Birth is Good

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6 Months Old

Oh Man, That sure went fast. I am flabbergasted that today is Georgia's first half-birthday. She's no longer a little squishy newborn. She's a full blown, nearly mobile, smile machine! I've pretty much decided she's the easiest baby in the history of the world. She is rarely fussy; sleeps pretty well both naps and at night (I just wish I had established a better routine with her early on!); and she eats like a champ. She is far more of a "Mommy's Girl" than her brother ever was. She gets unhappy quickly with others, especially if I am within eye-sight. But, I find it a little sweet. Of course, she is doing all the predictable 6-monthish things, like last week she added back-to-front rolls to her repertoire.


This has enabled her to really get booking. She can roll all over the place to reach desired objects or locations. I've been fairly amazed at her scooting and rolling abilities. She can push all the way up on her arms and get up on her knees; just not both at the same time. Once she figures out little more coordination, it's all over, she'll be moving for sure!

Then of course she's been getting better at sitting up. I probably don't give her enough opportunity to practice. It's tough because when she's on the ground she becomes a prime target for toddler attacks. However, I have been setting her up to see how she does now and then. She can hold her seat just long enough to snap a picture. After a few seconds she succumbs to the predictable conclusion. 

Ouch!

But, she's a tough little girl. The tumbles rarely make her cry. That's her brother's job!

That's not fair either. The two of them love each other so much. They play together, make each other smile, and show genuine affection more often than not. True, I spend my days running interference to keep him from tackling her, but he only does it out of love and excitement.

So, because she's six months old, I've started thinking about solids. THINKING that she's not ready. With Normy I could hardy wait to break out the spoons, whip out the cereal, and start feeding! Now I know better. Seriously, there is plenty of time for this!

Georgia's got her whole life for solid food.  Once she is REALLY sitting up all by herself we'll start the whole baby food thing. I did try her out in the chair yesterday. She managed for a few minutes, and generally loved pretending to be a big girl, but I had to prop her back up every few moments. Thank goodness, that buys us a little more time to save up for another one of these. Normy's nowhere near ready to be moved from HIS seat and, we're nowhere near ready to shell out the cheddar for another one. I swear they've gone up 25% in two years. 

I did put some water in this cup for her, but I don't thinks she took more than a sip... she sure had fun playing with it though!

In other firsts: her first swing... that lasted like two minutes.

Her first shopping cart trip. OK, this went GREAT! Thank goodness for Sam's Club and their side-by-side kid carts. I LOVE THESE. Usually I do my shopping with her in a wrap on my front, but this was so much more fun... for everyone! The kids had a great time playing together. Normy entertained her by taking her toys, then giving them back to her... over and over and over again. You could just tell, Georgia thought she was a big deal riding around, swinging her legs, and squealing with delight. 

Look out world! Here comes Georgie!

Dancing

Summer Time

This is from our BBQ last Saturday. Just a note: Normy is wearing my shirt. His got trashed at dinner and the dirty clothes down stairs were closer than the clean clothes up stairs as we were heading out... so this is what he got! It isn't a new style in toddler-wear or anything.

Christmas came early this year!

If you needed proof that I am a spoiled princess... here it is. I am so flipping excited I can't hardly stand it. My BOB was delivered today! Not just any BOB... but a doullie! For the last two or three weeks now I've been walking every morning along one of Omaha's amazing trails that just so happens to be out my back door. Previously, I'd been borrowing a neighbors double Peg Perego which pretty much sucks for any walk that isn't a slick flat surface or moving in a straight line. THIS has got to be the least maneuverable stroller ever made. But not tomorrow! Tomorrow I sweat in style. This is so much cooler a stroller I ever thought I'd have! I mean come on, it has SHOCKS!

I'm so dizzy with excitement that it actually seems like a good idea to wake up my two children (who are both peacefully napping AT THE SAME TIME) so that we can go for a walk in our new stroller. I know,  must be delusional with excitement. Oooo! Never mind, as  type this Georgie just started screaming! Maybe She'll wake up her brother! I've got to run! 

