Books Read in May 2015

1. No Limits by Lori Foster (NOTE: This is part of the Ultimate series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
3. Hold Me by Susan Mallery (NOTE: This is part of the Fool's Gold series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Texting Under the Influence by Cara Lockwood
5. Holding Strong by Lori Foster (NOTE: This is part of the Ultimate series. The order of which can be found here.)
6. Back to You by Lauren Dane (NOTE: This is part of the Hurley Boys series. The order of which can be found here.)

I got on a Lori Foster kick after reading one of her free novellas.  I had read the original fighter series so it was fun to revisit her books after a long break.  It took me a long time to get into Fangirl, but I ended up really liking it.  It was hard to follow Eleanor & Park which I just really liked.  Texting Under the Influence is a super enjoyable short story.  I wished it was a little longer, but it was complete and a lot of fun.

May 2015 Weekend Update

Let's see. We had a ridiculously busy May. The first weekend, we had our annual Kentucky Derby party which involved crazy cleaning and cooking. We had chicken parm, pasta, egg rolls, salads, a wide range of foods. Then, some stayed for the fight. It was a lot of fun. The next day, I met a friends for lunch which was always fun.

The second weekend of May, we hit up the elementary school's Fun Fair for a brief time before heading to our Nephew's first birthday party. It was crazy hot but a lot of fun. The next day was Mother's Day. We went to Sister's house for a Mother's Day brunch. We ate a ridiculous amount of delicious food. We celebrated the oldest Nephew's birthday as well.

The third weekend in May, I took the kids to the park. Little Miss met up with a friend there by chance and had a blast. Captain did not like the slide and couldn't really do much as he's not quite walking yet. Also, we got eaten up by mosquitoes which was unfortunate. 

On Sunday, Little Miss had a playdate in the morning. So, I dropped her off before taking Captain to The Taste of Arlington. It was very hot, but he was a trooper. I gave him doughnuts and a lot of other tastes. I would have given him chili, but that was scalding hot so I was a good mama instead. Later, I picked up Little Miss, dropped Captain at home and took her to Taste of Arlington in the evening so she could play games and try some food. Lots of good food. I refused to stand in long lines which is why I like to go when it opens, but there were some great restaurants there. I felt the variety was better than in the past, but the lines are still obnoxious after 2PM.

The fourth week of the month, we hung out at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's pool with the In-laws.  It was great.  The weather was a bit cool, but the kids went in the pool anyway.  We ate a lot and chatted.  On Sunday, we went wedding dress shopping with Sister.  We were all very successful.  She chose a dress.  The attendants chose dresses, and we have an idea of what to do for Little Miss.  On Monday, we hit the driving range before going to my parents' pool.  Captain walked around the baby pool for a long time, fighting sleep.  Little Miss had a good time, but I think she missed someone to play with.  

The last weekend in May, Little Miss and I woke early to clean up the school's courtyard.  Every bug seemed to get a taste of me.  After, we wanted to go to the pool, but we were too tired (read that as I was too tired).  So, I took a nap and chose to do nothing instead. 

On Sunday, Little Miss woke up sick so she stayed on the couch with Husband while she recovered.  I took Captain to my parents' house so he could see my grandparents.  They were tickled by him - as they should be.  It was an exhausting month.  June seems busy but not nearly as busy.

Movies Watched in May 2015

1. 22 Jump Street
2. Pitch Perfect 2
3. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Month of sequels, I guess. I did not like 22 Jump Street as much as the first one. I didn't like Pitch Perfect 2 as much as the first one. I thought Avengers was good, maybe only marginally less than the first one. It was darker, not as much fun as the first one, but it was still good. I think it was definitely above Little Miss's attention span and maturity level even if she loves Scarlet Witch.

Mini Milestone

The baby is still refusing to walk as a main mode of transportation though he has demonstrated that he has the ability, just not the desire.  That's fine.  Little Miss walked at 14-15 months.

