Beating the Heat

The last 4 days have been very warm with temps reaching near 90 each day.  Because it is only April, we were not at all prepared to be experiencing this kind of heat.  With our air conditioners still in the basement, the only real way for me to cool Milan off has been with a cool bath right before bed.  

She loves when I let the faucet run just a little bit during her bath.  She likes to touch the running water with her hands and try to stick her head under it.  Last night she realized taking a drink of the cool water was pretty neat too!

A little video clip especially for Grandma and Grandpa.  We miss you!

Today I Made.....

Carrot Zucchini Pineapple Whole Wheat Muffins

3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar (granulated)
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups shredded carrots
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 8 oz. can drained crushed pineapple
3 cups wheat flour 
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg

Mix eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together in one bowl. Stir in the fruit and veggies. In a separate bowl, mix up the remaining dry ingredients. Add the dry mix to the wet mix. Bake at 350 degrees for--
25-30 mins for muffins
45-60 mins for bread pans

James and I thought they were absolutely delicious.  I think next time though, I want to play around with the recipe a bit to reduce the amount of sugar and oil.  Maybe by substituting a little bit of applesauce?

I found the recipe on an online November 2007 birth board.  According to the other Moms, their babies can't get enough of these muffins, so I was really excited to offer one to Milan for her afternoon snack.

I told Milan I'd made her something really tasty and she was going to love it!

Well..... she didn't.  I swear this child can detect vegetables a mile away.

She picked up the remaining pieces of muffin and quietly tossed them off the side of her highchair.  

The End.

The Weekend In Pictures

We had the most gorgeous weather this past weekend.  On Saturday our high reached the mid to high 70s (I'm sorry, my Colorado friends) for the first time this Spring!  With all of the trees and plants blooming, it really was a perfect spring day.

Milan had a big moment - she finally weighs enough to be turned around, so we caved in and bought a front-facing car seat.

To be honest, I think James was more excited than she was.

Saturday morning we made a trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo.  Milan didn't seem to be too excited about the animals, but still, I think she really enjoyed herself.

After looking at the animals, we spent some time at the playground.

Have you noticed Milan rarely looks at the camera these days?

 Caught you looking!

On Sunday, Daddy took her to our local park.  Here she is enjoying the merry-go -round.  He put my baby on the merry-go-round???!!!

Still not looking at the camera.....

Yes, by all means, get that climbing out of your system before Daddy brings you back home!

It can wear a person out trying to get their one year old to cooperate during photo sessions, so I decided to snap a couple of photos of the trees.   Aren't they beautiful?!

Easter

Our family enjoyed a nice, quiet Easter.  Milan was thrilled with her very first Easter basket which included: a new bunny, 2 little toys, 7 empty, plastic eggs (great for carrying around and throwing on the floor), 1 little t-shirt, 3 books, and a box of animal crackers.  It kept her entertained throughout much of the day.

Later in the day, we put Milan in her little dress and went out for dinner, but not before having a mini-photoshoot on the front porch.  It was windy and cool, and of course Milan was interested in anything but having her picture taken.

A couple of days ago, she figured out how to sit on the step.

And finally, after a couple of weeks of trying, Milan mastered this little trick not long after returning home from our Easter dinner.  This video captures her 2nd successful attempt.  Thankfully I had the camera close by!

We're in trouble now!

Dancing Queen

Last weekend we attended the 4th birthday party of Milan's cousin, Vincent.  It was held in a bowling alley and although Milan is too young to bowl, it didn't stop her from having fun!  A few minutes after we arrived, the lights were turned down low and dance music took over the room.  This is when Milan began feeling the beat, and boy did she become one with the music!

It's kind of difficult to see in the photos, but her hips couldn't sway fast enough to the music.  After the photo was taken, she decided to pull out her latest move.....bouncing to the music while moving her bottom lower and lower to the point where it almost touches the ground.  She actually seems to have rhythm which is a little surprising, because James and I do not.  I'm still trying to capture her moves on video, but unfortunately she stops dancing every time I bring the camera out.

At one point, I heard someone behind me yell, " You go girl"!  I turned around to find 5 bowling alley employees all watching Milan get her groove on.  This isn't the first time Milan has decided to show her stuff.  Each month her daycare distributes a newsletter which includes a little update on each of the children.  The most recent newsletter blurb about Milan read like this: "Milan is a dancing machine.  As soon as music comes on she starts busting a move, it's very cute".

Visiting

A couple of weeks ago, my Mom and my 8 year old niece, Jenna, flew in from Idaho to stay with us for 10 days.  You could tell Milan was so thrilled to have her Grandmother and cousin around.  Milan adores Jenna and the two had a wonderful time together.  As Jenna puts it, they are "Sister Cousins", and I couldn't agree more.  Our visit was a whirlwind of activity, we went shopping at a couple of area malls, visited New York City (my Mom and Jenna's first visit), went to Peddler's Village, attended a local craft show, and when the weather permitted, played in our neighborhood park. 

 

Jenna modeling a new Spring outfit

Milan trying to escape bath time!

Mom putting the finishing touches on a quilt she made for Milan.

All finished!

Having lunch at the American Girl Doll store in NYC

Mom and James enjoying their American Girl lunch!

Trying to select a new outfit for Natasha.

Rockefeller Center

While we were in NYC, Milan spent the day with her Aunt Sherie and cousin Vincent.  They had a great time at a local playground.

Taking a walk in the park.

Walking in grass for the very first time.

Playing in the playground area.

Jenna reading Milan her bedtime story.

Our last morning together.  :(

We had such a good time together, I really hated to see them go.  It's so hard having my family live so far away from us.  

Aunt Catherine (Jenna's Mom) requested a video showing the two girls playing together.  Here it is.....