Allergies??

I have been away from "blogland" for a few days now. Not too much is new in our lives. We have been sick or have been having the worst case of spring allergies. The stores close-by ran out of Clariton D (and the generics) and anything with the same ingredients...and that seems to work best for me. I've been taking benedryl/generic every 4 hours and that makes me pretty sleepy...Quinn too apparently, as she's been napping very good the past few days! So, a box of kleenex and many bloody noses later, I'm finally relatively good enough to type. :) We will check stores again today so I won't be so miserable flying tomorrow.

Quinn is still adorable. Mike leaves for Chicago today and we'll meet him in Minneapolis on Thursday. Quinn and I fly out tomorrow morning. Jill and Tim made in in safely yesterday (flights were delayed ridiculous because we actually got rain!). Jill should be here sometime soon and we'll be off to take Mike to the airport.

Speaking of which, I mentioned last week that we've been without rain for awhile...well the past few days has made up for that! With the rain, came even greener green grass and trees and bushes. It's very pretty....and it means my Clariton D season is almost done.


Can't wait to see you folks in Mn, and to those in Wi--we'll see you sometime soon!!!

Studies on use of "diet" sodas and food in your diet

As found on MSN.com today...just some "food" for thought!

Do Sweeteners Help or Hurt Weight Control?

Why drinking diet soda may be the wrong choice.

by Karen Collins, R.D., American Institute for Cancer Research

Grabbing a diet soda may seem like a smart choice for the calorie-conscious consumer. But a new study suggests that products containing artificial sweeteners have the potential to actually promote weight gain.

A recent Purdue University study suggests that artificial sweeteners (like the kinds found in diet sodas) might lead to biological or behavioral changes that make weight control more difficult, instead of easier. Putting this study within the context of overall research, however, we have little reason to believe that calorie-free sweeteners cause weight gain. How much they actually help weight loss may vary depending on how people use them.

Also important to note, the aforementioned study did not involve people; it was a laboratory study involving 17 rats. In the five-week long experiment, rats given yogurt sweetened with zero-calorie saccharin consumed more total calories (and gained more body fat) compared to rats that ate sugar-sweetened yogurt.

The psychologists who performed the study theorize that when our body tastes sweetness it prepares itself for a calorie load. If sweetness comes without calories – as is the case with artificial sweeteners – we keep on eating or reduce our calorie-burning metabolic activity.

For now, however, these theories are little more than speculation. And many researchers are quick to point out that a small, brief study involving rats cannot be used to form conclusions about humans.

True, there has been other research to support the hypothesis that artificial sweeteners thwart weight control efforts. But these findings are the result of observational studies that show that artificial sweetener use is more common in overweight than normal weight people. These types of studies can show us associations between people and behaviors, but they cannot prove that sweetener use causes overweight. In fact, it is highly likely that people who are overweight or are gaining weight might be more likely to choose diet soda and other foods with artificial sweeteners in an effort to control their weight.

Other studies refute the concerns about sweeteners. In a 10-week study of overweight men and women, subjects who were given a sugar-containing supplement increased their calorie consumption and gained body weight and fat, while those given a supplement with a low-calorie sweetener showed a small decrease in sugar consumption, body weight and body fat.

One of the few longer-term studies to examine this hypothesis involved obese women in a weight control program. Some women were asked to consume and some to avoid artificially sweetened foods and drinks during a 19-week weight loss program and throughout a 2.5-year follow-up period. Initial weight loss was similar, but the artificial sweetener group showed better weight maintenance during follow-up.

For now, studies provide little reason to fear that non-calorie sweeteners increase appetite or cause weight gain. Eating foods or beverages that contain artificial sweeteners can help your weight control efforts, but only if you use them wisely (for example, substituting them for higher-calorie foods to decrease overall calorie consumption). However, if using these sweeteners becomes an excuse to indulge in other high-calorie foods or to skip the physical activity that is so important to health and weight control, you will probably see no benefit.

Of course, “diet” drinks and foods are not essential. You could just as easily cut calories by swapping your soda for water, coffee or tea rather than a diet variety. Alternatively, you might put the focus on optimizing your nutrients and skip the zero-calorie snack foods altogether for a low-calorie piece of fruit with beneficial vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals.

