Penny Pinching

Turned in the 2 DVRs today.

Total savings: $37.20.

I'm finding ways. Everything adds up. Yes, I have always known this but now that each penny counts and we are paying extra close attention to how every single penny is spent, we are finding ways to save money. Charlie commented that even without The Bug as an expense it probably would have been a good idea to do this and put that money elsewhere, i.e. in our IRA accounts.

Ah, well.

Next up, moving from three checking accounts (his, hers, ours) to one, maybe two.

Hummus

for carrot dipping!

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. juice from 1-2 lemons
• ¼ cup water (or reserve liquid from chickpeas)
  
• 6 tbsp. tahini, stirred well
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 1 (14 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 small garlic clove, minced or pressed through garlic press (about ½ tsp.)
• ½ tsp. table salt
• ¼ tsp. ground cumin
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp. minced fresh cilantro or parsley

Directions:

1. Combine lemon juice and water in a small bowl or measuring cup.
   
2. Whisk together tahini and 2 tablespoons oil in second small bowl or measuring cup.
   
3. Set aside 2 tablespoons chickpeas for garnish.
4. Process remaining chickpeas, garlic, salt, cumin and cayenne in food processor until almost fully ground.
   
5. With machine running, add lemon juice-water mixture.
   
6. With machine running, add oil-tahini mixture.
   
7. Transfer hummus to serving bowl, sprinkle reserved chickpeas and cilantro over surface, cover with plastic wrap and let stand until flavors meld, at least 30 minutes.
   
8. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

I definitely used more cumin than this recipe calls for. I also used a stick blender rather than pulling out the food processor.

Weekend Numbers

4 loaves banana bread
1 poolside lunch
45 minute dip in the pool
2 long walks in the park
1 Bike tuned up
0 mornings spent sleeping in
4 seminars planned
1 To do list tackled
3 Loads of laundry, wash, dried, folded, put away!
1 Morning on the porch
2 new tricks

Mothering Advice

From the check out lady at Rouses' the local grocery store, after telling me how big he's gotten since we last saw her 7 days ago:

"It goes quick. Take a picture every single day. No, you give that camera to someone else. I got an album full of pictures of my babies, my babies and their daddy, my babies and their grandma, my babies and the dog,but I don't have any pictures of me and my babies."


I was happy to promise just that.

Swedish baby gear

Just looking at this photo you'd think this post would be all the reasons why I need a plastic high chair which can be hosed down after meals....which we certainly do because the Bug has taken to leaning forward in the sitter and is also quite intent on banging a spoon around in his mouth on his own during meals.

What a mess, right?

For all the new mamas and soon to be mamas who have been asking me about the "must have" baby items, pay close attention. I did not buy or register for one or two of every baby item out there. We were determined not to have a house overrun with baby stuff, especially baby stuff without much use or a purpose. While we did pretty well, we certainly have some things that have served us better than others.

We loved the cosleeper, highly recommend the cloth diapers, and the jog stroller is something we'll put lots of miles on. But our very favorite baby items are those made by BabyBjorn.

I have four BabyBjorn products: the baby carrier, the baby sitter balance, the travel crib, and the bibs.

Hands down, these are my four favorite baby gear items. I have loved using each one of these. They aren't cheap, but I wouldn't think twice about shelling out the cash all over again for these items.

Each product is simple and easy to use. The travel crib is amazingly easy to assemble and pack away. Really 30 seconds flat and it's up or it's put away. The sitter folds flat for storage and travel.

The Bjorn products all look good. They have sleek, modern designs that are not overly "baby". I wander the aisles of Babies R Us shaking my head looking at the choices of baby products with loud overdone baby themes. Tisk, Tisk.

Best thing: they all wash and they wash well. I wash our carrier every other week and it looks brand new. It shows very little wear from use or the washing machine.


That babysitter balance you see goes right through the wash and slides back onto the stand looking good as new. Really, good as new.

Freddie, Charlie, We're heading to Sweden! I need more Bjorn products. I also need to investigate if the Swedes live a sleek, simple, wash and wear lifestyle like their baby products.

Mothering Advice

"Coming to a decision and then committing to it was always far harder than the actual execution of the decision. Always."

This was said to me by a friend after talking with her about our potentially weaning Freddie at night. (Yep, potentially. Haven't done it yet and don't feel totally on board to move forward with it just yet.) It took her two years to do it with her boy.

