Poop-plosion

Being a mom means I've become fondly acquainted with poop. Not to imply I like it by any means, but I've definitely become accustomed to wiping it, wearing it and smelling it. Did I tell you about Tory's recent poop-plosion in the card aisle at Target? Yeah, that happened.

Over the last 10 months, my ability to cope with embarrassing parenting situations in public places has come along way. I remember being so nervous to take Tory to the store, for fear she'd scream bloody murder and I'd have no way to soothe her. (Her resistance to pacifiers has been one of the most scarring experiences of my parenting career). There were many days, in fact, I bolted from the store without making a single purchase because I was so embarrassed by her outcry. Oh, how things have changed.

A few weeks ago, Tory and I went shopping at Target to pick up a few groceries, formula, shirts and any other random goodies I discovered. We've recently upgraded to the convertible car seat and this latest milestone has brought about some new challenges; ie, Tory will not sit in a shopping cart for more than 15 seconds. It's quite a job to entertain her as she's strapped in the cart, while I hunt for items on my shopping list and navigate the store around shelves and customers. The belt is tight enough, but the little stinker can maneuver her legs out of the harness faster than a straight jacket. (Since this day, I've realized the Baby Bjorn is a must-have shopping accessory. Strapping her to my body is the only way to contain her).

Anyway, after an hour of shopping, my cart was full and Tory was positioned on my hip. Nearing the check-out counter, I remembered I needed a birthday card for my brother-in-law and re-directed to the card aisle to make one last selection. As I picked through the cards, I felt something running down my bare leg and into my flip flop. What the? I gazed down at my white t-shirt and noticed liquid brown poop covering Tory's bottom half and one side of me. Ack! A bout of teething-induced diarrhea had soaked through her diaper and little gray shorts, my shirt, dripped down my leg, into my flip flop and onto the aisle floor. She was happy as a clam, by the way.

I did what every mother faced with a poop-plosion would do. I hauled my heaping cart to the restrooms, grabbed my diaper bag and wrangled cleaned a wiggly baby from head to toe. And this is where life has really changed for me: I wasn't about to abandon my entire cart over a little poo! The new-mama-me would've been mortified, but now it didn't even phase me. I contemplated changing my own poop-soaked shirt into one of those waiting for purchase in my shopping cart, but I didn't. Instead, I strolled over to the register area, paid for my things and drove home with squishy liquid poo in my shoe. As I tore out of the parking lot, I may have run over one of those curb divider thingies because I was just a tad big flustered. But hey, I've come along way, baby.

Fourth of July Week: Weekend 2

We decided to drive home from the cabin early this morning, so Saturday was our last day of our week-long vacation at the lake. As relaxing as it was, I think both Andi and I were ready to get back to reality. Well, maybe not the responsibility part; just being in our own home.

Ellie and Derrick decided to leave the cabin on Saturday, so we all bummed around and did a few chores before they hit the road. Unfortunately, we don't have trash service at the cabin so we usually haul all our garbage back home with us. With all the fireworks debris and ten days worth of garbage, we couldn't take it all home with this time, so we decided to visit a nearby town's incinerator instead. The facility converts the waste to energy and powers the local cheese factory so I felt a little better about going there. It was one of those experiences though, where Andi and I both looked at each other and wondered where the heck we were. It smelled horribly and I've never seen Andi and Derrick move as fast as they did when they unloaded the garbage. So gross and definitely brings to the forefront where your garbage goes when you throw it away in the trash can.

Afterwards, Andi and I decided to visit the Turtle Lake County Fair taking place about 10 miles from the cabin. It was everything we hoped it would be; awesome people watching and quite entertaining. I have a special soft spot in my heart for small town county fairs after visiting my own hometown's annual event when I was little.

Tory's first carnival game - the Duck Pond!
(She won a rubber ducky)

The truck pull taking place at the fair.
First time I'd ever seen anything like this!

First carousel ride

Tory didn't cry, but she was shaking like a leaf while we rode the carousel together. I imagine it is a bit overwhelming for a little girl with all the bright lights, movement and music. I couldn't resist riding it with her though, and I think she did great overall.

It was hot! My girlie and I taking a water break.

Later in the day, Andi, Tory and I went to a BBQ at a neighboring cabin on the lake. Joe and Lisa invited tons of friends and family over for a feast of smoked brisket, turkey, ham, salmon, venison and as many side salads and desserts as the eye could see. The party was the perfect ending to our week on the lake.

There are so many wonderful memories made during this year's Fourth of July holiday. It was my baby girls' first and I'll always cherish the quality time our little family of three spent together on Pipe Lake.

