#boymom

Today, he was SO PROUD that he turned the water on with his butt.  I mean, really, what more could a mother ask for?

Today, she had her first bite of rice cereal.  She wasn't terribly interested so I gleefully put it back on the shelf.   (Clearly, I have ISSUES with her reaching milestones and want her to stay a baby FOREVER.)

Stop.  Growing. Already. 

let's talk funerals: take 4

We miss our orange sheets!

This time last week we were snowed in at the Comfort Inn in Mountain Home, Arkansas, recovering from a funeral.  (You don't drive down the icy highways surrounding a town w/ the word Mountain in its name.)  We were celebrating the life of Karl's grandmother (I know... stop with the funerals 2012!!).   Karl's grandma lived with his mom (who lives three miles from us) so we spent quite a bit of time with her.  She passed away at home and in her sleep after 97 (97!) years of life!  Just a month ago, she wanted (wait for it!) an iPad.  I mean, think about that.  She was born in 1914 (1914!).  The service was (dare I say it?) filled with happy memories and familiar family faces.  It was nice to share Nate and Nora Kate with family (though they both have been rocking the same cough and snot for weeks so there's that.).  Plus, Nate got to do some sledding (And ramped off a concrete retaining wall, no big deal.  No worries...he came up laughing hysterically. JESUS.) 

Since we've returned, we've been running around like crazy people.  Like, literally, I feel a bit like a crazy person who CAN'T GET IT TOGETHER.   Most of you know me will be unsurprised to hear this:

I BLAME FEBRUARY.

(Consistently my bad month!  Yours too, right?)

Both of the kiddos have been ill - cough, vomit, cough until vomit, fever.  Basically, you name the symptom, one of them has had it.  Finally, after 11 days (I know you all are shocked it took me that long to call the pedi!), we took them BOTH in.  It was slightly entertaining to make an appointment for two kids at one time.  AND I SWEAR to GOD the pediatrician didn't want to give us any antibiotics (our pedi's office seems to be anti-antibiotic - see how I did that? - which I am generally on board with but ELEVEN days of a symphony of coughing all night long,   GIVE EM! 

Here's what our fridge looks like: 

Beer, Coke, Boob Juice, Amoxicillin (We put clever black lines on NKs.)  

We're all on the up and up.   (And, honestly, nothing was ever TERRIBLE.  The germies - they just wouldn't GO AWAY!)  

Despite the germies, we've both had several opportunities to go out and about with friends and family.  

Last night, I had dinner with my midwives and some friends.  I should have taken a group photo b/c it was a lovely evening but instead I photographed my plate (which was also super lovely.  that's the technical term - super. lovely.).  See? 

Burger: Add fried egg, avocados and monterey jack cheese.  PROCEED TO DIE OF DELICIOUS.

 Tonight, Karl spent some time with George Takei.  You know, no big deal. 

Star Trek for life, yo!

In other news, today I went to work without the baby.   Yea, I'm still processing it too. 

four for four

These photos were taken several weeks ago (before 4 months?). 

They don't exactly capture her sweet, smiley nature but I like them.

Tough week.

More soon!

my boobs are so awesome

Even my boob juice stays in the lines. 

WHAT? 

YOU KNOW IT'S FUNNY.

photography by karl

We went out last week for happy hour - one of Karl's coworkers is moving to Oregon.   Karl's mama watched both babies.  After a couple of hours, Karl offered to pick up the kids and let me stay out for a bit so I did!  I came home (at 9:30 - get crazy!) and apparently fell asleep texting.  Because I'm awesome.

In other news this week, I hit up Book Club #28 (we're so going to be those little old ladies who've been meeting for 30 years; that's our goal anyway!) and hosted a friend's impromptu birthday dinner at our house.

Good week.

catholic funeral: take 3

Grandparents and Grans; I'm in red... apparently I had to pee.  

Last week my grandfather passed away.  Those of you that know me and follow this blog might be thinking 'didn't her grandparents just... die?'  The answer is yes.  This is the THIRD grandparent I've lost in 14 months.    I now have none.   While I know I am lucky to have grandparents into my 30s, well, it's a lot to take in a short amount of time.  Definitely a year of extreme ups and downs for our family.   I grew up with both sets of grandparents less than a mile from my childhood house so losing them all in such a short time frame is a bit insane.

