Infused Waters, Family Favorite

I started playing around this summer looking for a juice alternative and fell in love with infused waters.  They are easy to make and taste so great your whole family will love them.  These delicious infused waters are a wonderful way to stay hydrated on a hot day or when your child isn’t feeling well and needs extra hydration. They have a yummy hint of flavor, but without the high sugar and calorie content of juice. Your baby, and the rest of your family, will love the refreshing taste of these waters!

Cucumber Mint

1 cucumber
3 mint sprigs
8-10 cups of purified water

*Wash cucumber thoroughly under cold running water.
*Slice into thin rounds and place into a pitcher along with the mint.  Fill pitcher with water.
*Place pitcher in refrigerator and chill for a few hours or overnight. 
*Stir before serving.

Mango Peach
1 Mango
1 Peach
8-10 Cups Purified Water

*Wash mango and peach thoroughly under cold running water.

*Slice mango into wedges by cutting fruit away from the pit.  Slice the peach in half, remove pit and discard.  Slice peace into wedges.
*Put fruit into a pitcher and fill with water.
*Place pitcher in refrigerator and chill for a few hours or overnight. 
*Stir before serving.

Pear

2 Bartlett Pears
8-10 Cups Purified Water

*Wash pears thoroughly under cold running water.
*Slice pear away from the core.  Discard core and cut pears into wedges. 
*Put pear into a pitcher and fill with water.
*Place pitcher in refrigerator and chill for a few hours or overnight.
*Stir before serving

Whenever possible, use organic cucumbers and fruit, because you will be leaving the skin on.

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The Best Fish For Your Baby - Food Facts

Did you know that wild caught Alaskan salmon is perhaps the best fish choice for your baby?  It is low in mercury and rich in nutrients, including vitamin B12.  Additionally, it is one of the best natural sources of brain healthy DHA; just 2 servings per week will meet your baby's omega 3 needs.  Salmon is also a wonderful source of protein.  Look for salmon that is firm with a rich orange color and avoid any fish that smells "fishy."  Raw salmon will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months when wrapped properly.  Cooked salmon will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and up top 3 months in the freezer.  Once your baby is 10 months, try giving her a taste of this wonderful fish.

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Toddler Tues - Siblings

There's a really interesting shift in the dynamic my children have with one another going on right now.  I see little shifts here and there every few months, but what's happening now is amazing.  It's like they're really gelling together as siblings and becoming their own little unit.

Royce has gone from thinking his brother is the most annoying, horrible thing on the planet to seeing him as a comrad and live-in playmate....on most days. The tables have turned and now when Brendan tries to pound on Royce, he will say, "Hey Brendan, don't hit me I'm your buddy, I'm your big brother."   He has also gone from complete indifference to Hayden to falling completely in love with her.  He tiptoed into her room the other night when I was putting her down and gave her a kiss goodnight.  I nearly fell off the rocking chair. 





Brendan has thought Royce was the coolest from day one, even when Royce was pounding on him as brothers do.  Having been a preemie, it has taken Brendan a long time to get to the point where he is physically capable of playing with his older brother, but he's there and it warms my heart to see them making up games and running around having the best time together.  Brendan has always been crazy about Hayden and I don't think that will ever change. He sings to her and tells her little stories, it's adorable and I really need to get it on video.



Hayden is the happiest, coolest chick I know and she's only 10 months old.  Nothing bothers her, she's just happy and if her brothers are acting like morons, she'll look at them, look at me and then roll her eyes like, "Who are these crazy boys?"  She's a lucky little girl to have her two older brothers who love and protect her, but she'll probably hate it, because they'll scare the boys off.



We feel beyond blessed to have Royce, Brendan and Hayden in our life.  Watching them grow, bond and defend each other is a journey I look forward to watching unfold. 

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Apricot and Cauliflower Swirl, Stage 2 Meals

One of the many benefits of homemade baby food are the endless variety of flavor combinations.  This deliciously unexpected combo is a perfect example of one you won't find at the store. A baby's tastebuds are developing the first 12-18 months of life, so the more tastes and textures we can expose them to the better. This not only helps them develop a love for mealtime, but helps prevent picky eating as well.

