Birthday Planning

Easton's 11 month birthday is quickly approaching, which means, the big O-N-E is just around the corner!! I've been in the 'planning phase' for quite some time now (date has been set since October!), and after much deliberation, I've decided on a theme. Can you guess what it is?

Invitations went in the mail today and I'm working on the decorations, menu and favors. Stay turned over the course of the next month for updates on the big bash!

Kale Chips

Long story short -- I got my sister hooked on making baby food (yes, I'm lacking a baby food making post, but it's on my to-do list) and she returned the favor by introducing me to some new and interesting baby food combinations. Her latest concoction for Zain: carrots, bananas, blueberries, pears and kale. Interesting, right? Kale, really? Never in a million years would I think to mix such a variety of ingredients for my baby, but what a great way to incorporate a daily dose of fruits and veggies. So, to the store I went to get me some kale. Little did I know it was so cheap - a 1/2 lb bunch for $.79! Now that's a lot of kale, and I knew it would never last long enough for Easton to eat it all, so I found myself searching my other uses. Thank you pinterest for never letting me down. Kale chips = super easy and healthy!

Pin It

Ingredients:

Kale

Olive Oil

SeaSalt

Start by washing the kale. I tore the kale off the stem and threw it in my salad spinner for a quick rinse. Toss the kale in a bowl with a few glugs of olive oil and sprinkle with the sea salt. Spread the kale out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are slightly brown and curling up.

Here you have it, crispy, crunchy, delicious kale chips. You won't eat just one! Just ask Easton. :)

CrockPot Hawaiian Chicken

I think I've mentioned it a time or two, but just in case you missed it, I LOVE MY CROCK POT!  I found this recipe, where else, but on pinterest and just had to try it. It calls for only 3 ingredients, and just so happens that they are things that I almost always have on-hand.

Ingredients:
3-4 chicken breasts (I used frozen)
1 bottle barbeque sauce (I used honey b/c that's what I had)
1 can pineapple chunks (I partially drained)

Throw all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred chicken and continue cooking for 15 minutes to really coat all the chicken . Serve over white rice.

Doesn't get any easier than that!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ear infection and all, this boy is nothin' but smiles! Spending the day with my favorite little Valentine. :)

And of course, while I'm home with a sick baby, I get a delivery at work... Love you hubby!!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!!! If you love what you read, vote for us:

Double Digits!

(roughly 20lbs, 28 inches)

10 months old already? That means only two short little months until somebody's 1st birthday!!! And at the rate times been flying, it'll be here before we know it. I'm holding back the tears just thinking about it. Perhaps I need to get planning. I can't wait to celebrate YOU!

We have been having lots of fun lately. You are quite the busy body and love to explore. You crawl fast everywhere, nothing is slow with you. As soon as you think nobody is watching you, you make an escape for Cooper's water dish. And you've found your way behind the couch a time or two, too. You are already outsmarting mommy and daddy!

This month you took your first steps with your push toys, and have started working your way along furniture. You are gaining confidence and starting to reach for things beyond your range. It won't be long before you're walking on your own!

Your first winter has been a mild one. Don't get used to this! The weather has been warmer than average and we've had the least snow we've seen in years. It's not over though. Heck, chances are it's just beginning. And being that we live in Michigan, there's a chance we could see snow until May. We have however, made the most of it and are taking advantage of the snow when we get it. Daddy took you sledding for the first time, and to be honest, I'm not sure what you thought of it as you didn't make one facial expression. Or maybe it was the snowsuit that you weren't too sure about. :)

You're eating habits continue to be phenomenal! You are becoming a very independent little boy and love to feed yourself. Mac n' cheese, hot dogs, bananas, chicken nuggets, veggies straws, cheese and crackers are just a few of your favorites. Baby food is so 2011 with you that I have to sneak it in between bites to make sure you get a good balanced meal with fruits and veggies. Oh, and you LOVE Grandpa Bill's chicken n' rice soup, and it's one thing that you don't mind that mommy has to feed you. You are also a pro at the sippy cup now and love drinking water!

I'm usually not one to brag, but this past month you've really been favoring your mommy. Dropping you off at Miss Dawn's has gotten more and more difficult as you have learned that I sneak out when you aren't looking. The best part about it is how excited you are to see me at the end of the day. I barely walk in the door, you hear my heels on the floor and are racing to find me. It's definitely makes my day!!

Your physical appearance is changing everyday. You now have 3 teeth (2 bottom and 1 top) with 4, 5 & 6 on their way. I am hoping that is the reason for your early morning wake ups these days. And your hair has really started to grow in. It's darker and longer in the back and looks super cute when you're wearing your ball cap. You are the absolute happiest baby, always have a smile on your face and you just love to laugh. You are so ticklish and your laugh is beyond contagious.

Likes:
Cooper's water dish
Throwing your food on the floor for Cooper
Mommy and Daddy's iphones
Mac n' cheese
Sippy cup
Reading
Blowing raspberries
Your giggly monkey
Mommy :)

Dislikes:
Having your diaper changed
Diaper rash
When mommy leaves you

And an attempt at your 10 month photos:

Love you little buddy, to the moon and back!

~Mommy

And while you're here, please vote:

Easton Needs Your Help!

Top Baby Blogs reset their counts today and we need your vote to get us high on the rankings! Click the icon below, and then vote by clicking the owl on the left (no registration needed).

You can vote every 24 hours, so come back and vote daily by clicking the icon on the right!

Easton says THANK YOU!