Squirrel Chatter

Web Finds Wednesday

2012-01-26T06:32:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's Thursday - I am just happy to be completing a post period! :)

Free Sweater Stone - so going to do this!

Chicken Ranch Pizza

Smoky Mexican Meatball Stew

Motherhood Monday: 5 minute game to make your child feel loved

Motherhood around the Globe: Online Exhibition

DIY Valentine's Day Handwamers

Nutella & Go! At Walmart!

2011-12-30T06:28:00.000-05:00

I have found a new addiction - nutella & go! I knew I loved nutella but did they really need to seal the deal and make these fabulous little to go snacks?? Oh my! So yummy!

Picked some up after spying them in the check out aisle at Walmart for my husband and I's stockings for Christmas and they never made it that far! Oops!

Choices Choices: Camera Strap!

2011-12-29T05:47:00.000-05:00

Oh how can I choose? Looking for a camera strap to customize my new Christmas present! But which do I choose??
Here are my two favorites!

I am leaning towards the top one. So pretty!

Straps available from Etsy shop: AugustBlossoms

Santa Pancake Attempt

2011-12-28T06:24:00.000-05:00

So I always get a little too excited about ideas like Santa Pancakes and end up forgetting very important elements like say....spraying the pans with Pam before trying to make said santa pancakes. Or only having one good squirt bottle for the colored batter so for the rest I am scrambling for any sort of squeezy receptacle - i.e. piping tips and frosting bags, even my easy accent decorator from Pampered Chef.

Really you need just plain old condiment squirt bottles - and I have three but could only find one. At least I thought I had three - maybe not. I dunno now.

So anywho - one pancake out of like 6 turned out ok. And by "ok" I mean that the whipped cream hid all the flaws and made it look decent. Haha!

Here's evidence of the other not so cutsey pancakes...by the end I was just making round pancakes with swirled colored batter - looked like Christmas Pancakes Gone Crazy - sadly I didn't take a picture of those before my hubby ate them. :)

Still - overall - a tasty treat for Christmas morning memories!

Here is how I thought they would turn out in my head...well, where my inspiration came from anyways: http://jennipriceillustration.blogspot.com/2011/12/lunchbox-santa.html

Christmas Morning Magic

2011-12-27T06:24:00.000-05:00

Oh wow! The Christmases with a little one keep getting better and better! So exciting to watch her eyes light up! Got to love Christmas morning magic! Christmas is a little different at 14 months than at 2 months old! Ha! :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-12T12:17:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year again! How have I gotten this far behind in posting on my blog? Oy veh!

But alas here is a little sneak peek into what has been keeping me so busy! Family photo shoot in late October with our one year old little one to share with family and friends via our Christmas cards! I love Shutterfly! Who doesn't?

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-11-16T11:26:00.000-05:00

Pretzel Hugs Recipe

Brown Sugar Cookie Recipe

“At RIE we encourage parents to learn to quiet down, to sit peacefully, to observe and to allow babies to be real. …And as we get sensitized and skilled in the art of observing, we may try the greatest challenge: to look inside – to see, observe and learn about ourselves.” -Gerber

Frosted Pane Toddler Skirt Tutorial

Pumpkin White Chocolate Blondies Recipe

Yarn Block Prints How To

Four Alternatives to Punishment: Positive Solutions in Practice

Facebook Recommendations (like them!) >> Regarding Baby >> Janet Lansbury >> Magda Gerber >>
Resources for Infant Educators

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-11-09T06:07:00.000-05:00

Uncomsumption

Holiday gift tag printables <--- so cute!

Toddler French Toast Stick Recipe

A Toddler's Grief - A Gift of Grace <-- good read!
“You’re okay,” is repeatedly told to a child who hurts himself and does not feel okay. I would much rather give the child permission to feel the way she feels and then wait it out. Again the magic “waiting” works, because emotions have their beginning and their end — even tantrums have a beginning and an end.” Magda Gerber, Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect

Hoseana - shop, click, auto-ship--monthly must haves delivered to your door

Youtube Video: Dad in a RIE Parenting class demonstrates a sensitive, empathetic and mindful way to handle a baby's minor injury.

To Think About

2011-11-07T06:35:00.000-05:00

Source: Attachment Parenting International Facebook Page

"When I was about twenty years old, I met an old pastor's wife who told me that when she was young and had her first child, she didn't believe in striking children, although spanking kids with a switch pulled from a tree was standard punishment at the time.

"But one day when her son was four or five, he did something that she felt warranted a spanking--the first in his life. And she told him he would have to go outside and find a switch for her to hit him with. The boy was gone a long time. And when he came back in, he was crying.

"He said to her, 'Mama, I couldn't find a switch, but here's a rock you can throw at me.' All of the sudden a mother understood how the situation felt from the child's point of view: that if my mother wants to hurt me, it makes no difference what she does it with; she might as well do it with a stone.

"The mother took the boy onto her lap and they both cried. Then she laid the rock on a shelf in the kitchen to remind herself forever: never violence. Because violence begins in the nursery--one can raise children into violence."

~From a peace prize acceptance speech given by Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking

Such a moving thing to read - found on Attachment Parenting International Facebook page! If you aren't a fan - you should be! So many great things for parents!

