Aal Izz Well

Not sure if you've heard the newest fad - a new form of baby 'wearing.'  I figure people carry their dogs around in their purses, why not their babies?

No, but in all seriousness, the diaper bag we had was beginning to disintegrate - zippers broken, filled beyond capacity, etc.  We bought a new bag on recommendation from some friends.  I was, however, amazed at how comfortable she seemed to be while we were taking pictures though.

Oh, and Ivy is pulling herself up on everything now.  Pulling herself up, yes.  Capable of stable stance, no.  This picture was taken just before she took a header into the side of the crib.  Aal izz well (can anyone name that movie reference?).  Just a little bump, no bruises this time around, but I am completely aware that I will not be able to save her from bonking her head every time she tries.  Jason and I have already discussed how this is just the beginning of emotionally preparing for the bike falls, athletic injuries, driving lessons, etc.

And, mothers and fathers out there who noticed, yes we removed the mobile from her crib just after this picture was taken.  We also lowered her crib mattress to the next lower level.

All Smiles

As some of you know, Ivy is most often 'all smiles'.  Here she is during dinner while Jason attempts to entertain her - apparently, successfully. [Quality's not great and sun is shining in the background, but I think you get the idea.]

Homecoming

He's on his way home!

Ivy and I couldn't be more excited to have him back, and I'm sure he'll be happy to be able to see is 'Boogerface', as we like to call her.

Of course, we call her that only because it is fun to adapt a very recent popular song for our own uses - for those of you who don't know of which popular song to which I am referring, think Lady Gaga and 'Ba-ba-ba-boogerface, ba-ba-boogerface' - Mom, Dad, you can google it.

After my one week as a single parent, I have once again had insight into how blessed I am.

My husband, my daughter, my family, my friends, my job, my circumstances - What a beautiful chaos life is!

Or, as Ivy would put it, 'Pfffffooooooooot!'

My Little Princess

I thought today was going to be just another day, but Ivy has surprised me once again.

First, I walked into her room after her first nap of the day after listening to her talk to herself and play with her music maker.  I peaked into the room and found her in the following state.

I know what you're thinking - 'so what'.  But considering she has never been able to sit herself up from a laying down position, I found this to be photograph worthy.  This is a huge sign that we are in TROUBLE.  She was calmly sitting, facing the music maker (turned on by herself, of course), and screeching at the top of her lungs.

I had already planned to run to the store after her nap to buy baby proofing tools before this happened, but the timing could not have been better.  When we returned home and I place her in her walking exersaucer, she managed to pull down the trash can by the trash bag, chase the dog into a corner, try to pull my laptop power cord out of the wall, tear through the recycling box, yank a vertical blind out of the track, and pull out a pen from the catch-all drawer in the kitchen. Oh, and she managed to pull herself up to a standing position at the end of the couch without assistance.  Yikes, she's growing up fast.

By this time I was a little worried that she wouldn't survive until Jason's return, as I was obviously being a horrible parent.  Not really - I'm usually only a split second away once she gets into something, and I never let her get into any near danger.  But, seriously, Jason, I MISS YOU!!!

On another note, I knitted my niece a purple princess crown for her fourth birthday, which is coming up shortly.  I knitted it out of crepe paper - yes!  I said crepe paper.  I then embelished it with ribbon and buttons.  I really hope she likes it.

I even managed to get Ivy to model it for all of two seconds while I struggled to hold it on her head and flash the picture at the same time.

Bean Harvest

This year we planted three types of beans to be dried - Coco Rubico, Great Northern, and Jacob's Cattle.  Since Jason was out of town and I had a lot of lonely time after Ivy went to bed, I started harvesting the beans and emptying the shells. 

Here I've started emptying some of the shells.  shown here are only the Jacob's Cattle bean harvest.  I've only now started the Great Northern, and I'm letting the Coco Rubico continue to dry, as we recenlty had some rain.

 

Here is the harvest after all the pods have been emptied. 

And, finally, here is the harvest ready to use in a canister.

Six Year Anniversary

Today is Jason and my six year wedding anniversary, and we have so much to celebrate. I am, however, concurrently mourning his absence, as he had to travel to India for work today. I'm super bummed, but I know all will be well, and, when he returns, our family will only be stronger.

Our biggest reason to celebrate this year is obviously our beloved Ivy. Shown below helping Grandma with the camping dishes during our second camping trip this year.

 Not shown here - me.  I was sleeping inside the camper with a case of Hand, Foot and Mouth, which Ivy was so kind to share with me.  Such a generous, sweet babe.

Today, before Jason headed out, he insisted that we continue our yearly trip to the State Fair.  As some of you may know, the Wisconsin State Fair was included in our first date nine years ago.  We got to the fair first thing in the morning when it opened (which is the best time to go), and Ivy had the opportunity to taste her first cream puff.

Ivy must have been exhausted by the end of the morning.  She fell asleep in the car shortly after leaving the fair.  She was so tired, she fell asleep with her hand still attached to the car seat visor with which she was playing.

I am truly grateful for everything I am blessed enough to have.  I am the luckiest - in marriage, in motherhood, in family and friends, and in my health and well being.