Teachers are Nice. Be Nice to Teachers.

This clip landed in my inbox a few weeks ago and for some reason, it just clicked. There wasn't any earth-shattering information. It's not an insane, ignorant clip deeply-seeded from a viewpoint of the left or right.

I randomly watched it today and realized that I liked it because it made sense.

Teacher are important. Teachers have a complex job that requires them to be quick on their feet,be articulate, and "on" all day.

Wherever your political view rest, teachers deserve to be respected. And after a year of political turmoil over this very subject in Wisconsin, that's all I'm left with - let's just respect these teachers, policemen and public workers.

Hey, It's Ok...

Earlier this month, UPS delivered our free TV, compliments of Glamour magazine (through one of those online contests). This TV replaced our 80 lb. TV and I was so happy to see it go. Do you remember the "Hey, It's OK" section in Glamour? This page is dedicated to not-apologizing for those less-than-perfect-moments in life. As in, Hey, It's OK: 

• To want snow and cold weather when you live in Wisconsin and it's February. 
• To want cold weather so you can hibernate and live on comfort food (just like the good ol' years).
• To pin recipes you'll never cook, crafts you'll never make and clothes you can't afford onto Pinterest.
• To miss Ingrid's swimming lessons because you can't find her swimming suit (but seriously, where is it!).
• To get excited and sad about Ingrid moving up to size 12-18 months. 
• To get upset that the DVR forgot to record Gossip Girl. 
• To have a craft night with the girls - where you drink wine and the only thing you make is "dirty wine glasses."
• To not wash your hair and just wear a hat to work. Twice. In one week. 

Lets hear it - what were your Hey It's OK moments this week? 

Have a great weekend! 

Lakefront Brewery - My Turn Series

Last week, I was at Groppis for work. As customers were weaving in and out of the photo shoot, I stood awkwardly and apologized - to which one Bay Viewian replied "That's fine, just don't get between me and my beer." 

When he made his way to the front of the store, we asked him about his interesting bottle - he explained that Lakefront Brewery was brewing small batches of brews called "My Turn." This unique series will come out about 5-7 times a year. The Lakefront staff will get a "turn" (get it.) to craft their own brew. The first is Dan's brew.

How awesome is that?

I'm finding that the older I get and the colder it gets - the more I like dark beer. Dan's brew was no exception. It was dark and it was yummy.

I'm excited to see what other beers will follow Dan's!

Photo from here.

After sipping on some beer - I was reminded of the great times my friends and I had this summer at the Lakefront Brewery. Dan and I (husband Dan not Lakefront Dan) have gone on this tour about three times - it's always an educational and drunken-enjoyable time.

A Milwaukee Must-Do - Lakefront Brewery Tour

So, grab one of these limited-edition beers and Prost! 

Awkward and Awesome

Awesome: This Face. 

Awesome and Cheap: Baked Pumpkin Steel Cut Oatmeal

Awkward: No Bake Energy Bites.
Lesson learned, if you want cookies, bake cookies. 

Awkward: The number of times I think about donuts on a daily basis. 

Awkward
- Knees crunching as I walk up 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day at work. And awkwardly calling attention to my crunching knees.
- Not knowing the floaters at daycare. "Megha...ah, Kristin...Kristina? Ingrid has more wipes in her locker."
- Safely removing a wet swimsuit off of Ingrid post-swimming lessons.
- My stylist referring to me as Laura Ingalls Wilder as I walk into the salon.
- Ingrid getting sick for the first time, ever. Not really awkward, but her little sick face is so heart-breaking.


Awesome
- Brunch at Zak's cafe.
- Getting our new free TV from Glamour. It even has the internet!
- Ryan Gosling in Drive (minus the super violent scenes).
- Have I talked about doughnuts (or donuts) yet? Cakey, sugary, warm and amazing.
- Ingrid pulling herself up and then rocking in place. In my mind she's saying "I'm standing. I love it! I'm standing! I love it." 
- Dan adding a new workout playlist to the iPod.
- Outlet shopping. Correction, solo outlet shopping.

Lets here it - share your awkward and awesome moments.

Ten

On February 10, Ingrid turned 10 months old.

She's cuddly, cheery and all-around fun.

She's starting to pull herself up onto the furniture.

She's getting the hang of "marking it with an I" during PattyCake.

Current loves include: books, making sounds with her lips and those little Cuties. 

This month, my girlfriends and I visited Minneapolis for a little weekend getaway. 

Sister + best friends + cheap spa treatments = great weekend.

Ingrid started swimming lessons last week.
She ohhed and ahhed over basically everything.

And the majority of the lesson consisted of me throwing a rubbery ducky
and helping Ingrid retrieve it.  

Basically, we play fetch.

She's growing up so fast and I love her so much.

Valentine's Day

A holiday full of red, pink, sugar and love. What's not to love? Pun intended. 

This year, I got a little homemade-happy for Valentine's Day:

Spent way too long crafting this wreath. Mine looks like a sloppy-weird version of this. 

Strawberry cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and more butter = Two for us and give the rest to Ingrid's daycare teachers.

Free printable vintage valentines for the grandparents.

The best part of my day was coming home to this homemade card. For a 10 month-old, she's a great speller. 

We enjoyed a simple meal of mussels and crusty bread. For dessert, donuts. Or doughnuts. Spell it however you wish - they are cakey, sweet, cheap and amazing. 

