MoMonkey MoMonkey

BY THE WAY...

Mo is officially 8 months old today. She goes to the doctor next week for her 8 month well visit, so I'm sure I'll have more to update then. Right now she is crawling all over the place, trying desperately to walk, trying to climb stairs, getting into EVERYTHING (everything but her toys that is), and causing all kinds of havoc!! She also stopped sucking her thumb, which is kinda strange! She never took a pacifer, and one day out of nowhere started sucking her thumb. Out of nowhere, again, she stopped. Just like that. I guess I can be grateful we don't have to work at breaking the habit.

Happy 8 months Mo. Mommy and Daddy love you very, very much!!

FUN WITH A LAUNDRY BASKET

Mo isn't very interested in her toys. She'd rather play with empty water bottles, laundry baskets (empty or full), bags, boxes, paper, lint brushes, wooden spoons, measuring cups, etc. Today she entertained herself for over an hour with this laundry basket. Perhaps I should save myself some money for Christmas and wrap up these household items!! Seriously, she doesn't even touch her toys...what's the point of getting her more?

MY LITTLE GIRL IS GROWING SO FAST!!

A lot of parents start having their babies drink from a cup around the 6 month mark. For some reason, I just started this week. The very first time Mo used it, she got the hang of it. Of course, that was also the very first time she got juice. She loved it so much that she cried when it was gone. And the juice wasn't even pure juice...I did half juice/half water to keep the sugar content down.

Now I have to work up the courage to have her start eating Cheerios. For some reason, I have this crazy fear she's going to choke. I'm generally not over-protective, but when it comes to the solid food thing, I'm a freak. I don't why considering the pudge monkey has 6 honkin' toofers - with 7 & 8 on their way! Maybe next week. (One thing at a time people!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY HOMIES

Mo's international gang symbol for Happy Thankgiving!

We're just getting ourselves out of bed at this fine hour. Soon we will all venture into the shower (not together you freaksters), and make our way out for the day. First we will be visiting Mo's grandparents; then we will be having a yummy Thankgiving meal with our friends Wendy and Dave. I asked what I could bring and was told "filling" would be a nice option. Shhhh... we won't tell them that I have no idea how to make filling and had a restaurant make it for me!! Yeah, yeah...I know. I could have followed a recipe. But who wants to do that when you can go buy it prepared and just heat it up?

I'm sure we'll be back later with some pics from Mo's very first Thanksgiving. Ta Ta!

OSH KOSH ROCKS - PART 2

Ok, so I bought the pudge monkey a bunch of 24 month size clothing at the Osh Kosh outlet. Turns out that nearly everything I bought was too big. Way too big. In fact, the 18 month stuff was a little big too. And what does that mean? I had to go back!! Oh darn.

So I returned a good bit of the clothing I bought and ended up buying a whole bunch more. The sale was even better tonight! And I exchanged the snowsuit for an 18 month one.

I got all of the above for $54 (including the snowsuit).

*does the happy dance*

OSH KOSH ROCKS

I am so fortunate to have an Osh Kosh outlet 5 minutes from my house. I went shopping for the little Mo-meister because she's in desperate need of new clothing. The little pudge monkey is not even 8 months old yet and is already starting to wear 24 month size clothing. Eeek. Anyway, I also needed to find a snowsuit, and I found an awesome one that was originally priced at $80, but was marked down to $18. Needless to say, I'm a happy camper!! Honestly, I think Osh Kosh makes the cutest baby clothes on the planet - with Carters running as a close second. Target has some cute stuff from time to time too.

Question for you mommy experts out there. Is the snowsuit supposed to be one size bigger than the clothing size, or are they made big to begin with? Mo is wearing a combination of 18-24 months, so I got her a 24 month size snowsuit. The thing looks humongous on her though. Seriously...I think I could fit 2 of her in there. Is that normal?

I AM MONKEYGIRL AND I APPROVE THIS TOY

I helped my sister move last weekend, and the amount of toys in her house (for 3 kids) was enough to fill a whole room. Everywhere I would walk, there was a toy to trip over. It didn't even look like an adult lived there.

Before Madeline was born, I decided I wasn't going to let my house be taken over like that. Mo has a corner of the family room for her toys and that's it. Plus I have a few baskets throughout the other floors of the house that hold select toys. The point is...if you walk in the front door of my house, it looks like adults still live here.

The toys I generally give Mo need to serve a purpose - whether it be musical, learning or the like. By limiting the quantity of toys and ensuring they serve some kind of purpose, am I stifling her creativity? I welcome your feedback!!

Oh, if you're really, really bored, check out Mo's toy wish list on amazon.com!! (search using her full name: Madeline Stinson). I was bored...what can I say??!!

The Games People Play

Mo does an excellent job of sitting up and holding her own. While out to eat we usually put Mo in one of those wooden high-chairs, give her a few toys and then attempt to enjoy our meal. Note the word attempt.

Mo likes to play a game with us. We call it "It's your turn". Here's how it goes.

Step 1: Mo plays with toy.
Step 2: Mo throws toy on floor.
Step 3: We look to see where the toy lands. Who ever has the toy furthest from them comments to the other "It's your Turn!".
Step 4: Loser picks up toy
Step 5: Give toy back to Mo.
Step 6: Repeat as necessary.

This will tend to go on many times during the course of a meal. One time we counted 36 times. MG Lost.. 19 to 17.

It's a meal, It's a workout, It's two things in one!

