Cake Batter Truffles

Let's be honest, the best part about making a cake is licking the cake batter beaters. A guilty pleasure I'm sure I share with many. These sweet little truffles are a cake batter lovers fantasy and the perfect addition to any party. (They are equally enjoyable on a quiet Sunday afternoon at home sitting on your butt enjoying a Kardashian marathon... just sayin')

Cake Batter Truffles

Recipe from: The Girl Who Ate Everything

(with a few small changes made by yours truly)

Truffles:

(makes 24-30 truffles)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups yellow cake mix

1 cup flour

1/8 tsp salt

3 Tbs milk

2 Tbs candy sprinkles

Truffle Coating:

16 oz almond bark (8 squares)

sprinkles

Directions:

Using a mixer, combine softened butter, sugar and vanilla. Add cake mix, flour and salt. Add 1 Tbs of milk at a time until dough consistency forms. Mix in sprinkles until just combined. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a lined cookie sheet. Chill balls in the fridge for 1 hour or freeze for 15 minutes to firm up.

In a glass bowl, melt almond bark in the microwave in 30 second intervals until smooth and melted. Using a fork or wooden skewer, dip truffles into almond bark. Shake off any excess almond bark before placing truffle back on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Immediately cover with sprinkles before almond bark cools.

Store truffles in the fridge until ready to serve.

FYI: I'm Cool

Meet my new BFF...

Photo courtesy of Starbucks

Looks like a plain boring cup of coffee, right? Exactly.

Let me explain, I have always wanted to like coffee. Throughout high school and college it seemed like the "cool" thing to do. I went to a college full of Swedes- coffee was a way of life and something that was consumed 24/7. And yet, I really hated it. I figured coffee was like beer and in time what I once thought was totally disgusting would suddenly transform into something I loved. But it didn't. At 27 years old, I had pretty much given up on being the cool coffee drinker I had always sought out to be. And then came Calvin. Blame it on the hormones or the sleepless nights but I decided to give coffee one last chance. And then it happened, the realization that COFFEE IS FREAKIN' AMAZING! I am now one of "those people". The people that are out getting coffee early in the morning and chugging decaf in the evenings. Gone are the days of chai tea and apple ciders, I'll have a coffee- black- because I'm cool and hardcore like that.

(I know this post is probably the most ridiculous thing I have even written but I just had to let the world know that I am finally cool, even if I am coming into my coolness 10 years too late.)

Play Date

This week, Calvin hosted his first play date. He called together a few of his favorite small friends to an environment where nobody is offended by drool, snot, or temper tantrums. Toys, music and snacks for the "littles"- some sangria and adult conversation for the "bigs". Everybody wins! 

The morning started out nice and controlled. The toddlers kicked back with a book. (Yes, Matilda was actually looking through photos of animals on her mama's phone- there really is an app for everything!)

The little ones bonded over their love for eating. Bottles. Boobs. Each other. Whatev.

As the afternoon progressed, Marshall joined in on the fun and control gave way to controlled chaos.

Okay, maybe not so controlled.

But that is what the sangria is for. 

I must say, it really is such a blessing to have so many great girlfriends with little kids. It's nice to feel that I still have a social life with a three month old, even if that social life includes changing poopy diapers during lunch.

Here's to many more days of fun filled chaos for the whole crew!

Such A Stud

Someone thinks he is pretty cute..

...and I think I would have to agree.

Two Little Pink Lines

Last year on Easter weekend we found out we were pregnant. Two little pink lines were all we knew of our sweet boy at the time. We spent the weekend with family, bursting at the seems with our big secret as we tried to "play it cool". I had no idea I could fall in love with two little pink lines but it happened instantly. I obsessively checked in on our two little pink lines throughout the weekend, convinced one line would disappear as if it were all a dream. But it didn't. And this year our two little pink lines smiled in the sun in a bunny hat as we enjoyed our first Easter together as a family of three. God is so good.

In case you were curious about what the Easter Bunny brings a three month old baby, I will tell you. He brings gas drops, gripe water, a few pacifiers, a bib, and a teething toy. All of Cal's favorites! (Thanks Aunt Bunny Sarah!!)

Hope your Easter was happy!

Happy Easter

Christ is risen!

Hallelujah!

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Another delicious Pinterest find I thought I would share with you.

Something refreshing and sweet. A little taste of summer, just in time for spring.

