Today was the Little Lady's first Christmas! We think that she's starting to get a little less colicky! We've actually been able to eat a few meals sitting down together (meaning one of us doesn't have to be standing holding her). I think she's just a high maintenance baby. But now we're starting to understand the little things that she likes. For example, we recently figured out that if you put something over her face she'll go sleep. It's not something heavy so she can't breathe just a washcloth will work. In church yesterday, I laid her down on the chair next to me and put her burp rag over her face and she went to sleep! I was shocked and so were the people around me!
Tomorrow we're going to brave the 7 hour drive to Utah to visit our families. The hubby has the week off and so we're going to go spend a few days with my family, then go be with his family and go skiing. I'm really excited to see the snow and be with family but I hate traveling (just being away from home). Plus, the drive is killer.
We'll come back Saturday and pick up the little foster man again. We'll have him for another monthish and then he's going to live with a relative! Anyway, we had a great Christmas! Santa was good to us. The Babe was so excited because he got the scooter he ask for.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve Traditions
Tonight being Christmas Eve, I've been thinking about our traditions. We, like thousands of other people, read the Christmas story from the bible. We also like most people try to have pajamas to open and wear. We try to have a nice dinner whether it is with our immediate family or extended. We have a special Christmas candle that I like to light on Christmas Eve and again Christmas day. Most years, we have a family that we do that 12 days of Christmas to, so we deliver the last gift and reveal who we are. We often finish up wrapping presents, delivering goodies to the neighbors, and sometimes go look at Christmas lights. If a piano is available, we usually end up singing Christmas songs.
Tonight we are embarking on a new Christmas phase in our lives. Our oldest is now almost 3 and understands that Santa is coming. So we've been playing it up all month, telling him how if he isn't good then Santa won't bring him presents. Tonight, after the Babe goes to bed, I'm making the hubby take some sleigh bells out by his window and yell, "Ho, Ho, Ho." We'll also do the traditional plate of cookies for Santa and carrot for Rudolph.
I can hardly wait to see his sparkling eyes tomorrow morning when he sees that Santa has come. I'm so excited to watch him open his presents and force him to stop playing with one so he can open the others. I love the excitement that he has. I wish you could bottle that. He was in the store the other day when we saw a Santa who was "off duty" shopping. He got so excited he made us go back to see Santa. He even wanted to invite Santa to dinner tonight. I think this is a phase I'd like to stay in for a long time.
Tonight we are embarking on a new Christmas phase in our lives. Our oldest is now almost 3 and understands that Santa is coming. So we've been playing it up all month, telling him how if he isn't good then Santa won't bring him presents. Tonight, after the Babe goes to bed, I'm making the hubby take some sleigh bells out by his window and yell, "Ho, Ho, Ho." We'll also do the traditional plate of cookies for Santa and carrot for Rudolph.
I can hardly wait to see his sparkling eyes tomorrow morning when he sees that Santa has come. I'm so excited to watch him open his presents and force him to stop playing with one so he can open the others. I love the excitement that he has. I wish you could bottle that. He was in the store the other day when we saw a Santa who was "off duty" shopping. He got so excited he made us go back to see Santa. He even wanted to invite Santa to dinner tonight. I think this is a phase I'd like to stay in for a long time.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
No Surprises This Christmas
I'm sad to post that there will be no suprises this Christmas for me. I bought, wrapped and know exactly what my husband, 3 children and everyone else we buy for are getting for Christmas. Of course that wouldn't be a surprise. Every other year, I usually go with my hubby to pick out what I want because he "won't pick the right one." This year, I told him that I wanted him to pick it out and if it happened to be the wrong size or whatever then I'd exchange it for the right size.
So he got all excited and went shopping a few different times, which is strange for him. I was pretty excited because I was finally going to have a surprise under the tree this year (like I was a kid again).
Well this past week, he has told me everything he bought me! No, I didn't ask. I didn't weasle it out of him. He just couldn't keep a secret. He said he doesn't like to keep secrets from me. Weird huh? He even showed me my stocking stuff.
Plus, I wrapped all my presents from my mom with her. My dad asks exactly what we want and buys that. The hubby's parents usually keep it pretty low key for Christmas presents.
But I am excited to see the Babe on Christmas morning. He asked Santa for scooter and I called him last week to put in the order. The Babe is actually getting the whole Santa concept this year and it's fun! We're going to put out cookies for Santa and probably buy a carrot for Rudolph.
We do have one other exciting/sad Christmas happening. The little foster man is with his family for Christmas! Well not his parents but his extended family. So that is great! But of course we miss him.
So he got all excited and went shopping a few different times, which is strange for him. I was pretty excited because I was finally going to have a surprise under the tree this year (like I was a kid again).
