Sweet

Here are some photos that made me smile this week...

(holding his baby while he plays)

(kissing the baby)

(a happy boy)

Ten Months

David was ten months old on Tuesday. He weighs 19.4 lbs. now. He is getting big fast! He has four teeth on top now, along with two on the bottom. He still isn't crawling, but moves around much easier than before. He rolls over with ease, and will spin around in a full circle when he's sitting up, and also when he's on his stomach. He's balancing much better, and will stand just holding on with one hand frequently. He's figured out how to walk along his crib. He also learned how to drink from a sippy cup this week. I bought a couple different cups to try, and the one that works best for him is a lid that's not spill-proof. Oh well. I only let him drink by himself if it's water, that way he can't spill milk or juice all over himself! He also started eating more solid food. Last month he really didn't eat anything other than yogurt or baby food. He eats cheerios now, and little bites of our food, if it's relatively soft. He feeds himself crackers, which is super cute! He gets really excited and likes to take BIG bites.

I can't believe how big he is getting! He will be a year old before we know it. :) At the moment he is playing with a pile of giant checkers, although he seems to be more interested in my package of markers. It's the little things that make for the best toys!

It will be fun to see how he changes in the next month. Who knows, maybe he'll be walking!

(with one of his uncles)

(hi dad!)

(playing with the grass)

(one of his favorite things - a ball)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! This is my first official Mother's Day, and I'm thrilled to be a mother, and have such a wonderful, sweet son. I enjoy people's birthdays, and holidays like this, where we take time to think about someone and appreciate them. I have a wonderful mother, and now a wonderful mother-in-law. I am grateful to my mom for instilling goodness in me, and for my close relationship with her. (Along with many other things she taught me.)

(mother, daugher, grandson)

Today's Tip

I use a lot of lemons when I cook. They are very versatile, and work with a lot of different flavors. My tip today is to take your used lemons and grind them in your garbage disposal. It really freshens up the disposal and makes it smell great! I have three garbage disposals, so I'll take my leftover citrus peels and divide them between my three sinks. Also, to get rid of a strong garlic scent on your hands, rub with fresh lemon juice. Works like a charm!

And one of my favorite recipe starring lemons: PW's Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta.

(lemons)

Busy

Wow, it's been a hectic couple of weeks..

Last week we were in Chicago for The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, to get ideas for our house. We drove there Tuesday morning with two of Chad's brothers. We walked through the show during the day, and did a little shopping and sightseeing in the late afternoon and evening. Tuesday night we visited a relative that lives in the area, and went to Mon Ami Gabi for dinner. It was a little French bistro located in a hotel. It had a dark, cozy feel to it and the food was delicious. They brought out bags of hot, fresh French bread, which we quickly ate and asked for seconds. For the entrée, I selected the chef's choice for the night, which was Mahi-mahi served over asparagus, with a citrus butter in the bottom of the bowl. It was topped with a dollop of crème fraiche. I had some chocolate mousse for dessert, which was very rich and yummy.

Friday was just catching up on some things, along with a meeting with our architect, to go over some things with the house plans. Saturday was a relaxing day, making my French toast with banana syrup for an early afternoon brunch. We went to visit some friends in the late afternoon, then back home and to my in-laws for some pizza. I spent several hours making crème brûlée, and we didn't make it to bed until the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday evening we had Chad's family and some long time family friends over for dinner. I spent most of the day preparing the meal. First there was an appetizer, which was smoked salmon and goat cheese bruschetta, and I served my recipe for punch, which I'll post here soon. The main course was herb roasted chickens.  I used parsley and thyme, and no rosemary. The side dishes consisted of creamy herbed potatoes (SO yummy!) roasted asparagus, toss salad dressed with red wine vinaigrette, parmesan knots, and cranberry sauce... the kind that you slice from a can, of course! We finished up with dessert - crème brûlée and macerated berries. Sugar was added to an assortment of berries, along with vanilla extract, lemon and orange zest. I used strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. I had never prepared the berries like this before, and was happy with how they turned out.

Tuesday night we had my family and grandparents over for dinner. I made a simple chicken and pasta dish, and my mom and sisters brought some sides and dessert. Nothing too complicated there, but still very tasty!

And then just as I was recovering from all the business... I came down with some type of flu on Wednesday. Stomach ache, achy bones, headache, fever, etc. I stayed in bed most of the day and felt pretty miserable. Thankfully it only lasted for one day, and I felt completely normal when I woke up yesterday!

Now I'm looking forward to a relaxing day of rest tomorrow!

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. - Exodus 20:9-11

(A sneak peak at our dining room table on Sunday)