Five Molars!!

I feel the entire past few days are in preparation for the coming weekend and next week (EVO and vacation), BUT we'll focus a bit on Adam's current development since we had his 15 month check-up on Monday.

Last week, we found that two molars had popped through! Since that short time, another has come in and two more are right on the edge. That's going to be FIVE molars - how crazy! He's going to be able to start chopping on some harder food soon. How is he so big?!?

Like I previously said, we had his check-up on Monday. I have been given such a wonderful little boy. He has hit of his 15 month milestones and all but one of his 18 month ones. He's 30. 25" tall (18%), 22lb, 11oz (49%), and 18.25" in head circumference (37%). He had to get two shots, which he was incredibly upset over for about ten seconds. 

Adam has REALLY been in the "repeating" mood lately... and I LOVE IT! He is so cute as he tries to say what I'm asking of him. We've really been working on the people we know. Here's a short list of the funniest:

• Aunt Emma - "EeeeeMAH"
• Aunt Katie - "Daydee"
• Uncle James - "Amessssss"
• Aunt Julie - "Oooodee"
• Kirby - Herbeeee"

Today, Adam and I met up with my sister (Emma) and brother-in-law (John) at my parents' house while they're on vacation. We decided to go there to clean some of our old stuff from the basement and move some of the furniture to the rooms my mom wanted. We went out to a Mexican restaurant for lunch and unfortunately it made Adam have some super gross poo (ewwww!). 

One last thing - I finished my first ever quilt this week!!! I absolutely love it and am super proud of it! Rusty got me a sewing machine two Christmases ago and I hadn't really used it. I cut my squares before Adam was born because I wanted to make it for him and... it never got done. They've been sitting on my craft table for probably 18 months. BUT I've been feeling really crafty and I did it! Check out my process (and struggles) in a future post!

Cinnamon Apple Dessert Rings

We tried one DELICIOUS dessert this evening because Rusty and I were both a little peckish. Think of an onion ring, but dessert form and it's the basic idea. The ingredients and instructions are below with pictures. I adapted the recipe from Diethood because their recipe is for 8-10 servings and I only needed enough for the two of us.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp (pinch) baking powder
1/8 tsp (pinch) salt
1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used Greek because that's all I had in the fridge)
2/3 egg (estimated)
1 Granny Smith Apple
Oil for frying
1/4 sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl whisk together yogurt and egg until well combined.
3. Whisk yogurt mixture into flour mixture and set aside.
4. Slice apple and using a round small cookie cutter (or knife) cut "rings" out of the middle of the slices.
5. In a deep fryer or skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat to 375 degrees.
6. Ding the apple rings in the batter, then place in skillet (1-2 minutes per slice or until golden brown, turning once).
7. In a bowl or plate, combine sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
8. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apple rings while still hot.
9. Serve immediately and ENJOY!

Here's the directions in pictures:

Ingredients:

Take a Granny Smith apple and slice. Use a small, round cookie cutter to create rings.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and the yogurt and egg in another. Then whisk together. While the rings are frying, mix together sugar and cinnamon. Both mixtures can be seen below.

Dip the apple rings into the batter.

Place the rings in your deep fryer or skillet. Leave for 1-2 minutes on each side.

(I just had to do a slow-mo of the deep fryer)

Sprinkle the sugar mixture onto the rings while still hot and serve immediately!

Mine aren't too pretty, but they tasted delicious and quick. How did your's turn out? What did you do differently?

Fourth & Fireworks

What a better way to spend a three day/holiday weekend than with family and friends!

Last week was my mother-in-law's birthday! She was in Florida so we didn't get to celebrate that day, but we were able to FaceTime her instead!

I don't know how many of you have TimeHop, but I love it! I know Facebook has it's own thing now, but I love to check TimeHop each morning to see my past years on social media (about 8 years). This week, I got to see my sleeping baby a year ago - but what was funny was that I had just taken a sleeping picture of him. I can't help but snapping a picture of sweet Adam when he's sound asleep.

On to the weekend - it was a blast! Friday (because most everyone had the day off), we went to my parents' house for dinner. My dad spent the entire day smoking ribs on the grill. Umm... can you say tender and delicious! We also had corn on the cob, fruit, potato salad, and apple pie. Adam couldn't get enough corn on the cob, so he was occupied the entire time eating all of his corn.

