What we've been up to lately

I have been so incredibly busy and am on my way back to work after having a year off to be with my little baby girl. In the middle of this, I am also trying to write a paper about the most common issues that happen to newborns while keeping up on my reading. So, what do Baby Daddy and I do? We bake...

Here is the newest cake I made:

 

It was a mother's day/birthday cake for my mother in law. I don't have a lot of experience with buttercream decorating, so it goes to show you how easy this cake really is to make.

 

Borrowed the design from i am baker (follow link for how to do the icing decoration) she has amazing ideas and you wouldn't know that she's apparently a mother of four with a brand new one, but her site keeps getting updated with new posts!

i am baker's cake is a little nicer, but I had a slightly different tip than she did. Either way, I think it worked out pretty well considering I have very little experience with buttercream decorating! Other than the sugar coma from so much icing, it was all very delicious!

The recipe for the cake itself is called Coco-Loco Chocolate Cake from the book Cakes to Dream On.

These are homemade, yes, I am very lucky to have a man who can make this deliciousness! The recipe is from Baby Daddy's book, so I can't share it on here, sorry!

Montreal Bagels they are called.

I added some cream cheese lox spread... om nom nom!!

 Then I made some sweet crème fraîche with blueberries.

This is all you need to make this deliciousness. So easy!

You start with mixing heavy cream with greek yogurt and then sprinkle the top with brown sugar.

 

After a few hours in the fridge.... This looks a little funky, so let's go for a close up!

It looks unappetizing, but let me tell you...

Crème fraîche + blueberries = heaven!

Best snack ever!

Full recipe can be found at The Pioneer Woman's website. I adapted the recipe slightly:

3/4 cup of Greek yogurt
3/4 cup of heavy (whipped) cream
1/4 cup of brown sugar
berries

Whisk the yogurt and the cream together (this is what makes the crème fraîche). Sprinkle the sugar on top, cover, and let sit in your fridge for a few hours. Mix it up and throw in some berries. Enjoy!

Next time I make this I am going to try it with maple syrup. Not sure what it will look like then, but I'll let you know!

What can you find behind a baby's ear?

Today, I went with the Little Bean to a coworkers baby shower. When we got there, LB was holding on pretty tight and so basically wanted to just be held in my arms. LB turned her head to look around at the other guests which put me at such an angle that suddenly noticed that there was what looked like crusty, dried blood mixed with somewhat fresh blood behind her ear. *momentary freak out*

My heart starts racing and I am only focused on finding the source of where my baby could have bled so much from. So, I'm looking and looking and when I touch it I quickly realized it was a dried up blueberry that LB had somehow managed to get smushed up behind her ear.

Near disaster averted. Just call me super mom ;)

First run in two years!

Today, I am happy to report that I *finally* started running again. It is hard to believe that only a few short years ago I had trained my way up to a half marathon. It was one of my life goals that I got to check off and I am extremely proud of myself to say the least.

Just pretend you can see me back there (I couldn't find any of my pictures)

That's why, I think, it made it so hard to get back into running. I was sick for 6 weeks and then found out why I was so sick... ya know cuz I was pregnant (which is a funny story and if you don't know it, I'll tell you later)! After not doing any kind of exercise for 2 months and then knowing I was about 2 months pregnant I decided walking and prenatal yoga was my destination. So, basically, that was the end of my running. My decision may have been a bit quick as I hated prenatal yoga and walking was boring but by the end it was exactly what I needed. But, I kept it up and only gained 20 lbs throughout my pregnancy. I lost all of it within a week after Baby Cakes was born and even more by two weeks, but then I had to go on an evil medication called domperidone to increase  my dwindling milk supply. I call it evil because after all the changes a mother's body goes through this medication makes your appetite increase and, in turn, you gain weight. It also decreases your sex drive. Yes, this medication worked, but I shall still call it evil!

Anyway, I started walking about a week after the birth of my daughter but once I started using domperidone, I gradually gained weight and am currently about 5 lbs heavier than I was before the baby was born despite eating much healthier than I ever have in my life. I am obviously not taking domperidone anymore (the weight was only one reason of many as to why I stopped), but it has been crazy to get back into any kind of diet and exercise pattern with baby.

So, after all my whining, complaining and excuses I started running again this morning. It was not pretty and I only ran for about 20 minutes. But, and this is a BIG but, I FELT GREAT!!! I am almost immediately feeling happier and healthier and have a lighter step.

Now the real trick will be to keep going at least two times a week (I feel that's reasonable as I'm doing a distance course and will be going back to work in a couple weeks - EEK!). I'll keep you posted.

Until next time,
Karlily

Why I vote

Today, Baby Daddy and I voted. It's kind of a funny story though:

 It all started with the fact that we know there is a voting station almost across the street from our house. I suggested that despite what it says on our voting cards that it would just be easier for us to go there. Of course we go there and the lady at the front says we cannot vote there and I reply saying that it's our right to vote and we can vote wherever we are. The back and forth went on for a minute or two until one man came over and explained that no, we couldn't vote across from our house because someone in Ontario plans out where we vote and if we are doing advance voting then it doesn't matter. Eventually he asks if I was a student the last time I voted... well yes, I was! Turns out if you're a student you can vote wherever the heck you want to! Good to know, eh? I think they need classes for students transitioning into the real world sometimes... okay or  maybe just for me and my stubbornness.

So, Baby Daddy and I do turn around and drive across town (I should mention this is really only 5 minutes away) and go to vote. A lady behind us who I don't recognize says Hi! and I haven't a clue who she is. Baby Daddy seems to recognize her and can't remember her name. I was expecting to introduce myself and she says that we've met a few times before. *Ouch!* I feel like a jerk. So, we get up to the front of the line and the man says we are at the wrong voting station. Yes, again!

Two strikes and one instance of us looking like asses. But we continue: We actually look at the voting cards and realize it's a couple minutes closer to where we live and head there. A few harsh lessons learned today for our family. Either way, we cast our votes and have relished in our civil liberty.

Why I vote

After reading an article about reasons that influence people's vote and how voting seems to be more genetic than a learned action I will no longer try to influence anyone to vote. Those people who are unsure of who to vote for are the people you need to try and persuade if that's what you're trying to do.

I would like everyone to vote, even if it is for a different party. I vote because I believe that we need to have our voices heard in anyway that is possible. My retaliation for those people who claim that they don't vote because they don't like any of the ideas and because most politicians lie and how are we supposed to trust them? I personally think this too and struggle with the same thoughts, but I want to keep my civil liberties, in other words want to have a democracy instead of a dictatorship, and I know that the right thing to do is to mark two X's on the poll or cross a line through the whole thing if I don't agree with any parties. I personally didn't know you could do this until somewhat recently, so I thought I would spread the word. I'm not saying that's what I did, what I am saying is that I voted. I just hope you did too!

Happy voting day to all,

Karlily