A Prize!

Any blog that has free giveaways I am there! I love this blog (and I love vintage childrens' books!) and I've won a copy of Gilberto and the Wind!

A New Favorite

Wants. To. Read. This. All. Day!

Sleepy Boy

That darn boy is just like his father! S's mom used to tell me that she would watch him in the review mirror to make sure he wouldn't fall asleep before they got home...or there would be his nap. She would wait until he had just nodded off and scream, "STEFAN!" to wake him back up. Lukka fell asleep 4 minutes away from home and I couldn't get him to take a nap, so this evening, everything from not getting more cheese to being put on the ground was a meltdown. This is the first time ever in his 9+ months that he's fallen asleep in my arms. He always wakes up, if dozed off at all, while nursing. Today, he was as limp as a noodle, and as sweet as an angel.

Low Hemoglobin Count

These are not unfamiliar words to me. I have heard these words for almost three years, ever since being diagnosed with celiac disease right before Stefan and I got married. This time, however, it was our pediatrician calling to tell us about Lukka's low iron count. Uh-oh. I had hoped the genetic celiac disease would have skipped right over him, but it seems that the symptoms are just now catching up with his very small 9 month body.

"It could be a coincidence, but you need to get him this prescription of iron supplements in the mean time. We'll schedule a test at the 12 month check-up".

I did not want to hear those words. We'll see, maybe with having two celiacs in the family would be a good thing--that I would actually follow the diet instead of cheat.

What We're Reading This Week

So today's trip to the library was very productive. Not only did we discover a whole new amazing baby realm (read: a whole section with toys attached to the walls, modern rockers, and big comfy couches), but also came home with some great finds in books. I had two on my amazon wish list that I'd wanted to check out, both by Laura Martin: Nature's Art Box and Recycled Craft Box (there must be some craft a 1 yr old can do? and I'm thinking ahead for the summer).

I definitely won't be buying the Recycled book, it was older, had very generic ideas, and a bit out of date. The Nature book looked awesome for ages 3 and up. Really cool things involving plants turning to dyes...you should check it out if your child is that age. I will probably buy it once Lukka starts to like bringing back things in his pockets like feathers and stones.

My favorite find of the board book section was this: Black and White by Tana Hoban

Monday Morning

Looks like I'm not the only one feeling scattered from the weekend.

Happy First Day of Spring

Stink Bug Green Bug

So our little baby bug has been sick (read: teething) on and off for the last few weeks--can't take him anywhere (especially the Y) if he has a fever. Last few days he has had some green gunk (normally scientifically called, "sleep crusties") in his eyes, but yesterday there was TONS. This morning, still a lot, and swollen eyes. Took him to the doctor and guess what--it's pink eye. Contagious for 24 hours, wash all linens, toys, etc. and no fun for a few days. Hopefully this will be the end of the winter blues.

Springtime: Crawling all over the porch

Most of this afternoon was spent outdoors. A walk with the dogs. Swinging in the Porch-Swing. Sitting and bouncing with our snack on the deck. Eating dinner and reading outside. There was one fifteen minute stretch, where the sun was just perfectly positioned for a little 'Lukka shoot'. Here are four of my favorites:

I will always love pictures of children getting dirty. So much to explore, so much dirt!

What We're Reading This Week

I went to the library for a cd I had on hold, and finally put some effort into finding the board books in the kids section. There is just a little corner with about 50 books, and we got about 8 today. A few of my favorites are the following:

Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse. I have had this book (in story book form) since I was little. The illustrations are absolutely phenomenal and lead me to find a rare copy of Papa, Do You Love Me? last year.

Another board book that I picked up that I thought would be great (it was, fun and rhymes!) is Bear and Kite by Cliff Wright. Cute, simple illustrations.

Some new Pics

He's trying to feed himself, but just keeps getting distracted by those funny puppies!

This is a classic Lukka funny face! He always makes the most bizarre expressions while he sleeps! I took the picture mainly because that hat is SO darn cute--and he loves wearing hats--or at least doesn't mind that I love him wearing hats!

A Present for Bumper

I am always on the lookout for good deals on gifts. I like to plan ahead, and get people presents that fits their personality to a "T". In this case, being as Baby Bug isn't turning 1 for another few months, I have plenty of time, but I just came across this and love it (great minds think alike...Julie Andrew's favorites are mine, too!). I know this might be more for me, but I only have about 1 more year of getting him cute gifts before power rangers and legos take over!

What we're Listening to

Great for napping Bumpers(!!). Sweet little cover art, too.

Friends, he's doing great, again, thanks for all the advice and well-wishes.

What We're Reading This Week

When I used to work at Barnes and Noble a few years ago, one of the perks was free books! Every quarter, there would be bargain books that wouldn't sell, all the way to game books, stationary, and the like. I usually worked between 25-30 hours a week, so I got to score quite a number of items. I will post what some of those are later on, but one of my favorite children's books (in the three years there, I probably scored about 30 brand new children's books alone there!) is Little Polar Bear and the Husky Pup, by Hans De Beer. It isn't a fancy, boutique book, just a sweet little story about two of my favorite animals! The illustrations are very standard, and the main three colors are brown, greens, and white. It was the first longer story book Lukka was at full attention to (well, for most of the time!).

Swaddle Solution #3--"Bye Bye"!

Today Dad thought baby bug should have a go at a 'big kid naptime'. No swaddle. A puppy stuffed animal instead. Bug thought it was great ((excited play noises))...that is until a 1/2 hour later he got bored and realized, " this was probably naptime! I don't like naptime! I will rebel!"

Crying for 40 minutes.

Then, you'll never guess.

He rolled over, and slept.

Seems he's a big boy now!