I love this photo because it shows off her single dimple:
Friday, July 29, 2011
2nd Generation Dress
These photos are actually taken when Josette was around 2 months old. The dress she is wearing has some history in that it was actually my dress! I was waiting to post in hopes that I could scan a picture of me wearing it, but we haven't unearthed the photo yet. The story I was told of this dress was that my mom fell in love with it when she was pregnant with me, but she didn't know if I would be a girl and couldn't justify the cost (a whopping $10.00) at the time. There was just the one at the Air Force Academy BX and one day, she went in and saw that it was gone. She was very surprised when one of her best friends, Rhoda (my godmother!) showed up at the hospital with the dress when I was born. So much so, that she cried. This dress hung in my closet all through my childhood and I remember taking it out occasionally to admire it and have my mom tell me the story. When Josette was born, my Dad immediately sent the dress out so she could wear it too.
I love this photo because it shows off her single dimple:
I love this photo because it shows off her single dimple:
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Spoon Man
I am constantly surprised by the activities that Finn initiates these days that provide him with much entertainment. I was trying to empty the dishwasher the other day which was turning into quite the feat with two children (as are all my chores these days). Well, while the drawer was open, Finn took it upon himself to line up and organize all the flatware pieces across the kitchen floor. It amused him for quite awhile.
Compost
Last year I talked a lot about Sean building a new compost bin, but I don't think I ever actually posted pictures despite several people asking me about it. Well, just a year later, here it is. Finn and Sean with their rakes to turn over the compost:
Now that is some nice compost:
Now that is some nice compost:
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sweet Peas
Our garden has had variable success thus far. We had a lot of bugs munching on our stuff and have had limited time to weed. Yet, our sweet peas have thrived and we are hopeful for a major tomato harvest.
Finn likes to eat the peas right off the plants:
Josette helps with the harvest:
And here is our very own sweet pea:
Finn likes to eat the peas right off the plants:
Josette helps with the harvest:
And here is our very own sweet pea:
Monday, July 18, 2011
2 Month Check-Up
Josette had her two month check-up today. She is weighing in at 12 lbs 2 oz and 23 1/2 inches tall, falling into the 75th percentile for both categories. She was given a thorough exam and deemed perfect in every way! Great news all around.
We also just follow the CDC vaccination recommendations which includes 3 shots and an oral vaccination at 2 months. Oh, it was terrible. Poor little thing. She arrived at the office already distraught and overtired (more on that later) and the shots just sent her into a horrible crying/screaming bout. I remember with Finn, he would cry, but the minute you began nursing him, he would be just fine. I tried nursing Josette while they administered the shots and she just wasn't comforted by it at all. It took me a good 15 minutes to get her to a calm place. I have never been one to cry during these things, but tears were definitely in my eyes.
In fact, the whole experience from leaving the house this morning to getting to the appointment to even leaving the appointment was terrible. I am completely ill-equiped to handle two children on my own in public (heck, even in private, I seriously question my abilities). First off, the car ride sucked as they tend to do these days. Josette just really hates the car. She cried off and on the whole way. I pulled over twice to try to help, but nothing works. This puts me and Finn on edge. I get so stressed just thinking of the stress she is going through. So, when we got to the appointment we were all operating on fried nerves. Still, we had 5 minutes to spare. Unfortunately, we we got there, the line for registration was the longest it has ever been. There we are lot of people with little children and babies, so I was hoping Finn would stay a bit entertained and hang in line with me. I had Josette in a wrap because I had to get her out of her car seat right away. Finn lasted for two minutes before he was starting to wander out of line. I would gently try to coax him back, but he would venture further and further, finally sprinting down the hall. Of course, I have to leave the line to get him back. I try every tactic I can think of to get him to repeatedly join me back in line. Finally, we are next and already 10 minutes late for the appointment, when he bolts again. I have to leave everything and go running after him. He thinks this game is hilarious and I am about to lose it. So, I get him to go back and I rush up to the available receptionist who gives me a really dirty look as if I am cutting in line. I tell her, I have been in line and it is my turn, but my child just bolted. She looks at me like I am the scum of the earth. All the while, Finn is trying to wiggle out of my grasp and I am bouncing around like a kangaroo trying to keep Josette from losing it and juggling the diaper bag and trying to get the receptionist our insurance card. Halfway through the woman checking us in, Finn makes a break out the double doors as some othe people are leaving. I run after him and scoop him up with one arm (with Josette on my chest) and pull him back into the reception, all the while 20 people are now looking at me like I should be awarded worst mom of the year. Finally, angry receptionist gives us the stuff we need to go back to the waiting area and I am crazy flustered before we even get into the appointment. During the appointment, Finn makes a break out of the exam room no less than 3 times. Thank goodness our nurse practioner is kind and understanding and she took care of Finn while Josette was getting her shots. After I finally got her calm, I was able to wrap her and start to leave, but Finn again tries to escape while I am setting up the next appointment. On the bright side Josette slept through the car ride until we were just 5 minutes from home and Finn fell asleep before she started crying, so he got a nap in too. I was able to at least drive with some quiet time and brood over the whole experience. Never again....until next time.