Front Porch

Well, as I mentioned, there are several things to look at outside. These were my views from the only shady spot left in our front and back "yards"--against the front door looking through the railings.

The rose bush two houses away...petals on the ground!!

Our tree...almost all leaves.

Our small tree and neighbors' houses.


I was also trying to get photos of the mondo-flies and bumble bees hanging out, but they move QUICKLY! Oh well!!

Unlucky or Lucky?

Again, I apologize if the weather has been yecky by you regular viewers. However, we've had the most beautiful week here in NYC. Unfortuntely, the allergies are still bad, but getting better as trees are almost done. So, if you don't want to hear me practically complain about the awesome weather, stop readying now.


Our weather the last 2 weeks

*Sunny
*Warm
*Not windy
*NO BUGS!!
*No rain (nope, not even a sprinkle in almost 2 weeks)

I'm just a little bummed because I never really got to experience fall this year. It pretty much went from 70's to 40's overnight...none of the gorgeous 50/60 and sunny that I like the best. I love autumn, and I was bummed it never really happened. Heck, there were still leaves on the trees in November when I had Quinn!! Well, here it is springtime. What's the weather like? 70-80 and sunny. WONDERFUL, but I feel jipped--where did my favorite two seasons go?? Spring is usually more rain and mud--the mud being the part I don't really miss from the midwest as there was no 'spring melt' here. And I'm glad the weather has been nice that Quinn and I can still go for our walks and spend at least an hour each day outside.


But really, why couldn't my 60's last longer? We're almost in May...maybe they'll come then? Also, "April showers bring May flowers"...but the daffodils are bloomed and dead, tulips are on their way out, trees are almost with full leaves... No April showers, and the May flowers are dead.

With my luck, the showers will come tomorrow for my trip to Manhattan!!

Needless to say, I'm excited to come home next week! Not only for great company of friends and family, but to hopefully get to experience my favorite temperature... We'll see!

I have tons of cute photos and shots from the front porch (hung outside this morning as it was 70 upon waking this morning and is above 80 now). I posted my two favorites, rest to be seen on snapfish!

Battery Charging

Since the camera batteries were charging today, thought I'd pull a photo from the archives...


Oh, how I really don't miss those days....

2 AM

Somehow Quinn managed to roll herself over in her crib last night. Seeing as it was 2 am, there were no photos taken, but...

She usually plays for a few minutes and talks to herself before I feed her at 2am (from experience if I get her as soon as she wakes up, I get peed on...I don't like getting peed on at 2am). SO, I let her play for a few minutes alone in her crib and she usually doesn't crab until after her new diaper is on (which is within about 2 minutes of me getting into her room...also from experience--I don't play with her at 2 am or she thinks it's morning and won't allow me sleep for about an hour). Regardless, her few minutes of play this AM included a "thump thump" sound. The sound I've come to realize is her feet on the mattress (or ground) as she pounds them down to scoot her way across the bed (or floor) on her back (hence the still bald spot).

Well, this AM she got suddenly quiet after a "thump thump thump" (not in the 'thump thump' pattern) and I was like, oooh, she's sleeping, YAY! Well, after about 15 seconds there was a "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH"

So, I investigated to discover our Quinn on her tummy with her arm contorted all odd under her body. I said, "Go figure you do this in the middle of the night". Well, no rolling of any kind yet during the day. Just her going, "aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh". She has gone from making her 'ah go' sounds to just screetching, "aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh" or crying, "waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh", or softly humming to herself when she want her toys to sing to her (as several of them play music when you do something to make them play music).

She's adorable. I can't wait to show her off next week!!!!!!!!!!! We're getting used to the 70 and sunny here, so I hope to bring some of that weather with me!

SO Close

Well, I've had the camera on her almost non-stop trying to catch "the first time" Quinn rolls over unaided or prompted. She's pretty close...but only when she's really upset!

Also, I went in her room for her 2am feeding this morning...to discover both pacifiers and her blankie OUTSIDE of her crib on the floor and she was cooing away at the baby in her mirror. Can't believe she did that.

And now she managed to make a toy sing that I didn't know sang...it shut her up...but I have no idea how she did it!! Now she's just looking at it like..hmmm...do that AGAIN!

What an adventurer we have on our hands....

