Current Goings-on

Last week we were teased with some delightful weather. I believe it was Tuesday, Sean called me at work, said that he was grabbing Lauren early, and to meet him at home, stat. I knew what was about to happen, people. A walk. Outside. I shut down my computer, dashed home, ran upstairs to change, threw a hat on Lauren, we put her in the stroller, grabbed Miller's leash (and Miller) headed outdoors, and aaaahhhh...bliss. It smelled like spring. It was still a little cold, but people: IT SMELLED LIKE SPRING. In foolish celebration that evening I put away all of our winter coats. The next morning, I sheepishly pulled them back out. Damn you, warm weather teaser. Oh well, Lauren didn't seem that thrilled anyway.

So things they have a-changed at the Power House. Lauren is very mobile. She crawls everywhere: away from us, towards us, towards electrical outlets, towards random foreign objects strewn about our floor that she decides belong in her mouth...it's really fun. And terrifying (see electrical outlets and random foreign objects). Like all babies of the modern era, she loves to play in the dishwasher when it's open.

We cleaned off the bottom shelf of our kitchen island of all breakables and it's now filled with Lauren-friendly objects like spatulas, whisks, colanders and bowls.

Another new favorite: crawling to the window to look out at that great big exciting world all around her. We're thankful for our low-to-the-ground windows. Miller often joins. Lauren squeals and claps in delight, Miller barks at any dog within a 20 mile radius.

This is a really fun stage. Lauren eats a lot of what we're eating, which is fun, and let's be honest, easier. We didn't have a date night babysitter this weekend, so we said what the hell, we'll have a date night and take Lauren with us. So we went out to eat on Friday night and she was a pretty good companion. A little squeal-y for the candlelight atmosphere, perhaps, but she was enjoying herself so that's OK. In case anyone is wondering, she had hummus and pita as an appetizer, and green curry for an entree. Oh, and Cheerios for dessert. I'm not kidding, she really had curry and hummus. And loved it. Last night she had roast chicken, pureed parsnips, and roasted garlic for dinner. Again, not kidding. And again, she loved it all. While it might be inevitable that we enter the chicken nugget stage at some point (please no, please no, please no), right now she's our little international eater. A baby foodie, if you will.