So we have been on vacation for a week in Edisto Island. I LOVE that place. The kids had a blast. Even though there isn’t that much to do tourist-y wise, there is plenty of beach and a pool… and it was wonderful. The kids did great and while they ended up with us in our room each night, it was fine. It was bitter sweet to leave Jerry at the end of the week. The plan was to go to the river cabin(my Aunt’s) and put Grace and Elijah is Bible School for a few days and then head to the mountains. Sigh. Best laid plans and all.
We got there and my Aunt’s dogs were there. These dogs are 74 years old in dog years, blind, deaf, asthmatic, arthritic, have tumors, and are about one foot high toy poodles. But regardless, Elijah is TERRIFIED of dogs. People don’t get it. They try to rationalize with him. But he HAS to figure this one out on his own. I respect fear. Everyone has that one thing that scares the crap out of them. For Elijah, it’s dogs. So, it was a LONG first day, but still. We took the kids to the (REALLLLY LOW) river and the kids had fun playing on the floats and jumping in the water. It felt good to be back there. We had a good evening, and though it took the kids a bit to fall asleep, they did. I made their lunches for the next day and read and visited, then turned in. I had weird dreams. The AC in the sleeping area is older than I am. It’s a window unit that blasts freezing air for 5 minutes and then blows air for a bit. Then you burn up until the freezing air comes back on. That, combined with the really weird dreams I had about spiders was equaling crappy sleep. Grace woke up scratching and broken out all over. I gave her some Benedryl and cuddled up with her for a bit. I had barely fallen asleep (again) at 1:30 when Grace woke up, gagging. I grabbed the closest thing I could find (a pillow sham) right as she threw up. In between heaves, I ran her to the bathroom, as quietly as possible. My folks were sleeping on the back porch where the bathroom is located. She threw up a little more (she called it burping…) and said she was ready to go back to bed. SO back to bed we went. By now it’s about 2:00 in the morning. We settle down and we doze on and off. Until about 2:30, when Elijah shifts his weight on his cot and the whole thing falls over… on top of him… and he stays asleep. I move Elijah over to Grace’s cot (a little more stable) while he’s still sleeping. As I am grabbing his blanket to cover him up (this happens to be during one of the five minutes of frigidness) I end up stepping on a stray sand spur that is stuck to his blanket. At this point, I just look up and want to shout many cuss words… alas. So I climb back into bed. At 3:15, as another dream spider tries to crawl up my nose, I wake up and see Grace looking right at me. “Mom, I just can’t sleep.” Poor thing. “Are you okay?” “No, I need to burp.” I sit up…. WHY THE HELL DIDN’T I GRAB A TOWEL? … and she throws up all over me. sigh. Good thing I had a jacket on and now can shed it since the heat has taken over again. Back to the bathroom. I strip her out of her nightgown (how she stayed clean the last round, who can say?) and she throws up a little more. I sit with her curled up on my lap in the bathroom for a bit..well, until 4. I’m pretty sure she isn’t going to throw up anymore (though grabbed some towels just in case) and I’m pretty much everything from my hip down is asleep…and everything from the hip up, is awake.
I find a shirt for Grace to wear and lie down.
Let’s rewind for just a second here. The river, which is the Edisto, is a VERY clean river. A sign of a clean river? leeches. I had on attach itself to me. VERY small, but still, kind eww. Now, fast forward to 4:15, what do I think of? Not the spiders from the earlier dreams, but the fucking leech. Sigh. Eventually, like around 5. I fall asleep. The girl child is starfished across the bed, and I don’t dare move her. She is actually sleeping. I am sleeping without dreaming of horrid things and I hear the dogs bark. Then my Aunt and Uncle get up to walk the dogs, then leave to go on a walk, then my dad wake up… screw it. I stay in bed until 7, but I’m up. I go out to the porch and quietly wake up my mom. I tell her that I am going home with the kids and dad. She tells me she’ll leave today too, and goes back to sleep for a bit. I let the kids sleep until around 8 and then they get up and eat a bit. Well, Elijah eats, Grace picks. HOWEVER, and interesting thing happens. Elijah decides he can pet the dogs. I was very proud of him. He was sitting by one before we left.
My mom drove us all the way home, which was SUPER nice since my kids had melt down after melt down all the way home and I would have left them on the side of the road with a sign saying “free to a good home” around their necks had I ended up driving alone with them.
So far, Grace has had no more episodes…though her allergies are acting up. All in all, I’m glad to be in the mountains. I’m glad the kids got to see and quasi-swim in the river. Maybe we can go again some time when things are a little calmer in our lives. As for now, we are enjoying cooler temps and lower humidity. 31 more days until we see Jerry again!!!
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, March 1, 2010
Grace... my little 22 month old...
Gracie bear... she is a bundle of energy and IS her own person. She will TELL you that she is her own person and that she CAN do it herself. What can she do herself you may ask... well
- pee and poop on the potty! That's right, she is potty trained!!! And honestly, I have NO idea how the hell it happened. She was interested, she became proactive REALLY fast. If she has an accident, she gets REALLY mad at herself and will look at her underwear in just disgust it's almost funny cause she is just soooo little. She has definitely made this process MUCH easier than it was with Elijah.
- get dressed on her own. Don't DARE TRY to help....until she ASKS in her very cute tiny voice, "help, pease." She also has definite opinions on what she should wear. She loves this one particular dress that my mom found for her. It is super cute and really comfy. She loves that it's swishy.
- sing at the top of her lungs...a made up song that has no words except "Ahhhhhh!!!" Seriously considering signing her up for some voice lessons... hehehehehe.
- hold her own in a fight with Elijah. And MAN can they fight. I honestly thought that I would have at least one more year, but this little one is starting to exert her independence. If she does not want to play what Elijah wants her to play, she lets him know... and not quietly. Elijah has something in his brain that makes him want to take certain things out of Grace's hands...no, not take, snatch. This drives me up the wall... BUT Grace is starting to anticipate these snatchings. She doesn't catch all of them, not even a lot of them, but she is starting to get it....so a word to Elijah... watch it!
- go to sleep on her own. This may not seem like a huge thing, but it really is! We do our little nightly ritual of reading books and having 5 minutes of special playtime and then it's lights out. Again, it went much faster than it did with Elijah. And maybe this is because Elijah is the bedroom with her, but she goes to sleep at night and nap on her own. This is a big step in the right direction, so WAY TO GO BABY GIRL!!!
- pretty much ANYTHING she sees Elijah do. He brushes his own teeth, SHE want's to brush her own teeth. If HE puts on his boots, SHE wants to put on her boots. If HE goes to the bathroom, SHE wants to go to the bathroom. This is both cute and annoying. He has learned that he can get her to do anything. He'll start spitting (knowing that it is a BIG no no) and then SHE'LL start spitting. BUT she also follows suit on hugs, helping clean up, saying sorry. So I will take the bad because there is the good...and right now the good outweighs the bad.
Monday, March 30, 2009
October 2008
October 08
There and Back Again...a REALLY long post...
So I guess I need to rewind a bit. Getting ready for our trip was a long process, that would have been made easier had Elijah and Grace not gotten sick. I don't know where they picked it up, but they had a fever and cough and runny nose and it was annoying. Then the day before we were to leave, Jerry got sick. Sigh. I was a little more annoyed. But fortunately, I didn't get sick. ANYWAY, before we left, this happened:
That's right, Miss Grace decided that she would sit up a little bit (long enough for me to get the camera and take about half a dozen pics! It's still the tripod sitting thing, but it's still a big step! She's excited about it, being able to reach things and whatnot!
Okay, moving on...lots to cover. We left Thursday morning. Jerry and Elijah slept until 8-ish (and only because I woke them up.) So we got on the road around 10. I was super paranoid about the car trip. Elijah has just soooo much energy and for him to have to be in a carseat for 6 hours = not so much! But he did really well, as did Grace. I have to say that the ride up was helped with this. It kept Elijah busy for at least 1.5 hours of the trip! Best of all is that as the pictures dry you can reuse them. And if anything spills its just water! LOVE IT!!! (at least on the way up... but that's for later...)
So we get to my folks house and Elijah is immediately excited to be there and had my folks off and running. Of course, Grace captured everyone's hearts as well. So Elijah played and then we ate and then watched the VP debates. Gotta say... not really impressed by Palin... never was to begin with, but that was her time to shine, and not so much. Do love Tina Fey's SNL sketch of it though!!! Then went to bed.
Friday we got a slow start. My dad was on jury duty pretty much the whole time. Jerry and I took Grace and met Leah at Barley's for pizza lunch. Elijah went to hang with my mom at WWC. We came back home for naps and dinner and then Jerry, Grace, and I went to the homecoming BBQ. We just went for friendship not for food this year (good thing, since I heard they turned people away that didn't pre-register!) It was a good evening. I caught up with lots of friends. It was really fun. (side note: we left Elijah with my folks knowing that we would be really late. So I left them with a movie (a rarity and special treat) thinking that Elijah would fall asleep... ummm, not so much. He watched the WHOLE freakin' thing! ha!) After the bonfire was lit, we decided to head up to the theatre since they were having a reception at 10 (at night!!!!!) Grace had fallen asleep for about 2 hours in the sling, but she was WIDE awake! So we went up for a bit and it was FANTASTIC! I love that theatre. It made me miss the stage (something that I haven't felt for quite a few years now). I came across this picture in the lobby...not as young as I used to be for sure... I'm the one in the middle by the way:
This is from a (very little known) play called "Film is Evil, Radio is Good". It is a very odd play, but it was really fun!
So after a late night Friday (for everyone!) we thought the kids would sleep in on Saturday...not so much! We got up rather early, but dragged our feet for a bit and ended up on campus around 11:45. We walked around a bit with Rebecca, Patrick, and Dane. It was interesting to be on the campus and really look around. It's changed sooo much since we were there as students. We hooked up with Leah on the soccer field and watched the soccer games, bounced with Elijah in the bouncy houses, hung out with friends, and ate ice cream. We left for a little rest period. While we were at home my folks gave Elijah a BIKE! You would have thought that the world had stopped! He was soooo freakin' excited. He jumped on the bike and was off. He could have cared less when we left to go back to a casual, fun dinner that Katie had put together! It was amazing what she did! There was music later, but we were beat, and I really couldn't ask my folks to deal with Elijah two nights in a row (especially since he had had no nap that day.) So after catching up with more friends at dinner, we went home.
