Florida outfit

Caleb got this outfit as a Christmas gift from his great Aunt Viviana and Uncle Roberto last year. Both my aunt and mom called it the "Florida outfit." I'm not sure why, except to say that a boy can only get away with wearing an outfit such as this for so long. There is nothing manly about it. I tend to think that all rompers have this feminine effect. Yet I love this outfit.
I laid it out on the changing table this morning, insisting hubby dress Caleb in it. Hubby even thought to put the long-sleeved white onesie underneath the Florida romper, as there was still a chill in the air this morning. As usual, I was running late for work as I carried Caleb into the kitchen while singing, "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for an important date!" like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
I handed the baby to hubby and said, "Hold him, I need a photo."
Hubby laughed and said, "Ohhhhh, you're walking around screaming about how you're late, you didn't even have time to put his socks on, and yet you have time to take a photo."
Makes sense to me.

Just look at this kid! I'd be late anywhere for him.

Here is our beautiful sockless boy standing on the kitchen table in his Florida romper. Moments like these are few and far between. Now – off to work I go, humming "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for an important date!" in my head the whole way.

Photo of the Day

My darling sweet boy sitting beside my darling sweet godson, Ian. What a pair! (And a headless husband in the background). Ingredients for a perfect Saturday.

Best toy ever

"Look at me! I've got the best toy ever in my chubby little grip."

"It's simply amazing, this plastic marvel. I fooled mommy into giving me this."

"I wonder what it tastes like..."
"Probably sugar and spice and everything nice."

"Ahhhhhhhh....ummmmmmm. Absolutely delicious. Thank you mommy for the best toy in the whole wide world."

Pretty in pink

The family and I spent our Saturday visiting baby Sofia. She was absolutely gorgeous, sweet, tender and tiny. What a good specimen for a photo shoot! She posed very patiently through costume changes, position changes, and many many diaper changes. What a great sport you are Sofia! And what a pleasure it was to meet you.

Happy mommy and baby!

Happy Aunt Melanie and baby Sofia.

A desperate attempt at getting the kids to pose together.

Welcome to the world, Sofia!

My best friend Bridget welcomed her second child into the world this morning at 9:36 am. Meet Sofia Lorece Clark. She was 7 lbs 2 oz and 20.5 inches long. Bridget pushed 3 times and this baby was out! Amazing, miraculous and beautiful. Congratulations to the growing family!

If we build it...

If we build it...it might just fall apart, or so our Habitat for Humanity site manager told us yesterday when Hubby and I – along with 4 other friends – were helping to build a Habitat house in Durham. It was our first time volunteering and it was obvious that we didn't know what we were doing. Not even a little bit.
With about 15 total volunteers on site yesterday, the Habitat manager divided us up into 4 groups, each group assigned a different task. I somehow got on the "Who's comfortable climbing an extension ladder?" group. It ended up that climbing an extension ladder was the least of my worries. I honestly thought that the frame of the roof was going to fall on my head and an 8-inch nail would impale my brain at any moment.

The above photo shows the chunk of house we were working on. The other volunteers were working around the house putting up siding, working saws, and building other frames.

Here Hubby and I pose for a photo, fresh sawdust on our hats.

It feels good to know we built something. But here's how the instructions went:

"Okay, you four go ahead and put up the frame for the roof," said the Habitat site manager, as she walked away.
The four of us: "Okay, now what?" We were completely lost. "Who here has built a roof," one of us asked? Silence.
So we guessed. We took some measurements, stood on some ladders, nailed wood, lifted heavy boards, nailed boards together, and baked in the hot sun.
The site manager came back by every 30 minutes or so. "Ohhhhh, what have you done here," she'd ask? Wrong. "Nope, do it like this instead."
Such instruction might have been slightly more helpful to know in the first place.

Habitat is a fantastic program that allows the future homeowners to purchase the house with a zero-interest loan. The homeowners also have to put MANY hours of sweat equity into building their future castle. Like I said, the program is awesome for those in need.
According to our site manager, Habitat has built more than 50 homes in the neighborhood in which we were working within the past 5 years. How great is that?
I just wish I would have known how to be more helpful. Possibly more instruction would have helped, or perhaps I should just wait to volunteer again when they are ready to paint the house. I know how to paint!

