Author: nainadg

Blogging...Mommy Style
Bun365, Holidays, Mommyhood

Pumpkin Patch {Ganyard Hill Farms}

nainadg

Its not october if you don’t visit the pumpkin patch! Just for the record, I’ve only felt this way, since I became a mom. We went to our annual pumpkin patch trip on sunday to Ganyard Hill Farms in East Durham. We visited last year and we couldn’t wait to take Bun again this year, especially since we knew, he would enjoy it so much more.

The skies were blue, the weather mild and the air was crisp. A perfect day to spend time with some goats, walk through a corn maze and go on a hayride.

We got to the farm around 11:00AM and the first thing we did was check out the “Goots” Bun was super happy to feed them “Coons” and pet them through the fence.

The Hayride was next and we got a seat right behind the tractor. Toddler Mind = Blown

It was the first time for me at a corn maze and this was a really simple one, designed for kids. But this was my favorite part of the day. We let Bun run ahead in front of us and pick which way to go. I wish I was able to capture his “Dis a way” on video but my Blackberry video did not quite get it.

Isn’t my boy beautiful? I think so! These are my favorite photos of the day.

Since Bun had such a fabulous time on the Hayride, we thought he would enjoy climbing on the tractor. Wrong!

The corn pit was only mildly successful! He really disliked the texture the first few minutes and he was really concerned about the mess. But eventually he relaxed into the corn and even walked around in it.

Bun was getting tired and fussy, so we finished up with some pumpkin photos

Another Pumpkin Patch visitor was nice enough to get a few photos of the three of us!I love how these turned out, especially this one! I posted another one here, if you are interested.

Notes to Self:

– Bun’s shirt is from Children’s Place

-Bun no longer says “pum pums” He actually says Pumpkins. This makes me a little sad, because I died of cute, every time he said pum pum

– Next year, do not pay attention to the weather report and wear short sleeve shirts

Bun365, Football, Holidays, Mommyhood, Week in My Life

Pumpkin Patch- A Week in My Life Sunday

nainadg

This is the last post for Adventuroo’s Week in My Life Project. I’m going to keep this post short, not because I didn’t get enough pictures like Friday and Saturday, but because I got too many! And yesterday was such a fantastic, busy day where I was out and about and hanging out with friends that I haven’t had time to go through and sort the photos yet.

I want to do a separate post for our Pumpkin Patch visit so I’ll post more pictures under that.

Sunday morning J, Bun and I had a Thomas the Train party in our bed. Bun watched Thomas on my laptop and J and I tried to sneak in some more sleep.

We also had a mini dance party afterwards in our jammies to my new favorite dance song- Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People. Wish I had my camera for that but it was a fun impromptu moment that I’m going to cherish

The rest of the day can be summed up from my Facebook Status yesterday

Naina DG
Headed to the pumpkin patch on this perfect Fall morning and then football in the afternoon- Go Cowboys!

The pumpkin patch was so much fun and so was football! The Cowboys lost, but it was still a fun afternoon with friends and the toddlers out partied us all!

And Week in My Life is done! I was really apprehensive about doing this challenge, but, I’m so glad that I did.

Sitting and going through photos at the end of the day was a such a meditative moment for me. It helped me focus and take in all the bits and pieces that make up my life. Who knows what my future holds,  Next week can totally suck, but my Now is filled with happy moments – big and small and these are moments that I could never ever have imagined for myself.

Bun365, Family, Food and Drinks, Holidays, Mommyhood, Week in My Life

Dinner With the Family- A Week in My Life Friday&Saturday

nainadg

So my original plan of doing Friday and Saturday separately for Adventuroo’s Week in My Life project is not going to happen. None of my pictures from Saturday is worth posting,  So I’m just going to jot down what we did on saturday at the bottom of this post. Sunday’s post is going to be skimpy too, but you’ll have to read it to know why.

Friday and Saturday were both busy days for me, it as mostly running errands, dealing with a tantrum-ing toddler and getting craft supplies busy

Friday night my parents invited us for a family dinner to celebrate Bijoya- the last day of Durga Puja. My mum cooked an elaborate dinner and we ate and ate and ate some more after we were already full

My parents have a toddler size camping chair on their deck for Bun and he loves to sit in that and look at my mum’s plants.

Bun and his Dee

 For Dinner, we had Stuffed Puris- fried bread with spices and peas stuffed inside, goat meat curry, Baked Fish in a cilantro and Coconut sauce, chickpeas chilli and rice and dal

My dad found this chocolate wine and decided to open this as a dessert wine and it was interesting. I like wine and I like chocolate, but I don’t think I like them together in a bottle.