The Perfect Weekend

It's been a long time since my little family enjoyed a real weekend together. Smoochy had to work the last two Saturdays in a row; and I can assure you that has put a lot of strain on all of us. And yet, it made us appreciate this past weekend. Sure, there was some work to be done around the house. We (and by we I mean Smoochy) are in the middle of a couple pretty big home improvement projects... But this weekend he ONLY repaired my broken stove, installed a fan, and cleaned out his truck. The rest of the time was family time. And it was wonderful.

One of the few things I accomplished this weekend was hauling the saucer from the depths of the basement and cleaning it off for the kids. I'd say "for Georgia" but Norm has enjoyed it as much if not more than his sister. He became absolutely giddy upon seeing it. I could hardly keep him off it while I dusted it down. It was as though he had been reunited with a long lost friend. And in a way I suppose he has. He crawled right inside and frantically had to spin every dial and twist every knob. It was pretty intense. Further, it's been a good lesson in the concept of "in" and "out". I make him say either "in please" or "out please" depending.  He get's pretty upset if I don't do his bidding instantly. But, I've been thrilled how long he AND Georgie have been playing in it. My friend Holly dubbed it The Toddler Containment Unit. 

"Out Please!"

Georgia's on the sauce.

Together Again!

In other news, as you probably noticed above, Norm got a much needed hair cut. I had been letting it grow since Easter. I wanted to see how long it would take for the hair on his crown to lay down. It never did. He and his dad have amazing gravity defying hair. Perfect for flat-tops, buzz-cuts, and mohawks.  We thought about liberty spikes for, oh like two seconds. We're just not big enough hipsters to have a kid with a mohawk.  Oh well. Too bad for Norm.

Saturday morning started with a trip to the farmers market. 

Then home to the grill...

Sunday was memorable for the water-works...

The weekend truly was perfect.

Living more...

Sleeping less.

Or at least sleeping more on the go. Thank god, they both transfer easily from car to bed. It feels so good to be busy right now. Today so far we've managed an early morning walk along the neighborhood trail with friends; a play date at a wonderful Mom's home with an AMZING play ground IN HER BACK YARD; and I've still managed to scrub the bathroom! Nice. 

However, the kicker for me, tonight the Nebraska Friends of Midwives begins rehearsal for Birth an amazing play by Karen Brody. We're putting it on as part of a national movement: BOLD which stands for Birth on Labor Day. Basically this play can be used as powerful tool to get people in the community talking about the realities facing birthing women today. My friend Holly is the driving force behind this production in Nebraska and I am so proud of her. Today on our walk she told me about a phone call she had with Karen Brody herself. Incredible. Holly has assembled a cast of fabulous and strong women to act in this play, and I feel very honored to be one of them.  I can't wait to meet these ladies tonight! 

I haven't acted since high school. So, I feel a bit rusty, but the part isn't exactly a stretch. Let me quote to you the description of my character:

"Amanda: a 28-year-old stay-at-home mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington. She's athletic, mainstream, but liberal and very confident. Her voice is strong and powerful."

I'd like to think this part will come naturally! ;-)

Anyway, I've linked to the trailer to the play before,  but you should go check it out again. It's pretty powerful stuff. (My character is the "My body rocks! girl!!!)

Also, check out this site Holly designed to promote our play!

In he mean time, I have to go study my lines!

Just Livin' The Dream

We're a busy bunch over here right now. we are trying to squeeze every drop of fun out of this summer. The kids and I are on a mission to "Live More & Clean Less." In fact, that's my new motto. It's all in line with the Babies Don't Keep philosophy. I want to spend more time doing things with the kids and less time trying to coheres them into doing things. You know, like instead of attempting to force Normy to "Quit using the sofa as a playground!" while I attempt to vacuum and dust around him; take him to the real playground. He's happier, I'm less frustrated, and I still get time to do battle with the dust bunnies while he's taking the inevitable killer nap! It's wih that in mind that I submit our most recent photos. Aaaah, ain't life sweet?

Yes, ladies he is so delicious!

I've decided to get a pet...

Meet the newest member of our family...
It's bacteria filled batch of sourdough starter! 

Cool huh? Today I finally ground up some rye flour in order to prepare my starter. For any of you thinking "What the... huh?" I guess back in the days of yore, before bread was made with yeast, bakers let bacteria do all the work. So, to make sourdough bread you let flour soak in water for several (my recipe says seven) days. Every day you add a new cup of flour and a new cup of water and give your pet a nice clean bowl. By the time the starter is ready it should be frothy, bubbly, and smell a little like wine. MmMmm good! 

