Jax loves Batman, so naturally I wanted to make him a Batman cake. For 4 years I’ve been wanting to make his cake myself. This year, I finally did it and I think it came out great. I loved seeing his eyes light up at the sight of his cake. It was so simple to make too.

First, I used two boxes of Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix. I would have made my own cake mix, I really wanted to, but it’s a bit hard with a 10 month old hanging onto my legs at all times. In fact, I made it super easy by using store bought everything…….cake mix, brownie mix, frosting, and obviously M & M’s. .

yellow cake batter

After my extremely hard work (LOL) of adding some oil, water and eggs to the mix, I put the cakes in the oven to bake.

baking cakes

Meanwhile, I started on the brownie mix. (you will see why in a moment)

brownie mix

When the cakes were finished baking, I took them out of their baking pans and cut off one edge of both so they would fit together.

cutting cakes to fit together

When the cakes and brownies were cooled, the real fun began. We iced the cake.

icing the cake

We cut out the Batman logo from the brownie, which I baked as a very thin layer.

cutting out the bat logo

Then we carefully placed the bat onto the iced cake and started adding yellow M & M’s around it to make the Batman logo.

adding yellow M and M's

The finished Batman logo:

Batman logo

Then I wrote my son’s name out of M & M’s and tada……….

The Jaxman Cake

First, for my older son, in size 4-5 year is the Pirate Line, which included a pirate raincoat (complete with detachable eye patch) and matching hanger, a pirate umbrella and a hooded towel.

Pirate Raincoat - Front View

Pirate Raincoat - Back View

Pirate Towel

Pirate Towel Back

The pirate umbrella is not pictured because it is in my car!! We have already used it several times due to the rainy afternoons when I have to pick up my son from camp. The first day that I brought it was a surprise and he was thrilled. He was so excited to carry his “sword” to the car all by himself. I got wet, but he thoroughly enjoyed himself and that’s what matters, right?!

Next, is my 10 month old son with the Frog Line in size 2 year.  This also included a raincoat with matching hanger, hooded towel and an umbrella.

Baby Frog Stuff

Froggie Towel

As you can see, these products are too cute.  The pictures don’t even do them justice because they look even better in person. The raincoats can double as costumes. They are very well made. The towels are great. They are really soft and a generous size. I love that they have a snap in the front so they stay on. Both boys have been using them for the past few days in a row after we’ve gone  in the pool. I wish they made this stuff in my size!

As I hold your hand basking in the glow of our magical relationship,
I suddenly feel a kick from within,
as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder:
How could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you.
I watch the pain you feel at having to share me,
as you’ve never shared me before.
I hear you telling me in your own way,
“Please love only me.”
And I hear myself telling you in mine,
“I can’t,” knowing, in fact, that I never can again.
You cry. I cry with you.
I almost see our new baby as an intruder
on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never quite have again.
But then, barely noticing,
I find myself attached to that new being,
and feeling almost guilty.
I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying him.
–as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change,
first to curiosity, then to protectiveness,
finally to genuine affection.
More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.

The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two.
There are new times–only now, we are three.

I watch the love between you grow,the way you look at each other,touch each other.
I watch how he adores you–as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments.
And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you,
I’ve given something to you.

I noticed that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered,
to my amazement…
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you–
only differently.
And although I realize that you may have to share my time,
I now know you’ll never share my love.
There’s enough of that for both of you
–you each have your own supply.
I love you–both
and I thank you for blessing my life.

-author unknown

Let’s wish her lots of easy labor vibes and a beautiful, healthy, and happy birthing experience and of course baby!

I had heard that Chiropractors were supposed to help with ear infections. Apparently they correct misalignments (called subluxations) and allow normal fluid drainage from the middle ear.  Chiropractic care is simply the art and science of aligning the spine to take pressure off the nerve and ultimately allow the body to heal itself.  So, what happens with the adjustment, is that it allows for the ear canals to open up and the ears will drain, preventing any ear infection.

So, we have been going to the Chiro for almost 2 months and I see a dramatic improvement. There has been no stuffy nose, seems to be no sleep apnea, no colds, no ear infections, etc. We were going twice weekly for a while, then switched to once a week last week and this week, we didn’t go at all. I’m not sure if I should continue going once a week (and for how long?? because it really gets expensive) or if we should just see what happens and hope he doesn’t get sick again. Any thoughts?