Weekend Update

Ha, this picture of Dell Harper and her friend SiSi just cracks me up.  SiSi had skipped her afternoon nap at the Easter Egg hunt on Saturday, and was just not feeling it.  Dell Harper looks a cross between concerned, and pure disdain at the tears.

 Miss Priss was not a fan of the Easter Bunny, but greatly enjoyed the children's buffet afterwards.  I ate a buffet cheeseburger and fries without conjunction, and bit my tongue as my bib-less child clad in white and pale pink shared an ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce with her Granddaddy.

 My eye is doing much better, but I am in glasses until Wednesday.  I don't mind wearing my glasses, except for the fact that I don't have prescription sunglasses.  I am sensitive to light in general, and even more so with the infection, so I have been putting my huge Target shades on over my glasses, cataract patient style.

Morgan's dad came in from Asheville, and joined us for Easter Bunny, and church the next morning.  I was teaching Sunday School, so they got Dell Harper dressed and ready for church.  She looked perfect!  I was glancing down the hall with trepidation, awaiting their arrival, but she had on shoes, tights, the right dress, and a cardigan!  And her sippy cup and Cheerios!  I was so impressed.  Ha!  It's the little things, you know?

Afterwards, we all headed to my parents, where we had the menu that was in March's Southern Living.  Mama made the best ham I have ever had.  I LOVE ham, so this is high praise indeed, as I have consumed a lot of ham in my 31 years.  Mmmm, the cornmeal chive biscuits?  I ate two, then I had my eye on the measly two leftover.  By the time I made way to snatch them, they had mysteriously disappeared.  I contributed the healthier Asparagus, Orange and Lentil Salad, which to be quite frank, sounded rather bizarre, but was fresh, delicious and an excellent foil to the heavier dishes.

This is before I tossed it- I made everything the night before, and just added the lettuces right before serving.

Also, I have wallpaper pictures for you!  Excuse the quickly taken iPhone pictures- I snapped a couple as I got Miss Priss down for her nap at my parents'.

That's the old wallpaper I ruined 15-16 years ago. I still love the big old fashioned blooms.

 You can check out the blue tile in all it's glory.

Here is the marvelous update that my interior designer friend found for the bathroom.  I gasped when I saw it (I tend to have rather dramatic reactions, but isn't it just gorgeous?).

I can't wait for it to be installed!

In the other bathroom, I wanted y'all to check out the old eighties wallpaper that has been unearthed.

 My sister in law and I are digging it, and my mom is shuddering in remembrance.  She does not get out love of metallic wallpaper, as she lived has lived through its vogue a couple times now, I suppose.

I am still rooting for some kind of wallpaper here- something to tie that wild tile together.  I am loving the reversion to the old mosaic floor though!

Finally, finishing up the iPhone portion of this post, I scored this awesome jacket at Steinmart a couple weeks ago.  I would wear this outfit every night if I could- I love it.  Especially since it is impossible to dress with this type of weather.  It was a long week, and I was ready to sport my cool Steinmart jacket and drink lots of wine with the girls.

If anyone managed to make it to the end here, I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  I have actually downloaded pictures from my camera, and have several recipes and more home tour coming up this week.

A Watched Pot

I have officially given up on Dell Harper walking.  Ha!  Today she is 14 months old, and climbs onto the couch, into an adult size rocking chair, but refuses to walk without a hand or prop.  I'm determined to stop focusing on it, because that child is never going walk if I keep stressing about it.  This is damn near impossible, but I'm giving it up to God.

She's not letting it slow her down though.  We went over to a friend's house today for Easter Egg dying- how cute are all the little buddies?

We were giggling at her clasping her little hands.

In other news, I have a cornea infection caused by my contact.  I'm driving around with giant sunglasses on in front of my glasses like a cataract patient.  It hurts, but I am just glad it's not pinkeye.  I would much rather put 10 days of drops in my own eyes (every 2 hours!?!), than one day of drops in my pre-toddler's eyes.

Finally, are y'all watching the Mindy Project?  You should.  It's funny.  Ellie Kemper was on last night, which remained me of this.  I could watch that video all day long.  You're a male prima donna. . .

