Happiest Baby on the Block

It's Friday night, and I'm blogging while watching the Tigers rally tonight! I have so much to write about, so much excitement going on in our world, and yet, I'm going to do the "5-minute Friday" and ramble-write for just 5 minutes. This way, I can still keep an eye on my Tigers!

J and I have been saying this for months, but we continue to repeat it daily as of late...we are sooo lucky! We both feel so blessed to have this adorable, beautiful, smart, little pumpkin in our world. Honestly, she is SUCH a good baby. I'd like to think it is our parenting style, because afterall...she is a Leo personality and wasn't always so "patient" or "happy." Only time will tell. :)

The best compliment we/she has received came from her great-grandfather, last month, while we visited family in Michigan. Grandpa said,"We've had a lot of babies come through here...and she's the happiest baby I've ever seen!" This is true...he has seen his share of babies in his day. And I agree 100%...we do have the Happiest Baby on the Block! Here is a special pic of Miss L & her great-grandpa...

I'm thankful that I didn't drive myself crazy with reading book, after book, during my pregnancy regarding child-rearing. At the end of the day...I am a firm believer that my instincts, family values, and natural skills have molded my daughter into who she is today...and who she will be tomorrow.

We try to incorporate impromptu fun into her world, daily. This evening, when a slow rain was trickling from the clouds...I suggested that J take her out to experience the rain, for the fun of it! And later tonight, we randomly played our favorite song {right now}, "Some Nights" by Fun; and we danced around the living room. Yep, it may sound dorky or cliche...but it made for the best baby giggles and some really deep belly laughs by J and me.

We will see if baby #2 is just as happy as Miss L...but rest assured, that won't happen for a while...as we are too busy having fun with our lil' doll!

{DIY} Burp Cloths

The Best {DIY} Burp Cloth

I must admit, I am not "crafty." I can be creative...but I usually have to direct someone else to execute my thoughts and ideas. {Usually this someone is Jeremy...but for this craft, I called my sis, Lynnae!}

I purchased a 12-pack of generic burp cloths...aka "cloth diapers" at BRU. Then, we went to JoAnn Fabrics and browsed the bolts of fabric before deciding to purchase "fabric squares" in 4 varied patterns. We anticipated each fabric square yielding 3 burp cloths. I told Lynnae, my goal was to include a loop of fabric or ribbon on the end, enabling me to connect burp cloths via a "link" to everything - car seat, stroller, diaper bag, etc. The way my Miss L spits up, I really need to link a burp cloth to my belt loop!

Hint: These would make an excellent baby shower gift!

 

Here are Lynnae's step-by-step instructions:

Step one: Iron everything to make the fabric and the burp cloth easier to work with.
Step two: Take measurement and decide what size you want the section of fabric to be. Add an inch to your desired length and width to include the half inch seam allowance. Folding the fabric under a half inch from the edge and ironing it down before you pin and sew it will leave you with a nice finished edge.
Step three: Cut enough ribbon or fabric to make a loop from which you can hang the burp cloth or attach it to a car seat, diaper bag, play set, etc. My ribbon was about 8" long but you can easily use something shorter.
Step four: Pin the fabric and the ribbon to one side of your burp cloth. You can eye ball it to place it in the middle or you can use your measurements to find the middle of the burp cloth and the fabric and then line them up.
Step five: Sew all the way around the edge of the fabric, removing your pins along the way and making sure your loop get sewn in too. I kept the edge of the fabric even with the edge of the presser foot which leaves a consistent seam. Go slowly if you're not comfortable sewing. It's better to take your time and have a nice seam than go too fast and have it look sloppy. There's a difference between the homemade look and something that's just a disaster.
Step six: Admire your new, stylish burp cloth that will surely make the other moms envious.

Measure the fabric accordingly



Use a oil pastel crayon to mark your measurements



Each fabric square yielded 3 - 6" burp cloth centers

Note the 1/2 " seam allowance

It is fun to coordinate complementing ribbon and thread



The finished product...just perfect!!

Tips: Choose fabric that will be able to handle the various "liquids" that end up on a burp cloth. Don't choose something that will stain easily. Use a thread in your bobbin that matches your burp cloth if you don't want it to be seen on the back side of the burp cloth.

Of course, I must thank my sister, Lynnae, for executing this flawlessly and far exceeding my expectations. Thank you!!!

30 Hours {of Fun!!}

Earlier this month, Miss L and I had the great fortune of flying to Indy for exactly 30 hours to visit dear friends.