Anyway, this friend offered the advice when sharing her little "secret." Her son was still nursing at night until he was two. She finally decided and committed to "no more boo," and as sad and pitiful as he looked when asking for it each night, it was no where near as difficult and traumatic for either of them as she had thought. So from the boob to the bottle he went at two. And then she quickly tackled moving from bottle to cup at two years old; her 2 year old still on the bottle was yet another mommy "secret." (Maybe this mommy thing would be easier if we didn't keep secrets from each other, but I'll save that for later.)

I keep telling myself that he'll sleep eventually and to just let this run its course, but perhaps it won't. Not that I think he'll still be asking for "boo" at 13, but I'm really interested in sleeping through the night long before then, and long before he is two as well. I think the lack of sleep is the absolute hardest thing for me to handle. Having said that you'd think I'd be on with the go ahead from the pediatrician to withhold night time feedings because he is big enough and old enough to do without.

From what I read and hear from those who've done it, or say they've done it (do they have secrets they aren't telling me???), it is completely doable, takes a few nights of little to no sleep and withstanding sobbing, and the babe will not suffer physically or emotionally. And I believe it.

Nevertheless, we are still tossing around how to approach this night weening. Do we offer a bottle or completely go without feeding? Is there another way to increase his daytime calories? Do we knock out both night time feedings at once or do we attempt one and then the other? Is it reasonable to expect him to do without both nighttime feedings? Who should do the comforting without the feeding, The Mama or The Daddy?

It's coming. It's going to happen sooner or later. More likely sooner than later. Why is it so hard to put the decision into action?

26 Weeks

Jabbering away.
Couldn't get a picture with the mouth closed today.

Likes:

• Carrots
• Pineapple and pears
• Squash
  
• Sleeping on your tummy
• Sucking Mama's necklace
  
• Smiling
• Making eyes
• Forward facing in the carrier
• Watching Mama cook dinner
• Looking closely at anything new
• Holding on and pulling "up up"
• Rubbing Daddy's beard

Dislikes:

• Green veggies
• Tummy time
• Mama taking away what's in your hands
• The Bumbo

In your pjs

Vocabulary:

• Mamamama, but less frequently
• Babababa
• Brmbrmbrm (motor boat sounds)
  
• Dindindindin
• Just a whole lot of throaty noise making that gets louder and louder

Favorite nap time position.
You scoot and roll to get in there just right.

Working On:

• Rolling tummy to back more easily
• Rolling to the left side to tummy
• Sippy cup
• Pincher grasp, reaching for those puffs
• Waving
• Getting those knees underneath you

Our baby is 6 months old.

6 month well visit

Freddie's Stats:

Weight: 14 lbs 11 oz. (5-10th percentile)
Length: 24.75 inches (5-10th percentile)
Head Circumference: 44 cm (50-75th percentile)

Vaccinations:

• DTaP/DTP/Td, 3rd dose
• OPV/IPV, 3rd dose
• Hib, 3rd dose
• Rotavirus, 3rd dose
• PCV, 3rd dose
• Hep B, 3rd dose

My Questions:

• Sleep: Go ahead and withhold nighttime feedings. He'll then be certain to get his calories during the day.
  
• Solids: Offer 3 times a day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, one serving each of grain, vegetable, fruit. These feedings are in addition to the five nursings per day.
  
• SIDS: All possibilities have just about diminished. Go ahead and sleep on belly, with a lovie, and snuggled up to the crib bumper if he so pleases.
• Scrawny: He is tiny, but following his growth curve. She has absolutely no concerns with his size and finds his development, particularly his physical development to be ahead of the curve, already reaching milestones she doesn't anticipate until 9 months. I already knew he was the cutest baby, but the smartest and most agile as well?
  
• Lead: Tested. Routine questions for potential screening are asked at each well visit between now and age 6. I expressed concern, and she did not ask anything else, just told me to stop by the lab on our way out to get a blood sample drawn. He did well in the lab, screaming with the prick and howling as they dripped a blood sample into a vile. Poor dear lost his bandage on the way home and that tiny finger bled and bled and bled.
  
