Cold Spaghetti

That’s right… the Big Red Car pulled into Mobile today — and Granna, PapPap, and Will went down to the Civic Arena to meet them!Will was pretty overwhelmed, but, as my parents have reported, got into it more once Granna scored some gear. (Pirate hat, feather sword, light-up rod for the good-night songs, ball cap, and t-shirt! Whoa, thanks, Granna!)

My folks said they had a great time with Will. They also came back filled with important information. One detail about a kids concert in a big Arena is that kids make A Lot of Noise. The only time the drone of chatter changes is when a really popular song starts, when it gets louder. (Note to parents: take headache medicine.)
Fans bring huge posters to the concerts and each are read and admired by the Wiggles. These posters include love notes from mothers to their favorite Wiggle. Not to disappoint, Anthony, Jeff, Murray, and Greg spend a lot of time in the audience, where they are groped by adult women.They also spend a lot of time being incredible nice, thanking kids for the presents they bring for Dorothy (roses) and Wags (doggie bones). (Note to parents: bring your kids gifts if you want them to be able to approach the stage or get a photo-op with Dorothy.)

I also learned that my favorite Wiggle dancer, who we call “That Crazy Guy,” was there! I wonder if I brought a fan poster for “Crazy Guy,” if they would know who it’s for? Will has not taken his pirate hat off, or removed his feather sword from his hand, since the concert. He is currently sleeping with both.

I want to learn how to knit so that I can make this.

Dear Babytalk Magazine,

Thank you for your lovely August cover. The photograph tastefully shows one of the most touching moments of motherhood.

Please direct each person who complains about the cover to me. I’d like to bop them each on the head with my big, milk-filled breast. Get over it, people!

Sincerely,
Holly

Please send your own messages to Babytalk magazine for the beautiful, tasteful, and touching photograph gracing their August issue. (Customer Service information is here, email them here.)

Who am I to refuse the requests of the mother of my soon-to-arrive nephew?

Favorite pictures of Will and Kate from the past month are available for viewing and ordering here. Enjoy!

After bathing Kate this morning, I couldn’t resist giving her an Elvis hairdo. It was so darn cute the camera had to come out. I opened up the shutters to bring in more morning light and increased the ISO to 200 (I actually thought I was increasing it to 500, but I must not have saved the settings properly — ugh.) We started on one of her blankets (bottom picture) where she squirmed like crazy. Since she has been trying so hard to sit up, I thought maybe I could try the Bumbo seat for awhile. First I just put it down in the middle of the floor — but the pictures were awful, needed more backlight. Then, I hung a sheet from the entertainment center doors and down to the floor. That is how I got these pictures. More directed light would have made a difference; I’ll play more with that in the future. But this is what I got! As always, suggestions are appreciated as I try to learn some photography basics!

Yesterday morning, Will, Kate and I headed to Audubon Park to feed the birds. We were fresh out of tuppence, so we brought a bag of bread heals to surrender to the flock. We were barely two steps away from the path when a group of white ducks and a sorry-sounding black and red goose came charging — and I mean charging — our way. Will was overpowered by them at first. Then he got cool and started to take control of the situation. Pretty soon, he was telling them, “be nice,” “take your turn,” and “wait a minute!”
When finished, he ran around the park with them. I was surprised at how little this phased them. Will also periodically stopped and commanded them to “go see Mommy!” (Note picture below.)
In addition to the ducks and goose, Will fed (and chased) squirrels, turtles, and birds. It was a very beautiful — if not incredibly humid — morning in the park. I was disappointed (but not surprised) that Will wasn’t able to walk far along mediation path. It may be time for a double stroller if I want to really get out walking! 

Baby Kate rocks out in her custom t-shirt, made by my friend Hongyun. I think it means “Happy Baby Kate” — but to be honest, I can’t remember!?

Ever the sensitive and helpful boy, Will is intently interested in how Kate eats. From time to time, he approaches her, lifts his shirt, and announces that he wants to feed Baby Kate. I’ve tried to explain that only Mommy makes milk for Baby Kate. Will simply shows me his chest and says, “No, Mommy, I have bubbies too.” Touche.

I was steaming my pumping supplies yesterday in the kitchen, where Will was entertaining himself by “helping” with these chores. Suddenly, he disappeared. After five minutes of silence, I walked to the front room to investigate.

Will was sitting in my chair, with a breast shield properly connected to tubing, which was properly connected to the breast pump. (Impressive, considering it has taken me a few tries on some occassions to get all the contraptions in order.) The pump was turned on low, humming away. Will was holding the breast shield to his stomache, freezing his face in concentration to show he is working on a Very Important Task.

“What are you doing, Will?” I asked.

“I pumping MILK!” He said. And added, “I pumping MILK from my BUBBY.”

Now that is a helpful guy.

Farmer’s Market Lunch: crepes, fruit popsicles, and sack of kettle corn to go — $18
Getting your 2-year old to share — priceless