Now, Dan is watching a movie on his computer and I'm watching It's a Brad, Brad World. Ahh, wedded bliss. 

Happy Valentine's Day to you! 

Puree Genius

During my pregnancy, my girlfriend hooked me up with a pretty decent gig. We take weekly surveys for a major diaper company and in turn, they give us gift cards for Amazon.

Not a major time commitment or reward - but we have managed to purchase some baby supplies, workout DVDs, mushroom logs and one of my all-time favorite things - cookbooks.

Is there anything better than flipping through cookbooks and drooling over gorgeous food photography.

There are probably a million things better, but lets agree that this is, in fact, an enjoyable moment.

A few weeks ago, Amazon recommended Double Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. Like most of the recommendations, I thought "No, no Amazon. You're only thinking that because I bought X, but that's not right." But then, I started to question my quick judgement and remembered really liking her on that one random Oprah episode.

Her deal is purees. She purees lots of veggies and throws them in food to bulk them up nutritionally and I'm assuming to cut down on cheese, or something. First, I didn't like the idea of "hiding" vegetables in foods, but I haven't revealed one major thing with you - until now.

I liked pureeing Ingrid's baby food.

Not "vodka-grapefruit-on-a-hot-summer-day" like, but in the same way you like to stretch after a good night of sleep.

It just feels good.

I knew exactly what she was eating (and don't get me wrong, she had her share of those baby food packets). I liked chopping, steaming, pureeing and portioning her food into cute little baby-food ice cube trays.

But now that she was onto finger foods, our knock-off Magic Bullet was reserved for smoothies. And smoothies are great in the morning. And babies are scared of loud noises. And I'd rather start the day with a happy Ingrid and a bowl of oatmeal verses a screaming-flailing-armed Ingrid and a smoothie.

See you later knock-off Magic Bullet.

But not so fast.

I gave in and ordered Mrs. Seinfeld's book and stopped wondering why she bothered to work when she's married to Jerry Seinfeld - and started to cook.

Now, rather than making some wholesome vegetable goodness, I went straight for the desserts (and was pleasantly surprised with the long dessert section - with pictures!) and made these yummy dark chocolate chip cookies with carrot puree. Amazing. Granted, each cookie probably has about 1/4 teaspoons of carrot, but honestly, who cares.

Maybe in some weird way, I wanted to hold onto purees because, at times, it feels like Ingrid is in a constant state of transition.

One month she's still. The next, she's rolling over. Then, she's crawling. She's pulling herself up. Now she wants to walk with us holding her hands.

It's like you finally have some sort of grasp on her development and *pouf* she off to the next.

So while she has moved onto finger foods, I'll happily keep making purees and try to remember the time, just a few short months ago, when that's all she ate.

Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Cookies. Yes please.

Morning Guilt {Not the Walk-of-Shame Kind}

As I left daycare this morning, I felt the usual guilty-twinge of guilt, mixed with a mild punch-to-the-gut ache.  

Granted, Ingrid only goes to daycare two days a week, but drop-offs are still a real drag. 

After standing in the doorway for an uncomfortably long period of time, waving to Ingrid like a maniac - she grinned, and waved back. Then she grabbed a faux-food pretzel and shoved it in her mouth (mmm, plastic). Then, she gave me a head-tilt as if to say "Mom, seriously. I'm fine." 

Driving to work, my mind started to drift to the upcoming workday tasks. 

Then, it hit me. I didn't feel that bad - or even that guilty - about leaving my 10-month-old with three college girls. Why not? 

Then I started to feel guilty about not feeling guilty. 

Our daycare center is amazing. Ingrid loves it. Ingrid is the class favorite (I assume). The teacher-to-child ratio is unheard of. It's minutes from my work and blocks away from Dan's school. And, we all get to gaze out onto Lake Michigan during our commutes (oh-so-much better than I-94). 

Then again, I learn about her day on a prescriptive worksheet (ATE ALL OF PEAS AT 12:10 PM. BM AT 9:40 AM). I don't have a contact, control, or even a good idea as to her general well-being from 8:15-5:30 Monday through Friday. And she's the most important person in my life. 

But then, when husband sent this text message today: 

Hooray for chains! 

The rest of the day seemed to go a little bit easier. 

Whether she's at daycare or at home with Dan or I - she's happy. 

Dan's in school, running his own business and watching Ingrid. 

Like it or not, I'm working. 

Guilty as charged, I like work. 

Some mornings it feels great to leave the house and be mentally challenged. 

Some mornings, I wish I could run back into the Caterpillar room (after putting on the blue protective booties, unlocking the never-ending series of swinging doors and washing my hands). Then, I would scoop Ingrid up, and we would snuggle and play all day. Without any fussiness or nap-time whining. Or, with a ton of fussiness and whining. Ingrid wins over email any day. 

The daycare saga is a see-saw of conflicting emotions and rationals. Doing what's best, against doing what needs to be done. Reality of the situation (see) verses what I want (saw). Thrilled about work while missing Ingrid. 

I'm forever thankful that I was able to spend five wonderful months at home with Ingrid, from day one to week 18. 

It's been wonderful to watch Dan become an amazing stay-at-home, work-at-home, student, (and above all) dad. 

I could go on and on about the wonderfulness that is Ingrid's daycare. 

But sometimes, I just want to override my guilty feelings about the decision to work full-time and be with Ingrid.