HAPPY AND HEALTHY BABY.

Isn't he perfect in every way? Of course I think so. I'm his Mama. It's my job. But really, he is one cute and adorable baby. So glad he's mine. 

I can't believe he is 4 months already! It's a cliche to say that time goes by so quickly, that I want to slow it down. Because as much as I will that, it will never happen. So all I can do is make the most of today. I am so grateful that I get to spend every day with my babies. I get to capture all their special moments, the good and the less than good. I have never been more proud of a job title as I am of Mama.


And boy, has this little man made me proud this week. It's been full of many firsts for him. For starters, he had his first ECFE class. Nugget and I have been enjoying these 'Mommy and Me' classes since she was four weeks old, and this week he got to have his turn. And although he slept snuggled in my arms through half of it, I know he loved it. I loved it. I'm excited to start this journey with him.

Look at how strong he is on his tummy. He really doesn't enjoy his tummy time all that much, but is becoming more tolerant of it each day.

And look, all his hard work has paid off. My baby boy is rolling! Rolling!

His first roll, ever!

Later that same today, Brother discovered these:

Then the next morning, we were all up in Nugget's playroom, cleaning up the heaping mess that is was. I laid Brother on his back, turned around for a second, and next thing I knew he was on his tummy! I missed it! Stinker. But way to go Buddy. Making Mama proud.

Today we headed in to the doctor for his 4 month well baby check up. He was such a happy boy and shared lots of smiles with his doctor. She was impressed.

My little man is truly that. Little.

4 month stats:
Weight: 12 pounds 7 ounces (10th percentile)
Length: 25 1/8 inches (70th percentile)
Head circumference: 16 1/2 inches (45th percentile)

Doctor's notes: Happy and healthy baby!


I know you're thinking 'Really? She took her camera to his appointment? What a whack!' Ha! Let me explain. We adore our pediatrician, and are sad to say that this was our last visit with her. She is moving on in her career, which has left me scrambling with what to do. I still haven't quite decided. I've got some time to figure it out. But we are so grateful for the wonderful care she gave to our children, so it was a necessary photo op for me.

I'm excited to see what other joys his fourth month brings us. He's off to a great start!

SIPPIN' LEMONADE.

Number 6 on our summer fun list: Make lemonade.

I have never in my life made fresh squeezed lemonade. And I can assure you I will never make it from a powder again.



So, how did we do it? Simple.

Heat a cup each of sugar and water in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved, then add to a pitcher with a cup of lemon juice. Dilute with 4 cups of cold water and chill.

See, told you it was simple. And delicious.

Cheers!

29 AND 4.

Today is my birthday. 29. Yikes. I have mixed feelings about this number. I think that I should feel old, but I don't. Sometimes I look at my life and see all that I have been blessed with and I think really God? You think I'm old enough, wise enough, mature enough to handle all this responsibility, especially two kids? Apparently so. And I love my life. I love where 29 years has taken me. Exactly where I want to be. Which is right here. I wouldn't trade a thing. Sure, I have made some poor choices and behaved in ways that I am not always proud of, but those moments have shaped who I am and what I value, so I wouldn't trade back a single one. I am happy. I am blessed. My  heart is full. What more can I ask for? Except two more babies, ideally another girl, then a boy, and down the road....our dream farm and home! Dream big, right?!

My day was extra special because it also happened to be Brother's 4 month birthday too!

Four months! I can't believe it. He's growing like a weed. 

I was really excited for my birthday this year. Still not quite sure why. Maybe it's because I have big plans to squeeze every last bit of life out of my 20's before I hit the big, gasp, 3-0. It was a good day. And my little family made it so memorable. So, what did I wish for?

I wanted to go for a hike with my family. And we did at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Gorgeous.

My girl doesn't run, she prances. Just like a little princess should.

I also requested a picnic lunch. And boy, did my honey deliver. Yum.



I had one more wish. Greedy, I know. I wanted a cake. Not just any old cake. I wanted Nugget and Daddy to make me one. I was thinking maybe some funfetti boxed mix, frosted and dossed in a healthy heap of sprinkles. Just the way Nugget would like it. But I should have know better. He impressed again.

Can you guess who was in charge of the candles?

Holy smokes! (Pun intended) That's a lot of candles!

Homemade Tiramisu. To die for. I can still taste it. Good thing there's over half of it still left in my fridge!