Snapfish

Also, for those of you to whom it concerns, I've updated snapfish to include all photos through yesterday's feeding (yes, Mom, including Quinn's 1st Christmas).

Quiet Sunday and Mn Trip!!!

Did ya hear the Pope is in town??

So, it is wonderful that the Pope visiting the US and that he made NYC and the WTC site a part of the trip. NYC has been very blessed to have had this opportunity. So much so, that since he landed in DC a few days ago, there has been at least 3 hours of constant coverage on the major networks. Today, they televised the mass at Yankee stadium...and the hour before and after the mass.

I will just be happy to hear "real news" again. For some reason I have been getting my news stories from local news lately...and apparently there was no news the past few days other than the Pope. No mention of the earthquake, tornados, or storms. Just the Pope.

At church today, they asked for money to help sponsor the $10+ million that it cost to have the Pope here the last few days. Wow, that's a lot of money, is all I can think. Imagine if they put $10+ million towards schools for 2 days...

Regardless, Quinn was a wonderful girl in church today, yet again. She's an odd one. I was worried because the time we decided to go has been her crabbier time lately. However, she only made a few small peeps the whole hour! She enjoyed making faces at mommy and daddy...and all those oogling her around us!!

She fell asleep on the walk home...and slept for 4 hours! To wake up for about an hour...and sleep for 2 more hours...up for 30 minutes...and now is in bed!!!!! SO, the talkative, crabby girl of the last few days wore herself out! That and the fact that the lavender scents I have in the house are calming for all of us. :) Even Mike has been in bed by 11:30 the past few nights!

So, with a quiet Quinn, Daddy got some good study time in, Mommy got some good WOW time in, and the house is relatively cleaner than normal because of the quiet Quinn.

She is SO CLOSE to rolling over it's crazy to not see her moving yet. She wants to so bad...you can see it in her eyes. Like I've said before, once she does it...there'll be no stopping her!! She is also VERY close to sitting unaided with GOOD posture. :) She sits alone now...if sitting is leaning on an arm or touching past her toes to reach for her blankie or toy.

We booked our trip to Minnesota! So, keep the good weather around! We're not used to seeing much rain or weather much colder than 40 degrees. :) Quinn and I will be arriving at MSP Wednesday early afternoon. We'll be staying in Burnsville Wednesday night, hopefully visiting whoever would like to come visit. We'll have a trip to Farmington to visit the gang on Thursday and Daddy will be meeting us in the early evening for a night with some friends from SLP (SLP friends, we're meeting at Bunny's). Friday we'll have a quick visit with Wyatt friends, a lunch with some others, and then to Kato-land. Saturday at some point we'll be heading back to MSP for a play and some drinks as G&G Born are Quinn-sitting. At some point Sunday Quinn will come back to MSP with G&G Born and Daddy leaves to come back to NYC. Quinn and I will leave town late morning on Monday. Well...that's the plan for now at least! Let me know if any of those events sound like something you're interested in knowing more about and I'll fill you in on the details.

Rice Cereal

So, for multiple reasons, rice cereal has been on my list of "things for Quinn to do" recently. Well, I also wanted Mike to get to witness it, so we attempted it this afternoon.


She has shown all the "signs" of wanting "real food"--she watches me like a hawk whenever I'm eating or drinking, and since about 3 months old she's done this. She's also been sitting much better by herself and has great head control. Her feedings have decreased significantly the last week or so--both in frequency and duration. So I've been eating a lot in hopes that she's getting the same nutrition in those shorter feedings. We'll be seeing the doctor again soon, so we'll see what he has to say. Her spit-up during the day is also still concerning me despite the "don't worry about it" advice I get from the doctor and others.


Overall, she really didn't want much to do with this process. She had no idea what to do, made crazy faces, and wanted to hold the spoon and chew on it because she thought it was a toy. I also think I waited a little too long in the afternoon to attempt it as she was already getting cranky-hungry (vs cranky-tired or cranky-wet pants or cranky-cold or cranky-hot .... they all have their own sounds).


She wasn't quite interested in mimic-ing my 'open' faces.


She made it through a few spoonfuls (as much as the soupy liquid would stay on the spoon) and was getting upset. So, I gave in to feed her already!! :) The experience must of been more exhausting than I anticipated...after her 10 minute afternoon nursing session...this is what she became...


