Check, check, and check

Today was a great day. We had many things on our to-do list and we got them all done! I love days like that. This morning I went to the great Arkansas Certified Farmer's Market and bought some fabulous produce including purple-hulled beans/peas, jalapenos, squash, etc... A funny story about the purple-hulled beans: This month I was in North Carolina when we had to pick up our basket so T picked it up. There was a ziploc bag of little beans and I asked him what they were. He said, "Um, the girl told me what they were called but I forgot." I said, "Uh, how am I supposed to know what they are and how to cook them?" I had never seen anything like it. They looked similar to black-eyed peas but larger and pinker. So luckily, my friend Melanie also gets the basket and she remembered what they girl said they were called. So I asked a friend how to cook them and she gave me a great recipe and we looved them over rice. So I had to buy some more today at the market. Yum.

Also on our list was to recaulk the shower and bathtub which is being done as we speak. Such a hassle, but so worth it in the end. Our front porch was looking so lonely and we have had some amazing evenings lately, so we decided we needed some furniture. Lucky for me, Pier 1 was having their huge sale so we got some great red chairs for the porch.

And last but not least, we started a compost! We kept meaning to but never got around to it. In the basket this month was a huge watermelon and a huge cantaloupe and the rinds inspired us to start one. So T went and got the wire mesh stuff and built it and we made our first contribution to Mother Earth. Since CB wears gdiapers, the wet ones can also be composted which I'm thrilled about. Also, at night we put him in earth-friendly disposables and the genius Swede that invented them made them out of corn so they're also compostable (as long as there's no poop, of course). So great. (P.S. These diapers, baby wash, shampoo, etc... are on sale right now at Target which made me so happy.) Now all we need is some great plants to fertilize with our soon-to-be delicious compost.

Pros & Cons of the Pup Tent

When CB was born, we debated what of the millions of baby gadgets we would want and would be the most useful. There are bouncy seats, swings, Bumbo seats, exersaucers, play gyms, mats, light up this and that, movies, etc... It's actually unbelievable when you go into Babies R Us (our nemesis store) to register and they give you the "New Parents Must-Have Checklist". It is a full ridiculous page of things that you NEED? I don't think so. We want to be more minimalistic. He can be just as happy looking at his own foot as some ridiculous toy, so why bother? Every study says it's so much better for them to interact with people and see real things moving and colors as opposed to light up and make-annoying-sounds toys. So really he only has a few simple toys, most of which are hand-me-downs, and a fabulous Baby Bjorn bouncy seat and a travel-size swing to sit in while Trav gets ready for work in the morning.

For traveling we debated buying a Pack 'n Play but thought they didn't seem very travel-friendly. They fold up, but are still pretty big, and the one time he slept in one in a hotel in Branson, Missouri, he didn't sleep well. But mostly it was the size that was the deterrant. So I did research to see what else is out there. There are little mats that fold up and are very compact, but I thought they seemed like a waste of money. If it's only a little mat, I can just make one myself out of blankets when we travel.

Eventually I saw this little Peapod. We like to call it the Pup Tent. It's like a tiny tent with an inflatable air mattress, UV-protection (in case CB needs a nap while at the beach in Arkansas :), and zip mesh so bugs can't get in, etc... It was on a special clearance at babycenter and it seemed like a great idea. It folds down into a tiny bag that can easily fit in a suitcase and is lightweight and very portable. So those are the advantages. A few disadvantages are the blanket/cover that covers the air mattress is slick like those stinky satin sleeping bags so the first night CB kept sliding half-way out. His upper body was still in the pup tent but his legs were out on the floor. Might have contributed to the 5+ times he woke up. The solution seemed to be to zip him in, but once he was soothed and I laid him in there for sleep, I didn't want to zip the things up because it's so loud. So the solutions I came up with are: 1) flip the air mattress cover over so he is lying on the non-slick side. 2) use a sleep positioner to prevent the moving 3) cover the mattress with an extra fleece blanket so he doesn't get cold (since air beds are always freezing). So overall, I'm a fan. It's very easy to store and easy to use. Just a few minor adjustments and last night was a much better night for all. :)

Now all you experienced jet-setting moms need to post your ideas of how to make traveling easier on babies and kids. The flying and traveling part went great, but now I'm just trying to figure out how to keep him well-rested and make sure he has good days and good nights. Tips?