Laney's First Trip to the Zoo!

2011-11-04T06:23:00.000-04:00

Tippy toes to see the sharks!

Tired and ready to go home! :)

Monkey Business

2011-11-03T06:05:00.000-04:00

This wasn't her official Halloween costume but was a back up to our back up costume and was a gift from Christmas that was finally fitting and was fun to run around in before the big night! Cute and warm! Couldn't resist posting these shots! :)

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-11-02T06:31:00.000-04:00

Improve your dinner with a simple trick

How baby signs can help with breastfeeding

10 popcorn ball recipes for fall

squashy parts

comparing grass

why we chose to share our bed

First Trick or Treating!

2011-11-02T06:11:00.000-04:00

Our modified cupcake costume! Much easier to move in!

Cherry on top!

Our bowl of candy for the trick or treaters while we were out!

Why are we leaving the candy?? :)

Trick or treaters getting to the candy before we even left the house!

Heading down the street!

Warm and cozy!

Finally a sucker! Yum!

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!

Happy Post Halloween!

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, my baby is trying to eat our bowl of candy for the trick or treaters! Haha - so cute!

Thank goodness she hasn't figured out wrappers yet!

Good Quotes

2011-10-21T06:21:00.000-04:00

"All children behave as well as they are treated."
-- Jan Hunt
"The attention you pay to the other person, and the attention they pay to you – those moments are what your relationship is made up of. You don’t have a relationship outside of that".
-- Alison Armstrong

"The secret of parenting is not in what a parent does but rather who the parent is to the child. When a child seeks contact and closeness with us, we become enabled as a nurturer, a comforter, a guide, a model...All the parenting skills in the world cannot compensate for a lack of attachment relationship. All the love in the world cannot get through without the psychological umbilical cord created by the child's attachment."
-- Gordon Neufeld

Homemade Caramel Apples

2011-10-20T06:33:00.000-04:00

Apple awaiting their caramel coating!
This is why I am glad I save all my Popsicle sticks throughout the year! :)

Yum!

In progress - I am so messy in the kitchen!

Our little spoon licker!


Yum!

After getting our pumpkins for this year, we hunkered down at home while our stew simmered in the crockpot and made some caramel apples! With homemade caramel! So easy and so good!

Here is the recipe! (found here at Tasty Kitchen)

12 whole Apples (we only had 9)
¼ cups Butter
1 cup White Syrup (used Karo Corn Syrup)
14 ounces, fluid Eagle Brand Condensed Milk
2 cups White Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Assemble all ingredients: wash and dry apples, insert sticks, and butter a cookie sheet and dinner plate before starting to cook.

Heat all ingredients except vanilla in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium/low heat. Stir constantly! (Unless you really like the look of scorched bits on your apples.)

When caramel reaches soft ball stage (235°F–240°F) remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool a few minutes.

Using the stick inserted in the apples, dunk apples in the hot caramel and twirl slowly away from the heat for a couple of minutes. It’s nice to have a helper or two at this point.

Place caramel-covered apples on a buttered cookie sheet. Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate or roll in chopped nuts.

Extra caramel from the bottom of the pan:
1. Can be scraped out with a spatula into a buttered plate or dish to be cut into individual pieces when cool.
2. Can be thinned in the pan with half-and-half and eaten warm, as a dip for apple wedges.

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-10-19T06:59:00.004-04:00

How Kids Learn to Control Their Emotions

At What Age Do You Start Disciplining A Baby?

Slow Parenting

DIY Mod Podge

Cool blog ---> Play at Home Mom

Mainstream Parenting May Be Hurting Our Kids

Us

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

Our little family rocks! :)

Delaney's First Pumpkin Patch!

2011-10-17T06:27:00.000-04:00

Family Chain

2011-10-13T06:09:00.000-04:00

Found this cute quote on a bench in Nashville...very sentimental.

Our family Chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one
the Chain will link again.

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-10-12T06:51:00.000-04:00

grown up pumpkin pie milkshakes

Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey (SOO want to see this!)

Toms shoes for infants?! Oh Em G!

Day Trip

2011-10-12T06:02:00.000-04:00

Packing for a quick afternoon road trip has never been the same now with a little one! Haha! :)

Birthday Hour Sentiments

2011-10-10T06:23:00.000-04:00

Celebrating my baby's one year birthday just about broke my heart. How did it go by so fast?? I didn't quite realize how sentimental I would get until the day before - I would constantly look at the clock and think about what was going on that day at that time. Going to the doctor at 8am, finding out there was a tear and was leaking fluid, going to the hospital, getting the pictocin drip, contractions starting, asking for an epidural at 6pm, not getting an epidural until 7pm, pushing at 10pm, etc etc.

I caught myself eagerly trying to snap pictures of my little one - last pictures before she is officially a year old!

Then as the evening wore on and on - I became more and more aware of what was happening. My baby is turning one. One year. It has been one whole year - already.

I crept into the bedroom around her birth hour 12:46am and quietly picked up my little preciously, sweet, sleeping little one and held her close as I cried silent, happy, sad, sentimental mommy tears.