Lemonade Cupcakes with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream

The recipe I used can be found at this blog.

Lemonade Cupcakes:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time. Beat in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture 1 cup at a adding in half of the lemon juice and half of the milk after each addition. Beat until just combined.

Line muffin tins with 24 paper liners. Fill each with batter and bake for 20 minutes, until cupcakes are springy to the touch and pass the toothpick test. Remove from pans and let cool.

Fresh Raspberry Buttercream:
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup butter at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbs milk

In a food processor or blender, puree raspberries until smooth. Mix together butter, sugar and milk. Add raspberry puree and mix until fluffy. Frost your delicious lemonade cupcakes. If you're feeling fancy, garnish with colored sugar and a fresh raspberry.

Enjoy while dreaming of summer!

Month Three

Three months! Are you serious?! How is it time to do a three month post already? Life really needs to slow down. Okay? Okay. Thanks!

And now, Cal's official 3 month update..
We have been going nonstop over the last few weeks. The month began with a trip back to Chicago from Minnesota with Grandma Lynn, followed by a trip to New York to visit Jakob's family. After our road trips, we enjoyed a gorgeous 80 degree week in which we spent every waking minute outside. It was the perfect way to end my maternity leave and bookend our 12 weeks of quiet days alone together. The transition back to work has gone quite smoothly. Sure, there have been a few moments of chaos but overall it has gone very well. Jakob is enjoying more time alone with Cal, Cal seems to enjoy hanging out at the sitter's house, and I am enjoying being back at work. Don't for a second think I am not dodging into a corner at work every 5 minutes checking my cell phone and demanding Cal updates as I hold back my tears! But seriously, it really is going well and I enjoy knowing that the boys are at home together doing whatever male bonding things they need to do- I'm imagining some sort of burp & fart extravaganza- Cal really excels in both areas!

Here is our little guy at three months...

THREE MONTHS

For your comparison..

TWO MONTHS

I know the three month photo makes it look like he is shrinking but I assure you, he's not. Just check out those cheeks! 

Here's what we have learned about Calvin this past month.

Stats: 

While Cal did not have an official weigh in at the pediatrician's office the home scale seems to say that Cal is right around 11 lbs- give or take an ounce or two. That's up from 8 lbs 12 oz at the doctors office last month. He is wearing mostly 0-3 month clothes with the exception of his pants. Cloth diaper butt calls for his hefty 3-6 month jeans.

  

Eating: 

If last month was spent working on Cal's sleeping habits, this month was spent figuring out what to do with a gassy baby. While Cal could eat 24/7, his poor belly disagrees. He still nurses very well and takes a bottle with no problem but has turned into the gassiest baby EVER! The poor guy is guzzling gas drops and prune juice like it's going out of style. And the diapers? Let's just say when he actually does go- it's EPIC! On the bright side, he has seemed a bit more comfortable this past week so hopefully we are on the road to a happier, less gassy little dude.

Sleeping:

I am happy to announce that Cal is no longer sleeping in a bouncy seat at night! He is doing very well in the pack'n'play in our room and typically sleeps from 9:30-7ish with one feeding during the night. He slept through the night for the very first time on April fools so I'm sure it was just him playing tricks on us. However, if sleeping through the night is his idea of a good prank, I'll happily take it. Naps during the day are becoming less frequent as he is more interested in staying awake and interacting with the world. He typically takes naps in the swing, carseat or stroller. Next up- sleeping in his very own crib! I'm prepared for the battle.

Milestones:

This month has been all about talking, or babbling rather. It really is the best sound my ears have ever heard and I really don't care how cheesy that sounds! Quiet in the home no longer exists. When Cal is mad, you know it. When Cal is happy, you know it. I love it! With the babbling comes the constant drool. Just as predicted, he is now sporting a bib full time. He is starting to enjoy sitting up in his Bumbo and playing with toys. This has been the most enjoyable milestone for all of us as he can now sit contently and entertain himself for a few minutes. A few minutes is all I need to unload the dishwasher or throw in a load of diapers. A few minutes is a very good thing! Three month Calvin is my definitely my favorite Calvin so far. I'm guessing I may be saying that every month from here on out as it just keeps getting better and better.

I'll leave you with a few pics of drooly Cal sitting in his "desk" getting some work done. Those rings aren't going to play with themselves are they?

Another long stressful day at the office.