Rocking chair at seven months

As I am sitting here typing this, I've got a huge smile on my face.  Lily is just waking up from a little snooze and while I can hear her making sweet noises, I am also listening to the music of her little seahorse.  The seahorse is a favorite toy of hers that gets played at each naptime and bedtime.  It lights up and plays music (just like a gloworm, but the seahorse is very girly).  I have often found her asleep with the seahorse snuggled in her arms.  I guess she has figured out how to make it play the music on her own :).

Anyways, I took a picture of Lily in her rocking chair yesterday...seven months old over the weekend!  For anyone who doesn't know, I've been sporadically taking pictures of her in the rocking chair as a way to see how much she has grown.  My Granddaddy Tut made the rocking chair for me when I was little, and when planning the nursery, I was certain I wanted this to be included.  My dad gave it a coat of paint and my mom had a cushion made for it.  I am sure in time it will be a favorite reading spot.  That's all for now...as I said...Lily just woke up from a nap! 

Crocodile Rock

It wasn't exactly Elton John's version, but she certainly had fun playing the piano with Sush.  Actually, she was quite stunned at the loud noises she was making.  She would strike a key, then stare at me, strike, stare, strike, stare (you get the idea).

Leave your tips in the jar!

The sewing continues...

My new found hobby continues for the moment.  We will see how long it lasts!

I've made some bibs, here are a few of my favorites.  Thankfully, Lily agreed to model one of them for me (look closely and you can see how her hair is growing!).

I got the bib pattern here. 

I am not sure what I am going to try making next.  Any ideas?

Recipes to share

I've got three recipes that I thought were worth sharing...one is for the babies and the others for everyone else!

First off, for the babies.  Lily LOVED this one (Tim and I tried it too, and thought it was pretty tasty).

It comes from Annabel Karmel's Top 100 Baby Purees.  I switched up one of the ingredients.  Here it goes:
Cinderella's pumpkin
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup washed and sliced white part of a leek (I used celery instead)
Half a small pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and cut into cubes (about 1 cup) (I used the squash, but maybe next time I'll try the pumpkin)
1/2 cup Vegetable or Chicken Stock

Melt the butter in a saucepan and saute the leek until soft and lightly golden.  Add the pumpkin or butternut squash and continue to cook for 2 minutes.  Pour in the stock, bring to a boil, and then simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.  Puree in a blender, or mash with a fork for older babies.

Second recipe was easy and healthy. I think there are a few shrimp lovers in the family that might want to try this one!  It comes from Blue Ribbon Recipes.
Tuscan Pasta Bake
1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for pan
1 package (8 oz.) sliced white mushrooms
1 small white onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes with garlic, oregano, and basil
1 cup low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup Parmesan
1/2 lb. frozen precooked and deveined large shrimp, thawed (I used fresh...there is a seafood market close by that will peel & devein for an extra $1...totally worth it)
1/2 box (8 oz.) whole wheat penne rigate, cooked

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly oil a baking dish or casserole.
2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Add mushroom, onion, and garlic, saute until onion is soft.
3. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and cornstarch.  Cook, stirring, until thickened,  Stir in Parmesan until melted.
4. Combine the shrimp and cooked penne in baking dish or casserole.  Pour sauce over the top and toss to combine.  Bake until shrimp is pink and heated through, 20 minutes.  Makes 6 servings.

Third recipe, was a St. Patty's Day treat.  I got the recipe here.  The recipe was for red velvet cupcakes, only you use green dye.  There were really good...I think I ate four over the course of the day.  Yes...four... 

Spring is just around the corner

Tim and I have had a swingset in our backyard ever since we moved into our house...which was many years ago. Up until now, Jackson was probably the primary user of the swingset. No, Jackson cannot swing, but there is a ladder that goes up to a covered fort which he used to climb up and act as guard dog. He didn't seem to mind sharing the swingset with Lily the other day. He relaxed in the sun, while Lily took a turn in her swing.

She smiled at almost every push.

Look at how well she is holding up her head while she is sitting.

The beautiful weather reminded us that spring is just around the corner.

Organized bath time

Lily went to her second swim class this morning. While I don't believe that she is going to be doing the backstroke by the end of the session, I do think she is having fun and is really enjoying the water. As Tim described it to someone, "It's sort of like organized bath time with a lot of people and in bathing suits." In any event, it is still a great way to start the weekend!




Looks, Lily swims so fast...

I cannot even get her picture.

Cannot wait for the summertime!

Half Birthday

Lily just turned 6 months this past weekend...and this feels like a milestone that is worth mentioning! Not only for her, but for me and Tim, too!

She is such a little sweetheart and such a happy baby! Example, we went to the doctor yesterday for her regular 6 month checkup and after examining her ears discovered that she has an ear infection. Now, don't I feel like the bad mom for not knowing that my baby was sick! Other than having a lingering little cough and slightly runny nose, she hadn't really showed any of the normal signs of an ear infection. The doctor said she must have a high tolerance for pain. So, let's just go with that (rather than me being a bad mom!).

She is growing right along the averages for her age, and is now up to 15 lbs. 9.5 oz. and 26 inches long. What else is new? Lots!!

- Working on her sit...she can do it on her own...but still needs supervision :)
- Babbling tons...making new sounds (and squeals) like "oh", "hoo" and my personal fave "ma ma". She only said it once, but it was clear as could be, and I have a witness :) :). I was so taken aback when she said it, I screamed! She's also got this cute new dolphin noise...it's sort of broken...very funny.
- She's got a mad cry. She has demonstrated this several times when something is taken away from her. Like my cell phone. She loves it. She doesn't like when I take it back.
- Trying all new sorts of foods. So far, she has had apple, pear, banana, carrot, sweet potato, butternut squash, and green peas. I'm making my own food and this seems to be going pretty well. I've managed to break one blender and have had hot, green peas splattered on my face (forgot to put the top on), but otherwise going well.
- She loves to grab faces, and sometimes goes in for a little kiss! Also, loves glasses, hair, hats, basically anything on your head.
- She loves music and singing. She even loves my singing...and Grammy's singing. Me and Grammy are not known to have particularly lovely singing voices :)

Here is a picture from over the weekend. Sush picked up a new outfit for Lily; an adorable little sailor outfit, complete with hat. We need the warmer weather to come to wear the whole ensemble, but the hat is wearable now. I think she likes it. Another point to make...does she look sick? How was I supposed to know???



If you want to see some more pictures of Lily in her new beret, check out a post from her Gramma Sush...Cher Bebe.

I am loving my new role as a mom, and I think I can speak for Tim in saying the same. Happy Half Birthday Lily!