Prototype for my million dollar idea!

I mentioned in my post earlier today that Svea is ruining clothes left and right with her interesting crawling style. My mom and I were joking a few days ago about putting her to work as a mop. Well, Soren has been obsessing about inventions lately (thanks to Bill Nye the Science Guy DVDs) and I decided I would try out my idea. My prototype turned out very well, doncha think?

This amazing new product will have you wondering why you didn’t put the endless free baby power to good use before now. Here is a picture of a satisfied client before her experience with the Mopzi:

Now check out this powerful product in action. The wave-like action of the crawl picks up every last crumb and scrubs off the grime. The client is obviously loving every minute of using the miraculous Mopzi!

Now check out these fabulous photos of the Mopzi and the still smiling client after 30 minutes of use:

Not only does the Mopzi preserve the clothing of the client, this product uses machine washable microfiber combined with the environmentally friendly power of a sweet potato powered baby for a green clean every time. Simply remove the microfiber mop attachment from the velcro fasteners and exchange for a clean pad without having to change the whole outfit.

Please ignore the fact that I am showing off the crud from my floor and that it is ON my baby - yikes! I’m going to be a millionaire, right? If only every baby crawled like mine…

Svea Update

Svea will be 9 months old in a couple of weeks. I can’t believe how fast my baby is growing up! I still think of her as new – I remember thinking Soren was so big when he was 9 months, it is funny how my perceptions have changed.

Svea is precious. She is such a good little girl. Ever since she started crawling she has been so happy! She is a morning person (compared to Soren and I) and gets up around 7:15 am wanting to play. She will crawl around and entertain herself all morning. It works out really well because Soren and I are slower in the mornings, and it allows me to get breakfast and chores done without having to worry about her. She naps twice a day, usually for less than an hour each time, and is eating three solid food meals a day. She is getting very interested in table food and prefers it to her baby mush. She has sampled small pieces of strawberry, ham, pizza crust, grilled cheese sandwich and pineapple. She loves to eat anything she can put in her mouth, including leaves, bird food, and any other junk I miss with the broom.

Svea has a unique crawling style. I expected her to figure out “normal” crawling, but she seems very happy with her technique and is getting very fast. I think my brother described her crawling perfectly when he compared it to the butterfly swimming stroke. Crawling has its perks (happy baby) and its downsides (babyproofing and extra floor cleaning). Svea’s style has the added downer of ruining clothes. Her belly is constantly dirty, even right after I have mopped.

Svea is finally starting to laugh regularly. Soren works hard to get giggles. In the video he was trying to get her to laugh at a joke that had worked earlier in the day. They were sitting on the floor facing each other and Soren would say, "Dump" and they would both laugh. Don't ask me, because I don't know why they thought that was funny. Whatever it meant, it was very cute to see them both belly laughing together.

I’m starting to see glimmers of Svea’s personality. It is kind of exciting to start to see real differences – before now most of her development has followed the normal baby patterns. The other day we got out Soren’s new water toy and attached it to the hose. Soren wasn’t ready to get wet, but I sat Svea out in her baby bath (to prevent her eating leaves) and pushed her out into the spray. She LOVED it! She already seems to have an adventurous spirit, a big contrast to our more cautious Soren. She does have a spunky streak. She definitely lets me know when things are not going how she wants them too, especially when it comes to mealtime.

It has been so fun to watch Svea go through the journey of her first few months. I’ve realized anew what a blessing it is for us to come here to earth and to have physical bodies we learn to control. What an experience! I can’t believe how much she has learned already, and I’m looking forward to the next few exciting months and years!

Easter/Birthday Weekend

We're enjoying beautiful spring weather here in sunny Arizona. We've been spending a lot of time outside in the backyard and at the park. The kids and I both made it through a yucky cold in time for our only bloggable event of the last few weeks. We had a very busy and fun Easter/birthday weekend this weekend.

Erik's dad flew in for the weekend. It made Soren's birthday special to have a guest to celebrate with. Erik had a lot of studying to do, so Soren was glad to have someone to play with all weekend as well. Soren officially turned three on monday, but we decided to celebrate his birthday on Saturday.

I got up Saturday morning and decorated the kitchen with streamers, balloons and Spongebob tablecloth. Soren shuffled out after I was done and sat sleepily on the couch next to me. When he finally glanced at the kitchen he did the classic double take and said "Whoah!" He was very excited to sit in his special birthday chair complete with three balloons and streamers. He opened a couple of presents after breakfast, then headed to the park with Papa to play with his new toy. Erik studied and I fit in my run while they were gone.

After the park, Erik and his dad headed to the gym. Meanwhile, Soren and I ate lunch and opened another present. We had a lot of fun hanging up his solar system in his room.

In the evening, we headed over to Barro's for Soren's favorite food. Sadly, he was worn out and fell asleep on the way to the pizza joint. I hoped he would wake up to eat, but he couldn't be roused and slept his way through his birthday dinner. This is the second year in a row - I'm going to have to remember to do a birthday lunch next year!

Svea had a great time eating pizza & cheerios and enjoying all the attention.

When we got home, Soren was ready for more partying. We were able to webcam with my parents and open a gift with them, then we had birthday cake and opened yet more gifts. Soren eventually went to bed with promises of another fun day on Sunday.

We woke up and had a little easter egg hunt in the backyard for Soren. Once again, I bought way too much candy for one child, but Soren had fun finding the eggs.

Papa and Soren headed over to the park again to enjoy the spring weather. We had a yummy easter ham for dinner, then headed up to South Mountain to enjoy a surprisingly green hiking trail. We had a moment of excitement when we spotted a baby rattlesnake on the trail. The wildflowers, ocotillo and cacti were blooming and it was beautiful.

Since Monday was Soren's birthday, we had a fun playdate at the park with a bunch of his friends. Soren was excited to share cupcakes and just run around and play. We had pizza for dinner again, opened the last few gifts and said goodbye to the long weekend of festivities. It was a lot of fun, but I'm glad we don't party like that too often!

Soren was absolutely spoiled this year. Thanks to everyone who made his 3rd birthday so special.