Sullivan's 2nd Birthday

I'm really going for Mom of the year with this almost month late post!  Never seems to be enough time for reflection or contemplation these days.  My one hour of yoga a week that FNC provides seems to be about all the focusing I get! 

Sullivan's 2nd birthday was a great success.  We had a backyard affair with close friends and some family.  Below are some pictures from the event.

What is Sullivan up to now that he's officially in the 'terrible 2s'?  Well, he can certainly throw a tantrum, but he balances it out with his incredible sweetness.  I must admit, it's very hard not to laugh when he says, "Go to time out Momma!".  He repeats all the phrases I say to him when he's in trouble, right back to me if I make him mad.  I guess I should be impressed he's speaking in sentences at 2 years old, regardless of what he's saying! 

Sullivan has really gotten into emotions.  He'll frequently ask if I'm going to cry or if I'm happy.  When reading Peter Pan the other night, he became very concerned for Captain Hook when the Tic Toc Croc was about to eat him.  He'll say, "Uh Oh, Momma! Uh Oh!" whenever he gets worried about someone.  Cars parked on the side of the road are definite cause for concern since he associates this with Lightening McQueen running off the road in his Cars book.  Our recent walk back from the grove together was filled with "Uh Ohs" since there were cars parked all over the place!  I kept having to explain they were just parked, and that they were ok.

Speaking of the Grove, Sullivan joined us there LSU game weekend.  It was not his first Grove experience, as I had originally thought, but his first since he has become mobile.  And, boy howdy, was he mobile!  He had no fear and would run straight through tents until we finally caught him.  He did get to play football for the first time in the grove, and it was so sweet!  I have memories of watching the Manning boys throw the football in the grove when we were all kids, and I was glad Sullivan got to experience the same.  Daniel and his brothers went to the game, the first half anyway, and Sullivan and I watched from the comfort of Anna's couch.  Painful. 

I would say Sullivan still isn't eating great, except he did suprise me a bit at my Mom's over Thanksgiving weekend.  He ate ham, meatballs, and cranberry sauce!  Not sure why he will eat Bebe's meatballs, but not mine.  Especially since we use the same recipe!  Perhaps my nieces were a positive influence on him!  Either way, I was happy to see him eat something resembling normal dinner fare. 

We go for Sullivan's 2 year check up on Thursday, so I'll have to update stats then.  I know he seems so big and grown up to me!  It amazes me to see the changes mentally and physically since just a year ago!  I am so very blessed to have such a sweet, smart, and handsome boy. 

MISC

This is going to be a random post, but at least I didn't wait until Sullivan's birthday!  2 posts in one month is an improvement, right? 

First, I wanted to share something I stole from the janii . 
Here's a close-up look at St. Benedict, who founded the monastic order of Benedictines and established a rule for living summed up in a book I love: Always We Begin Again ("translated" by a Memphian, too).



The first rule:
live this life
and do whatever is done
in a spirit of loving kindness


Abandon attempts to achieve security,
they are futile,


give up the search for wealth,
it is demeaning,


quit the search for salvation,
it is selfish,


and come to comfortable rest
in the certainty that those who
participate in this life
with an attitude of compassion
will receive its full promise.

I find this to be a nice reminder about life, and what I should be focusing on always. 

We are in big time birthday planning this week since Sullivan's party will be on Saturday.  I probably should have been doing some of this planning for the past month, but I'm a procrastinator and have had a bit of trouble deciding on anything.  I'm still maintaining low key, but there are still logistics to arrange and food to prepare.  I'm sure it will all come together in the end.  As long as we have family, cupcakes and candles, we'll be good to go! 

On the cooking front, I've tried several new recipes in the last month.  I'm addicted to Pinterest and all of these recipes came from there.  I wish I had taken pics, but the pinterest pics are better anyway, I'm sure!

Corn and Potato Chowder : I did really enjoy this recipe.  Next time: more liquid because the crockpot had almost none when we got home from work, and probably a little less corn.  I also added a bit of red pepper to mine.

Ham and Cheese Sliders : my older sister made these on one of our visits down there.  They are easy and delicious! 

Pioneer Woman's Olive Cheese Bread : SOOOO easy and delicious.  NOT HEALTHY, but a great fast appetizer or side!

Baked Egg in a Ham Cup : This recipe is so easy, relatively healthy, and looks beautiful.  I made this for my mother's birthday breakfast and it was a big hit...even with kids!

Weicht Watchers Bubble Up Enchiladas : I added corn and a bit more sauce to this than the recipe calls for.  It was good, but definitely bready. 

Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach : Daniel really liked this recipe, but it was a little bland for me.  Next time I would probably do a little garlic butter or caper butter to toss with it?  Just needed something to balance the dirt taste from the spinach and mushrooms. 

Baked Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls : This was easy, delicious, and easy to carry to party.  I used mini muffin pan instead of regular sized.