Fourth of July Week: Thursday/Friday

Andi's parents joined us at the cabin on Thursday and we decided to switch up the pace with a trip into nearby Cumberland, Wisconsin. Just what Janie and Jim had in mind I'm sure, as they drove up expecting quiet time by the lake. They were good sports about our little daytime adventure though, and Andi and I were in the mood for a change of scenery.

We cruised around town for a bit while my teething, fussy baby took a snooze in her car seat. (This didn't require much as there are only two main streets in town). After she woke up, we decided to have lunch at Nezzy's. It was only the fourth time we've ever taken Tory to a restaurant, believe it or not. She could be such an inconsolable baby in her early months of life that it was never worth the hassle to take her out to eat. On Thursday, she behaved wonderfully and sat in the high chair at the table munching on crackers throwing crackers on the ground and playing toys. Janie entertained for most of the meal so Andi and I were able to enjoy our lunches.

Later, we came back to the cabin and went for a pontoon ride around the lake. Tory usually doesn't last long. We usually make it 3/4 of the way around our not-very-big lake before she's fussing for us to be done. The weather was hot and sticky so during Tory's nap, the four of us sat outside in the floatation station and drank frozen margaritas. It's quite possibly my favorite cabin activity.

Andi's parents left around dinnertime, and we enjoyed a relaxing steak dinner with our friends Derrick and Ellie, Brian, Liz and their two kiddos who were still at the cabin. The boys went for a evening boat ride and the ladies chilled back at the cabin over girl talk and wine. It was a great ending to the night.

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Friday, the whole crew took the pontoon to the sandbar while Andi and I stayed back at the cabin with a sleeping Tory. My poor girl is teething like crazy this week and desperately needed every minute of sleep. After Tory's nap, Andi and I ran to Cumberland again to buy brisket for a lake party we're invited to tonight.

We hired a neighbor girl to babysit Friday evening so Derrick, Ellie, Andi and I could go out for a date night to a Wisconsin supper club. There are so many well known supper clubs in our area on neighboring lakes; we chose Paradise Landing on Balsam Lake. Perhaps a sign we don't get out sans Tory nearly enough, I was beyond giddy to be responsibility free for an evening. The restaurant and lake area were beautiful and we enjoyed a perfect night of drinks and laughter with two of our very best friends.

An awesome ending to a great week. Only one day left of our cabin Fourth of July vacation and then it's back to reality.

Fourth of July 2012

I've learned this: parenting and Fourth of July festivities are a difficult mix. The holiday was different this year; frustrating and yet, still fun at times.

Typical Fourth of July activities I did NOT do this year:

• Get drunk
• Boat all day
• Laugh until my face hurts
• Light fireworks*

*Well, to be truthful, I loathe fireworks so this one's never really on my hit list. 

Things I DID do Fourth of July 2012:

• Fell victim to the schedule of two baby naps
• Soothed a teething infant
• Felt frustrated by friends drinking and making noise outside my sleeping baby's bedroom
• Enjoyed a fun few hours on the beach (after nap time, of course)
• Ate a fabulous shrimp boil dinner prepared by my husband
• Had a Jell-O shot (or two, or five)
• Watched a fireworks show from our cabin's backyard that would rival any city's big show

Parts of our Fourth of July were fun and celebratory and other times I felt like a naggy bitch-face for constantly telling our best friends and their guests to please keep the noise to a minimum. I hated being "that girl" because I fully understand how fun and crazy Fourth of July can be. I was just so tired and frustrated after listening to a fussy baby who desperately needed her sleep that it was hard to find a balance between the two. In the end, it was all good and there were no hard feelings. This is just a stage of life we're in, transitioning from partying to parenting. 

Aside from all that, the boys put on a spectacular fireworks show in our backyard. It's morphing into quite the tradition, really. Word spread through all the neighbors and our backyard filled with cabin friends and strangers at dusk who watched the big show together. Amazingly, Tory slept through the entire evening which took place right outside her bedroom window. Thank goodness for a crappy $10 box fan we bought at the dollar store and her white noise machine.

No Fourth of July would be complete without a decorated baby! Andi bought Tory this adorable red, white and blue dress to wear. I can't believe how grown up she looks in this picture. Where is my little baby?!

We spent a few hours late afternoon at the neighbor's cabin for beers and beach time. It was the closest I came to my favorite part of Fourth of July which is basking in the sunshine all afternoon. Past Fourth's included dancing, floating in the water and drinking fun cocktails. This year, I responsibly had one beer and monitored Tory's shade and sunscreen levels. I don't necessarily need to drink to have fun but again, things were just different than past summers where Fourth of July festivities were the highlight event of the season. Sadly, neither Andi or I got a single picture with Tory all day, although we did get a few of her. She was at her happiest after nap time when we had her in the lake with us.

