There once was a lad from a northern suburban village called Cleveland, Ohio. He had a wonderful close lady friend from the southern, sweltering, hot city of Tampa Bay, Florida. One fall day this lad decided to visit his sweet lady friend. He hopped into his powerful little, black Volkswagen Golf and made the long journey down south. You see, this lad and lady were the best of friends. They laughed and played, talked and supported each other for years and years. When the two reunited once again there was nothing but fun to be had. Together they jumped out of planes, explored beautiful sandy beaches and flew on roller coasters. It was a bittersweet day when the lad had to return home to his dreary suburb and continue his responsibilities in his Cleveland tower. Off he went, singing some lovely Chesney all the way home, thinking of his sweet lady friend. You see, although the lad and sweet lady friend were truly just the best of friends – something had happened. In the middle of all the fun, the lad and lady friend began to fall in love. Is it possible? But they were the best of friend for years and years, how could this be? How does the lad tell his sweet lady friend this news? Oh my, what to do. The lad, being the extravagant lad he was purchased the largest, sweetest, pinkest and cuddliest puppy in all the land. He had this puppy, named Penelope, quickly delivered to the sweet lady’s castle. When the sweet lady friend received this beautiful, extravagant package she yelped “oh my, what could this be?!” She opened up the parcel to only have this beautiful five foot puppy named Penelope come tumbling down on her, it was the most beautiful bundle of pink plush she had ever seen. The sweet lady friend was quite surprised by this extravagant, lovely gesture by the lad, for they were just the best of friends. What does this mean? The sweet lady friend was truly enchanted by Penelope…and the lad. Together they reunited once again, spoke of their love and lived happily ever after.
On Saturday I will have been married to the man of my dreams for 6 happy years! It’s a family joke that it all began with Penelope, there was even a skit performed involving this pink puppy during our engagement dinner! Six years and two kids later, I still have the most awesomist husband in the land . . .happy anniversary James, I love you.
It’s a good thing we had girls . . . because where else would you put a 5 foot pink puppy?
February 25, 2006
) – I basically put her on a feeding “schedule.” In the beginning I nursed A LOT, every 2.5-3 hours, 8-10 times a day. But as Amelia got older and could be stretched a bit longer, I slowly decreased my number of feedings. She wasn’t eating any less, just less frequently. This was great because it was manageable, we established a consistent sleep/feeding/play time routine. When I wanted to go on a date or possibly find the time get my hair done, I could leave the little princess with a babysitter and not panic or worry that she might get hungry - I just worked around her “schedule.” I was always worried about how am I going to occupy a two year while trying to nurse Amelia. It’s really not that bad, it’s just a matter of balancing the routines and making sure one is occupied while the other is being fed. Mind you this does not always go as smoothly as it may sound. There are (many) times when she goes through growth spurts, wakes up early from naps or is just very upset and I feed her because I don’t know what else do to. But you do what you have to and then just try to get back on track.
with Amelia. I didn’t need it as much with Amelia but I preferred the motherlove.
on the swings – her favorite
when Adeline was a baby and we’ve been using it ever since. When she started solids I introduced only cereal, then vegetables and lastly fruits (each 1-2 weeks apart). I started with simple, individual vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato, broccoli, butternut squash – and as she got older I would make a variety of combinations or just puree whatever we were having for dinner. I would make several portions at a time and freeze them for later. Adeline is now 34 months old and still eats her broccoli, carrots, blueberries, apples, etc – it’s awesome. Not only is she a great eater, but she truly enjoys her meals, has a solid immune system and incredible health (we have been seriously blessed). She has developed preferences, but is required to at least try new foods once and often ends up liking it anyways. I contribute her good eating habits to two things – 1) Introducing “real” food from the start. From carrot purees to steamed carrot slices - she has always had the same thing just in different textures. She was already used to the taste so transitioning from baby food to healthy finger foods and normal dinners was never an issue 2) Eating meals as a family and not by snacking – being a role model. We’ve always been big on sitting down at the table and eating meals together. We don’t let her have lots of snacks right before lunch or dinner so she doesn’t ruin her appetite and we stress the value of family time at the table.
– with an added camera. The only video monitor I could find that automatically scans between two cameras (can connect up to 4). Amazing. Adeline was being potty trained and recently transitioned into a “big girl” (full size bed) when we had Amelia, it just made me feel so much better to know I could still hear and see her if needed. She’ll sometimes wake up at night or in the mornings, look at the camera and say “I have to go potty” or “I’m up” (she doesn’t get down on her own) and we’ll just come and get her. There is a “talk back feature” on the monitor as well, never thought I would use this but it’s genius. If I’m stuck with the baby I can tell Adeline over the camera that I will be there in a minute and she’ll just play in her bed till I come get her. Love it. 2. 
