baby food/Baby Gray/homemade/Recipes

Smashed Nanners

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This morning as I was eating breakfast, Baby Gray was eyeballing the banana slices on my plate. I let him suck on one to see if he liked it before smashing some up for him. He loved them! He scarfed them down and screamed for more. After I got him all cleaned up, I remembered that when we had tried baby food bananas with him, he didn’t care for them. I guess you can’t beat fresh! (Which brings me to a blog I had been meaning to post anyway.)
We slowed the solids down a couple of weeks after starting them because his tummy was bothering him at night. We started him over with oatmeal and have slowly been introducing foods I have prepared instead of packaged foods. It was always my intention to make his food, but the “stage one” foods looked so runny, I was scared I wouldn’t be able to get mine as smooth. However, he likes his oatmeal with a course texture, anyway, so as long as he’s able to handle it that way, I’m okay with my vegetable purees. 
It’s super easy to make your own baby food. I wish I had started it originally like I planned. He hasn’t had any trouble with his tummy, and he loves the more bland fruits and vegetables that he didn’t like as much when I bought them as packaged foods. I have a great cookbook that gives meal suggestions for children of all ages. It has a lot of information on creating healthy eating habits for your children. 
Baby stores will try to sell you the baby food makers and all the bells and whistles. I just used a cheap-o mini-blender (I think it’s Hamilton Beach) that Mr. Gray and I have had for years. It worked wonderfully. I made several types of food at once and froze them in individual serving sizes so I could defrost them as needed. I have a fancy-schmancy single portion silicone freezer container that you can bend to pop each individual portion out. I really like it; thanks, shower hostesses! I also found a cool set of containers at Marshall’s not too long ago that sit in a tray to stay together in the freezer, but can be taken individually for each serving. When Baby Gray’s solid meals become more frequent (right now we just do solids at dinner, except this morning), I feel like I will really like the ones that can be taken along as a single serving.
Chick-fil-a/Dr Pepper/iPhone/marriage/quirks/sleep/Willow House

A Few Random Facts

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments
When I started this blog, it was mostly people who know me that were reading it. Some of my readers now don’t know me, so I thought I’d throw a few fun facts out there. (I might surprise some of you regulars, too.) 
1. I am married to my high school sweetheart. He is an amazing person through and through, and he makes me a better me.
2. I am pretty sure I could eat Chick-fil-a every day. (Well, you know, except Sunday since it’s closed.) I eat the same thing every time, but it never gets old. 
3. I drink a Dr Pepper almost every day, but I really only drink it for the first sip or two–those are the best of the whole thing. 
4. I have come to the point where I honestly don’t know what I’d do without my iPhone. I keep all my lists: groceries, to-do’s, thank you notes, birthdays, addresses, and more in my phone. It tells me when to take my medicine, when to go to meetings, etc. It’s a little scary. 
5. I lust after colleges and universities. Just last week I drove by Rice’s campus and wished I could attend–even if only for a class or two. I’d love to take some Ivy classes as well. Just to spend time on such beautiful campuses. (Don’t get me wrong, I bleed maroon, but it would be fun to get out there a little, too.) 
6. I sign up for things I’m not sure I can do to make myself stretch. Once I sign up, I feel like I have to do it. For example, this running business I’m into lately. A 5K isn’t really a big deal, but I have a feeling before too long I’ll be signing myself up for much more than that. I can feel it. I’m also itching to sign up for some art classes. If you’ve seen anything I’ve done (before Mr. Gray bails me out) you know what I mean… 
7. I am a total night owl. Even if I have absolutely nothing to do, I’m up at night with very few exceptions. Fortunately, I function well in the morning, too. 
8. I enjoy maintaining a clean and organized home. I do a “walk-through” each night before going to bed so I stay caught up. This keeps me from starting the day with an untidy home. (My poor husband has been accused of putting the ice cream scoop in the wrong place, even when it’s in the correct drawer. I try not to be quite so hard core anymore.) 
9. I “sell” Willow House products. A friend was selling Southern Living at HOME products and asked me to join. I signed up. Southern Living at HOME changed to Willow House. I’m still here. I send a few emails to folks. I don’t push it. I don’t really know why I keep doing it, either. Every year I sign back up, though. Want to purchase some great stuff for your home, host a catalog show, or host a party? I’m your gal.
10. I make our bed each morning. Since we bought our home, I have made the bed almost every single day; the exceptions are days I was not here in the morning and Mr. Gray didn’t make it up. Other than that, our bed has been made. This is mostly strange because I didn’t make my bed EVER before moving into this house. Weird. 
11. I write in pink pen when, and if, I hand write anything. It’s my signature style. (Unless I’m writing a note or card that does not match pink; I mean general, everyday stuff.)
Hmmm… I think I’m done for now. I have tons of quirks, but I didn’t dive too deep this time. I’ll get to them.
Baby Gray/fast/give/marriage/prayer/Revolution

