Outdoor Photo Shoot

This past weekend the weather was so nice that I decided to try and have a little photo shoot with Aspen and get some nice outdoor shots. Even though Aspen is so much more expressive now, it's not always easy to get her to look at the camera and smile. She tends to get distracted.

We have a magnolia tree in our front yard that is sadly not doing so well (still recovering from last years drought). Some of the dead leaves have been falling off and Aspen just loved them. They are waxy so she can't crumble them up and eat them, perfect for her teething!



What a goof ball...



I finally got a shot of her without a leaf in her mouth. I love that smile.



We have an ongoing battle with hats. She hates them...I insist on them (tell me people living in Texas--how do you get your child to wear a hat so they don't turn into a tomato when they can just pull it right off??). She of course finally got the thing off and was delighted at her accomplishment. She's also definitely rocking the 80's shirt style.



Bella decided to join us after a while, which always makes Aspen happy. You can't really tell very well in this picture because Aspen's eyebrows are so fair and light, but she has mastered the one eyebrow lift--definitely a Duffy trait.



"Ok enough photos, time to attack Bella!"



At least Bella let me put the hat on her...what a great dog putting up with torture from both her Mom and sister. Best Dog Award!

Grandma's Sweet Potato Puffs

My mom emailed me this recipe that she use to make for my brother and I when we were just getting started on finger foods. I tried it out and it was definitely a hit in Aspen's book. If anyone has kids I would HIGHLY recommend this recipe for your little one who has either mastered finger foods or is just starting out.

Grandma's Sweet Potato Puffs

Preheat oven 500 degrees F

2 cups of sweet potatoes
1 banana
1 1/2 Tbl. butter
1 egg
3 to 4 Tbl. of hot milk (you could switch this out with breastmilk or formula)
1/2 tsp of salt (I did about half of this amount)
dash of nutmeg or ginger (optional)

*Peel, cube, and boil the sweet potatoes.
*Mash the sweet potatoes with the banana.
*Combine the butter, the egg yolk, milk, and salt. Add to sweet potato and banana.
*Beat until stiff peaks; one egg white. Fold into the sweet potato batter.
*Using a tablespoon spoon the batter onto a greased cookie sheet or onto parchment paper. Cook for 12 minutes or until it starts to brown slightly. Enjoy!

Aspen enjoying her puffs. Yes she doesn't have a shirt on, but lately it's been easier to feed her naked then get food stains all over her clothes...she's one messy eater!

Aspen's First Dance Class

Tonight Aspen had to come to work with me because Jason had a business meeting. This is the first time that Jason's had a meeting fall on one of my work nights, which is pretty good considering Aspen is 8 1/2 months old.

Of course my little princess got a little overwhelmed by all the attention and new place, so she was being pretty attached to me. However everyone up at the studio was helping out in little ways and I'm so lucky and thankful to have a job that allows me to bring my kiddo to work when need be.



It made me so happy and excited when Aspen started to watch the girls dancing. She was literally following them across the floor---our little ballerina! Then she would start babbling with excitement. After the girls finished warming up at the barre we had a little bit of stretch time before working on their recital dance. We played follow the leader; Aspen was the leader. They were pretty impressed with her flexibility.

All in all is did okay. She still gets nervous around people she doesn't know when her parents suddenly disappear, but with time and practice it can only get better! Thanks PAS peeps...Much Love!

The Best $10 bucks We've Spent...

Lately I have been searching through Craig's list every once and in for baby toys/gear. Earlier this week I found a backpack kid carrier that retails for $130 that someone was selling for $10. Jason went and picked it up on Monday night and Aspen has really been enjoying her new mode of transportation.



This morning we took the dogs (babysitting my dad's dog, Layla) and set out to do a little hiking in the greenbelt. It's been raining here the last few days, but we figured we could get a walk in without hitting to many showers. Aspen was having a great time watching the puppies running around and taking in all the sights from her new vantage point.





We stopped at a bench halfway through the walk to give Aspen a bottle. She was so excited watching the dogs playing in the water it was hard for her to concentrate on eating, but she got it all down and then we hit the trail again.



About 15 minutes after we started back on the trail the rain started to come down. Thankfully we brought an umbrella to put over Aspen and it worked really well positioned into the pack. At least she stayed dry...the dogs and the two of us on the other hand were soaked.



Aspen is so active the last week it has definitely shown me where I need to start doing some baby proofing. It's pretty exciting to see she her figuring out how to get around. She still loves her empty diaper box--couldn't this be an ad for Huggies??



I know I have been posting videos a lot, but I had to include two more. The first one is her pulling herself up to standing on her own--using her dad. She has been doing this a lot this past week.



This second video is Aspen army crawling across the floor. It seems harder than just normal crawling, but she doesn't seem to mind.



Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Having a Good Time

Of course Aspen has been collecting lots of toys over the past few months from grandparents, friends, and even her parents. In the end though this kid is happy with the simple things in life. She loves playing with a wooden spoon and banging it against her tin drum. The other day she got a hold of the empty box of diapers and it has provided a ton of entertainment ever since.



Aspen has also started to really enjoy playing peek-a-boo. This following video she was playing in her crib and even though I didn't say peek-a-boo I feel like she was having fun hiding under the blanket and then popping out.



I just uploaded this video because I think she is a cutie. For those of you that don't get to see Aspen I think it's nice to see a video every once and a while to see how much she is changing.



Aspen is finally over her little cold and is back to eating and sleeping well. She has been chowing down on some delicious breakfast foods including an avocado omelet and strawberry whole wheat pancakes. Yum!

