Trevor Is Ten Months

Trevor has moved into his tenth month-literally. He is standing on his own two feet now, and even taking steps. He is starting to attach real meaning to his words. We are still working on "Mama" but he has "Dada" down. Trevor is starting to comprehend simple directions and the meaning of "no". He's realizing that not only is he not physically attached to Matt and I, but that this lack of attachment has some definite advantages from time to time. For example, Trevor doesn't always have to do what we say. Matt and I are well aware that we can force him to stop pulling on the blinds, but he does not immediately comply when we tell him from across the room to let go of those blinds. He looks at us with his big smile, looks at the blinds, and decides that yanking on them is a pretty fun way to pass some time. We know he is not being naughty, he's just doing what feels right to him at the time, while testing Mom and Dad's reaction. Trevor is inching closer and closer to the end of the first year. He is eating real foods now, and he even has started showing an interest in sweets. Trevor does not have a well-baby visit this month, so he can sit tight until the 1-year checkup. (Sit tight, yeah right, those days are long gone).
Trevor had his first haircut/trim today

National Pancake Day Celebration

This morning before swim class Dawn, Claire, Trevor and I had pancakes at IHOP. They are serving free short stack of pancakes for a donation benefiting Children's Miracle Network and other local charities. The hours are 7am-10pm. We went at 8:30am. Perfect time. There was a big wait when we walked out.
Trevor getting ready for his pancakes (bed head and still in his pajamas)

Claire

Claire & Trevor

The Fun Had To End

All good things must come to an end I guess. Friday was that day. Tonya had to head back to life in Nebraska and Trevor and I went home to Mesa. We had so much fun. Tonya, I would like to thank you again for inviting Trevor and I to San Diego. What a great time! Miss you already friend!
Views from our room

La Jolla

Thursday was another great day in CA. We started out with lunch at In-N-Out in San Diego. Then headed up the road to La Jolla. This community is both chic and conservative, wealthy Rodeo-Drive-meets-the-Mediterranean community surrounded by beach and boasts outstanding restaurants and pricey shopping in "the village". The scenic spot that appears on most postcards was stunning La Jolla Cove. And the cliffs above the cove hold grassy Ellen Browning Scripps Park, a perfect spot for Trevor's diaper change and bottle. We had dinner Thursday evening back in San Diego at Sushi Bar Kazumi. This was a tiny cafe. The owner and his son oversee the sushi bar. Tonya had the sushi. I figured raw fish was not a good idea for Trevor, so we tried one of their regular meals.
Tonya and Trevor at In-N-Out. Tonya had never been. So we had to take her for lunch.

Seals

Trevor watching the seals

Mommy and Trevor at La Jolla Cove

Trevor enjoying the birds at Ellen Browning Scripps Park

Trevor watching the seals who hang out at Children's Pool Beach, a tiny cove originally named for the toddlers who could safely frolic behind a manmade seawall. These days, the sand is mostly off-limits to humans, who congregate along the seawall railing or onshore to admire the protected seals who sun themselves on the beach or on semi-submerged rocks. You can get surprisingly close-truly a mesmerizing sight.

Mommy and Trevor

Faye's (Matt's Mom) parents bought this property in La Jolla, CA for a spot to come during the cold Nebraska winters.

Tonya and Trevor snuggling after a long day of sight seeing

Old Town And Ocean Beach

Wednesday Tonya had to attend a conference all day. That is why she was in San Diego after all. So Trevor and I headed out for a fun day together. We started back at Old Town State Historic Park. The birthplace of San Diego-indeed, of California-Old Town was founded by Spanish friars in 1769, along with Mission San Diego. I was trying to get past the touristy veneer and into the true spirit of this pedestrians-only six-block historic district, where you step back to a time of one-room schoolhouses and village greens, when the people who lived, worked, and played here spoke Spanish. Wednesday afternoon Trevor and I went to Ocean Beach. Trevor's first time to the Ocean. This beach sits just across the channel from Mission Bay. The northern end of Ocean Beach Park is known as Dog Beach after the pooches that frolic on the sand. We walked out on Ocean Beach Pier. No surfers were in sight. Tonya called later that afternoon once she was out of her conference. We picked her up at the hotel and went over to the Embarcadero's Seaport Village. This faux New England-style village is big for souvenir shopping and dining with a view. Trevor was able to ride on the 1890 Looff carousel imported from Coney Island, New York. I forgot the camera on this outing. Otherwise I would have gotten a picture of him on the carousel. We had dinner Wednesday evening at The Fish Market. Chalkboards announced the day's catches. The bay views were stupendous.
Mommy and Trevor

Trevor

We Made It To San Diego

Tuesday Trevor and I drove over to San Diego. A six hour drive from our house. We only made two stops the whole way. Now, for a nine month old baby that's pretty darn good if you ask me. We stopped in Yuma, AZ for lunch and just outside San Diego for a diaper change and bottle. Tuesday evening the three of us went to Old Town Mexican Cafe for Taco Tuesday and $2.50 Margaritas. Yummy!
Tonya and Trevor