Social Butterflies

I don't know if it's the whisper of warm weather giving me spring fever, or just renewed energy after adjusting to my new job, but I have been out and about quite a bit lately.  Lots of fun dinners with friends, and too many nightcaps after said fun dinners.  I mean, it's been both nights a weekend every weekend lately.  What am I going to tell Miss Priss in 17 years?  "Sorry sweetie! Mama and Daddy spent your college money on babysitters.  Study hard and get a scholarship!"

Speaking of nightcaps and their ilk, my favorite pre-dinner drink of late has been a dirty gin martini, served on the rocks in a tumbler instead of a martini glass.  Does anyone else find martini glasses just impossible to drink out of?

Miss Priss has been quite the busy bee as well.  Her calendar is filled with Easter Egg hunts and birthday parties.  I think I need to take a break, as I am feeling a bit puffy, and focus on her social engagements as opposed to my own.

I say this now, and will end up making plans at one of her parties next weekend. . .

There is still no independent walking around these parts.  She teased me last Friday night (when I actually stayed in- maybe she was telling me something), and took 2 steps, then 4, then 6.  Since then? Jack squat on the stepping.  It is killing me.  I actually brought her little stroller to the egg hunt at church on Sunday, so she could put eggs in that.

Could you not just eat those precious dimpled non-solo-strolling legs?  I'm gritting my teeth just looking at these pictures.

Lollling Away

I might fall asleep while writing this post, due to a case of an insomniac baby and sick husband.  Quite the dastardly duo.  However,  I have taken the day off work, since my brain does not work right on three hours of sleep, even after a diet coke breakfast infusion.  Unfortunately, I didn't send Miss Priss to school today, since she was fussy from her freak out last night.  Oh, and she has a black eye, incurred while gardening.  That pansy picking is dangerous.

So I picked up some trashy magazines while getting Gatorade and bananas for Morgan (I'm putting him on the BRAT diet, whether he likes it or not), and I'm going to loll my heart out during this precious nap time.  I only have about 45 minutes left, by conservative estimate (please be twice that).

I also had a busy friend packed weekend, going downtown for dinner and then to see Mary Poplins Thursday night, which was absolutely delightful.  The sets themselves were with the cost of admission- I just wanted to go play in them.

My hair looks so dark in this picture.  Time for some highlights, perhaps?  We also had a nice dinner out with friends, and some nice walks with friends and babies in the weekend's sunshine.  Now it is pouring and I am lolling.  Time to rest my eyes for just a couple minutes. . .

Baby Essentials (and NOT)

I was chatting the other day with some friends who are expecting, and we were discussing baby registry items.  It seems like everything is touted as a baby must-have- the amount of products in Buy Buy Baby or Babies R Us is simply daunting.  Registry suggestion guides are pages long (including ones that I have prepared for friends).

However, there are many products that have made my life as a mother immeasurably easier in the last thirteen months.  I went back and read my previous post on this topic, prepared to be rather red-faced at what I thought was an essential as a mother of a barely 2 month old.  I was pleasantly surprised (whew), and stand by all those suggestions.

To recap:

 (For those who have c-sections:)

1.  Belly Bandit- most importantly, kept my incision secure, but also helped my posture, and tightened my tummy.

2.  My Brest Friend- stupid name, wonderful product.  Keeps the baby off your incision while nursing.  If you have this you do not need a Boppy.  Return them all.

Newborn/Infant Essentials:

Pre-baby, it seemed like six months is an eternity.  Then it flies by, and you have all this gear cluttering up your (attic-less, in our case) house.  "Keep it simple" will be my mantra next time around.   The Baby Whisperer repeats in her books to start as you mean to go on.  The more options you have for your baby, the more options he or she will demand.   Wouldn't you? Now, when you are dealing with a baby who won't quit crying for no discernible reason, you will buy some crazy shit to try and get that baby to stop.  I took Miss Priss to a chiropractor because I read it could help with reflux in babies.  I was desperate for anything to get that sweet girl to stop crying.  I would have bought everything in Babies R Us for her to just settle down.  However, it would not have helped, and my house would look like a hoarder's idea of a third rate daycare.

