1.30.2011

Safety First

Jackson still LOVES the hard hat his Uncle Brian gave him for his 1st birthday.  This evening he played with it on for QUITE some time.  Now he has figured out how to put it on himself and tries to put it on us too!  He never seems to have a dull moment these days and just cracks us up all the time.






Its a Lovely Day for a Park Visit!

The end of this week J met up with some good friends Evan & Jake!  And their amazing mama Tyson too! Jackson and Jake REALLY took to each other at the park as you can see from the pictures.  We have gone to the park 4 of the last 5 days and its been a blast.  Jackson enjoys being outside and so does his mama!!  I got some great shots so sorry for the LONG photo post today!






1.28.2011

Spoon, Bowls and OH the Mess

Jackson is enjoying practicing his spoon skills.  He CAN do it but then figures out that it is just WAY more fun to play with it with his hands.  The OCD Mommy in me has to walk away and let him have a little independence and figure it out! I'm working on it...but leaps and bounds above where I was 2 weeks ago.  Just ask Rob, I'm actually LETTING a mess happen.

Here is some proof:


Yogurt Breakfast

Oatmeal breakfast...being silly


"Wha Mama?  Oatmeal on my head and up my nose...its the new look!"


1.26.2011

A Day in the Life

Here is a look at our typical day, minus the tantrums, diaper changes (didn't think you'd like to see that), laundry etc etc:

Yummy Breakfast

Playtime

Errands


Lunch

Nap

Playtime/Park/Gym

Dinner Prep, then Dinner (Sometimes Jackson helps)



1.23.2011

Understanding our Toddler...As Best as Possible

Jackson is a pretty mild mannered kiddo, but he is definitely testing us first time parents with this whole toddler thing.  We are trying to decide what discipline/redirecting/structure method we want to use.  We're reading the following books so that we can see what works for the Davis family so that we can have as many happy, cheesy smile moments as possible like below.  

Any good toddler books you recommend?  I really just want to learn what to expect, what to nurture in his development and learn how not to SCREAM at him all day (ok, I don't do this but I have my moments!)



Ate this AGAIN...2nd time this week!

Ok we have a STRONG love for Asparagus in our house...Jackson included.

Love, love, love this recipe:  Grilled Flatbread with Asparagus Pesto & Fontina. Only difference is the recipe we had in our book has an additional 1/4 lb grilled asparagus you put on top of the fontina cheese before putting on grill to cook.  Everything else is the same.

If you wanted to add meat, I'm sure some grilled chicken would also be great placed on top!

1.22.2011

Busy Busy

I've been crazy busy with my at home business this month. I was for sure I'd have a lot of time to lay low in January after Christmas etc, but I'm busier than ever.  I feel very blessed and so happy that lots of new people are enjoying my designs. So, for those of you that don't follow my business as closely, here is what I've been up to:




 







1.20.2011

The Healthy Davis Family...well except for those YUMMY Cookies

You may not all know but Rob is now QUITE the runner.  Any and every chance he gets he is out running and training for The Austin Half Marathon.
We are very proud of him and his dedication.  He has gotten into such great shape and is adding years to his life to be with me & Jack.  A gift I just can't express how much I appreciate.  He's rubbed off on me (well not the running part but being more health conscious), but after being down and out for 7 months and not being able to work out...I've been released and have been back to the gym.  In 10 days I've gone 7 times..AND.. I'm finally back to being the little wannabe chef and cooking healthier meals for myself and family.

We did have a moment of weakness the other night where I made so OH SO yummy Peanut Butter Cookies, but other than that so far so good.  I'm not the best baker but I can handle these cookies..and they were yummy but WAY too tempting to not eat the entire batch in one sitting!!


I hope you enjoy the recipes I'm sharing lately and you try them with your family.  It is sometimes difficult to fit it all in but I'd much rather struggle and cut it close on time than have J eat all his meals from boxed/canned goods.

1.19.2011

Marinated Flank Steak filled with Prosciutto, Fontina & Basil

Ms. Ellie was QUEEN of the grill last night with these eats!  Check out this great recipe! Super tasty!


Red Wine-Marinated Flank Steak Filled with Prosciutto, Fontina and Basil
4 shallots, coarsely chopped
1 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp olive oil
1 (2lb) flank steak, butterflied  (For the two of us we got 1.25 lb and having leftovers)
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
4 oz thinly sliced fontina cheese (fontina is pricey so you can substitute another nutty cheese)
14 fresh basil leaves

1.Whisk together the shallots, wine and 1/4 cup olive oil in large baking dish.  Add steak and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. Heat your grill to high
3. Remove the steak from marinade and blot with paper towels.  Lay on flat surface, cut side up and season with salt & pepper. Cover surface with prosciutto slices, then top with cheese and layer of basil leaves. Starting with long sides, tightly roll up the steak around the filling.  Using kitchen string, tie the roll in 4 or 5 places.
4. Brush outside of steak with 2 Tbsp olive oil and season with salt & pepper.  Grill over high heat browning on all sides (8to10minutes).  Move meat to cooler part of grill away from direct heat and grill for 15 to 20 minutes or until instant read therm. reads 120-125degrees for med-rare.
5. Transfer steak to platter, tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.  Slice against grain into 1/2 in. thick slices.

(there was a Cabernet-Shallot Reduction but I don't think it really added anything)


Birthday Weekend

We had a great weekend celebrating my birthday with some family time!  We did go to the zoo (even though the weather was AWFUL!).  I just wanted to get out of the house so we just braved the elements.  I got some nice and functional gifts from J and Rob and really couldn't ask for a better birthday weekend with my 2 favorite guys.  Here are some pics from the zoo trip:





1.16.2011

Official 15 Month Post

At 15 Months, Jackson you:
-Weigh 27lbs, 1 oz (80th%)
-Stand 33 1/4" tall (95th%)
-Have HC of 19 1/4" (90th%)
-Eat what we eat and drink about 15-18oz of whole milk per day
-Wear 25month clothes, Size 4 diapers(day) and 5(night)
-Learn a new word or two every week! Your favorite word this week is "Go" and your favorite sign this week is "Airplane"
-Have 6 teeth (including top molars) and 2 more bottom molars are cutting through RIGHT now.  Still only 2 teeth in the bottom front!!
-Love to grunt when you don't get your way!
-Mastered walking and starting to run





You are becoming lots of fun to watch as you explore the world around you.  Everything is so new and fun for you..things Mommy & Daddy see as safety hazards!!  Your hugs and kisses are what makes our every day!