Isn't the jean skirt too adorable (this was her 2nd outfit of the day). She was in a cute sundress most of the day but I didn't manage to get any shots of that. The jean skirt/passed out baby was too "adorable" to not get a snapshot! (yes sundress, it was close to 80 today...sorry, just had to share that).

Tears

It's been a long time since a TV show has made me cry (since John "died" on Days when I was super-preggo)! Both Boston Legal and Eli Stone have done it this week!! I hope Eli Stone make it another season! I'll be sad if the show is over.

"It's a new dawn, it's a new day!!" So, time to go enjoy the outside world!

Bath Time's Over??!!

We have our own Quinn-o-Vision during bath time (mirror on the wall). I've also started draining the tub before I get her out as I've been close to dropping her if I don't! Since I have yet to drop her (even though those late night feedings the first few weeks I was close as I was super tired!!) ... not that it's my goal ... I don't want the first time to drop her to be on the tile in the bathroom!! She also is happy and sad for bath time to be over...obviously once the water is drained, it's her sad time. As soon as she hits the towel, she's happy. I should get a photo of that too....

Where's Quinn??

Thanks Grandma R! She'll be grown out of these in no time if she keeps growing like a weed!! The Jelly Belly's and Craisins in the lower right corner are for me.

And...

On "Ellen" today, they had the Young at Heart Chorus. Funny...although they're pretty for real! Makes me almost miss the sing-a-longs at Trinity!!

Also, my new favorite toothbrush. The clean of "dentist clean feel" with the manual bristles and surface area of a manual toothbrush. Yay!! :)

And sleep doesn't come slowly after a bath and lotion using Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime Bath products. It's amazing the differences when I use the lotion/bubble bath and when I don't use them!

Hmm, I should get paid for these recommendations... :)

Mom update

So, it's technically a site for Quinn, but some of you MAY care to know about me too!!

So, I had the best hair cut experience the other day. 10 minute wash with head and neck massage. Followed by a precise haircut experience of about another 20 minutes. And they put Quinn to sleep (as she was awake, but tired). Unfortunately, I'm not 100% in love with the cut, but hair grows back and it really needed to be cut...and it's still long! SO, everyone's happy. :) I rarely get "alone" time, so going to the salon is a treat for me.

I'm also ALMOST back into my "original/pre-baby" clothes. I don't think I'll ever be back into the ones I bought right after the wedding, but, it was nice to be a size 0 for awhile, I guess. Not everyone can claim that they were a size 0 in their mid-20's!! I'm also realizing my pre-baby wardrobe was awful! Most of the shirts don't fit (mostly due to nursing). If they fit, I wonder what ever possessed me to buy it (most likely the price tag). SO, I have a few boxes of clothes to go to good will again.

So, now that I think I'm done losing that baby weight, it's time to start shopping for a dress for Sara's wedding in May. I'm so excited to find something cute!! We'll see when I find time to do that!! :)

It's hard to make friends as a 20-something, new mom, SAHM, and in a new city. The museum thing was fun, but short and ALL the other moms were NYC moms so NOT "convenient" friends. A walk to the store is a chore, much less a subway trip to NYC. There's not much in the walking area for baby/mom groups. Some stuff in Bay Ridge, but from what I got from the director of the Music in Motion classes, many of those who attend are nanny's of the kids...so, I don't know if that's an option either. We've had lots of visitors since we've moved so it hasn't felt like we've been here since September already. In due time?? Those people that we do know that live out here have been nice to contact and see upon occasion. Overall priorities and routines change once you have a baby!

I'm in planning mode for our trip to Minnesota. I'd love to come for a few weeks to see everyone, but that doesn't seem like it will be possible. We'll see how it works!! Family will be lucky to get to see us again at the end of May, but we may not be back to Mn until October for Trisha's wedding. So, we'll see how things work out!

Baptism plans are also underway. It's probably the next time we'll be getting to Wisconsin, but you all are free to come visit us too!! :) We'll get to see Auntie Jenny in June (hopefully), so that will be a treat. Quinn might be crawling by then!! A huge change from the baby she saw in February.

