Gareth's accident

Scroll down to see pictures of my brother's bike accident. WARNING>>>> THESE ARE PRETTY GRAPHIC

 

A's smart!

In the past few weeks, I have noticed some things that make me realize just how smart my little baby is!

• If you say "ball" she goes looking for her ball and doesn't stop till she finds it!
• She knows the sign for "milk"
• She puts toys in and out of the container they go in. For instance - all her blocks go in a bucket. She could spend 15 minutes just taking the blocks out of the bucket, then putting them back in!
• If she rolls something under the couch, she puts her face all the way down on the floor and looks for it
• She knows what "no" means and doesn't like to hear it!
• She dances to music
• If you sing or hum a tune from one of her toys, she will go to that toy and make it sing!
• She knows the word "kisses" and gives them!

What a smart baby! I love her!

Knoxville trip part dos

After leaving Knoxville on Monday, we headed to Derek's grandma's in Kentucky. It was nice to see her, as well as Brian and Sandy and Cody (aunt-uncle-cousin). A had fun on the farm! And grandma had fun with her! I'm posting some funny pictures of them crawling around on the floor together. 

Finally we left for Indiana, where we met my parents and traded back vehicles....and....sniff, sniff....left baby. She is staying with them until Saturday for a little vacation. It was definitely difficult leaving her. But then on the way back home, we took our time and stopped at Old Navy, then Borders in Indy. I had forgotten what it was like to be able to do whatever you want, when you want! So Derek and I have been having a good time, but I sure do miss my little boo. Especially this afternoon, after finding out about little Jenna. I just want to hold her and know that she is okay. I wish I could smell the spicy sweet of her hair and feel all her baby-ness in my arms. But she is having a good time with grandma and grandpa and I know they are taking good care of her. 

Anyway, here are the rest of the pictures from the weekend.

Fun with different animals!:

 We visited Mr. Smith in the science lab. A was pretty fascinated with this lizard-type thing (bleh!). BTW- Holly - Mr Smith wanted to tell you to come visit him.

 Awww! Aren't they cute!

 A thinks so too!

  Pretty horsies

 

 Look at those two!

 Mommy - I'm coming with you!

trading off in the parking lot - kind of feels like "every other weekend"

And this is what I love most about the south:

 Knoxville....

 A little further north in Evansville....

 Ahhh. Back home again....the most expensive gas this side of the Mississippi.

Knoxville trip!

We are finally home from our (long) weekend in Knoxville/Kentucky. We had such a great time! Probably too good of a time....left a lot of confusion and unresolved feelings about "home" in our hearts. But enough about that (for now).

We left Friday after work, which may or may not have been the best idea. A did not have a good time in the car. She cried (screamed) for several hours and on and off for the whole trip. It didn't help that she is cutting 2 more teeth- working on # 8 and 9! And one of them is a top eye tooth, which I hear is especially bad. After some Motrin, she finally fell asleep and we arrived and Wes and Melanie's around 1:30 am. After getting A settled in her port-a-crib, we stayed up chatting until about 3:30. It was great to catch up! Mel is like a sister to me, and even though we haven't been in the same city for several years, it never takes long before we're back in our old groove. 

Saturday we got up early to shop for Geneva's baby shower and headed to the church to decorate and set up. It was nice to leave the baby with daddy and get to do "girly" stuff!

The shower was co-ed and it was fun getting to see people from college that we hadn't seen in forever!

 The milk drinking contest

 Then "bobbing for babies" (can you tell Chris picked out the games?!)

 Nate, Derek and Dan with their girls

Then from the shower we went to the wedding that we went down for. I wish I had taken more pictures of it...it was so pretty and elegant. The reception was on the 5th floor of the Brewery, which was really awesome. Derek and I had a great time, which Mel and Wes kept A. 

 A looks on during the ceremony

 Mommy and daddy enjoy free food, free booze, and good friends:)

Sunday morning we went to church at the new church in Knoxville that our friend Bill and Mark Nelson (from Purdue Campus house) started, called Crossings. It is really awesome church with an amazing vision. It meets in a movie theatre in Beardon but is getting ready to move to Market Square which I think will be amazing. 

 She got away from me while I was changing her diaper!

 

 After church Mel and I took A to the mall. The above 2 pictures are of her having fun at Pottery Barn! At least she has good taste! Seriously, she was so cute...she loved to help "push" the stroller at that basket on the back. I believe that she'll be walking on her own soon. 

Later we headed over to Bill and Betsy's to hang out. Betsy's pregnant and due next Sunday! I was in awe over her awesome cloth diaper stash and her adorable nursery! She is way more prepared than I ever was! I can't wait to meet little Jude... I know he will be precious. 

 

 Playing an indoor version of "Cornhole"

That's all for tonight! I'll try to post more tomorrow!

