My little guy is growing up. And he's so very cute.
Last Sunday after church Ashton heard Aaron and I talking to each other about how good Sadie did in nursery (for the first time; third time is a charm). I guess this was news to Ashton that Sadie didn't stay with us in "big church." He got excited about Sadie going to "baby church all by herself," and volunteered, "me go to my Sunday school class all by MYself -- no Grandpa go." (Up to this point, Ashton only goes to Sunday school on days that my dad volunteers in Ashton's class.)
So today I informed Ashton that tomorrow is Sunday and that Grandpa wasn't going to be at Sunday school. Lo and behold, Ashton was still excited, yes, excited about going! He brought it up again, so it must have something to do about Sadie going to her class all by herself that makes him feel as though he can do it too. This is monumental!
This evening as we were reading books before bed, I asked Ashton if he remembered his verse from Sunday school last week. After I gave him the first word, he was able to finish. "Hear the Word of God and obey it." He takes his sweet time with the first half of the verse, obviously trying to recite the words, but when he gets to "obey it," he says it with such enthusiasm -- "ooooooooobeyit." I can just hear the teachers helping the kids memorize it! I don't know which is more cute -- the way he says the verse or the fact that my little boy is memorizing Scripture.
Finally, as he was going to the bathroom one last time before bed, I asked Ashton if they had an offering in his Sunday school class. He just looked at me and said, "ouring"? Evidently I wasn't ringing any bells. Realizing that a preschool Sunday school class obviously doesn't have an offering similar to the one I am used to, I asked, "is there somewhere where you can put money to give to Jesus"? A light bulb went off in Ashton's head as he explained to me that the way it works is you "take money out of the bowl and put it in a bag to give to Jesus." I have no idea how accurate of a description that was, or if there is more to the story, but at least I knew the answer to my question. Ashton has always been free with his money, offering to buy the candy he wants from Canyopolis, etc., so I knew he would be excited when I suggested that he could take some of his money to Sunday school with him to give to Jesus. Sure enough, he ran to his wallet to get some coins out. I was in the kitchen and he came out and said, "Jesus in the Bible? Jesus in heaven?" Obviously there was a disconnect as to how the money he was giving to Jesus was going to get to Jesus! My heart already melting, I sat down right there on the kitchen tile. "Come here, let me tell you how it works." He jumped into my lap, "okay," grinning, eager to learn as always. "Yes, Jesus is in heaven. The reason we give money to Jesus is because He has given us everything we have (toys, clothes, food, house, etc.) and it is kind of us to share something with Jesus in return -- to tell him thank you. And Jesus will take the money you give and will use it to help poor people who don't have very much." Ashton let out an "oooooooohhhh," (as he does so often these days whenever I answer his "whys...?"), kind of like a high school student finally understanding an algebraic equation after much perplexity. He then got up off of my lap and ran to his wallet saying, "me go get one more money to give to Jesus." I felt the great big smile on my face and my heart going pitter-patter, as I thought "this is what it's all about."
For now, I'll continue to pray that Ashton's request to see the empty tomb isn't a sign of future scepticism! Oh how I look forward to the day that Ashton understands his sinfulness and accepts Jesus' gift of eternal life...I pray.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Who Couldn't Use Another Pair?
In case you haven't already heard, here is a coupon for a free Jockey panty at Macy's.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
I'm Struggling
As I sat in the recliner in Sadie's room last night rocking her asleep, I felt her tiny cool breath on me as she exhaled. She was asleep and the only light in the room was the moon shining through the blinds. Yet it was just enough for me to see her silhouette. I was saddened at the realization that Sadie is getting big. She's not my "little baby" any more. She talks (okay hollers), laughs at jokes, is smart (understands no and pushes the limits anyway), and is getting tall! Especially now that I can compare how far Ashton has come since the day he was born, I can see how Sadie is quickly on the road to being as big as Ashton. It makes me sad that soon I will not be rocking her, holding her as she sleeps. Aaron often jokes around with Ashton asking him if he will still (fill in the blank) when he's in high school; I suppose Aaron talking like that doesn't help me.
Plus I wish I had more time alone with Ashton.
Plus I wish I had more time alone with Ashton.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Oh dear God...
Today I don't know whether I want to scream or cry.
The Kansas Gas Service bill arrived in the mail today: $414.70. I could explain, but it won't make any difference now. The bottom line is $414.70.
God help us...
The Kansas Gas Service bill arrived in the mail today: $414.70. I could explain, but it won't make any difference now. The bottom line is $414.70.
God help us...
Friday, March 14, 2008
AGHHHH!!!
I just want to scream!
It is 11:30pm and I still need to shower before bed, but I can't help but vent.
Background: Last year the case of Hanna Polling vs. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, in which the plaintiff’s parents claimed that vaccines contributed to their child’s autism, was settled in favor of the plaintiff. March 6, 2008, Larry King interviewed the parents of the nine-year-old child who developed symptoms of autism shortly after receiving nine vaccines at her 19-month checkup.
Today: The AAP released a statement to address the recent controversy on vaccines and autism. It began with a discussion on what autism is and what the theoretical causes may be, along with reassurance that there is no evidence of any connection between vaccines and autism. The policy went on to explain what mitochondrial disease is and how this may have played a role in the Hannah Polling case. It concluded with a discussion on the overall safety and benefits of vaccines and urged parents to continue to vaccinate as usual.
I understand the risks associated with the diseases, and I understand that the rate of the diseases being manifest has gone down since the introduction of vaccines, but what I don't understand is the research that shows vaccines have some very rare but potentially serious side effects (because there are some). And there is a bit of research that shows there may be a link between autism and vaccines in some children, as the Hannah Polling case reflects.
Or perhaps what I should say is I don't understand how the AAP expects me to go along with them and stick my head in the sand. I mean, at least acknowledge the above mentioned research. Preferably, disprove the disturbing research or come up with an explaination. But don't demean me for having questions that no one has answered (especially when it comes to the welfare of my children)! When the AAP discredits or ignores all the real true-to-life stories like Hanna's instead of acknowledging the repeated correlation of vaccines and autism, I feel as though I can't believe a word that comes from their mouths!
Aghh, the same goes for the the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. After the release of "The Business of Being Born," (a new documentary by former talk show host Ricki Lake that explores various methods of childbirth) and a national campaign to license more midwives to preside over births at home in an effort to lower the chances of unneeded surgery, ACOG reiterated "its long-standing opposition to home births...ACOG acknowledges a woman's right to make informed decisions regarding her delivery and to have a choice in choosing her health care provider, but ACOG does not support programs that advocate for, or individuals who provide, home births...Childbirth decisions should not be dictated or influenced by what's fashionable, trendy, or the latest cause célèbre."
I understand the risks and complications that can suddenly arise during pregnancy and labor. And I understand that hospitals are more prepared for emergencies. But I also understand that there are risks for choosing to deliver in a hospital as opposed to at a freestanding birth center or at home (i.e. germs and the like, unnecessary surgery, complications of surgery)! Does ACOG really expect me to stick my head in the sand? How dare they disgrace me for taking all things into consideration. I want to be the one to make the best decision for me (which isn't the same for everyone), and I can't do that if they go and make statements like that. (When ACOG says it does not "support programs that advocate for home births" they are essentially disallowing an MD to collaborate with a homebirth midwife. I might as well say goodbye all homebirth CNM's. Not to mention obstetricians and gynecologists have a personal interest in their "position statement" -- more business for themselves; hardly objective.)
I just don't get it.
It is 11:30pm and I still need to shower before bed, but I can't help but vent.
