Tearing My Hair Out

Hey Humble Readers...

I know I have brought this up before, but Pippin is going to drive me around the bend.  I love my wee Mister to death, but there are certainly times when I'm not his biggest fan. 

He has, for quite some time, been taking his clothes at the drop of a hat.  And after the clothes are off, his diaper is quick to follow.  Then we end up with varying degrees of disgusting messes to clean up. 

There are some factors to take into consideration when I think about why he's doing this. 

• His eczema flares up regularly around his ankles and his waist, so I know that pants aren't his best friend right now.  He rarely wears socks for this reason, but I don't feel I have that option with pants... might not go over well out in public.  Not to mention that it is still winter-like out there. 
• He has recently gone through a growth spurt so many of his pants and jeans are snug around his waist (and I'm trying not to have to buy him more pants so close to the end of winter). 
• It almost always happens when he is bored.  This is usually when he's in the playpen or the crib.  I do try to limit the playpen time for him, but I feel forced to choose between keeping him safe and contained when I have to leave the room or am cooking etc, and having a potential mess to clean up.  He always has toys to play with in the playpen, but only a soft book and a stuffie in the crib at naptime. 
• Sharing a room with Ginny means that naptime rarely includes a nap.  They both need a rest, and if they get a little bit of quiet time that's better than nothing.  But Ginny has been caught not only egging Pip on while he removes his diaper, but actively helping in diaper removal and the finger painting that follows. 

We have been using packing tape on his diapers for months now.  I don't like it... it's inconvenient, not to mention time consuming, and I'm always concerned about the adhesive coming in contact with his skin. 

But now the little stinker has managed to figure out how to take his diaper off, even with a double strapping of tape around his waist.  Hence the tearing out my hair scenario. 

I don't dare say anything about it to my mom because she'll start in on how he's ready to start potty training (and beyond the saga that is my potty training experience with Ginny, and how I'm not interested in starting down that road with Pip just yet, but really, how would I go about potty training a little boy who is only just beginning to communicate in basic form?).  Potty training is also the consensus on most of the mommy message boards I've perused. 

I'm going to try a set of footie pjs put on backwards tomorrow at naptime.  Do any of you have any other suggestions? 

I love my little boy, and I don't want to wish away this age, but man oh man I cannot wait until we are DONE with diapers. 

The Verdict

Hey Humble Readers...

Don't fall off your chair... Yes, I'm writing two days in a row. 

Pippin had his speech therapy assessment today.  The speech pathologist had him play with a couple of different toys, and asked me a lot of questions.  What sounds does he make when he's happy?  What types of sounds does he make when he's upset?  Does he like music?  Does he point out his body parts when asked?  Is he a loud little guy or is he quiet?  And on and on and on. 

She was particularly happy that I had brought a video of Pip making some of his usual sounds.  (Thanks again, Rain, for the suggestion!)

At the end of it all, we got her take on things.  Ultimately, it's a good news/bad news situation.  The good news is that we sought intervention early, as many parents wait until their children are three or older to seek help.  There are resources and support available, and we are willing to do the work. 

The bad news is that his speech is categorized as a severe delay, and his understanding delay is considered moderate. 

I have to say at this point that I feel slightly vindicated.  For several months I knew that something wasn't right, but so many people in my life told me not to worry, Pippin would talk when he was ready.  I knew that he was struggling, and I'm glad I pushed to get him assessed.  Trust your mommy-intuition!

The plan, for now, is pretty much centered on my Beloved and I.  We are going to be working on labeling everything in Pip's world... verbally, of course.  We had already been doing this a fair bit, but now it will be a lot more intensive.  The speech pathologist said that we'll be 'giving him the answers' rather than asking the questions (not asking 'what's this?' while holding his cup, but rather saying 'cup' over and over).  We need to simplify our communication with him, from sentences down to key words. 

She said that she really wants to see Pip using more gestures (he has only a handful of gestures that he uses regularly) and she wants him to be a noisier little guy.  We will be working on sounds (animal sounds, car sounds, etc) along with simplifying our communication with him.  Again, these are things were doing already, but just being much more intentional and intensive about it. 

Next, we are on the wait list for a three month program (called It Takes Two To Talk, from the Hanen Center), primarily for the parents, that will give us more in depth tools on how to help Pip.  It won't likely be until May or June before we are able to take part, but at this point I'm just glad that we have some forward momentum. 

Our speech pathologist really gave me a lot of really good feedback, and encouragement.  Ultimately, no one can make a child talk.  It's all about giving him opportunities to mimic and repeat what he hears.  Also, the fact that he doesn't talk is in no way an indication of a lack of intelligence.  He's a bright and curious little boy (I knew that, of course, but it was good to hear an impartial observer say it), and is just slow to talk. 

She's going to be sending a copy of her report to me and to Dr. B, our family doctor.  She told me to call if I ever have any questions, or am in need of suggestions, or just need to bounce ideas off her. 

Overall, I'm pleased with how things went today.  Did I like hearing that Pip's delay is indeed 'severe'?  Not even a little bit.  But I'm glad to know that we have a plan, and are moving forward. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Glorious Autumn!

Hey Humble Readers...

Have I ever told you all how much I love the fall?  It has always felt like a time of new beginnings, a chance to start over, for setting goals and planning ahead.  I love it.  It has cooled off tremendously in the Shire, and it is much more comfortable in the hobbit-hole.  We have had frost warnings the past few nights, so I'm very thankful that I got my basil and thyme harvested. 

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As I write this, the most intoxicating aroma of tomatoes, basil, and garlic is wafting through the hobbit-hole.  A big batch of my oven roasted marinara is gently bubbling away in the slow cooker.  It's so nice to be able to use fresh, local ingredients in this recipe.  The tomatoes come from just a bit down south of us, the onions from a local Hutterite colony, the garlic is from a local grower, and the basil is mine.  Woohoo.  I really should have started making tomato sauce much earlier in the summer, to take advantage of the tomatoes at the farmers market. 

