A Nature Walk

It was nice out this weekend so we went over by the botanical gardens to take a nature hike. It was gorgeous! We saw a deer, a turtle sunning on a rock, fish in the lagoon, and a huge frog. The kids thought it was pretty great, although damn Ingrid is a whiner when it comes to walking!! Every five feet she would whine about being tired. Meanwhile, little bro was running along the path like he had all the energy in the world...

Cottage Time!!

On Sunday we made our first trip of the year to the cottage.  I love that we have a place like this to get away from the city for a day or a weekend.  We packed some food for lunch, a couple games and diapers for Otis, and took off. 

We had to measure the kids on the door.  Otis has grown a whole foot in the past year!  And, as always, it's fun to see the marks from the past.  Grandpa as a two year old in 1947, Daddy as a two year old in 1980.  And Ingrid as a two year old in 2008.  Family history on this door!

The kids had fun just hanging out, getting into the croquet set, coloring, and going to the parks.  It rained a bit so we made some muddy sand castles in the sandbox.  Fun!

Yesterday we had a great morning, too.  We took a nice long walk along Lake Michigan with the dog and enjoyed the sun and the sparkly lake.  Have I mentioned how awesome it is living three blocks from Lake Michigan?  Our walks are gorgeous, and the view from the park is amazing.



He's Walking!

It started out with tentative steps and has turned into full blown, across the house walking!  I forgot how much I just love watching new walkers--they have such precarious balance, their arms stuck straight out, a few drunken sailor steps here and there.  But they are so proud of themselves!  Such a  new thing to learn, how exciting.

This video is sure to be one Otis hates me for later on.  He has a vintage Hawaiian shirt (the first ever vintage kid thing I bought when I was 19) socks and shoes.  And no pants.  He was wearing pants 90% of the day and I just happened to choose the five minutes he wasn't to take this video.  My poor children, I find pants optional apparently...

Yesterday we also tried giving Otis a spoon and some yogurt.  He loves yogurt and applesauce but hates to be fed, so I gave him a bowl and a spoon and let him at it.  He threw the spoon aside and used his hand to slurp the yogurt off of.  It was pretty messy, we had bathtime in the middle of the day.  I used to let Ingrid make messes all the time and she just loved it, I need to remember this with Otis!

Troublemaker.

Otis has begun getting into things in a major way.  Every time I'm not looking he gets into something.  First it was the catbox.  Now it's climbing on things.  My sewing nook is not safe...

He has started walking, too, which means even more trouble!!  I forgot how fun it is to watch a baby learn how to walk.  He's so proud of himself!

Another fun thing is to see Otis doing things Ingrid used to do.  We made black bean soup and he went to town on it, much like Ingrid did at that age.

Mmmmmmmm.

Paper Dolls and Baby Butts.

Once upon a time when I worked at Borders, I bought a book of paper dolls.  Ingrid found them and loves to play with them!  They are so amazing, a family from the 1950s.  The fashions are great.

 I also have a couple random shots of the Fat Man standing up.  He loves to stand up to everything!  Both Brendan and I were saying how he is way more mobile and has better balance than Ingrid did at this age.  He is exactly 11 months old today and I think he might be walking by his birthday!!  He takes the rolling office chair and walks behind it, it's suuper cute.

 

Memorial Day Weekend

Ahh, the sun has finally shown its yellow face around here!  After weeks of rain and cold, we had a nice, hot, sunny day yesterday! Perhaps summer really is coming?  We packed up some snacks and took a nice long walk by the lake yesterday morning, ending up at the rock beach where we sat and threw rocks in the water for a good half hour. 

When we got home, we went straight out in the backyard.  Ingrid got a new basketball hoop for her birthday, so she and Brendan played with that.  And the tball set from last year.  I sat on a blanket with Otis and marveled at how hot it was.

As soon as we stepped back inside, Ingrid passed out.  Her little cheeks were all rosy and she was just sooo tired from all that fresh air!  She slept for almost three hours, totally unlike her!  I took a nap with Otis, Brendan watched baseball, we hung out quietly, it was amazing.  I love breaks from all the chaos!

I decided to make summery things for dinner.  We grilled burgers and I made potato salad.  I also made a graham cracker crust pudding pie.  It was delish.  Ingrid has already asked for some this morning!  Otis' new spot for dinner time is his Bumbo which we set on the table.  He loves to be a part of things!

