Learn-A-Word Wednesday: ephemeral

e-phem-er-al

adjective
1. lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood.
2. lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower.


noun

3. anything short-lived, as certain insects.

I always thought that this was a pretty sounding word, but never knew for sure what it meant. Already there are so many things about Evan's babyhood that have been ephemeral, but I have a feeling that teething is not going to be one.

Trillium nivale is a "spring ephemeral" flower. I looked at pictures of ephemeral insects, but they were all really creepy, so we'll just have the flowers!

Learn-A-Word Wednesday: galactagogue

ga-lac-ta-gogue

noun:

An agent that promotes the secretion and flow of milk.

This was a new work for me! I encountered it while googling for how to make more milk. Turns out, I already had some galactagogues in my cupboard!

Random Animal Picture

Some people say childbearing and breastfeeding have the same effect. Hmmm....

Send More Milk!

The request of my babysitter on Monday, relayed through Robert, was send extra clothes and send more milk. Send more milk?! I usually send along 3 full bottles of breast milk with Evan totaling somewhere between 15 and 18 oz. So, as of Wednesday, I'm now sending 4 full bottles, 20-24 oz. And I spend a lot more time with my trusty breast pump.


Here it is in its "at home" location on the end of the futon. Then I can pump and watch Leno and not be driven as crazy by the sucking, whooshing sound! It travels with me to work so that I can spend half of my lunch hour with it as well. I never thought that my breastpump would be the most-used baby shower gift, ever!

Pumping more to get more milk also makes more dishes. Here's my kitchen counter complete with bottles, lids, etc that are air-drying.


And because I cannot and am not willing to breastfeed forever, we have started giving Evan "tastes" of rice cereal and banana.


Of course, it will take a little while until Evan is proficient at eating solids. So, in the meantime, I'm spending extra time with my pump and sipping more nursing mom tea!

Random Animal Picture

Just for the heck of it! I found some funny pics here and will post them occassionally for a laugh!!

5 Months Old!

Evan is now 5 months old and full of new tricks! Just to recap from the last month: he grabs his toes, raises his head while on his belly, has rolled once from back to front on his own and is beginning to sit up leaning forward on his own. I must note, however, that the sitting up is very brief, usually followed by a topple to the left or the right. Thankfully he is a sturdy little fellow and doesn't scream once he hits the mat!! I will post several new pics from today. I think I have figured out what I was doing wrong at Christmas to make the pictures so blurry.

Evan has a new foam alphabet play mat. We set it up in the living room for him to roll around on and play with his toys. It is quite large (6'x6') so I put some of the squares away and will set it up in full when it gets moved to his bedroom.


Evan also has a new chair! It is a high chair that attaches to a kitchen chair to save space. He likes sitting at the dining table now like a "big boy." Besides, his legs are getting a little to chunky for the Bumbo. He still uses it, but when we pick him up, sometimes the seat stays attached!


Showing off new tricks!


Smiling for the folks at home!!


Smiles is Sepia!!

Learn-A-Word Wednesday: auld lang syne

Okay, so it's three words and technically a phrase, but what does is mean?! I figured since it is the new year and the phrase is featured at the end of one of my favorite holiday movies (It's a Wonderful Life) it is time to find out!

The phrase is from Scottish and Northern English descent.

noun
1. old times, especially times fondly remembered
2. old or long friendship

Knowing that it seems even more appropriate for the New Year as we reflect on the year that has just passed. HowStuffWorks notes the the song is Scottish and extremely old, written in the 1700's. And I thought Bing Crosby Christmas songs were reaching a ways back!