Are all parents so proud!?

I've heard many other moms talk about a time in their baby's development when it seems they are doing something new and exciting, well, constantly - or so it seems from the way they talk. Well, there have been times "like" that for Eva in the past, kinda.... But this last week, hold the phone, or you socks... or whatever it is you are supposed to hold when there is breaking news. So you ask, what new things can Eva do. Well to start, she CRAWLS!!! This long awaited feat of strength and coordination is finally Eva's. She loves it, so much that usually a crawl of any length begins and ends with a head stand - that is her version of down-ward facing dog, with top of the head on the ground, of course! She still lacks direction - she'll start off toward me and then get distracted and turn back and then get distracted and lay down and then get distracted and roll over.... I fear this may be a life long trait. Oh well - she crawls and that makes her happy and THAT makes me happy. We are so proud!















Second, Eva loves a cup. Not a sippy cup. Oh no. Give her a real, regular cup, or give her.... mama - just NOT a bottle or a sippy cup. She's been drinking out of a cup for a while, so a few days ago I decided to try letting her hold the cup while she drank. I told her "both hands", so she took hold with both hands and drank better than ever. With all the control she not only gets more to drink, but more baths a day... what could be better!




































Third - Eva has finally discovered that she doesnt' HAVE to have a shirt on if she doesn't want to. Too bad she discovered this just in time for a Montana winter! Don't you just love that budda belly!















Fourth - yes, there is a fourth... Drum roll please.... Eva now goes to bed all by herself!!! And she sleeps through the night. Thanks to Weston, some divine inspiration, and a bit of perspiration on my part, she not only falls asleep on her own in a matter of minutes each night, but she will do it for Weston!! That means I don't even have to be there and she can still do it! She also stays asleep ( for months she's been waking up about 1/2 hour after she goes down to nurse again and some times again and again.... ). And, perhaps best of all, most nights she sleeps through the night for a total of about 12 hours. This means I actually do get some free time in the evenings and SHE gets a good night sleep as well. What could be better!?

Well, busy week eh. I wonder what will happen next week. Walking, rock climbing, piano playing, calculus.... who knows!!!

Brown Oat Bread

A while back Lindsey called me and asked for my oat bread recipe. Unfortunately I wasn't home when she called and then she wasn't home when I called, so the recipe has never been given. So now I am going to give it to you all and I hope Lindsey will find it. Enjoy.

Brown Oat Bread - makes 4 medium sized loaves

5 Cups very warm water
1 Tbl sugar
2 1/2 Tbl yeast
4 Cups oats

-Mix all these together in a big bread bowl.
-Then add the following.

1/2 Cup honey
2/3 Cup applesauce
4 tsp almond extract
2 Tbl salt
4 Cups whole wheat flour

-Mix well and enjoy the aroma of the almond extract... yummmm
-Next work in ~7 - 8 Cups of bread flour. This can all be done in the big bowl, working the last bit in with your hands. The dough should come away from the sides, but will still be quite sticky. Once you've worked it in, you are good to go. No need to kneed... :)
-Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, but no longer. If you get busy and forget it, it will taste yeasty.
-Punch it down and form into loaves. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and let the loaves rise for 1/2 hr.
-Bake for 35 min til the tops are a nice darkish golden brown color.
-Remove from the bread tins and let cool on a cookie rack.

This really is my favorite everyday sandwich and toast bread. It is so easy, so quick, and sooo tasty. It will make your parents and grandparents proud.

Tips 1- don't be tempted to leave out the almond extract 2- feel free to substitute sour cream or whole fat cottage cheese for half of the applesauce. 3-if you don't have a lot of honey on hand, use 2/3 C brown sugar.