Little Joys

Fred finally came home.   And promptly had to go to work the following morning.  It was so cute to see Charlotte cling to him and ask him not to go.

To pass Daddy's first day back at work, Charlotte, Frederick and I picked up Bottie and headed to the Zoo, where we are members.  (Anyone want to join us for another trip to the zoo before the weather gets really stinking hot?  Our membership allows up to 10 guests total.)  Pictures to come soon, but we had a good time.

Today we went to the grocery store and spent more money than I intended.  I also bought 4 g-diapers on clearance for $4.  They usually run $24 for a pack of 2.  Unfortunately, all they had were size small (8-14 lbs) so I'm not sure WHAT I plan on doing with them.  Who can pass up such a bargain? 

Now we are all sitting outside on the back patio under the fan, although the breeze is nice too.  Charlotte is "bare walkin'" without shoes on her feet and trying to get Maddie to fetch a piece of plastic cord from who knows where. Maddie doesn't show any interest.  Frederick is on his playgym on the grass, squealing when the wind makes the oak tree leaves dance above his head.  He's also started grabbing and gumming everything he can reach.  It seemed to take him forever to show an interest in hanging toys, but no time at all to then figure out how to grasp them and bring them to his mouth.

A couple of weeks ago we planted herbs in little planters in the backyard.  They are growing like CRAZY, especially the mint and basil, which seem to have doubled in size in that time.  I have Mint, basil, and oregano in the same planter, and I'm beginning to think I need to give each it's own planter.  I also planted a grape tomato plant in a container.  If I don't kill these few plants, I'd like to build some raised beds in our yard this fall for a large vegetable garden next year. 

Frederick is 16 weeks old and will be 4 months old next week.  Where has the time gone?  I finally took the class so we can have him baptized.  I had hoped that the class we took for MC would still be valid, but alas, no, so this is much later coming than I would like.  Since my hair has started coming out by the fistful, I just hope to have a little left when the big day finally arrives!

And that, my friends, sums things up a bit.  Frederick's squeals seem to have a little more of a frustrated tone, so I best get going!

Will post Zoo photos soon :-).

Of Single Parenthood

Fred has been out of town A LOT this month.  I have NO idea how mothers who are single or with deployed husbands do it.  I've only managed by maintaining a steady line-up of adult interaction.  Either dinner with my family, or by having childless friends over for dinner.  I don't know how I would manage without them! A little conversation and help cleaning the kitchen, holding the baby, or reading Charlotte a book (or ten) goes a long way.

So you must forgive me for being a bad blogger while Fred is away.  I don't mind it when he's gone a night or two in a row, but these two stretches of 4 and 5 nights in a row in back to back weeks have me worn out!

We are, however, still alive and well.  Frederick rolled over yesterday from his back to his front.  I missed it.  I stepped out of the room and he was on his back and came back to find him on his stomach.  He's been trying to flip over for quite a while now, but most of the time his little arm gets trapped under his body and he just gets mad.

Fred's family did such a good job of supplying us with disposable diapers that I only switched back to cloth last week.  AND lucky for me Cotton Babies had a seconds sale tonight, so I was able to swing a few extra diapers (Bum Genius 3.0) for less, you know, to replace the pink diapers that I pulled out of my stash.  (He MAY have already worn a pink one or two, but none out of the house!)  I also ordered a Flip diaper with an organic insert, and a FREE box of disposable inserts.  I'm curious to see how it works out.

Here is the proof that we are managing okay without Fred (read: fed, adequately clothed, and occasionally bathed):

The most smiles award:

Mad Play-Doh skills:

Being fed - fresh fish in the form of ceviche, and both grilled, & fried

Things uncles are good for:

Bad Blogger

See?  I was a much better blogger before I returned to Facebook.  So sad.

I've taken some cute photos/video, but since Charlotte chewed on my card reader, I'm going to have something of a problem uploading them.  I have an old reader that works for the dSLR, but not one for my point and shoot.  With both kiddos in tow and no Fred on hand (he's traveling a lot this month), I've left my trusty Canon at home.  What I really need is a purse camera bag like this by Epiphanie or this one by Kelly Moore.  Unfortunately, I have a hard time justifying the expense.  It would totally be my everything bag (purse, diaper, and camera), but these days I have a hard time spending money on me.  There are so many other things that I want for the house or the kids - I usually come last!  (Though I did spend a little money on a few new clothing items last month).


Will post again soon, with photos, promise :-).