Before I return our library books from our last visit, I wanted to share a new favorite: Sporty Babies Wear Sweats by Michelle Sinclair Coleman. It's silly and the illustrations are adorable. Apparently there are other books in the "babies wear" series and I'm eager to see those too. I'm just happy to have found a new board book to add to my list of favorites. You can only read But not the Hippopotamus so many times. 
This little sweater was made for me 30 years ago by our family friend, Donna Solomonson. We have lots of pictures of me wearing it and now it fits my baby boy. Lately when I pick up Ivar I can't get over the fact that I have a baby that is ready to snuggle and cuddle at all times. I spent a whole lot of my childhood rocking dolls, burping them, changing their clothes, walking them around the house, taking them for walks in the stroller around the block. But now I have the real thing. I have wanted to have a baby my whole life and right this very moment I am living my dreams come true. I think I link to her blog almost every single time she posts a new blog entry, but my friend Meta has written another gem. She also just had a baby boy and her writing always sweeps me off of my feet. Click here to read Meta's latest thoughts on mamahood.
Rearranging the furniture is basically what I do when I'm going a bit batty inside and need a change of scenery. If I can't actually get out to change the scenery, then I have to work with what I've got. For this room redo, we took the corner sectional and turned it into two sofas. Is that legal in the world of room design? I don't know. Don't really care either. It works for us. And a special perk? The end cushions on our couch are super saggy and lack in support (read: your butt can get very close to the floor). But the corner cushions that used to be placed together rarely got any use, so now we have two prime sides of two couches that actually support our bodies when we sit down.
Around here we are playing dress up in summertime clothes, just to get us ready for the warm weather just around the corner. Plus, at the rate Ivar is growing, he is not going to fit into this sweet outfit that Mimi and Papa brought back for him from Hawaii! 
The last time I posted an around here post was over a year ago! It is so amazing to track the day to day details and to see how hugely our life has changed in one year... You can read that post by clicking here.
Family Fun Magazine has some super simple practical jokes that are ready to print and enjoy. My sister emailed this morning and said her 5-year-old, Mara keeps asking, "what are we going to do for April Fool's Day?" as if she believes it is a major holiday. So if you're looking for some fun ideas to get your creative juices flowing, check out this Family Fun April Fools link. My favorites are the easy, printer-ready ideas found here. I can't wait until Ivar is old enough to help me celebrate this very major holiday!