Saturday, we went over to Rusty's friend from college's house and lots of his college friends were there. We did the same thing last year and it was Adam's first big outing at the time. We showed up a little later than everyone else so Adam could have a full nap and I'm glad we did because he had a wonderful (and happy) time! Everyone loved him and took turns playing with and talking with him. I love to sit back and see how this group has changed. Rusty and I were the first to get married and the first (and so far only) couple to have a kid. Within the past year though, another couple got married and another got engaged. People are buying houses and changing jobs. One is a full doctor and another is a college professor. I say it all the time, but time is flying by.

Also on Saturday, it was Adam's first experience with fireworks. I was concerned that the sound would scare him, but again, I was wrong. He loved them and his eyes lit up every time the lights exploded.

Sunday, we went to church and there was actually five other kids in Adam's nursery class. Normally there's only one or two, but not this week (which is strange since our pastor is in Haiti so we had a guest speaker). He had a great time and played well.

We went for lunch with The Sullivan's afterward at Mellow Mushroom and had a great time (like always). After that, even though Adam hadn't had a nap, we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon with Rusty's dad and step-mom (Grandpa and Grammy) since they live close to our church. Another great time was had by all. Grandpa even got out his guitar and Adam was in love. We gave him the little guitar to play along and he held it correctly just like Grandpa. That boy loves music. We didn't even get out of the neighborhood before Adam fell fast asleep.

Monday, because Rusty's mom (Memaw) had returned from her vacation, we invited her over for dinner. We ate tacos and she just got to spend some time playing and talking with Adam. We didn't have anywhere extra to be, so everyone was relaxed. She's in the process of redecorating her living room and I'm really excited about her thoughts about it because I think it will open up the room and make it feel bigger.

Yesterday, Adam and I spent most of the day helping my mom clean her basement. My sisters and I lived down there during middle and high school so we still have a lot of our old stuff in that room. My parents are trying to clean out, reorganize, and redecorate there house, so this is just another step in the process. I contributed to the mess, so I should help clean it. I'm really excited to help out when it's clean and we can paint and decorate the walls. I feel like a lot of people in my life (including myself) are redecorating - AND I LOVE IT! I'm super obsessed with a lot of HGTV shows now that they've been added to Netflix.

Today was a fun-filled day. Adam and I attended Toddler Time, and Rusty was home for the day. We hung out at home for the day after the library. After dinner, I was able to talk Rusty into going to the pool and he even said we should do it more. Adam loved every second from getting splashed to pretending to swim. He didn't even cry when his face (accidentally) went under.

That's it for this post. I have some projects I'm working on and some ideas for some others that I can't wait to share when they're completed!

Oh, and Happy Independence Day!

Georgia Humidity and Heat (Amirite?)

Last Thursday, Adam and I decided to try something new. Since the heat and humidity have been out of control down here in the south, we went to the mall and played in the kid's area. I know that some of these can be... gross, but this one was extremely clean (I inspected). Adam loved it and talked with several other children. We'll probably go again on days that are too hot or too cold for the outside.

Over the weekend, my brother came over to stay for a couple of day so he and Rusty could watch a Smash Brothers Tournament. I was able to get a couple of cute pictures - one with Adam and Rusty and one with Adam and James. No matter what's going on, they always seem to have time for Adam.

I'm helping my good friend, Meghan, plan the annual party for our church volunteers. It's not much, but it's just a thank you party for everyone's help throughout the year. I would've helped her last year, but she was concerned that I would have too much on my plate with the baby. I offered my services for this year though and I'm really excited for the carnival theme she came up with.

Sunday, we stayed home because Rusty and James didn't want to miss the finals of the tournament. Because it was hot, yet again, I blew up Adam's little pool so he could play outside without getting too hot. However, right after I blew it up, Adam decided to make it his own reading nook and had so much fun with it, I didn't even have to bring it outside.

So far this week has been pretty typical - grocery shopping on Monday, Michaels and Home Depot on Tuesday, Toddler Time on Wednesday (Adam still thinks he's in charge of the class).

Tonight, Rusty's sister, Julie, came over for dinner and hanging out. We were able to finish putting up the shelf in the closet for the room she'll be moving into in a couple of weeks. It's kept me in a super home improvement kind of mood, so I think tomorrow I'll finish putting the shelf up in my bathroom and work on my quilt (more info later on that)! Have a happy 4th this weekend!