Out On Our Own

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This weekend Mr. Gray & I spent our first night away from Baby Gray. Our church had an Advance (we don’t retreat) at T Bar M. We had a great time getting to know other folks from our church a little better. Part of the time was spent in sessions, we played Capture the Flag and Ultimate Frisbee, and we had some free time also. 
Mr. Gray and I were on opposite teams for Capture the Flag. We’re both crazy competitive, so that got a little interesting. We were on the same team for Ultimate Frisbee, and that was a bit better. 
During our free time, we went to hang out in the tree house. I’m afraid of heights, so even though it was my idea to go up there, I got freaked out before we got to the first little bridge. With some coaxing, I did go all the way up to the top as well as over the bridges and the net. I was pretty proud of myself. 
We got some exciting news about our church while we were there, and Pastor asked us all to join him in a fast. I’ve modified mine a little since I’m still nursing, but Mr. Gray is going all in. We start at midnight tonight and fast through Thursday evening. Pray. Fast. Give. 
Baby Gray hung out with Annie from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon when we got home. He had a great time! It was good for us and our marriage to have some time on our own as well.
crock pot/Recipes/Tortellini Soup

Italian Night

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 3 Comments
Without further adieu, here is the recipe for my Tortellini Soup.
Tortellini Soup


1.5 cups frozen cheese tortellini
1 small can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 packet dry ranch dressing
1 packet dry Italian dressing
Frozen, fresh, or canned vegetables of choice
Garlic powder, to taste
Onion powder, to taste
  • Pour diced tomatoes and tomato sauce into soup pot
  • Mix well
  • Add dressing packets and stir until dissolved
  • Place remaining vegetables into pot (if using canned veggies, do not drain)
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer
  • Add tortellini about 25 minutes before serving
I love this recipe! It’s easy, and I can make it with whatever vegetables I happen to have at the moment. I have also made it by throwing all the ingredients into the crock pot in the morning and serving that evening.
Baby Gray/jammers/sleep

Houdini Strikes Again!

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No, not Rooster! (Thank goodness!)
This morning at 9:45 (yes, 9:45… am… Central Standard Time) when I went in to check on my little sleeper, this is what I found. Somehow he pulled his left arm back into his jammers with him. When he used to sleep in a swaddle, I would find him all sorts of crazy ways, but this is the first time he’s done it in his jammers. Silly boy!
5k/Baby Gray/goals/running/stroller

The Jogging Story

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 4 Comments
A little backstory for those of you just joining us: 
Before I had Baby Gray, I set a goal to run a 5K before he was six months old. I am not a runner; nor do I claim to be a runner. I am a jogger, at best. However, when I say I am going to run (jog) a 5K, I mean it. My goal was to complete a 5K without walking a step before Baby Gray was six months old. 
Completing my task: 
I set out to find the 5K I wanted to run a while back. I had until March 26th to complete my goal. I found a run in New Braunfels that I was interested in based on the cause it supported. I didn’t sign up at the time because it was so far out. I’m glad I didn’t because we ended up having a conflict that particular weekend.
Once that date was out, I had to find another race to run (jog). Everything that was within my time frame was pretty early or on a conflicting date. February 19th, there was a race here in town, so I just went with that–even though it was over a month before my goal. 
I had never run 3.1 miles before. The Thursday before the race, I stuck Baby Gray in the jogging stroller that finally arrived, and intervals of running and walking for 3.3 miles. I completed that in about 42 minutes, so I decided I’d make my goal 42 minutes for the 5K that Saturday. Baby Gray loved his first trip in his jogger, and, I have to say, this stroller was way worth all the hassle! It’s amazing!
Mr. Gray was set to run with me that Saturday, but when we got to the site, it was misting and gross. He and Baby Gray had to sit it out. I was pumped because I thought Mr. Gray would get some good photos, even if I didn’t have anyone to run with. My goal had gone from finishing the race to finishing in under 42 minutes; just to be sure, I set my pacer to keep me under 13:30. (I don’t really know what I would have done had I been going slower than that. I’m not big on picking up the pace once I slow down.)
We started off pretty smoothly, and my biggest concern was a couple of eight (or so) year-old girls who took off way too quickly. I just kept telling myself they didn’t know how to pace themselves. They did finally start walking and get behind me; it made me feel a little better about being super slow! As I was coming back around to the end, I started looking for Mr. Gray’s truck (remember, I was all about the photo ops from this goal of mine), but I didn’t see it. I kept reassuring myself that he was just around the next corner. Finally, I got to the finish line, and he wasn’t there. 
Thank goodness for a photographer (I have no idea who) at the finish line, even if he did have a rain drop on his lens right where my face is. (Notice the little girls with their dad behind me; I still beat them.) I finished in 39:46, which is pretty slow for a 5K, but under my goal! And… I didn’t walk a step! Woohoo! 
I crossed the finish line, stopped my timer, and called Mr. Gray to see what the heck happened to him. Unfortunately, Baby Gray got hungry, and they didn’t get back in time to see me finish. Boo. I may or may not have cried on the phone.
This is the yay-I-finished-and-I’m-not-dead photo! That, and the yay-my-husband-and-son-finally-got-here photo! 
What’s next: 
On April 9th, I’m running the Blue Bell Fun Run 10K relay with three of my best friends. It’s going to be super fun! Currently, I’m “speed training” using my own program. Don’t you worry, it’s tested. Works wonders. Right. 
I was going to run Beach to Bay with three of the same friends plus two others, but due to a scheduling conflict, I’m skipping it this year. Hopefully I can run it next year, though. I had a distance plan going for that run, but I won’t get to try it out yet. Maybe I’ll find a 10K to test out one of these days. Beach to Bay is 4.35 miles each, so it was going to be my stepping stone to a 10K, but now I might just have to take the plunge!
5k/Baby Gray/baseball

