No Bottles....

Peyton has decided that bottles are no longer acceptable and that she will only eat from the real thing. Are you kidding me? Unfortunately not. She started this when she spent the night at Granny's however she cried herself to sleep and then when she woke up and I wasn't there she gave in and took the bottle. We were hoping it was a one time thing however we realized yesterday that it was not.

I went over to a friend's house yesterday to watch her little girl so she could get her house together (they just moved back into their house after damage from Hurricane Ike about six months ago). My mom agreed to watch Peyton so I wouldn't be too crazy with two babies and I left a bottle for her. Well, around 3:00 PM I get a call that Peyton is screaming crying and refusing the bottle. I headed over there to feed Peyton and when I got there saw a red eyed grumpy little girl. I tried giving her the bottle myself and more screaming. So I gave up and fed her myself.

So, then last night I asked John to try and you would have thought that we ripped her leg off. She was so upset. I went ahead and fed her on one side and then offered her the bottle and she took it but not very well.

I am REALLY frustrated as this means I can't be away from her for more than a couple of hours which doesn't work out well with me going to the Rodeo on Friday with my two sisters. We will be trying the bottle again tonight in hopes that I don't have to cancel my plans on Friday. Once again...what a turkey!

Glamourous Deal

I personally get pretty tired of reading baby/parenting books and magazines and I am too cheap to buy magazines at the grocery store so...imagine my excitement to hear about this great deal....

12 issues of Glamour for $1.50! Yes...6 quarters for 12 wonderful issues of mommy only fashion and makeup goodness reading material! I am sure many of you can just appreciate the great deal that it is even if you don't read Glamour.

Click here to learn more!

Pretty flower in the park

Today was a beautiful day and since it was so nice outside I decided to stop cleaning, put Peyton in a dress and head to the park to take some pictures! Grandma came along to help and we got some great pictures. I will upload the rest tomorrow but here are a couple. I think we will be making more trips to the park in the near future...it was so much fun!

Squash

Tonight squash made its debut at the dinner. The reviews weren't too high but I think it shows great promise. We will see how it goes tomorrow!

Eggplant, Pesto and Goat-Cheese Pizza

I made this a bunch of times when we were living in our apartment but haven't made it in almost two years so I decided to bring it back last night and it was as yummy as I remembered. It is really easy and quick to make and is a nice treat from plain Jane pizza.

Ingredients

Olive oil

1 eggplant cut unto 1/4 inch slices

Salt

Pizza dough (store bought or homemade. I normally buy Pillsubury pizza dough but make sure to use a non stick cookie sheet)

3 cloves of minced garlic

Fresh ground pepper

6 ounces of mild goat cheese cut into 1/4 slices

1/2 cup grated parmesan

1/2 cup of pesto

1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large non stick frying pan heat some olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) over moderatly high height. Season the eggplant with some salt. Fry the eggplant in batches, turning until golden about 10 minutes. Add more olive oil if needed between batches
2. Press pizza dough onto pan following the directions on the box.
3. Arrange the eggplant slices on the pizza crust. Sprinkle garlic and pepper over the top. Bake for 12 minutes. Put the slices of goat cheese on the pizza and sprinkle with the parmesan and then dot with the pesto. Bake until the chees begins to turn golden, about 15 minutes.

Another mouth to feed...

It is definitely time for Peyton to explore solids beyond rice cereal. She is so interested in food around her and is always grabbing for things, tasting and it is almost cruel to be eating in front of her.

So, Tuesday we made a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond to get all of the supplies (a better food processor, some covered ice cube trays and a couple of take along storage containers) we need to start making our own baby food. I have decided that since I am staying home now that I will try to make her own baby food and see how that goes. I have done an insane amount of research and true to my over organizational side...I made a binder complete with dividers for all of the information that I printed off from various sources. Beyond my research, I have talked to a couple of moms that made their own baby food and it seems easy enough. Just as a reference, the main site that I found the most helpful is www.wholesomebabyfood.com.

While we were out we also had lunch with Granny at La Madeleine where Peyton continued her interest in drinking from the cup, and tasted some bread. She kept grabbing at my salad but I think she has to wait on that. Finally we went to Kroger to pick up Peyton some fresh produce. She got butternut squash, green beans, sweet potatoes, avocados, apples and pears.

