Friday, February 29, 2008

Happy Leap Day!

Since we get an extra day this year, I'd thought I'd share an extra video. It's short & silly- and I promise this is all her! I'm not making any noises!! I went to get her out of the car, and she was just snoozin away....

All I can say is: How can such a sweet little face make those sleeping bear noises!?! :)-

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Playing at Home

Georgia was sick at the beginning of the week, so we've been hanging around the house a lot lately- which means there hasn't been much to post about! I'll be glad when spring finally decides to come so all the kiddos can be healthy again and we can get out to play. On the up side, and there's always an up side if you look hard enuf!, Georgia and I have had lots of time to be silly together, do some snugglin, read some books and practice her walking. She's getting pretty good, but she likes to go fast, almost at a run, so she trips over her feet a lot. But she's a tough cookie, so she's always right up and going again!
This is just a video of her being silly, and the picture is from playing in the backyard... Hope you've had a good week!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Playtime at the Park




When a picture is worth a thousand words, who needs words?!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Zoo & Flu

Sorry it's been awhile (to our 2 loyal readers!), but I spent the last week in a flu fog. I've even had good stuff to post- "good" relative to what's going on in our little world! So this will be a recap post... (interspersed with zoo pictures)

My mom & dad came to town last Mon-Wed, because, well, they can't go more than about a month without seeing Georgia. Who can blame them?!! We took her to the zoo for the first time, and she enjoyed the animals, the other kids, and the leaf she picked up. A side note: I know I'm a new mom, but isn't it a little wrong to give your 3-year-old Mr. Pibb soda in their sippy cup?? Just an observance...
Grammie, Grandad & Georgia enjoy the zoo.

The zoo really was fun, and we had sunny, cool weather. Which was good because that night it rained, and the next day it snowed, and my health declined with the weather....
Grammie- there's a tweety on your shoulder!

Tuesday night Larry & I left the baby with the grandparents and went out for an early Valentine's dinner. Leonardo's in Vestavia- our first time there and pretty yummy! I had started feeling yucky, but we were actually out- on a date!- so I pushed thru! But by Wednesday I was worse, and Larry sent me straight to the doctor. Good thing, b/c a nose swab later (NOT a pleasant experience!), I was confirmed with the flu. Yuck!
We're laughing at the big hippo behind us!

This is where I'll declare that next year, I'm getting my flu shot. I never did this year, and I know they don't always protect you, etc etc, but the Dr confirmed I had the flu strand that the shot protected against, so next year I think it'll be easier & cheaper to just get the shot.
Hey mom- see that giraffe?!

Isn't it ironic that being told you're sick just makes you feel worse? I don't know if it was just the timing or what, but by the time I was home from the Dr and getting my Rx filled, I was feeling really yucky. Larry had to come home from work to take my parents to the airport. As soon as he got home from class that night, I was done for- I went to bed before Georgia!
Walking thru the zoo with mommy & Grandad!

Thursday was Valentine's and, unfortunately, all I had for Larry was my flu. For me he had cookies (b/c I had wanted to make him Vday cookies), cherry Kisses, roses & tulips, and cards from him & Georgia. He really put me over the top when Georgia crawled into the bedroom to bring me her own card! After I got it open she tried to eat it then rip it, but it didn't matter- I was already in a teary flu & Valentine's fog! :) Isn't my valentine great!!! Not the most romantic V-day for him- he even slept in the guest room to avoid contamination, but he made me feel better!
Hey! Don't I look silly?!

So we hung close to the house for a few days, and I'm happy to say I've rejoined the world now. And even happier to say that both Larry & Georgia seemed to have escaped my flu-bug. My dad was not so lucky... he took it back to FL with him! I even tried to go to my Bible study this morning until I got to the church and realized it was cancelled b/c of President's day.... oh well. At least I've rejoined you! :)

Friday, February 8, 2008

Piggies and Ponies

So, I've been playing with Georgia's hair, when she sits still enough for me to play with it! It's like having a little doll to play dress-up with, except the doll is on hyper-speed the whole time! And sometimes the doll fusses at you. And the doll pulls out the hair-do you just did as soon as you're done. So I guess it's not like having a doll, it's like having a 10-month old baby!

I finally found some little ponytail holders, and have been trying pigtails and ponytails (bam-bam style). I can't decide if she looks really cute or really silly, but at least her hair is out of her eyes!

