It's An Experiment

Josh, Blake and I live in a world of first times. Everything we do is an experiment. I know that this is part of the fun of having a baby, but it doesn't just pertain to Blake. Let me explain, Josh and I made a conscious decision to get married, buy our first house and have a baby all in a two year span. Who would do that? The answer is simple, Josh. He lives in an optimist's world, one of my favorite things about him. Here are just a few on my families little experiments.

Blake just had her first Easter. It was a lot of fun. I got her all dressed up, which I love. She tolerated her headband for a couple of hours! I am finding that everyone seems to enjoy the holidays just a little bit more with little one is around. Our cousin Heidi is getting ready to have her first baby. I see Easter egg hunts in our future!

Mulch. Oh my gosh, mulch. Last year we hired someone to help us trim the bushes and do the mulch. Blake was very young and neither Josh nor I wanted to mess with it. This year I decided to do it myself. How hard could it be? Um...54 bags later, I'm not so sure. I haven't finished this project, but I'm more that halfway there.  The mulch looks nice, but I did a real axe job on the bushes. The jury is still out on how I'll handle this project next year.

 

Along with the mulch I have flower boxes. They hang prominently outside our front door. I've struggled to find something that will grow out there. This spring I was determined! I planted some petunias and things were going well. They looked so good that a turtle dove, aka Pecker, built her nest in one. I hate the bird. Every time someone comes in or out of the front door she flies out and scares them. Pretty soon there will be a nest full of Little Peckers pooping all over my front steps. So annoying.

Lets get back to Blake. She got her first haircut this past week. She was so good. Teri, our  hairdresser and matchmaker, insisted that we bring Blake to her. Josh sat in the chair and held Blake. I gave her a bottle and that was the end of it. She didn't pay a bit of attention to the lady with the scissors. I saved a small piece of her hair, even though I think it's a little creepy. I'll be sure to put it in her baby book.

I'm exhausted.

Until next time

Maaa Maaaaaaah

Remember how I told you that Blake never says, "Mama," things have changed. Blake had her first fever this week. Her two top front teeth are coming in at the same time. I think that's what caused the fever. My husband isn't so sure. Anyway, that's when Blake decided to break out the big "m" word. She wasn't saying it in the cute sweet way I expected. She worked it into a long sob, "Maaa Maaah." Is it wrong that I still loved hearing it? She knows how to work it because she got me to hold her the entire day. She is starting to feel better and has stopped the “mama” talk altogether.

The NBA Playoffs have begun. I saw my first ever playoff game in Chicago over the weekend. It  was strange seeing the team in another location. By the way, Chicago fans are rude. As an added bonus I got to hang out with Justin, who is amazing. Miss you. Blake spent her weekend with Grammie and Pappy eating cinnamon rolls and who knows what else. All I know is that right now I can’t get her to eat any vegetables, which she used to enjoy. She's 11 months you two! The team is now home and fighting hard in games three and four. Go Pacers!

Josh and Carl received the Indiana Heroes Award at Thursdays game for performing CPR on Slick Leonard earlier in the season. They were also featured on the local news. I know they're both a little embarrassed by all the attention, but they deserve a little recognition. 

Blake and I did our first Easter Bunny visit. We went to the mall, which isn't my favorite. It was pretty seamless. Blake didn't cry, but she was skeptical of a giant furry bunny. I taught her that.

Until next time

Domestic Goddess?

The answer is no, but I'm getting there. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not much for anything domestic. I've taken this obstacle head on.

The yard, check. My mom came over in the fall and showed me how to plant bulbs. I know what you're thinking, not brain surgery. I require a lot of handholding. Anyway, the flowers are here! I'm thrilled. Next I'll be tackling mulch, not actually tackling.

Cooking, check. I've subscribed to a cooking magazine and I occasionally watch a cooking show. This week I made a Nigella Lawson special, mexican lasagna. Josh said it was, "a culinary delight." He hates mexican, so it was something. 

Feeding Blake adds a whole other dimension to my cooking woes. What can she eat? What can she chew? What tastes good? She loves peaches and turkey meatballs. She tolerates green beans. She hates melon and avocados. Today she ate asparagus. She gagged with every bite. She ate it all, go figure.

The house is another factor in my domestication. I CAN spend money decorating the house. I'm good at telling other people what I need them to fix. I'm not so good at fixing things myself. I did manage to clean out all of our closets during the weekend. I took an entire trunk full of junk to Goodwill.

This one was a lot about me, sometimes I can't help myself. I'll get back on track with my next entry.

Until next time

Huge Gift

Yesterday was a major day. My brother Mitchell turned 30, which makes me feel very old. Josh also had a birthday, and Blake is using a big girl car seat. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the Pacers secured a playoff spot!! There are a lot of smiles in my house this morning.

There are so many hard working people who make up the Pacers organization. I'm only married to one and I'm so proud of him. Josh and his team have kept the players healthy all season. Nice work babe.

Tuesday was our monthly play date with Emily, Zach, Danielle, and Quinn. The boys are getting so big It's so crazy that we have kids the same age. Quinn is like a little man, he's already cruising around the furniture. Next month he and Blake will turn one. Crazy!

Blake loves the new car seat. I blah blah blahed for weeks about getting her in the new seat. Turns out I hate it. I have to get in the car to get her out and the straps are impossible to adjust. When we get out of the car she wants no part of the stroller. I had a little crow with my yogurt this morning.
Josh and I have a date tonight. I am really excited to spend some alone time with my husband. I'm guessing we're not going to see a lot of each other in the next few weeks. I am so thankful to Jay for babysitting. Blake really loves him and so do we!

Until next time.

My Inventor & His Inspiration

So today has been an interesting day. Josh is off work, so he set up a meeting for the whole family. We went to the north side of town to meet with a woman who helps inventors bring their ideas to fruition. Let me go back, about six months ago Josh and his mom worked together to develop a very special burp rag. I can't go into details, since there is a possibility that we'll be pursuing some sort of patent. Josh's family is so ambitious! I hope that some of that rubs off on Blake.

I'll keep you posted on the status of that project.

In other news, Blake is talking up a storm. I know that as soon as she can get actual words out we'll never hear the end! Right now she says, "dada." and "hi dada." She also is really working on, "dog." "Mama," isn't a popular one.

Blake also has a new playroom. It's definitely a work in progress, but it's looking really good.

Until next time,

Ellen