I've been wanting to try this for months now. I've probably had my rye berries, cheese cloth, and gallon sized glass bowls ready to go for six week. But with all the traveling I've been doing, I didn't think I was ready to commit to my bacteria culture!  Well, the wait is over. In seven days we will be enjoying my first batch of delicious, old fashioned sourdough!

This is just a random picture of Georgia, because it is so beautiful.

Ode to the Papasan

It may be time to retire the papasan and graduate to the exersaucer. This wonderfully padded hammock of a seat has had a damn good run. Indeed both of my children have now used it and loved it. Truly it has gone the distance as Mommy’s-little-helper.



Many of you have been around long enough to be the recipient of a baby when I say:

“Could you just hold the baby a second while I …pee, answer the phone, take the dinner out of the oven, put Normy in time-out, let Jack out, stir the chili, clip a hang nail, load the dirty dishes, tie my shoes, get the mail, fold these last two towels, pick my noes… 

I think you get the idea.

However, when I’m the only one within earshot who’s over two feet tall, to whom do I turn? That’s right, my friend the papasan.


And boy, have I relied on this thing with Georgia. Not as much with Normy. When he was a baby I could simply lay him on a blanket when a short but necessary task had to be accomplished. In those days there was no rambunctious two-year old on the loose, ready at any moment to steam-roll his younger sibling or lob a toy at a small-unprotected head. There have been countless times I have placed Georgia on the other side of a baby-gate in the papasan to be able to leave them both unattended for a moment.



Yet, as you can see, it’s probably no longer safe to leave Georgia in this thing on the table… certainly not while I’m in an other room.

I’ve been hesitant to resurrect the exersaucer from the basement firstly, because I haven’t wanted to take the time to rid it of the layers of grime residual of two moves and a year in the cellar. Secondly, I always felt that I put Normy in it too early and too often. I’ve wondered if that is one of the reasons he always walks on his tip-toes. Yes, (mommy-guilt) it is surely my bad parenting and not his genetic predisposition to toe walking. It means nothing that Smoochy’s step-mom affectionately remembers him as “Little Tip-Tow Boy."

Yes, this is Normy, nearly 3 months old:

Standing on a phone book to better enjoy the saucer! 

Awesome parenting! 

*sigh*

The other thing is, in the papasan, (safely set ON the kitchen table) Georgia can easily be apart of our nightly dinner together. This is the core of our family time with Smoochy working 12+ hour days and now rotating Saturdays (starting today!). She’s not quite ready for a high chair yet… although… on second thought, that might not be that far off.

Which brings me to the point of all of this! Just like her brother, my little Lady-kins is growing up fast. Why didn’t anyone tell me that the second child grows up so much faster than the first? (I wonder if that continues to be the case, or if somewhere after say your fourth kid it takes drastically longer for each consecutive child to grow. So that by the time you’ve had your eighth kid you start thinking “Holy crap! This one’s never going to grow up!”)

Anyhow, at five months and about 19 pounds Georgia has pretty much outgrown all her six-month clothes. She loves sucking on her toes (Normy couldn’t get his fee anywhere near his mouth!); smiling and cooing at her brother; gumming small stuffed animals and dolls to death; and blowing funny noises with her tongue. My favorite trick of her’s, is the way she’ll grab either side of my head and pull me in so that she can EAT MY FACE! Goodness, she is such a lip magnet! I spend all day covering her squishy self with hundreds of kisses. She’s slightly on the spastic side (Don’t know where she would have inherited that trait.) She’ll sit perched on my lap wildly flailing her legs and arms while chanting “He he he hay ha!” The whole while a huge gummy smile splits her face.



Plus, she is such a squealer and a screamer. Where as Normy grunted, Georgia makes these adorable girly squeaks. It is so flipping cute! She sleeps through the night in her own bed. She naps. She rolls over front to back and she smiles big as the moon when her brother comes into view. She plays quietly by herself, and sometimes even gets fussy when she just wants some alone time on a blanket with her toys.



Um… does it sound to you like I have the perfect baby?

Yea, I think so too.

Does this mean she’s going to be a pain in the neck as a teenager?

Naaa! Not my precious little Pigarella!