Messy Face

L LOVES meal time. The only food she wrinkles her face for is mashed potatoes. I have to give her something to hold on to while I feed her so she doesn't grab for the spoon and bowl. She loves feeding her self: Cheerios, star puffs, crackers, and even applesauce (most of that does NOT end up in her mouth).

Hey, L, you got a little something right ....there.

I love this picture. She's so easy with the smiles and laughs.

What's that hair style? Cupie doll....troll? No, she's too cute to call it that.

I tried to capture her "sick" eye in this photo. She's had a fever (her 1st), runny nose and cough the last few days but seems better this morning. Yesterday was the worst, yawning all day, and her eyes looked glassy and tired.

8 Months Old (A Week Late)

I think L is going to be walking the furniture before she crawls! Her 2 bottom front teeth are very visible (cut 2 and 1 week ago Monday). I have video of her attempts at floor movement, but I gave up after an hour of trying to load.

What a Day!

Sean, M, L and I made a trip to the Grand Rapids Public Museum today.



M spots the carousel




And..................................

We've had a tooth sighting!!! Ls left bottom front tooth is JUST visible. What a relief....I was getting worried the poor thing would be working on that thing for a couple more days!

The Best Picture Ever

Taken by Uncle Bill at our Fathers Day celebration. Thanks, Bill!

A Few Photos from the Last Couple Weeks

Giving those thumbs a work out.

"Driving" her diaper box.

Works for Me Wednesday

This weeks Works for Me: "Mom, I'm Bored!"

Make a Kid Kitchen

My nephew, M, has a Grandpa who is a chef. They cook together often. M has been "Little Chef" since Ratatouille came out on DVD. When I started caring for Little Chef, we had lots of little toys, but nothing to captivate his interest in imitation. I made him a kitchen out of a car seat box and one smaller box.

I carefully pulled the box apart and turned it inside out so the car seat info wouldn't show. The design is VERY simple: two doors for the oven (big enough for him to crawl inside), magic marker burners with nobs, and a few shelves made from the small box. Clear packing tape and a box cutter works the best. Kids can decorate or use contact paper. Just use your imagination and your own kitchen for inspiration!

My basic little kitchen has lasted almost 4 months...and when this one has had enough we will recycle it and make another!

An Ultrasound and a Trip to MN

Sean took L to ultrasound #2 a week ago Thursday. I was VERY impressed to get the results Tuesday after a long holiday weekend. Her hydronephrosis has improved (from stage 2 to 1). Dr. M-S will order another peek at her kidneys in 6 months. The results have been sent on to her urologist but I imagine he will have the same advice.

L on G'ma's lap at Granny's church

M and L after a bath at the hotel

We got the sad news that my Great Grandma R, Granny, past away Sunday, May 25. Tuesday evening, Mom, Dad, Em, M, L and I piled into a rental van and made the 9 hour trip to Cannon Falls, MN.

This was L's first trip and she was her normal patient, happy self.

What L's Dad Did Sunday

Caution: Turn volume down...this video is loud!

Warm Weather, Cool Clothes~In Pictures

LOVE this little dress. Gotta get use our of it now....don't think it is going to fit L very long!



And 10 minutes later...

Works for Me Wednesday

Thanks for sharing your tip, Sherida, and introducing me to this cool idea from Rocks in My Dryer! What fun!


What has worked WONDERS for me and L...

The Baby Taco




Some call it swaddling...the burrito....taco is just more fun to say!


In my minds eye, I will forever see Bonnie, my birthing nurse, as a saintly wonder women (complete with a heavenly glow, but that might have been from crazy labor and 3 epidurals). Amazing what a shower can do for an hour old mom...and she caringly helped through my time of GREAT need. And THEN she handed me my bundle of joy in this perfect receiving blanketed package that was....perfect.


While I could never come close to swaddling with her skill, I kept trying our first few days at home and found my own way. I'm sure it's not for every baby, but Linnea would fall right to sleep. So, late night feedings, even when she was just a few weeks old, lasted around a half hour for diaper change, bottle, and taco. This really helped save time during the few months I pumped after each feeding.


A simple, inexpensive thermal blanket works the best. (Thanks, Em) It has a lot of give so you can get a snug wrap, but thin and cotton so baby doesn't need another bath in the morning after sweating all night long. Receiving blankets are only good for about a month before babe is too big.

The technique: Fold blanket into a triangle, pointing at feet. Place baby in middle so shoulders are just below top. Fold right point over baby and tuck as far under baby's left arm and back as possible. The trick here is to keep flailing baby arms at sides. Don't despair....that's the hardest part to conquer....just keep trying! Now repeat with left point. Forget about trying to do anything with the bottom point of blanket. Baby will only kick it off 5 minutes later.


L is almost 7 months old and can easily wiggle free off her taco, but when the moment is right, drifts quickly off...and I then I have time to check out my favorite blogs!