I really want to crawl...

I just haven't figured out how!

Sleepy boy.... hmm, disregard that

Ethan's been peacefully sleeping for an hour and a half, which is great for him and great for me! He'll usually only make it an hour at best, but I think it may have something to do with all the excitement of having Grandma and Grandpa Oberst visiting this weekend. (pics to follow)

I've been doing a terrible job of documenting all of Ethan's milestones, stats, and jjjjjjshc zg]hhhhh KG NG

Hmm, well, the little boy is awake now and delightfully trying to type as I type too as you can see from the above lines.

The good news is that we are all happy and healthy here, now if the rain would break for a little bit, we could get outside in the BOB, which Ethan has taken to riding in quite happily.

cgghn ^^^^^^^ , says Ethan.

Pictures of the Day

We went to the neighborhood playground today... the first of many trips to come:

Happy boy:

Laughing:

Swinging back and forth, back and forth:

"Thanks Mom! That was fun":

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Ethan has been working on napping in his crib during the day. For quite awhile, he would only nap while in his swing (and the occasional car ride nap). But things are going well now, and we've only had to break out the swaddle a few times. For the most part, he's getting it. I am so glad that Ethan is such a great sleeper. He sleeps through the night, waking up around 5 and then snoozing a bit until 7:30 or so. He also takes 3 (give or take) naps during the day. I think he's a pretty well rested boy!

I think he likes it

Ethan loves his new Jumperoo. He's just the cutest little boy while he's in it. He's really figuring out how to play.

Quick and Easy Dinners

Well, that's the name of the game in our house these days... either that or easy and looong (ie. something done in the slow cooker)

I really like fish, but am still in novice territory as far as cooking it in new ways... I think I have my teriyaki salmon recipe down pat (let me know if you're interested) but that's one of the only ways that the husb. and I both really enjoy.... until lately.

I'd like to introduce:

Southwestern Salmon –

I made this as a sandwich… kind of po-boy meets Philly steak sandwich. However this stands well alone or with some rice or pasta.

Serves 4
4-six ounce salmon fillets. I cut mine into 6 ounce strips so they would fit on our hoagie rolls
1 green pepper, sliced into half rings
1 red pepper, sliced into half rings
You could slice up some onion rings too, but Noah doesn’t really like them, so I don’t
4 tbsp Italian dressing
2 tbsp water
Make a little spice rub for the salmon:
1tsp chili powder
1tsp dried cilantro
1tsp dried cumin
1tsp dried basil
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Lay down some foil in a baking sheet, place the salmon down and sprinkle the mixed spices on the salmon. Give it a rub and a flip so both sides are seasoned.
Layer the peppers on top of the salmon
Drizzle the Italian dressing and water on top ( I just eyeball it… enough so the fish will stay moist.)
Seal the salmon up in the foil and bake for 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

The peppers are delicious with a melt in your mouth flavor and the salmon is spiced without being too spicy. I wished I had a nice glass of chardonnay to go with it. Bummer, maybe next time.

Now, if you’re adventurous enough to try a little something extra, (extra prep work AND extra calories), dress your sandwich with a fancy mayo:
Chipotle mayo: mix ½ tsp of chipotle pepper sauce (or adobo) to every 1 tbsp of mayo ...a little goes a long way, and I just put the rest of the can in a ziploc and toss in the freezer so I can break off a chunk and thaw it the next time I need some.
Cilantro mayo: mix chopped fresh cilantro (a few stalks worth) for every 1 tbsp of mayo

Now, if I could just remember to grab my camera and take a picture of my food instead of the adorable 4 month old, we'd be in business.

What's your quick and easy dinner?

Ethan's Alter Ego

Alright, so my son doesn't really have two identities. But not many people have been lucky enough to bear witness to his just-out-of-the-bath hairdo. This kiddo has some crazy cowlicks and hair on top that seems a mile long. It's like a baby mohawk with a little side swoop. Without any coercing it usually looks something like this:

Or this (plus quite the attitue to go with):

However, most of our friends and family see him once his hair has settled into the normal little boy look... this picture was actually pre-bath today. A little sweat and grease keeps his coiff in place, right?

Ethan "Talking"

He's such a cutie... and for the last week or so, he has a great time spending most of his waking hours making these little noises. I can't get enough!

I did not think this would happen so quickly

Haha, no... don't jump to conclusions y'all.

It started when Noah asked me to fix a pair of his pants. I got out my sewing machine and sewing kit (some people have frilly sewing baskets, I use an old tool box)

Then something happened. What started as an innocent fix-it project turned into this:

And this:

And this:

Of course, in order for all this to happen, you need this:
I packed up my sewing stuff, quilting tools, fabrics neatly in bins last September, thinking it was possible I wouldn't be pulling it out again for months??.... years??

But, I'm so glad that I've had the desire to jump into a new project (which has now become 3 different quilt projects, of course) and that Ethan is a relatively easy baby who will play with his toys on a blanket for a few hours in the evening while I can fuss over design, layout, piecing, etc.

I was inspired by this stacked coin quilt, and am hoping to do 3 different quilts based on this design.


So, while I didn't think I'd be quilting again this soon... it feels good to be back in the swing of things.

Happy 100th Day Ethan!

Yes, Ethan has been alive and well for 100 days! Fanfare please!

Unless you are a primary grade teacher, you may not know that 100 days is something to be celebrated. Most classes count the days of school and the kids love getting to 100. (the teachers like it even more because that means you're over the hump with only 80 more to go!)

So, I'm channeling the 2nd grade teacher in me, and recognizing his accomplishment.

Way to go, buddy.