Happy Memorial Day!

We hope everyone has a great Memorial Day! We had some friends over yesterday for a bbq, but I didn't take any pictures--it was a great time. Delicious food and wonderful company!



Aspen and I did get a couple of photos together for once...she is such a sweetie and I can't believe how big she is getting.

Finally Broke Down

Today Aspen and I took a trip to Target and bought a baby gate to put in between our living room and kitchen. I didn't really want to get the gate, but we realized it was the easiest and ultimately safest thing to do for the time.

The main reason for the gate is to keep Aspen from the dog door. I've recently caught her pushing the door open (she hasn't temped going out it, yet) and standing up against the screen door, which isn't the most stable place. We bought the gate so we can keep her controlled in the living room area when we can't give her our full focus.

She seemed to like it looking at me while I made us lunch.



I know she likes the fact that she has another place she can easily pull herself to standing. Her new favorite activity!



I took this little video of her checking it out right after I put it up. She is so use to being able to crawl in and out of the kitchen whenever she wants, she crawled right over to it.



After lunch I tried to have a little photo shoot with Aspen since I had my camera out from earlier. It wasn't very successful. Although I did get this hilarious picture of her doing her fish face.



After playing in the living room for a while we were getting close to nap time. What a relaxing life...



Aspen also went to her very first dance recital this past weekend. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of her there, but she did make her first appearance on the stage with her Mom (she came out with me when the teachers were introduced). Overall I think she did pretty good. She would get a little nervous when the lights went out backstage, but then would be ok once the dances started up. I can't wait for her first dance recital as a dancer!

Having a Crappy Day--This Will Put a Smile on Your Face

I've been feeling horrible all day long battling dreadful allergies. It stinks feeling this way and trying to entertain Aspen at the same time. Of course I've had to pump myself with meds to keep me going which has made me probably a little loopy. However, we still had a good time this afternoon dancing in the living room to some Johnny Cash. Of course as soon as I put the video camera on she didn't "dance" so much, but she was going for a good while rocking out to the music.

I guess she knows how to put a smile on my face :)

Busy Weekend on the Road and in the Water

Saturday morning Jason and I finally made a purchase we have been discussing for a long time now...we got bikes! If you know us Jason and I LOVE to bike whenever we go on vacations. When we went to Europe we biked through the Netherlands, in San Diego we rode along the coast one day, in Bonaire we rode around the isalnd. Every chance we get we love to get on a bicycle and see the sites. Well, finally we decided to get our Christmas presents for each other (I know a little early, but the timing was right with a good sale).

The store was great helping us pick out exactly what we wanted and needed. They also attached the bike seat we got for Aspen free of charge. This was nice because it took longer than I thought it would have. Aspen was being very patient at the store. Look at her testing out the helmet.



When we got home we of course had to go on a short ride. Unfortunately Aspen's helmet is still way to big for her, so it was more of a pain in the butt then anything. We stayed in the neighborhood streets for our first ride and by the end of it Aspen had fallen asleep.

Before we headed out I wanted a picture with my monkey.



Sunday after Aspen's morning nap we hit the road. We decided to ride our bikes and then stop and eat lunch. Aspen had an awesome time. She was enjoying the wind in her face and the scenery.



I'm so excited to have a bike again. I grew up loving riding my bike. I would go off for so long just making loops in the neighborhood by myself singing, thinking, enjoying life...glad to have this activity back!

Then last night we decided that Aspen was having a weekend of first why not try out the baby pool. So, Jason filled it up and let it sit in the sun and we got Aspen all dolled up in her bathing suit. I was thinking she might not enjoy it because the water was still really cold, but after about 5 minutes of just sitting and not saying anything she started to have a blast. It was so cute watching her maneuver around, I can't believe how big she is now.







Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Happy 4th Birthday to My First Baby!

Today is Bella's 4th birthday. She has been such a great dog and friend to both Jason and I.

This was the day we brought her home.



A few months old (still a little puppy)...



I can't believe it's been 4 years since we have had her. Poor little girl has had to adjust to the newest member of our family, but I give her an A+ for her behavior. I think as Aspen gets older they will be great friends because Aspen loves her so much already.



Aspen was very excited this morning for Bella's birthday. We went to the park and let Bella run around off leash while Aspen got to swing. Both my girls were very happy!



We are so lucky to have such an awesome dog---Happy Birthday!

Happy Mother's Day!

This picture is from December--I guess I need to take more pictures with my little girl.

I hope all mother's have a great day today and thank you so much for all you have done for your children. I have been celebrating today my first mother's day and it's been wonderful.

Last year I was pregnant during Mother's Day, so it didn't really count. This year we have had a low key day hanging out with the family and enjoying the day together. My little sweetheart and Jason got me a pair of earrings that have Aspen's birthstone which is green (my favorite color!). They are gorgeous and so sweet of them both.

We then went out to lunch for some tacos and Aspen had her first meal from a restaurant (usually we have to bring her food with us). We ordered her a cheese quesadilla with a side of black beans and rice. She loved it and didn't finish it all so we wrapped it up and have the rest for dinner.



Aspen has been getting more and more mobile everyday. Check her out using her "walker" toy for the first time (you can tell I was a little nervous--that's a mom for you!).



Thank you to both of our Mom's for everything you have done for us--We love you!

