Seven Quick Takes: Volume IV

-One-

This picture has almost nothing to do with the story.  Enjoy!

Every once in awhile I have a supermom morning... at the end of which I feel a little crazy but accomplished.  On Wednesday, we made it to gymnastics and had a *blast* and then, I figured, since we were already out, we could run by the store to pick up some tomato sauce for our pizza sauce tonight and maybe something for lunch.  As we walked in the store, I saw they had pool noodles, and, feeling like a good mommy and remember that Tara had mentioned it would be good for her lessons, I grabbed one.  Then, making a less than wise decision, I grabbed a basket rather than a cart (thinking it would be hard to lift Anni into the cart with Lettie in the sling).  So, here we are, Anni walking, me carrying a basket with noodle hanging out the sides crazily and trying my best not to knock everything and every one over as... Lettie starts to cry.  I give her her pacifier, crossing my finger that she isn't hungry and can make it through the five minutes to grab tomato sauce, fruit and something for lunch.  whew.

She couldn't.  This is mad Lettie.  You give her what she needs (really not an unreasonable request at three months old) or you get screaming.

Except... I had never breastfed in a sling, and as far as I knew, there was no place in the store to try to sit and get ourselves situated.  This was a "do it now or leave your basket on the floor as you tail it out to the car" situation... obviously it was time to learn how to breastfeed in a sling.  So, there, in front of the Annie's Mac n Cheese and Quinoia selections, I pulled Lettie's legs up into the sling, slid my shirt down and let her latch on.  The sling has a nice long tail, so I used that to give myself a little more coverage as I swayed in the aisle and crossed my fingers that this would calm poor Lettie down.  While there was really no reason to worry (just feedin' my baby here, people), every time someone passed through the aisle I just focused on making sure everyone was happy, and checking out the various kinds of Annie's Mac n Cheese and quinoa available (I bought Annie's Mac n Cheese, just to be clear).  She ate for maybe a minute and I swung her back up, pulled my top up, tightened the sling, and we moved on our way (with Anni carrying the pool noodle, because, really, what was I thinking?!)  As I ushered us to the checkout, I gave myself a little inner high-five for making it through the store, figuring out breastfeeding in the sling, and exiting the store with everyone happy(-er than we entered, even).  

The end.

-Two-

Lettie learned how to pull the little bug that plays music on her bouncer this week, and Anni was SO excited.  Like thrilled, giggling, hugging me like a proud mommy excited.  I love both of these girls so much!

-Three-

Sleeeeeeepy little girl.  I love how babywearing is almost always a guaranteed way
to get this baby to take a nap... even more guaranteed than just holding her and
waaaay more guaranteed than nursing her, as much as she loves that.

I love proud babywearing moments.  I was wearing Lettie at the zoo last weekend and a lovely woman from Africa (most beautiful accent ever!) came up and told me that she doesn't see a lot of women doing this in the US, but it's how everyone carries their baby in her country.

And, speaking of babywearing... a certain little girl loves wearing her own babies.  Here's hoping that this or this go on sale sometime before Christmas and maybe I can get her own little carrier... though maybe I could figure out how make her a ring sling myself?

-Four-

If you haven't seen the Colbert Report where he talks about his mama, watch.  Prepare for tears.  I showed it to Daniel when he got home from work and we both agreed that we hope we are such parents that our babies talk about us like this when we die.

-Five-

"Mommy, wook at my awmpits.  Dey wook so beautiful!"

-Six-

Miss Anni is starting to get curious during naptime and bedtime.  Before now, at three years old, she had only left her room once or twice ever when she was supposed to be sleeping.  If she cried or yelled because she needed something, she did it from her bed, or on the body pillow on the floor next to her bed (where she often ends up in the middle of the night).  It kind of cracks me up... but I'm hoping it doesn't become a crazy new escape routine.  

-Seven-

Happy Summer!  We're celebrating by heading to the bank, on to a house inspection and then to a splash park!  Life is good.

