Every day is a collection of moments. Each week, each month and each year they become our memories.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

 

Happy October 25!   This means we have 60 days to celebrate some of my favorite days all year!!

  • Halloween
  • Jake, Kathy, John, Val, Laura, and Elissa’s Birthdays
  • Our wedding anniversary
  • Thanksgiving
  • MY BIRTHDAY
  • Christmas Shopping
  • Cookie Baking
  • Holiday parties
  • Christmas

So excited!!   Any days that are all about good food and presents and having fun together are the best.  

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The. Cutest.

 

In case you’re wondering.. I have taken 513 pictures since I got my new phone.  On Labor Day.  But the problem is that my baby girl is SO STINKING CUTE I cannot stop myself.

Also, I feel I should mention that the fact that blogging is the perfect combination of scrapbooking , journaling, and constant list making is not lost on me.  It is why I love it.  That said,  here are some highlights from last few weeks.

Tessie is officially too big for the baby bathtub now but are going to ignore that and just keep using it until we can fix the actual bath tub in the house.  She is starting to enjoy hanging out in the water and playing in it.

 bath 10-17

project runway octWe enjoyed watching the season finale of Project Runway. errands 10-18

 

She does so very many errands with me.   This particular day we were off to pick up a permit. She looks as excited as I was.   Definitely more fun to go to the Mall.

 

trader joes 10-19First visit to Trader Joe’s – AND first time sitting in the front of the shopping cart.   It’s a little cart so it worked great.  She was definitely the most popular person in the store the whole time we were there.  

 

A final sleeping picture of my baby.  Can you even stand it? sleepin oct

 

The sweetest.  Every Second.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Busy Busy Busy

 

We have had a very busy social calendar this week. If you know us, you know this isn’t normal but it sure was fun!

Monday we had our family photo shoot with Peggy. It was outdoors, the fall colors were gorgeous, the weather was warm, we were all happy and relaxed.   We cannot wait to see the results!!

Tuesday Auntie Pat came over to play all day.

Wednesday we went to the Buzz Cafe for Waffles at lunch time with Peggy, Emily, Katie Liz, Angie, Jake and Ben.  Later that night we went back to  Katie’s house because she was hosting a jewelry trunk show for a college friend who creates some really cool.   Here is the link to her website  (http://www.realiabyjen.com/)  … because  us Bennies’ need to stick together.  

Although we didn’t come home with any jeclothes 10-12welry, we did come home with a car full of clothing.    Bryan loaded us up with all the girl clothes size 6-18 months.    Thursday as I went through it all I was struck again by how blessed we are.   Every little thing I felt I needed for Tessie magically appeared in those bins!   (more socks, tights, snow pants, winter weight pj’s, holiday dresses,  shoes, slippers, party shoes.. etc).   It is so fun to see clothes that I remember Kayla, Izzy and Audrey wearing!  

Tessie office 10-11 Thursday we got lots of work done in the office (sparkly bow and all), then we spent a few hours in the kitchen – we continued with the green veggies for Tessie so we prepared peas and broccoli for Tessie, and an amazing chicken pot pie for Steve and I.  Even though both Steve and I are completely grossed out by peas, we gave Tessie a big smile when we forced them on her.   While she noticed that the taste was not as bland as the rice cereal, she didn’t object.  

Friday Auntie Jolene came over to play and I spent the day in the library.   Then on Friday night we went Tessie and Em 10-13to a baby shower for my cousins at Cecelia’s house..   Tessie and Katie 10-13so we had amazing food, great conversation and lots of fun.   Tessie, of course, hung close to her Aunties.   I overheard Katie and Angie talking to each other about how jealous they were that Tessie was talking to Auntie Em.  It’s true.  In the midst of all that Chaos and noise Tessie took the time to have a little chat with Emily.  

Saturday we all went to the Curtis’s house for a Mexican Fiesta.   To say the food and margaritas were good would be an understatement.   YUM CITY!     Tessie just hung out on everyone’s laps and took it all in.  She didn't’ make a peep, she just observed and when she was tired she had no trouble falling asleep in the spare room.   Oh, and I made chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting for our dessert.   You should do this too, when you have a chance.  I had one again this morning with my morning coffee and it was just as good as it was last night.     http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2010/10/reeses-pieces-cupcakes.html

We definitely had a lot of fun this week but that is a social calendar we are not used to.  Thank goodness not every week is like that!!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Green Stuff

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Eat green 10-6 Last night we moved on from Rice Cereal – directly to green veggies.   Beans, to be exact.  Tessie didn’t hesitate.   We got a few faces, but they were “what’s happening?” faces more than they were “get that green stuff away from me” faces.   Steve hates green beans so he was hoping she would reject them and was just waiting for the icky face.   ick10-6This is the closest he got.  She did eat all of it.   She is a trooper, that Tessie.

