gotta love...

that extra sweet smile :)

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Steph's Pick - Beaba Babycook

We're just approaching the baby food stage. Nora has been sleeping through the night for quite some time but over the past week and a half has consistently been waking at 3 am - UGH! Anyway - there are plenty of speculations to why this might be happening; however, one of them is that she needs more food. Enter baby food made by my Beaba Babycook.
So - I'll be honest. I've really only used my Beaba Babycook maker once (tonight to be exact); however, I've been in love with the idea of using it since I received it as a gift at one of my baby showers. Why is it so special? Well - it's steams and blends!!! (and it's pretty cute too!) I'll be sure to keep you updated on how things go with this new kitchen appliance.
So if you're in the market for what appears to be a great baby food maker - check out the Beaba Babycook. I know you can buy it at Williams and Sonoma and Buy Buy Baby (a baby store owned by Bed, Bath and Beyond so you can use those 20% off coupons).
However - if you're looking for a less expensive option, a friend of mine uses a Magic Bullet and loves it. Just an idea :)

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a first

Isn't it amazing to think how many "firsts" Nora is experiencing right now? I love new things. New is always an adventure waiting to happen. This weekend our adventure took place in our swimming pool. We finally got our little munchkin in her swimsuit (thanks Jane and Tom!) and took her for a little swim. Surprisingly she really loved it. We like to joke that Nora has a case of baby ADD (although that is unlikely) as she usually is only entertained with something for a short time. However, the pool was a different story! We spent a good 45 minutes swimming around and Nora was all smiles.
I thought I'd post an updated family picture too - maybe not the best as Alan and I both look exhausted (which is expected) and Nora is looking off in the distance. Regardless - here's to imperfect people saved by grace and less than perfect pictures :)

Next up - pictures of Nora with the grandparents. Stay tuned :)

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Steph's Pick - a new scent

Need a Christmas idea? Last year I was in need of a new perfume. I'm not all that crazy about perfumes but I generally find myself looking for a new scent every couple years. I came across Viva La Juicy Perfume from Juicy Couture and I LOVE it. Alan bought mine at Ulta but I'm sure there are plenty of other places to get yourself (or someone you're buying for) a bottle.
Take a sniff of this bottle next time you're in the fragrance aisle. You just might also fall in love with it! And if not, don't bother telling me b/c then I'd be afraid to wear it around you and it's my only perfume. :)

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nora's four months

weight: 14 lbs, 2 oz (75%)
length: 25 1/2 inches (90%)

We love you so much Ms. Nora!

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Steph's Pick - a family treat

Looking for something traditional to bring to Thanksgiving (or even Christmas)? No one can turn down a piece of apple pie. In my family, my dad was the master pie baker. Family members flock from all corners of the country to get a slice of his pies around the holidays. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have over the years…

Apple Pie
Ingredients:
Refrigerated Pie Crust (or see below pie crust recipe)
6 cups thinly sliced cooking apples (2 pounds – Jonathan apples are the best)
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp. butter

Directions:
Combine ingredients. Put one crust in 9” pie tin and fill with ingredients. Adjust top crust and roll under bottom crust along edge. Flute edge. Cut slits in the top crust. Mist crust with water and sprinkle with sugar then mist again until sugar is wet.
Bake at 375 for 30 min. Reduce heat to 330 and bake until crust is golden brown.


Pie Crust
Ingredients:
¼ cup Crisco
¼ cup butter…softened slightly
1 ¼ cup flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup water

Directions:
Blend flour and salt. Add Crisco and butter and blend with pastry blender until mixture feels velvety. Add water all at once and stir quickly with fork until it forms into a ball. Roll out on pastry cloth, using plenty of flour. Roll out only once.

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giggles

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Steph's Pick - My Goodreads

I'm thinking it's about time for another Steph's Goodreads update. What do you think?

1. The Help - by Kathryn Stockett - I was encouraged to read this a couple months back but was still trying to figure out time to read with an infant. Boy am I glad I started this book - set during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi, this is an incredibly optimistic and uplifting novel.

2. MOPS New Moms Guides - by Susan Besze Wallace and Monica Reed - Perfect for the expecting mom or the new mom in the first few months of raising an infant I found all 4 of these books very informative, encouraging and practical.

3. Lone Survivor - by Marcus Luttrell - Those of you with a good memory might remember that this was on my previous goodreads list, but I hadn't read it at that point. It is back on the list b/c I have now finished it and would strongly encourage anyone to read this. If you're looking for a story that showcases both American heroism and Afghani humanity, this is the book for you. Ladies - although it might sound more appealing to the men in your life, it really is a great (and true) read about the service so many men and women are providing for this country.

4. Pursuit of Honor - by Vince Flynn - OK, again, I'm putting a book on my goodreads list that I haven't read. But - this is actually a suggestion to read ALL of Vince Flynn's novels. If you like 24 - or anything espionage - these are the books for you! I think Pursuit of Honor is his 11 book so you'll have to start reading :)

5. The Going to Bed Book - by Sandra Boynton - How could I not include a children's book? Seeings how I actually spend more time reading these than adult novels now :) This is one of Nora's favorite nap/bedtime books. We have a handful of Sandra Boynton books on her shelves and love them all!

For other Goodreads recommendations see Steph's Goodreads Part I and Part II

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a sweet pea

...our little sweet pea...

For all of your photoshop-lovers - I found a great video tutorial on making the eyes "pop" in photos. Check it out at Becoming Mom's blog.

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the Bib Club 2009

I have the greatest friends! Joy, one of our dear friends, watches Nora for us while we're both at work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although it's only for a few hours I can't image what her home is like with two little ones. Her daughter, Reagan, was born just 6 weeks after Nora. Can you imagine? Two under 4 months! Some might think she's crazy, but she tells me she actually likes the challenge (I'm still hoping that isn't just to make me feel better about leaving Nora with her). The other week she took some pictures of these two together with their bibs and has since been referring to them as "The Bib Club" ever since. Are they not just the cutest??!!! Some might be wondering why these two little ones are wearing bibs already :) Well - I can't speak for Reagan, but as I've mentioned in previous posts, Nora is a Master Drooler. We're hoping that means she's teething early??? We'll have to see. I'll keep you posted.

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