PSF:Daddy Does Nap Time

Sunday afternoon I put Caitlin down for a nap in the living room, and then I went into the kitchen to put away the dishes. With a Beach Boys CD playing, I was getting things done around the house. After finishing the kitchen I went on the computer to check my e-mail.

Caitlin was taking a while to settle, but I didn't think much of it. At about this time I looked behind me and did a double take.

My husband was standing on the recliner "surfing" along to Surfing Safari.

Sadly I have no pictures of this. He admitted later that he knew that I would not be able to grab the camera in time.

After entertaining Caitlin with his recliner surfing, the Irishman moved onto Bert and Ernie puppets.

Not quite what I thought nap time looked like....

...but she seemed to enjoy it!

 

I can't complain too much though...

She fell asleep in the end!

Hosted by Cecilyand Caitlin

Caitlin Gets the Giggles

I make a lot of lists. Lists of thank you notes left to write. Shopping lists. To do lists. Wish lists. Book lists...

This weekend I added "Get video of Caitlin giggling" to my to do list.



Get video of Caitlin giggling

Now back to the list...

WW: Tiny Dancer

I love this outfit...and these pictures. Someday in the not-so-far-off future she will be walking and I will have to chase her to get my photos. For now though I can watch her wiggle and move with my camera ready. I can watch her kick her feet and move her little arms. I can make faces at her and sing her favorite songs to watch her giggle and laugh.

And I can enjoy every minute of it!

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Works For Me Wednesday: Books While Driving

Lately my "me time" is at a premium. With work and the baby, I am always behind with a to do list that LOOKS like a novel....a to do list that makes "me time" all the more important!
The first bit of "me time" is right now. Each morning as I use a hands-free device to express milk for the baby (worded as nicely as possible....at school I refer to heading to the "milking parlor") I have about 30 minutes of uninterrupted computer time. I can edit my photos...blog...check Facebook. It seems silly to some people, but that is my "me time." I enjoy it. There might be multi-taking involved, but that is even better in my book!

My second new found love is books on CD. I often suggest books on CD to parents of struggling readers. The library is full of them! The problem is I have no TIME to go to the library. I also have this irrational fear of library fines...not sure where that came from, but I found my solution.



I have used Paperback Swap for a few years now and LOVE it! Quick summary: you post the books you don't want on the site. If someone wants them, you pay media rate postage to send the book to them. They give you printable labels and work out logistics. Then (the good part) you get a book credit that you can use to order any book off the site. I've cleaned out old bookshelves and ordered board books for Caitlin. I have a wish list of books I'd love to buy but will honor my budget and wait for them to be posted to Paperback Swap. I am a true fan.

But since becoming a new Mommy I have had no time to read a book. It bothered me. A lot. A month ago I decided to order some audio books. I am hooked!

Each day when I get in the car I get to pick up where I left off. It doesn't matter where I am going or how late I am getting into the car, I still get to enjoy the book. I actually look forward to my drive time...and I am not one who enjoys driving!

So there you have it...it works for me!

Head over to Kristen's place for more Works for Me Wednesday!


P.S. In the spirit of true disclosure, I will get a book credit if you click on the link to PBS posted above and create an account. If you like the idea, join. If not, that's okay, too!

P.P.S. Blogger won't let me add pictures right now, so just pretend I put Kristen's nifty little logo at the top of this post, okay?

Daddy's Turn

She'll always be her Daddy's girl.

Mommy and Me Monday: Shoes

Age shouldn't affect you. It's just like the size of your shoes - they don't determine how you live your life! You're either marvellous or you're boring, regardless of your age.
- Steve Morrissey



As I got Caitlin dressed for Mass yesterday I was thinking about her shoes. They reminded me a little of the ones I'd planned to wear. When our plans for 8:30 Mass when awry, we opted for 9:15 Mass and time outside as a family. I have to say it was 20 minutes well spent!

For more Mommy and Me fun visit:
Hosted by Krystyn

Caitlin's First Solid Food

Okay, so this is a family post. I am sure no one else is interested in Caitlin's first taste of rice cereal, but our families live far away and they are waiting to see!

