It's happened

Holden started crawling this Saturday. Very deliberately and methodically he is making his way to what he wants. Usually something he shouldn't have. I calculate that I have approximately one more weekend before I have to get serious on the baby proofing front. Jeremy has already lowered the crib. We had to break out the baby gates by Sunday. Wish us luck.

Yummy Spicy Soup

I made soup mixes for family members at Christmas time and had a bunch of black beans leftover. So we tried out a black bean soup tonight. I tweaked a recipe I found online and it turned out wonderful. Definitely a great soup if you like spicy flavors, and it was a nice hearty soup for the cold weather we have been having. Best thing of all, it is a crock pot recipe so it would be great for a weeknight meal.

Black Bean Soup with Chorizo
Serves 6

1 lb dried black beans, soaked overnight.
1 onion diced
3 chorizo sausages, either diced or crumbled depending on the kind you find in your grocery store
1 chipolte pepper, seeded and diced.
1 tsp of adobo sauce (from the chipolte peppers)
4 tsp diced jalapenos (I used pickled jarred jalapenos because we didn't have any fresh in the house, but 1 fresh jalapeno would work too)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp hot sauce
6 cups chicken broth
Salt to taste

Drain beans and add all ingredients to your crock pot/slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Take 3-4 ladles of beans/broth and puree in food processor or blender. Add puree back to soup and keep warm until ready to serve. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream and cheddar cheese if desired.

The soup is quite spicy so just tone down the cayenne pepper and jalapenos if you think it will be too much spice. This is easily made a vegetarian dish by omitting the chorizo and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

10 Months and an update

I have totally neglected the blog over the holidays. We went home to Omaha for Christmas and got 12 inches of snow on Christmas day. Jeremy's grandparents celebrated 60 years of marriage on Christmas. We had a little party for them the day after. They are very cute. Holden got to meet most of his cousins and aunts and uncles on the Taylor side. He was a trooper, it could have been quite overwhelming, but he didn't fuss one bit about being passed around.

We celebrated New Years back here in Charlotte with close friends. Holden though he should get to stay up late also and refused to stay asleep so we didn't quite make it to midnight before we had to come home. We had a great 2009 and are looking forward to 2010.

Holden turned 10 months old today (also Grandma Hassler's birthday). He has made some big changes this month. He is almost crawling, but with the turning and scooting backwards he still gets to where he wants just not real quickly, which we are ok with. He can go from a crawling position to sitting. He can pull himself up onto his knees if an object is at his level to grab. He loves to stand and hold onto the coffee table, couch, etc. but isn't very stable so we have to be right there to catch him. I think he is going to be a typical little boy with lots of bumps and bruises as he gets older.

We have ventured into the world of finger foods full time now. He still eats mushy baby food but we have now started to explore what he can gum on his own (still no teeth). I learned a neat little trick to help him pick up slippery food like bananas and avocado. We sprinkle crushed graham crackers, cheerios or wheat germ on the finger foods and it makes them easier to pick up. I wanted to venture away from the puffs and yogurt snacks so we have now stocked the kitchen with fruits and veggies, cheese, breads, and pastas. The funny thing is if I give him chunky baby food he gags and chokes on the texture. I can't figure out how to get him to chew the baby food like he does the finger foods. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Holden got to see his great grandparents, aunts and uncles on the Taylor side for the first time this month. He had his first encounter with snow and Santa. Of course celebrated his first Christmas and first New Years. I can't wait until next years Christmas to see how much more interested he will be in presents and everything Christmas.

Now for a photo update on what has been going on in December.

Christmas present from SantaLooking at the Christmas snow with Grandpa HasslerExploring snow for the first time (crying soon followed)Holden and his cousin ArabellaGreat Grandma and Grandpa Rath

Liberation for All

Well, a small step towards independence anyway
He likes to turn over while drinking his bottle on his own so we are constantly having to turn him back onto his back. But still, we are pretty stoked that he can consistently hold the bottle on his own.

Santa Visit

We went to see Santa this weekend. The first of many visits. Santa didn't ask Holden what he wanted or if he was a good boy this year. Guess he figured he wasn't going to get an answer. Come to think of it Santa didn't even say "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas". I guess at least he wasn't as scary as the Santa in "The Christmas Story".

Waiting in Line Best photo with SantaHolden's not sure about this guyThe elves made me step away so they could get Holden to look towards the camera. Not a good idea. That was the end of sitting on Santa's lap.

Cupcakes!

I have ventured in the baking world in the hopes that when my kids start having birthday parties I am the "cool mom" that makes neat cakes and cupcakes. I know silly but still. And its not the only reason, I just really want to be good at making cakes.

So, my mom got me this great cupcake book for my birthday.We hosted a birthday bash Saturday for a close friend. I tried my hand at one of the cupcake designs in my new book. The cake was devil's food cake, and I made 6 of the slumber party cupcakes and the rest with chocolate ganache. Everything was delicious. Holden probably still won't think I'm the "cool mom" but maybe his childhood friends will.

Slumber Party Cupcakes from Hello Cupcake

Chocolate Ganache Cupcake with Ice Cream
Holden enjoying his first cupcake

What Little Boys are Made of...

Holden turned 9 months old earlier this week. His 9 month check-up was great. He is 18 lb 7 oz and 27 inches long, which puts him in the 10% percentile. We were given the all clear by the doctor to start giving him table food, which is great in theory. Less pureeing for me possibly in the future. However, Holden gags at any little bit of chunkiness so I think it will be a while before he is eating lasagna with the rest of us.

Holden's personality is developing quickly. He is a pretty laid back kid most of the time, but when he is fed up or wants something his lack of patience is apparent. He doesn't get that from his father or anything.

Holden has had some new experiences in the last month. He celebrated his first Thanksgiving, and is officially not a vegetarian anymore, with his first turkey dinner. He has started becoming a bit more mobile, not crawling per say, but with his scooting and rolling he gets around. We have started slowly baby proofing since everyone keeps telling us that once he figures out how to crawl it will be a race to finish the baby proofing.

He has started splashing at bath time, makes things fun for Holden, messy for Dad. He has been babbling up a storm, and screeches in delight whenever Malachi or the cats are close to him. The animals don't share that sentiment quite yet.

Moving around the living room

Holden charming the ladies at Thanksgiving

Playing with Cameron