The Wilhelmsen Botanical Blog

Well, it looks like last week was a bit less eventful and crazy then the week before.  This is in part due to the fact that it is hard to do much of anything when your husband gets home at 7:30 at night and your oldest goes down at 9:00.  That time between his arrival home and bedtime is generally spent playing a little with the kids and helping with diapers.

I am trying to get back into the hang of remembering to take photos so that I can be sure to document these early days with Lucas and of course continue to document Aiden’s life.  Here are a few I got of Lucas on Tuesday.  Tuesday was also a rough day for Aiden, first he was scooting around in his high chair (which we have warned him not to do on many occasions) and he tipped over, banging his forehead into the table.  A little while later he was leaning back against the closed bathroom door and when I opened (not knowing of course that he was leaning on it) he fell back onto the floor bonking his head a second time.  Later just before nap he was scooting around on his fire engine and yes, tipped over backwards onto the floor.  Thankfully the last time he didn’t seem to have actually hit his head.  When it rains it pours where Aiden is concerned I guess.

Thursday Aiden finally learned how to ride his bike forward.  He still prefers to go backwards but he can go forward.  For video of his triumph go here.  While we are outside enjoying the weather Aiden will occasionally stick his head out the playhouse window and ask if I want a hamburger.  This game of “fast food restaurant” he learned from the girls who live upstairs.

Also on Thursday I managed to snap this shot of Lucas making a funny face and sometime between Wednesday and Thursday Lucas lost his umbilical cord.

Another thing I let Aiden do to pass the time was to play in the sink with the water.  As you will see in the video here Aiden really enjoyed it.  So much in fact that the floor was mostly soaked as was his clothing.  😉

We also had round two on bathing Lucas.  As you can see it went a little bit better then the first time.  I don’t know if was because I had the water warmer, he was sitting up more or just that his body temperature is kind of regulating so that he isn’t shivering all of the time but he certainly did not complain as much as the first time.

Friday while we were outside Aiden went inspecting for spiders.  😉  Friday evening we went to our ward pinewood derby.  Our car was way light and Aiden was getting antsy so we decided to head home early, but before we did we let Aiden run amuck in the gym.

Saturday was our grocery shopping day, which is a large task when you need to go two places and time it around newborn feedings, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and naps.

Sunday we stayed in.  RSV season is near it’s end (or recently ended) and we just didn’t want to take any chances these first few weeks with Lucas.  When we have run errands we have either stayed in the car with him or kept him covered up.  We do plan to attend sacrament next week and stake conference the week after, then it will be back to our usual three hours.  🙂  Aiden is missing nursery.  We ate  Chocolate and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast for breakfast (recipe below), we have had it many, many times since we discovered the recipe.  It is VERY delicious.  We did however find cutting a pocket into french bread difficult so we just spread the toppings on a piece of bread, top with another piece of bread, dip it into the egg mixture and fry it.  It is quick, easy, and very tasty.  We also substitute strawberry syrup for maple syrup (I don’t now, nor have I ever liked maple syrup).

• 4 slices French or Italian loaf (not a baguette) — 1-inch (2 cm) thick
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) cream cheese
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) strawberry jam
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) milk
• 2 tbsp. (30 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. (5 mL) vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp. (15 mL) butter
• powdered sugar for dusting
• maple syrup and fresh strawberries as accompaniment

Cooking Instructions

1. With a sharp knife, cut a pocket into the side of each slice of bread — cutting almost, but not quite all the way, to the edges. Spread the inside of each pocket with 1 tbsp. (15 mL) of the cream cheese, stuff with 1 tbsp. (15 mL) of the chocolate chips and spoon in 1 tbsp. (15 mL) of the strawberry jam. Depending on the size of the pocket and the slice of bread, you may not be able to use the full amount of stuffing ingredients — just play it by ear and use as much as will fit inside. Squash the bread closed to enclose the filling.
2. In a bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla. Dip the stuffed bread slices into the egg mixture, turning to soak both sides evenly. Arrange on a plate.
3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the stuffed bread to the pan and cook, turning each slice over several times to let it brown evenly and allow the heat to penetrate and melt the chocolate — about 5 or 6 minutes total. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve with powdered sliced fresh strawberries and maple syrup.  Makes 2 servings.

In the afternoon I started another blog.  This one encourages reader participation.  To check it out and to submit your own entries go here.  We took it easy most of the rest of the day but went to visit my grandparents in the evening so that they could see Lucas and Aiden.  I tried to get a cute picture of the four of them but Aiden wouldn’t cooperate because he wanted to go, Go, GO!  🙂

We ended the evening eating at Chuck-A-Rama with my dad.  Thanks for dinner dad!

I am off to get a nap now while I can (Lucas miraculously went right to sleep after eating), thanks for reading!