I've been styled...

Look ya'll !!!

The Glamorous Newlywed styled me for the office with special consideration for my ball and chain, aka the breast pump.

As I've said before, the girl is gifted. Check out her blog for any number of occasions that you need stylish, yet affordable threads.

My favorite ensemble is the gray and coral--snazzy

c/o Glamorous Newlywed @ Polyvore

...and she has no idea how well she hit the nail on the head with the black and gold.

Oh, and I especially appreciated the hands-free bra suggestion--MUCH better than mine.

Good stuff! I hope it helps you or a nursing mom you know too!

Los Dentes

Olivia loves to brush her teeth and eat the baby toothpaste. The fascination with her "dentes" hit new heights when her favorite fictional friend Caillou went to the dentist. So since it was time for our semi-annual cleaning, I decided to add in an appointment for O.

First we watched the Caillou episode again and then about two days in advance, I told her she was going to see the dentist, too. I told her the dentist was going to ask her to say, "ahh" and "cheese", so she would be ready--and she was! She could hardly wait her turn--telling the dental assistant that was setting up "excuse me, excuse me please." It was hilarious.

 

And look how tall she is, by the way! She nearly takes up my whole body on my lap.

The dentist looked around, counted her teeth and gave her cherry flavored flouride. It took all of 3 minutes, and I think she was actually waiting for him to do more. I know I was. She was thrilled to get the toothbrush at the end and carried it around all day until it was good and germy and I had to forbid her to put it in her mouth.

She's been talking about and talking up Dr. Rubin ever since. Telling anyone who will listen. She would have you believe he could fix her itchy ankles (mosquito bites) and boo boos. Now I have to get her equally as excited about her pediatrician for her big 2-year check-up next month. 

Just as I began writing this post...my little man, Lucas, reached up and pulled his musical mobile in his bouncy seat and made it play music.

I looked at him and said, "you pulled it!" He looked at me and started laughing!  The eye-hand coordination is surfacing and my little baby is growing up before my eyes. He talks non-stop just like his sister. He loves tummy time too.  It won't be long before he's chasing her around and enjoying her antics.

Ridiculously Cute...

When I first saw the commercials for those Huggie's Little Movers Denim Diapers--I admit that I thought they were a a bit pretentious and silly. But as we near potty training and hopefully say goodbye to diapers for Olivia soon (by the end of summer to be exact)---I decided to give them a shot last week. It helped that they were on sale for 40% off with a coupon.  I got to see them on Olivia in person...

Holy cutenesss! They are so adorable! I had to try to them out on Lucas too. So I squeezed his little size 2 butt in Olivia's size 5's and guess what...

The cuteness factor skyrocketed off the charts!! This is a good shot of his cute little birthmark too.

I just had to share them---go get them and gush over your babies (as if you needed a reason)!! I could just eat mine up.

The Tattler's Tales

One of the perks of having an almost 2-year old that speaks in complete sentences is the full report you get about her day--or a recount of a major event. For example Olivia loves telling us about Grandad's surprise birthday party taking us through each step--from hiding, being quiet, to the noise makers to yelling "Happy Birthday Grandad." Fun and cute.

Another perk of our talkative toddler is getting a repeat report on what the nanny says...

"Oh sugar!'

"What did I say?" (in a scornful tone)

And finally tonight's report came at bathtime when Olivia was playing with a bar of soap holding it horizontally and wiggling her thumbs on top. I asked her what she was doing....she responded dryly...

"Playing a game on my phone."

Ha Ha. Oh reeeee-ally?? Tell me more. Tell me more.

Catchin' Up

There is so much to catch up on...too much. Let's see if I can do a quick wrap up in pictures...

"The cousins" came to town all at once from far and wide and Olivia was in H-E-A-V-E-N. It was also grandad's birthday so we surprised him when he returned home from a golf trip--which was fun for the kids--and the adults enjoyed the excitement of the children. Here's all the grans (all girls and my little boy)--minus 7-month old Camille.

 

Great grandma came to visit too. 

Olivia picked up new words, drinking out of  a cup (eating cereal with milk),  and tons of personality from her cousins--and a love of play-doh (keeps her occupied for HOURS).  For example this week, as I left for work she told me "Have a good day!" and when I asked her if she wanted to wash her face this morning she said, "um, no." When her daddy gives her a choice in breakfast waffles or french toast, she inhales with dramatic excitement.

Lucas finds his energetic sister very amusing. Especially in the bathtub since I have officially put them in the tub together which makes my bedtime routine SO much easier.  She most likely saying "Look at daddy's little man!" in this picture.

 

Lucas gave us some of his first belly laughs and proved that he is all boy. What amuses him? Shadow boxing. Fake blows to his face and chest--tickles him to pieces.

His neck control continues to be stellar--we don't really do tummy time with him, b/c he alway keeps his back and neck straight as a board. We joke that he needs to relax and bend at the waist. He's too proper. He lost some hair on the sides, and while I was worried about how it would look at first--now I think it's cute and looks kinda like a marine haircut, "high and tight."

We are weaning the nursing now--as pumping at work is not getting any more convenient and the milk supply is going strong. I have to be careful, however. Sometimes I find myself rushing Lucas' milestones along (like his sleep schedule) for my own convenience. Like when I cleaned the basement last week...I needed a free hand...so into the walker he went...

Lots going on this summer, but with Olivia's developmental strides--its getting a little more manageable. Nonetheless we are thankful for midday naptime when the house is completely quiet and again in the evening at bedtime.

Now if I can just get Lucas to eliminate his middle of the night feeding--which I hope comes with the switch to formula---we may get even more rest!