Chronicle 54: Holidazed & Confused

I love loved the holidays. Getting together with friends and family, taking part in longstanding traditions (awkward small talk until you remembered that you grew up with this person and have many hilarious memories together). I used to bask in sweater weather, eat too much turkey and gravy, and spend hours sprawled on the floor looking at old family photos.

When I got pregnant with my son, I was so excited to share moments like these with him. I couldn't wait to teach him the perfect dressing to green bean ratio, or watch him joyously discover the fun of running around with cousins while the grownups watched with knowing smiles. This was all before reality sunk in.

It's no secret that having small children is difficult. But there is a HUGE difference between "knowing" and KNOWING. Perhaps you don't have children yet, or it has been awhile since you've had little ones in the house. You may feel a certain sympathy for the mom juggling a plate of cranberry sauce and a newborn. Or the Dad chasing after the son who is going after Grandma's breakables. It might even be a bit funny to watch prized knick knacks wobbling toward the edge of the table. Later? It will be funny to me, too. Now... well, here's what you DON'T know.

Mom had a sleepless night before Thanksgiving because the baby was in a strange place and would not sleep in her portable crib. The little bundle of sweetness has graciously started teething and no longer requires that swaddle you found on some obscure website. Also, the months it took to convince said baby that Mom was not a pacifier have been shot to hell overnight. Add in some tryptophan and Mom's ready to plummet face first into her plate.

The son slept soundly in his inflatable bed on the floor of the guest room,  but you would never know it, because he is running around in circles and bouncing off walls like a pinball to burn off energy. Usually he gets to play outside, but it's cold and everyone is inside. The only thing that will keep him still and occupied for a minute is watching YouTube videos on Dad's phone. Cue the judgement.

The food is delicious and heavenly, but after the second baby the weight just won't come off. Please don't tell Mom she looks great as she balances a plate of food on her wobbly stomach. Thanksgiving dinner looks like too many nights at the gym that she will never have time for. Appreciate the thought, though.

The parents have not had a spare moment alone since the oldest was born. Holidays included. All the teenagers and college kids acting all moony and the older couples who don't even make eye contact any more make them feel alone and depressed. Divide and conquer, and hope that someday they will be reunited. WE. ARE. SPARTAAA!

What you realllly won't see is the aftermath. Children thrive on schedules, so even if the travel is for "just a few days", this throws children off and sends them careening on a downward spiral... with consequences lasting for days. Days = months in parenthood. It's science.

The son will refuse to nap. So will the baby. There will be LOTS of crying and tantrums. It will bleed into school the following Monday. Then an explanation to teachers will be expected. "It was a rough weekend. That must be why my son beaned you over the head with his Lego tower." Awkward.

The bags will lay unpacked in the parent's room for days. Laundry will pile up and baby girl will have to wear big brother's old onesies. OLD. She will scream and cry at the indignity. Mom and Dad will finally get a breather after coaxing the children into bed by threatening them with "Santa won't come if...!". The parents will then promptly fall asleep to Netflix. At 8:00 p.m.

What I want to constantly scream is "We're battling sheer exhaustion! Nothing will fix that, not even sleep!" To you a day or so of travel may seem like nothing. To us it's like Mount Everest.

The truth? I love you. I love you ALL. But when it comes to dealing with small children, please try to understand. I love my sanity and my schedule more. For now. 

"It's just one year."

Happy Holidays,
The Hot Mama

Chronicle 32: Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend!

Just some pictures & thoughts for the weekend. Have a wonderful couple of days, and I will see you Monday!

*Loving this simple and classic sheath for summer cocktail parties

http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004150138446/ 

*How gorgeous is Emma Stone?! I am leaning towards this haircut for my summer style. What do you think?

http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004150165756/

*Hilarious! I guess this goes along with all those workouts I've been pinning...

http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004149839004/

*One of the most important things we can teach our children and ourselves.

http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004150150328/

*A bit of humor that hits close to home these days! 

http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004150114756/

*Something yummy to try this weekend! Maybe with a Mike's Hard Lemonade?

http://pinterest.com/pin/100557004149973400/

Xoxo,

The Hot Mama

Chronicle 27: Bananas for Homemade Baby Food

When I first started Baby G on solids, I sat down and wrote a lengthy post about how and what I did and why. This is not that post. Wanna know why? The Internet gods looked down on me and said, "Not today, young lassie", and deleted everything I had written. I haven't had the time or energy to sit down and write another one. Until now. This post is brought to you by Cinco de Mayo, and the letter Corona-rita. 

I am a big fan of the Baby Bullet, which was one of the most useful baby gifts I received. We've already established that I am no cook, and this makes it super easy to make large quantities of baby food cheaply (I am also a fan of saving money). Another thing I love is that I completely control what goes into it. Organic banana baby food from our local fruit stand? Check. Sounds so complicated but it's incredibly easy. Here's how I did it:

These are most of the "tools" I used to whip up some pureed bananas for my little man. I say most because I realized that I needed to add some water late in the game and had to grab a measuring cup. So add that to your list now, mamas! Pictured left to right: Small storage jar, large blending cup with baby blend blade and lid, two 'nanas, bowl from Ikea, spoon, and the Baby Bullet base.

