Baby Austin Pictures

There's A Baby In There

This past weekend I took some maternity pictures for a friend and thought I would share a few of my favorites as a preview for her.


Can't wait to meet Austin soon and take newborn pictures! We both have tons of ideas already!

New Week, New Food

This week everything in our meal plan is new. (For us.)

Quinoa Burgers with Gnocchi Mac & Cheese

Chicken and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers with fresh green beans

Garlic roasted chicken with rice pilaf and sugar snap peas

Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo with Roasted Acorn Squash

Chicken Parmesan Lettuce Wraps with Garlic Angel Hair Pasta

Chase has no idea some of this require veggies he doesn't care for, and no meat in one!

Dinner Time

Who doesn't like cheeseburger macaroni? I love this kid... and her messes. She is the only one in the house allowed to make a mess. ;)

Transition

Life around here is changing. For eight years the military life is all we've known. What awaits us on the outside is no doubt terrifying. With the shift in the economy is it any wonder people look at us like we are crazy to leave such a secure lifestyle? Hell, Chase's own father tried to talk him in to staying in. To wake up every day knowing that you have a job, and that it isn't going anywhere is comforting. To have all your medical expenses paid (no matter the crap-tastic service). On April 14th that will all change.

The closer it gets, the more stuff seems to pile up on our plate. In February we will be visiting Texas for 4 weeks. In that time frame we are hoping to find jobs and a place to live. I wish it were simple, but it's not. Nothing is anymore.

With all the stress, my anxiety is spinning out of control. I've had 2 attacks in the past month. Everything is just a bunch of talk still at this point. I like to plan. I NEED to plan things in advance, way in advance. To know that we don't know where we will live 3 months from now, and that we won't know until just a few weeks prior, is hard to accept. I am having a hard time planning G's birthday party because I am so stressed out. I am very tempted to just say forget it.

October, October... Won't you come over?

I LOVE October. My favorite month. The weather is gorgeous, today!

Update? Ok:

Grace is 8 months old. She is everywhere you don't want her to be. We anticipate her to walk by Halloween, Thanksgiving at the latest. She is excellent at standing unassisted and walks everywhere by pushing objects (i.e. step stool, laundry basket, etc) It blows my mind how mobile she is, as her sister didn't even crawl until 8 months. She has quite the personality and tells you exactly how she feels.

Morghan just turned 5. I can't believe how old she is, let alone how old she acts. I'm sad to think she will be in Kindergarten next year, but I know she will love it. Today I caught myself just staring at her. The sweet 4 foot child made me a Mommy and I couldn't be more thrilled. We often tease that we should finding acting classes for her, as she is quite the drama queen. She also loves to talk in a country and British accent.

Day 12

She is following in her sister's footsteps. I can not even begin to count the number of random places that M fell asleep as an infant/toddler. Bathroom, hallway, leaning against coffee table etc. Seems only logical that after G fell asleep sitting up in her crib (twice) that this was the next obvious choice.

Day 11

Comparison of the girls at around the same age. M was 8 months, G is 7 months. They don't look as similar as I thought. Looking through baby books I noted that at this age (7 months) M was longer and weighed less than G. M was 28.5 inches and 19 pounds. G is 26 inches and 20 lb 10 oz.

Day 10

Resourceful little munchkin. She loves to hold your hands and walk. My hands were currently unavailable so she pulled up on M's step stool and realized she could walk with that. I believe this is her new favorite "toy."

Day 9

A sneak peek at the girls' Halloween costumes for this year. They haven't arrived yet, but as soon as they do I can guarantee an attempted photo shoot.

Day 8

So our newest adventure... Baby led weaning: Infant self feeding (no pureed baby food) You can read about it here. (click here) Stange decision for some, something better for us. As you can see, G loves bananas. She has also had mushrooms and a peach so far.

Day 7

I brought out bouncing Tigger and G just isn't quite sure what to do with him. She keeps knocking him over and turning him upside. I suppose she is trying to determine what makes him bounce!

Day 6

She has been doing jigsaw puzzles since she was 2, and always loves them. This weekend she completed a 100 piece puzzle all by herself without ever looking at the box.

Day 5

Tonight we unexpectedly lost a great family member. Out sweet dog Jagermeister (lovingly known as Jager/Jay). He was incredibly sweet and had the best personality you could ask for. He will be deeply missed. My heart aches.

Day 4

Chase had requested banana nut muffins so I recruited M into the kitchen to help me! She quickly ran to grab her apron and step stool. She had a blast and did a great job at helping out.

Day 3

...and so we have entered what I call the "aaah" stage. The moment she spots one of us with food she makes a bee line, pulls herself up, and opens her mouth.

Day 2

She sure does love her lambs/sheep! Big one is named "Lucy" (sometimes, Twinkles) and the little one is named "Lacy." Her newest one (not pictured) is named, "Lisa."

Day 1

Sweet G is 7 months today! Crawling and cruising everywhere!

Wait... What?

I have a blog? Oh yah... Well I'll be damned..

Perhaps when I have another 30 seconds I will update!

Fluff Butt

So about a month ago I became tired of all the disposable diapers and the forever persistent diaper rash on Grace. Lots of moms on my parenting board talk about cloth diapering and at first I was like "whatever, that's gross." Well, I no longer think that. I spent a month researching and it is NOTHING like I thought. I mean, sure, you can still do it old school with diaper pins, pre-folds and covers, but I wasn't looking for that. They have cloth diapers that are almost exactly like disposables. They are just made out of CLOTH. They even have velcro (a Daddy fave). Chase was completely turned off by the idea, until I showed him how much we would be saving. He gave me the "OK" and I went and purchased everything I needed. In total I probably spend a little over $200 (that's a big number, I know!) but I never have to worry about running out of diapers or wipes anymore. PLUS++She hasn't had a diaper rash in over a month. I'm glad I opened my mind, and this quickly became an addiction. Besides, she totally rocks the cute prints. Here she is rocking the "Mickey Mouse". She also has Hello Kitty, Flowers, Butterflies, Cherries, flowers, tons of solids.

I can't believe I didn't do this sooner. I know a lot of people think its crazy, I was one of them.