Happy Half Birthday to me!

Hello all!  It's time again for my monthly post!

Yesteday I turned 6 months old.

Half a year.

183 days.

Age blocks from bbBlocks

I've come a looong way!

From 7 pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long to 17 pounds and 28 3/4 inches

 Look at these vintage pics in my bouncy seat!  Now I can pull those crazy bugs right off, and pretty much do every time.  Mom says I'm like a little Hercules.

Mom is just starting to put away my 3-6 month clothes.  I told her I was tired of looking homeless at school with my high water pants and tight shirts.  I mean I'm all about showing off the guns but it was starting to look a little rediculous.  Plus who doesn't love an entirely new wardrobe!?  The 6-9 month stuff is still pretty big on me, but I'm sure I'll grow into them in no time!  I'm also still rocking the medium setting on my diapers but mom has started adding a bit more fluff because I've decided to become a bit of a super soaker.

We haven't done any grown up food in a few months, but now that I have TWO teeth, mom tells me it's time to try again.  It's either that or she's sending me to college with my bottles.  Since I don't think I'll be mackin' on the hunny's with my Enfamil in hand, I suppose I can try and master the spoon....or at the very least learn to not choke and gag before the food has even touched my lips.  Six months old and I'm already a food snob, mama's really in for it!

I've mastered a new trick this month!  Yep, you got it, sitting!  One day I just surprised mom by not toppling over for almost 30 min!  She couldn't believe her eyes....especially when I reached over for a toy and not only did I not face plant it like usual, I sat right back up.  I'm still not rolling over, I get about as far over as you can without completely turning and then just roll back the other way.  One day I'll get it and mom will think I've rediscovered the wheel she'll be so excited.  Oh and dad is convinced I'll be walking anyday now because if you hold my hands when I'm standing, I will take steps.  I don't think I'll be running a marathon anytime soon, but at least I've got the whole right-left-right-left going for me!

One of the most exciting things this month was my very first trip to Ohio for Grandma Debbie's Birthday!  I even got to ride on a plane!  I did pretty good, didn't sleep as much as mommy would have liked, but I was happy and all the flight attendants loved me.  Duh.  Who doesn't love me?!  I had a fun trip meeting all of daddy's family and mommy's old friends.....even went out on a date with Miss Harper.  She's older than me, a cougar if you will, but I think I impressed her with my smooth moves!

My favorite part of the whole trip though may have been Grandpa Jack's fish.  I sat with Grandma for hours just watching them swim back and forth, slapping the glass and talking away to all the fishies.  Looks like mom will be getting zoo passes this summer so we can make lots of trips to the aquarium!

Guess that about wraps it up!  See you all next month!  I don't know about you all, but I'm SOOO ready for spring!  All this winter coat, hat and gloves business is getting old!

Peace out!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

Looks like John Wayne is all rode out!

Tasty Tuesday ~ Chicken Piccata Pasta

This weeks recipe is brought to you by Pampered Chef.  I got one of their cookbooks at a party I hosted a few weeks ago and found a ton of good recipes to try.  I had to alter it a bit since a few of the seasonings were strictly Pampered Chef products that I didn't have, but I think it turned out great!  The hubs even liked it....except next time he requested I leave out the foliage aka the parsley.  Haha.

What you Need:

1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 T olive oil

1 tsp lemon pepper

1 tsp garlic salt

3 cans reduced sodium chicken broth (about 6 cups)

1/2 medium onion

2 cloves garlic

12 oz uncooked angel hair pasta

1 lemon

2 oz cream cheese

1 14oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained

1/4 c capers, drained and rinsed (I left these out)

Chopped Foliage Parsley and fresh grated parm cheese (I used both)

What you Do:

1. Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces.  Combine 1 T oil, garlic salt, lemon pepper and chicken into bowl.  Toss to coat.  Heat remaining 1 T oil in skillet over medium high heat.  Add chicken and cook 10 minutes until no longer pink.  Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

2.  Add onion and garlic to skillet; cook 10-20 seconds or until onion is fragrant.  Pour broth into skillet, bring to boil.  Add pasta; cook uncovered 7-8 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

3.  Zest lemon to measure 1 T.  Juice lemon to measure 2 T.  Add zest, juice and cream cheese to skillet, stir until cream cheese is fully incorporated.  Add chicken and artichokes.  Cook covered 1-2 minutes or until heated through.  Removed skillet from heat; stir in capers.  Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Bon Appetite!

The post about the Super Bowl that has nothing to do with football

I watched the Super Bowl last night.

I did not however actually watch any football.

Impressed?

With a husband who's a die hard Steelers fan, you'd think I would have cared...but no matter how hard I try I just can't get into pro football.  So instead I found ways to entertain myself while the game was on.

1.  Christina Aguilera.  She messed up the National Anthem.  Really?  Come on Xtina.

2. Pepsi Max commercial.  Seriously laughed out loud.

3.  Puppy Bowl.  Who doesn't love puppies?  Charlie was my favorite.

4. The VW Star Wars commercial.  How cute is that kid?

5.  The Black Eyed Peas.  Eh.  There weren't any wardrobe malfunctions, but it wasn't the worse half time show I've seen.  It was pretty awesome when they were all doing the running man, even the weird light up dancers on the field.  Two thumbs up for the running man.

6.  Jamie in his first official Steelers sweatshirt

(This is where you would see an adorable picture if I hadn't left my camera at the bar.  No worries, my brother picked it up!)

7.  Iron City Beer and a Primanti Brothers sandwich flown in straight from Pittsburgh for the KC Steelers Fan Club.  I may not give a crap about their football team, but damn they make a good sandwich!

8.  Glee post Super Bowl.  Who doesn't love a bonus episode?!

Hope you all enjoyed the game!!
Happy Monday!

Dear Mom...

I thought  about you a lot today.  Not really much different from any other day, you're always on my mind.  I miss our daily chats.  No two people could talk about nothing as much as we did.  I miss the way you could make even the worst days seem better.  You had a knack at helping me see the silver lining in everything.  It's hard seeing the glass as half full these days.  I could really use a David Girls day 'O fun....

xoxo
Em

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

Look ma!  The snow is almost as tall as me!

Tasty Tuesday ~ Meatball Stroganoff

I recently tried a crock pot Beef Stroganoff recipe I found on another blog and while it was pretty good, it didn't hold a flame to one of my oldie but goodie recipes.  This one actually comes from a Weight Watchers cookbook, so not only is it tasty, it's good for you too!  Making the meatballs can a be a little time consuming so I usually make a double batch and freeze half, then the next time I'm craving a little stroganoff all I have to do is make the sauce!  Enjoy!

Meatball Stroganoff

Serves 4

What you need:

1 pound lean ground beef

1/2 c breadcrumbs

6 T milk

1 tsp salt

2 tsp chopped onion

pepper to taste

1 T margarine or butter

1/2 can low sodium beef broth

1 T flour

1/4 c sour cream

egg noodles

(Recipe doesn't call for it, but I will add mushrooms sometimes if I have them on hand)

What you do:

Cook noodles according to package.  Meanwhile, combine beef, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, pepper and onion in large bowl.  Form mixture into meatballs, should get approx 24.  Melt margarine into large skillet, cook meatballs over med heat until no longer pink, remove from heat.  Place flour in skillet, add broth.  Place over medium heat 3 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in sour cream.  Return meatballs to pan, cook 3 min, do not boil.  Serve over noodles.

Bon Appetite!