Wednesday, February 29

Dear Ainsley [Week 26/6 months]

Happy Half Birthday little one! We celebrated this 1/2 Birthday with a dinner out and a couple shots in your thigh! I'm pretty sure Papa and I got the better end of the deal, but we promise from here on out, your 1/2 Birthdays will be more pleasant!

1/2 Birthday Celebration Cake!
Papa and I enjoyed it
and you enjoyed it as well...
just a bit delayed! ;)

Your vitals checked in at 26.5 inches and 18 pounds 9 ounces! Now we thought for sure you were over 20 lbs because a couple weeks ago I held you to weigh you and it was at 20. Oh well. You'll be twenty pounds soon enough, and until then Papa and I will continue to use you as our 18 pound dumbsmartbell while working out!

Speaking of working out, even though the jiggle of a nightime car ride isn't enough to put you into a slumber, Papa and I have been jogging with you in your jogging stroller and it seems to have just the right amount of jiggle to put you right to sleep! Papa commented on our last right we know exactly what to do come spring/summer time if you decide you want to make it a late night. We'll see. :)

Bundled up lil' sleeping duck!


Over the past couple weeks, we've discovered your new favorite "toy". You see formerly your favorite toy--or rather my favorite toy for you--was a lil' bumble bee that when you bend the one wing it vibrates! We've had lots of "buzz, buzzz, buzzzzzz" times with this bee, but I think you've had a change of heart. Now your fancy favorite seems to be... a piece of paper! You've crinkled lots of church bulletins and even "eaten" an AEP bill [too bad that's not an excuse not to pay it!]

Momma's Beauty :)


Let's see, last but not least, you had your first accident this week. Papa & I rose from bed, you continued to snooze away. Well then you woke with your usual smiles, sneezes and gas. You seemed content, but then within a few minutes you let out a cry. Not just any cry, but a painful cry, Papa rushed in to find you on the floor! Yikes! You rolled/scooted/inched your way right off the bed, taking a pillow with you and bonked your noggen on the way down. Thankfully, Papa watched you like a hawk the rest of the day and you must have a tough head because it didn't seem to affect you too much! Whew!

Much love little one!
-Momma


P.S. You successfully drank from a cup
this week! My, oh my, slow down!!

Wednesday, February 22

Dear Ainsley [Week 24-25]

Baby Cakes--

Well my goal was to write you weekly for the first 6 months of your life and then monthly thereafter. Well I completely missed last [last] week. Drats! So thinking back to Week 24--which is my favorite number which makes the absense even lamer sadder--the biggest thing was Papa and my amazement with your movement! That backwards wiggle is getting better and better and Papa is convinced within 2 weeks you'll be crawling forward!

Also that week of your life included the Super Bowl. We headed out to Grandma & Grandpa Massie's, enjoyed a lot of food, and some watched the game! I had you as an excuse to not pay one bit of attention to the game--who won anyways! ;)--and realmly, you'll soon learn, the Super Bowl is translated commercials! Those weren't even that great this year. Ah, well.

Last but not least, this week's development/change we've noticed is that instead of sucking on your entire hand or your forefinger and thumb, you've begun to suck just your thumb. I'm not sure why the change, but for some reason it's incredibly cute--perhaps because it's YOU! ;)

Thumb Sucker


Now on to Week 25. This was one looong week! I had Parent-Teacher Conferences which means 2-12 hours days, but the wonderful part is that I was off Friday to compenstate for the late nights and we were cancelled Tuesday--your first Valentine's Day so it bad more some great Momma & Ains time! [Remember lil' one, your papa is your first Valentine, and any future Valentine's should be of his caliber!]

Someone found a bite of V-Day cookie!


In addition to the time we got to spend together, you also spent some time with your Aunt Joie and cousins Sondra and Stuart. I'm sure you were just taking in all their energy, but I know they sure enjoyed time with you!  As you grow older, I hope you have a special bond with your cousins. I hope Sondra is one you can look to as an older friend and Micah, Silas, and Stu are your adventurous protectors!