Background: Last year the case of Hanna Polling vs. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, in which the plaintiff’s parents claimed that vaccines contributed to their child’s autism, was settled in favor of the plaintiff. March 6, 2008, Larry King interviewed the parents of the nine-year-old child who developed symptoms of autism shortly after receiving nine vaccines at her 19-month checkup.
Today: The AAP released a statement to address the recent controversy on vaccines and autism. It began with a discussion on what autism is and what the theoretical causes may be, along with reassurance that there is no evidence of any connection between vaccines and autism. The policy went on to explain what mitochondrial disease is and how this may have played a role in the Hannah Polling case. It concluded with a discussion on the overall safety and benefits of vaccines and urged parents to continue to vaccinate as usual.
I understand the risks associated with the diseases, and I understand that the rate of the diseases being manifest has gone down since the introduction of vaccines, but what I don't understand is the research that shows vaccines have some very rare but potentially serious side effects (because there are some). And there is a bit of research that shows there may be a link between autism and vaccines in some children, as the Hannah Polling case reflects.
Or perhaps what I should say is I don't understand how the AAP expects me to go along with them and stick my head in the sand. I mean, at least acknowledge the above mentioned research. Preferably, disprove the disturbing research or come up with an explaination. But don't demean me for having questions that no one has answered (especially when it comes to the welfare of my children)! When the AAP discredits or ignores all the real true-to-life stories like Hanna's instead of acknowledging the repeated correlation of vaccines and autism, I feel as though I can't believe a word that comes from their mouths!
Aghh, the same goes for the the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. After the release of "The Business of Being Born," (a new documentary by former talk show host Ricki Lake that explores various methods of childbirth) and a national campaign to license more midwives to preside over births at home in an effort to lower the chances of unneeded surgery, ACOG reiterated "its long-standing opposition to home births...ACOG acknowledges a woman's right to make informed decisions regarding her delivery and to have a choice in choosing her health care provider, but ACOG does not support programs that advocate for, or individuals who provide, home births...Childbirth decisions should not be dictated or influenced by what's fashionable, trendy, or the latest cause célèbre."
I understand the risks and complications that can suddenly arise during pregnancy and labor. And I understand that hospitals are more prepared for emergencies. But I also understand that there are risks for choosing to deliver in a hospital as opposed to at a freestanding birth center or at home (i.e. germs and the like, unnecessary surgery, complications of surgery)! Does ACOG really expect me to stick my head in the sand? How dare they disgrace me for taking all things into consideration. I want to be the one to make the best decision for me (which isn't the same for everyone), and I can't do that if they go and make statements like that. (When ACOG says it does not "support programs that advocate for home births" they are essentially disallowing an MD to collaborate with a homebirth midwife. I might as well say goodbye all homebirth CNM's. Not to mention obstetricians and gynecologists have a personal interest in their "position statement" -- more business for themselves; hardly objective.)
I just don't get it.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Bad Day
I had a bad day. Okay, a bad half-of-a-day. But it was a BAD half-of-a-day. Both of the kids are half well / half sick. Sadie is strong willed, I tell you -- she gets cranky and more determined when I tell her "no." And she's only 8 months old! I can't believe it -- the 8-month-old was more testing than the 3-year-old. So between her being half sick and challenging, I spent my entire afternoon changing poopy diapers, scrubbing poopy clothes, telling Sadie she couldn't pull my hair only for her to try harder, distracting a strong-willed Sadie from pulling my hair, only to do it over and over and over again. Aaron also got home late from work (I knew he would be 1.5 hours late, but not 2.5 hours). At one point, Sadie was crying, Ashton was crying (because he was being disciplined for hurting Sadie), and I was crying. I so desperately wanted to get out of the house and be by myself. I don't know if I'm cut out for this Mommy business (a little late now, hunh?). Do I REALLY want more kids??
I had a whole other post I have been wanting to write, but haven't gotten around to. And I am still not going to discuss it in great detail right now, but it HAS TO BE related to my day today -- I am so out of touch with God and our relationship is mostly historical. Therefore, I am unintentionally depending on Aaron to make me happy and/or complete, instead of getting that from God. And this has to do with my day today because when I am not in communion with God I am able to see the devastating consequences. I am disappointed in myself for the way I acted today, for the way I lost my calm, and for the things I said. I am sorry and need to ask for forgiveness. And I am convinced again that I can not do "it" on my own -- I am in need of my Savior.
I had a whole other post I have been wanting to write, but haven't gotten around to. And I am still not going to discuss it in great detail right now, but it HAS TO BE related to my day today -- I am so out of touch with God and our relationship is mostly historical. Therefore, I am unintentionally depending on Aaron to make me happy and/or complete, instead of getting that from God. And this has to do with my day today because when I am not in communion with God I am able to see the devastating consequences. I am disappointed in myself for the way I acted today, for the way I lost my calm, and for the things I said. I am sorry and need to ask for forgiveness. And I am convinced again that I can not do "it" on my own -- I am in need of my Savior.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Those Two...
Today was a like a warm summer breeze -- something I only long for. Notice I said like -- there certainly was no warm summer breeze, but something else I usually only long for happened! Today the kids played pleasantly for nearly 30 minutes straight. The toys that we've accumulated over the last three years finally entertained the kids (rather than me being their source of entertainment), nobody got hurt (thus allowing me to remain seated for such an "extened" period of time), and nobody picked on anybody else or whined or complained about anybody else. Halleluiah!!!
However, it did amuse me that what kept Ashton enertained were Sadie's toys.
And what kept Sadie happy were Ashton's toys.
Don't ask me what I did during those 30 minutes; it's disappointing how I savored the time as my own. (I applied shoe polish to my hubby's shoes.) But that's not the point -- the 30 minutes is what's noteworthy.
However, it did amuse me that what kept Ashton enertained were Sadie's toys.
And what kept Sadie happy were Ashton's toys.Don't ask me what I did during those 30 minutes; it's disappointing how I savored the time as my own. (I applied shoe polish to my hubby's shoes.) But that's not the point -- the 30 minutes is what's noteworthy.That Sadie girl -- I swear -- every day she does a little bit more than she did the day before. She's been climbing anything and everything in order to stand up. Then, she's refined a little more the getting/falling down process. Yesterday, I found her literally going through and emptying out her toy box! Now today, she's actually (slowly and wobbly) moving along the object that's holding her up (i.e. coffe table), and going back and forth between it and whatever is nearby it (i.e. walking toy), always holding on to one or the other. This evening she went up 5 or 6 stairs before tiring out! Now if only I could get her to advance in the eating department! We did the rice cereal for a while, moved on to oatmeal (which I personally would much rather have), but because it gave her terrible diaper rash, we are now back to the rice cereal (1-2 T once a day). Now that the diaper rash is gone, I am afraid to present anything new! Perhaps I should give her cereal more often so she 1. can grow and get the nutrients she needs and 2. get better at this eating from a spoon thing! Duh.
And Ashton. Let's just say that his memory verse from Sunday school sums up our latest challenge. 2 Timothy 2:24 "Be kind to everyone." Yesterday Ashton bit his sister's ear. I was so mad at him -- perhaps the maddest ever. Had he bitten her ear any harder, we would have been in the ER. Fortunately, it only left teeth marks and varying shades of purple, pink, and red. And I'm trying to get him to not be so bossy and demanding. I've let it go on for a while now, because at first I was just happy to be able to understand him and communicate with him. Now we're practicing asking for things by saying, "May I ... please?" Lord help us. The other day we were at the library when Ashton saw Kyler. You know -- the Kyler -- the one who reads books and plays his guitar for children all over town, i.e. the library, the Toy Store, my father-in-law's church, etc. (Come to think of it, hiring Kyler to headline a child's birthday party might not be a bad idea.) Anyway, either Ashton was starstruck or else he's more like his mom than I knew. He was shy and bashful. I could identify with Ashton. While other kids were running up to Kyler, Ashton followed my all-too-common mantra "only speak when spoken too." That was my observation...
