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!

Book Club

I don't think I've written about book club yet. Laura invited me last spring. It's mainly a bunch of women she knows from here and there, and now I've gotten to know them too. It's always held in the city and I am definitely the only one with kids. Actually, until last month, I was the only married one too. That makes for an interesting time. On the one hand I miss my single (or at least childless) city days when I was skinny and fashionable and had a multitude of things to talk about other than cloth diapers or teething. But on the other hand, it gives me a chance to go out in the city and pretend I'm still that fascinating person. After the first meeting, I was literally giddy on the drive home. I called another mommy friend and said, 'It was so great. I actually had intelligent things to say and kept up with the witty banter'! 

So over the course of the spring and early summer they got to watch my belly growing bigger and bigger and said they were all eager for me to bring the baby to the next meeting, and yes, of course, you should feel free to breastfeed openly. Well, I took them up on their offer and brought Lincoln to the last meeting. I admit I was looking forward to showing up looking cute, hair actually done and make up actually on. So what that I didn't manage to keep my new dress spit up free. No one will look that closely anyway. I was also planning on showing off my effortless mother skills by nursing Lincoln to sleep and laying him peacefully down in the corner while I enjoyed a glass of wine and a good laugh. 

Funny how these little one's always like to keep us on our toes. I spent the far majority of the time with him in the sling, bouncing him and shushing him until he finally fell asleep, only to start crying again when I sat down. I was dripping with sweat and starving because I was barely able to eat a thing. I can only hope the smile on my face looked real enough instead of the anxiety strained one that it really was. I think I had them all hypnotized with the bouncing/rocking motion I was doing for about an hour straight, which I of course laughed off as my secret way to burn off the baby weight. (I said, followed by a fake but polite little chuckle.)

Well, hopefully I didn't scare any of them away from having children some day. And while I'm thankful they were open enough for me to bring him, I'll make sure to leave him home next time. I think book club is better when I can step outside my day to day life anyway. 

Sesame Place

Sto was finished with work early last
Friday so we decided to go to Sesame Place at the last minute. We were able to buy twilight passes for just the evening, which was a good thing because this place charges almost as much as Disney World. But let me tell you, it's no Disney! For being such a big deal, I've always thought it was odd that it's basically in the parking lot of the local mall.

But it is pretty cute once you get inside. We started wandering around with no real plan and decided on the carousel for our first ride. After an agonizingly long wait in line, Sto and Pippa rode on a pink horse. (Have I mentioned Pippa's current obsession is horses?) Though she looked quite serious throughout the whole ride, she was actually tickled pink. I know this because she threw a mini temper tantrum when the ride was over. Then we headed to Grover's World Tour (aka, The Tea Cups). After a surprisingly long wait for a relatively short line, Pippa enjoyed the ride with a little grin on her face. I  then passed Lincoln off to Sto and took my little girl on Big Bird's Balloon Race. But only after waiting far too long in line. When you start to memorize the music played during the ride you know you've been waiting too long. Seriously, who do they hire to work in this place?! Is 'snail's pace' a requirement? And we almost didn't get on because we didn't walk fast enough to a seat and they got filled up! But I was a little snotty and were able to share a booth with another family. I was NOT waiting another 10 minutes for a 3 minute ride!

So after our grand total of 3 rides we grabbed a quick dinner and headed home. Yup. That was the extent of our first visit to Sesame Place. I've learned a few valuable lessons. Mainly, to make a plan ahead of time. We should have gone to one of the shows. That way she could have seen Elmo in person! This is what I learned while chatting with other parents in line for our stupid ride. Probably it's just as well we didn't, though, because Pippa was scared of the Cookie Monster she saw walking around the park anyway. But live and learn, right? Next year we'll get a season's pass and go when it's the least crowded. Now, does anyone know when that is?