Anna's Here

Jake's sister, Anna, flew in Saturday morning for a long weekend with Lily.

Anna is trying to get Lily's first real word to be ANNA - good luck!

Watching Baby Einstein on mommy's new ipad (thanks to some generous friends).

Jake is off today for President's Day. SO NICE to have him home to help with Lily while I work. It's a lot to work from home & take care of your baby at the same time. So thankful though, that I can be home with Lily.

Unfortunately, Anna started feeling sick Sunday night/early Monday morning - stomach bug. Anna has spent most of today in bed. Lily's top teeth are trying to come in. Poor girl, she's been a mess all weekend. Hopefully they poke through soon.

Since I'm working, Anna's in bed sick, & Daddy is home, Lily decided to help daddy work on his VW Beetle today. The weather has been great this weekend - 70's.

(see Lily doing funny stuff with her lips - i think it makes her gums feel better)

STRIPES

BEFORE

(sort of. . . Jake had already started moving some art & things)

DURING

AFTER

baby food

I've been making my own baby food. I'm having fun with it. . . for the most part.

I didn't start any cereal or food until Lily's 6 month birthday. I started off by buying oatmeal (not rice) cereal, but it looks like fish food. Seriosly, it does. After we used up the box I just ground up old fashioned oats in my food processor. Lily loves it & it's definitely healthier or it looks better than the flakes.

Today I did corn & peas for the first time. It was super easy. I've already done banana (multiple times) & pumpkin. Lily also loves apple.

I found this AWESOME website all about homemade baby food - Wholesome Baby Food. The site tells you when to start what foods, nutritional value, how to cook them, recipes & what other foods to mix it with. So great!

My HUGE helper.

Then I freeze it in ice cube trays.

A little disclaimer:

I have bought some baby food. I periodically get Gerber coupons in the mail for $1 off if you buy 3 or 4 two-packs. With a coupon it's under $3 for 6-8 containers of food. When I get those coupons, I've used them for more expensive veggies or fruits like mango, peaches, squash, plums, pears, etc. . . I also initially used the coupons for some of the first foods since they are so finely strained & pureed.

Happy VALENTINE'S Day

We had Lily's 8 month photo shoot on Saturday. This is a sneak peek.

Valentine's Day at Our House

on my heart

He's Always Been Faithful

By: Sara Groves

Morning by morning I wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in
awe of the mystery of his perfect ways

All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain he did
not recycle to bring me gain. I can't
remember one single regret in serving
God only and trusting his hand

This is my anthem, this is my song, the
theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.

some Lily love