a hello & a recipe.

Hello friends!
I truly cannot keep up with life, let alone this little blog.

As I've gotten older, I have really felt time start to speed up...

but since our addition last December,

it's like warp speed.

I've had a few requests for blog updates

(from friends and family, let's be serious)

so this is my mission once again.

Start documenting all the little moments because,

well...time is not slowing down.

And so much is happening!

I have lots to catch up on.

Particularly our summer and fall

which were both pretty spectacular...

and a certain little munchkin who is already ten and a half months old.

Yep, got a couple big months to catch up on there.

I better get started because the holidays are upon us.
First birthday invitations have been ordered.
Time is not slowing down.

Before any of the catch up stuff though, I must share this recipe.
Make these. They are SO good.
"The best meatballs I've ever had" according to the husband.

Baked Turkey Meatballs
recipe adapted from Food Network

Cooking spray
1 pound ground turkey meat
1/4 c  whole-wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/2 cup finely grated carrot (I substituted spinach)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 large cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper


(I substituted Italian seasoning for the fresh herbs because that's all I had)
Preheat the broiler. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine the turkey with all other ingredients in a large work bowl. Form into 2 1/2 -inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Broil for 10-12 minutes, or until browned and entirely cooked through.
recipe found here

***

Quick and easy and delicious.
Husband approved, munchkin approved!

And finally, I'll leave you with some sweetness.
My baby. 

Pretty sure she gets bigger and more beautiful every day.

six months.

Dear little Emma,

Happy half birthday, baby girl!

I can't believe you are already six months old.

Time is seriously just flying by.

The past month has been full of firsts,

Milestones left and right.

You are growing and changing so much

And with each new month, each new phase you enter

I think I couldn't love you more.

But life with you just keeps getting better.

At six months old, 

You are sitting up on your own!

You're trying oh so hard to crawl

and I know it won't be long until I need to lock up the cabinets.

You've got the rock and scoot thing down but

still find it easier to just roll to your destination of choice.

No matter what, you're never still for very long.

You've moved to the big girl tub,

had your first of many pool trips to come

And just last weekend, you had your first beach trip!
{which deserves it's own blog post!}

You are very serious at times, and a little bit bashful.
You seem to evaluate new people, places and things
before you decide to flash your pretty smile!

You are 13 pounds, 8 ounces
and 24 1/4 inches long.
10th percentile for both, little munchkin!

You're wearing size 2 diapers.

3-6 month, 6 month and some 6-9 month clothes.

We re-started the solids up a few weeks ago

and now, you have no problem

and have loved everything we've given you. 

Apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, rice, pears and prunes.

Looking back now,
I think your rash you developed last month
was the result of teething.

You cut your first tooth this month

And the second tooth followed right along.

You started to sleep through the night
and teased us with a whole couple weeks without waking
until it stated up again.
We are currently in process of getting you back in your groove.

And, just to keep it real, here's an outtake
 from the approximately 100 photos I took in about 15 minutes.
That's spit up on the onsie, a wrinkled six month sticker from being eaten,
and those are "I've had it!" fake tears.
It's tough being six months old :)

Five Months.

 Hello little blog.

I just can't seem to keep up with you these days, but I'm not totally giving up.
I started writing this post 2 weeks ago and didn't finish.
It's a month late, considering my little miss will be SIX months old tomorrow. Half a year!!
Don't worry, that post is already in progress :)
Just need to add the photos that I'll take tomorrow!

 ***

Dear Emma,

Five months! You're getting to be such a big girl.
Every day it seems you learn something new and it's so exciting to watch.

This month, you're rolling all over the place.

If I lay you down and walk away for a minute, 

I come back and you are never in the spot where I left you.

Those little arms and legs are getting strong! 

You love to kick and attempt to jump.

And are working on your mini push-ups.

You can sit unassisted for short period of time, 

but it seems you're more interested in how to move

than how to just sit still!

You also LOVE to stand. 

I have a feeling you're going to be an early walker.

Teething is definitely in progress...yep, already!

You cannot keep anything out of your mouth.

You finally really discovered your feet

and, well, they go right into your mouth.

You love being outside

which is great, because mama does too!

I have a feeling you are in the 13 pound range, 

but we won't have another well visit until next month.

You are a petite little miss, 

and we just love you to pieces.

You're still wearing size 2 diapers,

3-6 month and 6 month clothes.

This month we attempted some solids.

We started with rice cereal and after a few days, 

we tried applesauce and sweet potatoes.

You got the hang of the swallowing thing pretty quick

and liked everything we gave you.
You would open your mouth after each bite

as if to say "more, more, more!"

After about a week though, you developed a really bad diaper rash,

probably due to the volume of stuff that was filling those diapers up!

So we decided to put the solids on hold for a bit.

You're still nursing about every 3 hours during the day

and at night, well it's still hit or miss.

