Rosebud: A Blossoming Flower!

Time has flown by since we moved here to Aberdeen in the end of September. Rose had basically just turned one, was sucking a pacifier, only crawling, and barely saying any words. Now it's just 3 months later and our little Rosebud is blossoming into a beautiful toddler flower haha! Ok so I guess that's where my analogy breaks down, so I'll stop trying to use it :)

I did a post on her turning one, but realized that I had forgotten to post pictures of her little birthday party in Pennsylvania, so I wanted to share a few of those.

This is how I found her after her nap :)

Ballerina?

Kisses!

Well - it's hard to believe, but Rose is 16 MONTHS OLD now!

Even thought life has been so busy here, I want to make sure I document some of Rose's progression from baby to toddler so that I don't' forget how amazing the change was.

Here are a few areas she has changed in the last 3 months:
*Bye-Bye Pacifier! It was just about two weeks after we had been here, she had basically just given up her bottle in PA before we left and  was waiting to pull the paci until we got here and everything wasn't so new. Well, I only brought about 5-6 pacifiers and one day when we were walking with the stroller, Rose threw her pacifier out on the ground without my realizing it. I said to Tim, we'll I guess that's it. she cried a bit for a day or two going to bed, then it was over. I can't believe it! She immediate started seeming older!

* FIRST STEPS at Lloyds bank in Aberdeen just a week after our arrival(13 months).

* At 14 months she was saying: up(u), down(d), book(bu), apple(she would eat an entire apple core and all while we were taking long walks!), ya, that(dat), this(dis), dada, mama, uh oh, all done (ah duh)

* She started taking 3-4 steps consistently(prior to that she was much happier crawling and cruising) on November 12 (15 months)

* Now at 16 months she is also saying: up please (up, peas), dance(dac), juice(juc), Cheese(chee), Hat(at) - she love to put anything on her head and say, "at"

* SHE LOVES TO SLEEP! If we don't lay her down at 6 or 6:30 pm she is a mess! And she will sleep until 8/8:30am. Fortunately Maddy has been walking out of their room quietly when she wakes up around 6:45 or 7am and Rose keeps on snoozing away which really helps us get the morning going and me to get my workout in!

* Down to one nap - she will usually sleep from 12p -3p.

* She is a little climber, but is much more careful than Maddy and usually asks for help to get dow (down).

* She is happy to play by herself (in that fun mischievous stage of taking things out of cupboards and hiding them other places in the house - not so fun when I really need that mixing bowl to make dinner - haha!

* She also loves to follow Maddy around and just do whatever she is doing. They really have started to play well together. I have learned that sometimes when I hear a frustrated squeal from the other room when I'm doing dishes, that I need to let them work it out. And they seem to have found a "peaceable" way to play together ---most of the the time :0)

*She nods her head vigorously when we ask her a question that the answer is "yes" and shakes it no too! It's so fun to see her express her opinion.

* She has a great attention span! THAT she did not get from me - Thanks Tim!

*Even though she is still itty bitty - she eats a ton. I swear she eats all day long!

Just met with their doctor for the first time here(very nice lady!)
Weight: 8kg (17.6 lbs) 9%
Height:  74.5cm (29 inches) 9%

LOVE this sweet girl. She is so calm, mild natured, easy going, happy, and loving!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday- Shepherd's Pie - Last time I made it I froze half of the base so that I could make it quickly this time. Yay!

Tuesday- Chicken Roulade and roasted carrots - never got to make this last week because we had leftover chili and ended up doing a pizza night because there was a buy one get one free deal :)
     *Last time I made this, I made it with pasta and just added some of the extra cranberry's, nuts, and  spinach to the pasta. It was yummy! This time I'm just doing baked carrots to trim down the calories.

Wednesday -Baked Chicken, crispy broccoli(drizzled  with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper and baked at 425 for about 7 minutes
Thursday- Chicken Quesadillas - I am usually able to use the leftovers from the baked chicken above to make the next two meals!
Friday- White Chicken Chili, crispy bread

Madison You're THREE!!!

Dearest Madison,
It's hard to believe, but just a few short weeks ago, you turned 3 while in Scotland. I honestly can't believe it! It really seems like yesterday that your Dad and I met you for the first time on that cold winter morning in Chicago! Here are our first few moments with you. It was like time stood still.

