G's Swimming Lessons

First, I'm glad that we did them.
Second, they were pretty much a waste of money.
Sad, but true.

The instructor was really nice and did show us some things that I wouldn't have thought to do. She taught us various ways to hold our kids so they support/float more of their own body weight--including a handy way to get their legs out for kicking if they are still being clingy. She taught us to count them down from 3 and then say 'go!' before letting them do anything (so they learn to listen for our cues around water). She showed us how to practice blowing bubbles on the surface & also to use ping pong balls to give them something to focus on moving with their air.

Fashion & Service Wordless Wednesday #linky

If you are friends with my personal FB page, you may have seen this already... but here is my little Fashionista :-) Eat your heart out Katy Perry! My dad already noted her farmer's tan...poor thing.

And here she is delivering cookies to our neighboors...on a more normal dress day :-)

Mega Bloks First Builders Review & Giveaway

I reached out to Mega Bloks to be a part of the Babies First Birthday Blog Party, but didn't hear back from them in time. Luckily, they were still interested in working with Letters from Momma! I was recently sent a new Mega Bloks Big Building Bag {in pink} to review with G. She's had the classic colors bag since Christmas, and they are one of her favorite toys. Last month, Mega Bloks released a First Builders Let's Build! app for the iPhone. To go along with this great app release, they've revamped some of their products geared toward younger kids. They've grouped all of the preschool blocks, designed for ages 1+, under the First Builders brand name. Check out my review below, download the iPhone app for free, and be sure to enter the great giveaway at the end of the blog post!

The weaning of a 16 month old + tips

To catch up on our weaning process, be sure to check out my previous posts: 

Beginning to Wean & Weaning Update

As of two Fridays ago (June 29, 2012), G has been fully weaned.

The definition of weaned is for a mammal to receive all nutrients/calories from non-mother's-milk sources. It doesn't matter how, why, or when it happens...that's what weaning means. Some babies are weaned from the very start, which is kind of sad to me, but I do know that for a lot of moms, breastfeeding is not their thing. I certainly am not in a position to judge their lives or choices--but let it be said--I certainly think breastmilk is the best source of food for babies.

G has always loved nursing, especially because I did allow her to do it for 'comfort' at a young age. It was not always easy, and there were definitely trials we had to get through, but all-in-all, it was a nice bond for us to share (in addition to healthy for us both). I'm not a mom likely to nurse past 24 months old, but I do believe in nursing past 12 months old.

When #2 was conceived, I did consider tandem nursing--for about 10 minutes. I then decided there was no way I could wanted to physically do that to myself or the new baby. In my honest, non scientific, opinion, I thought the only one who would benefit from tandem nursing was G (I know many of you would argue the other way, that's fine, I noted this is simply my opinion). No offense to my precious little girl, she's already gotten the best start in life possible, her new sibling deserves 100% of the same opportunities. I feel it's only fair to my worn-out self and new baby to devote all of my available nursing time to #2.

Catholic Family Gifts Winner

Thank you to all who entered the Catholic Family Gifts giveaway! There were 195 entries and the winner is:

Be sure to stay tuned for an upcoming Mega Bloks review and giveaway!! It will be posted by the end of the week :-)

Nearly 16 Weeks with #2

It's hard to keep you updated on the pregnancy--that is, if you even want to be--because life is happening all around us. The time to sit and write is being eaten up by an active little toddler and summer life in CA. I do want to record the little pregnancy milestones and preserve memories that #2 might ask about later in life (or his wife might be interested in, if it is a boy).

First of all--I have been feeling the baby move for about 2 weeks now. This is CRAZY because I didn't really feel G until 18 weeks (and even then, I wasn't sure about it). My husband has been feeling the baby on the outside, for about a week. 14 weeks is really early to feel the baby move, so we have quite the rambunctious #2.

Oreo Brownie Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake {America's Birthday Cake}

No, this isn't red, white, and blue...but it's the cake I made for America's Birthday--that is, our Independence Day feast.

If that doesn't make you salivate...we do not have the same taste!

It was pretty easy, you just have to let some layers freeze between adding them so that it turns out as good as possible (so it is kind of a long process). Of course, you can sub in a different flavor of ice cream to suite your desires.

Songs that Mean Love to Me {right now}

Betty Beguiles, a blog I occasionally see (mostly due to Mandi @ Catholic Newlywed), is doing a link-up for your love song playlist. I should be blogging about being 15 weeks pregnant (because #2 deserves the same pregnancy memories as #1), but because I recently found a new favorite song that is absolutely adorable and full of love, I must join in this link-up! I hope you will check out my songs below and also the other lists linked up! My list might be a little less traditional for 'love' songs, but it's songs that make me think of my husband, our past, our future, and our present.

So, my new favorite song is Josh Turner's Find Me A Baby. I don't think it's released yet, it's on his latest album. Here is a fan youtube video (song + lyrics). Seriously...I could listen to it all day. LOVE LOVE LOVE

Win a Trip to LEGOLAND Florida from Atlantic Luggage

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

During our recent mini-trip to Yosemite National Park, we stayed in a really nice cabin that had extended TV channels, including History Channel. Late in the evening, tired from a long day of sightseeing, we relaxed on the couch to watch a special on LEGOs! Both my husband and I grew up loving to build things with our LEGOs, so it was fun to watch the history of the company and product, in addition to the future plans of LEGO--including themeparks. Our previous home of Kansas City just opened a LEGOLAND, so of course we have to check it out when we go back to visit. I've since learned that there are several LEGOLANDs across the country!

GGB with a toddler - The Fog in San Francisco

Fog! I guess it's just part of being such an odd climate near the Pacific Ocean. San Francisco's weather is so finicky! It was supposed to be sunny and warmish when we went down to the Golden Gate Bridge with my parents a few weeks ago, but because I've been there before and lived here for a few months, I knew to pack a light jacket for myself and G. My mom asked if she should bring one and I told her it was up to her, but that I probably wouldn't end up using mine anyway.

Wouldn't you know it was nearly freezing {with the wind chill} and pretty dreary looking above. In fact, we couldn't even see the whole bridge and I know I felt a few drops of either rain or some serious ocean spit. Seeing the bridge is something you have to do when in the Bay Area, because it's such an iconic picture opportunity. It just celebrated its 75th birthday this year. It may seem red, but it's technically orange--like a burnt orange. I think the views are wonderful from either side of it (I've seen it from both), but we've only ever taken pictures looking north (that is, from the south). The fog kind of gives pictures a gloomy look, but it's still cool, IMO.