Motor Skills

6-12 month is the time of developing pincer grab and crawling. Because Link started grabbing things and passing things in his hands long before his time, I knew he probably would have the pincer grip down if we let him. The only problem is small things like that going into the mouth should be edible and I wasn't quite sure we were up to cherrio stage yet. However, last night Link and I went out for Valentines and while we were waiting for a table I let him chew on some super thick business cards. Sure, this might make me a bad mum, but I always let Link chew on paper products. I was sure he wouldn't be able to chew into these glossy things, but the next thing I knew a corner was gone. When I looked in his mouth I saw it on his tongue and when I did a finger swipe he went gulp and down the hatch it went. So at dinner I set out the oyster crackers that came with the soup to see how he would do. Well, at 6 months, yes, he can do the pincer grab! However, he has trouble with releasing. So no crackers ever made it to his mouth, just on the floor. I am not surprised. He loves to take things out of boxes but never tries to put things in boxes. With blocks, I think he is trying to stack but he ends up just knocking over towers with the block in his hand and it took him a long time before he opened his hands as a baby. Even today he doesn't clap with open hands.

Crawling? Nope, not there yet. We have a pretty stationary boy. He never really mastered rolling over completely and he doesn't really scoot. However he does go from sitting to belly sometimes and I let him wiggle in his frustration to try to grab an object for a little bit to encourage movement. His latest movement development is that of putting his arms up when he wants to be picked up. That usually gets him where he wants to go.

It's Lincoln's Birthday

Woops, wrong Lincoln.

Mason Jennings in Iowa

Mason Jenning with Lindsey and I, originally uploaded by Shannon Marye.

Last night Bryce and I went to Luther College to see Mason Jennings. People from our birthing group got us tickets. Lindsey (a doula) and her husband Andrew were our rise and we sat with them during the concert. Mason was just as awesome as ever. I told Bryce earlier that had I meet Mason in another setting where he wasn't famous, we would most likely be friends. After the concert we unintentionally ran into him and talked to him about all random things and Bryce agreed, we would be friends. He is right up my alley in spirituality and art and travel, and of course MUSIC. His concert was extraordinary, bringing tears to even Bryce and Andrew's eyes. It was the first time I had heard "The Field" and wow, what a powerful song.
After the concert we went to Peter and Melissa's home, which I loved. Full of artwork and open. Decorah and its homes remind me a lot of St. Paul. We had a good time sharing funny stories for another hour or two before we headed home.

Ladies Night Out

Paula and Hannah, originally uploaded by Shannon Marye.

I am having more and more fun with this group from Monona. Beth is moving away, which is sad since she was my first connection to the group, but I have gotten close enough with them all now to know I belong. This weekend we had a Ladies Night out on Friday which was loads of fun. On Saturday they invited me to an Upper Case party, but I had to decline because I judged speech in Decorah all day. I had Mime, which I thought would be boring, but now that they add music it was rather fun. The group also invited me to a fish fry of fish their men had caught ice fishing, but I had trivia at Schera's which was equally fun. My doula Karin, and her husband Jason came too and it was a great time. We lost again, but Karin and Jason got 2nd. It was Travis' last night at the restaurant before he goes back to New Zeland for school. He was an odd duck, but I enjoyed his company. Sunday I saw the group again as most of them play on a volleyball league with me (although not on my team). Because they just can't stop partying, they invited us to a Super Bowl party which my whole family attended. I really liked the group that was there. I think there is a mix of conservative and liberal mindsets, but we all mesh over children, relationships, and having fun.

Adventures with Lumina

The Lumina and I have been some places this weekend. Friday at 7, I ventured over to Joleen's for a meeting and as I was traveling down her long driveway on the way out I slid on the ice and ended up in a ditch of snow. Fortunately Joleen's husband is a dnr and we tractor towed it on out.
Later I went to Monona for a girl's night out and I got totally lost in the gravels on the way there. But I still ended up being on time. Thank God I'm a Country Girl.
When we were done hanging out I got in the car and had the sudden realization that I had told Bryce to pick up Lincoln after work, but I had the only car. Fortunately, Bryce had the babysitter bring Link home before I realized this.
Saturday I had to head out at 5 am to be in Decorah to judge speech. A day full of mimes, let me tell you, good times. ;P (It actually was not to bad of a category to judge.)
On the way home I got lost. I keep taking wrong turns and seeing if I can get out of them without backing up and driving all over the place. Why am I not taking my gps? I do not know.

I disappoint myself

I hate disappointing people, especially the same people multiple times. This week I forgot church council and I forgot to do my treasurer's duty of signing checks. I have only been on this bored one month and I already am a failure. I think my brain is being sucked out with the milk. Ahhhh.

In the kitchen

Our kitchen has been working overtime these past few months. I have been making soup every week, each a different one from Mothering Magazine. I also am making bread, but I am having a problem with brioche. I've tried three times and it ends up moist crumbles.
Bryce and I noticed that this month we bought a lot of produce and none of it spoiled since we are using it more often in our cooking. My favorite soup so far has been the parsnip chowder.
We are also going through our spices more than ever before. Can you get small quantities to refill them at a co-op? I don't want to have a bunch of bulk containers around.