the park

the park, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

We had a great trip to the park last week. Matthew ran around and was pretty darn happy to be out of the house.

I was surprised at how scary this particular park seemed for such a little guy (or rather for his mom, since Matthew didn't seem to be scared at all- amazingly). There were some HUGE slides- rock walls for climbing, and a plastic tree trunk for kids to climb up- which HAD to be at least 10 feet high, if not 12 or more....

high bridge, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

This is as close to the tall slides as Matthew made it- he'd have had to cross this bridge to get to the slide- and I was really happy when he chickened out.

dirt digging, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

and here's a sampling of the dirt/ mulch on the play ground. Matthew had a fun time playing in it- but did not like it when his sweaty leg skidded on the slide, which caused him to turn around backwards, fall back on his back and into the dirt as he rolled himself from his back to his belly- head first.
He was a trooper though- he was more upset that he had dirt on his shirt and in his mouth than he was about falling.

He wears a helmet when I drive too...

IMG_3167, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

So it's not just Dad's driving...
Also- he carries his pirate sword in his pocket- and keeps a hand on it-ready to draw his weapon at a moments notice.

see ya later germs!

Hi mom., originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

So, it's official- We all HAVE to stay in good health now- mainly Matthew... if he gets a cold, they won't let him come to visit while in the hospital... I guess in reality they wouldn't know if he'd been sick or not- and it's our household and our sickness and they'd end up in the same house with in 2 or 3 days anyway...

There's a lot of silly stuff though that "they" do. In class last night we talked about mandatory (and optional) shots and tests... State law requires eye antibiotic be given/ used on the baby one hour after birth- they eye ointment's purpose? Preventing blindness caused be Maternal gonorrhea... um- yeah, we all need that done, right?
We were told 'off the record' that when no one was looking, we could wipe the stuff off... it's funny to me some of the stuff people can suggest as a simple solution to a 'problem'- a solution that I, in a million years, would have never come up with.
What?- you don't want those unnecessary exams in the late weeks of pregnancy that can cause pain and bleeding? Keep your clothes on. The Doctor isn't going to throw a fit about it- they're in a rush any way to get in and out... Luckily, I don't have to worry about that one- our Certified Nurse Midwife doesn't worry about that unnecessary stuff any how.

nursery curtains

nursery curtains, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

yeah- finito!

They turned out pretty cute looking, if I do say so myself. I think I could have placed the ties a little closer to the edge, and it was obvious when My mom helped me hang them that I used too heavy of a fabric- the edges there had to be pinned up. I doubt that the Pottery Barn Kids window treatments that they were based on had to be pinned... (They don't sell that style any more...)

Now I just have to make a cover for the baby bumper and a fitted sheet and we're set for a July baby's arrival. Not that I'm hoping she decides to head out any sooner than she needs to (pun actually not intended...), I still have way to much other stuff I want to get done before I'm bombarded with baby sweetness.

Our friend Shiloh

Matthew and Shi, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

On Saturday we got the chance to try out our double stroller- pretty nice. Matthew was thrilled to have a friend riding with him and Shiloh seemed happy to be out of the house...

Once we got back, Shiloh wasn't so happy (she's been teething, poor baby!). Matthew wasn't bothered by her crying, but instead set to work trying to make her feel better- he showed her some toys, wanted to hold her, and even went and got one of his sisters baby sleepers to put on Shiloh (it wouldn't have fit... in fact, I think it may have been one of Shi's that we've borrowed...)

Know what made the little gal happy? our wonderful red spatula and a few bounces in the baby bouncy seat- thought we'll still have to teach Matthew that babies do NOT like to go "really hight"

It's always best to be safe.

It's always best to be safe., originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

That was Matthew's thought on Sunday when he requested to wear his helmet on our outing. Wouldn't you? I mean- you never know what could happen...

yummy juice

yummy juice, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Tried this 'Fruitables' juice last week- YUM. All juices- no sugar added- it has fruit AND veggie juice. Matthew liked it a lot too, though his drink of choice is chocolate milk. He doesn't know it, but every other glass he drinks is just milk added to the previous cups' leftover chocolate...

and now we're...

5 for 5.

Tonight was the easiest by far.
Just a quick post before bed to marvel again at the big boy in the house, who is still very little.