After I heard the (not unexpected) news, Karl and I loaded up the car and hopped on the road.  We drove through the rain ALL DAY (we can not catch a weather break lately on our drives... just ups The Level of Tense a teensy little bit.)  The wake was Thursday evening.  I'm always overwhelmed with wakes.  In my family, they are noisy and well attended and the kids run around while the casket sits up front, open, and people file by at will, offering a quick prayer, a mass card or a respectful goodbye - whether they knew the deceased or not.   Mostly, I'm impressed by the turnout.  Family,  old friends and co-workers of my parents and my dad's siblings... food... subdued laughter... photo boards... congratulations on new births... condolences on other's loss...

Nate and Maura waiting for final formal goodbye.  

The funeral mass was bright and early Friday morning and performed by a priest that started as a deacon in my childhood church and has since moved on but has stayed in touch with my family.  The church we were in was the same one that my parents were married in and that both my sister and I were baptised in.   My dad, the oldest of the six Horan kids, gave a simple and lovely eulogy.  My sister, myself and two other granddaughters brought the gifts to the alter.  My aunt works for the local police department and six or seven of the officers used their days off to stop traffic (full on lights and sirens!) and escort us from the funeral parlor to the church to the cemetery.   The burial was in an enormous military cemetery (same place my mom's parents are buried) - complete with three gun salute, folding of the flag and playing of Taps (I dare you NOT TO CRY DURING THAT!) and presentation of the flag to the family.

Get out of our way: we have STICKERS.  Oh, and cops.  

After the burial we headed BACK to the church where some lovely little old ladies and gentlemen had casseroles prepared in the church/school cafeteria.  I swear to God it smelled exactly the same in there as when I was eight years old.   Several of my family members brought beer (drinking in the church basement!  If I had a dollar for every beer I've consumed on Church property...) and we toasted the day and to being with family.    

Discussing puzzles and ice cream sandwiches.

On a lighter (and only slightly morbid note) I discovered whilst I was nursing the baby in the urn selection room at the funeral parlor, you can, in fact, store your earthly remains in a Cardinals urn for the low, low price of $700!

Photographic evidence.  

sleepy times

HA.

Did I really write a post about needing no sleep?

I think immediately after publishing I was overcome by EXHAUSTION.

The whole family (all of us!) were in bed at 7:30 p.m. and we all slept until the alarm went off the next morning.

Then, I dropped Nate off at school on this rainy, dreary day and returned home.  NK and I hopped in bed and snoozed another hour.

I refuse to feel guilty about it!

tidbits for your monday, january 23rd

Nora Kate is rolling over.  For several weeks.  Constantly.  Lay her on her back, walk away... BAM.  Tummy time.  I'm pretty sure Nate didn't roll over until he was, oh, 7 months old or some such ridiculousness so this feels like new territory to us.  Mostly, I tell people it makes me sad because it means she's changing too fast, and, while that is a little true, I'm happy she is healthy and growing and doing her baby thing.  

Our night times are a whole lot of musical beds.  Everyone seems to start the night in their respective sleeping quarters (did you just get an image of Karl and me in two twin beds with hair rollers and flannel button-up pjs cause I DID!) but somehow we become a jumble of arms and legs and 'mommy' and milk in the wee hours of the night.  Karl and I often joke there's a 'boys room' and a 'girls room' in our house.  (At least we think we're joking.)  For me, honestly, I barely notice getting up at night and it rarely bothers me.  I'm pretty sure with five/six hours of sleep and one cup of coffee I can, in fact, conquer the world. 

Nate's video game obsession continues.  Part of me freaks out about him consuming too much media (even with our limits) and part of me wants to sit and play Lego Indiana Jones with him for HOURS.  Because that shit is fun.  It is the first video game I have EVER enjoyed (Mario inclusive) and my friend Kristen and I have been having regular get togethers to play it after hours (and Lego Harry Potter which is also a-mazing.)  I GET IT GAMERS.  Karl keeps slyly mentioning other games I might like but I'm pretty sure Lego games are it for me! 

what bring your baby to work looks like (for me)

So, I just wanted to record some moments of NK on the job.   My boss has been quite flexible with this whole maternity leave and baby mama thing.   (It helps that I am part time and paid a contract labor rate.)  (It also helps that I work in an office of all women.)  (It also helps that I can do a lot of my work at home and on unscheduled hours.)  (It also helps that Nate is in school and loves it.)  (It also helps that I love my job and am good at it.)  BUT STILL I feel like not many bosses would allow their employees to bring their children to some of the places my boss has allowed.

