Sunday, February 26, 2012

Redmond is 15 Months!

    
I say this every month, but I can't believe Redmond is 15 months already!  He's totally becoming a little man and cracks me up every day.  He had his 15m check up this week and is holding steady in the 20th-25th percentile for weight and height.
He is all over the place, but is such a (for the most part) well-behaved little boy.  He has almost figured out how to run at full speed.  It won't be long until he'll be giving me an even better workout while I chase after him!
He's going through quite a difficult eating stage right now, basically eating the exact same thing every day.  He once was such a great eater, trying any and every thing you put in front of him.  His normal day is an egg and cheese omelet with a banana for breakfast, PB & J or cheese quesadilla and kiwi or strawberries for lunch and Greek yogurt, applesauce and bread for dinner.  Every once in awhile he'll make my day and at least try something new.  Sometimes he'll even eat it!  I sure hope this is just a phase and that it passes very quickly! He's getting really good with a spoon too! 

He LOVES giving kisses and is really becoming fond of Oliver...although Oliver doesn't always feel the same way :)  He could sit and watch Elmo all day, but being the mean parents we are we really limit TV time.  He gets to watch about 1 hour a day, some times 2.  He can't get through a day without his lovey or his pacifier. When he's sleepy, he goes into his room, reaches his little arm through the crib slats and pulls them out.  It's so cute!
He has always been very vocal and just talks and talks.  He has a handful of words that he uses on an a daily basis: dada, mama, cookie, doggie, ball, bye-bye (or bye or good bye) and he also knows a few signs: bye, eat, drink, all done, more and hot.  I love watching him learn and grow every single day.  I just love my little man!!!

15 Month Stats:
Height:   29.5 inches
Weight:  21.12 inches
Head:    18.75 inches

Birth - 12 Month stats are here



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Yes, I know I'm a day late. 

Now that I have Redmond, every single holiday is so much more fun....even the little "Hallmark" ones.  I know he's too young still to know what's going on, but that doesn't matter to me.  I even got him a cute little shirt to wear!

Yeah, Chicks Dig Me.
Jason and I always get each other something small - this year he got me a bottle of Chipotle-Infused Olive Oil (yum!) and a year subscription to America's Test Kitchen online.  I was SO excited.  I got him some Chipotle Bacon BBQ Sauce (can you tell we like to eat and cook in this family!?), a running shirt and running socks.  Redmond got a cute little Elmo Valentine's book and a Little People CD for the car.  He had a great time opening up his gift.
 
Then he sat right down to read his new book!

Jason requested veggie stir fry for dinner - simple and easy!  And of course, we finished off the evening with my homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies.  I don't think Jason has ever enjoyed something more in his life....
Redmond humored me by taking a very small bite, but then threw it down and started to poke it with his spoon.  I took one for the team and finished it for him.

Until next year!!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Oatmeal Cream Pies

While scrolling through Pinterest over the weekend I came across this recipe.  I mentioned it to my husband and he almost started drooling instantly.  Turns out that the Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies were both of our favorites when we were younger.  I decided to surprise him for Valentine's Day with a batch - with pink filling of course.  These are sooooo good.  I didn't put in quite as much butter as the recipe called for, and the cookies still turned out great.  The filling is really good but really sweet.  I think I'll alter that if when I make them again.

Oatmeal Cream Pies
Makes 3 dozen cookies/18 cream pies

Ingredients:
Cookies:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 cups quick oats
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp heavy cream
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2-3 drops food coloring, optional

Directions:
1.  Heat oven to 375°.  Combine 1 cup of butter, brown and granulated sugars in a large bowl.  Cream with a mixer until well combined.  Add in vanilla and egg and mix to combine.


2.  In a smaller bowl mix together the flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.  Stir in oats until combined. 


3.  In batches, add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar.  Once combined, drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet. 


4.  Bake 10 minutes, remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooling rack.


5.  While cookies cool, combine all ingredients for the frosting in a small bowl.  Mix on low until combined, then increase the speed until light and fluffy.  Add in food coloring and mix until desired shade.


6.  Once cookies are completely cooled, spread 1 tablespoon of frosting on the inside of one cookie and top
with another. 


7.  Try not to eat all of these in one sitting.  Enjoy!!
 

Move over Little Debbie!!!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy Birthday Oliver!!!

The best doggie ever turned 4 today!!!  He started the day off with a little bacon for breakfast and got to go for a walk and a car ride too.  The party started once Jason got home though.

He got pot roast over rice for dinner......
Jason picked up a new toy and a birthday cookie for him from Two Paws Up, the dog store downtown Frederick (LOVE that place!).....
He loved the cookie.....
.....and the toy.....(Redmond likes it too)
Then he got his birthday cupcake (pumpkin spice).  He had that gone in no time!
 
Now it's time for cuddles and sleep.....
Happy Birthday Oliver!!!!!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Superbowl in the Hayes House

Barney on the 'big screen'......
At least Redmond dressed for the occasion.
And, could I have possibly gotten a creepier shot of the purple dinosaur?  Yikes.

......Superbowl on the lap top

Something is not right here....
Redmond had little interest in actually watching the Superbowl.  After all, Barney was on!


Disclaimer:  I know it looks like my husband is a big ol' softie and gave up the tv to let Redmond watch Barney.  Don't let him fool you.  That would NEVER happen under normal circumstances. There really isn't much that comes between sports and my husband....Barney included.  Truth is we're in MD, with no cable.  We get Fox and CBS, but not NBC.  Ain't that a bitch.