Cravings

When I was pregnant, there was only one thing I craved - apple juice. Yes, that sounds kind of weird but whenever it was an option, I wanted apple juice. I sought it out. The only thing I've craved post-pregnancy has been orzo salad. How weird is that? I've just really been in the mood for it lately so I finally made some this week and it was delicious.

This is the recipe I chose and I would make it again but I might use mozzarella next time. I love feta but I love mozzarella, too. I also went to two different stores and both were out of fresh basil so I used a little bit of dried basil instead and that worked just fine. I also used baby spinach as I prefer that over arugula.

• Dressing: 
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
Salad:
• 12 ounces orzo pasta
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 tablespoons thinly sliced chives or green onions
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup arugula or baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup pine nuts, toasted (heat them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, tossing often until golden)

1. For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey and oil. Season to taste with a bit of salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. For the salad, cook the orzo in the chicken broth until tender according to package directions. Drain well but do not rinse. Let the pasta cool to room temperature, tossing often so it doesn't stick together (stir in 1-2 tablespoons of the dressing if the pasta is overly sticky). Toss the cooled pasta with the tomatoes, chives or green onions, basil, and arugula or spinach.
3. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and stir to coat the ingredients with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, if needed. Sprinkle the feta and pine nuts over the top and toss lightly. Serve at room temperature.

Spring!

Happy first day of spring! 

Baby's First St. Patrick's Day

Weekend Visitor

We had a weekend visitor - Natalie came from St. Louis to see us. In addition to snuggling a baby, we spent our weekend shopping, eating great food, getting pedicures and just catching up. 

Saturday Night Fun

My mom and sister babysat on Saturday night while Joe and I went to an event where we met Jim Belushi. 

Three Months

A Visit With Auntie

My sister got to meet Claudia this weekend for the first time when she came to visit. My mom came, too. It was a very short visit but so good to see them. 

Claudia and my mom. Doesn't Claudia look like such a big girl here? 

With Aunt Cathy.

Claudia also met the Easter Bunny! 

What a difference a week makes

This is the week that I was supposed to go back to work from my maternity leave. My baby girl is 11 weeks old but because I was in the hospital for a few days before giving birth, I was supposed to return to work on Tuesday. This time last week, I was a complete wreck with way too much anxiety about leaving her. I had spent most of my maternity leave worrying about how this would go. Maybe it's because I knew my job too well and I knew myself. I let the busyness play out in my head over and over. And maybe the anticipation would have been the worst of it. Or maybe not.

And then last week I did it. I called my boss and told her I wasn't coming back. I immediately felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And then about an hour later panic set in. Real heart palpitations. What did I just do? Could I call her back and tell her I'd made a mistake?

I have flip-flopped most of my leave about what the right thing would be for me and Claudia. I know it's different for every mom but I think this is what I'm supposed to do for now. We'll see how it goes. I'm hoping to eventually work part-time but until then, this is what we'll do.

I plan on trying out a mom's group this week. Maybe we'll enroll in Gymboree classes and when she gets a little older - story time at the library. In the summer, we'll take walks to the park and around the Arboretum. Maybe we'll go swimming at the pool just down the street. We'll visit the local petting zoo and feed the ducks. We'll meet daddy for lunch and go to the children's museum. We'll have fun together every day.

Girls' Night Out

Saturday was my first girls' night out in a long time. Joe stayed home with Claudia and I went to Kamilah's bridal shower/dinner. 

Monica was in town for the event and it was so good to see her. 

The bride-to-be. So happy for her and so happy that Monica introduced us several years ago. I'm very excited for her wedding in April.

Lunch Dates

We have had some lunch dates recently. Having a new baby during the winter months means we've had a lot of cabin fever but have managed to meet some friends here and there.



We met Jennifer for lunch one day. 

All ready for a lunch date with Holly. 

Baby's first visit to the Cheesecake Factory and her first meeting with Teresa. 

First Valentine's Day

I had a sushi date tonight with my two loves and this little lady slept through her first Valentine's date. 

More Visitors

Claudia recently had a visit from her other grandparents. You can tell they were enamored.

Two Months

Look who's two months old!

This is what 5 days old looks like

Tomorrow Claudia will be seven weeks old so I'm late posting these photos but we had some adorable portraits taken when she was five days old.

Visitors

We've had lots of visitors over the past couple weeks, some without photos to document their visit with Claudia. Here are a few pictures from our visits.

 Alison came to visit a couple weeks ago. 

Claudia's grandma, Jo Ann came to visit, too. 

My friend, Cathy came over one day and brought lunch.

Monica came from Missouri to spend a week with us. 

Our friends, Waad and Hend came to see Claudia, too.

One Month

It's hard to believe but my baby is already a month old.

One showing off her legs for good measure. :) 

My Favorite Season

This is the time of year when I post about all my favorite movies as award season begins. Most all of the award-worthy movies come out around Christmas which is when we typically have our movie marathons. New baby right before Christmas = no movies for us. So I can only tell you my favorite movies I have seen this year.

• The Spectacular Now - This is possibly the best, underrated movie I have ever seen. It's reminiscent of a John Hughes movie from the 80s.
• Mud - I love Matthew McConaughey and he is on a roll right now.
• 12 Years a Slave - Amazing and gut-wrenching true story.

Cousins

While my parents were visiting, my mom's cousins, Pam and Terrie came by to see us. Pam lives in Australia so we don't see her very often.

Left to right: Iris the dog, Pam, Terrie, my mom and Claudia

Claudia Meets Grandma and Grandpa

Recovery for me has not gone quite as expected. After leaving the hospital, my blood pressure continued to stay the same (and even get worse) instead of better, despite meds. After feeling unwell and making a couple of trips to the ER for IV meds, treatment and observation, I hope I'm on the right path. Good thing our back up arrived this week - grandma and grandpa.

My mom with Claudia.

My dad with Claudia.

Joe and I with our three week old baby.

Claudia's First Christmas

We celebrated Claudia's first Christmas in a very low-key way. We're watching movies On Demand and are getting ready to enjoy Chinese takeout. Claudia doesn't know but Santa still visited our house. She received an ornament, activity mat, Ugg booties, new jammies and an outfit.

We have also been gifted with a lot of Christmas outfits. I had bought one outfit and one pair of jammies just in case she made her appearance before Christmas. Since she arrived we have received more festive wear from friends and family.

My first Christmas onesie from Aunt Cathy.

Here's the outfit that I bought before she was born.

Clockwise: Elf suit from mommy's friend, Jennifer; red union suit from mommy's coworker, Kristen; reindeer jammies from mommy's friend, Kate and more reindeer jammies from mommy; another outfit from Aunt Cathy.