Catching Kisses

2011-10-09T06:59:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite new games! :) Catching kisses from my little one as she swings! :)

First Apple Orchard Visit

2011-10-08T06:56:00.000-04:00

We have a little catching up to do with the posts! Got a little behind! Such a busy time! :) Delaney loves, loves, loves to feed herself! And apples - with a starter bite or two - are perfect for her to carry around and munch on! :)

Happy First Birthday, Delaney!

2011-10-05T00:46:00.000-04:00

From an imprompteu photo shoot my hubby and I did ourselves one weekend!
10 months old in this pic!

Happy Birthday Delaney Ruth! I cannot believe it has been one year already! My little baby is fast becoming a toddler! So independent, smart and on the go! Delaney, you are the love of my life! (next to your daddy of course!)

Born October 5, 2010 at 12:46am

8 pounds 9 ounces and 21 inches

Reading This Week...

2011-09-29T05:49:00.000-04:00

In lieu of a Web Finds Wednesday post - here are a few things I've found interesting this week on the web.

How to Get Things Done with a High Needs Baby or Toddler

Whirley Pop Recipe Book

Basic Newborn Pant Sewing Pattern

How to Make Easy Kid Pants

Easy Pleated Baby Top

No Milk Here - New Daddy Blog

This Weeks' Menu (Partial)

2011-09-27T06:22:00.000-04:00

So happy that fall is here! We were definitely hitting the point in the kitchen where we needed some inspiration - and then bam! cooler weather arrived and the comfort foods started sounding oh-so good! This week we brought back some fall favorites for dinner! Has to be a simple week since things are little rushed in the evenings and we definitely take advantage of our left overs if it really hits the spot. If not, we would typically freeze the leftovers.

Sunday Dinner: Skillet Burgers (aka Homemade Sloppy Joes)
I reduce the amount of mustard in this recipe down to a just a smidge because it is not my favorite flavor and if you use the amount called for - it really stands out
Monday Lunch: Left Overs from our Cheesecake Factory Date Night on Saturday (Garlic Noodles w/ Chicken)
Monday Dinner: Meatball Subs
(spaghetti sauce with frozen meatballs (thought about doing this recipe for homemade meatballs - BUT like I said it's a busy week), sub sandwiches brushed with garlic powder, Italian seasoning spices blended into melted butter and toasted before adding the meatballs and serving)
Tuesday Lunch: Left Over Skillet Burgers
Tuesday Lunch: Leftover Meatball Subs - maybe add spaghetti for a side
(they were a big enough hit to do again! - plus we still have two pieces of sub bread left)
Wednesday Lunch: Leftover Meatball subs - or spaghetti with meatballs since we will be out of the bread
Wednesday Dinner: Left Over Skillet Burgers

Rest of the week - undecided - I am more of a cook on a whim type person so it is hard to plan out too far. But I was hoping to do maybe a crock pot meal for dinner - so maybe something chickeny - like Creamy Broccoli Chicken over Rice, Chicken & Noodles, or Angel Chicken (some new recipes to try out!)

Snacks: Kettle Corn - We are on our THIRD batch of this so far! So good! Though I reduced the amount of salt to just a sprinkle and increased the sugar by another 2 tablespoons. So 4 tablespoons in the popper before things get popping and then another table spoon after the kernels start popping!

Any favorite fall recipes to share? Link them in the comments! I'd love to add them to my list of new recipes to try!

Ultimate Baby Shower Song List

2011-09-24T09:14:00.001-04:00

My husband and I put together a cd of songs for my friend's baby shower almost 4 years ago now - and it is still one of my all time favorite list of songs to play at parties, baby showers, or just any old day! (listening to it now)

Here's the mix: (yes, there are a few duplicates but that is how we made the list so I thought I would stay true to how it really is)

Beautiful Day - U2
Blackbird - The Beatles
How Sweet It Is - Michael Buble
Stay Up Late - Talking Heads
Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
Bubbly - Colbie Caillat
I Me You I'm Yours - Jim Noir
How Sweet It Is - James Taylor
Popsicle Toes - Diana Krall & Michael Franks
C'est Si Bon - Eartha Kitt
Whenever I see Your Smiling Face - James Taylor
How Sweet It Is - James Taylor
What A Wonderful World - Michael Buble
I Feel the Earth Move - Mandy Moore
How Sweet It Is - Michael Buble
I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King
What a Wonderful World - Michael Buble
You Life Up My Life - Leann Rimes
I feel the Earth Move - Mandy Moore
You are The Sunshie of My Life - Frank Sinatra
Extraordinary - Mandy Moore
A Kiss to Build a Dream On - Louie Armstrong
My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
Dance Me to the End of Love - Madeleine Peyroux
My Heart Belongs to Daddy - Sophie Millman
Agua De Beber - Sophie Millman
Tell Mama - Etta James
Besame Mucho - Diana Krall
Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes - Taj Mahal
Come, Sing Me a Song - Sing-Sing
Danke Schoen - Wayne Newton
Fever - Peggy Lee
Fools In Love - Inara George (Grey's Anatomy Sound Track)
The Good Life - Bobby Darin
I Put Myself Together- Charles Brown
The Look Of Love - Diana Krall
Los Angeles Blues - Peggy Lee
A Lot of Livin' To Do - Nancy Wilson
Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae

UPDATED! Here's a link to the iMix of this playlist in iTunes!

