Wonder Weeks

When Nataleigh was a baby there were times when I felt so hopeless as a mom because she was acting out of sorts. I knew of this particular study/theory/book when she was a baby but didn't look into it. With Mia, however I was very curious to see what the Wonder Weeks were all about. Looking back at Nataleigh's "moments" it truly lines up with what the Wonder Weeks suggest is possibly happening! I have noticed Mia doing the same exact things at the same time.
Basically the idea is that at certain times babies have developmental leaps. It's really a hard time for them as they are trying to figure these new things out during their leaps. You will tend to see more fussiness, clingyness, change in temperament, loss of appetite and poor sleeping.
This last Wonder Week we were in (WW37) was at 37 weeks. For about 2.5 weeks she was all of the above mentioned. After it was over she was back to her normal self: eating, sleeping, happy. Plus, she came out of the leap crawling, noticing her surroundings more, and just doing more things than she previously had been.
I love this book because it gives great ideas to help encourage their new milestones.
It's interesting and definitely a great help to mommies/caregivers

Click here to read more about the Wonder weeks!

Here's a great blog on this last wonder week we were in.

Mia-1 more tooth

Sure enough as I suspected Mia FINALLY has cut another tooth-a top tooth. It's not her top front but the next one over from those (the eye tooth?). This makes 3 total. AHHH....my girls are HORRIBLE teethers! :(
On another note Nataleigh is working on bringing all last top and bottom molars in. I believe the two bottom have yet to cut through and she will have all of her teeth! YAY!!

Dinner: Quinoa Burgers

This is a favorite around here! We enjoy these with a slice of avacado, tomato, romaine lettuce leaf and ketchup. It's so filling there is no need for a bun. Occasionally I will make some homemade sweet potato fries to go along with this meal.
I have my pan on the stove top going along with my electric skillet to speed things up.
(this is not my picture)



2 rounded cups cooked quinoa (see note below for cooking instructions)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other variety, if you prefer)
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 medium carrot, finely grated (OR 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed)-I prefer the zucchini
3 eggs
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 green onions, including white parts
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Olive oil for frying

To cook quinoa:
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a medium saucepan bring the 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the seeds are tender. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

In a large bowl combine the cooked quinoa, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, green onions, sugar, pepper, cumin, salt, and garlic powder.
Heat a frying pan and a couple teaspoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Mixture will be slightly sticky, so using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop mixture into pan and lightly flatten to 1/2 inch thick. Fry until golden-brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Makes approx. 10 burgers.

Spelt Choc. Chip cookies

A picture for the day...
Our favorite cookie around here! Spelt Chocolate Chip Cookies from the back of the Arrowhead Mills Spelt flour package...



Spelt Chocolate Chip Cookies
adapted from Arrowhead Mills (back of the Spelt Flour Package)
Printer friendly recipe

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup Turbinado Sugar (Raw Sugar)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup spelt flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips (or a little more!)

Preheat oven to 350º. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter with the sugar, egg and vanilla. Blend in the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir well. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop onto an oiled baking sheet by teaspoonfuls and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until done.

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies.

Growing!

Growth is painful but part of life. Being a mother of two there have been many challenges but it's growing me and I'm learning. As fast as I'm growing my kiddos are growing 10x as fast it seems! The whole month of December I couldn't believe the difference in Nataleigh's understanding of Christmas. She was like a sponge this year and it was so much fun to teach her about our whole reason for celebrating! Our celebration consisted of Christmas at home, Church, trips back and forth to Grandpa and Nonna's and Christmas celebration with them, celebration in Indiana, Steiner sleepover and Youngstown on New Years...whew...we were busy! With young kids I thought I was going to turn crazy! I chose not to though (tried not too at least) and tried to remember they are only going to be young once-it would not be like this every Holiday! ;)
There was much recouperation afterwards and a little sickness and throw in there a huge developemental leap for both of the girls and it's made for one growing January! Nataleigh acts so grown up now and is a wonderful, loving Big Sis. Mia is signing, crawling, clapping and shaking her head yes. She's also trying to talk and gets very frustrated when she can't communicate what she wants. (we're working on signs and hopefully she will learn more soon) She's all about the finger foods and loves her Big Sis so much.
It melts my heart to walk into the room and see the girls playing together. This is what I envisioned when Mia was growing inside of my womb and the reality of it is here. I try not to get so caught up in the everyday because I don't want this to be a blur. I'm trying to embrace each moment because I know good or bad this will not last forever. It's tough, it's challenging and I wouldn't trade it for anything-even though some days I would tell you otherwise :)

Here's to growing!
A walk around the mall to get out of the house during the cold, winter months!

January pics

Enjoying the great outdoors on a strange warm wintry day...



A much needed night out for Daddy and Mommy! East 4th in downtown Cleveland!!


A stroll in the mall on a wintry day...



Eating Finger Foods like a champ...