Here is the recipe as shown in the cookbook that came with the Baby Bullet. It shows you exactly what you need and how to do it. I used two smallish bananas and kept the 1/4 cup of water the same. Baby G has started eating those little puffs that resemble Cheerios, but dissolve instantly so as to avoid choking. This means that his solids don't have to be so liquid.

After peeling the ba-nah-nars, I broke them in half and dumped them in the blending cup, which was atop the UNPLUGGED base. Trust me, this needs to be unplugged until you are totally ready to puree away. When I say TRUST ME, I mean it. 

When blending the bananas I use the pulse method, which means that I twist and release the cup and the blade starts and stops. This works best for starchy foods. At this point, the blade refused to work until I added water. As you can see, I still had rather larger pieces of banana just hanging out.

Because I went to so much trouble finding organic bananas, I decided I should probably use our filtered water, rather than tap. So, here we are. Measuring cup, water, and nearly finished baby food. 

A little bit of water goes a long way! The finished product resembles banana pudding and has the consistency of marshmallow fluff. If your babe is just starting out with solids, double the amount of water I used for a version that is easier to swallow! 

I just adore these cute little storage cups! After spooning a serving and a half into the bowl seen below, I was able to get three of these little guys. I store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and if I have more, I pop the rest in the freezer. You can freeze any extras in an ice cube tray, and then transfer the cubes to a dated Ziploc to save room! These will keep for a month or so, and up to six months in a deep freeze. You will notice that the food turns brown (which completely freaked me out!), but it is still good. Toss it after 3 days, though! 

Ready for consumption! This literally took 5 minutes to make. Little man was keeping himself busy by chasing sweet potato puffs around his high chair tray.

Ready for the first bite! 

Success! We love bananas at our house! Just a reminder: make sure you throw away any uneaten food from the bowl. It grows bacteria super fast, so toss it and wash the bowl and spoon straight away!

What are your kiddo's favorite foods? Any funny baby food/baby food making stories?

Xoxo, 

The Hot Mama

Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by Baby Bullet. I just really dig it! Thank you to my brother and sister in law for allowing us to make G some delicious food! 

Cooking Challenge: The 3 Ingredient Pot Roast

If you remember, I am challenged in the cooking, baking, anything other than tearing up a box and microwaving department. However, the time has come for the Hot Mama to learn how to cook. I may never be known for my amazing entrees, but hopefully I can be known as the woman who reaalllly tried. And...kept trying. I am so lucky that my husband will eat anything!

My lovely and super fancy slow cooker was a wedding present from a friend who knew my cooking woes. It was the gift I was most looking forward to, a gift that I had already supplemented with the One Thousand Slow Cooker Recipes cookbook. It has been sitting in my cupboards for close to two years, gathering dust and giving me the stink eye every time I rummage through and pretend like I don't see it. What a snarky appliance!

Snarky, or not, I conquered this beast in my first cooking challenge. While taking pictures and trying to cook was a unique experience, I had the best time. My son lorded over me in his Bumbo, wide eyed and confused, totally unused to the sight of his Mama in the kitchen. Without further ado, proof and evidence that I completed the cooking challenge!

Did you say mama's COOKIN'?!

The Ingredients:
1. A 3 lb. pot roast
2. 3/4 oz Onion soup mix
3. 2 tbsp Prepared mustard
4. Optional gravy: 2 tbsp cornstarch, 4 tbsp water (tried to ignore this, but I decided I had to make the WHOLE recipe)

The I'm About to Die-rections:

1. 1. Place roast in a large crock pot. (Did this by doing a strange dance with a fork and the plastic covering the roast. I HATE raw meat!!)
2. 2. Squirt or spread a thin layer of mustard over the roast.
3. 3. Sprinkle onion soup mix on top.
4. 4. Cook 8 hours on low (8 hours on high if roast is frozen).
5. 5. OPTIONAL GRAVY: Strain the fat off the liquid and discard fat.
6. 6. Place reserved liquid in a sauce pan and bring to a slight boil.
7. 7. Add cornstarch to the water and make a paste.
8. 8. Add paste to the reserved liquid and whisk until thickened.
9. 9. NOTE: Do not add water to this - it will effectively "steam" the roast and make it tougher. Believe it or not, this will make its own liquid.
   
   After all those steps, I chopped up a large carrot and halved some small potatoes. I just threw them on top of the roast and made sure to heed step #9 by refusing to add water.
   

   

   

   
   

   The finished product:
   

   

   
   
   The only hiccup was the gravy. First it was lumpy, even after a rigorous beating with the whisk. After adding a tad more water, it was then too watery! Could not win, so I just used some pre-made gravy. Overall, super easy and super delicious!! Can't wait to dig into the leftovers! 
   
   
   A big thank you to Hot Mama reader and dear friend, Kimmie, who found this recipe at http://www.food.com/recipe/the-easiest-3-ingredient-crock-pot-roast-ever-slowcooker-416159. 
   
   
   Would you try this recipe? What changes would you make? Are you proud of the Hot Mama? ;) Be sure to drop a line in the comment section below!
   
   
   Xoxo,
   The Hot Mama