This week was pretty good around Chez Plesser. We seem to have gotten a rhythm going with the feeding times and we are down to one feeding per night, which is meaning much more sleep (which is awesome). We worked a lot on tummy time, and that's getting better -- though sometimes it still pisses Ezra off. Also, it was Halloween! And Ezra slept through a bunch of it. We also ran a bunch of errands like normal people this week and Ezra got to come to Happy Hour with me (which he also slept through).He was also a bit more cranky than normal this week. Nothing that alarmed us, but we've read that this stage the kids get a little whinier because they are seeing/hearing/smelling more than before, and they tend to get a touch overstimulated. Whatever, I'm pretty sure it's just gas.But regardless, even *I*, who refuses to sing Happy Birthday to people, have resorted to singing the ABCs to settle him down. You guys, I have THE WORST singing voice ever. And I don't think it even calms him down! I think he's more like, "What the HELL is wrong with this woman's voice?" And he is stunned into silence. But whatever, I'll take it.I am also starting to notice that most of my photos of The Kid are when he's sleeping. While he does sleep a ton, I think it's because when he's awake, I want to read to him or he's eating or we're having a dance party or something like that in which photos aren't possible (I only have so many hands). Also? He's pretty adorable when he's sleeping... if I do say so myself.The rest of the photos are below -- enjoy!
Oh man, this is my very favorite holiday. Well... and Thanksgiving. But this one? COSTUMES!I'm not gonna lie, this morning was rough on me. I was trying to get the dogs photographed and Ezra was NOT HAVING IT. There was the most drastic crying to date (I even recorded it for future reference). I will be playing it at his wedding.But finally he calmed down and we got all dressed up and we had Halloween festivities at Jamie's office (which were phenomenal, btw) and then we came home and decorated the front porch before heading over to a neighbor's bonfire and gathering and then heading out to take Ezra up and down the block to meet other neighbors.And now we are answering the door, drinking wine and 
Yum! This afternoon I packed up the kid and took him to happy hour with my dear friend Courtnay at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in town, 
So, I've been having some wardrobe problems. Yeah, if you're a guy? You might want to skip today's entry.Anyway, all of my pre-pregnant pants were low rise. And while I can fit into them now (although it's not the prettiest scenario in all cases...), they all button very close to my incision, and when I sit down? Helloooo pain. So I don't really have any pants. Except for my yoga pants. And really, I can only wear those so many places.I need some pants that fit higher on my waist, but still look like 2014, which is quite the dilemma. But! As I was perusing all those fashion magazines a few weeks back, I noticed this crazy trend where ladies are now dressing up their SWEATPANTS. Seriously. This is a thing.And while it seems totally ridiculous, I was all, "Yes please I would like to wear sweatpants all day now." And? They fit higher on the waist. Hooray! So the hunt began.And 
This sweet boy has made a rapid turnaround. He must have overheard those tough conversations we were having. But this? This is great news.Today he met me at the door each time I came home with a big smile and a wagging tail. He repeatedly approached, kissed and snuggled the baby. His appetite is fierce. I just couldn't ask for more right now. Well... I could maybe ask that he stop kissing the baby while he's sleeping. Dude. LEAVE THE SLEEPING KID ALONE.For your internet share today, we're gonna link to 
I'm going to be honest here, I shot this photo last week. I was walking Ezra and Magda with some girl friends, and we stumbled upon a yard full of leaves, so they worked with me (and the handy help of a saltine cracker) to get this shot of my girl.But if I were shooting something today (which I don't really have the energy to do), I would be photographing Merlin. That boy was up sick again last night. Really, really sick. To where I was inquiring about... certain measures that could be done in our home this week.I couldn't sleep because after waking up to him being so ill, a) I was worried sick and b) I couldn't breathe through my nose because I'd been crying so hard. Oh. And c) I had a baby who wanted to be fed.So this morning was filled with lots of tears, lots of emails to vets and some of the planning that as a pet owner you never want to do.And then?Then we left Merlin outside today (in case of more illness) and he ran around the yard barking and wagging his tail and even trying to wrestle and play with Magda. Those are not the actions of a dog on his deathbed. So... now we are back to where we were.I tell you what, nothing is harder than when a dog nears his end. And yeah, you're probably about to get an onslaught of Merlin photos. Mags got the spotlight today because I had this photo in the can, but tomorrow? It's his day.
This is one of my very favorite breakfast meals -- but I can eat it for lunch and dinner as well. It's like the Paleo version of Sunday Brunch. Super filling and super delicious (and super easy). So here we go!
You'll need:• 1 red bell pepper, sliced• 1/2 lb browned breakfast sausage (you can used sliced links or ground -- I prefer ground)• 1 large sweet potato or yam, cubed• 1 small yellow onion, sliced• 1 package baby bella mushrooms, sliced• Eggs (however many you want -- I use 1.5 per person)• 2 tbsp butter (to make the eggs) 
The first thing you do is brown your breakfast sausage in a large frying pan. Photos of raw meat are ugly, so I didn't snap any. You're welcome. While the meat is browning, bring some water to a boil for the sweet potatoes. You want to cook them until they are *almost* done, but not quite (8-10 minutes).
Once the meat is browned, remove it to a bowl/plate and drop in the sliced onions and red pepper to cook. No need for oil here -- the fat from the sausage is enough. Once these veggies start to soften (5 minutes or so), add the mushrooms. Cook this combo until the liquid from the mushrooms boils off, then add back the sausage and the sweet potatoes.
Warm all of these together to meld the flavors. While doing this, you should scramble your eggs. You can refer to 
Then serve it all up! I put the eggs on the bottom and then cover them in hash. Because this recipe is not the most colorful, I garnished it with sour cream and chives (because that makes everything prettier). My guest eating this seemed to love the addition, so knock yourselves out!
Yummmmm. This makes enough for about 6 helpings. Served with 1.5 scrambled eggs and without the sour cream, each serving is about 450 calories. For your internet share today, this one is for all you bakers. How does 
What a week! We said goodbye to Bubie Carole, who headed back to KC, we had a *ton* of friends stop by to meet Ezra, we ran errands like normal people, and we traveled up to the North Shore for an anniversary trip with Kid Plesser. It wasn't quite a "family vacation" as we had to leave the dogs back at home, but it has been fun nonetheless. The photo above was Jamie entertaining Ezra this morning at the cabin. I might have to frame that one.
Ezra sleeping in Bubie Carole's arms before she left town.
Rock'n'roll! Well... almost. Still working on the hand signals.
This view made the pre-dawn feeding bearable today. This was shot from our cabin window. Awesome.
This kid sleeps just like 
Oh hi there.
I love those long fingers!
We took a hike along the lakeshore today. If you look closely, you can see Jamie and Ezra out on the point.
This is Ezra in the Ergo. He's kinda smushed, but totally happy.
Cutie.
This kid hates tummy time. HATES IT. But we keep trying. Also? Biggest head ever. No wonder I had a c-section.
Before dinner tonight, we sat by one of the many bonfires along the shore at the resort and talked to other guests about their trips. It was lovely.For your internet share today, I like seeing