Katie's 2008 resolution

We've decided that Katie's 2008 resolution is to stop fussing. That includes random tantrums, glass shattering screams and her general bad moods.

In all seriousness, we're going to bring it up to her doctor next week. Yes, babies cry but there is definitely some underlying issue. We are with her constantly but she acts like we are the most neglectful parents and cries at the drop of a hat. If she isn't sleeping, there is a 90% chance she's screaming. Hopefully we can figure something out soon or her loving parents are going to be sent to the nut house. I recently saw a show that interviews moms and 3 of the 5 moms said they had to go to therapy/counseling after their kids were born. Now I see why!

Happy New Year's (eve)!

I hope everyone has a great New Year's eve. We are staying home with my parents, grandmother and Katie. We have lots of snacks, champagne (still left from Katie's birth) and board games. I know, we are wild!

I'm curious to hear everyone's 2008 resolutions...so, post them here!

How to make a New Year's Resolution:
1. Be realistic about setting achievable goals.
2. Describe your resolutions in specific terms.
3. Break down large goals into smaller ones.
4. Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change.
5. Above all, aim for things that are truly important to you.

Baby's 1st Christmas

Katie celebrated her first Christmas this week. She was somewhat involved in opening presents with just Mommy and Daddy. She loved the wrapping paper and the musical caterpillar we got her was a hit. It has songs for each number, color and also also plays classical music. She also received a new onesie, an"IRS Deduction" bib, teething toys and stacking rings.

At Christmas #2 (at my parents'), Katie ended up sleeping through the gift exchange. She did watch stockings and loved the teddy bear that she received. She also showed off by doing her flip, on the floor. She was spoiled yet again - a piano, walking rider, outfits, Cheesecake Factory bear, JMU hoodie and pants, JMU booties, a set of fuzzy books, a soft cell phone and much more. It must be good being a baby!

3 months today!

24 hours in the making...

And Katie has rolled from her back to her tummy! Sometime yesterday, she started to kick her legs and get on her side (somewhat). Then, starting this morning, she would do it non stop when we put her on the floor. All day, she kept pushing with her legs and getting on her side. Once on her side, she'd sit there and fall back to her back. Around 7pm tonight, after numerous attempts, she finally ended up on her tummy. Unfortunately her arm was caught under her every time because she doesn't know how to move it out of the way. We watched her do it twice...while completely ignoring the movie, since she was much more entertaining. Below is the excerpt I found from Babycenter.com. Apparently, babies normally roll from tummy to back first...but we know that Katie likes to be different.

Developmental milestones: Rolling over
When it develops: Your baby may be able to kick himself over, from his tummy to his back, as early as age 2 to 3 months. It may take him until he's about 5 or 6 months to flip from back to front, though, because he needs stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver.

The maiden voyage

Katie made her first out of town trip with great success. We went to Philly for her cousin Ian's birthday party and she slept the entire ride. Everyone loved her at the party and she barely made a peep. She even got to meet her great grandparents!

Everyone thought she was the most well behaved baby (but we all really know better). She also wore her new Baby Gap outfit and was so trendy...pink/brown plaid pants and a pink thermal onesie with buttons in the shape of hearts. It was adorable! Here are a couple pictures from the big event:

Recipe review: Shepherd's pie

I don't remember the last time I had shepherd's pie...if ever.

We saw it a couple times on the Food Network and I decided to give it a try. How could my husband not like ground meat and potatoes? I didn't follow a recipe and just threw it together, which worked out quite well. I attempted to write the recipe below, but you really can't mess it up...just make it however you want!

Rating: 8

1.5 pounds ground meat
2 small white onions
1 lb. mashed potatoes
1.5 c. mixed veggies
salt and pepper
onion powder
1 T. worcestershire
Grated cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Brown meat and onion, stir in mixed vegetables, salt, pepper, onion power and worcestershire. Layer mixture into the bottom of a casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes. Heat on 350 for 15 minutes, top with grated cheese and place under broiler for 5 minutes (or until crisp on top).

Recipe review: Fennel crusted pork loin with roasted potatoes and pears

As an ode to Jr., I wanted to post a review of my latest meal. Being a mother, I don't "cook" much, unless you consider grilled cheese and soup to be "cooking". Katie decided to be coopertive tonight and I was actually able to mince garlic and cut vegetables while she sat in her Boppy, on the kitchen table. It was nice to cook again and I hope to do it again soon! I'd especially love to bake some of the recipes that I pull out of magazines...but I don't know if she's ready for that!

The fennel crusted pork loin came out beautifully and was a nice meal for the holiday season, due to the fennel seeds and pears. My husband was a fan because I increased the garlic to 3 cloves and he loves anything with garlic. Unfortunately, I only had 2 pears, but I think using the recommended 3 pears would have made it even better.

Rating: 8 out of 10Recipe:

1 T. fennel seeds 2 cloves garlic, minced

4 T. olive oil salt and pepper

2 red onions, quartered 2 lbs. boneless pork loin
3 firm pears, quartered 1 lb. quartered potatoes

Heat oven to 400 F. Using the bottom of a heavy pan, crush the fennel seeds (I used a mortar and pestle). In a small bowl, mix the seeds, garlic, 2 T. oil, 1 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper. Rub mixture over pork and put into a roasting pan. In a bowl, mix the onions, potatoes, pears, 1 t. salt, 1/4 t. pepper and remaining oil. Scatter around the pork and roast until cooking through (mine took 60 minutes for a 2.3 pound roast). Let pork rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.

HO HO HO...Merrrry Christmas!

We recently discovered that Katie thinks it is hilarious when we say "HO HO HO Merrry Christmas". We aren't sure why...but I think she likes deep voices haha

On Sunday, we went to a holiday party at the Ritz. It was so nice and kids were in heaven. They had Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves (with no waiting line), roaming characters like a snow queen, elves and a huge toy soldier on stilts. Everyone thought Katie was adorable in her red velvet dress...especially the sugar plum fairy.


They also had craft tables to make your own Santa or elf hat and TONS of awesome food (potato hash with duck, grouper, big shrimp, cookies, fruits, crab salad, etc). We had a great time and did our best to pose Katie for some holiday pictures. It wasn't too successful...she was either asleep, being grumpy or we were not looking at the camera. We got a few good ones and will be sending one out with our Christmas cards this year (so I'm not putting it on this site!) :)

Baptism day

Yesterday was Katie's Baptism. Everything went beautifully, she behaved and we all had a great time with our family and friends. It is so rare that we have our family together...I wish it happened more often. I guess we just need to have more kids to get everyone together. Yeah right!

Katie looked like a little angel in her (my) Christening gown. It looked like she was going to get married with all those frills and lace. Let's not get ahead of ourselves...one sacrament at a time, please!