshine!  Thursday's forecast called for 60+ degree temps which is absolutely perfect zoo weather!  Lately we've been getting out of the house early (my early is 10am... not the standard "early"), which also means I don't shower...  Who has time for that when the sun is shining and your toddler can't stop asking for his shoes to go outside while banging down the front door?!  Not me.  Personal hygiene can wait.  I love how Liam always gets me outside right away for some fresh air to start our day.  Pretty soon, the mornings will be warm enough for coffee on the porch or deck.  I.Can't.Wait.
First day of Spring 2014 looked a little like this:
mean muggin' at the zoo

sidewalk chalk (which is the glitter of the crafting world, the powdered sugar of the baking world)

10,000 kisses and runs down the teeny tiniest hill

cloud gazing

Hope you all some sweet sunshine to say hello to Spring with too! Happy Saturday!

Five on Friday

This week felt like a vacation, since I had family visiting!  Nevertheless, I'm pumped that the weekend is here!  Once again, it's Book Club Friday and I am more than ready for a girl's night!  The rest of the weekend will bring plenty of yard & house work (our mudroom makeover is almost done!) and a little trip to the new aquarium!  I might even try to sneak in a pedicure... These are things that weekends are made of now!  Now let's get to my five...  As always, thanks to all the lovely hosts: Christina, Darci, April, & Natasha!

 

-ONE-
My mom & I did a little shopping this week, and I really cleaned up!  One of my favorite purchases was three of these bunny tea light holders from Crate & Barrel!  They are even more adorable in person and are the perfect new addition to my Easter decor! 

-TWO-
To keep with the shopping theme, I also snatched up this chambray dress from Banana Republic!  I am loving chambray for this spring and the fact that it is nursing friendly made it a must have!  Shirt dresses have become my new favorite just for that reason!

-THREE-
You all know how much I love a festive desktop wallpaper, so here's what I have for March!

-FOUR-
Whenever my parents come to visit, my mom always brings a hostess gift with her.  She's pretty much the sweetest mama ever!  This time, she bought us a couple of bird feeders for our backyard!  I am waiting quite impatiently for birds to find it...  Hopefully Charlie (our cat) isn't scaring them away...

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-FIVE-
So lately I have been hearing a lot of talk about Good Reads.  I love to read (I make it through about 2 books a month) and am always looking for recommendations from others.  I feel like I'm missing out on something by not joining in on the Good Reads fun, but do I really need another type of social media (if you can call it that)?  Thoughts?

Hope you all get out and enjoy some Spring weather!
Happy Weekend!

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