I think the Saldanhas are going to go dairy-free.

That’s right.

Cheese – out.

Milk on my Corn Chex – nope.

Yogurt in my smoothie – done.
But our little experiment will all be worth it once Little Miss doesn’t cry and cry and cry when she’s awake. Plus, she’s got a little bit of a rash on her arms and legs. Milk-induced excema? Perhaps.

Dairy may be one of my favorite things, next to perfume and springtime, so giving it up will be hard. Just because I have it in EVERYTHING. But totally worth it though. I will do anything for Miss Lady.

So Chris went to the store today and bought us some soy yogurt (verdict = ehhh…), vegan butter (verdict =  can’t tell a difference. awesome), and vanilla almond milk (verdict = oh. my. yum. Like seriously, a glass of this will start to be our sweet bite after dinner! Creamy, sweet, delicious. Downside is that it’s just a wrong shade of grey. Gonna have to get used to that. I grabbed a couple of oreos and a glass of almond milk and the milk was almost TOO sweet to accompany oreos! What a BEVERAGE!!!)

Check back with us in a week or so. We may be feeling so good, we may never go back to regular dairy. Even if dairy ISN’T what’s hurting Babe’s tum.

Oh, and yes. Christopher is going dairy-free as well. He doesn’t need to, but he’s doing it as an act of solidarity. What a wonderful man. Sigh.

If anyone out there reads this and has gone dairy free and has some suggestions of awesome things we could try to make this transition easier, please let us know!

Aaaand…here’s Little Miss. Doesn’t she just make the world a brighter place?

Being a father is exhausting. If you’re doing it right.

And believe me, he is.

He wouldn’t be so tired if he didn’t get up with me in the night and burp her, change her, comfort her, soothe her back to sleep. I just feed her. He does the rest.  He wouldn’t be so tired if he didn’t do that.

He wouldn’t be so tired if he didn’t get up every morning at 5:30 (after having just been up at 4:00 for a feeding) and head out to a workout bootcamp that’s incredibly intense. He said he’s doing it not to lose weight, but so that he can be healthy for his girls. He wouldn’t be so tired if he didn’t do that.

He wouldn’t be so tired if he didn’t go to work for eight hours a day and work hard so that I can stay home with Eisley instead of putting her in day care. He wouldn’t be so tired if he didn’t do that.

And this is the result of his patience, his selflessness, his unconditional and relentless love:

A very, very happy daughter. With awesome pants.

Happy First Father’s Day, Christopher. Your girls love you so very very much.

*And a very very important p.s. Happy Father’s Day to my sweet, wonderful, kind, hilarious, patient, talented pop. I love YOU so much. I wouldn’t have demanded such a high quality of a husband if I didn’t see demonstrated every day the kind of man that makes a good husband. Thanks for singing with me, dancing with me (2,3,4), letting me draw a family on your toes, being my Brentar, Master of the Universe. Happy Father’s Day!

For the past six years, I have had the joyous experience of being an aunt to

my sweetie Gavin:

my crazy Liam:

and my delicious Tater Bug:

A while back, I started teaching my boys the Gentleman Rules. Things all good gentlemen should know. The list is a work in progress…I add to it, mommy and grandma add to it. And MUCH to our delight, the BOYS add to it the most. Here’s a brief sampling of some of their rules: (I’ll see if you can guess which ones the boys have added)

• Gentlemen always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
• Gentlemen always say ‘excuse me’ when they toot.
• Gentlemen never push their brothers.
• Gentlemen always cuddle their grandma.
• Gentlemen always tell mommy if they have to go potty.
• Gentlemen never touch their poopy bottom.
• Gentlemen don’t whine.
• Gentlemen always give their mommy kisses.
• Gentlemen never play with their Elmo underwear.
• Gentlemen always buy flowers for ladies they love. (Eisley has already been the beneficiary of this rule!)
• Gentlemen can cry. They just can’t whine.

Now, Lil’ Miss has got me thinking. Sure, gentlemen need to know how to treat a lady, how to behave at the dinner table, etc., but aren’t there Lady Rules as well? I’m going to start compiling a list of things a little lady must know.

Here’s what I have so far:

Ladies must always:

• Say Please and Thank You
• Use their imaginations
• Sing loudly and proudly
• Never lift their skirts in public
• Smell sweet

and finally, Ladies Must Never…

…pose without their shirts on.

oops. We’re still working on some.