This was our first attempt at YouTube. Right after we turned the camera off she started blowing messy rice cereal raspberries. It figures, huh?

Daddy has been telling Caitlin that today would be a BIG day all week. He is ready to introduce her to the world of meat. One small step...

I was teasing him about picking out just the right outfit and bib for the occasion. He knew I was teasing so he suggested letting Caitlin choose...at the same time she reached out for this bib! She has good taste.

She would keep her mouth open wide as we came in with the spoon...and then clamp it shut as soon as we got close. I'm sure Daddy will have her converted by this time next week!

Most parents make an airplane...the Irishman is not like most parents. Here is his Choo Choo train.

Let the fun begin!

P.S. If you were one of the people my husband called yesterday to announce that we "fed the baby for the first time today" please know that this is what he meant...

Dancing Diva

One of the Irishman's co-workers gave us this outfit. It is still a little big, but the room she is in at day care in cold so we decided to give it a try. When else can you wear long sleeves this time of year in Florida?



Daddy loved the the fact that his baby girl was wearing one of his favorite brands. Caitlin loved looking at Daddy.

PSF: Baby's First...

Costco Membership?

A couple of weekends ago the Irishman and I took Caitlin along as we ran errands. Our last stop of the day was Costco. It had been raining and the stroller was wet from our previous stop, so we opted to put the little one in the baby carrier. I convinced the Irishman that she was big enough now to carry front facing...and she LOVED it!

Caitlin giggled and laughed her way through the story. She was thrilled. Everyone came up to us with the usual "Where do I get one of those?" and "What aisle did you find that one on?"

On the way out, the Irishman had to get a new membership card.

As it turns out, Caitlin got her first membership card, too!

For more PSF visit:

Hosted by Cecilyand Pam

Spelling A Nap

This weekend we rearranged the living room to give the little one more room to wiggle around on the floor. She showed her approval by rolling four times. That girl wants to MOVE.

Anyway...
As part of the transition we pulled up the foam tiles and washed them. (Okay so I pulled up the tiles and the Irishman scrubbed them and soaked them during Caitlin's morning nap time...)

Then we dried them...



...and put them back together.
It was hard work.



(And you should have seen the marks left on his face after this one!)

Caitlin was happy with the results though!

WW: Red, White, and Beautiful

Spread love everywhere you go.
Let no one ever come to you
without leaving happier.
- Mother Teresa

For more WW visit:

April Showers Bring Caitlin Flowers

Yesterday the Irishman complained that he needed a Daddy and Me day like "Mommy and Me Monday."

Just because there are no days that begin with a 'D'

he said...



But EVERYDAY is DADDY DAY!
She is such a Daddy's girl!

We've learned that onesies and pants are best for day care, so this weekend I bought Caitlin some new clothes. I'd had my eye on a navy daisy all week. The Irishman loves the color navy and announced it his favorite thing she has ever worn.

We enjoyed a rainy Sunday afternoon with our little daisy!

Mommy & Me Monday: Baby's Got Her Blue Jean Bib

My baby's got her blue jeans on...

This bib came with the set she wore in her 5 month pictures, but you couldn't believe how handy it is...jeans do go with just about everything!

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Is it really Monday already? It seems like we just did this...but our bags are packed and we are ready to face another week. (Or maybe just keep saying that until we believe it!)

On the plus side, the house smells like fresh rosemary french bread this morning. I dusted off the bread machine and made a loaf to bribe Caitlin's day care teachers  to send in with Caitlin this morning.  I also made the mistake of posting that on Facebook, so I also need to bring some into school for my co-workers. I'd forgotten how quick and easy it is though. There will be more bread in our near future!

Have a great week!

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For more Mommy & Me:


Hosted by Krystyn

Saturday Strawberries

We met John, Laura, and little Johnny at a local strawberry picking establishment. While the strawberries didn't look the best, we bought old-fashioned ice cream cones...yummy! (I got strawberry cheesecake...that counts, right?)

We walked and chatted and took pictures of the kiddos.

It was a great time with friends!



An almost ideal family photo...I decided Caitlin just wanted to show off the bow in her hair!

Little Lamb

These pictures are from, umm, February...



