Big Day

Today was a big for Miabelle. It was her 1st Trick or Treat. Since the Pirate costume didn't work out Esther & Christy let her borrow a cute lil Lady Bug costume. I didn't get any good pics bc she was bundled for the cold weather:)  She ate carrots for the 1st time. Nana Marcie said she really liked them. i feel bad I wasn't the one to feed them to her.  Now she's up past her bed time!!!  Happy Halloween!!!!!

Baby Food for Pirates

All the cool Mommy things I'm trying this weekend don't seem to be working out.. Mia has done so well with her cereal I thought she would LOVE sweet potatoes. I was (am) so excited to use my baby blender & whip up my 1st batch of home made baby food.  So much for that. She HATES them. She gags & looks like she wants to puke.

I've been eagerly awaiting her Halloween costume to come in the mail. After diligently  measuring her head I ordered a sweet little pirates cap complete with AWESOME eye patch.  TOO BIG.. I guess tomorrow I'll be on the hunt for a last minute costume:)

Ohio Historical Society

I heard an ad on the radio for the American Soldier photographic exhibit at the OHS.  I thought Damon would like it so off we went for date day:)  The photographs followed soldiers from the Civil War all the way through to the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan.  We also checked out the Controversy exhibit, a good conversation starter if nothing else!!!

:source

Loved seeing all the Early Early (Paleo) Native American artifacts from regions all over Ohio as well.

Go To

Cous Cous is my go to meal when I am trying to eat a ton of good stuff but don't want a salad!!!

Prepare cous cous according to box directions.
Cook squash in a pan with olive oil.
Cut your avocado, tomato, & cilantro.
Once cous cous is cooked add squash, Gorgonzola, sunflower seeds, craisins & cilantro.
I usually wait 10 minutes to add the tomatoes bc they get too mushy in super hot cous cous.

Squeeze a little lemon on top & YUM YUM!!!

2 Years

Happy Anniversary My Love:)

I love that you read emails I sent you 3 years ago.  I love that you keep asking to ink Mia's foot prints.  i love how we make each other laugh. I love how you send me pictures of the baby when she was a tiny newborn.  I love how sentimental you are. I love that you embrace my home decor ideas & spend hours making them perfect. I love how you love that you converted me to eating tomato soup & watching TV w/ the close captioning on.  That's not all you've changed. You changed my life and made it better.  I love you more EVERY Single day!!!  Thank you for North Star Breakfast this morning & pumpkin donuts last nite:)

Six Months

You had your 6 month pictures this morning at 9am. Mama should have known better then to schedule them so early.  LIKE your dad, you are NOT a morning person. I'm pretty sure you didn't smile once!!!!

You started cereal & seem to like it. You laugh and smile, opening your mouth for bites.

You weigh:  141bs 2 ozs

You are : 24.75 inches long

You love when we sing to you. The Nakey Peaches & Good Morning songs are your favorites.

You are more of a wild child everyday. You squeak and babble & arch yourself backwards to escape.

You give big slobbery kisses that are kind of painful.

Your favorite toys are Sophie the Giraffe & plastic rings.

You drink between 4-6 ozs from a bottle  & eat every 3 hours like clockwork.

Your hand eye coordination Amazes me!!!  

Daddy can often be found at Babies R Us spoiling you w toys & gadgets.

Mama can often be found at Once Upon a Child spoiling you with Tutus & Jeggings:)

Your nite time sleep is still very erratic. Sometimes your up once sometimes your up multiple times. I am hoping cereal will help with this.

We love being your Mom & Dad!!!!

Sing to Me

I remember many a preteen/teen angst filled nights listening to this album. Over. & Over. & Over. lol

A special angsty shout out to numbers 4, 5, & 12!!!

Milestone: Cereal

Ok Dad, I'm ready for cereal.

Or NOT......
PS LOVE your new iphone.

We'll try again tomorrow!!!  We started with Gerber Organic Oatmeal Cereal.  1 TB cereal 5 TB bm.

Bedroom Re-Do

As we speak Damon is working on a DIY head board for the wall just behind those chub chub thighs!!!  Next i'll hang a beautiful photo collage. Our bedroom will finally be complete & I can show off the AMAZING wainscoting job he did bak in January!!  

Knit Hats

The beautiful weekend slipped away as we battled a baby cold Friday & Saturday.  The cold may or may not be partnered with teething. i just can't tell.  It left a fussy, snuffily baby who wants to sleep during the day & cry at nite:(  Happily it's Sunday & she seems to be feeling a little better. The true test will be bedtime.  

While she was napping I started playing around on Pinterest!!! Finally i jumped on the band wagon. No more 1500 book marks. Haha  How AMAzing are these knitted caps from Etsy!!!!!!

Find our sweet little owl friend at HookedbyKristen. The grey & pink at EcoStreet.

Sweet

Mia's Gma bought her the super sweet book Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You. The sentiments are so loving & the illustrations beautiful!!  I would like to have the  whole collection!!  Kohls has the books on sale for $5 as part of their Kohls Cares for Kids program.  It hurts me to pay more then $1 (Once Upon a Child) for a kids book but we may have to splurge!!!

Around Here

Watching: Most recent Netflix

 Listening: Always on a BIG country Kick!!!

Eating: Got a new All You magazine & it had some YUMMY crock pot recipes. 1st up, Corn Chowder w Shrimp. Sorry to my husband who hates seafood:(

Away We Went

Mia conquered her 1st airplane trip!!!! We flew to Tampa to visit Lara & Jimmy. We stayed in a studio apartment on the beach in Clearwater (30 minutes from Tampa). Being an extremely visual person, the word studio (hello 250 sq.ft) meant nothing to me. I mean look at these adorable Trip Advisor pics!!!  Murphy beds are fun!!!  Add a swing, pack n play & our luggage. YIKES, we were a little cramped. Lots of whispering & close captioning while the baby slept!!

Despite our self inflicted small quarters we had a blast & learned a ton about traveling with baby!! B/c Mia is still primarily napping during the day in a swing I was concerned about a week with no good naps...EEK!!  Bring in Kiddy Korner, a St. Pete consignment shop smart enough to rent baby necessities. We got a car seat, pack n play & the blessed swing this way. SO AFFORDABLE too!!!

Clearwater has amazing sunsets and a fun festival at dusk each night on Pier 60. Damon & Jimmy went to a Rays vs. Yankee game. We also checked out Steinbrenner field, home of the Yankees spring training facilities. Damon was in heaven at the gift shop!!

We stopped at the Clearwater Aquarium to see Winter!!!!  She is not the dolphin below, that is Nicholas!  Stud. Those nurse sharks were kind of creepy!

Mia went swimming for the FIRST time!! She loved kicking her legs and cruising around the pool! I think she just loved being outside in general.  Her first sand, her first beach breeze. She was in heaven!

Mia baby dipped her toes in the Gulf of Mexico, conquered her 1st plane ride like a champion. We also recommend Frenchy's for Monday nite burgers, Clear Skies for amazing seafood and live music on the patio. Find yummy desserts at A Serious Cookie.