Dive In - Indoor Pond!

One of Marcus' favorite toys is our indoor pond. Marcus can explore the fun of water without the mess of getting wet.

It's not a huge pond, but it does the trick.

Every time Marcus plays with his pond he insists on diving in. I die every time I see him smash his little face into the water.

He always checks out the pond by giving it a good pat with the hand.
Then he dives in. HILARIOUS!

Each time he plays with his pond we all get a good laugh. But, nothing was a gut-busting as the first time we pulled the toy out and let him explore. It was almost as if he couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that there was water to be played with, but he wasn't getting wet.

The below clip is the first time Marcus was introduced to this toy. I still crack up when I watch his persistence in trying to nosedive into the water.

This awesome toy was discovered at Lakeshore Learning. If you've never stepped foot inside one of their stores or perused their website I'm giving you fair warning... It takes so much will power to stop at just a few items when shopping their goods. Their toys and learning supplies carry a bit of a heavy price tag, but I feel it's totally worth it. Their products are of amazing quality, and seem to last forever.

If you have any Lakeshore Learning product suggestions let me know! A certain someone has a birthday coming up, which means I have legitimate reason to go shopping.

10 Months Old!

Little man, how are we thisclose to your first birthday? No other time in my life has 10 months ever flown by so quickly.

Official Stats
Height: 30 1/2 inches
Weight: 25 pounds
Teeth: 8

Top left: Contemplating life's great mysteries.
Top right: Not impressed with yet another photoshoot.
Middle left: "What kind of trouble can I get into with mom so close?"
Middle right: "What's down there??"
Bottom left: A half smile.
Bottom right: A real, sweet smile!

What I've learned in the past month:

• Waving "hi" and "bye" might be more entertaining for Mom and Dad than for Marcus.
• It looks like standing unassisted will happen soon. There have been a few occasions where the little man will use a table, couch, whatever, to stand up, and then he'll let go for a second or two and stand alone.
• Apparently it's easier to stand in a bath tub full of water. That happens all the time. 
• Marcus is not a fan of crawling in shorts on the grass. He will walk on hands and toes rather than hands and knees... Very similar to a monkey. HA!
• Favorite foods include hot dogs, cheesy pasta, bananas, yogurt, and pasta wheels with marinara sauce. 
• Marcus is quite the independent little dude. He refuses to have help eating unless he's eating yogurt. He's 10 months going on 10 years.
• A game of chase is a sure way to get a giggle or two from my little man.
• Apparently tossing every toy behind Marcus is a fun game. I don't understand the theory behind this, but it is hilarious to watch him methodically toss every.single.toy behind him. Once all the toys are behind him Marcus turns around to the pile of toys and proceeds to toss them again, behind him.
• We've gotten so used to sleeping through the night, uninterrupted, that those few nights that were difficult due to teeth made the following day(s) brutal. How did we make it through the first four months on such little sleep?!
• It's always nice to have a date night, but nothing excites me more than getting back home to see my big guy.
• Though we still have two full months before celebrate turning 1, I might have most of the birthday party ideas and items all ready to go. 
• My mind is continually blown by how resilient kids are. From all the stumbles, tumbles, and falls, to an outpatient surgery, the little guy always bounces right back up. 

As usual, Drake got in on the photos.

Top photo: "Drake, please!"
Bottom left: "Really, we have to do this?" *hangs head*
Bottom right: "Aw Drake."

These photos were taken yesterday, shortly after Marcus' surgical procedure. Just proving how quickly little one's can and will bounce back after being down for the count. 

Not even four hours post surgical procedure my happy little monkey was right back to his old tricks.

P.S. We're on Instagram these days. Head on over, search desireemacke, and follow us for more photos of our adventures.

A-B-C, Introducing Me

There's a lot going on in our house right now. Scott is pulling serious hours at work - when I say serious, I mean like 36 hours of non-stop work - and today my little man is having an out-patient procedure that requires anesthesia. So, I'm kind of a big train wreck right now...

With that said, here's a light little post for a day that (for me) feels a bit heavy.

{A} Age: 29... a few more months before I say buh-bye to my 20s.

{B} Bed size: Queen, and nowhere near large enough.