Chives

2011-08-04T05:58:00.000-04:00

Mr. Fish

2011-08-01T06:43:00.000-04:00

Mr. Fish is a favorite toy of Delaney's - though not much in the last two weeks or so. But there for the longest time he was her bath time pal! In the tub she would keep him at hand at all times - always in her mouth like she was a baby seal. We even bought a spare Mr. Fish to bring with us on our family road trip.

Of course that was around the time she lost some interest in him...

Black Raspberry Twinkle

2011-07-26T06:29:00.000-04:00

Black Raspberry Twinkle Cone - my Tasty Freeze favorite from when I was little - STILL what I order when I stop by today! :) Yum!

Spiderwort

2011-07-25T05:53:00.000-04:00

Quote to Live By

2011-07-23T17:50:00.000-04:00

“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging.“

- Diane Loomans

Wrap Review: Jelly Bean

2011-07-22T18:47:00.000-04:00

Our little one loves to be carried! For the first couple of weeks/months of her life she practically lived in her bjorn - forward facing on our chest. We tried the Moby - no such luck - too complicated to get one and once you got it on she hated it. I think it was a little too constricting for her to tucked into so many folds - and with on piece of fabric kind of going across her head. Not to mention that is practically one length of at least (what seems like) 52 feet of fabric that you have to crazy ninja fold on yourself. I watched SO many videos and tutorials about different ways to tie it and how to put it on - but it never did click. Sigh.

So that was a good $50 - oh well. I tried a friend's ring/sling but at the time it just felt to big and loose for Delaney.

Flash forward to 8-9 months and now our little mobilesta is not having the confining restraints of the bjorn. Instead of feeling awesome in it - oh she would quiet down so well in that thing - she now grimaces and kicks. I am holding her a lot on my hip now - which is a tad straining on the arms while trying to weed, do dishes, laundry, get the mail etc. So I have been eying different slings and wraps for a while now.

Then I happened to be browsing through Target - imagine that! - and saw a partially opened package for a $20 one piece sling that came in various sizes Small, Medium and Large I think. So I opened the package - it was a repackage/return, and tried it on right there in the aisle - even put the baby in it and walked around! I am sure that the staff were starting to eyeball me in their security cameras, but I wanted to try it out first. That was the biggest thing with all the slings, carriers, baby stuff in general. You don't know if you'll like it or not till you get home and try it yourself and then realize that it is either A. awesome or B. totally not going to work for you.

I carefully folded it up and put it back and picked out a color I liked and bought one! We tried it out on our first family road trip and I used it in the yard and around the house before then. Now, I wouldn't leave the house without it (we actually did on accident once - and wish we had it!). Such a life-saver in those moments where she wants to be close but you need both arms.

I like the size, I like how snug she is in it and how her arms are free. I like how I can adjust the position to be on one hip or other really easily. She can even shift to be right in front of me - helps my back. There is a way to have her on your back too but I haven't tried that yet. I like look - it is reversible and how it doubles as a nursing blanket. I love how easy it is to put on and how easy it is to take her in and out of it.

And best of all - it has Delaney's approval! :)

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-07-20T06:30:00.000-04:00

World Health Organization recommends nursing for at least 2 years and then for as long as the mom and child want after that

Should breast pumps be hidden at work?

Related to above: NY Times Article: Offended by the Office Pump

Mom Who Refused to Wean Wins Her Battle But Injustice Remains

Police Officer Mom Forced to Choose Between Breastfeeding and Work

Breastfeeding Mom Harassed for Nursing her Two-Week Old on Bus - Detroit

Love Bites: Breastfeeding and Teeth
"there is NO reason to wean your baby just because they have teeth"

Breastfeeding Critics

Happy Birthday, Great Grandpa!

2011-07-19T06:55:00.001-04:00

Happy 76th Birthday Great Grandpa Gene!

On This Farm We Have A...

2011-07-18T06:50:00.000-04:00

This summer has been so fun and full of so many firsts for our little one! Visiting family, meeting goats, petting chickens! She is our brave little toaster and shows no fear in getting up close and personal with the unfamiliar! :)

Evening Primrose

2011-07-18T05:50:00.000-04:00

Jellies

2011-07-17T06:22:00.001-04:00

My hubby wowed me - he took reign of the camera while I held a sleepy, squirmy little one as we walked through the special Jellies exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium. Love all his awesome shots! Had to share! Be jealous - my hubby can handle the camera. :)

Shedd Aquarium with a Tiny Tot in Tow

2011-07-16T06:46:00.000-04:00

For our first family road trip - we traveled over the course of two days up to Chicago. Breaking up the trip to visit family in between because our little one has a history of not so-much enjoying car rides. She completely blew us away though! Did so well! But, we have gotten a little smarter and have figured out her nap times and traveled during those times only. Helped a ton!

