Elise is 4 months old!

Elise had her 4 month check up on Friday.  I can't believe she is already 4 months old.   We got the go ahead for sunscreen, bug spray and to start some rice cereal!  Woohoo!  Stay tuned for some first time eating pics.  She just started daycare last week and she is rocking it.  She is doing great with her schedule and seems very happy whenever I pick her up. 


On a more serious note: After her last appointment at 2 months we referred to an ENT for a small little whole in her neck.  We found out that it is a branchial cleft fistula and it needs to be surgically removed when she is 6 months old.  Hopefully it is a non-event, but please pray for a seamless surgery and great recovery. 


Elise 4 month stats: (link to Boston's 4 months stats)
Weight: 14 lbs (75%)
Height: 25" (75%)
Noggin: 43cm (95%)


A few new things about my little lovey:


-She loves to goo and gaa and smile.  If you bury your face in her armpit or neck and make a funny noise, she belly laughs.
-She loves to look at herself in the mirror.
-She is learning how to roll over.  She has flipped over to her stomach a couple times in her crib and has been sleeping on her side some.
-She is officially un-swaddled as of last week.  I was really nervous about this because Boston had a tough time.  We had to start with one arm out, then both arms out and still swaddle his body for a long time or else he would keep waking up.  I just popped Elise in a sleep slack one night last week and she didn't make a peep all night.  After few nights of that, I took the sleep sack off and just put her in jammies and same thing.  Not a PEEP!  Yay!
-She does great sitting up in the bumbo and we just starting putting her in the exersaucer. Boston got a little jealous of the exersaucer...told her "no baby no" and wanted a turn.  I put him in it for a minute and he got real bored real quick, so hopefully he's over that.  Actually, the weird thing is Boston also still sits in the Bumbo.  I think because he is so skinny minny.  He sits in it to watch TV sometimes. 
-She has a really strong grasp and has been yanking on my hair...oh joy!
-And she loves her silly brother.  He get's in her face and kisses and hugs her.  He's gentle 'most' of the time.  Every once in a while she'll cry because he puts all of his body weight on her.  But he has started to say "I'm sawwy", so then he'll pat her head and in the sweetest little voice, say "I'm sawwwy, baby".  Melts my heart!


And of course, enjoy some recent pics of both kiddos!

 Boston at the petting zoo with a guinea pig

Jammie Time!  Bo has crazy morning hair...

Exersaucer pics :)

 My little guy watering plants 

 and sweeping

 and trying my new birthday boots on!

 And last but not least.  Happy Father's Day to the best Dad in this universe!  Here was the finished product from this little photo sesh.  I'll post some of the bloopers/favorites, too!

New Kitchen and my fave summer cocktail!

Hi folks!  My post today is a little different...I wanted to show off our mini kitchen remodel we just did.  The kitchen was one of the things I loathed when we moved into our house.  Imagine the walls also a light shade of pink and voila, it looked like a pretty in pink, petpo bismol kitchen.  The granite has some rose colors in it, but I thought I could make it work by painting the cabinets and replacing the rose colored back splash.    I hired a husband wife duo, Jim and Debbie, and they did a fabulous job.  If anyone in Austin needs any remodel or electrical work done, I highly recommend them!

So, on to the good stuff.  Here are the before pics.  I did not plan it this way, but my kitchen is super messy when these pics were taken and of course it's all clean when I take the after pics...but you can still see the dramatic difference. 

 Also, if you notice in this picture that there are white cords coming out of the under cabinet lighting and into the outlets.  I also had these rewired behind the new back splash so there are no more ugly cords in the way!

 And notice the handles/pulls...I also purchased new hardware for this project!

And, duh duh duh DUH!  Here are the after pics.  I am in love and think this looks like a whole new kitchen.  The paint color on the cabinets is called "less brown", it is a greyish brownish color and I LOVE it!

 Here you can see the new hardware and back splash up close!

As promised, here is my new favorite summer cocktail.  My friend, Beth, discovered it first, so I can't take all the credit, but it is DEEEELISHHH!


RASPBERRY BEER COCKTAIL

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries* 
• 3 1/2 (12-oz.) bottles beer, chilled 
• 1 (12-oz.) container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1/2 cup vodka
• Garnish: lemon and lime slices 

Preparation

1. 1. Stir together first 4 ingredients. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.
2. *Fresh raspberries may be substituted.
3. Note: To make ahead, stir together lemonade concentrate and vodka in a large container. Chill up to 3 days. Stir in raspberries and beer just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Southern Living 
APRIL 2010

And this post doesn't seem complete without a couple pics of my kiddies.  

Tummy Time

Sitting in the boppy!

 Little man with his new spider man mask/cape combo.  Makin' his dad proud!