I am totally unmotivated to do anything productive. After a great morning of playing dress up with Ivy and making sesame noodles, I put her down for a nap, took a shower, and have been on the computer. I should get some painting done, but I think I'll go lie on the couch until she wakes up.

Then we're off for a fun day of shopping for baby gifts for Bailey and Evelyn. We're also going to try out the Soft Play area at the EP mall again. She didn't like it last time.

We're going to spend the evening with the Johnsons who have their sweet girl home finally.

I wish this bathroom would paint itself. And I kind of hope it rains on Saturday, so I don't have to go to the Lakefront Days Parade.

Writing

Every morning when I open Outlook, I am sad when no one has updated their blog.

Here's our latest: Ivy is walking a lot. She's learning to go down the stairs. She talks to herself all day long.

I'm trying to scrap book a bit when she sleeps. Or paint a little here and there. Lately, anytime I say anything, I can hear Dr. Seuss reciting lines to me. "Here and there, funny things are everywhere." That's what we've been reading lately.

Eating Woes

Last night, we were at Applebee's. Ivy had grilled cheese and broccoli. She was close to being full, but I was trying one more bite of broccoli with her. Evidently, she WAS done. In an effort to get the broccoli out of her mouth, she puked.

Eating all week has been a challenge. We figured out what the problem is. She won't eat from me. She will only accept food from Daddy. I can give her a spoonful of whatever. She just scrunches up her face. Give that exact spoon to Jeremy, and she's starving.

Stepping Up

Ivy is venturing out on her own and taking steps. Last night, she did about three in the living room. Two separate times at ECFE this morning, she did 4-5 steps. We've been saying it for a long time, but I really do think she's on the cusp of walking.

It's a miracle

Seeing as how I've been so exhausted the last few weeks, we decided to night wean Ivy. I planned to sleep in the basement, so Daddy could listen to her cry when I didn't go in to nurse her at 1 am.

Ha ha ha!!

No need. She's slept through the night all week. That's right! 7 pm - 7 am. Straight!!

Changes

We are having a baby!! Number Two is set to arrive at the end of February. We talked and talked about trying for another home birth but ended up with the midwives at St. Francis. I haven't felt sick a bit yet, although a little tiredness is setting in late in the afternoons.

Nothing else much is going on. I spent most of last week in Osakis hanging out with my fam. Ivy & I finally went to Fairy Lake. It's nice, but not really any  nicer than any other beach we've been to. And we saw all the cousins at Stu's on Friday. New Little Ryne is adorable!!

Our friends Amy & Jeremy welcomed Bailey this week, too. She's 9 weeks early, but doing very well. Just needs to get some growing done. She's sweet and precious.

Whew! We have been busy: we've painted the entire basement and had carpeting installed. That project has taken up all of my time for the last couple weeks. Now I'm excited to do the rest of the house. We picked a really light green for the walls. All the trim is white. And the carpet is tan. It looks really great!

Ivy is getting 5 teeth--all four tops and one bottom. She's been cranky here and there. Sleep is a little weird. Overall, it's not too bad, but I hope it doesn't last too long. She seems like she's in some pain, and there's not much I can do about it. I do not want her to live on Motrin for the duration.

We've been doing quite a bit of biking and walking now that summer has arrived. I ended up putting the burley on my road bike. It's way easier to manage the hills with the light bike and the clip-in shoes. Ivy loves the park--swinging and the slide. And now the kiddie pool. We tried it out for the first time today. Although the water is pretty chilly, she had a great time.

We are prepping for a visit from Jeremy's sister and her kiddos. I have lots of fun activities planned for next week. Jeremy's taking the whole week off, so even though we'll be at home, it will feel like vacation for us, too.

Off to move furniture back to the basement!