Pinterest PIck: Homemade Edible (Baby) Paint

I've been scouring Pinterest for some good indoor activities given that the weather is changing. I have been dying to do some arts and crafts with Z, so when I came across a pin for Edible Finger Paint on Pinterest, I decided to try it out.

Ingredients:
1 to 2 ratio of flour to water. (I used 1 cup flour, 2
cups water, which made about 5 baby food jars)
Baby Food Jars or some kind of container 
Food Coloring

Directions:
1. Poor water in pot and slowly stir in flour over medium-low heat.
2. Heat and stir regularly (the flower tends to separate and sink to the bottom, so stir frequently!).
3. The mixture will slowly begin to thicken. Once it reaches desired consistency, turn off heat.
4. Divide mixture into containers, and add Food coloring. Mix well.
5. Allow to cool before use. Refrigerate after use.

P.S. I use this in the bathtub. When she's done painting, I just turn on the water and the mess is gone!

Pinterest Pick: Cinnamon Apple Pastry

I saw this on Pinterest not long ago, and made my own twist for game day a few weeks back. My sister
swears she would rather have one of these than a Cinnabon (her favorite treat). They are really yummy and pretty easy to make. They make a perfect game-day treat!

Cinnamon-Apple-Cheese Pastry:

Ingredients:
Apples (any kind- I used fiji)
Cinnamon
Crescent Rolls
Sugar
Cream Cheese (if desired)

Directions:
1. Peel and Slice apples (I used an apple slicer, to make the job easy). Sprinkle with Cinnamon.
2. Bake apples @ 350 for 30-45 minutes, or until tender.
3. Spray a cookie sheet with non stick spray, and spread out each crescent roll.
4. Spread cream cheese (if desired) on each crescent roll. (The other recipe I found did not include this

part. It is absolutely delicious!)
5. Sprinkle some cinnamon and a generous amount of sugar over the top of the cream cheese.
6. Add some baked apples.
7. Roll each, keeping the apples nestled in the center.
8. Sprinkle top of each with some cinnamon and sugar.
9. Bake according to crescent roll directions.

Enjoy these suckers warm. Perfect fall deliciousness!

Tiny Ten

Officially ten months, and on the go! Little miss Zoe is not as tiny as she once was, but she is definitely growing and learning.

On September 19th, Zoe took her first official steps. Andrew and I were playing with her before bed, he stood her up and she took two whole steps towards me before crashing to the ground. Ever since, she has been making lots of progress toward walking on her own. She still can't get to a standing position in the middle of the floor yet, but she can free stand for long periods of time now, takes steps on her own between pieces of furniture while cruising, and has taken as many as 6 or 7 steps on her own. She is still pretty unsteady, but she gets stronger every day! I think we may just be walking by the time November rolls around...we shall see.

Zoe develops a little more personality everyday. She is opinionated and extroverted. She hates naps, and loves to play (especially with other kids). She really loves her veggies and fruits, and has become a little bit of a picky eater lately (she spits out food she doesn't like). She doesn't like to be cuddled or contained, and if you try, she'll push on you with a "eh, eh" until you let her down. She has learned to give "fives," clap her hands, wave, and gives "kisses" (she opens her mouth and rests it on your cheek). She still is quite a chatterbox, and loves when I mimic her noises.

Here is what she has been up to this month:

Favorite Thing to Do: She loves going to the zoo to see the animals. She also really loves when we hold her hand so she can walk.
Favorite Food: She really loves her fruits and veggies, and will eat them before anything else on her plate. She still really loves to snack.
New This Month: Taking steps on her own!
Growth: Officially in her 9 month clothes now. She still seems tiny for her age and height though.
Sleep: She is now refusing a late afternoon nap, and only takes a morning and noon nap. This means she is quite tired by bedtime at 7:30.
Speaking: She is still a talker. She also loves to click her tongue.
Movement: She prefers walking. She just isn't steady enough. She takes a few steps then falls and proceeds to crawl the rest of the way.
Behavior: She is quite opinionated, and wants to be self-sufficient. She has been known to throw fits when she is not getting her way. ugh. :-)

Pinterest Pick: Pumpkin Spice!

If you are like me, you love the onset of Fall, and particularly love that it brings an opportunity to add pumpkin spice to, well, everything. And if you are like me, you dread the oncoming set of poundage that comes with consuming all these comforting, tasty, treats.

Well there IS some good news...Pumpkin is actually free on WeightWatchers, as is that lovely spice. I have found TWO deliciously easy and better-for-you, Fall-infused treats to keep you on-track, right off Pinterest.

Pumpkin Muffins: 2 WWP Points each!

Easy and absolutely delicious, not to mention filling! I sprinkled some cinnamon on top of mine before baking!