Time to continue travel plans while the little one still rests her eyes (she skipped her morning nap and has turned her usually short afternoon snooze into a 2 hour nap!). I sat outside after the trip to the grocery store to get some rays (60 and sunny feeling like about 75). I think I burnt the back of my neck and the top of my head. That's what I get! At least I knew enough to keep Quinn in the shade and in her stroller with the sun protectors up! Allergies are still bad, but getting better as most of the flowers are in bloom/done and the trees are ALMOST leaves. SO, soon I'll just have to live with days the grass is cut in the neighborhood...until fall at least.

So, that's all I have to say about that! We're excited for our next visitors, Tim and Jill, in just a week and half! The day before I'm planning to leave for Mn.

If the weather stays like this for the weekend, I'm hoping to get to the beach and get some cute sundress photos of Quinn on the sand by the water. Just think of how much fun Claire would have with all that sand, Nikki!!!

Quinn-o-Vision 2.7

"you're gonna miss this. you're gonna want this back. you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast. these are the good times, so take a good look around. you may not know this now, but you're gonna miss this." trace adkins

Quinn-o-Vision 2.6

The last one was actually 2.5...I think. Whatever, here's another cute one.

I'm started to "dread" the day she's self-mobile! I can't leave her on the floor with anything other than her toys within her grasp. Tags, clothes, and blankets are among her favorite things that are hand to mouth in milli-seconds!! She also enjoys her toys going into her mouth, but she can't really tell the difference between toys and "no-no's" yet. This habit has been nice at night as she'll often find her sucker and fall back asleep! YAY!

She's still spinning circles when she's on her back. I'm sure she'd be in odd positions in her crib each morning except that she's not rolling over yet and her mirror (thanks Tammy and Alison!) keeps her company so she doesn't find the need to spin herself in circles on her bald spot in her bed.

Her bald spot. I think its funny that she's got all this hair on her head...except on the back of her head...at least there's enough for a decent comb over!

What else is new with our darling girl....hmmm. Her neck control is amazing (to me at least). She no longer rests her head on my shoulder when she's sleepy and I miss it so much. She's still cuddly at times, but has been less likely to fall asleep while being held. She really enjoys her time in her crib and sleeps well there. My worries of her confusing days and nights are going away so I'm less resistant to her wanting to be in her crib for naps. The sunny days help out as her room is the brightest room in the house and it doesn't seem to bother her!

She has about a 15-30 minute attention span for any given activity. Reading, rattles, tummy time, practicing rolling over, sitting time, eating...really, anything but sleeping!! After about 2 hours or so, she's ready to nap and soak in everything she's done, seen, and experienced while wake.

I think we're going to start cereal this week sometime. Just a spoonful here and there since we don't TECHNICALLY have ped approval yet. She really only eats at 5 am and 5 pm. She'll just snack for 5 minutes (if I'm lucky) at 7am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 7pm. I suppose that pretty much coincides with naps, doesn't it?? She's still spitting up too, so I'm looking forward to seeing if that settles down once solids start. We're only about 5 weeks away from "real food" solids! Right about the time of Cousin Sara's wedding!!

Well, nap time's over...time to go have some Quinn time!

Sunny Day Activity

Yep a puzzle. It's all fishies and there are no edge pieces. It's quite the challenge. The cats have actually stayed off the table relatively well...only a few pieces off the ground every now and then...

Brewers 9 Mets 7

Well, it never rained Saturday and we should've gone to that game as it was 70 and wonderful that day. AND the Brewers got 3 HR off Santana!!

HOWEVER, they presented last season's golden gloves at the beginning of the game, so I got to witness Santana getting his from his Twin's season...wearing his Mets jersey! It happened too fast (and Quinn was screaming and Mike was getting snacks) so I didn't get a photo, but it was a sight to see.

SO, we went to Sunday's game--low 50's, cloudy, and windy. Not as much fun as sunny and 70, but it was still a sight to see. It's Shea stadium's last year, here's a photo of the Citi Field - to - be practically being built on top of Shea...

The game started off well....with a man on base...and a HR for the Brewers! YAY!!

Game proceeded to tie at 6's...which is when we left because Quinn WAS NOT enjoying herself. However, as we left, the Brewers got a HR and another run to be up 8-6 by the time we got to the car. The sudden bursts of applause, music, and boo's were not so pleasing to her. She wouldn't eat or sleep and cried almost the whole time. We managed to get a few cute shots...




