Bug Kisses

This is a video of Ada Bug kissing her Daddy.... hugs are her affection of choice, and the camera proves to be quite distracting (every time!)... but at about 1 minute 15 seconds into the clip she leans in to plant a big wet one on him!

Disclaimer: my voice is really loud and obnoxious trying to coax her to ignore the camera and kiss Casey, so if you mute your speakers you won't miss a thing!!! :)

A Sweet Day

We are ear infection free as of today's visit to Dr. Gonzalez! After a round of 3 Roceffin (sp?) shots (notoriously painful and terrible), we were so thankful to be able to put off tubes- at least for a little bit. The ear infection signs I'd been noticing are actually just her top 2 teefies trying to come in- The Bug will soon be Bugs Bunny! If she can just get through 8 more days of daycare without catching some kind of head cold, we should be in the clear until the fall!

We also made sweet potato enchiladas- inspired by Grams. Ada had a blast helping! Here is the recipe:

8 tortillas (I used whole wheat- Grams used flours)

3 sweet potatoes (I left the skins on)- diced and steamed

1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained)- steam with sweet potatoes

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

4-8 oz cream cheese (I used about 6!)

8 oz Monterrey Jack cheese (I used a lot more)

1-10oz can green enchilada sauce

Mash the sweet potatoes, black beans, spices and cream cheese together and fill the tortillas. Roll up and put seam-side down in a baking dish. Top with the enchilada sauce and Monterrey Jack cheese. Bake on 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, until top is golden brown. I then spread sour cream and some avacados on top and they are DELISH! :)

I also added a little shredded chicken, but it's fine without! :)

Welcome to Our Blog!

OK, I figured it's time to begin a blog. Let me catch you up on our lives up to this point. Ada Grace "Buggy" Dowell was born 8 months ago. She is the happiest baby I've ever met- smiling at anyone and anything that will look her way. (Her separation anxiety is increasing by the minute- but as long as she's clinging to Mom or Dad, things are still amusing!)

She's hit your typical milestones: rolling, sitting, babbling... and she's just embarked on the beginnings of a scoot. (Still not mobile, just setting herself up for it.) She can take her time on that one- we rather like the ease and consistency of having a non-crawler.

I have been a little psycho when it comes to Ada's meals- I like to think of it as healthy and preventative! She has not received a drop of formula, and I make all of her baby food from mostly organic fruits and vegetables. (She likes Apples and Zucchini the most! And Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, and Butternut Squash... she is my daughter- not in appearance, but in preferences!)

Despite all of the healthy efforts, she's still suffering from incessant ear infections and has been on antibiotics since early March- it is ridiculous, frustrating, and trying. We are on our last ear infection before a visit to the ENT to discuss tubes. We are READY, I'm about to put them in myself! That will be a good second post!

I got a ladybug tattoo on my foot in honor of our Bug...

I also teach High School Chemistry- this was my first year teaching. Let's just say that beginning a new career (teaching is not an easy profession- we earn that 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week at Spring Break, and 8 weeks of Summer!), buying a new home, and having a baby all within 4 weeks of each other make for a very exhausting year. There are 8 school days left until I have 2 months off with the world's sweetest baby, and it cannot come soon enough. Although this year has been difficult (but wonderful), I LOVE my job and am going to miss my hormonal, sassy, fabulous 15-17 year olds dearly!!! Well...most of them.

Casey is still at Aerotek- he was promoted from Recruiter to Account Manager (Sales!) in December. He is keeping his head above water in this terrible economy- he has survived lots of "severances" and is even starting to develop a little new business. Way to go, Babe!

Murphy is currently keeping Grams company- we are trying to eliminate all possible sources of Ada's constant colds/allergies/ear infections/etc. Unfortunately, it seems like her sniffling and sneezing has improved in his absence. :( Sad Face. We can't decide if he would be better off with us as an outside dog, or with Grams living the life of a King. I will keep you posted!

We love all of you, and you are all welcome to come visit us anytime- our blog or our home!