Woof Woof

This morning could mark the cutest thing ever so far in the history of my two girls. We started out with Avery in the swing, and Rowan on my chest, in her baby carrier. After about 20 minutes, we walked around the yard, and went to the fence to see our neighbour's chickens.

Our dog, Diogi, also known as Gogi or Pogi, started barking at the chickens. Apparently this was the funniest thing ever in Rowan's life because she was giggling hysterically, like I've never heard from her. Then I said, "Avery, puppy dog says 'woof woof'". Well, Avery turns and says back, "wooh wooh", and repeats it over and over. We must have stood there for about 5 straight minutes, Diogi and Avery woofing at the chickens, and Rowan laughing into baby hysterics.

You could say that was about the sweetest thing ever, and I'm blogging it, so I never forget it.

Puzzles

I have to say I'm amazed with Avery daily, but she really surprised me recently. She's had two wooden puzzles for a long time, and I didn't care if she chewed them up because they are wood, but I took them away, 6 months ago, with the intent she'd do the puzzles as she got older, and we'd have all of the pieces. I brought them back out, and she surprised me by taking all of the pieces out, and putting them back all by herself, with no help from me.

And like these puzzles, she is really into the stacking, building, and putting things together stage of development. A trick that has been working so far while grocery shopping is putting the canned goods by her, in the cart, and she stacks them while I get the shopping done. That is until we get a cookie from the bakery. I think that is probably the best part of grocery shopping to her.

Her obsession for the last couple of days is lining up the three pictures on my windowsill, in my bedroom, while I put on my mandatory daily mascara. I don't look human without it.

Lining up the pictures, standing on the head board

And so the tantrums can be a little wearing, but the best part of this growing little person is watching her become who she is. Be it motor skills, new words, a favourite book, or a rare kiss for Momma, I feel so lucky to be her first guide in life.

Can't forget Rowan, she plays in this noise machine, while Avery plays in the window

Cozy Time

The monster now likes to keep the cozy feeling a little longer in the mornings, and requires her favourite blanket to be brought out of her crib, and wrapped around her. Her morning starts waiting for porridge, Red River is the favourite, and since I need about 20 minutes to make the cereal, and change Rowan, Avery usually watches Sesame Street, and reads library books, in her cozy pink blanky.

The blanky pulls my heart strings because I was a blanky kid, too. It also reminds me of when my yoga teacher tells us to bring some of shavasna home with us, and it's like Avery takes a piece of her cozy time with her, too. Cute.

Walking with her book and blanky

The fuzzy side is ultra cozy

Solids

Well we've officially hit the 6 month mark with Rowan, and have brought out the sippy cup, bowls, and spoons. Back to making my own baby food, and freezing it. Sooo easy. I waited until Steve was home to give her her first cereal, as it's a photo opportunity. Enjoy!

Here comes the first bite

What is this?

Not bad, not bad

Hot Lemon Ginger

Pregnancy, nursing, tandem nursing, pregnancy, nursing: This has been the story of my life for 2.5 years now. I woke up today feeling the edge of a cold bug feeling. Achey, tired, sore throat, basically like my immune system is saying slow down again. Since I can't take anything that could transfer through my milk, besides Tylenol and Advil, which I'm on the fence about, I make myself a hot lemon ginger. It's pretty easy, but I thought I'd share how. :)

-1 lemon peeled
-1-2" of freshly grated ginger
-mug of water, the one you'll drink from, full
-2 tbsp honey

I put the peeled lemon in my magic bullet, with the ginger. You could use a blender or food processor. Once it's blended well, I put the puree in a pot on the stove, with my mug full of brita water. I actually pour the water in the bullet cup that had the puree, so I get all of the puree out. Bring the water and puree to a boil, stir in honey, strain into mug, and let it cool to good drinking temp.
Like I said, super easy, but effective natural remedy.

Axl Rose

Today on our drive home from Superstore, Avery kept yelling, "Woah-a-woah, woah-a-woah, woah-a-woah." We were listening to my all time favourite band, Guns 'n' Roses. That's right, I've got a mini Axl Rose on my hands.

Fred and Wilma

Here they are, our costumes from Saturday night. This is before we went to the party. It was super awesome, and fun to be alone with Steve. He did get way too drunk to drive, and I was really upset with him because he kept saying it was my night, on the way there. We got d.d's to drive our car home, and so it was alright. I guess. Daddy Dumb Dumb moment, but really everyone was pretty sauced. I just wish I'd have known before I cracked a third beer because I could have saved us $100. Yep. But I knew I couldn't drive the 45 minute drive home after that.

The next day was the longest day of my life, and I've come to decide that being hungover with babies is the worst thing ever. It's really not worth it. I'm just glad that Steve was here, and we were able to take shifts between parenting and sleeping.

Truthfully, I had a hard time missing Rowan. I knew Avery would be fine if she woke up to Jenna, but Rowan is just Mommy sucky all the way. She refused the bottles, and cried basically the whole time we were gone. I feel so bad about it, but I know Jenna is amazing with babies, and she says it was ok, but I can't help it. Sigh, I hope she gets better with time. She is definitely more challenging than Avery ever was.

C'est la vie.