But despite the negative review all around, we still finished the bottle. Now wine is ever wasted if my family around

After dinner, Bun read some books with my dad to get the bedtime routine started. And then since it was getting late, we said goodnight to Dee and Babu and headed home.

****

Saturday Highlights

* I bought supplies for Bun’s Halloween costume

*Went to look at houses with my parents

*J, Bun and I took a family trip to the Verizon store at the mall to see if the Iphone 4S was in stock- it wasn’t

*We ate some Chick Fil A at the food court and then wandered around and saw some diggers and bulldozers.

*After Bun went to bed, J and I hung out and got caught up with our DVR and then I went to bed.

Bun365, Mommyhood, Toddler, Week in My Life

Duke Gardens – A Week In My Life Thursday

nainadg

You thought I gave up didn’t you? But I didn’t I have been recording and taking photos, just not posting. But in my head if I blog about 7 days of my life it fits Adventuroo’s Week in My Life Challenge. Do not tell me otherwise.

Anyway, Thursday afternoon Bun and I went to Duke Gardens. It was one of J and my favorite spots when we lived near campus but for some reason it seems really far to me from SW Durham and we have only taken Bun a handful of times, and that was when he was an itty bitty baby.

This time though, I timed it and it took exactly 14 mins- Not bad at all. And we had such a great time that I think we will be going to Duke Gardens a lot more in the near future

And now photos:

We entered through the Japanese Gardens and spent most of our time in this section. I love how lush and green everything looks in this photo. It was a cloudy day and the green leaves just popped against the grey skies.

We went and visited the Ducks that live in the “Ocean” as Bun called the little canal/pond. We had some bread with us and fed them. Bun was happy to perch on a rock ledge and just look. He is not into throwing bread at ducks, it seems.

We walked around the Japanese section some more and Bun was absolutely mesmerized with the waterfalls and the Koi pond but he was a little scared and insisted on holding my hand the entire time, so I wasn’t able to get any good photos of him and the waterfalls.

As we were walking back to our car, we took a detour through the area where they do weddings and spotted a really cute bridge and a Lily pond and Bun loved running across the bridge.

J was supposed to meet up with us but he ended up having to work late, so we made our way back home for regular dinner and bedtime.

But I plan on visiting it a lot more in these upcoming fall afternoons.

Bun365, Toddler, Week in My Life

Morning, Afternoon and Night – A Week in My Life Wednesday

nainadg

I’m sticking to the plan- post #3 of consecutive 7 posts! This is a part of Adventuroo’s A Week in My Life Project.

This is going to be picture heavy.  Photos from by blackberry and P&S- all unedited, since none of the photos seemed inspired enough to edit (ETA- I did crop and storyboard a few)

Wednesday morning was rainy and humid and Bun and I decided to go to Durham Main Library’s story time with Miss Jessica. She does a great story time and also has the toddlers do a craft (In our case, I do the craft, since Bun is still a little too small).

This week’s theme was Owls! The toddlers had Owl name tags and made a owl puppet!

After storytime, I decided to stop by our favorite used book store Nice Price Books near 9th street in Durham and we scored two fun books! Bun loved exploring the “aisles” and looking at the books. And then we were off to lunch.

We had lunch at Dee and Babu’s house (my parents). Bun had scrambled eggs and toast with Jam and yogurt. I had some yummy chicken kebabs.

***

He was really upset about having to go home from Dee and Babu’s and insisted on splashing in puddles. So we did!!!! Splashing is his favorite outside activity these days. He also call them “Pretty Puddles”

After naptime- I napped yesterday afternoon too, I was tired from not having slept very well the night before- we went outside to play and the dog ran away. So we spent a lot of time chasing Layla Blue. I think Layla would have come home sooner if Bun wasn’t in such hot pursuit.

The mosquitos and the humidity were unbearable so we came inside to play with trains and our activity cube. I’m surprised he chose to play with it, since he generally ignores that toy.

I didn’t document dinner because J was late coming home and I was tired and cranky by then as was Bun and I just chose to skip documenting dinner. Thankfully J got home right as we were getting done, so I was able to run upstairs and get clean sheets on Bun’s crib and run the bath.

And then it was the usual routine- Bath, dancing in front of the mirror,  Playing “House” (where Bun puts a towel over his head and calls it his house), books and cuddle time.

We read The Fathers Are Coming Home by Margaret Wise Brown. Bun’s Shirt is handmade by my dear dear friend Jessica from Happier Still. Isn’t she talented? She gave it to us for Christmas last year and its a little small for him now but still super soft and comfy so he wears it all the time.

