First Time Sledding

We went sledding (or sliding as Grammie says) this morning - so much fun! I laughed and laughed.

Christmas Morning

Someone liked opening presents! She kind of fixated on certain things (diaper rash cream), but enjoyed everything she got. Mommy screwed up the first part of the video, but you get the drift. . .

Happy Hanukah everyone!

The latkes are a'fryin
the cake is all done
now it's Hanukah time
let's have some fun!

Look Who's Walking Now

And she's so proud of herself. . .

That time of year again

Mommy is a baking machine. She's making so many cookies I've lost count. I got to try one this afternoon - yummy! Don't you wish you could try some. . .

Happy Thanksgiving

Sending a Thanksgiving hug to everyone!

Let The Wild Rumpus Start!

Wild thing . . . you make my heart sing . . .

Me and My Bagel

I'm a big fan of the bagel.

Treats for Moms

Our Mom's Group is full of foodies. A bunch of folks started making healthy stuff (imagine that). So every week I've taken it upon myself to dig up some fun, really decadent treat to share with the other moms. This afternoon I rediscovered one of my favorites. Super easy and it comes out unbelievable. I made it into little tarts instead of a big cake.

Chocolate and Walnut Gateau (Flourless Chocolate Cake)

1 12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips

¾ cup sugar

2/3 cup butter

3 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup flour

¼ cup milk

2/3 cup ground walnuts

Preheat oven to 350

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips. Recipe recommends double broiler, but I’ve always done it in the microwave.

Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat until creamy. Beat in melted chocolate, egg yolks, vanilla and salt. Add flour and milk. Beat well. Stir in nuts.

In small bowl beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into chocolate batter.

Spread in greased 9 ½ inch springfoam pan (or cake pan). Bake for 25-30 minutes (a little less for tarts), do not open oven door or they will fall. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely and glaze

Glaze (I make using 1 cup of chocolate chips and a little milk. Much richer and it hardens into a nice top-crust)

1 cup chocolate chips

3 tablespoons butter (or vegetable oil)

2 tablespoons corn syrup

Melt all together and pour over cake. Cover top of cake with glaze and allow it to drip over the sides. Garnish with sprinkled walnuts or raspberries.

Energizer Bunny

I'm crawling and standing and pushing stuff and talking. . . just a bundle of action.

On the Move

Check me out!

For My Fans

Back by popular demand. . . it's walker time! Check out the teeth.

The Neglected One

My poor big sister is so neglected these days. With Daddy and Mommy working on the house (and taking side trips to Santa Fe), she's been cooped up in the back yard all alone. Our nice neighbor offered to take her to the dog park this morning and this is what happened. I think she had a good time.

The Giggle

Mommy got me going this AM. I was in the process of eating cheerios, as you can see. She even captured the snort.

Strawberry Head

We just got back from my first trip to Maine and my first taste of fresh Maine strawberries. Mom knows how much I love the strawberries, so she thought it would be fun to let me run wild (or just sit) in a scrumptious Maine strawberry patch.

My Pal Derby

Now that I'm so good at scooting around the house, Derby thinks I'm really fun to play with. She likes to share her toys with me and then play tug of war. When she runs away, I go after her.

Files from the Archive

Sorry I've been remiss in posting. We had a wonderful time in Mexico. I loved swimming and really enjoyed my time with Gram, Grandpa Bryan, Auntie Mary and Uncle Jeff. Mommy and Daddy even left me with the gang to party while they went out to dinner. Sleeping wasn't a big priority for me though - too excited!


Then we moved into the "Big House" ;-) and I've been so helpful. Staying out of the way, cruising in my new (borrowed) walker, eating lots of strawberries and cheese (my favorite) and taking nice long naps. I'm even sleeping in my own room now.


And off we went to visit Nana and Papa in CT. We got to see all the aunts and uncles, friends - I even got a kiss from Quinn, my best East-coast buddy. I took my first trip into New York City to see the sights, visited my Great-Grandma Edie and spent good quality time with everyone. To see all the pictures (and there are a ton, thanks to Uncle Aaron and Papa), visit the link to my Month 8 photo album on the left.


So that's a quick recap of the past month +/-. I promise to be better about sharing my news. Now that things have slowed down a little, I should be able to keep you updated. Kisses to all!

Yum Yum!

I've discovered the joys of food. Mommy is very excited. She even lets me feed myself occasionally. Yesterday she gave me a strawberry. It was fun.

Almost Back

We went to Mexico, we moved, we went to CT, we are unpacking. Sometime soon we'll have time to post to the blog again. Make sure to check back because Mommy took great videos of me swimming!

Mommy had a chance to get some pictures up on Picasa - clink on the links to the left to see.

