Distracted Blogging

This is why distracted blogging is not a good idea...Yes, that would be Nara's bum I am holding. Good thing it's laundry day.

Carrots Are All Thumbs

Nara had carrots for the first time this weekend. I had a time making them. First I tried to puree the carrots raw. Let me just tell you that it was very nasty, lumpy, and watery. It wasn't until later that the lights came on and I thought, "Perhaps I should cook them". Um...duh! I tossed them and started fresh, or cooked rather. The second time through went so much smoother. They didn't taste half bad and pureed nicely. How fun that was! She likes them a lot, but when I gave her applesauce afterward she made a face like none other. It was so funny.
I love my baby girl. She is so cute. She is making a habit of sleeping in her high chair and she is also becoming fond of her left thumb. Morning noon and night she seems to find that thing. I suppose she will just have to have it...since I cannot detach it and take it away. I have heard that it's good for babies to learn to sooth themselves with it, but I don't want to have an older child still sucking their thumb in the middle of Primary. Any thoughts?

Rice, Bananans, Apples...Oh My!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! I am proud to announce that NARA IS ON SOLIDS!! While we are still experiencing the effect this new diet is having on her diapers, I am excited to say that she is loving the change and eager for more.
We started her out on rice cereal. She handled it well, but made a jolly good mess out of herself. (That's why I bought a stain stick) Next we threw in some bananas, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She smiled her cute little smile, sparkled her eyes a bit and ate a good portion of the bowl that I made up.
However, all of this was just a glimpse of how she feels about applesauce. I gave her apples last night and she gobbled up the entire bowl and neigh unto licked it clean. I'm sure she would have if she were able...and I had let her. I couldn't get the spoon in her mouth fast enough. She was smiling so big that the food that was in her mouth was falling out. Also, she attempted to devour the spoon on several occasions.
Who knows what is next on the le menu de Nara, but whatever it is, I am sure I will report it. I'm into making my own baby food, so if Anyone has suggestions, or recipes, then please share.
I love these moments in life that keep you smiling. She is growing up so fast and is such a joy in the process. I love my girl!

Graduation!!

Hail the conquering Graduate! Chris graduated last Friday from WSU in Information Systems and Technology. We are so proud of him. His little girl was so observant while sitting in the Austad Auditorium. She was looking all over and didn't really know what to do with herself because there was so much excitement around. She was excited to Grandpa Morgan and fell asleep in his arms. The graduation was nice, good speakers and motivating words, however, the hooding of the Masters Degrees took quite a while. Each graduate had to stand in the middle of the stage, get hooded (which looked more like they were choking them than anything) then walk over to the line of teachers to shake their hands. It was then that the next name was called. This process was repeated many many many many times. We were pretty excited when the undergrads got up to be presented with degrees. Guess where Chris was in line??? He was the very last one to come in when they first entered the auditorium and the second to last to receive his degree. He said he wanted leg room...that and his major was the last one in line of degrees. I guess I can't blame him for that. All in all, it was a fantastic day despite the rain outside. Nara was awesomely well behaved and Chris was fantastically handsome in his cap and gown. I never thought I would go for guys in a dress. Oh come on, that is practically what it is...a black moo moo. But he looked good. I am so proud of him. All the hard work, time, energy, sleepless nights, early mornings, papers, and exams, heartache, and stress has finally paid off. What does he have to show for it? A degree, a few more gray hairs, and a future where the sky is the limit. Congrats' Chris! Now on to the Masters.



Do you think he will be hooded? Do you think the 'hooders' will be able to reach him or will they need a step stool??

Suzy Homemaker

I have recently indulged myself with the idea that I can be a perfect housewife. This would include doing dishes, laundry, ironing on a weekly basis, not to mention having a clean house and dinner on the table by 5:00 p.m.
While dinner by five is not yet a possibility, (Chris gets home at 8:00 p.m.) the rest is achievable and a work in progress. I have been mastering the art of dish doing and I am happy to report that my sink has been free and clear of dishes for the past week!!
I have also been exploring the other aspects of homemaker-ness i.e. cooking, sewing, canning... I am happy to report that, although not an expert, I am steadily becoming better than I ever thought. However, I still have a long way to go.
My most recent venture was that of strawberry jam and homemade BBQ pizza. The pizza was for Chris' birthday so I knew I had to get it right. The jam, well, was for the sake of putting a bunch of neglected strawberries out of their misery.
My first batch of jam was...well...let's just say it didn't turn out quite like jam. Instead, it came out like the most fantasticly fresh and flavorful ice cream topping ever. Let's just say that I learned that following the directions is very important. The second batch turned out a lot better but has yet to be removed from the freezer and tasted. It looks lovely though.
The pizza was fantastically obedient to what I wanted it to do. The dough rose and the sauce turned out and the chicken was tender. Way to go Jen!! It's like Chef Gusteau says, " Anyone can cook".
The way I look at it, I am a few steps closer to my ideal persona. Here's to the homemakers everywhere who help me along the way.

Growing up so fast!

This past week, Nara turned 3 months old. She is growing up so fast. I weighed her on her 3 month mark-- She weighs 14.4 lbs (according to our Wii fit) and is 24 in. long. She comes by that naturally I suppose.
It just seems like yesterday when she was just learning how to coo. Now she is "talking", smiling, and even squealing on occasion. This girl definitely has some lungs on her. She also comes by that naturally. She also loves to sit and stand up.
STAY LITTLE, BABY!!

Confessions of a Housewife

Friends forgive me for I have sinned.
My bed is unmade and my dishes are in the sink! Do you ever feel like you get behind on things? My idea of a perfect housewife is someone who has the kitchen clean all week, the bed made, the house straight and dinner on the table by 5:30. However, the modern housewife I am not. I'm trying really hard to be all that I want to be, and continually fall short. I do see myself getting closer though. I also have to remember that I just had a baby and that it is okay to let the dishes go if it means taking a nap, spending time with my busy husband, or taking care of Nara. Life is about the journey as much as it is about the destination. Next week, I intend on keeping the dishes out of the sink all week! Here goes nothing.

Adventrues of Daily Living: A blog is Born

Ladies and Gentlemen, a blog is born!
I have recently been told by some (including my husband) that I need to start blogging. Well here it goes, world. I am about to blog about my adventures of daily living to anyone who will listen. As I write, I begin to think of things that might interest those who read my words. Shall I write about my love, my family (including my daughter, the cutest girl in the world), my thoughts on yeast rising...? All I can say is that whomever reads the nonsense that is soon to grace the endless void is in for a real treat, a small glimpse of what really goes on in the life of Me. Congratulations, you made it to my blog. Now sit down and enjoy the ride.