Anyway, with my next baby, this is what I will keep in my house:

1. Swing- thank you Little Lamb swing for allowing me to prepare meals.  Any swing will do, but I would get one with a cord and batteries.  Ours was battery operated only, and there were definitely frantic, sweaty emergency runs for batteries.

2.  Rock and Play Sleeper- Miss Priss never slept in our room (in my household, a well-rested husband is a happy helpful husband, so she was always in her own room.  I nursed, so there was nothing Morgan could do in the middle of the night.  Plus, I was on maternity leave, and he was working.)

However, this was our go-to for reflux sleeping, since her head is elevated.  It is also ideal for travel, during those first 6 months, as it folds with one hand, and is far cozier for a wee one than a pack and play.  Oh, it is magic- when the baby become agitated the sleeper will begin to rock and soothe that child right to sleep.  I wish they made them in adult size, quite frankly.

Any sort of travel crib/rocking bassinet could take the place of the Rock and Play.  I just have used and loved it- ladies, please share any other recommendations for similar items!

3.  Zip-up PJs  These were not an item that I received at showers, but Miss Priss lived in them.  When you are changing diapers constantly, living vampire hours, and in your pajamas yourself a good portion of the day, you gotta have the footies without snaps.  Snaps are anathema to a husband learning to change diapers.  Zip those babies up!

4.   Activity Mat/Gym:  They call these things gyms, which is hilarious to me.  It's just a colorful slightly padded mat, with a bar with thing-a-ma-jigs hanging down.  My kind of gym.  Anyway, they help with tummy time, and preparing dinner time, (until your baby starts sitting up.  Then they are waaayyy too cool to go to the gym).   Some of them are really fancy (and pricey), and some are reasonable.  Get the one that you like the best- color/design wise.  You will be staring at it more than the baby.  The baby is an infant.  It will not care, I promise.

5.  Swaddle/Sleepsack- I loved the Miracle Blanket. Miss Priss possessed super human upper body strength/determination and busted out of every permutation of a swaddle I tried.  She did not bust out of it until she was 3.5 months old.  It was time to retire the swaddle at that point anyway.  I stressed about that change greatly, but tried a Halo Sleepsack.  She slept great! I was agonizing over nothing.  Once you get that baby sleeping, it is terrifying to mess up the routine.  I treasure my sleep.  I need it.

6.  Books:
Speaking of sleep, the following materials helped me sleep train my little one.

The Baby Whisperer series
12 Hours in 12 Weeks
Moms on Call (online seminar)

Miss Priss was a good sleeper.  It took discipline on both of our parts to get her there, since naps and night sleep are so inextricably linked.  Also, as Peg (mother of triplets) told me, sleep in not a continuum.  The baby will sleep through the night for weeks on end, then hit a growth spurt, or start teething, or just feel ornery for more weeks on end.  Just know that it is just a stage, and as long as you stay consistent, it too shall pass.  Another good sleep resource is the lactation consultant at your hospital or pediatrician.  Our pediatric lactation consultant is the most comforting woman on the planet. Just hearing Deb's voice on the phone calms me right down.  I have never actually met on her in person, so my image of Deb the Lactation Consultant is a beatific deity, warmly consoling me as I fret about early morning waking.

7.  Bumpo- this is a great baby "holder".  Watch your child, and don't put it on high up surfaces.  Duh. Of course, we all say "Duh", then end up putting the baby on the kitchen table in this thing (closely supervised, of course).

8.  Baby Oxiclean.  After it was given to me, I now give this at every shower.  It is an absolute necessity.  Your child will spit up, and have blowouts.  It is inevitable.  This will save those precious outfits from ruin.  I have the spray and the powder.

9.  Ultimate Crib Sheet- saves you time/effort when the above happens.

10.  Tommy Tippee bibs- soft cloth for before solids, then the plastic ones with the pocket for later.

Honestly, that's pretty much it (other than the obvious, i.e. crib, glider, carseat, stroller, diaper pail, baby carrier (like a Baby Bjorn) pack and play).  I have a jogger, and an expensive heavy stroller that worked with the carseat.  In hindsight, I would have gotten whatever cheapo light stroller that went with my carseat, because once I could use the BOB at about 5-6 months, I have rocked it out.  However, the light stroller is necessary for the mall, or other travel.