Por ejemplo...

One morning our whole team (five of us) went to look at office space in downtown Little Rock.  We met with our real estate agent and viewed four different properties.  It was the morning of LR's surprise snow shower so I bundled NK up in Nate's old bear suit and we all took turns carrying her. 




One afternoon got together to shoot our company Christmas card on ice.  Yep, on ice.  NK pleasantly hung out in her car seat (In hindsight, maybe I should have brought a stroller that day?!)  while I laced up my skates and twirled around the rink (You can't tell from the photo but right before I was practicing my sow cow...cue music: What Would Brian Boitano Do.)  

This photo courtesy of www.christenbyrd.com.

 One Saturday, I worked Little Rock's annual Holiday Parade (my company coordinates the event).  My job was to man the judges station and make sure the eligible bands and floats stopped to be judged. This day, I was lucky b/c Karl and Nate and a bunch of our friends came down and hung out around the judge's stand.  So, mostly, NK was in her stroller right behind the stage with Karl.  (Though I still had to nurse her in the car WHILE I was tallying the winners after the parade.  Multitasking at its finest... er... or something.) 


Every Tuesday and Thursday she comes to the office with me.  Mostly, it looks like this: 

My part of a New Year's ARG facebook message.

I have to say that a lot of it is NK herself.  When my boss and I first discussed the possibility of Bring Your Baby to Work, I thought 'no freaking way.... not possible.'  If she were a different baby (read: if she screamed her head off day and night) then this would be impossible.   I know it can't last forever (and probably not even for much longer...eventually I will have to actually GO to meetings with clients again) but it's working for right now!  

nuggets of internet goodness

Occasionally I like to post random things from the internets.  This week the internets is being funny.  I don't want you to miss it. 

This one from my friend Bryan, who rules at the Internet: a Ron Swanson Pintrest board entitled "Our gift to the ladies to help them better understand men." 

This one from the YouTube entitled "Shit Mom Bloggers Say" which probably could not be more on point for some, and, honestly, definitely not just 'mom-bloggers'.  ("Can you take a picture while I bake this bread?")

 You all know I love bad reality tv on occasion (cue: Pot Lodem theme song from America's Next Top Model!).  I don't actually watch The Bachelor but this season seems to be garnering all kinds of "this season is crazy!" attention.  Audreya does hilarious recaps on her blog...so, for all you Bachelor lovers out there,  enjoy!  They make me giggle and I don't even watch. 

Also, this one is a bit older.   If you love 90s SNL and haven't seen Portlandia... you might want to check it out.   It's on Netflix instant. 

This one is not suitable for work.  Well, really, it's not suitable for MANY places.  But the first three paragraphs about getting old... had to share.  You might click away after that if your tolerance for profanity is low.

So, what do you have?  Any other internet funnies out there this week!?  Please share.  

sweetie to the sweet love

My friend Kelli is opening a bakery!  Hooray for making dreams REALITY!  Nora Kate and I were honored to attend a premier party this past weekend.

Sarabeth snapped our photo - damn PAPA-PAPA-RAZZI.  Just can't go anywhere!  ;)

I'm also honored that Kelli selected a location so close to my house and to Nate's school!  (For all my locals, on Cantrell next to Taziki's and the drive through liquor store... across the road from Pavillion in the Park!)  I see some after school special treats in our very near future.

Kelli makes awesome treats and amazing cakes and cookies -  this one was at a recent "Alice in Wonderland" party we attended for Nate's little partner in crime Olive.   She also made iced sugar cookies with the Angela Rogers Group logo (my office) for our 5 year anniversary party.  Really, if you have a wild and crazy idea you want to live out via delicious cakes or cookies, Kelli is your girl.

Here she is on The Book to the Face.

And  for all my local blogger partners in crime, it was lovely (to see you)! (Needed three more blogs to link there, eh?  Did I miss anyone?!)

focus on the happy

Dear Lord, you all.

I haven't been able to FOCUS at all.

