Our recent schedule since I've gone back to work has left very little time for blogging, which makes me sad. It's left little time for showering and sleeping, too, which is another story. But I hope to keep popping in for updates as much as I can. I love this little space and am thankful for you (yes, you!) who takes the time to read it, time gaps and all. 

If you have a toddler in your house, you might be like me... when you come across an idea that actually works for your picky little one, you want to tell the world. Like getting your little guy or gal to eat squash or keeping him occupied for an entire hour. So act like you're getting a text from me with a link to these three little projects, a handful of our recent favorites. 

1. Squash waffles.

Liam's diet consists of three main food groups: waffles, Larabars (which he calls "bar snacks") and fruit (sometimes hummus and eggs make the cut, too). So when I came across this recipe for summer squash pancakes, I knew I needed to try it out to sneak a few veggies in without him realizing it.  The only thing I tweaked about the recipe was to use an all-purpose gluten free flour in lieu of whole wheat flour... and I made them into waffles instead of pancakes. They're Liam-approved, which is saying a lot, and they freeze well. 

2. Dinos in ice.
This idea has made the Pinterest and Facebook rounds, so you may have already seen it. Basically, throw some water, some little plastic toys (in our case, dinosaurs), and a little food coloring into a tupperware container and freeze it overnight. Then let your toddler use a variety of tools to dig and hammer and chop and try to figure out how to rescue the dinosaurs from the ice block. After being slightly confused initially, Liam loved this challenge and loved eventually pouring warm water on the ice block to rescue his beloved dinos. The project lasted much longer than I anticipated (nearly an hour!), which is a win for us.

3. Our little fox.

One of our nieces loves foxes, so when I saw this fox costume tutorial and pattern, Liam insisted we make a fox costume for her. We had Lanie model it, and we fell in love with her all over again. The pattern does seem to run a little small - it just barely fit on Liam's head, but fit 6-month-old Lanie just perfectly.

5 months with Lane Eliette.

 Dear Lanie Lou,

On the very last day of your fifth month, I decided it was about time to write a little update on you. You've grown and changed immensely this month and have really started to move. It's like one day we put you down on your back and you decided to not only flip right over, but get up on your hands and knees and start to rock. A few days later, you started scooting across the floor to whatever you wanted to get a hold of (usually one of Liam's favorite dinosaurs or books). And when we start to unstrap you from your carseat, you do a complete flip over your right shoulder to get out. You're feisty and active and playful and fearless and I adore that about you.

You're growing hair, thick and blonde, and it's coming in so evenly all the way around. You're learning to self soothe, and when it's time to sleep, you flip over onto your tummy and plop a thumb in your mouth and we watch you lay there quietly with your eyes open before you fall asleep. Never ever after your first three crazy hard months did we expect you to be so easy. Or such a delight.

Liam adores you. When you wake up from your nap, he's always the first to hear you and exclaim, "Wanie Lou is awake!" He bolts upstairs to your room, throws open the door, and yells, "Wanie! You're awake! You look so pretty! You sleep so good?" And then my heart melts into a puddle. You're still so tolerant of him, letting him basically wrestle you on the floor while you just smile and giggle.

You're the smiliest baby we've ever seen. One glance in your direction and your big blue eyes (just like your mom) turn to happy squints (just like your dad). You also have lots to say, especially when you're alone and Liam is away.

We are smitten with you, Lane Eliette. We can't wait to see what our gracious God has in store for your life. You've already blessed us in ways we never thought imaginable.

Love,
Mommy