Vivian meeting Santa

Off to see Santa

We made our way to see Santa Claus at the Cotton Exchange today.  I am happy to announce that Vivian did not cry.  She just studied this big guy with a white beard.

There was this little boy, I'm guessing about 9 months old, did not care for him one bit!  He was crying hysterically.  Mom had to jump in and take him to get his picture.  I was slightly worried that maybe Vivian would act the same way.  Like I just mentioned, she didn't :)

He was a pretty good Santa. At least he looked like one.  There was a little boy in front of us that was wearing a West Virginia cap, and Santa decided to give a History lesson.  He got a little out of character.  He even said the word, idiot, while talking about football to the dad.  The kids didn't seem too off by it.  I know the adults did.  Oh well.

 

I'm just glad we got our first picture with Santa with no tears.  I'm sure next year will be a different story.  

Afterwards we had lunch at Paddy's Hollow.  Vivian decided to talk the majority of the time we were there.  Child has been mute for over a month and now she has found her little voice again.  I think its adorable.  We had a nice lunch before heading home.

Daddy making Vivian laugh

 I think she was tired of all the picture taking.

 

No Words Saturday

5 months old

Well, we are getting closer to the half year mark.  I absolutely cannot believe it!!  My little butterball is growing up way too fast.  She has been such a blessing and we could not have asked for a better baby.  We don't cry unless we are hungry or tired, we sleep through the night and she is one lucky little girl to have both mommy and daddy home with the 3-4 days out of the week. 

Vivian's Likes

• We love our feet!!!  We've even mastered getting our foot into our mouth :)
• We love blowing bubbles with our mouth.  Some days she'll do it all day long.
• Smiling.  Even though she gets camera shy, she smiles all the time!
• Mornings and getting ready for bed are our happy times.  She gets so excited after I lotion her up and put her diaper on and about to get into our jammies.  She starts kicking those little leggies like crazy and starts beating her chest like Tarzan.  It is so stinking cute!
• She loves when you sing numbers or count.  She finds it funny.
• She loves when we make silly sounds with our mouth.  That's how I can get her to smile for her pictures.
• Still loves our hands.
• Standing.  She loves to stand!!  I think we may end up skipping crawling and sitting up on our own and go straight to walking.  

Vivian's Dislikes

• Tummy time.  We've gotten better and she doesn't scream bloody murder anymore, but she'll stay up on her arms for a few minutes before rolling onto her back.
• Doing one activity for a long period of time.  She gets bored and frustrated.  We move from activity mat, to exersaucer, jumparoo, playing with beach ball all throughout the day.
• When she doesn't eat the exact moment she wants it.  Child gets mad!
• Being held like a baby.  She wants to be facing forward so she can see what's going on.
• Cuddling.  She is not a cuddlier which makes me a little sad.  There are days I just want to hold and love on her on the couch and she wants nothing to do with it.  She wants me to hold her while standing up.   Odd little booger.

 
It has been so much fun watching you grow before I very own eyes little one.  Just know that mommy and daddy love you to the moon and back!!!!

Easy Chicken Parmesan Roll-Ups

My Mom did all the cooking when she was here.  Seriously.  I had a month off from cooking.  We went out to only a few times to eat, but stayed in the majority of the time and she slaved away in the kitchen.  I felt like I was a kid again having my Mom taking care of me. I hope Vivian would want me to do that for her when she's an adult.  I did manage to make us two meals.  Breakfast and dinner.  

 For her last day with us, I wanted that time for her to be all about Vivian.  I knew I wanted to make a chicken parmesan, but there are so many different recipes for that dish.  I got onto old faithful, Pinterest and found a chicken parmesan roll-up recipe that looked and sounded delicious.  

 When I went to the grocery store I picked up the ingredients for a different chicken parmesan recipe (I looked at too many) and couldn't find the one I wanted to do.  Well, I improvised and turned out great and easy.  I also made spaghetti and paired it with a large salad.  Great Sunday night meal!

