A Boy and His Harp

Jordan taught Jonah how to play the harmonica! This Tennessee baby definitely has some bluegrass in him. 

Also, it was laundry day and the end of the day with a toddler. Don't judge our house.

 

Birthday Part Dos

More pictures from the little man's family party. Grandma Mabry was nice enough to decorate for him and make it a very special day! We also tried to celebrate mine and J's birthday, but let's be honest... no one was going to steal Jonah's thunder. The party was all his!

My dad is the most impatient person EVER when it comes to presents, and Grandpa couldn't hold in his excitement for very long, so most of Jonah's gifts were just opened and given to him in a giant mass. What a goof :)

Thanks to our family for spoiling our little man (and us, always) and for hosting such a fun time!

Cheer up, Charlie!

The typical first birthday cake smashing!

Buddy Turns One!

Here are some photos from Jonah's special celebrations!

On his actual birthday, Jonah's Grandma, Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa, and Great Aunt came to take him to Wendy's for a frosty and spoil him with presents.

He got Finding Nemo bath toys, a cool dump truck riding toy, and a firetruck (that is the loudest toy we own... and he loves it. Naturally).

Pumpkin Patch

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to the pumpkin patch at Vertuccio Farms. We had tons of fun, and it was marvelous getting to spend some family time together (it is hard to come by these days).

We spent most of the time going down slides, paying visits to all of the different animals, climbing on hay and pumpkins, and riding the barrel train. Jonah enjoyed himself, but I think he was mostly confused. He may still be a little too young. High hopes for next year!

There was a corn maze, too, but we decided that was a little much and just kept imagining getting half way through and the little man having a meltdown.  

Side note: Notice how we are all in shorts... It was probably about 87 that day. Okay, cool weather. Aaaany day now. I have been wearing the same summer clothes for eight months, and I am ready to put them under my bed and never look at them again (or at least until March). Plus, Jordan is gonna lose it if we have to turn our air conditioning on in the middle of November.

Here are some pictures of our "Fall" adventure!

Measuring our little (big) man!

 This one makes me laugh so hard. What is the point of taking super unflattering photos if you are the only one that gets to see them? Enjoy, my friends :)

We both tried our hand at the Strong Man test. Jordan got a 9 (woo woo!). I got a 4 (wah wah waaaah).

Wheeee!

Two hunky dudes just learnin' about corn!

We have some videos to  post soon, so stay tuned.

Rough

We have plenty of fun things to post about, but really we've just been trying to keep our heads above water over here.

Jonah has been teething and cutting molars CONSTANTLY for about two months now, and the past week and a half have been the worst of it. Most days are packed with this...

And also Mom wanting to burst into tears, as well :)

I know he is in pain, and I feel so bad for our Buddy, but I also could maybe use just one day of a normal happy toddler? Please? PLEASE!??

Anywho, we will try to get back to updating when things get a little easier. Anyone that wants to come hold an adorable almost 14-month old for 10 hours is welcome to!

I will make you dinner plus dessert. Or give you a limb. Or, possibly, carry a child for you.

Be back soon!

Pinterest Finds

I am constantly looking for new recipes to try. Thankfully, Pinterest has an endless supply of meals for us to test out! Lately, these have been some of our favorites, so I thought our friends and family might benefit. :)

Lemon and Sage Pasta from Living Well Spending Less

 

This recipe was so light and delicious. I am a sucker for sage and would be happy if every recipe had it. We ate the whole bowl in no time flat! (we are working on portion control over here)

 

 

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Pasta from Yellow Bliss Road

 

We have made this one multiple times, and though it isn't the healthiest of meals, it is some dang good comfort food! Yum. Perfect for Sunday Dinner.

 

 

 Vegan Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili from Milk Free Mom

Props to my BFF Katherine for recommending this one. We ate it both the healthy way and with some sour cream and tortilla chips, and it was dyn-o-MITE!

 

 Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese Alfredo from Lauren's Latest

Maybe it's just because I am obsessed with goat cheese and could eat a whole block in one sitting, but this recipe was SO. GOOD. It takes a little bit more time than a normal dinner, because you have to roast the red peppers beforehand and blend it all in the mixer, but it is worth it. Dare I say this is my favorite Pinterest recipe of all time!?

 Paleo Cottage Pie (Shepherd's Pie) from Get Beasted

So, we aren't into the whole Crossfit/Paleo thing, but every now and then I still like to cook the recipes (can't go wrong with veggies and protein). This was delicious! We used ground turkey with some sage, rosemary, and thyme mixed in and added sweet potatoes and corn for extra veggies. It basically tasted like Thanksgiving in a bowl!

 

 

Grandparents

Some of my most special childhood memories are times spent with my grandparents. Weekends with Grandma and Grandpa Gary were passed with wheelbarrow races across the backyard and trips to Smitty's (where I would, inevitably, freeze in the air conditioning, and my grandma would find a beach towel and wrap it around me until we were ready to leave).