All in all a great Memorial Day.  I really love that Brendan works in industry now instead of academia.  School people don't take holidays.  They just work, work, work.  Now Brendan's job is closed on holidays!  He can't go in!  And he doesn't feel guilty about it.  Phew.  I hated holidays before because it was like pulling teeth to convince him to stay home and relax. 

Smiles!!

The day is finally here when Otis smiles and isn't gassy!  He was very interested in the light coming in from the window this morning and spent some time smiling at it.  I wish this cute face was lighting up for me, but no, it was for sunshine...

Not that you can blame him, I'm pretty smiley about sunshine, too!  Even though it's cold out, we were able to walk to the local coop grocery the other day.  We got some things to make the most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches ever.  Yum.

Ingrid woke up with Pippi Longstocking hair this morning.  She has finally let me pull her hair back and fell asleep with piggies in her hair last night.  Actually, she passed out so quickly last night that she still had underwear on.  I went in to put a pull-up on her and she stayed asleep as I moved her around, got her pjs off, pull up on, and pjs back on.  All this five minutes after I kissed her good night, she was tired!

Things are great here, we're settling in nicely.  Brendan likes his job, we've seen lots of friends, and Ingrid is a LOT better about her sassiness.  I think she's starting to feel at home again, and we're less stressed now that we're moved in.  I put up curtains, got a rug for Otis' room, a dresser for Ingrid, and I'm about to set up my sewing stuff today.  Ahhh, settling in is so much better than packing up.

Is That the SUN??

Yesterday we saw a brilliant bright thing in the sky.  Gasp!  It was the sun!  And it was gorgeous!  We ran outside to take advantage of this rare sighting in the midst of February.  It felt SO GOOD to get outside again!  I wrapped a sweater around Otis in the Ergo, Ingrid had her boots and hat on, and we set out to splash in puddles and flick snow around with a stick. 

Things are a crazy mess around here right now.  We have a few days left until we move, so most things are packed away.  Ingrid is getting a little freaked out and showing her unease by peeing her pants, whining, and throwing massive tantrums.  We're trying to be understanding, but it is so hard when we are also getting zero sleep because of a snorting baby not sleeping well at night.

I have been feeling SUPER bad about Ingrid's life lately, and I can't wait to get her settled.  Since Thanksgiving this poor kid has gone through so much.  First I was in the hospital for almost a month, then she got a new brother, then we started packing up all her toys to move to a new house.  So much change for such a peanut...It's the least I can do to try not to yell at her for being whiny.  She's got a lot on her mind and no way to express it.  Let me tell you, I will breathe a HUGE sigh of relief to be in our new place, finally settled and not going anywhere!  Let our life begin!

A Day at the Beach

Even though it was cloudy and gloomy looking today, we went back to Independance Lake for some nature walks, a picnic, and the splash pad.  We had promised Ingrid we'd go last night, and the first thing out of her mouth this morning was "go to the beach!" 

Honestly it was nice out.  We had some super hot, muggy weather the day before, so mid-60s and breezy felt great.  We walked a little trail, dipped our toes in the lake, then ate lunch and let Ingrid splash around the splash pad.  Brendan had to leave for a conference this afternoon, so we had to make it home for him to pack.  It was just enough time to enjoy being together and enjoy some nature.

As you may be able to tell from these pictures, Ingrid's face still hasn't gone down!  We've given her Benedryl twice daily and nothing--it doesn't seem to bother her, but is she going to puff up every time she gets a mosquito bite?  We live in the midwest, there are mosquitos EVERYWHERE.  Poor kid's not going to do well during summer.

Messy Face

Two questions for you, Ingrid:
How does paint get on your nose?

Did any of that frosting get in your mouth?

Last night was lovely, we finally have nice weather again after days of rain.  Everything is nice and green because of the rain, though, so I really shouldn't complain.  I made chicken and biscuits with asparagus (which Ingrid saw and said "pinecones in the fridge, mama!") and a yummy strawberry crisp for dessert. 

After dinner Brendan took the wee one and the dog out to get some energy out before bedtime.  Didn't work, Ingrid was up until past 9pm crying and carrying on!  And then got up at 6am, it's going to be a long day...

Random Good Mom Award

I had the best thing happen yesterday.  It was a lazy rainy day but Ingrid wanted to splash puddles, so we got dressed and headed outside.  I had just put some garbage in the dumpster when a car pulled up alongside us and rolled down the window.  I leaned over and it was someone I didn't recognize, a young guy, but he said "I had to stop and tell you, you are a GREAT mother!"  Apparently he's seen us walking the dog and using the sling, and just having random outside fun when we do.  He kept saying how great of a mother I was, it was the sweetest thing!  It just made my day.