Thanks for the cute Valentine's bib, aunt Karen! :)

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Bonus Video: GA Walking

I finally caught Georgia walking on video! This is from this morning... She's still not real confident doing it, but I caught her practicing in her crib yesterday, so I think she's getting there. It's really when she's excited about something, or distracted that she does it. In this video, you can see she's excited about having found the remote within her reach!

Monday, February 4, 2008

Martha's Artichoke Dip

It's not very often that I cook something worthy of a blog post, but this past weekend I made an artichoke dip that turned out pretty scrumpcious. It's not that I don't or don't like to cook- I do, but there are definitely others that do it better than me! But Martha helped me along with this one, and since I actually got requests for the recipe, I'll share. I think the lemon zest is what sets this dip apart. It takes a little bit of prep work, but if I can do it, so can you!

Baked Artichoke Dip
(Makes 6 cups; serves 14 to 16)

Ingredients
3 cans (14 ounces each) artichoke hearts in water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter,room temperature
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk, warmed
2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (3 ounces)
1 cup grated pecorino cheese (3 ounces)
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped, plus leaves for garnish
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
Directions
1) Remove leaves from 1 artichoke heart; pat dry, and reserve. Thinly slice remaining artichokes; pat dry.
2) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, and bring to a boil. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne, and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cheeses.
3) Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes. Add thyme, garlic, and sliced artichokes, and cook for 3 minutes. Add to cheese mixture along with zest. Transfer to an 8-cup baking dish. Top with reserved artichoke leaves. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
4) Bake until golden and bubbling, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired.


I used 3 8.5-oz cans of artichokes, and that seemed fine. I also used dried thyme. You can serve it with crackers, bagel chips, or sliced veggies. Look for this recipe and more on Martha Stewart's website. Enjoy!

Friday, February 1, 2008

A Perfect Ten

Dear Georgia Kate
You are 10 months old, as of yesterday. Double-Digits! I can't believe how fast you grow. Every month I think you are at your "most fun stage yet", and every month you trump that! This is definitely a very fun stage, and you are learning every day.
Here's a few:
~ You understand so much now. You know what to do when we say: Come here, No, Lift your arms, Don't eat that, Give it to Mommy, Sit down, No standing (in the tub), More, All Done, Wave, Kisses and Where's Bernie. Probably b/c those are the things we say the most!

~ You like to help get yourself undressed and dressed. You pull off your socks for me, pull your shirt over your head, and reach for your toes as I pull on your pants. This is a big help since otherwise you're trying to squirm off the table!
~ Playtime: You love pushing your hippo cart all over and fuss when you hit a wall and can't get it turned around. You love your 'playhouse', your blocks, Ann & Andy, your "Stand & Sing", your frog popper, any book and especially your photo album, and your favorite toy is still a waterbottle with some coins in it!

~ You are turning into a little gymnast and roll on the floor (like Bernie), and stand on your head- head & feet on the ground, booty in the air. Then you like it when we come and tip you over into a sumersault! You also like it when I roll you into a flip off my lap!
~ You are still trying to walk! It's more like you will walk, not that you're walking! When you're not paying attention, you'll take several steps, but you are still not very confident. You will walk all around the house holding onto one of our fingers, but you still need that contact!

~ Everything is "babababa", except Bernie is just "BaBa". No other words yet, but you like to talk. Lately you've been testing your range and love to talk at maximum volume, usually in a restraunt! You also like to sing whenever you hear music!
~ You still don't eat much solid food, but we're trying lots of different things. Your latest: noodle, turkey, chicken, cheese, mac n cheese, bread, green beans :(, yugurt :(, applesauce :(... we'll try anything, but you're pretty picky! You live on cherrios and formula! Although you did like the chocolate chip cookie your daddy gave you the other night...

~ You are learning to show your feelings in so many ways. You give sweet kisses to me, daddy, Bernie and even your friends. You get really excited when daddy comes home, when you're being chased, and getting in the bath. You have definite opinions about what you want to eat, and will turn your face completely into your chair, or cover your mouth with both hands when you don't want something. When you're done you pull off your bib and throw it on the ground. And you're already an expert pouter!
Every day with you is a new adventure. And, as we watch your friends have their first birthdays, we know there are many adventures to come! Daddy and I marvel at you, and we feel privilaged to be intrusted with something so precious as you. We love you very much and thank God for you every day! Happy 10 months, sweet baby!!
Love, Mommy