feeling a little reminiscent...

Max will be nine months this week.  He is getting so big, and I love it, but today, I found myself a little reminiscent.

So I started going through some pictures I took when he was a few weeks old.  I thought I'd share them. It's weird looking at these sometimes.  Was he really that small? Then I am flooded with a ton of memories. Like sleeping on the couch with him and waking every hour to make sure he was OK and nuzzling his sweet cheeks and taking in his new baby smell.

I will always cherish those memories!


AWWWWWW!

the day after he was born

look at the belly

Guinness Cupcakes!

So I did get around to making them.  And, ok, I am a little proud of myself.  I am typically a horrible baker.  But these, these came out pretty damn good.  At least that is what the hubby said, and since he loves his sweets, I am betting they are alright!

I'm not the tidiest baker....

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, plus more for dusting finished cupcakes
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups all-purposeflour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch fine salt
• 1 bottle stout beer (recommended: Guinness)
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened at room temperature
• 3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.

In another medium mixing bowl, combine the stout, melted butter, and vanilla. Beat in eggs, 1 at time. Mix in sour cream until thoroughly combined and smooth. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Lightly grease 24 muffin tins. Divide the batter equally between muffin tins, filling each 3/4 full. Bake for about 12 minutes and then rotate the pans. Bake another 12 to 13 minutes until risen, nicely domed, and set in the middle but still soft and tender. Cool before turning out.

To make the icing:

In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the heavy cream. On low speed, slowly mix in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated and smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Icing can be made several hours ahead and kept covered and chilled.

Top each cupcake with a heap of frosting and dust with cocoa.

almost....

So Max loves being so mobile, and now hates being on his back.  Needless to say, diaper changing is not a happy time in our household.  He throws his little pint sized fits, which can be pretty funny.  And then again, sometimes, not so funny.  Its amusing watching him become more and more independent.  His personality is really starting to show through, and I just love it.

LOOK

NO

HANDS

Cherry Blossoms!

On family day this weekend, we headed to the University of Washington.  We heard that this spot on campus was one of the most photographed places in the county. 

 It did not disappoint. 

This is our last weekend in Seattle.  

With spring looking so pretty it will be hard to leave. 

Good ol' luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Oh how this day has changed now for us parents.  Once filled with green beers and a reason to drink, this day is now about celebrating our heritage. I had grand plans. I was going to make Guinness cupcakes, watch the parade and even contemplated cooking some corn beef.  But alas, I only accomplished one thing, and that was making Max's shamrock onesie.

I guess I should be happy I at least got one thing done!

Oh but next year...a dinner of corn beef and cabbage will be made :)

These shamrocks are from my grandmothers plant.
When she passed a few years ago I was able to snag a few roots
and replant them in Seattle.
My favorite plant!

play time and more play time!

I know, I know. Tons of posts lately of Max playing.  But, it has been so fun for us to go out and explore all there is to do around the city.  This day we hung out with a friend of mine who nannies two little boys. (2 year olds) They are super sweet to Max and he likes playing with them, well next to them at least.

This place was Loyal Heights Community Center.  They have two bounce houses and tons and tons of toys.

Max had just woke up.  He doesn't seem to into it yet :)

Max and Soren

vroom vroom

Max is a little to small for the bounce house, so we played outside of it.

FrOoPiEs.....

Yes, Froopies.  I didn't know what this was till Rob introduced the term to me.  A Froopie-a piece of fuzz that sticks to the body. Like fuzz from socks or sweatshirts :)  They also be found on the floors of gymnasiums.

:)

Gym time!

A friend of ours recommened we try a new place out in Columbia City.  It is a gymnastics gym that opens for an hour to the public for free play.  It was so cool. Max is a little small yet, but I think he will have a blast when he is a little older.  I cant wait to take him again!

he managed to make it over the hump

 

How fun, right?

look what mama has her eyes on......

Doesn't this look like fun? Now, only where will we put it?

Busy busy

Max is such a little busy body now.  From the moment he wakes he is up on all fours causing trouble.  :)
It is really fun watching him right now.  He knows his name and will look at you when you say it.  He can now make his way along the couch with no help.  And he also seems to have no fear when it comes to strangers.  He will make his way to anyone and start crawling on them as if they are a new toy.  Little embarrassing for mom, but people don't seem to mind....hmmmm? At least that is what they tell me.

I am trying to get pictures of him when he is up to no good, but like I said before, that isn't as easy as it once was.

vroom vroom

ohhh, what's in here?

hiding

Let me out!!!!

what's for dinner ma?

8 months

Picture taking is no longer what it was.  I used to take pictures at ease.  I was able to take numerous shots to make sure I found the perfect setting, light, pose.  That has all changed.  Although Max being 8 months has been a blast.  Taking his picture is no longer a carefree process.  These were the only pictures worth keeping.  Most of the others were of him red faced, screaming at me.  Who knew taking pictures were so painful?  

However, like I said, this stage in Max's life has been super fun.  He is very busy exploring things.  He crawls everywhere and has a fondness for outlets.  He loves to stand up and will use most things as an anchor.  He is just starting to try to make the distance between one object to the next.  Although unsuccessfully, which is fine by me.  He continues to eat everything I put in front of him, and then some.

The only sad part right now is that he is teething and it is apparent that he is suffering from it.  He has a low grade fever, isn't sleeping well and at times becomes lethargic, which is so sad to see.  But during this time, he has been a cuddle bug, the only upside to teething.

such rosie cheeks. Another tell tell sign of teething.