Pinned It & Did It: Easy DIY Duplo Table

Even though there never seem to be enough hours in the day (or night!), I can't help but continue to add projects to my to-do list. 

I thought I'd share a recent (super easy) success. This one was inspired long, long ago by this pin (original source) and turned out to be incredibly easy. How easy?

Lack + Gorilla Glue + Duplo Plate

I simply glued the plate to the top of the table (before attaching the legs) and weighed it down with the world's most expensive paperweights overnight. Be careful to go easy on the Gorilla glue and not get too close to the edges. 

A certain lil' lady has really enjoyed building on her Duplo table, as have her friends who have come over to play while it's been out. 

 

Have you done any really easy but really rewarding projects recently? 

Friday I'm in Love

After an unanticipated hiatus, it's good to be back this Friday morning. Be sure to check out what the other ladies are loving this Friday, too: Misha, Kendra, Mary Beth, and Laura.

ONE: Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops

Spring is in the air, and these are on my shopping list. I bought a pair a year ago, and I've basically lived in them ever since, wearing them out. Just how comfy are they? Well, I had them on until moments before Elliott entered the world. That comfortable.

TWO: Anti-Mom-Guilt Articles

This recent article is another in support of hands-off parenting. I'm a big fan of letting kids explore for themselves rather than entertaining them. Along the same lines, let's give our kids some freedom and stop being so hard on one another.

THREE: Orla Kiely at Target

Every time I end up in the baby section at Target, I try to find an excuse to buy something from this beautiful collection by Orla Kiely. Sadly, I've yet to give into the temptation, but check out the cuteness.

This also makes me super excited for this collaboration. Yes, please.

FOUR: Amy's Kitchen Burritos and Wraps

I picked up a few of these on a whim last weekend, and they pretty much vanished. We tried three or four flavors, and I'm excited to keep tasting through the line-up. Filling. Satisfying. Healthy. Egg-free to satisfy my current paranoia. Did I mention that Amy's Kitchen does not use any egg products? I can see these being a good back-up as Mr. E needs bigger meals.

We're feeling some very spring-like weather here in the PNW. May the sun shine on you, too, this Friday!

Elliott - Seven Months Old

It's been a crazy month at our house, which is why you haven't heard from me very much (ok, at all really). That's a topic for another day. Today's topic is ELLIOTT.

This has been a big month for our (not so) little guy. A couple of hours after his six-month post went live, he started rolling. As expected, he hasn't really stopped. He's proficient bordering on expert, though he still hasn't figured out how to roll in his sleepsack in bed. It's not for lack of trying (and crying), I assure you. In the last couple of days, I've noticed a rather sudden interest in getting to things out of reach and even some scooting. It makes me slightly terrified, but the one who should be really terrified is the big sister because Elliott has his eye on her stuff!

Elliott is also sitting up pretty well. He has the tripod down and is doing better about being able to self-correct when he gets excited and leans back too far or too abruptly. I don't really trust him to sit on his own unless he has the Boppy behind him, but that will probably change soon. He's surprisingly good at getting out of the seated position and into a tummy laying position. It's hard to tell if he's doing that by choice or because he has collapsed too far forward to recover.

Aside from all of this gross motor development, we've had some excitement in the food department with Elliott. When he was first exposed to eggs, he swelled up and broke into itchy hives with some wheezing. We are now the (not so) proud owners of an Epi-Pen and waiting for our appointment with the allergist before getting too adventurous with other potential allergens. Our pediatrician did say that dairy should be fine because he has been fine on the formula that I occasionally use to supplement (which is apparently dairy-based). Elliott's happy about that and loved the yogurt we gave him on his 7-month birthday. His other favorites are zucchini and banana. I don't think he has turned away anything we've given him, though it wouldn't stop me from continuing to offer it. We're doing primarily baby led weaning, and he hasn't really had anything pureed to any finder than a chunky mash. Part of this method is inspired by Denaye and part is, frankly, out of laziness. We fed Madeleine the food that we ate (more or less) from almost the beginning, but this time I have the confidence to not spend the extra time pureeing and blending and watering down and instead just feeding from the beginning. Elliott eats three meals a day, and I'm constantly challenged to find more and more that is appropriate for him right now (especially with the allergy concerns) because this guy loves food! I'm currently nursing Elliott four (occasionally five) times a day and (sadly) often once overnight. I hope that things will soon slow down enough for my milk supply to re-connect with Elliott's needs.

