PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE FRUIT DIP

One of my favorite snacks.

{peanut butter chocolate fruit dip}

 What you need:

1/2 cup Non-fat Greek yogurt

1 packet of Swiss Miss Diet hot cocoa powder or 1 TBSP Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate cocoa

1 TBSP PB2

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl & serve with a crisp sliced apple or celery. It's even delicious on toasted ezekial bread . 

{NUTRITIONAL INFO FOR DIP ONLY= Cal: 115/ Fat: 0.75/ Carb: 11/ Protein: 15.5}

There are 2 reasons why this is so low cal, low fat & high protein. I used non-fat Greek yogurt (you could sub non-fat plain regular yogurt but your dip would be significantly lower in protein) & I used PB2 peanut butter (using any other kind of peanut butter is going to drastically increase your calories & fat). 

PB2 became my absolute favorite while I was pregnant because it's peanut butter with 85% fewer fat & calories than regular peanut butter.  It's literally pressed roasted peanuts...there aren't any preservatives or additives, it's 100% all natural peanuts, <1g sugar & salt. It's no secret that I LOVE peanut butter...I am telling you this stuff is fantastic.  If you make protein shakes or like to bake this is PERFECT for that! 

 I am typically a fan of staying all natural & using things without additives & preservatives so the fact that I used Diet Swiss Miss may be shocking to people that know me & my eating philosophy.  Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate cocoa is definitely the way to go if you are also a "clean" eater (it also lowers your carbs & calories a little).

SHE LOVES HER STUFFED BULLDOG

When I was pregnant I blogged about a stuffed bulldog named "Butch" that I bought off of Zulily.  As Addison's fascination with everything around her grows so does her fascination with her toys. I'd like to convince myself that she LOVES "Butch" because he looks like Hampton but I realize it's just that she loves how plush he is & it's something she can put in her mouth.  Nonetheless she LOVES "Butch".

4 MONTH DR VISIT

So PROUD of Addison. She did SO GOOD at her doctor's appointment today.  She was completely calm & content, probably because the only thing she was wearing was a diaper for 45 minutes (they were running behind today).  She did so great with her shots, she barely cried. She got  2 shots & 1 oral vaccine just like her 2 month visit. 3 hours later & she is her normal self, no fever, no fussiness, she is my sweet cuddly Addison.  Today she weighed 13 lb 1 oz, 25 1/2 inches long, head circumference 39.2 inches.  At her 2 month visit: WEIGHT: 11 lbs 8 oz (2 lb more than her 1 month appointment). LENGTH: 23 1/2 inches long (2 inches longer than her 1 month appointment). HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: 37 1/2 inches (1 inch greater than her 1 month appointment).  Dr. Johnson was happy with her growth & couldn't believe how long she was.  Developmentally I was shocked to find out she is doing things 6 month old babies do.  He said "it's time to baby proof your house." Uh, OH!

MEMBERS ONLY SHOPPING

I think I have a problem.  Everyday I get palpitations at 8:45 am, 11:50 am & 9:00 pm from the anticipation of checking out the latest sales on various members only sites.  Sad, right?! How can you not be addicted when sites like GILT have alice + olivia for kids 50-70% off?  I've scored Citizens for Humanity & AG Jeans for $69.00 that retail $285.00 by logging on when the sales go live (you have to to get your size).  These days I don't look much for myself though...mostly Addison & stuff for the house.  I've mentioned Zulily before when I have featured purchases (stroller, bulldog stuffed animal). By far the biggest variety...accessories, shoes, clothing, room essentials.  It can be hit or miss but it's worth logging in everyday to check it out. I got Addison a Cache Cache dress a couple of weeks ago for $15.00 that is for sale at a local baby boutique for $55.00 right now. Another favorite is theminisocial.  Again awesome bargains but the clothing is always super unique! There are so many others like hautelook (adult clothes, kids, housewares), onekingslane (housewares), totsy (kids stuff)...it's becoming quite the addiction & a little annoying.  My email is flooded throughout the day with emails telling me about daily sales, upcoming sales, reminding me that there is only 1 day left for certain things.