Fun Weekend!

This has been a very nice week. Wed, Thurs and Fri I worked, obviously, which I guess wasn't so nice, but it was tolerable because my boss was at a training Thursday and Friday. I enjoy work so much more when he isn't there. I am counting down until my last day, which is Aug 29! Yay! While I am totally looking forward to it, I have to admit that I am nervous as well. Since we made the choice to move to back here and take the job at camp, I have been the "main" bread winner, as well as carrying the insurance, benefits, etc. Even with me working part time this year we were fine. But now...well, I just think it's going to be tough. Derek already has a few part-time jobs lined up, including working high school football games (running chains) and substitute bus driving and teaching. I'm really proud of him for stepping up and making sure we're okay. Especially since I know it would be so easy for him to go to a restaurant and walk out making twice (or three times) what he does now. That's just not the lifestyle that we need right now (or ever, really).

Friday I went out to camp after work to pick A up from daycare and eat dinner with the staff. Derek has been working on making Gyros, which were really yummy!

Saturday my mom came up for the weekend. We had planned to go to Indiana Beach on Monday, and then my brother got in his accident so she was going to go out to Seattle, but you know boys - Gareth decided he didn't need his mommy, so she went ahead and came up here. I was glad;) I need my mommy! Derek and I went to Indy Saturday evening for his birthday and ate at Buca de Beppo's and saw 'Dark Knight' at the IMAX. It was our first time to go on a real date since A was 6 wks old! How awful is that?! Usually our dates consist of a bottle of wine after A goes to bed;) We had a really nice time and even went to a car wash and washed and cleaned/vaccuumed out the car (how romantic). 

Sunday Derek went to Indy to pick his draft for Fantasy Football and my mom (and A) and I worked on my flower beds out front. I have been seriously neglecting them all summer. I planted 8 new plants, including a white rose bush, transplanted some lillies and one hydrangea bush, and weeded and mulched like crazy. Sunday night I was exhaused. Like, I seriously couldn't get off the couch. 

Then, finally, today we went to Indiana Beach. ("There's more than Corn in Indiana!") I had never been, but I guess I was expecting it to be the Holiday World of northern Indiana. Ha! I guess it wasn't bad, but had we not had free tickets I would have been pretty pissed to have payed $33 to get in.  My friend Annie came with me, and Derek decided at the last minute that he could afford a day off work and came as well. I was really glad! It worked out perfectly, because Derek and my mom get along so well and enjoy doing the same things, they took A and did "kiddie" stuff, while Annie and I went on roller coasters and enjoyed some adult fun (not that kind of adult fun!). Then we all joined up at the water park and enjoyed the lazy river and watching A crawl around in the sand and fountains. And the slides! (I'm such a kid). I was so glad Annie came. We always have so much fun together and today was no exception!

Being there today really made me appreciate what a easy-going, enjoyable child A is. As long as she can get down and crawl around, gets a nap in and has her paci and sippy cup, she is happy as can be. She loves to wave and say "bye!" and gives great kisses! I never have to worry about taking her places like today, because I know she'll do great! She's so easy! I'm a lucky mom. 

Well, I know this was a long post. Here are some pictures from today.

 

 I wanna go this way, daddy!

 We can't wait to get on the ride!

Meanwhile....

 A's having fun on the carousel!

 I just love this...she looks so big!

  This is my awesome retro swimsuit!

 She's modeling the sunscreen. She's wearing it, and just look how lovely her face is!

 This was hilarious. She was totally oblivious to how much this little boy wanted to play with her! Hopefully it will always be this way!:)

 Daddy's girl

 Oh my gosh - this is the absolute best picture ever! Look at all those teeth!

 Time to go home! Byeeee! (as she says:)

Fun at the Doctor

Tuesday A had her 9-mo doctor appointment. (Even though she's almost 11-mo!) She weighed 21 lb 4 oz (71%) and is 29 inches (72%). What a big girl! She was very healthy, no problems and no shots needed. Yeah!

She was so cute in the waiting room, she discovered her reflection in the door and was kissing herself!

She also made a friend, and begged snacks off her mom! That won't always be cute. 

Playing in the exam room

 I just thought she was so cute in her little overalls:)

Playing outside after church on Sunday

 What a sweetie!

My brother was in a pretty bad accident this week while riding his bike. He was riding down a steep hill when he hit a pot hole and lost control. He has 37 stitches and over 10 staples in his head and face, as well as several chipped teeth, which are causing him pain. Please pray for him as he heals (and when he gets the medical bills!) He is coming out here in a couple weeks and I can't wait to see him! I miss him!

A's birthday party will be Sept 6. We are looking forward to it! I tried to upload a video of her playing peek-a-boo, but it's not cooperating with me. Maybe later!