That out of the way, I've been working with him on using a cup for 6 months now.  He never holds his bottle so it's been a challenge to get him to hold a cup.  He'll drink from a sippy cup if I hold it for him, but I'm not going to hold his cup for him. I had a hard spout and a flexible spout. He greeted with the same level of enthusiasm - none. He got pretty good at throwing the cups, too. So, a week ago, a friend suggested these cups. I purchased, and they delivered yesterday. This morning, I gave him some water, and he picked up the cup and drank. Just like that! It'll take awhile before I'll take him off the bottle completely only because it's day one with the cup. I'll keep his milk in a bottle until he starts to really intake liquids from the cup and then make the switch.

He's great at eating any and all food.  He's just bad at figuring out when to chew and swallow so, with meats in particular, he chokes and vomits which is lovely.  My thought is that's the only way he's going to learn to shove less food in his mouth.  In the meantime, we're limiting how much food is on his tray so he can't overstuff.  There's not much food he won't eat though he loves Cheerios (as do all kids).  Shortly, I'll be able to cook him up some toddler food, but I don't think he's there yet.  I do roast him veggies and give those to him.  He likes the sweet potatoes and black bean mix, but he just really enjoys any food that we're eating.  Makes him feel like a big boy and so proud of himself.

Conversations with Little Miss

Little Miss, Captain, and I were walking home yesterday.  Little Miss is literally poking her brother.  He hates it.  He's pushing her away and fussing.  So, I tell her to stop.  He's telling her he doesn't like it.  She says, "But I'm the big sister.  I'm supposed to bug him."  I told her, as a big sister, I understood, but as the mom, I have to tell her to stop.  

And that began an entire evening where she acted like my sole purpose was to ruin her life.

Husband often asks how the two of us will be when she turns a teenager.  I told him it won't be a problem.  One of us won't last that long.  

Baby Turns 1!

Baby turned 1.  Ridiculous, right?  As planned prior to his birth, his birthday theme was The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Yes, I have planned next year's theme, too.  Don't judge.  I didn't go all out, and it was super low-key and relaxing.  It was the easiest birthday party I've ever planned.  Here are the goody bags...

More goody bags and the hat my mom made him when he was born.  It still fits him, but his motor skills are developed enough to rip it off his head immediately.  Better picture of the book and hat.

Thanks to a friend, we had caterpillars, signs and butterflies to post everywhere.  I stuck close to the fruits and chose some of the Saturday foods.  I also made some salads to keep the adults filled.   It was a 2PM party so we didn't have the pressure of serving an actual meal.

I printed out all of the weekly photos and placed them around the center column as a giant caterpillar.  It came out better than I imagined.  

We bought an ice cream cake.  Luckily, Coldstone Creamery had one because I waited too long to order one anywhere else.  The smallest Coldstone size was cheaper than the similar size at Baskin Robbins, too, so we all lucked out.  I made the number one and caterpillar out of clay because I'm too cheap to buy it off of Etsy for $40+.  I think they came out cute and came out to be like $3.

It was a great party.  I like to keep them small at this age so it was really just best friends and immediate family.

On his actual birthday, as tradition dictates, I got him an overpriced cupcake.  He was hesitant to eat it at first until Husband put a piece of frosting in his mouth.  After that, he inhaled the entire thing.  He was done very quickly.  While he was eating, he also went to work on the other end and was a giant stinky mess at the end.  Husband chose the diaper end, and I chose to clean up the high chair.  It took us both about 20 minutes to get everything and everyone back to their original shape.

Also, as with Little Miss, Baby has outgrown the nickname Baby.  We've thought about it, and his nickname is going to be Captain.  Husband calls him Commander.  Technically, I call him Captain Crankypants, but that won't keep his dignity intact as he gets older.  It will be appropriate from time to time though.  He'll always be my little baby.

April 2015 Weekend Update

April was the beginning of a very busy time for us.  If we get through to Memorial Day, we can tackle anything.  The first weekend was Easter and the end of Spring Break.  Little Miss had a great Spring Break.  It started with a little bit of sickness, but she rallied and got to enjoy 2 days down in Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.  The next day, she went to Mount Vernon which she has been asking to visit for months now.  That night, we had dinner with friends of mine.  Little Miss hit it off with her kids and asks about them constantly.

For the Saturday before Easter, we went over to Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's for dinner.  We had an early dinner and had a relaxing evening playing video games and watching the babies play.  On Easter Sunday, we hung out at my parents' house for a bit.  We had a relaxing dinner and I brought some cupcakes for dessert.