I've found myself rejoicing today at a new sister in Christ. A 12 year-old girl who is a family friend of ours, has a softball size cancerous tumor in her inner ear. God is using the Christian girl's family to draw others to Himself. Check it out. So anyway, it's reminded me: measly little me is rejoicing; imagine how much more our Lord and the angels are rejoicing!!! Ahh...I love it!!!
Random news. My left wrist hurts again from shoveling. I'm reminded that this is the wrist I fell on last year and sprained. No wonder. Walgreens went to uniforms...cracks me up seeing Aaron wearing the same royal blue dress shirt with Walgreens embroidery and matching neck tie (with the W emblem) every day. Ha ha ha. Sorry honey. I just don't get it -- a uniform dress shirt and tie?!?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Around Our House
We are going through another phase at the Belland house, or should I say zoo. One day Ashton wanted in baby Sadie's (there I go again -- calling her Baby Sadie, as if that was her proper name) crib. He climbed in and somebody brought it up that the crib is like a cage. Next thing I know, Ashton is pretending he's a caged giraffe. Well, that was at least a month ago and now here we are. Ashton no longer calls Sadie by her name like he used to; now she is "baby giraffe." Aaron and I are "zookeepers," and not just when "big brother giraffe" is in his cage; sometimes when big brother giraffe needs help on the toilet, even then he'll yell for one of his zookeepers. Ashton loves being a giraffe in Sadie's crib -- he takes naps, eats hay (megablocks), and does tricks for the zookeepers. Well, for the longest time, whenever both Aaron and I are off work, we refer to those days as "MommyDaddyAshyBabySadie" days. But as I was tucking Ashton into bed tonight and informing him of another MommyDaddyAshyBabySadie day to come tomorrow, he corrected me. It's a "BabyGiraffeBigBrotherGiraffeZookeeperOtherZookeeper day" tomorrow!
Another Ashton quirk: Ashton is a very neat, tidy, organized boy. He's always been bothered by drawers and cupboard doors not being completely closed. He takes a garment off and puts it in the hamper before he takes another piece off. He carries the tissue paper from his gift bag to the trash can before pulling out the actual gift. So I knew he was orderly, but I was reminded just how observant and organized he is when I went to reach in the refrigerator for the Velveeta cheese and instead grabbed the Glad Press'n Seal!? I guess because the Press'n Seal box looks so much like the Velveeta box, he thought the Press'n Seal was mistakenly placed in the aluminum foil drawer when it should be in the refrigerator right next to the other Velveeta cheese box!
Well it is Valentine's Day (thanks hun for the beautiful roses and calla lillies) and here I am sitting in my sweats and a t-shirt. But Aaron will be home from work any minute now so I think I will go change into something a little *sweeter*.
Another Ashton quirk: Ashton is a very neat, tidy, organized boy. He's always been bothered by drawers and cupboard doors not being completely closed. He takes a garment off and puts it in the hamper before he takes another piece off. He carries the tissue paper from his gift bag to the trash can before pulling out the actual gift. So I knew he was orderly, but I was reminded just how observant and organized he is when I went to reach in the refrigerator for the Velveeta cheese and instead grabbed the Glad Press'n Seal!? I guess because the Press'n Seal box looks so much like the Velveeta box, he thought the Press'n Seal was mistakenly placed in the aluminum foil drawer when it should be in the refrigerator right next to the other Velveeta cheese box!
Well it is Valentine's Day (thanks hun for the beautiful roses and calla lillies) and here I am sitting in my sweats and a t-shirt. But Aaron will be home from work any minute now so I think I will go change into something a little *sweeter*.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Ramblings
Sadie's second tooth came in Monday, February 4. She's a fast crawler now and she really likes those floor registers -- AGGHHH! She can almost climb up to a standing position, but sometimes only to her shins (if that make any sense). We definitely need to lower her bed again tomorrow. Anyway, she wants to be in these tedious positions so badly, but once she gets there, she can't quite hold her own, and often ends up falling. It doesn't make sense to me why she so badly wants to do that over and over again!
I ordered some new reusable grocery sacks online. I'm really digging them; they are fun. However, I was surprised by the material. It's like windbreaker material. Now I'll just wait and see how they actually work! I'm excited.
I've figured out how to remotely access my office computer from home, but I haven't worked out the kinks of getting the software programs I need. I'm tired of thinking about it.
Tonight Aaron and I went out for dinner while Aaron's family kept the kiddos. What a nice change! About 70% of the time Ashton likes to sit on Aaron's lap while we eat (as I type that I realize how ridiculous that is), so Aaron got to eat without Ashton on his lap, without Ashton climbing on him (he often stands while eating too), without wiping Ashton's fingers constantly in order to keep the two of them clean. I got to eat without having to constantly scoot stuff out of Sadie's grabby reach, without removing napkins from her mouth (yes, you read that correctly), and without shoveling my food in before Sadie's next impatient outburst. We got to eat at our own leisure and have adult conversation. Halleluia! Then we went and watched Fool's Gold -- a good movie. We picked Sadie up and now Ashton is having a sleepover at Oma & Opa's.
Yesterday Aaron asked me when we're going to have our next child. I had kind of assumed we'd space all our kids out like we did Ashton & Sadie -- aproximately 2 years apart. And I liked having a summer baby. But as I have been thinking about it more today, I've been thinking that it might be kind of nice to have the kids closer together so that we don't drag out the number of years before the last child leaves the house. If we got pregnant now, we'd have a November baby (not digging that), but Sadie would be nearly one and a half. PLUS, I've been persuaded that birth control pills aren't for me... All that to say, who knows when the next baby will be! My dear friend Angie, and her husband, are going to start trying to become pregnant here in the next few months...it would be fun to be pregnant with her. AHHH! I can't believe I'm talking about this. It does NOT feel like Sadie is 7 months old! It feels like she was born only 2 or 3 months ago.
I ordered some new reusable grocery sacks online. I'm really digging them; they are fun. However, I was surprised by the material. It's like windbreaker material. Now I'll just wait and see how they actually work! I'm excited.
I've figured out how to remotely access my office computer from home, but I haven't worked out the kinks of getting the software programs I need. I'm tired of thinking about it.
Tonight Aaron and I went out for dinner while Aaron's family kept the kiddos. What a nice change! About 70% of the time Ashton likes to sit on Aaron's lap while we eat (as I type that I realize how ridiculous that is), so Aaron got to eat without Ashton on his lap, without Ashton climbing on him (he often stands while eating too), without wiping Ashton's fingers constantly in order to keep the two of them clean. I got to eat without having to constantly scoot stuff out of Sadie's grabby reach, without removing napkins from her mouth (yes, you read that correctly), and without shoveling my food in before Sadie's next impatient outburst. We got to eat at our own leisure and have adult conversation. Halleluia! Then we went and watched Fool's Gold -- a good movie. We picked Sadie up and now Ashton is having a sleepover at Oma & Opa's.
