What's Santi eating?

So I've had some success with a few recipes that Santi really loves. For anyone who has a toddler, when you find things like this, you make them as much as possible! So I thought I'd share here on a few that are his favorites!

Banana Bread/Muffins


Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
3 overripe bananas

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a loaf pan (or muffin tins if you are making muffins).

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add butter (room temp or I pop it into the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften it up) and brown sugar and mix well. Add eggs and bananas (mash them up a bit if they need it) and mix until well blended and the ingredients are nice and wet. Pour batter into loaf pan or muffin tins (this makes 24 mini muffins and 6 large muffins if you want to mix or 16-18 large muffins.)

3. For bread loaf: Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

For muffins: Bake in preheated oven for 20-23 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes and then place on wire rack to completely cool.

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Spinach Meatballs

Serves: 6   Serving Size: 4 meatballs

Ingredients:

½ cup egg substitute or 2 egg whites

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup whole grain bread crumbs

¼ tsp. garlic powder

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

1 lb. lean ground turkey

Directions: In large bowl, combine all of the above ingredients until well blended. Shape into 1 ½” meatballs. Spray nonstick pan with cooking spray. Brown meatballs on medium high heat. Keep moving meatballs so they are brown on all sides. Cook on low for about 15 minutes or until cooked through. Serve with 1 cup of whole wheat pasta and sauce if desired.

15 months old!

So today, I am the mommy to a 15 month old. Time has FLOWN by and I am truly amazed at what an amazing person Santi is becoming. In just a few short months, he has gone from crawling to walking and running, from not talking to talking up a storm. He's such a fun little person, and I feel so lucky to be his mom.

Here are a few things I'd like to remember about this month:

1. You have more new words this month! You started saying "Bus" and now also pluralize a lot of things, such as I can be called "Mamas", Daddy is called "Papas", when you see other kids you say "Babies", etc.

2. You have not only learned how to say "No!" but you understand it. It's actually pretty helpful when we are trying to figure out if you are finished eating, or if you want to do something.

3. We got your some forks and you started eating food with them and do this pretty regularly! We are so proud and when you did it for the first time we clapped and cheered, so you started clapping after every time that you used the fork. :)

4. You're wearing size 12-18 month clothes and size 4 and 5 shoes. You are also wearing size 5 diapers still and rarely have accidents anymore.

5. You traveled on a plane to Maine/Massachusetts this month, and did great! Your slept for basically the entire flights, and you loved being in the airport and using your puppy leash to walk around with mommy.



It's been a great month Santi, and we're so lucky and happy to be your parents! Happy 15 months!


Love, 
Mommy and Daddy

Mother's Day photos

After the race yesterday, we came home and ate lunch and then I had a glorious three hour nap. I never nap, so it was so nice to do! I was woken up by Tito and Santi coming into the room with presents for me! Santi gave me a card, and Tito and Santi gave me a potted plant (impatiens) and a blueberry candle. Tito told me Santi had picked it out because he loves blueberries. :)  We took a few photos (excuse my bedhead!) and then hung out and played and then walked to church, then came home and had dinner, put Santi to bed and relaxed. We were all in bed early because of our 5:30am wake up...such a great day!

And here's a couple from our Mother's Day dinner on Saturday night (it was easier to go out the night before and I needed to carb load before the race anyway!) :)

Santi's not a fan...

Santi's not a fan of the Mickey Mouse Club theme song. He has this little tricycle that he got from his grandparents in Peru back when he was 4 months old. I put it together today and put him on it and pushed the buttons...

Kisses from Santi and more

Santi blowing kisses




Santi's Easter basket




Santi's new dance

On having a boy...

I saw this post from A Cup of Jo today. She'd entitled it "Motherhood Mondays", and in reading her post, I could relate to everything about it. From the feelings of disappointment initially when I found out I was having a boy (which only lasted minutes, but I STILL feel guilty about), to the love and amazement about how wonderful it is to have a little boy.

When I look at my little guy, I feel such a huge amount of love for him, and my heart swells. I'm so glad he was a he, and the he is mine.


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Motherhood Mondays
From A Cup Of Jo

My darlings, sorry for the late post today! I've been thinking about this one all day, and finally had a chance to write it out.

So, I'd love to ask: When you think of having children, do you ever secretly hope for a boy or a girl? Even though people don't really talk about it, I actually think it's really common to wish for one or the other.

When you're pregnant, the most important thing on your mind, of course, is having a healthy baby. Anyone who is given that gift is blessed beyond belief. I definitely did not take that for granted and felt hugely lucky to be having a baby.