I think, for the most part, I've just been ridiculously happy as of late and maybe a little part of me is afraid to say "Hey!  Look at me!  I'm happy!" because... well... I don't really know why.  Perhaps because several not-at-all-happy things happened in 2011?!  Perhaps because it's just hard for me to say that out loud?!  I know, I know, it's RIDICULOUS... but it's so UNLIKE me to not have a litany of complaints on the tip of my tongue.

(Not that I was unhappy before.  But, you know, I'm an over-analyzer.)

I've just got this crazy baby-fierce love thing going on right now with Nora Kate that blocks out a lot of my life's seemingly smaller problems.  I think it's A LOT because, after she came out, I had this weird "We're done having kids" feeling.   I know it sounds crazy but I do sort of feel like our little family unit is done.  Karl says that the baby is too young to make any permanent decisions (HA!  Since I was the one who originally wanted 5 kids and he was more the "we'll see after the first one" type.).  I'm definitely not completely ruling out future babies (of my own body or of the adoptive variety... I definitely can NOT fathom going through pregnancy and labor again.), but I do have a strong no-more feeling.

 So... I'm constantly thinking "This is the last time I'll ever have a baby this small" (I REALLY feel like it is!)  or "This is the last time I'll be getting up at night to nurse a baby." Three months in and I still  seriously look forward to our nighttime nursing sessions - she really only has one and I use it as my excuse to keep her in the bed with me.... because the co-sleeper that ATTACHES to our bed is apparently too far away.  (If you guys KNEW the musical beds that happened in our house you might be horrified.  What can I say?  We like sleeping with our kids.  And one day they won't want to sleep with us!)  

Basically, I want to be all selfish and soak her in and enjoy her and lay in bed with her all day.  I know I DID those things with Nate but, well, he was the first so we spent a lot more time concerned about things like IS HE BREATHING?!  or WHY IS HE BREATHING LIKE THAT?!?  Everything seemed a bit more stressful with him.  I can't decide if the difference is that NK is an easier baby or that I'm a more relaxed parent.   Or perhaps (and most likely) a little bit of both.    Plus, I think, with Nate, I KNEW we would be doing the whole baby thing again.  

And, really, if I could guarantee that all subsequent children would be as easy as NK, I might consider having, say, ten more?!  (Er... maybe just the one more.)

I mean, let's face it.  Karl and I make adorable babies.   

3 photos, 3 months

 

End 2011

I'm back from my unintentional intentional blogging break.  It's been an overwhelming and lovely few weeks.  Nate's been out of school and we traveled to St. Louis with both kids for (what was one of my favorite of all time) Christmas.  The baby is as dreamy as ever and I'm trying to enjoy the quiet and post-holidayness but struggling to balance it all.  I've been trying to carve out some quiet time to write and dream for 2012 but it's just not happening so I'm going to throw in the towel and PHOTO DUMP!  Who's with me?   

Pre-holiday preparedness complete with Nora's gorgeous stocking, a surprise shower of SNOW (we still have some in our freezer!) and Nate's bear suit on Nora Kate:

We had a Christmas in Little Rock before we headed out of town: 

NK and MK:

Ahhhh... a familiar site...Keeping Christmas classy with the nursing cover.   Still nary a bottle to pass this babe's lips.  I tried not to even think about it over the break. 

Hitting the road and stopping in BOOMLAND...which, clearly, is THE home decor fireworks gas station of the Midwest.  This is, apparently, my BOOM pose: (Also, for the record, both children were AMAZING on the six hour drive there and back.  Karl and I kept looking at each other wondering 'could it really be this easy?'  AND IT WAS!) 

Hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's on Christmas Eve morn.  NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER. 

First Christmas without MY grandparents.  Tribute:  

Blacklight batting cage in my uncle's basement.  Pitching machine on SLOW. 

Mylee rolling up to Christmas... she wandered around like this not allowing anyone to speak to her for a solid 30 minutes... (WHERE ARE HER GOD DAMN CIGARETTES AND HER BLOODY MARY?) LOVE HER. 

Nate and Karl waiting on presents on Christmas Eve: 

Nate's idea for Reindeer Food: Four marshmallows, captain crunch, and (you can't see) a cup of sugar: 

Christmas morning with Big Daddy Finn (McMissile, British Intelligence) and Baby Finn.  He wouldn't sleep in these pajamas so Christmas morning we told him he wouldn't get any presents until he put on his Christmas jammy jams.  It's a cruel, cruel world he lives in. 

