Emma - 9 Months Old

Crawlstandsitchewcrawlsitstandchewchewchewmovegrabupdowncrawlsitstand. <--- Emma in a nutshell.

From my sleepy haze I can tell you that Emma is growing and changing so fast. She's stopped teething at the moment and is happier for it. She's quick to laugh but also to get into trouble. :) After my family's visit, she has started to make different sounds... yelling sounds... but I'll take that over screaming any day! She'll give you a high five if you ask and uses a sippy cup with a straw. She is still, as my mom would say, a booger butt. :)

Here she is looking up at G-Ma with some puppy dog eyes.... 

SEE ALL OF MY TEETH?!?! 

October Virginia Trip

THIS POST ISN'T LATE AT ALL. :P I just was busy. Yeah, that's it. Busy. You know.. baby and all. Alright, let's get to it. Click on Read More to see a very picture heavy post. :P

TableTop Fun: Among the Stars

Alhambra meets 7 Wonders. YES PLEASE!

From BoardGameGeek:

Among the Stars takes place in a war-ravaged galaxy where the warring alien races have declared peace in the wake of a threat with the potential to destroy them all. An Alliance is established to build space stations throughout the galaxy in order to promote trade among the races, strengthen diplomatic relations, and defend against this impending threat.

This was one of our first Kickstarter backed games. It's a loose term to say "backed". I really viewed it as shopping because 1) It was 2nd Edition of Among the Stars on Kickstarter and the game was already well known and 2) It was well above their funding limit. The bummer was that the game appeared in our Friendly Local Game Store WAY before we ever got our copy. Yes yes... you can make the argument about different publishers... and we got some extras for backing... blah blah blah. I was bitter. 

ANYWAY, it's a really great game... it pulls the card drafting from 7 Wonders and tile/card placement from Alhambra to build a space station. I wish it had just a little more meat to it... but maybe if we add the Ambassadors Expansion it will fill out. Good game overall though. 

Sad Face: End of Swimming

This is the first Monday in a long time that we don't have a swim class to go to. It was a Parent and Baby Fit Swim. Emma would float in a boat next to me while I tried not to drown... and work out at the same time. :) We start Adult and Tot swim class in January. It will be a step up from the Waterbabies class and get her used to being in the water some more. Can't wait!! 

Until then, I have these awesome photos of Emma in her off the shoulder-ish swimsuit to make me smile. :D

TableTop Fun: Snowdonia

I wasn't sure about buying this game... SO HAPPY Ian talked me into it!!

From BoardGameGeek:

In Snowdonia players represent work gangs providing labour for the construction of the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Unlike other train games you will have to excavate your way up a mountain side, as well as make and lay the track, construct viaducts and stations. All this in competition with the weather of the Welsh mountains (and the game itself)!

Ian kept bringing up this game... mainly because it had a Mount Washington Expansion which holds a special place in our heart. It went on sale and Ian pushed to buy it even though I was going to give it to him for Christmas. The art is different... almost washed out... but I fell in love with the game play! You're a part of a crew working to excavate your way up the mountain. I have yet to win but I've loved almost every attempt - something I can't say for any other game.

Kitchen Adventures: Sticky Pan-Fried Scallops

Full Title: Sticky Pan-Fried Scallops with Sweet Chili Rice and Greens

Ingredients: Basmati Rice, Green Onions, Eggs, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Lemon, Cilantro, Sweet Chili Sauce, Baby Bok Choy, Broccolini, Asparagus, Lime, Scallops, Chinese Five Spice, Garlic, Honey

This was a Jamie Oliver 30-Minute Meal. Delicious! The fried rice was really easy to do. Actually the whole meal was easy... aside from the scallops. It's not hard to cook them but every time I do, I picture Gordon Ramsey throwing the plate on the ground screaming "IT'S STILL RAW!!!!". [Hell's Kitchen Reference] Highly recommend the recipe. It's not going to be in regular rotation but like the Crispy Beef Lettuce Wraps, I'll look forward to when it comes around. :)

Satan Carrots

Just revisiting Emma's introduction to solid foods. She's slowly come around... :)

"Not happening woman. Take your satan carrots somewhere else."

Emma Discovers Glass

True Story

Whenever I call Emma a "booger butt". Or say "weeeeeeird". 

Representing Boston

Thug life. 

Hello Hello

High Chair Hijinks

Emma - 8 Months Old

Time flies when you have an 8 month old. :P 

Emma is still a ball of energy. She can sit up on her own and pull herself up to a standing position. Occasionally she will "forget" she is standing and let go... plopping down on her diaperbutt in a few seconds. This month was marked by the appearance of her upper teeth. She is getting her two front teeth in time for Christmas - must ask Santa for something else. :) I am loving staying home with her. With all the changes at my work, I am ultra aware that our time is short. I don't know what it was... but after 6 months I really started to enjoy being home with her. I am so grateful for it! Here's some pictures of the goober. 

Still Collecting

Our hearts broke last year when we learned that Starbucks was discontinuing the mugs we collect... or so we thought! A nice and now sadly ex-colleague of mine brought us back 3 mugs from Scotland. I was shocked when she pulled them out of the bag. They were the right kind! It seems they might have just discontinued the U.S. versions. Yay!

 

The trading of mugs still seems to be active as well. I traded an extra Boston mug for the Oktoberfest 2014 version. Woot!

 

 

 

Halloween Data

We had a sharp up-tick in the number of Trick or Treaters this year - up 40 kids from last year to 101 total. Ian's guess is that in previous years the rain was heavier and the area was still really new. Either way, we were flooded with costumed children in rain slickers. At one point we had 18 children attempting to get candy/playdoh from us. It was all I could do to stop the little guys from getting trampled trying to get back to their parents. It was an interesting evening. :) 

Happy Halloween!

New Discovery

Emma discovered what happens when she blew air into her bottle. She wasn't thrilled. :)

Moving Target

It's hard to get a picture because Emma is a constantly moving target. She wiggles so much the pictures usually come out blurry. She's still cute though. :P 

Heeeeey

 

Hehe...

 

 

Kitchen Adventures: Spicy Cajun Chicken

Full Title: Spicy Cajun Chicken with Smashed Sweet Potato and Fresh Corn Salsa aka... More Okra!!

 

Ingredients: Corn on the cob, Cilantro, Chili, Green Onions, Tomatoes, Limes, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Breasts, Cajun Seasoning, Polenta, Bacon, Okra, Feta Cheese

 

I like okra. It's weird. It can go slimy if cooked too long. But after this dish, I've decided I only like it if it is sliced up. Whole... Blegh! This is another Jamie Oliver recipe that includes a fresh salsa. It can make any chicken dish taste AMAZING. The fresh crisp corn and tomatoes brighten up the chicken and potatoes. Delicious! 651 calories for a big portion.

 

Anna Mae's Visit

Anna Mae's is a Mennonite restaurant in Millbank with simple but extremely tasty food. We went there with Emma and Uncle Drew on Labor Day weekend. Emma had her lunch with us.

 

 

We sat by a window that looks out onto the front entryway. She had a few admirers. :)

 

 

 

First Cart Ride

I'm just catching up on posts and found the pictures from Emma's first grocery cart ride. She was a little bit excited.