4 for 4

upside down sleeping, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Last night was the FOURTH night IN A ROW that Mr. Matthew put himself to sleep. FOURTH.
It's so mind boggling to me I can hardly believe it. In fact, I'd never believe it if someone else had told me about it... but there ya go- there he is. We've been laying with him after his whole big bedtime routine, but then after a while I've been heading out, telling the little fella that if he can't lay still, I'm going to go lay in my bed. We started this quite a while ago really- once my belly started stretching and the smallest of kicks and wiggles from the outside would make me want to yelp out in pain. For the longest time, he'd cry when I left... I'd wait a few minutes and we'd do it all over again... now I maybe have to come in once more after I leave for a "2nd chance"... then I tell him that Mom's all done, and that I'll come back to check on him in a few minutes. So far- so good.
I found him like this one night, feet on his pillow, and Erik's found him once curled up in the rocking chair... and then last night- sooo cute- he apparently had thrown his pillow off of the bed and couldn't get it back up on the bed, so he'd found a small decorative pillow that matches his curtains, and was using that as his sleeping pillow instead.
The BEST thing about him putting himself to sleep?? He's also pretty consistently sleeping through the night too...
Such a big boy! He's going to make a great big brother. It makes me want to tear up though when I realize how far his come from being a baby... and that all of that night waking and dependency is going to start up again in about a month...

Good things and messes

Susan's graduation cook out, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

We went to Target this morning with Aunt(ie) Susan. Aparently it was just what This baby girl needed to help her move back into her straight forward head down, 'dropped' position. I'm really glad she moved back- it's a lot more comfortable than her previous zig zag position that was giving me a bit of pain on the left side... Yep, this is better, even if I do feel like I'm constantly about to pee in my pants.

In other good news, Sara's started a blog!

now for the mess... it was only a water mess, easily cleaned up- but the funny thing is that I heard Matthew making the mess... so as I headed up the stairs, I sang "Matth----youooo what arrre you dooo-ing??"

"A Ma-you do dis... a min-it mommy!" came the response. Too cute a response.

Best. Weekend. Ever.

snacks, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

This weekend was AWESOME.
On Saturday, Erik and I celebrated my birthday by checking out some yard sales (we only came home with 5 small toy cars for Matthew), then going to a movie with friends. When we went by my parents house to pick Matthew up, they were preparing a cake for a celebration with my aunt, uncle and cousin.

The next morning, we got up and got ready for Church. Erik was an Acolyte, and I wasn't looking forward to sitting through Mass with Matthew- all alone. He just gets too fidgety 1/2 was through and this pregnant body of mine has a hard time physically holding on to him during those times.
I lucked out though. As I was sitting in the parking lot, waiting for the previous Mass to end, so Matthew and I could go inside and wait... who should show up at my window but Erik's parents and grandmother!! They'd been invited to the baby shower later that day and so they drove in to surprise me!

crafting, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

At the baby shower- we had an 'alternative' activity planned- making stuffed baby blocks for the little one! I can't tell you how great an activity and gift this was for me. I know I'll cherish each and every block for many years to come! Many many thanks to Sara and Carrie for planning it!

working hands, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

everyone worked so hard on their blocks... I have 6 of them here with me- and I think there are another 3 or 4 that were still being worked on. My sister, self proclaimed worst sewer at the party, shared a block with Erik's Grandmother. I'm so thrilled that the 2 of them were able to work together to make a block, rather then trying to pass the craftiness by.

surprise visitors, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

about 1/2 way through the party, we had some surprise visitors with a surprise gift. A DOUBLE STROLLER! Some friends went in with Erik to help pay for it, and let me tell you, it's pretty awesome. Matthew was way excited about getting to ride in the stroller with Baby Shiloh- and has been telling me about it any time we walk past the stroller, which is currently 'resting' in the middle of the living room.

ice cream cake, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

our surprise visitors also brought ice cream cake! What a great way to cool down on a 100 degree day!

stuffing a block, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Hanging it up

FINALLY. I finally did it. This afternoon when a telemarketer called and asked if she could speak to Mr. or Mrs. S0-and-so, I said "No, could you please take out number off of your call list." She sounded annoyed, but said "certainly" before hanging up- and I feel GREAT about it.

Yes- I can ignore 'out of area' or 'unknown' phone calls- but can my sleeping toddler? Not usually. Which leaves me very angry at these people who I don't know and don't want to call- so isn't it better to just tell it like it is? QUIT CALLING ME PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW! Thanks.

ISO, INO,IWO:Books

These are three books I'm interested in taking a look at/ owning soon:

Ina May's Guide to Child Birth, By Ina May Gaskin

The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin

and Birthing from Within, by Pam England and Rob Harrowitz

all highly recommended from our Bradley teacher (and DOULA!!!) Angela.

also- for Matthew, I'm in search of a good deal on this book:
What A Baby Needs, from the Sears Children's library. We already have Baby On The Way, Which he loves... and looking now, I see that they also have a potty book.

There are a few of these books (Ina May's particularly) that I'll end up searching out on my own if not received this weekend... Though I don't really know what to expect, this was my gift last year...

newly sealed driveway, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

A re-sealed driveway, Which Matthew loved watching happen...

my 2007 birthday present, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

and I loved because it helped things look better, and got rid of all of the weeds growing in the cracks. :)

Wasn't he the cutest 'baby'?? (from the back even...)

Matthew watching the guys work, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.