The second weekend of April was the Masters.  We had hockey that morning and then went to my sister and future Brother-in-Law's for a housewarming party.  My aunt and uncle were in town.  My uncle had yet to meet the baby.  It was a lot of fun.  On Sunday, we (and a billion people) went to see the Cherry Blossoms in their peak.  It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day.  Little Miss really had a blast though.  Baby was less than impressed, but he was very well-behaved.

The third weekend in April was ridiculously hot.  I went to the Nats/Phillies game for my friend's birthday.  Then, we went to dinner and out on the town.  I'm still recovering, I think.  It was a blast though.  That Sunday, Little Miss had a birthday party for one of her good friends.  

The third weekend was the baby's birthday party.  I'm in denial that he is 1.  That will be a separate post.  That Sunday, Little Miss had ANOTHER birthday party for a friend.  Afterwards, Little Miss and I went to The Melting Pot for dinner together.  I had a Living Social deal that expired so I took her as a treat.  She was great at the restaurant and eating, but next time, I'm thinking we'll just do the chocolate.  

Movies Watched in April 2015

1. Muppets Most Wanted
2. Maleficient

To be honest, I have a little of Maleficient left, but I plan on watching it tonight. I'm glad we rented Muppets Most Wanted. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as fun as the previous. Slow movie month, but it's the beginning of a very busy Spring. Hopefully, with a few good ones in May, I can pick that up. I have a few on DVR waiting to be watched, too.

Books Read in April 2015

1. Still the One by Jill Shalvis (NOTE: This is part of the Animal Magnetism series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. Love After All by Jaci Burton (NOTE: This is part of the Hope series. The order of which can be found here.)
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. Hard Knocks by Lori Foster (NOTE: This is part of the Ultimate series. The order of which can be found here.)

In preparation to the sequel of To Kill a Mockingbird, I did a reread. I really enjoyed it this time around. I'm curious to see what the sequel will hold this summer. The others were romances to help come down from The Nightingale and balanced out To Kill a Mockingbird.

Week 52

Week 51

Week 50

So big!

Baby is standing!  He's done it before, but he really started standing quite a bit yesterday and loves to show off.  He's still taken a step here and there, but I would not call it walking by any stretch.  His increased exercise has increased his appetite.  It seems he's always hungry yet never tired.  This one is not a napper like his sister, but he is good-natured at least.  He gets a short morning nap and a longer afternoon nap.  He only sleeps in his crib though so if we're out, he stays up.  I haven't tested being out all day to see if he'd ever given in and sleep in the stroller.  He will nap in the car though.  

Movies Watched in March 2015

1. Kingsman: The Secret Service
2. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
3. Home

Mediocre month.  I really liked Kingsman despite the fact that I'm a baby about violence in film.  I binge-watched Kimmy Schmidt.  I didn't love it as much as a lot of critics, but I found it funny in parts.  Little Miss really wanted to see Home so we went with Sister and Nephew.  It was cute, but it didn't make any list of favorites for me.

Books Read in March 2015

1. Fever by Maya Banks (NOTE: This is part of the Breathless series. The order of which can be found here.)
2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
3. Scandal and the Duchess by Jennifer Ashley (NOTE: This is part of the Mackenzies/McBride series. The order of which can be found here.)
4. Rules for a Proper Governess by Jennifer Ashley (NOTE: This is part of the Mackenzies/McBride series. The order of which can be found here.)
5. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (NOTE: This is part of the Narnia series. The order of which is a bit debated. Do you read in order which it was written or published. If you want to explore either, the orders can be found here.)

The Nightingale really ruined me for other books.  I almost wanted to reread it, but it made me too sad.  So, I read some romances that I had collected but not read and now have been reading some Classics.  Currently, I'm reading To Kill a Mockingbird for example.  I do highly recommend The Nightingale if you're looking for a WWII novel set in France.  Good stuff even if it is a bit heartbreaking at times.

Week 49

Week 48

Food, Glorious Food

Baby loves to eat.  He was slow to take to it, but he loves it.  He hates feeding himself.  He just looks at me and then looks at the food like, "OK, go to it!"  I've been trying to get him to feed himself more.  He will eat his snacks - Puffs, Cheerios, the occasional piece of meat.  I get that fruit is slippery and some of the softer foods are harder to grasp, but he doesn't even try.