{C} Chore you hate: The cat litter. It was so nice when being pregnant excused me from that chore.

{D} Dogs: 1 chocolate lab who thinks he's a lap dog rather than a small horse.

{E} Essential start to your day: Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

{F} Favorite color: Blue, almost any shade. 

{G} Gold or Silver: Silver... But, right now I'm on a gold kick. 

{H} Height: 5' 7"

{I} Instruments you play: None. Growing up I played piano and trombone (baha!).

{J} Job Title: Full-time mom.

{K} Kids: Marcus - 10 months.

{L} Live: Southern California.

{M} Married: Two years and some change. 

{N} Nicknames: Most of my friends call me Des. There is another nickname that only a handful of people can get away with, and my husband is not included in that handful. As to what that nickname is, if you're one of the few then I guess you know. :)

{O} Overnight hospital stays: Ugh, when I broke my arm (2 night stay), and Marcus' birth (3 night stay).

{P} Pet peeve: I cannot stand the sound of someone chewing food if I'm not chewing also, I kind of go crazy. People who don't use their blinkers while driving. Runners who have the option to run on a sidewalk but choose the road (WTH? Get off the road!)

{Q} Quote: Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul.  Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

{R} Righty or Lefty: Righty.

{S} Siblings: One younger brother. 

{T} Time you wake up: Marcus is my alarm... Generally he wakes me between 5:00 and 5:30.

{U} University attended: Iowa State University - CyclONE Nation. Proud to be ONE!

{V} Vegetables you dislike: Lima beans. I gag just thinking about eating them.

{W} What makes you run late: Not having all the baby essentials (bottles, toys, extra clothes, etc.) prepped when we are ready to walk out the door.

{X} X-Rays you've had: Several for my ankle growing up playing sports, my OBVIOUSLY broken arm (I literally had to hold my arm to keep it from flopping all over), one of my knee from a snowmobile accident, one of my neck, several of my teeth.

{Y} Yummy food: Mashed potatoes, ice cream/frozen yogurt.

{Z} Zoo animal favorite: Giraffe!!

Thanks Sarah for sharing this fun idea!

And, just for kicks, my little man at breakfast yesterday. Love those cheeks.

I sure hope my monkey is feeling this well by the end of the day.

Happy Marcus Monday!

We've been soaking up the sun around these parts. Temperatures are FINALLY back to normal! 81 degrees? Yes please.

After we get our afternoon run in we head to the park. Marcus loves to swing and crawl around freely.

Happy Monday!

31 Party Reminder

I keep going through the 31 catalog, looking at all the great new bags and totes from the Spring line.
My party is still going strong. It's open until January 26. Click >>HERE<< for the direct link to order your goodies!

I have this organizing tote in black and white polka dots. But, I think I need another one, with a bright fresh look. This tote is my staple when traveling. All.the.pockets. I know where everything is, and I don't have to dig to the bottom of the bag trying to find my chapstick, or phone, or pack of gum.

The color choices are all amazing. So hard to choose which I like best...

That multi-color chevron is beckoning me.

Then there's this Retro Metro bag that I'm officially in love with. I could slip a bottle in the pockets, a diaper in the center, and still look cute while running my errands.

I did mention you can customize your product, right???

Those polka dots are fun!

Reversable?! Two for the price of one? Yes, please!!

Yes, this chevron is a must.

I need this in my life. Seriously. 

An adorable thermal tote to keep things cool or warm. Perfect for road trips with the little man in tow!

That nude color zebra stipe is fun!

Let's not forget the accessories!

1. Flat iron case - perfect for traveling when you need to throw in your curling iron and go!
2. That scarf! Totally adorable, right?!
3. Rosette clip - add to your purse, your coat, your sweater, your hair. Love it.
4. A coupon organizer. I NEED THIS!

Keep yourself organized at home, too (and look cute while doing it)!

1.  About Town Blanket - it folds up so it doesn't take a lot of space. I keep one of these in may car. Great to take to the park, or in case the car stalls and a blanket is needed.
2. Hangup Room Organizer - A great way to store so much, and it comes with a dry erase board.
3. Hangup Family Organizer - Magazines, bill, and other documents just found a new home.
4. Small Magazine Basket - This could store so much: kitchen utensils, recipes, make-up. And, the handle can be personalized with laser etching! 

