Two Months of Axel

{Two weeks}

{Two Months}

This guy is as smiley as they come.  As long as he has a full belly he is as happy as a clam.  His hair is coming in darker and his eyelashes seem to grow daily.  Its never fair that boys always get the good lashes.  He is finally putting on some squish and apparently always has a question.    He is quite snuggly and all he has to do is flash that dimple and I forgive him for not sleeping through the night yet!   

Eight Weeks

This kid.  Eight weeks old.  

Eyelashes and dimples for day.  

here.

He is here.  

We are doing lots of this. 

I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Axel k.

April 9, 2013

5.14lb 18in 

Lasts of this and that

 In case you didn't know being a mom of just a 5.5 year old is fairly easy.  I've had it pretty easy for a while actually and yowza is it gonna change really quick.  We are headed across the country this weekend and CAN NOT WAIT to meet Axel.   It has been spring break here this week so we have been doing lots of going.   Going to the movies {Oz is awesome}, to fro yo, to the park and last minute shopping.  

I've been going hiking more than usual.  

Been able to go on a few last easy dates with this guy thanks to my awesome sister and niece.

We even hit up the circus.  Which was totally awesome but makes you feel like you need a shower ASAP.  

We can't thank you enough for all of you.  I was thinking the other day as I was riding bikes with Ivy that it truly can't get much better than this.    That all we really do need is love {and sunshine} to be happy.   And we are so so so lucky to have the people in our lives that we do.  You show us unconditional love and support for our crazy busy lives, always willing to help at any time.  You always surprise me with kindness when I least expect it.  And if I could truly express how my heart is bursting you would be sitting here in tears too.  

Thank you a million times.  We love you!

Yogi Tea

Ummmmm.  I'm just gonna come out and say it.  All of this clean eating is slowly turning me in to a hippie.   I mean, I just ordered a nut milk bag to make my own almond milk for heavens sake. I've been researching  baby wearing and gmo's.  I might even be considering cloth diapers. GASP!   I love it though.  Its a throwback to my Oregon roots. 

 So, side note I've just realized I do that a lot.  I look like a hipster?  Its cuz I grew up in Portland.  I justify every Nike purchase because they are from my hometown.  My love of sunshine comes from growing up without any sunshine.  Oregon.  Love it. 

But back to being a hippie.  Besides being "forced" ;) to eat really delicious pizza and homemade ice cream at my baby shower, which led to the return of pms and therefore the justification of frozen yogurt and a raid on my mom's cinnamon bears stash, I have done really well.  Haha!  Eating clean has become so much more to me than getting in to booty shorts, which is a whole different post.  I love how I feel and I love the effects it has had on other areas of my life.  All those cinnamon bears gave me was some zits and a stomach ache.  I think it also made me more anxious about baby coming.  

So what is a hippie to do when faced with a stomach ache and an anxious heart?  Yoga, obviously.   I've really loved doing more yoga this year.  It challenges me to be more present and focused, and gives me determination more than any other kind of exercise I do.   So Monday night I brewed some yogi tea, sat in baby's space and refocused.  My to do list shrank.  My priorities shifted back to where they need to be. 

My stomach ache is gone.  My anxiousness has been replaced by excitement and clarity. I still have the zits but with a little help from apple cider vinegar those will be gone soon too. I highly recommend being a hippie.    

And yogi tea.  

Yogi Tea

2 quarts water

15 whole cloves

20 black peppercorns

3 cinnamon sticks

20 whole green cardamom pods, split

8 slices ginger 

1/2 tsp black tea (decaf)  

Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a 3-4 quart pot. Add cloves and boil for one minute. Next, add cardamon, peppercorns, cinnamon, and fresh ginger root. Cover and boil for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, cover and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, adding more water if needed.  When ready, remove from heat, add black tea and let cool. Strain tea. When ready to drink, mix 1/2 cup tea and 1/2 cup milk of choice and warm it up.  Sweeten with honey to taste.  Can be stored in the fridge or even frozen.

Yogi Tea is a health-promoting beverage and a tonic for the whole body. It strengthens the nervous system, energizes the body, clears the mind, and is both a remedy and preventive measure for colds, allergies, and other illnesses.
via Yoga Yoga