7 Quick Takes (Vol. 17)

#1 - I have come to the conclusion that 2 hour baby naps are one of the best gifts. As my Mum expressed it once to me: "Children: love them when they're awake. Love them even more when they're asleep!"

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#2 - Yes, I did watch the Royal Wedding this morning. I know. I'm crazy. Especially given how sleep deprived I've been lately. But really, how often do I get to see a royal wedding? Besides, the last one (Charles and Diana's) was the year I was born. It seemed rather apropos. And for the record, while William was always the cute one growing up, Harry has definitely inherited the better looks in the family in the long run. Blueberry was very obliging. Nursed at 4am, so I missed the first arrivals and what not at Westminster, but then she slept until 8am, so I got to see the actual ceremony, kiss, etc and take a nap! Thought the ceremony was really good; especially the Bishop of London's address and Kate's brother's reading of 1 Corinthians 13. Sure he was well-coached, but it was nicely done.

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#3 - I have a new "I have a cold and need a cure" go-to remedy. Ever heard of a Netti Pot? Yup, that's a tea-pot up her nose. And it works like a charm. Have been suffering on and off with a severe head-cold/sore throat for about a month now. One night of the Netti Pot and I was feeling better already. Still a bit stuffed up now, but considering how bad it was, I'm impressed.

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#4 - I can't believe I haven't posted since the beginning of the month. Still haven't talked about my Arizona trip yet never mind my Tennessee trip and let's not even discuss my husband's hospital adventure. Must get busy! Oh and Easter! Can't forget that!

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#5 - Blueberry news: has 1 new tooth (for a total of 3), is currently trying to push out an additional 5 (all on top--all at the same time--it's been a lot of fun). Is doing her best to figure out how to crawl. She's getting pretty good at getting up to her knees, but can't go anywhere. Also is having a grand time learning to pull herself up on things. My question remains is she going to actually crawl or just decide to take of walking first? We have also discovered she loves swings in parks. And taking her to a zoo or just to look at animals at all is fantastically fun as she gets so excited. She has also become much more interested in really looking at books the last few weeks. About dies laughing sometimes at some of them.

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#6 - Currently am busy preparing for my baby sister's wedding which is in 2 weeks. Well, wedding and shower. I can't believe she's getting married.

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#7 - Because I can't bear to leave you without a new picture of my Blueberry: She's discovered the joys of the Tupperware cupboard.

After a very long, emotionally crazy day...

...I turned on my "Vineyard" Pandora station and the first song that came up was the below song. Much needed.

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart and glorify Your Name

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You and glorify Your Name

Daybook March 26

Outside my window...it is rainy and gray and gross and cold. However, I do have a beautiful white tree in my front yard and some lovely red flowers coming out on a nicely-greening bush across the street. So that makes up for the yuckiness a little. This week has really been a typical Missouri week. Gorgeous sunshine and 80s one minute, cold, wet, rainy the next.

I am thinking...that I'm procrastinating on doing a few things. But the day is just so rainy and cold and lazy inducing. I can't help myself!

I am thankful for...finally finding my dress for my sister's wedding. And also got Blueberry's dress (three cheers for consignment sales and affordable children's clothes!). Pictures to come eventually.

From the learning rooms...[or in our case--the learning brain]...The learning has been on mommy's end this week I think. First we've been dealing with the eczema thing (clearing up beautifully by the way--so glad we caught it early). However, Blueberry was not a very easy berry this week. In fact, she was a little fuss pot much of the week and also was worrying me by not wanting to nurse. We were going through the "what it could be's": itchy skin from the eczema (didn't seem like it), teething, shot reaction, just leftovers from to much traveling.....all of the above? While some of the above might have factored in, it seemed like something else was going on. Finally we figured out that her tummy is hurting her and her reflux has picked up again. Did some reading and realized that I had not been feeding her a good enough mix of food (particularly for a baby who is prone to reflux). What we were feeding her was fine in and of itself and for most babies, but with the reflux factor added in, I'm obviously going to have to be really careful on how I balance out her foods. Sigh. Poor baby. We've cut way back on eating any solids for the last few days and have focused on just getting her to nurse. As that is getting back under control, we'll work on reintroducing/balancing the solids she's getting. Sigh. I did feel better as I read on several websites that a lot of people who have babies starting solids who also have reflux struggle with it all. Partially because there's not a whole lot of helpful information out there, partially because what might be fine for one baby might hurt another baby. Go figure.

From the kitchen...my cookies for Charlotte were a success! Pasta for dinner.

I am wearing...jeans, socks (cold feet thanks to this nasty cold weather), and a nursing shirt that I sadly stained with some drops of bleach. Oh well. Still works for around the house wear.

I am creating...more scrapbook pages. Yes, it makes me happy!

I am going...to get off the computer now and get something useful done.

I am reading.. . Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Fascinating and at times infuriating so far. Blueberry and I are just reading general picture books right now. Need to get back into a bigger book again as well. Maybe time to pull out my Winnie the Pooh treasury. One is never to young for Pooh Bear. She's been making me laugh with a few of the books. Whenever we hit a page with a picture of a dog, she gets super excited. Reaches out and tries to pet the dog in the picture!

I am hoping...That I'm not trying to over-extend myself these next two weeks.

I am hearing...the crinkle of a magazine as Blueberry happily rips it to shreds (Travel and Leisure--she's a girl after my own heart).

Around the house...it was not a good housekeeping week. To much other stuff going on. However, getting back into my Flyladying is paying off because it doesn't actually look to bad (or feel dirty) around here.

One of my favorite things...is Swagbucks! It's seriously so easy to earn money through it. Basically I just search through Swagbucks, but occasionally I'll play games and I'll take their daily poll and a few other things that also provide easy Bucks. I'm getting at least $5 in Amazon gift cards every month through them if not more sometimes. If you're not already familiar with them, check them out here (and if you sign up through there I get points too!).

A few plans for the rest of the week: Church. Shopping prep time. Some plans for next week. Meeting up with a lady who will get me set up for a new work at home opportunity that has come up. Hopefully see a few girlfriends of mine. Studio is open again on Thursday (they were closed this week for Spring Break). Working on my baby sister's wedding shower (trying to get a lot done before I leave for Tennessee in less than two weeks now!) Hopeful date night with husband. And as always playing with, loving on, and rejoicing in my Blueberry.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Zucchini. I never claimed she was the world's daintiest eater but she does love food.




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