It’s Bananas!
Who’s that rockin’ 20/20 vision?
It’s me! It’s me!
We drove back to the eye clinic yesterday to have the “bandage” contact lenses removed and I took an eye exam with my naked eyes. Bow chicka bown bown. I made Pea Daddy come into the exam room with me because I wanted to show off.
I’m still a little blurry. I still see halos of light around any sort of bright, shiny object or bulb. But when I looked at the eye chart and read
D E F P O T E C
and knew that meant that I had 20/20 vision, I got choked up. Keep in mind that just two days ago, I couldn’t even see the giant
E
at the top of the chart, let alone know what letter it was. (Hint: it’s always E.)
The scary part is, once I got home, I could see all the things that I’ve been happily blind to the last few days and weeks.
The spattering of dirt around the potted plant in the hallway that Pea Kitty will not stay out of.
The popsicle drips on our armchair.
The charges on our credit card bill to Anthropologie. How’d those get there?
The interesting toys the girls got for Christmas.
Though I’ve been hearing her for days, yesterday was the first time I laid eyes on Baby All-Gone.
I’ve been having a bit of baby fever lately. Little did I know that I don’t really want another baby. I just want a Baby All-Gone.
There’s no need to keep her hooked up to a bilirubin light to cure her jaundice that has her looking like a very tiny, very sleepy oompa loompa. There’s no trying to stop inconsolable crying for three months straight between 5 and 9 pm. There’s no desperate mitigating of poop explosions in the middle of my grandmother’s funeral (for at least a short time, there was a very nice corduroy Baby Gap jumper and matching tights in the dumpster of the funeral home. It’s gone to a better place, no doubt). There’s no wheat intolerances, projectile vomiting, or leaky breasts during Pea Daddy’s best friend’s wedding. That last one was me. Motherhood hasn’t been easy, friends.
But Baby All-Gone is. She keeps it short and simple.
“Thirsty. Juice please!”
“Yummmm. Bananas are delicious.”
“I love bananas.”
“More please!”
“I’m hungry.”
“Mmmm…good.”
“All gone.”
“Still hungry, Mommy.”
“BURP. Excuse me.”
Lulu likes that one a lot.
My personal favorite is:
“Where did it go?”
I’m not sure if she’s talking about the bananas or if she’s just saying the name of the game that got Baby All-Gone conceived in the first place.
Lulu struggled to keep up with her demands. At one point, I caught her palming her baby’s face like a basketball. When I asked what she was doing, she said, “I’m trying to watch a movie!”
If only it were that simple. At least there is one thing we can agree on.
“Yummy yummy yummy, bananas in my tummy!”
Our version just has a little twist.
Eggnog Soft Serve
Inspired by Gena’s Banana Soft Serve
Makes 2 servings
- 2 large bananas, sliced and frozen for at least two hours
- 1/4 c. non-dairy milk (you can use Silk Nog if you have it on hand)
- 1/2 t. vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
- 3/4 t. grated nutmeg
- stevia or agave to taste
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or high speed blender and blend until smooth and fluffy.
Add milk and sweetener until you reached the desired consistency and sweetness.
Oh baby.
More please.
All gone.
Baby All-Gone doesn’t know what she’s missing. And luckily she’s not programmed to complain about it.
But Pea Daddy is. And I don’t think eggnog soft serve is going to postpone a game of “Where Did It Go?” any longer.
Am I first again? That’s 2 nights in a row if I am (not that I’m counting).
So glad you can see and everything went well! The girls look so big. They are growing up fast. That soft serve looks yummy!
It was so tasty. You almost couldn’t taste banana at all.
I love banana soft serve and eggnog this is such a yummy idea!!!
Try it, you’ll love it.
Well, hell. I should have just gotten a Baby All-Gone.
No doubt. You can’t play “baby ball” with a real baby either.
Loveeee the where did it go joke! Your posts are the best way to end the night!
No, “Where Did It Go?” is.
Touché Mama Pea!
Glad you liked that.
Yay for 20/20 vision!!
That soft serve sounds fantastic. I used to make a banana smoothie when I was younger with almost the exact same ingredients. My mom refused to believe me when I said it tasted like eggnog!
You were ahead of your time!
I have a somewhat personal question (and I understand if you don’t want to respond). My best friend recently found out she is pregnant. Her husband is living 14 hours away, and she won’t be moving there for a few more weeks. For the time being, I’m her “temporary husband.” I’m struggling with how to support her in a certain way. She was in the hospital for anorexia about two years ago. Since then, she has recovered for the most part, but still struggles in many aspects. Her body and how it will change is a constant concern for her. She still eats irregularly, and I know she will do what she needs to do to have a healthy baby, but it will still be very difficult. Since you have two beautiful and healthy daughters, do you have any advice on how I can best support and/or encourage her? I really want her to be able to enjoy this time in her life. Thank you!
What a good friend you are…and what a difficult position to be in. I feel a little uneasy giving any advice, since I’m not a professional counselor. I would encourage your friend to see a counselor herself, if she isn’t already, to talk about how motherhood will affect her recovery. I would also suggest that she speak to her ob/gyn about her history, if she hasn’t. As for you, I would just talk to her about your concerns, and tell her exactly what you told me, that you love her and want to support her and that you want her to enjoy this time in her life.
If it’s any help, here’s a post I wrote awhile ago about raising my daughters with healthy body image.
http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/02/26/same-old-story/
I’ll keep you both in my prayers.
I’m totally stealing Where Did It Go? for the next time I proposition my boyfriend.
How sick am I that that’s what I thought of when Baby All-Gone said that? That’s rhetorical, of course.
Mmm! You reminded me that I need soft serve back in my life…preferably dairy free since I don’t stomach that too well.
Such a wonderful treat for a blistery night, huh?
Especially if you have leftover Nog.
I think I had this same doll when I was little…though it was the version from 20 years ago so it wasn’t as fancy
too funny I was so wanting to make this tonight!!!! Well the Banana Soft Serve, but I like yours better
Yay for 20/20 vision!
Mmm…hope you try this version. It’s tasty!
M.P. you are so damn clever the way to weave the themes of your post, love, love, love it! I think I like Baby All Gone….I was just discussing “Baby Born” of my childhood days with my Mom, asking her why the hell she agreed to buy me a baby doll that actually peed and pooped (after you stuff it full of water and odd smelling cracker/baby doll food). That doll was so nasty, and she always had orange crude oozing from one of her 2 “functional” orifices. And yes, I mean, mouth or hiney….she wasn’t truly anatomically correct. So creepy.
Glad that you are healing up nicely!
Thanks, Jess.
Our babysitter yesterday was talking about that same doll with the messy “functions.” We agreed Baby All Gone was definitely an upgrade!
congrats on the 20/20 vision!
Umm, Lulu is looking older by the day! I haven’t made banana soft serve in FAR too long. Glad to see you found some vanilla bean paste!! I just finished my first jar but got a 2nd while I was home in Ohio.
Also, LOVE that almond milk!!
Janetha sent me some vanilla bean paste, sweet girl. And I bought that almond milk per your recommendation!
So happy your lasik went well! Baby All-Gone is reminding me of my Furby when I was but a tot. Someone taught it to swear. I was the only one who played with it.
Congratulations on your new eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have beautiful eyes btw! I’m only 23 but my vision is -7.50 and hopefully i’ll get surgery within the next few years, but I have terrible eye allergy problems and the Dr. says I have to get that fixed first hehe. Take care <33
They did ask a lot of questions about allergies. Fortunately, I don’t have any.
I will be asking you more about Lasik when that time nears, though
Feel free!
I was thinking the same thing as Ashley–Lulu looks like she’s getting older by the day!
Have you tried Silk’s new unsweetened almond milk? Good one too! I love cinnamon in my soft serve, so this one is a no brainer! Thanks, MP!
Oh and the other day, one of my coworkers brought in her daughter who had a “doggie” who was sick … you actually give the thing shots … in the butt.
What?! That is insane! Teach those kids how to use syringes early, I guess.
Oh yes…and the 4 year old girl showed me where you ‘stick it’. Interesting.
I have. It’s delicious and so super creamy!
That looks real good, and im glad u siad the banans werent too strong tasting because i dont really like the banana taste
more sweetener please!! xx
I’m not a big banana fan either…that’s why I love this!
Now I’m dying to get lasik. And I have a feeling I will be addicted to eggnog soft serve.
There are worse addictions. Speaking of…you could sneak a little rum into this too. Yum.
Oh this is wonderful!!!! I am so happy to hear everything went well and you were given the most wonderful gift of sight this Christmas.
How incredible this must feel to be able to see without trouble. I dream of the day that this will be true for me. Take care hun!
“Where did it go?” Oh my gosh I almost just spit out my tea. That is one of the best jokes I’ve heard in awhile.
I’m here all week.
If only newborns came out like that…with manners and the ability to calmly say exactly what they need. Heck. if only toddlers came like that!
I know, right? Probably not the best post to read before you are about to give birth. Sorry about that.
I just made something similar the other night for my boys but used vanilla soy milk, lots of frozen banana’s, and cocoa powder to make a chocolate soft serve version. My four year old wanted ice cream and we were out! I’ll have to try your version, especially with almond milk and vanilla bean paste sounds heavenly!
Such a smart mommy, you are.
Wow, I did not know that Baby All Gone still existed! Haven’t seen one of those since I was little.
She’s retro? I had no idea! She looks good for her age.
That sounds delicious! Love vanilla soft serve as one of my favorite summer snacks but it might need to make a reappearance this winter with a twist.
Congrats!
Also, I was thinking this morning that I better use up my Rice Nog! To think I ate plain banana soft serve last night! What a waste.
I don’t think there’s any rule you can’t eat banana soft serve two days in a row! At least there better not be.
Your description of motherhood brought back so many memories of the newborn days with my daughter. I really want another baby but kind of wish I could fast forward to about 9 months. The newborn stage is so hard!
I am definitely trying this version of soft serve tonight. Looks delicious and I have everything on hand! (Well, no vanilla bean paste, but I’ll try it with extract.)
That’s the stuff they don’t tell you about having a newborn, you know? And the stuff you forget when your babies are getting older and you’re getting that itch again. Glad I could remind you.
Woohoo – I’m glad you’re seeing 20/20 again. Although sometimes things are better left unseen (ie dirt, messes, etc.)
I knew this day was bound to come. It’ll be even worse when my vision clears even more.
ok, yum. I’m trying this! Especially because I got my vita-mix for Christmas! yay!
Yes, you MUST try it!
I love your recipe! I need to make some as soon as possible.
I’m so glad you’re able to see without glasses now! That must feel so liberating and exciting. I would love to have the surgery done someday too, considering the fact that I only ever wear my glasses for driving and know that I’m missing out on a lot of things.
If you only need glasses for driving, I’m not sure it would be worth it for you. You’re like Pea Daddy with his -1 prescription. Grrr…
Congratulations on a successful surgery!!!
Mmmm eggnog banana soft serve? Sounds fantastic!
Congratulations! It must be so amazing to see clearly from the minute you open your eyes in the morning! I’m not completely blind, but I definitely need to put in my contacts before I start my day.
I think I may need one of those dolls to cure my irrational urges.
Banana soft serve has me jonesing for summer!
I think banana soft serve transcends all seasons, doesn’t it?
Congrats on the 20/20! That is awesome! You can never go wrong with banana soft serve! Hits the spot every time!
hooray for 20/20!
You are a culinary genius! Congrats on your new eyes!
What a raunchy little post! Luckily your children are still far to innocent to see how this “doll” may not have been hugged by her daddy enough. Congrats on the 20/20!
Hmm…I’m not sure how to take that….
Congrats! And your eyes look AHMAZING! My hubby’s eyes were all scary and bloodshot for days after his surgery. Someday, there will be a laser strong enough to fix me!
I wanted to show my eyes to show how healthy they look! You can’t even tell I had anything done.
I think I had that doll when I was younger, except it really liked peas. Hahaha.
I’m really taken with her. I might strap her in the Baby Bjorn today.
Love the blog, a bit new but love it! I had Lasik about 2 years ago…. It’s amazing! I am so happy for you. I went from requiring -11 contact prescription to better than 20/20!
Can’t wait to try the Soft Serve Egg Nog:D
That’s really great to hear considering that your prescription is around where mine was
Thanks for the kind words.
LOL, I read your recipes all the time and say “I am going to make that!” and then neverdo, this one I will be making for sure. That last line made me spit out my tea, now my work laptop is messy, thanks a lot. Congrats on the new eyes, I want some so bad, but don’t think I can get past that whole corneal flap thing.
Really though, my corneal flap is pretty much healed now. So if you can get over the concept, it’s worth it.
i am so so so excited about your 20/20 vision! i can’t wait to get lasik one day…
Mmm–I’d like some right now, please! I’ve been meaning to ask you this for a long time–the spoon that’s in the first photo of the soft serve–where do you buy those? I’ve seen them in a lot of your photos.
I hope you have an awesome time ringing in the New Year with your 20/20 vision! Or, if you’re like me, you’ll be celebrating with New York at 9:00 Pacific time and then going promptly to bed. Night owl, I’m not.
Of course I will be going to bed before midnight. Silly girl.
Those little spoons are from Crate + Barrel and come in a few different colors. They are called “condiment spoons” and you’ll find them with the little kitchen accessories.
Ohh – that soft serve sounds awesome.
You always have me cracking up. I cannot wait to try the eggnog soft serve! It sounds delicious and healthy!
I’m thinking you might have meant 3/4 tsp nutmeg rather than 3.4 tsp nutmeg?
Yup, thanks!
You crack me up! I had lasik done in 1989 and it was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself! Wait till you can go swimming and SEE! Holla! Happy New Year!
Oh, good! I’m glad to hear you’ve had success!
Oh boy, Congratulations on the vision! Mine’s kinda blurry but not as bad as yours was. Someday I might need that surgery. I’m so happy for you.
I was just ready to say goodbye to Christmas flavors, but this recipe looks like a must!
Congrats on the success of your surgery!
uhh. baby all gone kinda creeps me out. this is probably why i only had stuffed cats as a child and burst into tears when given a doll at my 4th birthday party.
NOG. it is just fun to say.
I’ve been putting that vanilla bean paste you sent me in everything! Thank you!!!
Yum!
It must be so great to be able to see. It’s amazing what I take for granted sometimes.
yay! happy for you!
I would love a special on who does the girl’s hair! did you do the french braids?
I do the girls hair
I’m kind of obsessed with it.
Here’s a post I did once on their hairstyles:
http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/09/30/its-picture-day/
I like Lulu’s form when feeding babies; brace the forehead to make sure food makes contact with mouth.
She’s a nurturer. That’s for sure.
Congrats on your 20/20 vision!
Lol, you’ll have to share this post with her when actually does become a mother.
You are too funny! I hope lasik is in my future…right now its not in the budget but when hubby gets his business up and running…I’ll be the one telling those eye sight jokes until he agrees that I need the surgery lol. I have everything but the pumpkin pie spice for that soft serve so I will be trying that TONIGHT!!
Good luck with the new business! Let me know how you like the soft serve!
Now I want lasik surgery more than ever!
I know you said it wasn’t pleasant, but was it actually *painful*?
I’m not sure I’m a good judge of pain. I’ve had two babies, one without an epidural and I’ve also had major back surgery. So I have a pretty high tolerance. I’d say this was like getting soap in your eyes. But for like a week.
Congrats on the 20/20! I am a bit jealous
Lulu looks so grown up in those pictures! Maybe because her hair is down?
Yes. She’s never wearing it down again. (sniff)
Hahah thats so cautte!! I miss playing with baby dolls! Well, I miss being little and actually enjoying them! OH the innocent days!
haha , I totally am trying banana soft derve later tonight bc me and my mom totally just got a food proccessor for chirstmas!
does it actually taste that good? Everyone always raves about it?
Well, I guess i’ll just have to try it tonight myself!
You really should try it…it’s wonderful.
Congratulations on the successful surgery and Merry Christmas!
When I was reading about Lulu’s doll, I couldn’t help but think of this Cabbage Patch doll that my sister got for Christmas one year. If you touched its arm, it began to cry and you were supposed to kiss its forhead to make it stop. The problem was that it required much more pressure than just a kiss. More like a very frim press. Eventually, when my grandmother (who stayed in my sister’s room) kept setting the doll off, we just told her to hit its head. Although my gradmother was a very gentle soul, that doll frustrated her so much that she would give it some quite energetic whacks on the head.
How’s that for an easy way to end crying….and teaching child abuse?
What a funny story! I never had that Cabbage Patch Kid. But my brother had one. And I never let him forget it.
Hehe, too cute! Love that softserve recipe!
Woohoo, so glad you can see! Congrats! That soft serve looks so good I just may have it for dinner.
We had it with toast with nut butter for lunch.
You are sooooo good at writing, Mama Pea!
Thank you!
I love your blog so much.
Would this work with only one frozen banana and a small, weakish blender?
Also, I wish I could live with u and Papa Pea and the lovely girls you have. I think it would bring me peace (and yes, I recognize the irony of that considering it must be a mad-house), but just a feeling of warmth and safety.
You are so sweet. I really hope we do have a warm home. It feels that way to me.
I hope you are doing okay.
You could definitely try it in your blender, but you’ll probably need more milk to blend it up.
Good luck!
That doll seriously frightens me! But on a more positive note, congratulations on being 20/20!!! So happy for you to see a new year through new eyes
What?! She’s adorable.
Thank you…Happy New Year to you!
Haha, there are no words, only laughs
Now after reading the first few lines of your post, I can’t get those cheers out of my head–I’ve got Spartan spirit.
I’m bookmarking this recipe–do you think it would still work out in a non-Vitamix blender?
You may be the only one who got that joke. Thank you.
You can try it in a non-vita. You just may need to add a touch more milk. I’ve made it in a Magic Bullet too.
This is a while later but.. I just made this in my Oster blender with just 1/4 cup of milk, I lost a bit of a spatula but it worked out. I’m enjoying it now!
Great! Avoid that plastic if you can!
Sounds delicious! I’ve been craving ice cream or fro-yo but this might do the trick.
Ps you are hi-larious.
Why thank you.
That is great you now have 20/20! AND, eggnog soft serve… yes please!
Yay! I’m SO glad it went well. I was totally thinking about you and praying it would go well. Here’s to 20/20 in 2011!
Xoxo,
Erin
P.S. Forgot to say that I had a “Baby Alive” who seems to be a distant relative to “Baby All Gone.”
I spent many days changing her diapers until I decided at age 8 I was too young to be a mom. Not sure what I did with her after that.
Maybe this is why God hasn’t given me the chance to get married or have real children as of yet. Because I can’t remember where I stashed my first born. Hmmm….
Three things:
Yay for 20/20 vision!
Those dolls creep me out.
I have those same ramekins
Gotta love World Market!!!