Ponies!

I love putting these little pony tails in Charlotte's hair. Gavin always tells me he doesn't like them, though. He thinks they look funny because they stick straight up. I can't resist them, though. She is still sportin' the extra big bald spot but has PLENTY of hair on top. I know this isn't a great pic of the pony, but it's the best one I had.
What do you guys like to do with your girls hair? I've been wanting to make some hair clips for her, but I just might end up buying some cute ones off of etsy or someplace else. Any one know of any good sites that won't cost me a fortune?

Baby Legs!

Along with cloth diapering comes really big baby butts! I am glad Charlotte is a girl, because it's not the big of deal when she wears a dress, which is often. Pants are another stroy, though. They look so weird with the big ol' cloth diapers. So, when we are just hanging out at home, I never put pants on her. Target now sells these baby leg warmers for $2.99. I told Ryan I was going to get a pair every time I go. I love them. They keeps her legs covered, make diaper changes SUPER easy and fast and of course, they looks OH SO CUTE!
They are my new favorite baby item!

Dentist

So, I went to a new dentist this past week for a cleaning. The place was called Perfect Smile Dental Spa. What is a dental spa, you ask? It is a WONDERFUL place. I walked into the office a bit early because I knew I had to fill out some paper work. Upon arriving in this amazingly serene waiting room I was offered coffee, tea, water and crystal light. I filled out my paper work and was called back to begin my cleaning. Before the hygienist sat my down in my chair she said, please walk over here, I would like to give you a complimentary paraffin wax treatment. Okay! So I dipped my hand in the wax and she covered them with plastic. I sat down in the chair and she took some x rays. Then she tells me, while I go and develop these, so and so is going to come in and give you a complimentary massage. Okay! So I got a neck and shoulder massage while I waited. Then, I got my teeth cleaned. When I left I had the usual toothbrush and floss that you get to take home and then they decided to throw in an new electric toothbrush as well. Not too shabby. Unfortunately, I have to get some fillings replaced this week. However, laughing gas is also complimentary for their patients. I can't believe my insurance covers this place!

Gavin Talk!

1. Gavin was wanting to take a coin out of his piggy bank so I asked him which one he wanted, he said, "Just get me the kind with the picture of the crib on it." What?!?!?! The crib on it? Apparently, to a four year old, the Lincoln Memorial looks like a crib.

2. I was asked this question the other day, "Which do you like better, rainbows or farts?"

3. Gavin was trying to do something, I can't even remember what it was, though. Probably build something out of legos. Well, he had this idea in his head, but he couldn't translate it into his building. He was getting very upset and said, "My heart beat might be breaking because I can't figure out my idea." He is just so cute sometimes. It hurt his little heart that he couldn't do what he wanted to do.

4. He is VERY interested in the concept of my sending pictures to family members from my phone. He was trying to figure it out the other day and this was what he thought happened. He said, "Do the pictures go under ground all the way to Michigan and then get in Uncle Jason's phone?" It was so funny. The whole thing is such a mystery to him and I can't figure out how to explain it to him.

5. He told me yesterday, "Jesus gives you money if you do something good." Is that how it works? Don't worry, I set him straight.

6. He will often use our words against us. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful or anything, but we were playing and he asked me which toy I wanted. Then he changed his mind and said, "You git what you git, and you don't throw a fit."

7. Okay, this one is awful and I am ashamed of it, but here it is anyway. Gavin wanted me to get something for him, but I was busy. He responded with, "If you get it for me I will give you a surprise!" I wonder where he learned the concept of bribery from . . .

Deal of the Summer!

We went to Target the past week for some essentials and while I was downstairs (our target is two floors!) getting some things, Ryan and Gavin were upstairs checking out the toys. When I met back up with them, Ryan was carrying this HUGE box. I was thinking to myself, "Not again!". Our biggest weekness is spending way too much money on toys for our kids. We LOVE to do it. We just love how much Gavin LOVES to play. I've never seen a kid play harder than Gavin does. Anyway, Ryan shows me this castle. It was originally $35 and it was marked down to $7. Yeah, that's right, I said $7! How could we resist that! I asked Ryan if there were more that we could buy for Gavin's cousins for their birthday's or something. Sadly, it was the only one left.

Whew!