Yesterday Aaron asked me when we're going to have our next child. I had kind of assumed we'd space all our kids out like we did Ashton & Sadie -- aproximately 2 years apart. And I liked having a summer baby. But as I have been thinking about it more today, I've been thinking that it might be kind of nice to have the kids closer together so that we don't drag out the number of years before the last child leaves the house. If we got pregnant now, we'd have a November baby (not digging that), but Sadie would be nearly one and a half. PLUS, I've been persuaded that birth control pills aren't for me... All that to say, who knows when the next baby will be! My dear friend Angie, and her husband, are going to start trying to become pregnant here in the next few months...it would be fun to be pregnant with her. AHHH! I can't believe I'm talking about this. It does NOT feel like Sadie is 7 months old! It feels like she was born only 2 or 3 months ago.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Milestones
Forgive the impersonal nature of this blog -- it is more just for my benefit.
Sometime during the first week of January Ashton started wearing "boxers" instead of diapers. All the time. He figured out a way to get up on the toilet all by himself and took the initiative to keep his stepstool right next to the toilet. Off and on over the past year we've asked Ashton if he wanted to go potty on the potty chair and he would say "no" and we would leave it at that. Then January came and he decided it was time! It really happened "just like that." Two weeks later, I finally bought a waterproof mattress pad, and now I'm letting him wear his "boxers" to bed. Potty trained: one month before turning 3.
We finally bought some area rugs for our house, so now we're more inclined to let Sadie spend time on the floor. On January 14th I realized Sadie should be sitting up by now and so I set her up for the first time. Sure enough -- she can sit!
Sitting up on own: 6 months old.
December 11th Sadie got up on all fours for the first time. And for about 5 weeks, she would just shake forward and backward, and maybe fall forward. But this week she actually crawls! Don't get me wrong, she's not fast or anything...yet.
Crawling: 6 months old.
January 24th we woke up and Sadie's first tooth had finally broken through the surface of her gums.
First tooth: 6 months old.
Sometime during the first week of January Ashton started wearing "boxers" instead of diapers. All the time. He figured out a way to get up on the toilet all by himself and took the initiative to keep his stepstool right next to the toilet. Off and on over the past year we've asked Ashton if he wanted to go potty on the potty chair and he would say "no" and we would leave it at that. Then January came and he decided it was time! It really happened "just like that." Two weeks later, I finally bought a waterproof mattress pad, and now I'm letting him wear his "boxers" to bed. Potty trained: one month before turning 3.
We finally bought some area rugs for our house, so now we're more inclined to let Sadie spend time on the floor. On January 14th I realized Sadie should be sitting up by now and so I set her up for the first time. Sure enough -- she can sit!
Sitting up on own: 6 months old.
December 11th Sadie got up on all fours for the first time. And for about 5 weeks, she would just shake forward and backward, and maybe fall forward. But this week she actually crawls! Don't get me wrong, she's not fast or anything...yet.
Crawling: 6 months old.
January 24th we woke up and Sadie's first tooth had finally broken through the surface of her gums.
First tooth: 6 months old.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Walking, Barfing, and Crying!!!
Same song, just a different tune -- there is an insane amount of stuff to blog about since last time.
Tuesday December 18th Ashton was sick with flu-like symptoms. He woke up early early in the morning throwing up. He threw up a total of 4 or 5 times between 5am and 12pm. The rest of the day he didn't eat, and was just kind of lazy and not too energized.
The next morning he woke up better. Cheery and hungry, he asked for waffles for breakfast! We had waffles, and then Aaron went to get his hair cut (he had the day off work). A couple days earlier we had gotten one of Ashton's old standing/walking toys out from the garage in hopes that it would help him walk! While Aaron was gone, Ashton was using it as a walker when I told him something to the effect of, "You know, now that your leg is better and that toy has helped you walk, you could probably let go of that toy and walk on your own." Not expecting him to believe me (because he hadn't up to this point), he moved aside from the toy and just started walking!!! Hallelujah! I instantly grabbed the camera. =) December 19th was a good day indeed. 9 days after the cast came off, Ashton walked.
We had made plans to go to Chuck E. Cheese as an incentive for Ashton to walk again, and so it worked out good that Ashton walked again on a day Aaron was off work. My mom had said that whenever Ashton walked, she wanted to go with us to Chuck E. Cheese. So Ashton, Sadie, Aaron and I met my mom and sister at CEC for lunch. Even though Ashton's walk was less than perfect, he was walking on his own, and we had a good time.
We went home so the kids could nap, Aaron stayed home, and I went Christmas gift shopping. Aaron called me about 3pm to say that Sadie was throwing up. Sure enough, she definitely caught the flu, and was throwing up about every hour. We already had plans to have a game night at my folks' house later that evening, and we went anyway. On the way over, my stomach became upset, but I wondered if it was just the nasty pizza CEC served. To make a long story not so long, Sadie and I both were sick all night long. My parents kept Ashton overnight because I was overwhelmed. Aaron & I kept a careful eye on Sadie so as to make sure she didn't get dehydrated. After all, she was throwing up about every hour. At one point in the middle of the night I remember feeling so sick and incapable of helping Sadie, I thought that it might be best to go to the ER simply to have Sadie under someone else's care other than my own (sorry honey -- turns out you did a fine job of taking care of Sadie).
The following morning I received a phone call from my parents who were watching Ashton to let me know that my mom and sister had caught the bug. In fact, my sister fell into the bathroom wall, put a hole in it, and suffered a small concusion. She even collapsed a second time, but my mom was there to break her fall. Craziness. We think she was just dehydrated because after sitting in the ER for two hours, drinking bottles of water, she felt better.
So there. That was going to be my original blog.
But what got me to actually write this post are last weekend's events. They were the straw that broke this camel's back -- I finally needed a place to vent and record life's events.
Saturday and Sunday were Christmas with Aaron's side of our family. Aaron's brother Josh, his wife Lynn, their daughter Kayleemarie, as well as Aaron's sister Tiffany, all returned home for the weekend. We had just finished opening gifts late Saturday morning. We were in Aaron's parents' basement which serves as the grandkids' playroom. There happens to be a rowing type machine down there and Aaron's mom was sitting on it with Kayleemarie in her lap. Lynn and I are chatting and next thing I know, Kayleemarie starts crying, Mary says "oh you guys, there's blood." Josh and Lynn get up and run to Kayleemarie. Lynn takes Kayleemarie's sock off and I'll always remember her gasping, screaming, and jumping backwards. Mary starts to carry Kayleemarie upstairs, saying, "call 911 -- or do you want to drive her to the ER?" Aaron and I remained downstairs with our kids, and started praying. There was so much comotion, so many loud voices, crying, etc. Christina called 911 and then was yelling orders to help stop the bleeding. It wasn't long before the ambulance arrived. I never did see the toe that got pinched in the the rowing machine. But evidently, the top half of Kayleemarie's right big toe was severed down to the bone. There was so much hysteria in that house, as well as tears. The adrenaline was definitely rushing. I just received word tonight that the top of the toe was not able to survive and is going to be amputated.
Saturday afternoon, our little family left in order to let the kids nap at home. On the way home, my sister called to let me know that my grandma who lives in Idaho had called my mom earlier in the day to let her know that my grandma thinks she's dying. Later I spoke with my mom to learn that my grandma is feeling fine and is healthy, but has received a word from God that she is "not going to India [which she was scheduled to do January 12] but is coming home." I could spend a couple hours expounding on this, but I will have to save that for another day. Needless to say, I was unnerved by the day's events. Right now I have nothing to go off of other than my grandma's certainty that her days are numbered. I spoke with my grandma that Saturday night and we said our "last words" to each other, that we want each other to know before she dies. Wierd, I know. We'll see what happens...