Sunday, I went in to church with my folks and Jerry got the morning off from everything. Elijah was still clingy and after Sunday school with my mom, had a bit of a melt down, so after I sang the anthem with the choir, I went and hung out with him. After lunch, I brought the kids home and we relaxed. At 2, Obama spoke to a crowd of 28000 people in Asheville so we watched on TV. I was amazed that he was there. It was REALLY cool! Katie met me for dinner and then came over and hung out a bit. It was so nice to see her and just sit and talk. It was (as always) as if we hadn't really been apart from each other. I miss her so much! There are days it seems everything remind me of some inside joke we shared. I was thinking about my days at WWC and I think that the friends I had there are the best I ever had (exception with Laura and Katrin... knew them outside of WWC and I include them in best category!) I have very good friends here. I haven't known them as long. But my WWC friends (and the exceptions!)FREAKIN' rock. After all, I did meet Jerry there...
Monday mom and I took the kids to the lake to play and walk around. It was a nice day and Elijah learned about Geese (or gooses...hehehehe!) And Grace learned that sand is oh so fun to play in. We had a picnic in the park on the way home and then relaxed around the house. I made dinner for my folks (turkey meatloaf...sooo yummy!) and watched HEROS!
Tuesday was a rainy day. Elijah wanted to play, so my mom took him out for a bit, but it was a little chilly. Dad finished his jury duty around 2:30 so Jerry and I went out for dinner on our own and walked around the mall (meaningful since we got engaged there...hehehehe!) Then came home and watched the debates...another blog entry...maybe... I stayed up WAY to late trying a new pattern on circular knitting needles. I have been scared of them, but mom had this pattern for a grocery bag and I wanted one, so I tried it (must say that it did not turn out right, but I'm no longer scared of circular needles...still don't really like them, but not scared....)
Today we drove home. It did not go well. We were all tired, and Elijah didn't get that he couldn't get out of the car and play with the toys on the playground below my folks house...for the WHOLE ride home...sigh... he cried for my folks the whole way...no nap... just whining and crying. That's not true. He had periods of clam playing, but not a whole lot. He kept waking Grace up and it annoyed me...but I was crabby too. I didn't want to leave and I know now that we have the challenge of trying to get Elijah potty trained while Jerry is home until next Wednesday.
Sorry this has been so long, but I haven't blogged in a long time and this week was so much fun! I miss the mountains soooo much and I need to write this stuff down to remember. I'm going to post some pics to an album to match!
October 16
Alone again
during the day anyway. Jerry went back to work today and he is going to start working through lunch. This means I'm on my own with naps. So I tried since Monday to put Elijah and Grace down on my own. It worked Monday and that was it. But today wasn't so bad. We have finally broken the habit of rocking Elijah to sleep for nap. He gets to watch Curious George, take a truck with him to bed, play for about 15 minutes and then he has to at least be quiet in his room. We had a little bit of a struggle, but both kiddos are asleep for now! WAHOO!
So since we got back last Wednesday we have been working on potty training. I swear I would rather go through natural labor again than deal with this, but I am determined. Yesterday was a major success in that Elijah stayed dry all day...well I should say that he kept his undies dry all day. We put him in a diaper for nap and night and both were soaked, but it is the small victories that keep me going. We are rewarding for EVERYTHING right now. He gets a sticker for trying to go, a sticker and one skittle for peeing, a sticker and three skittles for pooping, and for staying clean and dry all day he gets to have a glow in the dark bracelet to take to bed. He was super excited about the bracelet last night. I got a few packs at the dollar tree. I think I'll have to go back and stock up. He quasi pooped in the potty once, but I made a HUGE deal out of it, so I'm hoping that he'll go again. He is however, trying to use the whole "I gotta poop" at naptime to avoid going to sleep. Not okay with me. And I let him know that today. I hope that he gets this soon. I am refusing to go back to diapers. We have training pants and vinyl covers, so we are set. He did have an accident at the park today, but I think it was my fault. I really think he was trying to get my attention to tell me, but I was trying to sort out Grace and didn't respond immediately. He did however, tell me he had gone pee...so that's a step in the right direction.
Okay, now... the f!#$ing washer. They came to fix it three weeks ago. The motherboard they brought didn't work. So they ordered one from Kenmore and put it in yesterday. It didn't solve the problem either. However, for some reason we ended up having to pay for the part. Sigh. ANYWAY, so we go to do another load of laundry and the knob is broken. We call the appliance place and they can't send someone out to fix what they broke until today between 10-12. Well, that didn't work as I was going to be gone and Jerry is at work. So we have decided we are going to buy a used machine and save up for one we like. However, apparently this isn't a malfunction of just our brand. Apparently this happens quite often with many front loaders. Sigh... I don't like this solution, but if we spend even just 70 more bucks on this machine (which is what it would be just to have someone from Sears come look at it) it's the same price as another machine. It's all rather annoying. I mean our clothes are SOAKING wet since there is no final spin. I have been wringing out each item into the washer and then throwing it into the dryer, then running a drain cycle to get rid of the water. What a pain. So I'm letting it go. We'll hopefully something reasonable on Saturday and maybe we can sell this one for parts.
Okay, that's it for know. The girl child is up and trying to pull my lip off....hehehehehe.
October 20
The Weekend
This is just a short post. I am in the process of writing a longer one that will (hopefully) be my last political blog for a bit. But in the meantime...
The potty training has taken a fabulous turn! Elijah goes when we ask him without (as much) complaining. He has stayed dry since Friday and as a reward gets a glo-bracelet to take to bed with him each night (thank you Target for offering 15 for a dollar!!) He gets a M&M candy for each pee and 5 for each poop (which has yet to happen, but at least he's waiting until the nap or night diaper goes on...sometimes... I understand the pooping is a little harder of a concept. I'm a little worried about constipation now though. He is holding the poop. We try to let him do it his way, but...well, we'll see.
Grace has started solids officially. Well, bananas anyway. We will move on to better things just as soon as I get off my butt and make them.
We threw in the towel with the washer. We went Friday evening to a little whole in the wall used appliance place and purchased a used Whirlpool top loader for 150 (including delivery and installation!) Much cheaper than having to hire someone else to look at the washer and charge some insane price to fix it. The guy that sold the washer also gave us the name of someone that might buy the front loader off of us!
So Saturday was spent doing 138927407 loads of laundry. I still have some to do, but most of it is done, folded, and put away.
Sunday was spent weed whacking the jungle that was our back yard. It still needs to be mowed down, but it looks much better. Now to kill all the ants that think our backyard is prime real estate for their multi-level condos! And to do so massive black widow killing (killed three yesterday and I know there are more hiding...Dear Black Widows, there are perfectly good woods right next door...move there or face the wrath of my shoe!!!)
Today we finally got rid of the chair that was with Jerry for many many years. It's been sitting in our garage since we moved in. Today the trash people agreed to take it for us! Tonight someone is coming to look at the exercise bike (that has been out there for almost as long!) and since we took the recycling earlier last week, our garage is looking like, well, a garage! For some reason this gives me a since of calm. I mean there is still a lot of organizing that needs to happen out there, but I feel like I can move around and deal with it better.
Okay, Elijah has been really quiet now for a bit, he has either 1) decided that mommy is right and he needs to rest quietly in his bed, 2) up to no good, or 3) taking a poop (finally!) Whatever the choice, I will go check on him and then get back to work (I am working for a company called ChaCha! totally crap pay, but the work is really really easy and I can work for 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there. If I can make a little money, the the daunting-ness of paying for college out of pocket next fall seems a little less, well, daunting...)
October 23
quick update
just have to say that elijah is doing great with the potty training. yesterday after rest time (not sleeping...sigh) when he is in a diaper and told me he had to poop...he could've gone in the diaper, but he took off the diaper climbed up on the toilet (the potty seat and chair are soooo last week) and with a little trepidation pooped in the potty voluntarily!!!! i was so happy i almost peed my pants!! today at the park he peed three times and had no accidents! i know this is probably not of any interest to anyone, but honestly when we (re)started this process i told jerry i would rather go through natural childbirth again twice than deal with this. i'm glad we stuck with it. i knew it was happen, it was just a rough few days. he's even starting to realize when he has to go pee on his own!
the not sleeping at nap thing is bugging the heck out of me! jerry and i talked about it and we think that it's just his pattern. when he learns a new skill he just doesn't sleep as well. i have taken to putting the gate up and ignoring his whining. but he wakes grace up and that pisses me off. i just don't know what to do. i end up being a total grouch because i'm tired from dealing with them. when grace doesn't get her rest she doesn't sleep well at night. i don't need a lot of sleep, but elijah comes to me in the middle of the night and wants jerry, so i have to wake up and take him in there to him. then come back in and settle grace back down. and then try to get back to sleep. i guess my tiredness is my own fault. i'm exhausted by the end of the day, but i just can't go to sleep. i feel like i haven't seen jerry in ages (though we did watch indiana jones the other night...not a good movie...but nevertheless...) we did get to go out for dinner when we were in the mountains. and i haven't had any time away to myself since i got my hair cut when grace was 2 months old. this is going to need to change fairly soon i think, or i am going to go crazy.
jerry just came home. he's early. i am guessing that he thinks maybe i need some help with the crazy boy child...and he's right, but now i have to go make some dinner.
October 28
No rest for the mommas
The one thing I don't like about being a mom is that you can't call in sick. I came down with a cold or allergies or something. I'm not snotty, but I have a scratchy throat and am sneezing like crazy. No fever... but exhausted. Nevertheless, my day simply has to start. I did cancel plans with a friend yesterday and we didn't go on our preschool groups field trip today. But we will get back into the swing of things starting tomorrow.
