First Out-of-Womb Thanksgiving!

Traveling is exhausting.

"I think I hear the turkey."

Aeli and Grampy make the same face.

Hanging out on the patio, after two cold rainy days had us aching for sun.

Check out these chompers!

Two Amy's 9 months later.

Swingin'

There was an Indian festival at the park around the corner.  Aeli enjoyed watching the intense dancing and checking out the "religious fashions."  He also liked the swings.

Can you believe he's almost one?

First Steps, and Carrots!

A crazy face for a crazy carrot!  Grown in a container in our backyard!

At first it was 3 in a row.

Then five.

Then 7, 8.

Then 7 at school

Then 14 at home last night! 

All I've managed to get on video is this one and one where he takes three steps in between tears. 
 So, enjoy this for now, paying no attention to my silly mommy voice, and get ready for Aeli to be walking fo' realz.

Cry Baby

 The last few nights have been the first we've let Aeli cry himself to sleep.  We've spoiled him and rocked him to sleep 'most every night of his life.  Now he's teething for serious and cranky-wankstering when he's tired and hurting.  He even refused a bottle the other day!

It has been working out, though.  Mostly we just play with him until he's definitely tired- usually between 8 and 10, (on the earlier side lately since he's been skipping his afternoon naps), and then plop him in his crib.  I don't think he's cried for more than 10 minutes before falling asleep.  It feels good.  Like we (as parents) have gained some independence, and strength. 

And he is doing just fine.

Pumpkin Pie!

 My pumpkin as a flying squirrel.

I have been bad at blogging lately, but life is good.

Fall has finally arrived here in Southeast Louisiana.  Which means sometimes we get to wear coats and sweaters.  (Although other times we still wear skirts and short-sleeves.)

Yesterday, I made pumpkin pie!

Stefin had already gutted, boiled, and pureed the pumpkin meat a couple of days ago, so using some insights from this super-homemade-looking website, my job was easy as...

You know.

I mixed three "cups" (heaping ladles) of pumpkin mash with
2 eggs borrowed from the boys across the street
one scoop of vanilla ice cream (as a substitute for evaporated milk)
one cup sugar
cinnamon
allspice
mace
and a tiny bit of salt


Poured it in a pre-purchased graham cracker crust and popped it in the 425 degree oven for about 45 minutes.


For the top, I candied some pecans.  (Sprinkled on after the pie had finished baking.)


Not to toot my own tooting thing, but this pie was delicious!  (We're down to one slice now!)  Also amazing with a scoop of thick Greek yogurt.

Okay, love you! Bye-bye!