Happy Birthday Dad!

Dad -
Olivia wanted to say Happy Birthday Grandpa!
Hope you have a fantastic day - We love you!

Someone's Crawling!

This little girl is crawling! Oh. My. Goodness.

She is just growing up too fast!

The last week she would move forward like one or two steps (or crawls?)  On Saturday we were at a friends house and she was playing by me and the next thing I know she is halfway across the rug we were sitting on! It was so exciting!

I can get her to go further distances if I tease her with my phone or my chapstick. 

On a side note.... she giggles every time she sees the picture I have of her on my phone.  So cute!

Olivia's 6 Month Photos!

We got Olivia's 6 Month photos back! I just love them!

The wonderful Christy Bode from Christy Bode Photography took them - she is so great.  She has been taking Olivia's pictures since she was in my tummy!

Here are some of my favorites! 

 

Brownie Cookies...oh so good!

I was looking for something different to make a dessert last week.  Not quite sure how I found this but I am so happy I did! 

Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies - made from a box of brownies! I love anything easy, anything delicious, and anything that has the word brownie in it!

I found this on Six Sisters' Stuff Blog! They were definitely a hit.  Here is the recipe!

Double Chocolate Brownie Mix Cookies Recipe:

(Recipe from Food.com)

21 ounce box brownie mix (I used Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate)
 ½ cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons canola oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons water
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
¾ cup nuts , chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir until well blended. Drop mix from a teaspoon onto a cookie sheet lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes.

Once cookies have lost their gloss, yet still feel soft to the touch, remove from oven. DO NOT OVER BAKE THESE COOKIES.  Let cool 1 minute, then remove to racks to finish cooling. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Try these.  You will not be disappointed! 

My kind of scrapbooking

I love the idea of scrapbooking but the time, money and motivation just aren't there for me.

So instead I have been making books on Shutterfly.  I have a bunch planned out - just not totally created yet.

So far I have made a Pregnancy Journal (which I started and kept up through the entire pregnancy), Olivia's Newborn Photos and Olivia's 3 Month Photos.  Once I get her 6 month photos in the mail I will get on that one too!

Books I have planned.... Top 10 of 2012, Grandparents book for both sets, and a monthly update/progress book for the baby along with milestones, favorite things, etc.

I love how they turn out and they are so fun to make!

It is way easier for me to make books of this adorable baby girl.  I still need to make our Wedding and Honeymoon Book...it's only been coming up on 3 years. Whoops!

On Turning 28...

I am finally 28 years old.  

I say finally because for the past few months when anyone would ask how old I am I would tell them 28.  Not because I have always wanted to be 28 years old, it’s because I honestly couldn’t remember how old I was.   

I am beyond fortunate in my life and I have had a fantastic last few years.  My 23rd I graduated college, my 24th we bought our house and two days later got engaged!  My 25th I married the best guy in the world.  My 26th was all about trips, our honeymoon and a trip to Vegas.  My 27th we had Miss Olivia, the most fantastic girl in the world.   What does my 28th year have in store for me?  I am so excited! It is going to be a great year!

In other news, I was looking in the mirror today and saw some ‘laugh lines’ around my eyes.  When did this happen!? What, I turn 28 and BOOM wrinkles. Any recommendations for some good skin cream would be greatly appreciated!

I had an awesome weekend with my husband and beautiful baby girl.  Spent some quality time together, ate some sushi, had some drinks and got pampered by my husband!  I am so blessed.

To those who have reached out today, thank you. All of the calls, messages and emails are overwhelmingly wonderful. I am definitely feeling the love.

 

Dan and I in Vegas in 2011

Olivia's Valentine's Cards!

This past weekend we made Valentine's Cards!

Olivia made some for her daycare friends.....

 And she made these for her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, and other family friends!

 

 Getting her little foot prints on there was quite the job! This was just a me and her project and I had paint EVERYWHERE! They turned out cute though!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had some fun painting hearts on our feet! Though this little girl is super ticklish!

We made this one for Daddy!

Hope you have a fantastic Valentines Day!

6 Month Update!

Olivia is halfway to her birthday! I can't believe it!

6 things about 6 months:

1.  Olivia is really moving! Not quite crawling forward yet but she barrel roles all over the place and scoots backwards.  Seriously, I put her in one spot and turn around and she is across the room.  We are going to be in trouble when she does start crawling - which I think will be soon! She is doing this thing where she has her but in the air - like the downward dog yoga pose.  So cute!