Elijah is still boycotting his naps (for the most part.) I'm not keen on this at all. (yes, i said keen...move on...) but I don't know what to do. I was making him watch Oklahoma with me (with Hugh Jackman...that man can sing!) but that only got us through a day and a half. I have tried sending him to his room and putting up the gate... works for all of 15 minutes. Today we fought and at 3 he fell asleep. I woke him up at 4 since that's our house rule. We'll figure something out.
I have decided that I'm not going to post my political blog. One, it's waaaaaayyyyy long and not even finished and two, it's not going to change anyone's mind. It's just going to annoy me. So, I leave it to this: The Daily Show!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
September 2008
September 03
busy days, busy nights....
I feel like we are super busy these days. But that's okay. I feel like it makes the week go faster.
SO when we last left our fearless heroes... Erin was fighting the stupid people at the gym....well, I'm still doing that, but I'm much calmer. Last Friday I went shoe shopping for Elijah. I went to my usual Shoe Carnival because usually I can find great deals on clearance. Alas, there was not ONE shoe in his size on sale. So seeing as we had a little time, we went next door to Marshall's and lo and behold on our way out I found (drum roll please....) Spiderman shoes that light up!!! Am I the coolest mom or what? Not that he knows who Spiderman is, but whatever. Elijah was happy and I was happy and they were on sale!
We then met Angela and went to the Bargain Box to find clothes for the kiddos. I found some pants and a couple of shirts for Elijah... Grace is taken care of for the most part. I also found a good amount of things for Christmas presents for Elijah. But the biggest hit is a little tent house that I found for 5 bucks!! I actually can't believe that I haven't taken pics of it yet... Oh well, eventually.
That evening Grace and I went for some of the best ice cream I have ever put in my mouth with some friends. It was a nice day.
The weekend was hot and I feel like we didn't accomplish all that much. But that's okay. Our washer is still not fixed but they say the part is going to be in on the 12th... sigh... We can still wash clothes, but the final spin doesn't work, so they are soaking wet. I am too paranoid to do the diapers, so we have to take them to the laundry mat.
I don't think that I have blogged about this, but I am planning on going to grad school starting next year. Well, the undergrad classes I need start next year. I will take a year of undergrad and then three years for grad school. I will be doing the whole thing online and I'm going for speech pathology. My goal is to be done by the time Grace starts kindergarten. So it's a five year plan. This is something I thought about a long time ago, but never pursued. It came up on a board I belong to and I started looking into it. I know that it will be very challenging having two kids at home and attending school, but I feel confident I can handle it. I have superb time management skills! Also Jerry will be in school (more than likely) so we will be able to both watch the kids and do what needs to be done. I'm a little stressed about it, but I think in the long run this will be a huge benefit to us both financially and career wise.
This week is an exciting week. Yesterday was preschool day. We met and talked about musical instruments and made drums. It was lots of fun! Today we met Kristie at the park and played and walked down to the river where we saw and ALLIGATOR!!!!! Big excitement... Glad that we were on the boardwalk and the alligator was in the river!
Tomorrow Grace has her four month check and shots and Jerry...sigh...is getting a vasectomy. This is bitter sweet, but a good thing. I don't want to go through labor again (not that I'm complaining) and I feel it's the right thing to do for the environment and for my sanity. If we want more in the future, I am more than happy to adopt! This also means Jerry will be home on Friday, so it feels like a short week!
Okay, that's all for now! I hope that you enjoy the new pics! I added some today... the baby legs that Grace is wearing is my newest design. There are some glitches that I want to work out before I start to sell them, but I think for making up something off the top of my head they came out very cute... and I'm in the process of making a matching hat... hehehehehe! Oh yeah, please help me convince Mother Nature to keep Hanna away from here. I really don't want to be trapped inside all weekend with two kids and a recovering husband with no power... Thanks!
September 04
Grace's four month well baby check
So we went to the doctor's this morning. Grace is weighing in at 15.4 pounds (90%) and is 25 inches long (75%) and her head is in the 50% (can never remember that number.) She is very healthy and is growing as she should. The doctor was a little concerned with her eczema and he said that she may have to go to a dermatologist this winter, but we would discuss that at her 6 month check up. She also is having some yeast-y issues in her elbows, under her neck, and under her arms, so she got a script for that. She was a very good baby and handled her shots (all four of them!) very well. She got some baby Tylenol in her and she's as happy as a clam. So yea!!! We got back in two months and then not again until 1 year! I can't believe how fast time is flying here!
September 07
And this is all that needs to be said about the RNC... well for now...
WARNING: may not be appropriate for young viewers. I get all my news from the Daily Show...seems to be the only reliable news source lately!
I was going to post the actual video, but the traffic on the video is so heavy that it can't upload... so here's the link. Check it out!
Remember I am a liberal...
September 14
A Week of Stuff
It seems like I'm only having time to blog every once and a while lately. I can't imagine what would be keeping me so busy! HA!
This week was okay. The weather was really humid and hot.
We went to the park with some friends on Monday and got eaten by the biggest mosquitoes I've seen since I was in Alaska. I started out with the non-deet stuff and moved to the real stuff and still got eaten. The only one that was spared was Grace and that's only because I had her baby legs to show off and I put them on her. We ended up at Kristie's house to eat lunch and chill out.
Tuesday was preschool day and we talked about the great outdoors. Along with that came marshmallows because that's what you eat when camping!!! Elijah really liked them. He's so funny when I give him a candy treat. He takes forever to eat it! We left school just in time to get caught in a huge downpour!
Wednesday we ended up at Kristie's again and she had all kinds of craft projects and stuff to do with us for Patriot's Day. She is from NY and 9/11 has had a great impact on her life. Not to say that it hasn't had a impact on everyone's life, but sometimes I feel like I was simply a bystander. After two days of watching the news, we turned to DVDs of FRIENDS to help try to get the horrible-ness out of our everyday life. There is only so much one can take. But she was there in NY in the Bronx and I think that being that close to everything sticks with you a lot longer. ANYWAY, we did crafts and hung out. And when we left we got caught in the worst rainstorm I have ever been in. I couldn't see anything. I was so worried about the roads flooding that I continued on home instead of pulling over. It turned out fine (obviously) but it took us FOREVER to get home. Katie gave us a Johnny Jump Up Thingy to use because Grace's favorite thing is thing is to jump on us. Some might say that these things are bad for kids that aren't sitting yet, but Grace is oh so close to sitting on her own (can do so for about 1-2 minutes before falling over) and oh my goodness she gets SOOOO freakin' excited when we put her in it, so THANKS KATIE!!!
Wednesday afternoon I got a call from the stupid people at the gym. Not good news and I really don't want to talk about it because it makes my blood pressure go up. So all I'm going to say is it looks like we may be up a creek without a paddle. Rest assured, I am contacting the news paper and the local TV stations as these people are opening a new facility right up the road and people need to be aware. Also am filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau...JERKS!
Thursday we ended up at playgroup at a different park than usual. It was nice to have a change. We all thought that it was going to rain, so we wanted somewhere where if it did rain we could get inside. It was nice. I brought some of the pear/apple butter that I made to share. It's really yummy.
Friday we stayed home all day. It was sorta nice to be home. Elijah and I cleaned around the house and in the afternoon we made some cookies. All the while I got irritated with people's irrational response to gas! I mean seriously, you can't stay home for a freakin' weekend? Whatever. We had a quarter tank of gas and that's really all we need. Sigh... Our local gas station ran out of gas Friday afternoon but they got more in yesterday evening. Our gas prices (at that store) never went above 3.79. When I was teaching I remember that some parents went insane when Katrina came through and shut down the refineries and everyone was freaked out about a gas shortage. These moms came in with gallons and gallons of gas stored in the trunks of their cars and were comparing how much they had hoarded. It's ridiculous. Sigh... we got some gas this morning and will fill up later this week. But seriously people...
SO that brings us to yesterday. We went to Costco in the morning to get stuff for the Cookout for Change (sponsored by the Obama Campaign) and some other things for around the house. During nap I made the kids t-shirts that said, "My Mama is an Obama Mama!!!" (I'll post pics in the album!) They turned out quite well if I do say so myself. The cookout/potluck itself was, hmmm, interesting? There were a few local campaigns that showed up and kind of took over the cookout and I was a little annoyed about that, as it wasn't for local campaigns, and also I don't think a lot of the local campaign people brought food. It was fine, but odd. Not what I expected at all, but whatever. My kids looked cute!!
Today, we are relaxing around the house. There are definitely things that need to get done, but I honestly am beat. Grace is having some issues with itching at night and wakes herself, and in turn, me up about every hour. She seems to only be soothed by being held chest to chest or nursed. Friday night she actually slept 5 hours straight and I woke up feeling rather refreshed, but last night...not so much. I know this will pass, but I really just want to go back to sleep right now and that's just not an option. I will try to nap with her this afternoon though.
Okay, I guess that's it. We are counting down the days until we leave for the mountains (first of October.) And I am super ready for that!!!
thanks to my great friend Angela, we are the proud owners (finally!!) of the Wii Fit and it is totally kicking my butt... in a good way. it's my new favorite thing!!!! Thanks angela!!!!!!!
September 17
READ THIS NOW!!!!!!
via My Feet Only Walk Forward by Brandon Lacy Campos on 9/16/08
Hey folks:
As much as possible, I try and do only original content on my page. But sometimes, as with Rocki's letter and this blog post, there shit that needs circulating. The following is one of those things.
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise / September 13, 2008
For those who still can't grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because "every family has challenges," even as black and Latino families with similar "challenges" are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don't all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you're "untested."
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance because "if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me," and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the "under God" part wasn't added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.
White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was "Alaska first," and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she's being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you're being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you're somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don't even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a "second look."
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn't support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God's punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you're just a good church-going Christian, but if you're black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you're an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a "trick question," while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O'Reilly means you're dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a "light" burden.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren't sure about that whole "change" thing. Ya know, it's just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain…
White privilege is, in short, the problem.
Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White. He has contributed essays to seventeen books, and is one of several persons featured in White Men Challenging Racism: Thirty-Five Personal Stories, from Duke University Press. A collection of his essays, Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male, will be released in fall 2008.
September 18
Check this out!
