Baby Led Weaning

Baby Led Weaning: a new concept to me. At least new in the sense that I never realized it was an entire philosophy of introducing baby to solid foods. And I am thoroughly intrigued!

The topic of BLW has come up in a few discussions lately and after some great conversation with my hubby about it, we would really like to try it with our little one when she starts eating solids.

In essence, BLW is the concept that instead of weaning babies from breast milk to "mush" (aka: purees, baby food, baby rice), they transition straight to real foods (obviously appropriate to their age and ability). The idea is that when baby begins reaching for foods, they are ready to start self-feeding. And from everything I've been reading, the many advantages include earlier development of hand-eye coordination, a better developed pincher grip and babies who are more willing to explore all types of foods. No mush necessary!

Of course, I am now asking all of my mom friends about it and would love any advice or opinions on the subject! And once I finish up some of the required books for our Bradley class, my next read will be Baby-Led Weaning, so I can get a better grasp on the idea. Thankfully, I've got some time!

What do you think? Ever heard of Baby Led Weaning? Love the idea or hate it? I would love to hear!

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Road Trippin' It!

Just wanted to share a little with you as details of our Seattle trip unfold...

Last weekend, while looking at plane tickets to Seattle and kind of toggling back and forth about how ridiculously overpriced they are, we revisited the possiblity of making a road trip out of it. Being as I have never been to Portland, we thought it might be cool to make the drive to Seattle and stop in Portland on the way. When it was originally discussed, we didn't have a reliable car so that idea was quickly tossed aside. But now that we have the much more road trip friendly Jetta, our vaca has officially become a road trip!! We are so excited!

So now, not only do I get to plan a trip to Seattle, but also a day in Portland! I'm looking for some advice from those of you who have spent some time there. Where should we eat? Play? What do we have to see and do??

I'm sure I can find a million and one tips online, but it means so much more coming from people I trust! I would be absolutely delighted with anything you have to share!

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What's the Skinny?

On a recent outing for new jeans, I routinely stepped into Express. Which, by the way, is where I have been buying my jeans for years. I love them, and they are always long enough for my long legs. So imagine my complete disappointment when I grabbed several pair to try on and was highly disappointed in the fit and quality of every single pair. It's bad enough that the prices keep creeping up on me, but now the quality just stinks!

Oh well, I'm over it, and have decided I will no longer be making Express a regular part of my shopping trips, but more importantly, I am at a loss as to where to buy jeans now. And I should probably mention I don't have the budget to spend $150 on a single pair (as was recommened by a few friends...).

I've heard from several people that Gap is the place to try. Apparently their skinnies are amazing! Any thoughts on the matter? Where do you shop for jeans??

I do like the selection I found at Gap. And for $70 and under, they are more budget friendly.

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Good Advice

I just came across this list of marriage advice on a friends blog (check it out here) and absolutely love it! The original list is quite long so I decided to only include some favorites, though the whole thing is great! Note: this is written in prospective of a father to his son.

{Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!}

Praising your wife in front of other people does wonders for her self-esteem.

Criticizing your wife in front of others, even in jest, is always a bad idea. Always.

Sometimes, she doesn't want you to solve the problem. She just wants you to listen. I know, I don't understand it either.

Credit card debt is a monster. Don't fall for it, even for the short term.

Live on less than you make. In fact, learn to live on one income. Swim against the tide.

Tithe. Not only does it honor God, it also brings focus to the rest of your money decisions.

Laughing together is even better for you than exercising together.

Don't be so afraid of hurting the other's feelings that you never really talk about how you feel. It took five years of marriage before I finally told your mom I didn't like grape jelly, which she'd been putting on my peanut butter sandwiches every day.

Don't be too embarrassed to talk about sex together.

Praying together every day might be the most intimate thing you can do. Even more than sex.

Pray together before any big decision and most small ones. The ultimate decision is far less important than the fact you are praying together about it.

Find regular times of quietness, both together and alone. Watching a Cubs game doesn't count.

Hold your career with a light touch. It's not who you are, it's only what you do.

Find a good church and get involved. Don't just be spectators. Churches have enough of those.

If you wait until you feel confident and ready to have kids, you will never have kids.

When you fight, fight fairly and cleanly. No yelling, no escalating, no pouting.

Approach each day with a thankful heart. It's a freeing thing to realize that no one owes you anything. First Timothy 6:6 says, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Your wife is an amazing gift from God. Treat her that way.

No marriage is bulletproof. Guard it with everything you have, and entrust it to God.

Eggplant Wonderings

I have a tiny dilemma in my kitchen and it comes in the form of an eggplant. I happen to really like eggplant, though my husband does not. And to be honest, I can't remember more than two times I've actually used one to put together an eggplant parmesean. And while it was quite delicious, I'd like to explore other options.