Cirque Du Soleil Called...

They are interested in Charlie's skills.

Cutest and Sweetest

That's our most common nickname for CB. And Anj captured his fun personality while she was here. Wish I were as talented with a camera as she is. Luckily, we're related so CB is well-documented. And yes, I am a very proud mama. :) Check it here.

ABC

A- Attached or single: attached- although that seems like it's a negative thing, like I'm bound with chains

B- Best Friend: Trav, my fam, Hymes, Cassie, and now Charlie Boy, my all-time hangout partner

C-Cake or Pie: pie, but if crisp were an option, i'd say that instead

D-Day: every other Saturday when I'm not working. We get to run together and shop and hang.

E- Essential Item: Mascara

F-Favorite Color: pink, although green is creeping up there lately

G-Gummi Bears or Worms: yum, love gummis: Haribo gummy bears (right Doge?), sour patch kids, sour fruit salad, love all gummies

H-Home town: Fres-Yes, Cali

I-Indulgences: long runs on the river, spa days, shopping

J- January or July?: definitely July, I am not a fan of winter

K-Kids: 1 little charlie boy miracle

L-Life is incomplete without: family, friends, happiness

M- Marriage Date: 24 April 2004

N-Number of Siblings: 4- 3 sisters and 1 bro

O- Oranges or Apples: apples w peanut butter, yum

P- Phobias or Fears: loss of a family member

Q- Quote: "When in situations of stress, we wonder if there is anymore in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows us perfectly, placed us here to succeed." Elder Neal A Maxwell

R- Reason To Smile: CB's smiles

S- Season: Spring and Summer: swimming, sunshine, runs outside, flowers

T- Tag Four: Lis, Bean, Doge, Jess

U- Unknown fact about me: I like the smell of E coli growing on a plate

V- Very Favorite Store: hm... if I had no financial budget, I'd say armani exchange, club monaco, nordy, shopbop

W- Worst Habit: judgmental

X-Rays or Ultrasounds: I'd rather have neither, but ultrasounds aren't bad

Y-Your favorite food: Thai, Indian, vegetarian

Z: Zodiac Sign: Aries

No Machine Needed

Right before CB was born we went to this fabulous fabric store, Cynthia East, and bought fabric to make curtains. CB was born the next day so the project obviously got put on hold. Now, almost 5 months later, the project is completed! Hallelujah. And I must say, I'm quite pleased. Part of the delay was due to the fact that somehow in the move from North Carolina to Little Rock, the knee lever for my antique sewing machine got lost. I have no idea how. It has a spot in the case and is anchored there very securely, but you can't put anything past movers, I guess. So I've been searching on ebay for the knee lever, contacted the company, etc... but to no avail. Sad. My mom's old sewing machine from college might have seen its last ride.

Luckily for me, some genius invented Stitch Witchery. The name explains it all. It's this crazy mesh netting stuff that can be steamed to fabric and it binds it so you don't have to sew. It's used for quick hems. So I decided to give it a try because its only cons are that sometimes it doesn't hold in the wash. But how many times will I be washing these curtains anyways? Then I found some great trim at Cynthia East to make a little tie back (hand-stitched the ends and used adhesive velcro). Now our house is coming together, just in time for us to enjoy before we might have to move...

Long Nights, Nice Days

This past week Beth & Anj were here visiting and we had so much fun. CB loved hanging out with Grandma and Auntie Anj (to be pronounced like "Aunge" like a Brit would say orange). And Anj took some fab photos with her newly-discovered skills as a photographer (to be posted at a later date). I think CB knew they were here and wanted to spend as much time with them as he could because his naps were short and his night sleep was short as well. And the second Beth left, he slept for over 2 hours for his nap. All that fun just wore him out, I guess. Last night was the best night yet. He went to bed at 6:30pm and slept until 4:30am. I fed him and then he slept until 6:30! Hurray! Then he was dunzo. I guess 12 hours is long enough. :) He was laying in his bed with his arms sprawled just waiting for someone to get him out. We were cracking up.