Monthly Update {8 months}

I'm a little late posting this because it has been so busy around here. These monthly posts usually end up taking more time than expected... not to rush the year away BUT I will be happy to not feel obligated to do the monthly post for our little book. I'm sure one day I'll be glad I took time to do them though.

 

Lilly Rose,

This past month was such a sweet one! You turned 8 months old on August 23rd. I enjoyed singing "happy 8 month birthday, lilly rose" throughout the day and you enjoyed the song with clapping. A few of my favorite new developments to watch was you are now sitting up and clapping. You have been such a pleasant and happy baby lately. Here's a little of what you were up to this past month:

-- Lilly, you said 'dada' on July 26th, it was so sweet!! Daddy was home from work that day so it was special he was home with us to hear it for the first time also.

-- You have perfected sitting up by yourself. You like to sit on the floor and play, sit in your playpen to play and sit on the couch like a big girl.

-- You smile at the weather report. Every. Single. Time. It's hilarious to me that each morning and evening when the news comes on and the forecast is reported you start smiling so big and giggle. Maybe there's a future for you in the newsroom? ;)

-- You are starting to feed yourself puffs. You definitely enjoy eating and puffs has been a new treat for you. A few times though you have fed yourself and seem very proud.

 

-- We spent a lot of time playing at the pool. You loved the water and enjoyed your float so much.

-- Drinking out of a cup. Oh, this is a new one for the past month that you really love. You like to take sips out of my glass. Good thing I always-always drink water at home so I am able to share with you. You really light up when you see mommy holding her glass of water and have done such a great job of learning how to drink out of a cup like a big girl.

 

-- You love flipping through books, photo books and those puffy books you can knaw on.

 

-- Taking another look at Uncle Jordan, we say prayers for him all the time for the Lord to keep him safe while he is in Afghanistan. He is on his way home today from his 3rd tour and we are SO thankful! I'm excited for you and Uncle Jordan to reunite, you were about 2 months old the last time he saw you. You are a lot like him in so many ways. Mommy is in troubel. :) Just kidding.

 

-- Clap hands, super cute when you clap your hands. You like to do this a lot when you are playing, listening to music with daddy and are just plain ol' happy!

-- Just a day or two before turning 8 months you started breaking your first tooth. It's slow coming in but we can see it and feel it. Aside from being a little fussy, you've handled your first tooth like a champ!

 

-- Still really love your swing and only take naps in it, refuse a good crib nap. Cannot complain though, you sleep 8-9 hours straight through the night in your crib and for that I'm thankful. Good job, Lilly Rose!

-- Spent an afternoon at Papa & Yaya's and you let Papa rock you to sleep. This was a first!

We enjoy each month more and more. You are so much fun, love to laugh (we giggle a ton around here), play and sing. I think Oliver is your favorite, he gets more smiles most of the time. I'm looking forward to the upcoming months but don't grow to fast sweet girl.

 

Stats:

Clothes -  3/6, 6mo (still in newborn bloomers only)

Shoes - moved up to size 2, officially outgrowing those tiny little baby shoes... :(

Diapers - size 2

Hair - high, fuzzy, soft baby hair that is just wild (cute too).

Teething {I spy a first tooth}

Poor baby is finally working on her first tooth. I can see it breaking through and feel it when rubbing her gums. It's the bottom left tooth & becoming quite a bear... explains her attitude the past couple days. Thank goodness for beloved Sophie the Giraffe who helps sooth when things get tough.

Pretty In Pink {33 weeks}

Lilly Rose looked so pretty in pink this past Sunday. Yaya says it is definitely Lilly's color. Once we were home from church (and lunch with Papa & Yaya, thanks for treating us!) I took a few pictures before we changed into comfy clothes. Lilly was not giving me those usual smiley grins. I'm sure wondering why I had the camera out and interrupting play time. :) She's such a little JOY and getting too big, too fast!!!

Family Time {on the island}

We spent a little time on the Island this morning. The weather was PERFECT, the company was UNBEATABLE and the family time was PRICELESS. :) We really needed a little time together before Billy went to work (he is closing this week). Oliver even enjoyed our outing, he was so happy to be included on our little journey!

The 'No Pets' sign cracked me up because we are usually without our fur-baby and the one time he comes with us, he can't walk with us...SO, Oliver and Billy took their own little walk while LR and I enjoyed the market for a bit. Lots of yummy produce which inspired me (or reminded me because I've been putting it off) to make my own baby food...so that's what I have been doing all afternoon but that's for another post.

Also, a big Happy Birthday to Grandma Bird! We send our love and Lilly Rose sends her sugar. Hope it's a wonderful day.

(picture taken end of July when they came to visit us)

Big Girl {32 wks}

Lilly Rose fed herself for the first time this morning. We are working on her little pincher grip. It's so cute to watch if I may say so myself. :) I should add that she fed herself a couple puffs, this mama fed her the usual wheat oatmeal and fruit of choice before the couple puff treats. She was so proud, can you tell?

We have a big day planned. The usual Monday fun: laundry, catching up on odds and ends. This morning I put a pot roast in the crock pot for dinner, sewed Billy's pants, started on the mound of laundry and played with my girl. All that to say, I'm beginning to feel like a regular stay at home mama instead of a milk machine. HA! :) Off to continue the Monday fun...

Cajun Chicken Lasagna {recipe}

I wanted to post the recipe I mentioned last week. It's something I make only once, maybe twice, a year because it is so rich and time consuming but worth the wait and time! You can't mess this up. I think it's one of those dishes you can expeirement with. Next time, I think I'd like to add spinach & red pepper. I think it would add a nice flavor (and color).

Ingredients:

16 dried lasagna noodles

1 pkg (1 lb.) medium flavor pork sausage

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into cubes

2-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (depending on desired taste, I like to use a bit more for extra spicy)

1/2 c chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1 Tb finely chopped garlic

2 10oz containers of your favorite Alfredo sauce (I pick them up at Publix when they're BOGO & use whatever is on hand)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1.5 cups mozzarella cheese

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook noodles, drain and rinse. Combine sausage, chicken, & Cajun seasoning and cook about 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Make sure the sausage is cooked and crumbled. Remove meat mixture from skillet using a slotted spoon, reserving the drippings. Set aside the meat mixture keeping it warm. In the same skillet cook onion, green pepper and garlic until tender. Stir in the meat mixture and one full container of Alfredo sauce. Add the Parmesan cheese.

Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray, I use a 9x13 size pan. Arrange 4 noodles in bottom of pan. Spread with 2 cups of the meat-vegetable mixture and then sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers (I usually get about 4 full layers). End with noodles and spread the remaining Alfredo sauce (about one container) over the top. If I have a little Parmesan cheese left I lightly sprinkle over top. Cover and bake 1 hour (or until heated through). Let stand 15-20 minutes before cutting. Makes 12 servings.

This usually takes a good hour in the kitchen. I like to make and then put in the fridge until about 1.5 hours before serving. When my in-laws were here it made it easy to prepare dinner. Billy and I took Lilly Rose to the pool and played all afternoon, all my work was done in the morning. :) Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!