I'm really worried about this election. I'm really worried that the women in America are even thinking about voting for a President that is quite old and who has chosen such a woman as Sarah Palin as his running mate. I'm worried for my children if these two should get into office. I'm worried about privacy issues that could ensue. I'm worried that women every where will suddenly be pushed backward instead of forward. I'm just plain worried. So I found this article (thanks to a link sent to me by my good friend Laura) and it gave me a little peace that maybe there are Alaskan's that aren't completely 100% behind this woman. I really don't like to blog about politics. But this woman has me really really worried!!!!!!! Any woman should be scared. Anyone with a daughter should be scared.
September 20
Gotta Love the Dollar Tree for Halloween Costumes...
hehehehehe!!! Elijah is going to be a dragon-slaying, fairy butterfly warrior in a sheer blue tutu for Halloween. hehehehehehe... (not enough hands for the magic wand....)
September 23
what a weekend! (and a week so far!!) a picture post...
Saturday:
saw Curious George...warped boy child with huge rendition of favorite cartoon and maniacal laughing...
made it up to him by taking him to the park.
finished new babylegs design (made from socks this time) and forced (obviously) girl child to model them... she's still pretty freakin' cute!
Sunday:
in order to do mowing had to put girl child in carrier (don't know what was going through my head here...) and carried her while pushing the reel mower (kinda bad ass....)
girl child got to nap...
while boy child played.
Monday:
watched the train go on the track at Kristie's house
fixed the flannel to the wall for BIG flannel story play
and had some fun wrecking the play room and entertaining each other!!
Tuesday:
GOT TO GO TO THE FIRE STATION!!!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
August 2008
August 03
HOT HOT HOT!!!
That's how the festival was yesterday. And I must say that I sold nothing. Nevertheless, it was fun and a good experience. Kristie (who brought along wonderful Dawn to help set up) and I had a blast. I brought a hand held fan that spritzed water and kept Grace in the shade and (naked) cool throughout the day. She was soooo good! Kristie made a few sales and that was a big bonus for her!
There is a private company here that is for rent for security called Interpol. Every time I saw them I kept thinking of "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" and would laugh. I didn't know they were a security company until I got home and talked to Jerry and Kristie and I were all curious and wanted to ask them about Carmen San Diego...but never had the nerve. Anyway, we had a blast (Kristie had a little help from the wine...hehehehe!) And even though it was 90million degrees we had fun just talking and listening to good music.
So here are some pics of the preparations and of the day:
I'm also going to add an album with explanations.
I think over all we would totally do this again. Maybe we'll hit a few festivals this fall and a Christmas thing-y too? We'll see!
August 09
a great way to end the week!
This week has been extraordinarily hot! Heat indexes were in the 100s almost all week long. I did try to get Elijah and Grace out of the house almost everyday, but not for long. Yesterday I got a message from my friend Kristie to come over for a cook out, so instead of enjoying the very nice weather, I stayed home to clean the house and get at least some laundry done. I guess this made a difference in Elijah's life. He decided not to take a nap yesterday, but I did let him come sit with me and Grace and watch some TV and rest. I think that made a difference. I was really worried about going out with him without a nap. But he did GREAT! We got to Kristie's around 5:30 and then Katie and her family arrived shortly after. So all the kiddos played and we ate guac and chips while Dave cooked and the boys (I mean Men) hung out. Everyone had some beers (sans me...alas alack) and we had great company! I think we will try to make this at least a monthly thing. We ate a little later than normal, but it was all good. We left about 8:45 (almost an hour after Elijah's bedtime...) but Elijah was sooooo good throughout the whole evening, even when we told him it was time to go. He did really really well! Grace was a little fussy with all the excitement, but she also did well (until the ride home... then not so much...) At home Elijah feel almost immediately asleep and Grace went down okay. Jerry and I watched a little of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, but I was beat, so I went to bed.
I have to say, though, that I did not sleep well. I kept having weird or bad dreams. Our area of NC is having a bad out break of black widows. We have them all around our house, but Kristie found some in her car and around her house and it was a major topic of discussion last night. Elijah came into my room at 3:45 last night and after I put him in bed with Jerry and resettled Grace, I could not stop thinking about those horrid creatures!!! So I was up until almost 5...sigh... oh well...
Speaking of Grace, I think she is getting ready to do something developmentally. Probably roll over. But lately she has been squirmy at night. To the point she wakes me and herself up. Then she doesn't want to nurse, she only wants to be held on my chest. Not a biggie, I can sleep like that (I have a whole set up) it's just not the coolest position. Yesterday though she almost made it all the way over. She can get over onto her side and is soooo close to rolling over. I guess I need to go on and put up the guard rail on the bed.
I have to say that I am (overall) happy with Grace's sleep habits. She will nurse to sleep, but she doesn't have to nurse to sleep. I think this will make night weaning much easier than it was with Elijah. Not that this isn't a long way done the road, but it's good to know that this challenge won't be so bad.
okay, Jerry's making breakfast I think it's almost done. There are new pics on the month 4 album!
August 13
You want some cheese with that?
First to answer questions:
I don't check my shoes before I put them on because we haven't found any spiders inside. If my shoes are left outside (to dry or whatnot) then we shake them. I don't like the idea of having black widows around the house, but we just check everything (sandbox, playhouse, slide, etc.) before playing on/in them.
We do, however leave Elijah's galoshes outside when they are wet and dirty...so after every use. So I always knock them around a bit. I was on the phone with my mom a while back and Elijah wanted to wear his galoshes into the sprinkler, so I knocked them on the ground to get any spiders out that might of crawled in...out. I was expecting something small and creepy to come out, instead out HOPPED a TOAD! It scared me (and probably burst my mom's ear drum, since I screamed!) Elijah was totally enthralled. After my heart slowed down, I couldn't stop laughing about it...
Last weekend we went to Sears to have our oil change and tires rotated. While there we went on the never ending hunt for a Wii Fit. Our last stop was back at Sears where Elijah spotted a Max and Ruby DVD from miles away. We decided that we would splurge and get this video as we were both a little tired of the Curious George DVD (he gets to pick two to watch before bed.) So Jerry took the kids to check on the car and I went to pay for the DVD. Now I have seen this woman at Sears before. She is older and a talker. (Let me just say here: I have been working out 20 minutes a day with 10 minute Solutions Dance DVD ...2 workouts a day... plus playing the Wii....SIGH) I step up to pay for the DVD and stupid woman asks, "When are you due?" WHAT??!?!?!?!??! First off, unless you KNOW someone is preggo, it is an unwritten rule that you NEVER EVER ask EVER!!! I looked at her (and in hindsight should not have been as nice) and said, "Oh, I just had a baby." (3 months ago, but thanks for making feel bad about myself JERK!) She then proceeds to talk to me and asks about the birth and all...I don't want to talk to you lady...Please shut up and finish this transaction with your head hung down in shame... sigh... stupid woman.
On Monday we needed to go grocery shopping. We found out that a food lion close to Jerry's work carries the diapers we like to use when not using cloth, so I decided to go there for a change. As we got out of the car, I saw a woman with 2 kids unloading a cart that Elijah likes to ride in. So I took my time getting the kids out of the car in case that was the only one (like the Food Lion closer by.) While I'm taking my time I'm sorta spying on this woman. First of all the woman was yelling at her kids for, what seemed to be, no apparent reason. She picked up the baby (in a carrier) and put it in the car, then let the toddler just crawl in. Then she proceeded to open door after door and stuff the (I'm not even lying here) 20 bottles of Diet Dr. Pepper into whatever nook and cranny she could find. It was seriously taking a REALLY long time. I mean there is only so long I can pretend to adjust the sling. So I start walking over to Elijah's side of the car and I hear this, "Put that cigarette down! That's Mommy's!!!!" Are you freakin' kidding me? Sigh... Not that's really bad for you, that's gross, but That's mommy's? I got Elijah out of the car and we went into the store (with Elijah whining about the car cart) where we, luckily, found another car cart. I was just floored...sigh...
The other day Elijah woke up from his nap. I had heard him moving around, but then he seemed to settle down a bit. So when he woke up I wasn't too surprised, but sometimes he'll come call in the chair with me and Grace and go back to sleep for a bit. ANYWAY, he comes out of his rooms and this is the conversation:
E: Hey buddy. Did you wake up from your nap?
e: Uh-huh. 'Ijah little wake up. 'Ijah big wake up now! PLAY now, mommy.
E: You woke up a little but now you are awake?
e: uh-huh, little wake up, PLAY now mommy!
I guess he woke up and realized it and then went back to sleep. It just tickled me....
And now for the girl child... She has, what looks like, three teeth coming in on the bottom and one coming in on the top...sigh... her eczema seems bad one day and then better the next then worse the next... Her sleeping has not been good lately. She wakes up around 1:30 will nurse and go back to sleep for 15 minutes and then wake back up. The only way I can get her to go back to sleep is to hold her while sitting straight up and patting her back. Eventually (like an hour later) I can scooch down in the bed a little and eventually (like another hour) roll her off onto her side. I guess it could be worse. I can fall back asleep in all the positions and I have the boppy under my arms to help support her and me. My problem is I have been having HORRID nightmares after waking up and then going back to sleep. To the point I have to get up and check on everyone to make sure they are alright. I am sure this is all a combination of the teeth, the eczema, and a growth spurt and it too shall pass, but I am so tired in the morning that I am sick to my stomach. Yesterday I went to the library and then we went to walk along the river to look at boats (it was such a nice day weather wise) and by the time I got home, I was so sleepy and tired that I couldn't even eat lunch. But alas alack, no nap for the mom. Grace and Elijah's naps overlap for about 15 minutes and that's it...sigh...
Today it is rainy and supposed to be all day. We aren't going anywhere and I really have no plans at all. There are a ton of things that need to be done around this house, but I'm not doing anything.
And yes I would like some cheese with my whine!!!
August 18
seriously...trampoline?
The trampoline is an Olympic sport? Seriously? WHAT?!?! Obviously my Olympic dreams are not over, I can still get there...
In all seriousness, I'm sure it is quite difficult, I just find it humorous... even more so that they have different trampolines for men and women. I just found that amusing...