This recipe is suitable for babies 7-9 months and up and tastes great served warm or cool. Always make sure the consistency is one your baby can handle.  Mushy mash for 7-9 months and chunk-a-licious for 10-12 months and up.

What you'll need - Yields about 12 oz of puree
2 cups of cauliflower florets
3 apricots - washed, peeled and chopped

*Pour purified water into a large pot until it is about 1 inch deep and bring to a boil over high heat.
*Place the cauliflower and apricot into a steamer basket in the pot and cover with a tight fitting lid.
*Steam for about 7 minutes.
*Puree into a mushy mash using a food processor or immersion blender.
*Cauliflower Apricot Swirl will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.  
*Enjoy!

Hayden approved!

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Vacation!

For the past 5 years we have been so immersed in work and babies that the word "vacation" seemed quite foreign.  I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about.  I had forgotten the importance of making new memories.  Not only for us as adults, but for the kids too.  It's so important for everyone to get out of the house and away from work or school and have a little fun!

I hope you enjoy this little photo album of our holiday vacation.  We truly had the time of our lives!

Welcome to Disney!

Alex took his score on the kiddie ride very seriously.

Royce and my dad, Papi, at the Disney Raceway.  There's nothing my dad likes more than driving fast.

My sweet girl, nothing bothers her.  It didn't matter that the Disney DJ was blasting Justin Bieber, when the girl wants to sleep, nothing's gonna stop her. 

This was a remote controlled talking garbage can.  It freaked Royce out... 

.....and blew Brendan's mind. 

Royce got to spend his 5th birthday in the Magic Kingdom!  He also happens to share a birthday with my mom, Grammie!

I love getting pictures of Brendan smiling, because it's a challenge.  Getting a photo of him smiling is like trying to photograph Big Foot.

Birthday cake a la Disney - they know how to do it right.  Look at the pure joy on Royce's face, so cute!

As a special treat, Royce and Brendan got to meet Minnie and Mickey.  Hayden was still asleep in her stroller!

Later that eveing, we had the great fortune to see the special Disney Candlelight Processional.  My mom was the narrator.  It was an incredible experience.  There was a choir of 300 and an amazing orchestra.  A very moving experience so close to Christmas.

Since Royce and Grammie share the same birthday, it has become tradition that the day belongs to Royce and the evening belongs to Grammie.  After the processional performance we had a birthday dinner for my mom and we were joined by some very dear friends.

 

The next day, we went back to the park and Royce went on his first ever roller coaster - Space Mountain!  Honestly, it was a lot scarier than I had remembered, plus it was torpedo seating so royce was behind me and in front of Alex.  Halfway through the ride he was screaming, "I want to get off!!!!", but as soon as it was over he screamed, "I want to do that again!"

Miss Hayden and her new friends.

I love this picture.  It really captures the magic and majesty of Disney.

My beach beauty, just hanging out by the water.

There's nothing more fun after a full day in Disney than to go back to the pool and have your dad launch you 10 feet into the air!

Royce kept asking if Santa would be able to find us at the hotel.

Here's Hayden with her first ever princess wand.

Playing Hungry Hippos with Grammie.

Hayden with my brother.

After Christmas breakfast we went on safari at Animal Kingdom.  It was incredible, Disney has done such a phenominal job, you really think you're on a real safari. 

This makes me laugh....

After the safari, we went over to Disney Studios where the boys got to meet some of there favorite characters.

Brendan was in awe, Lightning McQueen and Mater are his heroes!

The next morning, we hopped into our rental car and drove down to Palm Beach.  I had forgotten how beautiful and relaxing it is there.  We stayed at The Breakers, which is, hands down, the most wonderful hotel I've ever stayed at anywhere in the world.

Happy New Year 2012!

Hayden is just a ray of pure sunshine.

This was her very first dip in a pool and she loved it!

The sign of a great vacation?  When the parents are drinking Pina Coladas....

......and the kids are passed out.

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