Tuesday December 18th Ashton was sick with flu-like symptoms. He woke up early early in the morning throwing up. He threw up a total of 4 or 5 times between 5am and 12pm. The rest of the day he didn't eat, and was just kind of lazy and not too energized.
The next morning he woke up better. Cheery and hungry, he asked for waffles for breakfast! We had waffles, and then Aaron went to get his hair cut (he had the day off work). A couple days earlier we had gotten one of Ashton's old standing/walking toys out from the garage in hopes that it would help him walk! While Aaron was gone, Ashton was using it as a walker when I told him something to the effect of, "You know, now that your leg is better and that toy has helped you walk, you could probably let go of that toy and walk on your own." Not expecting him to believe me (because he hadn't up to this point), he moved aside from the toy and just started walking!!! Hallelujah! I instantly grabbed the camera. =) December 19th was a good day indeed. 9 days after the cast came off, Ashton walked.
We had made plans to go to Chuck E. Cheese as an incentive for Ashton to walk again, and so it worked out good that Ashton walked again on a day Aaron was off work. My mom had said that whenever Ashton walked, she wanted to go with us to Chuck E. Cheese. So Ashton, Sadie, Aaron and I met my mom and sister at CEC for lunch. Even though Ashton's walk was less than perfect, he was walking on his own, and we had a good time.
We went home so the kids could nap, Aaron stayed home, and I went Christmas gift shopping. Aaron called me about 3pm to say that Sadie was throwing up. Sure enough, she definitely caught the flu, and was throwing up about every hour. We already had plans to have a game night at my folks' house later that evening, and we went anyway. On the way over, my stomach became upset, but I wondered if it was just the nasty pizza CEC served. To make a long story not so long, Sadie and I both were sick all night long. My parents kept Ashton overnight because I was overwhelmed. Aaron & I kept a careful eye on Sadie so as to make sure she didn't get dehydrated. After all, she was throwing up about every hour. At one point in the middle of the night I remember feeling so sick and incapable of helping Sadie, I thought that it might be best to go to the ER simply to have Sadie under someone else's care other than my own (sorry honey -- turns out you did a fine job of taking care of Sadie).
The following morning I received a phone call from my parents who were watching Ashton to let me know that my mom and sister had caught the bug. In fact, my sister fell into the bathroom wall, put a hole in it, and suffered a small concusion. She even collapsed a second time, but my mom was there to break her fall. Craziness. We think she was just dehydrated because after sitting in the ER for two hours, drinking bottles of water, she felt better.
So there. That was going to be my original blog.
But what got me to actually write this post are last weekend's events. They were the straw that broke this camel's back -- I finally needed a place to vent and record life's events.
Saturday and Sunday were Christmas with Aaron's side of our family. Aaron's brother Josh, his wife Lynn, their daughter Kayleemarie, as well as Aaron's sister Tiffany, all returned home for the weekend. We had just finished opening gifts late Saturday morning. We were in Aaron's parents' basement which serves as the grandkids' playroom. There happens to be a rowing type machine down there and Aaron's mom was sitting on it with Kayleemarie in her lap. Lynn and I are chatting and next thing I know, Kayleemarie starts crying, Mary says "oh you guys, there's blood." Josh and Lynn get up and run to Kayleemarie. Lynn takes Kayleemarie's sock off and I'll always remember her gasping, screaming, and jumping backwards. Mary starts to carry Kayleemarie upstairs, saying, "call 911 -- or do you want to drive her to the ER?" Aaron and I remained downstairs with our kids, and started praying. There was so much comotion, so many loud voices, crying, etc. Christina called 911 and then was yelling orders to help stop the bleeding. It wasn't long before the ambulance arrived. I never did see the toe that got pinched in the the rowing machine. But evidently, the top half of Kayleemarie's right big toe was severed down to the bone. There was so much hysteria in that house, as well as tears. The adrenaline was definitely rushing. I just received word tonight that the top of the toe was not able to survive and is going to be amputated.
Saturday afternoon, our little family left in order to let the kids nap at home. On the way home, my sister called to let me know that my grandma who lives in Idaho had called my mom earlier in the day to let her know that my grandma thinks she's dying. Later I spoke with my mom to learn that my grandma is feeling fine and is healthy, but has received a word from God that she is "not going to India [which she was scheduled to do January 12] but is coming home." I could spend a couple hours expounding on this, but I will have to save that for another day. Needless to say, I was unnerved by the day's events. Right now I have nothing to go off of other than my grandma's certainty that her days are numbered. I spoke with my grandma that Saturday night and we said our "last words" to each other, that we want each other to know before she dies. Wierd, I know. We'll see what happens...
Sunday, December 09, 2007
...On my mind
In order to finally blog, I'm putting aside my list of things to do. Because it is such a busy time of year, the list may never get done... I have so many mental notes of things I want to blog, so we'll see how many I remember.
About a week ago, Sadie, Ashton and I were at my grandparents house. I put Sadie down to sleep on a comforter on the floor of one of the bedrooms. (Fortunately, she's totally different than Ashton was when it comes to sleeping -- I can [and do] lay her awake in her crib and she'll put herself to sleep.) When it was time to leave my grandparents house, I went into the bedroom to get Sadie and lo and behold she wasn't where I had left her. My mind quickly started going every which way as I quickly scanned the entire room. She was nowhere. She rolls around a lot, so the only reasonable explanation was that she had rolled under the bed in that bedroom. I lifted up the bed skirt and sure enough -- there she was -- peacefully (but still breathing) asleep! That crazy girl will never live that one down!
On Thursday my boss gave me my paycheck AND a Christmas bonus/gift!!! I am so excited, thankful, and blessed. God is so good. (And Curtis too.) I hadn't even thought that far ahead about this years' potential bonus, so it caught me especially off guard. As I explained it to him, it's like Christmas is free this year! How freeing -- it makes the holiday more enjoyable.
It's somewhat beside the point, but it's a shame that society makes Christmas so expensive -- like save-all-year-or-go-into-debt-expensive! I feel as though this is the first year Ashton kind of gets Christmas, at least more than ever before (duh). Along with that ability of his to understand, I need to do my part and put it all in perspective for him. I notice at every new commercial he sees, he suggests another gift he'd like to receive. Where did he get that idea? Perhaps from all of us asking each other what we want for Christmas! I need to do a better job of emphasizing the meaning of Christmas and if anything -- giving to the less fortunate. This is something that's been on my mind ever since I explained to him what Thanksgiving is about, and I know I have a lot to figure out still! I'm just thinking out loud.
Sadie's in love with her toes and with rolling over. I love her so much.
Ashton's cast comes off tomorrow! Hopefully he doesn't struggle with walking again like I did 19 years ago when the cast came off my broken leg. Ha. Only my family will appreciate that last sentence. Let's just say it wasn't pretty (or quick).
Ashton has said so many funny / noteworthy things lately that I wanted to blog about and now I can't remember any of them. Arggh. I've learned my lesson. As soon as he says it, I am going to resist the urge to be lazy and I will immediately go write it down. He is so smart these days, I'm sooo amazed. (I wonder if it's those Expecta Lipil pills I popped every day. Or for that matter, I wonder if it's because he was breastfed for so long. Or maybe I'm just biased. =) )
I've reminded myself of something Aaron told me today. I was washing dishes and Aaron was drying them when a loud bang came from Ashton's room. Ashton called Aaron's name and when Aaron went into Ashton's room, the miniature car collection of Aaron's (from when he was a child), had dropped from where it had been. Aaron asked Ashton how that happened. Ashton's response started with his response to every question. "Um. Hmmm." Then, "me be naughty." At least we can agree on some things.
