Six months! Wow how time has flown by. It's really incredible to think that just six short months ago, we were patiently awaiting the arrival of our little S. She continues to be just about the best little girlfriend ever, and she is the perfect little sidekick to all of her brother's shenanigans.

THE STATS:

Age: 6 months

Diaper size: 2

Clothing: 3-6 months

DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITY:

S is rolling all over the place, and loves to be on her tummy, head popped up, looking around. She has the best giggles, and loves to play peek-a-boo or any game really that offers lots of interaction. She can sit...very briefly...on her own, but has yet to figure out how to push into the position unassisted, or pull up on any sort of furniture. I got out our activity cube this month, and she loves to stand by it and look at all of the beads and fun things on top, but she hasn't really worked too much yet on figuring out how to pull up. She enjoys being in the walker, and has figured out how to go both forward and backwards.

SCHEDULE:
S's schedule remains pretty unchanged from last month. She wakes up about 7:30am, naps for about 30 minutes at 10am, naps again about 1:30/2pm for a couple hours, and is ready for bed about 6:30pm. NOTE: I did not say is 'in' bed at 6:30, but she is generally in meltdown mode and wanting jammies and a bottle about then. If I am not in the middle of cooking dinner or helping with the boys, and can nurse/give her a bedtime bottle, she is perfectly content to go to bed at 7pm and will sleep through until morning. Little angel.

FAVORITE TOY:

S's favorite toy by far is the jumparoo. She LOVES to bounce, and is content to hang their for at least an hour. Maybe because she is upright and has a better (a.k.a. safer) view of things with her two wild and crazy brothers running races or practicing their tackling moves.

STORYTIME:

S is a little tagalong for story time, and usually just listens to whatever story her brothers pick out. We are usually either crammed on the couch as a family at bedtime, or I have all three kiddos piled on my lap in the rocking chair at nap time. It certainly makes for a 'cozy' storytime!

CUISINE:

S is still primarily on a milk-based diet, and nurses for most of her nourishment with the addition of a bedtime bottle of formula. She did get to have oatmeal this month, but she pretty much hates it, and after backing off and re-trying several times, she only barely tolerates it with a dash of cinnamon. At her 6mo checkup, her doc said that sometimes baby's who don't like oatmeal end up really liking 'real' food, so we'll see what she thinks now that she has passed the six month milestone and can start having some fruits and veggies. In the last week of her five month old self, she did start becoming less interested/acted like she was never content after straight nursing, so she is now up to two bottles of formula a day, and nurses about three times in addition to the forced oatmeal. My goal with nursing was to make it to six months when she can start increasing her intake of solid food, so I'm content to back off nursing as long as she is happy and content.

SIX MONTH FAVORITES

Looking in the mirror
Big brothers
Dad
Flirting
Bouncing

SIX MONTH LEAST FAVORITES

Baby food

OH THE MEMORIES:

So many memories this month! Clay County Fair (more to come), the beginning of Hawkeye football season with the cutest little cheerleader around, the end of summer temps, and beginning of fall weather, family snuggles, soccer games, trying food - and not loving it!, boat rides, cousin time, weddings...you name it...we probably crammed it into this month!

I just can't resist a good sleeping baby picture of this little sweetheart!

 

Million Dollar Spaghetti

RECIPE ALERT! I don't get around to making new dishes near as often as I once did, but when I find something worth sharing, I'll try to continue posting! Just after S was born, a friend of mine dropped off this Million Dollar Spaghetti for our family to enjoy, and I've been making it on repeat ever since. It is super easy, flavor wise...what I would call a take on 'easy lasagna', and incredibly filling (a.k.a....usually plenty of leftovers to stretch for a second meal - #winning in a house with three littles!). I hope you love it as much as we do!

Recipe slightly modified from Dinner Then Dessert

MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI | Yield: 1 9x13 baking dish (approx. 9-12 servings) | Total Time: 1hr

*NOTE: If you don't want to eat this for a solid week, or don't have a large family to feed, I would suggest cutting this recipe in half!

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente* (or substitute your favorite pasta)
1 lb ground beef or sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
6 C marinara sauce* (I use Newman's Own brand)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 C shredded mozzarella cheese
parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown beef/sausage together with onions, salt, and pepper. Drain any excess liquid, then add 1 C of marinara sauce. Stir to combine.

While browning the meat, in a separate pot, boil the pasta to al dente. Drain, transfer to a bowl, and add remaining 5 C marinara. Stir to combine.

In a separate small bowl, mix together cream cheese and 2 C mozzarella.

Transfer half the pasta/sauce to a 9x13 baking dish.

Top with the cream cheese mixture, and add the with remaining pasta/sauce mixture on top.

Spread the meat sauce on top of the pasta, and sprinkle with remaining 1 C mozzarella.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Serving suggestions: breadsticks/garlic knots, Caesar salad, wine :)