Easy peasy

There's nothing like a little pork-on-pork action. Am I right or am I right? I haven't posted any recipes in a long time so I figured I'd try something new this week and we really liked it! Not to mention it was very simple...

Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with creamy cheese grits and spinach

(from Southern Living)

for pork:

1 1-lb pork tenderloin

1 tsp steak seasoning

3 bacon slices, cut in half crosswise

Preheat oven to 425. Sprinkle seasoning over pork and wrap pork with bacon slices, securing with wooden picks. Place pork on a lightly greased wire rack in an aluminum foil-lined roasting pan. Bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 155. Increase oven temp to broil. Broil 5 inches from heat for 3-5 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

for cheese grits:

1 5-oz package fresh baby spinach, washed

1 cup quick cooking grits

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp garlic powder

4 oz shredded mozzarella-provolone cheese blend

Coarsely chop spinach. Bring grits and next 4 ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10-12 minutes or until thickened. Stir in spinach and cheese until well blended and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Banks got an F in nursery

Sunday Banks got kicked out of the church nursery. It's only the second time we've sent him. The first was traumatic because it was "the first." That and when I rounded to corner to pick him up I could hear him screaming bloody murder. The lady said he has slept really well...over an hour past his feeding time and the boy was seriously hungry. Today, a friend of ours went to pick up her little one and noticed that Banks was quite distressed. She suggested that I go check on him. Which I did. Promptly. He was red-faced crying and the man told me that he had been doing so for 20 minutes. He then proceeded to go and get his diaper bag and send us packing!!! And we hadn't even been to church yet! I know we can't be the first to have trouble dropping their kid off at the nursery. You see, trouble is that church falls directly during nap time. B has some flexabilty but skipping a morning nap all together just is a no-go at this point. So, when he gets tired, he cries. Hence his failure at nursery today. Poor guy. The minute we put him in his car seat he was out like a light.

I'm also guessing that my outfit choice that morning did not help. I was dead set on him wearing this little Feltman outfit...size 12 months mind you...that was ENTIRELY too small. He'd never worn it so I was determined that I'd get at least one wear out of it. The thing was so tight that when I went to put him in his car seat to come home a button popped off and went flying across the room. If you look closely, you can see a button missing. I had to take the bottom portion of the outfit off because it was cutting off his circulation.

Now, these guys could have been the culprit for an extra fussy morning. Check out these chompers...

And, just because he's a big boy and moved to the big boy tub I had to post this picture. The bath toys are a big hit and he loves his duck tub even if it does look a bit too small...

Half birthday!

We had Banks' half birthday Saturday and it was so fun getting all the family together. Well, almost all...Matt's dad wasn't able to make it because of the icy weather so we were sad he wasn't there. Matt was super pumped to be cooking out in 20 degree weather!

Here are the pictures I mentioned in the previous post. Each family member got one as their invitation and then I hung them on the mantle as our decoration. I think it turned out pretty cute!He even had presents to open! We got him these balls that he'll most likely just chew on for the next several months but Matt's excited for him to be getting some sports toys.

Banks has been the most fun baby lately. His personality is really starting to come out and he's very social. He loves being around lots of people and flirts up a storm with the ladies! He also likes to pout. I can't help but laugh when I see this face!!! He's started bouncing all the time...in his exersaucer, in your lap, when you're holding him. He's also started doing this thing where he quenches up his nose and breathes in and out really fast. It's hilarious with the lips. And...he's got his first tooth coming in! I noticed it this morning. It doesn't seem to be bothering him and he's been drooling like crazy for the last two months so it's about time one popped through! We went for his six month check up today and his stats are:

Weight: 19.4--80%

Height: 27--72%

Head: 45--83%

He's rolling everywhere now...and sporting his I love Mom onesie!

He's getting good at sitting up...

He's been enjoying fruits so far. I started him on bananas...just mashing them up and he loves them. I baked some apples for him last week and froze them so we'll try those next. I bought pears today so I'll prepare them this week to have on deck. I'm still loving making his baby food and am ready to try some new combos with him. I got the go-ahead at the doctor today to try some new things so I'm hoping Banks will enjoy them! We also broke out the high chair and he really liked being in it. I feel like he looks like such a big boy now!

I really cannot believe that Banks is halfway to being a year old. I want to savor every moment that we have with him. It took a long time to get him here and I do not want to ever take a moment for granted. It's so easy when I've had a long day to get frustrated with him but when I pick him up and he puts his arms around me and nestles his face in my neck it all melts away and I remember how precious he is. I love his hugs and his smile just lights up my life. Of course we think he's just the most amazing, beautiful gift from God!!!