Baby Book

Elin turned two on December 28th and last week I ordered her baby book, talk about a slight delay. When I was pregnant with Elin I found a great site to make your own book. I have been working on this book since she was 3 months old, but with the move, the pregnancy, and all of life's craziness it just never got complete. 

Last week Blurb was having a good sell. Elin's baby book is over 120 pages, has a hard over, and is my own design. You would think something like this would cost a small fortune. However, it was only $56.00 including shipping. Now that's a deal. Typically if there isn't a promotion going on the books cost anywhere between $75 and $90 for a book the size of Elin's. If you wait a couple of weeks though they always run 15-30% off at some point. At Christmas you may even get lucky and get 40% off, but that's about the only time I have ever seen it that high. 

I have already started on Baylor's and am hoping it doesn't take me two years to complete his and get it printed. I debated with the Mr. on doing a book a year for both of them, but decided I would probably get behind and at 18 do they really want me to hand them 18 books? I am opting to start just a Logan Family book (I already have several books with pictures I have printed over the years) and just print the book for the Logan family every so often. I am probably the only one who will appreciate all the kids first moments in the end anyways. I have also decided instead of keeping boxes upon boxes of the things they do at Story Time,School,etc., I'm going to snap a picture of it and put it in the books. Moving has taught me that less is definitely more, but I still want to cherish the memories. Plus again, the kids won't want me handing them a box of their hand turkey's at age 18. Let's get real only a mom will cherish those forever. 

Printing pictures and putting them in albums has gotten old and expensive. I still print off some of those irresistible smiley pictures that go in frames, but for the million iPhone photos I take on a daily basis I am leaving those to Blurb books. Happy Hump Day y'all!!

Monkey Bread

This past weekend we were fortunate enough to have visitors. Living far away from everything you have ever known makes you appreciate visitors way more than I ever use too. Counting down the days until our next ones arrive at the end of March. I decided that since I wasn't really sure what we would be doing I needed to have some things prepared ahead of time. I really wish I would have taken more pictures, but seeing that this was the first time I was making this deliciousness I was skeptic and didn't take any. I decided it was to good not share immediately, so sorry friends who like the step by step pictures. 

The weekend consisted of kite flying, Chick-fli-a (there is only one in Connecticut by the way and it just happens to be 15 minutes from our house, it was a deal breaker when the Mr. accepted the job), and just catching up and allowing grandparents to be grandparents. The monkey bread was such a hit because its not something you have to eat instantly, its good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, you can munch on it all day, and its good warm or cold (although I prefer warm).

The only picture I snapped

I wish I could take credit for this but I can't. I will chalk this one up to Pillsbury. I left the walnuts and raisins out of mine because I don't like them, but feel free to add 1/2 a cup of each if desired. This recipe is super quick to put together and will last a couple days depending on how many people you have munching on it. If your willing to try it I hope you love it like the Logan's.

Ingredients

1/2

cup granulated sugar

1

teaspoon cinnamon

2

cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated biscuits 

1

cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4

cup butter or margarine, melted

Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 12-cup fluted tube pan with shortening or cooking spray. In large -storage plastic food bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.

Separate dough into 16 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat. Arrange in pan.

In small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.

Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; pull apart to serve. Serve warm or cold. It microwaves well!

Solly Baby Wrap=Life Saver

We have recently ventured into the world of two children for those of you who may not know. I have also taken a new job as a full time stay at home mom job, which let me tell you is by far the hardest most rewarding job I have ever had. Don't let anyone ever tell you being a stay at home mom is a joke, and for those of you who think it is try it for a week and get back to me. 

I have certainly had to learn how to juggle a new born and a toddler. I quickly discovered the most crucial baby products that make this task a little easier. Now this is just my opinion so you may agree to disagree with me and that is certainly okay. 

The Logan family currently can't live without is the Solly Baby Wrap. 