But also, in my heart of hearts, when we found out we were going to have a baby, I secretly hoped that we would have a girl. I had always imagined having a daughter and doing all those funny girly things together--playing with dolls, going to ballet lessons, having heart-to-heart mother/daughter conversations, and doing all the classic (and cliched) things that are part of girlhood. I loved being a girl (and am really close to my own mom); and thought it would be such fun to raise one.

So when we found out that we were expecting a boy, I was so excited and couldn't wait to meet the little man. But part of me couldn't help secretly feeling a tiny bit disappointed. I felt really guilty for feeling that way (was I a terrible person? the gender shouldn't matter as long as the baby is healthy, right?), but the feeling remained. I had always pictured having a daughter...and now we weren't.

Plus, I kept thinking about how didn't know a single thing about boy stuff. The guys in my family are really male--they all are obsessed with motorcycles and pranks and windsurfing and whisky. Would Alex and our baby bond over sports, while I wouldn't be able to share that with them, I wondered? When we were growing up, my brother and dad talked endlessly about motorcycle parts and car racing; what if my baby boy wanted to talk about cars? I didn't know a thing about them--or care! And I'm a wuss about rollercoasters and swimming in the ocean and those types of boy-ish rough-and-tumble activities. What if he were into those things? Would I be the lame mom sitting nervously on the bench while my son bonded with all the more adventurous types?

I really worried that I wouldn't be able to connect to a boy...or, more aptly, that he wouldn't connect to me.

But then.

Toby arrived.

Once the doctor put my red-faced, wrinkly, sweet, beautiful baby boy into my arms, EVERYTHING changed.

I can tell you with all my heart, now that Toby has entered our lives, it is the most incredible, moony experience, and now I CANNOT imagine having anything other than my delicious baby boy. When he was brand new, he was so tiny, vulnerable and sweet. When I breastfed him, and he'd snuggle up and put his little hand on my chest and look into my eyes, I would just swoon.

Now that he's eleven months old, he is so lovely and has such a sweet, open demeanor. He giggles, he coos, he stands on full tippy-toe. He touches my face with serious concentration. He loves reading books and eating pears and looking out the window. Sometimes when he's asleep at night, I'll tiptoe into the nursery just to lean down and put my head near his; I love seeing his out-of-proportion body sleeping there: his big head, small shoulders, big diaper butt, and short legs. I pat his back and smell his sweet milky breath. I am totally enamored and enchanted by him. He is my little man, my lovely little boy.

Having a son has turned out to be the most amazing thing, and my apprehensions and fears seem so silly now. I'm so excited to bring him up, and previously boring things like baseball and water pistols are suddenly super thrilling, since I see them through his sweet little eyes. The other day, I was riding my bike downtown and saw a dinosaur-shaped balloon and couldn't stop thinking about how cool it was. :)

Oh, how Toby has opened my eyes!

Things to Remember

So instead of doing a monthly letter I decided I'd just do a things to remember list for Santi each month, since he's changing every day!


Santi at 13 months old:

Santi, I want to remember a few things about you this month and I know if I don't write them down then I will forget them. There are so many things that you do that amaze me, and some of them you have only done once or twice so far. I know I won't be able to recall all of these little things after I've sent you off to school for the first time, see you go on a date, hug you after you get your heart broken, pack you up and send you off to college, see your face when you tell me you've met the person you're going to marry, watch you get married and dance with you on that day, or see you hold your first child. Life is full of so many moments, and while some stand out more than others, the little moments are just as important as the big ones.

1. You have some new words this month! Baby, Boon (spoon) and Pane (plane) are the biggest of them.

2. You have started wiggling your head back and forth when you want to be cute, or when you get "caught" doing something. Sometimes, if you're trying to play with the knobs on the CD player, we'll say "Santi..." and you'll look at us and cock your head from one side to the other and smile at us. It's like you're saying "What? Oh, I was just dancing." :) Sometimes in your attempt to "dance" though, you'll be walking and fall over from swinging your head around too much!

3. You like to try and use the spoon yourself. You're just practicing, so you're not going to get any awards for coordination, but you are stubborn and really like to try. Even if the food falls off before the spoon gets to your mouth.

4. When you don't like a food, you clamp your mouth shut. But sometimes, when you want to try something, you'll keep your mouth shut, and lean your face forward towards the spoon and put your lips (still closed) on the spoon and then pull your head back and smack your lips. You usually smile a goofy smile at me while you do this. And more often than naught, you will end up eating the food.

5. You are starting to love snuggling. Sometimes I'll pick you up from your crib to bring you over to change your diaper, and you'll snuggle into me. I usually hold you just a little bit longer and snuggle you because I like it as much as you do.

Thanks for all that makes you "you" Santi. Happy 13 months!