Let’s face it, I love the World Cup. In some ways I’m thankful it’s only every four years, it makes it something truly special. For one month in the summer, the greatest players in the world converge on one nation to prove their country bleeds the beautiful game. The rivalry, the sportsmanship, the respect, and the spirit of the game is unparalleled in the world of sport. It is a game that unites the world.

Except in America. Today, it seems that the popularity of soccer is greater than any other time in American history, which I love. But for whatever reason, it still hasn’t gained enough momentum to become a prominent American sport. Judging from my office and twitter feed, the national attitude toward soccer still isn’t great. I’m here to convince you otherwise.

This is why I believe soccer is known as the beautiful game, and why Americans need to get on board.

Simplicity
What’s great about soccer is all really need to play is a ball. Basketball needs a ball and a hoop. Football needs a ball and someone else. Hockey needs a stick and a puck, other people and goal is optional. Baseball needs a ball, a bat, a glove, and other people. How is it that soccer is not more prominent?

The rules are relatively simple: get the ball in the net. There’s no complicated infield-fly rules or a smattering of penalties that can be called. The only somewhat tricky rule is offsides, and that rule is pretty understandable. Otherwise you’re just playing a freeflowing game for 45 minutes. No stopping. No timeouts. No commercial breaks.

Athleticism
If you have ever played soccer, you would know it requires you to be in peak physical form. To run regularly for 45 minutes at a time is exhausting. I don’t know if you’ve noticed it too, but I’ve come to realize that baseball is quickly becoming infiltrated by out-of-shape players. Hey, as long as you can hit a home-run and don’t have to run the bases, you can be as chubby as you want. Soccer doesn’t allow for fatties.

Strategy
People say there’s no strategy in soccer. If that’s the case, there’s no strategy in basketball and hockey. The gameplay is similar, you have to constantly evaluate where you are, who’s around you, and where you’re going. Football has an unfair advantage. There’s a team of coaches and playcallers watching from all angles, and the offense gets to stop and decide what they’re going to do before each play. Soccer players must be intelligent and intuitive. You have to have an understanding of tactics and the skill to make a play in a split second.

Constant Gameplay
TV watchers despise commercials. Yet our sporting events stop every 5 minutes for commercial breaks. Much to advertisers chagrin, there’s no stopping for 45 minutes in soccer. Sorry, Budweiser. Keep your Clydesdales. Like I said before, you have to be in excellent physical form to play for 45 minutes straight. I’d like to see a football game without huddles. At any moment, the momentum of the game can shift, and to me that makes a great event to watch.

Skill
A lot of people don’t like soccer because it’s low-scoring or can end in a tie. Since when does the validity of a sport lie in the final score? Is basketball the best sport because teams regularly score over 100 points a game? By the way, when did they stop playing defense in basketball? I remember back in the day when it was an amazing feat when a team scored over 100 points. But I digress. Soccer is low-scoring because it takes incredible skill to break through the defense and put the ball past the goalie. How hockey fans can’t get behind soccer is beyond me. If viewers can look past the score of the game, and look at the skills of the individual and the overall team, I’m sure they will begin to see what a beautiful game soccer is.

That’s about all I can think of at the moment, but I think it’s a pretty good defense of the world’s greatest and most popular sport. So come on America, if we can begin to appreciate the world’s game, maybe we’ll begin developing American players of international caliber.

Plus, commercials like this get me super pumped.

Things that have been happening around our house lately:

1. Lil’ E is growin and growin! Within a week, her once baggy jammies became snug! What the what!? How can this BE? Must mean that Cafe di Mommy is servin up some GOOD eats!*
Chris weighed himself on our Wii Fit and then picked up Scooter. From the rough calculations of the animatronic Balance Board, she is around 8 or so pounds now! Woo Hoo!

2. I am adjusting to life as a stay at home mom. It hasn’t been easy – there are times when I just want to cry because I feel like there is so much I could be / should be doing, but all I want to do is hold her/fall fast asleep/apply BenGay to my weanie arms…

…hold on…

BREAKING NEWS! As I write this from Chris’ office, I can hear him with Eisley in her room and he is telling her a little story about her mommy and daddy. “Once upon a time, there was a little girl in Cedar Rapids…” AHHH!! Heartmelt!!