Ingredients:
Cake Mix (you can use any kind, I used sugar free yellow to make it diabetes friendly too!)
15 Oz Can of Pumpkin (be sure not to get the pumpkin pie filling).
Muffin Pan (and liners)

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix dry cake mix with the can of pumpkin. No water, oil, or eggs
2. Place in muffin pan (makes around 15 muffins). (Sprinkle with Cinnamon if desired)
3. Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes

Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt: 2 WWP Points per 1/2 Cup!

I love frozen treats, and can't get enough ice cream. This totally satisfies that craving, plus sneaks in some yummy nutrition!

Ingredients:

1 32oz. Container of fat free VANILLA Greek Yogurt (I used plain, and it's just not as good)

1 29oz. Can of Pumpkin

8 Tablespoons of Sugar (I used truvia for baking, but regular sugar works great)

8 teaspoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir well.

2. Place the mixture in an air-tight container in the freezer. 

3. Scoop and serve as desired!

To see the original recipes and links, please visit my Pinterest page.

Nine

I seriously had to go back and read last month's entry, because hardly anything has changed in the 8 to 9 month stretch...

I feel like we hit a road block. Zoe is stuck in that between-stage where she's crawling so fast over the floor she's leaving a line of smoke, pulling up
and trying to stand on her own, but nevertheless, she is not yet walking. She is much more steady on her feet now and cruising around furniture like it was put there for her use, but she just hasn't progressed to walking on her own yet or even taking steps on her own. I, of course, am in NO hurry to move this walking thing along. My only two issues with the crawling is that she finds every small particle available to put in her mouth, and she wears out the knees of any pair of pants I put on her!

As far as her social progress, I am not sure how this child became such an extrovert when she has two introverted parents. She just loves attention. She will now (for the most part) wave hi (and bye), clap her hands when you say "yay," and give "fives." We are working on blowing kisses goodnight.

Andrew and I have been busy with house projects, and I have been doing lots of craft projects. I have already finished Zoe's Halloween costume, because I was just so darn excited to
make it (she will be a little witch).

Here is what she has been up to this month:

Favorite Thing to Do: She has discovered mom's pots and pans and spoons. She loves to sit in the kitchen floor and bang around!
Favorite Food: She is really starting to diversify her diet. She is a big-time snacker, but still really loves fruit for breakfast. She has been loving bananas this month!
New This Month: Waiving, clapping, and giving "fives." And her two bottom teeth that came in within a week of each other!
Growth: She is between sizes. She has some 6 month, some 6-9 month. Her 9 month stuff is still a little large, but since it is mostly fall clothes and it has been 100 degrees, that works just fine!
Sleep: Sleeping through the night!

Speaking: She loves jabbering. She tries to say hi and bye, but can't quite get it figured out. You can tell she's trying hard to get her sound to match ours!
Movement: Super fast crawler, pulling up on everything, but can't stand long on her own yet, and not ready for her first steps just yet!
Behavior: She is mostly a good baby, and can keep herself entertained for awhile. However, she is an extrovert and really prefers having someone to play with and talk to!

8 (9) Month Check-Up

We took our August pictures at the splash pad yesterday. Zoe is such a little water baby!

Z had her 9 month check-up a little early. For whatever reason the doctor's office got confused last time we were there, and booked us at 8 1/2 months, rather than 9 months. The visit went well. Zoe has recently developed a fear of unknown males, and has started crying when they talk to her. But she decided she liked the doctor today, and since there were no shots, it made for an easy visit! She loves seeing new people, and spent most of the wait in the waiting room waving to everyone and smiling. She's such a little extrovert. Here are her stats for this time around:
Weight: 17 pounds (36th %)
Height: 27 1/2 inches (57%)
Head Circumference: 17 3/4 inches (86%)

She is following along the low, medium, and high curves perfectly, so she's still a skinny baby, with average height, and a big head!

The REAL Birth Story...

Your Birth Story…

Before you were born, I had a dream.

The doctor came in,

And said you were taken from me.


It all seemed so real,

And the pain so overwhelming

I didn’t think I’d ever heal.

I awoke crying.


Within my soul was an internal struggle.

What if it was a sign?

What if you were in trouble?


I just couldn’t leave it up to chance.

So despite my best intentions,

I took my silent stance.


I called the doctor

The very next day,

And made the appointment

That would determine your birthday.


I told only family of your planned arrival.

Fibbing to friends,

I felt the secret was vital.


I labored all night and into the next day.

I accepted the drugs

That kept the pain at bay.


After hours of pushing,

It became clear

That you just were not budging.

A C-Section was my greatest fear.


Your first scream made me heart sigh.

Born healthy at 7:42 pm,

7 pounds, 7 ounces, 21 and a half inches high.


Looking back now, I have no regrets

This is how it was supposed to be

A perfect day I’ll never forget