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It's happened, Humble Readers.  Pippin has hit the "I can take off my diaper" stage.  Three times yesterday.  Thankfully, I caught him each time just after, so the mess was minimized.  Of course, he thinks it's hilarious.

This situation does reiterate something that I've noticed and mentioned before.  He's hitting milestones about four to six months behind when Ginny did.  I'm really trying hard not to be too concerned about this, and I know I was worried about Ginny's lack of vocabulary, but this seems different.  Pippin is 16 months old and hasn't spoken a word.  He makes noises, but nothing that seems intentional, except occasional car noises when he's playing with his cars.  The family anecdote is that my Beloved didn't speak until he was almost five.  Forty years ago, there wasn't much known about Aspergers and we both recognize now that he is somewhere on that spectrum (his tics, obsessive nature about certain things, his difficulty with some social cues).  When do I stop just being concerned about Pip, and actually start actively seeking intervention?  He has a well-baby check up coming up in a couple of months.  Do I wait until then?  Am I being ridiculous?

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I had a pretty major "Yippee!" moment yesterday.  The two plus-size clothing stores here in town both have points cards, and of course I am a member.  One of the perks is getting a special coupon to use in the month of your birthday.  I went shopping last night, and had a couple of truly awesome moments.  First, I needed some new yoga pants.  The ones I wear for walks are capri length and with it getting much cooler over night, it's getting a bit too chilly to wear them.  I also knew that the pair I have now are a bit too big.  So, for kicks, I tried on a pair two sizes smaller AND THEY FIT!  They are an X.  Not 1X, not 2X... just an X.  Yay!  I also tried on, just for curiosity's sake, a pair of size 18 jeans.  AND THEY FIT TOO!  (I confess, I did try a size 16, and that was absolutely a no go.)  Jeans weren't on the shopping list (waiting until Boxing Week sales), just yoga pants and a couple of long sleeved t-shirts (down to a 2X from a 3X last spring), but with the coupons I saved a bunch and came of there smiling.  Also of note, I FINALLY busted through the 70lb wall.  I'm down about 71.5 and hopefully things continue.  After the splurges around my birthday, I need to get back on track. 

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Does anyone know if there is a connection between teething and eczema?  Pip's eczema has flared up again (I had hoped we were getting it under control) and the only thing I can think of is that he's been teething pretty hard the last couple of weeks with his canines. 

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The second part of my interview with author JR Vikse is coming up in a few days.  I hope you'll come back and check it out! 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: A Tale Of Two Dressers

Howdy Humble Readers...

First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here.  And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here.  Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire). 

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I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks.  The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped.  Bathroom is almost ready to go.  I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing.  It's going into the dumpster).  Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store.  I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet.  My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself.  Yay!

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It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border.  We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so.  Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep.  A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.

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I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers.  My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom.  Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery.  The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart.  For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...

Hemnes 3 drawer dresser - $149.99
image courtesy www.ikea.com

I actually really like the bigger version, the one with 5 drawers, but two of those is not an option budget-wise.  While I was on their website, I came across this...

Tarva 5 drawer dresser - $139.99
image courtesy www.ikea.com

It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above.  I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it.  I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that.  Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry. 

Any thoughts?  Suggestions?

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I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll.  I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers).  Gah!  And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought  back in June are already headed to the trash.  The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes.  Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them.  And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes.  Not exactly motivating.  I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating. 

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Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late.  He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness.  He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall.  He's catching up to Ginny so fast.  Too fast.  I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet.  Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed.  She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk.  It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying.  He responds to most directions and comments directed at him.  He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises.  I guess I just need to be patient.  The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema.  Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route. 

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Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting.  Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time.  Woohooo!

Coming Up For Air

Hey Humble Readers...

Well, that was a loss of two weeks. 

First, we were just busy.  Westerner Days and Parade with the wee-lings, and Ginny's first ever class-type program (Mom & Tot Gymnastics), and a quick visit from my sister and her family. 

Then we all got sick.  Well, as much as my Beloved ever gets sick (a few sniffles and a frog in his throat), anyway.  The rest of us have been sneezing, snarfling, and coughing for days and days.  Ginny is on the mend, but Pippin and I are still suffering.  You know, I can handle a lot of the whole bodily fluid thing, but snot and drool about do me in.  And dealing with it when I'm barely holding it together is beyond challenging.  Motherhood is grand!  (and yes, I know this is what I longed for!)

Well, I need to lay down again.  Thank heaven for nap time (Ginny) and play pens (Pip). 

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer!

Sunday Night Chit Chat: Hockey Widow

Hey Humble Readers...

How's your weekend been?  Ours was nice... a trip to Little Town Down South to visit MIL, some shopping (I got new shoes!  Woohoo), and some quiet family time.  Lots of rain.  We did, however, get a chance to go to the park for a little while between showers. 

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My Beloved loves hockey and football (CFL).  I am not a fan of the NHL.  If I'm going to watch hockey it will be international or junior level.  Thankfully, he doesn't feel the need to watch every game every week.  It also helps that 'his' team (Calgary Flames) haven't been doing so well the last few years.  But now that we're down to the semi-finals, I'm officially a hockey widow.  Is it just me, or does it seem ridiculous that they're still playing hockey in June?  And then football starts in July.  *sigh*

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If you're driving through central Alberta anytime soon, you might want to avoid driving in the Shire.  This past winter was murder on our roadways, and with all the rain we've had recently the city crews haven't been able to get out to work on the potholes.  Our back lane is especially bad as we share it with a strip mall and the delivery trucks have torn the crap out of the alley (unpaved).  The entrance to our parking lot is marked by a pothole that is more than a foot deep. 

