...with the "real life cloth diaper store".

Today I took Elena around the Capitol building to take some pictures (see below). Next, we headed to a local hotel to shop at the Dane Buy Local holiday market.....which essentially was a gathering of local Dane County businesses. I was able to do some of my Christmas shopping here. I picked up a few bars of handmade soaps, some tea and some cloth diaper safe diaper cream.

The highlight of the day was a drive further west (I think), to a real life cloth diaper store. Up until now, almost every single cloth diaper and accessory item I have purchased has been online (see my favorite links in the side bar on the right!), because there are no cloth diaper stores near me. I was in cloth diaper heaven.....if there is such a thing! I was able to see, touch and feel cloth diapers with my own eyes and hands, that I have previously only been able to see online! It was great. Not only that, but this store had a breastfeeding scale. I have always wondered how much milk Elena nurses from me. So, I put her on the scale, then sat down on the couch and nursed her, and then plopped her back on the scale......she nursed 4 ounces!

Anywho, back to shopping.....I pretty much wanted to buy one of everything! I was good though, and only left the store with a few hemp doublers, a small detergent sample and some cloth diaper liners.

I can't wait to be able to go back to this store some time in the future.....or maybe I can open my own cloth diaper store?!?!?!
After shopping, we headed back to downtown Madison to pick up M and head back to Milwaukee!

I am in love with Madison. It is such a cool place with so many neat things to do and see!

...where Elena goes to Madison.

So we are in Madison today. My sister (M) had a PA conference she wanted to attend and asked if I'd accompany her. I've gone with her to one other conference before, so I was definitely up for going to Madison. I've never really been to Madison before to "hang out", so I jumped at the chance to stay in a hotel for free and visit the sights here while M is learning more about Primary Care. Elena made the trip out west with us! We even scored a mini fridge for the hotel room for free...to store her breast milk in! So , make note people - when staying in hotels, tell them you are pumping and you can score a mini fridge free of charge!

After dropping M off at the hotel, I packed Elena up in her sling and took to the streets of Madison...State Street that is.

First up, was a coffee shop on State Street. Then we met M for lunch at Ian's Pizza. This place has weird pizza! The guy behind us had macaroni and cheese on his pizza! His friend had penne pasta on his! M played it "safe" and had pepperoni. I had Spinach Feta Pesto...I think.

We are now back at the hotel. Elena is napping and I am making a plan for this evening and tomorrow.

...with Elaine Sodifa

Yes, folks. Elaine Sodifa. That's how they announced Elena Sofia's name during Mass. Who knows where that came from.....I suppose it could be her alter ego.....like Regina Phalange in Friends!

Now for more pics from her Baptism :)

I have no idea what was being said/done when this photo was taken, but I find it humorous. My sister and I both reacted the same way...."what"? However, my husband and his brother both thought it was funny!

The parents and godparents.

Elena being baptized.

...with the four F's.

Family.
Friends.
Food.
Fun.

That pretty much sums up our weekend. R and I had E baptized. Auntie M and Tio F so graciously agreed to be her godparents! After the baptism, we had a wonderful group of our closest friends and family over to help celebrate. Of course, it wouldn't be a true celebration if there wasn't food involved...so there was plenty on hand! It was a nice relaxing day and evening and E was a gem all day!
Here is E in the dress that my mom crocheted for her!

I will post more pics in another post.