Okay, sh*t just got real, we’re in the double digits for months and never looking back!

What? Oh yeah, at least we have a while before we say the same for years….phew!

Avery is still not walking on her own, but she’s damn close. I am therefore updating my “bet” to her walking before the 11th month rolls around.

The past month has revealed a very active baby, and I can only imagine her activity levels will keep increasing from here. Fine with me; bring on the baby chasing, fort building, coffee craving days looming in the not-so-distant future, I’m ready! I think….

What are the odds that, as I’m pulling Avery out of the litter box after having mastered walking, and, in retrospect, think back to this post wondering why I’d ever wish for such a stressful thing? A super curious baby who can’t quite yet talk or understand most of her parents’ commands, is able to walk/run around the house taking no prisoners in her path. Or, that’s what I imagine sometimes.

Only time will tell for sure, so no reason to sit and contemplate on the “what ifs”. For now, I’ll focus on what is known with the memories we created; or, 10 of them at least.

Avery, I hope you are reading this with mommy and me one day and we are all smiling and laughing at these memories at the ten month mark.

1. Leaving you with G-Ma for the weekend as Mommy and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary in downtown Fort Worth.

2. G-ma discovering your first unofficial first word (words?) of “Uh-oh”. When we came back from our weekend away, you were spouting out “Uh oh” several times a day and it is the first word you repeat when we say it out loud.

3. Taking you down the slide at the neighborhood playground for the first time. Nothing crazy, but it was fun to introduce you to something that will surely become a favorite when you start walking.

4. You saw fish in an aquarium for the first time. I couldn’t get over at your intrigued stare as you gazed at the brightly colored fish in awe. Such a wonderful thing to be able to show you so many things the world has to offer!

5. Apparently, you DO NOT enjoy 2+ hours of riding in the car. The first road trip we took with you to see our friends in Norman, Ok proved to be a dread for all of us. You had a few cute moments, but mostly crying/screaming and little sleep. We’re not sure when the next long drive with you will be, but I’m thinking it will be when you are a bit older.

6. Walking around our old college campus, University of Oklahoma, with you while visiting Sean, Erin, and Brooklyn. The time spent out of the car after our road trip was enjoyable, and you got to play with a big girl; Sean and Erin’s 2 year old girl, Brooklyn.

7. Easily using your borrowed walker to go back and forth across the house. The walker our neighborhood friends let you borrow has turned out to be the most used thing in the house. Mommy and I first had to walk along with you and hold it steady, but now you’ll go back and forth all on your own as you look up at us with a proud grin. Each time, we are quick to respond with a proud grin of our own!

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8. Screaming at the highest pitch you possibly can as if it were a contest. Seriously! It’s completely random and this is separate from your crying fits, you just let out loud screams when and where ever you want. This includes as I’m wearing you while shopping in a quite store; I guess it’s too quite for your liking.

9. Taking you to our first dads group outing. Another stay-at-home dad, David Kepley and I have been working with the City Dads Group to start our own Dallas Dads Group and we’re excited for what the future holds. Our first outing was a miniature train ride next to the Fort Worth Zoo. You weren’t sure what to make of the new surroundings at first, but I could see the amazement in your eyes and can’t wait to bring you to many more outings.

10. Kicking the crap out of your crib. The fact that it’s still in one piece speaks wonders about the quality workmanship of your crib, because your kicks are heard throughout the entire house! You’ll kick before falling asleep and soon after waking. Your mom and I will lay in bed sometimes and just listen as you kick and talk to yourself for up to 30 minutes. You aren’t mad or crying, just kicking, rolling, and “talking”.

Going Mom and I love watching our beautiful girl learn and grow, and we can’t get over how fast the time has gone. It’s bittersweet, really, and I must remind myself everyday not to rush things and just enjoy the moment. Sounds simple, but it’s hard.

Who knows what memories will unfold leading up to the 11th month, but one thing’s for sure, they will happen too fast.

Do you participate in any mom/dad/parent groups with your kids?

Random screaming. How do you deal with it?

I never understood why so many people are averse to the mushroom. I mean, c’mon, he’s a “fun-gi”!

Sorry, had to get that in there. But I feel that if more people gave the fungus a chance, it would grow on them.

