Autumn in Taos (and Mommy's Little Helper)

Hi everyone!  This is Isaac writing again.  We just got back this week from a family reunion with the Britton clan over in Ohio and Tennessee.  It was lots of fun to meet all my aunts and uncles, and I had a blast playing with my little cousins!  Mommy has lots of pictures to share from that adventure, but they're not quite ready for the blog yet, so instead, here are some photos she snapped this week of life here in Taos.

Guess what?  Today, I am 8 months old!  This past month has been full of new growth and development.  I have learned to crawl, play Peek-A-Boo, say "Da-Da" (in addition to "Ma-Ma"), and pull up on things.  Yesterday, Mommy came into my room and saw that I had even managed to stand up in my crib - all by myself!

Here are some pictures of me helping Mommy with her housework!

Mommy takes me on a walk almost every day.  Our favorite place to go is the park.  Yesterday, Mommy wanted to see how the colors of the trees have been changing while we've been gone.  She thought about dressing me in my overalls for a cute photo shoot, but decided we didn't have time, so please pardon the clash of all my stripes. :)

Mommy says I look "dapper" when I wear this hat!

Aren't the colors beautiful?

This is the playground part of the park where I like to swing!

It's one of my most favorite activities in all the world!

You can see a video of me swinging (and laughing!) below...

A lot of leaves fell while we were gone, but the ones that are left are still lovely shades of gold!

Don't you think?

Heading home...what a view!

Helpful Hints for Happy Homemaking

My latest article on Inside Out Magazine's website:

In case you haven’t noticed, I tend to write articles based on what experiences I am passing through, lessons being learned, etc.  Lately though, I’ll admit, I haven’t had very much inspiration in the writing department because my experiences all revolve around the very ordinary: keeping house, caring for a baby, cooking, grocery shopping, and all things domestic. 

The other day, however, it dawned on me that maybe I should write about just that: my ordinary homemaking days and what I have learned from them.  After all, I imagine that some of you readers out there are stay-at-home wives and mommies just like me, some of you aspire to be homemakers, and pretty much all of us live in some kind of home environment whether alone or with housemates.  So, perhaps what I am learning as a fairly new “keeper of the home” would be helpful to pass on...

Thus, without further ado, I bring you my personal list of helpful homemaking advice! :)

Click here to read the rest of the article!

Splish-Splash, He Was Taking a Bath!

More Recipes to Share

Some new recipes I tried over the last couple of weeks that we really enjoyed:

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Best Chicken Enchiladas (with homemade sauce!)

One Hour Yeast Rolls (whole wheat)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Parsley Pesto:

(I know you usually make pesto with basil, but I have a pot of parsley growing on my window ledge and needed a way to use it.  I remember sometimes my mom would make pesto with parsley growing up, so I searched online for a recipe and found this one.  It is super delicious!  I'll speak for myself on this one, though, as pesto is not Nathan's favorite.) :)

Almond-Parsley Pesto:
1 packed cup fresh parsley leaves
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil, or more as needed
2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds (or chopped)
3 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a blender, combine the pesto ingredients and process until smooth, adding more oil if necessary to create a sauce-like consistency.

Today's Thankful List (I missed Thursday again!)

616.  The golden hues of October

617.  Baby dimples on fingers and toes!

618.  Free Kindle e-books that have been so good lately

619.  A free Bumbo seat

620.  Four board books from the thrift store for $1! (I love a good deal!)

621.  My faithful husband

622.  Days of better health after a cold

623.  Peppermint tea

624.  The book of Colossians

625.  Watching Isaac scootch around the house on his belly and go exploring

626.  Afternoon naps

One Happy Boy

We sure have been blessed with a very happy child!

He makes us smile every day in so many ways!

Peek-A-Boo!

Isaac started army crawling over a week ago and LOVES the new-found freedom this has given him to go exploring! (See video below for live action!)

All tuckered out.

His diaper box has become a new way to play!

Love that adorable face!

What's up?

Playtime!

Our precious gift from God.

Desperate to crawl on his knees...just doesn't quite have the coordination yet.

Kissing the dryer. (?)

A string attached to a mini ironing board in that crevice kept him busy for about 15 minutes!

Hi y'all!

"Cheese!"

Trying again.

A glimpse of his new skill:

7 Months Old

Howdy, y'all!  This is Isaac again.  Guess what?  I'm 7 months old now!

Mommy just got this new Bumbo seat for me for free at the birth center!  She was so excited because she has been wanting one for awhile.

I'm really good at sitting up on my own now, but sometimes I still tumble over, so the Bumbo seat helps me stay upright without falling if Mommy can't be right behind me.  I like it a lot and play in it all the time!

This is my rocking chair.  It's another place I like to play with Mommy.

Mommy says I am really growing up!

Lately, I have been practicing getting up on my hands and knees.

It's my new big boy skill.

I haven't figured out how to go anywhere though.  For now, I simply rock back and forth on my knees.

I can't wait to learn how to make myself go forward!

In the meantime, I just flop back onto my belly to play.  I can also scoot backwards!  

(Wow...this rug is so fascinating...)

Well, that's all for now.  Stay tuned until next time!

(P.S.  Do you like my outfit?  It used to be my daddy's!)