I'd recommend them to anybody who has children, is pregnant or just in general likes fashion because if you hit them on the right day you can get a FANTASTIC deal.  It feels great to get a pair of Dolce Vita shoes for $19.00 or McLauren bouncy for $25.00.  You should check them out!

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT

{taking a little snooze in her swing, cuddled up with her blankie}

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!  We have reached a GIANT milestone in babyhood!  As of last Wednesday, Addison is sleeping through the night. I knew this was on the horizon.  Monday she woke up at 6:00 am instead of her usual 4:30-5:00 am & Tuesday she woke up at 6:30. Both days went back to sleep until 7:45am like she usually does. I wonder if she realized it was just an hour & 45 minutes & she could hold out?!  She's gone to bed between 7:00-7:45 pm with her bedtime feeding being her last feeding & waking up at 7:15-7:45 am since last Wednesday (excluding the night of the viewing for my Father in-law).  I am so THANKFUL she is such a good sleeper.

TO REMEMBER IS ANOTHER WAY TO LOVE

I've attended 4 funerals in my life.

The first was my Great Grandmother's when I was 12 who died at 98 years old.  The second was a friend who died tragically in his 50's while I was in college.  The third was my husband's Grandpa's who died in his early 90's.

With all three I experienced grief & a sense of loss but it didn't linger long.  I think it's because the death of my Great Grandmother & Philip's grandfather were easily rationalized with their age.  When Keith passed away I felt like an outsider because he wasn't family. With all 3 I was able to distance myself, almost as if I was a spectator. 

The fourth funeral I attended was my Father in law's this past Friday, January 6, 2012. Wednesday evening at the young age of 63 his battle with Parkinson's Disease & Dementia ended.

His funeral was the most beautiful commemorative, uplifting & joyous services (not just funeral) that I've ever seen & it was done by his sons. I have never been so proud of my brother in law & husband. Because of their Dad they were able to do it & I know he is proud.

My father in law, Michael P. Tabor (Mick), was a wonderful, loving, kind, gentle, compassionate, strong, faithful, determined, intelligent, loyal man of God.  He had the greatest smile & would laugh at just about anything...even in the midst of every trial he was physically & emotionally faced with. 
Because of his faith there is no question he is in Heaven so the finality I have previous associated with funerals doesn't really resonate.  The sense of loss is greater than anything else I've ever experienced because Philip will no longer have his dad, Addison will never know her Grandpa, my Mother in law no longer has her husband & we will no longer see his smile. With all the sadness I am quickly reminded that he isn't suffering anymore & he has his reward.  His blameless life was lived exactly for this.  It was said countless times throughout the week, even before he passed away, "he fought the good fight" & that he did.

I sat down to write about his struggle in the beginning of last week & had no words.  I thought, should I blog about him being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 31?  Should I talk about his selflessness & willingness to follow God's call? Should I write about the strength & unfailing commitment of my Mother in law as she has stood strong by his side throughout the entire disease process?  Should I tell people that for the last year it's felt like we had already lost him as we watched his life slowly get robbed by Dementia?  Should I tell people that he was confined to a bed for the last several months? Or about how gut wrenching the physical struggle he endured this past week before passing.

I don't think he would want any of that to be the words I'd write about him. I don't think he'd want me to reiterate the things said at his funeral.

I think he'd want me to blog just that I loved him & will miss him.  

HAPPY 4 MONTHS

I could gobble her up in all her 4 month old cuteness! 4 months later & my heart still turns to mush when it comes to her. I am I still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Philip & I created something...someone so beautiful!

