What's Cookin?

I am still the executive chef in the Daigle kitchen....my latest specialty being baby food. I slowly introduced every fruit and vegetable that she can have and lately I have been mixing different foods together. I actually cheat because I go hang out in the baby food aisle at H.E.B and check out what they mix together. Then, I just copy! Someone recently asked me if I though it really saved money, so this week I kept track of what I bought and made and I will share my findings here. The main reason I make her food isn't really to save money, so whether it's cheaper or not, I will keep doing it. Like I said, I'm the executive chef here & I like it. 

New on the menu for this week are: 

Butternut & Acorn Squash

Peas & Sweet Potato

Blueberries & Banana

Mango & Apple 

The squash all roasted up. It smelled like Thanksgiving in April.

Squash is pureed. Yum!

Peas & Sweet Potato. Note: Peas should go on the bottom because they are more difficult to puree'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freeze in trays and transfer to freezer bags the next day. Label & date.

 

 I spent a total of $14 on this food. And I will say that $4.98 of that was on the tiniest container of Organic Blueberries (rip off). I still have 4 bananas, 3 mangos, and 2 avacado that I did not use today. Between this batch and the batch I made last week, I should be good for about 3-4 weeks at least. I think we have a pretty good variety too. Lucky Presley!

So, fellow baby foodies, what are your favorite combos? I would love to hear what your little ones loved?

A recap

Wow! 10 days without a post. I am way behind. We were out of town last weekend and I have had STAAR testing this week and I seem to think it's acceptable to use that as an excuse to: eat a lot, skip any kind of workout, shop & eat out after school,  lay on the couch instead of doing chores. Oh, wait I mean my 3rd graders have had STAAR testing. Bless their hearts....it is so stressful!


We had a weekend with the Daigle/Hernandez family and it was such a wonderful time. It isn't very often that we are all together in the same house, but we really should do it more often. We spent Saturday watching the girls kick butt at their soccer games & celebrated Aubrey's first Communion on Sunday. With 4 little girls, there are sweet giggles echoing off the walls and it is contagious, to say the least.

 

We woke Presley up  from a cat nap for this photo. I, of course, had to get a quick pic of all 3 together before we left.  Are they not the most beautiful little girls ever? They melt me!

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  Major exciting progress on our new home! The have been framing since last week and were starting the roof and such today. Get this, Spence takes his lunch and goes to watch them while he eats. I think he should make friends with them and nail a board or two.  They might appreciate it. We chose our cabinets and granite last week. Thank goodness that Spence and I have the same 'vision' and taste for our home because these selections meetings could get pretty confusing. There are so many choices, I had no idea how many types of granite and cabinets there are. Hope we like our choices! hmmmm, what do we do if we don't??

       Look at that! It's crazy how fast they throw this thing up!

      Just a few days later.    

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do we really need that?

So when you have a baby, the list of 'necessities' is like never ending. If you think registering for a wedding was overwhelming, just wait. Babies R Us is ridiculous...but I admit, it's my favorite store. There were a few things that I decided not to register for or purchase, simply because I thought they seemed like a huge waste of money and just too much fuss. So these are my new mommy thoughts on those so called 'necessities'.

Please note: This is just my OPINION. You diaper genie, travel system lovers remember that as you read. I just thought moms to be might want to know what they really don't 'have' to buy. It's all about what works for you!

Bath Time

     



                 Vs.

We only had one bathroom in our house when Presley was born, and it was small, so the last thing I needed was another thing to clean and store every single time we used it. And the thought of setting it up on the kitchen counter, gave me headache. I got this fabulous $5 ladybug sponge that I put right in the regular tub. When Presley was a newborn and up to about a month ago, we laid a thin towel on the sponge and kept her covered and warm. It is such an easy clean up and just hangs on a hook in the tub to dry.

Strolling 

Vs.

When we were stroller shopping, Spencer said, "whatever we get, you have to be able to collapse it with one hand because you will most of the time be holding a baby," Isn't he smart? Well I went to look at my "dream" stroller (similar to the one on the left) and I could not figure the thing out, and was floored to see how big and bulky it was. Not for me!  That little skeleton on the right is the snap n go. And it does exactly what it says. It's super light and easy to throw from car to car or use to run in and out of the mall. When your lil one is ready to sit up, you just upgrade to a lightweight stroller, like the Chicco Lightway, which we just purchased last week. It is not to big, not too small, reclines, has cup holders & storage underneath. Love it! 

Stinkies

The last item I never found to be a true necessity was the Diaper Genie. Pretty much grosses me out to think of diapers sitting in a trash can for several days. I also heard from many people that they do not really mask the smell. So, we use a little bathroom step can and put grocery bags in it. We take it out to the big trash once a day usually....sometimes every other. But let's be honest, I usually walk stinkies to the outside trash right away!

I suggest reading reviews, hundreds of them, before you buy any 'baby item.' Everyone is different and something that is practical for me might not be so for you. 