We also just follow the CDC vaccination recommendations which includes 3 shots and an oral vaccination at 2 months. Oh, it was terrible. Poor little thing. She arrived at the office already distraught and overtired (more on that later) and the shots just sent her into a horrible crying/screaming bout. I remember with Finn, he would cry, but the minute you began nursing him, he would be just fine. I tried nursing Josette while they administered the shots and she just wasn't comforted by it at all. It took me a good 15 minutes to get her to a calm place. I have never been one to cry during these things, but tears were definitely in my eyes.
In fact, the whole experience from leaving the house this morning to getting to the appointment to even leaving the appointment was terrible. I am completely ill-equiped to handle two children on my own in public (heck, even in private, I seriously question my abilities). First off, the car ride sucked as they tend to do these days. Josette just really hates the car. She cried off and on the whole way. I pulled over twice to try to help, but nothing works. This puts me and Finn on edge. I get so stressed just thinking of the stress she is going through. So, when we got to the appointment we were all operating on fried nerves. Still, we had 5 minutes to spare. Unfortunately, we we got there, the line for registration was the longest it has ever been. There we are lot of people with little children and babies, so I was hoping Finn would stay a bit entertained and hang in line with me. I had Josette in a wrap because I had to get her out of her car seat right away. Finn lasted for two minutes before he was starting to wander out of line. I would gently try to coax him back, but he would venture further and further, finally sprinting down the hall. Of course, I have to leave the line to get him back. I try every tactic I can think of to get him to repeatedly join me back in line. Finally, we are next and already 10 minutes late for the appointment, when he bolts again. I have to leave everything and go running after him. He thinks this game is hilarious and I am about to lose it. So, I get him to go back and I rush up to the available receptionist who gives me a really dirty look as if I am cutting in line. I tell her, I have been in line and it is my turn, but my child just bolted. She looks at me like I am the scum of the earth. All the while, Finn is trying to wiggle out of my grasp and I am bouncing around like a kangaroo trying to keep Josette from losing it and juggling the diaper bag and trying to get the receptionist our insurance card. Halfway through the woman checking us in, Finn makes a break out the double doors as some othe people are leaving. I run after him and scoop him up with one arm (with Josette on my chest) and pull him back into the reception, all the while 20 people are now looking at me like I should be awarded worst mom of the year. Finally, angry receptionist gives us the stuff we need to go back to the waiting area and I am crazy flustered before we even get into the appointment. During the appointment, Finn makes a break out of the exam room no less than 3 times. Thank goodness our nurse practioner is kind and understanding and she took care of Finn while Josette was getting her shots. After I finally got her calm, I was able to wrap her and start to leave, but Finn again tries to escape while I am setting up the next appointment. On the bright side Josette slept through the car ride until we were just 5 minutes from home and Finn fell asleep before she started crying, so he got a nap in too. I was able to at least drive with some quiet time and brood over the whole experience. Never again....until next time.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
A Fruitful Walk
We went for another wonderful Sunday morning walk today. We love to venture down an old logging road which we have dubbed, "the magic road," due to the facts that it is beautiful, no one seems to go down it, and it the summer it has an abundance of raspberries and blackberries. Last week, we went walking and just stuffed ourselves full of as many raspberries as we could pick. This week, I forgot my camera for the picking action, but we did manage to stop ourselves from eating them all on the walk and brought about a quart home:
Then, on our way back to the house, a sweet woman that we often stop to chat with on our walks, gave us some freshly picked blueberries from her hundred blueberry bushes. Oh, the berries of summer are amazing!
Then, on our way back to the house, a sweet woman that we often stop to chat with on our walks, gave us some freshly picked blueberries from her hundred blueberry bushes. Oh, the berries of summer are amazing!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Pleasant Lake
Our little town has a big lake, aptly named Pleasant, and there is a lovely beach open to all the residents. Every summer they offer free swim lessons as well. Last year, Finn and I did the "mommy and me" class and this year, he graduates to preschool level 1. I really wanted thim to be able to do the lessons this year, but I was nervous about my ability to get him and Josette to the lake and take care of them both on my own. Yesterday, I decided to suck it up and give it a go to do a trial run. Worst that could happen, is we end up bailing. I am happy to report that it was a great success. I was able to wear Josette most of the time and she slept while I ran around in the water with Finn. The only trouble, was he kept wanting to go deeper. I will definitely need to get a swim suit. I am dreading that because I am still quite fat, but I guess it must be done. I am also going to investigate some of the water wraps for Josette. Other than that, I think swim lessons are a definite go. They start August 1.
