The Mouse Family Blog

The girls and their moms went to the Reid Park Zoo today. This is one of Sophie and Zoe's local haunts in Tucson. Lauren got to experience one of Sophie's favorite things - feeding a giraffe. She wasn't scared at all, even when the giraffe went for the other cookie that Mom was holding in the same hand that was holding

her. The girls enjoyed the monkeys and Lauren posed by a sleeping panther (in her leopard coat). A leopard is really just a black leopard with black spots, she reminded Mommy.

You can tell from the bundling, that it was a bit cold (not like being in Chicago this time of year, but cold anyway.

(Note to readers: you can make any pictures larger by clicking on them.)

We flew to Tucson for Christmas (Phoenix really - Lauren's longest flight yet). We were very excited to see Grandma Ann and Grandpa Clark. We drove to Andy and Mara's new house in time for Lauren to go to bed. We enjoyed a lovely guest suite (lucky Lauren got her own room for peaceful sleeping!)

Christmas day started with presents for Lauren and her cousins Sophie and Zoe, and some presents for the adults too. I (Liz) was very excited to get a spa massage as a gift from my folks. Christmas evening was spent with Mara's family and friends - it was a great time. They were so generous; Lauren even got a few more presents.

Here we are in Saguaro National Park. Lauren is sporting a super cute sweater and shirt from her Uncle Paul and Aunt Pat.

Lauren opened her present from her Mom and Dad for our little Mouse Family Christmas. She likes it well enough, but will probably love it even more as she grows older (let's hope since it's supposed to be for kids ages 6-36 months)! Here she is enjoying her toy and playing with Dad.

Labels: Movies

Christmas came early to our house in Chicago, since we're headed to Tucson on Sunday. Here's a shot just before we started to open presents. As you can tell, Indy was as laid back as ever.

More pictures later -- maybe a video too.

Lauren proves to be like most kids... here she is loving the box more than the gift. There could be many captions to this photo. Some I though of: "Daddy, your present must be in here somewhere." "I thought the stork brought them, but this one came via UPS." I'm sure you all can write a more clever caption. Please leave your best effort in the Comments!

Here are some other shots and a video clip of Lauren enjoying playing in a shipping box. The song in the background is from Bebo Norman's Christmas Album.

"Can you call room service and order me some more toys?"
Lauren and Mommy went on an overnight business trip with Dad. While Dad was in meetings, the girls shopped the outlets for Christmas presents. Some of the time was spent playing in the hotel room. We took Lauren's Pack N'Play and she napped in the hotel room really well. For night, we put the crib in the bathroom so we could shut the door and let Lauren sleep in peace. She did ok, she woke up at 5:00 am. Sleeping in is one of the things I miss now that we have a baby.

You gotta check out the Mouse family turned ELF. Click here!
Turn yourself and your loved ones into dancing elves at www.elfyourself.com

With snow on the ground, a backpack is easier than a stroller. Lauren seems to like it. Here she is with her dad, ready to take a walk through the neighborhood. She's backpacked to Chase, Kmart, RadioShack and Jewel. Backpacks - not just for hiking anymore!

Lauren noticed these reindeer tracks outside on the patio. She thought it might be a reindeer minion of Santa's ..sent to see if she has been naughty or nice...


She donned her snowsuit and mouse hat, and plugged in her paci for moral support and went outside in the snow to investigate (it was an active investigation)...


It was a reindeer! Lauren spied him on the porch. He looked very ferocious. Lauren had to think quickly, she asked her mom to throw the reindeer a dog treat. For some reason, it worked and the reindeer was lured inside...

Once inside, the reindeer found a nice soft pillow by a fire and a handsome Christmas tree and the reindeer liked Lauren so much, he loaned her his antlers to wear with her reindeer outfit...


So Lauren and the reindeer lived happily ever after (even though they weren't able to make a nice picture together). Oh well, there is always next Christmas.

"Mama! I want to go see what that white stuff is all about!"
Lauren stood propped up against the door to our deck for a few seconds this morning. She was curious about the coldness of the glass and had to check it out with her tongue, of course. She decided it was funny and looked back at me to see what I thought. I though that maybe later today we'd go outside on the deck and investigate the 'hoof prints' that I think I might see. Stay tuned.

Oh and for my bargain hunting friends...Carters has their fleece pant and hoodie sets 50% off. I went to the Carters on Halsted just south of North Ave. (conveniently located next door to the Borders).

Lauren is learning to crawl and making some backward progress. She managed to scoot under the Christmas tree and enjoyed the new perspective on the ornaments.

Normally I wouldn't share something so personal. Lauren might be embarrassed if this site lasts into her adulthood, but I think there is a lesson learned that should be shared.

If you don't want to read about poop - stop reading now.

Lauren just got over a bout of constipation (poor dear). We have introduced her to many new foods in the past month and a half, but what I didn't know was that some foods are more likely to cause things to slow down in the digestive system. Apparently Lauren has some bad luck because I picked ALL the cloggy foods and none of the runny foods. The result was a few days of painful poos. I could tell when Lauren was going 'number 2' because she would be sitting by herself playing with her toys and all of a sudden, she'd lean forward and let out a sharper, higher pitched cry than her usual cry. I'd rush over, open her diaper and push her legs up to her chest to help her pass the poo. After it was out she'd happily go back to playing. I did some online research and learned that the foods I'd been feeding: applesauce, banana and carrots can clog a baby up unless they are balanced out with peas, prunes, pears or peaches. So we put Lauren on a diet of P foods and added a two ounce drink of 100% prune juice a day and she is now back to regular, although yesterday she had three very full diapers before noon!

So my new motto to remember is No ABCs (applesauce, banana, carrots) Without Ps (peas, prune, pears or peaches). I am not sure where sweet potato falls into the mix, but it safe to say that Lauren will be getting at least a bite or two of prunes every day until she protests. So far, she likes all the P foods well enough (even peas!)

This picture is of our lovely darling getting a full change after making a mess. See, happy as a clam, trying to catch butterflies on her mobile.

It's hard to believe that Lauren is seven months already. Here she is, all decked out in front of her Christmas tree with her heifer.

Lauren has become a pro a sitting up and playing with her toys. Now she's moving-on to rolling over to find toys that are out of reach, and she's working her way up onto all fours.

Labels: Monthly Photos