Tex-Mex Bites

Jason and I came up with this little recipe so Aspen could enjoy her black beans as a "finger food". She loves to feed herself and we love it because we can multi task and get other things done while she is eating.


Tex-Mex Bites

1 can of black beans
1 large avocado
1 handful of shredded colby jack cheese
1 egg
1 cup of uncooked oatmeal (add about a cup and if it seems to moist add a little more)

- Heat up the black beans and add the avocado and cheese (this is so the cheese will melt in with the beans). Then using a blender mix it all together until you get a smooth, but thick consistency.
- Put the uncooked oatmeal in a food processor and mix until very fine (we also have used the baby oatmeal that is already processed). Add the black bean mixture and one egg and pulse until blended.
- Using a tablespoon spoon out mixture onto a baking sheet ( I usually cover with parchment paper for easier clean-up). Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

**Note-- after a couple of days in the refrigator them seemed to be a drying out a little, so I would sprinkle them with water before reheating them--worked like a charm! This recipe makes a lot so I froze half the batch.

Hope you're little ones enjoy---I tried them and they tasted like a bean burrito in a ball!

Check out this adorable video of Aspen enjoying her Tex-Mex bites and some yogurt.

Play Date

Today Aspen's cousin Jessica and her mom Jennifer came over for a play date. It was a lot of fun for the girls and for the moms. Now that they are getting older they actually interact with each more and entertain one another. Of course it's always nice for mom's to get together and have a little adult time and talk about all the little things that come up as a first time mom.

It was a little difficult to get both of the girls to look at the camera at the same time, forget about smiling. I would literally finish taking the photos and then both of them would be all smiles. I still think they look pretty darn cute.



They were playing with one of Aspen's toys and I guess Aspen just thought the whole thing was hilarious. I know it's not the most flattering picture of my princess, but it definitely captures the moment.



After a while the girls got distracted with other activities instead of playing with each other. Aspen spent most of the time crawling up her Aunt Jennifer and Jessica spent some time chewing on the end of a spoon...I'm thinking someone might be teething.



It's going to be lots of fun as the girls continue to get older and play more with each other. I'm so glad Aspen has a cousin that lives in the same city and is the same age. Thanks for coming over guys, looking forward to doing it again!

She's 9 Months Old!

Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy 9 Month Birthday to my baby girl!



Some things you have been up to lately...

* You are wearing 9 month clothes and some 12 month clothes. You are in size 3 diapers. You are still very petite--long and lean!

* You eat 3 meals a day with little snacks every once and a while (usually a slice of orange or cherrios). You still get 4 bottles a day.

* You still have no teeth, however they are just waiting to pop out any day now.

* You can say Mama, Dada, and Baba (Bella maybe??), but not necessarily directed at us :)

* You have become VERY curious and think it's hilarious when your mom and dad tell you "No!". I wonder if this will just continue on throughout your life. You have moved into a crawl position all of sudden and go back and forth from this position to your swimming/army crawl position.



* However, you are much more interested in standing/walking and you keep trying to figure out new ways to get up. Check out this great downward dog (Yoga position)...



* For a few days you were pulling up to your knees and then suddenly a couple of days ago you figured out how to get to your feet. Now there is not stopping you. I found you standing in your playpen when I got out the shower.



*You love pulling up on the furniture in the living room because it's the perfect height. Now we just need to work on your falls coming out of standing.



* You continue to be a fairly good eater. You definitely prefer to feed yourself. This has forced me to be a little more creative to make healthy, age appropriate finger foods. Your favorites are my sister-in-laws Broccoli Bites, Grandma's sweet potato bites, and frozen bananas. I made her some pureed black beans with avocado the other day and she really enjoyed it...so much so she felt like rubbing it all over her face.



Aspen goes to the doctor tomorrow for a check-up. She has become much easier and more interactive and fun lately. I love being a mom to my little monkey.

Fun Weekend with a Few Bumps

Aspen has been battling a couple of different obstacles this weekend. The first thing being those teeth of hers! It's so frustrating because you can see the two bottom teeth right up against the gums, but they haven't broken through yet and they are causing a pile of symptoms (drooling, biting--anything or anyone, loss of appetite unless it's cold and hard to chew on). At least her mood has been in high spirits. One of the best remedies we found is orange slices. She will just go to town on those until her hearts content.



We of course went out to the greenbelt this weekend (like every weekend in this beautiful weather) and took the little one in the backpack. She had a great time watching the dogs and the people.

My two best buds.



All the excitement had her a little worn out and she passed out in the pack. I don't think it's the easiest place or most comfortable, but when the girl is exhausted she sure does sleep.



The other obstacle we have been faced with is dealing with mosquitoes! I can't believe it's that time again and every year I feel like they are getting worse. Jason and I both attract mosquitoes horribly and unfortunately Aspen is right there with us. She has about 5 bites on her legs from hanging out in the yard yesterday. If we have pants on her she doesn't seem to be bothered by the bites, but as soon as her pants are off (during diaper changes mostly) she tries to go to town scratching them--which in return sends her into a fit. Hopefully they heal up soon and we will try to keep her from hanging outside at dusk.

Hope you all had a great weekend. Our little girl turns 9 months on Wednesday--I really can't believe how big she is!