Week 29

An Entire Month

Have you ever thought about doing the same thing for an entire month just to see what it would do to you?  Maybe it was something radically life-changing like walking five miles a day to lose weight and be healthier or maybe it was more simple and disciplined like making your bed every morning.  Have you ever thought about writing about something every day for a month, or in this case, reading about it?

The Nester has hosted a writing challenge link-up on her blog for five Octobers.  It's a challenge to write about one topic for 31 days straight.  (It's definitely a challenge, at least it would be for me!  It would be difficult for me to stick to one thing only because I'm a rabbitual writer, meaning I bounce around from one thing to the next like a rabbit.  Ask my high school English teacher, she'll tell you.  Also, "rabbitual" is my entry for the Urban Dictionary.)  I've wanted to participate since I first heard of it two years ago, but I've had a hard time coming up with a viable topic.  What would I write about every day for a whole month?

This year, she's created categories and when you sign up you should fit in under one of them.  Here are her categories and a few possible ideas bouncing around in my head.

House & Home

Simplicity & Organizing

Family Life

Faith-ish

Personal Endeavors

Too Awesome to be Categorized

For 31 days straight I could take before and after pictures of little projects I'm (I use that word loosely) doing around the house.  Believe me, I could come up with 31 little projects that need doing.  Probably 3100.  I wouldn't have to actually do a project every day since the objective is to write every day, not do every day.

I could write about things I'm learning to do, like sewing, and things I want to really get into, like making bread or being committed to exercising every day.

I could write about what I'm cooking for my family and share recipes.  I could share my experience of not eating sugar for a month.  October Unprocessed is also next month and I could share a month of eating entirely unprocessed.  

Or I could just write about me.  I could share funny stories and memories and my endless supply of crazy dreams.

What would you read?  I'm open to suggestions.  If you're a blogger and participating, what are you writing on?  (I promise not to steal your idea!)

P.S. Mayhem is not a topic.  He's a regular occurrence here and will remain so.  This is "extra."

Bathing Baby

How about some pictures of a cute baby taking a bath for your Friday? 

I love that he's big enough to sit in the sink now, but I was super paranoid he'd fall over and drown while I was holding the camera taking these pictures.  I haven't figured out how to wash his hair without water running down his face either.  Also, can drinking soapy water do anything bad to your insides?  This kid loves taking sips out of that little, blue boat.

Week 28

Thanks for all the "get better soon" wishes for Mayhem last week.  He's back to his old self with a few new tricks up his little sleeves.  Yesterday he smacked his lips together and made a kissy sound. When I made the same noise right back to him he smiled at me.  This morning in Target we made kissy sounds up and down the aisles together until he pooted so loud it vibrated the plastic seat and I decided it was time to go before somebody thought it was me!  How embarrassing would that be!

(Speaking of Target, check out that pouf I bought for Mayhem's room last week.  I've wanted one since before he was born and 70% off and only $15 was a deal I couldn't turn down.  When I checked out, the cashier called it a "giant ball of yarn."  Why do they always have to make comments about my purchases?  Even at Publix!  But that's a story for another day......)

There's been some toes dug in, hiney in the air going on here lately too.  Him, not me.  Maybe he's getting ready to start scooching across the floor.

Sick Day

Yesterday was probably the worst day of Mayhem's little life thus far.

He's been a congested lately, but I wasn't worried since we've dealt with that before.  I knew it was more than a snotty nose when he wasn't happy and didn't want to play with his toys.  He just sat in the floor and whined.  He wanted to be held, but even then he cried and I mean cried.  Mouth contorted, wailing, tears streaming crying.  This isn't like him.

I got him an appointment so Boots and I hauled him to the doctor.  He cried the whole way there.  He whined and fussed while we waited, but didn't make a peep when we laid him down to weigh him.  He was furious when the nurse stuck a thermometer in his ear. 

After the nurse practitioner diagnosed him with a cold, or upper respiratory infection as they're known as for babies, she thought maybe he had an ear infection most likely caused by the cold.  While we waited for the doctor to come in and confirm what she thought, Boots stretched out on the table and the two of them took a nap for about 20 minutes.

