The discovery that has revolutionized shopping

I typed the title of this post, and then realized it sounds like a cheesy tag line from an advertisement you'd see at the top of some website...but this is real!

This weekend, Hannah learned to sit up by herself.  She is still a little wobbly, but she really does a good job.  This makes her happy, cause she can now sit and play with her toys.  The more freedom she gets, the happier she gets.  (I can only imagine how happy she'll be when she learns to walk!). 

Well, I was out this morning running a couple of errands.  I had to go to the bank, and I realized Rite Aid was on the way.  I don't know about you, but I've noticed that milk has gotten very expensive over the last few weeks, and as a family, we go through 3-5 gallons a week.  (Daniel would go through a gallon a day, easily, if I let him).  Rite Aid has the cheapest milk that I've seen around here, so I've been doing my milk shopping there, to save a little change. 

Normally when I take Hannah on my errands, I remember to bring my sleepy wrap, so I can wear her.  This makes it a lot easier, since my hands are free and she's happier than being stuck in her car seat.  Today, I didn't even think to grab my wrap, so I was facing the prospect of carrying my 17 pound baby girl and three gallons of milk, with my own two hands.  You guys, when I tried that last week, and it didn't work.  I almost lost some milk and eggs with that stunt.

Today, I realized that if she can sit on a blanket on the floor and play with toys, there's no reason she couldn't sit in the cart.  As soon as I buckled her in there, I realized that my grocery shopping trips will be so much easier.  I'm almost done sewing one of those neat grocery cart covers so she won't even get germs on her next time I put her in the cart.  This is great!

sitting! and SO cute in her blue dress!

About the picture: I have such a hard time getting good pictures of Hannah smiling.  Whenever we pull out the camera or phone, she gets the most serious thoughtful look on her face. After five and a half months I finally have a picture (albeit blurry) of Hannah grinning.

25

Tomorrow I turn 25.  Normally I love birthdays, and I look forward to turning a year older, but 24 was such a good year for me.  

So many things happened that were just wonderful.  Shall I list them? 

I started 24 pregnant and nauseous and loving it.

I went on a cruise up the pacific coast with my husband and parents and loved it.

I was pregnant all summer and...loved it!

I worked in a hot brick building with coworkers who sometimes drove me crazy (this one I didn't love so much!)

I gave birth, and LOVED it!

I became a mother and I'm loving it. (I know some would say this is the same as giving birth, I think there's a lot more to being a mother, than just giving birth)

I quit that job I didn't love so much and I stay at home with my baby, which is so much better.

I've lost ten pounds nursing that sweet little baby, and I'm loving that! (Think she'll let me nurse her till she's 2?)

Does 25 even stand a chance?

why I'm more of a cat person

A few years ago, had somebody asked me if I'd be more comfortable bathing a small slippery baby, or a dog, I would easily have chosen the dog.  I'd been nervous about giving my baby baths, until she got here and I found out it really isn't that hard. 

If you were to ask me today, whether I'd rather bathe a baby, or a dog, I'd definitely say baby. 

After play group this morning, Hannah and I stopped by my parents (who are vacationing in Arizona) house to check on their poodle Pippin.  Their neighbor lets him out in the morning, and Daniel has been letting him out in the evenings, but I figured we'd stop by and give him some attention while we were out. 

Pippin was of course eager to greet us, jumping up and down on the other side of the door, just waiting for us to come in.  As soon as I opened the door, I was assaulted with a stink like you wouldn't believe.  I can only assume that on one of his recent trips outside he found something to roll in. He was caked in greenish/brown gunk that had dried into his gray curls.  Both of his sides and his chest were covered in this stuff.  I'm sure he was loving it, but I couldn't let him stay like that, especially the way it reeked!

Thankfully my parents have made every effort to accommodate Hannah at their house.  I was able to deposit her in her exersaucer, and attempt to get Pippin cleaned up. 

As I was bathing him, clumps of gunk kept coming off of him and the water going down the drain was brown.  I don't know what he found to roll in, and how long he'd been like that but it was enough to make me gag.  It may have taken half a bottle of shampoo, and I was soaked from the knees down and up to my elbows, but I did it!  You guys, it is a lot harder to bathe a dog, than a baby. A LOT!

Pippin, clean but hyper after his bath.