Summer Fun

A few weeks ago after the kiddos went to sleep, I set about creating a "Summer Fun" list - a list of 30 places I wanted to go this summer/things I wanted to do.  To compile this list, I sought help from Pinterest (obviously), as well as other Baltimore Moms who could impart some local spots to explore.  I thought the list turned out pretty well! I was initially inspired to create this list after seeing some friends on Facebook posting about #100daysofsummer - doing something fun/memorable every day of summer - 100 days! 

I decided that if I made a list of 100 things, it would become a chore, as I would insist on waking up every day and choosing something to "check off" the list that morning.  I didn't want the summer to become a check list, so my list only includes 30 things.  There are some things I chose not to include, but it is a no-brainer we will do them often this summer, such as blowing bubbles, playing with chalk, going to the playground, etc.  Some lists I saw on Pinterest included those things, which are great! But not things I felt the need to "check off" doing this summer.  

Here is the breakdown of our Summer Fun list in case anyone wants to copy, or join us! I tried to include links to everything I could in case anyone wanted to check it out as well.

• Ladew Gardens
• Hampton Mansion
• Ocean City, MD
• Go Camping
• Glen Echo Park (specifically to see a puppet show)
• Plumpton Park Zoo
• Miniature train ride
• DC Zoo
• Natural History Museum
• Marshy Point Nature Center 
• Irvine Nature Center
• Baltimore Zoo
• Clark's Elioak Farm
• Oregon Ridge Lake*
• Adkins Arboretum  
• Jones Farm
• Rocky Point Park
• Broom's Bloom Dairy Farm
• Hybridoma Farm
• Swim at Aunt Linda's
• Take a bike ride
• Make homemade popsicles
• Eat snow cones
• Go to State Fair
• Make water balloons
• Belvedere Square Friday night concert
• Library Summer Reading Program
• Jolly Rogers
• BWI Observation Deck
• Gymnastics

*After creating this list I learned that the Oregon Ridge Lake is actually closed this season.  Instead of swimming in the lake, we plan on going hiking on their great trails. 

I will try my very hardest to blog about the places we go and keep everyone up-to-date as we accomplish checking everything off the list have a great summer! 

- says the village idiot 

Happy 6 months Little Cecilia!

Happy 6 months to our sweet blue-eyed beauty!! We CANNOT believe how quickly this past 6 months have gone (minus the first 2 months which felt like an eternity).  

Likes - So many things! She is "playing" more with toys, aka. putting them in her mouth; She is still nursing almost every 3 hours during the day so I would say she still loves to eat! She loves sitting up, rolling over, and playing in her exersaucer, aka. "the office".

Dislikes - We started solids this past weekend and surprisingly she didn't seem that interested!  So far she has held a cucumber to her mouth, touched an apple, and gagged on some yogurt. Maybe we will try a banana tomorrow...

Favorite things about Cece - She is so easygoing. I am know I have said that before but she really does have the most easygoing personality.  She is fine being held, or sitting in the stroller.  She likes to eat every 3 hours, but doesn't mind being stretched to 4 or even more.  She rarely cries and overall just goes with the flow.  

Weight - 16 lbs 5 oz!

Height - 25 inches

Clothing size - 12 months!  Her chubby legs are just too big for anything else! 

Feeding - Still eating every 3 hours during the day, but since we have started solids, I expect that to lengthen out a bit

Sleep - I start to nurse her to sleep at 8pm and she is usually in her bed by 8:30pm.  She sleeps through the night, usually waking up in the morning around 8am.  Thankfully Alexia sleeps in until 9am most days so I have an hour with Cecilia in the morning, just the two of us. 

Milestones - Rolling over all the time; reaching for everything; starting solids; pushing herself up and learning the motions to start crawling! 

Go ahead Cecilia, you eat the owl. You're 6 months old now. - says the village idiot 

Happy 5 months Cecilia Rose!

Happy 5 months Cecilia Rose!

Likes - Eating, sleeping, being held, and watching what's going on in the world around her! 

Dislikes - Not really anything!

Favorite things about Cece - She is so easy going!  She is so happy and breaks out in a huge grin whenever we smile at her 

Weight - about 16 pounds

Height - upwards of 24 inches

Clothing size - 6-9 months!

Feeding - She still eats every 3 hours during the day

Sleep - She wakes up for the day between 7 and 8am, takes a couple of naps (usually on the go, or in her swing, or laying on me) then goes down for the night around 8pm. 

Milestones - She is starting to sit up and become so interactive.  She loves to put everything in her mouth, including her hands.  She has also begun to transfer toys from one hand to the other.  

We love you Cece Rose! 

Happy 4 months Cece

Happy 4 months my sweet baby girl!

Likes - Sleeping, eating, staring at Big Sis Alexia, singing

Dislikes - hm...she has developed what we fondly call "Stranger Danger", aka. she does not like anyone but The Hubby or I holding her or even looking at her.

Favorite things about Cece - She is so sweet and easygoing.  Her laugh is infectious! 

Weight - 14.7 lbs! Wowza.  

Height - 23 inches

Clothing size - 6 months!

Feeding - She eats every 3-4 hours during the day.  

