Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 6 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 1 cup raisins

Preparation:

Heat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.

For more recipes visit: http://www.quakeroats.com

Who Says Popsicles Aren't for Babies?

A Tip for Soothing Teething Pain:

Baby popsicles! It's a great way to soothe your baby when the teething pain becomes to much to handle.

I came up with this after several failed attempts to relieve Yadiel's teething pain with Baby Orajel.

To make these all you need to do is fill up six jello shot cups with your baby's regular formula or baby food (if baby's at that stage).

Then, cover the cups with a piece of aluminum foil to help the popsicle sticks stand in place and to prevent anything from getting into the cups.

Finally, insert the popsicle sticks and place in freezer. When you are ready to serve place in warm water or leave at room temperature for a few minutes just until the popsicle comes out easily. The cold will help to ease baby's pain by numbing the gums a bit.


***!!!WARNING!!! BABY MUST BE ATTENDED BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES. THIS POPSICLE CAN POSE A CHOKING HAZARD IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY BY AN ADULT!!!***

It's May, Hooray!!!

I've always loved May which should come as no surprise to those who know my birth date. This May, however, is exceptionally special. Not only am I celebrating my birthday but my first anniversary and my first Mother's Day as well. Needless to say, I am beside myself with excitement and anticipation. 

So far plans have remained the same: Ruby Tuesdays on Tuesday (even though my anniversary is on the 7th, a Monday) and pictures with Darwin and Yadiel on Mother's Day. I can't wait!

OMG! Now I'm 3

Yadiel is now three months old and I can hardly believe it. Time forgives none and here I am trying to make the most of every moment with him. That has become a lot easier since it seems the teething pain has subsided. He is no longer as grumpy as he was a few weeks ago. 

Now he can actually enjoy a few hours of uninterrupted nap-time or watching his favorite soap opera (Una Familia con Suerte) on my Kindle. Now that I think about it though it'd make more sense to call it his Kindle seeing as most of the apps on there are directly or indirectly associated with him. 

These 3 months with him have been a blast and I can hardly wait to see what the future will bring. It has been exciting to see how his personality is developing with every month that passes. His intelligence surprises me so much that sometimes it's difficult not to regard him as a grown person. For the moment I have no choice but to simply continue enjoying my little one's funny faces and occurrences. He is just so random sometimes!

Happy 2, I Love you!

Yadiel,

Today you turn 2 months old and it's almost as if you know it. You woke up super excited today and in a very playful mood. You were kicking the heck out of your crib today because you woke up before everybody and no one had picked you up. After I took you to Lela's room you and I danced like crazy. It was hilarious!

Today was a big day for you not only because you turn 2 months, but because today you celebrate you first April Fool's and I fed you rice cereal. You loved the rice cereal. I wasn't convinced or too eager to introduce it so early but you are tired of milk. You gag, spit up and sometimes just refuse it altogether unless you are completely famished.

Now you are fast asleep in your swing and with good reason. I just hope you get your rest, you deserve it. I'll just sit here watching all the cute faces you make while you sleep and remembering all the memorable moments we've had thus far.    I love you mi kikotico hermoso. You are truly the best thing that's ever happened to mami.

No Milk Tonight!

Hey sweetie,

You surprised me yesterday: you slept through the night. You didn't cry for milk at all and I didn't notice until the next day when I woke up. You must have been very tired. I hope it happens again soon and that it becomes a habit.

***By the way, you sleep just like your granddaddy.

Here I come!!!

Hey Hun,

You're a little traveler! I don't know where you were planning on going but Daddy helped you take a few steps today. You loved it at first but soon became frustrated. You had already taken a few steps with me in front of the bathroom mirror at 2 weeks but I have no pictures of that. Grandma was there with us and she was laughing. I told a pediatrician about it (not your usual pediatrician) and she said it is a walking reflex and that it means your growing strong. So keep it up! :)