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I've been contacted by one of my bio-aunts, and she wants to come and see us.  I haven't responded yet.  I would like to see her, but every time I get in touch with someone from my bio-family all hell breaks loose.  The phone calls and harassment begins again from my bio-mom and bio-sister.  I just don't know if I'm ready to face that right now. 

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My Beloved and I are taking a mini-holiday on Labour Day weekend.  I know it's still a long way away, but I'm excited about it.  We aren't going far, just down the highway to Big City To The South, for the weekend.  MIL is coming here to stay with the wee-lings, and we managed to get a great deal on a nice hotel room for the weekend.  It will be our first overnight trip (together) away from the wee-lings.  I love my children, and I'm I excited to have a chance to get away from them for a while. 

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On to tonight's chit chat.  Here's what I'm...

Reading... The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak.  This book is really good.  I know next to nothing about Russian history, so this is a learning experience for me too.  All about an orphan girl, a ward of the crown, who is trained to be a spy in the court of Catherine the Great.  Very reminiscent of Philippa Gregory's Tudor series.  I'm loving it.  Next in the queue is The Art of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein.

Watching... not really watching anything.  My Beloved is surfing back and forth between the hockey game and Mythbusters.

Listening To... while I'm not listening to anything other than the tv right now, I have recently found a very old favourite and I've been listening to him on my walks in the morning.  Chris De Burgh... the guy who sang Lady In Red.  He's got a ton of great 'story songs' like The Traveller, Spanish Train, and Patricia the Stripper.  Very nostalgic for me.

Happy I accomplished this week... I joined www.fatsecret.com ages ago, but this week I founded a challenge.  A 30 Day Squat Challenge.  I found the layout of the challenge on Pinterest, and there are now 115 people signed up to squat along with me this month.  It's killer on the legs of course, but it's actually fun too.

Looking forward to next week...  Crafting with the girls on Thursday.  Working on some Christmas gifts.  I already have my mom's and my MIL's Christmas gifts done (except for the frames). 

Thankful for this week... The sun, when it shines. 

***Bonus Question*** If you could only eat ONE FOOD for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Would you believe me if I said roasted broccoli?  I love that stuff!  I could eat it all day long. 

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This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat.  Click over to see what the others are chatting about tonight, and join in on the fun!

Hobbit-ish Potpurri:

Howdy Humble Readers...

We're beginning to feel a little like Noah around here and wondering if we need to build an ark.  Another few days, and I may have to start checking for moss between my toes.  It's been raining pretty much for a week.  The upshot is that the grass is nice and green, but I'm getting a little tired of walking in the rain every morning.  I'm trying to remember how I managed when I lived in Seattle for four years.  All the rain never really bothered me then.  Hmmm...

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I had an appointment with Dr. B today.  Just another follow-up on my blood sugars.  He's very happy with my sugars, and my weight loss (47 pounds down!).  He basically told me that he normally sees diabetic patients once a month for at least 6 months as they adjust and commit to the changes they need to make, but he doesn't need to see me again until I need a refill on my prescriptions (sometime early August).  Woohoo!  My blood pressure was a little high today, but he chalked that up to the lingering cough.  We did talk about my goal of being med free (at least for the high blood pressure) by my 40th birthday a little over a year from now, and he's very confident that I can get there easily.  So long as I stay on track. 

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Pippin has cut two teeth in the past week.  So with the congestion from the cold he's still got, and the runny nose stuff from teething, my life has been all about snot the past few days.  You know, I can handle the poop, vomit, and pee.  But drool and snot just make my skin crawl.  Ick. 

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Ginny has been doing really well with her letters and numbers, being able to name all her uppercase letters for the last few months.  Recently she's started figuring out that there's an order to them all, and has begun counting to 10 by rote, as well as singing the alphabet song.  This week I started working with her on recognizing her name printed out.  We had some dollar store beach balls from Pip's birthday party, so on one of them I wrote out all our names in block letters, and she's gotten very good at picking out her name.  I toss her the ball, and when she catches it she has to find the name I say.  Next we'll start working on lowercase letters. 

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AF is here, and true to form, she's been a little strange.  For the last 6 months or so, there has been a lot of spotting before and after, and killer (KILLER!!!) cramps.  This month, no spotting, hardly any cramps (mostly just a backache)... just 'hey I'm here' and that's it.  Could this be due to getting my sugars under control?  Being more physically active?  Or simply that it's been a year since Pip was born and my body is getting back to normal?  Probably a bit of all three, but still it's strange. 

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Planning on buying myself a new pair of shoes for walking this weekend, maybe some more yoga pants for when I'm working out, and a belt!  Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've owned a belt?  The capris that I bought at the beginning of April are already getting to be too big, and the jeans I got in January are starting to slip when I walk (especially if I've got my keys or phone in my pocket).  Since another wardrobe of pants isn't in the budget, a belt will have to do the trick.  I haven't worn a belt in more than 20 years.  I'm super excited.  Dorky, huh?

Pippin Update: A Whole Year

Hey Humble Readers...

Well, better late than never, right?  I'm finally getting things together to tell you about Pippin's first birthday party.  I still can't get over the fact that he's a full year old now.  How has it been a year since that crazy nightmare C-section, since my crazy-lady roommate in the hospital, since bringing him home on Mother's day? 

Spent a couple of hours the night before blowing up a ridiculous
number of balloons.

 For his birthday, I had decided ages ago that we were going with a beach/surf theme and I wanted to use royal blue and orange for the main colours (totally not even thinking about the fact that those are Oilers colours, and we are a Flames household... my sister and BIL thought this was hilarious as they are big Oilers fans). 

Food!

 On the menu were spicy grilled shrimp skewers, fruit kabobs, chips (sea salt and vinegar of course!), gold fish crackers (for Ginny), cake, and a cocktail called a pineapple smash (pineapple juice, white cranberry juice, and vermouth) for the grown ups. 