 J and I would play Nintendo until our eyes bogged out of our heads (or, really, I would fight to get a game in here and there when his friends were hogging it). We also took lots of Radio Flyer walks around the block.

The thing I remember most about Grandma and Grandpa Mabry's house are haircuts in the barber's chair on the back porch, chihuahua dogs, and my Grandma Isabel's laugh. They always had ice cold Pepsi in their fridge, and we would spend hours banging on the piano keys (which were never in tune) and collecting walnuts in the backyard.

Now, I am so grateful that Jonah has such wonderful grandparents to make memories with. There is just nothing like a grandma or grandpa in the eyes of a grandchild. They can do no wrong! We are thankful that Buddy gets to see two of his frequently, and we can't wait until his sweet Grandma and Grandpa Rose are back here with us to get lots of play time, too!

 Right after Jonah was born and right before Grandma and Grandpa Rose left on a mission to Johannesburg, South Africa!

Jonah Rose walks!

We have been waiting and WAITING for Jonah to start walking. He crawled really early, and hasn't really shown interest in anything but since then. Most of his friends his age (and younger!) have already taken their first steps (or are walking around the block, eh Nancy? :).

I know that every child develops and reaches milestones differently, and that is totally fine, but the frustrating thing is KNOWING that he could if he would try when he won't! He has been really timid, and just prefers to stand, think about it for a while, and slowly lower himself to the floor. Hahah. It's definitely been a lesson in motherhood and letting him follow his own timetable!

Thankfully, the past few nights he has been taking more steps! Last night we even caught it on video. We are so proud of our little toddler! Enjoy!

Flagstaff

Over the past few months, we have gone camping in Flagstaff with friends a couple of times.

Jordan and I set up our two person tent next to the Element, where we put up all of the seats and put in Jonah's pack 'n play. He actually has slept pretty great in there at night, much to our excitement! During naps/daytime is a different story...

We love it up North and sometimes wish we could live there. The summers and scenery are so beautiful, but then there is that little issue known as winter. I'm sure we could take it, but I would probably need three or four hot baths a day :)

Here are some photos of the outdoor fun!

 I call this one, "Doofus and Child"

 

Sedona Climb

Jordan and Ammon's climb in Sedona. It is super loud from wind and a bit shaky, but you can at least get an idea. For our family members who may have a heart attack watching, they are anchored into the rock and totally safe  :)

Jammin'

Jonah is obsessed with drumming. He loves to smack things together, and his face just lights up whenever Jordan is in the drum room playing. 

Every now and then, Dad lets him throw down some beats, too!

I see a lot of noise in my future.

What We've Been Up To

Last weekend, we went up North to Flagstaff to spend time with friends. Jordan and his long-time buddy Ammon did a triple pitch climb in Sedona, which is seriously one of the most beautiful places ever. As soon as we get his pictures and video uploaded, we will share them! Jordan gets so little time away from work that it is always nice to take a trip somewhere together as a family! 

Things are finally cooling down here in Gilbert, and we have been able to get out and enjoy the nicer weather a little bit. This means, we have finally been able to hang out together in the backyard! It has been no man's land for the past few months, as we tend to hole up in the air conditioning of our home, Hobby Lobby, Target, Lowe's, or any other place in which we can entertain ourselves for a little while and not sweat our guts out. The other morning was so nice that we all played and relaxed on a blanket in our grass.

Roughhousing!

I have also been trying to take Jonah to the park more often. He would go down the slide all day long, but when it comes to the swings or sand, he could kind of do without them. Homeboy's going to have to get over it if he ever wants to survive Kindergarten!

Buddy and I spent this past weekend with my family up in Anthem while Jord took a boys' trip to St. George. We also both got nasty colds... Why is it that whenever the man of the house leaves, we both get horribly ill!!? I will never understand it.

I know we have been in our house for, oh, four months now and I still have not posted pictures. I also know our friends and family have requested them about a hundred times. Sorry, guys :( I am working on it!

Most days, I am lucky if one room of the house is clean enough to take a photo of because of the little one-man tornado, so we are going to have to do this gradually. Also, I still have yet to hang anything on 89% of the walls.

Mostly, life is great, and we are loving every day! :)

 

 

Tunes

What I've been listening to lately...

Typhoon-White Lighter 

Xavier Rudd-Spirit Bird 

The Civil Wars 

The Avett Brothers-Magpie and the Dandelion

Lorde
(who I may have to pretend I never liked if she becomes the next M.C. or J.B. :)

Camera Obscura-Desire Lines

Phantogram-EP



Others that I want to check out soon but haven't had the chance:


Volcano Choir-Repave

Amos Lee-Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song



Recommendations for more welcome! (we are always looking for new music)

Jonah turns ONE!

We're almost a month late on this post, but let's be honest here. I think it's no secret that I am a slobby blogger. A slogger.

At this rate, we are lucky if I get one a month in. Sigh... 

