state fair fun

This past Friday was fair day!

All summer long we look forward to going to the Minnesota State Fair. We wait, and wait, and... then it's here! Of course, this means that the summer is over, but I think it softens the blow a bit.

If you're not from Minnesota, you might not understand the fair. Thousands and thousands of people, fried-crazy-greasy food on a stick, farm animals and more- are we crazy? Why do Minnesotans love the fair so much? Just because. It's something we do every year, something to look forward to, a reason to eat crazy amounts of food and wear paper corn hats. Fun!

Some highlights:

The bus on the way to the fair. Luna is being a smart girl and getting her nap in before all the fun!

The famous food on a stick. I eat corndogs once a year- at the fair. We walk in and head straight towards my favorite stand. Obviously it will be Dakota's favorite one day too.

go the f*ck to sleep

Looking for a present for a new parent? 

Then look no further- this is it. 


Go the F*ck to Sleep, by Adam Mansbach, gives words (funny ones!) to the grumblings that every parent has going through their head almost every night.

Hilarious! My sister got me the book when I last visited her and I can't thank her enough. When it is a particularly bad bedtime night, I can't help but think of some lines from the book, which makes me laugh instead of be grumbly.

There is nothing more frustrating than a child that won't go to bed- anything that can inject a little humor into it can be a lifesaver!

Thanks sis! 

cucumber tomato puree

At 20 months, Luna is still eating purees. They might be a little chunkier, but everything she eats still needs to be mashed, processed or blended...

Which makes it hard to eat lots of the fresh vegetables and fruits that are out at the farmers markets right now. She eats a lot of cooked food- which I think is okay for her, but I've decided to start trying more fresh, raw foods with her.

Yesterday a friend gave me some cucumbers from her garden. I figured I'd let Luna give it a try- success!

Fresh Cucumber Tomato Puree

One cucumber, unpeeled and sliced
One tomato, sliced
Sprig of fresh basil
1 heaping spoon of sour cream
1/2 cup cold quinoa 

In food processor, blend cucumber, tomato, and basil together to desired consistency (Luna needs it pretty smooth, as would younger babies). Stir in sour cream. Serve desired quantity over quinoa (quinoa can be blended with vegetables as well). Leftovers can be put in refrigerator and served within the next three days.

Enjoy! The smell alone of this puree makes it worth it.

we're back!

We're back in Minneapolis after Dakota's week of firsts: First time on an airplane, first time meeting multiple cousins, aunties and uncles, first time in New York and Philadelphia, first time on a train, first time on a bus.

Some highlights from the trip:

The plane rides! The first one was great- no crying, no screaming. If anything, she was squealing because of over-excitement. The second one was not so great.. a couple of screaming jags. Maybe because of her teething? Nothing that a little tylenol couldn't fix...

Dakota finally met her cousin Addy. Here they are chilling in the pool. I believe they liked each other, although their main form of bonding was trying to grab each other's eyes and toys. I love that they are the same age- if only they lived in the same zip code! I also will take this opportunity to highlight the fact that they need some more cousins their same age (hint-hint, all of you relatives who have yet to child bear)...

Dakota also went to the beach for the first time. She was NOT a fan of the ocean. Was it the cold? The salt water? The noise? The sticky sand? The scary seagulls stalking us? Who knows. At least I enjoyed myself. I predict that next time she will too.

Here is one of Dakota's cousins that she met for the first time. I think that if they could have found a good place to hide her away in their house, they would have. I don't think I held my baby the entire time we were in Philadelphia!

A gross highlight (no picture included since I can't provide barf bags to those who might need them): Is your baby constipated? Do you have a long bus ride coming up? If you do, please be aware that said baby will choose to hold in all poop until you are firmly on the bus. Also know that you will forget to bring a plastic bag, gloves, and little scent trees to pass out to those seated around you. In addition, please realize that on a moving bus, with a moving baby, you will get that poop ALL OVER YOU. Laugh now, because you will not be laughing later.

I can laugh about it now.

And we are home. I am happy that our family is all together again, but sad that we won't be seeing our east coast family any time soon. I'm also pleased to know that I have two babies that are master travelers!

we're off!

We're almost off on our adventure! Dakota and I are leaving for one week in New York and Philadelphia today. This will be a week of firsts:

- Dakota's first time on a plane (pray for us!!!)
- My first time away from Luna for more than a night
- My first time away from Dustin for more than a night for over three years
- Dustin and Luna's first week alone
- Dakota's first time meeting all her relatives

Nervousness! I think Dakota will be fine. But how will I do with my other baby at home? Dustin is a great father, but babies need their mamas too. And I shudder to think about how the apartment will look while I'm gone.

On to other things... like the fact that I'm not packed yet and I need to be at the airport in a couple of hours. I hate packing!!! Especially for babies- who knows what you'll need? Might as well pack it all! Luckily, since I am breastfeeding Dakota I don't need to deal with bottles, formula, water, and all that other crap. Just diapers. And wipes. And extra clothes. And her toys. And some blankets. And....

Alright, a lotta crap. Better get packing.

See you next week!

types of diaper loads

This is killing me right now. Cannot stop laughing. My god, is this what my life has become? Did giving birth shave so many years off my mental life that I am now like a 8 year old boy, laughing at poop?

No, I just spend so much time up to my elbows in poop that it makes me happy that someone is sharing my pain.

By the way, Dakota is firmly in the Inverted Exorcist stage. Gross.

dakota update

Can you believe she is already five months old? I can't!

Things she is doing now: making the most adorable sounds ever, a mile a minute. Grabbing things with both hands. Grabbing two things at a time. Grabbing my hair and not letting go! Smiling and laughing. Kicking everything with her super-strong legs. Lifting her front end up when laying on her belly. Rolling from side to side, over and over and over again. Chewing and drooling and sucking on everything in sight.

What she loves: Being held. Seeing her mommy (she won't relax until she finds me in the room). Jumping in the Jenny Jumper. Eating (or snacking constantly). Standing (with someone holding her up). Playing with her sister- yes, they are playing together more and more! Kicking and hitting things on her activity mat (million thanks Stephanie!). Chewing on her lifefactory teether. Hugging and attacking her stuffed animals with her mouth. Reading books. Swimming.

Other milestones: She got her ears pierced this past weekend! We decided that Luna and Dakota can only get piercings and tattoos (much, much later on) with their Auntie Heidi. Now she looks like a little boy with gold earrings.

She's also about to take her first plane ride- we're heading to New York this Friday. Keep your fingers crossed that we are not that crying pair on the plane that everyone wants to kill!

Finally, she is definitely pre-teething. I predict that by her six month picture there will be a little tooth poking out of that mouth.

The time goes too quickly!!!