Teething Biscuits

In the grocery store the other day I saw these organic teething biscuits and made an impulse buy without discussing it with my seasoned mommy friends.  It seemed like a good snack for car rides or while shopping, and I thought it would feel good on Aubs' gums and help the introduction to putting finger foods in her mouth. Well, I had no idea they would make a horrible mess, the only place she will be eating them is in her high chair!
It took a few days but she finally figured out the teething biscuit and I think she even ate some rather than all of it going on her clothes, hair, and face... or on the floor for Reba! 

The first attempt before she fed it to Reba. Thanks Mindy for my beautiful bib! (which I believe she got on etsy)

Yeah for teething biscuits!

Yum Yum

Standing up

Aubrey had her 9 month appt on Tuesday. Doc said she is right on track and growing strong, tipping the scales at 17 lbs 12 oz, and 27 3/4 inches long. Aubrey's newest milestone is pulling up on things. She has been trying to pull up for several weeks now and figured it out this week. She just loves exploring things with her new skill. I can't believe my baby is growing so big!!

I can help you unload the dishwasher Mom! She likes to throw the silverware on the floor.

Showing off her one hand skills. She likes to pull down the dvd player and cable box, it keeps Nate and I on our toes.

I can sit on my pony all by myself!  (we still have to push her)

Aubs likes to play inside of the curtains.

Peek a boo!

Etsy Friends

My friend Tiffany told me about Etsy about a year ago. It's a great website dedicated to the buying and selling of handmade goods, I just wish I had a craft to sell! I am getting a sewing machine soon but it will take some lessons from my crafty friends & family before I can make Aubs any cute outfits.  Anyways, I wanted to share two of my friends' Etsy pages. They are both talented ladies and sewing is just one of their many skills! We hang out a lot so maybe some of their talents and ambitions will rub off on me:)

Patty makes the most adorable stuffed owls, you can view them at her Etsy store, LittlePatPat, here. I know all my Chi Omega friends will enjoy looking at them, hoot hoot! Wouldn't they look great in a little girls nursery!?!

Tiffany makes all kinds of fun stuff,  from plush F/A-18 Hornets for children to stylish reusable lunch packs. Tiff  is always coming up with new ideas, her Etsy store focuses on aviation inspired gifts and decor. Check out her craftiness here at SilverbergDesign. FLY NAVY!!

Valentine Fun

Aubrey is 9 months old today, what a special little valentine she is! For fun I had our moms email us a picture of Nate and I at 9 months to compare to Aubrey.  I have never thought she looks like me but I think we have the same little grin in the below pictures. Daddy's hair is very similar to Aubs, but a few months later his hair got curly and changed to dirty blonde. It will be fun to see what Aubrey's hair does!         

Happy Valentines Day!

XOXO The Michael's

                 

Bath Time

As you can tell from the picture our little Bugs did not enjoy her first bath at 4 days old. Luckily Nana and Grandma Laurie were here to help.  Since then we all love bath time, especially Aubs who isn't satisfied until all the water is splashed out of the tub! I still bathe her mostly in her infant tub (I am in denial that she is out growing it) but every now and then I will put her in the big tub. Here are some pics looking back on that first bath and how far we have come since then!

Me no likey

Mommy help me!!
Getting my nails clipped after my first bath! Mommy was too afraid so Daddy did the job, he has pilot eyes!
Bathing Beauty in her infant tub
(on her 8 month bday)
Big girl Tub (almost 9 months!)
Bath toys are yummy!

Jingle Jangle

I wanted to share one of Aubrey's favorite toys that I made (it was really easy so don't think I am some kind of amazing toy maker). It was not an original idea either.....I copied our Church nursery. One morning when we picked up Aubrey from the nursery all the babies were laughing and happy and every single one of them was shaking what Nate and I call the "jingle jangle". What is the jingle jangle you ask.......it's an empty water bottle filled with jingle bells, sounds ghetto I know, but it's a big hit I promise! So I drove to Michaels and spent $2 on jingle bells and had a toy. I also put some jingle bells in one of my breast milk storage bottles (it's hard plastic so it makes a different noise to change it up!). I swear when I bring out the jingle jangle every baby wants it and it entertains for a long time! I don't think it's baby shower worthy but I promise your baby will love it and it's super cheap and easy. Aubrey started playing with this at 4 months and jingle jangle is still going strong.

(the jingle bells could be a choking hazard so make sure your baby can't take off the bottle's lid or secure it with tape/super glue)

Cheap Jingle Bells (they come in all sizes)

Aubs playing with jingle jangle. I couldn't get her to look at the camera today, she was too enthralled with jingle jangle. We often use the toy to make her look up at the camera. So when you see her smiling I am probably shaking this thing behind the camera:)

Creamy Almond Chicken

Because I love to get new recipes from my blogging friends, I thought I would return the favor and share one of ours.
This is one of the first recipes I made as a new wife. At our house we go through food stages where we make a dish a lot, get sick of it eating it, and then take it off the menu. Sometimes for a few months and sometimes the dish never makes it back! Creamy Almond Chicken has never been fazed out from our newlywed days (5 years ago, time sure does fly by). It's from one of my Southern Living cookbooks. I hope you like it as much as we do. Enjoy!

Creamy Almond Chicken
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup butter or margarine, divided
6 chicken breast halves, skinned, boned (okay I only use one package of three and don't adjust the other ingredients)
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup whipping cream
1T Dijon Mustard (I normally use a little more that this)
2T orange marmalade (same as above use a little more)
1/8 tsp red pepper

Saute almonds in 1 T butter in a skillet, set aside.

Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4 thickness, using mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle Chicken with salt and pepper. (I get lazy some days and don't flatten the chicken, the chicken is much more tender if you do!)

Melt remaining 3 T butter in skillet over Medium high heat. Add Chicken and cook about 2 minute on each side or until golden brown. Reduce heat to medium; add next 3 ingredients stirring well. Cook about 10 minutes or until sauce thickens (takes my stove about 15-20 min). Sprinkle w remaining almonds. Southern Living says to serve with rice, I rarely do.

Wishing.....

Nana a Happy Birthday! Nana we miss you and wish we could celebrate with you today.
(I wrote this on Sunday night so it is showing Feb 7th instead of your bday Feb 8th, sorry!)



Kisses from Aubrey XOXOXOX