Clum Cousins

Thursday evening, you had your first slumber party guest--none other than Sondra Ray! She just. loves. you! We had a great time together and I look forward to many "Girl Cousin Sleepovers" in the future!!

Such a great cousin/helper!

Ay, ay, ay! This week has making me think to the future and cling to the present! Love you little one!

Momma

Thursday, February 16

Photo Challenge: Day 16

Something new...
A new adventure...
A new experience...
Girl Cousin Slumber Party :-)


Tuesday, February 14

Photo Challenge Day 14

Heart... this one just happens to be shaved onto Mister's chest. True love? Crazy love! :-)


Photo Challenge Day 13

Blue... hearts on Ains' pjs :-)

Photo Challenge Day 12

Inside My Closet

Photo Challenge: Day 11

Makes Me Happy
Mister & Ains, and the two of them together!

Friday, February 10

Thursday, February 9

Photo Challenge: Day 9

Front Door

Yes, we still have our Christmas wreath up,
and yes, I know it's February!


Wednesday, February 8

Photo Challenge: Day 7 & 8

February Photo Challenge

Day 7: Button


A button.
And a missing one from today's pants.
 Day 8: Sun


Monday, February 6

Photo Challenge: Day 6


Pasta & Salad with lots of yummy toppings! :)

Sunday, February 5

Goal #68 Photo Challenge In Progress

The other day on Pinterest my lovely friend had pinned a February Photo Challenge. Immediately I thought of Goal #68 and mentally signed myself up! :)

I was trying to decide how I'd go about documenting my daily pics and debated back and forth--post them each day or wait until the end of the month or post the weekly recap of the previous week. At first I went with the third option but secondly decided to go with the first option. [How's that for sequencing confusion?! :)]

Here's the daily challenge:

Source


And here are my pics so far:

Day 1: My View
Wednesdays are snuggle evenings
while Papa's at work.

Day 2: Words
Words written straight to my heart!
On day 5 we still haven't seen a single one.

Day 3: Hands
Mister's hand on my knee.
Security.

Day 4: Stranger Strange Ranger
I didn't leave the house this day
so I need Chris to pose for me. :)

Day 5: 10am
Walking in to Sunday School late right on time.

From here on out, I'll be posting the necessary pics daily. Enjoy! :)

Saturday, February 4

Dear Ainsley [Week 23]

Hey Sweet Thang!

You're smiles continue to melt my heart and I absolutely love waking up to you each morning! We've heard all kinds of "advice" telling us how awful of decision we are making by co-sleeping--everything from warnings of smoothering you in the middle of the night because that's what they say on CSI to fears about you never gaining independence. Most of the nay-sayers do have semi-legit warnings so to speak, but Baby Girl, I wouldn't trade our last 5+ months of sleeping arrangements for the world! [And I've done plenty of reading/researching to heed off those warnings with lots of benefits!]

Sure there will come a time when you are officially out of our bed and into your own [likely when Massie #2 arrives :)] but for now, I am going to continue to do what I've been striving to do since Saturday, August 27 at 3:17 a.m.--soak in every moment! Your snuggling throughout the night, your smiles in the morning, and not to mention the ease of feedings when you wake in the night all make making a double bed big enough for three well worth it! [Your Grandma & Grandpa informed me that a king is big enough for 6!]

When everything in the world is right.

So smiley.
Well baby girl, this one is going to be a short one for two reasons. #1. You didn't have any big milestones this week and #2 I'm tired and ready to join you in our bed!!

Blossoming Beauty!
Love you like a fat kid loves cake!

-Momma

P.S. I did have a student ask this week, "Ms. Massie, what's your baby's name again?"
"Ainsley."
"Man, I'm never gonna remember that!"
"Just call her Princess then. That's what I do!" :)

P.P.S. I have another student who refers to you as "Baby Isaiah" and asks about you regularly. You were actually do on his birthday! :)

Goal #74: Don't Judge!

Remember my goals and how some of you rolled your eyes at a few?! Well Monday I accomplished one of those goals.


Goal #74 Pee. My. Pants.


Before you judge--if you haven't already--hear me out!


