7 MONTHS

This month:

This past month you:

- swam in a baby pool for the first time! You loved it until you decided to try and eat your feet. That scared you a bit.

- have began eating gerber baby puffs! You finally got the hang of putting the little things in your mouth. You forgot to chew once or twice but thankfully they dissolve and you havent done it since!

- rolled off the couch :( I felt like the worst mama in all the world. I saw the whole thing happen and could not get to you in time. Luckily you weren't hurt, just a little (a lot) scared. We both had a good cry.

- Went to your first wedding! yeah you are show stealer :)

- got your two bottom teeth!! it was a rough week for mama and baby. you would only sleep with me and would hardly eat your baby food. They look so cute though. Maybe one day you will let me get a picture!

- put your hands in mamas mouth anytime she talks to you or sings to you. its odd but hey you like it.

- Love going grocery shopping! you yell and talk the whole time. its pretty darn cute.

- are almost crawling! you can move backwards but havent discovered forwards yet. 

- give mama the biggest smile whenever she comes in the room or gets you from your nap. This just melts my heart every time.

My sweet angel you are growing so fast! I cannot believe it has already been 7 months since the Lord brought you to me. You fill a part of my heart I never knew was empty. I just love you so much words cannot even describe.

*I know I just posted Lindseys 6 months. The pictures were on time but the post was a tad late...

The Good Stuff

I am beat. School is in full swing and baby has been teething for the past week. I barely have time to shower, let alone blog. I know I have seriously been slacking. Ill still post every now and then but right now, it just is not my top priority. I have a couple posts planned for this week, including baby girl's 6 months. Yeah thats how far behind I am.

Now to the good stuff. This recipe was just too amazing I knew I had to put it on here. If not for all of you, for me to remember to make it again. Yeah that good!! If you have never had goat cheese I strongly urge you to try it. You never know whether you like something until you give it a try :)

Herb and Garlic Roasted Chicken with Cranberry Goat Cheese and a Honey-Balsamic Reduction over roasted Asparagus

Serves 2

- 2 bonless skinless chicken breasts, pounded out to be a little thinner

- 1/4 cup Lawrys Herb and Garlic Marinade

- Cranberry Goat Cheese (use to your liking)

- 1/4 cup honey

- 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

- 1 lb of Asparagus

- Salt & Pepper

- Olive Oil

I like to pound out my chicken a little to quicken the cooking process. I place the breast in a ziplock bag and go to town with a skillet. Mainly just to flatten the really fat part and make it the same size. After that, pour the marinade in the bag and let sit for 30 min-24 hours in the fridge. Once marinaded, preheat oven to 350 and place chicken in a baking dish. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until juices run clear. Take the goat cheese out of the fridge to bring to room temperature. Meanwhile, rinse asparagus and break the woody ends off. Line a baking sheet with foil (easy clean up) and arrange asparagus. Drizzle Olive Oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Once chicken is cooked, turn your heat up to 400 and cook asparagus for 10 minutes. While asparagus is cooking, heat honey and balsamic vinegar in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk it together and let it reduce. It will thicken up and be done at the same time as the asparagus. Grab your plate and start to assemble.  Place some asparagus on the bottom of the plate, lay the chicken on top. This is where your own taste buds decide how much goat cheese to spread on your chicken. Drizzle with the honey-balsamic reduction and enjoy!

6 Months

I cannot believe my little princess is half a year old! Where has the time gone??

This past month you:
- have started only sleeping on your stomach
- have had peaches, pears, apples, peas, carrots, green beans, bananas, and sweet potatoes
- have started hating veggies so we put a little fruit in with the veggies and that seems to work
- had your first sinus infection
- started having stranger awareness and a couple meltdowns when someone new holds you
- are such a wiggle worm! ill put you in one place on the floor and your in a new one every time I look
- are sitting up all alone!
- still get up a few times in the night. Mommy misses her sleep
- have started making this really loud yelling noise every time we are in church, the grocery store and pretty much whenever you please. It is so adorable though.
- have grown out of a lot of your 6 month clothes! We have a chunky monkey on our hands!
- love giving mommy kisses :)

I love watching the world through your eyes angel. Everyday spent with you is the best day ever. Mommy loves you so very much.

Never Forget

Today marks 11 years since the terrorist attacks on America. I remember like it was yesterday watching on the news the second plane crashing into the World Trade Center. It felt as though all of America stood still.

Today in one of my classes we were discussing the anniversary and one girl said something that purely disgusted me. She said "Its been 11 years and people are still making a big deal about it." I could not even believe my ears. Of course people are still making a big deal about it because it was a big deal. No it was a HUGE deal. It was one of the biggest tragedies America has ever experienced and that we are still dealing with today. People lost mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, husbands, wives, children. Over 3000 people lost their life due to a terrorist attack. I cant think of one year when it wont be a big deal. It had a huge impact on us as a country and still impacts us today. She was so ignorant about it.

Let us NEVER forget the men and women who LOST their life that fateful september morning. Those who have given their lives fighting for our country the years following that day. The men and women who went into those burning buildings to save as many people as they could. Some who didnt ever come back out. Never forget what our country went through. Never be as ignorant as that girl.

Faith

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

4 Hours Past Normal

As I sit and write this my sweet 6 month angel is fast asleep in her crib. You would never know the past few days have been a whirlwind for her. Since she had her sinus infection she has been spitting up a couple times a day. She has never been one to spit up. Ever. I thought it as due to the antibiotics they had her on but now I am not sure since she has been off that medicine for a week.

For the past few days fussy has been her middle name. Every time I leave the room she is just starts crying. This has been very trying for this mama. I have started school and that is time consuming in itself and i am determined to get good grades. I have been staying up wayy past my "bedtime" to spend time with Brian when he gets home from work and getting up early with baby girl. I have spread myself extremely thin. Tonight i almost broke. I am going on 4 hours of sleep and endless amounts of stress.

I cant be the only mom out there who finds herself thinking I am doing this all wrong. Or I could be doing this much better. I kept comparing myself to other moms or my own mom thinking how they would do it. Once baby finally settled I did too. With my bible and some very inspiring blogs. I came to the realization that guess what? I am doing the best I can. I am nowhere near a perfect mom but who is? I know the Lord gave me Lindsey for many reasons. I am to teach her and nurture her but she is really teaching me right now. Teaching me about more about myself, teaching me to lean on Him when all else seems to be failing.

Instead of focusing on what I could do better I need to relax and know that He will lead me as long as I listen. I will make mistakes. Tons. But one look from that precious baby and it is all worth it. The lack of sleep, the stress, everything. She is the best part of every day and always will be.

Mommy loves you so very much baby girl. Please have patience with me for I am new to this whole parenting thing. I promise to always try to do my best and to love you with everything I have.

In the end thats what matters. Trying your best and loving with all you have.

Lately

 who could forget this precious angel

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1