Graham crumb sand, and blue sprinkles for the water

Took forever to find the little umbrellas

 I'm really happy with how the cake turned out, as I am not a baker or a great cake decorator.  Of course I got the idea off Pinterest, and with surrounding the outside with kitkat bars, it made it soooo easy.  The cake was chocolate raspberry, with raspberry jam (low sugar of course) in the middle.  Pippin totally went to town on his piece, ending up with cake up his nose and in his ear. 

"Happy Birthday to you!"

Ginny loves the Happy Birthday song so much that she's been singing happy birthday to Pip since April.  And yes, she's still singing it, more than two weeks after his birthday.

mmmmm... cake!

more please?

He was spoiled rotten.  I had told most of the family that what he really needed was summer clothes, and they came through.  He got a ton of tshirts, shorts, and muscle shirts.  And couple toys and books thrown in there too. 

opening gifts with Daddy

Lookin' like a little old farmer

of course he wanted to play with the paper

It was a relatively small gathering, just the four of us, Gramma (Beloved's mom), Mama (my mom), my sister and her husband and kids.  Still we had fun celebrating our little man.   By four o'clock our hobbit hole was ours again, he was bathed, redressed, and we were all resting.  I can't imagine what it's going to be like when we start having birthday parties with tons of kids.  I'll be a mess.  :)

official 1 year portrait

how can you not love this face?

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Spring Fever

Howdy Humble Readers...

Spring fever indeed.  Ginny and I are both suffering with the crud... sinus congestion, hacking cough.  Ginny seems to be okay most of the time, until she throws a tantrum (she is two, after all) or eats something.  Me, on the other hand... oy.  So much for a fun extra long weekend. 

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The crud has been taking it's toll on my new exercise routine.  There's no way I can walk 6km+ when I'm hacking up a lung.  And quite frankly, I don't have the energy to do it.  It's also wreaking havoc on my stick-to-it-ivness as far as the diet is concerned.  I haven't given in yet, but it's getting harder.  All I want are my old comfort foods... potatoes, fries, pasta, bread (and not just my low carb stuff.  I want a thick slab of brioche with strawberry jam).  MUST.  STAY.  STRONG.  I've even relaxed my self-imposed ban on artificial sweeteners, just to help manage the pressing need for sweet.  Diet Dr. Pepper, anyone?  The lack of exercise, and the cold itself are making an impression on my blood sugars, not for the better. 

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Are all toddlers/preschoolers more than a little bit OCD?  Or is it just Ginny?  I swear it's getting worse.  The toys from her farm set CANNOT intermingle with her toys from her airplane set.  And heaven help Pippin if he messes with her tea set or picnic basket once she gets them set up.  Certain books have to be on particular shelves (ok, she may have gotten that from her mummy) or she will throw a fit.  Meal times can be a challenge at the best of times (where oh where did my good little eater go?), and if she gets the wrong colour utensil or plate?  Yikes!  Please tell me this is a phase. 

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A couple of you asked, so here it is... my thoughts on the new Star Trek movie.  I loved it!  (Technical difficulties at the theater notwithstanding... ended up getting a free movie pass because the sound was messed up so I can go see it again.  With my Beloved this time.)  I thought that it was spectacularly well done, and the story was awesome.  Like the first in this reboot series, it's very accessible to new Trek fans, and still honours the original.  I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but there are some great tributes to the original series.  And of course, the eye candy in the movie is outstanding.  :)  I never would have thought that I would find a Vulcan attractive.

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I've given up on "The Purchase" by Linda Spalding.  I got 150 pages in, and it was just too depressing.  I swear, if I wanted to read about Job I would read about him in the Bible.  Life is too short to read boring maudlin books.  I've moved on to "Shepherd's Abiding" by Jan Karon (second to last in the Mitford series), and I picked up a couple of books at the library yesterday that I'm looking forward to reading... "Lost Art Of Mixing" by Erica Bauermeister and "Winter Palace" by Eva Stachniak.   What are you reading right now? 

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It was supposed to stay nice all day today, but the clouds are rolling in.  I would guess that we're in for some rain earlier than anticipated.  It suits how I'm feeling.  Maybe once the wee-lings are settled for their afternoon naps, I'll get a chance to curl up on the couch with my book and a cup of tea. 

Pippin @ 11 Months: A Busy Boy

Hey Humble Readers...

Bathtime - still in the kitchen sink

It has been ages and ages since I did an update on our wee little mister.  Let me tell you, he's not so wee any more!

Look at me!!

He'll be 11 months old next week, and I just can't even believe it.  Where has the time gone?  He's gotten so big and so busy, it's hard to keep up with him. 

Tired boy

Pippin weighs 22.5lb now (not sure how tall he is, haven't measured him in a while).  He and Ginny are in the same size diapers now... how crazy is that?  His eyes are still super blue, and he's had six teeth since December.  He's been teething 3-4 more teeth for at least a month, with no real progress unfortunately.  And talk about drool!

Today - completely zonked out for 12 minutes

He sleeps really well most nights, usually from around 8pm until 7am.  The only times we have a middle of the night wake up is when he's in a growth spurt or his teeth are particularly bothersome.  Napping is iffy, with morning naps being the norm and the occasional cat nap in the afternoon while Ginny is napping. 

Ooooo... Mummy's books!

He loves his little stuffed Eeyore beyond belief, but all other toys are fair game too.  Basically anything he can chew on is a favourite. 

Pippin makes lots of what I would consider 'little boy' noises... grunts, squawks, blowing raspberries, even car sounds.  He's a very happy little guy, and it's easy to make him giggle.  There isn't any real sense to his noises yet, except for the random "Da!" when he sees my Beloved. 

He started crawling, really crawling not just doing the army crawl, around the same time as he started pulling himself up on the furniture, around the middle of February.  Now he's cruising around the furniture and giving me regular heart attacks as he takes little tumbles here and there. 