Anywho, our little guy turned one on September 20th, and it was nuts! I still can't believe he is a year old. This has been both the longest and shortest year of my life, and I can still remember that day when he was born at Women's East in Chattanooga so vividly. Honestly, it's hard to look back on that day and this whole year of crazy ups and downs and not feel like an Amazon warrior queen(if that existed, which I'm pretty sure it does not) who can do anything. Motherhood is insane and hard, but so rewarding and sweet and wonderful.

Jonah is the best; he is so hilarious, weird, stubborn, precious, and wild. We love his curly mullet hair and his jack-o-lantern smile. He still is not walking, yet, but we are getting closer every day! He says mama and dada (and I swear he says "yeah" all the time, but maybe it's just wishful thinking), but he is still a little slow on the talking front, no matter how hard I try.

At his one year check up, Jonah weighed exactly 20 pounds (28th percentile), which I thought was kind of funny because he was exactly 9 pounds when he was born. He was 30 1/4 inches tall (65th percentile) and his head circumference was 18 (38th percentile).

For his actual birthday, Grandma Mabry, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Gary, and (great) Aunt Robin came over for lunch. He got some fabulous toys to play with and got a Wendy's Frosty. We will post more pictures of the day and his birthday party soon!

 

Spicy Vegetarian/Vegan Quiñoa Tacos

So, I have been trying to be better about stretching groceries and making meals out of what we have left to help with the budget. You know, like my guy Tim Gunn always says, "Make it Work!"

Occasionally, it makes for some veerrry interesting combinations. And by interesting, I mean pretty bad. And by pretty bad, I mean tasteless and/or cardboardy.

However, every now and then a star is born, and we have a fantastic dinner! Enter, these tacos. I think it is more appropriate to call them, "Hobo Tacos" but that doesn't sound too appetizing. It's also probably not P.C. Sorry. I highly recommend just grabbing whatever you can that sounds good and mixing it in!

We are trying to eat less meat (the whole grocery budget thing, again), but if you have any leftover chicken or beef, throw that in as well! This meal can also easily be made vegan if you pay attention to the tortillas that you buy (or just use lettuce leaves), use primarily fresh or frozen veggies that have been thawed, and forego any dairy additions.

All of these amounts are estimated and are just what we happened to have on hand. You can add less or more to your taste and according to how many mouths you need to feed!

Spicy Vegetarian Quinoa Tacos

1/2 c. cooked Quinoa

1 can black beans

1 c. cooked corn (I used thawed freezer corn)

1/2 can diced green chilies

1 can garbanzo beans

2 tomatoes, diced

3 or 4 leaves Romaine lettuced, chopped (not chopped if using as tortilla substitute)

1 cloved garlic, minced

1/2 c. cilantro, chopped

1-2 tbsp. olive oil

8 tortillas

(I prefer corn, but flour or whole wheat work, too!)

optional: vegetable oil to cook/crisp tortillas on stovetop, salsa

Other things that we might have thrown on, had they been in our sad, empty fridge: avocado, red onion, cheese, sour cream, bell pepper (any color), a chipotle pepper in adobo (minced), a little bit of jalapeno pepper, other beans or lentils

Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the box (don't forget to rinse it beforehand! This is the secret to making it fluffy and delicious). While it is simmering, add the black beans, corn, green chilies, garbanzo beans, and garlic to a big bowl and mix. When the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork and add it to the bowl. Let it sit and cool a little bit while you chop the tomatoes and cilantro. Add those both, along with the olive oil, and give the whole mixture a good toss, making sure that everything is incorporated.

We like to have our tortillas a little warm and crispy, so we heat them over the stove with some oil until they are browned and bubbly. This is just us being tortilla snobs, though. Plain is just fine, too.

Enjoy!:)

Midway

Every summer, Jordan's side of the family has a big get-together. All of the siblings, in-laws, and cousins stay together (which is NUTS and fun), and we spend most of the time talking, swimming, playing, and scarfing down milkshakes. It's a grand ol' time!

Every other year, Amy's in-laws are nice enough to let us stay at their condo at the Zermatt in Midway. Can I just say how obsessed I am with that place? It is so insanely beautiful, I feel like I am in a postcard.

We were pretty nervous about the drive up and back with the little man, but despite a couple of hitches here and there, he did great! The drives were not bad at all (it was divine intervention, I'm sure of it). On the way down, we drove all night. Jordan was a champ and drove most of the way, while I slept until early morning. We got to Provo Canyon around 6:30 or 7 a.m., and even though I was dead tired, I woke right up driving through.  I can honestly say that it is one of my top three favorite places in the world. Not only is it sentimental because of all of the time spent there hiking/driving/floating in the lake back in the day with my lady friends, but it just makes me feel so happy and homey. As we drove through, I told Jord I wanted to be buried there... too morbid? Probably.

We are so glad we got to spend time with all of our family and that Jonah was able to play with all of his crazy cousins! ;) He didn't say much about it, but I could tell from the glimmer in his eyes that he was in heaven!

  [These cuties!]

 [How can thinking about him growing up be so exciting and heartbreaking at the same time!?]