Damn, Fall is Here!!

First, a terrible dream-last night I had a dream where I had missed autumn. This is especially horrific for me because autumn is my favorite season-the layers, the pumpkin spiced lattes (Starbucks, I'm talking to you) and the trees changing colors.

Now, with Jack around fall is so much more fun, specifically planning his Halloween costume. There are always so many choices, last year we went with "baby F1 driver" and I think we are heavily leaning toward either baby Yoda or baby Ewok. This also means that Paul and I will invest in brown Jedi robes and plastic light sabers. Maybe we will even take him trick or treating to our neighbor's houses (of course we will eat his candy).

I could write forever about how much I love this damn season. Suddenly everything becomes brighter and better and most of this hinges on the fact that I can wear tights and not sweat. Seriously though folks, I need to buckle down and blog. It has been neglected for too long. August was busy and so far September has provided much of the same distractions. School is under way (for both Jack and myself) and Jack now talks in halted sentences in between babbles. "Mama, no, wal wal." Means Mama, no, I would rather walk thanks. The separation anxiety is easing but it is never easy (or EZ, if you are familiar with Patrick Fiore of Le Petit Cafe fame in Bloomington, IN).

So with the passing of summer, comes the fall and so passes my baby into official toddler-hood. And the beat goes on.

Jack's First Favorite TV Show

Dum-didee-dum-da-dum-da-dum-dum

It starts and he stops. He stares and the hands start clapping and the feet start tapping...it's time for "Jack's Big Music Show." Unfortunately this show was canceled long before Jack actually came along, but it lives on in reruns on Nick JR and is so much better than Dora (who I wouldn't mind punching in her backpack). I know, I know, he shouldn't watch t.v., but 20 minutes of Jack gives mom and dad 20 minutes to get breakfast ready/shower/get going in the morning (yes, a lot can get done in 20 minutes).

It is also very satisfying to see him really L-I-K-E something. We have exposed him to a number of shows to see if any catches his eye, but nothing does it like Jack. Maybe he likes it because they share a name and have a dog friend or maybe it is the music that he digs but there is a definite preference being expressed at 7:00 am Monday-Friday in the Zablocki house.

I remember looking forward to certain shows when I was a kid and even looking forward to certain musical numbers on Sesame Street:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsSAuRS_koY

Yesterday I found the "Jack's Big Music Show" album online and we were able to jam. So though the t.v. show is gone, the music can still live on.

DEEEEElicious

Delicious Vegetarian Burrito that Even Paul Likes

Now, it isn't easy to please a hard core carnivore like my husband, but this burrito that I made last night did the trick. I totally stole the idea from one I had at Vine Street last Saturday but my redo was quite tasty if I do say myself.

You are going to do this:

Assemble:

Jasmine Rice

Black Beans

Frozen Corn

Red Pepper

Cilantro (Fresh, you will want to chop up a couple of bunches-maybe 1/4 cup total? you will know when you see it).

Sweet Potato

Avocado

Mango Salsa-I like the one from Whole Foods in the prepared food section by the produce.

Mozzarella Cheese (trust me)

Spices:

Cumin (approx 1 TBLS)

Paprika (approx 1 TBLS)

Salt

Tabasco

Pepper

Now what to do:

Cook Rice

Put your Black Beans in a pot and add some cumin, paprika, fresh cilantro and start cooking. Then when it starts to bubble add some fresh cilantro, 1/2 red pepper and then simmer. Cook the pepper and then add frozen corn. Turn off heat as not to overcook and/or burn (just a rule of thumb).

Whilst doing this you can cook your sweet potato/yam. Either nuke it in the microwave or bake it. Either way, once done, peel the skin off of it and chop it up. While you are at it, chop up your damn avocado already and shred your cheese.

Once this is all done, you can assemble your burrito. I am not going to instruct you on this as you should be able to figure it out (rice/beans/veg/sweet potato/avocado/cheese). Then top with mango salsa....DEEEELICIOUS!

Things to Worry About

There are many things that I worry about when it comes to Jack. Is he growing right? Is he happy? Am I stimulating him enough during the day in order to set him up for future success? I worry about driving the car and other people on the road when he is in the backseat. I worry if his diaper rash is going to go away. I worry that I am filling up the landfill every time we toss a disposable diaper out and then I worry that I forget to put out the dirty cloth diapers on time for pick-up. I worry that he is going to pinch his fingers, or get a splinter or break an appendage. I worry that eating that one piece of dog food will reek havoc on his little digestive system. I worry that he might get food poisoning from bad milk, or cheese or broccoli. I worry that he is gets not enough sleep or too much sleep. I worry about putting him in child care, I worry that we should have done it sooner. I worry that I am not working and I worry that I am taking too many things on with classes and other activities. I just worry, worry, worry.

