Perfection

ahhhhhhhhh... summer. it really is perfect.

Ok, it's actually only March. But it is very summer-like here right now. and I love every. minute. of. it.

Yesterday (Friday) I took Josh to work, and Eileen to school, and then, I took the day off! There was a slight tinge of guilt for sending Eileen to school when I was out having a play day. But then again, we have to pay for it anyway.. and she loves it there.. and well, it is easier to get some stuff done when I am alone.

So I went to the grocery store- where I stocked up on some Stage 2 baby food. The main difference between that and Stage 1 is that the Stage 2 is a little thicker. But loads more variety of food for little lady in Satge 2! We got Apples & Cherries, Sweet Potatoes & Corn, mixed veggies. I even got some chicken & rice.. which I'm really not so sure about but I guess we'll see.
Then I came home and cleaned house! I even wet swiffered the floors. I used to do that every week or so.. I think this is the 2nd time I've done it since she was born.. did I mention she's 6mos old!? And then I went shopping. I had to. I am another size smaller, so I went to get new jeans! I am exactly 10lbs more than what I weighed the day I found out I was pregnant. I will soon be in single digits! and, I am just one size up from my pre-baby clothes. sweet.

Then I went to get Eileen. She had her 6month check up. Two more shots and one last oral vaccine. Now no appt. until 9mos, and at that one- no shots! I swear I think she figured out or remembered this time about the shots. As soon as we laid her down in 'the position,' she started screaming! The nurse is like lighting and it was over before Eileen knew it, and she was fine when I picked her up. Oh- she's 17.5 pounds, and 25inches. Her weight is in 75%, and her height is 50%. Dr. said she's progressing perfectly!

Then Aunt Jaime and Uncle Steve came to town. A grumpy and tired Eileen (missed her afternoon nap AND had shots - not a happy camper!) was already in bed. But they got to play with her a lot this morning. She was in a great mood and was enamored with Steve.

I went for a run outside today. First of all, I don't think I have run outside since fall of 2005. All of last year I was pregnant and didn't run! It felt great. Treadmills are fine and certainly have been helping me lose weight.. but outside running is just niiiiiiiiiice. Of course now, about 10 hours later.. I am aching.

Well that could also be from the yardwork we did! yardwork! again - I didn't get to do that last summer.. and I missed it! Josh did the first mow of the season on Friday night. OK, so it was all WEEDS. but still - love that smell.. and the yard looked great. Today he and I went to Lowes (oh my - what a nuthouse!) and got mulch. We cleaned out the flower beds and put down nice fresh black mulch. I left my pansies in the ground for now.. they look great, and it's still too early to plant summer flowers. While we planted, Eileen hung out in her exersaucer. She loves to be outside! She just hung out and entertained herself while we played in the dirt. Don't you love her new sun-hat?!

Oh, and Gracie got a bath. Isn't she SO GOOD at making herself look so pathetic? She's so spoiled. Now she smells good and looks soo pretty.

After church we hung out on the back deck. Eileen did eat some of her sweet potatoes & corn.. but as you can see... I think she wore just as much. She really is like a 24/7 comedy act. We have so much fun hanging out with her.

Whew. All that and it's just Saturday. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as gorgeous. and you can bet I will find at least 30 minutes to get some sun on my legs. It is skirt weather and I need some color. :)

Well, I guess that's about it. Happy weekend.

Firsts...

-friend
-taste of birthday cake
-St. Patrick's Day
-Guiness

What a weekend! What a month!

On Saturday we went to MK's birthday party. She turned 2. She's hilarious. I can't believe that in a short time Eileen will be running around and driving a little Jeep like MK! Hard to fathom how much she'll change in such a short period of time.


At the party, I let Eileen have a smidge of icing. She didn't really seem to like it or not like it. I think she was more fascinated by the bright pink fork. She's gotten quite 'grabby' lately. Heaven forbid I am holding her and I pick something up with my other hand. She immediately wants to inspect it - and by inspect, I do mean STICKING THE ENTIRE OBJECT, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, INTO HER MOUTH. It can be a piece of mail, clothing, even the remote. Well, at least she'll develop an early immunity to germs. And, if I dare to actually pull the object out of her hands/mouth- she starts to wail. It's not really crying like when she's legitimately hungry, tired or wet. This is an actual wail/whine- an actual hissy fit that she is not getting what she wants. She's not even officially 6mos old yet. Already, I can see she is going to be a little spitfire. She gets that from her Aunt Sissy.




At one point, Raven (MK's mom) was holding Eileen. MK came running over - she would have none of her Mommy's attention being given to another baby! and then the cutest thing ever, Eileen reached over and put her little hand around MK's neck. Too cute. A little girl hug.



Saturday was also St. Patrick's Day, which is why you see all of the GREEN in these pictures. It is one of my favorite holidays. We don't exactly celebrate it like we did when we were young and energetic, but it's still fun! And of course we enjoyed a nice, cold, frothy Guiness. What kind of Irish Girl would I be if I didn't! And I had to let Eileen join the fun. She did stick her little fingers in the foam and then lick them- and as you can see- her grip is no joke. It's a niracle I didn't end up soaked in the stuff.


WHEW. I am glad to have made it this far into March. Work has really been a whirlwind of activity. We had our live show with 200 member studio audience on Sunday night. It went off without a hitch, and was actually pretty fun. A lot of work. A lot of frantic frantic days. But that feeling of accomplishment and being part of a team when it's all said and done is just good. Of course, over the past 10 days I have not done my regular job at all. My focus was solely on the show. So now I am back here and trying to catch back up and get three new people hired. So, while the show is over and the frenetic pace has slowed, I am still not in any position to be having a slow day! But hey, I guess the Working Weight Loss Plan will continue as eating has taken a backseat to work. (ok- now lest anyone out there worry that I might be having any issues, you all know I am exaggerating. You all know I love food and would not actually completely stop eating.)

Speaking of eating. Eileen finally seems to have grasped the swallow concept. We started the baby food right after her 4month appt. She has her 6month appt this week. It has just been in the last few days that she eagerly takes the spoon of food and then swallows it. She does still play with it on her tongue - but now she only does that when she's full. Hind sight is 20/20. She just wasn't ready at 4, even 5, mos for food. She's a big fan of the oranges.. the carrots, sweet potatoes and squash. Hates peas. But she loves the oranges enough that I can sneak some peas or green beans in and she still eats it. So at least she's getting some green veggies. And the bananas and applesauce usually make her cereal pretty appealing. Next we'll tackle mashed up meats and Zwieback cookies.. but I think I'll wait at least another month for that.

And she rolls over regularly now. She can scoot herself around on a blanket with impressive dexterity. In just a week, her sitting skills have improved 100%. I can now put her down - she still slouches- not quite strong enough to hold herself up straight- but she can stay upright for the duration. Amazing at how fast she all of a sudden can just do stuff.

And amazing how fast her personality is just coming out. I mentioned the whining earlier. She also already has a little temper. She LOVES LOVES LOVES Gracie. Over the weekend, Gracie was hanging out next to Eileen (who was in her little jumper thing). Well, Gracie decided to get up and walk away. Eileen got M A D. Starting crying and stomping those little feet! I, of course, had to laugh.

OK- I think I've caught you all up. Sorry it's been so long.