Need a little help...

Okay, I need some advise from some of you more experienced mamas (and dads too, I suppose...). We have a serious stain problem in our house. You know what I mean - spitup, dirt, poop, carrot puree- pretty much anything and everything ends up on kid's clothes. So how do you keep it from staining? We have always used All Small and Mighty without any problem, but now that A's in the picture it's just not cutting it. Do Tide and the more expensive brands really work better? What about OxyClean? Does that stuff really work? I'd like to save stuff for the next kid and/or be able to hand it down to others, but not with all these yucky stains! 

Please let me know your laundry secrets and/or mistakes:)

Yard Sale Treasures!

Okay, so maybe it's nerdy, but I'm super excited so I wanted to share with everyone all the wonderful things I found at yard sales yesterday! The funny thing is I had been kind of stressed about not having enough 12-18 mo clothes for A this winter....but why do I worry about these things? I guess I have forgotten Matthew 6:

Do Not Worry

 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[b]?

 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I guess that's enough to put anyone in their place! But anyway, here are some of my amazing deals from yesterday.

Old Navy winter dresses

Carters fleece outfit, Gymboree 2-pc outfit, Baby Gap velour pants and hoodie, with a long-sleeve tee, Osh Kosh 2-pc outfit

Gymboree 3-in-1 winter coat, Osh Kosh raincoat

A close up, plus 2 white long sleeve tees from Gap

Pink 4-pc "Cutie" outfit from Gymboree, Grey 2-pc outfit and pink 2-pc outfit are not name brand but still very cute!, hot pink Weebok track suit, 2 pairs of pink pants from Old Navy, 2 2-pc Squirrel outfits from Gymboree, a red 3-pc hedgehog outfit from Gymboree, and a pink tennis dress

This Amazing Animals push and pull toy from Fisher Price retails for $66! It was pretty much brand new and I got it for $7. Wow! A really likes it. She loves to push the animal sound button over and over again:)

A crochet poncho, Old Navy sweater cardigan, 2-pc corderoy/denim outfit, Baby Gap boots, and of course, I love finding milk freezing bags for $0.25! These things are like $6! Even though I'm not really freezing  much milk these days, these bags are awesome for freezing individual portions of fruit, snacks, etc. 

 

3 more winter dresses - Gap, Gap and Childrens Place. So cute!!

I got all this for about $40. Not bad for an entire winter wardrobe!:) I love moms that buy all name brand clothes....

I made souffle!!

Souffle (soo-fla') n. A light, fluffy baked dish made with egg yolks and beaten egg whites combined with various other ingredients and serves as a main dish or sweetened as a dessert. {Fr. souffler, to puff up < class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> sufflare : sub-, under + flare, to blow.}

I did it! I have wanted to make a one for a long time, if only to know that I conquered the big scary souffle. It honestly wasn't that hard, but a bit more time consuming than your average hamburger helper. It turned out beautifully, I must add! Fluffy and golden, it almost sighs when you insert the serving spoon. Will I make it again? Hmmm - probably not just for us. Maybe for company or for catering. For as much work as it is, it isn't very filling! Plus, Gruyere cheese is awfully expensive.  I'll take fried eggs any day of the week!

 Derek, my soux chef, was kind enough to make up the _____ (I can't think of the word - it's when you get all the ingredients out beforehand, like they do on cooking shows....I'll add it later when I think of it) Edit: the word is mise en place

 I am just as proud as if I'd just given birth to this thing (bad imagery, I know)

 A is mad because mommy is making souffle instead of holding her!

 Lovely

Classic Cheese Souffle

4 to 6 main-course servings

This recipe was adapted from a version in The Way to Cook by Julia Childs

iNGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch of ground nutmeg
• 4 large egg yolks
• 5 large egg whites
• 1 cup (packed) coarsely grated Gruyère cheese (about 4 ounces)

PREPARATION

• Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Butter 6-cup (11/2-quart) soufflé dish. Add Parmesan cheese and tilt dish, coating bottom and sides. Warm milk in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until mixture begins to foam and loses raw taste, about 3 minutes (do not allow mixture to brown). Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 1 minute. Pour in warm milk, whisking until smooth. Return to heat and cook, whisking constantly until very thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in paprika, salt, and nutmeg.
• Add egg yolks 1 at a time, whisking to blend after each addition. Scrape soufflé base into large bowl. Cool to lukewarm. do ahead Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another large bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/4 of whites into lukewarm or room temperature soufflé base to lighten. Fold in remaining whites in 2 additions while gradually sprinkling in Gruyère cheese. Transfer batter to prepared dish.
• Place dish in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Bake until soufflé is puffed and golden brown on top and center moves only slightly when dish is shaken gently, about 25 minutes (do not open oven door during first 20 minutes). Serve immediately.