Ellie 3 Months

My Ellie girl is HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.  (Gotta love Duck Dynasty)

She is still nursing every 3-4 hours, and just last week she started making longer stretches during the night (anywhere from 6 hours to 11 hours).  She has not slept quite as long the past few nights because of a mild case of croup.  But despite being sick, she sure is one happy, smiley baby!  And she weighs 14 lbs 7 oz :)

Jackson LOVES his sis-turh, and he is usually pointing at her outfit, saying "CUTE!"  Love it.  He is really sweet with her.

Blurry pic but I had to show my organizational child. I will find trains lined up around the house, and it just makes me smile to find it.

Playdate with Thomas Menendez

I survived 9 days on my own while Andy was working in NYC!  Thanks to my parents for keeping Jackson overnight one night, and for playing with my kids!

Thumb sucker like her mama

 First time...guess it was gonna happen one day!

I go to heat up lunch and come back to find this.  Love!

Disclaimer...Jackson is pant-less because he smushed his strawberry Nutrigrain bar into his corduroys. So after I got back from the McWane center, I stripped them off so he didn't leave lovely red smudges all over the house. And yes, I did take both to McWane by myself for a playdate with Anna Kate and Campbell!

Rachel Cowherd got Jackson the Potty Book about a year ago, and I figured it was about time to bring it out and read it.  The "mess" on this page really bothers Jackson, and he keeps pointing to it saying, "Uh OH, Oh NO! Mess mess!"  This boy has major OCD tendencies, as in, he doesn't like messes, doesn't like mess on his hands, doesn't like his food to touch, etc etc.  Classic OCD, but I find it endearing.  I guess he got it from me?!  :)

Trip to our new Target. Kinda crazy, since Jackson wants me to carry him in the parking lot. Envision, harried mother, carrying a heavy car seat in left arm, heavy toddler in right arm. Yes, I got some odd stares.  But I sure do love our new Target right by our house.

Meet and greet with Lisa Spears and Tina Bryan. Fun lunch at Chez FonFon

 Jackson with his great grandparents

 And we are THRILLED to welcome yet another nephew into the York/Ozier/Watkins clan.  Allison and Wade are now the proud parents of a healthy 9 lb boy named Stephen Michael Watkins.  We love y'all and are so excited for y'all!  (And I know YaYa is thrilled to now have 9 grandchildren, ages 8 to newborn.)

Yum

Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Noodle Bake

(but I'm renaming it Pioneer Woman Pasta)

Picture courtesy of Pioneer Woman

Recipe here.

Nutella Cupcakes

 Not my pic either

Recipe here.

Southern Living's Classic Chicken Tetrazzini

Thank you Southern Living

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 (8-oz.) packages vermicelli
• 1/2 cup butter 
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk 
• 1/2 cup dry white wine 
• 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 4 cups diced cooked chicken 
• 1 (6-oz.) jar sliced mushrooms, drained (I used fresh and sauteed them in butter)
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds

Preparation

Total: 55 Minutes

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a Dutch oven over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and wine; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Whisk in bouillon granules, seasoned pepper, and 1 cup Parmesan cheese.
3. 3. Remove from heat; stir in diced cooked chicken, sliced mushrooms, and hot cooked pasta.
4. 4. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with slivered almonds and remaining 1 cup Parmesan cheese.
5. 5. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until bubbly.

Southern Living
September 2010

Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Recipe here.

Absolutely amazing.  Very rich.  Keep PB cups in freezer, as they taste best when you pull them out and eat cold.


Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Recipe here.


Broccoli Bites

Recipe here.


Vegetarian Quinoa Chili

Recipe here.


No Bake Energy Bites

 Recipe here.


Parmesan Orzo with Asparagus

Recipe here.

Spring Break Reading

No, this mama doesn't get spring break, but I've had several friends ask for book recommendations for their fun and relaxing vacations.  Not that I'm envious or anything.  :)  So here are some suggestions. 

 above, possibly out of print. I borrowed from a friend

 above, also out of print, and I borrowed

Nursing in Public

Just had to share this article, after an awkward comment from an elderly male employee in a store (and no, I was not nursing Ellie, yet...long story that I won't go into).

Ignore the language.  The rest of the article is hysterical and spot-on.

You can read the article here.

Ellie at Two Months

Sweet Ellie is 2 months.  At her check up today, she weighed 12 lbs, 2.9 oz, and was 23 inches long.

 I love that she's starting to smile and coo.  And that sweet double chin is 2 a.m. for ya!

 Milk drunk love on Valentine's Day

At the pediatrician today. She's very concerned that she's about to get her shots.

 Meeting her great-grandma a few weeks ago

 Meeting my mom's best friends, Lisa and Tina.

Note, this is Jackson at his 2 month pediatrician check-up. Similarities?  Differences?  We're still trying to figure it out!  Ellie definitely has rolls (mainly on her cute legs!), and Jackson did not. I think they have the same eyes and nose and a few of the same facial expressions.

 Just playing a little dress-up

Jackson is so proud to be holding Ellie

Ellie meeting her friend Anna Grace. This is my best friend Emily, and we switched baby girls for this photo. 

We love you sweet Ellie girl!