I know I might be biased

but is she not the cutest little girl ever???

I love parenting stories that make me laugh...

...even when it's about something really crappy happening, so to speak (you'll understand my reference in a second). This isn't directly about Piper, but I wouldn't be reading parenting blogs if I didn't have her. Anything that can make me laugh after a night of little sleep because of a teething baby is a VERY good thing. So check out this dad's experience with Post-Neck-Poop Disorder for a laugh of your own: http://snipurl.com/22hrx .

She's such a little trooper

Piper had her 12 month shots yesterday. 3 shots, 2 of which were administered in her thigh muscle. She cried a lot initially and it really sucks having to restrain your child while someone else inflicts pain on them. The nurse said her leg would probably hurt and she would likely run a fever for up to 4-5 days.

She did fine last night, was actually almost a little wired - jabbering and motoring around long after dinner. I finally put her to bed at 9:30 because I thought she was up late enough. She's normally in bed by 8:30 at the latest.

This morning, her leg really hurt. Fortunately, she had no fever, but she cried every time she tried to move anywhere on her own. I wasn't very excited about what this meant for my day because Piper's really on the move these days. I soon reminded myself that it is so much easier to soothe and have patience with a little one when you actually know what is bothering them. I didn't need to expect the worst.

Piper took her morning nap a little early (mom took one,too) and she woke up good as new. Yay!!! I am still being careful not to grab her there when I hold her, but I am happy she's getting back to her normal cheerful self.

Milk? Hi? Only Piper knows the difference.

Piper and I were out shopping today and it continues to amaze me how much attention she can get. At least 3 or 4 times while we were in Old Navy, I found someone smiling at her because she was waving. She may have also been holding her hand up signing milk because it was time for a bottle, but it looks pretty similar to a wave and she's done it a few other times to strangers. She really loves interacting with other people, and is growing more and more interested in babies and little kids. It's fun to see her want to interact with others.

After Old Navy, we went to Costco. All of the old ladies serving samples always love Piper. As we were going toward the front of the store to checkout, I heard one of these ladies say something like "that's my girl". There was another women getting a sample standing much closer to her than me so I didn't think she was talking to me. I then heard her say it again and I looked at her thinking she was talking to Piper.

Was she? Nope. She wanted to compliment me on my choice in beer - Pabst. Costco now carries it and it's $3/case cheaper than the grocery stores. More like Mike's favorite choice in beer, but if I had a favorite cheap beer, it would be Pabst. I guess in this instance, it wasn't all about Piper.

Freecycle Anyone?

If you haven't heard of Freecycle and you aren't opposed to using something secondhand, you really should find a local chapter. You can check www.freecycle.org to see if there a chapter near you. I have received so many items of clothing for Piper this way and multiple other items like canning jars, my over the toilet shelf, and books. I have never been against secondhand, but free takes on a bigger meaning when you are living on a single income.

It's also a great way to declutter around the house. I got rid of a kitchen size garbage bag full of my old clothes, two grocery bags full of Piper's clothes today without leaving the house, and some baby-related coupons that I wasn't going to use. I get a lot of free magazine subscriptions and feel guilty throwing so many away when I am done with them. I now save a pile up and give them away here and there using Freecycle.

I am also using this as a opportunity to pass along Body Shop catalogs that I ordered way too many of. Who knows, maybe someone will order?

Not the sign language I've been teaching her...

I have been teaching Piper basic sign language and it's actually starting to work. She can sign "milk" which also means "juice" to her, but juice is a little harder to sign for someone just learning to control their little hands.

I was letting her crawl around on the deck recently when it was sunny outside. I didn't notice her flipping the bird until I downloaded the pictures. Pure coincidence and definitely funny.

No sleep for tired moms

It's currently 5:44 AM which is really 6:44 AM with the time change and I have been up for nearly 2 hours. Not the first time this week either. Little Piper is cutting 4 molars and is handling it like a trooper, I must say, but the multiple cries in the middle of the night are taking its toll on me. I truly doubt there is anything else in the world that would have me out of bed at this hour willingly creating a blog of all things. Lack of sleep does lead to moments of insanity.

Anyhow, as the blog is titled, it's all about Piper here because that's how our life operates now.