The Great Carrot Disaster

How about a story for your Thursday?

(But first, some background.  Generally Jas and I attend language class downtown together.  Always with Elise in tow.  She normally does fairly well.  We have a very small class (3-4 people usually in attendance) and everyone is fine with Elise being in there.  Usually we rotate out about halfway through class (because Elise can't really maintain calmness for longer than half an hour without needing a diaper change, to be fed, etc.) and it's all good...we've got a system down.  It works.)

Until you're flying solo.

You see, last night I had to swing language class with Elise all by my lonesome.

Here's how it went down...

We got to class just fine and things started out ok.  She was moving a lot (she in to the explore-my-surroundings-and-touch-everything stage), but I was able to pay attention and involve myself in class while holding her/distracting her.

Then we reached the halfway through class mark.  She started getting whiny.  I held her and we stood up.  We bounced, found the door knob to play with, and I still tried to pay attention.  Note: TRIED to pay attention. Haha.

Then she started crying.

So I told our teacher she needed to be fed and we left the room.

Since I came to class with her in the carrier, we didn't have the stroller like normal so that I could sit her in it to feed her.

So I sat her up like a big girl in a chair in the hallway.

Feeding began.  First, carrots.  Everything was going fine.  I was sitting on the floor in front of her scooping and feeding.  (slow motion here) I scooped some carrots, brought them up to her mouth, her hand flies up, knocks the spoon, carrots EVERYWHERE.  All over the chair, the floor, my pants, our diaper bag.  And I only had one paper towel with me.

A girl passed by.  I asked her in Slovak if she could bring me another paper towel.  She brought me a tissue (?? I know I said the right word for paper towel?)

We managed down a few bites of blueberries and then I attempted to clean up the area.

Ok, fine, we left a few stains on the chair, floor, and our clothes.  UGH.

Go back in to class, feeling like it was going to be a long remaining thirty minutes.

I jostle Elise, set her on the floor, hold her up, give her toys, she's fussy at this point.

It's getting closer and closer to her bedtime routine.

Then it happens again.  We were in the middle of an exercise.  It was my turn to speak.  And she spits up EVERYWHERE.  All over my pants, all over her face.

UGH. UGH. MORE CARROTS EVERYWHERE.

At this point, I'm completely lost to the class and we've sufficiently made ourselves big distractions to the remaining students and our teacher.

My teacher just looks at me and says "To sa stava."  That happens.  Yes, yes, it does.  It happens.  It really did just happen.

Elise starts wailing.  I look desperate.  We pack up (all while she's wailing and class is trying to continue on).

UGH. Haha.  At this point I just start chuckling to myself.  Out loud.

Then we head for the door.  I apologize for making such a big distraction and am still chuckling.

E sleeps all the way home and I think to my carrot-covered self...

To sa stava.  You know, sometimes, that just happens.

(we kind of looked like this.  only one of us in tears. more stressed out.  and carrots all over :)

A Moment

Have you ever had one of those moments that just kind of stops you in your tracks?  Warms your heart?  Makes you melt a little?

I had one just the other day.

We were enjoying a little time on the balcony and I ran inside to get my camera so I could snap a few pics of this cutie...

(I'm in love with those baby rolls...just sayin')

But before I took the above pictures, I was greeted by the scene below when I returned back to the porch, camera in hand, thankfully.

I couldn't help but stop, snap, and smile.  Heart-warming moment right there.  The two of them together, his arm keeping her from falling, she seeming perfectly calm.  It was something to cherish.

Then she spotted me.

And she gave me a lil grin...

Full heart, right there.

Now if you'll excuse me a moment while I get a lil gushy (as if I haven't been already, right? ;) Feel free to skip over it.
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E, you have an awesome daddy.  He's striving to be your earthly protector so that you hopefully will have a stronger understanding of what your Heavenly Father is like.  Your dad loves you.  Just like Christ.  He watches out for his girl(s), even now as you're at such a young age.  He'll be there for you.  You can count on him.  But more importantly, you can count on Christ. Never forget it, E.

Oh, and your dad is a total goofball...but he makes us both laugh :)
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And then cranky time ensued and E let us both know she was tired...so porch time ended and bath time/bed time ensued.  But it was, indeed, a good moment captured.

Insta{FRIDAY}

It's no secret that I've thoroughly been enjoying Instagram.  I like looking back at the little things captured throughout the week.  After all, it's the small things right? :)

(not to mention one of my favorite posts in the blogosphere are those found on Friday's over here and here)

You can find us on instagram here:  palmerponderings

So how about a rundown of the past week...

Waking up to this little face makes the early mornings a little less intense...haha.

She also figured out how to pull herself up in her crib this week...which has resulted in a bumped head once or twice.  Big girl life lessons.

We took a couple walks around the lake this past week.  I gleaned some mama knowledge from this lil duckie ma and her duckettes.

E also got to try out her new sun hat for the first time....stylishly baby adorable and keeps the sun of those baby cheeks.  Mama-approved.

Wearing these makes my feet feel happy.  Hip-Hip-Hooray for comfy, colored shoes.

Elevator mirror shot of a tired, sweaty baby.

Things are now in full bloom here...which means gorgeousness and sneezing all at once.

"Mom, what in the world are these things on my feet!?"  First time wearing shoes = hilarious.

Great color combination...feeling inspired by it already.

Hope you all had a happy week!  Can you believe it's MAY already!?!

SHTOOR

That's not a misspelling...though it probably looks like it.  It's actually the name of a coffee shop here.  And it just so happens to be one that I love.

It's quite homey and they're drinks are the best.  Particularly the chai tea latte.  However, this day I decided to try the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.  One word: delish.

I love the atmosphere inside, so I decided I would ask if I could take some pictures to post on the blog.  Plus, it was great language practice :)

Love their graphics too.

Hang your coat up and stay for awhile...and such fun wallpaper.

Comfy corner.

And I had good company this trip...

(she was a little cranky this day)

Cutie girl, right there.

I'm thinking I am going to regularly blog about coffee shops here in Bratislava.  It's quite the coffee shop culture here...and I like it :)

Stay tuned for future coffee shop rundowns!

Feelin' Tribal

I wouldn't generally call myself a trendy person (though maybe I am more than I like to admit!??), but lately I'm finding myself really diggin' all things tribal in appearance.

I love, love the bold color usage.  Being a doodler myself, I think the repeated shapes/patterns really appeal to me too.  I'm quite the fan of this latest tribal trend.

Recently I started a "tribal inspiration" board on pinterest to collect my growing sources of inspiration...here's a sampling:

 

 

As I've recently (almost) finished my current painting (post soon to come!), I'll be using this board as a source for my next project.

So, with all that said on my current tribal fascination, when I stumbled on these adorable shoes in H&M, I got a little giddy...

So...I didn't really need them, but they were a steal and quite cute...and I have a feeling I will wear them out.

Are you in to any trends lately?  What's your current source of inspiration? I'd love to hear!