Lip Smacking Good

You know a meal is good when it makes you smack your lips…

 

Teething = Bipolar Baby

Poor thing can’t decide if she’s happy or sad.  This is pretty much what our whole day looks like. 

This is what teething will do to a baby’s mood.

Pinnable Me Friday: Dreaming of Cooler Weather

I’m linking up with Stefanie of Paw Prints and Pastry Bags for Pinnable Me Friday. Join the fun!

Today I’m going to share some of my favorite finds for fall.  I think we’re on like the 137th day of over 100 degree weather (what?  I don’t exaggerate – I promise it’s been that long), so we’ve stayed in the air conditioning and thanks to Pinterest, I’ve been day dreaming about cooler weather. 

Here are some of my favorite finds: 

First up – Fall Fashion.  Love this look from polyvore.

Next up – some fun fall decorating.  I love this pillow, featured here.

And these monogrammed pumpkins are too cute!

I love the tall branches flanking the mirror on this fall mantel. {sidenote: The noun mantel refers to a shelf above a fireplace. The noun mantle refers to a cloak or (usually figuratively) to royal robes of state as a symbol of authority or responsibility.} I had to look that up because I never know which one to use.

And last, a yummy fall recipe – Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread!  MMMmmmmm.

Broken Playmat

 

Hadley still plays on her playmat every day.  Because she squirms and rolls around so much more now, she occasionally twists herself sideways, and then when she goes to kick, she takes the mat down with her.  What can I say?  She’s a wild woman…

 

Ummm… mom?  I think there’s something wrong with my playmat. 

I love that you can tell she’s smiling in this next one.  She thought it was pretty funny that she pulled it down on top of herself.

And later in the day…

Ok seriously, mom.  Can you please get this fixed for me?  This is embarrassing.

Baby Loves & Must Haves Months 3-6

I wrote a post awhile ago about the bigger items that we used all the time and thought I’d do another edition for the items we “couldn’t live without” in the 3-6 month age. 

1. The first item on the list is the Circo brand (from Target) flannel lap pads – we’ve actually been using these since day 1 and I just keep finding more uses for them.  Initially I just used them on the changing pad on her Pack-N-Play.  Now, in addition to using them on her boppy changing pad (in place of the boppy waterproof cover b/c that one always stuck to her little bottom), I use one in her crib so I don’t have to change the crib sheet as often.  They are also great for traveling when you won’t have a changing table somewhere.  They wash up well (as long as you don’t wash something with velcro in the same load) and fold up nicely.  I started with one pack of these and now have about 10 of them total.  Love them.  Oh – and the brand is important.  I bought some similar ones from Babies R Us and they have not stood up to washing the way the Circo brand has.  The BRU ones pill and lose their softness. 

2. Exersaucer.  The one we have was a generous hand me down from one of Matt’s co-workers.  It’s the Evenflo 3 Stage Triple Fun Exersaucer.  The first couple times I put Hadley in this she cried, but you would never know that now.  She LOVES this thing.  She can spin around in the chair so she doesn’t get bored looking at the same toy, and it bounces, which has become her favorite thing to do in here.  It keeps her entertained easily while I make dinner or do laundry.  It’s also a lovely decorating addition to our family room.   

3. Angel Dear Cuddle Blankie.  We have been given a handful of different “loveys” and at first I thought they were interchangeable.  I was wrong.  Although she will tolerate other ones, she clearly loves this one above and beyond the others.  I actually just bought another one on Amazon to have as a backup when one is dirty or lost.  From reading the reviews, it sounds like there is something about this brand that babies love!  Another girlfriend of mine also swears by these – her 18 month old is still carrying his around.  We have the floppy eared bunny (below), but click here to see all the different ones they offer!  LOTS of cute ones!

4. OXO Tot feeding spoons.  Yes, other spoons will work, but these are far and beyond my favorite.  They are sturdy, easy to wash, soft enough for her to gum on when she takes a bite, but strong enough to show no signs of wear.  They are also great for scraping the last little bit out of a container.  (I guess these aren’t really “baby” must haves, but more of “mom” must haves.)

5. Paci Wipes.  These are “food grade” wipes, so they are safe to use for something you eat off of, making them my wipe of choice when we are out and about.  I use these for her paci, spoon/bowl after a lunch out, and to wipe her face off when she’s done eating. 

6.  Baby Tylenol.  I know this seems a little silly to put on here, but with the teething pains we’ve Hadley’s been having, it had to make the “must have” list.   Now that she is older than 6 months, we also alternate with Baby Advil.

 

7. RoSK Sun Blanket.  This blanket has UPF 30 and can tie to her stroller or car seat, and we have used it pretty much every day this summer.   It’s also lightweight and breathable, so if we’re out in the sun, I feel like it actually keeps her cooler.  

 

8. Apple Tree Boutique Bibs.   To be completely honest with you, I don’t love the majority of the fabrics she uses, but I picked out 3 and had her make some and they are by far the best bibs we have.  On a normal, teething day, Hadley can go through about 7-8 regular bibs.  With these, we use the same one all day unless she gets food on it or spits up all over.  I take it off for nap and it’s dry by the time she wakes up.  She has yet to drool through one of them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. And last – the video monitor.  We have this one by Motorola, but I think just about any would do.  Since Hadley has been in her room from about 4 months, I use this constantly.  It’s nice to be able to keep an eye on her without going in to disturb her! 