Looking forward to 2012...

Nerd Christmas.

Karl found a new app. 

(The beginning is Nate saying "Is it REAL?" and me assuring him it's just pretend.  HA.) 

I suck at Christmas.

Though I do love CARDS!! 

Here are some photos from our Christmas Card Photo Shoot (b/c I'm the type of person who arranges Christmas Card Photo Shoots.  Yep.  Sure am!  I own it and I love it.)

Aren't we so cute you're vomiting all over your computer screens right now?!?

(Photography by my friend Cara Beth!)

it is time

To put away Psycho Pilgrim...

..and admit that it's Christmas time...

Cue Bloodbath Manger scene. 

What's Andy's girlfriend's name? he asks

Classic.

Additional notes from the field:  

A.  Nate says 'lasterday' to refer to anything that happened in the past.  It's starting to fade and he's beginning to say yesterday and last year (occasionally in reference to hours before) and that's a bit sad.  I'm going to miss creative, made up words and his skewed concept of time.  

B. Karl and I have recently become obsessed with Parks and Rec on Netflix (which, by the way, WHY DID NO ONE SHARE WITH ME HOW HILARIOUS THIS SHOW IS?) and, since we only have one television, Nate currently requests "the show with the blond lady" before bed; last night he referred to it as "Pecks and Rock" (which he thought was HI-larioius.   As did I.)  

C. There is snow.   I can see it.  RIGHT NOW.  OUT MY WINDOW.  It's not accumulating but it's there.  In December.  Cue tears and space heaters and staying under the covers until the last possible minute.  Stay away seasonal affective disorder!  I've been a happy girl this year!   

12-4 good buddy

(Posted on 12-5.  DAMMIT!  NEVER ON TIME ANYMORE) 

I can't believe Nora Kate has been on the outside for two entire months.  I went to the grocery store tonight and had to run through the rain to get inside and all I could think (STILL!) was THANK GOD I'm not pregnant anymore.  Terrible, right?  I'm not a pregnancy hater but I'm very, very glad to have my regular (reformed?) body back.  (Like so glad I considered jumping in a big, freezing puddle just because I can.)   

Let's discuss Nora Kate.  As mentioned in the previous post, Nora has had ONE successful bottle in her life (sometime around 2 weeks; she downed it and we were all 'oh good she'll be fine' and then we NEVER gave her another (sheer laziness) until last week... which was a disaster.  

I can cook a meal like this.

Despite her resistance (or maybe because of?) she has MOST DEFINITELY become my little accessory.  

Here are SOME of the places NK has been in her short little life.  (This is probably the closest I'll ever get to a "Dear Baby" post.)

Day 2: The driveway.  (Cue: Dr. Suess' 'Oh the Places You'll Go!')  Your first time in the daylight, little girl!  

Day 5: The Pumpkin patch. The most stressful part was the twenty minute car ride.  Mama no like the car.  You were great; she was not.  (Newborns are SERIOUSLY quiet.  And it was the first time I couldn't really SEE her and had is-she-breathing panic.)   

 

Day 8: First trip to Gigi's house!  Get familiar.   We plan to leave you there often. 

Day 12: First trip to Purple Cow, local kid-friendly haunt.  Get familiar.  We plan to buy you $4.95 Kraft mac-n-cheese there (that we could easily make at home).  WHAT?  THE HAMBURGERS ARE GOOD. 

Day 13: Community Bakery for your first donut hole and chocolate milk morning.   Get familiar.  I plan to sleep in as many weekend mornings as possible whilst your father takes you and your brother OUT OF MY HOUSE. 

Day 14: First carpool line experience.  Get familiar.  (No explanation necessary for those reading at home, right?  Carpool line = amazing.)  (It's important to also note this was the first day I drove in perhaps a month or so.  The car felt ENORMOUS.)  This is also the day I took Nora Kate in to meet Nate's teachers and a room full of three year olds - WHAT WAS I THINKING?  GERMS!  GERMS! 

Day 15: Karl took this day off work.  DO NOT get familiar.  It doesn't happen often but we had a lovely lunch date at the same restaurant we went to the day before you were born.  We ordered the exact same meal (labor crab cakes!) but this time Nora Kate was in the sling and not in the belly.

Day 16:  The heat broke this day.  You and I snuggled in bed ALL DAY LONG.  Let's put this in the GET FAMILIAR category, shall we? 