The baby train

On sunny warm days, the instructors at Caleb's daycare like to take the babies out on the Bye-Bye Buggy, as it's called.

It is a six-seater cart that they wheel around the grounds and through the hallways – which all the other students and teachers just love.

Sometimes a drive might lead the babies to the prayer garden or past the school buses.

And sometimes they might pass by a giant cow (probably the result of a past art project for the older students).

But always the babies are happy, content and thrilled to be taking in their surroundings.

And to top it all off, Caleb got a seat right beside his girlfriend.

I almost forgot to mention how good the seatbelts taste. Yum. I bet no other baby's mouth has been on that seatbelt, Caleb.

What a fun ride! Makes me excited to think that one day we'll be taking family trips to Disney!

Laid-back dude

This little guy just finished his dinner. I removed the high chair tray and he instinctively raised his legs up and propped them on the ledge of the high chair. His legs were crossed at the ankles for a few moments, but not long enough for me to fetch the camera. This pose is still quite precious, don't cha think?

Irish-themed grub

In celebration of St. Patty's Day Hubby and I had friends over last night for an Irish-themed meal. We were an excited, hungry, and surprisingly all-clad in green group.
I didn't realize that so many people celebrate the holiday annually with delicious food. My family has never before done so.

This year we did a pot-luck style dinner, each guest bringing their own specialty. We feasted upon corned beef, ham and cheese bread pudding, beer-braised cabbage, and a potato/brie/leek casserole. One guest even brought green pistachio bread for dessert. I, of course, contributed the green beer.

I think I might make this meal an annual tradition. It was absolutely delicious.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

From a jolly boy (who has a small percentage of Irish blood)

Party animal

Hubby, Caleb, and I attended our friend Jeni's daughter's 1st birthday this weekend. It was the perfect playground for young children. Caleb was the youngest one on the guest list but he still had a blast. Thank you Jeni and family for the invitation to such a sweet party!

Caleb and his new girlfriend, for the afternoon at least (love is fleeting).

Then he fell in love with a set of drums.

Then on to playtime with Daddy, which always includes Flying Baby.

Our attempt at a family photo. Take note of all mouth positions. Not quite smiles, eh?

Splishy splashy time at the water table!

Caleb has been trained to enjoy the water.

Caleb personally thanked Aunt Jeni with hugs, smiles, and tiny baby smacks in the face.

End of Winter feast

Since the end of winter is finally in sight, Hubby and I decided to have friends over to celebrate the changing seasons. Hubby planned an exquisite "End of Winter" five course dinner this past Sunday.

We were thrilled to have our favorite wine guru as one of our guests. He so generously and thoughtfully provided a bottle of wine to pair with each course. We drank an R. Dumont & Fils Brut Rosé Champagne to open the evening.

First course: Arugula salad with balsamic grapes & blue cheese
Wine pairing: Margan Verdelho 2006 from Australia
My comments: Hubby's decision to sprinkle the arugula with just a pinch of salt made all the difference in the world on this dish. The aged balsamic drizzle was 20 years old. It was the perfect salad and an ideal way to start a large meal.

Second course: Butternut Squash soup with pumpkin seed oil
Wine pairing: Anton Bauer Riesling 2008 from Austria
My comments: A buttery, heavenly thick soup. The pairing of this course with the Riesling was my favorite pairing of the night.

Third course: Pan Roasted Quail on Ragout of Bacon, Leek, and mushrooms, Topped by Foie Gras & a parsley salad
Wine pairing: Elio Perrone Barbera d'Asti "Tasmorcan," 2008 from Italy
My comments: How rare it is to get so many of my favorite items on one plate – mushrooms, leeks, bacon and foie gras. The skin on the quail was crisped to perfection.

Fourth course: Smoked Venison Tenderloin, Roasted Parsnips tossed with spinach and a red wine reduction
Wine pairing: Paloma Merlot 2001 from Napa Valley
My comments: A very special meat paired with a very special wine. I've never experienced venison so tender and juicy.

Fifth course: Apple Tarte Tatin
Wine pairing: Mas de Lavail, Maury Blanc 2006 from France
My comments: This was Hubby's and my mutual creation, the base recipe from the Joy of Cooking. The smell of melting butter and sugar has always been one of my favorites. The apples were caramelized in that beautiful combination, with a crispy puff pastry shell and a dollop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Oh, a lucky girl I am!