Hangin' with Gramma

And speaking of tumbles... Ginny DOES NOT condone Pippin's newfound mobility.  Every chance she has, she will push him down and then try to sit on him.  He has fought back once, biting her on the finger (not that biting is allowed, but he needed to put Ginny in her place). 

First time he stood up... at Mama's house in K-town.

Pip's eczema still comes ,and goes.  He's got a patch right now on his hand that has shown up in the last few days.  But the rx cream still seems to be able to control it. 

Motorin'!

He'll probably be going for his first haircut sometime this month or early next... in time for his birthday.  He doesn't have the same quantity of hair that Ginny had at this age, but he's got some crazy wave going on in the back. 

He's a great eater, when he's not asleep at the table. :)

He's a pretty good eater too... Pip's favourites right now are rice krispies, bananas, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, tomatoes, kale, grapes, strawberries, applesauce, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, cheese, chicken, turkey, ground beef (but not roast beef or pork, or pork chops).  He gets so excited about food and he gets very upset when dinner is all gone.  He's almost entirely off the bottle, drinking whole milk from a sippy cup most days.  He's still a bit messy with the sippy cup, but I've decided that if he continues as he has been, it will be time to pack up the bottles and send them off to the thrift store (WAH!).  H e also has started to really do well with feeding himself... he could probably manage his whole lunch (usually fruit and cheese cubed up) if he wasn't inclined to pick up his dish and dump it on his head. 

Pippin is such a good little boy.  Yeah, he pulls my hair, and gets into my books, but he's so happy and when he gives me that little grin with the twinkle in his eye, I just melt. 

Sunday Night Chit Chat: Quiet Weekend

Howdy Humble Readers...

Happy Sunday night.  I hope that you all had a good weekend.  Mine has been ok.  Nothing big happening except for a huge dump of snow.  I'm sure winter is never ever going to end.  February and March are always the hardest. 

Ewan MacGregor was great in this movie!
So were Stanley Tucci and Bill Nighy!

Friday night I went out for coffee and to a movie with a couple of friends.  It was nice to get out with the girls.  We saw "Jack the Giant Slayer" and I have to say it was fabulous!  I was expecting a bit of cheesiness and over used special effects, and while there was a bit, it was a great adaptation of the old fairy tale.  I especially adored the little twist at the very end.  I was actually applauding in the theater. 

Sadly, staying out way too late (ended up not getting home until around 1am) set me up for a rough couple of days.  I had difficulties getting and staying asleep, and Saturday morning brought our eye exams (more on that later), so I was a bit of a slug.  And trying to do an eye exam when you're super tired is a challenge.  I spent the rest of the day nursing a headache and dozing.  I even copped out and ordered pizza for dinner

AF decided to make her presence known this morning, so Pip and I stayed home from church.  Ginny went to Sunday school for the first time and apparently she did really well.  Well enough to be invited back again next week, even though she's too young for the youngest class.  This afternoon the cramps eased enough for me to get a bit of work done around the hobbit hole.

So, nothing big, nothing extraordinary.  Pretty dull actually.

Anyway, on to the chit-chat.  Here's what I'm...

Reading - Still reading The Book Thief.  It's been a not-so-great week for reading for me.  I'm really enjoying the book, I like the narrator's voice throughout, and his interjections into the story. 

Watching - Once Upon A Time.  The actress who plays Mrs. Pattmore from Downton is in it tonight. 

Listening to - Not really watching, but listening to an old episode of Criminal Minds.  Other than that, the house is quiet.  Wee-lings are in bed, and my Beloved is out running a couple of errands.

Baking/Cooking - Tonight's dinner was yummy, although not what I had originally planned.  Because we had pizza last night, I ended up making last night's scheduled dinner tonight.  Hunter Schnitzel with a mushroom peppercorn sauce, German potato salad, and green beans.  Yummy! 

Happy you accomplished this week - Our eye exams.  It was educational, how the doc checked the wee-lings.  Ginny had one of her rare super shy moments, and didn't want to talk, so that made things challenging.  He had her name some figures that he showed her on a card and once she had said them once, there was no getting her to say them again when he adjusted the distance.  Pippin's exam was actually a bit easier.  I held him on my lap and the doc just had him follow a little puppy figurine around, and then did a "peek a boo" exam.  Both wee-lings eyes are looking very healthy, and right where they should be in terms of development (and Ginny doesn't have a lazy eye, even though my Aunt J was adamant that she did.  Pthbt!)  My Beloved's prescription has changed dramatically, so we'll be prioritizing his new glasses.  Mine has only changed a bit, and the doctor said that the issues I've been having with fine print and eye strain/fatigue are likely still carry-over from the GD.  It should level out in the next few months. 

Looking forward to next week - Not sure.  It's shaping up to be a quiet week.  Hoping to stay on top of my spring cleaning list.   Thankful for today - That the cold I felt coming on the other day seems to have been nothing.  That spring will come... eventually.

Bonus Question:  Have you ever left the house in your pjs?  Not in recent years.  When I was living on my own, I sometimes would go out in my pjs at night and hit a drive thru for dinner or a snack.  But I would never get out of the car.  I've just never been one to let strangers see me in my jammies. 
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This has been posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat.  Click over and check out what others are chatting about tonight. 

Sunday Night Chit Chat: Recovery Mode

Hey Humble Readers...

We made it safely home last night around 7pm, after a little over 12 hours of driving. Thankfully, Ginny only got carsick once, and that was just about an hour into the trip.  My mom followed us in her car, and went on to the big city to the north of us to spend a few days with my sister, before heading to Winter-peg to visit some more family.  She just wasn't quite ready to face not having GG to look after on a daily basis, so traveling will keep her busy.  The highlight of the journey was when we had stopped at the mid point of the trip to gas up and have lunch, and my mom locked her keys in her car at the gas pump.  Oy!