Well this past week, he has told me everything he bought me! No, I didn't ask. I didn't weasle it out of him. He just couldn't keep a secret. He said he doesn't like to keep secrets from me. Weird huh? He even showed me my stocking stuff.
Plus, I wrapped all my presents from my mom with her. My dad asks exactly what we want and buys that. The hubby's parents usually keep it pretty low key for Christmas presents.
But I am excited to see the Babe on Christmas morning. He asked Santa for scooter and I called him last week to put in the order. The Babe is actually getting the whole Santa concept this year and it's fun! We're going to put out cookies for Santa and probably buy a carrot for Rudolph.
We do have one other exciting/sad Christmas happening. The little foster man is with his family for Christmas! Well not his parents but his extended family. So that is great! But of course we miss him.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Tis The Season To Be...... Greedy?
Today I was putting gas into my car when I noticed a woman had pulled in behind me. She got out of her car then when she saw me get back into my car to wait for the gas to finish, she got back into her car and watched me. I was a little nervous because it was obvious that she was watching me! When my gas finished and I got out to put the pump away, she jumped out of her car and ran over to me. She had a sad story about how she left her ATM card at home and wondered if I would help her.
Let me just stop here and say that since we've lived here in Vegas, I don't know how many times this has happened! Almost every time we get gas, sometimes in the parking lot at the store, I even was approached while stopped at a stoplight by a man walking in between cars asking for money. These aren't just men or homeless people. It's all sorts of people. I've been approached by black, white, Hispanic, women with children, men, shabby looking, nicely dressed, old, young sometimes they'll even just send their kids over.
Now let's give some of them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps some of them really are in need.
But none of them come across that way! When I'm approached, I feel threatened, scared, offended, nervous, and anything but charitable. When I turn them down, I feel bad. Yes, we could afford to give a few dollars to them but ultimately how do I know if they are going to go buy the gas with it or go buy drugs or whatever?
And really let's be honest, most of them are just scamming. This just irks me to the core. Why do they think they are better than me enough that they don't have to work for a living? I don't understand how they think it's ok to lie to people for money.
I would support any business who wouldn't allow this kind of behavior especially a gas station. I put myself in this woman's situation. Let's say I go to the gas station and oops I forgot my debt card and my cell phone (and my car doesn't have enough gas to get me home pffft like that happens). I would probably go inside the store and ask to use the phone to call my husband. Since we only have one car, he would have to ask a friend or neighbor to take him to give me some money. But I wouldn't even think to ask a stranger for money, even a couple of dollars.
Just to finish the first story, I told the woman I didn't have any money and quickly left. It was true, I don't carry cash. After I left, I thought I could have done 3 things: told her the truth and left, gone into the store and got her some cash from my atm card, or offered for her to use my card while she pumped the gas into her car. But if I'd have done either of the ones I didn't, she could have killed me. I didn't know her. She could have stole my credit card or done any number of things I don't even want to think of. Yes, I felt threatened.
So my question is: how do you determine when to give and when to run the other way?
Let me just stop here and say that since we've lived here in Vegas, I don't know how many times this has happened! Almost every time we get gas, sometimes in the parking lot at the store, I even was approached while stopped at a stoplight by a man walking in between cars asking for money. These aren't just men or homeless people. It's all sorts of people. I've been approached by black, white, Hispanic, women with children, men, shabby looking, nicely dressed, old, young sometimes they'll even just send their kids over.
Now let's give some of them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps some of them really are in need.
But none of them come across that way! When I'm approached, I feel threatened, scared, offended, nervous, and anything but charitable. When I turn them down, I feel bad. Yes, we could afford to give a few dollars to them but ultimately how do I know if they are going to go buy the gas with it or go buy drugs or whatever?
And really let's be honest, most of them are just scamming. This just irks me to the core. Why do they think they are better than me enough that they don't have to work for a living? I don't understand how they think it's ok to lie to people for money.
I would support any business who wouldn't allow this kind of behavior especially a gas station. I put myself in this woman's situation. Let's say I go to the gas station and oops I forgot my debt card and my cell phone (and my car doesn't have enough gas to get me home pffft like that happens). I would probably go inside the store and ask to use the phone to call my husband. Since we only have one car, he would have to ask a friend or neighbor to take him to give me some money. But I wouldn't even think to ask a stranger for money, even a couple of dollars.
Just to finish the first story, I told the woman I didn't have any money and quickly left. It was true, I don't carry cash. After I left, I thought I could have done 3 things: told her the truth and left, gone into the store and got her some cash from my atm card, or offered for her to use my card while she pumped the gas into her car. But if I'd have done either of the ones I didn't, she could have killed me. I didn't know her. She could have stole my credit card or done any number of things I don't even want to think of. Yes, I felt threatened.
So my question is: how do you determine when to give and when to run the other way?