In other news, I don't feel like a good mom, as I've been still really weak from being sick and I have done nothing but lie around and take naps.  Brendan took Ingrid to do fun things yesterday, like swim in the indoor pool and go get ice cream.  I have sat in bed or on the couch and read.  I really really hope I start feeling better soon, this is getting annoying!

Painting, Picnic, and Puddles.

We got a watercolor book at Target yesterday.  It was funny to watch Ingrid try it.  She's used to regular paints, so watching her figure out how to get the brush wet and then get the paint wet and then try to get the paint on the paper was interesting.  It's so amazing when you can watch their little brains working to unravel a new mystery!  She did well with it, and I like that watercolors seem to be less messy than regular paints. 

After painting we went for another picnic.  This is Ingrid's new favorite thing to do.  We take some snacks and a blanket down to the field, let Cody run around, and enjoy the sun.  The other day I wanted to go home so I stood up and started to take the blanket to fold.  Ingrid yelled at me, "No, Mama!  Lay down!"  I guess she wasn't ready to go home...

Post-picnic was puddle time.  I honestly did not think the puddles would still be there, as it hasn't rained in a few days.  But, down by the lake they hung on.  And Ingrid won't let me bypass them, she has to run straight to them with the look of greatest joy on her face!  I caught a pretty good splash shot here!

Her feet were so gross and dirty when we got home, and I hate to think of what was in that puddle!

In other news, we're packing slowly but surely and should have everything ready to go in a couple weeks.  The first of May cannot come soon enough.  Our 20-something neighbors were having a nice fight all day yesterday, with slamming doors, swear words, and much yelling.  And our other neighbors' washing machine was unbalanced and making the loudest noises above us all day long.  It sucks living in a complex!!    

A Fun Weekend

Our weekend was pretty fun.  Saturday morning I went out with my friends Jami and Heather.  We met at the Kiwanis sale, where I got some good finds.  A couple Health Tex tshirts, a pair of overalls, a super cute vintage kid's pillowcase, and this:

I love it!  Isn't it perfect for a baby's room (hint, hint, Brendan!)  It's kinda dirty and the frame needs to be painted, but I love it.

Other highlights from this weekend:  new crayons for Ingrid!  She is so hard on her crayons, they only last a week or so before becoming tiny little shards...

Eating yogurt while wearing a crown.  Of course.

And this morning Ingrid read her books while wearing Daddy's hat.  She loves hats, the bigger the better :)

Today we are off to go to gymnastics and hopefully stop by the store and get some goodies for care packages we're making.  It seems strange, now that Brendan's car is working again and we have the car all to ourselves, we're out and about all the time whether we really need to or not.  Why can't I just stick around home even if I have a car to use?  I have to work on that!!

Gramma's Here!

In just a little while Brendan and I are off to the train station!  We are going to visit friends and family in Milwaukee--without Ingrid!  It's been a year since we've done that, we are so looking forward to it!  My mom came a couple days ago and it's been nice to spend time with her and watch her and Ingrid together.

Gramma came with a silly outfit that actually looked quite cute on Ingrid:

We also took advantage of the sunshine to go splash in mud puddles-one of Ingrid's favorite things to do.  She and Gramma looked around for "treasures" (sticks, rocks and dead leaves!)  They are going to have such a good time while we're gone :)

I ordered a birthday present for Ingrid's birthday already and it came yesterday!  This girl is obsessed with Gabba and there's a woman on etsy that knits little finger puppets of the characters.  Oh my god, they are so adorable!!  I can't wait to see her face when she opens them!

Well, time to go catch a train with my husband!  Yay!!

Wintery Walk

Ingrid got to wear her snowpants for the first time today!  It finally snowed more than a dusting, so we took her and Cody out this morning to walk by the lake.  It is gorgeous and not too cold and really sunny and the snow is all sparkly.  If only winter were like this all the time instead of gray and dreary and slushy...

I also found an old bottle of Ingrid's so she could feed her baby.  My old Cabbage Patch Kid has become one of her favorite toys!  She loves to put the blanket on her and now she loves to feed her a bottle.  We got her a little doll stroller for Christmas, I'm sure she'll love that, too :)