Chocolate chip cookies are my weakness! If I had to pick one food item that I could eat and not gain weight from it'd be CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (and french fries). Ryan finds it funny how much I love them. I also enjoy eating vegan meals, however when I was pregnant with Magnolia I gave up my vegan diet. My very favorite vegan cookbook is Thug Kitchen. All of their recipes are delicious and the ingredients are easy to find and usually already in your kitchen cabinets. I took their Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and made a few modifications. They turned out amazing! I was pleasantly surprised since I didn't use butter or eggs in them.



Recipe

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup chilled peanut butter* (or almond butter)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
3/4 almond milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I always use extra)
1/2 to 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
2. In a large bowl mix together the peanut butter and sugars until it's fluffy. Slowly add in the ground flaxseed, almond milk, and vanilla until a loose batter forms. 
3. When all of that is mixed up, slowly add the sifted flour mix. Mix until there are no more dry spots. Fold in the chocolate chips, cover, and put in the fridge for at least an hour and for up to two days. 
4. When ready to bake heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 15-18 minutes. 

I have a special love for pajamas. The cuter the better! During the day I like to dress Miss Magnolia like a mini-me and I prefer to stay away from anything too baby-ish, if you know what I mean. I don't like anything super busy and I really don't care for clothes with words or cartoon characters. When it comes to pajamas I like to be ALL baby cutesy. For pjs I say bring on the unicorns, rainbows, ballerinas, bunnies, and kittens.

Before we found out she was a BOY, and then actually GIRL (if you missed that post check it out here), we used to call her BABY COOKIE! Before we knew the gender we wanted to call our baby something other than "it" and she was our strong little cookie, the one and only embryo to come from our first IVF cycle. I had to get her these adorable Baby Gap pajamas with the cookies and milk on them. They're sold out now, but I've shared some of my other favorite pajamas at the end of this post.

She literally melts my heart!











I laugh when I look this photo. I feel like she's saying, "mom, are you seriously singing me the ABCs AGAIN!?" Truth is I'm terrible at singing, and I barely know three kid's songs. I just sing her the ABCs all the time.









We just recently moved her crib down to our bedroom. She grew too long for her bassinet and I sleep much better with her close to me. Of course I just have to say, when she's sleeping her sweet Jelly Cat Bunny is not with her and neither is the pillow. Bare is best!

Sweet dreams!
XO

Our weekends are different now that Magnolia is here, and they are different in the most wonderful of ways. It feels like every thing we do is new and being done for the very first time because we get to see life through her brand new eyes. Moments as simple as walking outside are now full of joy because we show her the green grass, the blue skies, and the sound of birdies singing.

This summer has started off as a magical one. Magnolia is just a few days shy of five months, and although young, it hasn't stopped us from taking her on little trips to explore this beautiful city of ours. We love to see her amazement, as her big blue eyes light up with the curiosity that comes from seeing something for the very first time. We've already taken her to Loose Park, The Kansas City Zoo, Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, Longview Lake, and The Water Festival. Today we took her to Deanna Rose Farm!


She got to see chickens, cows, goats, and ducks. I think her favorite was the calf that came up very close to her face as we were leaning down looking into it's pen.














Tomorrow we are going to take her to the City Market and we plan to take her to Shatto Farm sometime this summer. Also on our summer bucket list is Powell Gardens and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Ryan's birthday is this month and we are going with him on a business trip to Salt Lake City. It'll be her first time flying and staying in a place other than home. Magnolia really loves adventures and we're feeling confident that she's going to do great.

Thanks to her we get to see life through the eyes of our child and there really isn't anything more beautiful.

Wishing you and yours a Happy 4th!

XO,
Wen, Ry, and Magnolia