And although I didn't ask for this, I was pleasantly surprised. 

Mama: Nugget, did you get me a present?!

Nugget: Yeah, it's a basket!

Mama: (Trying to deter her away from any more reveals) Ooh, and did you make me a card?

Nugget: It's for your bike!

Looks like we need to work on secret keeping skills.

It's good to be loved, and boy, was I sure spoiled today. Cheers to my 29th birthday, and may I be forever young!

SNIPPETS.

I take hundreds of pictures each week. So many that I don't always know what to do with them. But they are special and meaningful to me, even if the moment itself doesn't warrant its own blog post. So, I have this grand idea to post weekly snippets, so my leftovers have a home. Enjoy.

 I walked in the kitchen one afternoon and found this. So sweet, my girl.

Honk shooin' (snoring) in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

Painted nails.

And tootsies. One of the many reasons I love having a girl!

A tasty treat from Patty's Place, her favorite. 

Brother loves this toy. This week he really got his hands and feet going with excitement. So much fun to watch him take it all in.

Sister encouraging Brother during his tummy time.

She used to call them her 'babies'. Now they are her 'people'. These were one of her first toys, and she still loves them almost three years later. 

Hard at work painting a bird house. Love the concentration. My girl gets serious about her 'projects'.

Flashing Mommy a big ol' smile. He saves the biggest and best ones for me. Thanks Buddy. 

Chillin'.

Tending to the garden.

Nugget's 'spinning wheels'. She checks on them every time we leave the house.

Mail makes me happy. Especially this week as lots of good stuff, like cards and even a present, came for my birthday. Nugget likes to watch for our mailman. He delivers the mail, then they wave to each other in the window. We even shared some of our homemade cookies with him this week. It makes me happy to teach her about treating others kindly.

Nugget's buddy, Landon, had 'baby robin birdies' hatch at his house this week. They were kind enough to let us come and have a peek for ourselves. Just precious.

Mama went walking four times this week and even made it to yoga. Getting my bikini body back in no time (or so I wish!). My babies took turns accompanying me on my walks. Brother stared at me the whole time like this. Love him.

Look who found his thumb.

Hope you had a great week! We sure did!

AVOCADO SMOOTHIE.

This morning I enjoyed this:

Delicious.

In a blender, combine:

*1 peeled and pitted avocado

*1 cup milk

* 1 cup ice cubes

* 2 tablespoons sugar

* 1/2 tablespoon vanilla

Blend until smooth. Makes 3 servings.

Nugget said to me 'Hey Mom, we don't drink ado-ca-dos. We eat them!'  Nonetheless, she enjoyed her smoothie.

LOVE AND DONUTS.

Today is the last day of school in our town. That means lots more busy bodies at the parks, a community pool swarming with kids, and my teacher friends get to be stay at home mommies for the summer! (Which means lots more play dates for me and my babies!) Yay!

It has become a little tradition for Nugget and I to go out for a walk on the first day of school and watch all the buses as they take their first loads of kids to school for the year. It kind of happened on accident last year. She oohed and ahhed over all the buses, and thus a tradition was born. Once nine o'clock hits and the kids are finding their way to their new classrooms, we find our way to Patty's Place and enjoy a little treat together. Love.

Oh, look how little she was. Just nine months ago! Breakfast at Patty's Place, September 2010



It only seemed fitting to go to the bakery this morning. In our jammies. Nugget giggled at the thought. More love.

I was surprised when we walked in to find about 20 high schoolers standing around shoving donuts in their mouths, mingling with excitement as they were about to begin their last day of school. I wasn't expecting that. I thought it'd be a nice quiet morning at the bakery. Anyhow, lots of high schoolers meant there we no more sprinkled cake donuts for my Nugget. Uh oh. But I politely asked the baker if he had any more.  And guess what he did? He made us some. Fresh. And special. Only in a small town do you get that. Even more love.

We ordered one chocolate with sprinkles, and one vanilla with sprinkles.

She chose vanilla. Lucky me.

It was on the last day of school 2 years ago that I closed my classroom doors forever, to pursue my other love. Being a mama. I love teaching, but I also really love staying home. As a wise friend (that's you, Shari!) once told me  'A classroom will always be there. Your kids won't.' So very true and how very, very grateful I am that we can make this work.