2.  She sits and plays so well.   She loves taking things out of her bucket and spilling them all over the floor.  Pretty much everything goes in her mouth! She loves toys that play music!

3.  She still has zero teeth, but is working really hard on getting them! Right now she seems to like her teether toys that are chilled in the fridge.
4.  She is a FANTASTIC eater! She loves everything and has increased the amounts that she eats.  We started playing with Puffs.  She has put a couple in her mouth - but really likes when I just put them in there for her!

5.  She has been sleeping really well.  She goes down great and usually sleeps until about 4:30am.  We have been feeding her then even though I don't think she really needs it.  We are planning on weening her off that but she has been sick and teething so I didn't want to start that on top of it.  She is over her cold now though so we will be starting that soon!
6.  She is the happiest baby! She loves jumping and moving.  She is ticklish.  She laughs when I kiss behind her knees.  She thinks my ponytail is super funny.  I love when she gives me kisses back!

Love this little girl.  I can't believe how fast she is growing! Love my life!

Yoga Baby

Olivia's new moves!

 Downward Dog anyone?

TaDa!

Our favorite books!

We have been reading to Miss Olivia since she was born.  We read to her for at least 20 minutes a day (which can be a challenge on some days!)

Recently, she has really been getting into the books.  Looking at the pictures, touching the pictures, looking up and watching me read to her and of course the grabbing and eating of the pages!

Here are some of our favorite books as of late.

 We love Olivia books!

These are such great books. They are just the right length and have bright fun pictures.  Olivia's favorite is Bubbles, Bubbles! We got them at Target for $1 - such a steal!

The Hiccupotamus is one of my favorites - I even have it memorized! Also on the list is Where is Home, Little Pip? Kumak's Fish (great book!), Humphrey's Bear, and If You Give A Dog A Donut.

Here are some of our favorite board books - these are great when her attention span just isn't ready for a longer book.

 This one is for me! I started reading it right when Olivia was born but it got put to the side.  Starting it back up again!

... valentine blogging party time! Part 2!

The lovely ladies, Casey, Nicole, Lauren, Ashlee, and Alycia put together a Valentine Blogging Party.

  

This is the first link-up blogging party I have joined – and I am so glad I did, I chose a good one!

I was paired with two lovely ladies (lucky me!)
Tesla @ Peace. Love. and Passion      See my 1st post about her goodies!
Annie @ The Farrar Four

I think it was accidental that I was paired with these two wonderful ladies - but I couldn't be happier! I am a fairly new blogger and having the opportunity to meet and get to know other bloggers is FANTASTIC!

Yay! I got Annie's package in the mail today.  And let me tell you it was awesome!

Let me set it up for you.......Left work.  Picked up baby.  Went to clinic for shots for baby :(

Get home. Check mailbox.  Freak Out! So excited!

Here comes the tough part.....waiting to open! Next comes feeding baby, nap, cleaning up after feeding baby.  Finally, open time! I was not disappointed!

First of all, it came in this adorable package!

 I love EOS lip balm! Can't go wrong with heart candies and cute kleenex!

 Love this heart dish towel - I already have it hanging from my stove!

 Check this out! It is a crocheted heart garland! I love it! Annie - you are so talented!

 The softest yarn ever - and a giant crochet hook! I am learning right now so this is perfect!

All the goods.  Such a great gift! Thank you Annie! It was so great getting to know you - you have a beautiful heart!

Also, can I say that I love these gift exchanges! I love giving and receiving fun things - I hope there are more exchanges to come!

It's Friday...

Miss Olivia and I get to hang out ALL weekend while daddy goes ice fishing! I am super happy for some one on one time! I think I am still missing out on my sweet baby time from last weekend.

Plans for the weekend (Plans? Good Luck Mom!)

* Take Olivia's 6 month update photos
* Make Valentine's for Olivia's Daycare friends
* Make Valentine's to send to our families
* LAUNDRY!
* Put said laundry away
* Clean up my messy house!
* Wash our dirty cars
* Plan some healthy meals for the week
* Olivia snuggles and kisses (Most Important!)

Happy Friday! Make today ridiculously amazing!

... valentine blogging party time!

The lovely ladies, Casey, Nicole, Lauren, Ashlee, and Alycia put together a Valentine Blogging Party.

  

This is the first link-up blogging party I have joined – and I am so glad I did, I chose a good one!

