Homemade Baby Food

I snatched up this book well over a year ago, before Josie was a part of our lives... knowing I'd of course give baby food making a try. Our first "go" at it was this past weekend and I'm so thrilled with how easy and quick it was to make, and certainly a cost savings when comparing buying a bag of frozen peas to several jars of baby food to equal the same volume!

I simply steamed the entire bag of frozen peas for about 5 minutes in a small pan with a steamer insert. Let the peas cool slightly before pureeing in my mini food processor. I had to add a little cooking liquid to get the right consistency - but that was it!


I used food freezer trays to freeze the majority of the veggies, but also filled a few containers for the fridge to use up over the next few days. Nothing can compare to the beautiful bright green of fresh peas! And frozen carrots look almost as tasty as a popsicle, too bad they aren't! The best part is knowing the food Josie is eating is the freshest and healthiest possible and made with love :)

Oh, and everything taste better on cute spoons :) A lovely gift from a dear friend that make me smile all the time...

Pretty Random

It's been over a week since I've felt halfway human after catching my second round of the flu for the season. To top things off, I had many commitments last week that kept me from recuperating the way I would have wished - leaving me completely exhausted. That just meant I especially enjoyed a weekend at home with a whole lot of nothing to do but catch up around the house and just sit and enjoy.


Our big plans for the weekend included a special trip to Babies R Us to pick up a few things now that J is at the 6 month mark and will be eating more and trying lots of new things. It's probably sad that I get excited about a trip to that store, but I love all the new gadgets and goodies, there's new stuff there all the time! One of our most favorite purchases is this training sippy cup by Nuby (with handles, not shown). Josie has fallen in love with it, moreso as a toy than a drinking device, but it keeps her entertained! We've figured out that she CAN NOT get anything out of that nipple. We've just put water in it so far, say 4 oz. and even after sucking on it with assistance... and playing with it for hours on end, still 4 oz ;) There must be a trick to it that she hasn't figured out just yet!

Speaking of shopping, my favorite place to shop for fun things for J is Etsy. I love the hunt for something to unique and cute - it keeps me glued to that site! Some recent favorites that have showed up on our door step include this super SUPER cute hair clip by Lisa's Chic Bows:



and a new set of bibs to replace some old dingy ones, by Pongobaby:


and life was incomplete without these slipper by Prettylittle, I love them to pieces:


Oh, and I cooked and froze lots of fresh organic veggies for Josie on Sunday. So incredibly easy! I'm excited to stock up with more varieties of foods, but for now J loves her fresh peas... and boy, what a color difference between freshly made and the yucky store bought jar!

6 Months Old

TODAY!

Half way to O N E! And yes, I'm already thinking and planning the party - and the date is already set :)


6 months old is by far the best age yet. She's still my little pea, so cuddly and cozy to hold, but her smile is brighter than ever, she's sleeping and eating wonderfully, and perfectly content to go with the flow no matter what the day holds.


She's most definitely a wiggle worm, working her way off my lap, in circles in her crib, and getting up on all fours - ready to crawl any day now. This weekend we'll be lowering her crib mattress for the first time, b/c as you can see... her arms are reaching and she's a-rollin.


We're in 6 month clothes and size 3 diapers, officially weighing in at the docs office at 17.9lbs - 80th percentile, and 85th for her height. Her noggin is still on the small side, but nothing to worry about. It's still pretty cute if you ask me ;) Her greatest love is still Mickey Mouse Club House, but I can take it only in small doses - so her next true love is her exersaucer! Endless hours of entertainment. She's also content as a bug in a rug just rolling around on a blanket on the floor - reaching for her toys.

First Stroll of the Season

What a teaser the weather was on Tuesday! 70 degrees and beautiful, this was our first "block" walk/jog of the year (4 miles), and the first ever for Josie. It's a long walk and I sure paid for it in sore feet, knees and back the next day. At least with the weather back down into the 3O's, I have some time to recuperate while we wait for our next nice weather day :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It could not be a more beautiful day to be at home :) The windows have been open all day letting the warm air breeze through, the fresh air in the house is my most favorite sign that Spring will be here soon (Friday to be exact, Josie's 6 month birthday). The house has been cleaned and we went out for an early afternoon walk in the stroller and loved every minute. Green cupcakes are in the oven and pesto chicken for our St. Patrick's Day dinner (no way would E eat corned beef and cabbage).

Is it terrible...

That I think this photo is adorable? More adorable than say, the exact photo, one shot before with a smile? She fell asleep only moments later in my arms...aawww...



I'm always a big complainer when time changes (forward or back), I hate the disruption in my schedule and the sudden stark black mornings, but the pleasant surprise now is the beautiful afternoon sun that streams through my studio window until at least 6:30 - creating the most optimal flood of natural light perfect for photos! This added window of time in the afternoon is also a slower part of out day that's easier to sit down and play!

Strollin' Around

Sunday was my cousin's bridal shower and it was wonderful to have all the girls in the family together - everyone just eats up Josie! Lots of grandmas, aunts and cousins fighting for who got to play with her next! Everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE can not get over what a fun baby she is - laughing and smiling all the time :) We're so used to it that we just assume all babies are this much fun ;) I was glad to have brought the stroller - look how good she's sitting up with a little support of some blankets. It's really not going to be long before she's up all on her own and on the move.

On Friday night it was really warm in the house so we opted not to put J to sleep in the "sleep sack" - those blanket sleepers. Little did we realize that THAT'S the reason she doesn't roll over at night, it must constrict her movement somehow. We were up several times to fish her out of the corner of the crib, and to find she'd flipped from head to toe in circles having a good ole time in her crib that night. Of course it didn't dawn on us why the circus act all night until morning. Since, she's been back in the sleep sack and sleeps just fine again :)

And Saturday was a fun day at the Carter's Outlet buying cute play clothes in her newly fitted 6month sizes :) Dad loves picking out cute things for his little girl almost as much as her mama!

First of March

The first day of March and we're certain the weather is going to warm up around here pretty soon! The days are getting longer and time changes next weekend. I'm looking forward to the fun Spring and Summer Josie and I are going to have playing outside and taking strolls here there and everywhere. The warm weather can't get here fast enough. It's been a busy couple of weeks around the house with finishing touches being put on the play room and the painting project extended into the loft and down the stairs. It's looking great, but has kept us so busy. I was happy to catch these pictures last weekend of dad and Josie cuddling watching cartoons on Sunday morning. She's sitting up like such a big girl these days, and rolls from front to back in no time flat!