Baby Boo

I ran across these recent pictures of Aspen. I've got a lotta love for that baby.

Avery getting Aspen to giggle with splashes!

Defeated

I can't remember the last time I had a day like this, but all I feel is defeated. It's been rough.

Avery locked herself in the car. I allowed her to play with my keys while I talked to a neighbor. Big mistake. I didn't panic until after 5 minutes of coaxing her into pushing the lock button UP not down to no avail. I called Brian a few times with no answer. In panic of a smoldering child inside my car, I called the locksmith. Immediately after, Brian called and told me to look for the spare key while he borrowed a co-worker's car to drive home. I found the key. Called the locksmith not to come. That was scary.

I completely missed my visiting teaching appointment without knowing.

The kids and I drove 45 minutes to Lowe's in the truck. Can you guess what happened? Locked the keys in the car upon arrival! (At least this time no child in the car.) Locksmith came in 25 minutes. $30 fee.

Spent goo-gobs of time in Lowe's returning things and picking up stuff. Thankfully, my kids were champs through it all and Avery did not wet her pants (we visited the potty twice and I nursed Aspen once... this is what takes the extra time and effort). The huge downer was they had no decent closet doors in stock that I came to pick up. I hate spending all the money on gas taking the truck and for no good reason. I wanted to cry. I think I did.

Well, it's still only 3 p.m. and I have a house to clean. Hopefully better luck the rest of the day. These things should cheer me up: Watching Burn Notice tonight with Brian and setting out the large rug I picked up at Lowe's for the living room. I also enjoyed having my two sweet kids beside me in the truck while I drove home (no airbags). Aspen sucking on a carrot, Avery eating a sandwich, and the sky was warm gray with a sweet oncoming rain.

Yum Yum and Yum

Recently I have sooooo been craving sandwiches everyday (I even made them for dinner once, haha!)! It's all about the bread- this sourdough deli stuff that goes on sale occasionally is to die for! I stock up. Yuuuum.

My avoiding-unhealthy-snacky-crap diet is working out so far (if you look away from those chips on that plate. I promise I limited myself.). I had some leftover cookies from a R.S. activity that I gave half away to a neighbor and avoided eating the rest with the mentality "better to waste them than to eat them" (unfortunately my husband felt obliged to take care of them instead. oops.). I had a half-eaten candy bar in the fridge and thought "mm, I need to just finish that off don't I..." With the better half of me screaming "NO bonnie. learn discipline. don't do it," then my body kept getting closer and closer saying "Oh, just try and stop me." I had the thing in my hands, peeling away the wrapper and just before I went over the edge in sheer indulgence, I said, NO. Hurriedly I put it back in the fridge, feeling proud. It takes some discipline but can be conquered.

P.S. A friend invited us swimming and I'm glad I could do this on my own thanks to the safe kiddie pool. I'd been avoiding swimming because how do you do it with 2 young kids? Problem solved. Thanks Elise! Avery had a TON-o-fun! Aspen loved it when Avery splashed her.

Avery took this pic. She can always get Aspen to smile!

Stages

Aspen has approached a new stage. You know, it's to the point where I don't have to nurse her immediately before I leave the house or else. She can last longer and I'm not worried about her starving. I'm glad she also has rice cereal as a back-up and help-meet. This means I'm now comfortable leaving her with a babysitter. I'm still not sure how she'll fare with a different care-giver and with a bottle (need to experiment), but I'm ready to try... yes I'm definitely ready. Brian and I don't date and we need to. (Unless you count night at home after kids are asleep, which is for sure something that keeps you going... but... I want to date.)

Considering how much extra things cost when you factor a babysitter, it almost just doesn't seem fair or worth it. Plus, your mind is half preoccupied with how the kids are doing anyway. Then all you talk about is the kids, which is what you could have been doing at home.

With that said, I have the belief that regardless of this, a date needs to be had. If it becomes more regular, then perhaps you'll feel less burdened when doing it and it's more fun and a great relationship builder for the two of you. In a couple weeks we plan to go swing dancing in town (my idea). I'm totally stoked! This is the FIRST time we're ever getting a real babysitter that you pay. Crazy. It's pretty exciting.

20-week AFTER

Alright, so, it's technically been more than 20 weeks since delivery and I'm feeling concerned. I still have a bump lingering. Not big, but enough for Brian to inquire, "Are you pregnant? That looks like a 20-week bump." Great... I'd make sure he lost a few brownie points for that if it weren't for the fact that he actually seemed concerned we were having another child now. haha. Made me think about buying one of those tests to be honest, but let's just face it... I've inherited a new little pudge. Oh bother.

I've never had to care about what I ate, though I do try to eat healthy. If I wanted to indulge in something tasty, I didn't have to think twice. Has my luck ran out? Will I actually have to be more careful? Say it isn't so! The sad truth is we have too much snacky stuff lingering around that I'm not used to and I haven't been exercising one bit either (not that I did before really, but it's a good thing to do). My excuse for eating more often is I'm secretly paranoid I won't make enough milk for baby- but I'm sure cheese balls and gummy worms aren't helping. sigh.

On the bright side, this gives me a chance to make some health-wise goals. I do love to be healthy. It will just start taking more effort and sacrifice now.... wish me luck!

summertime girls

What is this summer all about? A lot of the following...

Playing on the bed

Climbing on things, washing feet, standing in sink and splashing mirror...

Avery loves to help Aspen check out the toys

She handles these well, so I let her.

Getting her hair wet and shampooed is her least favorite thing, so why not have fun with it, right?

Playground time and trolley around town, fun at the grocery store, etc.

Climbing again...

Avery happy about her new froggy potty! Good investment. We're trying a no-diaper routine again for the next three days. We'll see what happens this time around!

Aspen is a champ. Avery loves to smother her... I guess she gets that from me...! I can't help it; she's just so irresistible!

It's fun to let Avery feed Aspen. She doesn't do half bad, but you still have to expect rice cereal in the toes and on the floor. :)

Love our new flooring!

We spend our Saturday's working on the house (When in an apartment, we used to sit around wishing we had our own place to do projects on... now I guess we see the light..haha). I still think it's wonderful to see so much progress in the house. Avery pitches in! She looks cute in a pony tail.

Aspen 6 months

Aspen has big smiles

This is Avery at 6 months.

I'm beginning to see that my girls definitely have their own looks. They're also different developmentally. Aspen can roll over and enjoys being on her tummy, but cannot sit up alone. Avery was the exact opposite at this point; she spent lots of bumbo time learning to sit up straight, but Aspen likes to lean heavy on one side. Aspen can roll over on a dime, but Avery had more mass to move around! Both love to stand. Aspen is 14 lbs. 11 oz. which is about what Avery was at 3 months. Funny how kids are just different. She's very healthy, growing at a fine rate and is 24.5" in length.

Aspen eats baby food at least once a day and can't get enough! She loves it. She goes down for the night at 10:30 and wakes up once or twice during the night. Not too bad. She's a well tempered baby, generally very happy, but will let you know when she's mad. She loves for people to talk to her. She doesn't like the car much (neither did Avery). Not any sign of teeth yet and I can't wait to see some hair! Oh, and she loves to suck on things and put stuff in her mouth (what's new there, right?).