Movin and Shakin

Sorry to all of my loyal fans. We've been in the process of moving, so I haven't had that much time to keep you posted on my very exciting adventures. I've been a very good girl though. Taking nice long naps so Mommy can get lots of packing done.

The house looks really funny without any furniture in it and I like to scream and shout to hear the echo.



We leave for my first trip for "fun in the sun" on Sunday. I'll have tons of pictures to post of my first time in the pool and the ocean, and making sand castles. Maybe we'll even play with Maracas. Don't forget about me - I'll be back soon!

Blab Blab Blab

There's a lot to talk about these days. When Daddy gets home from work, I like to tell him about all my goings on. Now I have a whole bunch of noises I've added to the screaming. It's lots of fun to talk for hours at a time. Once I get to know you, I'll tell you all my little secrets.

Coffee, Tea, Me?

Mommy and I met our friends Beth and Sabine at Starbucks yesterday for coffee. Gotta say, I'm into it. I told everyone how much I was enjoying myself and the nice man sitting next to us had lots of fun. Sabine and I got to spend some time in the comfy orange chair. She's really into grabbing my face, but I was busy talking it up.

Mommy Speaks

This morning, I decided to have a go at making baby food. I took out the good mommy organic carrots, cut them up, boiled the crap out of them, pureed them to mush, added a dash of cinnamon and presto - SHE LIKES THEM!

We Don't Want No Stinkin'. . .

I've decided that I hate food. If it's not the boob, I don't want it. I'm sure some of you can relate.

As you saw from an earlier post, I don't like bananas http://catchingupwithrachel.blogspot.com/2008/03/yes-we-have-no-bananas.html. Avocados and apple sauce are okay, but forget about carrots. And that rice cereal stuff is for the birds.

It's much more fun to figure out ways to get the food out of my mouth than it is to actually eat it. There's the projectile food spit, the open mouth dribble out, the zerbert spray, and my all time favorite (and most effective) the tongue stick out and lick bib until food is off. Mommy can't reinsert any of the food if I use this method. I like to smile at Mommy with a full mouth while I figure out which way I'm going to get rid of it. While she's distracted laughing, I go for it.

Busy Days

We've been moving and shakin' the past few days! On the way to breakfast on Saturday morning, we passed a GREAT yard sale and Mommy and Daddy picked up a crib, including very pretty bedding, and a bike trailer for $50! I was so proud of them.

Then that night, we had my playgroup buddies and their parents over for a bar-b-que. This is a picture of my friend Luke and me and our Daddies.









Today was super exciting. Daddy decided to take some of the day off before the "big push" to get into our new house. I slept through the Indian food buffet, but then we took the new (old) bike trailer out for a spin on the bike path. It was a beautiful day. And check out how cute I look in my new shades. . .

Mommy Speaks

Nate finished off a batch of my healthy cookies last night (yes, even HE likes them) http://catchingupwithrachel.blogspot.com/2008/03/mommy-speaks_12.html, so I had to whip up something this AM to satisfy my daily baked goods cravings. This is another regular of mine. Also GUILT FREE. Great for those mid-morning or mid-afternoon sugar lows, except there is no sugar!












Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins (makes 12-18 muffins)

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oat bran
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (I use a handful of walnuts)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup water
1 cup (about 2) mashed ripe bananas

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees. Line 12-18 muffin cups

In a large bowl, blend together the flours, oat bran, nuts, chocolate chips and baking soda.

In a mixer, mash the bananas and then add the egg, maple syrup, water and oil. Beat until smooth.

Combine the two mixtures until the dry ingredients are just moistened.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. These muffins don't rise a ton, so you can actually fill to the brim.

Bake for about 15-20 minutes (18 is perfect in my oven), or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes.

A Very Merry Unbirthday

Mommy went a little crazy with the pictures for my 6 month birthday. You can see them on my picasa web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/gillian.baudo/Month6. She also took this funny video of me playing with my feet. They're my new most favorite thing.

The Crack

OK, 20 questions. What do you think this is?

A couple of clues:
It is a body part.
It keeps getting bigger.

Notes from Mommy: And the winner is. . . Diana! It is the roll on her right thigh. For some reason, she only has it on her right thigh? The left one is fold-free. The strangeness that is my daughter.

Mommy Speaks

It's funny. I realized last weekend that I am officially a mom not based on an interaction with my kid, but a dynamic with my husband. It was actually when I was talking to my mother-in-law.

Do you remember as a child when you couldn't find anything that was right in front of your face? I would run around the house, screaming (because I was late for whatever music practice, dance lesson, Hebrew school. . . ) WHERE IS IT WHERE IS IT? And my mother would calmly say, where did you put IT? Which is where I looked in the first place but never could find IT. And my mother would go over to the pile on the counter top, in my room, where I dumped all my stuff from school and assorted activities (listed previously), and pull IT out. Presto.