One stop included the Shedd Aquarium - which I remember doing once or twice at least growing up myself. Funny how things are a little different when you go back as an adult. Everything seems so much smaller - I kept looking for these huge tanks where I swear you could see whales...lol. Must be the childhood memories making everything gigantic.

It was a fabulous time, though a little rough with a little one who isn't walking yet but who WANT to get down and crawl on her own (though we saw a few couples there with babies only a few weeks/months old (no other kiddos with them). We brought both the stroller and my new Munchkin wrap. There wasn't much space for her to just move about on her own. The one place zone was awashed in crazy older kiddos practically climbing the walls - definitely not the safest place for a crawling wee one. So we had a grumpy gus partway throughout the visit...she finally conked out but was awoken a lot by yelling adults and loud kids. Sigh. No quiet area anywhere to be found. We resorted to just going outside a few times - to nurse in relative and to just let her get down and crawl for a little bit without the throngs of people and strollers etc.

(notice us sitting by the elevators on the floor - trying to give her a chance to be active while out of the way - oy! by this point she didn't in the stroller at all or carried at all - she wanted DOWN)

I think we are a little (ok - a lot) accustomed to all the small-child friendly facilities at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. Complete with a large, comfortable, clean and quiet family room where you can nurse or nap in a fair amount of peace. And their age supervised play zones for little ones 2 and under - they monitor how many people go in at a time - limiting it so that the little ones are not overwhelmed. LOVE IT! Not to mention that almost every exhibit is pretty baby (crawling and learning to walk) friendly. Each one has interactive areas that are low to the ground that a baby can crawl over or touch etc. Very nice.

She did love taking it all in though - the kid watching at the huge tanks where she could get up close and see right her face - big fish etc! So cool on that aspect. Will definitely have to go back when she is older!

Ode to the Hospital Blanket

2011-07-15T06:34:00.000-04:00

We no longer swaddle our little on each night like we did for the first 6+ weeks, but we still keep these around for diaper changes and a soft place to sit. Do you have some of these in your baby's dresser drawers or closet?

NPR is doing a story about the iconic blue and pink hospital blanket and wants photos of babies wrapped up in them! Click here for more on that...

I went digging through my archives and here are *some* (not all) of the pics we have with our little in her hospital blankies!

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-07-13T06:32:00.002-04:00

Why All Kids Need to Play In the Mud

Recycle Force - New Indianapolis recycling initiative

Felt Food Patterns

Spare Medela Parts

Aha! Parenting

Google to Rebrand Blogger and Picasa

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Pineapple Mint

2011-07-11T05:43:00.001-04:00

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-07-06T06:28:00.000-04:00

Fruit & Veggie Dip Recipes to Try (from Brown Paper Packages)

10 Uses for Ripe Bananas

Hair Romance - love

Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

U Pick Blueberry Farm - Lafayette, IN (on my "to-do" list for the summer)

The Milk Truck

Tiny & Cute

2011-07-03T05:48:00.000-04:00

Adorable onesie from Target! Definitely going to be a summer favorite!

Bubbles My Bubbles

2011-07-02T06:04:00.000-04:00

Ah, another Nemo quote! :)

Laney Lou trying to catch bubbles in the pool! :)

Smores with Friends

2011-07-01T06:34:00.000-04:00

Nothing beats an evening with good friends. Dinner and smores to finish off the day while our babies play in the grass. :) Ah, this is the life!

P.S. That is a FOUR marshmallow smore - yum yum! Though I was a little impatient with my marshmallow toasting as you can see from my poor burnt edges.

Muah ha ha ha!

2011-07-01T05:45:00.000-04:00

How baby takes over the world. With cute!

Hello Friend

2011-06-30T06:30:00.000-04:00

Another shot of our little one at the public pool. So glad she loves the crowds, the cool water and the sunshine! Whenever we go out people are drawn to her - must be a baby thing! :) That day she made a little pool pal - an older girl who kept visiting the kiddie pool and singing silly songs to our little one and complementing her bitsy toes and bathing suit. So cute! Even ran up to us as we were leaving because she wanted to say goodbye! And of course Delaney just soaks it up - so enthralled with watching other kids!

I have never seen her sit so still as when she is watching other kiddos run and play. :)

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-06-29T06:13:00.000-04:00

Babies' Before Birth Personality

DIY Pantry Dividers (tension curtain rods - brilliant!)

On-The-Go Self-Inflating Booster Seat

Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread

How to Connect with your Misbehaving Child (reading up now so I am ready for the future :))

Under the Sink Curling Iron Holder

Surviving the Toddler Years

First Birthday Invite Idea

Pool Baby

2011-06-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Introduced our baby to the public pool for the first time a few weeks ago. So glad she loved it! :) The last time we were here I was nearly 7 months pregnant! Trips to the pool are a little different now - I almost have spazz attacks with the water being so deep even in the kiddie pool. Not quite relaxing like it used to be haha! :) Mama on high-alert time! It is so nice to get out in the sun though and away from the house that needs cleaned and the garden that needs weeded and the computer that calls your name - ah the sounds of splashing and kids playing and that summer warmth just soaking into your bones - feels so good! :)

We ARE Smiling

2011-06-26T18:36:00.000-04:00

Oy, this is what I get after 10 tries...haha! So much for a cute posted pic.