Fun with Gram

Mo's had the chance to see her Gram Stinson three times in the past week. Here are a couple of pictures of the two in action. CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO SEE A LARGER IMAGE

And now for your moment of cuteness...

A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

This past weekend was a blur. It started out relaxing with a Mommy and Mo night on Friday - just an evening at home together (which is a rarity most weekends). On Saturday, we attended a birthday party for Mo's cousin Morgan, who turns 1 on the 17th. I think Mo was more excited about the party than her cousin! It gave me a taste of what I have to look forward to just a few months from now. Here are a couple of pics:

After the birthday party, I helped my sister pack. She started moving on Sunday, and on Saturday afternoon had yet to pack one single thing in her house. Grrrr...

The weekend went downhill from there. On Sunday morning, I received terrible news about my brother, his girlfriend and their 3 kids...the youngest of which is 2 months old. Around 4:30 in the morning, their house burned down. They lived in a twin, and the people living next door came home drunk, started cooking, and well.. you can figure out the rest from there. They are all safe, which is a blessing - considering one of the people living next door actually died in the fire.

The sad news is that they lost everything. It's hard to comprehend that kind of loss. I think what makes it worse is that they were renting and didn't have renters insurance...so they truly have to start from scratch. It's interesting in a tragedy like this how people come out of the woodworks to help...even people who really don't even know my brother. For instance, my in-laws stepped in and provided formula, food, toys for the kids, blankets, etc. And they are going to try and help with furniture - and even more toys to help with Christmas since all of my brother's resources will be tied up in getting housing and replacing necessities. They were awesome - as were the rest of our family and friends.

When I think about tragedies like this, I think they happen to other people. Not my family. Between my father's medical issues, my mother's heart attack a couple months ago, my sister's unfortunate personal issues, other drama, and now this... it's been a rough year for my family. But I can be thankful for one thing...they're all here - safe and sound. And that's really all that matters.

CURIOUS GEORGE

Once you have a child, it is difficult to fit things into your life that were once normal and routine. Getting a haircut is just one example. The hubs has this crazy schedule and is rarely home, so I often have the child in tow for all of the usual errand running. The thought of getting a haircut with said child was not something I had at all considered before. I mean..what on earth would my crawling, curious 7 month old do while I'm in the hot seat - other than wreak havoc?

So I called to make an appointment yesterday, and after several attempts to get an appointment that fit into my schedule, the lady asked me to come in right then and there. I explained that wasn't going to work and why and she insisted that I come in anyway...that her shop is very baby and child friendly. So reluctantly, I decided to try it.

Ok, so that was a mistake!

The first half hour went really well. She was a perfect angel and sat in one place playing with a few select toys. Just when I started to think I have the best behaved baby in the whole world, it went downhill...and fast! First, she discovered the cut hair on the floor and tried to eat it. Then she discovered the broom on the other side of the room and tried to eat that. Ooooh, but on the way there, she discovered a trash can, with a nice crinkly bag sticking out of the top. She used the trash can to try and stand, and while doing so, knocked it over and spread hair all over the floor. The trash kept her occupied for a brief moment - until Mommy was able to pull her from the wreckage. But by then, unbeknownst to me, she had her sights on a huge floor plant sitting in another corner of the room.

Let's just say she's quite the curious child. And although the beauty shop owner acted like this was adorable, she had to be cringing on the inside. I know I was. Suffice it to say, I will not be doing that again - no matter how desperate I am for a haircut!!

SLEEP ADDICT

When I wake up most mornings, Madeline is still sleeping - and I often find her in unusual positions. I gotta say...this one was new! (Lovely drool stains, huh?)

I SEE DEAD PEOPLE!

WARNING: THIS IS GOING TO MAKE SOME WAVES.

If I loved the color purple and you hated the color purple, does that make me any of the following:

idiotic
stupid
evil
heartless
uneducated

Many of our friends and aquaintances are Democratic or Independent, and during this election year, I saw a side to some of them that has been ridiculous to say the least.

I voted for Bush - for several reasons. I do not think he has been or ever will be the "perfect" President. He has many flaws. But when faced with a choice between Bush or Kerry, I chose the candidate whose beliefs and values are most aligned with my own. That is the beauty of this country. We all have a choice. We all have a right to our own opinions.

If my friends hate Bush, more power to them. They are entitled to their own opinions and I can respect that. What I don't respect is their choice to berate those who do not share their views. I have news for you people:

I AM NOT AN IDIOT, STUPID, EVIL OR ANY OF THE ABOVE BECAUSE I VOTED FOR BUSH. I AM SIMPLY A PERSON WITH A DIFFERENT OPINION THAN YOU.

If you want to hate Bush, be my freakin' guest. But do not insult the people you are supposed to be "friends" with by disrespecting their right to make a different choice.

(OK - I feel better now!)

SECURITY SYSTEM

We live in a relatively nice neighborhood. It's the perfect tree lined street where every house and yard is immaculant and well cared for, neighbors are friendly, etc. Unfortunately, our neighborhood is a target for home invasions and robberies (as are most places these days because people are evil). Last Thursday, one of the homes behind us was robbed - which is just a little too close for comfort. I am strongly considering purchasing a home security system - and actually met with an ADT representative today. It may provide some peace of mind, but still doesn't prevent the unthinkable. I am having trouble determining if making this kind of financial investment will actually give me the peace of mind I'm looking for. Anyone have any thoughts on this?