You sleep from about 7pm-7am 

but usually you are up once a night to eat.

We celebrated mama's first Mother's Day 

with a trip to the park and your first swing ride.

You loved it.

We also set up a hand me down swing in the backyard.

Your favorite part of the whole thing
is the way your mama and daddy yell "weeee!"

We do all sorts of crazy things to see you smile and laugh.

You also had your first big road trip to Pennsylvania

for Auntie Meg's bridal shower.

You did much better than we expected for the five and a half hour drive.

 Here are a few more favorites from your fifth month.

 

We love you baby girl.

Jump!

This little munchkin turned 5 months old last week

and she can finally just about touch the floor (on her tiptoes!) in the jumperoo.

{Please excuse my over the top annoying mom voice!}

There's lots of jumping and rolling and giggling and playing going on around here.

I'm loving it. 

More soon!

On Becoming a Mother

I feel so incredibly blessed to be a mother

and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

This little girl lights up my days, every day.

And despite some frustrating times every now and then,

this is the most rewarding job I'll ever have. 

 Watching Emma grow and thrive

from a tiny squishy newborn
into a happy, healthy, and busy four month old

is more reward than I could ever ask for.

As I've grown older,

I have realized more and more

 just how lucky I am to have a mother

that loves me unconditionally and raised me 

to be the woman I am today.

 I think she did a pretty amazing job!

But now that I am a mother myself, 

there is a whole new realization.

I now know exactly what it was like.

To endure hours of labor...

and to look into your baby's eyes for the first time.

To struggle through those early days.

To endure many sleepless nights.

To beam with pride at every milestone.

And to thank God every day for this incredible gift.

So thank you, Mom

For teaching me everything I know.

There really isn't a love
quite like the one a mother has for her first daughter.

Happy Mother's Day!

four months

Dear Emma,

You turned four months old a little over a week ago

and I think it's safe to say, I'm loving each and every day with you.

Lately, each day is something new

and your sweet little smile just makes us melt.

This past month you've mastered rolling over from your back to your belly

and your belly to your back, and that is how you like to sleep.
If I put you in your crib on your back, you immediately kick your legs up and roll!

You love to stand {with our help, of course}

and are still always moving...waving those hands and kicking those legs.

When we hold you up to stand you take a few steps, mostly backwards!
You like to sit up with pillows propped around you...
and I have a feeling it won't be long until you can do it on your own.

It's a whole new view!

You have a few favorite toys: your O ball, links, and of course Sophie the giraffe
everything goes right in your mouth!

You're just starting to get the hang of the Jumperoo
{even though we have to put a box under for you to reach!}

And you love the bath more and more each day.

You've learned to splash and it's the cutest thing

even if I do end up soaking wet :)

We've had some really beautiful days this spring

and you love to be outside.

I tell you about the birds and the trees and the sky

and you listen and watch so intently.

 You are 12 pounds, 3 ounces

and 23 inches long.

{not sure where I estimated 25 inches at 3 months!}

A little munchkin, that's for sure!

But you continue to grow and it seems to me you get bigger each day.

You're wearing size two diapers

and mostly 3 and 3-6 month clothes.

Still eating every 2-3 hours during the day

and usually once or twice at night.

You've become very easily distracted, especially when eating.
There is just too much to see!

Your sleep patterns changed drastically this month

and unfortunately, not for the better!

There were many nights where you woke up every hour or two

and usually, it wasn't because you were hungry

although sometimes I would nurse you
because it was the easiest way to get you back to sleep.

Currently you're still waking up once or twice

but usually will take your pacifier and go back to sleep.

Baby girl, I love your giggles and squeals.

I love the way you like to rub something in between your fingers
when you're trying to fall asleep.

Whether it's your bunny lovie, a blanket, or my shirt or hair

I know it comforts you.

I love your curiousity...the way you watch us go about our days

whether we're eating dinner, folding clothes, or out shopping.

Those big eyes really do take it all in.

I love each new day with you

and am always looking forward to whats to come.

Welcome May

Hello friends! It's been a while once again. I apologize for my delayed absence, but it appears that having an infant and finding time to blog just isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Hopefully, as little E's nap schedule becomes more consistent, (which it finally is! yay!)
I will be around here more than once or twice a month.

May is and has always been one of my favorite months. Maybe it has a little something to do with the fact that it's my birth month, but I think it's more than that. Everything has finally turned green up where I live and there's a little bird who made her home in the birdhouse outside my kitchen window...and now that little bird in that little bird house is taking care of some itty bitty baby birds.

The sun is rising earlier (because trust me, I've seen the sun rise more than I'd actually like lately!) and the days are getting longer. Summer is right around the corner and my anticipation is growing for all the good things to come.

Good things like my first Mother's Day, my birthday, lots of beach trips and pool days, picnics and sailing, weddings, anniversaries, and play dates.

And lots of firsts for my little girl.
I can hardly wait.