Top 10 Things I love about the Solly Wrap

1.) Fabric is light weight 
2.) Grows with baby
3.) Comes packaged with easy to follow instructions.
4.) Videos online that are super easy to follow if the book is difficult to follow or you loose the book, yikes!
5.) I can put the wrap on by myself, huge plus
6.) Machine washable 
7.) Supports my back 
8.) Affordable 
9.) Easy to throw in your diaper bag and doesn't take up a ton of room.
10.) Baby loves it! 
11.) Yep, adding an extra one, did I mention I can put it on MYSELF, can't say it enough

We had the Ergo for Elin, and while I love it I definitely can't do it alone while they are tiny, plus its a little bulky when they are so tiny. The Solly has been a great addition and I encourage anyone having a baby (first, second, third, etc.) to take a look and consider it. Baby wearing is so wonderful and benefical for mom and baby. 

Baby boy loving his Solly Wrap

Hope your weekend was wonderful!

Channeling my inner Martha Black Bean Goat Cheese Quesadillas

Martha has done it again! This time with my favorite cheese, Goat Cheese. I love goat cheese mainly I just eat in salads. Elin has developed a new love for quesadillas and I feel like I have become a master at making them. I decided that I should google ideas for different quesadilla's recipes that used goat cheese. Of course my girl Martha knew just what to do to give the Logan family a new recipe to go on the list. 

I will tell you this recipe is not really toddler friendly for those of you who have a picky eater like myself. Just because Elin loves quesadillas doesn't mean I am getting her to try a black bean. In this house the dictator orders pancakes, grilled cheese, cheese quesadilla, peanut butter, or pizza. She does enjoy fruits and veggies but a bean, you've lost your mind. 

Like I posted previously this week has been a busy week at the Logan household preparing for our guest. The little man also had to go to the doctor this week and I honestly feel like Amazon woman if I can get out of the house and do things like this with two kids. Not to mention I had several Etsy orders this week (not that I am complaining I wish I had a million). 

This recipe was perfect for the busy week. It hardly took any time to make, and was delicious. Which is why it will be added to the menu of things the Logan family eats regularly. Another perk is that its relatively inexpensive to make. Honestly, the goat cheese is going to be what you spend the most money on. 

Now you can adapt the recipe anyway you see please. I am going to write it the way I made it. Martha added 2 scallions, but I didn't have those in my house and wasn't going out to buy them. She also used a medium tomato, I had cherry tomatoes so I opted just to use those instead, about 12 of them. 

The recipe calls for you to mash the black beans. I have this fancy little tool that you mash potatoes with and it worked like a charm mashing the black beans. Honestly I have never even used it mash potatoes. I have just used it to make guacamole and now to mash black beans. Now if you have a quesadilla makers awesome, pull it out and use it. I however am relying on a frying pan. When we moved we had to get rid of so much stuff (big home to tiny little apartment), and at the time I was not using my quesadilla maker at all so naturally I got rid of it. Kind of makes me laugh now because I literally make someone a quesadilla 2 or 3 times a week. 

If you are using the good old frying pan like myself. I usually cook with butter or olive oil (butter, fatting I know but definitely the easiest to cook with). If I use butter I just use a little slice just enough to give it a little flavor and coat the pan. 

I only put the filling on half of the tortilla, trust me on this it makes it easier to put together. I usually let it cook for about 2 or 3 minutes, until golden brown, the filling will start to bubble. I don't fold it immediately because then you have to cook both sides and you end up with a mess. Once it is golden brown I will fold it into what now looks like a quesadilla. 

