Dear Lucia, (Seven Months)

Dear Lucia,

You are seven months old and I can hardly believe it.

I guess I can sum things up by saying...

You are a ton of fun. You love life and the glimmer in your eyes tells us so. You are full of spunk and personality.

I have said it before and I will say it again we are so blessed to have you in our lives. Your smile is contagious and any inkling of a bad day can be remedied with a smile from you.

You have begun sleeping in your own crib. You love your own space and more often than not we have to retrieve you when you have woken because you do not cry, but instead babble or play with your paci or toes.

You have begun eating solids. You have tried mashed/pureed avocado, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, egg yolk, broccoli and pears. Your favorite being sweet potato mixed with egg yolk.  You also love drinking a bit of water from your Hello Kitty sippy. Your reaction when you get a drop or two of water is priceless.

You love to play both independently and with others.  You love to hear us sing with your favorite songs being, "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "If Your're Happy and You Know It..."

We had your six month pictures taken and here are a couple of our favorites.

We love you so very much Lucia. 

Love, 

Mommy

Goodbye July

July can be summed up as BUSY, but then again what summer month is not busy? I can hardly believe its over, it really feels like it just began. 

We started the month with a very laid back 4th of July. We went out for a nice al fresco dinner and caught some fireworks on an evening bike ride. The mosquitoes were out of control and it was much more difficult for them to munch on us if we were on the move. 
 

The theme of July was weddings - we attended three including my younger brothers. I must say they were all delightful and full of love; wonderful food, company and venues. However, I am welcoming a break from the high heels and full face of makeup. 
  

Cafe Brauer

I also witnessed this little ladies adoption.

Barbara Mae AKA Babs

I have never rescued a dog and the experience left my eyes welled up with tears. I had been following Babs through Tiffany since she was rescued from a puppy mill.  Babs has had a rough life, and she is only believed to be about 2 1/2.  You can read more about Babs here. Babs will always have a special place in my heart. Love you Babs!

Our garden is in full swing. Although, I must say its a bit less kept than last year. We have already received a bounty of peppers (green and yellow), yellow squash, green zucchini and a couple of tomato varieties. The ridiculous start-up cost from last year is paying off. As always, zucchini recipes needed! Look at this perfect little eggplant! It was delicious grilled up and drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

We ended July with a trip to Michigan.  It was just what our busy July needed, a relaxing ending.  We stayed at my husband's Aunt and Uncle's cottage on the lake with my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew. The weekend was full of catching up, fishing (for the guys), a day trip to Saugatuck and relaxing "off the grid." I will post more about how much I appreciated this "off the grid" getaway in a separate blog post. It was just what both of us needed.

South Haven, Michigan