Sleep - Still takes 3 naps during the day and falls asleep for the night around 9pm and sleeps through the night until 7 or 8 in the morning.

Milestones - Laughing so much! Grabbing at toys, and bringing everything to her mouth.

I can't believe we have a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 month old. 

Time is flying! - says the village idiot 

Ear Candling 101

So I stuck a candle in my ear today and set it on fire. Just kidding. I paid someone to stick a candle in my ear and set it on fire. It's called ear candling. Ear candling is completed by putting a hollow candle in the ear, and lighting the other end.  By the power of convection, the wax and other substances within the ear candle, get sucked out into the hollow candle. 

I have been wanting to try this for sometime now, and with the recent change in seasons, and the recommendation of my acupuncturist, I decided to give to a go. 

I arrived at my appointment and was introduced to my Candler. She was a lovely lady, and she escorted me back to the private room. Now, I had read about ear candling online, as well as watched several YouTube videos so I vaguely knew what to expect. It went as anticipated - I laid on the table on my side, she took the special candle and inserted it through a paper plate and put one end into my ear. She then lit the other end and proceeded to let it burn down for about 10 minutes. As it burned, I heard a soft and relaxing crackling in my ear. The sound and warmth of the candle increased as it burned down closer to my ear. When it burned down to about 2 inches, she removed the candle from my ear and put out the flame. At this point, I asked if I could see what was inside - what had been sucked out my ear. She told me after we finished the other ear, we could cut them both open and see what was inside. I then proceeded to turn over so my other ear was facing up, and a second candle was inserted to work its magic. Another 10 minutes went by, and 27 years of gunk was sucked out into the candle! 

While the crackling fire in my ear, and the spa-like music playing in the room was very relaxing, I did expect more of an overall Experience. In my opinion, a  five-minute neck or face massage on the front or back end of the appointment really would've done wonders.  

I digress. Now to the reveal. She let the remaining candles cool slightly and then she pulled them open for me to see...

So gross

The chunk of wax came from my one ear, and the small bit of wax and powder came from the other. The candler said that the ears normally look different - if wax comes out of one, something different looking will come out the other.   So bizarre but so awesome. I obviously have supersonic hearing now. Just kidding.  

The entire process took about 30 minutes from start to finish, and didn't hurt at all. It cost $45 at the particular salon I went to. It is recommended to have ear candling done every 6 months or so, especially around certain seasons, such as spring or fall. While it was enjoyable, I probably would not go again for several years. 

If you decide to have ear candling done, let me know it goes for you! says the village idiot 

**Please note, I am not a doctor, nor am I recommending you get ear candling. This was something I personally wanted to try and this was my review of the experience. :) 

Happy Three Months Cece

Cece's Three Month Stats

Likes - Taking walks in the stroller, napping

Dislikes - She rarely cries and is so easygoing.  I cannot think of one thing she "dislikes"

Favorite things about Cece - How she stares at Alexia sometimes, her sweet smile and laugh which kind of sounds like she is gasping for air...in the cutest way possible

Weight - She's ginormous.  Probably 20 lbs. We haven't weighed her recently but I'm guessing 12-13 pounds  
Height - We have no evidence that she is growing in height...only in girth...so I'm guessing still around 19 inches

Clothing size - 3 months

Feeding -  Every 3-4 hours during the day AND...

Sleep - drum roll please - SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME - 10pm-7am.  It was glorious.  Though (view discretion advised) my boobs felt like they were going to explode by the morning. 

Milestones - Did I mention sleeping through the night?? okay okay, so she may have only done this once, but still, it's a milestone!  She also rolled over which pales in compression to glorious sleep.  A milestone for mama this week...at 3 months post-partem, I can officially fit back in my pre-pregnancy clothes.  Hallelujah.  I was giving myself until April before I bought all new pants so I just made the cut!  I should totally include this in Cece's baby book right!?! 

On a side note - we are loving the nice weather and being able to be outside!  These past few months of winter have felt like years!  Welcome spring! - says the village idiot 

Happy Two Months...3 weeks late

I know, I know. My child is almost 3 months old and I am JUST getting around to posting her 2 month stats.  Oops.  Between getting strep throat, The Hubby getting some sort of weird stomach bug, and in general not leaving the house for fear of more germs, it has been a short and long couple of months! But without further ado - the stats for our sweet Cece! 

Cece's Two Month Stats

Likes - Eating and taking naps in her swing 

Dislikes - Well, this isn't pretty, but gas.  The poor thing gets gas and we having to "drug her" with "gas and colic" drops.  

Favorite things about Cece - Her smile and easygoing personality 

Weight - She clocked in at 11lbs at her 2 month appointment! 

Height - 19+ inches 

Clothing size - 3 months

Feeding - Every 3 hours, day and night, with one 5-6 hour stretch sometime in the night 

Sleep - We started her on the E.A.S.Y schedule (Eat.Activity.Sleep.Yourtime aka momma time) She sleeps in pretty predictable naps.  At night I still hold her/feed her until about 10pm when she falls asleep and then we both go to bed 

Milestones - Sleeping longer and longer at night.  Hooray!