 

 

I decided a long time ago that I would make her baby food.  I just like the idea of knowing exactly what she is getting, and I also like the ability to create any combination of foods I want for her meals.  Obviously we need to introduce her to foods over time, but if we fast forward to the future, I know I can give her multiple tastes of fruits and vegetables with every meal.  I want her to think that is normal.  I want her to be a healthy eater who makes smart decisions. I do not believe eating a healthy well balaced diet just happens.  So…   I decided to make her baby food. 

For my first attempt I cooked the green beans in my new best friend, the pressure cooker.  Then I tossed the cooked beans into my old best friend, the Ninja blender and pureed it.   I used the water from the pressure cooker to thin the puree to the right consistency and poof!… in 10 minutes I had enough beans for her for a few weeks.  I tasted them and they were delicious  AND the color was good.  (not that nasty canned green).   I have one freezer tray right now, but I will get more so I can instantly freeze the excess food I make for her in perfect little portions.   Now that I know how easy  - and incredibly satisfying – it is I can’t wait to move on to peas, broccoli, carrots, avocado, sweet potatoes, squash, PUMPKIN, cauliflower, parsnips,  fruit, etc.   So fun! 

On another note, as I was making dinner for Steve and I  (pesto and sun dried tomato chicken and pine nut couscous)  I captured this little bit of mischief.  Little miss “socks constantly coming off” seems to have found a way to accelerate the process. 

socks b 10-6 socks a 10-6  socks c 10-6 socks d 10-6

See how cute?     -  not doing anything     -  now is my big chance   -  who me?

Friday, October 5, 2012

5 Months!

 5 months a

Dear Sweet Tessie,

I love watching you get so big  - even though I still want you to be small forever!  Every single day I feel like you are changing and learning more and more.

Here are just a few ways you’ve changed this week.

You are eating cereal every day now.  You LOVE it.  You react when you see the box of cereal, you grab for the spoon, you pant in between bites and you open your mouth so big for your next bite.   It didn’t take you long to learn to eat with a spoon at all.  Your Dad and I are so proud!

You are moving a bit. I am in denial.  The other day while I was getting ready I put you onmover 9-28-12 your little play mat – on your back so you cold look up at yourself in the mirror.   By the time my hair was dry and my makeup was on you were practically in the bathroom with me.  

  • butt 10-2 Somehow you have this whole inchworm routine down – where you put an enormous amount of energy into moving the smallest little bit. Mostly it starts with getting your butt WAY up in the air.   But it works.  You spin and you scoot & if you need something that is fairly close to you, you can get fly 9-29it.  
  • You can also do a little Superman rocking action.  I noticed it last weekend and immediately took a picture to send to your Aunts.   You took me by surprise..  I have to admit! 

upward dog 10-2  And ……a little Upward Dog.   You inspire  me to get back to yoga!

  You are the happiest baby around. You wake up talking and singing; never crying.   Even this morning you woke up in the dark and sang away until I came in to see you.   You sing in the car when we are driving around and you are very content and happy to hang in the office with us all day.  I give you credit for knowing to be quiet when the phone rings, because you do it every time.   I may be getting over confident, but I am fine answering work phone calls with you in my arms because you cooperate.   You are already an important part of Team Brager in the office!

If… nope…. WHEN you see something you want, you can get it.  You reach for it, you get it, and you can get it directly into your mouth.  The trial and error is gone.  You can do it.  Your Dad and I still cheer when we see you grab for your Nuk and get it in your mouth, but we aren’t surprised.   I, however, was surprised this afternoon when you went down for your nap with your green nuk, but woke up with your pink nuk.   I swear you smirked at me too when I noticed.   I know you are a smart girl, and I am positive you know much more than you are letting on to.

I can’t wait to see what surprises you have in store for un in the coming weeks!  Love you Sweet Girl!