I was home with Santi today because he had a runny nose and I wanted him to rest and relax with him. Poor guy has a little bug. But he's also working on his one year molars. I checked tonight, and his top right molar was just peeking through and the other three molars are nowhere to be seen, but his gums are all swollen. I'm hoping for his sake that he pops the other teeth through soon. We put him to bed tonight with some Motrin for the pain and thankfully he hasn't woken up yet like he did last night.

Opening a birthday card

Grandpa John and Grandma Kathy sent Santi a musical card for his first birthday - he wanted to dance but was really interested in reading the card and pointing out pieces of it!

Walking with his arms up

When Santi walks he always has his arms up in a "stick em' up" fashion...we're hoping he won't continue this into adulthood but for now it's pretty darn cute, as well as it helps him balance!

Future soccer star

So Santi got a mini soccer ball for his birthday from his Tio Dani and Ciocia Agi. He's already getting the hang of it!

Santi's 12 month letter

3/15/11

Dear Santiago:

You are 12 months old today. I can’t believe how fast this past year has flown by. It seems like such a short amount of time but, cliché as it is, we feel like you’ve been in our lives so much longer than just 12 months!

We celebrated your first birthday this past weekend with friends and family. Your Tio Dani flew in from NC to help you celebrate. You had a great time, and even tried some cake, although you found it a little too messy, and much to mommy’s liking, you didn’t smash it in your face at all!

You’re a walker now! You take steps all over the place, and will usually fall down and keep on by crawling. You are so funny because you will start to walk from the couch to your toys and halfway there you’ll realize you’re walking, and usually will stop and clap for yourself. And then once you realize you’re walking, you will usually fall down!


Here are some of the things you’re doing this month:

• Walking!

• Saying 18 words (agua, mama, dada, mum mum, cheese (sounds like “sheese”), quack quack (cack cack), car, cat, ese (that in Spanish), whoa, whee!, fish (shh), chicken (icken), truck (uck), wawa (water in English), poop (poo-p), peas, goal!

• Standing for longer periods of time

• Holding a spoon, although not being super coordinated with it yet

• Asking for agua when you’re eating

• Wearing size 4 diapers during the day and size 5 nighttime diapers at night

• Wearing size 12 -18 month pants,12-18 month shirts, 12 and 18 month onesies

• Wearing size 4 shoes and some size 5 shoes

• Wearing size 12-18 month hats

• Drinking whole, organic milk – no more formula! You have about 4 bottles a day, usually between 4oz and 6oz each


We are still in awe that you are 1! You are such a happy, smiley little boy, and when you’re sleeping, we often find ourselves saying that we can’t wait for you to wake up so we can play with you and watch you learn as you play! We love you SO very much! Happy 1^st birthday!!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

I can't believe it...

I know when they say that time flies after you have a child. But I truly didn't think I would literally blink and Santiago would go from this -



to this -



(How crazy I had basically the same pose 11 months later??) :)

One year ago today, this was my reality:







And now THIS is my reality:







Happy 1st birthday to my sweet, happy, smiley, handsome little guy! Love you so much!

In 2 days...

In two days I will officially have a one year old. I have no idea where the year went. My little boy has gone from a tiny little lump who just ate, slept, pooped and cried to a little person who now walks, talks, plays (and falls down), smiles, giggles, and makes us laugh everyday.

Yesterday we celebrated Santi's birthday with some friends and family. It was a great day, and we gave Santi some cake, which he liked putting his hands in but then didn't moosh it all over himself (another sign he's my child - no messes!) He had fun playing with the other babies that were there, having crawling races with other kids and just enjoying the attention. It is hard to believe he is one, and just how much he'll change this year. By this time next year, he'll be running around the house, be talking in sentences, asking questions, and still making us laugh everyday.

We love you Santiago - thanks for a great year!

Santi's 11 month letter

2/15/11

Dear Santiago:

You are now eleven months old! We only have one more month until you are no longer considered a newborn and are officially a toddler.

You are on the move! You are so fast when you crawl and love to have us chase you! When we chase you down the hall, you laugh and giggle and always stop to look back to make sure we’re still coming.

I’m staying home full time with you now and love it. We get to spend so much time together and have a great routine of waking at about 7am, having a bottle, playing, having some breakfast, nap, then you wake up and we play some more, you have lunch, play, have a bottle and then take another nap, and then after that when you wake up you have dinner, and then you’ll have a bath, bottle and go to bed. When daddy comes home after work, he helps give you dinner, plays with you and usually gives you your bath and bottle. He loves this special “Daddy/Santi” time!

Some mornings we go to Stroller Strides and you are so good sitting in the stroller the whole time. When you get to get out at the end of the class, you are so happy crawling around and meeting all of the other little kids.