Welcome to the Bad Parents Club *UPDATED*
We have officially joined the ranks of the Bad Parents Club.
My hubby has made us permanent members.
This morning, I went to get the Babe his cereal for breakfast (no I don't make bacon and eggs for him for breakfast) and he got really excited. Apparently, this weekend when I sent the hubby off to get groceries while I did some Christmas shopping, he found it appropriate to buy the Babe some of that nasty, sugar-coated, stain your clothes colored, overpriced cereal. You know the one that has some sugary, crunchy, berry, nasty name and of course a favorite cartoon character on it. What a way to start out the day? Who actually feeds their kids this? I'm sure my sister-in-law would throw a fit (if she were reading this)!
I guess we were borderline members when we admited that we take him to the playplace at a fast food chain and let him play there (and collect all those wonderful germs).
And yes, members of the bad parents club don't make/buy their children advent calendars either. It's a disgrace.
Update: The Babe was playing with his piggy bank this morning and he said, "Mom, I'm going to give these pennies to those who don't have any pennies." I thought that was very cute and I'm going to take him to Walmart to let him give his pennies to the bell ringer guy. So perhaps we'll hold off on going to Bad Parents Annonymous for a while.
My hubby has made us permanent members.
This morning, I went to get the Babe his cereal for breakfast (no I don't make bacon and eggs for him for breakfast) and he got really excited. Apparently, this weekend when I sent the hubby off to get groceries while I did some Christmas shopping, he found it appropriate to buy the Babe some of that nasty, sugar-coated, stain your clothes colored, overpriced cereal. You know the one that has some sugary, crunchy, berry, nasty name and of course a favorite cartoon character on it. What a way to start out the day? Who actually feeds their kids this? I'm sure my sister-in-law would throw a fit (if she were reading this)!
I guess we were borderline members when we admited that we take him to the playplace at a fast food chain and let him play there (and collect all those wonderful germs).
And yes, members of the bad parents club don't make/buy their children advent calendars either. It's a disgrace.
Update: The Babe was playing with his piggy bank this morning and he said, "Mom, I'm going to give these pennies to those who don't have any pennies." I thought that was very cute and I'm going to take him to Walmart to let him give his pennies to the bell ringer guy. So perhaps we'll hold off on going to Bad Parents Annonymous for a while.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Babe's Weirdness
Conversations from today:
"Hey mom?"
"What?"
"I can't find my thing."
"What thing?"
"My Thing. It's lost."
"Where is it?"
"It's in there."
"Go get it."
"But it's lost. It's my Thing!"
*******************************************
The hubby and I are finishing dinner and look over to see the Babe standing on the couch in order to reach on top of the bookcase.
"What are you doing standing on the couch?"
"I'm just looking at the binkie that's up here on top of the bookcase."
"Ok well leave it alone."
Two seconds later, "Do you have the binkie?"
His hand immediately goes behind his back and he says, "No."
Hmmmmmm, you think he had it?
"Hey mom?"
"What?"
"I can't find my thing."
"What thing?"
"My Thing. It's lost."
"Where is it?"
"It's in there."
"Go get it."
"But it's lost. It's my Thing!"
*******************************************
The hubby and I are finishing dinner and look over to see the Babe standing on the couch in order to reach on top of the bookcase.
"What are you doing standing on the couch?"
"I'm just looking at the binkie that's up here on top of the bookcase."
"Ok well leave it alone."
Two seconds later, "Do you have the binkie?"
His hand immediately goes behind his back and he says, "No."
Hmmmmmm, you think he had it?
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
School Lock Down
I recently became aware that one of the schools in our neighborhood had a lock down the other day. I didn't know what a lock down was until my mom informed me. It's incase someone comes into the school with a gun or there is other danger to the children where they would need to be locked into their classrooms not evacuated.
She has to do regular lockdown drills along with her fire drills and tornado drills. She explained the procedure in her school. They lock the doors to their classrooms, take the children away from windows and shield the children with the teachers. Also, they slide a green card under their door if all their students are inside the classroom or a red card if any of the students are in another classroom or the bathroom. I think that police are stationed at all the entrances to the school.
This new lockdown procedure is a little controversial in that parents are saying it scares the students. I could not imagine being a 5 year old and being told to huddle in the corner while my teacher shielded me with her body for more than 5 minutes without being scared to death. But I, as an adult, understand the need. There are so many dangers that our children are facing in schools that I didn't have to face when I was in school.
Let me explain about the lockdown that happened in my neighborhood the other day. I guess a man who lived across the street from the school went crazy and told police he was going to shoot up the neighborhood.
I read an article just barely about how high schools are doing surprise lockdowns. They are using them to search the school for drugs, and weapons. Interestingly enough, they give the student an "amnesty period" where students can turn in their drugs and weapons without being prosecuted. I think this defeats the purpose of doing them in the first place. But this is the quote that I thought was interesting.
