Amazing

Yesterday Avery reached into her diaper caddy, grabbed two Q-Tips and brought one up to each ear.

She'll pick up a bib and put it around her neck and hold up a shoe to her foot.

She looks around when you ask her where something is, and places her palms up like "I don't know."

She'll start running when we playfully say we're going to get her.

She can put her sunglasses and hat on herself.

I know these are just average, everyday things but it is amazing how much she is beginning to understand.  It's hard to know what exactly she does understand because her words are limited to mama, dada, nana (banana), da (dog), no-no, and bye-bye but we're starting to see she understands much more than she can express with words.  We can't wait for the words to keep coming (or can we?) but in the meantime it is neat to watch things click for her. 


Two weeks ago we had Avery's pictures taken by Lauren Smith, a local photographer that some friends recommended.  The photo session was a gracious gift from Rob's parents for Avery's birthday.   We got the proofs and they are cute!  Can't wait to pick up the CD and prints. Here is one:

www.laurensmithphotography.org

Father's Day 2010

The fact that Avery lights up and comes running at just a glimpse of you is an indication of how much you mean to her.  But you also do all of the behind the scenes stuff that she is blissfully unaware of.  We appreciate you and everything you do.  Happy Father's Day to the best dad ever. 

Dada's sidekick

Matching Topsiders

Helping Grandpa Bob open his gift

Two of the best dads I know

Pool Time

We *heart* summer!  Any chance we get, you can find us at a pool, a lake, or on our deck.  Avery seems to be embracing the summer as well!

      At the neighborhood pool 

                                         

 

 

 Got to stay hydrated

   At a cousin's birthday party

See the new tooth?

Muffins

I made the Applesauce Muffins from the Deceptively Delicious cookbook.  I had some butternut/carrot purees leftover in the freezer and this was a perfect opportunity to use them up.  If I make them again, I might substitute banana or applesauce for the veggies since I probably won't have any purees on hand.  I don't think that would compromise the recipe too much.  Rob said Avery went crazy over these at breakfast.  I didn't take any pictures but they were quite pretty with the crumbly streusel topping.

Applesauce Muffins

Batter:

1 1/2 cup All-purpose flour

1 cup Old-fashioned oats (I used quick oats)

1 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Baking soda

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 cup Unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup Non-fat milk

1/2 cup Butternut squash/carrot pure

1/2 cup Firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup Vegetable or canola oil

1 large egg

 

Topping:

2/3 cup Old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup Firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp Cinnamon

2 tbsp Margarine, melted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a muffin pan with paper cups

Stir together topping ingredients. Set Aside.

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and stir. In a second bowl, mix the applesauce with the milk, butternut squash, sugar oil, and egg. Add the flour mixture slowly, stirring until just moistened. Do not over mix - the batter is supposed to be lumpy.

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and sprinkle with the streusel topping. Bake until the topping is light brown approx 18 to 20 min.

P.S. How do you teach a baby to drink from a straw?

P.P.S. How do you teach a baby not to throw food off their tray?

P.P.P.S. How do you get a baby to drink cold milk from a cup instead of warm milk from a bottle?

P.P.P.P.S. How do you stop referring to your one-year-old as a baby?