Today has been all about recovering from our trip.  Laundry, grocery shopping, and washing all the mud off the car (the pass was really slushy and mucky).  The wee-lings, who had been struggling with sleep while we were at Mom's, slept for more than 12 hours last night!  It was after eight o'clock this morning before we heard a peep from them.  Miraculous!

Ginny with her cousins Felix & Oscar

Onto the Chit-Chat...

Here's what I'm

Reading - I just started "The Book Thief".  It's a different sort of book than what I usually read, but I'm enjoying it immensely.

Watching - Probably just going to clear up some room on the dvr.  I love the Oscars, but this year I didn't get to see the majority of the movies, and I'm not able to do my usual Oscar night dinner of appies and snacks, so I'm just not feeling it.

Listening to - The wee-lings go crazy for the dogs in 101 Dalmations.

Cooking/Baking - Because it's been such a busy day, I didn't want anything too involved, so I'm making my Lazy Sausage Casserole.  It's so yummy, with lots of veggies.  Here's the recipe if you're interested.

Happy I accomplished this week - I managed to speak at GG's memorial, which I wasn't sure I'd be able to do.  I cooked almost every meal while we were in K-town (saving my mom the stress of cooking for a horde).  And I washed the car today. 

Looking forward to next week - Actually, I'm more hoping than looking forward to something... our mortgage is up for renewal, and I'm hoping that we'll be able to get a better interest rate (appointment on Tuesday).  Other than that, I'm just planning on getting into a normal routine again, and starting my spring cleaning.

Thankful for this week - Safe travels, children who travel moderately well (carsickness notwithstanding), and for the privilege of having known my Grandma. 

**Bonus Question** What item is currently at the *TOP* of your wish list right now?  Well, the big ticket item would be a bedroom set for my Beloved and I (we have no head board, and my Beloved uses a laundry basket for a dresser).  I really love the Hemnes set from Ikea, but the closest Ikea is a fair jaunt away, and the pieces wouldn't fit in Tilly the Toyota anyway.  The smaller ticket item, and far more attainable, is a decent shoe rack.  I'm so sick of all our shoes being all over the floor in our entryway. 

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This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat.  Pop over and check out what others are chatting about tonight! 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Winter Doldrums

Happy Valentine's Day Humble Readers...

Well, it's happened again.  Nary a word from me since Sunday night... what's going on here?  I have a dozen blog posts rattling around in my head, but they just don't seem to want to exit through the ends of my fingers. 

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The snow in the Shire is slowly melting.  We've had snow on the ground since before Halloween, so I'm not at all sad to see it go.  That's not to say that the weather has been nice, far from it.  Yes we've had sunny skies, but we have constantly been rocked by wind all week.  I love the effects of a Chinook wind, but I'm not a fan of the wind itself. 

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I broke down and watched the season finale of Downton Abbey the other day.  I'm not going to give anything away, I promise, but I do have to say I'm pissed.  Seriously, the whole evening after I watched it I was MAD.  It's going to be a long wait until next January for season 4.

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Weight-loss update: I'm plateaued again.  I'm down 24.5 pounds, which is awesome.  But I'm stuck again.  I'm a little bit concerned because I inevitably gain weight when we go to K-town.  Mostly because of all the wine we consume when my mom, sister and I are together.

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I'm happy with how my super-fake King Cakes turned out for Mardi Gras.  I'm not much of a baker, so the real deal was rather out of reach for me to attempt, but I wanted to have a special "zert" as Ginny called it.  So, this is what I made...

Pretty simple really.  Crescent rolls (in a tube), filled with a bit of nu.tella, then topped with a simple glaze and sprinkles in the colors of Mardi Gras... purple, gold, and green. 

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So, it's Valentine's Day.  A pretty important day in the hobbit hole.  Today is the 7th anniversary of when my Beloved and I were matched on eHarm.ony.  I always try to do something special for dinner, and when it's in the budget we do try to go out at some point around V-day.  This year's special dinner is New York strip steaks, double-stuffed twice-baked taters, oven roasted asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and cheesecake for dessert.  Things are well in process at this point, and I'm planning on leaving some time between when Ginny gets up from her nap and when my Beloved comes home to have Ginny make a card for her daddy. 

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I'm hoping to squeeze some time in tomorrow for Pippin's 9 month post.  I'm already a few days late, and I want to get it out there.  How is it that he's been on the outside for as long as he was on the inside already???  When Ginny was this age, Pippin was conceived.  Wow.

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: The No-Good-Very-Bad Week

Hey Humble Readers...

I totally didn't intend to fall off the face of the earth this week.  But circumstances alter cases, and here I am.  About the only good thing about this week has been the weather... lots of sunshine and warmer temps.  When I say warmer, I mean that we are actually hanging out around the freezing mark. 

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Hard on the heels of the yeast beast (which was something I would be super thankful to NEVER EVER have to deal with again), AF showed up.  She was a couple of days early.  I'm wondering if the yeast infection or perhaps the meds contributed to her early arrival.  And yes, she was her usual bitchy self.

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GG is going downhill very quickly.  My aunt flew from Manitoba to K-town this morning.  Mom has been basically living at the nursing home.  We aren't anticipating that she will make it through another week.  We have looked into the cost of flying, but given that we now have to pay for a full price ticket for Ginny, it would be about $1200 and then having to pay for a rental car while we're out there.  It looks like when GG passes we'll be driving, which my Beloved isn't thrilled with the idea.  12 hours through the mountains in the winter.  Not going to be a fun trip. 

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Pippin has been teething hard this week.  But at least we are seeing some results.  He cut his fifth tooth last night. 

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So, remember how we just got my lousy Dell computer back from the repair guys, just a couple of weeks ago?  Well, I had just gotten all my programs reloaded, downloaded and organized all my photos from picasa, and reset all my bookmarks.  Then yesterday happened...