How sad is it that our children have to face these things every day! It just scares me to death that people are shooting kids and that children are bringing weapons to school and shooting each other. I'm so glad that I'm not a kid anymore but I really fear for my children. It's so hard to just be a kid anymore. Especially when you're faced with things like this.
She has to do regular lockdown drills along with her fire drills and tornado drills. She explained the procedure in her school. They lock the doors to their classrooms, take the children away from windows and shield the children with the teachers. Also, they slide a green card under their door if all their students are inside the classroom or a red card if any of the students are in another classroom or the bathroom. I think that police are stationed at all the entrances to the school.
This new lockdown procedure is a little controversial in that parents are saying it scares the students. I could not imagine being a 5 year old and being told to huddle in the corner while my teacher shielded me with her body for more than 5 minutes without being scared to death. But I, as an adult, understand the need. There are so many dangers that our children are facing in schools that I didn't have to face when I was in school.
Let me explain about the lockdown that happened in my neighborhood the other day. I guess a man who lived across the street from the school went crazy and told police he was going to shoot up the neighborhood.
I read an article just barely about how high schools are doing surprise lockdowns. They are using them to search the school for drugs, and weapons. Interestingly enough, they give the student an "amnesty period" where students can turn in their drugs and weapons without being prosecuted. I think this defeats the purpose of doing them in the first place. But this is the quote that I thought was interesting.
"In the past two years, students have taken advantage of the amnesty period. They have turned in numerous items, including two firearms, an electric stun gun, more than 100 knives or bladed weapons, more than 200 types of unlawful prescription medication, alcohol, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pagers, and small quantities of such illegal drugs as marijuana and ecstasy. Tennessee state law prohibits pagers on school campuses."
How sad is it that our children have to face these things every day! It just scares me to death that people are shooting kids and that children are bringing weapons to school and shooting each other. I'm so glad that I'm not a kid anymore but I really fear for my children. It's so hard to just be a kid anymore. Especially when you're faced with things like this.
Monday, December 11, 2006
1 Month Old Letter
Little Man,
Today you are 1 month old. I can not believe how big you are getting! We've had you in our home for 2 weeks now and my how you've grown. You are such a good baby. It's hard to believe how good you are. Unlike my own children, you hardly ever cry, you don't spit up at all and you are a cuddler. You'll let me cuddle you all day long.
You haven't started smiling for real yet but you often smile and laugh while your sleeping. It's very cute! You also sleep with your eyes open sometimes. It's very creepy.
We are so happy to have you in our home and family. You bring so much joy to our lives! I feel so sad at times that the choices your mother made will affect your life so much. I hope and pray that you will be able to live a normal life. We really hope that your parents will be able to take care of your someday. I think they care for you a lot.
We want you to know that we love you. That we will be here to take care of your for however long you are with us. It scares us that they could call us tomorrow and take you away. But we understand how important it is to be with your family and we hope that that will happen soon.
Love,
Foster Mom and Dad
Today you are 1 month old. I can not believe how big you are getting! We've had you in our home for 2 weeks now and my how you've grown. You are such a good baby. It's hard to believe how good you are. Unlike my own children, you hardly ever cry, you don't spit up at all and you are a cuddler. You'll let me cuddle you all day long.
You haven't started smiling for real yet but you often smile and laugh while your sleeping. It's very cute! You also sleep with your eyes open sometimes. It's very creepy.
We are so happy to have you in our home and family. You bring so much joy to our lives! I feel so sad at times that the choices your mother made will affect your life so much. I hope and pray that you will be able to live a normal life. We really hope that your parents will be able to take care of your someday. I think they care for you a lot.
We want you to know that we love you. That we will be here to take care of your for however long you are with us. It scares us that they could call us tomorrow and take you away. But we understand how important it is to be with your family and we hope that that will happen soon.
Love,
Foster Mom and Dad
Saturday, December 09, 2006
The Babe's Swimming Trip
Today we put the Babe down for a nap late. You have to understand that we have a small window of time that we can put him down and he'll actually sleep. So if I put him down between 12:00 and 1:00, he'll usually sleep till 4:00 but if I wait until 2:00 he won't sleep at all. Then from 2:01 till I finally give up and go get him, I fight with him to go to sleep. So today was one of those days. Usually, this stresses me out but today the hubby was home so it wasn't bad.
Anyway when he doesn't nap, he plays with anything and everything he can find in his room. We don't keep toys in there but we leave books in there. He often "accidentally" pulls his curtains down and ends up playing with the curtain rods. He sometimes gets into his closet and finds old Halloween costumes or cowboy boots from when he was 6 months old.