On a not so amusing note... sigh... Our washing machine broke. It stopped spinning, so instead of paying someone to come out and fix it we looked up the problem on the internet...clogged drainage pipe. Everyone that commented on the problem said that it was an easy fix...stupid people...probably undercover repair people. We undid everything easy enough and cleaned up the water and cleaned out the pipes (though we found no blockage) and then went to put things back together...SIGH...not so much. I guess at least when the repair person does come they won't have to disassemble the machine. There is just this one clamp that we cannot get back on to where it should go. I hope that Jerry can get someone out here soon though. I am down to one pair of shorts (just bought a bunch of new underwear, so at least I'm good in that department) and two shirts...sigh... Also was getting ready to do a load of diapers...not so much a nice smell now in the small bathroom (especially since some toddler boy will not leave the freaking diaper pail alone!!!!!!!) sigh...
BUT...on Friday the kiddos and I met our Wednesday/Friendsday friends at this local woman's house to pick pears (don't be mad mama Jones, I'll pick some of yours when we come up I promise!) The kids had a blast. But Elijah and I got super eaten up by bugs. I put on bug spray too late. Nevertheless, the lady had toys out for the kids to play with and they had fun picking the pears as well. I found a good recipe for apple/pear butter (the freezer kind!!!) so I'll try that later today. It involves a bit more work than the other freezer things I've made, but not a ton, so we'll see.
Okay, there is an infant child wanting some milk...so I'm off...
August 21
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday...full of friends!!!
On Tuesday:
We went to a friend's house to meet with some other moms as a sorta laid back home school preschool. It was nice to get together with friends and do learning activities (this week we talked about growing things and the importance of bees.) Next week we will follow up with a field trip to the arboretum. We only meet for about 2 hours. I think it's good for Elijah to get as much socialism as possible, the learning environment is even better. We will all sorta pitch in and figure out each other's strengths so that we are all "teaching". It's also nice that the mom's stay there with the kids. Then no one is responsible for all the kids.
Also on Tuesday, we had the repair guy come look at our washer...sigh.. our motherboard is shot and has to be replaced. We can still wash clothes, there is just no final spin, so the clothes are pretty wet at the end...sigh... we contemplated buying a new washer (it's a 300 buck fix) but decided we will just pay to get this one fixed and start saving for a washer that we really really want (close to 800 bucks.) While it's annoying, I'm getting over it and moving on. I'm still hesitant to do our diapers in the washer because i really need all the detergent out of the diapers, so Jerry is going to take them during nap this weekend to the laundry mat. sigh...
On Wednesday:
Kate and her gang and my kiddos and I went to the Farmer's Market where it was kid's day!!! We went on a hay ride and walked around the farmer's market and watched the ponies (wasn't paying 5 bucks for my kiddo to freak out on the pony, but they were fun to watch.) The also had pheasants, chickens, and rabbits. Oh my! I have briefly discussed with our WD/FD friends about a preschool co-op and that's a possibility, but I don't want to commit to anything until I figure out what the heck is going on with grad school next year for both Jerry and myself. Elijah is a year older than these kids, but he gets along with them very well and I adore these moms.
On Thursday:
We went to the park, took a very brief walk and then played. I brought Dunkin Donuts (mostly because I am lazy, but also because I wanted some!) and I think they caused a little stir, but alas, alack. I love my Thursday group of friends as well. It's interesting to be a part of two groups are have many differences, but are similar in that I feel comfortable in both. Granted our Thursday group is much larger than the Wednesday one, but still...
I have a whole other blog entry in my head that I am hoping to get out soon... but sometimes that doesn't happen, so to make sure (probably) the title will be "Unapologetic"...hopefully, I find time tomorrow or maybe Saturday during nap time, to blog it. I've been thinking about it for a while and it's starting to keep me up, so I need to write it...
Okay, that's all for now.
August 25
Okay okay...unapologetic
While this is an unapologetic blog post, I'm going to start out by saying that I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you should get over it... I know I will.
I will not apologize for:
1) vaccinating my child.
2) being annoyed that other choose not to vaccinate their children. I am not saying those that choose, for whatever reason, to delay vaccines, I'm talking about not vaccinating at all. For many reasons it annoys me, but things like this piss me off and scare the crap out of me. My girl child doesn't get the MMR vaccine until she is a year old. Yet, it seems not to phase people that their child may expose my infant to measles. I find this selfish. I understand that some believe that there are homeopathic cures for any disease. I choose to go the way of the FDA and risk it. Seeing as my kids are allergic to many "organic" cleaners, I'm not going to risk giving them something that may be worse than the disease. I feel that if you don't want to vaccinate your kid, it's your choice, but please don't complain about getting your child into school and all the organic remedies out there. It annoys me.
3) giving my child a plastic container to drink/eat from. While I think that plastic is not the best thing in the world, right now it is the cheapest. I have a feeling that will all change as oil becomes less available, but for now, it's what I can afford. I am really tired of being made by companies to feel like I am some HORRIBLE mother for giving my child plastic. I guess I make the choice to not spend 14.95 on a sippy cup. But i feel that if the plastic was really that HORRID that these, oh-so-great-companies would make a product that was affordable for everyone not just the middle to upper class of America. Apparently we only value the fragile lives of children whose parents can afford such things. Which leads me too...
4) not constantly feeding my child only organic food. Again, I feel like there is not enough organic food in the USA to feed all it's population. It's impossible. We have to use fertilizers and insecticide in order for there to be enough food. Of course, there in lies the problem right? Over population and consumerism. We have to have food to survive. I don't really believe that all the food is as organic as one might think. you don't know what was on the soil before it was "organic" and the stuff that's dangerous, doesn't go away. Not to mention how the fields are plowed. By horses? Probably not. Probably by diesel or gas powered tillers or plows. What do these things put in the air? What do the plants intake? Or where do your "organic" bananas come from? Are they transported by clean burning trucks running off recycled oil or hydrogen or compressed air? I think that some people are more concerned about the food they eat than the air they breathe. I mean by using gas powered lawn mowers you pollute the air you and your kids breathe. But it seems to not phase people that this is the stuff that is dangerous, not the pesticides that can be washed off our fruits and veggies. It is your right to eat organic and not use plastic (though how you buy shoes is beyond me!) I wish you all the luck in the world. Please stop making me feel less superior to you.
5) not buying new clothes/toys for my kids. I buy used everything except for shoes and underwear. I see no point in buying new. I refuse to pay more than 15 dollars on a pair of shoes for my kids. I won't buy Stride Rite because I feel they are over priced and again... the whole class thing pisses me off.
6) owning a reel lawn mower and electric weedwacker and complaining about the work. Because it is harder, but I feel better about letting my kids play outside. In fact, my kids can play outside while I mow the grass and I know I'm not hurting not only their lungs, but their ears.
7) supporting all moms regardless of the following: having a natural birth, epidural, c-section, work, stay at home, cry it out, co sleep, use disposable diapers, use cloth diapers, spank, use time out, coddle, spoil, breast feed, bottle feed, formula feed... and many more.
8) for breastfeeding my child on demand.
9) sleeping with my kids.
10) not spanking my kids. While it's fine if others want to, I believe that by spanking you are instilling a certain fear in the kid. We both were spanked as kids. We turned out just fine. This is not a criticism of how we were raised, it is simply a choice we are making.
11) feeding my child fast food. He loves it. He gets it about once a week. I think that life will go on.
12) letting my two year old watch TV. He rarely, if at all watched it before he turned two and Grace will be the same way. But he gets to watch limited amounts now. I don't think that it will hurt him.
13) allowing my child to entertain himself. In fact, I encourage this. As long as he is having fun and not hurting himself or anyone else, I am content to allow my kids to play with each other and friends with limited supervision (in the house or in the back yard...not like the playground or something) and I encourage them working things out on their own.
14) being annoyed with my toddler. He does things that annoy me. I am sure that the feeling is mutual.
15) not cutting Elijah's hair. EVER! If he chooses to have his hair cut, then I will take him. Until then, nope...
16) allowing my child to eat sweets. I believe in everything in moderation. He gets sweets. He understands the words "No more, all done." He doesn't pig out on sweets since he gets them on a regular basis.
17) feeding my child foods with corn syrup in them. It's the EXACT same chemical make up as sugar. Most products that have eliminated the corn syrup have more sugar in them. See, I do read labels... I also read ALL research.
18) not buying into research provided by non-scientific companies.
19) only buying biodegradable cleaning products that have their ingredients CLEARLY printed ON THE BOTTLE.
20) being me and writing this post. If I have offended you, chances are you have offended me first, so back at ya. I did not write this to intentionally piss off people or even start a debate. I have just had this all on my chest for a while. So there.
August 28
So FREAKIN' Mad!!!!
So I have been getting calls from some 888 number and finally they left a message (because I won't answer.) It's a financial service calling about our membership to a fitness club. ummm, WHAT?????? I canceled our membership to a gym 3 years ago this October. Apparently, our contract renewed itself. We apparently are dumb and didn't see that our account was being debited until last month. so Jerry put a stop on the account. Now we get called 5757858675 million times. So today I answer. The club they are charging us for doesn't even exist any more. Had I known that before I answered the phone the poor customer service rep would have gotten even more of an ear full. So we are under review with the club...whatever. The bad thing is that we don't have our original contract or the cancellation notice, because, have I mentioned, I WAS THREE YEARS AGO??????? She couldn't even find the original name of the club (it has changed names 3 times!!!) I told the CSR that we would be discussing this issue with a lawyer. They didn't even have a even quasi- correct address. I mean the address they had was two addresses ago!
I feel if they can't find our original agreement then we are all in the same boat. Obviously, we are at fault for not realizing sooner that stuff was being drafted from our account, but who the HELL renews something like that. If they can't find our original documents then they have no leg to stand on. I'm still sooooooooo mad. I don't understand how they can charge us for a place that doesn't exist. I can't believe that didn't catch this sooner, and I can't believe that they think that I'm going to give them another penny. Sigh...
okay... that is all for now... end of rant...