Ginny spilled water on my laptop.  Or rather, she caused me to spill water on my laptop.  I had just sat down on the couch with a full glass of water, my laptop open beside me.  I was looking at Pip and didn't see her dashing over to plow into me.  The glass in my hand went sideways, and about a third of it landed on my laptop keyboard.  I had to disentangle myself from Ginny before I could attempt to do damage control and I think that was my downfall.  I managed to power the computer down, but the screen had already gone black and I heard some of those sickening crackling sounds.  I left it to dry out overnight, and when I tried it this morning it worked for a minute or two before it crackled again and crashed.  The question before us now is do we dump another bunch of money into having it repaired for a third time in the last 10 months, or do we write it off and try to figure out how to work a new one into our budget. 

In the interim, I'm using my Beloved's new laptop when he's not home.  It's a tad frustrating because it runs windows 8 (not bad, just different) and a differently laid out keyboard (the shift key is tiny!). 

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I want to leave you with something to make you smile, seeing as all the rest of this has been pretty whiney. 

Ginny & Shadow-Girl

 

One thing I forgot to include in my January post about Ginny was her relationship with her "Shadow-girl".  She first discovered her shadow last summer when the evening sun would shine through our kitchen, but as the summer faded, so did shadow-girl.  Around Christmas time, Ginny found her shadow-girl again, this time on our dining room wall, and started talking to her.  Usually just about her toys or dinner, but it became fairly common.  Then she started giving her shadow-girl smooches and hugs.  She's tried to show Pip his shadow-boy, but he's just not interested.  

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: News & Updates

Hey Humble Readers...

Well, I'm back.  Beauregard the laptop is back in my posession and is actually running better than what it did when I first got it.  I got the computer back a couple of days ago, but because they had to completely wipe the hard drive, it's taken me some time to get things back to the way I like them.  Thank heaven I had backed up all the pictures on Picasa.  And the computer tech guys were able to save the files that I was most concerned about losing from my writing and my plethora of lists!  Yay!

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My Beloved's first few days at his new job have gone well.  He says it's a much more professional environment than he's been accustomed to.  And it's a rather posh office... a newly built building with granite countertops in the bathrooms and a water feature in the reception area.  Still in the dark on the medical benefits (which is one of my main concerns) but all in all, he seems happy and excited about his work.  A couple of little bummers... he has to leave a half hour earlier in the morning, and he can't come home for lunch any more.  I miss that little bit of adult conversation in the middle of the day and he misses seeing the wee-lings.

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My mom has had a bit of a health scare.  (Just a reminder that my mom is a 6 time cancer survivor - cervical, uterine, lung, melanoma, lymphoma, lesions on her brain)  One of her past cancer issues was a melanoma on her forehead by her left temple.  A month ago she found a small spot on her forehead on the right temple.  Given her history, her doctors didn't want to mess around, and so yesterday they removed the spot.  It was a little over 4mm, and it was sent for further testing.  I've been able to keep my concerns in check until today, because I found out that her main doc wants to see her on Monday morning.  Part of me knows that it's likely just to check on the incision and possibly remove the stitches, but I'm still anxious.  I know that she absolutely doesn't have the emotional reserves right now, with everything going on with the divorce, to deal with a full on cancer battle again.  DOESN'T SHE DESERVE A BREAK?!?!

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I'm hesitant to say this, but I think we may be past the sleep regression situation.  At least for the time being.  We changed up the bedtime routine a bit.  Ginny and Pippin both go to bed at the same time now.  We do teeth brushing, stories, and prayers together now, whereas before we would put Ginny down first and then put Pip down an hour or so later.  We are doing a modified version of Ferber (I think that's the name of it anyway), where one of us will go in and comfort him a bit every 10 or 15 minutes if he's fussing.  In the last couple of days we've only had to go in twice.  I was just so hesitant to do that, because I didn't want his crying to upset Ginny's sleep (and I really don't like CIO), but my Beloved was adamant that we give it a try... and it's worked.  And it seems like Ginny's settling a little quicker now too. 

QUESTION:  Have any of you found that your baby had a tough time learning to self soothe if they didn't learn to suck their thumb?  (we don't use pacifiers either) 

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Goals for 2013 Update:  I'm well into my third book of the year already.  I'm very happy that I've gotten such a good start on my reading goal for the year.  Other goals have been very slow to start.  I have been better with my line-a-day journal, but my weightloss has plateaued at 19.6lb down (since November).  Workouts have been pretty much non-existent (hence the plateau), but I have booked an appointment for a hair cut tomorrow (my first since last April).  And I'm planning on colouring my hair next weekend.  Potty training... oh heavens... I am so lame.  I am going to get on that on Monday.  My daily to do lists have remained unaccomplished mostly for the last couple of weeks, but I'm allowing myself some slack there because of Pippin's sleep issues for the last two weeks. 

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What's been the highlight of your week so far?

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Hey Humble Readers!

mega blocks as teething toys

I hope that your weekend was great, busy if you needed it to be and quiet if that's just what the doctor ordered.  Things around the hobbit-hole have been fairly mellow, with Ginny slowly returning to her normal happy almost-two-ness (albeit still covered in spots) and my Beloved recovering quite nicely from his little 'procedure'. 

Our only outing this weekend was to church this morning, and it was nice to connect with people I haven't seen since this crud landed on our house almost three weeks ago. 

Beloved's week off was great.  We got a few important things done around the hobbit-hole, and got to spend some time just enjoying being together at home.  We got through all the Lord of the Rings movies, and he actually enjoyed them.  Of course, I was sitting there blubbering like a baby at the end, like I always do, and he was just laughing at me.  I still can't believe that we've been together for more than 6 years and he had never seen them!

On to the chit-chat

What are you....

Reading - Still reading the Hobbit.  Just haven't had much reading time this week, and my usual, before sleep reading has been very abbreviated (as in, just a couple of pages a night).  I have so many other books on my to read list, I need to make more progress!