We got home in time to watch the end of the 8th and 9th innings...yay Brewers won 2 out of 3 this weekend!! WOO HOO!! But this pretty much tells us that we won't be attending any hockey games with her anytime soon!!

It rains here too....

This was 13th Avenue on Friday on my walk home from buying weekend groceries .


I think Quinn was a little confused looking through her stroller cover plastic as she's all funny looking to me!!!


And to show you that all the snow and rain in the Midwest will bring good things...here's a house down our block a little ways. Some of the daffodils are dead already (see the right side of the photo)!! Part of me is glad because that means my allergies will be less severe once the trees are finally done budding (about 3/4 of the way there!!)

In case you couldn't tell...

So, most of my email every day is forwarded messages and jokes. Not that I mind terribly, as I hope I'm on the list to forward to because you truly think of me when you read them...not just because "if you forward this to 10 people you'll have good luck today". So, I've been posting the ones I fully appreciate instead of forwarding it on. I know there's a better chance you'll read it on my blog than if I email it!!!!


Also, I put Quinn in a sweater Grandma Judy sent that Mike used to wear. Well, the sweater is a little tiny (I got screams as I put it on her to get her arms through!) but we promised photos and she's not going to get smaller! I tried closing the tie in front to get the full sweater, but that got me more tears...so, once the smiles started coming, I started snapping photos!


The pictures look so much cuter now that they're on the website and not on my camera! I was sad I was snapping shots because I didn't get any good ones. I have more than these 3 "good" ones!! YAY!

Friday's Joke

The Waiting Room

They always ask at the doctor's office why you are there, and you have to answer in front of others what's wrong and sometimes it is embarrassing.

There's nothing worse than a receptionist who insists you tell her what is wrong with you in a room full of other patients. Many of us have experienced this, and I love the way this old guy handled it.

An 86-year-old man walked into a crowded waiting room and approached the desk. The receptionist said, "Hello, sir. Can you please tell me why you're here to see the doctor today?"

"There's something wrong with my dick," he replied.

The receptionist became irritated and said, "You shouldn't come into a crowded waiting room and say things like that."

"Why not? You asked me what was wrong and I told you," he said.

The receptionist replied, "Now you've caused some embarrassment in this room full of people. You should have said there is something wrong with your ear or something and discussed the problem further with the doctor in private."

The man replied, "You shouldn't ask people questions in a room full of strangers, if the answer could embarrass anyone."
The man walked out, waited several minutes and then re-entered.

The receptionist smiled smugly and asked, "Yes?"

"There's something wrong with my ear," he stated.

The receptionist nodded approvingly and smiled, knowing he had taken her advice. "And what is wrong with your ear, sir?"

"I can't piss out of it," he replied.

The waiting room erupted in laughter.

Mess with seniors and you're gonna lose!

Should've Knocked on Wood!

Well, although we had a fabulous morning yesterday running errands around town (yep, photos are finally mailed out people!) as it was a gorgeous "summer" day (in shorts and 70), things took a turn for the worse almost immediately after my blog posting! She was a screaming, fussing, nothing calm-me-down girl. My ears are STILL ringing! They haven't echoed with her cries since the first month when she was either crying or sleeping or eating every 2-4 hours. I really don't miss those days much!

So we had gorgeous weather and she didn't take a nap on the walk, fell asleep briefly as we got home, woke up to eat, played for about 30 minutes...then they crying began. SOOO, we tried another walk and I was embarrassed as she was still screaming so it was short-lived. I finally just put her in her crib for about 15 minutes and sat outside on the patio to get away from the crying (but I could actually hear her crying because that's how loud she is/how thin the walls are in her room to the back patio!). I managed to miss a ton of phone calls yesterday...sorry everyone! I'll try to call you back today!

Our landlord is in town from London and will be stopping by this weekend and I have some cleaning to do and some phone calls to make (yay dentist and pediatrician!).