Our lives became fuller and more meaningful that day Maddy! 

We thank the Lord for you. 

Soon you started to grow up and even make lifelong friends (maybe husband?) right Kim and Sam?! :0) Your personality and zest for life became evident. 

I love this precious picture of you and your Daddy napping together. I treasure those moments!

 Before we knew it, a year had flown by and you were toddling around like you owned the place

(and still do might I add :)

 

And you were only 1 1/2 when your little sister Rose was born. You were so brave and such a great big sister, even though you were so little yourself!

And ZIP - there went another year. You turned two and had a My Little Pony party with some of your favorite buddies in Chicago.

 I remember distinctly the fun you had running around the house playing with your friends on your big day. It made your Dad and I so happy!

 You and your sister bonded quickly, although not always seamlessly ;) You always took such good care of her and were very protective of her - that is unless you were the one doing the damage ;() 

Soon we started packing to leave Chicago to move to PA for a month, only to move to Scotland for 3 years! What a big transition! There were a few tough times, but all in all in time you handled it beautifully and bounced right back to your happy self! Your Dad and I were amazed!

~~~~~~~~

Now here we are and you just turned 3!

You asked specifically for a Disney princess party and the little girl in me was happy to oblige! 

Star wand cookies

  You can name every princess now and have seen every Disney princess there is to see I think.

 You think yourself a little princess and your Mommy and Daddy King and Queen - I certainly don't mind that when you bow and say "Thank you your Majesty" when your Dad or I get you something :)

 You were so antsy waiting for your friends to arrive to your party...

 You sang, "Bippity Boppity Boo" to your party food, pretending that they themselves were turning into princesses. Could you please not grow up any more sweetie? 

I just can't get enough of these precious moments!

 It's only been 3 short months that we have been in a new COUNTRY and yet you have managed to make little friends already -that's when I'm grateful for your happy outgoing personality.

 Your friend Rebekah, who you look up to like a big sister, gave you her "well-loved" Belle dress for you to have now that she's outgrown it and you almost wear it every day!

 You were in tears when you friends had to go home... but I love that about you. 

You feel things with such passion.

 Your Dad and I have enjoyed three wonderful years with you and we are so thankful that you are part of our lives! You make us smile, giggle, dance, sing, play, and just plain enjoy the little moments of life more. You are precious in the eyes of the Lord and in ours too! 

Your sister adores you and loves nothing more than to toddle around after you. I love to see that you are such wonderful friends already! 

You are becoming such lovely young lady and we just can't wait to see all of the amazing things God has in store for you! 

Menu Plan Monday + BEST Cornbread!

Monday- Beef stuffed peppers (389 calories per pepper- More nutritional info here.)

Tuesday - Salmon with Lemon and Dill (320 Calories per fillet), Salad with Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette (43 calories)

Wednesday - Red chili and cornbread. I got this Chili recipe of my Friend Suzanne's blog called, Frugal Rock - love her and her blog! Thanks Suz, I've been needing a good chili recipe!

*I serve this chili with the most amazing cornbread ever. One of my college professor's wives gave it to me way back in 2000. Every time I serve it people go nuts! It's a souped up jiffy mix recipe and we can't even get jiffy mix over here. I have to order it off of Amazon UK - that's how good this stuff is - I have to have it :) But I will say this - it makes a HUGE amount of cornbread 9x13 and THICK! So I usually make a whole batch and freeze half of the batter for the next time I make chili :)

-Oh and it's absolutely terrible for you. BUT it's SO worth the calories! So with my calorie counting, I'll only be having one piece with my chili.


THE BEST Cornbread: 
3 small boxes of jiffy cornbread mix    
1 stick of melted butter    
5 eggs                                          
1 (12 oz) can of evaporated milk
1 cup of sugar

* Beat eggs and mix in sugar. Add milk, stir well. Add melted butter and jiffy mix, stir well. Put in a 9x13 pan and bake (at 350) until golden brown (about 45 min). It makes A LOT of corn bread. So I usually freeze half of the batter in a tupperware container and bake only half in a 8x8 pan ;)

Thursday - Cream of Broccoli Soup (309 calories), crispy bred

Friday-  Chicken Roulade and roasted carrots


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