And now that you've been alive for TWO WEEKS let's ramp it up shall we?   The following is a SMALL SELECTION of places we carried you.  I wrote them all in my 5 year calendar; to share them all would be ridiculous. 

Day 17: Your first Book Club.  Get familiar but not TOO familiar as soon this will be one of mama's nights out without child.  (See: TAKE A BOTTLE please because mama needs a bottle of a different variety.) 

Day 18: Karl's company hosted a fancypants dinner for his former boss.  LOVE said boss.  Wasn't going to miss it.   Slung you up and passed you around the table to all his bosses.  Do not get familiar. 

Day 19: First Razorback game (on tv but at friends house).  Get familiar as your daddy will force you to wear Razorback gear and do dumb hog-calling spirit fingers before your first birthday.  ALSO, first Cardinals game watching at different friends house.   GET FAMILIAR (clearly) as there's nothing dumb about baseball. 

Day 22: FIRST DAY OF WORK!  TAKE YOUR THREE WEEK OLD TO WORK DAY!  Hooray!  I nursed you through our morning staff meeting.  I'm working on an entire back to work post.  I go in to the office two days a week right now.  It's been amazing.  It's a strange business bringing a baby to work but, so far, awesome.  I think you guys will be entertained with some of my babywork stories.   Day 22 you also went to your first Little Rock Tweetup (a social group of my twitter friends).  Because your mama is a big NERD.

Day 23: Your first photo shoot.  OWL HAT!  AHHH!  THE CUTE!! Get familiar.  We like cameras. 

Day 24: Halloween Party at Karl's office.   AHHH!  THE CUTE!  AHHH!  EXHAUSTED.  

Day 25: World Series GAME SEVEN w/ friends.   CARDINALS WIN the World Series 2011!  Get familiar as they will win several more Series in your lifetime.  CLEARLY.  

Final pitch.  Pay no attention to that baby down there.

Day 28: Trick or treating all over God's creation.  Your brother was a Jedi; you were a pink skeleton.  NEIGHBORS.  FRIENDS.  CANDY.  Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired.  

Day 32: First pedi visit at one month old.  Get familiar as I'm sure you'll see her many times.  I have to be honest, this was more like a social call than a doctor's visit.  Your pediatrician declared you perfect and we sat and talked about Nate's adjustment and her son's college applications (Karl's been coaching her son in basketball for years).  

This is also the week of Nate's croup and my infection.  Wonder why we got sick?  MAYBE BECAUSE WE WERE RUNNING AROUND LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE. 

After that, no worries, we started to get into our routine and only did this: 

Hearing test.  More work.  The Park.  A college basketball game.  Chili Party.  Ice Skating.  Turkey Day.  Homeless dinner (2).  Birthday parties (2).  Christmas Picture Photo Shoot.  Craft Nights (1).  More Eating Out (too embarrassed to tell you how much).  (Note to parents-to-be that like to eat out:  Take that baby out to eat while they're still teensy and restaurant white noise makes them SLLEEEEP.)  More work.  Holiday Parade. 

If you didn't think I was crazy before, um, you now have my permission to think it.   

storage wars

Fun times in the attic.  Sigh.  We need a basement. 

Randoms:

Adding another human to our house has made me MANIACALLY clean and throw/give things away.   Seriously.  I've taken no less than 7 full bags to the Goodwill in the last two weeks.   Karl is teaching me his wise, minimalistic ways. 

We bought a pre-lit tree for the first time ever (versus the real tree we normally get).  I feel a bit like I'm cheating at Christmas but it was SO EASY.  I'm all about easy these days.  Currently, it's lights only sans ornaments.  I stick the baby in her swing, set it in front of the tree and plug in the lights.  INSTANT MESMIRIZATION.

I had my six-week post birth appointment with my midwives yesterday (at 8+ weeks but whatever!) and everything was fine.  The baby is a solid 13 pounds and 4 oz and she goes to her pedi next week for Vaccinations: Round 1. 

Speaking of NK, bottles are poison to her lips.  So, uh, we're working on that.  We've tried a VARIETY of bottles.  No luck so far.  Pros:  No pumping!  Cons: Someday I will need to go somewhere without her.   I'm working on a dedicated NKisms post. 

TIME IS FLYING BY.