My birthday last week was wonderful.  we celebrated ALL week long and I had Kent home every single day.  Best birthday week ever. We watched my FAVORITE movie- "Dan in Real Life".  I have no idea why but I LOVE it.  It's one of the few movies that I can watch over and over and over again and laugh so hard every time. We went out to eat a few times :)  Kent watched the baby and I went to the gym several times!!  and we spent time checking out new parts of dayton- and just enjoying time to relax!!  On my actual birthday I was craving carrot cake terribly.  I have no idea why- but it sounded amazing.  The only place in town that sold carrot cake ended up being 'the cheesecake factory'- so we went.  I can honestly say that both of us loved our food.  A little overpriced- but super fun for a birthday dinner. And their carrot cake was pretty good.

This weekend- however- I decided to make my own.  Much cheaper- and actually tastier in my opinion.  The picture isn't fabulous but the cake was. I used my friend's fabulous recipe but adapted it enough that it's more my own.  I'm including it at the end of the post :)  It's the perfect Easter treat!

Our baby is broken.   We've never had a fussy baby before and this little metta is kind of driving us crazy.  I shouldn't complain because I'm assuming shes just a 'normal' baby- but our other two were abnormally easy.  She likes to be held when she's awake. and she likes to be held in a certain way.  she gets fussy in the evening and has to be walked around or bounced or taken outside.  She's gassy and gets the hiccups every night.  But she still does sleep quite a bit- and sleeps well- so I know that things could be WAAAAY worse.

 Kent figured out this pillow trick this afternoon.  She took three long (2+ hours) naps just like this today.

 Check out the orange hair!!

 she's so cute when she sleeps.  her fat little lips and pudgy little nose.  adorable.

 but she better stop shrieking at us soon!  kent goes back to work on thursday and I'm hoping that I can adjust to real life.  Having a baby was almost worth this amazing paternity break.  I love that the air force gives TEN full days to dads.  It has been lifesaving.  thank-you USAF.

CARROT CAKE

combine:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinn.
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda


combine:
 3 cups grated carrots
1 (12-16 oz)  can pineapple crushed or blended with juice.
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1/2 c cup oil
1/2 c applesauce
4 eggs


MIx all together with spoon or whisk.
grease and flour 2 -9 inch cake pans and bake 30-35 minutes at 350.  Let cool completely- remove from pans. Stack with forsting between layers- and cover with frosting!


FROSTING.
1 pack cream cheese (room temp)
3 tbs butter (room temp)
Cream together and add 3-4 cups p. sugar