Did “Habush” – Brushed Bun’s Hair.

We finished our Bedtime by reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”

And then J and I spent the rest of the evening on the couch drinking wine and watching Breaking Bad

Week in My Life

Out and About -Week in my Life Tuesday

nainadg

I’m sticking to my commitment to blog 7 days in a row and recording bits and pieces of our everyday life during this time, so I’m linking up to Adventuroo’s Week in My Life project

This is our life on tuesday mornings, most tuesdays (or weekdays) are  pretty much like this. Photos are from my blackberry and my P&S

Tuesday mornings Bun and I go to All Ages storytime at the library or to the Pottery Barn Storytime at Southpoint Mall, followed by playtime at the fountains and Barnes and Noble train table. This tuesday we chose option 2, mostly because we had a rough start to the morning and were running late for Miss Amy’s storytime

We listened to stories, got our passport stamped, chit chatted with some acquaintances and most importantly played with toys Pottery Barn Kids has on display.

There was much running around and playing with his hat. This area of the mall, near the wishing fountain is one  of Bun’s favorite spots. We ran into Children’s Place to see if they had a halloween shirt. We didn’t find one.

I was getting hungry by now and I think Bun was too, so we skipped Barnes and Noble and headed for Trader Joe’s in Chapel Hill. I didn’t want to go to the grocery store ravenous, so we decided to go to EVOS- they sell “healthier” burgers, chicken nuggets etc. They are healthier because everything is baked instead of fried.

Bun got a hot dog and Strawberry Juice, a big treat for him, since I rarely let him have juice. I got chicken fingers and a cappuccino milkshake but I’m pretty sure they gave me a vanilla (although they swore it was cappuccino).

**

Lunch over, we walked over to Trader Joe’s where I stocked up on Wine, Frozen yummies, fish and all other sorts of TJs goodies. Bun was pretty well behaved, since he had a full belly and even played peekaboo with the lady behind us at checkout.

Around 1:00 we headed home. I was thrilled that I was able to keep Bun awake on the way home, since it was past his nap time, but a fruit pouch from TJs and singing Itsy bitsy spider super loud seemed to do the trick.

And then….Nap Time!!!! Yaaay

Books, Bun365, Snippets, Toddler

Snippets #2 { 10.11.2011} Week in my Life – Monday

nainadg

So that was a long title….yeah. Anyway, I waffled back and forth about participating in Adventuroo’s Week in Life project – it seemed like a big commitment and if I was going to do it, I wanted to do all 7 days or none at all.

In the end I decided it would be fun to participate but I’m going to do some things differently- I didn’t take any photos yesterday and I planned on this post this week anyway capturing some of the things Bun and I are into right now. So I’ll probably do some traditional posts for tuesday and thursday and maybe the rest of the day will be snippets like this or not…I’m not quite sure yet. But I’m committed to blogging the next 7 days in a row. Thats going to be a record

These Snippets are for the past 2 weeks

Me

*photo by Google Product Search

Reading-   A Life of Spice. I’ve really slacked off on reading this month because I’ve found my mojo on the interwebz lately. So I’ve been reading a lot of blog, and some photoshop tutes

*photo from AMC*

Watching: Breaking Bad is rocking my world right now! I can’t believe I almost gave up on that show. We have the season finale DVRed, but haven’t watch it yet. I ❤ Jesse so much!

Listening: 90s throwback. J and I recently watched the top 100 songs of the 2000s on VH1 while we were super wined up on a saturday night and it has brought back all these memories. So I’ve been playing some late 90s early 00s pop classics like “Since You’ve been gone” and “Mr. Brightside” and “Hey Ya” and dancing around with the kiddo

Wearing: Its fall! My favorite pair of jeans are out and I even rocked some black leggings last week.

*photo from Solo Lisa*

Wanting: These Rainboots  and a return of normal naptime for the Bun

Bun

*photo from Amazon*

Reading: Hooray for Fish. Bun really liked some of the books in the Maisy series so I checked this one out from the library since it was by the same authors. Oh, its been such a big hit that I think we might have to buy it. Its colorful and adorable and the words are so easy to say that he has most of it memorized

Watching: Have you heard of the Wonder Pets? They help baby animals and save the day. The show is cute but the entire song is sung and the theme song will forever be stuck in your head. Highly Highly annoying. It has taken over our lives-  Bun loves it though and asks for it constantly and even sings the theme song in the car.

Wearing: I’ve pulled out most of Bun’s fall clothes but I’m still trying to squeeze in some summer outfits for the warm afternoons, since I know it will be the last time he’ll ever wear them.

