BLW #4/5: Potato Salad and Fish Cakes

The potato salad was a hit - I was worried the potatoes were too thick and starchy but Miss Bella really enjoyed them (or maybe it was the sour cream dressing they were tossed in?)

The fish cakes were a bit of a disaster.  They were too moist and didn't stay together, instead they crumbled apart.  I also hate frying patties because you can only do a few at a time.  I think next time I'll look for a baked fish-sticks recipe. Much easier to throw it in the oven for a bit.

My 2 cents - the potato salad is a keeper, fish cakes can go away.  I used swai, which I've never had before.  Turned out to be a very mild, non-fishy fish which is good.  No one wants to buy a fishy house!  We had some interested buyers this weekend, but no offers yet (ours was the 1st house they looked at.)

This girl takes after her papa. . . . . .MESSY!

We had oatmeal and toast for breakfast today.  Little Miss Independent decided to feed herself!

BLW #3: Extra-Thick Oatmeal

Today was not a good week for baby-led weaning.  My ground beef went bad before I could make the meatloaf (hadn't used ground beef in AGES, thought it would last 5 days in the frig - - WRONG!)  This morning the oatmeal exploded all over the microwave, so Miss Bella and I munched on avocado toast and shared my bowl of normal-thick oatmeal.  Not a bad compromise.

Coming up this week - lentil wedges, potato salad, and quick oatmeal fingers!

The little lady had her 6 month Dr.'s appointment yesterday - - I was convinced she weighed 20 pounds (and I'm still convinced she does when she has a full diaper!)  She actually weighed in at 16.5lbs, right at the 50th percentile.

BLW #2: Roast Carrot, Bean, and Feta Salad

2 recipes down, both were hits with the little lady (and the hubby!)  My self-confidence is sky rocketing!  Bella loves to feed herself even though most of it ends up falling right back out of her mouth.  I guess this is normal the first few months as she learns to chew and move the food back.  Her favorite part of this meal was definitely the carrots!

BLW #1: tofu and pepper stir-fry

So, Miss Bella loves food.  She adores food.  She tries to steal my food.  I feel quite guilty eating in front of her.  Luckily, when she turned 6 months, it was magically time for her to start trying solids.  We've decided to use Baby-Led Weaning.  Like co-sleeping and cloth diapers, it the trendy, hipster, granola way to raise your babe.  We like it because it allows Bella to join in at mealtimes so we can have family dinner and since she is feeding herself we get to feed ourselves.  Win, win, win!

I purchased the Baby-Led Weaning cookbook and have set a personal goal to make 3 recipes each week efficiently working my way through the cookbook.  I need something to focus on besides selling the house, finding a rental in Manhattan, pumping enough milk for Bella, and getting all my projects done in time for graduation.

The first recipe was Tofu and Pepper stir-fry which Bella (and Felipe) both loved!  Check it out:

Afternoon sun

Hutch

Have had a whirlwind anniversary weekend.  Friday we hit the road for Manhattan, checking out a few houses (both no's unfortunately) and a daycare (which was a hit!).  From Manhattan it was on to Hutchinson.  Poor Miss Bella didn't sleep so well in the car and got tired of sitting in her car seat but was a total trooper.

Saturday Felipe did health screenings while Bella and I lounged and grandma's.  She was so excited to meet her family.  I can't wait until we live closer so she can grow-up with all of her cousins!  We had a lovely surprise Anniversary party.  (Fel and I both forgot it was our anniversary.)  If we're forgetting after only 4 years what do you think it will be like in 20?

Baby Turnips and Sugar Snap Peas Recipe | Stephencooks

Dinner tonight - - -Baby Turnips and Sugar Snap Peas Recipe | Stephencooks

So that's not exactly true.  We are having more than turnips and peas for dinner.  I think I may make a caprese salad.  And if you're like my husband -- it's not dinner unless there is meat.  I'll have to dig around the frig to find him something, there just may be a leftover Werner's sausage from Sunday.  And if you're like me and Bella --  vegetables, cheese, and bread equal a perfectly complete dinner. Sometimes a nice bowl of cereal makes a great dinner.  I'm a big fan of searching through the cupboards and creating a random smorgasboard of treats.

I'm thinking Miss Bella may need this shirt - - -

King Kong baby

I think she's mastered the activity gym. . . . .

Reading is Fun: Change You Life and Everyone In It

A lot of what I do at work is counselling and listening to my patients, so I wanted to hone my skills.  Our department's psychologist recommended a few books, this being one of them.  It's actually a self-help book, but I can apply the techniques during office visits as well.  I may have even tried a few out at home. . . . . . .it is starting to look a lot cleaner;)

Bath time

All of the sudden Bella loves baths! (Amen).  I remember when she used to scream and wail, now she splashes and smiles.  She loves to chase her rubber duckie around the bathtub and splish-splash.

6 months old!

Bella's first blue koi

toybox - now with video!

Toy box

Miss Bella loves to sit and explore her toy box.  She has several faves - her musical computer, monkey man, chewy kitty, teething bracelet, jingle blocks. . . . . .

House update - last week we were off to a strong start.  6 showings + 1 open house.  Unfortunately this lead to 0 offers and we haven't had any further showings this week.  So disheartening, but perhaps the time just isn't right.  We want to balance a quick sell with a slow closing so that we aren't homeless in June.  Send some magic house-selling blessings our way.

To celebrate Spring finally arriving I got a new 'do!  Shorter and very sassy.  Stay tuned for pics!

We like avocado

Action Jackson

Funny story.  We put a pet gate up between the house and the garage so that when potential buyers open the door the cats don't come scampering in.  At least that was the plan - - ie, keep them in the garage.  Unfortunately Jackson had a different plan.  When we got home after our first showing he was not in the garage, rather he was prancing all around the house.  I think they opened the door and he went sailing over the top of the gate.  Not so good.  Let's hope they like cats!

For sale!

It's official - our house is on the market!  Scary stuff.  

We spent a full weekend getting things in order - cleaning, spiffy-ing up, repairing, arranging, decorating.  Now we just got to maintain and keep our fingers crossed.

Here's the listing.

Looking Back

2012.

Presented my research in Seattle, had my first baby shower, Bella became as big as a turnip, and I won my dream award from the med students.

2011.

Ran my first 5k, barely made it over the finish line.  Went to Austin for an anniversary trip.  Had a great time seeing the sites and eating local food.

2010.

Got a dozen gorgeous roses for our first wedding anniversary, looked at a TON of houses and later found our perfect first house.

2009.

This was a BIG month for Melipe - tying the knot in Jamaica!  Awesome video here.  This month also marked my dad's 50th birthday.

2008.

In the thick of wedding planning Fel and I found our first home (well, duplex) on Janssen.  I really miss that place and it's upstairs deck.  We had some really good times there.