Now, if you live in an enormous house with multiple levels, ignore this advice.   If like me, you live in a normalish house, and mainly really use 1 or 2 living areas, then here's a secret that I have learned the hard way.  You don't need all the stuff.  It's a big business, and it preys on people like me who are suckers for marketing (seriously, my friends made fun of me in college about it.  It's why I majored in advertising).

Things that I had that I didn't need (in no particular order)

• The Padalily, or its permutations- um, this is not helpful.  Please haul around 30 pounds in the crook of your arm, and see if a little cushion helps.  Clue?  It does not.

• Wipe Warmer- yeah, your child is eventually going to feel a cold wipe.  Better to let him/her face reality from the beginning.

• Bouncy Seat- something to trip over on our way to the swing

• jumperoo/exersaucer/doorway jumper thing/walker- Pick one.  Take your baby to the store and play with all of them.  Try to figure out which one he/she likes best. Purchase it, take it home, realize your sweet child no longer has any affection for the massive piece of plastic residing in your living room.  Repeat, and repeat again.  Dell Harper was fickle, and I was gullible.  Just pick one of the above HUGE (besides doorway jumper) items of equipment and stick with it.

• Those grocery store cart/high chair cover things.  Now, when Miss Priss first began sitting in a high chair at restaurants, this was very helpful, because it cushioned her when she was a little small.  She grew, and I haven't seen it since.  Trying to fit it on the buggy, while holding on to a wiggly baby, my purse, and my sanity just wasn't happening for me.  If you are a big germaphobe, I am sure this is good.  I was not, especially my the time my baby could ride in the buggy at the grocery store.

Things I didn't have and didn't need:

• Boppy Newborn lounger- how many things do you need to hold the baby?  It will be in your lap most of the time, anyway.  The baby, not the Boppy.
• Nap Nanny- borrowed one, Miss Priss hated, and I think they are illegal now anyway.
• bottle warmer- I just used warm water from the sink, and conserved my precious counterspace.
• bottle sterilizer.  The dishwasher did just fine.  See above re: counterspace.

Alright, mamas.  I'm wrapping up this longwinded post and opening to discussion.  What do you think is necessary?  What am I missing/completely off base about?  How do you keep your house from resembling a day care center (I'll tackle toys at a later date- they deserve their own post)?  How do you keep it simple?

Vroom, Vroom!

Ha- I cannot stop laughing at this picture of Dell Harper at a birthday party last weekend.  Little Will is the background is already checking out cute girls in convertibles! Her face is so serious, it just kills me.

I just love this picture outside the church after Dell Harper's baptism last Sunday. Also digging big-time?  The dress I wore.  I want to wear it every day.  Hubs happy-prized me with another of this style in a different print (normally he never notices what I wear, so this is high praise for a dress indeed).  I normally can't do wrap dresses (thanks, bosoms), but this one is flattering and non-revealing for us ladies with larger chests.  Check it out here or call the ladies at Palm Village in Asheville ((828) 505-8140) for your own magic dress.  I need to take a better picture so y'all call really see it in all of its glory.  A wrap dress that works on my top half is truly a work a genius.


What else is going on?

Beverages:
I am still faithfully drinking my apple cider vinegar weight loss tonic.  I haven't weighed myself, but have received several comments lately that I am looking trim.  Hurrah!  I have also been enjoying a lot of coconut water- so hydrating and tasty.  It's nature's Gatorade.

Baby Stuff:
Daddy and I took Dell Harper to Babies R Us last night, as it was time for some new toys to entertain my little busy bee.  She got a little work bench, a remote control and a walker.  I was late to work this morning because we were so busy playing.  If I did a plank every time Dell Harper did in her attempts to crawl, my tummy would be bikini ready.  She is so close!

So that's what's going on in our world.  We all have parties to go to this weekend- a 2 year old birthday party for Miss Priss to attend, and a 30th birthday party for her parents to attend. Pretty exciting!