• Flu Shot: Get one and get him one as well. The office gets thimerosal free (mercury free) flu shots. (Typically the flu shot still contains mercury, where as most other vaccines are now mercury free.) Each of his vaccinations to date has be free of thiomersal. Although there is no clear, conclusive, peer reviewed study linking thiomersal to adverse reactions, i.e. Autism, the hospital does get the thiomersal free vaccines and flu shots as a courtesy to patients because so many people have heightened concerns.

Dr. J's concern:

• Penis: Specifically the foreskin. (Bug is an "intact" male.) She said it appeared to be a little "tight" but he quickly proved it was working properly when he squirted a heavy shot of peepee into her face. Yep, right in her face as she tugged on his penis, making sure no skin was in the way. It was a good shot, and he giggled at her startled response. Just something to watch as it was obviously not getting in the way of his urinating to date. She'll check it again on his next visit, but doesn't anticipate any problems.

A good visit. He was his typical jovial self, chatting, smiling, and reaching out to examine anything he could get to. He was particularly interested in the light she used to look in his ears and she indulged him for some time allowing him to hold it and look closely at it, before he finally decided it was fit for his mouth. She also gave him a book which he patiently waited for me to read to him before he insisted that too should go into his mouth. He'll get a book at each well visit as they are starting a new literacy campaign.

He's napping now. Last visit he had a bit of fever from the vaccines. Nothing that a little Tylenol didn't help, but I'm on the look out again.

Next visit: 9 months, but a flu shot sometime in the next few weeks.

Peek A Boo

Yep, peek-a-boo with Charlie's boxers this morning. And he initiated the game!

We always toss him on a changing pad on the guest bed (no changing table in this house) for his morning diaper change. And if you know me you know I always have a pile of laundry on that bed waiting to be folded. Bug loves to reach back and feel around in the clean laundry, seeking out different textures. This morning it was Charlie's undies.

He'd been going at it, giggling away, and of course was wary when he pulled down those shorts and caught site of the camera. I suppose that's a good thing that he tries to be more reserved on film!

Bug Goes to the Aquarium

This afternoon headed to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Jenny and Cassidy joined us for an hour of fish viewing.


We got a membership to the zoo and aquarium, and I figured the aquarium traffic would be lighter this weekend with school being back in session. Turns out I was wrong...still pretty crowded. I suppose I may have to take more weekday trips. I am especially looking forward to weekday mornings at the zoo when the weather cools.

I opted for the carrier rather than the stroller since it wasn't going to be a marathon visit. That worked out perfectly. Bug loved kicking his legs and being able to see everything. It was also easy to maneuver through the crowd with him strapped in.


I loved walking with Bug though the "tunnel" at the entrance where the fish are overhead for the first time. His head immediately went back so he could check out everything above us, and frantically kicked his legs. Wished I could have seen his face.

But my favorite part of the day was walking to and from the aquarium. Bug was in a great mood and flashed his smile to each and every person we passed. I love the way everyone softens when they lay eyes on him. They can't help but smile back at him.


Inside the aquarium it was a little too crowded for him to really engage anyone in particular, and there was so much to look at and listen too. The feet were going just about constantly and he "chatted" with me a bit as he looked at the exhibits and watched all of the children running around.

The Mama enjoyed being out and about with The Bug. It was also great to take some time to chat and visit with a friend. Thanks fr joining us, girls!

Yum!

Hawaiian delight?


It's ok, Mama.


I really don't want anymore.

Carrots?


Now you're talking.

25 Weeks

A few weeks ago I made the mistake of taking your picture without the pillow. Your daddy didn't like that. He wants the pillow as a size reference. I had just been using the pillow to prop you up and you didn't need it anymore. Well now you really don't need it because you're so good at sitting all on your own.

Look, Aidan! The "bug" outfit you picked for me fits now!

I wonder if you're going to start to get an orange glow. You'll try other things but nothing makes you open that mouth like carrots. Your mouth opens, you crane your neck over, and the feet get a kicking...all for some carrots.

You are rolling over to your tummy every time we put you on your back. You're kinda upset with yourself afterwards. You've rolled back to your back a few times, but it seems to surprise you each time. We're putting you to sleep on your belly too so that you don't roll over and get upset in the middle of the night.

Today we visited Birney and all of the teachers passed you around. You giggled and smiled and kicked your legs in delight. You kept those eyebrows in check only giving that look from under your brows a few times. Charming.


