Sleeping beauty

I know I'm biased, but she really is amazing.

The best part of maternity leave...

... Is definitely baby snuggles

Making it work

Alex left yesterday for his first work trip since before m was born, so last night it was one on two for the first time. Things went surprisingly well! It was raining so we played a little down stairs and then c got to watch the iPad for a bit while I nursed. M was happy to hang out in the swing while c and I are dinner. In the interest of earning stickers for the chart I made while she was in school c gladly help with M's bath, then we all hung out on c's room before it was time for her bath. Word of warning to anyone watching c going forward - the girl can not be trusted with a hex wrench. I made sure she was only "fixing" toys, but to my surprise she still managed to take a bead toy totally apart. 

The tricky part came after bath time when c was still too amped up to go to bed but m was hollering to be fed. I decided to go with the flow and let c join us in the nursery with her books.

And it worked like a charm. C read quietly only getting up to go get her blanket. M nursed, I got c back in her room and m swaddled and down, and I was in my room for the night by 9. Now to pull off that miracle two nights in a row...

Happy

So just when I thought yesterday's onesie would be the funniest thing I saw all day, I got an email from Caroline. She made this:

http://www.jibjab.com/view/8IAEznsSGqbAB8xb4uxL

I DARE you to watch it without laughing out loud. I don't think it's possible :o)

Doomed

I'm sorry little one, but you're doomed to be a bit of a geek. You've got way too many family members who think this is funny for it to go any other way :o)

Problem solving

What do you do when you have a baby that clearly needs to be swaddled, but it's 85 degrees outside? Why wrap a cooling towel into a baby do-rag of course! The longer I'm a parent the more I realize it's all about making it up as you go :)

Getting out!

On the first Monday of the month we get the house cleaned. It's fantastic, and generally pretty easy logistically. However, being home on maternity leave does mean that I needed to find something to do for the day, so m and I went exploring. In addition to two coffee shops, a lock smith, and noodles and co for lunch, we also explored parks.

Most of the morning was spent on Lake Mendota. It was a beautiful walk.

And when it was time to nurse we settled down with a view of the terrace and the capital.

During the afternoon I tried to hang out here (Lake Wabesa), but the bug defeated me. 

I miss DEET. 

Anyway, nice to have outdoor options that's for sure!