Weston - 5 Months

Since he turns 6 months old tomorrow I figured these should probably get posted...

The block he just happened to grab and play with had a five and he was holding it just like this! Too perfect!

Weston has mastered some new skills in his fifth month of life and is getting so big! He's definitely put on some weight and some rolls. Which mom is sure to nibble on regularly. He really is perfection!

Bananas for the little man

The little man has tried his first solids! He tried bananas just like his sister did. He also LOVED them just like she does too!

He loved them so much that he kept trying to grab the spoon and push it in faster. His top lip flared out because he was concentrating so hard on getting the food to his mouth. Needless to say all of us enjoyed watching him eat for the first time. This sure are exciting with a baby in our home!

He really is the SWEETEST little baby!

Vegetarian for dinner

We've been trying to branch out around here and try some new things at the dinner table. A few nights a week I try out a new recipe that is usually vegetarian. We are by no means vegetarians. To say my husband LOVES meat would be an understatement (not to mention he can cook a seriously good steak) we have just decided to cut back and have meat with dinner 3-4 nights a week instead of everyday.

{This was from Father's Day this year. He cooked 18 steaks total that day.}

On the menu tonight: 

Lemon Spinach Orzotto

Makes 4 servings

Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

3 shallots, minced {I didn't have shallots so I just used what onions I had- 1 medium yellow onion}

1 garlic clove, minced 

1½ cups orzo

½ cup white wine {I used cooking sherry instead}

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth 

4 cups baby spinach 

1 lemon, zested and juiced 

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent and fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.

2. Add the orzo and stir to combine with the shallots and garlic. Add the white wine and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine has been mostly absorbed into the pasta, 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Add the broth gradually, about 1 cup at a time. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until the orzo has absorbed the broth before stirring in the next cup. Continue until the orzo is completely tender, 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Stir in the spinach and let it wilt in the warm orzo. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, butter and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Note: To reheat leftovers, add a little broth or water and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, pausing to stir once or twice.

Here's the link to where I found the recipe: http://www.purewow.com/recipes/Lemon-and-Spinach-Orzotto

I really enjoyed this dish {they had me at lemon and cheese.} Mr. Carter wasn't big on it but he's not exactly a lover of pasta or rice so...

We've tried a few other things that have been pretty good. However, I have yet to find anything that I love so if you have any favorite vegetarian recipes please share!

A few new things...

We have learned a few new things around here...

WESTON:

Wes has figured out how to put his toes in his mouth today. It's funny to me how when babies do certain things it can be so adorable and yet if an adult were to do something like this it would be so disgusting.

Babies just make everything cute!!!

ABIGAIL:

Within the last week Abi has braved the water. This has been a HUGE step for her! 

For the past two years she has wanted nothing to do with actually being in the water. She has always just sat on the side or in the most shallow part of the water.

For some reason she was just ready. And she is LOVING it!!!! She now asks to go swimming everyday. {I've created a monster.}

Not only has she been super interested in swimming but she has been  really big on doing arts and crafts as of late. She is always coloring and today I gave in and let her paint. The smile on her face will be worth the mess when she is done. 

Weston - 4 Months

I have such mixed emotions when my babies get bigger. I want to cry because we have met milestones and they have come and gone and yet I am unable to wipe the smile from my face when something new is learned.

This little man has

...learned to roll from back to front.

...found his voice and is continually trying to push the sound out which results in a high pitched squeal. (That I love!) 

...found his feet and loves to play with them.

...finally started wearing ((some)) 6 month clothing.

This little man loves

...the bath but hates the swimming pool.

...his big sister. He is always squealing at her and grabbing her hair.

...his little blue elephant and any Aiden & Anis blanket.

...EATING. He has gone from eating every 3 hours to eating every hour and a half to 2 hours. So we are nursing A LOT.

...his pacifier. He is a pacifier snob and will not use anything but MAM. (Too bad I spent too much money on adorable custom NUK pacifiers that he wont use.)

...to snuggle when he is tired. (MY FAVORITE!)

Four Month Stats

Height: 24 inches

Weight: 12 lbs

Normally I would edit out blemishes however I want to remember him exactly how he is, tiny little scratches and all. This little bruise that is healing though was from me. :(
I accidentally pinched his poor cheek with his pacifier clip a few days prior to this. He cried more than I did.

Those blue eyes!!!!

We are so in love with this little man!!!

It's a miracle!

At night I usually swaddled this little guy in an "Aiden & Anais" blanket but he has managed to get his arm out every time I wrapped him up. So I've been on the hunt for a swaddle blanket that would hopefully keep him sleeping longer and I happened to hear about the "Miracle Swaddle". It doesn't necessarily keep him sleeping longer but it sure keeps him swaddled nice and snug and this means he's not longer waking himself up. I'll take it!

Sister has to get in on the action too!

And just so we can keep things real...

I totally went to the store like this today in a desperate need to get out of the house for a few minutes. Messy hair and no makeup is the glamorous life that I lead but I wouldn't change it! So if you didn't get ready today please know you are most definitely not alone.