Rick Bayless loves my people

IMG_1465
Originally uploaded by strzelecki1.

I don't know who these chicks are (whoa, is the one on the left missing an eye?!), but the cabron in the middle is Rick Bayless. This guy is all about Mexico and mexican cooking. He has two restaurants in Chicago. I went to one a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Lately, I've become addicted to his show on PBS, called Mexico One Plate at a Time. He does most of the show on location in Mexico, showing you the culture and typical dishes of a particular region, then he does a little cooking lesson in his kitchen at home. If you can get past his creepy little voice and super white whiskers, the show is pretty awesome. It totally makes me want to visit Mexico again. I really want to check out some of his books.

Bourdain watch update! The third season of No Reservations started like three weeks ago or something and I forgot to mention it. Oh, Tony! I am so glad you're back. Don't worry baby, this Rick guy means nothing to me.

The Way We Were

OMG. I can't believe how excited I am to send away for my free Puffins pedometer. Big shout out to the Sunday paper Shopwise coupon section! Sigh. I think I'm mourning my old life again.

Well, what else is new? Ira is getting tall, or should I say long? He can't exactly stand on his own, so I guess that makes him long. Almost every outfit we have for him is too short in the legs. He's rocking this incredible high-water style. You almost can't knock him for it because he wears it with such confidence. Sweet kid. He's taken to writing raps already. They're kind of raw because he's only 3 months old. Here's one:

My name is Ira and I like to rap
I take a nap
and then I take a crap

Like I said, it's not much, but he's writing about what he knows and that's what counts! What kind of raps were you writing at 3 months?

Mush

Snow Baby
Originally uploaded by bugbiteme.

It's been a long while. So hard to blog with a baby in one arm. Here's what's been happening:

Ira has been getting really fun. He's so much less like a fetus and more like a baby. He's smiling tons, holding his head up and sleeping really well. Except for today. Today he's been a horrible sleeper. He hasn't napped longer than an hour all afternoon. I feel like I've been entertaining this baby the whole day and I'm beginning to run out of material here. We're singing songs, going for car rides, taking walks...it's not really working. Hopefully my second string walks through the door soon.

Last weekend we went up to Tahoe. Baby's first snow trip! He did fine. I just strapped him to my chest and he stayed warm and cozy.

Hmm, what else? Cooking. I made a recipe out of Vegetarian Times last night. It was a near disaster! Our oven crisp black bean flautas broke all apart. Luckily, I was able to save a few of them. Oh well. Lesson learned: When life deals you bunk flautas, make tortilla soup.

Even When


I love you kid. I love you even when I had to walk up and down 50 aisles at Fry's to find your lost mitten when it was tucked deep into the car seat all along. I love you even when you've spit up, hot cheesy goo down my shirt. I love you even when your lower lip pouts right before you let out an ear piercing wail. I love you even when you demand to be held and nursed right as I sit down to eat. It's because you've got that face, with that tiny dimpled smile and that squealy laugh. It just gets me right here (pounding on heart).

Too much foam

el mar
Originally uploaded by In Praise of Sardines.

OMG. Everyone on Top Chef hates Marcel! I do too, so it's kind of satisfying to see people blow up at him. i mean, the puts foam on EVERYTHING! He's so on El Bulli's jock, it's not even funny. My new favorites to win the show are Sam and Ilan. Clif continues to bore me and Elia's stuff is pretty spotty. i just went to the website to check out how Sam spiced the popcorn he made on this week's episode, but it's not on there! I've been on a popcorn kick lately. Any suggestions for good toppings?

On babies

Getting bigger all the time
Originally uploaded by riblet.

Uh oh. I had a mild case of baby amnesia today. Holding tiny Ira as he was waking up for a nap, the warmth and small heft of him resting on my shoulder made my heart nearly explode for the want of another baby someday. Then he started crying and I pretty much snapped out of it. One is enough for now.

The new adorable thing he's doing is a kind of laugh. He makes a really cute squeal when you get him to smile pretty big. Here's what Ira thinks is funny:

1. Touching his face
2. Moving his arms
3. His crib mobile
4. The monkey hanging over his activity mat
5. Surprising us with spit up

And now for the big news. He had his first big sleep and snoozed through the night this weekend! On Saturday, he slept from 12:30 am until 5:45 am. Stoked!! He woke up totally ravenous and I felt so refreshed. I haven't slept more than 3 hours since this kid was born.