Monday Montage

A brief montage for today-- I didn't take many pictures last week for some reason, then we were busy working around the house and running to Ikea for Ty's big boy bed (which of course they had only one left, and a woman grabbed it right before we did, so we have to go back on Wednesday when they get more).  We ended up getting the mattress and just putting it on the floor, and Ty LOVES it!  We're going on day 2, and he's slept all night and napped on it, and didn't get off to play.  The boy loves his sleep!  And Lily moved into the crib in her own room, and damn near took a 2 hour nap today.  I guess she appreciates all the room she has now!

Without further adieu...

She has the same type of blanky that Ty does-- both were gifts from a family friend.

Ty LOVES jumping in leaves.

Dixie never slept on her own dog bed, but is now cuddling with Hemi on his.

Hanging out in the backyard.

Ty was fascinated by this fuzzy black caterpillar.

More leaf piles.

We found a Waffle House!  Only a one hour drive away in south Austin.

Monday Montage

With my new fun camera, I've been taking a lot of pictures.  So I thought I would post some of my faves every Monday from the week before.  Enjoy!

Lily gazes up from her play mat.

She also enjoys some blanket time.

 

My little Picasso.

Rocking Lily to sleep while watching "The Office."

I took Ty to a mother and son playgroup at the local Transportation Museum.  He LOVES trains right now.

Ty's expression when the train started moving.

Lily gazes adoringly at her big brother.

Those bubbles didn't last long- Ty poured it onto the floor as soon as I turned my back.

So what?

As a parent, I am constantly questioning how I am raising my kids.  The news is full of research that makes us second-guess what we are doing.  Will my kids be holy terrors because I don't spank?  Will letting Lily sleep in our bed cause her to never be independent?  Will my kids have low IQ's because they weren't breast fed?  Will Ty still be rocking BumGenius diapers in kindergarten because he's not potty trained yet?*

*The answer to the above questions is no.

The other day I mentioned to a friend that I was creating a bad habit with Lily.  She usually sleeps in the sling for her afternoon nap and when she falls asleep at night.  My friend looked at me and said, "So what?"  The more I thought about it, I agreed.  So what?  She's sleeping.  Sure, it may be harder to get her to sleep on her own, or to learn to self-soothe.  But right now, she needs me to help her get to sleep.  Hell, she's not even 4 months old yet! 

It got me thinking about other "So what?" parenting decisions that I have made.

:: My children love to sleep close to us-- in a sling, or on our bed.

:: I let Ty watch TV.

Here, Ty does the "We Did It!" dance from Dora

 :: My kids love to play in ugly, plastic exersaucers.

:: My son used a pacifier until he was 2.

:: I took my baby out in public at 5 days old.

:: I let my son occasionally color on the walls.

Because then he has to clean it up.

Fun with black and white

Still learning this whole Photoshop thing, bear with me!

Product rave

I have been suffering from some nasty dry hands this winter.  What with the constant hand-washing, and the ever-changing south Texas temperature, the tips of my fingers have been scary!  I was terrified to touch my sleeping children, out of fear that my scaly fingers would cause them to wake up screaming.  My knuckles throbbed with pain every time I brushed them against something.

While walking in Target last night, I happened upon Neutrogena's Deep Moisture Hand Cream.  The packaging swore that it "turns even extra-dry hands into completely touchable hands."  Out of desperation, I bought some.

My, oh my!  It's a miracle!  My silky smooth carnie hands have been restored!

My hands feel so much better!  And I haven't even put it on that often, just when I happen to see it in the bedroom.

And the scent is Butter Cream.  Mmmmmm!

In which I want to cuss out Blogger

I spent 2 days on this damn post.  Not because it was insightful or riveting, but because I'm a slacker, and procrastinated.  I ranted about the shooting in Arizona.  I posted pictures of my kids, and wrote witty little sayings.  Then for some reason, Blogger chose to not only NOT post this fantastic, verbally brilliant post of mine, but to not honor my copy and paste!  To hell with you, Blogger!  (But I'll keep you because you're usually easy to post with.)

Let me try this one more time.

::It is deceptively warm outside.  

Check out the rock wall that Steve built!

 Blue skies, bright sun...but then you walk outside.  YOWZA!  It's 40 degrees!  In other words, really freakin' cold here in South Texas!  We're freezing our asses off!  (Stop laughing, Northerners, Midwesterners, Coloradans, and Georgians-experiencing-snow-and-ice!)

::Lily needs barrettes in her hair.  I struggled with this, because I'm not a fan of big bows on my kid (on others, adorable!)  I also didn't want anything plastic or glittery in her hair.  I should have known that the best store ever (aside from their endorsement of asshole candidates) would have what I was looking for.

::Ty likes to help with laundry/pull it all out so he can lounge in the basket.

  
::I made Tofu Peanut Udon Noodles the other night, while talking on the phone with my mom in Georgia.  When I told her what I was cooking, she was skeptical.  "Do you think Ty will eat that?" she asked.

He's a fan!

::Sometimes, Mama just needs a break.

Thank you, swing and "Fresh Beat Band"

My man Paul

I love Paul Newman.  Not just for his acting abilities (incredible though they are).  Nor for his amazing philanthropy.  Nor his gorgeous blue eyes.  No, I love Paul because of his food.  I loves me some Newman's Own brand.

I was introduced to Newman's Own as a college student in Atlanta.  I spent many weekends during college at a Georgia Tech fraternity.  The brothers were pretty loyal to Newman's Own products, as Paul was a Phi Tau alum (though not at Tech).  I started trying some of his stuff as well, and loved it.  I also love that there is an organic line, and it's all reasonably priced.  Currently, I drink Newman's Own breakfast blend in the mornings.  It's sooo good!  And while grocery shopping yesterday, I came across something new in the Newman brand: Newman's Own Cabernet Sauvignon. 

I don't plan to post wine reviews on here, mainly because I rarely venture out from my favorite (La Di Da Sweet Red-- $5.98 at my HEB).  But when I saw this bottle of wine, I knew I had to try it.  And even though I'm mostly a sweet wine drinker, I give this cabernet two thumbs way up!  I totally dig it.  And it's still within my price range (about $10).

Cheers!  Thanks, Paul!

My husband made me laugh.  I swear I'm not drunk off of one glass!

I highly recommend this wine.  And the rest of the Newman's Own brand.  I've never been disappointed by it, and I admire the fact that the family donates the profits to charity.

My son hates me

Ty at 6 am, rarin' to go

Why else would he have chosen the ungodly hour of 5 am to wake up?  Especially after he should have known that I only got 3 1/2 to 4 hours of sleep last night.  He is so inconsiderate!  And my daughter is even worse.  She should have known that her brother was going to get up at 5, so why did she wake up to eat at 4?  They're out to get me, I swear.

Lily at a more reasonable hour-- 8 am

At least they're cute.  That's their only saving grace!

Of course, I realize how lucky I am.  I hear of kids who are up for the day (every day) before the sunrise.  A friend of mine is dealing with a newborn who wants to eat every 45 minutes throughout the night, as well as an almost 2 year old.

But if I'm up again tomorrow at 5 am, I'm going to take that as a sign that my ass needs to be in bed by 9 at night.  Bummer.