Friends Forever

We have been friends with the Cadieux family for many years now.  We traveled to Costa Rica with their family and the Feils.  In this picture, Breann (far right) is six months pregnant (I know... you would never know!) and I am 4 months pregnant.  We like to say that this is our kids first trip together.  

Even though our pregnancies were two months apart, Emry came a week late and Jed came a month early... they just wanted to be closer in age!  

Last night Breann and Kris brought Emry over with a little onesie for Jed.  

They are both standing...

We took them in the pool... clearly, Jed is teething right now!

We are so glad to have such great friends and enjoy doing life with them.  We hope our little ones stay best buddies for a long time!

Self Do It!

When I was a little girl, I was very determined (so my mom says)... For example, my mom had to get velcro shoes for me because I wouldn't let her tie my shoes... I would say, "Self Do It!!!," throw tantrums, and usually make a scene (sorry mom).  So, it is no surprise that I have a child who is very determined.  For the past few weeks, Jed has been increasingly frustrated during feeding time.  He wines and grabs for the spoon.  It seems like he only likes his little puffs.  As I studied this behavior more and more I realized that it was more him wanting to feed himself.  Yesterday I researched good first finger foods and this morning we went to the grocery store.  

He LOVED it... I cut up bananas, cooked carrots, avocado and watermelon.

 I read about ways to make it easier for him to grab onto the food... they suggested making a powder out of puffs or in my case Trader Joe's form of Cheerios.  (If you use Cheerios, make sure you don't use honey nut... infants aren't suppose to have honey.)  I used a coffee grinder.  Then roll the food in the powder and serve.   Jed found it much easier to pick up and for me, it was a bit less messy... even though we still had to change clothes.  

 He was a happy boy!

 The dogs were happy too!  I remember when my niece Aubrey Rose would eat over here... the dogs would LOVE it... one for me, one for you, two for me, one for you... 

I hope this keeps him happy for a while!

More from Jed's Swimming Lessons!

For all the grandmas and great grandmas, family and friends... here is Mr. Jed in action...

Between swims, he loves the lady bug... he even holds it during the swims!  

 Jed's grip on mommy is pretty incredible!

Watch him kick!

On the move!

For those of you who may not live close or have not seen Jed recently, he is an excellent crawler now.  He is pulling up on everything and beginning to pick up speed.  When he sees something he wants, he goes for it!  He scales walls (like his father) and thinks his parents are a climbing gym.  He is very proud of himself!

Swimming Lessons

We are half way through swimming lessons.  A friend gives them at my parents pool and was so sweet to include Jed in the mommy and me class.  He wasn't the biggest fan for the first week.  He SCREAMED the ENTIRE first class.  Over the weekend, however, he enjoyed it with mommy and daddy.  He didn't cry at all the last time we went in!  

 During the class she has us put them in face down, wait for any leg movement then pick them up.  (sounds simple, but it seems to be rather complex...)  As they improve at holding their breath, we push the kids longer and longer.  Jed can hold his breath almost 5 seconds now.  We give them lots of love at the end.  

 A few tears...

 Back to my happy happy boy after the lesson...

Homemade Pesto

Home made pesto is soooo good! I love having it for a hot summer day to mix with cold bow-tie pasta, cherry tomatoes and prosciutto...mmmm. So how do you make pesto? SOOO easy!

Toast walnuts or pine nuts until you smell them... that's when they are done.

Blend lots of basil, parmigiano reggiano, a few garlic cloves, toasted walnuts and lots of olive oil in a food processor.

I froze the pesto in ice cube trays (the same ones that I use for baby food) and will bag them once frozen. It is the perfect thing to pop out of the freezer and use in a pinch! You can also add a cube to spaghetti or even salad dressing for flavor.

POPSICLES!!!

Fresno. Fruit. Hot Hot Hot... what more do you want then a cold popsicle! I used some Wawona Peaches, frozen raspberries, frozen mangos and the left overs of a fruit salad (grapes, strawberries, plums, and peaches). I used crystal light lemonade as my liquid for blending. I am so excited to taste the yummy goodness of a cold popsicle on a hot day!

Garden Goodness...

Yesterday morning I harvested my garden. I had TONS of basil, onions, fresno chilies, tomatoes and onions. I have enjoyed gardening so much. Not only is it a way to provide for my family, it is so great to need some basil or an onion and be able to go into the back yard and pick some FRESH!!! I can't wait until Jed grows up and is able to help me.