Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Days like these......
I'm going to preface this post by saying this: There is nothing that I love more then staying home and being mom to my precious baby. Ingrid is a joy, who, most of the time-is really well behaved. I would say most of our days are filled with cuddles, laughter, snacks, Corduroy, kisses, playing catch, flash cards, and probably a few more snuggles. It's not a bad way to live. For some reason, every day after lunch, as I clean up dish's, sweep and vacuum- it hits me. Like clock work. I am so lucky. This is what I am meant to do.
Having said all that....
Sometimes you have days like today.
The morning started off good enough. Ingrid slept in, which is usually a sign of a happy well rested baby. I showered before she woke up, and once the morning dish's were done, and we are all "put together" for the day, I decided we needed to get out of the house and do something fun, something different. Mistake #1. We packed up and left for Cabela's. Ingrid loves anything having to do with animals, so what better on a cloudy winter day then to go look at some stuffed and mounted ones. It started by the stupid stroller not fitting in the car because the stupid latch wouldn't fold. Ingrid is in her car seat crying while I try to quickly stuff the little stroller in the trunk. I get in the car. Deep Breath. Off we go. We arrive at our destination and as I am putting Ingrid in the sroller I ask her "Are you going to be a good girl and behave, Ingrid?" She replies with a sweet "YES!" Good. As soon as she is confined in her stroller with the straps that I can't loosen, because they're still too tight from last summer, she is upset. I try to take off her jacket. The zipper is stuck. I finally get it to unzip. Deep Breath. We look at all the stuffed and mounted animals when I realize Ingrid probably can't see them very well from her stroller...so I decide to take her out and hold her so she has a better view. Mistake #2. And she's off! Ingrid took off like a bat outta hell, running to explore. When I finally caught up with her to put her back in the stroller she sat down and had a full blown melt down. I look around, are people starring?? I finally get her strapped back in her stroller to go look at the fishies. Deep Breath.
I think her face in this picture pretty much says it all......
She enjoyed looking at the fish. She kept saying "Hi fishies!" Maybe we will be okay. Time to head upstairs to look around, I take off towards the elevator. Mistake #3. Ingrid LOVES elevator rides. She will do almost anything to ride that elevator over and over and over. I tell her, "Okay Ingrid, once we get to the 2nd floor then we are all done with the elevator"......we get to the second floor. Full blown melt down. Deep Breath........
The rest of the trip went pretty similar to that. I felt like I had a pretty good work out. My heart was racing, sweat pouring from my brow. But on our way home I glanced in my rear view mirror to see Ingrid looking around, as she sang her heart out....and I ask myself once again "what could be better?"
Later this morning I felt that our day needed some redemption. I think I have a major case of Spring fever coupled with an intense desire to provide exciting, fresh, entertaining activities for Ingrid. I want to show her the world. Hard to do mid March in Minnesota. Anyway, we decided to play outside in the snow, since we finally had a warm day to do it! Yes, there were a few meltdowns. But over all, it was a blast watching her excitement to be outside again.
I have to admit, pieces of me welcomes difficult days like these. It almost feels good, in a very "I-am-woman-hear-me-roar" kind of way. I can handle myself, a house, and a child who is having a bad day with confidence that tomorrow will be better.......and that I can soak up the rest of the day appreciating that I am so very blessed to be Ingrid's mother. The afternoon ended with a bunch of little things that made me happy....
Really Ingrid.....still chewing on your toes?? :)
Jumping UP high!
Her growing locks....
Holding hands....
and lots and lots of Corduroy....
Having said all that....
Sometimes you have days like today.
The morning started off good enough. Ingrid slept in, which is usually a sign of a happy well rested baby. I showered before she woke up, and once the morning dish's were done, and we are all "put together" for the day, I decided we needed to get out of the house and do something fun, something different. Mistake #1. We packed up and left for Cabela's. Ingrid loves anything having to do with animals, so what better on a cloudy winter day then to go look at some stuffed and mounted ones. It started by the stupid stroller not fitting in the car because the stupid latch wouldn't fold. Ingrid is in her car seat crying while I try to quickly stuff the little stroller in the trunk. I get in the car. Deep Breath. Off we go. We arrive at our destination and as I am putting Ingrid in the sroller I ask her "Are you going to be a good girl and behave, Ingrid?" She replies with a sweet "YES!" Good. As soon as she is confined in her stroller with the straps that I can't loosen, because they're still too tight from last summer, she is upset. I try to take off her jacket. The zipper is stuck. I finally get it to unzip. Deep Breath. We look at all the stuffed and mounted animals when I realize Ingrid probably can't see them very well from her stroller...so I decide to take her out and hold her so she has a better view. Mistake #2. And she's off! Ingrid took off like a bat outta hell, running to explore. When I finally caught up with her to put her back in the stroller she sat down and had a full blown melt down. I look around, are people starring?? I finally get her strapped back in her stroller to go look at the fishies. Deep Breath.
