What a difference!

All of Lily's buddies in town happen to be boys (there are even a few more friends that are not pictured). They also happen to be the same age, or within days of each other. Yes...days...four to be exact! I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of the babies. The picture below is when they were just two weeks old. From left to right is Lily, Henry, and Will. Now for the difference as they all approach six months...

Henry and Will

Lily, Henry, and Will

Lily and Henry watching Will (Lily took notes on her computer)

Hard to believe!!

Stretch Lily

Lily was working on her straddle splits this morning...

Ready-made friends

"A cousin is a ready-made friend for life." - Anonymous

I have heard how much some of Lily's cousins enjoy checking out the blog. I thought I would share some pictures them.

Trey

Peter

Carson (Lily and Carson are 11 days apart)

A couple more fun ones!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Who got the baby?

I have developed a love for all things New Orleans. And, that includes King Cake! Tim and I enjoyed two cakes over the past couple of weeks. One of the cakes was filled with cream cheese, and was absolutely delicious! I decided that it was close enough to being a coffee cake, so enjoyed it for breakfast, too.


I got the baby this year, so I guess I will have to get the cake next year. Maybe I will try my hand at making one myself?




Lily enjoyed playing with some beads yesterday for Mardi Gras. Shiny...easy to hold...what baby wouldn't love playing with them!

No Baking Required

Let me start by saying these are DEFINITELY a treat. I made them for Valentine's Day and everyone deserves a treat on Valentine's Day!
















The recipe comes from Martha Stewart Living, August 2008. I adapted it just a little bit. Here it goes!

No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients
Makes 2 dozen
Vegetable oil cooking spray
9 ounces chocolate wafers (about 40 wafers), finely ground (2 cups)
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (I used quick cook, since I had these in the pantry)
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
5 ounces (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup chunky peanut butter
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
10 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
1 1/2 ounces milk chocolate, melted

(I had doubled the recipe, but didn't realize until I got home that I didn't have enough semisweet chocolate. I just substitued milk chocolate for the amount I was lacking)

Directions

1. Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment, leaving a two inch overhang on the two long sides


2. Combine wafter, oats, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add chunky peanut butter and 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter, whisking until combined. Transfer to baking dish, and use the bottom of a measuring cup or an offset spatula to firmly press mixture into an even layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.


3. Pour melted semisweet chocolate over chilled mixture, and using an offset spatula, spread into a thin layer that covers the entire surface. Refrigerate until hardened, about 15 minutes.


4. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter in a small saucepan until runny (I just microwaved it). Drizzle peanut butter over chilled chocolate. Drizzle melted milk chocolate over peanut butter. Refrigerate until hardened, about 15 minutes.


5. Use parchment to lift out chilled block of bars. Run a sharp knife under hot water, dry well, and cut into 24 squares, wiping knife between cuts. Let bars stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. (Sliced bars can be refrigerated for up to one week or frozen for up to 1 month.)
   

Enjoy!

Sewing 101

Well, I decided to tap into my crafty side, and worked on a little Valentine's Day project for Lily and some of her friends. I put together these owl teethers. They are easy to hold and the texture of the ribbon is great for their little gums. I did have to get a refresher course from my mom on sewing (I don't think I've sewed since taking Home Ec in middle school!). I was definitely a little rusty at first, but in the end, I was very happy with how the project turned out.

I found the pattern for the owl teethers at The Rubber Punkin. And, the cards were a download from Living Locurto.

Oh, I just had to post a picture of my mom's sewing machine...I think one might call it an antique! It originally belonged to Aunt Helen. Aunt Helen was my grandfather's aunt. I guess that would make her my great, great aunt?

My next project...bibs. Hope to be able to share some pictures of these soon!

On the mend

Lily has been a good little sleeper at night for the past couple of months. This love for sleep could have come from either one of her parents. I cannot make it through a movie that starts past 8 o'clock...and Tim... well he could sleep until noon on the weekends if I would let him. Oftentimes, when I lay Lily down in her crib at bed time, she will look up and smile at me when I tell her good night, as if she is looking forward to going to sleep. It is so sweet! I tell you this because Thursday night after I put her down, she awoke crying two hours later. We knew something had to be really bothering her. Poor thing was up almost all night, and just wanted to be held. She was coughing, congested, and I think she might have also had a tummy ache. I did take her to the doctor to get checked out, and thankfully no infection, just a crummy old cold that needs to run its course. She seems to be back to her happy self today.

Here she is having some oatmeal at breakfast in her new chair.

Here is Jackson helping Lily finish off her oatmeal.

Lily got visits from both sets of grandparents today (one of the many reasons we love living so close to our parents!!). Here she is with Pop and Sush, and her baby doll. I have to say I was rather excited when she took to her baby doll.

Grammy and Grandpa came by before Lily went to bed.

Lily enjoyed opening her Valentine present!

Back in the new chair for a picture of all of the three of us. Jackson tried to make it in, but didn't really want to sit still.

Lily will smile sometimes when you say "cheese." You have to really draw it out...more like "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!"


Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!

Super Bowl Sunday

Our great friends, Jon and Brooks, and their adorable son, Charlie, had us over for a Super Bowl party last night. Tim and I are also lucky enough to be able to call Charlie our godson, and we are thrilled that the he and Lily are going to be able to grow up together. I just hope Lily will be able to keep up with Charlie. If she is anything like her dad though... that'll be no problem! Lily was just a tiny little thing the last time Charlie saw her, so this was the first time we were able to get their picture together. Charlie cozied right up, huh?



I do have a sweet story to tell about little Charlie. At the end of the night, we were packing Lily up in the carrier while Charlie watched. After she was in, Charlie thought about trying to squeeze in there with her, but we did have to tell him he wouldn't be able to fit. Then, he spotted the pacifier pod attached to Lily's carrier. I am sure a couple of you are wondering what's a pacifier pod? Well, it holds one or two pacifiers for easy access. Charlie knows what they are for, and as he went to open it, we were certain he would stick one of her pacifiers into his mouth. Charlie surprised us, however, when he pulled out a pacifier, and put it in Lily's mouth! It was just so cute!! Cute enough, that he took out another pacifier and did it again. Thanks for being a such a sweet boy, Charlie!



We were (of course) cheering for the Saints, since Tim is from New Orleans. Lily even got to watch the last quarter with everyone in her PJs. Geaux Saints!

The Sorceress

Tim and I used to eat out all the time. We probably ate more meals out than in, and I'm happy to say that we are now doing the reverse! The other night I cooked up what we agreed to be a delicious dinner. I fixed a recipe my sister-in-law in Richmond had shared, Lemon-Apricot Chicken, along with homemade mashed potatoes, butter beans, and tiny cream cheese biscuits. We sat there after dinner was over, both very satisfied, and both very happy!

So, where does the sorceress part come in? Well, I came across this quote:
"A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness."
- Elsa Schiaparelli

Now, I wouldn't exactly call myself a sorceress, but the other night, I felt like I had just dispensed a whole lotta happiness!

I put a link above to the yummy chicken dish above, and thought I would share the recipe for Tiny Cream Cheese Biscuits. There's only three ingredients to these TASTY little things, but they are delicious!!

Tiny Cream Cheese Biscuits














1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup self-rising flour

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed of an electric mixer 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed just until blended.

Spoon dough into ungreased miniature (1 3/4-inch) muffin pans, filling full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until golden. Serve hot. Yield 1 1/2 dozen.

The recipe comes from Southern Living Our Best Easy Weeknight Favorites.