For the most part, Elliott is still a happy guy. He continues to be chatty, and his "bwah, bwah, bwah" and "bah, bah, bah" have been joined by "bahp, bahp, bahp" and "dah, dah, dah." I swear he looked at George the other day and said "dah dah," but George thinks I'm nuts. He and Madeleine continue to interact more and more, and he absolutely lights up when she walks into the room. Elliott is also starting to encourage his sister to get into trouble, like when he smiles and laughs at her being naughty at the dinner table. We are in serious trouble when these two are a bit older.

In the sleep department, we are experiencing a rough patch. He takes two or three naps during the day. If the first two are long enough and the second one ends late enough, he doesn't need the third nap. I'd say he only takes the third small nap 25- to 50-percent of the time. At night, he is generally pretty easy to get to bed but has been waking up once a night, sometimes just an hour or so before he should be up for the day. I'm guessing it's either because he's not getting enough milk from me during the day or because his schedule is confused between early daycare days and later other days. No matter what, I'm really hoping to get back to having a boy who sleeps through the night!

We had a particularly bad night last week when he (finally) had his six-month pediatrician's appointment, complete with a whole slew of vaccines. For a baby who is constantly wiggling and moving, having sore thighs is the pits...and he let us know about it. I know that I often talk about how good and happy Elliott is, which is true, but when he is unhappy, look out!

On that note, I'll leave you with this month's photo of our sweet, sweet Elliott:

You've come a long way, baby:

One Week

Two Weeks

Three Weeks

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

February 2015 Recap

I feel like we fit a lot into February without feeling too stressed, so that's about as good as it gets! Get ready for tons of photos!

These two (plus Bear)!

Elliott spent all too much time at the pediatrician's office in February, but he loves being in a diaper, on the loud paper, with a full width mirror.

Madeleine did Valentine cards this year. I had her do part of each one, and I got a good lesson on toddler attention span.

We've been taking more family walks, and I get treated to this view. Please don't ever grow up, Elliott.

Madeleine adores her doctor's kit and examines anything that will sit still for long enough, including her giraffe.

I loved catching a cuddle with my girl, but she's already giving "too cool" looks. Bummer.

We celebrated Valentine's Day with pizza, and George informed me that this is the obvious choice given its heart-like shape. Uh huh.

We got out and took our first "hike" with Madeleine walking. She did pretty well all things considered.

Someone has noticed that Mummy and Daddy are spending regular time on the rower and wants to do it, too.

This was the month of "that's my job!" We have given Madeleine several "jobs" around the house, including cleaning veggies.

Our magnolia is confused and completely flowered (this was just the start) in February.

With all that spring-like weather, sometimes it's hard to keep our coats on.

Elliott could not get that half of a banana in his mouth soon enough. Banana, zucchini (courgette), and oatmeal are currently his favorite foods. 

I had to capture their coordinating star jammies.

I can't get enough of this sweet boy. Please don't ever grow up, Elliott.

We caught another showing of Tiny Tots at the Seattle Symphony, and both kids loved it. Elliott was a happy squealer for a lot of the show. 

This is the best behavior I have ever seen from her. It was amazing.

When you come home to sun flooding your house, you have to snap some cute kiddo shots.

Somebody figured out the rolling thing and decided to nap on his belly at our friend's house.

And those piggies...

It's hard to eat my breakfast when all I want to do is smile at my sister, who is very excited to feed me.

Let the sock removal game commence.

Madeleine was all about the frosting at our friend's birthday party. 

And I leave you with perhaps the best photo of the month:

Onto March we go...