You have started cruising around the livingroom while holding on to furniture! And you’ve taken steps! You can now walk independently between Mommy and Daddy, or sometimes between pieces of furniture! We know it won’t be long before you’re running around the house!


Here are some of the things you’re doing this month:

• Taking steps independently!

• Using your push toy and walking around the house with it

• Saying 17 words (agua, mama, dada, mum mum, cheese (sounds like “sheese”), quack quack (cack cack), car, cat, ese (that in Spanish), whoa, whee!, fish (shh), chicken (icken), truck (uck), wawa (water in English), poop (poo-p), peas (dees)

• Standing independently

• Holding your bottle on your own

•Holding your sippy cup on your own

• Taking some sips out of a regular cup

• Wearing size 4 diapers during the day and size 5 nighttime diapers at night

• Wearing size 12 -18 month pants,12-18 month shirts, 12 and 18 month onesies

• Wearing size 4 shoes

• Wearing size 12-18 month hats

• Eating about 4-6 oz per feeding in four bottles a day


We’re really excited for your birthday next month and have truly enjoyed this past year with you. You are such an amazing little boy, and have given us a reason to smile each and every day. We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Playing with daddy

Santi loves to play hide and seek and one of the places he loves to do it is around our ottoman we're using as a coffee table...sometimes he drags us into it as well!

Walking!

We have walking!

New videos

Some new videos of Santi!


Dancing and dining!




Santi and his love for bubbles!




Santi saying goodbye to the agua!



Santi loving his kitty Monet




On the swings for the first time




Steps!




Walking with his push toy, less than 24 hours later after the above video

Hello!

So I've now officially been a stay at home mom for three weeks. Well, technically, only for about two days really, since Tito's mom was here helping out until this past Sunday. But since then, it's been Santi and I, day in and day out. Our days are pretty full right now actually.

Santi gets up at about 7am, we have some milk, and then he plays for about an hour and then I make him breakfast. After he finishes, either we'll go to work out at my Stroller Strides class or he'll nap. If we go to Stroller Strides, he doesn't nap until 11am when we get back. Sometimes he'll fall asleep in the car. After nap he gets lunch, and then plays and then we'll either go out for a walk, or run errands or have the occasional play date. He takes a second nap around 3pm, and then he wakes up at about 4:30pm or 5pm, and will play while I make dinner. Tito's home around 6pm and we'll feed Santi (and us) and then give him a bath and he's in pj's, had a bottle and story and in bed by 7pm. We've been told we're lucky that we basically have from 7pm until the morning with a sleeping kid. We definitely are happy he sleeps through the night and wakes up a happy little guy in the morning, even though I'd prefer 8am wakeups, but I won't be picky!

I owe an 11 month letter, but can't believe my guy will be a year old in a few short weeks! Here are a few recent photos:

Ready for Stroller Strides class! All bundled up!

Santi's 10 month letter

1/15/11

Dear Santiago:

You are now ten months old! 2 more months and we’ll be celebrating your one year birthday!

You are getting quite the personality. Mommy says that she can see herself in you, especially when you’re stubborn and make your mind up about what you want to do!

You crawl on your knees almost all the time now! When I come home and you’re in the living room, you crawl right over to me!

You also love to walk while someone holds your hands. And you chase the cats all around the house now too, which I think they enjoy a little less than you do! In addition to walking, you’ll kick a ball if we put it in front of you. We got a soccer ball and you’ll kick it around if we walk you over to it.

You love music. You’ve been pulling up on things and you’ll start grooving and moving your bum when the music is on. Sometimes you’ll shake your arm too. We think you got some of Daddy’s moves. 


Here are some of the things you’re doing this month:

• Crawling on your knees

• Walking while people hold your hands. Kicking balls and running as you chase the cats through the house

• Saying 5 words – Mama, Dada, Mum Mum (for your Mum Mum crackers), Agua (for water) and Cheese (for cheese – which comes out more like “Sheese”)

• Standing more steadily

• Loving to laugh and to have books read to you

•Loving to dance and move to music

• Wearing size 4 diapers during the day and size 5 nighttime diapers at night

• Wearing size 12 month and some 12-18 month pants, 6-12 month shirts, 12 month onesies

• Wearing size 3-4 shoes

• Wearing size 6-12 month hats

• Eating about 4-6 oz per feeding in four bottles a day
• Eating all table food. No more purees, other than applesauce or pear and applesauce. Some of your favorite foods are: applesauce, pears, tomatoes, bananas, turkey, chicken, cucumbers, Cheerios and cereal bars.


Mommy is excited because she will be a full time stay at home mom with you as of the end of this month. She can’t wait to be there to witness all of your learning and changing and also head back to Stroller Strides to work out and have some play dates on a regular basis with some of Mommy’s friends and their babies!

We love you very, very much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy