Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Eight Months Old
My sweet, sweet boy, you are 8 months old! You seem to grow, develop, and change overnight. I love watching these changes and assisting you along the way. Here's what you've done in the past month.
- You have pooped twice in the potty (because I set you there during bath time).
- You started saying "da da" on Monday (September 24th)! And I'm not even jealous because you sound so cute when you say it! I am one proud Mama!
- You are about 27 inches tall and about 15 lbs.
- You are sitting on your own quite well. I still don't stray too far because I don't want you to fall over and hit your head, but your back is getting stronger and you can go for longer periods.
- You are wearing just a few 3-6 month clothes, but mostly 6 month and 6-9 months. You are still wearing size 2 diapers.
- You love playing in your pack-n-play out on the porch. You can see the leaves blowing in the wind and watch Dora chase after the birds, squirrels, bugs, etc.
- You think it's fun to watch your cousin Aubry do cartwheels.
- You are starting to eat more table foods. You have now added chicken noodle soup, turkey, well, you've actually tried so many bites of things now, I think I can just say you pretty much don't turn anything down. You love eating what Mommy and Daddy are eating and I think baby food will be out of the picture in the next month or two.
- Your favorite color is orange. You love the Halloween card on our wall that has orange pumpkins on it and you like to touch it every time we walk by. You like to stare at the orange pages in your books. I just had a thought... is this why you like to eat carrots so well?
- You squeal whenever you spot Dora. We call it your "kitty" noise.
- You are very good about rolling to get wherever you need to go.
- You have started sitting in the big end of the tub. You can sit up for longer and longer periods of time. You hold yourself in place by firmly planting your feet against the sides of the tub.
- On Tuesday (9/25) you sat in a high chair for the first time at a restaurant. You loved the freedom it gave you. You looked at the fountain and the lights and sat up on your own the entire time! A little girl even came over to talk to you for a little while and you enjoyed that, of course!
- Your legs are strong! You like to stand up with our help. Daddy thinks it's fun to position you in the corner of your crib, pack-n-play, wherever, and have you stand on your own.
- You are ticklish! You laugh and laugh when I blow raspberries on your sides and your thighs, and sometimes I can tickle you under your chin too.
- You are starting to fall asleep a little more often in your car seat. This is exciting because it has rarely happened in the past. We moved you to the side, instead of the middle, and you seem to really like looking out the window at the passing vehicles, watching the raindrops dance across the window, and seeing everything that's going on.
- When we go to church you hear the other kids talking and look around for them. You give them smiles and seem to really like children.
- When we "play" the piano together you do such a good job. Many times while I'm playing you'll stop and listen to me. Once I'm finished, you start playing again.
Daddy and I are proud of you and have such a fun time learning about you each day. You have added such joy to our lives! What will you learn in the next 30 days?
 |
| Enjoying our fall mums |
- You started saying "da da" on Monday (September 24th)! And I'm not even jealous because you sound so cute when you say it! I am one proud Mama!
- You are sitting on your own quite well. I still don't stray too far because I don't want you to fall over and hit your head, but your back is getting stronger and you can go for longer periods.
- You are wearing just a few 3-6 month clothes, but mostly 6 month and 6-9 months. You are still wearing size 2 diapers.
- You love playing in your pack-n-play out on the porch. You can see the leaves blowing in the wind and watch Dora chase after the birds, squirrels, bugs, etc.
- You think it's fun to watch your cousin Aubry do cartwheels.
 |
| Learning to eat Cheerios! |
- You squeal whenever you spot Dora. We call it your "kitty" noise.
- You are very good about rolling to get wherever you need to go.
- You have started sitting in the big end of the tub. You can sit up for longer and longer periods of time. You hold yourself in place by firmly planting your feet against the sides of the tub.
- On Tuesday (9/25) you sat in a high chair for the first time at a restaurant. You loved the freedom it gave you. You looked at the fountain and the lights and sat up on your own the entire time! A little girl even came over to talk to you for a little while and you enjoyed that, of course!
- Your legs are strong! You like to stand up with our help. Daddy thinks it's fun to position you in the corner of your crib, pack-n-play, wherever, and have you stand on your own.
- You are ticklish! You laugh and laugh when I blow raspberries on your sides and your thighs, and sometimes I can tickle you under your chin too.
- You are starting to fall asleep a little more often in your car seat. This is exciting because it has rarely happened in the past. We moved you to the side, instead of the middle, and you seem to really like looking out the window at the passing vehicles, watching the raindrops dance across the window, and seeing everything that's going on.
- When we go to church you hear the other kids talking and look around for them. You give them smiles and seem to really like children.
- When we "play" the piano together you do such a good job. Many times while I'm playing you'll stop and listen to me. Once I'm finished, you start playing again.
Daddy and I are proud of you and have such a fun time learning about you each day. You have added such joy to our lives! What will you learn in the next 30 days?
To life... full of the color orange!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Chunky Pecan Pie Bars
When my Dad comes to visit I like to bake things with pecans because I'm learning to like them, but Jeremiah can't have them, so it seems pointless to make something for just the two of us. Dad came this past weekend, so I was browsing through some recipes and landed on this one which I already had all the ingredients for (I had already picked up a bottle of light corn syrup earlier in the week in case I needed it - good call!).
My sister and brother-in-law came down the next day to join us for lunch so I was able to share with them as well. I really enjoyed these. As a matter of fact, they are already gone!
Chunky Pecan Pie Bars
*From my Nestle Toll House cookbook
Crust
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
Filling
3 large eggs
3/4 c. corn syrup
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 T. butter or margarine, melted
1 t. vanilla extract
1 3/4 c. (11.5 oz pkg.) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks (I just used chocolate chips, it was perfectly fine)
1 1/2 c. coarsely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350*. Grease 13x9-inch baking pan.
For Crust
Beat flour, butter, and brown sugar in small mixer bowl until crumbly. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
For Filling
Beat eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with wire whisk (I just used the Kitchen-Aid again, didn't wash it out; it's all going to be baked together anyway!). Stir in chunks and nuts. Pour evenly over baked crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 2-3 dozen bars.
**Serving suggestion :o) - Heat up a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, top it with a scoop of Heath Bar ice cream and enjoy! I most certainly did!!
To life... full of pecan goodness!
My sister and brother-in-law came down the next day to join us for lunch so I was able to share with them as well. I really enjoyed these. As a matter of fact, they are already gone!
Chunky Pecan Pie Bars
*From my Nestle Toll House cookbook
Crust
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
Filling
3 large eggs
3/4 c. corn syrup
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 T. butter or margarine, melted
1 t. vanilla extract
1 3/4 c. (11.5 oz pkg.) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks (I just used chocolate chips, it was perfectly fine)
1 1/2 c. coarsely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350*. Grease 13x9-inch baking pan.
For Crust
Beat flour, butter, and brown sugar in small mixer bowl until crumbly. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
For Filling
Beat eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with wire whisk (I just used the Kitchen-Aid again, didn't wash it out; it's all going to be baked together anyway!). Stir in chunks and nuts. Pour evenly over baked crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 2-3 dozen bars.
**Serving suggestion :o) - Heat up a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, top it with a scoop of Heath Bar ice cream and enjoy! I most certainly did!!
To life... full of pecan goodness!
Monday, September 24, 2012
MMM: Growing Up
Sometimes when someone else is holding Zeke I look at him and realize, he is growing up! Yes, yes, I KNOW, he is always growing older, but when I hold him in my arms he is always my little baby. My sweet little boy. In some ways he hasn't changed at all, in other ways he's totally different from that first day when he was laid on my chest.
When I look at other people's 7.5 month olds I think, "Wow, they are big! They can do so much! They have changed so much!" When I look at Zeke I see this tiny child with so much to learn... so much of the world to explore... so much possibility lies ahead of him. Will he ever not be my little baby?
When he's two years old, will I still rock him and see the baby that we first met? If so, don't remind me that he's already a toddler.
When he's eight years old, will I still give him lots of kisses and hugs and think back to the baby I was always rocking in my arms? If so, don't remind me that he's a second grader and will be out of the house before I know it.
When he's fourteen and bringing home friends after soccer (or football or band) practice to eat dinner with our family and I get teary as I remember the hours I spent feeding him on the couch and teaching him how to eat off a spoon and how to sign "more", don't remind me that he's in high school and going to be driving soon and that he's "almost a man" because I'm starting to realize, he will always be my little baby boy.
A few weeks ago Jeremiah and I went on a date and decided to go to Barnes & Noble. We went to the children's section and I found the book "Love you Forever." I had always liked that book growing up and I hear other moms talk about reading it to their children. So I sat down and read it and was almost shocked. As I made my way through the book I was thinking, "Wow! This lady has some attachment issues! Why in the world is she DRIVING over to her GROWN SON'S house and rocking him to sleep?!?! I mean, give it up lady, he's a grown up." I honestly almost didn't buy the book because it kind of bothered me. I mean, the kid is a man, he lives in his own house, he's a peacock, you gotta let him fly (Name that movie!).
But...
recently...
I'm starting to understand. Zeke will grow up and move out of our home and someday he might even have a family of his own. But to me, in my heart, in my mind, when I look at him, he will always be my little baby.
To life... full of feeling sentimental.
When I look at other people's 7.5 month olds I think, "Wow, they are big! They can do so much! They have changed so much!" When I look at Zeke I see this tiny child with so much to learn... so much of the world to explore... so much possibility lies ahead of him. Will he ever not be my little baby?
When he's two years old, will I still rock him and see the baby that we first met? If so, don't remind me that he's already a toddler.
When he's eight years old, will I still give him lots of kisses and hugs and think back to the baby I was always rocking in my arms? If so, don't remind me that he's a second grader and will be out of the house before I know it.
When he's fourteen and bringing home friends after soccer (or football or band) practice to eat dinner with our family and I get teary as I remember the hours I spent feeding him on the couch and teaching him how to eat off a spoon and how to sign "more", don't remind me that he's in high school and going to be driving soon and that he's "almost a man" because I'm starting to realize, he will always be my little baby boy.
A few weeks ago Jeremiah and I went on a date and decided to go to Barnes & Noble. We went to the children's section and I found the book "Love you Forever." I had always liked that book growing up and I hear other moms talk about reading it to their children. So I sat down and read it and was almost shocked. As I made my way through the book I was thinking, "Wow! This lady has some attachment issues! Why in the world is she DRIVING over to her GROWN SON'S house and rocking him to sleep?!?! I mean, give it up lady, he's a grown up." I honestly almost didn't buy the book because it kind of bothered me. I mean, the kid is a man, he lives in his own house, he's a peacock, you gotta let him fly (Name that movie!).
But...
recently...
I'm starting to understand. Zeke will grow up and move out of our home and someday he might even have a family of his own. But to me, in my heart, in my mind, when I look at him, he will always be my little baby.
To life... full of feeling sentimental.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Friday's Foto
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| Blue is my fah-vu-rite color! |
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Chicken with Apples and Stuffing
This recipe rocked for many reasons!
- It smelled great baking in the oven.
- It only requires 5 ingredients.
- We all loved it! Yes, ALL, I was able to scoop some out for Zeke and puree it in the food processor. I love being able to make food that all of us can eat together.
- It's a great Autumn recipe.
- We will make it again. And again. And again. Yes, we really liked it!
Chicken with Apples and Stuffing
*From Fix-it and Enjoy-it: 5 Ingredient Recipes
6 boneless chicken breasts halves, flattened (I used 5 and didn't flatten them, it was still great and didn't require any extra baking time.)
2 T. olive oil
1 pkg. chicken flavored stuffing mix
21-oz. can apple pie filling
1/4 c. brown sugar
Place olive oil in large skillet. Brown half the chicken breasts 3 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining breasts. Meanwhile, make stuffing according to package directions. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix brown sugar and pie filling together. Put in bottom of lightly greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Put chicken on top of apple mixture. Spoon stuffing over top of chicken. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Uncover and baking 15 more minutes until stuffing is browned.
We are fans of this great dish and I hope you might try it too.
To life... full of great combinations!
- It smelled great baking in the oven.
- It only requires 5 ingredients.
- We all loved it! Yes, ALL, I was able to scoop some out for Zeke and puree it in the food processor. I love being able to make food that all of us can eat together.
- It's a great Autumn recipe.
- We will make it again. And again. And again. Yes, we really liked it!
Chicken with Apples and Stuffing
*From Fix-it and Enjoy-it: 5 Ingredient Recipes
6 boneless chicken breasts halves, flattened (I used 5 and didn't flatten them, it was still great and didn't require any extra baking time.)
2 T. olive oil
1 pkg. chicken flavored stuffing mix
21-oz. can apple pie filling
1/4 c. brown sugar
Place olive oil in large skillet. Brown half the chicken breasts 3 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining breasts. Meanwhile, make stuffing according to package directions. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix brown sugar and pie filling together. Put in bottom of lightly greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Put chicken on top of apple mixture. Spoon stuffing over top of chicken. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Uncover and baking 15 more minutes until stuffing is browned.
We are fans of this great dish and I hope you might try it too.
To life... full of great combinations!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Coffee Cake Muffins
I am really enjoying our long Sunday mornings. Church doesn't start until 10 AM, so I feel like I have so much time to get ready, and even make muffins like I did last Sunday! I had all the ingredients for these coffee cake muffins, so I went for it. We thought they were very good!
Coffee Cake Muffins
**From my "The Friendship House" cookbook
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. chopped pecans
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. oil
Glaze: 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 T. milk (I used Silk so Jeremiah could have glaze too; it turned out fine, but I could tell a difference in the taste)
1 t. vanilla extract
Combine the brown sugar, pecans, and cinnamon; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into paper lined muffin cups. Top each with 1 teaspoon nut mixture and about 2 tablespoons batter. Sprinkle with remaining nut mixture. Bakes at 350* for about 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Spoon glaze over muffins. Yields 8 muffins.
To life... full of warm cinnamon breakfast treats!
**From my "The Friendship House" cookbook
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. chopped pecans
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. oil
Glaze: 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 T. milk (I used Silk so Jeremiah could have glaze too; it turned out fine, but I could tell a difference in the taste)
1 t. vanilla extract
To life... full of warm cinnamon breakfast treats!
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