Saturday, March 21, 2009
July 2008
July 01
Her brother (I will say) in order to celebrate decided to spray the inside of the dining area with a hose that he was told to keep outside. I take partial blame for this, as I was working in the kitchen and (heaven forbid) turned my back on him for .00004 seconds, which is apparently enough time to decide the garden no longer needs water, but the dining room floor (including, but not limited to: the table, three chairs, Grace's car seat, my cell phone, part of this computer, my brand new tennis shoes, and some craft supplies I had on the table.) I must say that my initial response was that of death to toddler, but I was very impressed with how calm I stayed and I supervised his cleaning up every drop of water. Grace calmly stayed enthralled by her mobile (I might really have lost it if she were screaming...) while the clean up took place. Elijah has apologized (and immediately asked to play agua again... don't think so kiddo...maybe when you are 16...) and has given hugs and all is forgiven and I will probably be laughing in a few days time about this...still... what possesses a almost 2.5 year old to do such things...sigh...
So here are my two favorite pictures of my two favorite kids.
This shirt needs a little change:
Party
in mom's bed
4 AM
At least she's happy at 4, but I would rather it be 7...oh well...beggars can't be choosers right?
Elijah's thing when he sees me feeding Grace, he thinks it's fun to feed his baby "elijah's milk." How sweet!
I'm uploading pics to the album as well. Happy Grace's two month birthday!!!!
July 03
Over all, it was quite fun. I have a ton of dye left over, so I either have to pour it out or go get some shirt. Jerry found this new site so maybe I can put some things on there and sell them as a test market. Though Carmen mentioned that there maybe a place for some tie dyes in her store... we'll see. I had cobalt blue, fire red, dark purple, and a denim blue. 10 bottles of dye in all. It was a lot, but I wanted to people to make sure they were able to dye what they wanted.
SO now, I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. Elijah is napping peacefully and Grace is here in my lap talking to me, fighting off sleep...silly girl... and that's all she wrote...hehehehe!
July 04
E: Here comes the choo choo track.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day maybe. You had your birthday party in a caboose.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day you will ride a choo choo.
e: (long pause) no 'ijah ride caboose choo choo yesterday. (didn't even know he knew the word yesterday.)
E: You rode the caboose yesterday?
e: uh-huh.
E: (giggling) Okay.
e: 'ijah ride engine choo choo NOW.
E: You want to ride in the engine now?
e: uh-huh.
E: Where are you riding the engine to?
e: Ride choo choo to airtport (not a typo, he puts a t in the middle of air port.)
E: That's not a long ride. (as the traintracks run right beside the airport.)
e: Ride choo choo to airtport. (very final.)
E: Alrighty!
Later while passing a McDonalds:
e:Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy!!!!
E: Yes Elijah!
e: chickenfries
E: Not today buddy, sorry.
e: (long pause) Mommy? Chinkenfries pleeeease?
E: I like how you asked, but not today buddy.
e: (sighs) okay.
The newest songs:
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, up and down, wah-wah, shhshh, move on back, beep beep. Twinkle Twinkle little staaaaaaaaaaar."
"Row Row Row Your Boat. Twinkle Twinkle Little staaaaaaaar." (Do you see a pattern?)
"Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Twinkle Twinkle Little Staaaaaaaaaaaar."
"Lassy, lassy, this way and that way. twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
"Happy momma (instead of happy birthday) happy momma, twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
Pretty much anything he starts to sing, ends in a rousing rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And it's oh so top-of-the-voice-rousing! But it never fails to crack me up.
He still is having trouble with the beginning sounds of some words. We thought it was just "ch" "th" and "sh", but it's many letters. The thing that I don't get is that he can say the letters in other sections of the words. For example, he says "'uppy" for puppy. Obviously he can say "p", he just doesn't on the beginning of the word. He still is new at the whole speaking thing, but we will talk to his doctor about it if it doesn't improve by the time he's 3.
I can't believe that he is going to be 2.5 in 9 days. It's amazing actually. So I am including two pics of the kiddo. One from two years ago, a year ago and one from yesterday...sigh...
July 07
She is a healthy little bit. She has eczema (big surprise there) and cradle cap. Both are nothing to worry about. She smiled at the doc the whole time...well, until the doc messed with her hips and then not so much. She handled her four shots as well as can be expected. I nursed her immediately after and it was a little pathetic with the sniffling and tears, but she is fine and happy once again. We didn't dose her with Tylenol and so far she has no fever, so I'm thinking that she may not need any at all, we'll see. We decided to forego the Roto-Virus oral vaccine. If she were in childcare or around more children that were, then I might reconsider. It's a newer vaccine and Elijah didn't get it. Although, it's not one we can put off. I don't want her sick and apparently roto virus is highly contagious. I'm actually wondering if that's what I had last September (when we found out I was preggo with her.) Elijah and Jerry didn't get it, but I was insane about washing hands during that sickness. I don't know. We have a two week window. But I think we'll just hope for the best. She is moving her head all around and responding to sound and sight stuff. So all in all a perfect baby. The doc did grumble a little about her sleeping in bed with me, but I just brushed by it. I am aware of her at all times. Mostly she sleeps on my arm because that's how we fall asleep at those midnight feedings.
So here she is in all her glory.
July 11
Or lack thereof. sigh... I have had to fight Elijah down for his nap lately and it's been getting later and later. Then he totally didn't go down for a nap at all on Wednesday and Thursday. I need that break. Both days he ended up in his room until I told him he could come out, but he was not quiet and I got no rest. I don't need a nap, I just need down time. Grace is low maintenance. Even if she isn't sleeping, she is chill... I mean seriously, she's 2 months old... not a whole lot of trouble. But when she's crying and I'm trying to get Elijah asleep... sigh...
So I was beside myself. I don't like being in a bad mood in the afternoon and I don't like being snappish toward Elijah, who was crying at the littlest thing because he was soooo tired. Anyway, Jerry came home today and I took Grace and laid down with her and Jerry got Elijah to fall asleep in his own bed. Sigh... At least our afternoon was better because we all three got some rest.
Guilt:
So the issue seems to be that Elijah won't go down for a nap because he wants some undivided attention. I want to give it to him, but I also want to give undivided attention to Gracie. I feel very torn. On one hand, I feel like I haven't gotten to bond with Grace as much as I want and on the other hand when I give her complete attention, I feel like Elijah acts out because I'm not giving him enough. I know it's not going to be easy. I know that the kids are fine. I'm not neglecting either one. I know that Elijah will get over it, it's an adjustment to suddenly have to share your folks (I had trouble sharing my folks with my friends when I was in middle and high schools, I can't expect a 2 year old to adjust super quick...) but I still feel guilty about it. I feel like I'm not being the super mom that I should be. It's an unrealistic standard that I have set for myself. I did this with Elijah and I've done it again with Grace. I need to relax and not worry so much about what's going on around me and be the best mom I can be. There are days when I let Elijah watch too much TV, because I am just beat. I function best on a schedule and I'm thrown when I have really busy weeks, like we have the last week or so. But today went well and I hope that these days continue. I know that eventually the guilt will pass and I'll feel better about being a mom and chill a bit. Things will either get better or they won't and I will be the one that will adapt.
Growth:
On a MUCH lighter note...the girl child apparently grew overnight... we put her in a sleeper last Friday. It was a bit big, we had to roll up the feet and the arms. We put the same sleeper on her on Tuesday and no rolling was required. I really forgot how fast they grow!!! I'm going to add a video as soon as it finishes uploading... for now, there are new pics in a new folder...
July 16
My parents (and possibly my aunt) are coming on Sunday! I'm excited to see them. We're going to the beach and play lots while they are here. I hope the weather holds and nothing tropical comes our way. They are doing a house exchange with a friend of mine, so it's nice they don't have to pay for a hotel. Though mom mentioned bunk beds. Right now we have no place for them. I think that when Grace is in her own bed we will move her into Elijah's room and move all the toys across the hall as a separate play space...we'll see.
Jerry got his summer bonus at work the other day and we are talking about things we need for around the house. We both realized that for the past bonuses/tax returns/stimulus checks we have gotten things for the house or for the kids (i.e. fence, play set, yard tools....) and that we should do something for us. First we are doing something for Grace, by setting up a savings account for her. Then we are buying something for just us...
i have exciting news, but I'm waiting until my folks get here first...no I'm not pregnant... I'll post on Sunday I promise!!!
July 18
I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love. 10 inches. That's allot for me. I was really really nervous, but I think it all turned out okay. I belong to a mom's group that will be doing a fundraiser in March and I think I will donate again. So here are the pics:
BEFORE
DURING (that's 10 inches... doesn't look like it, but it is)
After
After tucked behind the ears.
I like the cut. I'm a little worried abotu what's going to happen when I wash it and then don't take the morning to flat iron it, but the stylist lady promised it would look okay curly. So we shall see. But I'm happy with it. Jerry likes it and neither of my kids are too scared of me. Though Elijah kept looking at me all weird when I came home...ahh, well, he'll adapt.
So that's the big news. I hope it wasn't too anticlimactic.
July 26
So I got my hair cut on Friday. We had a tropical wave hit us on Saturday. In between bans Jerry and I went out to Costco....and.... bought a Wii!!!!! I'm so freakin' in love with this thing. It rocks! We wanted to get something for just us with Jerry's bonus. The last bonuses/stimulus check/tax refund have gone to the house or things for the kids and we decided to treat ourselves. We want the Wii Fit too, but it's sold out EVERYWHERE! But regardless, I have lost 3 pounds on this thing just playing the tennis game. I love it. We only use it when the kiddos are asleep. We are not letting them play...it's ours... not theirs.
