Pinterest Party: The Mother Huddle

This picture was from a Pinterest Party I was invited to hosted by my new church friend. I had so much fun! Thanks for the invitation, Aubrey!

For more information and details see her post here.

Clara's First: Baby Food

Clara had her first taste of food beyond breast milk. Baby oatmeal cereal was on the menu. She was all smiles and drools sitting naked in her diaper in the highchair, until she tasted her first bite that is.

Anticipating.

"Heeeey!"

"Uhhh..."

"Patooie!"

Now that it is no longer in her mouth, all smiles again!

"Stop with the baby torture!"

Hesitant. 

Wanting to chew the spoon, that unknowingly holds more baby food.

Mom pulls a sly one and tips it in.

Disappointment and betrayal. 

Splishin' and a Splashin'

Clara has discovered the joy of splashing. She flails her arms and legs as much as she can, slamming them down into the water, over and over.

Taking a bath has become her favorite activity of the day!

Halloween 2013: A French Affair

Lucy decided to be Madeline for Halloween this year and her Grandma Gayle made this awesome dress for her. We love it! It turned out amazing, and several people told Lucy that it was their favorite costume of the night.

I decided to stick with the French theme from Madeline so Clara went as Pierrot (a French clown), and Zach and I were a French couple. We found the hat for Lucy at a thrift store and I rustled up the rest of our costumes and accessories from what we had on hand, and picked up the rest from a few stores around town. I tried to gather as much as I could for the costumes before we moved, but realized after we got to San Antonio that I had forgotten a few things: black beret, red lipstick, Zach's shirt, etc. Luckily we found what we needed locally and had a great time together at the church's Trunk-or-treat!

Oh, my sweet bright eyes. 

Mes amours.

Happy Halloween!

Turkey Wraps

We made these turkey wraps to feed a large group of people for lunch, and they were a hit! We prepared them the night before and they lasted great until lunch time the next day.



The original recipe found here.
My slightly adapted recipe:


Turkey Wraps

Ingredients:
(Makes one wrap)

1 Large burrito wrap (room temperature works best)
1 Cup fresh spinach greens (I like my greens)
4 Slices canned pears
4 Slices turkey sandwich meat
1 Tablespoon dried cranberries (craisins)
2 Tablespoons chopped walnuts (or pecans)
2 Tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
1 Tablespoon pomegranate vinaigrette dressing
Ground pepper



Directions:

1.  Assemble in this order on the tortilla to reduce sogginess: Greens, sandwich meat, pears, cheese, craisins, nuts, dressing, pepper.

2. Roll tightly and enjoy!


For assembling them the night before use tin foil squares to individually wrap each sandwich wrap after completion and refrigerate until time to consume.

Yum! I have been making these for myself a ton in the past month.


What other variations would you like? I know not everyone is a fan of blue cheese, but in this combination it is so delicious. Try it!

Ipsy: September 2013

For my September Ipsy I received a NYX single eye shadow, Jesse's Girl liquid eyeliner, Elizabeth Mott It's so Big Volumizing Mascara, Cailyn tinted lip balm in Big Apple, and J. Cat Beauty lipstick in Honeycrisp.

I decided to do a smoky eye and paired it with a nude lip.

This post is not sponsored by Ipsy.
*Referral link

Peter's Birthday: Two Years

For Peter's second birthday we celebrated and commemorated by going out to eat for lunch, visiting the cemetery, and releasing some balloons.

When we got home Lucy and I worked on an art project together. She drew a family portrait on our chalkboard and I added a banner as a final touch. I love how it turned out, and really enjoy seeing the progression of figurines she is mastering a step at a time.

Me and my girls. 

My loves!

True that.

Really sad that the last un-popped balloon isn't for her to take home.

Surrounded by peaceful cotton fields. 

Working together. 

Last year on Peter's birthday we were driving all day from Iowa to Alabama to attend Zach's graduation so it hardly even felt like it happened. We were so busy with everything else going on, I didn't have too hard of a time until a few weeks later, when we got finally got home and settled back down.

This year was a lot more emotional for me on his actual birthday. I'm sure part of my emotional response was the other stresses in our life: moving, job change, city change, etc. When you are already stressed out, your emotions are so close to the surface that any little thing can scratch through and unleash the flood gates.

October and November are hard months for me, but at the same time it's one of my favorite times of the year. I love the cooler weather, holiday season, and time to enjoy with family and friends. I like thinking about Peter and remembering him with those we love. Reevaluating my life and seeing which areas I need to improve in.

I like looking at babies who are turning two around me and seeing what Peter would be doing if he were healthy and still alive. Imagining what he would be like.

He was such a sweet, sweet boy.



We love you, Peter!