Some of the things from the last list I made would still be on here, as well, such as the paci and the City Mini stroller.  You can see that list here – Baby Loves. 

What things can you not live without? 

A Letter to Baby Teeth

Dear Hadley’s Baby Teeth, 

It appears that you have inherited my daughter’s (and my own) amazing ability to stubbornly refuse what others want you to do.  My poor, sweet baby girl has been trying to get you to pop out of those gums for 2 1/2 months now.  Yes, there are some good days in there, but they are getting fewer and farther in between.  Speaking from experience, I know how hard it can be to give in and do something when you might not want to, but we’re begging you here.  Give us a little fruit for all this labor!  As much as I love looking at that toothless, gummy grin, what I love even more is to see my little girl happy.  And teething does NOT equal happiness.  So please, please pop out of those gums soon!

Signed,

A cranky baby and her tired momma

Quick Sweet Treat: Pretzels Topped With Hershey’s Kisses and M&Ms

Image via

In case some of you have still not discovered (or are avoiding jumping on the bandwagon that is) Pinterest, I thought I’d share one of my recent favorite finds.   P.S. – you can use the little button to the right to find me on Pinterest – I’m always looking for more people to follow!

Square Pretzels (any shape would probably work, but I think the square ones look cute!

Hershey Kisses (any kind – I made some with regular kisses and the caramel filled ones)

M&Ms

1. Cover a baking sheet with foil.  Place the pretzel squares on a baking sheet, and top each one with a Hershey Kiss. 

2. Cook for 2-3 minutes in a 175 deg oven.  The kisses should just start to “sweat".”  If they are starting to bubble, it’s too late.  Trust me.  I wasted half a bag of kisses thinking they weren’t melted enough and I left them in so long they burned (BTW that was only 5 1/2 minutes.)

3. Press an M&M into the center of each Hershey Kiss. Refrigerate for approximately 15-20 minutes or until cool.

These are such a simple and addicting treat.  And bonus for not having to keep the oven on for long while it’s sweltering outside! 

I can’t wait to make some around Christmas with just red & green m&m’s.  Or they’d be cute for a birthday treat with only the colors of your party! 

Friday Brain Dump

Apparently my blogging has been taking mini summer vacations.  I just haven’t felt like I have anything interesting to share lately.  In hopes of clearing out my mind and starting fresh, I’m just going to dump a bunch of random thoughts on you.  

1.  I am currently listening to my daughter gaaaah and hmmmmmm and ahhhhhh in her crib when she should be napping.  I don’t know why, but it makes me feel like a total failure when I can’t get her to take a simple nap!

2.  I wear workout clothes 90% of the days during the week; and I haven’t worked out in 3 weeks. 

3.  One of my closest and only “mommy friends” in town moved away this week.  To another country.  For 2 years.  To say I’m sad would be an understatement. 

4.  I’ve been researching convertible car seats for Hadley since she is in the 95% for weight and height and I think my eyes are going to permanently cross.  Why are there so many choices that appear to be identical?  And why are the designs so ugly? 

5. In honor of tonight’s finale of Friday Night Lights (even though we had this season on DVD and have already seen it), I’m going to quote one of my favorite bloggers , Big Mama.  “I don’t know how I feel about living in a country that can’t keep a show on the air featuring Coach Taylor and Buddy Garrity, but embraces the cast of Jersey Shore.”   Amen, sister. 

6. How the heck do you fold a fitted sheet?  Seriously, unless you’re Martha Stewart, it’s impossible, right? 

And because I don’t like to post without a picture, here’s one of my little (ok so she’s not so little, and certainly doesn’t look even remotely little in this picture) punkin. 

Weekend Recap

Yes, I understand that it’s Thursday already, and writing a weekend re-cap seems a little bit too delayed at this point, but this is my blog and I can do whatever I want.   We had a long weekend off for the 4th and we went down to Austin to celebrate with my family.  It was such a great mini-vacation and Hadley had a great time!  (Although we couldn’t have been happier to get out of the car… road trips are not quite as fun with a 6 month old who wants to get out of her car seat.)

Here’s a re-cap – photo style…

We had a photo shoot in Nana & Poppy’s bedroom, and Hadley got to wear some of Nana’s pearls  

This next one cracks me up, it’s like she’s saying “What mom?  Nana said I could have these! I promise!”

This is the look Hadley always give Eric – it’s like she forgets who’s holding her and she needs to do a double check every few seconds.

My little chunky monkey

Showing aunt Katie her toes.

Before cooking out we decided to do a family photo shoot for the 4th of July!  We had jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and quail and wrapped in bacon – YUM!  And then my parents grilled steaks, peppers/squash/zucchini and parmesan fries for dinner.  It was delish!

We also went out to Lake LBJ in Marble Falls while we were in town, but unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures while we were out there!  True to form though, Hadley got all the attention she wanted and then some.  It’s gotten to the point where I can’t go out in public without getting stopped for someone to look at her.  I’ve been told more times than I can count that she looks like the Gerber baby and when we went out to eat in Marble Falls, a waiter even came over to our table to show us a picture of his daughter saying that she looked just like Hadley!  (She did – it was pretty crazy!)  The hostesses at that same restaurant were sticking around our table most of the time, too, just wanting to play with her!  She LOVES the attention – I think I’m going to have my hands full when she’s a toddler!