You are doing well in your crib. You don't seem to mind it at all. This morning you fussed 15 minutes after I put you back in after your 5.00am feeding. Great excuse for me to scoop you up and bring you to bed to snuggle. You just looked at me, examining my face with your little tiny fingers holding on to my cheeks. Finally a giggle and you are back to loving on your feet and checking out your daddy's chest as it rises and falls with his snores.


You continue to talk up a storm, and really concentrate to get that "brrmmmm" motor boat sound going. How's about a "dada"? You know who would be over the moon.

I don't know if I've said this lately

Charlie and I comment to each other daily how unbelievably lucky we feel to have Bug. It is a bit overwhelming at times, and of course I get all teary and we giggle and Charlie gives me a big hug. We really cannot believe he is finally here.

I am very content. Of course I like to whine about my expanded waistline and I am a little unsure how the next year is going to play out without my working, but all is right in our world. It feels good to be Erin.

All grown up

Yesterday, in the Chicago airport.

Last night Bug slept in his crib. For the very first time. My boy's all grown up.

He's really too big for the cosleeper and he'd really be more comfortable in a bigger space. Maybe he'd get better sleep if he wasn't in our room. Maybe I'd get better sleep if he wasn't in our room. Maybe it'd be easier for Charlie to take some of the night shift if he wasn't in our room. Maybe it'd be easier for me to let Charlie take the night shift if he wasn't in our room. All makes sense, but in the end, no one slept well last night.

We agreed upon a plan beforehand so we weren't making judgements in the heat of the moment, with that moment being in a sleep deprived delirium in the dark:

1. Charlie puts him down after his last nursing.
2. We'd sleep with the monitor on (just in case I couldn't hear him 2 rooms away).
   
3. Charlie attempts to console him and is to return him to the crib once he is calmed.
4. Repeat for 30 minutes.
5. If no success call in the big guns: the boob.

Of the 3 times he woke, the plan worked like a charm once, with him being soothed with some Daddy cuddles. The other two times we didn't make it to step 4. We had to go from 3 to 5 because he was inconsolable.

I am really thinking he's waking because he is hungry and not just because he needs soothing. I know it's anyone's guess but he wakes up every 3-4 hours like clockwork no matter what time he goes down, nurses vigorously on both sides, and then goes right back to sleep. He also isn't nursing well during the day, finding too much else to do other than eat. He's highly distractible and would far prefer to giggle at me, gaze around the room, or examine my freckles than nurse during the daytime hours.

I was happy to see his little grin this morning when Charlie plopped him in our bed at 6:45. He was no worse for the wear. Funny thing is that the hours that he was sleeping I was tossing and turning and look over at the new view from my side of the bed with the cosleeper gone. The moonlight still shone in the window above the bed, but I missed examining his long curled lashes.

I want him to sleep in his crib, but I want him to sleep next to me too. How is that?

"It was a glorious week at Pelican Lake."

Heading out to the airport after 11 great days!
Pardon the wet hair.

11 days
Cool summer nights
Open windows
Breezes
Mosquito Free
Wakeboarding
Fishing
No fish
Fish fry courtesy of Lloyd down the beach
Grandparents
Great Aunt
Great Grandmother
Missing cousins
Long family walks
Frogs on the road
2 scoops of Bison crunch each night
Bald eagles
Chipmunks
Pontoon rides
Lake splashing
Kayaking
New life jackets
Baby goggles
Chatting with Bug
Rolling over
New traditions for Bug

What Bug Learned at the Lake

Think this new sound's from hanging out on the boat?

Love his reaction when he discovers he's being filmed.

Note about videos: I have been using imovie to edit films and then uploading them here as a .mov file, which is QuickTime compatible. Downloading QuickTime may help with playing the .mov files on Internet Explorer.

24 Weeks

On the boat, since your Thursday chair is at home.

You were so good coming to the lake. Our flights were delayed and it ended up being a 12 hour trip from door to door, with you finally getting to bed about 2am. I couldn't believe you remained in good spirits the entire time and found lots to look at and smile about in the Denver Airport.


The first few nights I didn't think you'd ever adjust to being in a new place, but you seem to have adopted a "lake" schedule. You're napping and sleeping much like you do at home, waking 1-2 times per night to nurse and feel the breeze from the windows.