To preface today's story, I need to tell the story from the store. I was sending the boys to the store to do some "secret shopping" for mommy and I let the hubby get the Babe dressed. He put him in these shorts that are labelled 2T but must be made for a gigantic 2Ter (lol). So I never dress him in those. I told the hubby but he didn't listen and went off to the store. The Babe hates wearing them because he has to continuously pull them up. I guess they were walking out of a crowded store and sure enough the Babe's pants fell down around his ankles. He's young enough that he didn't even understand and didn't miss a beat.
So they come home and we put him down for his non-nap. After his nap, the hubby noticed that his pants were on backwards. Whatever, perhaps I put them on backwards when I changed his diaper? When he went to change his diaper again, he said to me, "Honey did you change his shorts? These aren't the ones I put him in this morning."
The Babe answered, "No, I did. I was going swimming."
Anyway when he doesn't nap, he plays with anything and everything he can find in his room. We don't keep toys in there but we leave books in there. He often "accidentally" pulls his curtains down and ends up playing with the curtain rods. He sometimes gets into his closet and finds old Halloween costumes or cowboy boots from when he was 6 months old.
To preface today's story, I need to tell the story from the store. I was sending the boys to the store to do some "secret shopping" for mommy and I let the hubby get the Babe dressed. He put him in these shorts that are labelled 2T but must be made for a gigantic 2Ter (lol). So I never dress him in those. I told the hubby but he didn't listen and went off to the store. The Babe hates wearing them because he has to continuously pull them up. I guess they were walking out of a crowded store and sure enough the Babe's pants fell down around his ankles. He's young enough that he didn't even understand and didn't miss a beat.
So they come home and we put him down for his non-nap. After his nap, the hubby noticed that his pants were on backwards. Whatever, perhaps I put them on backwards when I changed his diaper? When he went to change his diaper again, he said to me, "Honey did you change his shorts? These aren't the ones I put him in this morning."
The Babe answered, "No, I did. I was going swimming."
Friday, December 08, 2006
Family Pictures
Today we got some family pictures made. We have a friend who's starting a little photography business. So she took them for us. We went to a hotel here and on their grounds they have some nice places to take pictures. The Babe loved it! We've taken him to lots of studio pictures and he does alright but he loved this! There were rocks to climb on and ponds to look at the fish in and all sorts of fun things. So inbetween his exploring we snapped pictures. lol. When we all got home, I sat everyone* on the couch for a picture with my camera. We get the semi-professional onces back tomorrow (I think). Plus, I got my hair cut today. I know you all noticed so I didn't have to tell you and I know you all think it's fabulous.
* I'm still not sure if I can put pictures of the foster baby on here. So we didn't have him pose in this picture.
* I'm still not sure if I can put pictures of the foster baby on here. So we didn't have him pose in this picture.
Christmas Bonus
Today the hubby brought home his Christmas Bonus from work. Yeahh! I love bonuses! So I need help. How should we spend it? It's about 1/2 of his regular paycheck he gets every 2 weeks. That probably doesn't tell you how much but you can guess. Here's our list of ideas so far (leave your ideas in the comments and I'll add them):
1. Save it (how boring lol)
2. Buy plane tickets for our 5th Anniversary Trip (to the midwest) next year.
3. Buy plane tickets to Hawaii.
4. The hubby suggested buying lots of necklaces and rings for me (he's totally kissing butt).
5. Pay off our incredibly low interest rate student loan (that's why we haven't paid it off yet is because the interest rate is so great).
6. Divide it up and do a little bit of #1, 4 and 5.
1. Save it (how boring lol)
2. Buy plane tickets for our 5th Anniversary Trip (to the midwest) next year.
3. Buy plane tickets to Hawaii.
4. The hubby suggested buying lots of necklaces and rings for me (he's totally kissing butt).
5. Pay off our incredibly low interest rate student loan (that's why we haven't paid it off yet is because the interest rate is so great).
6. Divide it up and do a little bit of #1, 4 and 5.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Gym Excitement
So I think I've decided to throw in the towel and get a gym membership. I've been dreading doing this since we moved here. I guess I'm excited about it now. The gym I'm joining has babysitting included! Now isn't that great! How many times a day and for how long can I drop them off?
Everyone I know here goes to a gym. There are cliques that revovle around which gym you go to and what time a day you go. If you don't go to the right gym, then count yourself out of that group of friends. Man, I didn't know the gym was such a social event.
I personally think that gym is a gross place where I don't want anyone that I know to see me at. But maybe that's why I haven't joined yet.
I also think it's silly to pay to go run on a treadmill when I can run outside for free (without anyone seeing me either). But the babysitting is key. Also, they have tons of t.v.'s to watch, a luxury we don't have. And they have a juice bar. So on days I'm not feeling like working out so much, I can drop the kids off at the daycare and go to the juice bar. On days I'm feeling like working out a lot, I can sit on a bike and watch t.v. and perhaps spin the wheel around a few times.
