Fall Updates

I can't believe B is almost one year old!! He is so much more interactive. We have a couple of new games that we play - one of course being peek-a-boo. B walks (holding onto furniture) around the couch then slowly sneaks up on us - and we pop around the corner and shout "Boo!" He laughs and repeats it over and over! He also likes to be chased, thrown up in the air and fake-dropped. He likes to take one step towards you, wait until you make some goofy noise then he turns and runs away while squealing with laughter! Then he turns back and waits for another goofy sound - he loves to play this with Mike. Here are some other new things happening in B-land...

Chili in, Chili...

I made batch of Mexican Chili and although a touch spicy, Bennett loved it! He even cried when I showed him the bowl was empty...he ended up having two B-sized bowls of chili!


The next day when I made a bowl for lunch, B crawled over to investigate. I dipped my spoon in the sauce and let him slurp at it and again, he was quite upset when I finished the last bite!


Yum, Chili!!! We have also been blessed with an extra-gassy baby!


Look how BIG my teeth are!!

Two on the bottom...



...and one on top (the top right erupted two days ago and the left is visible under the gums!) [Courtesy shot of yogurt on the face!]


Another view of his top tooth

Playing with apples in the front yard



There's that pointer finger!


Some of the apples were too big to pick up with one hand but that didn't stop little B from trying. He would set down one apple to pick up another with both hands, get a good hold on it and then try to pick up the first apple. Of course, he had to set down the apple he was holding onto and the cycle continued.


Finally! Success at having one in each hand!


Home Projects - Landscaping (or should we say land scraping?)

The bushes in front of the house appeared original (1968) and were massively overgrown. If we had opted to trim them back there would have only been branches left and no greenery.


Another view of the front of the house.


Mike used the Patriot truck to remove the fence posts and pull out the bushes.


And, well, the bushes are gone. And now the house looks more like a trailer than ever before!


At least this part was cost-free (minus fuel for the truck) and we definitely have a chore ahead of us in the spring!


Recipe for Mexican Chili (Too easy!)

1lb ground turkey (browned)
1 can kerneled corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (or try 1 can regular/1 can with chilies)
1pkg taco seasoning (also good with the low sodium version)
1pkg dry ranch dressing mix (don't bother with the "low fat" - they are the same prior to making actual dressing)

Pour all ingredients (including canned liquids) into the crock pot. Heat. Enjoy.

I tend to use all Meijer ingredients unless brand name is cheaper and the entire dish is less than $15 - Mike and I (and now B) can enjoy 3-4 bowls each. This is a great winter/cold day/no time to make dinner recipe!