A Perfect Weekend

Last weekend was one of those Hallmark Card types of weekends- where things just seem to be perfect. Now, it wasn't PERFECT perfect, we all had our moments, but there were some definite highlights!

For starters, we put together the swingset we (and Israel's grandparents) bought for his first birthday. Israel's party is in two weeks and this was our only opportunity to set it up before then, due to some busy days before his party. This ended up being quite the ordeal because of an underground hive of bees that swarmed our swingset building area and ended up stinging Will twice! After a day of slow work, an eventful gasoline torching of the bees, and another workday later, it was finally set up and ready to play!

Israel LOVES his swing and was cracking up when Will was on the swing next to him. Basically anything that Will does makes Israel laugh... I try not to be jealous but I wish I was as funny!

Other activities included the purchase and upgrade (thanks spraypaint) of 4 chairs for the back patio. Our neighbors gave us a table last year but we didn't have any chairs yet- I have been on the hunt but was waiting for end of summer sales. At a yard sale Friday I found these chairs for $10 total and spray painted them a happy green! The new patio furniture + the swingset made for an outdoor kind of weekend. Which was even more pleasant because of the gorgeous weather!

I made 3 batches of "baby food" that is actually first foods for little ones who are beginning to self feed with adult foods (thanks Kasi for the recipes!): Chicken and Apple Balls, Tomato & Cheese Mini Quiches, and Carrot & Cheese Mini Muffins. Israel loved them. I may post the recipes if anyone is interested??

I also am up to 25 minutes of running with couch to five k. I feel very accomplished!

We are also celebrating the arrival of two bottom teeth (see below). 

Most of the pictures of Israel that I take are blurry because he is always clapping or playing with his hands.

I also got TWO outings with girl friends... without my sidekick! It was nice for some fun, not distracted time with friends. And I'm also spoiled by my husband who enjoyed his daddy time while I got to go out.

I need to shout report that we have completed one week of the "Sleep Sense" sleep training program (after the recommendation of fellow AGCI adoptive mamas) and it has been AMAZING!!!! I am a new woman. Maybe that's why I can type "perfect!" instead of "perfe-zzzzzzz" as I fall asleep at my computer. Israel isn't 100% sleeping through the night, but when he does wake up, he is HAPPY and he knows how to self soothe himself back to sleep. Hallelujah! Naps are still a work in progress, and I'm wrestling with changing him to one nap in the afternoon. The problem would be that he would be way too tired for his 11 am physical therapy appointments, so we'll see.


PS- do you like reading these posts? Not really adoption related, but just "life" stuff? I don't know why, but I get insecure about posting non-adoption related updates.