HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE HEATHIE!!!!

Today is Aunt Heather’s birthday. Even though growing up she always insisted she was older than me because her birthday came before mine during the year, she is 24 years old today! Ila really wanted to celebrate her auntie with a happy birthday video. She also insisted on wearing her favorite jacket for it.

Enjoying The Sunshine

It has been beautiful here in Charlottesville the past few days and we have been spending as much time outside as possible. This morning Ila, Sydney, and I found a path along the Rivanna River where it’s ok to let dogs off their leashes. Syd had a grand ole’ time running down the path with us and venturing into the river a couple of times. Ila thought it was so funny to watch Sydney running in front of her stroller. Then later in the afternoon, Christie, Rob, and Glen came over and we walked over to the park next to our house and chased Ila around as she explored the whole place. She actually enjoyed being pushed in the swing today!

Chubster

Looking back on some old photos of Ila, I can’t help but laugh now at how chubby she was in her earlier months! She was averaging 90th-99th percentile in weight, but now that she is entering into the toddler phase, she has thinned out and is averaging in the 50th percentile for weight. It must be all that running around and tormenting the dog. Check out these funny pics!

The Piglet Goes Punkn’ Pickn’

The other day was absolutely gorgeous outside so we took Ila to Carter Mountain to pick out her very own pumpkin. (We call them punkins in our house because, let’s be honest, it’s just way more fun to say). Ila thought they were really cool for a few minutes, but then remembered there were some crackers in my bag and just kept trying to get out of the pumpkin patch to get to the crackers. She has become quite the piglet! We did manage to get some cute pictures of her though... Carter Mountain is actually really close to our house and has an amazing view of the town.

I Was in There Mommy??

So as most of you reading my blog probably know, I took a picture of Ila sitting in her rocking chair on her monthly birthday each month, so I decided to create a little montage of those as well as other milestones. . .

Paths

Ila has recently been really into path-walking. She loves to walk along paths to see where they take her. And while she’s at it, she will pick up pieces of acorns, leaves, sticks, and other stuff that i quickly confiscate along the way. It is so fun to see our little girl start to wander and explore without mommy being right there with her. (Well, of course I am, but she doesn’t know it). Though she still is very cuddly and can be clingy at times, this one year old is really starting to branch out and check out the world around her a bit more.

Punkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Perhaps the greatest thing about summer coming to an end and entering into these brisk fall days is the yearly debut of the pumpkin. I love just about everything pumpkin - pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin soup, and especially the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies I make multiple times in the fall months. By popular request, I decided to post the recipe so others can share in this bliss.

- 1 cup sugar

1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips (preferable semi-sweet)

Heat oven to 350. In a mixer, blend the sugar, pumpkin, and butter. Mix together the rest of the dry ingredients, then blend them in with the wet. Add chocolate chips. Cook for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!