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!