After browsing trusted recipe sites, blogs and the like, I can't seem to find much more than the said lasagna, ratatoullie and grilled eggplant sandwiches, which I know Chris would not appreciate. That is until I found this Eggplant Bruschette recipe which sounds pretty amazing!

Hmm, I'm still not sure, though I need to make a decision quickly before my eggplant goes bad! Any suggestions from you brilliant cooking minds? I would really appreciate you throwing any great recipe ideas my way.


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Dessert Dilemma

This Saturday Chris and I are having dinner with some friends and I have volunteered to make dessert. A role I love and usually welcome with open arms. Though this week, as I've tried narrowing down an option, I find myself with bakers block! Quite an unusual dilemma for me, since I typically have several sweet recipes floating around my head just waiting to be used.

And so, I am in need of your help! Do you have any tried and true recipes? I am looking for something impressive but not too complicated and preferably incorporating seasonal fruit, even if just as a topping. Thoughts?

I Need Your Help!

Well, it's happened. I am officially out of my favorite body lotion. You may remember this time last year when I realized Origins had discontinued their Shedonism line. It was a sad day. Though my husband did temporarily ease my pain by tracking down five bottles from local stores who hadn't shipped them back to the manufacturer. What a man!

But even with my best efforts to savor every last drop over the past year, I scrapped clean my last bottle this weekend. I had secretly hoped that my supply would last long enough for Origins to realize they had made a horrible mistake and bring it back. Obviously they did not get the message!

Knowing this day would come, I've searched high and low for a new moisturizer I find equally amazing, but to no avail. Nothing quite compares to its subtle tahitian gardenia scent and remarkable ability to keep my skin feeling rich and creamy all day long!

I would really like to find a replacement (and soon) but I need your help. Any suggestions or favorites of yours would be much appreciated!

Quite the Quandary

I'll admit it, I'm a total sucker for picnics! But I've got to say I'm oddly stumped. In my search for a new picnic blanket, I've come up empty handed. What's the deal? Does nobody make pretty, inexpensive picnic blankets anymore? I've tried all the usual suspects: Target, Etsy, Vera Bradley, even other blogs and I'm at a loss my friends.

So I've got to ask, what do you use as a picnic blanket? Any ideas, suggestions and picnic blanket finds would be greatly appreciated!

Sushi, Sewing and Friends

Happy Thursday guys!

I am so excited to tell you about the sushi making class Parris and I went to on Tuesday! I am always up for new, fun things so when I saw this class offered at Newcastle Produce, I immediately signed up and new exactly who to ask to be my sushi making buddy:) Normally Chris and I would do these things together, but Chris doesn't quite love sushi like I do and a good girls' night is always in order;) So Parris accompanied me and we had a blast! The class was great and suprisingly easier than we thought it would be. We ended up making about six rolls each! I've been in heaven eating my rolls for lunch as well as a snack the past two days!! Can't wait to throw a sushi making party:)

I'm looking forward to taking more of these classes! They are such good dates, with friends and my guy! Next I want to tackle the 7 course dinner!!

Some pics of our class and also one of Lael and Me last weekend:)

This my friends, is a green goddess roll:) Just asparugas and herbs, YUM!


Our dinner, made by us!


We rocked sushi making like it was child's play;)


This is why I love Parris! I'm so glad we're friends:)


Nice lady took our picture:)


And after the class we went to my house and had chocolate cake and coffee, because sometimes, girls just need chocolate;)


Cheers! Notice my new dress I bought last weekend;)I'll take any excuse to wear a sundress!


And finally, Lael and Me at Humphrey Slocumbe:) This photo curtousy of Lael.


On a totally different note, my grandma was so excited when she heard about my new found interest in sewing that she sent my Mom home with a ton of vintage fabric:) I went through it with my Mom last night and am quite excited about my new treasures! I am obsesed with aprons, so she also sent a few of my great grandma's aprons to use as a pattern! I'm pretty stoked about it! And BTW, I have asked for a sewing machine for Christmas, but am lost about what I really need. If you've got any suggestions, I would really appreciate them (Parris, Laurie, Aunt Betty??):)

And lastly, I skyped with Rebecca in GERMANY yesterday! Even though it was only for about a minute because apparently, 3G and skype aren't a great match:( Anyway, I'm just feeling so lucky to have spent such quality time with good friends the past few weeks! It has been exactly what I've needed:)

My Aunt C is flying in today to spend a week in California! Can't wait for some family time this weekend! On the agenda: Julie and Julia, Lake Tahoe and being poolside:) This is my aunt who did the flowers for our reception. She is amazing:)

I'm hoping I can make it through this morning...I only got 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night! But sometimes, yogurt with friends is just more important:)

Have a lovely day!