Garage Sale

Saturday, June 12th

7am-12 noon

331 N. Van Buren St.

(corner of Van Buren & Davenport, north of Mercy Hospital)

Lots of treasures...

Cookbooks, candles, picture frames, some baby clothes, baby gear, ladies clothes size S & M, mens clothes, home decor, some furniture, TV, kitchen rug, etc., etc.

Stop on by! 

5 months

Jack is 5 months old now and is SO fun!  Here he is on Mother's Day.

And he has a new obsession with his toes.  They are always up in the air like this or in his mouth. 

This was the first time that I ever noticed him sleeping on his side.  He sure looked cozy.  Look at that cute little belly hanging out!

Some tummy time on the hardwood floors.  We usually put him on a blanket but it gets bunched up when he tries to move around.

Jack can sit up for a bit longer now, especially if he's playing with a toy or focusing on something in front of him.  He also tries to sit up if he's laying down in the stroller and sees someone he wants to play with or when he knows he's getting out of his carseat. 

These were taken this morning while we were lounging around in bed. 

A little tickle from Da-Da.

And the last two days he is more and more interested in trying to move forward.  Here he is pushing his little diaper bottom in the air.

Little love-bug.

More updates:

• Jack had about 10 days where he was getting up every night.  He must have just had a growth spurt because now he has slept 11-12 hours straight each night this week.  We're glad to have our good sleeper back!
• When he is tired he can't stop rubbing his eyes with the back of his chubby hand.  It's really cute.
• He's getting good at multi-tasking.  For example, sucking on a toe while kicking the other foot to hit toys from his bouncer seat. 
• He's starting to really snuggle.  And when he sees his reflection in the mirror or something that excites him, he squeels and puts his arms around your neck and snuggles his head on your shoulder. 
• We still haven't given him any cereal or baby food yet.  Look for some messy pictures in the 6 month update!

Garlic Pasta Salad

Andy really loves this pasta salad at our local co-op grocery store.  The nice thing about the co-op is that they list all of the ingredients on the label.  With that, I set out to try to copy the recipe.  I did change a few things, (like using mayo instead of vegannaise and milk instead of buttermilk) but I think we came pretty close!  Not bad for the first Litton Test Kitchen creation!

Garlic Pasta Salad

1 c. mayo

1 Tbsp. jarred minced garlic

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. milk

1/8 t. thyme

1/8 t. oregano

1/4  - 1/2  t. cayenne pepper (depending on how zingy you want it)

1 t. parsley (use fresh if you have it)

1 lb. Callentani Pasta (corkscrew), cooked, drained, and rinsed in cold water

1 c. frozen peas, thawed

1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese (not grated)

Combine the first 8 ingredients.  Mix in with cooked pasta noodles and add peas and parmesan cheese.  Refrigerate and serve.  Warning- garlic breath comes with garlic pasta!

Sausage & Pepper Heros

Sausage & Pepper Heros

1 lb. mild italian sausage links
2 peppers, any color
1 red onion
2 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
Hoagie buns
Swiss cheese

Cut sausage links into 3/4" chunks on a diagonal.  Cook on med/high for about 7-8 minutes.  Add sliced peppers and onions and cook an additional 10 minutes or so or until cooked through.  Add italian seasoning and balsamic vinegar and toss to coat. 

Place hoagie buns opened up on a cookie sheet.  Broil in oven for a minute or so.  Add meat & veggie mixture, top with cheese. Return under broiler for another minute or two.  Enjoy!    

4.5 months

Jack's first time laying in the grass.  He liked it minus the sun in his eyes.

Desiree thinks I always teach Nico bad things like how to blow raspberries with his lips and how to climb stairs.  She thought it would be fun to teach my baby the same.  Thankfully he didn't catch on!

My favorite sister ever!

And she is the best baby wrangler I have ever met!

Jack practicing his tummy time with Uncle Louie.

Jack & Nico with Grandpa & Grandma Schep.

Nico hardly kisses anyone but he always has kisses for his cousin Jack.  He really does love him. 

 Sweet boy!

One happy Grandma!

Andy and I decided to eat downtown IC one night and took a stroll around the ped mall.  It's so nice to live within a short walk of downtown Iowa City.

And here's Jack in front of the Hawkeye black and gold tulips in the Pentacrest.

Sweet boy and handsome Daddy :)

Nothing is better than hearing your baby laugh.  I can get some good laughs out of Jack but Andy can really get him going!

That gummy smile and dimpled cheek are the best!

And here is Jack with his friend Claire.  She spread his burp cloth out on the couch and then motioned for him to go "nye-nye".  She is going to be a great big sister and a wonderful mom someday! 

4 month notes:
25" (51st percentile)
14 lbs., 1 oz. (30th percentile) I can't believe my chubby baby is really in the 30th %!

Jack is the sweetest baby!  As I write this I want to go get him out of his crib and smoosh his little chubby cheeks against mine...and then eat his fingers.  I used to put his whole hand in my mouth but now I just do the fingers.  That's what you get to do when it's your baby!
Jack is continuing to be a great night time sleeper.  I usually nurse him, lay him down with his duck and paci and he's out.  He usually sleeps from 7:15pm-6:30ish.  Not bad!
He is able to sit up on the couch for an extended period of time and can sit up on his own for about 5 seconds...it's a start!
He now has a whiney cry that gets a little high pitched that he pulls out from time to time.  It's very dramatic.
He is actually starting to semi-enjoy tummy time!  He used to cry after about 1-2 minutes on his tummy and now he will play for much longer.

Easter in pictures

3.5 months

Remember all of the belly shots that I took in this spot when I was pregnant?  This picture looks awfully similar...just with a little baby head and leg popping out!  I have been taking walks with Jack in this wrap carrier.  He really likes it.

We have had beautiful summer like weather this week.  That has meant lots of grilling!

Daddy and his mini-me.  I still can't get over how much Jack looks like Andy!

Last night I was filling up the tub for Jack and as I was undressing him I decided I should run outside and take a few pictures of him since it was so nice.  

At first he was calm and relaxed. 

Then he wanted to play a little.

And checking out his arms.  They have been mostly covered since birth.

And trying to remember how he rolls over.

And then he was done!  Time for his bath.

A day or two after I wrote his 3 month update he started rolling over.  He rolls from back to front.  He hasn't quite perfected his front to back yet, but I think it will be any day now.
He is also wanting to reach and touch everything!  If I'm reading him a book he will touch each and every page.  He also puts every toy, burp cloth, blanket, etc. etc. in his mouth.  This past week I taught him how to splash in the bath.  At first he'd move him hands up and down and make little splashes and within about 15 seconds when the cause and effect clicked for him, he was making huge, out-of-the-tub type splashes.  I also taught him how to kick his legs in the tub.  I think we have a little fishy on our hands!