We're also hoping to get to the Mets/Brewers game at Shea stadium this weekend. Yay outside baseball!! We were hoping to get tickets to Saturday's game as Santana is pitching, but the seats available aren't so great and it's supposed to be pretty rainy. BUMMER. But maybe it'll get rained out and he'll pitch Sunday instead??? WE'LL see! So, Quinn will be at her first MLB and Brewers game! So, I'll be seeing the Brewers play at least 2 games this year..this weekend and the weekend of my 10-year HS reunion. That's more Brewers games I've seen live in...well....probably since the summer of 1999 (ha ha, Jill...rain...baseball...a game to never forget....or that night which I've forgotten most of...just remember something about flying...). But anyway, I'm a mom now so we can't be talking about those days. Ha ha. That was the only summer I moved "back home". Good days, good days.

So, while Quinn's actually taking her morning nap...I'm off to be productive and enjoy the last remaining hours we have of sun until the rain comes....

What I see when she's awake

She's mostly a happy baby all day. I've gotten sick of changing her outfits from spit-up, so she sports a bib almost all day these days. Sorta a bummer when she has such cute clothes! I think I've officially officially retired all her 3 month and under clothes.

She's also getting into a shy stage...with Daddy!! I'll get her giggling and in her happy mood putting her clothes on in the morning, Mike walks in...and nothing. Barely a smile at first! I told him this morning he needs more 1-on-1 time with his daughter so she recognizes him too!! I'm not sure when the official "shy stage" starts (as if anything with people has official stages...), but the last thing I need is for Quinn to act the way Claire did around Mike for 6 months!!!!

And here she is chillin' on the couch. Posing for the camera...ha ha. It looks likes she's engrossed in a TV show, but the TV is not on very often when she's up.


We realized about a month ago that if we had it on while she was awake and chillin' with us, she would cry until she could see the TV too. SO, we stopped the excessive TV watching while she's awake. There are more entertaining ways to stimulate her mind and help her learn. We do watch the occasional House of Mouse or Little Einsteins (I love that show!!) as it will entertain her while I shower, clean, etc. She's getting into her rattle toys too. She LOVES her fingers. She really likes music, so if the TV is on down here, it's usually a music channel. It's the only way I get to hear new country songs as there are no country radio stations here (that I've found)!

So.....I hope you're taking notes Grandma and Grandpa B. for when you watch her in a few weeks!

We're also booking our tickets to Phoenix for Cousin Sara's wedding. We haven't flown with her in awhile, so I hope she does okay. I'll have to take her alone when we come to MSP in a few weeks too, so we'll see how that goes! I may hitch-hike with Jill and Tim depending on how all the ticketing situations work out. It will be interesting to see how she handles meeting all the Minnesota folks. It'll be nice that she'll get to meet Tim and Jill before we spend some time with them too (huge thanks to them for letting us crash there!!). And the weekend in Phoenix with a bunch of strangers and a time change. I have a feeling she'll keep her schedule and want to be in bed at 4pm and awake and playing at 3am....NOT IT! :)

Quinn 2.4 . . . I think!

She's quite the goof when she's attempting to sit these days. She usually flops forward to touch her toes. I use her boppy to attempt to get her to stay sitting. She usually gets excited and distracted and forgets she's "fragile".




Eh, what doesn't kill her only makes her stronger!!

"Sitting" Around Waiting

So much of my day is sitting around and waiting...waiting to go for a walk, waiting for Quinn to wake up, waiting for Quinn to stop crying, waiting for Quinn's first giggles of the day, waiting for Quinn to finish eating so we can go for a walk, waiting for new TV shows to come back (really just anxious for Bones, House, and the Office), waiting for Mike to get home, waiting for the cats to hunt me down to feed them, waiting for the laundry to get done, waiting for the house to clean itself....most of the time, Quinn sits around and waits with me. Lately she's sitting "on her own"!!

She really likes Eggo, as he is to her left in the photo above.

She was getting hungry...no, that's just the longest drool I've ever seen!!!


And her with her favorite toy...HER HANDS!

So, now I'm going to sit around and wait to read all y'all commenting!!! Read from you soon!!

Various thoughts of the day

We had a relaxing weekend, overall. We enjoyed the spring weather on Saturday by sitting on the front porch soaking up the rays (brushing the cats). Sunday's rain allowed us to get a LITTLE spring cleaning accomplished.