Then last night I started on making her food and it was so EASY! I started with bananas because the squash was baking and those were a breeze and then when the squash was done baking I made that up and it was ridiculously simple. In the end we already have over 60 ounces of baby food made (only squash and bananas though). I calculated that in order to break even I would have to make 76 ounces of food. I am doing pretty well considering how much more veggies and fruits I have.

So...since I have some yummy butternut squash cooked and pureed...guess what we will be doing this afternoon? Trying some squash! I am so excited to see her face!

Also, this week we have introduced a sippy cup to Peyton. She really doesn't get anything out of it the majority of the time but since she is so interested in our cups I figured she could have her own. She is doing pretty well though and is managing to get it right side in her mouth most of the time.

My Opinion on the Bachelor

I know this is a break from normal blogging topics...but I have a comment to make about the Bachelor..... "RIDICULOUS!" The Bachelor show is officially no longer worth my time and I have officially given up the idea that two people can fall in love and have a lasting life-long commitment by going on a show, dating 24 other women, having planned and unrealistic dates (blimp rides, million dollar necklaces, New Zealand...come one, like one can really do that all the time..if ever) and while being given insane amounts of wine for six straight weeks. I know it was a stretch to believe that it could work but after this weeks event...I have officially lost hope.

My thoughts were very well summed up by Big Mama's blog entry you can read here.

Although for the time being I have sworn off the Bachelor... I will be tuning in May for the Bachelorette. Why you may ask? Because I feel that a woman are might possibly have a better chance at choosing a partner out of 25 members of the opposite sex and honestly...could the new Bachelorette cry or be any more emotional than the last Bachelor...probably not...and finally, the new Bachelorette is a Canadian and we all know that Canadians have it together. I am looking forward to Jillian and supporting my fellow Canadian! As for Jason...ugh!

Big Girl Adventures

Peyton had a day full of big girl activities...which leaves me excited to see her trying new things but sad that she is growing up so fast. I can't believe it has almost been six months :(

First, we went to the grocery store and she tried out sitting in the cart for the first time. She thought that was pretty amazing and was fasincated by all of the toys on the cart cover. Thanks Uncle Ron for that!

While we were out we picked up a high chair for her! We went with one that pulls up to the table or you can use the tray. Well, she was in a great mood when we were eating dinner tonight so I decided to let her try it out and play with her bowl, spoon and cup. I figured since she is starting solids next week or so that it would be good for her to get used to her chair and be more involved with dinnner time to help peak her interest (not that she needs that since she is so interested already).

Well...I am in love with our new dinner guest....she is adorable and you should have her over sometime!

New Pictures

Grandparents and anyone else who is interested...I have uploaded a bunch of new pictures of Peyton under five months. Enjoy!

Slumber Party at Grandma's

Yesterday Peyton had her first slumber party at Grandma's!

John had a work party that night and since it wouldn't be done until around 11:00 PM we figured it would probably be easier for all for Peyton to just stay at Granny's until the morning. As you could probably guess...this was much harder for mom to handle than anyone else! Especially since this was the first time I have been away from her overnight or the first time she has woken up without seeing me.

Peyton got her bags all together including bottles for that night and for her morning feeding and was ready to go. She made sure to bring her own little suitcase that Auntie Ashley bought for her, as well....

Overall everything went well with Granny and Peyton (minus the meltdown because she didn't want to have a bottle) and John and I had a great time and a nice evening together. It was nice to be able to get all dressed up!

At the same time...this morning was the worst feeling ever. Well, it actually started last night when we got home and I realized there was no baby to be caring for. But it was even worse this morning. I had to get up around when she would normally to pump some milk (TMI...I know) and then we started getting ready for the day. It was weird to be so relaxed and not rushed but at the same time we both felt empty. I even went into her room and felt sick almost because I missed her so much. I went over this morning around eight to find a sound asleep little baby in Granny's bed and I was so happy when she woke up and I got my big Peyton smile. I know she had a great time since she constantly kept trying to look and play with my mom instead of me...hello...you haven't seen your mom all night! Either way....I am sure this will be the first of many slumber parties and we are so blessed that we have Granny so close to watch her.