Baby Led Weaning

 So many people have inquired about Dell Harper's prolific eating habits, so I thought I would do a brief post on Baby Led Weaning.  We began about a week shy of her six month birthday, after a brief attempt with rice cereal to combat her reflux.  After hearing about BLW from Kate, I was immediately intrigued, ordered the book on my Kindle, and began my compulsive research. Counting the days until her six month birthday, I was thrilled when she grabbed a piece of cantaloupe off my plate at the pool.  We let her gnaw on it, and I spent the afternoon daydreaming about what to try next.

I started with carrots- just a big old bag of organic full size carrots.  I trimmed the ends, and left the peel on for gripping purposes.  Steamed to extreme softness,  I tested them by pretending I had no teeth and gnawing.  Luckily there were no witnesses to this experiment.

Dell Harper immediately picked up the carrots and stuck it in her mouth.  It was a huge hit!  And mess, but that is what baths and dogs are for, right?  My parents laughed that my bathtub is going to get stopped up like Kramer's shower when he washed his produce in there from all the veggie residue rinsed off Miss Priss.

Avocado was next- I left the peel partially on, to allow for gripping.  This was a bit of a mess later when I discovered a large piece of avocado peel in her diaper.  Oops.  We tried avocado a couple weeks later sans peel and Dell Harper gave herself a moisturizing avocado mask in addition to eating it.

 She has gnawed on some more cantaloupe- I started the chewing for her.

Sweet potato wedges roasted with cinnamon with the peel left on worked well (more peel in the diapers was discovered).  She also tried bananas down at the beach, which were a messy delight (although backed up her little system a bit (sorry for all the diaper talk!))  Once again, I left the peel on so she cut hold the banana.  I cut it in half lengthwise, then let her go, periodically trimming the peel.  Another tip I heard is to roll the slippery stuff in Cheerio dust to help the holding.

Her favorites?  BROCCOLI!  She loves to hold the stem and eat the florets.  This is my favorite as well.  The mess is not as bad as avocado or banana, and the florets seem like they pose little choking hazard.

Her other favorites?  Any kind of bread.  She loves French bread- I scoop out the soft middle and give her the crust (the soft bread can gum up and become a choking hazard).  I gave her a frozen bagel to help with teething (Miss Priss got 2 on our vacation, did I tell y'all that?).  She took down the bagel!

 Whole wheat frozen waffles were also popular.  The bread at Red Bar kept her quite occupied.

So far, it's been super fun and much easier than spoon feeding purees.  There are a multitude of advantages, but my favorite part is the entertainment factor.  She loves sitting in her high chair eating with her family. Tonight as we ate with my parents, brother and SIL.  Dell Harper happily munched carrots and zucchini while we enjoyed lasagna and zucchini.

Now for the downside.  All my reading talked about how gagging isn't choking, and warned against hovering, yet emphasized watching the child eat.  I shrugged off this part, thinking "I won't worry about choking. I realize that she will be fine, yet won't leave her alone."

Hmmph.  I watch that kid like a hawk.  I am on edge every meal.  It doesn't help that she will get over enthusiastic, shove food in her mouth, then dramatically gag and cough.  It is terrifying, and Hubs HATES it.  Although we both know as long as she is making noises she is fine, it still scares the bejeezus out of me.  It didn't help when her pediatrician was not very enthusiastic about this process at her last appointment, and warned about choking potential.  This merited a stern look from Hubs to me.

However, this fear is definitely receding as she gets better at eating and gets teeth!  I will also relax a bit when she develops her pincher grip and gets bite-sized pieces of food in the next couple of months.
Some babies don't gag and choke, so please don't let that deter you.

We are starting slow- dinner a few nights a week, and now lunch as well.  She is eating milk for nutrition, and I think of the solids as an added bonus. I am going to start adding in some variety, and dairy and meat in the next few weeks.

So, that is our BLW experience so far.  I'd love to hear your experiences with solids, and answer any questions (ha, about the beginning stage obviously!).

Well, She Was Just Six Months Old*

Dell Harper and I had some rainy day blues the other night, and went a little wild in the Target.  I couldn't resist this dress- I think it makes her look like a superhero.

Super Sweetie to the rescue!

