Monday, June 28, 2010

Master Bedroom Revamp

This past weekend we went to a neighbors estate sale as he will be moving to China on Wednesday.  He had lots of neat stuff, most which was already reserved.  We did find a great bed frame which we decided to grab.  This motivated a little master bedroom revamp. 
This was our old bed (and this is the picture I used to sell it on Craigslist).  It was fine, but I was kind of tired of it.  Plus, it was REALLY high off the ground.  Like Jack should probably wear a helmet when on the bed.  I was also never sure what to put up on the walls so it's been bare like this for the past 3 years.
This is our new bed along with a new mirror that I picked up at another estate sale (that couple was moving to Germany).  You can't tell from the pictures but the bed is massive.  Like 6" think headboard, footboard, and beal-like bed rails.  The wood is a bit distressed, but it has clean lines.  I call it mountain modern. 
I'm thinking about what else I can do.  I may switch out the lamps or spray paint the bases and put new shades on them.  I think I will also sew a long roll pillow in a fun pattern to put in front of the white pillows.  I'd also like to sew some panels for the windows.  Any other suggestions?  It's already an improvement and we're happy with the new look.
And guess what, after selling the old bed on Craigslist, the new bed and the mirror only cost us $40! 

Sunday, June 13, 2010

6 months

Yesterday Jack turned 6 months old.  I can't believe we are already half way to his first birthday!  Here are some pictures from the past few weeks. 

Jack and his buddy Sophia.  She is just 4 days older than him.  We joke because we usually meet up and walk with them and they barely see each other for their 'play date'.  We will need to start incorporating some time for them to actually interact now that they are getting older.
For Memorial Day weekend we headed up to Okoboji and Okabena for a quick trip.  Here we are with the Bayerkohler family craddle.  My grandpa was the first to sleep in it and over the years lots and lots of babies have slept in it.  We passed it on to my cousin and his wife for their new little baby.
Apparently he was sad that the crib had to go to the next baby.
Here we are with Desiree, Nico, and Lou at Barefoot in Okoboji.  It was a good kick-off to summer.
I wish I knew what my grandpa was telling Jack...I'm sure it really was funny!
And Jack getting some lovin' from his Nana Scheppmann.
Here we are at the Brown Street neighborhood party.  All of the little girls loved playing with Jack.  And this is what he looks like when we make him stay up past 6pm.  Tired boy. 
Bath time!  I think this was the last time he used the baby tub.
And yesterday to celebrate Jack's 6 month birthday, we introduced him to food for the first time.  We whipped up some rice cereal, sat him down on Andy's lap and put the spoon in his mouth.  He didn't quite get that he was eating. 
He blew some bubbles into the spoon, spit some out, flung some around with his hands, and looked at us like we are usually more fun. Towards the end he would lean into the spoon, but still wouldn't open his mouth that much.  He was unusually tired yesterday so it probably wasn't the best test.  
On the otherhand, I got excited about him eating and whipped up a bunch of carrot, pear, and apple purees.  They are in the freezer, just waiting to be gobbled up!  I spent more time yesterday going through my baby food cook books and brainstorming other things I could make him as he gets a bit older. 
And after a messy feeding comes bath time!  We just lay him in the tub now with an inch or two of water so that he can move around and kick and splash.  He really loves it!  He always tries to roll over onto his stomach so we have to really watch him!)
And when we empty the tub we let him sit up and play with his toys.
And then when the waters gone, we get to wrap him up and snuggle him in his warm towel.  Andy always puts it in the dryer. 
And here's a picture of Jack just lounging around after church today.  He just cracks me up with his little smirks.
Other updates:

  • Jack can sit up forever now.  This is a skill he has more than mastered.

  • When you lay him down he rolls over onto his tummy in about 1.5 seconds.  He straightens his arms and looks around like he's so proud of himself.  He's still not great and rolling back so after awhile he gets a little frustrated.  Just today he was starting to get it down a little more.  Because of all of this tummy time, he has learned how to scoot forward just a little bit and turn in circles.  Andy and I never know what position we'll find him in when he peek at the video monitor!

  • When I'm feeding him before bed he will rub my arm or face so gentle with the palm of his hand.  Then he likes to naw on my chin for a few seconds which gets a bit slobbery!  Also, after I burp him he lays his head on my shoulder, and sticks his little diaper butt in the air and just snuggles for a little bit.  Such a sweet boy.    

  • Because of all of this rolling around, it's taking him longer to settle into bed at night and for naps.  We are taking the strategy of making sure he's safe, but otherwise just letting him be.  He usually ends up falling asleep on his tummy and sleeps well in that position.  It just took him awhile to realize that he could just lay his head down to sleep after sleeping on his back for the past six month.

  • Jack is also starting to want specific things.  For instance, he will see a can on the kitchen table and squeal and reach for it until he gets it.  I'm guessing that this persistence will serve him well when learning to crawl.

Friday, June 11, 2010

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! 

Sunday, May 23, 2010

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!


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

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!    




Thursday, April 29, 2010

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.