I married a good man.

Leif brings me home surprises all the time. He loves it. I usually know what it is because I'll prod and plead with him to give me hints. He's learned to not tell me when he's bringing me something because I am impatient and get too excited...

Today he brought me home these:

I knew he had bought them but I didn't know when they were coming. I've been in love with Sperry Top Siders since I saw my friend Meg's (check out her blog btw... She's about to move to NY and live in Brooklyn. I'm jealous!) Leif has a pair and just bought a second. I love mine, especially the alligator pattern:) I wish I had somewhere to go tonight so I could wear them out. I've been wearing them most of the night and I can't wait until tomorrow so I can wear them again!

I also love my adorable husband who always tries to surprise me, and even though he's usually unsuccessful... He never gives up. :)

Because its Fall

Fall means its time to bake with pumpkin! So today my friend Ashley and I made Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese frosting. A recipe I found on Simply Modern Mommyhood. Leif loves anything that has pumpkin in it so I decided to make a batch of these cookies for him and his co-workers. And a few for my park ladies:)

Here is the recipe!

Ingredients for the cookies:

1 cup sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tsp of salt

For the frosting:

1 (8oz) package cream cheese
2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 - 1 stick of butter (melted)
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
-Cookies: Cream the sugar and the butter until light and fluffy. Add egg. Mix to incorporate. Add the pumpkin and mix to incorporate. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix well. Add vanilla. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. Cool on racks. When cool, ice with the cream cheese frosting.


-Frosting: Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk, butter, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. If frosting is too thick, thin with a little more milk. When cookies are cool spread with some of the frosting.

Makes 24 cookies

I am not a big fan of cookies or pumpkin for that matter but are wonderful! You must try:)

We made a fort!

I was inspired by this post: The Fort to make my own fort tonight. The post reminded me of the many hours my sister and I would spend under blankets in our room, on our bunk bed, and anywhere else we could make forts. We always had peanut-butter crackers, our dolls and our pillows with us. I miss those times... So I thought maybe I could start a new tradition with Leif and Riley? I threw a blanket over the couch and two chairs just to see how Riley would like it. She thought it was fun, and so did Leif:)

I have plans for a bigger and better fort:)

Photos and updates.

Riley turned 10 months on Friday. I can't believe that in two months we'll be celebrating her 1st birthday... Didn't she just turn 7 months? I look forward to each month because she always does something new. Her latest accomplishments have been saying a few words and pointing at things she wants. If she wants to be held she'll hold up one hand and try to say "up". She's also learned to share toys and snacks, but expects them back right away:) Riley used to hate cuddling with us, but now wants to do it all the time. She'll give us hugs and kisses constantly, which we love.

Lately I've been wondering how I'll manage two children. Riley has been an easy baby. When she was born it was a simple adjustment for Leif and I. I'm nervous that this next baby will be a lot more difficult plus I'll have a 15 month old to watch. I know I'm not the first person who'll have two children so close in age, so its possible... But thinking about it sometimes makes me a bit overwhelmed! At the same time I'm becoming more excited to be a mommy to two kids. I'm looking forward to meeting this baby and getting to know him/her. They're going to be so different than Riley and I love that. I am looking forward to having a house full of different personalities.



We took a trip to LA: Leif is a wonderful man:) I told him I was homesick and he made sure we were able to visit Southern California so I could see my family and friends. It worked out so well. We were able to see so many of our good friends and even attend a going away party of one of our best friends. I think visiting So Cal made me even more homesick. It was hard coming back to Monterey. I really didn't want to, I wanted to stay with my family and go to my home church every Sunday, and visit with my best friends all the time.

It was good visiting our church because it helped us realize that if we are going to be living here for awhile we needed to find a church. So we're back to the church searching again. We visited one on Sunday that we liked a bit... We shall see. I know God has a place for us and I'm trying to be patient and allow Him to lead.

Blessings.

Baby #2 update: Soon we'll be finding out what baby #2 is! In the beginning Leif and I really wanted a boy, but lately we've changed our mind and are hoping for another girl. Either way we'll be happy:) I'm starting to show a bit which I'm loving. I missed my pregnant body. This time around I'm having a lot more cravings than I did with Riley. And I can't seem to get enough sleep. Between being home with Riley all day, cleaning and trips to the gym at night I'm worn out. Leif is gracious though, letting me go to bed around 9, instead of staying up late hanging out with him.

Poll:
What do you think baby #2 is? Boy? Girl?