Friday, April 22, 2011

7 Month Favorites

Dinah is 7 months old today.  Can someone tell me how this happened?  You always hear people say, “They grow up fast,” or “Enjoy it.  They don’t stay little for long.”  Those have got to be the biggest understatements in life!  WOW.  She is growing up way too fast.  And, I hate it…except it’s a lot of fun.  In general, life is pretty much the same as it was 7 months ago…except for Dinah. 
So, in honor of her 7 month milestone, I thought I’d reveal a few of our favorite things. 
Mom & Dad’s favorites: 
1.) pacifier wipes 
We saw these in stores before DC was born, and thought they were stupid.  But now? Oh, now we totally get the functionality.  She drops her pacifier or toy on the floor in the middle of a parking lot? Pull out the pacifier wipes.  I use them to wipe off high chairs & the table in front of her when we go out to eat too, because if she can reach it she will chew on it.  And, they’re made with 100% food grade ingredients, so we can clean things without worrying about what chemicals she’s putting in her mouth afterward.
We use the stroller all the time.  She LOVES to go outside, so we use it to go on walks or as a chair if we want to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather.  I also use it in the house.  Sometimes I put her in the stroller and park it next to me while I do dishes…she likes to be part of what’s going on.  I’ve even used it as a high chair.  We’ll be using it for a long time. 






Dinah’s favorites:
1.) going outside – she never gets tired of going outside, and it is a great way to pull her out of a funky   mood. I can totally relate to that one!

2.) her cousin Lyla- they may live 5 hours apart, but they are always happy to see each other.  Dinah lights up whenever Lyla walks into a room…even if she’s been crying and nothing else can make her happy.  And, she loves to give her kisses.  Sweetest thing ever.
3.) the dogs- She gets so excited when she sees them.  She loves to watch them, and feel of their fur. 
4.) standing up- This is a relatively new favorite, but it’s definitely at the top of the list.  She loves to hold our hands and stand on our laps or on the couch next to us, and it almost always turns to bouncing.  Last week, she pulled herself up in her crib and now she pulls up all the time (usually on us). 
Our sweet baby may be growing up too fast for my taste, but what a joy she is!  I can’t get enough of her smiles & laughter & jabbering, or the intrigue of discovering the world around her.

Friday, April 15, 2011

SLEEP

You’ve probably noticed that when you don’t get enough sleep your brain doesn’t function as well, it’s hard to stay awake while driving, and completing other important tasks.  Then, your eyes start watering and you just long to lay down somewhere and close your eyes.  You know what I mean?  Sure you do. 
Do you know why sleep is important for your health?  I mean, besides the effects on your memory and your mood? Lack of sleep causes weight gain.  Seriously, not cool.  It increases stress and cardiovascular irregularity.  Again, not cool.  It weakens your immune system.  Man, I don’t want to be sick!  And, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is responsible for 100,000 car wrecks, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities each year.   
Will someone please explain to my daughter that she’s slowly killing her parents? 

Thanks.
You might remind her of how precious she is while sleeping.  

While you're at it, can you explain to me how it's possible that she was so small and sweet just yesterday, and today she's sitting up and trying to crawl and starting to pull up on things?


*information on sleep deprivation found at http://www.webmd.com/ and Harvard Medical School.


Friday, April 1, 2011

Brother From Another Mother

I love my sisters-in-law, all three of them.  I usually just call them sisters, and I love them like sisters.  At least, I think I do.  The problem with saying so is that I don’t actually have flesh and blood sisters.  I have no point of reference.  So, while I feel that way, I feel kind of funny saying it.  I do, however, have brothers… two very stubborn, frustrating, wonderful brothers.  Because of this, I feel equipped to say, I love my brother-in-law as if he were one of my brothers.  And, after 3 ½ years, he is one.  I just don’t have the blood ties, or the childhood memories. 
Like my other brothers, I really do feel like he’s got my back.  And, he’s got my husband’s back too, being his brother and all.  If you hadn’t noticed, I’m pretty partial to (and protective of) my husband.  He’s kind of wonderful.  So, I have a deep appreciation for people who care so deeply about him.  And, if there’s one thing to be said about my brother-in-law, it’s that he’s a loyal brother.  Okay, that’s not entirely true.  If there’s ONE thing to be said, it’s that he’s a wonderful Dad.  He happens to be the proud father of one of the two most precious girls ever (look for my feature on my one and only niece, coming soon).
 

You know what else I like about my brother-in-law?  I like the fact that he’s one of five men those pesky boys in the future will have to go through to get to my little doll face.  She may not have a big brother, like I did, but she’s got a protective Daddy and four uncles.  (I’m picturing the Earp brothers walking to the OK Corral, here)
Next up:  The Fourth Uncle