Find more Seven Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Our Summer Bucket List

of my friends have been posting about their summer bucket list, so,  since summer technically doesn't start for two days, I figure I'm on the ball in creating my own!  It's a pretty random list, but I think it's a happy one for our little family.  Maybe I'll even add a few things as we go... but #1 is going to take up so much time and energy, I'll just be grateful when that one is crossed off the list!    

1. Move!
2. Start homeschooling for preschool
3. Picnic
4. Trek in the mountains
5. Cheer Daddy on while he runs a 5k
6. Have a big ole' grilling party at our new house!
7. Swim Lessons for Anni
8. Gymnastics for Anni [and me just getting up and getting her there!]
9. Fly a kite
10. Laugh (especially Lettie!)

I'll try to update with completions and photos... I mean, when do I do something without photos?

Father's Day 2013

Seven Quick Takes Friday: Volume 3

-One-

We celebrated Anni's name day: St. Anthony!  Tonsure cakes (donuts) and italian (who doesn't love a good lasagna?) in honor of his noteworthy hair (or lack thereof?) and the country where he did much of his work.  St. Anthony and I have been tight since the days of losing absolutely everything all the time in college.

-Two-

So... we may, possibly, have a house!  Contract is signed, but obviously a lot could go wrong between now and closing.  However; it's a pretty exciting and scary time for us!  We've been trying to prepare Anni for the move and she's a little nervous and confused.  "So, we will come back to our aparpment after our new house?  What if I don't wike our new house?"  We try to talk to her about the great things, but also validate her feelings of confusion and nervousness... it's scary to leave the only home she remembers (although it's actually the third place she's lived!)  We are most excited for: the backyard, the beautiful light in the ginormous living room, moving my office out of our bedroom, wood floors, cabinet space... oh, so many things!

-Three-

Still no laugh from little Lettie, but definitely still one of the happiest babies ever!  Her current favorite song is "Row, Row, Row, your Boat" and we may just be wearing it out in an attempt to make that little girl laugh.  Her biggest smiles come right after waking up... and well, she does tend to wake up a lot. 

She is a terrible napper.  Daniel has noticed a whole lot of crazy in my eyes lately after I stay up into the wee hours to get work done, feed and soothe Missy around 5:30a (or earlier/more often with this yucky cold/cough she's battling!), get a couple more hours of sleep and then spend all. day. trying to get her little self to nap for longer than a few minutes.  I know she's tired, so I feel bad that I haven't hit upon the right equation to get her that much needed rest during the day.   

-Four-

Father's Day.  Daniel has already seen his gift; because, well, it's hard for a three-year-old to keep her fun craft a secret, especially when you forget to tell her it's a secret.  Our little foot-printing adventure reminded Anni how much she loves painting and today that girl painted... with brushes, her hands... all over (on accident) the cream colored gliding rocker (anyone know how to re-cover cushions?)  Daniel and I were both laughing a little about the incident, because this is coming from our little girl who was terrified of getting paint on her fingers for the past year.

-Five-

While we've been keeping it "real" with our food in general this week, we did go on a little lunch date with Daniel when we went up to the office for Mass, only to find out the priest hadn't shown up.  No regrets about that pizza!  However; it is going to be our last time eating out for a good long while as we're going to need to tighten our belts a notch as we prepare for a mortgage and all the new expenses that come with a house [money saving tips welcome!]

-Six-

One of my favorite people in the world is spending her first year at FOCUS summer training.  We've gone the past two years (sweet Anni in tow), but the heat (and humidity and bugs and all those lovely things associated with being next to a swamp), having a three month old and not necessarily being needed at training kept us home this year.  However; my heart wishes I was there just to spend a little time with my sweet friend... you know who you are, so know that I'm sending love (and just maybe a care package full of joy) to you!

-Seven-

 Weekend plans: we're headed to the zoo tomorrow!  I'm kind of afraid that the zoo will be a zoo (of people) with it being Father's Day weekend... but we're planning on heading down early and trying our best... we've got to make use of the membership while we have it!

Read more Seven Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Dance Break!

 Things are a little overhwelming (in good and bad ways!) over here. Luckily I have this girl to make me take dance breaks in the middle of all the chaos!