When I had to nurse Josette, Finn actually played in the sand and hung out in the shallow part:
When Josette wasn't wrapped on me, she hung out on our blanket, checking out the people and scenery:
Then, we enjoyed a picnic and headed home:
When I had to nurse Josette, Finn actually played in the sand and hung out in the shallow part:
When Josette wasn't wrapped on me, she hung out on our blanket, checking out the people and scenery:
Then, we enjoyed a picnic and headed home:
Friday, July 8, 2011
I surrender
As she has gotten a bit older, Josette is not happy to be put down to sleep for naps. I know it is normal for her age and for the most part we just do naps in a wrap on my chest: she sleeps well and is happy and it allows me to play with Finn versus doing the rock, put down, wake up, rock routine with her. But, I still try every once in a while to get her to sleep some where other than me. I know eventually she will get there. One day, I needed to unwrap her and put her down. I put her in he bouncy seat and she surrendered to sleep:
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Why does she cry?
Why, oh why, does she cry?
Is she hungry?
Is she wet?
Is she tired?
Is she bored?
Is she overstimulated? understimulated?
Is she hot?
Does she want to be held?
Does she not want to be held?
Does her belly hurt?
Does she need to feed? Have I overfed her?
Does she have gas?
Is she in pain?
Does she need it quiet? Does she need white noise?
Does she need to be worn? Does she need a swaddle? Does she hate the swaddle?
Should I sing? Should I shush?
Should I rock? Should I bounce?
Is there too much light?
Could she use a bath to cool off?
Is she just a newborn with no explanation, or one that I will never know?
What am I doing wrong?
Why, oh why, do you cry?
Is she hungry?
Is she wet?
Is she tired?
Is she bored?
Is she overstimulated? understimulated?
Is she hot?
Does she want to be held?
Does she not want to be held?
Does her belly hurt?
Does she need to feed? Have I overfed her?
Does she have gas?
Is she in pain?
Does she need it quiet? Does she need white noise?
Does she need to be worn? Does she need a swaddle? Does she hate the swaddle?
Should I sing? Should I shush?
Should I rock? Should I bounce?
Is there too much light?
Could she use a bath to cool off?
Is she just a newborn with no explanation, or one that I will never know?
What am I doing wrong?
Why, oh why, do you cry?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
4th of July
We had a laid back 4th of July at home, which is just what we needed.
The day started off with a festive red, white and blue breakfast: Sean's famous biscuits with blueberries and strawberries and whipped cream, YUM!
The day started off with a festive red, white and blue breakfast: Sean's famous biscuits with blueberries and strawberries and whipped cream, YUM!
We played in the yard and saw one of our snakes:
Sean got some work done on the house, scrapping and priming and replacing clapboards:
Finn and I enjoyed more popcicles and did no work at all :) Josette happily slept the afternoon away:
We enjoyed a picnic of grilled goodies for dinner and called it a day:
Sean got some work done on the house, scrapping and priming and replacing clapboards:
Finn and I enjoyed more popcicles and did no work at all :) Josette happily slept the afternoon away:
We enjoyed a picnic of grilled goodies for dinner and called it a day:
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Buzzing Tent
It is camping time, yet, I just can't bring myself to think about it with a newborn. We may yet, but for now, I think Finn and Sean will enjoy some backyard adventures. In the meantime, Finn has been enjoying his bumble bee tent (a fun hand-me-down from his CO cousins) in his room.
Lily thinks it is great too:
Lily thinks it is great too:
Homemade Popcicles
We got some new popcicle molds from Bubbles and Baboo and Finn and I got busy making some wonderful frozen goodies. Here Finn is enjoying coconut mango (1 mango, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1tbsp honey, 1/2 cup water ~blend well). We also made pineapple coconut. We are planning on strawberry yogurt and straight watermelon for the next rounds. It is so much fun to do. Finn likes trying to think of new concoctions. And we just can't get enough cold treats in the summer heat!
Tummy Time
I realized the other day tha I have been terrible about giving Josette daily tummy time so we are trying to incorporate that into our day. She isn't too sure about it. 
Finn likes to help and play with her during tummy time:
Neobulle Leo
I love babywearing and I don't know how I would function without a variety of wraps to carry Josette during the day when she needs snuggles, but I still need to get things done and be out and about with Finn. I have been using my moby wrap since Josette was born. It is a stretchy wrap great for the newborn stage. I have also used my ring sling a lot for quick carries. But, my wonderful friend, Mandy just got me a gorgeous woven wrap that is my new fave. It is a neobulle in the colorway, Leo. Youi can do everything with a good woven: front carries, back carries, and hip carries from newborn to toddler. And it is sooo comfortable! Here we are rocking a front wrap cross carry and loving it! Josette is snoozing away! There is a huge array of wrapping info on the internet and I love youtube for good instructive videos if you are interested.
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