erica danielle

Well, we're halfway to a year. It's flown by! Seems like yesterday we were bringing Lucy home. This stage is so fun. Here are some updates: - Lucy is jabbering, growling and laughing lots. She must have a lot to say! - she can sit unassisted- sometimes she still topples over... - her first tooth is popping through! I can feel it and see it when she laughs  - she's tried: rice cereal, avocados, banana and pears. So far pears are the only thing she hasn't spit out - she took a bottle for the first time in 4 months!  - she thinks peekaboo is so funny, as well as any silly song Sten makes up and sings to her - she goes to bed at 7pm and wakes up at 6a. She loves her bedtime routine which includes a bath and lots of lotion and singing. She still eats about every 4 hrs and takes 2-3 naps during the day. - she's patching 6 hours a day and doing great! It doesn't seem to bother her and I'm so grateful for that. - she's started to ALWAYS want to...

I had EVERY intention of winning my families "no-sweets" challenge. I thought for sure I could do it, and then all the sudden I lost ALL my will power. I am blaming it on the fact that we all got to cheat for my Birthday and my mom made my favorite cake in the whole world . Once I got a taste of that sweet frosting, I was toast. I broke my fast by baking a chocolate cake for my neighbors son, and making a cupcake for myself with chocolate buttercream frosting. Totally worth it. Now that I am back to baking, I tried Chia Seed Peanut Butter Cookies, which I found on Pinterest. They are not overly sweet and I almost found them to be a great pre/post run snack or breakfast. Chia Seeds are a power food and WebMD defines them by saying: chia seeds are a concentrated food containing healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein , fiber, antioxidants, and calcium . If you're looking for a health[ier] sweet treat, these could be your solution! The recipe can be fou...

Gosh I love Thursdays. They seem to be a bright spot in my week. Sten has practice until 8ish so we usually eat a late dinner and catch up, staying up a little later since he has Fridays off. I always look forward to Thursdays and when about 2 o'clock hits I start getting into 'weekend mode'. Aaaah, what a good feeling that is. I have been LOVING the weather this week (40 degrees has never felt so good). Lucy and I have been out on walks/runs every day. The fresh air feels amazing and is seriously good for the soul. I think Lucy likes the walks and sunshine JUST as much as I do. I hope we share a love for the great outdoors, bright sunshine and a good run.  We got to visit Sten's Grandma while in MN before Lucy's eye appt. Although she is looking a little unsure in this picture, she loved sitting on her Great Grandma's lap. It was fun to visit!  I love the Lion's Eye Clinic in Mpls and I love all of Lucy's doctors. She got another perfect ...

Ever since moving to Menomonie there have been 3 things I continue to wish this little town possessed: 1. Starbucks 2. Target 3. a Bagel shop of any variety The other day Sten and I took matters into our own hands with regards to #3 and made our own bagels. It was such a fun adventure and was a complete success. I know bagels are terrible for you. In fact, the stat I once heard in college was that eating a bagel was like eating 6 pieces of bread. That must be why I love them so. They toast up so great in the morning and we just LOVE them. Next up, I want to master a little extra zest with some spices, cheeses etc. We had a little photo shoot with Angie Green last week and this picture just captures my little Lucy girl so well. LOVE this bug sooo much. She'll be 6 months old in 2 weeks! Where did 1/2 a year go? Right now she's: laughing, making lots of funny noises, rolling, grabbing for everything, still sleeping through the night and taking 2-3 naps, patch...

Monday was my 28th Birthday. I love Birthday's and that morning was especially grand because I woke to Lucy's happy squeals and smiles. This year has been the best yet, it was the year I became a mom and we started a new chapter of life in Menomonie. 28 is destined to be great as well! Below is my 28 list: 1. Enjoy EACH season, even the winter 2. Sit out on our front deck as.much.as.possible. 3. Read a few (non Bible Study) books 4. complete the "summer list" Sten and I created last week 5. Take Lucy on her first camping trip 6. Run a half marathon 7. Perfect my bagel recipe. 8. Have more dinner parties 9. Celebrate Lucy's first Birthday with a BIG cake and lots of tulle. 10. Enjoy Friday night dinners in and morning devos with Sten. 11. Get a hair cut 12. Get creative 13. More snail mail 14. Random acts of kindness each month 15. Start something special 16. Find my favorite running path 17. Win at my families "no sweet treats" challen...

The other night we made this salsa and I have to share it. It's from The Pioneer Woman's Holiday Cookbook we received from Aunt Mim. This salsa was SO easy to make and incredibly delicious- we both said it might be our favorite. ever . It made a ton, which is good, because chips and salsa is a staple in the Carlson household. Chipotle Salsa Pioneer Woman 2 (15oz) cans diced tomatoes 1 (10oz) can rotel 1 medium onion, diced 1-3 (depending on your heat tolerance- we did 3) chipotle peppers packed in adobo 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 tsp sugar 1 bunch cilantro, stems roughly removed 1/4 cup lime juice Into a blender add, tomatoes, onion, chipotles, cumin, salt, pepper, sugar, cilantro and lime juice (so everything :) Blend until totally combined. Give it a taste and add more of whatever seasonings it needs. The PW says to make the salsa several hours before serving, as it will give the flavors a chance to dance. The salsa will keep...

Wow. Have I ever taken a hiatus from blogging. Life has been a blur! My little Lucy bear is growing like a weed and every stage is better than the last. I feel so fortunate to stay home with her everyday and love hearing every coo, seeing every smile, and kissing her little cheekers a million times a day. I couldn't love her any more and think being a mom is the greatest thing in the world. She started this funny thing of roaring. It just cracks Sten and I up so much. She's been such a happy little girl. My favorite part of the day is when I hear the garage opening and Lucy and I stand at the top of the stairs. Her face LIGHTS up when she sees Sten. It completely melts my heart. I love them so. xo. Erica