Anyway, on Sunday my folks and aunt arrived. They had been visiting a relative in SC so they only had a 2-ish hour drive up. They all loved the hair. And, of course, the kids! I thought I would get so much done with three helpers here, but I really didn't do that much. We went to the Blue Moon Galleries on Monday (since it was scorching hot!) and I think that a friend and I might start selling stuff there... we'll see (side story on that: Carmen is not accepting consignment sales anymore, so I had to pull all my stuff out of her shop...sigh... I hope that she can continue to keep the shop open, and I disappointed to not have an outlet anymore, but maybe this is for the best. Depending on rent at the BMG, I may come out better...we'll see...) On Tuesday, we hit the beach in the morning. I'm always so tired after a beach day. It's exhausting getting up and out the door with two kids. My folks took all the beach stuff the day before, so it was already set up for us when we got there. The water was perfect, as was the weather, but it was still tiring. Our playgroup met there last week, but Elijah is still a little scared of the water, so it was pretty much paying 3 bucks for Elijah to play in the sand. It's only worth it if I can get in the water...not that possible with two kiddos... but with extra hands to help out, it was worth it. Wednesday we went to the Farmer's Market and got some yummy fresh veggies to grill out that evening and have with lunch. Thursday, Jerry had the day off, so he and my dad did stuff in the yard, mom played with Elijah outside, Mavis held Grace and I made Grace a super cute dress! It was so easy (the dress that is) and it's reversible. So I will be making them to sell (if we go ahead with the BMG thing) with matching reversible sunhats (how freakin' cute will that be?) I have a pattern for overalls that I'll make for boys (and girls too!) Then on Friday they went home. I was so sad to see them go. My friend Amy and her fam switched houses with my folks for the week. It was nice for them to not feel they had to stay in a hotel, and have their own space for sleeping.
After the folks left we took Elijah to Fit For Fun and let him play for a bit, picked up my stuff from Carmen's and came on home. Today we took the (abundance of) recycling to the drop off and went in search for a Wii Fit. No luck... but c'est la vie. We'll get it eventually.
Okay... I'm going to add some pics...and yes, mom I got your e-mails (I wrote the thank you letters already) and the pics are on their way!
July 28
ANYWAY, so we all slept in the big bed for nap today and it simply wasn't enough for me. I'm exhausted. And I have a heat/sleep headache that won't go away. I think we will head out to play in the pool in a bit.
This weekend, I put on a piece of clothing that was given to us as a hand me down. I just forget about our kid's skin issues. I didn't pre-wash the clothes. I didn't ask the donor what type laundry detergent they used... Grace broke out EVERYWHERE! Poor thing. SO now I am in the middle of a massive clothes washing! One friend gave us 4 huge boxes of clothes up to 2T, so it's taking a bit. I'm on the 18 month stuff now. Sigh... Oh well, better to do it now than later I guess.
Okay. That's really it... I added new pics to the month 3 album as the girl child will be 3 months this week!!!!
July 30
We'll start with yesterday and move on...
We went to a baby shower yesterday. It was quite a shower and nice to hang out with other moms in support of a mom to be. Elijah ate WAY too much sugar, and hence no nap... BOOOO! I also decided yesterday that I would sell my stuff at The Cape Fear Music and Arts Festival with my friend Kristie. We will have a booth there and just chill. I'm excited about it, but I have a ton of stuff to do. I need to finish sewing on the faces of the snuggle buddies, make some hats to match the super cute new dresses I have, AND I need to sew the buttons on said dresses... then I just have to label and tag everything... Doable, but time consuming.
Anyway, today was a great day. We met our friends Katie and Kristie at a local pool and had a great time. I love hanging out with these women and their kiddos. Elijah is the oldest of the bunch, but he's pretty good around them. After a GREAT nap today Elijah and Grace and I have been hanging out in the nice AC. It is just too hot to be outside right now. I know that sounds horrid, but it really is too HOT! 95 with a heat index way above 100... not so much for the outside. But we are playing and having fun inside!
Cute Elijah story:
Sometimes on the way home we go by the airport and over railroad tracks. Elijah is well aware of this and points it out every time we go this way. The other day Elijah was playing with a toy that he was pretending to be an airplane. Here is the conversation:
E:Where are you flying?
e: To the airport.
E: That's a good place to go.
e: Yup. Over the choo choo tracks and down down down to the airport.
It just tickled me that he thinks there RR tracks in the sky.
I LOVE MY KIDS!!
Made it 2 months!
Grace is two months today! That's pretty exciting! She is growing (up to 3-6 months clothing wise) and smiling and all around pretty decent kid.Her brother (I will say) in order to celebrate decided to spray the inside of the dining area with a hose that he was told to keep outside. I take partial blame for this, as I was working in the kitchen and (heaven forbid) turned my back on him for .00004 seconds, which is apparently enough time to decide the garden no longer needs water, but the dining room floor (including, but not limited to: the table, three chairs, Grace's car seat, my cell phone, part of this computer, my brand new tennis shoes, and some craft supplies I had on the table.) I must say that my initial response was that of death to toddler, but I was very impressed with how calm I stayed and I supervised his cleaning up every drop of water. Grace calmly stayed enthralled by her mobile (I might really have lost it if she were screaming...) while the clean up took place. Elijah has apologized (and immediately asked to play agua again... don't think so kiddo...maybe when you are 16...) and has given hugs and all is forgiven and I will probably be laughing in a few days time about this...still... what possesses a almost 2.5 year old to do such things...sigh...
So here are my two favorite pictures of my two favorite kids.
This shirt needs a little change:
Party
in mom's bed
4 AM
At least she's happy at 4, but I would rather it be 7...oh well...beggars can't be choosers right?
Elijah's thing when he sees me feeding Grace, he thinks it's fun to feed his baby "elijah's milk." How sweet!
I'm uploading pics to the album as well. Happy Grace's two month birthday!!!!
July 03
Hot, but oh so much fun!
So the rain gods kept the day dry and rather hot, but we had a blast tie dying this morning. There were seven moms and our kids. I wasted a ton of water with the sprinkler pool and the baby pool, but it's just one day. Jerry and I set up the tent and the moms all ended up over there after the dying was done. I hope that everyone's projects turn out nicely. It was nice to hang out and talk and not really worry about where the kids were (thank you fence!!!) Elijah kinda kept to himself and Grace was just as charming as ever winning people over with her smile. I also got rid of 6 jars of jam! No one was allowed to leave without taking a jar!Over all, it was quite fun. I have a ton of dye left over, so I either have to pour it out or go get some shirt. Jerry found this new site so maybe I can put some things on there and sell them as a test market. Though Carmen mentioned that there maybe a place for some tie dyes in her store... we'll see. I had cobalt blue, fire red, dark purple, and a denim blue. 10 bottles of dye in all. It was a lot, but I wanted to people to make sure they were able to dye what they wanted.
SO now, I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep. Elijah is napping peacefully and Grace is here in my lap talking to me, fighting off sleep...silly girl... and that's all she wrote...hehehehe!
July 04
About Elijah -- a 2.5 year retrospective
Conversations in the car:E: Here comes the choo choo track.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day maybe. You had your birthday party in a caboose.
e: 'ijah ride choo choo?
E: One day you will ride a choo choo.
e: (long pause) no 'ijah ride caboose choo choo yesterday. (didn't even know he knew the word yesterday.)
E: You rode the caboose yesterday?
e: uh-huh.
E: (giggling) Okay.
e: 'ijah ride engine choo choo NOW.
E: You want to ride in the engine now?
e: uh-huh.
E: Where are you riding the engine to?
e: Ride choo choo to airtport (not a typo, he puts a t in the middle of air port.)
E: That's not a long ride. (as the traintracks run right beside the airport.)
e: Ride choo choo to airtport. (very final.)
E: Alrighty!
Later while passing a McDonalds:
e:Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy!!!!
E: Yes Elijah!
e: chickenfries
E: Not today buddy, sorry.
e: (long pause) Mommy? Chinkenfries pleeeease?
E: I like how you asked, but not today buddy.
e: (sighs) okay.
The newest songs:
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, up and down, wah-wah, shhshh, move on back, beep beep. Twinkle Twinkle little staaaaaaaaaaar."
"Row Row Row Your Boat. Twinkle Twinkle Little staaaaaaaar." (Do you see a pattern?)
"Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping? Twinkle Twinkle Little Staaaaaaaaaaaar."
"Lassy, lassy, this way and that way. twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
"Happy momma (instead of happy birthday) happy momma, twinkle twinkle little staaaaaaaaaar."
Pretty much anything he starts to sing, ends in a rousing rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And it's oh so top-of-the-voice-rousing! But it never fails to crack me up.
He still is having trouble with the beginning sounds of some words. We thought it was just "ch" "th" and "sh", but it's many letters. The thing that I don't get is that he can say the letters in other sections of the words. For example, he says "'uppy" for puppy. Obviously he can say "p", he just doesn't on the beginning of the word. He still is new at the whole speaking thing, but we will talk to his doctor about it if it doesn't improve by the time he's 3.
I can't believe that he is going to be 2.5 in 9 days. It's amazing actually. So I am including two pics of the kiddo. One from two years ago, a year ago and one from yesterday...sigh...
July 07
Grace's 2 month well check!
My little girl is 12.6 pounds (90%) and 22.5 inches long (50%) and I don't know about her head circ, but it must be okay since they didn't say anything about it...She is a healthy little bit. She has eczema (big surprise there) and cradle cap. Both are nothing to worry about. She smiled at the doc the whole time...well, until the doc messed with her hips and then not so much. She handled her four shots as well as can be expected. I nursed her immediately after and it was a little pathetic with the sniffling and tears, but she is fine and happy once again. We didn't dose her with Tylenol and so far she has no fever, so I'm thinking that she may not need any at all, we'll see. We decided to forego the Roto-Virus oral vaccine. If she were in childcare or around more children that were, then I might reconsider. It's a newer vaccine and Elijah didn't get it. Although, it's not one we can put off. I don't want her sick and apparently roto virus is highly contagious. I'm actually wondering if that's what I had last September (when we found out I was preggo with her.) Elijah and Jerry didn't get it, but I was insane about washing hands during that sickness. I don't know. We have a two week window. But I think we'll just hope for the best. She is moving her head all around and responding to sound and sight stuff. So all in all a perfect baby. The doc did grumble a little about her sleeping in bed with me, but I just brushed by it. I am aware of her at all times. Mostly she sleeps on my arm because that's how we fall asleep at those midnight feedings.
So here she is in all her glory.
July 11
Naps, guilt, and growth, oh my!