You've really perfected the roll from back to belly over the last few days. I have been putting you down on your back to sleep but find you on awake on your tummy. I haven't figured out if you are turning yourself over to sleep or if you turn yourself after sleeping. That is one of those disadvantages of having you sleeping in the travel crib out of my sight. It is good practice for your transition to your room when we return home next week though.


You're also moving those legs more on your belly, working on getting comfortable with them underneath you. Boy are we in for it once you get mobile.


You are enjoying the cold lake water. You don't want anything to do with your float, however. You scream and protest and want to be held in the water. We'll have to try it at the pool and see if that makes any difference.




Riding in the boat is also fun. No surprise that you aren't fond of the life jacket, but once the boat gets going fast and the wind is whirling in your ears and hair, your arms start flapping and you're giggling.


You caught sight of your shadow this week, and that was really something. You couldn't take your eyes off it and waved those arms around in excitement.


You've been hit or miss with your solids. Some days you are putting away two containers and some rice cereal and some days you will have nothing to do with any of it. Green beans were not a hit...gagging put an end to that.


Your protesting when things are taken away from you too. Your daddy finally pulled his licorice out from between your gums and you screamed. Don't worry; there will be plenty of time to gnaw on red vines at the lake when you're older. You also get pretty upset when I remove a potentially dangerous item from your grasp, most often a plastic bag.


I've got to say my favorite things about you right now are your expressions. You say quite a bit with those eyes and particularly your eyebrows. I love it when you pop them up high.

Welcome to Pelican Lake, Freddie. And happy week 24. We love you.

Lovin'

• Lake babes
• Long walks
• Late chats
• Warm showers
• Wakeboarding husbands
• Open windows
• Loons bobbing on the lake
• Pontoon rides
• Sleeping in
• Doting grandparents
• Hummingbirds in the geranium
• A new novel
• Giggles
  

Working on his form

Tummy time on the pontoon

He's digging in and getting busy with his crawling form. Love it!

For his fans

More wakeboarding today. He's getting better. He's also heading to Cormorant Store to by more ibuprofen.


Are you a fan?

Wakeboarding at Pelican Lake

For the record, Charlie popped up on his first try with the new wakeboard. We were all thoroughly impressed and he was quite pleased with himself. Freddie will look at this video in a few years and marvel at his father's talent. I'll work on getting some still shots from the boat later this week.

The weather has been cool and overcast so time on the water has been limited, but it's still ben great to pass the time at Pelican Lake.

23 Weeks

23 weeks today. Keeping it simple.

Wiggling to say, Pick me up!

You've got a flight to catch today.


It's your first trip to Pelican Lake and we are *so* excited to be there with you.

On work

School begins in a week. It feels a bit odd to not be scouring Target for teacher supplies and gearing up for the next school year.

And odd as it seems, and as much as I love working and my job, I could not be happier knowing I will not be working this year.

I should also be perfectly honest about this year. This year off is completely, totally, all for me.

I know if we had to put Bug in "school" (fancy daycare) he'd do great. We'd pick a place staffed with those prepared to provide and plan for his physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. In no way do I have any misconceptions about my being the only abled body to care for my child. I'm also pretty certain he'd end up being rather happy at school and enjoy his time there.

And we'd figure out the crazy morning routine and the even crazier span between arriving home and bedtime into which dinner, bath, and family time is to fit. He wouldn't even remember being dropped off at school in mismatched clothes (dressed by his daddy, and he'd forgive us when he saw the photographic evidence) or my being absent as he worked on his crawling form. He'd be fine. We'd be fine. I'll even go as far to say as we'd be a hell of a lot better than fine. We'd figure it out, and everyone would be happy.

But just so happens that we're able to make it work so that school isn't a necessity this year. And I am thankful for it. I cannot wait for each new day with this child. Really. It is that good. (Although I admit sometimes I can't wait for the day to end!)

He won't remember this year, but I certainly will.

Baptism

Freddie was baptized today at St. Clem.ent of Rome Church.


Aunt Lizzy and Uncle Bruno attended as his godparents.


He fussed through mass, but not a peep as the holy water was poured over his head.

Is this guy for real?, Freddie wonders.

He hasn't napped all day long but would not consider closing those eyes during church or lunch...too much to look at.