I also picked up some sun essentials for her- her godfather brought her this adorable hat back from Nantucket, so now we are ready to show it off (if the rain ever ceases- I know we need it, but I need to get some sun on these white trash legs of mine).

I put sunscreen on Miss Priss once, but have been trying to wait til six months to really lather it on.  We're almost there, so I think it time.  Swim diapers and a new suit- just bring on the sunshine!

In other six month preparation, I am so excited for this beauty!

Baby led weaning begins around six months, although as evidenced by Miss Priss' cantaloupe eating, she is ready!  I also ordered some baby glasses on the recommendation of my friend Ella, who runs a Montessori school.  Dell Harper is constantly reaching for my glass, and trying to gnaw and take sips out of it.  When I ordered her own baby sized glasses (they look like shot glasses), I got sucked down into a worm hole of Montessori supplies.  Everything from miniature child sized gardening equipment to cooking supplies.  I was entranced, and luckily restrained myself.  I have always loved things that worked- any other Louisa May Alcott fans out there?  One of the kids in Little Men had a play stove that worked!  Oh, I would have just died and gone to heaven if I had one like that.  Or an EZ bake oven?  Just longed for one, but Mama wisely taught me how to use the real oven instead.  Anyway, I can't wait to get Miss Priss all set up in her Dr. Evil chair, drinking water out of glass and smashing avocado all over the place.  It's going to be a hoot and a half!

*She's not six months for another two weeks.  I'm just excessively excited about this food thing for some unknown reason.  Possibly her red mod high chair? 

The Mommy Wars

Does this post title not just make you gag?  Maybe I have been perusing too much of STFU Parents, but I am soooo over all this "my life is so difficult, being a (stay at home) mom is the hardest job in the world, I don't get vacations" drivel. 

First of all, getting to stay at home with your children is a choice and a privilege. Quit your moaning, and rejoice in the fact that you are financially able to be at home with your children. Yes, it is hard work. No, it is not the most difficult job.   Being a parent in general is hard work, whether you have additional responsibilities at home or not.  I realize that some like to complain, and others to incite.

What I don't understand?

The competition!  Who gives a flying flip who works harder?  We're all working hard.  We're all slogging through the best ways we know how, trying to balance financial needs with family, while maintaining a semblance of our own self.

This Time article was surprising regarding the mental health of stay at homers vs. working mothers.  It seems that mamas working part time are happier than SAHMs.  Furthermore, working mothers reported greater happiness than SAHMs.  Apparently, the key to working-mother happiness is giving up the "super-mom" aspiration and not doing it all.  The part-timers seem to get the best of both worlds.  Unfortunately, many careers and positions to not translate well into part-time.  For example, I am currently working 80%, with Fridays off (and a commiserate pay reduction).   I am a lot happier, and very thankful that my firm was willing to let me try this out.  My brain was simply fried by Friday, and preparing lengthy legal documents was simply not feasible. However, this is not an optimal schedule for the advancement of my career, and I'm sure my bosses do not see it as a permanent schedule change.

This article about Lululemon moms presents an excellent plea of not judging those mothers we see, working or not.  Who am I to make assumptions about those lithe mamas swanning about the country club or bouncing around during day time Jazzercise classes.  I can't help be jealous of their toned post-baby bodies, and relaxed faces.  However, the grass is always greener.  Some of the Lululemon moms might have to beg and plead for every little penny from their husbands.  Some might miss being in an office and swanning about in suits opposed to yoga pants.
A friend of mine works for her family's business.  Their family is quite well-to-do, and I have often heard people question why she works outside of the home instead of staying home with her children.  It's such bullshit.  No one would question her choice if she was a man!  She is passionate and dedicated to her career, yet denigrated for being there.

This article from Great Britain is an interesting discussion of women's guilt/dissatisfaction with staying home and working outside of the home, and our generation's tendency to romanticize the housewives of the fifties and sixties.

It's interesting- people often tell me not to feel guilty about working.  I have a lot of emotions relating to being a working mother, but guilt is not one of them.  Longing, sadness, stress, and exhaustion, but not guilt.  I cry because I miss my crazy little baby, not because I feel bad for leaving her.  She has a blast with her fun little nanny while I'm gone.  I'm the one missing out, not Dell Harper.