As you can tell, I'm not much of a worker-outer (yes that's a word). But I'm excited to join and see what happens. Maybe I can even get into one of those workout cliques.
Everyone I know here goes to a gym. There are cliques that revovle around which gym you go to and what time a day you go. If you don't go to the right gym, then count yourself out of that group of friends. Man, I didn't know the gym was such a social event.
I personally think that gym is a gross place where I don't want anyone that I know to see me at. But maybe that's why I haven't joined yet.
I also think it's silly to pay to go run on a treadmill when I can run outside for free (without anyone seeing me either). But the babysitting is key. Also, they have tons of t.v.'s to watch, a luxury we don't have. And they have a juice bar. So on days I'm not feeling like working out so much, I can drop the kids off at the daycare and go to the juice bar. On days I'm feeling like working out a lot, I can sit on a bike and watch t.v. and perhaps spin the wheel around a few times.
As you can tell, I'm not much of a worker-outer (yes that's a word). But I'm excited to join and see what happens. Maybe I can even get into one of those workout cliques.
Conversation with the Babe
Today we had the following conversation while I was trying to read blogs.
"Mom, mom, mom, mom, mooooooommmmmm."
"Honey just stop talking for like 2 mintues."
"Does it make you happy when I talk?"
"umm...no. Stop for a minute, I'm reading."
"Does it make you sad when I talk?"
"No. Just 1 minute?"
"Does it make you crazy?"
"YESSSSSSS!"
"Mom, mom, mom, mom, mooooooommmmmm."
"Honey just stop talking for like 2 mintues."
"Does it make you happy when I talk?"
"umm...no. Stop for a minute, I'm reading."
"Does it make you sad when I talk?"
"No. Just 1 minute?"
"Does it make you crazy?"
"YESSSSSSS!"
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
3 Month Old Letter to the Little Lady
Today you are 3 months old and my how big you're getting. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You are so alert and busy all day. Compared to the other kids, you keep me the most busy and you aren't even moving around yet.
You've started to smile and laugh a lot more lately. Your laugh is so cute! You'll get into these moods where anything we do just makes you laugh and laugh. It's very cute! I love to listen to your little baby jabber. You mimic the influctions we use in our voice to "try to talk". It's fun.
You really like to stand up and it almost makes us wonder if you will walk without crawling. Your eyes get really big and bright when you stand with assistance.
Your hair is growing weird so it just sticks straight up in the back. It's too fine to do anything with and I've tried glueing it down to no avail. So sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age but that's part of being a girl.
You are very interested in the new baby. At times, I think you get a little jealous but you love to study that baby and see what he's doing. You also love to watch your older brother. Anything he does whether it's playing with his toys or talking to you, you'll sit and watch him for a long time.
You slept through the night for the first time just yesterday. It was scary for us. Dad even went in and checked on you to make sure you were still breathing. But experience has taught us that you will grow up and sleep for entire nights (thankfully). I don't want you to grow up. I just want you to stay small and cute. The world is so harsh and mean sometimes; I just want to protect you by keeping you small.
We are hoping that now that you are 3 months old the crying will start to subside. You cry so much and I just want to help you but there is nothing I have found to comfort you except to hold you all day. But we think we're starting to figure out your schedule and maybe that's helping a little.
We want you to know how much we care for you and love you. We constantly worry about you and wonder what to do to best help you learn and grow properly. We worry about everything from what clothes you wear (at this age even) to what to feed you to what color your poop is. We really are trying to be good parents and we hope you can understand that.
Love,
Mom and Dad
You've started to smile and laugh a lot more lately. Your laugh is so cute! You'll get into these moods where anything we do just makes you laugh and laugh. It's very cute! I love to listen to your little baby jabber. You mimic the influctions we use in our voice to "try to talk". It's fun.
You really like to stand up and it almost makes us wonder if you will walk without crawling. Your eyes get really big and bright when you stand with assistance.
Your hair is growing weird so it just sticks straight up in the back. It's too fine to do anything with and I've tried glueing it down to no avail. So sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age but that's part of being a girl.
You are very interested in the new baby. At times, I think you get a little jealous but you love to study that baby and see what he's doing. You also love to watch your older brother. Anything he does whether it's playing with his toys or talking to you, you'll sit and watch him for a long time.
You slept through the night for the first time just yesterday. It was scary for us. Dad even went in and checked on you to make sure you were still breathing. But experience has taught us that you will grow up and sleep for entire nights (thankfully). I don't want you to grow up. I just want you to stay small and cute. The world is so harsh and mean sometimes; I just want to protect you by keeping you small.
We are hoping that now that you are 3 months old the crying will start to subside. You cry so much and I just want to help you but there is nothing I have found to comfort you except to hold you all day. But we think we're starting to figure out your schedule and maybe that's helping a little.