Trevor's New Car Seat

Trevor has made the change from the baby carrier to the big boy car seat

Happy First Valentine My Love

We had a wonderful Valentine's with Trevor. I would like to thank all our family and friends for the great Valentine's cards and gifts.
Trevor is on the move

Trevor's Cupid Elmo Long Johns (I love that bottom)

Trevor and his Laugh & Learn Puppy

Uncle Mark And Allyson Stopped By

Wednesday evening Uncle Mark and Allyson came out to our home in Mesa. Trevor had a Valentine for Uncle Mark.
Uncle Mark, Trevor, Allyson, Ben & Callaway

Wet And Chilly Temperatures In The Valley

Earlier in the week we had very wet and cold temperatures in the valley. Tuesday morning I woke up and noticed snow blanketing the peaks of Superstition Mountains. Trevor and I drove twelve miles from our home and took these pictures.

Mushroom Pepper Steak

Monday I slow-simmered this round steak to perfection and smothered with a gravy that was packed with colorful peppers. I served with hot mashed potatoes. Trevor loved this when I pureed for him. Matt and I enjoyed it too! It was yummy! As Matt would say, Andrea are you tooting your own horn! Maybe just a bit! But, if we enjoy the meal, I like to share with family and friends.

2 pounds boneless beef top round steak
2 cups each sliced green, sweet red and yellow peppers (use to your liking)
1 can (7 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
2 medium onions, quartered and sliced (use to your liking)
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

Cut steak into serving-size pieces. Place in a slow cooker. Add the peppers, mushrooms, onions, water, salt and pepper. Pour tomato sauce over the top. Cover and cook on low for 6-1/2 hours.

Using a slotted spoon, remove beef and vegetables; keep warm. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into cooking juices; cover and cook on high for 15 minutes. Serve with beef, vegetables and mashed potatoes.

Rice And Mushroom Bake

I served this along with the brats and green beans on Sunday.

1 stick of butter
1 1/2 cups rice
1 can French Onion Soup
1 can Beef Consume
1 (8 oz.) can mushrooms, sliced and drained

Melt butter in casserole dish for one minute. Put rest of ingredients in and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Don't cover. Don't stir during baking or you'll "sink" your mushrooms!

Brats With Sauerkraut

Sunday I was on another slow cooker kick. I made this excellent main dish. The bratwurst can be plain, smoked or cheese-flavored, served whole or cut in slices, with a bun or without. I served this with Rice & Mushroom Bake and Green Beans. Trevor loved this pureed.

8 uncooked bratwurst links
1 can (14 ounces) sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained
2 medium apples, peeled and finely chopped (use to your liking)
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (use to your liking)
1 teaspoon ground mustard
8 brat buns, split

Place the bratwurst in a slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the sauerkraut, apples, bacon, brown sugar, onion and mustard; spoon over bratwurst.

Cover and cook on low for 7 hours. Place brats in buns; using a slotted spoon, top with sauerkraut mixture.

Daddy Made It Home From CO

I had been on such a high of having company (Nick and Kristy from Lincoln, NE) and then they flew back to NE on Monday and Matt flew to CO on Monday. So when Trevor and I got home from the airport last Monday morning it was a huge downer. Matt was in CO on business and then skiing. So he did not get home until Sunday (yesterday). Trevor was so excited to see him yesterday afternoon. Trevor was getting some Daddy time yesterday and Mommy was getting a break.
Daddy, Trevor and dogs

Mini Hot Dogs 'N' Meatballs

Last Sunday, which was Super Bowl Sunday. I made different appetizer's. This was one of them. It was made in the slow cooker. You can serve with fancy party picks.

36 frozen cooked Italian meatballs
1 package (16 ounces) miniature hot dogs or smoked sausages
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
1 jar (26 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce
1 bottle (18 ounces) barbecue sauce
1 bottle ( 12 ounces) chili sauce

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.

Very Happy

My Dad surprised Trevor and I today. The doorbell rang and there was my Dad. It was perfect timing Dad. It's been a long week with Matt in CO, and just having some adult company was huge. My Dad got to see Trevor crawling and walking. And then we put Trevor in his buggy and walked over to get the mail. Trevor loves watching cars and trucks go by. Just being outside in the warmth and sunshine makes this little guy smile.
Trevor and Grandpa Dru

Hash Brown And Egg Bake

Friday morning before we headed to the FBR Open I made this wonderful recipe. I could have prepared this dish in advance, covered and refrigerated overnight. And removed from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. But, no I waited until the morning when we were rushing to get out the door.

1 package (32 oz) frozen cubed hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped onion (use to your liking)
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (use to your liking)
8 eggs
2 cups milk

In a large bowl, combine hash browns, bacon, 1/2 cup cheese, onion, green pepper and salt. Spoon into a greased 9x13 baking dish. In bowl, beat eggs and milk until smooth, pour over hash brown mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 50 minutes. Top with remaining cheese.