I've really lost track of the exact # of flights this little girl has been on, but I'm pertty sure it was her 13th or 14th flight. Considering we had major malfunction which required us to deplane, wait in the airport for 2 more hours, and reboard a new plane...she was a trooper! She really is a jet setter.

Our last visit to Indy occured in October, when dear friends of ours threw us a fabulous baby shower-welcome Miss L party! Since then, we have welcomed the following babies to our "group" : Ethan P, Bryn, Ella, and AJ. This new "crop" of babies are mostly the siblings of some of her existing friends, Oliver, Madilyn, Zach, Josie, Ashley, Evan, Ethan W and Stevie.

The excitement began once we landed at IND. I remember attending the private grand opening dinner party there prior to the opening {with Jeremy's job}...it still as beautiful as I remember. Then, off to see some "Hertz family members" and dashed off in our rental car to the northern suburbs. I knew exactly when I entered Hamilton County...as I was greeted with endless roundabouts, nice and new, asethically-pleasing brick-everything, lush and perfectly manicured medians and one beautiful neighborhood after another. Hello, again!

We were greeted with the most genuine "Hoosier Hospitality" as we checked in at "The W."



Meeting cutie pie Ethan P for the 1st time!

Then, we zipped off to fun-filled playdate at another "W" ...where my friend Allison whipped up delicious snacks for us as she is and has always been the Hostess with the Mostess. Here are some of our friends:



Having fun with Josie, who is going to be a big sister soon

Meeting handsome lil AJ for the 1st time!
Thanks again Allison for hosting everyone...you truly are the best!

Following the playdate, we had dinner at local delicious-hot spot, Petite Chou by Patachou, with friends Cindy (mom and Madilyn, and baby #2 due in Aug) and Cori and her lil' Prince Ethan.

The next morning, we woke up early and had breakfast with my former coworker Chelsie at Paradise Bakery...and Miss L was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as if SHE was drinking coffee, herself!

We had more play time with Prince Ethan at his palace...er, I mean toy room! Thankfully at 8 and 10 months respectively, sharing is not an issue {yet!}

Then, off to more time with friends, back in our former neighborhood...where we were able to play with Ella, Oliver, Zach, Stevie and Bryn.

I think Miss L enjoyed her visit to Indy!

Fun was had by all! Albeit a little bittersweet, making me wish we still lived there...I am thankful we had the opportunity for this quick, impromptu, fun-filled adventure!!

Happy May Day

Happy May Day!

Does anyone else know what this means? If you are reading this outside of the great state of Minnesota...you probably are wondering if I am referring to the distress call by sailors {afterall, we have a lot of lakes here!}...or perhaps if you are in Indy, you are trying to recall what "May" race-themed festivity you are missing today. Rest assured, it is all fun and games...it is an ancient Northern hemisphere tradition, celebrating "Spring" and "Fertility" and often includes parties, bonfires, parades, food and hoopla.

Apparently, May 1st...aka May Day, is a known tradition in this neck of the woods. As tradition would have it, people celebrate by leaving a "May basket" filled with flowers and treats at the doorstep of a friend...or even a love interest, ring the doorbell and run away. If you really like the person you are "dinging," you might slowly run away in an effort to get caught by the basket recipient, and they would give you a kiss.

I learned this during my morning commute today, as the radio hosts debated just how global this spring tradition was - ask any Minnesotan and they will promptly tell you what a May basket is.

Ask my husband, who received a ding, dash, and a May basket this evening...and he was clueless. LOL! I came home to a beautifully decorated hand-made basket sitting on our countertop. I said, "Oh, did we get a May Basket?" And once I explained what the definition {per the radio personalities this morning}...he said, "that explains why when the kids were running away once we answered the door!"

Our lovely neighbor kids stuffed their hand-made basket with paper flowers and some candy treats with a "Happy May Day" sign. It was soo sweet and a fun little memory. I hope to carry on these unique and albeit, quirky traditions when Miss L is older.

April Recap

Here we are, the last day of April. I remember getting prepped for the Easter Bunny to visit our house...wasn't that just last week?

I am ready for the warmer weather that May will bring us...80 this week...yay!
This May in particular...we have a fun Derby party to attend at cousin Janelle's, a bridal shower to celebrate {at cousin Janelle's}, and of course Memorial Day weekend...
and that also means our beloved Tigers will be in town!

I start a new job...and Miss L's aunties are coming in to town to spend time with us.

May brings us much to be thankful for and to look forward to.

Here is a recap of fun photos from the month of April... 

Helping mom fold towels!

Easter Brunch - spoons are extremely entertaining...apparently!

Happy Easter!

