Going Private

Hi all. I want to let everyone who follows my blog know how much I appreciate you! I love that there are random people I don't even know reading about my motherhood escapades. But I've decide to make this blog private since I post so many pictures of my family. If you'd like to be sent a link so that you can continue to read whenever you want please get word to me, either threw a family member or by commenting on this post. I will add you to my e-mail list. I'll wait a few weeks before restricting it. Thanks all.

Heather*

NOFX: good for the soul

My push-present from Laura was tickets to NOFX. Most of you have probably never heard of them, but they are a punk band that we started to listen to more than 10 years ago. They are crass and irreverent and I love them. We used to go to shows back in college and the years following but it's been a long time since I've been to a good, old fashioned punk show. And it was awesome. Kind of like going home. Yes, we felt very old and had never heard of the 2 opening bands, but there were a lot of old timers like us there. Well, maybe not 'a lot' but enough. We grabbed a couple of beers and found 2 choice seats. We chatted up a couple of guys in a similar stage of life as us and complained about NOFX not starting their set until 10pm, getting very close to our bedtimes! But once the headlining band started we pushed our way threw the crowd to the very front. I quickly remembered the somewhat defensive stance that is required at a show like that, with feet squarely planted and one arm braced to absorb someone from the pit should they get thrown into me. And, true to form, Laura almost got into a fight with some annoying young girl next to her who didn't know how to respect her elders. I was ready to back her up, but could not help but roll my eyes at the thought of getting into a fight. I'm seriously too old for that! All in all, the night was refreshing for the soul. Sto and I vowed to go see more live music in the future so if you hear of anything good let us know!

The Baptism Extravaganza!

We had Lincoln baptized last weekend. This is not something I feel particularly strongly about so I kind of let the in-laws have free reign over the party. If you've ever been to any of their parties, you know where I'm headed with this. But I shouldn't get ahead of myself. The baptism itself went very well. We were on time. Lincoln actually napped a little bit on the car ride there. His white dress stayed white. And I even managed to shimmy my dress all the way up to my neck to nurse him in the bathroom beforehand. The only iffy moment happened just as the priest went to poor water on his head. Lincoln was apparently startled by this and started screaming, poor guy. But all was well in the end.

The party went pretty well too. Actually, it went very well from everyone else's perspective. I was not quite as relaxed, but that's not surprising. We got to the reception hall (yes, hall. Like for weddings.) a few minutes later than everyone else and took it all in. Around 175 people were there! The walls were draped (left over from a wedding the day before), there was a three tier cake, and the DJ was rocking it out...a little too loudly, actually. No worries. I sent Sto to ask him to turn it down. We found a table in the corner and started to set up shop. That's what it feels like when you have 2 kids, one of whom is already showing signs of skipping her nap, 4 bags, and aching feet from your brand new (and fabulous) purple suede MK heels. The second I walked in with Lincoln we were converged upon by all the old grandmama types. They didn't seem to notice that I was busy trying to change him back into normal clothes and that he was crying every time someone got up in his face or tried to take him from me. (What would possess someone to try to take a crying baby away from his mother is beyond me.) But we eventually got everything settled, asked the DJ to turn down the music for the second time, and made the rounds until Lincoln couldn't take it anymore. Soon enough food was served. I asked my brother in-law to tell the DJ to turn down the music (again!), and Lincoln was sleeping away in my sling while I tried not to drip my lunch onto him. I almost succeeded too!

Then it was time for the big event. The reptile show I had booked! I was really excited about this. The party sort of took on a rain forest theme with that and the place cards telling people a tree had been planted in their honor in a Brazilian rain forest. The cake even matched the cards. (Ok, that stuff was all me, so I guess the in-laws aren't the only one to get a little carried away!) It turned out to be a great show and everyone had a really good time. They got to touch and hold a bunch of different stuff, from a baby corn snake to a chinchilla to a huge python! I wish Pippa had been better rested, though, so she could have enjoyed it more. But her sleepy state hasn't stopped her from talking about that 'really big snake' every time a snake comes up in a book or TV show. Even my mother in-law got into it.

Unfortunately, as soon as the reptile show was over, that damn DJ who apparently did not care a bit about my baby, started up the music even more loudly and it startled my already overwhelmed boy. Not surprisingly he started screaming so I mobilized the troops (thanks Mom, Dad, and Levi!) to load up the car and headed out ASAP. It was a good thing too, because the poor kid didn't stop screaming until I got him home and into the bathtub. (Works every time!)

So thanks to all who attended and helped us celebrate our precious baby boy. Now please excuse me while I tackle this huge pile of thank you cards!

The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

Pippa had her first dental appointment this past week. In preparation we've been reading The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist. I have no love for the Berenstain Bear books. They are long and wordy. And frankly, I find them dull. But it was the only book I found on the topic so there you have it. And it got the job done. We got to talk about the chair she would sit in and how she would open her mouth real wide for the dentist to look inside with his special tools. We've been reading it for weeks.

The big day finally arrived! We arrived in the office (Lincoln in the sling, of course) and were delighted that not only did we actually make it there on time, but the office staff was super laid back anyway, so it would have been cool if we were a little late. Ok, this really is a kid friendly place! The waiting room had a huge stuffed horse on the wall (a toy horse, that is. not a real one. duh.) so Pippa was obviously a huge fan of this office from the get go. Then we were led into the exam room and there was a TV mounted on the wall. A TV is as good as Xanax to a kid so we were still doing great.