Here is what I did invest in:

• Jogging Stroller (I love my BOB)
• Bows in every color & size
• Video Monitor
• Toys & Books
• Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag (super stylish) 

Patience

Patience: an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.

We have already learned that {Patience} is required to build a house. We might have a slight problem considering that I can get pretty anxious when it comes to waiting for things. Anyway, there have been delays getting permits, delays because of rain, and now we have been waiting 3 days to see the concrete poured. Apparently, we are on a waiting list. They have promised it will be done by noon Monday. Spence will check at lunch. We drove out there on Saturday because we wanted to get some pictures before they poured the foundation. It was pretty impressive! Looks like it will be one sturdy house and our inspector agrees. Oh, that's something else, our inspector says everything looks beyond good and so far we passed with flying colors. Phew!

Did you know that Spencer is an 'inspector' himself?

 See that port-a-potty? That means they will be out there workin'!

Concrete is poured!! I think this was Wednesday. They worked well into the evening (I know this because Bryan rides his bike over to check it out) and it is ready for the next step.

How cool is that? Building a house is super fun so far. We have a fab realtor and builder who keep us in the loop as things move along. Should see some serious progress here as they begin to frame it.


Bored by my house posts....'baby' related update on it's way!

7 Months

Sweet girl is 7 months today. This will be a quick update because I also have to update her Shutterfly book and upload/edit some pictures from this weekend all before my bedtime in approximately 30 minutes.....yeah, I go to bed at 9:30. Judge if you like, I need my sleep.

Presley.........

• Eats all sorts of fruits and veggies
• Practices with a sippy cup
• Enjoys walks in her stroller
• Loves playing in the pool & bath
• Feeds herself cheerios
• Has 1 tooth
• Is probably getting another tooth as I type this
• Loves to swing
• Says "da-da"
• Responds to her name
• Laughs and squeals
• Is starting to babble
• Doesn't sleep well lately....teeth maybe?
• Tries to pull up (lord help us)
• Would rather stand than sit
• Loves things this make noise
• Puts everything in her mouth.....everything
• Is such a joy

A 'GOOD' Friday

{Swim Team} 

I bought this great floatie from Leslie's Pools....but they have many options online. Has a great shade and keeps her pretty upright, but in submerges in the water. Oh, and it folds up real small An all around winner. Add some 50 SPF, a hat, and a bumble swimmer and you have it made.

 {What a moment.}

 One reason I am so obsessed with my Canon Rebel is because I can capture moments like this. There is no way I could get this with a point & shoot. Too slow, man! The way they are looking at each other is just priceless. She was pulling his hair as if to say, "hey dada, look at me." As a mommy, there is nothing better than watching these two when they don't know I am watching.

{Thankful heart}

What a fun day hanging out by the pool. Just another amenity offered by our new landlord (mom).  So far, living in Katy is a great, definitely can't complain.

Farewell 742

It is so bittersweet for us to move out of this precious house. I keep saying I don't want to leave and Spence just says we are moving up and we can't rent forever. He is, of course, right! We are excited to be buying our first home, but part of our heart will always be here because this is where our life as 'The Daigles' began. Gosh, I am so darn sappy sometimes. This picture to the right was taken the weekend after we moved in after we had worked on the yard all day. We were married just 3 weeks and were so excited about our little house.

We have absolutely fallen in love with this friendly, quaint little neighborhood they call The Heights and we are so glad that we are putting down some more permanent roots here.

Leaving this house, I will miss the character, the glass door knobs, the front porch, the swing, the fireplace, the stained glass, the creaky antique floors, the built ins, the original windows, the wine fridge, the white picket fence, the coziness. I however, will not miss the pedestal sink, the closet situation, the outside laundry, the strange smell after it rains, the plumbing issues, the critters we hear in the walls, the dust, the lack of play space for Presley, the lack of a garage, or the lack of insulation. Ahhhhh, I can already smell shiny polished floors and fresh paint. Here's to moving out and up!

Top Memories on 12th Street

Finding out we were pregnant (1-9-11)

Celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary 

 Bringing our baby girl home

Bryan moving in across the street

Our first Christmas & Presley's first Christmas

 Football watch parties in the backyard 
Dance Parties

Lights in the Heights
Decorating the nursery
Crawfish Boils 
Gender Reveal Party
Walks with the girls 

Winston attacking a opossum in the backyard (LOL)
SO many celebrations......

After 2 full days we are settled in moved in out in Katy. Most of our stuff is in storage and waiting for the new house. It sure is hard to pack for two different places, but we did it. Thanks to Bryan and Dad for helping Spence ALL day Saturday while I was at the carnival. Thanks to GiGi & Gramps for watching P while we moved. Thanks to Mom for letting us invade her space and helping us with P today. What would we do without our family close by? Probably hire movers and babysitters.