Need a Monday giggle?

Like I have said in other posts, Stella is doing new things every single day and almost all of them make Rick and I flat out laugh our asses off. This video clip is from yesterday's dip in the pool on the back deck. I tell ya...this girl loves her pool time.

Stella loves to stand on her own either holding onto her Vtech learn to walk or her baby Einstein. Getting her groove on is on her every morning to do list. Work it girl! 

 

Watching a little one grow and learn everyday is simply the best miracle. It is amazing just how much she changes day to day. 

Happy Monday and cheers to a new week!

One of those onsie-kind-of weekends.

Temps were hot and the agenda was pretty low key. Therefore, Stella lived in onsies all weekend. Cozy for her and I can just adore those chubby legs and endless rolls. Rick did yard work all weekend, so Stella got a few free tractor rides, we blew bubbles on the picnic blanket in the shade and she took a dip in her pool. Saturday was a rough one from start to finish. Stella woke up on the wrong side of the bed and was a crankass all day long. it was just one of those days. I blame it on the tooth! Her top right tooth finally broke gum! Hallelujah- thank you baby Jesus! Only how many more to go?!

Saturday night was the first night in 9 months that I wasn't home to put Stella to bed. Some people may call that pathetic? But I just call it- love being home. Dinner plans with some gals was on the nights agenda. As I was getting myself ready, I threw together dinner for both her and Rick. I knew I wanted to leave by a certain time but I found myself feeding her dinner and just saying okay, one more bite and than I am going to go...okay one more bite... I was of course rushing out of the door and just as I stepped outside, I turned back and asked Rick if my clothes matched?! Now typically I would ponder and throw together a few outfits before hand- but I found myself wanting to feed her and spend those few extra minutes with her than checking my clothes to makes sure they match. Rick's response?! Yea, black goes with everything. Except my shirt wasn't black, it was blue! Thanks honey. Some things just don't matter as much anymore. I enjoyed being out and chatting it up but I found a small part of me wanting to be home putting her in her crib and saying goodnight. Even though the past few, okay more than few, nights have been rough, one day she is going to turn to Rick and I and say- I don't want to sit on your lap and I don't want to be rocked. tear. rick better have a box of kleenex ready for that day.  I gotta bank these days while I have them. On a typical night I hope that Stella goes to sleep for the night, to wake in the a.m happy and ready to play. But, I found myself happy and excited when she got up at 4 a.m. for an early feeding. 

Sunday was a better day...she woke up happy and on the right side of the bed :) These are blurry because she wouldn't stop moving! 

I do love girls' day!

Cheers to the weekend!

Time for a treat Thursday

On our way back from our Time for a treat Thursday trip, I found myself first in a screeching contest with a nine month old, and second making the most and I mean most ridiculous noises and sounds just to hear her giggle. We were out by 10:30 this morning and it was not for fro yo or a McFlurry. We decided to switch it up a bit and head to the Amish market for a soft pretzel and some other goodies. Damn- was that pretzel good- fingerlicking good. I haven't had one of those in years! I definitely won't wait long before another. The Amish market is not a good place to go to when you're hungry. Stella and I enjoyed a soft pretzel and we got Daddy some special goodies for when he gets home from work. As I strolled around the market, Stella just relaxed in her stroller...that leg if not both are always up! My hands were too good and greasy while eating our pretzel to snap a photo.

When we got home, I put Stella in her walker so I could prepare her lunch. (Whole wheat toast sticks, diced avocado and cottage cheese) She thought that she would give her modeling skills a go....

I think we may need to practice a bit more. She is so comical these days. 

The past two Wednesdays we did plant ourselves in the kitchen to do a little baking. I just didn't get around to sharing them in a post. So here they are...

Last Wednesday we made these little gems....itty bitty nutella cakes. If you are a nutella fan, like me, these are a must try! So easy and yummy!  They are layers of angel food cake, and nutella, topped with cool whip and frozen to perfection! 

Yesterday, we baked a treat that we hoped would tickle Daddy's fancy. He is both a toffee and cheesecake fan. Toffee cheesecake in a graham cracker crust.

Lastly, since it is Thursday...how about some throwback Thursday fun?

Cheers to tomorrow being Friday!

9 Months

Happy 9 Months baby girl...

Dear Stella,

       You. You made me a Momma. You make me be the best me that I can be each and everyday. Watching you grow and learn lately is a miracle right in front of my eyes. It is amazing how you pick things up and your curiosity is just incredible. You are such a funny girl, with your latest noises, babbles and silly faces. You can be the most 'lovey dovey' gal I know. When you lean in to Daddy or I to give us a kiss without us asking, you just melt. our. hearts. You get in these kissy moods where all you want to do is keep giving kisses. Keep em' coming! You are beautiful in every way and words cannot express, write or say just how much you mean to Daddy and I. 

Love you to the moon and back.

Momma

Weight: 18.0 lbs

Height: 27.5 inches

Appetite: You have still been enjoying 3 meals a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Your milk intake has stayed the same at about 28 ounces of milk a day. Your just milk times have stayed the same 11, 3, and 7:30 which is your bedtime bottle. You are still awaking once a night for that middle of the night feed. I don't mind you waking up because without that bottle your milk intake would be a bit shy of what it should be. You have always been a very small frequent eater. We have been trying new foods here and there and I have been at times giving you what Daddy and I have for dinner. Your food favorites haven't changed since last month. If I had to pick one food that would be your favorite, it would by far be avocado. And your favorite dinner combo lately is organic chicken breast, sweet potato, roasted red pepper and roasted zucchini. And anything that is on my plate!  You eat a mix of pureed foods and you also enjoy picking up your own diced up foods and feeding yourself. Your appetite is spot on some days and others it doesn't exist. 