When the dentist came in we chatted for a few minutes while Pippa ignored us and stared at the TV. Then it was time to climb into the chair and she didn't even bat an eye. If Lincoln hadn't been wrapped to my chest I would have sat down with her on my lap, but she was fine with me just holding her hand. She sat quietly through the exam and teeth cleaning and only looked at me once for some reassurance. She was a champ. Of course, it helped that the whole thing took approximately 10 minutes start to finish. But soon Pippa was proudly sporting stickers and showing off her little bag carrying her new toothbrush and floss to the office staff. She loves using the new toothbrush but, as you can tell by the picture, she unwound the entire carton of floss on the car ride home. Ha! Whatever gives her a positive memory of the dentist is fine with me! I hope it continues to be that easy!

Toddler Bed: Take 1

We have some good friends who's 2 1/2 year old recently fell out of her crib and got bumped up. So when Sto found Pippa climbing halfway out of bed one morning, we sort of freaked out. Climbing is a very recent passion of hers. I blame it on the playground in the mall where she watches all the other kids climb and jump all over everything. She suddenly realized that she can do it, too, with complete disregard to my rattled nerves! So we were faced with a choice: convert the crib to a toddler bed?, or hope she doesn't continue these climbing adventures and fall on her head? It was a very tough question and I sat on fence all morning long. Then I decided that it was most likely going to be a rough adjustment no matter when we did it, so it might as well be now. I really didn't want to end up with a bloody nose, chipped teeth, or worse on my hands. So I broke out the conversion kit and allen wrench (What is up with those? Why can't they just use normal screws?!) and got to work.

I made sure Pippa helped me and was involved in the whole process. We talked about how exciting it was going to be for her to sleep in her 'big girl bed'. She looked slightly worried when I started taking her beloved crib apart but put on a brave face. And it was really exciting when it was done. She climbed right in and got under her special quilt with her bed toys. I was starting to have doubts when I was forced to teach her how to get out of it the right way and not by crawling over the safety rail (that would defeat the whole purpose now wouldn't it). I questioned whether I should really be teaching her how to get out at all, but knew she'd figure it out within 5 minutes anyway.

So here comes the first test: nap time. Sto was home by then and was able to put her down after she proudly showed it off to him. We hunkered down to watch some football and listen to her through the monitor. Would she climb out of bed?...duh, of course she would! Soon enough we heard bumping around and various toys being played with. Not sure how best to handle it, we decided let it go hoping she would just drift off. She did eventually go quiet for a while and sort of had bed-head when we went in to get her, though I seriously doubt she fell asleep in the bed.

Ok, not too bad for a first try. I'm hopeful! But now it's time for bed. Mind you, she was already a little over tired from getting to bed late the day before. And Pippa dearly likes her sleep. So when it was clear she was out of bed playing we went in to put her back to bed. First, Sto tried. Then I went in to lay down the law. Again, it was hard to know how to handle it and it's not surprising she was having a hard time adjusting, so I sat with her for a long time hoping she would fall asleep. But she can really keep herself awake when she wants to (and I was starving!) so I said good night. Soon, she was out of bed again so I decided to deal with it Super Nanny style. Very little talking and/or eye contact. After several attempts at this (and a good amount of crying) Sto said enough! (Good decision, honey) We went in together, allen wrench in hand, and converted the bed back to a crib. She was asleep within 5 minutes, poor kid. I guess it's just not time.

The good news is that because of the conversion we discovered we could still lower the mattress another couple of inches so she should be trapped in there for a while longer. Phew! Hopefully by the time she grows tall enough to climb out she really will be ready for a big girl bed...in, like, a year!

Finger Painting is Fun!

I made finger paint today for Pippa to play with. Any excuse to get all messy is always a good thing in my book. She caught right on! Here is the recipe I used. One thing I did find, though, is that it thickens up a little more when it cools so you don't need to cook it down too much. And it would have worked even better if I had that special finger painting paper. But I just used craft paper and it was still a hoot. 


1/2 c corn starch
3 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 c cold water
food coloring



In a medium pan, mix all the ingredients together to make the finger paint. Cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes. Keep stirring the finger paint mixture until it is smooth and thick. After the finger paint has thickened take the pan off the stove and let the mixture cool.
After cooling, divide the finger paint into storage containers depending on how many colors you would like. Add a few drops of food coloring to each container. Stir the coloring in to the paint to determine the shade of color. You're ready to finger paint! Cover tightly when storing.

2 Month Holla'

Lincoln just had his 2 month pediatric appointment. Here are his my little piggy's stats:

Height: 22 1/2 inch, 25%
Weight: 13lbs 6 oz, 90%
Head Circ: 39 cms, 25%


I've been saying he's a good eater! Honestly, though, he doesn't look like the 90%. He looks like a perfect, chubby little baby. But he is a champion nurser. He nurses for less than 10 minutes on one breast and is done. I'm constantly doubting if he's eaten enough because he's so fast. Well, I guess I'll stop offering so much. Clearly he's getting plenty of milk.

He is finally starting to sleep a little longer at night, though it's still not consistent. He'll sleep for 5-8 hours for that first block of time and then 3-4 hours at a time after that.  I was a little worried that I might have a hard time getting both of my kids to go to bed around the same time of night, but Lincoln has worked that out for himself. He goes to bed between 5:30 and 6 every night. Actually, before 6 is a little too early so hopefully we can gently push that back a bit. It's all a work in progress. Naps are getting a little more regular, too. He's learning to put himself to sleep pretty quickly though, I wish he would figure out how to suck his thumb. I'm starting to thing it'll never happen. But I suppose that means he'll never have the habit to break so I shouldn't complain.

He smiling and cooing like crazy. Especially first thing in the morning. That toothless smile and those bright eyes are priceless. He is definitely a social little guy. He likes to be held and talked to. He also like being held facing out so he can see what's going on. And he's totally fascinated by his older sister. And she's just as fascinated by him. I can't wait for him to get a little older so they can start to actually play together. They are already such great friends, they are going to have a blast!