Saturday Brunch

this whole being a stay at home mum thing seems to be agreeing with me. now. it took me a while to get into the swing of things, but since I figured out that I don't have to be constantly holding Mabel every waking hour, or rocking her to sleep every time she needs to nap, I seem to actually have some time to get things done. she's quite happy to lay in her chair and watch me do stuff, and listen to me nattering away to her about what I'm doing. and she is good at going to sleep on her own. as long as you check in with her when she gets upset. sometimes there is a total meltdown which calls for some rocking, but generally she's good.

learning all these things has taken time, and trial and error, but I'm happy to report that we're finally getting it together over here. which has increased the sanity levels immensely!

so much so that I am starting to try new things. cooking new recipes. last week it was banana bread, and this weekend I tried these delicious pancakes. I mean, I can cook, I have no problems with it, it's just that I usually don't take the time. and when it comes to pancakes I usually just opt for the shake and bake variety - which, if you add the right topping can be yummy. (oh and these are awesome for camping!)

I've had this recipe on my pinterest board for a while now, so on Saturday we had brunch with the gang to try it out. Lemon poppyseed pancakes, fresh orange juice (from our trees) and espressos (made by Barista Bryce). it was a beautiful summer morning, under our newly refurbished patio and it was delicious - if I do say so myself!Savannah needed some shades. Mabel loaned her a pair.Daddy and Savannah
Mummy and Savannah
Hannah and Mabel - seems Mabel has to grow into this pair of sunnies...

Lemon Poppyseed Buttermilk Pancakes with Macerated Berries Berries Just add a bit of sugar to your berries, and let them sit at room temperature while you make the pancakes.   Pancakes 2 cups unbleached (all-purpose) flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/3 cup sugar pinch of salt 1/3 cup poppy seeds zest of 4 lemons 2 cups buttermilk 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons butter, melted butter, to serve (and for pan) To make the pancakes combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt in a large bowl. In another bowl the buttermilk, eggs, butter, lemon zest and poppy seeds. Add the wet to the dry. Stir all the ingredients until they are just combined. Don't worry if the batter is a bit lumpy, you don't want to over mix. Heat your skillet, pan, or griddle to medium-hot and brush it with a bit of butter. Test for the right temperature. If a drop of water dropped onto the pan starts to dance, you are in the ballpark. Pour about 1/3 of a cup of batter into the skillet. Wait until the pancake bottom is deep golden in color, then flip with a spatula and cook the other side until golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter.  Keep the pancakes warm on a baking sheet in a 200 degree oven until you are ready to serve.

Grandma Tweet Crocheted a Sweater

I had no idea my mom has been secretly clipping patterns for baby stuff for years and years until the night I went to visit her when I was several months pregnant and she asked if I wanted to take a look at some patterns for the baby. I said, "sure" thinking there'd be a small stack to look through and was amazed and overwhelmed when my mom busted out an enormous stack of files of patterns, all neatly labeled, for the grandchild she'd apparently been dreaming of for the past 20 or so years. She had patterns saved from outfits she had sewn for me when I was little along with pattens that he own mother had sewn for her. It took several hours to whittle the stack down to a manageable number of things I'd actually want and ever since then Grandma Tweet has been hard at work making all the cute baby clothes I've requested. She presented us with this latest creation on Sunday. It's the perfect size and color, but right now the weather is too hot to wear it. I'm hoping cooler weather this weekend so Savannah can model her new sweater.

First Father's Day

This was Cody's first Father's Day
I think it's safe to say he had a GREAT day!

First, he and Savannah snuggled on the couch and
enjoyed some pre-breakfast Reese's Pieces

Then we headed to the Country Inn Cafe
in San Jose for a big, greasy breakfast

The wait was a bit long and someone looked depressed..

but a quick cheek tickle did the trick!

Much better!

Dad couldn't resist kissing that little face

Then we headed back to the house where
Cody played with his new helicopter

He really, really likes it but I may regret buying
it if he keeps flying it in the house

Savannah got a Father's Day present too

Then we had a family picture taken before we left
our little Birdy with Grandma Tweet and headed
up to San Francisco to see a show at Teatro Zinzanni

Pre-dinner cocktails. I had a Mojito in honor of the Latin themed party

Lovely paper flowers
Whee!

We weren't allowed to take pictures during the performance, but this lady
and her gazangas were nice enough to pose for a photo afterward.

I must admit it feels strange being here

Hello Flufflefritz! It's been a long, long time since I've visited you.

It's a very strange feeling to be writing again when I've had such a long absence. I'll be heading out in a few minutes for a girls' night out and am planning to take my friends Holly and Danielle on the world famous 'round the world tour originally invented with Kate. I got nostalgic and was looking through our old posts when the mood struck to write a bit. Kate and I each had our babies just a few months apart and I'm looking forward to lots of play dates and family camping trips. Savannah is growing fast and I miss her intensely during the day. She's a very happy baby and rarely fusses. She even giggles in her sleep - a sound that breaks my heart every time I hear it. I was warned that babies grow up too fast, but I never believed it. Now I find myself trying to cling to every second I spend with her because I already miss her littleness.

Smiling in her sleep

Test Baby

Last week Bryce and I had a loan of Savannah while her mum and dad had a night out. we survived. as did she. thank goodness :)

we spent most of the night snuggling her - she's a real sweetie.

welcome Savannah Reese

Born Tuesday 8 March at 12:18pm, at about 7.5 pounds. I finally got to meet baby Savannah last night, and she is such a little cutie. Basically a little clone of her dad (but way cuter), she has these amazingly long dark eyelashes, tiny long fingers and seems to be a happy little girl.

Melita is tired but so happy to be home with their little bundle of joy. Cody is the total doting dad, and it's pretty sweet to watch him with her :)

we're so happy for the 3 of you.

kisses and hugs