Helping Dadda with his electronics

We love to help with laundry!!

No one told me taking these photos would get progressively more difficult! Aye!

Pretty girl under a pretty tree!

St. Paul Cathedral

In April, while hosting family in town, we decided it would be neat to attend mass at the iconic local landmark, the St. Paul Cathedral.

Miss L was stimulated during mass by the endless beauty on the ceilings and walls...and she loved exploring the architecture with us after mass.

Being here definitely reminds me that "they don't make things like they used to" and fueled my desire to hop across the pond sometime to see the old world beauty throughout Europe.

I digress, here are some photos of our visit...

Miss L loved feeling the various textures while touring with daddy after mass

I love this face!

It was a beautiful 65-degree, sunny, blue skyed day...a very typical March Minnesota day! {LOL}

with Grandma

A Feel Good Song

When you are feeling down, this song is guaranteed to lift your spirits...

Music is very powerful, and is a large part of our home life. Music motivates us, relaxes us and is on nearly anytime the TV is not. This is how my house was growing up and I am thankful for my parents incorporating it in our lives. Also, may be the reason why I love the music of the 60's, 70's and 80's {my parents music}.

This song makes me smile...wanna grab my lil' doll and dance around the living room...do a Zumba routine...or have a cocktail.

Happy Saturday Morning!! Dance around while your cleaning!

TGIF

What a week!

Last week was a flurry of activity with visiting family in Michigan, flying back on a 7am flight Tuesday to make a 1pm job interview, followed by work obligations, catching up on laundry and this doesn't even include the stress of J's job with his RVP in town for meetings and presentations.

Fast forward to this week...and the emotional rollercoaster...

Monday

• Storytime at the Library with Miss C and her mommy...followed by park time in the afternoon
• A get the job offer {yay!}
• I proceed to spend hours crying my eyes out about leaving my lil' doll {full-time}
• And J's week is no better...surprise visit by the auditors

My smiley lil' doll!

We tease that they look like old ladies with their hats!

Tuesday

• Went to the indoor water park/pool with Miss C and her mommy...followed by lunch on the patio
• More tears about parting from Miss L
• J arrives home from working "the most stressful day ever" and proceeds to tell me news about his job that could change whether I should accept aforementioned new job
• I spent Tuesday afternoon/evening feeling ill as can be {fever, chills, head ache, all over body aches, loss of appetite, etc...thought it was food poisoning...but not so sure anymore!}
• 11pm, searching outside for Mr. Cole, as he slipped out of the house on us, while we were on the patio {he trotted across the cul-de-sac after 30 minutes of flashlight tag}

Lunch in the Sun!

Afternoon playtime outside on our lawn

Wednesday 

• Wake up feeling somewhat human again...but there is a silver lining...
• I hop on the scale...& LOVE the numbers on the scale {hello 140's!!}
• 8am - take Miss L to daycare
• 8:15 - Greet property tax accessor at our home {trying to lower our taxes}
• Race to work {45 min commute} for a 10am training I am conducting at work
• Still have no idea what is going on with J's job situation 

Thursday

• Lunch with Daddy...which we all get so much enjoyment from!
• During our daily family walk/jog...decide to continue on as we were 

Her daddy always makes her giggle!

Reading at Panera Bread

Friday

• Proceed forward with life as usual...remembering everything is in God's hands
• Feel at peace with decisions
• Create my lengthy to-do list of things to get done prior to working outside the home full time
• Book a reservation for dinner Saturday at one of our favorite restaurants - Kona Grill...
• TGIF!

Pretty flowers for a pertty girl

 Phew! Just breathe...

Baby Food {Parties}

During my pregnancy, I knew I wanted to make Miss L's baby food...when the time came. Thus, we registered for and received many generous gifts to help make the process easier and more enjoyable. However, I had no idea how much fun I would have getting together with friends to get creative in making baby food recipes, together!

This past Sunday night, we had dinner with friends at their home...followed by fun making two double batches of food for Miss L and her BFF Miss C.

Recipe above: Peaches, Mango and Banana...yum!

Recipe on side: PEAs
{Peas, Edamame, Apples}

1/2 pound frozen peas
1/2 pound frozen edamame
2 apples cored, sliced, peeled
{used my fav. Pampered Chef tool!}
1/2 cup Apple Juice

Puree in your blender, food processor, etc...

 {Note: I purchased a 12 pack of juice boxes since I use apple juice occasionally in baby food recipes, but yet don't need a full large bottle of apple juice going to waste in the fridge}

Oh yes, I had to include a few photos of the girlies playing around...enjoying each other's company.