I was paired with two lovely ladies (lucky me!)
Tesla @ Peace. Love. and Passion
Annie @ The Farrar Four

I think it was accidental that I was paired with these two wonderful ladies - but I couldn't be happier! I am a fairly new blogger and having the opportunity to meet and get to know other bloggers is FANTASTIC! 

I can't tell you how much I love receiving mail (online shopping is like Christmas for me!) So I have been anxiously waiting by my mail box (kidding!). 

Now let me tell you about...

Annie.  She is adorable! I seriously wish I had her hair - it is amazing! She has the cutest little boy and I have just loved reading her blog.  You should definitely check her out- you will not be disappointed! She sent her package yesterday so I will update you when I receive it! Can't wait!

Tesla. She is spunky. She is so fun. I love her blog! She puts together such cute outfits. AND she has a super cute accent. I wish I had an accent. Seriously though.  Check out her blog - she is super fun!

Ok first up from Tesla is this amazing desk calendar/planner. This fits me to a T! I always have some sort of list in front of me so having it all in one place is going to be fantastic!

 She also got me this fabulous pen (it's ok to be jealous!) and a set of notecards and envelopes that have an H on them - so cute! I love sending mail so this is perfect for me.

 And last but not least.... CHOCOLATE! I had to take a picture of this pretty quick because as soon as I opened it - I ate it.  While I was reading a book to the baby.  AND it was pretty frozen (it is pretty darn cold in Minnesota!) so that went over well with the reading.  Baby girl just kept looking at me trying to take my chocolate.

 All together - such a great gift! THANK YOU Tesla - I love it!

Happy Valentines Day!

One of my favorite dinners

I am not huge into making lasagna - probably because I have never actually made it. I ran across a recipe a while back for lasagna roll ups that looked super easy.

And of course I can't find the first recipe that I made it from but I will tell you how I did it! Here is a recipe that is similar!

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

1 Box of Lasagna Noodles
1 pound ground turkey
1 Block of frozen spinach (completely thawed)
2 Jars of Spaghetti Sauce
1 Medium tub of Cottage Cheese
1 bag of shredded Parmesan Cheese
1-2 bags of shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Italian Seasoning to taste

The original recipe used like 6 noodles so I always double it (leftovers!)

First thing I do is put the frozen spinach in the fridge a day or two ahead of when I am going to make it.  This is the easiest way to thaw it out.  Putting it in hot water will also work but is really messy!

* Preheat oven to 350.
* Cook your noodles according to the box.  Drain and rinse with cool water.  If you can lay them out to cool a little bit as they will be hot!
* Cook your meat and season how you would like (I throw some Italian seasoning in there).  Drain any grease. 
* Mix the spinach (if it is still wet - squeeze any extra water out with a paper towel), meat, cottage cheese, about half of the Parmesan cheese and almost a whole jar of sauce (I think it is like 2 cups).  I also add a little more seasoning in! This is your inside mixture.
* Take a noodle - spread desired amount of mixture on it (load it up) and then roll!
* Pour the remaining sauce in the bottom of the pans - save some sauce for the tops of the roll ups though!
* Place the rolls ups in the pan.
* Do this until you run out of noodles or mixture! It usually makes 2 cake pans worth of rolls.
* Top roll ups with additional sauce if desired.
*Generously sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over tops of roll ups.
*Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top of that.
*Sprinkle additional Italian Seasoning on top of cheese.

Cover with tin foil - throw in the oven - remove foil after 25-30 minutes (if cheese on top is melted then it is done! If not keep it in the oven until it is!)

No exact science on measurements and timing.  Never really liked that.  It always turns out good!  AND so easy!

When mommy's away....

The baby and daddy will play!

I spent the weekend celebrating one of my best friends bachelorette party! It was just a quick trip (and by quick I mean with seeing everyone.  The drive was anything but - 9 hours each way!)

I got to see my beautiful friend try on her dress, which was just gorgeous.  We went out for dinner and then on to the party complete with western themed outfits! I had a blast and better yet she did too!

It was a great weekend to celebrate her last single nights.  She is getting married in less than two weeks! Unfortunately we aren't going to be able to go to the wedding - SO BUMMED! She will be a beautiful bride and they are going to be so happy together!


And on the home front... Dan and Olivia (and Grandma) had a fun weekend together.  She got her 6 month photos taken, they got to see the cousins, and teething fun was had by all! Ok - really just Olivia on that one!