The recipe came from here, but this is my version.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Roll-UP

• 6 thin-cut, boneless, skinless chicken cutlets, about 1 1/4 pounds (or slice regular chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create your own cutlets)
  Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/05/chicken-parmesan-roll-ups.html#jhAJ8YL8v2tVcL75.99
   3 chicken breast cut lengthwise to make your own cutlet or you can buy 6 thin-cut, boneless skinless chicken cutlets
• Marinara sauce (I used Newman's)
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (I used Sargento)
• Parmesan Cheese (Sargento)
• Italian Bread Crumbs
  6 thin-cut, boneless, skinless chicken cutlets, about 1 1/4 pounds (or slice regular chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create your own cutlets)
  Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/05/chicken-parmesan-roll-ups.html#jhAJ8YL8v2tVcL75.99

 Directions

Adjust your oven rack to the upper-middle position and preheat your oven at 475 degrees.  Sprinkle however much cheese you want onto a plate and marinara into a bowl.  I failed to do that and had to throw away t 2 new bags of cheese and remaining marinara sauce because I dipped my hands in the cheese and spoon into the sauce after handling the chicken.  Whoops.

I like to cover my baking dish with aluminum foil for easier clean-up.  Spray with a little olive oil or any kind of cooking spray you have.

Lay your chicken on a plate and spread a little marinara sauce on your chicken breast.  Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top of your marinara. 

Roll your chicken tightly, seamed side down and place in your baking dish.  Repeat with your remaining chicken.

Top your chicken roll-ups with a little marinara sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and sprinkle your Italian breadcrumbs.

Bake for 20-30 minutes or until your chicken is cooked.  If you notice your breadcrumbs are getting too brown, just cover with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes.

After you chicken parmesan is finished, pair it with spaghetti or whatever pasta you would like and enjoy.

2 weeks turned into 4

What a great month it has been.  My Mom arrived from Mississippi on Thursday, October 17th for Vivian's baptism that following Sunday. 

She had planned to stay until the first week of November when Brian returned from Hilton Head, SC from his conference.  I needed help with little bit when I had to work.  Plus, she hasn't seen her since we went to Mississippi when she was 7 weeks old.  I was so glad that she was here for her first Halloween.

Her first pumpkin patch.

My birthday.

After Brian came back, Mom and I were taking Vivian on a stroll and I asked if she was going back on that Monday (Nov 4th) and she kind of held her breathe and asked if it was okay if she could stay a little longer.  Of course!  She retired from teaching this year so she's home alone during the day until my Dad arrives home at night from work.  Vivian loves having her Memom! 

We mainly stayed at the house the majority of her stay...which was great.  We did go on a couple of outings...Target, grocery shopping, mall and Airlie Gardens.

She was here for Vivian's first "real" bath.  Meaning not in her little hammock. 

Before Mom arrived, Vivian would lift her head for only a second during tummy time. 

Child still hates it, but with Mom's help, she is much better.  She will hold her head up and even reach out for a toy.

They spent a lot of time playing together.

They even had lots of cuddle time.

Not only did she help take care of Vivian, she did the grocery shopping, laundry and cooked.  I honestly felt like I was back living at home.  It was nice being taken of.  Sometimes you need that.

 I'm sad that she had to leave, but I know my Dad will be happy to have her home.  The other day he said if he went into cardiac arrest it as our fault because he had to eat a lot of can food.  Poor fella! 

We have very much enjoyed your stay, Momma!!!  Already looking forward to you guys coming for Christmas.  Only six more weeks!!!  We love you oh so much! 

20 things...

You may not know about me.  I've seen friends doing this on Facebook and thought it would be fun to give myself my own number and roll with it.  Yes, I'm a dork...at times, but thought it would be fun to do.  

