... and a side of sweet potatoes ...

Larkin has started eating "big girl food". I am making our own baby food, and so far so good. We started with sweet potatoes this week, and next week we are on to green bean and then carrots ... I am not sure how Larkin will love green beans, but I figure so much orange should be broken up unless I want an Oppa Loompa baby!


I was hesitant to start solids with Larkin. I wasn't sure how she would take the new textures, and I'll admit I was sad to see this new stage come. I wasn't quite ready for her to be that big yet. Our pediatrician assured me that her barfing would ease up if I would start the solids, so it was a trade off. Give up that new baby stage for less loads of laundry.


Making the baby food is not as hard as I thought it would be. I steam up the veggies (I roasted the sweet potato) and puree them in our food processor. They have great color and texture. I have been thinning them out a little to start with formula. I pop them in the freezer in a couple of ice trays covered in plastic wrap and put them in a gallon zippy when they are ready. Our freezer is now full of Gallon bags of baby food. Every night I pull out a few sweet potato ice cubes and put them in the fridge to defrost for the following day. I did order a few cups with lids online so that we can travel with food and not have to worry about the mess ... hmmm maybe that is a lost cause!


Congrats Larkin on being such a BIG girl this week!

Sucking any Thumb

Much to my dismay, Larkin has started sucking on her fingers and thumbs in the last few weeks ... well imagine my amusement when I look over during dinner and see this:


Apparently she isn't picky when it comes to who's thumb she sucks!

Our New Addition

We have been working on this little patio area since the beginning of May. It is finally complete with a little weber grill that doubles as a fire pit in the evenings.


We love being outside as a family and are so grateful to finally have a little retreat for chilling out together!

Blog Casserole!

I have like five different things to post, so here it is: A little of this, a little of that, my version of Blog Casserole ...



The rain has finally stopped (again) and this weekend is supposed to be beautiful for the most part. We are expecting a few showers, but mostly sun ... can I just say how LAME it is that so far in June we have had like 2-1 rainy days vs. sunny days. The temps have been low, and so has my morale. I keep singing "The sun'll come out, Tomorrow ..." You think I'm joking, but I am just short of talking to myself at this point ... :)

I am trying a new technique with Larkin where I don't give her the binky to soothe her at nap times. I am trying to promote self soothing, and encourage her to be independent in developing some coping skills instead of always relying on Scot and I to soothe her. The method to my madness ... I am exhausted from getting up two times a night every night and want her to be able to soothe herself back to sleep in the night time. Last night ... a record 9 hours of sleep. Not to jinx it, but I think my stubborn fire filled daughter might just be getting the hang of this new system ... maybe ...

On another note, Scot is changing job responsibilities at work this next week. He is moving into the position of Kitchen Manager and will have a new schedule and a fatter paycheck when all is said and done. We are so blessed to have found this job. They are wonderful to us, and this job has allowed us to do a lot of the things that are important to our family. There is talk that this promotion may lead to another promotion in the fall, but for now, we are grateful for this pretty significant change.

Okay, so really only three things to post ...

Giggles and giGgLEs!

Larkin has been laughing SO much lately. She is giggling and giggling and talking ... she just babbles and giggles all day. She has started babbling and cooing while she falls asleep at night. It is so funny to listen to her. Sometimes she looks so intent while she talks, and I am sure she knows exactly what she is saying. Someday soon I'll know too I guess, but for now is just makes me laugh.

The other night Scot really had her going. He would babble and she would copy him. After a few minutes she was totally cracking up at the sounds he was making, and I was totally cracking up, and Scot was totally cracking up. It made my day in ways I can't even explain!

Larkin is growing so fast and changing so much every day. Every day she makes me smile and laugh and every day I think what an absolute miracle she is. Laughing is definitely a favorite at our house, and its good to see that Larkin is feeling right at home.

California Vacation

We went to California for a week ... AMAZING!!! Here are a few photos to show you how perfect the weather was, and how much fun we had!


Larkin was such a great camper. She loved being outside and was happy most of the time. (She got a face full of smoke one night sitting by the fire that freaked her out a little)



We spent our anniversary in the Redwoods. It was so peaceful and beautiful. We really couldn't have asked for better weather!


We camped out at Bodega Bay, and headed to the beach our last day out there ... the sun was out, and we got the sunburns to prove it.

Check Out Her Eyes ...

When we turn off the lights, or even turn them down, Larkin's eyes bug out of her head. I was able to catch it on our road trip to California when we went through a tunnel ... get ready for a laugh ...