Read the End. I Want to Know What You Think.

• I've lost a total of 8 pounds since those aforementioned horrible bathing suit photos! It's been 6 pounds in the past month. So exciting!
• I haven't run since last month when we both (E in the stroller) about died from the humidity at 8am. I'll pick it back up in September probably.
• Remember how everyone says, "Don't read the books?" and you learn that they are geniuses for saying that? Well then you think you have it down... except that you get a stroke of, "Wonder if I'm doing it right?" and you read the book again. Don't.
• No, I'm serious. Not even the seemingly innocuous ones of the "What to Expect" variety. There are plenty of ways to make you feel inadequate.
• ...or that you are ruining your child forever and ever. 
• Thanks so much for all the car seat advice! And yes Jen, I want to borrow that strap. Could you send it to me?
• Has anyone noticed that the kid who picks up the family's trash at the curb in Toy Story 3 is wearing the same shirt as Sid Philips in Toy Story? Do you think it's supposed to be the same kid grown up? Discuss.
• E is super into Pixar right now. It's fun.

Flying Toddler Questions (The Paying Edition)

E and I (and occasionally Hub) are going to be flying a lot this year. I asked a lot of these questions last year, but some circumstances have changed, so you're on the hook again.


1. Pros and Cons of having E actually ride in the car seat on the plane? I know he'd be safer in a seat in the event of turbulence etc, but I also know he is going to flip his lid about sitting by himself during take-off and landing (and maybe during the flight itself) car seat or no.


2. Let's say he doesn't sit in the seat. Should I check it with some sort of fancy carrier/cover? I don't want them to ruin it. Anyone know of a good option for that? Or should I check it at the gate like last time? Are they still good about that? On one leg last time, they were kind of jerky about it.


3. Should I use the seat as a "stroller?" I'd need that stroller car seat conversion thingy right? We're flying lovely Southwest, so I won't be dragging much baggage with me. (So no strapping it to the suitcase.) 


4. Renting a car: No subcompacts right? I don't think our giant conversion seat is going to fit in them. :( More money. bleh.


I think that's all for now. When I get more, I'll be sure to let you know! Next up, let's talk reward credit cards. It took me years to find the ones we have, but I sure do love them.

Homey Stuff Update aka Since When do I Love this Shit? (And I really do now!)

I started with the trim and edges when painting the kitchen. Note to all: There are LOTS OF THOSE in kitchens. I'm not hating it, but it is taking a long time to complete. The next step for me is to pull out the fridge and stove and clean under and behind them for painting. Then I think I'll get one of those mini rollers and pans to fill in the blanks. I really believe painting with a brush or pad saves so much more paint than using a big roller. I've used only our little sample can for almost all of the edging so far!

As for my plants, they are doing well. I took some photos with the iPod that I will post as son as I figure some bloggy things out. My tomato plant has some flowers, and the strawberries (grown conventionally) are already poking out of the soil. I plan to cover that pot with a mesh screen and put mothballs around the outside to keep bugs out. I stole that idea from a cousin. However, she lives up north, not here in bug paradise, so we'll see. 

As for how to plant a hanging tomato, I know there are lots of planters being sold online and in home improvement stores for that. It seemed pricey to me for such a simple concept, so I stole an idea another person had online for hanging them with a reusable shopping bag. 

You cut an inch hole in bottom of the bag, then put the tomato plant through. (This idea doesn't seem to work with seeds.) Follow the instructions on the plant for how far the dirt has to cover it. Hold the plant up enough as you fill the bag with dirt so that you can accomplish this. Note that you should buy tomatoes that aren't overly large for hanging and that do well in containers. Fill the bag maybe 1/3 with dirt? (I used a heavier duty more "waterproof" reusable bag so that when I watered it would be less likely to all drain out, but still have breathing room.)  Then... the big problem with this method seems to be that the dirt doesn't hold water well.. so instead of buying the special system they sell, I just got a regular sponge without any sort of chemicals added, soaked it, and placed it on top of the dirt I already put in. Then I filled the bag to maybe 2/3 full of dirt and stopped because it gets damn heavy! I wet down the dirt well and then hung the bag over my hose hanger. I have yet to really get down to the problem of how to hang it higher. I need to go to the store and find some sort of heavy duty clamp to put around my porch rails, because this thing is just too darn heavy to hang any other way. As it is now, animals and bugs will have NO problem reaching it. I have to get on that before tomatoes start. So far the plant is doing well. I don't know if the sponge will harbor anything nasty or not. I shall check back with you on that. If anyone has any tips/advice, feel free to fire away! My thumb is as far from green as it can get. 

Our Fourth

Our fourth was my favorite ever. We didn't go any farther than our community pool, but we grilled outside while the baby ran naked from his pool to his sandbox and back again, and various Pixar tunes blared from the iPod doc. We dragged out our beach chairs, and all the drinks and condiments and in general just had an awesome time. I think it was E's idea of heaven. 

Cute Baby Stories

Today in church, E was looking at "the baby" in my iPod photo album during the sermon. He was sitting on my lap facing me. I leaned over and whispered, "I love you." He was quiet for a moment and then began whispering something. I couldn't hear it well, so I leaned over again and just caught the ending of... "I wove you too." Then he peppered my face with kisses. 




When I tried on the dress I just found at Target for $7, E said, "Come sit by me Pwincess Mommy!" He continues to call me "Princess Mommy" when I wear dresses and often asks me to wear my "Princess shoes," (my heels.) 




E has decided that when Hub is scruffy, he's "dirty." He fusses about it often since Hub's scruff is quite uncomfortable to the face during kisses. Yesterday he'd decided he'd had enough and ordered Daddy to "Go to the bafroom and shave!" I paid him handsomely. 




Life is good.