My main task included sorting through Quinn small clothes (tear) and bringing out her 6-9 month gear. Unfortunately, there were some cute outfits packed in the box that were 3-6 month size that are too small (mostly pants that are too short--she's got long legs!). Some of the 9 month stuff is a little big yet, so we should have clothes set for awhile (a load and a half of new outfits!!)

Mike worked on cleaning his office and we sorted through stacks of papers (yay!?). I wore out the paper shredder today and will have to continue tomorrow...

Quinn's spit-up for the day decreased a little. I thought hard about what was different about today...to realize I was out of milk and yogurt this morning, so I ate a bagel for breakfast and an apple for my afternoon snack. Would dairy products really cause those problems with her? We'll see I guess!!

Jen has a new favorite book. Check it out.

Quinn enjoyed her time on her back and in her new chair. Tummy times during the day are still limited through the day.

We also had video chats with both sets of grandparents last night. We kept her up late, but she still stuck to her schedule and was ready to eat at 1:30 again. Are you sure you're ready for the 1:30am and 6:30am feedings in a few weeks Grandma and Grandpa Born??? :) I think I know who will take which feeding!

Comparison Shots

Now I can't believe how much Quinn has grown. Dannie posted pictures of Quinn and Mike at 3 weeks, and 4 months...check it out!

So, here are some of my comparison shots...

Week 1

Week 15

That's the same baby!!!!

Allergies

For those of you who don't get to talk to me often, my allergies have visited me for the spring blooming season YET AGAIN! Since they've started, Quinn has had increased spit-up episodes. Any other nursing mommies out there have this same problem?? The pediatrician told me not to worry and to continue my allergy meds to make me feel more comfortable...but it's slightly upsetting to see her laughing and spitting up simultaneously!

It is a wonderful day outside today...about 65/70 (warmer outside in the sun than inside today). We enjoyed a family chat on our front stairs in the sun after lunch. Quinn seemed to enjoy watching the cars and listening to the neighborhood children. My nose did NOT enjoy the pollen. But Mike and I very much enjoyed soaking in the rays. With Mike spending so much time inside at work these days, he has limited time to the sun. So, I think it was good sun-therapy for all of us today! Can't wait for days like this this summer to take the family to the ocean beaches! YAY EAST COAST! :)

Also, we were supposed to go to DC this weekend but with Quinn's spit-up all day long, taxes, my allergies bumming me out, and Mike's exam date getting closer...we backed out. Not to mention the weather channel forcasted 50's and rain for the day!!! OH WELL! It's been nice to have a weekend to just chill and get some minor things done around the house and enjoy having a family of three. :)

Hope everyone else is having such a fabulous day too!! I heard my brother was raking sticks that have fallen from trees over the course of the 100 (??) inches of snow or so that Wisconsin go this year. So, spring seems to be meeting everyone these days!! WOOHOO!

Funny Email

I Mickey Mouse Ears New York

When Auntie Jen was here in November, she bought Quinn an adorable on-e-sie (ha ha, what's that again?) that I don't think any of us thought would fit her just 4 months later (it's a 6-9 month "size"). Regardless, it's cute and it looks so cute with her jeans! It's just a little too chilly to wear it around the house/neighborhood without a sweatshirt, but I snapped a few photos right away when she got dressed.


She looks sleepy, right? And look at those rosy cheeks! Well, it's pretty rainy here today and yesterday so we haven't seen the sun. I think she's a little confused as to what time of the day it really is right now. I know that you Midwesterners rarely saw the sun this winter, but we've been lucky seeing the sun for a little while almost every day...at least when we're waking up at 6:45am the sun is usually out! She has been in the habit of falling asleep again about 8:30 or 9am and sleeping until noon-ish. Well, she only slept from about 8:45 until 9:30 today. Lucky for me she stayed entertained in her bed so I could finish reading the paper before I went to say good morning (again). We got out of our PJs and into this outfit...she was too sleepy to enjoy mirror time, story time, tummy time, and even butterfly time! Here we are 30 minutes later and she's asleep on the floor sucking away on her sucker with her hands in the air...


Well, I guess according to that photo, she's still awake (I think the flash startled her). :) Hopefully she'll sleep awhile and we can have an afternoon filled with playing fun! And a walk to the grocery store (hopefully not in the rain!).