Scarlett is 4 months old and we are finally settled in Charlotte! We are all loving life in our new home and look forward to discovering more of what this great city has to offer. This has been a busy and exciting past month. Here is an update:
- We moved in on July 31 and thanks to my sweet in-laws we are all unpacked.
- Our neighborhood is wonderful! All of our neighbors are so welcoming. One night while unpacking, our next door neighbor brought by a huge dinner for us. Another neighbor brought brownies. We feel right at home!
- Scarlett is "talking" more than ever now. She is constantly squealing and making little noises. She also laughs now and it is the cutest thing ever! She's most ticklish under her arms and her neck.
- She is wearing 6 month clothes. She seems really long.
- She is a hair puller, so I'm wearing more ponytails than I ever have.
- She tries to grab everything, so we have to watch her. She almost pulled Alex's dinner into his lap when we were eating.
- She loves her new interactive seat and watching cartoons. This is great for me because it allows me to get some stuff done around the house.
- She doesn't really like me to read to her, but she does like looking at the pictures and trying to rip out pages.
- She's sleeping through the night from 8:30 pm to 7:45 am. She eats about 8 oz. 4 times a day.
- She still really likes baths and she loves to splash.
- She's lost almost all of her first hair and it is growing back light red. ginger baby! :)
- Her eyes are still blue, but have specks of green.
I have been cooking a lot more lately and a lot more healthier. Here are some recipes that are just too good not to share.
Balsamic Chicken
with Fresh Spinach and Tomatoes served over Parmesan pasta with broccoli
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 medium sweet onion, sliced
1 large tomato, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach
salt to taste
pepper to taste
2 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, divided
2 cups broccoli
1/4 cup Fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
dry pasta
Heat 2-3 tbsp olive oil in large skillet. Brown chicken, onion, and garlic. Reduce heat to medium and add balsamic vinegar, tomato, spinach, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
Boil and salt water. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and add 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.
Steam broccoli and serve on side.
Summer Rice
1 cup uncooked rice (brown or white)
2 cups water
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 frozen peas
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 yellow onion, diced
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Cook rice. Set aside.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and saute garlic, onion, peas, and celery. Add to cooked rice. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Enjoy!
Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! Aunt Kate is babysitting tonight, so we can go on a date. Yippee!
Love and hugs,
Emily and Scarlett
