Sitting Up

Evelyn is beginning to sit up. She still tends to fall over a bit, especially when she isn't focused on staying up, but her chubby thighs seem to keep her in place pretty well.

Eating Real (sort of) Food

Evelyn is learning how to eat real food, and she is loving it. Every time that the food is heading towards her mouth she gets very excited and laughs. Or, if she is especially hungry, then she cries in between bites. I will try and post a video of it soon. She wants to eat ALL of the time.

Christmas 2011, part 1

I am a bit late on pictures from Christmas, but here are a few. We spent Christmas in Kansas with Patrick's brother's family, and his parents. The boys had lots of fun playing together, and it was wonderful to see them. The pictures loaded backwards, my fault, but here are a few (or more than a few).

Sebastian in one of his costumes from Santa Claus

Evelyn on her cousin, Brooklyn's, bike.

They all went swimming at Charlie and Lynette's hotel.

The yule log that I made.

Evelyn in her new Christmas dress from Grandpa and Grandma.

Christmas Dinner

This is where Evelyn played while we opened Christmas gifts.

Christmas morning, she looks a bit sleepy still.

Waiting, at the top of the stairs, for when they may come down to open presents from Santa.

Down he comes.

Evelyn's present (a bib and a book).

Santa gave Sebastian a box with three costumes in it, a knight, a fireman, and a policeman.

Evelyn and Grandma

Ready for Christmas Eve Mass

Opening presents from the Uncles and Aunts on Christmas Eve night.

Six Months

Six months, 24 inches, 15 pds. 13 oz, 40th percentile for height, 50th percentile for weight. Her favorite things to do? Eat and watch her brother. She thinks that Sebastian is Hilarious. The picture where she is looking away from the camera and laughing, she is looking at him.

Pan-Fried Salmon Patties

I just sent someone this recipe and thought I would share it, it is one of Patrick's favorites. It is a recipe from my favorite cookbook, Cooks Illustrated Family Edition.

Salmon-Fried Salmon Cakes
1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, skin removed
1 1/4 plain dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated onion
2 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten (I find that it sometimes takes 3)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I don't usually use this much)
lemon wedges (for serving)

1. Remove any pin bones from the salmon (see page 285). Pat the salmon dry with paper towels, then cut into 1-inch chunks. Carefully pulse half the salmon in a food processor until finely minced but not pureed, about 4 pulses. Transfer the salmon to a large bowl and repeat with the remaining salmon.

2. Gently stir 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs, the mayonnaise, onion, parsley, lemon juice, and salt into the salmon to form a cohesive mixture. Form the mixture into 8 patties, roughly 2 1/2 inches wide. (I sometimes make 6 larger patties.) Lay the patties on two plates lines with plastic wrap. Freeze, uncovered, until the patties feel firm, about 15 minutes.

3. Spread the flour, eggs, and remaining 1 cup breadcrumbs in three separate shallow dishes. Working with one patty at a time, dredge through the flour, dip into the egg, then coat with the breadcrumbs. Press on the breadcrumbs to make sure they adhere to the fish. Lay the breaded patties on a clean plate.

4. Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Gently lay all the salmon patties in the skillet and cook until golden on both sides, 4-6 minutes (I usually cook half, and then the other half.) Let the cakes drain briefly on paper towels before serving with the lemon wedges.

~Variations~

Pan-Fried Smoked Salmon Cakes:
Substitute 8 oz. coarsely chopped smoked salmon or lox for 8 oz. of the fresh salmon and reduce the salt to 1/2 tsp.

Pan-Fried Salmon Cakes with Parmesan:
Add 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese to the salmon mixture in step 2 and reduce the salt to 1/2 tsp.

Legos

The other day I spent the morning helping Sebastian build this Lego Zoo. However, we didn't have any instructions, just pictures, this is what we built.

December 15th, Sebastian's Baptism Day

Sebastian was baptized on December 15th, 2007. Here are some pictures of him opening presents from us and his godparents on his baptismal anniversary. Matt and Amy gave him a manger scene, which I thought was very brilliant as he always loves to play with ours.