I am sure there are toppings you can add, you be the judge of that. I usually just do the plain jane quesadilla. Its a pretty light, no meat involved. Its probably a great meal for those of you still sticking to that new years resolution, or if your like me trying to loose the baby weight. It makes about 8 quesadilla's  depending on how generous you are with filling. If the Mr. likes it trust me you will like it, especially if your a goat cheese lover. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained (1 1/2 cups)
• 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped (I used 12 cherry tomatoes)
• 3/4 cup corn kernels (from 2 ears of corn or I bought a can of corn)
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh oregano
• Salt and Pepper
• 10 six-inch corn tortillas
• Mash beans in a medium bowl until chunky. Add goat cheese, tomato, corn, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, and stir until well combined.
• Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Spread 1/2 cup bean mixture (or less) evenly over 1 tortilla. Repeat with remaining bean mixture and tortillas.
• Raise heat to medium-high.Cook quesadillas until filling is hot and the quesadilla is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Fold quesadilla while still in pan. Serve warm.

Gillette Castle and Essex Steam Train

It was warm here? Yes, you heard me right it was 55 degrees in February in Connecticut. Crazy I know! With warm weather we decided that we better get out and take advantage of the day. So we began Round 1 of our New England Adventures. 

Again, I didn't do so hot on posting my review on Monday. Maybe I should make any day review day and just hope for the best on making a post Monday. I decided that this week I should review something Connecticut just incase any of my followers get an itch to visit this interesting small state.

We aren't from an area where state parks are closed during the winter (or better yet they maybe closed we just don't visit them during the winter) so we did no research on Gillette Castle State Park. The park itself is not closed during the winter but the ability to go in the castle is closed during the winter months. However, it is still a beautiful site to see just walking the grounds. Its amazing the structures that were built without modern equipment. 

Just my girl hanging at the castle. She loved it by the way!!! Wants to go back ASAP!

Just a little brief history on the castle. It was built by a famous actor named William Gillette (no relations to the shaving company according to Wikipedia). When Gillette died he had no family so the state of Connecticut took over the property in 1943 and made it into a state park. 

Highlights about the Castle:

• Picnic area (would be awesome in summer time)
• Hiking trail (to wear your kids out) 
• Beautiful views from all areas
• Toddlers enjoy it, especially those who think they are a princess
• Restrooms (huge plus, but they are composting toilets so a little creepy to those no outdoorsy people like myself.

Our intentions were just to visit the castle and then head home. However, while standing out looking at the Connecticut river I heard the sounds of a steam train. Now, Elin has a book called Good Night Connecticut (we try to pick one of these books up everywhere we go, they have one for just about every state and major city) and I remembered reading about the Essex Steam Train. How we lived without internet based cell phones is beyond me. Whipping out the cell phone I found that Essex was just 5 miles away (20 minute drive because you have to go over the river and through the woods, literally). 

No clue why she stuck her tongue out all day.

The Mr. and I did no research prior to arriving in Essex. Again, remember this adventure was on a whim. We arrived at the station only to find that they had an 11:00 ride and 2:00 ride. We got there at exactly 1:40 just in time to purchase tickets (please remember we did not research our trip).

First ride on a Train

Elin was so excited to ride on the train (just like riding on Thomas). We are firm believers in buying experiences and want her to experience life to the fullest. We boarded the little train and discovered we would be on an 2 and half hour journey (we thought it might be 45 minutes, so we were a little taken a back, and left the sippy cup in the car, yikes). 

Yep, this was one of the views

Now it is important to note here that Essex Steam Train has many different types of trips (who would have known?) This past weekend just happened to be the Eagle Flyer Trip. Not knowing anything a head of time put us on a 2 and half hour trip of bird watching, putting our Eagle eyes on, and listening to a well informed lady provide information about eagles. Not really the ideal trip, seeing that we have no interest in birds, but again it was an experience riding on a steam train. Plus, Connecticut is pretty ugly in the winter so there was not much of a view, check out my pictures of the view and you will get the picture. 

Lots of houses along the way, people would come out and wave which shocked us seeing that New Englanders are suppose to be rude, just a myth.

I do hear that the Polar Express ride in December sells out quickly and is a must do. If we are here during the Polar Express trips we plan on returning and doing that trip. 

Highlights from the Steam Train:

• Bathrooms on board
• Plenty of space to move around
• If need be they do serve food (in case you forget the sippy cup no worries)
• Its fun to say you rode on a steam train, not many people can say that. 