He’s Still Got It

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One of my favorite past times with Mr. Gray is going to watch him play baseball. When we started dating, he was playing baseball almost year-round between select ball and the high school team. He played a season in college before deciding it wasn’t for him. I still joke that he has eligibility and should go try-out somewhere again. 
This weekend was the Alumni Game where the current high school team competes against the has-beens alumni. Mr. Gray has played every year since he graduated, except the year he was playing college ball. Usually he starts throwing and hitting a few weeks in advance to get ready. This year, between classes and Baby Gray, there just wasn’t time. 
He headed to the game cold (we thought he was going to run the 5K with me that morning, but it was rainy, so he and Baby Gray had to sit out). They threw and hit before the game, but nothing like what he usually does. He said he felt pretty good that day. (I won’t tell you how he felt for the days that followed.) I always love getting to see him play again. It’s his love; where he loves to be.
I pretended like I was going to to shoot with my camera on manual, but I went with the sport mode instead. Manual was too risky; I might miss something! I took tons more photos, but I won’t bore you with those.
This pretty much sums up Baby Gray’s opinion of the game: he loved being outside, and he spent the afternoon exploring the things around him. Here, he’s checking out Nonna’s chair. He was feeling the arm rest, looking underneath it, pulling on it, you name it. Silly boy! I can’t wait until his “gear” involves more than a polo shirt with a baseball monogrammed on the chest! (Don’t worry, we’ll still love him if he doesn’t want to play baseball, just maybe not as much.)
Last one, promise (unless, of course, you would like to see others).
mustache

Less than Three

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<3
I’m not that cool or creative; I stole it from a friend. (I thought it was cute, though.) 
Mr. Gray and I aren’t usually much on the ol’ Valentine’s Day, and this year was no different. We don’t do anything extravagant or buy big gifts, but I found a little trinket I couldn’t resist one day in a little shop that I love. 
“Flavor Savers” chip clips! Too stinkin’ cute! Since I wasn’t a huge fan of the real mustache, I found him some that’ll last (and not itch my face). 
Baby Gray/running/stroller

It’s Finally HERE!

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It’s FINALLY here! The correct jogging stroller made its debut a week or so ago. Thank goodness! 
Baby Gray loves it; it is super smooth and comfortable for him. It’s awesome for me as well. It’s by far the smoothest of our strollers; if it weren’t for its size, it would be my first pick stroller always. If you’re in the market for a jogging stroller, I totally recommend the Baby Jogger Summit XC!
1886 Cafe/Baby Gray/jeans/lunch/sushi

It’s a (Lunch) Date

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Last week we had a fabulous lunch date with Auntie Heather. We enjoyed sushi at Piranha Killer Sushi. Baby Gray took time in the adults-only lunch hour to screech with joy while others tried to eat. (Sorry, patrons.) The sushi was very good; the salads we had as part of the lunch special weren’t my favorite. 
Afterward, we took advantage of the nice weather and walked to the Driskill for dessert. I love the 1886 Cafe, and the dessert we had did not disappoint. We each got ice cream and a chocolate chip cookie–so good! 
Baby Gray sat with Auntie Heather for our dessert course, and when he decided sitting wasn’t for him, Auntie Heather stood up with him while I finished my dessert. The lady at the table behind us was standing to leave, and as she did, she commented to Auntie Heather about what “fabulous jeans those are”. Auntie Heather starts looking a little sheepish and checking out her own jeans as the lady asks where they’re from. As she modestly starts to respond about her own jeans, the lady stops her, “No, his jeans. Those are the most fabulous baby jeans I’ve ever seen!” Auntie Heather looked as though someone ran over her dog–absolutely the funniest conversation I’ve ever witnessed!