Things we shouldn't do...

There a ton of things we shouldn't do, but the one I feel like I'm the most guilty of right now is comparing my child to others of about the same age. I hear about some child being able to say specific words to indicate something, or how a child can walk by this point and I immediately think Evie's falling behind. It's the worst. It's like an involuntary response to which I have to mentally tell myself not to compare my child to others. I know rationally that my child is unique and that all children develop at their own pace and that, in the end, she will conquer all the milestones when she's good and ready. But it's been hard to rewire my brain to not jump to that comparison.

It's scary how much they look like each other.

Little Girl (because she's becoming less and less of a baby every day) just turned 9 months last week and there are some truly amazing things she can do and some really funny things too. For example, if I lay down on the floor and lift my shirt up, she immediately rushes over from where ever she was, drops what she was doing, to face plant into my belly. I assume she's trying to blow raspberries on my belly like I do to her when I change her diaper, but she can't quite blow out, so it's just an open-mouthed face plant. She also thinks it's really funny when someone sneezes.

But I still hear about babies who can say Dada and Mama to the correct parent at this age, or babies who are already walking and I can't help but think my baby is falling behind. How do you deal with not comparing your child (or yourself, or your marriage, etc.) to others?

I've been neglecting my blog

There are just so many more things I'd rather be doing than updating my blog. Like playing with this little one!

We've done some pretty fun things lately. Evie tried avocados, and loved it.

Figured out how to open the wipes.

And spent a weekend of two firsts at once: Camping at the beach

We had a ton of fun at the beach and Little Girl *LOVED* it. She couldn't get enough of it. Just like her mom. :)

Beach Weekend

I am so excited for our beach trip this weekend! Matt, Baby Girl and I are going camping on the beach at Carolina Beach, where you can drive right on to the beach! And we'll have some friends with us too. I'm pretty excited to try out our 4-whel drive for the first time. I just hope we don't get stuck! :)

It will also be the first time I've been to the beach this summer! How is that possible?! I suppose when driving for more than an hour or so doesn't jive with the little one, it makes it hard to go on trips... Any way, I'm really looking forward to watching Evie discover the sand! So far, the weather is looking pretty good and I can't wait!!

Recipe Time: Turkey Gnocchi Soup

So, I wasn't sure what to do for dinner because my planned menu had gone out the window. I'd used up some ingredients already and didn't want to go buy more because I had a ton of food in my fridge! I just needed something to make with it. Thus, this soup was born. It was raining on Monday when I made it and I knew I needed something that would make a ton so I could take the rest of it to a sister in our ward who just had a baby. Soup just sounded right, so I started assembling things I had on hand and I was pretty impressed with how it turned out! I didn't measure anything, so don't hold me to the amounts. I just did a little of this and a little of that until it turned out right, so you may have to tweak this to your personal tastes, but in the end , I know you'll love it!

Turkey Gnocchi Soup - Serves 12 (aka, make this in a BIG pot)

1 Stick of butter
1/2 cup of flour
6 cups milk
6 cups of chicken stock
Turkey breast, fully cooked, cut into big chunks
Big handful of shredded carrot
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 lb. potato gnocchi
1 bag of frozen vegetables of your choice (I used peas and corn)
Seasoned salt and Pepper to taste


In a large pot on the stove, melt the butter and whisk in your flour. Cook the mixture over medium high heat for about a minute or two. Then, slowly whisk in your milk and chicken stock. Keep whisking until the soup thickens. Once the soup thickens, add your chopped turkey breast, shredded carrot, and garlic and onion powders and keep heating for about 10 minutes. Add the gnocchi and frozen vegetables and season to taste. Allow the gnocchi and vegetables to heat through and serve with some yummy bread!


Sorry I don't have a picture to show! All the leftovers went to feed the other family. But let me assure you, this soup won't last long in your fridge!