About a week ago, Sadie, Ashton and I were at my grandparents house. I put Sadie down to sleep on a comforter on the floor of one of the bedrooms. (Fortunately, she's totally different than Ashton was when it comes to sleeping -- I can [and do] lay her awake in her crib and she'll put herself to sleep.) When it was time to leave my grandparents house, I went into the bedroom to get Sadie and lo and behold she wasn't where I had left her. My mind quickly started going every which way as I quickly scanned the entire room. She was nowhere. She rolls around a lot, so the only reasonable explanation was that she had rolled under the bed in that bedroom. I lifted up the bed skirt and sure enough -- there she was -- peacefully (but still breathing) asleep! That crazy girl will never live that one down!
On Thursday my boss gave me my paycheck AND a Christmas bonus/gift!!! I am so excited, thankful, and blessed. God is so good. (And Curtis too.) I hadn't even thought that far ahead about this years' potential bonus, so it caught me especially off guard. As I explained it to him, it's like Christmas is free this year! How freeing -- it makes the holiday more enjoyable.
It's somewhat beside the point, but it's a shame that society makes Christmas so expensive -- like save-all-year-or-go-into-debt-expensive! I feel as though this is the first year Ashton kind of gets Christmas, at least more than ever before (duh). Along with that ability of his to understand, I need to do my part and put it all in perspective for him. I notice at every new commercial he sees, he suggests another gift he'd like to receive. Where did he get that idea? Perhaps from all of us asking each other what we want for Christmas! I need to do a better job of emphasizing the meaning of Christmas and if anything -- giving to the less fortunate. This is something that's been on my mind ever since I explained to him what Thanksgiving is about, and I know I have a lot to figure out still! I'm just thinking out loud.
Sadie's in love with her toes and with rolling over. I love her so much.
Ashton's cast comes off tomorrow! Hopefully he doesn't struggle with walking again like I did 19 years ago when the cast came off my broken leg. Ha. Only my family will appreciate that last sentence. Let's just say it wasn't pretty (or quick).
Ashton has said so many funny / noteworthy things lately that I wanted to blog about and now I can't remember any of them. Arggh. I've learned my lesson. As soon as he says it, I am going to resist the urge to be lazy and I will immediately go write it down. He is so smart these days, I'm sooo amazed. (I wonder if it's those Expecta Lipil pills I popped every day. Or for that matter, I wonder if it's because he was breastfed for so long. Or maybe I'm just biased. =) )
I've reminded myself of something Aaron told me today. I was washing dishes and Aaron was drying them when a loud bang came from Ashton's room. Ashton called Aaron's name and when Aaron went into Ashton's room, the miniature car collection of Aaron's (from when he was a child), had dropped from where it had been. Aaron asked Ashton how that happened. Ashton's response started with his response to every question. "Um. Hmmm." Then, "me be naughty." At least we can agree on some things.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Ashton's Detriment
Saturday November 10, 2007. It was noon, and Aaron was at work. My mom was delivering Willie to his new home. Staci was home for the weekend. The temperature was in the upper 60s -- beautiful for November. The kids and I were over at my parents' house because my dad and my grandpa were building a retaining wall in my parents' yard. I knew it was a good chance to allow Ashton to be outside (his favorite place to be) and to be in the company of others.
Sadie was asleep inside the house; I had the monitor attached to my hip. My parents' backyard garage was open and Ashton was busying himself with pretend driving my dad's lawn mower (which he does all the time -- it's parked, no key, etc.). Staci and I were observing the stone-laying process when all of a sudden I heard some banging and then Ashton crying. Up to this point, every time I had glanced to check on Ashton, he had been on the riding lawn mower. When I turned to respond to Ashton, he wasn't on the mower, so I assumed that he had fallen off of it onto the ground on the far side of the mower (thus the reason I didn't see him).
I ran to pick him up and brush him off, but he wasn't there. I followed the crying into the garage (not far away) and I saw that the dirtbike (similar to a motorcycle) was no longer standing up like it should be. I ran faster and saw Ashton, his legs pinned to the ground underneath the weight of the dirtbike. I went to pick it up off of him, and realized that I could barely lift it, nonetheless pick Ashton up! I yelled, "Help me" and Staci ran over and pulled Ashton out from under the bike.
He was crying obviously. Nothing was protruding or bleeding. He was just crying. And crying and crying and crying. I took him inside to get him a drink, to take off his pants, to kiss his boo-boos, to give him some ibuprofin, to lay with him for a nap, to hold him, to rock him. Nothing was helping. He hadn't stopped crying since the bike fell. I was about 75% sure that something was broken, otherwise he would have stopped crying at least once. It was nap time anyway, and so I asked him to try and take a nap, and if it still hurt when he woke up we would take him to a doctor. Ashton instantly jumped at that and started saying, "doctor."
I called Aaron at work (who wasn't even scheduled to be at work yet, but was there anyway) to tell him what happened and that I was going to take Ashton to be x-rayed. He agreed to meet me there. We woke Sadie up and put her in the car. Staci drove as I held Ashton in the front passenger's seat. Ashton and Sadie both fell asleep. We went to an immediate care place and as I predicted, we got in right away, as compared to an ER -- only 10-15 minutes of waiting. Aaron held Ashton, who had stopped crying.
They took x-rays and said that there was a break in the tibia and fibula. They put a hard splint on him, and said on Monday the orthopedic office would call us to arrange to put a cast on (which wouldn't have been put off had we gone to the ER...errrr). Ashton fell asleep again on the way home, and ended up taking a good nap. Nana and GGma came over to see him and help me with Sadie. Ashton just wanted to be held.
We alternately gave him tylenol and ibuprofin every four hours, around the clock. He really didn't complain of pain too often. Only when we went to pick him up or move him, would he say, "hurt." Otherwise, he sat on the sofa and watched countless Dora and Diego movies. Opa and Oma brought him a new Diego movie.
Monday morning came around and the doctor's office called to set up an appointment for Tuesday afternoon -- the soonest they could see him! Errr. Joy watched Sadie while Aaron and I took Ashton to have his bright orange cast put on. :) Unfortunately, the cast goes up past his knee, therefore he can't bend his leg. It's on there for 4 weeks, and comes off December 10. He is doing such a good job -- hardly ever complaining of pain, accepting his lot. Ashton, I am just so thankful to God that you weren't hurt more severely. It could have been a rib, or lung, or your head that took the blow. Thank you God, for protecting my little boy.
There. I did it. I journaled it and will put it in his memory box along with the cast.
I'm Coming Out
I've decided to scratch using codenames for the kids. The whole reason it started was because someone recently brought up the point that a stranger could approach my children and call out their names and my children could instantly have undue trust in the stranger, simply because the stranger already knew their name. While this could be true, it's driving me crazy to call my children something other than their given name when I blog! So I shall just have to teach them about strangers and be careful when I blog to not give out information about our exact location.
(I've noticed there are ways to lock or hide posts, but I like being able to share my blog with family who don't have an account. Also, I like that my friends on facebook at least have the option to see my blog. I'll just be careful...)
(I've noticed there are ways to lock or hide posts, but I like being able to share my blog with family who don't have an account. Also, I like that my friends on facebook at least have the option to see my blog. I'll just be careful...)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Thank You Hal
I receive a weekly e-newsletter from Hal Runkel of ScreamFree Living and in the most recent newsletter, was the following excerpt. I love it because it sums up how I've been feeling and what I've been thinking, but just couldn't verbalize until now.