We want you to know how much we care for you and love you. We constantly worry about you and wonder what to do to best help you learn and grow properly. We worry about everything from what clothes you wear (at this age even) to what to feed you to what color your poop is. We really are trying to be good parents and we hope you can understand that.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Monday, December 04, 2006
Tales of the Banished Stool
About a year ago, I bought my son a stool. I'm not quite sure what drugs I was taking at the time of purchasing the stool but I surely wasn't thinking clearly. There was no need in buying it, I think I just saw it and thought it was cute.
This stool has since been banished. Permanently.
The stool is the Babe's favorite way of getting anything and everything he wants that I've put up from him. He uses it to help him climb up on the counter to get anything he can't reach by just standing on the stool itself.
Now in my drug induced terrible purchasing moment, I didn't even buy a nice-plastic-oooops-this-broke-so-now-we-have-to-throw-it-away stool. I bought a sturdy-this-is-going-to-last-50-years-wooden stool. This also presents it's challenges. The stool has crushed many a toes and hands in it's short lived life. Sorry but it's me or stool.
He carries it from room to room in the house searching for contraband I've hidden from him. Well I'll teach him. I've hidden the stool now as contraband.
This stool has since been banished. Permanently.
The stool is the Babe's favorite way of getting anything and everything he wants that I've put up from him. He uses it to help him climb up on the counter to get anything he can't reach by just standing on the stool itself.
Now in my drug induced terrible purchasing moment, I didn't even buy a nice-plastic-oooops-this-broke-so-now-we-have-to-throw-it-away stool. I bought a sturdy-this-is-going-to-last-50-years-wooden stool. This also presents it's challenges. The stool has crushed many a toes and hands in it's short lived life. Sorry but it's me or stool.
He carries it from room to room in the house searching for contraband I've hidden from him. Well I'll teach him. I've hidden the stool now as contraband.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Simplifying Christmas
Today at church we had a lesson on Christmas. They asked the question of whether as a child you remember the presents or the traditions or what? In my thoughts, I remember lots of things.
One big thing was how every year we picked a family and did the 12 days of Christmas for them. If you're not familiar with this, you drop off a gift anonymously every day starting 12 days before Christmas usually with a theme of the day number equaling the amount of whatever you give. For example on the 12th day you drop off 12 eggs or whatever. I remember the memories of the strategies of not getting caught and the families whom we served.
Another tradition I remember is cutting our tree down every year. Each year we would drive up the canyon, take our hacksaw wood saw and tromp through the snow to cut our tree. We'd want to climb up a tree 6 feet and cut the top off a bigger tree but my parents wouldn't let us. So we'd walk miles and miles so we could find a Charlie Brown Tree the Perfect tree. Then we'd drag it back and tie it to the top of our van for the hour drive home. It was quite an experience. As a married adult, I helped my mom cut a tree for her. Of course it was a total disaster trip but we enjoyed the journey.
Anyway, the lesson encouraged us to focus less on the material part of Christmas and enjoy the traditions and memory making experiences instead. Basically encouraging us to simplify our Christmas. It's not about who gets what or really even what you get. It's about how you feel and the memories you collect.
One tradition the hubby and I have started which we're excited about is we each fill a stocking for each other. It's more of a game. We have rules. You're allowed to spend $10 (no more!). And the fun part is you're supposed to try to buy 10 things to put into the stocking. This one started one year when we were poor (please note we still are poor but we were poorer) and I wanted to do stockings for the hubby and I. So I went and bought $10 in stuff for each of us and ended up with 10 things each. And no we don't go to the dollar store to do this, we go to a very large, popular, somewhat controversial retailer.
So I just might say I'm done Christmas shopping for my kids and just wrap up what I have so I can focus on the experiences. Then I'd go bake.
One big thing was how every year we picked a family and did the 12 days of Christmas for them. If you're not familiar with this, you drop off a gift anonymously every day starting 12 days before Christmas usually with a theme of the day number equaling the amount of whatever you give. For example on the 12th day you drop off 12 eggs or whatever. I remember the memories of the strategies of not getting caught and the families whom we served.
Another tradition I remember is cutting our tree down every year. Each year we would drive up the canyon, take our
Anyway, the lesson encouraged us to focus less on the material part of Christmas and enjoy the traditions and memory making experiences instead. Basically encouraging us to simplify our Christmas. It's not about who gets what or really even what you get. It's about how you feel and the memories you collect.
One tradition the hubby and I have started which we're excited about is we each fill a stocking for each other. It's more of a game. We have rules. You're allowed to spend $10 (no more!). And the fun part is you're supposed to try to buy 10 things to put into the stocking. This one started one year when we were poor (please note we still are poor but we were poorer) and I wanted to do stockings for the hubby and I. So I went and bought $10 in stuff for each of us and ended up with 10 things each. And no we don't go to the dollar store to do this, we go to a very large, popular, somewhat controversial retailer.
