Book Sharing Monday

This week we are sharing Pippi Longstocking, by Astrid Lindgren. The copy we have is illustrated by Lauren Child, which is why I love it so much!

Tommy and Annika look suspiciously familiar...

I always loved this book as a kid, how wild and silly Pippi is. I read this to Ingrid when she was a newborn, we would read a chapter every night at bedtime and she would fall asleep in my arms as I read to her. It brings back memories just looking through it again--I can't believe she was ever that tiny and quiet...

For more info about Book Sharing Monday, go to Serendipity!

Baby Signing

Just wanted to say I love that I taught Ingrid some baby signs. It seemed silly at first, as she was five months old when we did the first ones "eat" and "milk." But then she was 10 or 11 months old and sitting at her high chair and she did the sign for "more" and I was so proud! She learned something! And it's really useful!

Now, months later, it's just the norm for her to wave her arms in the air when she's "all done" and put her hands together and say "mo-mo" for "more." And we've added please and thank you, which she does if you ask her to, but not voluntarily. It's a start, though, right?

I just think it's so cool that even before her tongue can make the shapes of words, her brain can put things together and she's able to communicate. It makes it much easier to deal with her now, when she's so independent and wanting to do things herself. And it makes me feel better than I can teach her how to say please instead of her demanding things.

Another Park to Check Out.

Today we went to check out another park that is near our house which we've seen but never gone to before. We walked over to it, it's right around the corner, only to find the sidewalk ends before the park. So we were stranded on the side of a pretty busy road with a stroller that is not made to off road, but we managed to get it through the wet grass and to the park. But tell me, why would you end a sidewalk just before a park entrance?? There are a few of those around here, too, where there is sidewalk, then not, then sidewalk, then not. It makes no sense to me!!

Once at the park we walked around and saw a ton of enormous dragonflies. They scared me, they were HUGE and would swoop right down by us. We let Cody go in the river and take a quick swim, and Ingrid had fun running around. As usual.



When we got home I sewed some more dresses and found out they are all smaller than what I wanted them to be. I forgot that I have to sew a four inch hem at the top, thus they were all four inches shorter than I'd planned. So, they are 12-18 months instead of 2T. Oh well. Here is Ingrid modeling one. I can't decide if I should keep it for her or sell it. What a dilemma!! I get so much cute fabric, I can't possibly keep it all for her! Although we do have a wedding coming up at the end of the month and she needs something to wear. Okay, she's keeping it.

Rainy Day

Today we were without keys, therefore without a way to do anything out of the house. Luckily it was rainy and gross out so we had planned on staying in anyway. Ingrid was amazing this morning, she sat and played with her toys and read books and allowed me to sew TWO dresses!! Usually when I sit at the sewing machine suddenly there she is wanting to help. Today, though, she sensed that I had motivation and let me get on with it. Thanks, Ingrid!


We also took a rainy walk with Cody. Ingrid really could care less what the weather is like as long as she's outside. Cody is the biggest baby, though, and as soon as he did his business he wanted to go home. What a wuss.

We got three more packages in the mail today. One was a diaper I'm trying for a WAHM. It's so cute--it has owls and orange snaps and is lined in blue fleece. So cute! Another package was a pair of snow boots for this winter that we got from a swapmama. I got them two sizes too big so that hopefully by the time it's snowy they will fit Ingrid. I don't even want to think about snow, though, so I put them away in the closet right away. The last package was a cute dress and cupcake sweatshirt we got from another swapmama. And it was so chilly outside Ingrid actually wore it today!

Now it's almost dinnertime and I can't move. I know I need to get the diapers out of the wash and figure out what we're eating and pick up some of Ingrid's toys, but it's Friday and I have all weekend to do that (or tell Brendan to!) so I'm going to go lay on the couch and let Ingrid watch Toot and Puddle. Happy Rainy Friday, everyone!!

We've Had a Busy Week!!

My mom came to town on Tuesday morning, so Ingrid and I have been busy all week long. We took Gramma to Ikea, where we got a new train set that Ingrid has had fun with. She says "choo choo" and seems to like the trains, but the track pieces, in her mind, should NEVER be put together! They are apparently more fun to play with on their own...

Ingrid also colored with Gramma, and once again did not eat a single crayon! I think I can safely say she is out of that phase. Good, because I love to color, and now we can.
Yesterday was rainy and dreary and I was supposed to use the time my mom was here to get some sewing done. I did manage to get three owls done, but not much else. Rainy days make me want to sleep.

Today after Gramma left we met some friends at Urban Toddler. Ingrid played dress up and played with wooden food. Even though she is drooling like a maniac again (eyeteeth? I think those are the only ones left for her to get) she didn't put every single toy in her mouth like she usually does. Again, are we really out of that phase??? Thank god!


When we got home, Ingrid decided the ten minute catnap she took in the car was enough sleep for her. She played a bit, we got presents in the mail, we ate lunch and took the dog for a walk. But eventually she gave in and snoozed. We all did, even the cat!

Book Sharing Monday

This week we are sharing Lasso the Moon, by Trish Holland, illustrated by Valeria Petrone. We bought this when we were on vacation--there's this cool toy store in Lake Geneva that has the best selection of Little Golden Books, which are my favorites!

