Maddie Video

So I've been writing kind of a serious post this past week that I have yet to finish. Serious in the sense that it's not as light hearted as my usual updates, but it's been a really tough month on this little family and I needed to get a few things out! Of course, like most things on my to-do list, I have not had enough time to focus and finish. So instead I'm going to share some Madeline videos because they always bring a smile to my face, which has been much needed lately. 

She is meeting so many big milestones lately! I know this is to be expected for an 8 month old, but every new thing she does just blows me away. I am endlessly fascinated by how fast, strong, and stubborn a typical baby can be! The total opposite of what we went through the first time around. I am always thrilled to see it of course, but there is still a little part of me that saddens at what we missed with Avery. Obviously, we knew that we were missing things, but we didn't really know.  Wishing things could have been different for Avery doesn't make us any less proud and excited for our sweet Baby Bub though! She is mommy's little sunshine.

Dinner Tonight

It's been a long time since I did a recipe post! Too long. The truth is, cooking for my family is happening a lot less lately. The girls usually hit their tired cranky time by 5pm-- then dinner time and bed is pretty busy-- and by the time they are tucked away, I just want to veg on the couch!! It's a good thing that I have a sweet husband who has a good amount of cooking and reheating skills. And an excellent farmers market down the street that sells ready made meals.

Anyhoo, tonight I wanted to do something quick and easy, but a little more fancy than normal. I decided on Mushroom Ravioli with a delicious white wine sauce. I am posting the recipe below...and if you are a long time reader, you already know how I like to photograph food, so here we go!:

I barely have time to make a normal dinner, much less make pasta, so I bought a package of Buitoni Mushroom Ravioli to save a whole lot of time. Plus it's yummy! The ingredients for the sauce are:

1 cup chicken broth, 3/4 cup dry white wine, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 shallot (finely minced), 2 garlic cloves (finely minced), 1tsp fresh parsely (or 1/2 tsp dried tarragon), olive oil, salt, ground pepper, and SECRET INGREDIENT TO INCREDIBLENESS: white truffle oil. Still VERY good without the truffle oil though :).

TO MAKE: While cooking the ravioli according to package, take a saucepan and melt 2 tbsp of butter with a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced shallots and cook, stirring frequently, for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Add garlic and the chopped fresh parsley if using. 

is there much better than the smell of shallots and garlic sauteing??

my house will smell amazing for a couple days!

Add pinch of pepper and once the garlic is aromatic and softened, about 30 seconds, add white wine. Bring the liquid to boil and reduce heat to maintain a simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 1/2, (about 7-10 minutes).  Add chicken broth and dried tarragon if using and increase heat back to medium and bring to boil. Reduce the heat again, and simmer until the liquid is reduced by about 1/2 again. Remove the sauce from the heat and add salt and pepper to taste.  Pour sauce over the ravioli while you admire your handiwork.

If you so choose, drizzle finished meal white truffle oil. You will not regret this.

mmmmmmmm now ENJOY. This meal makes for a happy hubby.

Results guaranteed.

Eight Months

Madeline is EIGHT months old!!

She has the very best baby smile in her mommy's opinion

getting so big :)

It's been a very eventful month-- she has hit seventeen pounds (no percentages this month though) and more importantly, sweet girl finally sprouted TWO teeth, yay!! Both bottom teeth have arrived in all of their drool-y glory. She's officially started gumming on biter biscuits, although she makes funny icky faces if we give her any other food thicker than pureed.

In other news, this bugaboo will not stop moving!! It's lucky I got this quick, smiley eight month photo of her, because after about 5 seconds, she was already across the chair, off the chair, playing on the chair...

down on the floor, spotting something to play with...

like a flash across the room, hi lambie!

She is crazy fast, y'all. It blows my mind. Her poor little knees get so red sometimes. She doesn't seem to mind too much though. Little Maddie Brynn is infinitely interested in everything around her and VERY busy. She has a plethora of toys strewn all across our house and plays very well independently right now.

However one of her very favorite things to play with is her sister..whether or not her sister is willing to play haha. The other day I took my eyes off her for a sec and turned back around and she'd moved 5 feet in about 2 seconds and was sweetly cuddling with Avery's leg. Lovin on her sister! I love it. --->


<--Still loves eating her baby food and has expanded her palate to include pureed corn, zucchini, pasta, chicken, peaches, mango, and blueberries.

Joy for bathtime continues as well, and we are still luvin  the Puj tub that we use mostly in our kitchen sink, although she is getting awfully big for it now! -->

<--Continues to consider scooting on her knees, but mostly still army crawls

Immensely enjoys sticking her tongue out at her mommy and daddy -->

Is pulling up on everything, including legs (human and table), couches, her crib, and the stairs, which means baby proofing has
<--officially begun!

Big girl has started sitting well in restuarant highchairs and has lots of fun especially visiting with daddy on his lunch break :) -->

And last but not least, all this eight month old girl wants to do lately is hold on to our fingers and WALK! She is like the energizer bunny, and meanwhile we are exhausted and our backs ache...not like I would trade it for the world of course, it really is magical! I'm just surprised she's already so on the move. Very different for us...and you should hear the tantrum if you try to stop her!

Love this preciousness!! Can't wait to see whats next :)

Swing Girls

It's been so much fun since Madeline got big enough to swing next to Avery at the park! We go all the time now, and there are always big smiles from everyone. These photos are more than a month old already, but I had to share.

ready to swing mom!

here we go............

this is fun~ big sister is already a pro!

hey, did someone forget to push me?

that's better! weeeeeeeeeeeeeee