After spin, I had to go buuut we live a short mile and an half from where I work out and I didn't want to make ask my momma-cita to watch Ains while I took care of business. I mean I'm 25 years old. I can hold it for a few more minutes. Ain't no thang!


I load Ains into the car and climb into the drivers seat. Ugh! Sitting while having to go always makes it worse! As I pulled out of the parking lot, I dial Mister to ask aka warn him that the moment I got home I'd be rushing to the bathroom so if he could come out and get Ainsley, that'd be greatly appreciated! Yeah, well, no answer.


1 mile from home. I doubting my ability to hold it and have officially began a serious potty dance. I began talking to Ains to try to distract myself. This was not looking good.


And then I remembered Goal #74.


I thought about just letting it go right then and there, but really didn't want to it to soak into the leather seats--or cause some sort of crazy electrical short with the heated seats. What to do?! What to do!? As I made the turn onto our street. Three blocks. I can do it. As I continued to bounce which by this time was more like accelerating and then kicking both legs while the car coasted a bit [there was a car in front of me or else I likely would've been going 50mph!

I decided I was going to do it. I just needed to get to my driveway, open the car door and get out! But first I needed to rake off my shoes, and so I did, and I was already to relax and stop doing the crazy potty dance! I pulled in. Threw the car in park. Spilled out of the front seat.

And peed my pants! And laughed about it.

Chris came to the door [in his towel, hence the reason he didn't answer his phone], looked at me puzzled, and then we shared some more laughter!


As a side note, my pee spot was still there the next day
and I may or may not have laughed out loud like a goon when I saw it again! :)


So there you have it. The play-by-play of Goal #74, but perhaps more than the importance of that story is the "why" behind that story! Why would any twenty-something make it a goal to pee their pants?

Because it's freeing!

Seriously. Try it. All your life--well except for the first 2-3 years--we are told how "accidents" aka peeing your pants is embarassing and something you ought not to do. I promise you that if you fulfill this goal on your own, it is one of the most odd tension in that moment that you decided to start peeing. On the toilet it takes no effort to start. In your driveway, it definitely takes a bit of surrendering. I'd say it's worth it. Perhaps healthy ever so often! Ha! And as long as you take off those shoes, a quick jump in the shower and tossing your bottom garments in the wash and you're good to go with your night!

Don't be embarassed. Pee your pants. All the cool kids are doing it! ;)

Wednesday, February 1

Mexican Marshmallows

I've been in the kitchen a bit the past couple of days and as a result have a couple of recipes for y'all! Don't worry I have two separate recipes one for salsa and one for marshmallows! Unless you are completely disgusting daring and want to eat them together! ;)

Alright. First for the salsa. A week ago Monday, Megan brought some homemade salsa to TFC for our snack. It was de.li.cious! Immediately I asked for the recipe, and Chris agreed this was necessary. It is uber simple, uber delicious, and uber customizable--trifecta!

Here's the original recipe with my adaptations:
"Fresh" salsa
Combine the following ingredients in a large bowl:
     1 can whole kernel corn
     1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
     1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
     1 pepper [red, green, whateve], diced
     1 red onion, diced [I only used 1/2 an large onion.]
     1 tomato, diced [I used 2 cans of diced tomatoes, drained.]
     1 c. cilatro [I used maybe 1/4 c. because cilatro makes me gag leaves a funny taste in the back of my mouth.]



Mix the following ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to large bowl:
     1 Tablespoon sugar
     1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian dressing, prepared OR 3 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning, 3 Tablespoons Vinegar, and 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
     2 teaspoons chili powder

Feel free to adjust ingredients to your preferences.

Colorful = Ah.mazing.

 Enjoy! It's best if you put it in the fridge for a bit to let the flavors marinate but totally not necessary if you can't hold yourself back! It makes a pretty large portion unless your name is Chris or Rachel, then it only makes a 2-person portion! ;)

************************************************************************************************************

Marshmallows
Switching gears, awhile ago I came across a recipe for marshmallows. I'm not sure if it was on Pinterest or from blog hopping, but nevertheless, it perked my interest. Marshmallows are one of those things that if I really thought about it of course I knew there had to be a homemade method, but I guess I really never thought about it. [Very similar to when I put together that pumpkin pies were made from the same thing as jack o'lanterns. Don't judge. That revolution was in late high school...at least.]