Oh Hail

2011-06-25T05:37:00.002-04:00

My garden has a sad.

This spring has been a crazy one full of extremes. Both hot and cold...not to mention the resulting storms. Quarter sized hail!

I'm Obnoxious

2011-06-23T05:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, we quote Disney movies quite regularly around here! :)

Showbiz "helping" me take pictures in the yard.

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-06-22T06:04:00.000-04:00

In a strange land... (great read - especially after just having gotten back from the dentist for a filling :))

Practice Positive Discipline

Dark Sky Park (things to do in Michigan)

Coxhall Gardens (things to do in Indiana)

Frozen Lemonade Pie

Amber Teething Necklaces Inspired by Finn

Summer Sangria

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T06:38:00.000-04:00

Want to wish an extra special Happy Father's Day to my wonderful hubby! Hope your first father's day is fantastic! Your love and support means the world to me and Delaney couldn't ask for a better Daddy! Love you!

Envy: Garden Geek Style

2011-06-19T06:12:00.001-04:00

Not my blooms but I wish they were!

Stair Master

2011-06-17T06:09:00.000-04:00

Oh that face! So happy with her accomplishment in elevation! Look at what I can do!

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-06-15T18:54:00.000-04:00

Rosemary Lemonade

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Homemade Hot Dog Buns

Strawberry Ricotta Popsicles

Pioneer Woman's Flour and Sugar Drawers - swoon

Grilled Banana Smores

15 Ways to Grow Closer Together as a Family

What To Do Summer Fun: Feed The Ducks

2011-06-14T06:17:00.002-04:00

I swear there is at least a 10 degree difference in the air temp just by stepping near this little shady creek...duck food is 25 cents...cooling fountain mist on a 90 degree day is free. Memories are priceless.

Dust Go To Sleep

2011-06-13T06:05:00.000-04:00

Song For a Fith Child, by Ruth Hamilton. 1958

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
and out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
but I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

Found posted at Harry & Rosie

Our household lives by this poem - so if you see the dishes in our sink, or the muddy paw prints by the back door, the dog nose prints on the glass and the toys strewn about....

First Visit To Mrs. Curl's

2011-06-11T06:04:00.002-04:00

Puppy Love

2011-06-10T06:35:00.000-04:00

You would not believe how many times a day I have to tell our dogs to stop licking the baby. Oy...at least the feelings are mutual! :) Nothing makes Delaney laugh like our two dogs and cat.

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-06-09T18:40:00.000-04:00

Owl Birthday Cake

Tropical Island Birthday Cake - awesome DIY cake!

Bird House Birthday Cake

Cherry Pie Birthday Cake

iSkin Keyboard Cover & iphone cases

Key Lime Pie Ice Cream

Go-Go Babyz

Mint Recipes

Iris Update

2011-06-09T06:59:00.002-04:00

Still managing to squeeze in some gardening here and there! :) First time this bloomed!

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-06-08T06:19:00.002-04:00

Ricotta Cheesecake and Fruit Lolipops

Soy Garlic Flank Steak

Sloppy Joes

Soup Can Rack

What's In the Bottle? (Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding)

Grills Gone Wild: Grilling Fruit

Tupperware Terror

2011-06-07T06:02:00.000-04:00

It wasn't me!

Ok, maybe it was me!

I have found a way to keep baby happy in the kitchen - just open the tupperware cabinet and you are golden for at least a half an hour...chop those onions, brown the meat...dinner is ready and baby is entertained! :) She cannot open the cabinets yet - I open them for her...I need to reorganize that cabinet on a regular basis anyways. :)

Loving This: How to Build Community

2011-06-06T06:16:00.000-04:00

Print Available From Blue Barn Press

"HOW TO BUILD COMMUNITY- turn off your tv, leave your house, know your neighbors, look up when you are walking, greet people, sit on your stoop, plant flowers, use your library, play together, buy from local merchants, share what you have, help a dog, take children to the park, garden together, support neighborhood schools, fix it even if you didn't break it, have pot lucks, honor elders, pick up litter, read stories loud, dance in the street, talk to the mail carrier, listen to the birds, put up a swing, help carry something heavy, barter for your goods, start a tradition, ask a question, hire young people for odd jobs, organize a block party, bake extra and share, ask for help when you need it, open your shades, sing together, share your skills, take back the night, turn up the music, turn down the music, listen before you react to anger, mediate a conflict, seek to understand, learn from new and uncomfortable angles, know that no one is silent though many are not heard - work to change this"

Being A Mom

2011-06-05T06:57:00.000-04:00

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Elizabeth Stone

So true...this little one makes my heart melt with each gummy gushy smile, each little hand squeeze on my arm or leg....each time she lays her head on my chest when she is tuckered...love this girl!

Warming Up to the Pool

2011-06-04T18:53:00.000-04:00

Really taking a liking to the pool now!

7 (Almost 8 Now) Month Update

2011-06-04T16:45:00.000-04:00

Wow! Time is flying!