Ok, ok. I'll stop obsessing. There are SO many great products offered by 31, I could go on and on. But, I won't. I'll let you do a little shopping and discovering for yourself. 

If you see something you like love be sure to check out the catalog! Click >>HERE<< for the full catalog. When you find that one (or two, or three, or 8) item(s) that you just can't live without be sure to head to my party, linked >>HERE<<, and order away!

Remember, you have until January 26 to view the catalog and order. Happy Retail Therapy!! 

Easy Artichoke Chicken

A few days ago Sarah posted this, and her timing couldn't have been more spot on. I was scrambling (per the usual) to find something I could throw together after a particularly trying day with a sick baby.
*Update -- adios to the nebulizer; we are officially RSV-free!

I'm always curious to see what other mom's are whipping up in their kitchens. And, this was a welcomed recipe to add to our regular rotation. Thank you Sarah!

This is very similar to a baked Parmesan chicken that appears frequently in our house. After seeing Sarah's twist to the recipe I was kicking myself. How did I not think to add artichokes?!

Scott and I both heartily agreed this is a good one. Aside from being tasty I love how easy it is to throw together. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Easy Artichoke Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (tip: grate your own Parmesan, it tastes 100 times better than the stuff in the canister!!)
3/4 cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt (you could also use 3/4 cup mayo in place of yogurt)
1/8 tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic salt, and pepper together.
Place chicken breast in a greased cooking dish.
Smoother chicken breast with artichoke mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Add some veggies (I was craving edamame) and homemade 7-up biscuits and you have yourself one delicious little meal.

Enjoy!

Source: Adapted from Sarah at Our Journey

Marcus Meals: Cheesy Pasta

Awhile back Marcus decided he wanted nothing to do with the pureed foods I'd been making for him. All the kid would eat was cantaloupe, puffs, bananas, and yogurt. Slowly, he began to explore different foods. He eventually got to the point where he thought he could eat whatever mommy and daddy were having.

Often I'll cut up what I'm eating (into very small bite-sized pieces) and let him munch away. But, I have this great infant/toddler/young child recipe/cookbook that I haven't really cracked since I halted pureeing.

I spotted a cheesy pasta recipe that looked like it would be a winner in this house.

This mac and cheese recipe is a great way to sneak in some veggies into any kiddos diet. Marcus loved it and has already devoured all four servings.

Cheesy Pasta

1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced
1 cup boiling water
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup tomatoes, skinned, deseeded, and chopped
1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup mini pasta wheels

Place carrots in a small pan, cover with boiling water, cook until tender, 15-20 minutes.
In a separate pan, add tomatoes, and saute until mushy.
Remove tomatoes from heat and stir in cheese until melted.
Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until tender, then drain.
Mix together the coked carrots with their cooking liquid and the cheese and tomato sauce.
Puree carrots and cheese sauce.
Combine pureed sauce with pasta wheels.

If your little one isn't quite ready to feed him/her self use a smaller pasta, such as stelline or orzo and spoon feed.

Enjoy!

Source: Karmel, Annabel. First Meals: Fast, Healthy and Fun Foods for Infants and Toddlers. New York: DK Publishing, 1999. Print.

CHILL

After hearing about an Ice Kingdom making it's way to Long Beach I needed to see it for myself.

CHILL, at the Queen Mary sounded like something we had to check out before it packed up and left. Ice sculptures, ice skating, ice tubing, ice everything! 

We snagged a baby-sitter, rounded up a group of friends and headed to the Ice Kingdom.

*The photos were taken with my old camera, so the photo quality isn't the greatest.

The entrance to the Ice Kingdom at CHILL.

Before entering into the Ice Kingdom we were suited up with calf-length parkas to keep us warm. The dome which housed the event was kept at a frigged 9 degrees. Believe me, the irony of PAYING to go to cold weather was not beside me. 

Upper left: An ice castle; Upper right: a horse drawing a sleigh
Lower left: The sleigh (see above horse); Lower right: An arch leading into the main area

Once inside we were all immediately awestruck. Between the cold and beauty of it all I think we were all in amazement.