What a busy two weeks it's been for us! My mom, dad and nephew came two weeks ago and stayed with us for several days. We kept them VERY busy. I'm sure my parents went home and needed a break from their "vacation". Gavin and Jonas had a blast together, though. We went to
Navy Pier and did the Children's Museum and Build-a-bear. We went to Millenium Park for a little music show and craft time for the kiddos. Also at Millenium park we saw the bean, watched the practice concert at Pritzker Pavillion for that evening and let the boys play in the fountains.
We also headed to the zoo one day to see Miss Lori from PBS (we scored a free book, too!). We, of course hit the beach and one day. Lastly, we walked to a spray park and hit up a really cool candy shop on the way. Like I said, I kept them busy but we had fun doing all the things we love to do in Chicago and MORE!




























































This last week we had High 5 at our church. It was a summer day camp, like VBS type thing. I have never been so tired in all my life and I wasn't even with the kids! I was in charge of registration and check in everyday. And of course after that I was running around being a floater and moving people around. I don't know how working mom's do it. My house was a pit all week long. It was the dirtiest it has ever been. About half way through the week I couldn't take my disgusting bathroom anymore but didn't have time to clean it. I ended up spraying some scrubbing bubbles in the potty and in the shower and then just leaving it! At least it helped a little bit! It was challenging getting myself and the kids out the door every morning at 8, too. I am NOT ready for Gavin to start preschool. It is going to be harder than I thought! Well, I hope that our summer slows down from here on out. I can't take this whirlwind much longer!

Grass Stains

Sometimes after church all the kids will run around outside on this small grassy knoll. Gavin was playing there this past weekend and he runs up to me and says, "Mom! What is this green stuff on my shorts?" It was a grass stain. My poor little city boy has never had a grass stain before!

What's your opinion?

Okay, here it is ladies (I'm assuming all of my readers are women, maybe not) I want to know something! I want to know how you feel about tattoos. I don't have any, but I've noticed that more and more people that I never would have thought would get one, already have one! My dad has one and totally regrets it. It was something he did when he was young and stupid. However, if I had a tattoo of a rose on my forearm, I would regret that too! I am very interested in what you all will say about them. I think I know what some of you will say, but I also think that some of your answers will catch me by surprise. So, there it is. Tell me what you think!

Pray for Charlotte!

Well, we had a busy and confusing week this past week. Our little girl had more than a fussy reaction to the cereal we gave her. She had quite a bit more blood in her stool. We headed to the doctor and after much discussion we have all decided that we think Charlotte has a milk sensitivity. Other things that have been going on with her should have pointed me to this months ago, but I didn't. This is unrelated to the cereal incident. I am still not sure if the cereal is what made her so fussy throughout the night or if it was the milk thing. Either way, she doesn't get any more cereal until at least her six month check up. Right now I am on a non dairy diet. It is proving to be more challenging than I first thought. If Charlotte improves over the next few weeks I can start slowly introducing dairy back into my diet. If she doesn't improve, we are off to a gastrointestinal specialist. Here is a list that is certainly not exhaustive, of the things I can not have:

• Baked goods such as pancakes, biscuits, muffins, cakes, crackers, baking mixes (read labels for dairy product ingredients)
• Au gratin foods
• Butter
• Buttermilk
• Calcium caseinate
• Candy (especially creams and chocolate)
• Casein
• Cheese
• Cheese sauces
• Chocolate milk and drinks
• Coffeemate
• Cold cuts (such as bologna)
• Cottage cheese
• Cream
• Creamed or scalloped foods
• Curds
• Dry cereals containing milk powder, such as some granolas
• Dry milk powder
• Dry milk solids
• Evaporated milk
• Fondues
• Grated cheese
• Gravies (some)
• Ice cream
• Malted milk
• Margarine (most)
• Meat loaf and patties (some)
• Milk: whole, skim, 1%, and 2%
• Milk shakes
• Milk sherbets
• Nondairy creamers (most)
• Non-kosher luncheon meats (some)
• Ovaltine
• Puddings (most)
• Sausage (some)
• Sodium caseinate
• Wieners (some)
• Whey
• White sauces
• Yogurt

Sounds like fun, right? Yeah, not so much. Ryan asked me why I just don't start her on formula. If anyone else were in this situation I would recommend going that route, but I don't know. There is just something inside me that would rather restrict my diet than give up nursing. Maybe it's because I know it is a good possibility that this is my last baby. Well, anyway, you don't want to get me started on THAT topic!
So, if you think of it, pray for our dear little one and her little sensitivity. Pray that we find out exactly what the problem is, that her health improves and that she grows out of it soon!

