Coffee

Sadie’s First Ear Infection + Coffee Talk

Poor Sadie girl came down with an ear infection last week. She randomly started tugging on her ear and acting not at all like her happy-go-lucky self. I gave her some Tylenol and booked an appointment to see the pediatrician the next morning.

Sadie did well at the appointment, except when the pediatrician wanted to look in her ear. We left the office with a diagnosis of an ear infection, a script for an antibiotic, and were on our way. I’m so thankful we were able to get in to the doctor quickly.

This little ear infection made me thankful that Sadie has been quite healthy otherwise! What a blessing. Another blessing? My mom had slept over that night because Jimmy was out of town for work. God knew when this mama needed her mama 🙂

Our little chicka doesn’t seem to be in too much pain. She’ll tug her ear and cry every now and then, and she’s not sleeping great, but she has taken everything in stride (even the diaper rash from the medicine, ugh). Getting the antibiotic in her has been quite the challenge! We tried giving her the amoxicillin in a mini medicine bottle, but that was a bit of a disaster, haha.

As I’ve mentioned before, she’s not a fan of bottles. We thought maybe she’d take the medicine from a bottle because it was bubblegum flavored, but nope! We’re using a syringe, but it seems like she just pushes the medicine right out of her mouth. Fellow parents, do you have any tips?!

Okay, enough about ear infections and bottles! Did everyone have a nice weekend? It was cold here in Pittsburgh, but we stayed warm with coffee!

Starbucks coffee date

My mother-in-law gave us Starbucks gift cards for Christmas, so we’ve been enjoying great coffee lately! I tried the Papua New Guinea blonde roast and loved it.

I had coffee on the brain this morning (see above about not getting much sleep, lol), so Sadie and I went on a little Starbucks date so I could work on editing my book.

Book editing at Starbucks

I tried the Kenya Barichu Reserve coffee, which was awesome. Having the Reserve coffee brewed in Starbuck’s Clover Brewing System was such a treat and reminded me of my coffee date with my dad around this time last year! Is anyone else really into the flavor profile of coffee, or are you in the coffee is coffee camp?

At home, Jimmy and I brew the Fair Trade Organic whole bean coffee from Aldi because it’s less than $5 for a 12 ounce bag and the coffee tastes great. If we go out to coffee shops like Starbucks, though, I really enjoy trying different blends and drinks!

Well, I better wrap this post up. Sadie is currently napping on me (I’m practicing my typing-with-one-hand skills, lol) and is starting to stir. Before I go, I need your help!

I’m still deciding on what to cook for our Valentine’s Day get-together. I’m considering the following: chili and cornbread, grilled barbecue ribs and chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, or a make your own pizza bar. What would you pick?!

Baking, a Sleepover, and Dogs

Hey hey! I feel like it has been a while since I last blogged. Life has been busy with lots of appointments, preparations, and even a sleepover recently.

Summer sunrise between trees

The month of August has flown by, and I’m sad summer will be coming to a close soon! With that said, fall is such a wonderful season, so I’m not too sad.

I just wanted to pop in today and share what’s been happening in my life lately! First and foremost, thank you to everyone who commented on my last post about the third trimester of pregnancy. It was so encouraging to read all the sweet comments. I just love blogging.

Since my last post, I’ve had two more iron infusions. Only one left now! Jimmy and I are praying my body soaks up the iron and gets my hemoglobin levels up in time for delivery so baby girl and I can be healthy!

IV iron infusion while pregnant

I’ve been doing some baking lately! I’m still working on making the perfect malted milk chocolate chip cookies and I also baked a batch of salted caramel brownies using this recipe.

I recently brought home a can of pumpkin the other day, so I’m thinking a loaf of pumpkin bread needs to grace the Zottola kitchen soon 🙂

Smitten Kitchen salted caramel brownie ingredients

I slept over my parents’ house this past week, which was so much fun! Jimmy has been swamped at work and needed to work late a few days, so Mavis and I hung out with my parents (Jimmy takes Lola to work with him every day, lol) since my work doesn’t require me to be in any specific location.

It had been a few months since I last spent a night or two with my parents and it was just as relaxing as last time! Coffee was enjoyed, dogs were snuggled and walked, my mom and I baked together, nights were spent staying up late and talking, and I was generally spoiled by my mom and dad. It was great and just what I needed!

Sheetz frozen latte and frozen chai teaCocker spaniel puppy kissing womanFruit cobbler with homemade whipped creamCocker spaniels with labrador and golden retriever

Now it’s Labor Day weekend and Jimmy and I are looking forward to spending time together! We are hoping to put the finishing touches on baby girl’s nursery, so I’ll definitely blog about that soon 🙂

What are your plans this weekend?

What have you been up to lately?