This book has great pictures and cute little rhymes about Little Tex and Rio Rosie lassoing the moon and stars. I keep forgetting to read it to Ingrid at bedtime, but getting it out to take pictures today reminded me that I should!



For more book shares, visit Alex at Serendipity!

Boots. Nature. Crayons.

Today started at 5:30 am. Before the sun was up. Before the coffee was made. How on earth can a child get up that early and be so ready to go go go? I just couldn't make myself wake up, so while I drank coffee, Ingrid watched Charlie and Lola. I just love that show!

After Ingrid's nap we decided to go check out this park we've seen but never gone to. It's pretty cool, the trail goes along the side of the lake and has bridges and trees. Then there's a long boardwalk over a marshy area where there are tons of ducks and lily pads. It would be a great park except for the fact that it is RIGHT next to I-94 and it was SO loud!! Seriously, location is everything. It's hard to enjoy the beauty with semis driving past making noise...



When we got home, Ingrid tried on her shoes our friend Ulrike got us from Germany. They are the cutest little boots ever--brown with pink flowers all over! They will look so good with jeans when the weather turns :)

We also got out the crayons again, to see if Ingrid would scribble with them or try to eat them. This time she made beautiful artwork that is now hanging on our fridge. I don't know if she's just old enough now or if it was because she had her nuk in her mouth. Whatever the case may be, she didn't eat crayons, so that's a win!

Yogurt. Purses. Climbing. And Mama.

What's Ingrid been up to lately, you ask? Well, she's been doing very well eating yogurt by herself. Most of it even makes it in her mouth!

She also loves playing with this little wristlet I have. She puts it on her shoulder and then waves and says "bye bye." Gotta go to work!

Ingrid has also found the love of climbing onto...EVERYTHING. She can use anything as a step to get higher. She uses her rocking chair, a box, her play picnic basket, whatever she can find. She makes it onto the couch and then flops over the back side. It's a fun game, apparently.

And here we are together today :) Love that little munchkin.

Frolicking

Yesterday morning we went to the field by the lake to let Cody frolic around. Ingrid enjoyed a bit of frolicking as well.



When our friend Mirabelle was here a few weeks ago she took some pictures of Ingrid frolicking in the yard. They turned out so well! We just got the cd in the mail today and couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out.

Forgot to Mention...

...that when we were checking out at the doctor's office I had Ingrid in her sling. The man checking us out was Mexican and was very pleased to see us using a sling! He said what a great wrap it was and how everyone in Mexico wears their babies. It was just so interesting to have a conversation, with a man no less, about how great babywearing is!

A Trip to the Doctor

Yesterday was Ingrid's 15 month well-child exam. She was weighed for the first time on the standing scale, like a big kid!! Then she was measured.

Then they gave us this ridiculous little gown to put on her. She wore it long enough for me to take a couple pictures and then it was off...What kid doesn't prefer to be naked when they can??

Ingrid is now 24.5 lbs, 32.5 inches long, and is right on track for her growth. All her vocabulary skills amazed the doctor--she can say WAY more than the four words she should be able to say at this age. Her new fave word is "shoe" which she says every time we get ready to go outside. What a smart little whippersnapper :) She had to get a couple shots and luckily they were ones we approve of. Last time we went we didn't want one of the vaccines and we got a bit of snippiness from one of the doctors demanding to know why we refused it. *sigh* I miss my pediatrician in Milwaukee. She was amazing and never EVER made me feel bad for having my own ideas of what was best for my child.

I'm an Aunt, Again!!

My brother and his wife welcomed their third child this morning at 2:18am! Graham Jacob Britton is 8lb 5oz and 21.5 inches long. I can't wait to see pictures of him! I didn't get to meet his brother or sister until they were like 6 months old, but this time I get to see him in a few weeks. That is the good thing about living in MI for a year, I can do family stuff for awhile :) Congratulations to Brandon and Jami!!

Book Sharing Monday

This week we are sharing Won't You Be My Kissaroo? by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

It's all about how great kisses are--

"A breakfast kiss is nice and sweet. It's fun with sticky lips can meet."

"A puppy kiss is very wet, as silly as a kiss can get."

"A bedtime kiss will tuck you tight and keep you cozy through the night."

It was fun to read this to Ingrid, as every time I said kiss she'd lean her head toward me as if to say, "yes, you may kiss me now." Thanks for the permission, kid, but I'd kiss you even if you squirmed away from me. I'm your mom, I get to do that :)

Part Three

One day we went to Lake Geneva and walked around. We got ice cream and turtles and sat by a fountain. Ingrid thought that was pretty fun, as you can see by the chocolate mouth she's got.



Another day my brother and his family, along with my dad, came for some swimming and dinner. Ingrid has only seen her grandpa Carl once, and she sees her cousins rarely, so it was fun for her.





And on the last day we went to Milwaukee finally. We had just enough time to go to Fuel, the coffee shop where I worked and Brendan and I met at. It was total baby day there--we had Ingrid, our friends Clifford and Allie were there with their chubbo blondie twin boys, and we finally got to meet Mark and Emma's Oliver! Ingrid was the big kid, how strange!




It was nice to visit, but even nicer to get home and do laundry :)