2b. …okay, I’m back. I am adjusting to this crazy new life. Although while very difficult emotionally and physically, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is where I am supposed to be. I am absolutely in love with this little girl, and slowly but surely, I am gaining confidence. We go on lots of walks, go to the library, go to Target, go to the coffee shop and EVEN sometimes drive to Des Moines all by ourselves!
And getting bored? Oh my never! I am amazed at how fast the days go! If you think about it, I feed her 8 times a day. For about 45 minutes to an hour each time. 7 days a week. That’s 56-60 a week ALONE JUST FEEDING HER!
I’m surprised I wasn’t bored at DRAKE! THAT was just a measly FORTY hours a week!

2c. Chris is the absolute best with her. He is patient, loving, gentle, absolutely doting, he knows exactly how to hold her, how to burp her…She doesn’t realize how much she adores him yet. She will. Once she can actually SEE him.

3. SPEAKING of seeing him, Chris’ twin (or his BROTHER at the very least) is on this season’s So You Think You Can Dance. Which, I must say, is absolutely WONDERFUL. I am absolutely in awe of these people. Yeah, American Idol, whatever. A LOT of people can sing…like MOST people can to some degree or another. But there are VERY few people who can dance. I would recommend watching it. At least ONCE during each episode, Chris or I or both of us can be heard saying, “Whaaaaaa??!?!? That’s CRAZY!!”

4. Eisley smells divine. Like milk and Burt’s Bees lotion. I left her today for AN HOUR to get a massage and I could smell her and I MISSED HER! Ahh…she’s heaven.

5. Chris started Ames Parks & Rec League soccer! I love this time of year. Every Sunday evening in Inis Grove, Chris impresses his girls!! He is doing so awesome – I am always so amazed by his talent! Although, I do cringe at every quick move – I’m so afraid his ankle is going to bust up again! Come by Inis Grove on Sunday evenings at 6:30 and cheer on the Shirts & Skins! (verdict is still out whether or not I like that team name.)

6. Speaking of soccer, the Saldanhas’ first family vacation is in the works for the end of July! Manchester United is going to be playing the Kansas City Wizards IN KC! I do believe Christopher’s exact words when he heard this news were: “That would be the 3rd best day of my LIFE!” I knew right then and there we would probably have to do whatever it took to go!

7. Even though I have been roughin it in the hair/makeup/general hygeniene department lately, I can’t have a random blog post without a nod to a new product:
Softsoap (yes, I KNOW!) Sweet Honeysuckle and Orange Peel body wash. DEE-LISH! A, it’s cheap. B, it smells AMAZING. C, it leaves the entire first floor smelling like sweet springtime after a shower. D, it’s incredibly moisturizing. LOVE IT!!! Usually, I use fruity/flowery body washes in the summer and more woodsy/warm ones in the fall and winter. (I really liked Olay’s Amber something or other…) But I think this body wash is going to here to stay! Why NOT smell like a romantic summer evening ALL YEAR ROUND?! Am I right, ladies!?!?

8. And finally, a little anecdote about how much we have Eisie Bean on the brain. It’s been happening less and less, but for the first few weeks, EVERY night, either Chris or I or both of us have woken up from a deep sleep in a PANIC. THINKING WE HAVE LOST EISLEY IN THE SHEETS. We bolt straight up, sweating, and starting FLINGING BACK THE SHEETS in an attempt to find her! It usually takes the other one to shake themselves from the grogginess and realize that she is in her bassinet and has been the whole time. Chris has been known to wake in a panic with his arms cradled thinking she has fallen out of his arms and onto the floor! This is by far the worst feeling I have ever felt. For those 30 or so seconds, your heart has simultaneously stopped and is racing a thousand beats per minute. Blaaahhh….yuck. Thankfully, she’s sound asleep with her arms stretched high over her head and her legs sticking straight out. Smelling like milk and lotion.

Okay, it’s bathtime. Then time for Eisie’s 2nd Dinner. Mommy – signing off.

*Just one more blessing from our Creator – there was a very good possibility that because of a past surgery, I may not have been able to breastfeed. But thankfully, I haven’t had any problems! Please remind me to be thankful I can feed her this way when it’s 2:00 a.m. and I am S-O-R-E, cranky, and tired!