I think her face in this picture pretty much says it all......
She enjoyed looking at the fish. She kept saying "Hi fishies!" Maybe we will be okay. Time to head upstairs to look around, I take off towards the elevator. Mistake #3. Ingrid LOVES elevator rides. She will do almost anything to ride that elevator over and over and over. I tell her, "Okay Ingrid, once we get to the 2nd floor then we are all done with the elevator"......we get to the second floor. Full blown melt down. Deep Breath........
The rest of the trip went pretty similar to that. I felt like I had a pretty good work out. My heart was racing, sweat pouring from my brow. But on our way home I glanced in my rear view mirror to see Ingrid looking around, as she sang her heart out....and I ask myself once again "what could be better?"
Later this morning I felt that our day needed some redemption. I think I have a major case of Spring fever coupled with an intense desire to provide exciting, fresh, entertaining activities for Ingrid. I want to show her the world. Hard to do mid March in Minnesota. Anyway, we decided to play outside in the snow, since we finally had a warm day to do it! Yes, there were a few meltdowns. But over all, it was a blast watching her excitement to be outside again.
I have to admit, pieces of me welcomes difficult days like these. It almost feels good, in a very "I-am-woman-hear-me-roar" kind of way. I can handle myself, a house, and a child who is having a bad day with confidence that tomorrow will be better.......and that I can soak up the rest of the day appreciating that I am so very blessed to be Ingrid's mother. The afternoon ended with a bunch of little things that made me happy....
Really Ingrid.....still chewing on your toes?? :)
Jumping UP high!
Her growing locks....
Holding hands....
and lots and lots of Corduroy....
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Home Made Oreo's!
Last week my sister came over for the day and we baked away! (Did I intentionally rhyme? No. Did I exploit the opportunity? Yes) Not only did we bake, but we played with the "baby" (who learned to say "Aunt"..now it's "Aunt Mare-mee"), went to the library, and hung out on Target. It was a fun day! Back to the cookies. Home made Oreo's.......it just sounds good! This was my second time making this recipe, but this time we decided to color the frosting green and blue, in hopes that we could quickly lure springtime to us. You can find the recipe here. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed!
(Ignore how "rustic" my cookies look)
Friday, March 4, 2011
A gift for a friend...
On Tuesday I am getting together with my total BFF from 3rd grade to do some maternity photo's for her. It should be so much fun, I love "shooting" pregnant women! So because in a few short months she will be welcoming her baby boy, I decided to make her a little gift set. I got the diaper cover pattern from my talented friend, Bobbi. When I saw the pattern for this adorable gnome hat, I knew it was a MUST! It looks a little like the Pixie hats I did a while back. Here is the pattern for the too cute gnome hat.
So I've turned into one of those creepy people who models their hat on a doll. Now if someone would just lend me a newborn I wouldn't have to do this!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
VOTE FOR ANDY!!!
Our friend Andy Johnson is a super talented musician and writer. Recently he, his wife, and their adorable baby girl moved do Des Moines where he is part of a childrens ministry. He recently wrote two "jingles" and entered them into contest. One, is for Chapstick, and the other is for Salsa Sensations (a Wal Mart salsa). He made is to the finals for both of his jingles!!! We are asking our friends and family to please vote for him everyday! If he wins he gets a cash prize...and I believe his jingle would be on a commercial too! This is a big deal! Go here to vote for his chapstick video and go here to vote for his salsa sensations video He totally deserves to win! You can vote everyday until the contest ends! DO IT!!!
New Do
After much debate I decided to finally chop the long locks. I've had the same long layered hair since I was 16, so we were majorly due for something different! My goal was to avoid the postpartum chop, and now that Ingrid is well on her way to 2 I figure I am in the clear. I forgot to take a before picture but we figured it was about 9 inches off!.......Ingrid and I were being goofy, and Michael snapped these pics. I love the mid length inverted bob! Change can be good!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
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