Ear infection confirmed and antibiotics prescribed.  (Real hippy mamas are freaking out right now, but I just want him to feel better and I know that works.)

I think he felt better after his little nap even though he hadn't even had the meds yet.  He took a good 2.5 hour nap after we got back home and besides the nasty nose issue, is acting like himself.

I'm so glad he feels better.  Now I know why my dad would always freak out about getting water in our ears when we would go swimming or even splashed hard in the bathtub. 

Sick babies ain't no joke.

Week 27

This morning Mayhem was chilling in the kitchen with me like always while I cooked my breakfast.  He was mesmerized by the steam rising from the water boiling for my grits.  Just staring, not blinking at all.  It's so funny watching him be interested in things like steam and water draining.  Life is so much fun right now!

Last night he was awake until 11 (no more 4 PM coffee for mama, no matter what!) and slept pretty fitfully the rest of the night.  Tonight is looking like a repeat which is not fun considering he usually goes to bed between 7 and 8.  I think his teeth are bothering him.  Or maybe nasal congestion.  Or both.  

Notice the dual paci chains.  (Pick your own oral fixation device.)

And the slobbery chin.  The chewberry had something to do with that, but it sure feels good on sore gums!

It's been a good day though, bad night and all.

**Please note, I washed both of them after taking these pictures.  You don't really think I'd let him put them back in his mouth after touching the floor, do ya?  Heck, this is practically the first time he's touched the floor without a blanket under him!)

Do I Look That Young?

I finally went to the library today.  It's been well over a year since I was last there and the place still smells like plastic and fresh paint not books, sadly. 

This was Mayhem's first ever trip to a library so of course I had to get a picture.

The real purpose behind the visit was threefold- 1: I walked there, so, exercise; 2: Boots says I need to get out more; and 3: I need some "light" reading. 

Everything I've been reading the past few months, at least, has been what I call "educational."   Books about raising children, nutrition, relationships, money, and my Bible.  Sometimes my brain needs to decompress with something fun and I've really wanted to read something easy lately, but where is my library card?

Last night my aunt asked me (again) if I'd read The Hunger Games trilogy.  I tend to like things less when the whole world is obsessed with them but since she's mentioned it twice in as many years they must be worth it. 

After 10 minutes of scratching furiously through 3 seriously organized (really now?) drawers I finally found that elusive, blue ticket to free books.  Another 7 minutes of walking behind Mayhem's new umbrella stroller and trying desperately not to trip because I kept kicking the wheels with my big feet and we were there. 

I couldn't find the books I was there for (all 3 checked out) and after Mayhem pooted I decided it was time to go before somebody thought I was the gassy one, so I snatched up a book about Phil Robertson and checked out.

When we got back home I studied my receipt to see when the book is due back and noticed in tiny print right underneath my name: "Patron Report Class: Children." 

6 Months!

Prepare yourself- photo overload ahead!

  Yesterday was Mayhem's very merry unbirthday, am I the only one in disbelieve that he's really six months old?  I mean, really, where did this little chunk come from?  It seems like I just got him and now look!

  Boots and I are having the best time with him.  Babies are so much fun!  Our latest source of fun has been giving him different foods to try and watching his reaction.  He's tried homemade pizza crust, green grapes, peach smoothie, grilled cheese crusts, banana, homemade biscuits, Olive Garden breadstick, watermelon, peach, broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, dill pickle chip, and homemade pancake.  He doesn't like the bread, maybe it's a texture thing because he curls his lips up and turns away.  He really likes fruit, the grapes, peaches and watermelon were huge hits.  The pickle really surprised us.  We expected a strong reaction to the bitterness, but he liked sucking the juice out of it.  

  Having a baby for six months has taught me a lot- allowing more time for everything, the value in a clean shirt, doing things one-handed, but so far it hasn't taught me to quit stressing and just let things happen.  I tend to get a little worried fairly easily, but I'm slowly learning that naps work themselves out, babies poop eventually, and growth spurts don't last forever.

Week 26