Playing: Closing doors is the most fun game in our house right now. He goes into rooms and shuts the door and then giggles and giggles. That and cars.

 

 

Love

4th Wedding Anniversary

nainadg

Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary to us.

This photo is from 2009 when I was 7 months pregnant. Can you see my baby belly? and my extra chubby cheeks? But don’t we look happy?

2 years later, I am just as happy.

We are not celebrating today- J is feeling under the weather and we don’t have  a sitter, but we are planning on doing something fun to celebrate this weekend.

 

Bun365, Mommyhood, Toddler

21 Months

nainadg

At 21 months, Bun is more like a two year old than a one year old now. He is comfortably settled in toddlerhood, losing his baby ways everyday. He is getting more comfortable with his world, more adventurous in exploration of language, emotions and logic. I think this is one of my favorite ages so far, every morning I get to see more of his personality and his quirks and I love having a front row seat to his life.

He still loves spending time outside and he is now no longer afraid to get off the trail and walk through dirt, mud and grass. He still doesn’t like getting too messy but will tolerate it with good grace.

He loves to talk, the boy is fearless in his vocabulary, he doesn’t shy away from complicated words and he has started putting together phrases and simple sentences. He is very “proper” and prefers to say “Hello” instead of Hi and “Goodbye” instead of just a simple bye.

He is also getting more social, he adores seeing the other kids at playgroup and storytime and will sometimes ask about them when we are at home. He is getting much better at following instructions. Singing is another favorite activity around these parts, and he has added “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “The Wonder Pets” Theme song (I hate that song…it is tattooed in my brain….aaah)

He is still fascinated with construction equipment, especially diggers and firetrucks are still an old favorite.He is also getting more excited about trains and is becoming more aware of the toddler boy crack that is Thomas the Tank Engine. During our time outside, I spend a gazillion hours looking at sticks, bugs and rocks- yea rocks- they are very popular with toddlers.

Bun 21 months is challenging too- Bun has opinions and he now makes them known through tantrums. They don’t last very long but he is one of those kids who holds his breath  when he cries and shrieks and I can see his lips turn blue.  If I usually thump his back, he takes a breath and we are usually in the clear. He also has started trying to “play” with the dog, except Layla really doesn’t want to play, so I spend a lot of time seperating them and asking Bun to “please leave the dog alone”

He is also rather obsessed with his belly button and will lift his shirt and walk around pointing to it (See pic above) It is a very cute belly button (see pic above) but I need him to grow out of this phase. He is still a really skinny kid and I struggle to get him to eat. He is really picky and will only eat a handfull of foods none of which are very nutritious but I’m fighting the good fight one plate of rejected food after another.

But he makes up for all that by being hilarious and cute- He will now say “Baby Funny” or “Mamma Funny” if we make him laugh. He gives real kisses, where he puckers up his lips and leans in with arms open, and the best part is that they are completely unasked for sometimes.

He loves to now take a book with him to bed in his crib and lies in bed reading to himself quietly. He doesn’t have a traditional lovey so its usually a book in the crib or a sippy cup that soothes him when he is upset.  He cracks me up on car rides because I no longer have the radio on because Bun is having a conversation with me or singing loudly. Its one of my favorite times with him.

One Year Ago: Sep 2010, Bun at 10 months

 

 

Bun365, Family, Life, Mommyhood, Toddler

{Discovering Durham} Fox50 Family Fun Fest

nainadg

October 1st and on cue the weather turned crisp and cool.  Saturday was sunny and clear, with highs in the low 60s. J and I headed out to the Fox50  Family Fest for the annual duckie races down old bull river. Old Bull river is the canal flowing through American Tobacco Campus, one of our absolue favorite spots in Downtown Durham.

At the Family Fest Rubber Duckies are raced down our little canal to raise money for local non profits. This annual race has been going on for years but this was the first I’d heard about it so it was a brand new experience for us. really is a community affair- high school marching bands, wildlife rescue centers, alternative arts and craft supplies- these were the exhibitors and entertainment. Nothing fancy, nothing elaborate- just regular Durham families spending a day out in the autumn sunshine.

One the big attractions were the animals from Noah’s Landing Mobile Nature center. Bun adored the animals on display. He touched a baby alligator, petted a exotic wild cat from Africa, spent 20 minutes just staring at the owls. We also ran around on the grass, played with bouncy toys, drank beer, ate super garlicky fries. Cheered the bright yellow ducks as they made their way down the river.

We brought home a tired baby who went to sleep immediately. J and I had a mellow night where we sat out on our deck (mosquito free, since it was so cold) and spent all night talking. A date night and a family day all in one. A much needed break from our daily grind.