The whole group in front of the ice castle.

Photo op in front of the Ice Queen.

The main gallery was mind blowing.

Upper left: A replica of the Queen Mary. That thing was massive, and entirely made of ice.
Upper right: Replica of the lighthouse in Long Beach.

There was a whale that was a slide for kids. We weren't allowed to go down, it was for those 6 years and younger... We asked, twice. :) 

After we made our way up and onto the ice version of Queen Mary we enjoyed a trip down an ice slide. 

If the line wouldn't have been so long I would have gone down again, and again, and again.

I probably should have given the camera to someone else. BAHA - thanks Dave!

After leaving the main gallery we entered Santa's Toyland.

We then headed to the Arctic.

The ice was crystal clear.

All of the ice sculptures were fabulous, but the manger scene was the most moving, and by far my favorite.

The camera did not capture all the beautiful, intricate details.

We were supposed to hit up the ice skating area, but we were a wee bit late to the party and it was closed by the time we were ready to lace up. Guess there's always next year.

RSV and the Nebulizer

Two weeks ago everyone in this house was hit with the flu. Then, to add insult to injury we discovered RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) found Marcus. It seems like we've been battling RSV for-ev-er. Each day is a little better than the last, but this monster cold is ruthless.

We've had more nasal bulb usage (also know in this house as the "snot sucker") in the last week than the entire nine and a half months Marcus has been alive. No matter how hard I try to keep up with wiping the runny nose I am no match for his nasal faucet.

To top off the sickness, we have to administer oxygen treatments via a nebulizer two to three times a day. Marcus hates the process, and I'm not the biggest fan of it either.

A medicine is administered by inhalation. We had the option to use a blow by (above photo), or a mask (bottom photo). The mask was an EPIC fail. The blow by method is a little less traumatic for everyone.

Needless to say, the blow by method isn't all roses and rainbows. 

Top photo: Yikes! Less than impressed with me.
Bottom photo: Settled down a bit, but still royally ticked at Mommy.

During the treatment, to make things easier for all of us, we place Marcus in a car seat. He's a wiggly little worm, and holding him still for a full 10 minutes while trying to hold a noisy tube blowing mist in his face is next to impossible. To keep him somewhat occupied and entertained we play a few baby videos. 

Most of the treatments are done right before nap times. After it's all said and done the monkey is usually pretty spent. As selfish as it sounds, these little post-treatment snuggle sessions are some of my favorite times of the day (snuggle time is becoming less and less these days, and that makes me so sad).

My sleepy monkey.

Here's to hoping and praying we can squash this nasty bug soon!

Happy Marcus Monday!

Marcus has a new "thing."

It's not an occasional thing. Or a sometimes thing.

It's an all day, every day thing.

Seriously.

That's not all. Take a few seconds and check out the new party trick.

Keeping time with his tongue. Baha!
Sidenote: We listen to/watch that particular version of Old McDonald no less than 249 times a day. No joke.

31 Party!

The last time I hosted a fun party like this I still lived in Kansas, I wasn't a mom, and I wasn't married. That was a.g.e.s. ago! When a friend from my hometown approached me to host an online 31 party I couldn't resist!

I'm sure most of you have heard about 31 products, seen 31 products, possibly own 31 products. Do you LOVE their stuff as much as me? I don't travel anywhere without 31 bags or totes. And, as a mommy who has to lug around a million things for a baby, some of their bags are perfect, chic replacements for those drab diaper bags.

After checking out their new spring line it's apparent I need their home organizational items in my life as well.

I'm eye-balling the cinch-up thermal tote. Must.have!

I invite you to check out their Spring line. If you see anything you like leave me a comment or order directly from the site. Have fun shopping!

Here is the online catalog link:
31 Party!!
If for some reason the link won't work properly here is the website that can simply be cut and pasted
http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E2723994&from=DIRECTLINK

ANNNNNND, for the month of January for every $31 you spend you receive 50% off the "Your Way" Collection. Sa-weeeeeet!

The party closes January 26. If you have any questions feel free to ask away in the comments section.