Multitasking

Vacuuming and holding a baby? No problem. I can do almost everything one-handed.

Car Seat Strap Cover Hack

Do you ever happen upon an idea so simple and obvious that paradoxically it makes you feel like a genius? That's what this idea was for me. Neither of our car seats came with strap covers. I knew Target sold some monkey ones for $10, but I kept forgetting to buy them when I was at the store. When we went to Pennsylvania for Easter, I noticed the car seat straps left red marks on Will's neck on the long drive. Not wanting him to get more hurt, I was determined to finally get the strap covers before we drove back home.

I searched the Walmart near our hotel for car seat strap covers, but they didn't sell them. In a moment of inspiration, I bought a shoulder belt cover from the automotive section for 99 cents. I borrowed a pair of scissors from my husband's and cut it in half. It is the perfect size for the car seat straps and I saved $9 and it matches my car interior and car seat better than actual car seat strap covers. That's what you call a win win win.

It works for me.

One

I took these pictures almost exactly one year apart.

Today my baby turns one and (although I fully acknowledge it makes me sound ungrateful considering he is healthy and happy) this makes me incredibly sad. I have loved, LOVED this infant year and I don't want it to end. This has been the best year of my life and I can't help but feel some trepidation going into this next year that some of the magic will have worn off.

I spent most of my adult life certain that I never wanted children; in fact, Chuk and I delayed getting married until he agreed that we would never have kids. And then, one day, I changed my mind. I could have never guessed that becoming a mother, and a stay at home mom at that, would be the most fulfilling rewarding thing I have ever done. But that's the thing about babies I'm learning--they're full of surprises.

Will is still the sweetest, most expressive child I have ever met. He brings joy to everyone he comes across, but especially his dad and me. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude at my luck that I get to be the one to share his days with him.

Happy birthday, Sweetness. I love you with my whole heart.

Cherry Blossoms

 Hands down, the best thing about living in Washington, DC is the cherry blossoms. Every good thing you've ever heard about them is true. Pictures don't do them justice and they certainly can't capture the smell. It's magical.

Even on its worst days, I think Washington is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, but when it's in bloom, it's incomparable.

Last week, we braved the crowds and headed down to the Tidal Basin after Chuk got off of work. It was the peak bloom day and the weather was beautiful: warm and sunny and breezy.

 The blooms were about two weeks later this year than usual, but they were worth the wait.

It's times like these when I feel really lucky to get to live here.

I miss them already. But I suppose their fleeting nature contributes to their magical qualities. 

*  *  *

I took these pictures of the cherry trees on my street. 

These pictures are of the same trees two days later. The blooms come and go so quickly. But even as they're leaving, it is so beautiful. All of the sidewalks are covered in fallen petals. It's the most gorgeous confetti.

Random Monday

1. Have you seen this commercial? Freaking hilarious, especially if you like swearing (as I do).

2. Have you seen WTF Evolution? Nature is so gross/weird. It's a good science lesson for all the eight year olds in your life, or yourself.

3. Speaking of disgusting nature, Florida would be one of the last places on Earth I would live. Here's another reason why.

4. Slate's baby blog is my newest obsession. It validates my theory that children are resilient and can withstand all manners of parenting so we shouldn't sweat the small stuff so often by providing a historical and cross cultural look at babies. I'm trying to get my eleven month old to drink from a cup, meanwhile there's another eleven month old casually chopping open his own coconut with a machete. I cloth diaper, but it's nothing compared to what some other cultures do.

5. I quasi-impulse bought a bike this weekend. (I knew I wanted a bike this spring, but pulled the trigger on the purchase without really planning it out.) It's super cute and I love it. I wish I could afford one of these super cute helmets to go with it.

6. I've started requiring word verification in the comments. I hate to have to do it, but I was getting a crazy amount of spam and no screen time for the baby means no screen time for me until he goes to bed, so I was having a hard time deleting the offending comments in time. I hope you'll still comment anyway.

7. Speaking of the baby, I've decided to start calling him Will on the blog. I want to keep a layer of anonymity here, but I also sort of hate it when people have like a dozen kids and refer to them all as Princess, Peach, Plum, Peanut, Precious, Precocious...(and on and on) on their blogs. It's too hard to keep up with. I think a fake name is just easier.

8. The weather was beautiful this weekend so we took a trip to the farmers' market, had our first cookout of the season, and went to a new playground. Heat, stay away just a bit longer, please.

I'm linking with all the other randomness over at Deb's.

Free Luxuries

Sometimes you need to indulge, but don't have any money to spend try any (or all!) of these ideas.

1) Take a bath. If you don't have a bathtub, take an extra long shower instead.
2) Eat more slowly. Savor each bite.
3) Reread your favorite book.
4) Go for a walk and make an effort to notice the beauty around you.
5) Take a nap.

I Scream, You Scream

We all scream for free ice cream! This is just a public service announcement that tomorrow is free cone day at all Ben and Jerry's scoop shops. I've participated in this event in the past, and there's no catch. Go get some.

(Not a sponsored post.)