Udderly hot mama nursing dress.

Navy and white Whimsical Wrap Dress by Udderly Hot Mama.

I cannot tell you how much I love my new wrap dress by Udderly Hot Mama. Not only do I love the navy and white stripe print, but the comfort of the material and wrap-style is fantastic while trying to pump when out and about. We went to the Sunday brunch at Coup D'etat in Uptown (they have bottomless mimosas and beer for just $10, and the brunch was delicious) on Mother's Day with my family, so I wore my Whimsical Wrap Dress, as it was a perfect spring day. I don't nurse my 5-month-old, but I am pumping. Finding cute outfits that are pumping-friendly isn't easy, so I was excited to find this little gem. I love the three-quarter sleeves, especially since my arms aren't exactly "summer ready". I wore the dress with a pair of simple tan sandals from Target, because I wanted to be comfortable. Although I removed it from my dress, there's a flap that can be buttoned onto this dress for extra privacy when nursing. I think I'm going to order this dress in black, as it's a great buy for under $60.

My mom, Linna, Baby Jimmy, and I at Coup D'Etat's Mother's Day brunch.

Baby jimmy: Did you just say "dada"?!

(5-month-old Baby Jimmy)

This afternoon, Baby Jimmy was babbling, as I was trying to get him to say "mama". He "kind of" babbled the words, so I quickly grabbed my phone to record it. Instead, he said this...

GIVEAWAY: "It's okay to laugh (crying is cool too)".

I was so excited to get my hands on an advanced copy of the book "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)", by Minnesota Mama, Nora McInerny Purmort. The book is a memoir of Nora's relationship and journey with her late husband, Aaron, who died from a rare form of brain cancer. They got engaged on Aaron's hospital bed, married after his first surgery, and had a baby while Aaron was on chemo. Aaron died in Nora's arms. She is now sharing her hysterical, honest, and moving stories about her journey with Aaron. The book explores universal themes such as love, marriage, work, single motherhood, and depression, through Nora's frank humor. I can't wait to dive into this book! I'd like to save it as a summer cabin read, but I just don't think I can wait that long. The book will be released to the public on May 24th, 2016.

*** WIN A COPY OF THE BOOK ***

We are giving away a copy of "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)" to TWO of you! Enter for your chance to win...

1. Comment on this blog post with your first & last name, and city you currently reside in.

2. Share this contest on your Facebook (click the "share" button), and/or Twitter (retweet) page.

You have two ways to enter, and two people will be randomly selected to win a copy of "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)", on Monday, May 2nd, 2016. This contest is open to US residents only, and you must enter by 9 a.m. on Monday, May 2nd, 2016. The winners' books will be shipped upon the book's release date (May 24th, 2016).

Good luck!

Linna's "bompa" visits her school.

Linna and her Bompa.

Today, Linna's "Bompa" (my Dad), visited her school to talk about being the fire chief for Hopkins, MN (my hometown). Linna has been so excited for this day to come, ever since we scheduled the visit with her teacher a couple weeks ago. Bompa also brought along Garrett (another fire fighter) to demonstrate how fire fighters put on their equipment. My Dad taught the kids all about fire safety, and even brought fire hats, pencils, and some other fun things for all the kids to take home. Linna was so incredibly proud as she introduced her Bompa to her school friends. Thanks, Dad, for making Linna feel so special!

Proud little girl.

High-fives from fire fighter Garrett.

Linna's "Bompa" (my Dad) showing the kids fire fighting equipment.

Linna passing out fire hats to all of her school friends.

Baby Jimmy with Nana (my Mom) during Bompa's presentation.

More high fives.

Class photo.

Fire hats in the kids' cubbies. Just like the fire fighters!

Linna the mathematician.

Thank goodness she has her Papa's math skills...

Teething remedy.

Today was rough. Baby Jimmy was in so much pain from cutting his first teeth. He cried and whimpered for an hour after I dropped the 4-year-old off at school. I thought he just had a big poo coming, but when I started massaging his gums with my finger and saw the relief it gave him, I knew it was his teeth. This, followed by a small dose of infant ibuprofen, had him asleep and calm within 15 minutes. My poor boy! Wine o'clock came extra early today.

Jimmy's first haircut.

 

BEFORE                                     AFTER

It took me three years to get to the point where I was "ready" for Linna's first haircut. But since Jimmy was born with a mop of hair on his head, and his hair has started tuning into a "Bozo the Clown" hairstyle, we took him to get his first haircut at four months old. He just needed a trim, and we wanted to keep his little fohawk. Baby Jimmy did such a great job, and his big sister Linna was there for support. I was very pleased with the cut and style Jimmy got at Kid's Hair in Chanhassen. The lady who cut Jimmy's hair was patient, careful with the scissors, and she let me take as many photos as I wanted to. They also gave us a certificate of Jimmy's first haircut, with his little locks in a plastic case. Our baby boy looks SO grown up with his new haircut!




Baby Jimmy was born on November 14th, 2015 with a full head of hair.

Kid's Hair has toys and television to keep the kiddos happy during their haircut.

Lots of cowlicks = Lots of body.