So I just might say I'm done Christmas shopping for my kids and just wrap up what I have so I can focus on the experiences. Then I'd go bake.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Shopping Bliss
Today we went shopping at a rather large, well known, often controversial retailer. We often go there on weekends. Today was our first excursion with 3 children shopping. Of course it's the first Saturday of December so the store was very very busy. I told the hubby to let me go by myself. But we trooped out with the Little Lady in a sling straped to me, the New Baby Boy (I still haven't found a name for him on my blog...see the new poll) in his car seat in the cart and the Babe running around touching everything in sight. At one point, the Babe ran down past all the checkouts from the bathroom to where the hubby was checking out and everyone kept looking at me waiting for me to freak out.
Anyway I'm rambling. Today we went through the same checkstand as we did the last time. That is the sloooowwwwwwwest. line. ever! The poor lady knows she is slow but still continues to check. The one who everyone ditches out of her line after waiting half a lifetime in order to get out of the store before their 100th birthday. Ok so maybe that's a little bit dramatic. But seriously lady can you be any slower?
The hubby brought it to my attention last time that she ties a knot in the bag that the eggs are in. Does this really help them not break? Today he brought it to my attention that she double bags anything that may: break, be eaten, is large, has the color green on it, or is oddly shaped (which takes her an hour to get into 2 of those bags).
So we have come up with a system to solve our checkstand issues. We think they should get each checker a rating in stars on how fast they are at getting people through. Then to promote a lively competition and encourage them to be fast, they should have a jumbotron with a scoreboard on it. This would tell you live stats on who is the fastest checker at that time, which line they are checking at and which lines to avoid (see story of cashier above). Another incentive they should do is have them wear a little badge around that shows how many stars they have and one for the fastest that says, "I'm the fastest checker. Who are you?"
Anyway I'm rambling. Today we went through the same checkstand as we did the last time. That is the sloooowwwwwwwest. line. ever! The poor lady knows she is slow but still continues to check. The one who everyone ditches out of her line after waiting half a lifetime in order to get out of the store before their 100th birthday. Ok so maybe that's a little bit dramatic. But seriously lady can you be any slower?
The hubby brought it to my attention last time that she ties a knot in the bag that the eggs are in. Does this really help them not break? Today he brought it to my attention that she double bags anything that may: break, be eaten, is large, has the color green on it, or is oddly shaped (which takes her an hour to get into 2 of those bags).
So we have come up with a system to solve our checkstand issues. We think they should get each checker a rating in stars on how fast they are at getting people through. Then to promote a lively competition and encourage them to be fast, they should have a jumbotron with a scoreboard on it. This would tell you live stats on who is the fastest checker at that time, which line they are checking at and which lines to avoid (see story of cashier above). Another incentive they should do is have them wear a little badge around that shows how many stars they have and one for the fastest that says, "I'm the fastest checker. Who are you?"
Friday, December 01, 2006
The Choices Parents Make
Today I was reflecting on how much of an impact the choices we, as parents, make have on our children. I mean every choice we make has some sort of impact on our children. Whether it's a good impact or a negative impact is up for judgment. But there are some obvious ones in my opinion.
I find that when I am busy and don't pay attention to my children as much as a should that the Babe gets into things he's not supposed to. Because I give him my consent without listening to him.
I was on the phone and he ask me if he could have a piece of candy. I said ya sure whatever you want (meaning leave me alone) and sure enough he did (both leave me alone and eat candy). This is teaching my son that mommy is too busy to pay attention to what he is saying and that if he asks me questions while on the phone he can get away with anything. I need to address this by telling him I am on the phone and to wait until I am finished to ask mommy questions.
The hubby reminded me that being a parent is one choice that you are never relieved of. You maybe able to get a divorce or even give your children up for adoption but you will still always be a biological mother to someone.
It really makes you think about taking the responsibility of parenting so lightly. Especially when you aren't even old enough to take care of yourself.
I find that when I am busy and don't pay attention to my children as much as a should that the Babe gets into things he's not supposed to. Because I give him my consent without listening to him.
I was on the phone and he ask me if he could have a piece of candy. I said ya sure whatever you want (meaning leave me alone) and sure enough he did (both leave me alone and eat candy). This is teaching my son that mommy is too busy to pay attention to what he is saying and that if he asks me questions while on the phone he can get away with anything. I need to address this by telling him I am on the phone and to wait until I am finished to ask mommy questions.
The hubby reminded me that being a parent is one choice that you are never relieved of. You maybe able to get a divorce or even give your children up for adoption but you will still always be a biological mother to someone.
It really makes you think about taking the responsibility of parenting so lightly. Especially when you aren't even old enough to take care of yourself.
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