She is changing by the minute!  I swear everyday she wakes up her hair is thicker, longer & blonder. I love how blonde it is! She's recently discovered her hair. She takes her little index finger and fluffs up her hair in the back & moves her index finger around in a circular motion, almost as if she is trying to twirl it. It's adorable to watch.
It's hard to tell in pictures because of how blonde they are, but she has the LONGEST eyelashes. Her new thing is batting them. I KNOW!?!  It's bad enough that she has giant baby blue eyes but now she bats her eyelashes...sheesh. I said it before, those eyes are going to get her into trouble & probably out of it too, lol. It's amazing at 4 months old, she already knows how to use them.
She is more curious than ever.  I love to watch her pan the room & lock eyes with something that catches her interest. She LOVES books!  She stares down at the pages as if she is memorizing the pictures & reading the words.  She even turns the pages as she kicks her legs in excitement.  Story time is one of my favorite parts of the day because I love to watch how excited she gets.  
This girl loves to look at herself the mirror.   She just smiles & stares & sometimes turns her head away bashfully, it's precious.
She is extremely expressive & has some hilarious facial expressions (especially when she is pooping).  Her happy expression is by far the best! Thankfully she is a SUPER HAPPY baby & we get to see that gorgeous smile almost all day.  Every morning I am greeted by the biggest & brightest smile.  She makes my day 5 minutes into it starting. 
She is finding her voice & it's P-R-E-C-I-O-U-S.  She does this grunty "aaaaaaaaaa, eeeeeeee, ahhhhhhh" thing over & over & over again. Her sweet voice has a little rasp to it like her dads. She squeals & laughs out loud with the sweetest little giggle. Her giggle always ends with this raspy "ahhhhh"... I LOVE it. When she's content or tired she has a long drawn out "heeehhh" sound. She's very communicative with other babies too. I wonder what she is saying?
She has a fake cough & laughs when she does it. I think it's humerous that she already finds herself funny.  She always laughs when she blow raspberries.  If you say "peeee eewww" when you smell her feet or change her diaper she lets out that sweet little giggle. She responds when you say her name & definitely has "conversation" with you.
She is super flexible. I call her my yoga baby.  She pulls her feet over her head & looks in between her legs & laughs when you change her diaper.  She constantly has her feet pressed together in the air.  She is rolling over from front to back & back to front & prefers to be on her tummy now more than anything.  She does this little superman thing in between her little push ups. She will be crawling soon, no doubt.  She's already pushing her butt up in the air when she pushes up & does a little pelvic thrust which scoots her body forward.  One of her favorite things to do is press her feet up against your hands when she is on her tummy as she pushes off & scoots across the floor. She loves to stand flat on her feet & waves one of her hands in a jersey shore fist pumping fashion, it's hilarious. She fist pumps a lot.
She is sitting independently for short periods of time before she falls forward.  It's kind of funny because she gets a look in her eyes right before she topples forward like "here I go."
She loves to wiggle and shake to music...boy does she get excited.  She LOVES music.  Her December play list was "Winter Song- Sarah Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson", "Mistletoe- Colbie Caillat", "The Christmas Song- Dave Matthews", "Hallelujah- Jeff Buckley", "Sleep Well- Lydia", "The Rain- Vedera", "Life in a Glass House- Radiohead", "Set Fire to the Rain- Adele" "Beautiful- Jesus Culture"....it definitely was a slow mix.
She grasps EVERYTHING within reach & attempts to grab everything out of reach.  My hair seems to be a target.  She vigorously shakes everything even if it doesn't make a sound & it almost always makes it into her mouth. Her fingers are still a source of fascination & with her teething they are ALWAYS in her mouth.
There are no teeth yet but she is drooly wet mess & you can feel the little ridges of inflammation along her bottom gum line. Thankfully she is being a champ through it!
She loves bath time even more & has almost outgrown her Puj tub.  She LOVES to splash & suck on the washcloth when she gets her hands on it. 
She is so affectionate...I hope she never outgrows this.  When she nurses she strokes my cheek, arm or anything else she can in the sweetest softest way.  She reaches up & sticks her fingers in my mouth waiting for me to make a kissy sound & then gently pulls them away.
She is sleeping 10 hour stretches at night. She goes to bed super easy at 7-7:30 & wakes up to nurse at 5 or 5:30 & goes back to sleep until 7:30 or 8.  She is still taking 2 morning naps that are both pretty short & a long afternoon nap.  We got so lucky to get such a great sleeper.  I wish she would just take 1 long morning nap instead of 2 short ones but I shouldn't complain because at least she takes naps! 

I think I have smiled & giggled more in the last 4 months than I ever have in my entire life.  I know it's only going to get better too!