Last weekend, I put him down for awhile to give it a go.  He ate some, but he stuffed his face and then choked.  I let him figure out what to do, and he did get better.  I slipped him some food once in awhile, too, to make sure he was eating instead of just smooshing it all into the tray.

He mostly swept it all to the floor.  He seemed upset by this.  At least, it was accidental.  Little Miss used to drop her food to the floor.  I'm sure he'll learn that trick eventually.  In the meantime, it's time to break out the tarp again.  Good thing I kept it from Little Miss though I keep joking that I'm going to put it beneath Husband's chair.

Eventually, I gave in, fed him some food, and then just took him out to have his bottle.  This is the very excited face he got when he saw I was cleaning up and the exercise in torture was over.  I have a suspicion, he knew he'd hold out longer than I.

At the end of the evening, he had a challenging diaper, but then there was a bonus one that didn't leak but it just was a scene out of a movie.  He kept rolling and kicking, and he just had the mess everywhere - on his feet, on his hands.  I was positive that he was going to eat it.  I cleaned him off, but I just felt like he was never going to be clean again so I just ran a bath and plunked him in it.  It was quite the end of the day!  Good thing he's so darned cute.

Hockey

Little Miss has been enjoying Learn to Hockey Skate.  We don't feel like they're doing too much with her, but we'll see.  I don't get to be as much of a spectator as I have been in the past as Baby doesn't like to sit and watch or hang out.  He likes to be on the move.  I usually walk him around.  Last weekend, he ate an entire fruit cup.  His favorite was, surprisingly, the pineapple.  

 We have another month to go so we'll see how much Little Miss progresses.  She enjoys it at least.  At this point, that's the most important part.  

March 2015 Weekend Update

This month, Little Miss started Learn to Hockey Skate.  She has taken a year off of skating so we were a little worried.  Husband took her to Free Skate during a snow day - and it was a good thing.  She still needs to gain her confidence back, but she's on par with half the class.  The other half is really ridiculously good.  The first weekend of the month, we also had dinner with the In-Laws for their birthday.

 The babies are ridiculously cute - as are all the older cousins.  Baby doesn't sleep when he is outside of his bed or car so he stayed awake the entire evening entertaining everyone.  He gets slightly fussy, but it's not too bad.  He did some pretty good sleeping when we got home.

 The next morning, Little Miss and I went and met Brother-in-Law and Nephew at the trampoline park.  Little Miss jumped like crazy and had a great time with her older cousin.

The second weekend in March, I went to some of the hockey lesson before leaving to meet a friend at the mall where we had lunch before a movie.  It was a really fun afternoon.  After, we walked around the mall where I snagged a pair of cheap pants for Baby at Baby Gap.  He has a handful of clothes but mostly tops and not a lot in this odd 9 month size.  We did practically nothing on that following Sunday, but the weather was horrible so it was a good day to stay inside.

The third weekend in March, we did hockey and then I went to a pot luck with friends (see earlier post in the month).  I went to bed early that night.  On Sunday, the kids and I went to hang with my mother and had a brief cameo by Sister and Future-Brother-in-Law.  We had lunch and hung out and then went to Old Navy for a bathing suit for Little Miss.  We made a brief stop at the mall so Mom could buy me these jeans.  She was obsessed with these size 0 jeggings for less than $3.  She figured I was the only one who could wear them so I must have them.  

The last weekend of March, we went to hockey.  Then, Little Miss and I met up with Sister and Nephew for a movie.  After, Little Miss went to a sleepover with the Inlaws and the other nephew.  Poor girl got sick in the middle of the night, but she recovered by Sunday evening.  Meanwhile, Husband and I used up some anniversary gift cards and got some take out.  I hit up Trader Joe's for some treats (not really treats, but I don't make the visit often so I like to stock up on things I can't find anywhere else when I go).  Also, I was introduced to cookie butter.  O.M.G.  On Sunday, Husband went to hang out with a friend while I held down the fort at home.  I mostly kept the baby fed while Little Miss slept off her bug and I binge watched Season 2 of Hannibal.  Baby also was a firework of bodily functions so that was exciting.