Clothing Size: Besides cardigans and zip ups you are solely in 6-12 month clothing. Some items are bigger on you than others. All of your pajamas are 9 months now. Lastly, your shoes are 3-6 months and you are still wearing size 3 diapers! 

Milestones: Those two pearly whites on the bottom are just adorable. They make your smile beautiful, not that it wasn't before! You love standing up leaning on something by yourself especially your baby Einstein. You looove to give kisses. You are so much more aware and more observant these days. To watch you follow the bubbles that I blow and the birds flying in the sky is so neat. You can sit and play by yourself for quite some time. You are talking so much more. You are starting to move around a little more in your walker- watch out Ellie- she is coming for you! 

Outings: This month we have had quite a few lunch dates with Daddy, Nana and friends, we went to your cousin Kole's first birthday party, Daddy and I took you to round valley for a hike along the water and a picnic...

Thoughts: Stella..Love is blind because I started loving you before I ever saw your face. 

Our routine:  Our routine is very much the same as last month, and the month before. You still awake around 7ish (been 6:00 lately...too early!!). We have breakfast together shortly after you awake. Your first nap is around 8:30 a.m/9ish for about an hour. Your enjoy 4 ounces of milk around 11 a.m and we have lunch sometime between 12:30 and 1:00. You take an afternoon nap around 1:30/2:00. Milk again at 3:00. Your last evening nap is around 5:00, which is usually a short one if you take one at all. We all eat dinner at 6-6:30 p.m. Bath follows dinner and you have your last bottle right before bedtime which has been 8ish lately.  You still awake once during the night to be changed and eat- lately some time between 12:00 and 3:00 a.m. During the day we play, go for walks, play outside on your swing, run errands etc.. 

Nighttime has been a struggle. The nights where Daddy and I would place you in your crib and you wouldn't make a peep and you would drift off to sleep have come to a sudden halt. Some nights (on the good ones) you crank for a bit and eventually fall as sleep. But on most nights you cry and cry when we put you in your crib and want extra snuggles with Daddy or I. Daddy and I often take turns going up to your room to tell you everything is okay and there is no reason to cry. We are hoping this is just a phase...even though it has been what feels like a very loooong phase! 

Your favorites: You have found your hair! I feel like there is forever food in your hair now because you are always playing with it especially eating time. You love to run your fingers down your strands of hair. Some of your other favorites have been your V tech learn to walk,  going on walks, going for yogurt, reading books, wearing less clothes-always a bonus for me, less laundry!, you just love water these days and drinking out of your sippy cup, playing in your pool or tub and with the hose water, watching Momma blow bubbles, and being naked! 

Momma’s Favorites: I just love the age that you are at. We can do things together, go places, and interact on a whole new level. I love love love all the kisses that you give me, especially the ones that I don't even ask for. When you put your hands on my cheeks and pull my face toward yours- my heart skips a beat. I have also been enjoying homemade pureed veggie soups which I can share with you ( made a ginger curry carrot soup yesterday-so yummy), iced caramel macchiatos, I really do enjoy our food shopping trips together-you make them so much more enjoyable

Yes, that is a diaper on top of the sunroof. Too stinky for inside the truck. 

xoxo

Making memories at Round Valley

Were there things to be done around the house? Of course, when aren't there things that need to be done. But it was beautiful out and Stella is at such a fun age. She is only going to be this age once and the to do list is unfortunately not going anywhere. So I packed up a picnic lunch and a picnic blanket and to Round Valley we went for a hike and a picnic.

Just to back up a bit before I chat about our day, what is so cool about this place is Rick has so many good memories of this place from when he was a child. He still talks about them to this day. He, his Dad and sister would go fishing in this water reservoir all the time. It really was the same as he'd remembered it was when we went today. The other interesting thing about this place is the history. Supposedly, a submerged town is what lies deep in this reservoir. Houses, streets, telephone poles all seen by divers. You can read a little bit about it here and here. It really is a huge water pit. A beautiful water pit.

We first attempted the Pine Tree Trail which we soon found out one, it wasn't stroller friendly and two, it didn't have the water views that we had wanted. After we ventured back to the main area we found the Water Trail which was a trail that followed the water. It also has many spots to choose from to set up your picnic. Stella was for sure off roading today. Thank god for those air filled tires on the stroller. After a bit of a walk and beautiful views we found a great spot to stop, and eat lunch. We also took Stella down to the water and of course she wanted to sit in it and splish splash. Once she figured out she could pick up the rocks, she tried putting each picked up one into her mouth. Game over.

Below are a few pictures from our day at Round Valley. I am looking forward to going back very soon.

Pine Tree Trail...

On our way to Water Trail....we stopped at the boat and kayak launch and let Stella feel the water..

Now on Water Trail....

the view from our picnic blanket

another view from our picnic blanket

Time to eat lunch...sandys, a pickle, cut up mango and grapes, and chips. 

Rick walked Stella down to the water at our picnic spot....

Another great day making memories with my favorite two.