7 Months
Started crawling
Pulls herself up using things
Became a crawling pro
Stands up without needing to pull up on something
Flashes big smiles
Wrinkles her face in excitement and kinda shrieks
Go Go Go
Can crawl up a few steps
Can walk across the room pushing her little walker toy
Still loves cat/dog toys more than her own
Kitty is still her favorite - gets so excited when she is around
Can hyper-crawl (so fast!)
Loves soft microfiber type material...especially blankets, helps her fall asleep
Car rides are still rough going if she is tired or hungry or just been in the car too long
Loves to explore the house - bookshelves, under tables, everywhere
Wants put down when outside - doesn't mind the feel of grass under her feet
Got a splinter from the deck :(
Plays in her kiddie pool outside on the deck
Experienced her first sprinkler (mommy is teaching her out to drink the sprays) :)
Dogs and cat are still the funniest people she knows
Can dance - so cute to see this baby boogie! (dance, dance, dance, Delaney!)
Bath time is still fun time - loves sucking on wash rags and mr fish in particular - bubble baths are fun too - why can't she catch those guys?!
Walker, jumper etc are phasing out...hardly put her in those anymore...though they come in handy to keep her immobile for a moment or two
Can carry toys/objects around with her while crawling
Still loves the vaccuum...now can pull off the extender pieces and carry them around
There is nothing quite like splashing in the dog bowl...dunno why mom keeps taking that away
Paper, tissues, mail are for nomming
Naps are either 10-20 min or 1-2 hrs
Still breastfeeding!
Loves her fruits

Summer Lovin'

2011-06-04T15:35:00.000-04:00

Laney's first dip in the pool - a little pensive at first. We filled the pool with buckets of warm water from the sink! :)

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-06-01T06:19:00.000-04:00

Lessons From a Sleeping Baby

How to Make a Heart Shaped Egg

Best Blueberry Muffins

DIY A-Frame Tent

Nutella Chunk Cookies

Clone Your Herbs

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

How I Sit

2011-05-26T06:41:00.000-04:00

This is how our baby sits half the time...with one leg straight out and the other bent back...the best pose for mobility! :)

A Tall Small

2011-05-23T06:02:00.000-04:00

She looks so big standing by herself now and yet so small in comparison to things like the glass door... Getting so big so fast!

Laney's Loves

2011-05-20T18:58:00.001-04:00

It's fun watching her grow and seeing her develop a preference for toys and things. Here are two of Laney's current favorites - her sippy cup (with a soft spout she loves to chew on) and a plain old crinkly bag of wipes. That's entertainment.

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-05-18T06:31:00.001-04:00

WorkandPump.com - I am sure I posted this site before but it has good info! Especially for supply boosters etc!

Spoonflower - Design and print your own fabric design at $5 for a swatch and $18 for yard! Awesome idea!

Salad in Jar - fabulous idea!!

Get Your Own Handwriting as a Font (free!)

Make Your Own Chicken Stock Broth
(plus a cute pic of the bloggers daughter in a pot :) Makes me smile so I thought I'd share! teehee

Her Mother's Daughter

2011-05-17T06:04:00.000-04:00

This should be another post under "Laney's Loves" - maybe I will make that a new series! :) Our little love is developing quite an interest in household appliances - namely vacuums. She loves the big vacuum, our huge carpet cleaner, this little handheld guy and even the little stick vacuum we have. Silly girlie!

On Poop and Popcorn

2011-05-15T06:38:00.000-04:00

No visuals for you all today - figured the title was enough to gag a few of my readers. :) But for all the fellow mamas out there, have you noticed that, with exclusively breastfed babies, their poop smells like buttered popcorn??

My hubby even agrees on this one! Not that we are all down in the diaper sniffing things out. But if there's a dirty diaper in the trash or if you waltz past your little one not realizing they had a BM (bowel movement) - wahm! The smell of buttered popcorn hits your nostrils.

Sadly, now that a few solids are sneaking into her diet (bananas, squash, peas, etc) - the smell is not so nice. Distinct difference!

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-05-11T06:04:00.000-04:00

A Mother's Boutique - Resources and Helpful Links for Breastfeeding

Craft Recipes - including sidewalk chalk!

BreastandBottlefeeding.com - Helping moms balance breast and bottle feeding

Bump Smitten - Baby shower inspiration blog

Updates about the Patrick the Pitbull - been reading and keeping up with the story of this miracle pup - such a sad story - but with what is looking like a happy ending - hopefully

ALC Tutors Needed - Johnson County Library (and I am sure at your local library as well) I love reading, trips the library are a weekly occurrence for us and was a reading coach for elementary children in college for a work-study program - but this is an awesome opportunity to give back as well - helping tutor adults in reading/literacy. I have seen the tutors on occasion in the library and just recently looked up the info on their website.

Toys Smoys

2011-05-10T06:38:00.000-04:00

Toys Smoys - This box is way cooler. Our little one is pulling herself up on everything. In fact I think the only reason she crawls is so she can reach an object (box, toy, rocking chair, etc) to pull herself up to standing. She can even "walk" across the room sliding the diaperbox along in front of her for support. She's a mover!!

