She's a Happy Girl!

Emmy LIGHTS UP when daddy comes in the door! Here are a few clips of her hanging out with him. Thank you Lord for such a happy, healthy child! :)

These are the days...

Yes, we have a few swimsuits that actually make her look like a girl. But I know that looking back at my baby pictures, there were many of me in just a diaper. So today, we slathered on the sunscreen at my mom's and put this girl in her water Speedo! She didn't know the difference and was just as happy! She was in a trance from the water!

These are the days!

Tummy Time Friends

This is the life! They are so happy near each other!

Summer Time=Chicken Salad!

Whether you like it in a sandwich or on a bed of lettuce, to me chicken salad is a summertime staple! A great friend of mine passed this recipe on to me and I love it! You can tweak it by adding pecans or grapes if you'd like.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 chicken breasts either boiled or grilled (tastes great either way. I grilled mine with just some garlic salt)
• 3 stalks of celery chopped very fine
• 3 green onions chopped very fine
• 3/4 cup of dried cranberries (Target sells them in a bag for pretty cheap)
• 1 cup of Miracle Whip (I used light, I know some people can't stand MW so you could always use your favorite mayo)
• 2 tbsps coleslaw dressing (Kraft sells one in a salad dressing bottle in the salad dressing aisle)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt and pepper

Directions:

Grill or boil your chicken breasts and then chop finely. Add all ingredients together in bowl and mix to your liking. You can always add more mayo but you can't take any back so go easy at first until you get the consistency to your liking. This makes a good amount for a summer picnic or enough for a few sandwich leftovers.

If you make it, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

The Pioneer Woman's Lemon Basil Pasta

If you're looking for a good pasta recipe to try, here ya go! We've made this one a few times and it's a hit. We go easy on the basil though! :)

Coming Soon...

I've had a few people ask me to share how I do meal planning. I saved my last grocery list and I plan on putting it on here for those that are interested in trying to cook your meals for the week ahead of time like I do. It's coming, I promise! In between naps, baby time, family time, errands, summer things and pool dates I promise it's coming! :)

Also, I just ordered these and I'm so excited to use them! :) They're from Mumi and Bubi and I've heard great things about these freezer trays for making your own baby food. Check them out here! This gal blogged about them here. She's also my inspiration for my last post since she did them every month with her little one on her blog. Wish I would have come across those sooner! I also have some new recipes to share that have been a major hit at our house. :)

In 5 Months I've Learned...

that sleeping until 5 am is sleeping through the night!

that teething is no fun

that wearing your baby makes everyone happy and is a heck of a workout

that solids make morning feedings much longer, but much more entertaining

that having a baby changes your priorities and outlook on every aspect of life and I like it

that everything becomes global when you have a little one

that you should nap during at least one of your baby's naps during the day in order to keep your super powers

that deswaddling is possible

that the transition to the crib and deswaddling isn't so bad (for us)

that I'm not the cry it out parent I thought I would be (yet at least) and I'm ok with it

that my husband is the best father and cheerleader

that baby squeals are the BEST

that we will do ANYTHING over and over again for those baby squeals

that two dogs playing is the best entertainment for a baby

that I am so grateful for family nearby

that stroller rides are entertainment for everyone-dog included

that I am completely ok with running errands with spit up on my shirt

that life when she gets moving will never be the same

that reflux really does get better the closer you get to six months

that bed time routines are ingrained in a baby and you do not deviate from them

that a sleeping baby in your arms will lead to a thousand thank you's to God and kisses on the forehead

that I miss the newborn days (minus the reflux)

that date night is necessary-even if it's date day or date afternoon or date hour

that I understand why people have more than one child

that this stage is so cool