Cute photo of the day

This afternoon I took Ms. Nightingale out to play in the backyard for the first time (last summer she was still all scrunched up and new).  She loved all the sights and sounds-she was really checking everything out! 

My favorite job so far...

Today I'm reminded that i have the very best job in the world.  As i cuddle my little girl, I love to listen to her enthusiastically babble away (she knows exactly what she is saying); just when I think being her mom couldn't get any better, I'm surprised-because it does!  Every day I get to watch her grow and change, and I just can't believe that I scored the prized position of "funnest job in the world"!

Field Trip!

Today Ingrid and I decided to go visit a good friend and her children.  Emily and I have been friends since the third grade, and since then we've experienced graduating from high school, post secondary education, marriage, pregnancies, and children.  I love that I have a friend who can remember things from our childhood- and now we can discuss our own children!  We caught up, went out to eat, and took a nice long walk around the lake (which resulted in sun burns for both of us)  Here are a few pictures from the day!

Logan loved Ingrid.  He would say "Hi Ingrid" and give her kisses, it was TOO cute!!

(L to R: Ingrid 7 1/2 mo, Logan 2 1/2 yr, Brayton 9mo) 

How cute is this???  They are such sweeties!

7 days, 7 goals

Lately, when Sunday night arrives & I'm thinking about the week ahead-I find myself mentally making a list of goals for the upcoming week.  I always have the best of intentions, yet inevitably seem to fail by 10am Monday morning.  Perhaps making myself a list will somehow help.  Nothing too existential.  Nothing earth shattering.  Simple, practical, and completely attainable. 

1. Speak only positive words about other people.

2. Use proper language dammit. (Editors Note: I am not supporting verbal censorship...I believe expressing "improper" language is often completely necessary. I am just striving to use more propriety after stubbing my toe, forgetting something on the grocery list, ruining something in the laundry etc...)

3.  Exercise daily.

4. Only speak uplifting, encouraging words to my partner.

5. Be prepared enough to make dinner every night (How very June Cleaver of me)

6. Effortlessly use the word "ubiquitous"

7.  Take some time every day to read. (3 words: Seven. Month. Old.)

Like Mother, Like Daughter

The other day I was looking through an old photo album and stumbled across this picture of  myself when I was a baby (5 hours old to be exact).  I was flabbergasted by how familiar it looked......(I have a hard time believing this isn't the same baby!)

Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins

I love to bake.  In fact, it's a shared love between Michael & myself.  We are food network junkies; if we aren't watching Ina Garten, Paula Deen, or Guy Fieri, we are probably talking about what we saw on Triple D, and how to make it at home.  Alas, in these finals days of my husband's undergraduate education, I find myself going solo on this pastime we both love.  So yesterday, as he was slaving away on homework, I made whole wheat carrot muffins.  I thought I would share the recipe.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 C flour (I used ww)
1t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
cinnamon, cloves, allspice, freshly ground nutmeg
1 C of quick cooking oats
1/3 C skim milk
3/4 C applesauce, unsweetened
1/4 C packed brown sugar
1/4 molasses (light or dark)
1 T canola oil
1 large egg
3 medium carrots, shredded (1.5 cups)
1/2 C raisins

(Editors note:  If you're anything like me, you like a lot of flavor-and frankly these muffins were slightly lacking-so add a generous amount of all the "apple pie" spices!)

Bake at 400 degrees in a greased muffin pan for 23 minutes.

7 months

Yesterday, my little girl hit the 7 month mark. I find it exhilarating, and heartbreaking how quickly time flies when watching your little one grow. The past 7 months I have learned a lot about this little life that I co-created. Ingrid Nightingale entered the world August 16th, 2009, and we knew nothing about her. We were strangers, head over heels in love, but still strangers. Now, I can say many things about this little girl who is no longer a stranger. I have grown to learn that she is incredibly talkative, willing to wear her heart on her sleeve. She loves water, loves pea's, needs to be snuggled when she wakes up from a nap, thinks that hat's are for suckers, and loves to laugh.

This past 7 months I have not just learned a lot about my daughter, I've also learned a lot about myself. I don't tolerate sleepless nights nearly as well as I thought I would. I am able to wake up just at the sound of stirring in the other room. I really don't mind smelling like spit up. The vacuuming really doesn't need to be done everyday. I've learned that trusting God to take care of my child is a good lesson to learn early. I've learned that nothing smells better then a freshly bathed baby. I've learned that footsie pajamas are the cutest thing ever (if you know where to find some in an adult size Small, let me know). I've learned that seeing your child in pain is just about the most difficult thing to tolerate, and that the word "poopy" is used way too often in our household. I've also learned that the sound of my sweet girl talking away in the back seat while I'm driving is way more fun to listen to then music (although that's good too) Most of all I have learned that I have the most intense love for my child, and that I hope to offer her the same grace, tolerance, and acceptance that my heavenly Father offers me.