We would definitely recommend both of these activities, just as we are quickly discovering here in the northeast, wait till spring or summer. Also make sure if you do the Essex Train you research what type of ride you are going on because while it was fun to ride the train, bird watching not so much. 

We have visitors coming this weekend (our first ones, wahoo). Stay tuned as maybe they will want to do some more exploring this weekend. I hear its suppose to be 45 degrees!!!

NOLA Lou Lou

Did you know I have an Etsy shop? I do and have for awhile now but probably don't do the best job promoting it. My main sells come from digital invitation, so if you are party planning feel free to check my store out.

I make invitation for just about any event. From birthday parties

To Birth Announcements 

Baby showers (will do wedding as well)

Save the dates and wedding invitations

Holiday Cards (any holiday not just Christmas)

You name it I can do it and would be honored to. 

 Now it is important to note that they are digital files so you will have to either print them yourself or have them sent to a printing company, which is still cheaper than having the printing companies design them. I also sell a few other items for children but mainly I specialize in invitations and announcements. If you don't see what you are looking for just ask and I will make it. So please stop on by NOLA Lou Lou and refer your friends and family.

Parenting Hack

I would like again to state that I am by no means a parenting expert, far from it. The Mr. and I are trial by error, savage the Internet, take advice from others, and then just figure out what works best for us kind of people. You may or may not agree with our parenting techniques, but hey to each there own. I just know I am always looking for recommendations and advice and will take just about any tip. When writing a parenting blog post I am writing with people like me in mind, just suggestions when all else is failing. 

Up until this weekend Elin has still been sleeping in a crib. We have a tiny 2 bedroom apartment so the kids are going to have to share a room. Baylor is still in our room and probably will remain there for a little longer (can I get an amen we slept from 9:30 until 3:30 last night) so we have had no use for him to have the crib yet. Plus we just didn't want to boot Elin out just because she had a baby brother. She is great sleeper so we don't want to mess that up. 

(I ordered a new crib sheet so just anxiously awaiting, will up date as soon as it arrives)

For whatever reason though Elin started talking about wanting to sleep in a big bed. The Mr. and I talked about it and decided that why not, we have a queen size bed in their room for when guest come over, and we knew that while living here Elin would grow up and move into a big girl bed. However, we had yet to purchase bed rails because we didn't know she would be ready to move as soon as we got here. 

(Still need to put Baylor's monogram up above the crib, will up date soon)

I hated to tell her no she couldn't sleep in the big girl bed when she was wanting to but it was 7:30 at night and there was no way my Amazon Prime Membership was getting rails to me by 8:00. The Mr. and I talked about it and decided this maybe the chance to get her in a big girl bed and we didn't need to blow it because we didn't have rails. 

Naturally I went to the internet looking. Some people suggested putting a soft mat on the floor so if they fell off it wouldn't hurt, others suggested putting a pool noodle under the fitted sheet (again 8:00), while other said get the rails. 

My mind kept racing back to the pool noodles. They are just a long skinny cylinder shaped piece of foam placed under the fitted sheet, what could I possible have in the house that resembled this shape? Then it dawned on me that we have tons of blankets in the house. Everyone under the sun gets you some type of blanket when you have a baby (note to those who are not parents yet). I decided that if I rolled them up to look like a pool noodle I could place that under her fitted sheet and it should do the trick. 

Worked like a charm! She is in a queen size bed and sleeps in the middle so she came no where near rolling off the bed. She woke up in the exact same position I left her in the night before. We are now 3 days into taking a nap and sleeping in the big girl bed at night. She no longer refers to the crib as her bed, but tells me its Baylor's bed when I ask her where she wants to sleep. Guess I officially have a big girl on my hands (currently choking back the tears). 

Someone once told me the days are long but the years are short, and boy is that true. I can't believe my baby girl is in a big girl bed and no longer has a pac. Slow down time!