Who Cares What Is In the Box!

One of Jamie’s Hanukkah presents arrived while he was napping yesterday afternoon.  I didn’t get a chance to take the box up to the guest bedroom where I’m hiding all his gifts so he spent the afternoon playing ON the box.

 

Check out my newly perfected climbing skills!

 

Getting ready to stand up… I didn’t get a picture of Jamie standing, I was too busy making, asking, helping him sit down.

 

I like it up here, I’m going to set up my wooden bridge and play cars and trains.

 

Hopefully he’ll like what’s IN the box (an overstuffed kid’s chair from Land of Nod) as much as he likes being ON it.  I’ll keep you posted…

Back Log | Jamie’s First Tailgate

I’m just now getting around to downloading all our pictures from last month… Among the pictures I downloaded were some from our Thanksgiving weekend trip and Jamie’s first USC tailgate.

Matt and I used to be fixtures at Ralph and Patti’s fantastic tailgates and were so excited for Jamie to join in the fun. We decided that taking him to a 7pm game would be a little too much for him (and us) so we had Matt’s sister Tammy join us for the tailgate then take Jamie home in time for dinner and bedtime.   The sheer number of people and noise was a little overwhelming but for the most part, Jamie LOVED the chaos.

The Spadas always set up camp near Leavy Library which means there was a BIG fountain that Jamie was constantly trying to get into, lots of people to say hi to and tons of food to steal munch on (yes, we caught Jamie trying to mooch food from someone else’s tailgate!).  We even let him stomp on some kid’s bruin bear that he was dragging around behind him (did I mention this was the USC vs. UCLA tailgate?).

 

This is my 12th season of football fun with Kristy, yikes! 

She loves Jamie but he was too distracted to give her any love…next time Kris, promise. 

 

 

with Dina and her fiancé Mike

 

stealing the chips, Jamie didn’t want to share.

 

Fight On Aunt Tammy

 

 

I can’t believe we didn’t get a picture of Grace and Jamie together…oh well, there’s always next season, and the one after that and the one after that.    Fight On!

Meal Planning Monday

I’m feeling a bit under the weather today so we’ll see how much of this actually gets made.  Hopefully, I’ll feel back to my regular cooking self by this evening, tomorrow at the latest.  Otherwise, our take-out bill is going to be quite high this week…

~ Definitely Not Martha’s version of Cooking Light’s Pasta with Squash & Bacon (you have to scroll down a little into the post to find the recipe)

~ Albondigas

~ oven fried panko crusted tilapia (from the freezer section at Costco), couscous, something green

~ turkey burgers, rice-a-roni, veggies

~ homemade fried rice

~ sopes (we never got around to these last week)

~ homemade pizzas.  I buy the premade dough at Trader Joes and then we each top with our favorites.

 

What are you making this week?

Meal Planning Monday

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted my meal plan.  Although I’ve been planning, I keep forgetting to post…sorry.  Here’s what we’re eating this week:

~ Beef brisket chili, corn bread (the last of my freezer stash)

~ Carrie’s chicken, casserole style

~ lasagna

~ Trader Joe’s fondue.  I saw this advertised in the Fearless Flyer and decided it would make for a fun, random dinner.  We’ll see what Jamie thinks of one of our favorite foods

~ Chicken sopes, rice and beans

~ pan fried chicken, latkes and something green (Brussels spouts maybe?)

~ Go Out For Dinner!

Brave Little Duck Photography

One of our best college friends Patti recently started a photography business. As soon as we planned our Turkey Day trip, we booked a photo session with her.  Patti’s pictures are absolutely stunning and she’s incredibly talented. 

We spent our early morning at the Piece College Botanical Gardens playing on bridges, blowing bubbles and climbing over tree trunks.  We can’t thank Patti enough for the wonderful experience and fun morning.  I know Jamie wasn’t in his best mood but knowing Patti’s skills, I’m sure she still got some good shots.

Check out the sneak peek on her website, Brave Little Duck Photography.

Julia Update

Thank you to everyone who reached out and showed concern about my parents dog, Julia. 

They were able to find her a home at the Brandon Farouche Canine Communications Center (doesn’t that sound fancy?), where she’s going to go thru a rehabilitation boot camp then assist in their training program.

Graduation Day!

Jamie officially graduated from his physical therapy program today!

Last Thursday we had Jamie’s 18 month well-baby check up with the pediatrician.  She was amazed with his progress and we mentioned that we didn’t really feel like he needed to continue his bi-monthly physical therapy sessions.  To our surprise, the doctor agreed and suggested we call the lead therapist and request an exit evaluation.  The rest of his appointment went great; our little man is still in the third percentile for weight, 50th for height and 90th for head circumference.  He also has the vocabulary and comprehension of a two year old.

I was able to get an appointment for this afternoon and soon after arriving at the house, the therapist was beaming ear to ear, nodding enthusiastically at Jamie’s mobility.  Within 20 minutes, we were done.  Jamie showed off all his ‘latest’ skills – climbing up and down stairs, jumping, getting on and off the couch, throwing balls, etc.  You know, the usual 18 month old antics.  He even has a few tricks that most children don’t exhibit until 22-24 months, yeah Jamie.  His trunk and abdominal strength could still get a little stronger but he’s definitely not weak enough to require continued treatment.

We can’t thank the wonderful staff at Kindering Center enough.  In the six months that we worked with them, Jamie made huge strides and improved his life immeasurably.

pictures by Patti Spada