I want a child who recognizes the all-important law of sowing and reaping. I am only getting in the way of that if I rescue him from those consequences and allow my disapproval and anger to stand in their place.
When I tell Ashton to put this shirt on because we're leaving soon, or to eat your yogurt now because we're going to bed in five minutes, and when he doesn't do it, I don't want to be the one who goes back on my word and gets all bent out of shape -- it should be him who regrets not obeying!
I love it. I love it. I love it.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Birth, Work, and Bluebird-isms
I am so lucky -- today I got to see the documentery film that Ricki Lake directed, "The Business of Being Born." It concisely (1 hour 23 minutes) explains why I believe hospitals usually ruin healthy labor and delivery experiences, and why midwife-assisted home births (gasp) and birthcenters (which value midwives and the home-like setting) offer women the chance to experience life (scientifically: oxytocin, plainly: the bliss after the pain) and be empowered (if we can deliver babies, imagine what else we can do that we thought too difficult), all while bringing a healthy baby into the world. The film will be released theatrically in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in January 2008 and the video release will be in March, 2008. Click to see a trailer.
Bluebird is so over his cough. Thank you for praying for us. Within a day or two of my last post, it was gone.
Can I just say how wiped out I am after a day at work? I enjoy my work but it's about all I can handle for a day -- I don't have the energy to come home to play with or be in charge of eventually getting the kids to bed. In addition, I've begun to feel slightly anxious about my work schedule. Right now, I work Tuesdays and Thursdays and the other part-time lady works Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. We both use the same computer, and between the two of us, we make one full-time person! My mom (and often times babysitter) will no longer be able to help me on Tuesdays. And because the [one] computer is already used Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I feel stuck as to when I can work instead of Tuesdays. Because I imagine the computer problem will only be magnified come January, I talked to my boss about him buying another computer. I'm sure it will work out. I just liked the routine of knowing I work Tuesdays and Thursdays. I don't like the inconsistancy and day-to-day stress of figuring out when I can work next...
Sweetface can roll over now. Both from her stomach to her back, and from her back to her stomach. I'd say she's probably been doing it for a couple weeks now. She can roll over, but she doesn't do it all the time. Maybe she hasn't found out how fun it can be and how it can help her move. Or maybe it's because she rarely gets any time on the floor. It makes me sad actually that we have hardwood floors and no soft carpeted area. What kind of parents are we?!?
I've been spending a lot of my free time putting Bluebird pictures into his albums. I probably have put about 200 prints away. I still have about 200 more pictures to put in their respective albums ("Bluebird", "Sweetface", and "Family & Friends"). Then I need to print a bunch more.
I've been meaning to journal a couple of funny / cute things Bluebird has said, that I don't want to forget.
Bluebird went through a phase where "try" was his answer to everything. 2 weeks after Sweetface was born, Bluebird pointed to my belly button and said, "Sweetface inside."
Mommy: "Yes, Sweetface used to be inside Mommy's tummy."
Bluebird: "More." (a common Bluebird word)
Mommy: "Sweetface can't go back inside Mommy's tummy!"
Bluebird: "Try."
It made me smile.
A bit more recently, I've talked him into saying "I love you too," when people tell him they love him. ;) I love it, I love it, I love it. I've been looking forward to the day when all my hard "mommy" work is appreciated and evidenced by him telling me he loves me. Also, he and I have our own love talk when he affectionately in a long drawn out way, says, "Moooommy, Moooooommy, Moooooommy." I in return say, "Bluuuebird, Bluuuuebird, Bluuuuebird." Well, not exactly, but you get the idea. It means, "I love you."
The other day after he had already been tucked into bed once, he called me into his bedroom. I was snacking on Rolos and I popped one more in my mouth before I opened his door, so that he wouldn't see me eating it. I laid down on his bed next to him, and he instantly says, "Choc-cho" (translation: chocolate). Trying not to grin, I said, "How did you know? It wasn't what he said next that cracked me up, because he didn't even say anything, but what he did. He exaggeratively started inhaling and exhaling through his nose! The little guy instantly smelled it on my breath -- I was busted!
A while back, Aaron was teaching Bluebird which Walgreens was "his." We were shopping at one that wasn't his, but Bluebird did not yet know better, and said, "Daddy's Walgreens." Aaron corrected him and said, "Well, no. This isn't Daddy's Walgreens. This is a Walgreens, but it isn't Daddy's Walgreens." Bluebird learned that day, and still every time we drive by that one Walgreens he let's us know, that that's "A Walgreens." He doesn't understand "a" is an article, but instead thinks that it is the proper name of the Walgreens at 21st & Fairlawn.
Well, hubby is home from work, and he comes bearing gifts (Sonic sausage, egg & cheese breakfast burrito), so blogging has lost it's lure. Later.
Bluebird is so over his cough. Thank you for praying for us. Within a day or two of my last post, it was gone.
Can I just say how wiped out I am after a day at work? I enjoy my work but it's about all I can handle for a day -- I don't have the energy to come home to play with or be in charge of eventually getting the kids to bed. In addition, I've begun to feel slightly anxious about my work schedule. Right now, I work Tuesdays and Thursdays and the other part-time lady works Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. We both use the same computer, and between the two of us, we make one full-time person! My mom (and often times babysitter) will no longer be able to help me on Tuesdays. And because the [one] computer is already used Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I feel stuck as to when I can work instead of Tuesdays. Because I imagine the computer problem will only be magnified come January, I talked to my boss about him buying another computer. I'm sure it will work out. I just liked the routine of knowing I work Tuesdays and Thursdays. I don't like the inconsistancy and day-to-day stress of figuring out when I can work next...
Sweetface can roll over now. Both from her stomach to her back, and from her back to her stomach. I'd say she's probably been doing it for a couple weeks now. She can roll over, but she doesn't do it all the time. Maybe she hasn't found out how fun it can be and how it can help her move. Or maybe it's because she rarely gets any time on the floor. It makes me sad actually that we have hardwood floors and no soft carpeted area. What kind of parents are we?!?
I've been spending a lot of my free time putting Bluebird pictures into his albums. I probably have put about 200 prints away. I still have about 200 more pictures to put in their respective albums ("Bluebird", "Sweetface", and "Family & Friends"). Then I need to print a bunch more.
I've been meaning to journal a couple of funny / cute things Bluebird has said, that I don't want to forget.
Bluebird went through a phase where "try" was his answer to everything. 2 weeks after Sweetface was born, Bluebird pointed to my belly button and said, "Sweetface inside."
Mommy: "Yes, Sweetface used to be inside Mommy's tummy."
Bluebird: "More." (a common Bluebird word)
Mommy: "Sweetface can't go back inside Mommy's tummy!"
Bluebird: "Try."
It made me smile.
A bit more recently, I've talked him into saying "I love you too," when people tell him they love him. ;) I love it, I love it, I love it. I've been looking forward to the day when all my hard "mommy" work is appreciated and evidenced by him telling me he loves me. Also, he and I have our own love talk when he affectionately in a long drawn out way, says, "Moooommy, Moooooommy, Moooooommy." I in return say, "Bluuuebird, Bluuuuebird, Bluuuuebird." Well, not exactly, but you get the idea. It means, "I love you."
The other day after he had already been tucked into bed once, he called me into his bedroom. I was snacking on Rolos and I popped one more in my mouth before I opened his door, so that he wouldn't see me eating it. I laid down on his bed next to him, and he instantly says, "Choc-cho" (translation: chocolate). Trying not to grin, I said, "How did you know? It wasn't what he said next that cracked me up, because he didn't even say anything, but what he did. He exaggeratively started inhaling and exhaling through his nose! The little guy instantly smelled it on my breath -- I was busted!
