What is it about cupcakes?

I haven't eaten a cupcake in probably 15 years, and I'm sure I haven't even thought of cupcakes since the last time I ate one... until recently.

Two oddly simultaneous phenomina have occured in the last couple of months:

1) An intense longing for the luscious little treats (perhaps pregnancy induced?)

2) A HIGH frequency of cupcakes offered at social gatherings.

Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for my butt and thighs), I am unable to eat cupcakes due to my wheat allergy... which as you can imagine makes these cravings all the more maddening!

For example, last Saturday I attended a lovely Stake enrichment activity. Afterwards, what do you suppose was served for refreshments? A random sampling of desserts where at least I stand the chance of endulging in a non-wheat creation like rice crispies treats or even (now I'm really dreaming) fudge? Nope.

It was ALL cupcakes...every kind you could imagine. Tables and tables and tables of them!

Then later when I layed my eyes on the irresistably yummy cupcake display that my friend, Shannon, made for her daughter's birthday party, I could no longer bear the temptation alone. It was then that I knew I needed blogotherapy.

And that is why you're reading about it today! (Unless of course you got bored and stopped reading by now.)

I can always cling to the possibility that a wheat-free cupcake mix eventually shows up at the health food store. Or, perhaps the need will simply pass once this baby is born. Until then, I will assuage my longing with blogotherapy and maybe some choco-therapy. (I know there's some see's candy in the freezer somewhere...)

Super Bean

As some of you know, a few family members sometimes refer to Weston as "the Bean." Jason started calling him that when he was practically the size of a bean, and since, many variations of the title have emerged. A few of these include "cutely bean," "sweet bean," "baby bean," and even "beanie weanie." Well, tonight Weston became SUPER BEAN!You know little hooded towel thingies? Well, a lovely family friend made one for Weston when he was first born. It was so big I figured it wouldn't be the right size for at least 10 years. (slight hyperbole)

Well, Weston has entered a new age where he hates post-bath dry off time. I was getting flustered the other day trying to manuever his squirming body out of the bathroom when suddenly I remembered the cool hooded towel that Sister Swan made. He LOVED it!! I still had a hard time tackling him down to put a diaper on, but at least he was happy.

Because it looks kind of like a cape, the term "Super Bean" was born. Although, I must admit he looks more like Mother Theresa in the picture below! Super Bean is definately a water baby. Sometimes I let him play in the kitchen sink while I cook just to keep him occupied and happy. He would play there for hours if I let him!

Last Sunday I plopped Weston on the counter (again to keep him happy while doing something in the kitchen). I didn't realize that I had plopped him right next to some left over cold spaghetti that I was going to warm up for myself. When I saw him dig his little hands in the meat and sauce, I could hardly believe it. He just started eating right out of the bowl with his fingers.

Now, I realize that the scene I just described would be a nightmare for most moms. Letting your toddler sit on the island of the kitchen eating cold leftovers with his hands and making a huge mess in the process - not a mother's dream come true.

However, if you knew how many months it took to get this kid to eat ANYTHING, you would understand the joy that filled my heart when I saw Weston stuffing his face with glee! I didn't even have to coax him. It was wonderful!

I may not be teaching Weston the best eating manners, but at least he's happy, right? (I don't sound like a hippie do I?)

The other way he loves to eat is sitting at the big table on a big chair! He's so tall that it actually works (although I only let him do it once in a while).

I am so thankful for this little munchkin. He fills our lives with so much joy... (and exercise, from chasing him around so much. Sometimes I wonder, with so much exercise, why am I not supermodel thin by now?!?)