Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Let Me Sum Up: Mazie



Mazie is 15 weeks, almost 4 months old already!  Can you believe that?!  Me neither.  She's still growing like a weed and comes in at a little more than 13 lbs.  She reminds us a lot of Taryn in her body/head shape, but definitely has her own look about her.

She is smiley and happy, and has recently picked up giggling, though it hasn't "ripped" out of her body yet.  It's like its a little stuck.  I'm sure one of these days she'll give us a big laugh, which we're all looking forward to. 


She's very patient with her sisters' tough love.  Keara, of course, is the most experienced so she doesn't usually inflict harm on Mazie, though she has certainly lost some of her desire to be a caregiver to her baby sister.  Still, I've been able to "hire" her to babysit twice so I could take a nap, which was SO nice!  Taryn really, really, REALLY wants to be able to stand up and walk while holding Mazie, like Keara.  But Taryn's a bit more physical with Mazie so for now, we try (emphasis on try) to get her to just be still with her.  Not working.  Oh well, she loves her sister and Mazie loves her back.  Avery loves to kiss Mazie and give her hugs, but she also sits, stands, hits, smothers, and in all other dangerous ways shows her love for her baby sister. 
 
I'm still, of course, dairy free and chocolate free to help Mazie's fussiness, which is non-existent nowadays.  I long for the day when I can drink a glass of milk again, but until then, I'm just grateful for a happy baby!!  I also don't feed her anymore in the nighttime, which I haven't done since she was about 9 weeks old.  It's so nice to get a full night's sleep.

We still find blood in Mazie's diapers, which I can't explain.  She also wakes up completely congested and sometimes with a bloody nose, which I attribute to the dry air in the basement. 

She also has eczema on her legs and back, but we're battling that with none other than your good ol' fashioned olive oil.  It seems to help both her and Taryn a lot.  And finally, she also gets really nasty sores on her bottom whenever I put her in disposible diapers.  I guess that might be the reason I felt such a strong impression to cloth diaper her. 

We're going to Hawaii in a couple months and I will go a full 8 days without my baby.  I'm nervous!  So between now and then, I somehow have to pump enough to feed her while I'm gone PLUS teach her how to eat solids so she won't starve.  Wish me luck.

My sister challenged me to figure out a way to make a swimsuit for a newborn that would allow for growth so it would also fit a 12 month old.  After a lot of thought, I figured if I made an adjustable tankini, it would work.  I developed two designs and they both fit great on Mazie and also on Avery!  Success!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Know a Man? I've Got the Perfect Gift

Okay, this gift isn't just for men.  It's for anyone who either loves a team or organization, went to college, owns a business, or in anyway has a favorite anything that can be captured in a logo. 

Check this out--handmade, hand carved clocks made custom with your favorite logo.  The wood is stained, the logo is painted, and the quality is out of this world.  Braden received this one for his birthday and he loves it!

You can order one by emailing (engrainedart@gmail.com) or calling (952.237.9978) or visit the etsy store Engrained Art (though the clocks are not currently listed there, I know listings can be put up and you can then pay with credit card or PayPal).  Engrained Art can ship anywhere in the county, or the world for that matter.

I know Father's Day is a few months away, but get a jump start!  Start thinking of all the possibilities...

Let Me Sum Up: This Winter



Like most people, this winter has been mild and very pleasant. Though we are anticipating 6-14 inches of snow today, we've sure enjoyed the nice days to play outside.

We've had fun riding bikes...


Splashing in puddles...

 Climbing trees...


and making really small snowmen with broken pieces of snow that were shoveled off the driveway because there isn't enough snow to make a real one...
and when I say "we", I guess I mostly mean Taryn who can find joy in any and very situation!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

And the Winner Is...


Congratulations Carla on the winning name!  We love it!  Spread the word...SqueeZurts are the bomb!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Updated Poll

Hey, I just changed the poll after receiving some feedback and new ideas.  What do you think of these options?  (See sidebar)

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

I am in a state of complete shock!

Name the movie?!

Anyway, I truly am.  I never thought, never imagined, never dreamed that Avery would potty train literally overnight.  Thursday night I gave her the ultimatum that we would have no more diapers.  Friday, she had 2 accidents at friends houses because, silly me, we actually left the house on Day 1 of potty training.  But then, that was it.  She wet the bed that night, too, but other than that, she has been dry day and night since Saturday, has used public potties as well as the church's potty, and goes #1 and #2 like its nothing!  I can't believe it! 

WAY TO GO AVERY!!!

(I would put a picture of Avery in this post...but our computer died this morning.  So I don't have access to pics.  Still, wanted to spread the news!!)