Blogging Buddy

My blogging routine has changed a bit since Olive was born.  Actually, it's changed A LOT!  I used to blog after dinner while watching TV or whenever I wanted.  I blog for long periods of time and schedule posts several days out.  Now I try to blog when Olive's napping or late at night once she's gone to bed but sometimes my blog and my baby need attention at the same time.  I sit down to write more frequently for less periods of time because that's all I have time for right now.  I try not to make a habit of blogging and entertaining the baby at the same time but Olive has become quite a good blogging buddy for about 15 minutes at a time.  I'll take it!

We both work best when Olive is happy :)

The exersaucer helps entertain her and I put it right next to my desk so I can talk to her while she plays.  Win-win for both of us.

 Sometimes the swing is very exciting and who knew taking off your socks could be so FUN?!?!

 Sometimes a sea of toys is the best thing since sliced bread.

She babbles to me and her toys and leaves a puddle of drool as proof of a good time.

 These little centers are on heavy rotation at our house 

along with her play mat, board books and Bumbo seat.

 When the toys/swing/exersaucer won't do, then Olive sits on my lap.  We chat about what I'm writing about for the day and I proof read my posts with her.  She kicks her legs to approve as I read to her.

My desk has a glass top and it's always a bit cool so it never fails that Olive's little feet find their way to the glass top.  She likes to put her feet up while I work and I love the view of these cute baby tootsies.

She's just started swatting and being able to grab things so sometimes I let her bang on the keyboard when I'm done or hold onto my hair while I type.  Gotta do what you gotta do :)

Indiana Highs and Lows

We went on a fun road trip to Indiana two weeks ago and had a great time.  It went by too fast like always but we were glad that we could come in town.  I thought I'd share my highs and lows of the trip.

Low: We got in town at midnight.  Olive slept most of the 7 hour drive and didn't want to go back to sleep when we arrived.  This is us at 2:30am... she cried from 1:30-2ish, smiled and babbled for about 45 minutes and then finally fell asleep after I rocked her for another 30 minutes.  Traveling is new and exciting but we all needed our sleep.

High: The weather was perfect!!  The trees were beautiful and we were able to be outside a lot.  Kevin went golfing with his dad and we went for a few walks.  My parent's dog, Maxx, enjoyed the weather too.

High: Olive enjoyed seeing tons of family but she finally crashed at our 3rd or 4th event of the day.  Luckily, she napped in her car seat.  She smiled and wanted to watch everything that was going on so I know she was exhausted late in the day.  We had a family birthday party on Kevin's side and then watched the Notre Dame game with Kevin's parents.

High: Olive adjusted pretty easily to our new set up and enjoyed snuggling in bed with us.  She seemed to love the quilt my grandma made us for a wedding gift.  PS My parents have kept my room just like it was in high school so we stay in The Pink Room when we come in town.

 High: We had a little photo shoot after church on Sunday.  Olive looked adorable in a hand-me-down outfit from one of her cousins and she was extra smiley.

 High: The whole family go together for a delicious birthday dinner in my honor.

 High: The weather was great for our drive back to Arkansas.  It makes such a big difference because the trip has take us 8+ hours in the pouring rain so we are really thankful for clear skies and a trip that takes less than 7 hours.  Olive did great in the car and we had tons of toys to occupy her when she was awake.

Baked Chocolate Donuts

I love donuts and have pinned many donut recipes since buying my own mini donut pan.  I LOVE the miniature size!  They bake quickly and the donuts are very popable :)

Here's my recipe:

Ingredients:.

3 c flour

3/4 c sugar

1/2 c cocoa powder

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

3/4 c milk

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

3 T melted butter

3 T chocolate syrup
*You can add in some plain greek yougurt to make them extra moist.

 Icing Ingredients:

1-2 T milk

1/4 c melted butter

1 t vanilla

1 T chocolate syrup

2 t corn syrup

1/2 cup chocolate chips

2-3 cups powdered sugar
sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, etc.
*You want your glaze to be kind of thick so be careful not to add too much milk.

Directions:

Stir all of the donut ingredients together until well blended.  Grease donut pan and fill with batter.  It's easiest to pipe the batter into the pan so you can use an icing bag or cut the tip off of a Ziploc bag.  Bake at 325 for 8 minutes.  Make the icing while the donuts bake.  Mix all ingredients except for the powdered sugar in a saucepan on the stove adding in the chocolate last.  Once the chocolate is melted whisk in the powdered sugar a little at a time off the heat.  Once donuts have cooled on wax paper spoon the icing on top of each donut.   Add sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, etc.  Let donuts dry and eat.

*Donuts were best shortly after the icing dried.  They got a little soggy the next day.

Linking up with TheWeekendReTreat, StrutYourStuffSaturday, ShowandTellSaturday

Highlights of My Week

It seems like this week flew by.  I'm not sure if it's because I originally thought Thanksgiving was this week and then my husband told me it was NEXT week or that we just had a nice, relaxing week.  Either way, I'll take it!   The best parts of my week were:

1. I tried a new recipe for chocolate cake donuts and they were so good.
Check back in a few days for the recipe.

2.  I celebrated my 32nd birthday this week!  It was my first birthday to celebrate with a baby.  Iate cheesecake and got several fun birthday presents.  This cookbook is full of yummy recipes that I'm anxious to try.  I've been on an accessory buying hiatus so I was thrilled to add these minty beauties to my wardrobe.

3. I got Olive's nursery done and I LOVE how it turned out!!
You can see the entire nursery here.

4. I used this sparkly tissue paper to make some place cards and Thanksgiving cards.

 5. The weather has been really nice in Arkansas so Olive and I have been going on walks.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you have a great weekend.

Linking up with TheLaurenElizabeth, LifeRearranged, FiveonFriday,

FridayFavorites, FridaysFabFavorites & CoffeeDates