Adult Easter Egg Hunt 2011

2011-05-08T06:43:00.000-04:00

We made it out again to the Indiana House Rabbit Society Adult Easter Egg Hunt. Though this time we did kinda break the rules and have a tot in tote. (we asked beforehand - and since she really wasn't going to be a huge help - i.e. strapped into the bjorn - they said it was ok) :)

Update on Solids - 7 Months

2011-05-07T06:10:00.000-04:00

So up until just about now - like literally yesterday, our baby has not been a huge fan of solids. Everyone, including us thought for sure she was ready to start chowing down. She was always reaching for our food and would practically drool over the smells from the kitchen. But, as it happens, when it came down to the actual experience of food in the mouth which we didn't start until the 6 month mark- it made her gag. She'd spit it out, or throw it all up in a crazy exorcist style manner after gagging - and this is super fine purreed store bought food. No chunks, no real flavor.

We tried rice cereal, we tried carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, pears, etc. Nothing really made it down the hatch.

So we backed off for awhile and would bring it up only every now and then to retest the solid-eating waters. And were mostly met with clamped lips, turned face and outright disinterest in the whole affair.

But now, lo and behold, she is now stating to (7 months) grab the spoon to get it towards her mouth (not to push it away like before) and food is making it down the hatch! :) She still occasionally gags over anything with chunks or that would need chewed/gummed etc - like those little freeze dried yogurt drops, etc - but she is heartily eating baby food. Yay so fun to watch her eat! Yay for banana orange medley - and apple rice cereal.

(the photo above is from her um-no-thankyou to baby food days - lol. She definitely has a "what the heck is this crap about" face. hehe) She would rather play with it than eat it at that point.

Will need to take an excited face here soon! (plus that was peas and who can honestly get excited about peas) :)

Loving Thirty-One Gifts & Basket Love

2011-05-06T06:20:00.001-04:00

I know I've seen this lovely basket somewhere before - probably a blog. When I looked up info about Thirty-One Gifts for an upcoming party that a fellow church member was throwing I all but cried for joy! I found it! Yay!

Such a lovely picnic/multi-use basket and reasonably priced too! $30 for the small and $38 for the big one.

I am slowly realizing that I have a ~~small~~ great love for baskets. I use them to house our little ones toys, our dogs toys, towels by the door for wet puppy feet, in the laundry room to corral and hide random detergent bottles, stain sticks, etc, in the bathroom for towels and misc items, in the livingroom to hide our hoard of mail and paper, theres a basket to hold my yarn - ok maybe two of them for that job, a basket with spools of ribbon in my craft area, basket on the kitchen counter to hold more important mail pieces...baskets, baskets, baskets! :)

And so now another will soon join our little basket family...yay!

Caution: Heart Melting Material

2011-05-05T06:03:00.000-04:00

Oh that smile! It melts my heart! Love her!!

Shutterfly Photo Books are Addicting

2011-05-04T06:53:00.001-04:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Oh how I love to make these books! Such a great way to capture the memories - especially if you don't have the the time or patience to scrapbook.

I made this little book to capture the many great pictures from our pregnancy photo shoot. I interspersed the pages with tons of our favorite quotes and Bible verses about life, happiness, babies, daughters, being a mom, parent, etc. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-05-04T06:47:00.001-04:00

Mother 2 Mother.com

New Dad Manual

Lemonade Cake (baked in a lemon!)

Ican Play Case (iphone case for toddlers)

10 Uses for Empty Egg Shells (make sidewalk chalk, compost, clean teapot, etc!)

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies

Mamalode

Serious Baby

2011-05-03T06:07:00.001-04:00

You want me to smile? About what?

Why??

2011-05-02T18:09:00.000-04:00

Why are these on my head??

Garden Wish List

2011-05-02T06:43:00.000-04:00

Coreopsis

Pink cosmos

Orange cosmos

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-04-27T06:35:00.000-04:00

Cold and Allergy Remedies Compatible with Breastfeeding

Selected List of Medications approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mother

CraigsEasy - Search Craigslist through pictures!

Winkflash! - Online printing service to look into

FileShuttle: Simple Drag-and-Drop FTP File Sharing for the Mac

Salt Water Taffy Recipe

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T06:43:00.002-04:00

The Verdict?

2011-04-23T05:59:00.003-04:00

Her

Him

Him + Me = Her :)

Yummy Pack N Play??

2011-04-22T06:31:00.000-04:00

2010 Babies! :)

2011-04-21T06:29:00.002-04:00

Delaney with 7 out of 8 of the babies born in 2010 at our church!

Web Finds Wednesday

2011-04-20T06:53:00.002-04:00

Aqua Leisure Floating Pool Seat (random I know)

Williams-Sonoma Cooking Together Cookbook

Baby Sleep Resource Page from Peaceful Parenting

Hula Hoop Rug

Free Spice Cabinet Inventory PDF

ReWorking Parents

Lactivist

Visiting with Grandmas and Grandpas

2011-04-19T06:25:00.001-04:00

Visiting with her Great Grandpa Gene.

Visiting with her Great-Great Grandma Peggy.

Sitting Up On Her Own

2011-04-18T06:24:00.000-04:00

Love the way she sits up - one leg out front kinda like the splits. :)

Kinda Crawling

2011-04-17T07:23:00.000-04:00