1. I have been to 27 states + Washington D.C. (since technically that's not a state), 3 Caribbean Islands (Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Cozumel), 4 countries (Mexico, Ireland, England and Italy).
2.  I'm not a beach person at all, but live 10 minutes from the beach.  I'm ready to go if I'm there longer than an hour.
3. I LOVE the mountains.  That's my happy place.
4. I hate wearing summer clothes...etc shorts, tank tops, dresses.  I would be content if I wore my fall wardrobe all year round.
5. I love reading random blogs.  I'm fascinated with strangers journey in life.
6. I love pictures.  I take far too many and I print the majority of them.  I just love the idea of freezing time.
7. I wish I was creative.  
8. I admire people who can draw/paint, sing or take amazing photographs.
9. I have the biggest sweet tooth.  I could eat a dessert after every meal or eat a dessert as a meal.
10. I once ate a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting.  Yeah, I didn't feel too well afterwards.
11. I talk to Brody like he's a person.  He answers me with his eyes.
12. I think a person should be punished the same way they hurt an animal or child.  
13. I enjoy doing things alone.  Shopping, going to a movie, eating at a restaurant.
14. I am absolutely terrified of lizards, frogs and fish, but I'm not scared of a snake.
15.  I always said the way that I was going to die was during child birth.  That clearly didn't happen.
16.  I have the BEST DAUGHTER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!
17. I'm O.C.D. about how clean my house is, but don't mind if my car isn't clean.
18. I once had a poster of Garth Brooks hanging in my room when I was in elementary school.  Why, I don't know.  Plus, I'm surprised my parents let me have a picture of a grown man hanging on my wall
19. I love to reminisce about the past.  I had the best childhood.
20. I hope to be as great as a mom to Vivian as my mom was to me! 

 

Random Thursday

Lets do a brief recap of last month.  My birthday.  I have to say, Vivian is the best birthday present I could ever receive.  Turning 33 has been my best birthday yet!

Brian had to attend a conference in Hilton Head Halloween week and of course he had to miss his time with Vivian.  He was planning on returning on that following Sunday, but we guilted him to come home on Saturday night.  How could you not when I kept messaging adorable pictures of our sweet baby girl.

Love that my favorite doll, Lucy, and I match!

Starting to figure out this tummy time stuff!

Love my little chickens on my exersaucer

So stinking cute!!!

How cute are my little chubby legs!

Getting ready for bed time. 

About two months ago I ordered her felt Christmas stocking to start making.  My Mom made one for my brother and I.  Brian and I made one for each other so I wanted to keep the tradition on making one for Vivian.  

I finished a large portion of the stocking myself.  Everything minus the Poinsettia's, a Christmas present, some sequins, leaves, her name and the back of the stocking.  Okay, sounds like I didn't do much, but really did.

I did finish the tree myself.

My Mom came to the rescue and finished Vivian's stocking.  I'm so glad she did!  One, I don't think I would have finished by Thanksgiving and two, I'm happy Vivian will have something that her Memom helped make for her.

Finished product!!

I can't wait for when she's older to dump out all her candy from Santa.  I loved it when I was kid and hope she will as well.

We love our pj's!  We stay in them all day long.  I have a closet full of clothes for her, but doesn't wear because we never leave the house and just stay in jammies. Plus, why have something binding and uncomfortable for her.  Yes, baby girl clothes are adorable but just not practical in my opinion.  If she wore a little dress or jeans all day long, she wouldn't be able to do her favorite thing...hold her little footsies. 

jammies

We also still love our mat time.  A definite morning and afternoon routine.

Got these jammies on sale, but similar here

We are still working on tummy time, but we have our eye and hand coordination down pat!  Its so cute seeing her spread her little finger to hold a little ball or toy.

She even can reach out for a toy while doing tummy time.

Her favorite thing to do is stand on her feet.  I think she won't crawl long and go straight to walking.  It will be so cute when she's running around.  Can't wait!!

Can't handle the cuteness!!!!!

I can't believe she's almost 5 months old and then next month she'll be 6 months!!  I have to say, I'm looking forward to her 1/2 birthday.  That's when we will start on solids.

Beaba Babycook

Butternut Squash in her little freezer tray

I was thinking that I was going to have her first solid to be butternut squash, but I think I may start her off on sweet potatoes.  I bought the book Wholesome Baby Food Guide and sweet potato was a suggestion.  Chopped full of vitamins and plus, breast milk is sweet so why not start her off on what she's use too.  

That day will be a fun time!

One last random.  I am so ready to do our family Christmas card!

Hanna Andersson jammies

Yes, we are THAT family!  I think it will be super cute and I'm glad Brian is on board :)