In the Kitchen

In anticipation of Charlotte eating solids (whenever that may be), I have been blending up some baby food for her. I just started with the basic veggies (peas, green beans, carrots and sweet potatoes) and have only made a little bit. I am freezing them in ice cube trays. I have to say, it's a cinch! I love doing something economical and healthy for my family.

While I was whipping up some peas, Gavin asked for some (non pureed). He ate a big bowl of them. I love it that he loves his green veggies! Ryan almost threw up. He does not like his green veggies! Gavin has not caught on to the fact that Ryan passes them up when they are on the dinner table. I don't think he would care, though. He just loves 'em, not matter what!

So, have any of you made your own baby food? I'd love some tips, tricks and even some recipes!

Rice Cereal

So, I caved into some peer pressure and fed the girl some cereal against the Doctors advice. I gave it to Gavin at like four months, so at five months, I thought it would be fine. She seemed to like it. She's been gazing longingly at our food for quite some time. She ate the entire bowl that I made (which was like one Tablespoon full). All seemed to be fine. Then I put her to bed at her normal time - 7:30. She was up at 8:30, 9:45, 1:00, 3:30, and 5:00. She always went back to bed after she woke up. I did nurse her at the 9:45 and 5:00 awakenings. I think our little Charlotte may be telling me to wait a little bit longer on the baby food!

What makes you Happy?

The swings make this little girl giggle with glee!

Just a little bit of trivia

On average, there are 62 LEGO bricks for every person on earth.

There are over 75 LEGO colors to choose from.

Seven LEGO sets are sold ever second around the world.

There are 915 millions ways to combine six eight stud LEGO bricks.

At the Museum of Science and Industry

Lazy Days

Our family loves going to the beach. We try and go as much as possible. It is such a great time for our family. There are no distractions, nothing to do but just be together and play!
Here are some pictures of our recent outing at Lake Michigan!

This started out as a hold to bury Gavin in and turned into a ship. Gavin sat in it and pretended for at least 30 minutes straight.

Happy girl enjoying the fresh air

Getting creative with the sand castles

Chubber feet in the sand!

28 is great!

I always love my birthday because it falls so close to the 4th. There is always a lot going on. This year was no different! We started on Wednesday when Ryan took me shopping and spoiled me a bit! That was fun.

On Thursday, my actual birthday, we went out to eat downtown and did some more shopping. I bought my first ever pair of skinny jeans with a gift card from my sweet mamma. I really like them, too! I was surprised.

Gav took this one!

On Friday Ryan had to work, but when he got home we headed to the zoo for a couple of hours. We always love a good trip to the zoo!

On Saturday it was rainy, so we opted for an indoor activity and headed to the Museum of Science and Industry. There were some new exhibits that we hadn't seen before. Saturday night we headed to church were both Ryan and I were serving in the Children's ministry. We had made plans to see some fireworks that night with some friends, but the weather wasn't cooperating. By the time we got home, though, all the rain had cleared up and it was a very nice night. Ryan and Gavin walked down to the elementary school where there was a small, but good fireworks display. Gavin LOVED it.


I just love Gavin's face in this picture. What a party pooper. I don't think we've taken ONE good family picture since Charlotte was born.

"The Earth Ball" as Gavin calls it

Lovin' on my boy!

On Sunday we went to the beach, our favorite thing to do! We stayed there for a few hours. I'll have some fun pictures of that later on this week, probably. Ryan was getting pretty creative with the sand creations! Gavin was lovin' it. Sunday night we walked about a mile to a new park. We like to explore all of the neighborhood parks. So far this summer we've discovered two new and totally awesome parks!

It was a busy and super fun filled weekend. I love living in this city! Ryan and I often joke that our lives are like a vacation - the beach, the museums, shopping downtown ! Life couldn't get much better for the Dobbertins!

New Toys!

When we went back to Michigan we got a few of Gavin's baby toys that we had left behind. They are intended for Charlotte, but Gavin has been having a blast with them too! I made the mistake, however, of replacing batteries in them. I forgot how crazy all those baby songs and noises can make you! I keep telling Gavin, "turn it down" or "turn it off". Here are some pics of the cuties that are my children!