A while back, Aaron was teaching Bluebird which Walgreens was "his." We were shopping at one that wasn't his, but Bluebird did not yet know better, and said, "Daddy's Walgreens." Aaron corrected him and said, "Well, no. This isn't Daddy's Walgreens. This is a Walgreens, but it isn't Daddy's Walgreens." Bluebird learned that day, and still every time we drive by that one Walgreens he let's us know, that that's "A Walgreens." He doesn't understand "a" is an article, but instead thinks that it is the proper name of the Walgreens at 21st & Fairlawn.
Well, hubby is home from work, and he comes bearing gifts (Sonic sausage, egg & cheese breakfast burrito), so blogging has lost it's lure. Later.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Everything from bangs to God
I'm so pleased with my new email address -- does that make me a nerd? I don't think so. The reasons I love my gmail account:
1. I have always used Google's search engine
2. I already have Google set to be my homepage
3. Google allows me to customize my homepage (iGoogle) with little Google
applications, tools, newsfeeds, etc. (see number 5)
4. I can now choose to have a Gmail summary (letting me know if I have any new messages and links directly to those new messages) right on my homepage! 5. Now my Google homepage includes not only the search engine box, but also a link to Gmail, the weather outside along with the forecast, my ToDo list, the
How to of the Day, and a link to my NIV Daily Bible reading of the day
I feel as though my life is streamlined -- efficient and simple, and that's the way I like it!
In other news, my bangs need trimmed. The rest of my hair could probably use a little pick-me-up as well, but now that I have bangs right above my eyes, it's more of an issue. Which makes me wonder: how short / long should I have them cut? Last time I was in, she cut them to the exact length that looked good. But that means it doesn't take long for them to be longer than what looks best. Maybe I should have them cut just a bit shorter than what looks best, so that I can go twice as long before they are so long.
Seriously now. I received a great email today from a friend and in it was a video she forwarded that reminded me of a lesson God taught me a couple months ago. It was great to be reminded. I had been reading Ecclesiastes 2:11 which says "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." The little devotional in my Bible that goes along with this reading says, "The Bible teaches us that instead of searching for happiness, we should allow God's joy and peace to reign in our hearts. Instead of striving for the things we think will satisfy, we can learn to find true contentment by looking to God, whatever our circumstance." As I type that, I am reminded of another season in my life when God was trying to teach me the same thing -- I must really struggle with this! Anyway, when Sweetface was only a few weeks old, and my hubby had returned back to work, I would find myself looking forward to his return home so that I could have a little help or even do something for myself (thus equalling happiness). But I couldn't live like that every hour he was at work! I want God's joy and peace to reign in my heart, not discontent! I was taught that "blessed" in the Bible means "happy." Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven (Psalm 32:1), who trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:4) and who draw near to God (Psalm 65:4). The true source of pleasure is God. When I claim these as my own, I am happy, even if dishes, laundry, and kids are my reality. God's joy and peace reign in my heart regardless!
Make sure your volume is up while watching this video.
1. I have always used Google's search engine
2. I already have Google set to be my homepage
3. Google allows me to customize my homepage (iGoogle) with little Google
applications, tools, newsfeeds, etc. (see number 5)
4. I can now choose to have a Gmail summary (letting me know if I have any new messages and links directly to those new messages) right on my homepage! 5. Now my Google homepage includes not only the search engine box, but also a link to Gmail, the weather outside along with the forecast, my ToDo list, the
How to of the Day, and a link to my NIV Daily Bible reading of the day
I feel as though my life is streamlined -- efficient and simple, and that's the way I like it!
In other news, my bangs need trimmed. The rest of my hair could probably use a little pick-me-up as well, but now that I have bangs right above my eyes, it's more of an issue. Which makes me wonder: how short / long should I have them cut? Last time I was in, she cut them to the exact length that looked good. But that means it doesn't take long for them to be longer than what looks best. Maybe I should have them cut just a bit shorter than what looks best, so that I can go twice as long before they are so long.
Seriously now. I received a great email today from a friend and in it was a video she forwarded that reminded me of a lesson God taught me a couple months ago. It was great to be reminded. I had been reading Ecclesiastes 2:11 which says "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." The little devotional in my Bible that goes along with this reading says, "The Bible teaches us that instead of searching for happiness, we should allow God's joy and peace to reign in our hearts. Instead of striving for the things we think will satisfy, we can learn to find true contentment by looking to God, whatever our circumstance." As I type that, I am reminded of another season in my life when God was trying to teach me the same thing -- I must really struggle with this! Anyway, when Sweetface was only a few weeks old, and my hubby had returned back to work, I would find myself looking forward to his return home so that I could have a little help or even do something for myself (thus equalling happiness). But I couldn't live like that every hour he was at work! I want God's joy and peace to reign in my heart, not discontent! I was taught that "blessed" in the Bible means "happy." Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven (Psalm 32:1), who trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:4) and who draw near to God (Psalm 65:4). The true source of pleasure is God. When I claim these as my own, I am happy, even if dishes, laundry, and kids are my reality. God's joy and peace reign in my heart regardless!
Make sure your volume is up while watching this video.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Could it be?
I'm shocked! I thought that V8 Splash would be a healthy fruit juice choice, because of it's healthy V8 vegetable juice. I was wrong. I tasted the Mango Peach flavor and not really digging it, I turned to read the label and was disgusted -- 10% juice, water is the main ingredient, followed by high fructose corn syrup! Yuck. I'm going back to Dole's 100% juice Orange Peach Mango.
I'm elated! Dr. (Robert) Sears has come out with a new book entitled The Vaccine Book. It won't be released for another 2-3 weeks, but I'm looking forward to buying a copy. It is supposed to be a non-biased source of information, research, etc. Neither Bluebird nor Sweetface have had any vaccinations (other than's mommy's yummy kind!), but I've been wondering lately, now that Bluebird is older if I feel that it'd be safe(r) now for him to have any vaccinations. All I have to do is hear another story of a child becoming autistic after being immunized to make me lean towards staying away from immunizations alltogether. I'm looking forward to this read, and becoming more educated on the issue.
I'm thankful! Bluebird's cough isn't any worse today than yesterday -- it's about the same. It's not bark-y-ish nor whooping-ish, so I'm optimistic. Keep him in your prayers please. It made my heart melt this morning to hear him wake up in his room, and the first thing he hollered was, "mommy, medicine." :( I feel for him, and want him to get better soon.
I'm elated! Dr. (Robert) Sears has come out with a new book entitled The Vaccine Book. It won't be released for another 2-3 weeks, but I'm looking forward to buying a copy. It is supposed to be a non-biased source of information, research, etc. Neither Bluebird nor Sweetface have had any vaccinations (other than's mommy's yummy kind!), but I've been wondering lately, now that Bluebird is older if I feel that it'd be safe(r) now for him to have any vaccinations. All I have to do is hear another story of a child becoming autistic after being immunized to make me lean towards staying away from immunizations alltogether. I'm looking forward to this read, and becoming more educated on the issue.
I'm thankful! Bluebird's cough isn't any worse today than yesterday -- it's about the same. It's not bark-y-ish nor whooping-ish, so I'm optimistic. Keep him in your prayers please. It made my heart melt this morning to hear him wake up in his room, and the first thing he hollered was, "mommy, medicine." :( I feel for him, and want him to get better soon.
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