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It’s Independence Day

This past week was my friend’s last week at work which of course made it bittersweet. Sweet for the short week, bitter because she’s leaving us. Oh, it was my birthday on the 2nd too. Ha! I almost forgot. It seems like we mostly celebrated it last weekend with the Treat Yo’ Self events.

I did accomplish (mostly) everything on my list! Friday I had a massage which was amazing. I honestly didn’t think I had any tension; I rated it at a 1. That is, until they started massaging. So many knots. So many. Who could’ve predicted that I’d throw it out today? Well, probably the masseuse. Then Saturday we went shopping and I got 3 full workout outfits. I’ve been using jammies and leftover cheerleading practice shorts and MHC provided tee shirts. It really was not a good look and not fit for actual exercise. I may be vain, but it has been more motivating because I want to wear all the clothes! After shopping we had lunch at Chipotle, a manicure, a jog on the Greenway, and then ice cream. Always ice cream. We came home and I scrapbooked and watched Winter’s Tale. What do Will Smith, Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, and Jennifer Connolly have in common? This terrible movie. I do not recommend it. The Sunday it was brunch, pedicures, and a nap. The only thing I didn’t get to was scrapbooking. May got done, but I still have June, my digital scrapbook, and my video scrapbook to complete.

Wednesday was minimal in comparison. Josh did take me out to Edley’s BBQ and Jeni’s ice cream. That place (Jeni’s) is the best thing since sliced bread. I really think I could eat it on a daily basis. We had salted carmel ice cream, brambleberry ice cream, a lemon blueberry yogurt, and a peach riesling sorbet. It was amazing. And then we topped it off with Mexican food so I didn’t have to go grocery shopping. All in all a really, really good day.

Josh got me a vanity as well. It’s unfinished at this point, which is just how I like it! He said it’s two gifts in one because he knows I like projects. I have so many ideas at this point that all I’ve bought so far is sandpaper. I picked out a stain but they were out at the Home Depot. I can’t wait to start working on it. I’m too lazy to go take a picture right this instant- so here’s the stock photo.

I know I’m going to stain, do new fabric, and get new knobs for sure. I have other thoughts as well but we’ll see!

We also started Eli on ‘real food’ this week. I guess we’re semi-doing baby-led weaning. He wanted to gnaw on Josh’s apple so we let him. That being said, we are only giving him approved food for his age and are keeping him to two new foods a week. So apples and bananas are it this week. I’m not committing to anything, we’re just doing what makes sense for us.

What we bought: We got three different sippies to see what Eli likes. He hated the Avent ones, but he was a fan of the Nuk and some random, Toys R Us brand sippy with a straw.
Invaluable purchases: The raz-berry teether is now one of Eli’s favorite things. I was beginning to wonder if it was a waste of money, but apparently it isn’t!
How my life has changed: I cry much more easily, and usually the things that make me cry are in relation to children. Any story about a child interests me. I cry when they are hurt, I cry when their parents are neglectful, and I cry when they overcome adversity or are kind. I’m a bit of a mess. I’ve also gotten really good at brushing my teeth with a baby on my hip.

Eli: Week 25
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This week we celebrated the fourth of July. Besides honoring America’s Independence, we also celebrated my first taste of real food! I started having a bit a rice cereal last week, but this weekend I tried an apple. It was delicious! I turned myself completely around in my crib this week, and got stuck completely sideways once while attempting the feat. I communicate mostly in a series of hums and short giggles. I like to sit in my highchair, listen to 1950’s music, and chew on teethers while mom or dad cooks. But my favorite thing is to dance around to it on mom’s hip. I’ve gotten pretty good at using straws, but I still gnaw on my other sippy’s top for good measure. I love love love my feet, and feel accomplished when I can finally get that toe in my mouth. I got the good news that I’m graduating to the second infant classroom at the Academy. There I’ll learn to crawl and stand, I’m dying to get the latter down especially. I love to be upside down and I like to give kisses.

I hope your long weekend is full of fun get-togethers or long bouts of alone time, whatever you prefer!
-Shantel

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