Happy Birthday #2

Clare had her first birthday over weekend. It seems as though this past month her development has skyrocketed. She can clap her hands, show you how big she is, and tell you what a dragon says. They "roar" in case you haven't come across one. I made her spaghetti with meat sauce (recipe below) and carrot cupcakes (from Cooking for Baby by Lisa Barnes) for her party.

Her stats are as follows:
Height: 29 1/2 inches
Weight: 17 lbs 11 oz
Likes: spaghetti, cheese, ice cream
Dislikes: broccoli



Clare's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce
9 months and older
I use ground turkey meat in this, I think it gives a slight sweetness to the sauce.
1 lb ground turkey meat
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
2 cans (28 oz) crushed whole tomatoes
pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Brown the turkey meat in a large sauce pan with 2 of the garlic cloves and the oregano and basil along with some salt and pepper. Cook the meat until it starts to burn around the edges. Add the tomatoes and their juice along with the remaining garlic clove and the red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve over or with small noodles like tiny shells that baby can pick up.