Fun?

I get these ideas and in my head they usually they go something like this, "oh I just have to get that, the baby girl will love it" or "the baby girl will love doing that...".  Much to my dismay it never goes quite like I think it will.  For instance I took the baby girl to the playground just knowing that she was going to love swinging, but she just sat there like a bump on a log (the only reason why she is smiling in the picture is because I am making a fool out of myself behind the camera).  As I bought bubbles at Target the other day I envisioned she squealing with delight as she grabbed them and crawled after them but she just sat there and watched them float by (so the boy and I had a bubble blowing contest).  Why is it that they like the oddest things?  For instance, the Burt's Bees lotion bottle that i accidentally left on the floor or little plastic links.  How are those more fun than bubbles or swings or going down the slide with me?  If you saw her playing with them you would think that they were the most interesting things in the world as she laughs and bangs them around.  I have officially decided that there is no need to buy her toys, give her a tupperware bowl or a set of measuring spoons and she will be just as content.

Explanation

Yes, I know it looks awful or perhaps horrific.  For those of you who have seen me lately you might be wondering what happened to me, thinking she used to always look so nice (or that's what I like to think...).  So, I decided I needed an excuse for my hair.  After months of not getting it cut, seriously out grown layers, not to mention the post pregnancy fall out, it is an interesting sight.  With all that being said the baby girl is at the hair pulling stage and it is easier to keep it long.  Therefore I have decided to do Locks of Love again. I am a couple of inches away and will be there before you know it, so please keep that in mind when you see me again (if you do), before you give me a funny look (not that you necessarily would).  I think I speak for most new moms when I say thank goodness for ponytails!

Disclaimer:  Yes, I realize my pictures never really go with my posts...sorry!

The Baby Girl

She crosses her legs whenever she can, always has.

When she gets excited she says "mmm" "mmm" then takes off after whatever it is that she is excited about (it is usually some thing she can't or shouldn't have).

This chair is her new favorite toy.  She climbs all over it, pulls herself up and stands.  Then smiles and laughs because she thinks she is so big.

She still makes the same face she was making when she was born, but only when she is mad and crying, just incase I am not sure if I brought the right baby home...

Sometimes after I lay her down for a nap I wish I could crawl into her crib with her and snuggle just a little bit longer.

She is learning the word "no".  So far we have successfully gotten her to stop chewing on the coffee table, now we are working on leaving the satellite receiver alone and not eat the silk plants.

When she is crawling she will often stop and perch herself on her side pause for a second, to check everything out then keep going.

She is a mess, in a good way though!

Banana Bread Pancakes

Breakfast is probably my favorite meal to cook, it might be my favorite meal period.  This morning I was in a bit of an adventurous mood, so I whipped up something new.  

Banana Bread Pancakes

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
2 large ripe bananas
2-3 T sugar
1 T canola oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1-2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla

Mix the wet ingredients then incorporate the dry ingredients.  Cook over medium heat in a large skillet with some butter. 

Enjoy!

M.I.A.

I have been in lazy housewife recovery mode, meaning the house isn't as clean as it normally is, the refrigerator could be fuller, and I have been spending too much of my free time reading magazines and going to the pool with my favorite seven month old.

The in-laws came and went. Have you ever read the book "When the Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant? I have always loved that book. It has great detailed pictures and reminds me a little of family reunions with my mom's family when we were young. Anyway, that is not how it went, not even close. As they say "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger", so since we all survived there must have been some valuable lessons learned or some good that came out of it, one can only hope...