There is no good answer to the working or staying at home issue. 

I'm a bit of a perfectionist.  I need good answers, people!

Until that answer arrives, please read this rebuttal to Elizabeth's Wurtzel's inflammatory article referenced above.  In defense of SAHM

The Bumper Controversy

I am throughly confused.

To bumper or to not bumper.

Miss Priss is mobile, y'all.  She is a restless sleeper and all over her crib.  I have no idea where she got this from. . . ahem.  Tummy, back, side, and every position in between.  Her head ends up where her feet started.  She sleeps horizontally.  She sleeps vertically.  I dutifully lay her on her back to sleep, and check on her five minutes later to find her on her tummy, face smushed down unto her mattress.

At my parents' house her crib is bumper free.  My sleep was also free from continuous.  A little arm or little leg would manage to find it's way through the slats of her crib.  That would be it for the nap or a night's sleep.  One little bonk of her head during her nightly rotations and gyrations and I could kiss my sleep goodbye.  Farewell, sweet slumber.

Now we are back.

Her crib here has bumpers.  Like such.

Not poofy. Damn if that girl is not super cozy and back to taking naps and sleeping again (knock, knock, knock on wood!).

So what to do?  Pretty much everyone I know has bumpers.  I survived bumpers.  But then you google bumpers, and they are apparently a dangerous choice/deathtrap.  Oh, law.

I just do not know what to do.  Obviously, I do not want to choose sleep over the safety of my beloved baby.  However, I do need to sleep.  I love to sleep.  Especially for more than two hours at a time.

My instincts are that she is fine with her bumpers, and enjoy the coziness they bring.  As well as the head-cushioning properties.  Then I wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning, debate my worries for fifteen minutes, and go check to see if she is breathing.

Please share what you fellow mamas did regarding bumpers.  To bumper or not to bumper, that is the (neurotic yuppie mama) question.

The Haps on the Craps

We took Dell Harper on her first boat ride last Sunday for a Father's Day boat ride with the entire family.  The life jacket was hilarious and adorable.  It was so funny- I mentioned to my boss that I was ready to take her on the lake, and just needed to find an infant life jacket.  He said "Oh, don't buy one, I'm sure we still have ours from when the kids were little!  You can have it!"  Ha! His kids are in their early twenties!  A life jacket for Miss Priss is an area where my Scotch Irish parsimony will gladly give way.  I marched into the marine store and demanded their most expensive infant life jacket.  That little girl was a little unsure about the whole situation however, and gripped me pretty tight.

A little cruising had her right relaxed.

 Also pretty relaxed?  A lovely summer dinner of Mediterranean munchies.  Hummus, cantaloupe, prosciutto, salami, olives, tomatoes and artichokes?  I'm in seventh snacker's heaven!

What else?  I ordered this suit set from Lands End as part of bikini confidence post baby.  I think the cami layer will help ease my c-sectioned middle into bikinis.  We have a picnic at the local "splash-pad" to attend next Friday night, and I am excited to try my mama suit out.

Source: landsend.com via Samma on Interest

In other news the house is just about finished.  We moved furniture and cleaned and arranged all day Friday.  Unfortunately, Hubs' back has gone completely out in the meantime, so we are still waiting to move back in, as I need help moving a couple pieces of furniture around.  Mama and I would have it knocked out in about 2 minutes flat, but she is in a cast due to thumb surgery.  As I am physically incapable of hang in pictures without her, my planned gallery wall will have to wait. . .

I have my eye on this bookshelf from Ballard Designs for my mudroom.  in the catalog they had rain boots on it.  I think it is just the right height for tossing my purse, briefcase, gym tote, pumping bag and diaper bag.  I was going to put hooks up for these various items, then realized they'd probably tear the damn wall down with their combined heft!

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Samma on Pinterest

Finally, I was flipping through the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living, and these darling napkin rings caught my eye.  I adore the seersucker, but think they would also be great with any fabric- a perfect way to use up all those scraps.  Now I only need to re-learn how to sew. . .

Source: marthastewart.com via Samma on Pinterest