Money on Honey

Move over dark chocolate peanut M&M's, I have a new favorite candy. It's called Money on Honey and it's sold at Costco right now. It combines a few of my most favorite things: dark chocolate, honey, and sea salt. 

RUN. Try it. 

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Paige's First Day at Skooool

This little girl has changed so much already! As we transition into the daycare setting, I take comfort knowing that Paige has gained some serious weight from the time these pictures were taken until now. She will be the youngest baby in her class by far, the next youngest is 5 months old, so Paige will have to hold her own. We did almost 2 hours at school today and from teachers report it sounds like she did well, just learning how to sleep through other babies crying. Between Roma and big sister, Paige has been pretty well prepped at home.

These pictures were taken when Paige was ~2 weeks old

Sometimes I like to play with edits and I can't decide which one I like better. Other times it's very clear. Here's some examples...

The toothless facial expressions get me every time, like this missing bottom lip one

Option A

Option B

Option A

Option B

Option A

Option B

sdf

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Time hop

Look at this girl 1 year ago!

M

Claire is using so many words these days, it's hard to believe there was a time it was only words like "bye, bye" and "momma/dada." 

This week my favorite words to hear Claire pronounce are bicycle, cinnamon, and Elizabeth :)

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Solo weekend

Ross went to the lakehouse for a weekend with his buds. The girls and I stayed home, but I wasn't really solo at all thanks to the grandparents. Seriously one of the best perks about not living in Alaska anymore!!

Somehow Gigi escaped my camera... this time :)

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Lavender Love

Here's a little lavender lady to bid you adieu before the weekend! Maybe we'll get at least one full nights sleep? Paige isn't so sure...

Pictures taken August 11, Paige ~7 weeks old

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Mongolian Beef

I've been taking a break from Blue Apron meal delivery and trying out a few quick Weeknight recipes I've had my eye on in preparation for my return to work in a couple weeks.

This Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowl recipe (found here) was delicious! I doubled the recipe because there's not much better than cold Chinese take-out type food for leftovers the next day. I used 2 bags of pre-prepared coleslaw mix and low sodium soy sauce to make it healthier. Next time I make I will also try cut back on the brown sugar.

Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls 

Description:  Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls taste just like take out, swapping rice for chewy rice noodles!

Ingredients serves 4
8oz gluten-free rice noodles
1/2 cup low-sodium gluten-free Tamari OR low-sodium soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (or more or less)
2 Tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil, divided
1lb flank steak, sliced very thin against the grain
salt and pepper
5 green onions, green parts chopped into 2" pieces, white and light green parts into 1/2" pieces
3 cups coleslaw mix
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (from 1" piece of ginger)
3 garlic cloves, minced

Directions 
1. Pre-soak rice noodles according to package directions then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together tamari or soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and red chili pepper flakes then set aside.
2. Heat 1/2 Tablespoon oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over heat that's just a touch below high. Make sure oil is very hot before adding 1/3 of the beef in an even layer in the bottom of the wok. (If oil is not hot enough or you overcrowd the wok, the beef will steam vs sear.) Season lightly with salt and pepper then allow beef to form a crust on the bottom before flipping and stir frying until just barely cooked through. Remove beef to a plate then repeat with remaining beef, using 1/2 Tablespoon oil to stir fry each batch, and then set the plate aside.
3. Heat remaining 1/2 Tablespoon oil in the wok then add green onions and coleslaw mix, season lightly with salt, and then stir fry until coleslaw begins to wilt, 1-2 minutes. Add ginger and garlic then stir fry for another 30 seconds.
4. Add drained noodles and sauce to wok then stir fry until noodles are tender, 3-4 minutes. Remove wok from heat then add beef and toss until warmed through, and then serve.

Yum!

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Sweet P at 2 Months

Paige had her 2 month doctor visit today, complete with a wellness check-up and 3 shots. She only cried for about 30 seconds after the shots but her little legs definitely made her grumpy and sore a few hours later. Claire was very concerned with baby sister's "boo boo legs" and Band-aids at dinner.

Here's Paige's statistics:
Length: 24.5" (>99%)
Weight: 13 lbs (85%)
Head Circumference: 16.25" (>99%)

It's hard to believe, but Paige is even bigger than Claire was at her 2 month appointment. I'm fairly certain we don't have Olympic gymnasts in our little family, but maybe volleyball players? One can hope... :)

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2 month Paige

Time has a way of flying by and crawling by simultaneously when you're on maternity leave. I have 3 more weeks home with baby. I know going back to work is the right decision for me but I inevitably dread it. 

More Paige 2 month stats and pictures to come!

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Can you Relate?

This was all happening simultaneously at dinner tonight:

Claire: "My bum hurts. Moooooom my bum hurts" (Read: She's constipated)

Paige: Waaa Waa Waaaaa Waaa (Read: Paige wants to be held)

Roma: Woooof Wooof Wooof Raaaaaaaaaaa (Context: Roma crying in her crate, locked up because she was trying to eat the beef off Claire's plate)

All the while Granna, Ross, and I are attempting to have a conversation. 

Can you relate?

Please pass the wine!

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Stroller'in

The deluge of rain this week has meant a little reprieve from the Texas summer heat. Which means I was able to sneak outside with Roma and Paige for a little run this afternoon. It was the first stroller run for miss P and it's amazing what a little outside time can do for a mommy :)

Post-run stretching

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Who's that baby?

Back in the day when Roma was our only baby girl, we had a special "Roma voice" we used when talking to her. Years later we have realized that this special voice is the same as our baby voice. Which makes for quite a bit of confusion now that there's 3 girls in our house. I'm thankful we didn't name either of these babies anything remotely close to the name Roma. Anyway, as we get to know Paige we are starting to try out some nicknames. Nothing is quite sticking yet!

Pictures taken June 28th, Paige is ~7 days old

As much nudity as you will see on the Huebel Hammock

Post-bath Gigi snuggles. Look at that face!

Little love. Any nickname suggestions?

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8 years!

My parents (aka Gigi and Pop Pop) watched the girls so that Ross and I could go out for a date night and celebrate our 8 year anniversary. 8 Years people!!!

We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Brennan's, which serves Creole/Louisiana type cuisine. Not only does Brennan's offer homemade pralines "To-Go", but they offer a luxury shuttle to the theater district. Sold. This was the perfect way to go see Wicked (finally!).

Appetizer soup trio: cauliflower brie, turtle soup with sherry, & gumbo

Chopped Salad with crouton roll

The best crab cakes I've ever had. And I've had a lot of crab cakes. The Best. Look no farther.

Ross had a redfish special. 

We tried port with dessert.

Happy anniversary Ross!

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Claire's Parade

I'm finally getting around to posting these pictures from Claire's July 4th parade at school. Check out the evolution of the pictures, before and after Claire sees her fan club: Mom, Dad, Granna, & Paige.

See the little cutie in the back? Wearing a red shirt?

Still looking for family. Where are they??!

Spotted Mom. 

My Family!

So so happy!

Running out of the parade for hugs.

Red, White, and Beautiful!

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