I don't think she would even fit into that outfit now. But the pictures were saved and not yet used....and I have no new pictures to share yet from the weekend, so here you go, Mom!

And yes, I did cut the tag off of the Panda as soon as I took the first picture this month and she tried to eat it...see:

Oh...I guess you can't see the ear in question from there. You'll have to take my word for it!

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I called my mom last night with a bit of a challenge for her. Target has stopped selling Caitlin's favorite kind of pacifier. Now she thankfully does not take a pacifier at night, but she does use it to settle for naps. If it was just me I would not be too worried...I'd just let her get used to another kind, but my guilt with the day care situation wins out. (That and she has learned to pull it in and out of her mouth....a VERY handy trick for her to have when we are in the car and I cannot reach to put it back in her mouth) So my mom is looking for me to see if she can find any...but I did find out last night that I can order them online which is a relief!

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Speaking of day care we made it through our first week! It wasn't easy. The Irishman sent me a text on Wednesday that the baby looked sad when he dropped her off. My heart broke. She was screaming when I picked her up on both Tuesday and Wednesday...but both times she was on the changing table. It seems she does not at all like their changing table or washing her hands afterwards.

Thursday was better....she was in the "Cozy Corner" happy as a clam to kick her feet and enjoy life. (It is a little area of blankets with books and such. Caitlin enjoys being on the floor and moving around though, so I am not surprised!)

Friday was the best. Maria had her in her arms in the rocking chair and was singing to her. She said it had been a very good day. Morgan said it was a good drop off that morning, too. I hope this is the begining of a new trend...

We sent in homemade chocolate chip cookies last Monday. I am thinking this week I will dust off the bread machine and try to have fresh warm bread for them. These are important people to keep happy!

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Thursday morning I woke up in the middle of a dream that I was scrubbing the floor. I woke up disappointed...because it meant that the floor still needed to be done! Sad, huh?

Caitlin has started creeping and moving around so we are changing our living room arrangement. The coffee table in the living room is going to become our make-shift changing table downstairs to make more room for a wiggling baby in the middle of the floor.

The sad part? I am looking forward to cleaning the floors, the foam tiles, and setting it all up. Apparently enough to have dreams about it at night...

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I had morning duty at work this week. More accurately I was late for morning duty this week. I thought I would make it on time yesterday....then I washed my hair. I had decided hair washing was not necessary and would save time, but I forgot until I was mid-suds. Oops!

Then as I stepped out of the shower the Irishman came into the bathroom holding Caitlin out at an arms' length. A poopy Caitlin...at an arms' length! The diaper had fallen and he didn't want to put the poopy baby down on the clean mat...so I helped him out.

I was late for morning duty again, but at least I had a few excuses...and I took a mental snapshot of Morgan with Caitlin that made me smile for the rest of the day!

(Sidenote...he is really good with the baby and even changing diapers. It was more concern over not making a mess before work!)

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And the last bit of randomness for you...

Yesterday evening when Caitlin and I got home it was raining. She was sound asleep in the car seat and I have a book on CD I listen to in the car, so we stayed in the car and waited for the rain to stop. After about 15 minutes or so the Irishman pulled in to the spot next to us and nearly had a heart attack. He didn't expect to see me in the car. Then, because it was raining, he used his bluetooth to call my cell phone...so we sat in parked cars next to each other talking on our cell phones. It was quite a sight to see!

PSF: Good Jeans

It is hard to believe that Caitlin turned 5 months old last Saturday!



Daddy picked out the outfit for her monthly photos...though I'm lovin' the little blue jeans, too!

She has almost outgrown all her 6 month clothes. I know I say it everytime, but I cannot get over how much she has grown! How do I hit the pause button?

She will start solid food in the next couple of weeks...want to wait until we settle into the day care routine. One new thing at a time...for Mommy as much as for Caitlin!

Last night she rolled from her tummy to her back for Daddy. I still haven't seen that roll yet, but I know she can do it!

Caitlin loves to be on her tummy and is starting to move around the floor...further baby proofing will be in our very near future!

She's such a sweet little girl!
 It must be those good genes jeans!




Hosted by Cecily and Mamarazzi