Watching - Maybe the new Ken Burns movie "Dust Bowl", or I may just go to bed early tonight.

Listening to - my Beloved doing the dishes and Pippin grunting as he tries to get up on all fours. 

Cooking/Baking - Tonight's dinner was Parsley Stuffed Chicken, baby taters, and green beans.  The chicken was done in a dutch oven on top of the stove, with just salt, pepper, and butter and stuffed with an onion and a bunch of parsley.  Tasted great and was super simple. 

Happy you accomplished this week?  Did a super deep clean on the hobbit-hole, rearranged the nursery so that Ginny can't climb into Pip's crib from hers, rearranged a few things in the kitchen, watched the LOtR movies, and made some serious progress on my Christmas list.  Only a couple more things for my Beloved and then some hand-made things I need to get done. 

Looking forward to next week - Crafting with the girls on Tuesday, tackling a few more around the house projects, GINNY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Thankful for today?  My family... the fact that we have two beautiful wee-lings.  There were so many days when I thought this wouldn't be a reality. 

You're handed a round trip plane ticket to anywhere in the world for a weekend and $1000 cash. The catch? You have to go alone, right then & there with only whatever you have on hand. Do you go? Where would you go?  Hmmmmmm, that's a tough one!  Ultimately, I think I'd go.  Now where?  maybe it wouldn't be the other side of the planet, but I would pick somewhere where a lot of my bloggy buddies are close to, and set about meeting them. 

One last thing... my Beloved has an interview for a great job tomorrow (substantial salary increase, great benefits, and job security with room for advancement... talk about awesome if he gets it!).  If you think about it, could you send prayers/positive vibes/good thoughts his way?  We would appreciate it.  :)

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This was posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat blog hop.  Click over and check out what everyone else is chatting about tonight!

Pippin @ 6 Months

Howdy Humble Readers!

Well, it's three days late, but I really wanted to get this down for posterity. 

I cannot believe it's been six months since we met our wee little man.  Pippin's grown so much!  I haven't weighed him recently, but I know he's well over 18lb.  We go for his well-baby check up on Thursday, so we'll get a good accurate measurement at that time.  He's totally outgrown 99% of his 3-6 month wardrobe, and we're going to have to head to the consignment store on the weekend to pick up some new pants for him. 

He wanted to help with the Christmas lights

We are still struggling with his eczema and cradle cap.  Because of the cradle cap he's lost a lot of hair, except for a strip down the center of his head, so he looks like he's got a faux-hawk going on.  Pip's eczema quieted down in September and October, but as soon as the cold dry weather started, he flared back up.  He often scratches his face and head (no matter how often I trim his nails), so he looks like he's been fighting with a cat. 

Every morning is a new discovery of scratches. 
I've tried the socks on his hands thing and it just doesn't help.

 

He rolls.  Oh how he rolls... everywhere!  I generally put him on a blanket in the middle of the living room and within seconds he's in the dining room, or chewing on the rocking chair. 

And speaking of chewing... oh my stars!  Pip chews on anything and everything and drools like a faucet.  Ginny has a large plastic Noah's Ark and for some reason Pip thinks it's a teething toy.  He's teething like mad, but still not making any real progress.  There are some bumps in his gums, but for all the pain he deals with, they don't seem to be going anywhere.  Ginny didn't get her first tooth until around 8 months, but I'm hoping for Pip's sake that he doesn't have to go that long. 

When Pippin isn't rolling, he's trying very hard to push himself up onto all fours.  He's desperate to keep up with Ginny, and sometimes his frustration at being left behind gets the better of him.  He's also recently begun to pay attention to the toys around him.  He will roll to get to certain items, and has an incredible grip once he gets hold of something (and he loves to wrap his fingers in Mummy's hair... ouch!). 

He loves to sit up, but can't manage it for very long on his own just yet.  He loves his toes, thinks they are the funniest things in the world, next to his sister.  He has yet to discover his penis, but given the strength of his grip, that's probably a good thing.  :)

Pip babbles and jabbers so much more than Ginny did at this age.  I always knew that Ginny was quieter, but wow!  He talks non-stop all day.  Of course it's still all nonsense syllables but it's a marked difference. 

First meal of rice cereal
(Finally got the pic to post!)

He's just started eating solid foods this week, and he's loving it!  He dives for the spoon, and gobbles up his rice cereal like a mad man.  Later this week we'll be adding sweet potatoes into the mix.  Of course, the addition of solids has not been all giggles and shits... Pip's had some tummy issues over the past few days.  A small increase in gassiness and some ooky changes in his poopy diapers are of note, but Ginny went through similar challenges when she first started solids too. 

Sleep at night is great.  Both he and Ginny are sleeping in the nursery now (Ginny goes down at 7:30 and he snoozes in the living room until 9 and then has a final diaper change and bottle before moving to the nursery), and they have managed to deal with each other's noises.  Napping, on the otherhand, has been a challenge.  At least part of the issue is again logistics.  He NEEDS a nap in the morning, but fights it so hard, I think because Ginny is up and playing.  At most he'll sleep for 20 minutes to a half hour.  In the afternoon, he'll often sleep when Ginny is napping, but where to put him is still the question.  I need to just bite the bullet and try putting him down in his crib at the same time as Ginny nap and see what happens. 

I know I've shared this pic before, but I just adore it!

 He's such a happy, laid back baby.  He adores his bouncy/jumper thingy, and will try to bounce on your knee.  He fusses when he's tired or hungry, but it's an obvious need.  He smiles and laughs constantly, and he's such a joy.  I can't believe he's 6 months old already! 

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The crud has landed on Ginny.  Poor sweet girl has a fever and a seriously runny nose.  I hope and pray that she doesn't get it as bad or suffer with it as long as I have (almost 100%... my voice is still really weak).