Okay, seriously, I’m done now.

I’ve been a mushroom lover for as long as I can remember, and never cared for anything fancy, just plain and raw. Sometimes, when I’m feeling really crazy, I might add a touch of spicy brown mustard or use them to dip in hummus, but I mostly enjoy them sans toppings.

My love for mushrooms is no secret, and I think that’s obvious when you see the birthday “cake” I was given by my co-workers one year.

Going Mom, on the other hand, has never allowed “mushroom” in her diet for the mycelium which leaves me as the only “con-shroomer” (wow, I can’t stop). Not a problem, though, since I’m not good at sharing food I treasure.

Even now that we’re feeding Avery a mixture of veggies, I’m apprehensive to give her mushrooms at the fear she’ll just throw them on the floor. It would hurt too much to see.

Although I prefer the simplicity of plain, uncooked mushrooms, I couldn’t resist when the great guys at Life of Dad invited me to partner with them and The Mushroom Council as an official ambassador to help celebrate and promote #ShroomTember!

I am honored to be amongst several other awesome dad bloggers acting as ambassador by creating and sharing an original recipe containing mushrooms and telling you, our wonderful readers, about how you can have a chance to win a $500 Visa Gift Card by sharing your own mushroom-infused recipe!

There are two contests remaining for #ShroomTember and this week it’s all about Blendability. Here are several bullet points provided by The Mushroom Council to help explain Mushroom Blendability:

On average, mushrooms have 90 percent fewer calories than a ground meat alternative.
Finely chopped mushrooms look similar and blend seamlessly with meat, so classics can be made healthier without losing taste or satisfying texture. Simply substitute flavorful mushrooms for some of the meat in a traditional dish to reduce calories and fat.
Mushroom Blendability helps you lighten up family favorites by replacing a portion of the ground meat with mushrooms – creating healthier versions of the recipes you love.
With the mushroom and meat blend, you don’t necessarily have to consume large quantities of meat to feel full and satiated.
Research shows that increasing the intake of lower calorie foods, specifically mushrooms, in place of those higher in calories, like ground beef, can be an effective method for reducing calories and fat while still feeling full and satisfied after a meal.
Mushrooms bring important nutrients like vitamin D, potassium, B vitamins and antioxidants to the plate without adding significant calories, fat and cholesterol.

Healthy Turkey-Mushroom Pumpkin Casserole

Ingredients

1 15oz can pumpkin puree
3 egg whites
1/2
1 medium onion, chopped
2 – 4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced (I used 4 because we love garlic!!)
1 lb ground turkey breast, cooked (sub chicken, beef, or pork if needed)
3 cups steamed mixed veggies with peas, corn, and carrots
1 cup chopped mushrooms (I used white button and cremini, but any kind will work)
2 tbsp. brown mustard
2 tsp Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (soy sauce works too)
1 tbsp. cumin
1 tsp paprika, parsley, and thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine steamed veggies and cooked turkey with pumpkin puree and egg whites in a large bowl
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add onions, mushrooms, and garlic. Sauté for 2 – 3 minutes until softened and add to mixture in the bowl.
Add all remaining ingredients and mix well.

Pour mixture into greased or parchment lined 9-inch casserole dish (individual ramekins or even a pie pan will work too) and bake for 40 minutes. There should be a golden crust forming on top; watch carefully so it doesn’t turn black!
Remove from oven and place on wire cooling rack. Allow to sit 5 – 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

This dish freezes well and is perfect for leftovers!

I used glass ramekins as the individual sizes made it easier to store some for me and some for Kelley to bring to work. Serve with your favorite hearty bread and a hefty side of greens.

Now, as much as it fills me with pride to have you sit and stare with a grumbling tummy, I urge you to get in the kitchen and put your ‘shroom skills to work for a chance at winning $500. That could buy a lot of mushrooms!!

Make sure to check out The Mushroom Council’s social media pages listed below for great tips and recipes to get you motivated.

Enjoy and good luck!

Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad, LLC for the #ShroomTember promotion. Sponsored by The Mushroom Council, the #ShroomTember promotion gives anybody the chance to win a $500 Visa gift card.