Aspen's Baptism

Yesterday Aspen was baptized at St. Theresa's Catholic Church. It was a wonderful ceremony and we are both so happy that we were able to share it with most of our family.

The princess in her beautiful baptism dress.



Before the baptism friends and family joined us at our house for a bbq. The weather was wonderful so we had the whole party in our backyard. Unfortunately I was enjoying mingling with everyone that I didn't take any good pictures. It was a great relaxing time with wonderful food and company.

I was so happy that my brother (who lives in Minnesota) was able to attend the baptism as Aspen's godfather.

Matthew and I in front of the church.



Aspen did great during the ceremony. She of course was a little wiggling, but no tears, which is always a plus. When the deacon poured the water over her head she had a thought about crying, but she didn't. I think maybe she thought.."Oh this is like my baths...fun!"







Of course we had to do a little photo shoot after the baptism. At this point Aspen was tried, hot, and hungry. But she was still a trooper. I was very proud of her!

Deacon George, Aspen, and the parents.



The Godparents- Matthew (my brotehr) and Sarah (Jason's sister) with Aspen and her parents.



Aspen was enjoying pulling on her Aunt Sarah's face--she was nice enough to entertain her.



It was hard to get everyone to look at the same camera at the same time. Poppy (my dad), Me, Aspen, and the Godfather.



The three cousins with their Momma's. All the kids did great through the whole thing.

Aunt Sarah with Trevor, Aunt Jennifer with Jessica, and Me and my princess.



Considering Aspen has been dealing with a little cold the last few days she did wonderful on her big day. Thank you to everyone who was able to be part of this special occasion.

8 months old

Today marks Aspen's 8 month birthday. Of course she has been up to many different adventures.

*The biggest change in the past month is the fact that she can push up from her belly to sitting up on her own. Last week I went into her room to get her from her nap and I found this cutie sitting up. Of course I had to snap some shots and document it.



*With the weather being so much warmer lately Aspen has been enjoying some naked playing time. What is it about being nude that babies just love?? Of course we put down a pad in case she gets to excited :)



*Since Aspen has become so much more mobile (not crawling yet, but has figured out how to roll and scoot her way around everywhere) I've had to start using the play pen every once and awhile. She does great in their playing so that Mommy can take a shower.



*I have to watch my phone because the second I put it down within Aspen's reach it is in her hands and then her mouth. I had to snap this shot...I think it could be the new Blackberry ad.



*We read to Aspen every day, however she is still more interested in chewing on the book then listening to the story.



* My two favorite girls hanging out.



We are enjoying every moment with Aspen and watching her change and grow. We are looking forward to the next month of activities!

Happy Easter

Today was Aspen's first Easter. We had a low key day...no Easter egg hunts this year. I look forward to when she is older and we can do Easter egg hunts. I fondly remember doing this when I was a kid- running around the house looking for eggs and of course the mega prize...the basket! (that's how my parents did it which made it even more exciting to find this HUGE basket filled with goodies). For now I'll just enjoy the simple things like dressing her up and having a little photo shoot.



I love her little Easter basket that her Nanny gave her...Thanks!



Daddy and his little girl.



We went to Poppy's house for an early dinner and it was fantastic! Meat, potatoes, salad, homemade bread, and Boston cream pie...what else do you need in life, really?!? Aspen enjoyed some green peas, a pancake, and a banana. Thanks for dinner Dad, it was wonderful spending the holiday with you!



Aspen became the centerpiece. We don't have a high chair at my dad's house yet, so we brought the boppy. It worked out great. Don't worry we made sure she was safe :)



Poppy and Aspen enjoying the pretty flowers...



Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

Enjoying April Fools...

Yesterday was Jason's favorite holiday of the year...April Fools! I'm not sure that Jason realized when he married me that I was such a natural at this holiday. My family and friends weren't use to me "pulling pranks", so it was/is actually easier for me to get people than Jason. It was all in good fun and hopefully you got some people too. Some of our best...

*Jason told someone at work that someone in China had pulled a scam on their office and now they have access to their bank account. Needless to say the person started to freak out before Jason revealed..."April Fools!"

* I called my dad and informed him that I had gone to Petsmart to buy some dog food and couldn't help myself when I saw a pitbull up for adoption. I believe my dad's exact words were, "Julia, what is wrong with you??". Haha...April Fools!

* The best of the night was when I called my brother and informed him that for him to be the godfather he would have to spend the entire day of the baptism in a 8 hour class about how to be a good godparent (this would have been extra annoying considering my brother lives in Minnesota and I don't get to see him much already). He was doing such a good job trying not to sound totally pissed. Then I said..."You know it's important to me that you are the godparent so you can teach Aspen lots of things. For example...how to pull good pranks." His response was, "Sure, sure. So what do you think they talk about in this class for 8 hours??". I couldn't believe he didn't get the first hint, but I guess he was consumed with annoyance about the news. So I said, "Maybe they teach you HOW TO PULL GOOD PRANKS!". Finally he got it and I could hear the relief in his voice.

* My last attempt for a couple of jokes was to send out a text to a few friends stating "Aspen just walked!!". Everyone fell for it, but as Jason said...maybe I shouldn't use my baby. I told him Aspen asked to be involved in any way she could :)

Jason tried to pull some jokes on his family, but I think all the years of pranks has caused them to never believe anything he says on this day.

Aspen has been teething really bad the last few days. A low grade fever, tons of drooling, and overall crankiness. Yesterday we were playing and then she just started snuggling on me. She never does this! It was so sweet.