Let the Wild Rumpus Start

Etsy Kids: Custom Made Peggie Family

NakedPeggies makes custom made Peggie family specifically for your family.   These are handmade and painted by a stay at home Mom that takes a picture of your family and paints these peggies to reflect it!  She can How Cool! 

Here are some examples of her fine work

She also has great examples of her other work in her store.  You can add more children or pets for only five dollars!  Some great ideas are wedding cake topper peg family, an entire group or class, or have your entire family painted - even Fido!  Seems like the perfect shower gift to me!  

The first picture looks like our family - a little nerdy, a [very little bit] hip, and absolutely happy! 

911

We had a blast this week, especially when Liam was chewing on the phone and dialed 911.

We didn't realize what had happened until an officer arrived at the door. 

The officer was laughing when we explained who the culprit was, and said that he looked guilty. 

Liam was smiling as usual.  :)

Thirty One Weeks

This week we're in Grand Rapids visiting friends and family.  It's been really great seeing everyone:



Uncle Dylan



Grandma Powers



Grandpa Shotwell



Grandpa Powers



Great Aunt Sharon and Second Cousins Max and Jo



Spunky the dog



And our friend's daughter Cosette

Liam had a tough time adjusting to the new people and surrounding.  For the first time he started having separation anxiety and only wanted to be around me.  It is so sweet and strange to be needed like that, to have someone want you only.  Liam has always needed us, but has never been able to express if like this before.  It is adorable and a little annoying at the same time.  Like when Little Man wants Mommy and only Mommy, but Mommy wants a nap because a certain boy wanted to get up and play/eat/cuddle four times a night.  During this time, John and I are remembering that children switch favorites over the years, and that we must be grateful for the extra hugs.  There will be a time in his life when he needs to fly away and I will miss this. 

This week Liam has also been having trouble nursing, not because he isn't hungry, but because he is so distracted.  The world is a fascinating place!  All of the noises, people, and lights draw his attention, so instead of a speedy ten minute nurse it is a twenty minute struggle.  He is also very interested in his new food obsession: 



Puffs!  How cool is that!!!

I found these really great organic, light puff circle that is made from spinach, kale, and broccoli.  Liam hated it when I put it in his mouth, but really took to it when he discovered that they stick to his hand and he can do it on his own.  That's our boy - he has to do it on his own even now. 

Speaking of doing it on his own, John was watching Liam earlier today and watched him for forty minutes as Liam worked on pulling one of John's school notebooks out of the bookshelf. (Note: We will have to move these soon!)  He tugged and tugged at this wire notebook, pulling at the bottom wires for a long time.  Not once did he cry out despite his frustration, he just kept working at it.  Finally he figured out that he could pull at the top wire and get it out.  What a strong, determined boy. 

We love you all.

Much love, more next week

Happy Place

Everyone has a happy place. 

This is mine.



Fallasburg Park

It's the only place where I can forget everything, where everything slows down. 

We got married here.  And now we can watch Liam and our other children run around, play in the river, dirty their feet, and live life the way it should be. 

Slowly.  Simply. 

Take in every moment. 

Hard at Work

 

Thirty Weeks

One more week older and wiser.  For the past few days Liam has been pulling himself up to everything:







He has such satisfaction with himself after doing this.  John had a good point earlier this week when he said that the toy really doesn't matter, it is the task.  Liam will reach Sophie the giraffe, my cell phone, or whatever object he is reaching for, suck on it for a second, and then move on.  He is learning to use these new muscles, balance with his toes and hands, and get down gracefully.  (No wonder he needs to nap!) He's had some falls, but I think that one of the hardest and most important things that we can do as parents is let Liam fall. 

In addition to pulling himself up, Liam has started walking!  He took four steps back and forth on the coffee table and now walks back and forth on everything that he can.  It's so interesting to see his little mind working it out, watching him move his feet here and there to balance well.  We are so lucky to have such a fast learner and such a happy boy.  He smiles and laughs so easy, and never cries or whines unless something is very seriously wrong.  So even when he is experimenting with a new move...



he's okay. 

We are so proud everyday.  We are so proud to be his parents. 

Much love, more next week.

Love Lies Bleeding

Flip Flop

Baby Food :: Zucchini Puree

Zucchini Puree

3 Organic Zucchini**

Breastmilk or Filtered Water

Cut Zucchini into thirds.  Leave the skin on and place it on a vegetable steamer in a medium size pan.  Fill the pan with water just so it reaches the top of the vegetable steamer.  Cook on medium-high heat or until it easily slides off a fork when pierced.  Remove zucchini and let cool.  Place chunks in a blender and mix with breastmilk or filtered water until you've reached your desired consistency.  Pour puree into ice cube tray and cover with aluminum foil. Place ice cube tray in freezer until frozen solid, put the frozen cubes in a plastic bag, and store in freezer.  Cubes are good for two months.

**Since zucchini is a vegetable that absorbs pesticides more than other vegetables, it is important that you use organic when you can.  This recipe includes the skin, which would hold the most pesticides, so if you can't find organic just cut the skin off.

Turkey Burgers Recipe

 

Turkey Burgers

Makes 4-5 Burgers

 

I package Jennie-O Ground Turkey Meat

5 tbsp. wheat germ

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp. dried rosemary, minced

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Knead wheat germ, garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary into the turkey.  Mold into 4-5 burgers and grill or cook in oil on stove.