I'm finding that I have this relationship with my husband. Just this morning he couldn't find his fleece (and left the house without it because I was in the middle of nursing the Munchkinhead and couldn't work my magic). Just one of the many items that get lost in our humongous 1400 square foot house. And as he gets more and more frantic and flips out, I inevitably pull it out from wherever it was supposed to be. In talking to my mother-in-law, it seems that this may be a husband AND a child characteristic. Joy for me, the Sherlock Holmes of Albuquerque.

Now the kid is down in her crib in pre-nap, screaming mode and I will hunt for the illusive fleece. My husband neglected to check WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE, so I will go grab it from the dryer.

Pillow Talk

When I get up in the morning, I like to tell Mommy what's up. We hang out in bed and discuss life, gossip a bit and make plans for the day. This morning, I let her know that going to the zoo for a picnic is a great idea.

My New Throne

Mommy set it up for me this morning. She said maybe it will encourage me to eat real food. I'm thinking not really, but what a cool spot to play with my toys.

Family Resemblance

Some people (everyone) say I look just like my Daddy. It seems as though the forces are conspiring so that I resemble him more with each passing day. Check out the hair. Right now you can only see the fuzzy on top in the photos, but it's growing in like that all over my head. How lucky am I?!?

Mommy Speaks

I've become a completely OUT OF CONTROL cookie monster since I had the Munchkin. It's bad. And apparently all too common among nursing mothers. Something about baked goods. . . Anyway, I figured it was time for an intervention. No, not that kind - are you kidding?!? Stop eating cookies?!? This entailed creating a recipe that I could eat, I don't know, 4-6 cookies a day and not feel guilty. So - here goes:










The "Healthy" Cookie Recipe

3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1/3 cup peanut butter (use the natural kind - no sugar added)
1 large eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chunks (I freeze a Ghirardelli bar and break off about 2 squares and then crush them into pieces)
You can also add good for you ingredients like flax seeds to minimize the guilt factor even more

Preheat oven to 325

In a large bowl, stir together oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In another large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together oil, maple syrup and sugar to mix. Beat in vanilla and peanut butter. Add egg, and gradually beat in flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and chocolate, beating just until combined. You can chill cookie dough, covered at least 2 hours and up to 1 week to make it easier to form into balls.

Form rounded tablespoons of dough into balls (if you don't chill the dough, just gloop it into a pile by rounded tablespoon) and arrange about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Flatten balls slightly.

Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven 12-14 minutes or until just pale golden (switch pans in middle of cooking time). Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes and transfer to racks to cool completely.

Makes about 30 cookies

Yes, We Have No Bananas

Mommy had me try bananas today. Gotta say, not really my favorite. . .

Our Version of The Forward

This was forwarded to us from another Mom in our Playgroup. Thought we'd share with you. Takes on a different meaning when you have a baby. And thank you Mom and Dad.

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=ithct48cqw

Up and At-Em

I believe the key to a healthy life is early to bed, early to rise and exercise. This is why I woke up at 5am to start my daily calisthenics (for those of you practicing at home, it works better with sound effects). I keep telling Mommy she needs to get with the program. You'll see that Daddy didn't want to participate either. Anyone up for joining?

Mommy Speaks

The little piggies stink. It's true. My darling daughter's cute little, kissable feeties are super smelly. I wash them, I lovingly pick out toe cheese in the morning and at night. I'm afraid she's going to be a stinky foot girl. Doesn't seem to bother her though - we'll see once she starts putting them in her mouth. . .

A Very Special Day

Today is Mommy's birthday! We've already celebrated this morning by sleeping in (until 8:45!), taking a bath and walking down to Nob Hill to get Mommy's favorite (see picture) for brunch. I was such good company. I haven't figured out how to sing happy birthday yet, but I smiled a lot to keep things jolly. This afternoon we're having the baby sitter over to "see how things go." Not sure how I feel about that.

Mommy has cupcakes in the oven, chocolates on the table and cookies on the counter. I think she's got all her bases covered.

Notes from Mommy: So, the baby sitter situation? Rachel decided she wasn't really jiving with the whole Mommy leaving thing and screamed for the entire hour. Not very Pooh-like. Then Nate came home at the same time I did and we could hear her from the cars. And then Nate says, I'm kind of nervous about this. And I say, WE'RE GOING OUT TO DINNER FOR MY BIRTHDAY. I enjoyed the take-out sushi and cupcakes, but c'mon.

Welcome To My World

Mommy thought it was time for us to put all of our eggs in one basket, so to speak. With my increased fan base, I wanted to make it easy to share my day to day adventures (and photos and videos) with all of you. I'm learning fun things like screaming and "doing the chicken" (flapping). Mommy caught me in a warm up session earlier today. Daddy says he's going to start wearing earplugs around the house when I'm awake. . .