[product highlight] umami paste

If you're like me, there are some products you stumble upon at the grocery store that you want to tell people about because they're so good.  I've decided I need to do more of that, hence this post.

When I found this umami paste at TJ's, it was calling my name and I had to try it!  I have a highly umami palate and love finding fun sauces/pastes that add quick and easy flavor to dishes.  And this stuff did not disappoint.  I love it.  I'll squirt it in tomato sauces, curries, stir-fry's... things like that.  It adds a nice saltiness and richness.  

[side note: if you don't live by TJ's... first, I'm sorry, second, if you really want to try this let me know and I might just mail you one 😁]

Here's a soup I made this week that used the umami paste.  It's almost soup season, but sometimes the things that need used up in my fridge just scream for me to make soup out of them... and I think I'm one of those people that can really eat soup anytime.  This one was super flavorful and delicious.  I'm not much of a recipe repeater, but I think I'll definitely make this again.  Hope you love it if you try it!

How to make the soup:

2 T. bacon grease *

one onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. pepper & paprika

Saute onion and garlic in bacon grease for a few minutes, then add spices and cook a few more minutes until the onions start to get tender.  I wanted to add red wine but didn't have any open... if you do I would recommend adding a big splash at this point.

4-5 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1/2 c. sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

squeeze of umami paste, about 1 T.

Add in these ingredients and saute a few more minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.

1c. green lentils

~ 4c. chicken broth

Add lentils and broth.  Cover and simmer until lentils are almost tender.  You could start with 3 c. of broth and add more as needed.  My lentils needed about 4 c. of broth, but I also made my soup pretty thick.

2 c. chopped cooked chicken (optional)

big handful chopped fresh basil

Add in the chicken and basil and cook just until the lentils are tender.  

* or any type of fat if you're not wise enough to save your bacon grease... my husband was delighted when I started doing that and I felt like my mom 😜

** between the umami paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth, I didn't have to add any extra salt, but add to your taste if needed

the second month

I feel like I'm getting the hang of this baby thing a little more now that Oliver is two months.  He's more predictable and eats better... some of the hard/annoying things in the beginning work themselves out.  One of my goals, or hopes with Oliver was to really just enjoy each stage.  Partly because I didn't do very good at that with Creighton and his first two years are kind of a blur, and partly because Oliver is likely our last kid.  I'm thankful to say that I really have been enjoying him as a baby.  Yes, there are moments I get frustrated at his crying or feel like I'm not parenting the older boys well when Oliver demands my attention, but I'm trying to be more intentional about soaking in the sweetness of having a baby.

+ will give smiles and coo's, mostly in the morning after he's eaten
+ starting to only wake up at 4/4:30 at night to eat, after eating somewhere between 8-9p for his last feeding of the day
+ still doesn't want to just sit in a swing or bouncy seat while he's awake.  he might give me a happy 5 minutes in his seat, then he's crying for some attention.  needless to say, I hold him a lot while he's awake.
+ starting to like his bath a little, or at least not always cry during it :)
+ still not a fan of his carseat, but he is starting to cry a little less
+ sometimes gets called "boob" by Creighton, who I believe randomly made up the nickname, not realizing how appropriate it is!  😂

getting some of our first smiles!

love how babies tuck their legs when they sleep.  also loving the blue color that we painted the crib.

Ollie gets all the attention. 💕

That side profile... those cheeks and chin :). It's one of the things about him that reminds me most of the other boys... or maybe just Beckham

Creighton loves on Oliver while Beckham is in school... he's constantly kissing him and telling him how cute he is and how much he loves him!

the first month

Alright... how can I not be working and still not find time to do a blog post that isn't over a month late??  Oh well... these posts are more for my information since I don't have a baby book.  I know what my baby is doing isn't really that interesting to anyone else. :)

The first month with Oliver was sweet... both grandmas kept the boys and Chad was home a decent amount and could entertain the older boys, leaving me with quite a bit of one-on-one time with Oliver.  Which was a good thing, because I felt like it took a bit for me to "figure him out," why he was crying, was he hungry or tired, etc.  It all felt a little new and not like "oh, it's my third kid, I got this," since it had been four years since I had a baby.  But of course you figure it out pretty quick, since, well, you've had a baby before. :)  So a little about Ollie...

- he's not quite the "laid back third child" that so many people told me about... at least for now.  he's not a bad baby, just doesn't really sit and chill on his own while he's awake... always wants held.
- is already pretty routine, which I love.  starting at about 3 weeks he eats at 8-9p, goes to bed and gets up around 1a/4a/7a at night, then eats every 3-3 1/2 hrs during the day.
- he is not a fan of his car seat and riding in the car.  even the times I've just fed him and we go somewhere and I think surely he'll be happy... usually he's not.  he's not great at self-soothing and just cries and cries... once in a while he doesn't or he finally stops after crying most of the way.  the other boys don't seem to mind, so that's a plus.  I thought they would get bugged by his crying but don't.
- he can roll over!  I think he did it the first time around 3 weeks and I wasn't sure I believed he did it!  he sleeps on his tummy and a few times when he's gotten mad while crying, he's rolled over to his back.  I haven't seen him do it, but he did it for the pediatrician during his one month appointment while I was taking C to the bathroom, so I have an official eye witness.
- he's quickly gaining weight, as did my other boys.  he was 9 lbs. 5 oz. at his one month appointment, gaining a little more than 2 lbs. in the first month.
- the boys are really sweet and patient with him.  they want to hold and kiss him frequently and love to hover around me while I'm feeding him... much to my dismay. ;)  Beckham also informed that it was weird when I was pumping 😆