I’m back! After a 12 day trip to the East Coast and a week of recovering from all our travels, I’m FINALLY ready to reenter the blog world again. And it feels good.

Wow, what a trip. Ruby had a much harder time adapting to the 3 hour time change, which meant many sleepless nights while at my parents house. On top of that, the three of us caught colds as soon as we arrived (!). All that to say, it made for a slightly exhausting trip. But lets be realistic, it didn’t overshadow the excitement we had to see my family and the pregnant belly’s my older sister and two sister-in-law’s donned. They are FULLY pregnant…SO much fun!

When we flew back to the West Coast last week, all three of us were pooped. So tired. These last few days have been filled with many naps, by Ruby and myself, and bedtimes that have come at 9 o’clock at night by me and J. Going to bed at 9 o’clock at night is unheard of for the adults in this household, but I believe last week they were WELL needed.

So it goes without saying that last week Ruby and I took it easy. A low key week. I backed off from a bit of my work and spent a lot of time just being with my precious muffin and playing with her.

I read about a delicious batch of cookies made by Nicole of Pinch my Salt. Maybe it was because I connected so much with what she wrote, but as soon as I read her post we got straight to baking…

“The world doesn’t stop spinning just because you need a break. So sometimes, in the middle of everything, you’re the one that has to stop. Yesterday, in the middle of an afternoon filled with a million other things I was supposed to be doing, that’s just what I did.

Then I baked cookies.

We all need a break sometimes. Stop. Make a cup of tea. Bake yourself a batch of cookies. Go to a movie in the middle of a weekday afternoon. It’s the times when you feel that it would be impossible to take a break that you should probably do just that.”

In the craziness of life, sometimes its just nice to hear that you’re not alone and there are others out there that are in the same boat. AND, to be reminded that it’s ok to take a deep breath, sit down, and soak it all in for a bit.

Well, Ruby and I took Nicole’s advice and made her cookies. And, oh man!, were they delicious and exactly what we needed.

And, might I add this was Ruby’s first baking experience with her Ma-Ma? AND, I have I told you yet that she’s getting SO big she’s now starting to call me “Mommy” instead of “Ma-Ma”. I have to tell you the truth, I’m not sure how I feel about that. The transition from “Ma-Ma” to “Mommy” means she’s getting big. No longer a baby. A toddler. I’m going to have to come to terms with that… one of these days, that is.

But, I can say the benefit to her becoming a toddler are the many new adventures we are beginning to discover together. Such as baking cookies. Oh my,…was it every precious and did I glow and beam with delight to see my baby baking with me, you ask?! Why,…YES I DID! Just about the same way I glowed and beamed when my baby painted for the very first time. Unbelievable.

I’m thinking this photo will be on the cover of her first cookbook. Baking with Ruby: A One and a Half Year Olds Look at the Wonderful World of Baking. The adorable apron Ruby is wearing was given by our wonderful Dutch friends,…thanks Ruud, Dorinda, and Joshua! xoxo!

And, I don’t need to tell you she loved them and did not stop asking for a “coo-coe” (cookie) all. week. long. She is my daughter,…a sweet tooth indeed.

Thank you, Nicole, for the delicious recipe and the reminder to take a deep breath. We definitely enjoyed both!