However, the one thing I don't worry about is how much I love him and how much he loves me.

Big Time Adult Decision Making and Musings

Yikes.

We have decided on a child care option for Jack come fall. In order for me to do some classroom observations for school, I need a happy place to put the boy for a few hours each week. The place I found is not close to home but convenient enough and open a bit later than most early education schools. They have a super cool stroller that they take toddlers and babies out for walks in and they will do cloth diapers (sold). But more importantly they follow a "learning through creative play" curriculum that I like. I think he will dig it and I will be able to double down on classes so that I can get this teaching license, a job and then we can move to our fictional "big house." Oh you know the one...4 bedrooms 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, front porch, laundry room where we can stash the cat box and finished basement.

It won't be easy to leave the little dude, but the time was going to come eventually. Plus I think that he will have a lot of fun mingling with other little kids. I have mommy guilt about the whole thing but why is that? Plenty of moms and dads go off to work and their kids go to day care and baby sitters and they all turn out ok.

It is a BTAD or a big time adult decision. I run into these from time to time and they are always exciting challenges. I spend 88.5% of my day hanging out with a 1 year old and playing, our biggest decisions involve whether or not we should read the counting book in English or Spanish at this moment or whether making muffins or play doh is a better way to spend the afternoon. After basically working for $$ since I was 15, it is a nice departure-I'm not going to lie, but I do miss the daily grind from time to time, the cliche of "grass is greener" and whatnot.

I think the trick is to live in the present, like they try to teach you in yoga. If you don't hold onto the moment, it is gone and you are left with "remember whens." These are fine, but I think you will yield more out of life by giving into the moment and remembering "now" rather than "when."

Dear Jack...a short note and small request.

Dear Jack,

You are 15 months old and obsessed with dinosaurs, dogs, birds and cars. If you should choose to grow up, please do not do it too quickly. I want to make sure that we sing one million songs about silly birds in trees and you are also required to master the maracas before any further growing occurs.

Now, some people might say that you will grow, that you must grow, but I beg to differ. Some might think that you need more teeth-not necessary as you have managed to master broccoli with the 6.5 that you currently have. Some might say that you need to get taller, but all of your books and toys are within reaching distance, so why bother? Some might say that you need to learn how to talk, but I understand what you are saying without speaking an actual "word."

Just a small request...give the growing a rest.

Love,

Mama

Luxe Free

So the weekend rolls to a close at 6:30 on a Sunday. Butters (affectionate nickname for son, but nothing to do with South Park) is having his bath with Dada upstairs-probably playing with the SS Tug Boat and Cpt. Willie, the previously mentioned Tug Boat's captain. Baths are extra exciting and this sentiment is echoed by the baby squeals coming from the bathroom.

This weekend was filled with free luxury. Excellent breeze on toes action courtesy of crazy winds that lifted my skirt at one point near REI. Pancakes, oh there were pancakes-free at in-laws, delicious. We also enjoyed a couple of free adult-brunch-beverages at The Denver Biscuit Company aka The Atomic Cowboy. Our waiter, Russ, delivered our check and informed us that he knew it wasn't really our check but it would be too much of a hassle to print us the correct one and this particular check was about $15 cheaper than our bill (we know how to brunch it up in this house). Well, okey dokey. PS-amazing Bloody Mary. Paul ordered his typical geriatric brunch beverage of choice, a Tequila Sunrise, and had beverage envy after he tasted my delicious concoction. The other super-fun-freeish thing was my Starbucks situation on the way to in-laws. Paul busted out an order of a caramel macchiato and I immediately regretted my order and asked the kind barista to just add the syrup and sauce. He did, no extra charge...hurrah.

Now, don't start getting jealous about all of this free-ish luxury. We paid dearly at REI and Target for outdoor baby related gear. Baby hiking backpack? Check. Baby bike attachment thingy? Yep. Sand & Water table? Um, yes...last one at Target. Pshew. My debit card is very tired and will need to nap for some time to recover. I am excited to get this summer situation started and this gear will get used for sure.