Gingersnaps

http://www.chef-in-training.com/2014/11/gingersnaps/

I like my ginger snaps soft and chewy. This is the perfect recipe. 

They crackled so perfectly I ate a dozen. 

Sawyer snuck a cookie and ate it hiding in a kitchen cupboard. He did it while I was out watering the garden and then he came and told me. I told him to help himself to another haha. This was the batch I baked too long yesterday and they were hard, but they're actually softer today. Maybe humidity is good for something after all?

Cole 2 months

(I better hurry and post this before he's 3-months old in a couple days!)

Cole always has lots of smiles for me every morning. It's a great way to start the day, even if I don't get a lot of shut eye these days (mostly because of Jack, not Cole!) He'll usually eat two times a night still. He's a content baby boy and very patient with his parents and brothers. He takes a pacifier some of the time. He's not a fan of tummy time. If I want him to stay asleep longer he needs to be swaddled. He doesn't like to bend in half (like sitting in an L position) and will push back against you to straighten out. I love having this baby boy to rock and snuggle. He's not a little baby anymore (was he ever??)...

2-month Stats:

16 lbs. 9 oz. - 100%

25.5" tall - 99%

41 cm head circ - 73%

And some pictures, because that's what everyone really wants to see anyway!

That cute face!

Testing out his exersaucer for the first time. It was a little overwhelming with all the help from his big brothers.

Love those smiles :)

Sawyer and Jack love to keep him company.

Hahaha!

Ewwww he licked my nose!

October weather in FL is transitioning out of the rainy season, but every day that week on our walks we got caught in a rain storm. I love the ergobaby carrier because it's so comfortable and kept Cole dry.

Cole's first time swimming! He wasn't a fan, and lasted 5 mins. The second time he went was much better and he fell asleep in the pool.

The Bates Boys!

He likes his tongue.

The smile of relief...that is poo coming up around both sides of his onesie. Good thing he was on a blanket for easy clean up!

I love having a sleeping baby in my bed. Our little gushy bear.

Aunt Abbie and Uncle Christ sent us a package, thank you! Cole was a happy and willing model of the crocheted frisbee. He loves the helicopter mobile too...he lays beneath it and kick, kick, kicks. Thank you for taking the time to send us a package in the midst of moving!

Oh so cute.

Sawyer singing to his baby brother. These two get along very well :)

Smiles!

The big brothers keeping Cole company on the floor. I had them line up so we could compare heights. Cole almost has them!

Cole's fan club :) I'm so happy his brothers love him so much!

Poison Control

We had an exciting afternoon around here yesterday. I was inside nursing Cole while the big brothers played in our fenced-in backyard. They were being particularly quiet, so I offered a prayer somewhat along the lines of 'please protect the boys'. After I finished, I went outside to find Sawyer hopping off the chicken coop roof, saying, "We ate these berries mom!" Ohhhhh really?! I took a picture of the plant and sent it off to George and my mom so I could get help identifying it as quickly as possible. Meanwhile I tried to look it up as well while burping Cole and keeping an eye on Sawyer and Jack for any symptoms. Sawyer told me they each ate five berries and that they were 'good and sweet, not too sour!' Glad you enjoyed them, ha!

It was taking a while to identify exactly what the plant was, so I decided to make them throw up just in case. I didn't have ipecac on hand, so I traumatized them both by sticking my fingers in the back of their throats. It turns out Jack has an iron gag reflex. I could barely get a cough out of him! Sawyer on the other hand was crying and gagging and rather upset about the intrusion. Hopefully it was memorable enough to drive home the lesson to not forage without the help of a knowledgeable adult. 

Turns out there were two different vines intertwined. Virginia Creeper and Corky Stemmed Passion Flower. Thankfully neither of them are poisonous, although the Creeper contains oxalates that can cause minor cuts in their throats. The poison control center recommended they eat popsicles to help with that. 

So grateful for everyone's help (Mom, George, Extension Center, and Poison Control Center)! I'm also thankful for answered prayers - very important lesson learned without major consequences for their innocent foraging. 

Oh yes and even with all this excitement we managed to go vote too :)