Naps:Or lack thereof. sigh... I have had to fight Elijah down for his nap lately and it's been getting later and later. Then he totally didn't go down for a nap at all on Wednesday and Thursday. I need that break. Both days he ended up in his room until I told him he could come out, but he was not quiet and I got no rest. I don't need a nap, I just need down time. Grace is low maintenance. Even if she isn't sleeping, she is chill... I mean seriously, she's 2 months old... not a whole lot of trouble. But when she's crying and I'm trying to get Elijah asleep... sigh...
So I was beside myself. I don't like being in a bad mood in the afternoon and I don't like being snappish toward Elijah, who was crying at the littlest thing because he was soooo tired. Anyway, Jerry came home today and I took Grace and laid down with her and Jerry got Elijah to fall asleep in his own bed. Sigh... At least our afternoon was better because we all three got some rest.
Guilt:
So the issue seems to be that Elijah won't go down for a nap because he wants some undivided attention. I want to give it to him, but I also want to give undivided attention to Gracie. I feel very torn. On one hand, I feel like I haven't gotten to bond with Grace as much as I want and on the other hand when I give her complete attention, I feel like Elijah acts out because I'm not giving him enough. I know it's not going to be easy. I know that the kids are fine. I'm not neglecting either one. I know that Elijah will get over it, it's an adjustment to suddenly have to share your folks (I had trouble sharing my folks with my friends when I was in middle and high schools, I can't expect a 2 year old to adjust super quick...) but I still feel guilty about it. I feel like I'm not being the super mom that I should be. It's an unrealistic standard that I have set for myself. I did this with Elijah and I've done it again with Grace. I need to relax and not worry so much about what's going on around me and be the best mom I can be. There are days when I let Elijah watch too much TV, because I am just beat. I function best on a schedule and I'm thrown when I have really busy weeks, like we have the last week or so. But today went well and I hope that these days continue. I know that eventually the guilt will pass and I'll feel better about being a mom and chill a bit. Things will either get better or they won't and I will be the one that will adapt.
Growth:
On a MUCH lighter note...the girl child apparently grew overnight... we put her in a sleeper last Friday. It was a bit big, we had to roll up the feet and the arms. We put the same sleeper on her on Tuesday and no rolling was required. I really forgot how fast they grow!!! I'm going to add a video as soon as it finishes uploading... for now, there are new pics in a new folder...
July 16
Wednesday Friendsday
We have had a great two days! Yesterday Angela came over and we finished up the dye from the tie dye party. And today was Wednesday/Friendsday with Kristie and Kate. We had a very nice time. We love our Thursday playgroup too, but this is just the three of us (a fourth may be added) and we get a little more of chance to sit and talk. With our Thursday playgroup it gets a little more difficult to do that, but still it's manageable.My parents (and possibly my aunt) are coming on Sunday! I'm excited to see them. We're going to the beach and play lots while they are here. I hope the weather holds and nothing tropical comes our way. They are doing a house exchange with a friend of mine, so it's nice they don't have to pay for a hotel. Though mom mentioned bunk beds. Right now we have no place for them. I think that when Grace is in her own bed we will move her into Elijah's room and move all the toys across the hall as a separate play space...we'll see.
Jerry got his summer bonus at work the other day and we are talking about things we need for around the house. We both realized that for the past bonuses/tax returns/stimulus checks we have gotten things for the house or for the kids (i.e. fence, play set, yard tools....) and that we should do something for us. First we are doing something for Grace, by setting up a savings account for her. Then we are buying something for just us...
i have exciting news, but I'm waiting until my folks get here first...no I'm not pregnant... I'll post on Sunday I promise!!!
T-minus 4.5 hours and counting....
...I honestly am making this out to be bigger and it is... hehehehehe... I made my mom promise to not look at the blog after tonight, so I'll probably post tomorrow. It's a big deal to me...probably not so much for the rest of you... but hey, it's my blog!!!!July 18
Okay... I simply can't wait...
Okay...so the big secret, which in all reality isn't that big...I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love. 10 inches. That's allot for me. I was really really nervous, but I think it all turned out okay. I belong to a mom's group that will be doing a fundraiser in March and I think I will donate again. So here are the pics:
BEFORE
DURING (that's 10 inches... doesn't look like it, but it is)
After
After tucked behind the ears.
I like the cut. I'm a little worried abotu what's going to happen when I wash it and then don't take the morning to flat iron it, but the stylist lady promised it would look okay curly. So we shall see. But I'm happy with it. Jerry likes it and neither of my kids are too scared of me. Though Elijah kept looking at me all weird when I came home...ahh, well, he'll adapt.
So that's the big news. I hope it wasn't too anticlimactic.
July 26
What a week!
Okay...So I got my hair cut on Friday. We had a tropical wave hit us on Saturday. In between bans Jerry and I went out to Costco....and.... bought a Wii!!!!! I'm so freakin' in love with this thing. It rocks! We wanted to get something for just us with Jerry's bonus. The last bonuses/stimulus check/tax refund have gone to the house or things for the kids and we decided to treat ourselves. We want the Wii Fit too, but it's sold out EVERYWHERE! But regardless, I have lost 3 pounds on this thing just playing the tennis game. I love it. We only use it when the kiddos are asleep. We are not letting them play...it's ours... not theirs.
Anyway, on Sunday my folks and aunt arrived. They had been visiting a relative in SC so they only had a 2-ish hour drive up. They all loved the hair. And, of course, the kids! I thought I would get so much done with three helpers here, but I really didn't do that much. We went to the Blue Moon Galleries on Monday (since it was scorching hot!) and I think that a friend and I might start selling stuff there... we'll see (side story on that: Carmen is not accepting consignment sales anymore, so I had to pull all my stuff out of her shop...sigh... I hope that she can continue to keep the shop open, and I disappointed to not have an outlet anymore, but maybe this is for the best. Depending on rent at the BMG, I may come out better...we'll see...) On Tuesday, we hit the beach in the morning. I'm always so tired after a beach day. It's exhausting getting up and out the door with two kids. My folks took all the beach stuff the day before, so it was already set up for us when we got there. The water was perfect, as was the weather, but it was still tiring. Our playgroup met there last week, but Elijah is still a little scared of the water, so it was pretty much paying 3 bucks for Elijah to play in the sand. It's only worth it if I can get in the water...not that possible with two kiddos... but with extra hands to help out, it was worth it. Wednesday we went to the Farmer's Market and got some yummy fresh veggies to grill out that evening and have with lunch. Thursday, Jerry had the day off, so he and my dad did stuff in the yard, mom played with Elijah outside, Mavis held Grace and I made Grace a super cute dress! It was so easy (the dress that is) and it's reversible. So I will be making them to sell (if we go ahead with the BMG thing) with matching reversible sunhats (how freakin' cute will that be?) I have a pattern for overalls that I'll make for boys (and girls too!) Then on Friday they went home. I was so sad to see them go. My friend Amy and her fam switched houses with my folks for the week. It was nice for them to not feel they had to stay in a hotel, and have their own space for sleeping.
After the folks left we took Elijah to Fit For Fun and let him play for a bit, picked up my stuff from Carmen's and came on home. Today we took the (abundance of) recycling to the drop off and went in search for a Wii Fit. No luck... but c'est la vie. We'll get it eventually.
Okay... I'm going to add some pics...and yes, mom I got your e-mails (I wrote the thank you letters already) and the pics are on their way!
July 28
Big Yawn
I guess Miss Grace is hitting a growth spurt. She wanted to eat alllllll freakin' night last night. Oh well. I shouldn't complain. She went back to sleep after each feeding. And really how hard is it to roll over and feed the child and then go back to sleep... not so much. Elijah is still coming into my room to tell me that he's going to sleep with Jerry. Night before last he came in to tell me it was dark (we usually leave a light on in the kitchen, but didn't that night.) Last night Jerry left the light on in his room and had put a pillow over his head... Elijah was worried because he couldn't see Jerry... Helllllo do you not hear the snoring? Silly boy! Did I mention that Elijah can wink now? Just one eye, but it's really funny!ANYWAY, so we all slept in the big bed for nap today and it simply wasn't enough for me. I'm exhausted. And I have a heat/sleep headache that won't go away. I think we will head out to play in the pool in a bit.
This weekend, I put on a piece of clothing that was given to us as a hand me down. I just forget about our kid's skin issues. I didn't pre-wash the clothes. I didn't ask the donor what type laundry detergent they used... Grace broke out EVERYWHERE! Poor thing. SO now I am in the middle of a massive clothes washing! One friend gave us 4 huge boxes of clothes up to 2T, so it's taking a bit. I'm on the 18 month stuff now. Sigh... Oh well, better to do it now than later I guess.
Okay. That's really it... I added new pics to the month 3 album as the girl child will be 3 months this week!!!!
July 30
Wednesday/Friendsday
We had a great day today!We'll start with yesterday and move on...
We went to a baby shower yesterday. It was quite a shower and nice to hang out with other moms in support of a mom to be. Elijah ate WAY too much sugar, and hence no nap... BOOOO! I also decided yesterday that I would sell my stuff at The Cape Fear Music and Arts Festival with my friend Kristie. We will have a booth there and just chill. I'm excited about it, but I have a ton of stuff to do. I need to finish sewing on the faces of the snuggle buddies, make some hats to match the super cute new dresses I have, AND I need to sew the buttons on said dresses... then I just have to label and tag everything... Doable, but time consuming.
Anyway, today was a great day. We met our friends Katie and Kristie at a local pool and had a great time. I love hanging out with these women and their kiddos. Elijah is the oldest of the bunch, but he's pretty good around them. After a GREAT nap today Elijah and Grace and I have been hanging out in the nice AC. It is just too hot to be outside right now. I know that sounds horrid, but it really is too HOT! 95 with a heat index way above 100... not so much for the outside. But we are playing and having fun inside!
Cute Elijah story:
Sometimes on the way home we go by the airport and over railroad tracks. Elijah is well aware of this and points it out every time we go this way. The other day Elijah was playing with a toy that he was pretending to be an airplane. Here is the conversation:
E:Where are you flying?
e: To the airport.
E: That's a good place to go.
e: Yup. Over the choo choo tracks and down down down to the airport.
It just tickled me that he thinks there RR tracks in the sky.
I LOVE MY KIDS!!
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