Blonde and proud of it!!

We all know the phrase "Blondes have more fun". Well, I don't know if that's really true, but there are definitely some advantages to being a blonde...a natural one that is.

For instance, I have a built in excuse to say and do stupid crap. See conversation below:

Sam: Honey, did you run the dishwasher?

Me: Yep

Sam: So, you DID run it?

me: YES, I DID RUN IT! why?

Sam: (standing in front of the dishwasher getting a closer look at the dishes that were FAR from clean) Um, well....

Me: (walking over to the filthy dishes, but wet dishwasher...confused) Hmmm.

Sam: So, did you put soap in it?

Me: Yes, I guess it just didn't come out or something. (opened the door to the soap holder) See! I told you I did!! It must be broke or something!!

Sam: (long pause) Wow (another long pause) Honey, you have to OPEN it and take the plastic off before you put it in there.

Me: Oh.

Sometimes, you just have to laugh at yourself. This was one of those times.

Sincerely,
Blondie

Top 5 things I love about Wisconsin

5. Highs of 73 in June
4. Briq's ice cream
3. Point Brewery Beer
2. Cheese Curds
1. Family

Let's start with #5...Yes, that is correct...HIGHS of 73!!! I think it was God's way of rewarding us for a 14 hour drive. We left our house in Little Rock, AR at midnight and arrived to the glorious weather the following day at 3:00 p.m.

#4 is a place down the road from my in-laws that serves up some delicious ice cream treats. They are famous for their 1 lb ice cream cone. I have actually seen this 1 lb delight in person a few years back when my ice cream loving father-in-law took it on. I look forward to my next trip to Briq's, but I'm SO VERY thankful that I do not have a place like this down the road from my house.

#3...doesn't really need an explanation. If you know me, you know I like beer. There's a town in WI called Stephens Point and that is where this brewery is. The last time we went (pre-Olivia) we did the tour with the "free 15 minute taste all you can taste" at the end. It's quite amazing how much beer you can actually drink when you know you have a time limit! This year Sam, Eric, Olivia, and myself took a field trip to the gift shop and dropped a whopping $70 on beer paraphernalia. Everything from T-shirts to chapstick. In Wisconsin, it's completely normal to take your child to places like this. No one even blinked an eye when we rolled in with an 8 month old.

#2...oh...my...goodness. Cheese curds. I have to admit...I was reluctant at first when my brother and sister-in-law introduced me to these magnificent little things. I mean...cheese "curd" just sounds weird. Thankfully, I am a brave eater and popped one in my mouth without any hesitation. That was about 3 years ago and I'm still a sucker for a fresh curd. Too much time had passed since I heard the squeak on my teeth..which is the major indicator of super fresh curds. Eric said the look on my face when I took a sample of the curds in Mullins Cheese Store was priceless. It was a moment of mouth heaven.

#1...sweet, sweet Libby. Our one and only reason for hopping in the car. Libby is our niece and it was our first time to see her in person. She is 8 weeks old now and oh, so cute. Sam and I are so thankful that Olivia will have a cousin so close in age. It was so neat to see Olivia checking the baby out. I found myself trying to remember back when Olivia was that age. I kept asking Sam..."do you remember?". It's unfortunate how quickly memories fade and I kind of struggled to remember her little ways at 8 weeks old. It really makes me thankful that I am a camera-crazy mom and I have captured so many little moments of her life so far. I think it's probably time for me to do a little reminiscing during the next nap.

Overall, we had a wonderful trip! We could definitely do without a 14 hour car ride and will split it up over 2 days next time. Olivia did well and only had 1 semi-meltdown on the way up and one on the way back. My most awesome husband drove his girls safely to our destinations and we are very thankful. Poor guy slept 14 hours and still woke up tired this morning.

So, if you ever find yourself in the wonderful state of Wisconsin...you have at least 4 things to enjoy!

Sincerely,
Aunt Christie

Motherhood Milestone

There are things that I never appreciated until I entered the adventures of Motherhood. There are things I never knew existed, things I never knew were possible, and things I never thought I'd do as a mother.

Some of my discoveries have been joyous and filled with laughter and love.

For example, the first smile...at 3 weeks while I was attempting to master the "must-have" Moby wrap. This contraption is basically a 5 foot long piece of jersey fabric that cost me 40 bucks. After wrapping, tying, and squirming around in this thing I shoved my little 3 week old baby into it...went to the bathroom to see how we looked and laughed out loud at myself. Olivia looked up at me and smiled.

An INTENTIONAL smile. Not one that resulted in a toot.

Joyous.

Watching her grow into a little girl with the perfect mixture of her momma and daddy. Seeing things from a different perspective and enjoying life in a way I never thought possible. Relaxing a little. Understanding what life is all about and wondering why it took me so long to get here. These things are at the top of the list on what I think being a mom is all about.

Now, with every list there is a top...and a bottom. While all things have their special place in the heart of a mom...cleaning poop out of the adorable inflatable duck tub is not one of them. Cleaning poop out of the duck tub with your bare hands certainly does not rise to the top of my list of favorite things to do. Why would it, right?

It's amazing how Olivia felt so natural in her bathtime activities tonite. I thought I had my daughter figured out. I never even noticed the stillness in her slightly squinted eyes or the corners of her mouth turned down just a bit. I did, however, notice something that didn't belong in the duck tub when I lifted her out.

I did the only thing I could think of.

Grabbed my phone to take a picture, of course. I mean, I HAVE to show Sam what his precious little princess did for momma tonite. I'm secretly hoping he will have sympathy for me.

So, another Mommy milestone met. I can only imagine what will come next. Whatever it is...I'll have my camera phone ready and waiting...right next to my Purell hand sanitizer.

Sincerely,
The Not-Scared-to-Grab-Poop-with-her-Bare-Hands Mom