Sweet Potatoes

In the interest of promoting less expensive methods of feeding babies with voracious appetites, I thought I would post some of the "recipes" I have been using to feed Elijah. Most of my newfound knowledge is from http://www.wholesomebabyfoods.com/; check out this excellent resource.

Sweet Potatoes

- Wash and peel one large sweet potatoe.
- Cut in 1" slices. Cube each slice.
- Place cubes in medium saucepan. Fill pan with enough water to almost cover the potatoes.
- Boil for ~20 minutes, or until a fork can be easily inserted.
- Allow to cool slightly.
- Transfer cubes to blender. Slightly mash the potatoes in the process. Blend, adding cooking water as necessary to reach the desired consistency. (I have found that food should be very soft, but not be able to quickly drip off a spoon.)
- Fill ice tray with sweet potatoe puree & freeze.

Super easy and I have 16 oz of food for around $1.00!

Introducing Joe

Thanksgiving was wonderful for many reasons - primarily because we met Joe! My dear sister is now engaged to this man: Elijah was very much at ease with Joe (notice the complete right arm relaxation).

Welcome to the Ham Fam Joe! We are so glad to know you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Woohoo! This is my favorite holiday! This year is extra special because we will be meeting my sister's fiance over a turkey dinner. (Yes, she is engaged! Yes, it is a great proposal story!) Plus, it is Elijah's first Thanksgiving.

Elijah is slowly learning to sit up. Things like the boppy and being confined to a laundry basket help him feel a little more confident.

Thankfully, we are not worried about Elijah's hearing. He can now turn in response to his name. Here you can see him looking at the speakers after I have turned on music.

Elijah LOVES to look at people and smile at them. Hopefully this will be a lasting trait! If he is really happy, he'll stick his tongue out. And if he is exuberant he will stick his tongue out and blow "Ppppbbbbbbbllllll."

We leave in just a few hours for MawMaw and PawPaw's. Have a wonderful weekend, giving special thought to all God has given us!

Catching Up

Since you last saw me, I have:

- Found my feet
- Awakened in a fashion quite similar to how my Momma awakens (i.e. "tore up")
- Started to notice the world in a whole new way....with an open mouth
- Gone on my first business trip with Daddy
- Been dressed up like Peter Rabbit, one of my favorite storytime books.
Oh, and I grew 2 pounds and 3 inches in five weeks! Plus, I tasted my first real food - acorn squash - Mmmmm!

Bella, a movie review

Last night at 10:05 p.m. Rebecca and I were at the movie theater. Out way poast our normal bedtimes and without little ones in tow, I felt like I was in college again.

We saw Bella, and IT IS A GREAT MOVIE! The movie, as promised, is blatantly pro-life. Despite having this inherently Christian element, it is (surprisingly) not cheesy or poorly made. (Another reason, in itself, to see the film - supporting Christians doing quality art.)

This movie is playing only at select theaters, so visit www.bellathemovie.com to find a location near you. It is playing at the Green Hills theater for those living in Nashville.

I so highly recommend this movie that I will squeeze free babysitting into this weeks schedule for the first Nashville couple to contact me.

It's Here!

My new computer, that is! I keep telling Eric "Thank you for my new computer!" with a little too much enthusiasm. How did people survive before the internet?

Since I know that everyone really just likes to see pictures of the Tooskie, I will try to install the camera software and get some pictures posted here soon.

Tomorrow I hope to go see Bella. It is opening in select cities around the country, one of them being Nashville. It is a movie with a blatantly anti-abortion message, or so various reviews have said. If my dear husband and I work out a way for one or both of us to see it, I'll post my own little review here.

Happy weekend!

West Virginia

West Virginia was the only state to gain its title by presidential proclamation. Abraham Lincoln granted a few of Virginia's counties statehood when those counties sided with the Union forces. The rest of Virginia went Confederate, thus losing Lincoln's favor. Interestingly, Stonewall Jackson was born in what is now West Virginia. (So, would he claim Virginia or West Virginia as his home state?) Thus ends todays bit of trivia.

We are here in beautiful, mountainous West Virginia! I am currently looking at yellow, orange, red, maroon, and green leaves - all in various shades - on just the other side of our huge windows. This smallish town is a refreshing change from Nashville. We are in the mountains and only 7 minutes from the capitol! We are staying in Residence Inn which I would highly recommend for, among other things, its spacious floorplan (especially important for those travelling with a pack 'n play).

Yesterday we worshipped with the congregation of Randolph Street Baptist Church. It was an excellent, God-honoring service and the members were all so friendly. One lady showed me the nursery and then took us to Sunday School. Walking in she whispered, "Do you want to sit together?" in an excited voice. It was really cute. We got to meet lots of people there. My favorite was an old man wearing a plaid sportscoat and multi-toned suede shoes with tassles. He bought his sportscoat because it reminded him of his sharp-dressing friend Larry who had recently passed away. (Larry went to church there too, and also owned the BP catty-corner from the church.) It is always encouraging to visit other churches. It reminds me that God is active in all parts of the world, and it makes me thankful for the different works He performs in others. Plus, I got to sing!

Eric and Elijah are taking a nap together right now. Elijah is sorely lacking on naps as I keep taking him on hikes. Today we walked through a few trails in Coonskin Park. The leaves were falling so quickly that it sounded like rain. Elijah just stared at all the falling colors. It was much better than a cribside mobile or Baby Einstein video.

Yesterday we explored the state capitol. My use of "explored" there is well chosen because we wandered all over that beautiful, marble-walled building. There were no security checks when you entered. There were no people around at all, in fact, save one man in a suit. We saw one of the electrical shafts and the huge bricks comprising a portion of the dome. We were even able to get on the roof and see far down the Kanawha River. It was like being on a treasure hunt.

Eric's continuing education class is also going well~:-)