Tory and our friend Ellie

Phil and Ellie

Derrick getting ready to wakeboard

We're at the cabin for the rest of the week, and thankfully the big Fourth of July hoopla is over for another year. Yesterday, we fell back into regular cabin life - chill time with friends, playing outside on a blanket with Tory, cocktails and laughter around the table after an awesome steak dinner. This week's been a good mix of everything and we're fortunate to have such a great group of friends to make another year's worth of Fourth of July memories. 

Fourth of July Week: Monday/Tuesday

Still at the cabin this week ...

Sunday, our friends Derrick and Ellie joined us at the cabin and we've made a daily ritual of boating, eating and drinking for the last three days. Fourth of July at the cabin is definitely different with kids in tow, but it's equally fun. We can still float and relax in the water; we just have to capitalize on every minute of nap time. Andi and I were laughing about it actually. The minute I walk upstairs after putting Tory down to sleep, I point out the window and we bee-line for the lake. Last night by the campfire, we had beers, bug spray and baby monitors lined up on our laps.

Monday we made another trip to the strawberry patch. Tory absolutely loved the strawberries we picked a few weeks ago, but hasn't been so crazy about the store-bought variety. Girlfriend prefers sweet, juicy strawberries fresh off the vine. The weather was hot and humid and not quite as pleasant as our last visit, but we still filled a pail to take home.

Daddy and Tory picking strawberries

The boys spend every evening casting a few lines. They catch lots of sunfish and large mouth bass. Andi wants to have a fish fry one of these nights. He, of course, bought a fancy outdoor fish cooker from Amazon he's dying to try out.

Tory - 44 Weeks Old

Tory - 44 Weeks Old

Fourth of July at the Cabin, Weekend 1

Is this the Fourth of July holiday weekend? Is it next weekend? Should we just celebrate them both out of pure confusion? Yes, I think that's appropriate.

We're at the cabin again this weekend and staying for the next 10 days. It's an awesome feeling to not be in clean up mode. Sundays always seem to be the most beautiful days and we're stuck wanting to play and relax and pick up and go home. Today, there's no such dilemma.

One of my best girlfriends, Val, and her family visited our cabin this weekend. Val and her husband Brionn have two little ones - Kasen and Linden - and Tory was in seventh heaven with friends to play with at the cabin. Although, I can't say Kasen felt the same way.

In Tory's defense (and I will defend her because she's my little girl), I think she was so excited to play but not quite big enough to get in on the action. Often times, she used Kasen to pull herself into standing position so she could see what he was doing. Luckily, Kasen was a pretty good sport about Tory touching and pulling on him most of the weekend. I tried to coach her as much as I could to "be gentle" when she tugged at him and I think that's absolutely my role as a parent to ensure she's not bullying others, but I also think it's important for her to play and interact with other kids on her own.

This weekend was the first time I've noticed Tory be so aware of other kids around her. She saw many of her little cousins in Nebraska over Memorial Day weekend, but she had little interest in playing with them. With Kasen, she spent much of the weekend watching him play toys and eat at meal times. It also really upset Tory every time Linden would cry and soon she'd cry, too, out of concern for the baby.

Saturday afternoon was picture perfect. During Kasen and Tory's afternoon naps, the adults floated in the lake and drank frozen cocktails. Thank goodness for baby monitors that reach to the lake shore! Near our dock, several sunfish were getting ready to lay their eggs and very territorial. The fish were swimming right up to us in the water and even nipping at our toes - eek! This, of course, forced me to crawl up onto a floatie and never move until I heard peeps from the baby monitor.

Miss Linden's first time in the lake.

Sunshine girls in matching swimming suits.
Linden and Tory

Floating with mama

We took all the kiddos for a pontoon ride. Based on the screams from little ones being stuffed in life jackets, I didn't know how our trip around the lake would go but all the babes was content once we started moving. Little Linden must've been comfortable - she even fell asleep!

After the kids went to bed, Val, Brionn, Andi and I sat on the pontoon and fished. I would venture to say we spend more time sitting on our pontoon tied to the dock than we do actually driving it on the lake. Then like good hosts, Andi and I went to bed at 10pm and left Val and Brionn to fend for themselves. Cabin life usually renders us comatose by sundown.

I'm looking forward to another few days here to celebrate summer.