We had all the ingredients on hand except geletin and I kept forgetting to get that at the grocery, so finally this weekend I remembered and took my hand at making marshmallows. The recipe I found uses beer so they have a bit of a malty-taste, but even non-beer drinkers aka me won't be turned off by that ingredient as it's not a strong flavor! I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the mallows, so I followed the suggestion of the recipe I followed and ended up dipping them in chocolate and putting some crushed pretzles atop. Again, don't judge, just try! :)

So without further ado, here's the recipe for Chocolate Covered Beer Marshmallows.

Beer Marshmallows
makes one 9 x 13 pan of marshmallows

2 tablespoons + 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin or 3 1/2 packets of Knox
1 cup cold, flat* beer, divided in two
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites [Make sure you have these before you start or your husband will have to run to the store and be your Mallow Hero! Not that that is from experience. :S]
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups dark chocolate morsels
2 cups milk chocolate morsels
pretzels, crushed

*Note: To flatten the beer, you can take the cap off the bottle and leave open overnight. Or if you don't want to plan ahead you can do what I did and pour beer into a bowl and use a whisk to remove some carbonation.*

Generously spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle on powdered sugar to cover and coat. Set aside. In the bowl of your electric mixer with a whisk attachment, pour 1/2 cup cold beer and 3 1/2 packs of gelatin. Gently mixed with a spoon once, then let sit while you make the sugar mixture.



In a large-ish pot [I know that's real specific, but the original recipe called for a medium pot and that wasn't big enough for me and I had to switch over mid-recipe] combine sugar, remaining beer, syrup and salt. Heat over low heat and whisk until sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Turn heat up to medium and let sugar come to a boil. Note: It will bubble up even though you used flat beer so keep your eyes on it or it'll overflow! Let it boil for 8-12 minutes, until it reaches 240 degrees (use a candy thermometer). The mixture may appear to be a lightish brown color depending on the beer you use, but your mallows will still be white.



Once mixture is at 240 degrees F, turn off heat and gently pour it in the mixing bowl with  the gelatin with the mixer on low speed. Once all of the sugar has been added, turn the mixer to high and beat for for 6-8 minutes. It will grow in size and be white and fluffy.



About 3-4 minutes in, add the egg whites to a separate bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. It's easiest if you have a hand mixer to use for this or else you'll have to take off the mallow-covered whisk, clean it or put on another one and then switch out your mixing bowl. It'd be sticky, messy to say the least. Once stiff peaks are formed, add egg whites and vanilla extract to the sugar/gelatin mixture and beat until just combined.

It's always important to taste test.
Don't worry the blue spatula didn't make another appearance
with the mallows once it touched out lips!
My momma taught me right!


Pour marshmallow mix into the 9 x 13 pan. Possibly an impossibly sticky task. :) Get as much as you can from the bowl and then spray a spatula with non-stick spray and smooth, if necessary. Dust powdered sugar on top and let sit to firm up for 3-5 hours.



Once firm, you may be able to turn the pan upside down on a cutting board to release marshmallow rectangle. I wasn't quite able to do such so I cut the mallows in the pan and then removed them in "strips" to remove much more easily. Cut them into pieces of whatever size you like.

Melt chocolate chips in microwave [or however you prefer] and in a separate bowl put crushed pretzels. Using a fork, toothpick or corncob poker holders :), coat marshmallows in chocolate then sprinkle with or roll in pretzel crumbs. Let sit at room temperature until chocolate hardens.



Enjoy! Marshmallows can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.

[Recipe Taken from How Sweet It Is here.]

Have you tried any new recipes worth sharing lately?!


P.S. Now that I retyped this recipe, I realized that I used too much beer. 1 cup does not equal 12 ounces. Duh, math teacher! They still turned out well but now thinking about it it makes sense why they weren't as firm as I thought they should be! Guess I'll just have to make 'em again!