The "New Normal"

The new normal is beginning to work like a well oiled machine. Things are beginning to run smoothly, that is until Dexter decides to switch things up on us.

Dexter is growing like a weed and saying "Dadada" all the time. He is now sitting by himself, and "swimming" on the floor. He's not yet crawling, but we're anticipating that will come soon (James and I were both pretty early walkers, so we're expecting that's just around the corner too). He has his two bottom teeth (he got his first one on Christmas morning), and loves to eat his fruit and veggies, and just started eating meat. He recently started the chewing motion when eating (which is absolutely hilarious... the kid doesn't close his lips so food is always falling out), so he'll be ready for soft table food pretty soon. Dexter loves his puppy dog (he laughs and gets excited every time Dakota comes around) & enjoys showing the baby in the mirror his antics. Dexter is pretty mild mannered, and easy going (that's a HUGE surprise coming from the two of us, wouldn't you say??).

James has been busy cutting & splitting, and working on his lathe. He's really taken to that thing and is super excited about making another Bat for Softball Season. He recently broke his chisel rest and is trying to figure out how to fix it or purchase a new part. He made his mom a coat rack for Christmas, which she was estatic about (He cut the tree, fashioned the board, routered out a part where he installed cut pieces of slate, used the wood burner to make some trees & used the lathe for the coat hooks). It turned our pretty cool (I'm waiting for mine). He just purchased a piece so he can make small bowls. The handle on our woodstove recently broke (it was ceramic) so me made one out of wood- it looks really nice.

My most recent hobby is making Dexters baby food. I have enjoyed researching preparation techniques and different storage methods. Making vegetables has become mundane so I started meats recently. The pot roast I made last night for Dexter was delicious & every time I warm up chicken for him I take a few bites for myself. Making his baby food has taken time and we've had a definate increase in the amount of dishes, but it's a lot easier to do than I thought. I just steam some green beans (or another food) while I'm making dinner for James & I. By the time our dinner is done I have them pureed & in the fridg cooling. Once I have a little more time I transfer them to serving size portions and into the freezer. They remain there until Dexter's ready to eat them.

So that's our update. I started taking a few videos again, so I'll try and post those soon.