Randomness

This where Miller sits while I do dishes and where he'd sit while I cook if I'd let him {I'm too clumsy to trust that I won't drop something and burn him}.  My blue jeans get pretty soaked from him using them as a chew toy.

When I took a load of clean laundry to our bedroom and came back, here's where I found Miller...

Like his daddy, he has an extreme fascination with the fireplace and the tools that go along with it.  Look closely at his hands and face.  I'm pretty sure he'd already gotten a good lick in before I got to him.  By the look on his face I guess it was good though!  After his little snack he'll burn those calories with his "crawl".  It's a step up from his army crawl but not quite the traditional crawl either.  Check him out...

Thai Chicken Pasta

I typically don't think enough of myself to post recipes.  Probably because they are never my own creations and usually consist of the basics that everyone knows anyway.  However, I recently found a recipe that I'm proud to say I've tweeked a little and must share because it is a good change to the mundane traditional.  One of my FAVORITE dishes is the Thai Chicken Pasta from The Cheesecake Factory and this comes pretty close to it.  Dinners around our house are hectic {to say the least} so I cannot show you a beautifully posed picture but it is delicious I promise!  Here goes...

12 ounces of linguine

4 TBS sesame oil (divided)

2 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup green onion, chopped

2 cups carrots, finely shredded {As a time saver you can buy the matchstick carrots, but they're better if you shred them yourself)

2 cups frozen stir fry veggies

3 TBS minced garlic

1/2 TBS ground ginger

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 TBS rice vinegar

1 TBS chili starter sauce {This can be adjusted depending on how spicy you like it}

bean sprouts {Don't turn your nose up; the dish is really not as good without them}

1.  Cook pasta according to package directions.

2.  Heat 2 TBS sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over med-high heat.

3.  Add chicken and cook until the outside is white.

4.  Add green onions, carrots, stir-fry veggies, garlic, and ginger.

5.  Saute until veggies are soft.

6.  In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili sauce.  Mix well.

7.  Add sauce to wok/skillet and simmer about 2 minutes.

8.  Drain pasta and return to pot.

9.  Toss pasta with 2 TBS sesame oil.

10.  Add pasta to wok/skillet.

11.  Sprinkle bean sprouts on top {I promise this MAKES the dish!}

Now, as you can probably tell this recipe makes a ton.  When I made this last night I froze the remaining portion and I'll let you know if it is good after being frozen.   I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!

And for those of you who are really only interested in seeing pictures of Miller, I'll let you join in my nostalgia as I came across this pic recently...

While the cat's away...

the mice will play!  Bryant watched Miller and let me go for an afternoon to the spa a few weeks ago. {Lucky girl, I know!}  This is what I found when I uploaded pictures from my camera recently:

Looks like they had a good time!  I adore watching Bryant with Miller and I'm so thankful that Miller will grow up with such a strong father.  Miller LOVES his dadddy :)

This picture was just too cute not to include.  Bryant insisted that we get Miller these overalls.  I must admit, he looks adorable in them!

*On another note, Kendall put a really cute post on her blog about Miller and the twins.  Be sure to check it out!

A Weekend of Firsts

We had a weekend full of firsts! On Friday, Miller started clapping. He has been randomly banging his hands together, but Friday was the first time he started doing it repeatedly when he was excited about something. So cute! I know it's not as big as talking, but it still makes me feel like he's communicating with me which is really fun.

On Saturday, he cut his first tooth. It has caused quite a bit of drool, a very runny nose, and a hard time sleeping. Hard to believe such a little thing could have such a big effect, but I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is.

Also on Saturday, we took Miller for his first boat ride! After spending an hour getting him slathered in sunscreen, dressed, and everything loaded up we headed out for a quick trip.
I was impressed at how well he handled the life jacket too. If only I could invent a baby/kids life jacket that is more comfortable; I'd be a millionaire! Pop even let Miller drive the boat.

Miller did great and seemed to enjoy it until he was ready for a nap. No chance of sleeping comfortably in that thing, so Gran went back to the house with him while we enjoyed the beautiful day a little longer. It was such a gorgeous weekend and we were grateful to spend it on the lake!

Army Crawl

Miller isn't officially crawling yet, but that doesn't stop him from getting where he wants to go!

Someday...

 ...this will be the view from our back porch!  We bought a lot on Lake Guntersville today in a new development called Spring Creek Pointe.  We are so excited and feel so extremely blessed for this opportunity!  It will be a while before we build, but it is a huge step to get the lot purchased.  There are still several lots, both waterfront and waterview, available if you live in the area and you're interested in being our neighbors!

Easter

We had a very blessed first Easter with Miller.  In the spirit of honesty, I must admit that holidays are often a struggle for me since the birth of Miller.  I have to frequently stop myself and focus on the true meaning of the day lest I get caught up in cute outfits, naptimes, cultural traditions, etc.  We truly had a great day though and I was thankful to celebrate the resurection of Christ with so many loved ones.  Gran and Pop came up on Friday to spend the weekend with us.  We always enjoy their visits and their free babysitting.  :)  

Gran and Pop gave Miller an Easter basket on Saturday {I think she was trying to be first ;) }.  On Sunday morning the real Easter Bunny brought Miller his basket of goodies. 

Miller did figure out how to hold his sippy cup, but he would rather chew on it than drink from it.  Oh well, he'll figure it out soon enough.

After Miller explored his treats, we went to church for a wonderful Easter service and then headed to the Mastin's house for a delicious lunch.  Here Miller received Easter basket numero three and four {poor, deprived child} from Betty Jo and from Nana and Papa Frank. 

The "hit" was a wind up bunny that bounces.  Miller thought it was hysterical!

A note to Nana - The Easter bunny wanted me to pass along the message that your basket cannot be better than his next year.  :)

Miller only napped for about 20 minutes the entire day {compared to his usual 2-4 hours of sleep a day} but he was a trooper for sure!  I so enjoyed this Easter and having Miller reminded me of the Lord's commandments to tell our children of the things God has done for us.  What greater gift is there to tell them of than the gift of the cross and Christ's resurrection?  I pray daily that Miller will have a heart that longs to know the Lord at an early age and also that the Lord will show me how to be a godly mother to him.  I would appreciate your prayers for these things also.  May we teach our children about the Lord each and every day!

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Eight Months Old

This post comes a few days late, but on Friday Miller turned eight months old.  He is such a handsome little guy who just melts my heart.  Miller is not officially crawling yet, but he can scoot around on his tummy and his bottom pretty well.  He's even started army crawling a bit lately.  Still no teeth, but he continues to be a great eater.  We have a few new veggies to add to our list soon which will be good so we can add some variety.  Miller can take down some food so we need a few more options.  :)  I'm still making his baby food and asparagus and broccoli are next on the list.  He is still nursing well, though he is easily distracted and playful during nursing.  I know my days are numbered in this department and I'm enjoying it as long as I can.  {I hope that doesn't sound creepy.}  I love seeing Miller change and grow, but I can't help but get just a little sad {or maybe nostalgic is the word} to know that he is growing up so quickly.  He'll be a year before we know it!

Can you tell he loves his daddy?

By the way, Happy Easter!  An Easter post will be coming soon...