It seems that there are times when I cannot get enough of pinterest and then other times when I don't visit for weeks at a time. Sometimes I am just picture surfing, other times I will click a link and actually read it. This past week I opened a link titled 'How to cut your laundry time in half.' I am all about saving some time and most definitely could use anyone's ideas on how to most effectively get the clothes off the couch after they have landed all warm and nice smelling and tend to stay there enough days to get sat upon and crumpled and tossed off and back on a time or two.
Well, turns out, after reading about pre-sorting darks and lights as you wear them, as in having a light and dark basket, and then being able to dump all like clothes in the washer, being sure to pay attention to when it stops and change efficiently to the dryer and then sorting the clothes into who's is who's piles and putting their baskets in their room, having them fold and put away their own clothes and bring baskets back to the home base of the laundry room - I am already doing the least amount of work required. I have that system nailed. Thank you, not thank you. I need MORE!
I have even gone so far as to have a system of clothes. Being in a too-small apartment makes me absolutely loathe excess and I have the kids' clothes cut down to the bare minimum. Yes, they are nice clothes, but they need to be when I see them being worn once a week. I don't have a pile of clothes hidden in their dresser drawers that they only wear in emergency or when things need to be switched up because I can't stand a striped shirt. Nope. They basically have their Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday outfits. And it's not like I have titled them that way, that's just the way it goes. That they wear my more favorite outfits earlier in the week and then they get less and less favorited until a day comes that we're going grocery shopping and then I be sure to have my favorite outfit of theirs washed and ready to go out in public.
I only buy clothes on sale because I have a curse that follows me - but it tends to be the case that if I get an outfit full price it is the first outfit to get a hole or a stain. So, out of pure intent to keep their clothes looking as nice as possible, I only buy clothes on sale and for some reason or another they tend to stay nice. Sure, I've had my laundry battles, but a good bottle of spray and wash or a biz soak conquers most all. Talmage has just started eating baby food and I already know he will never know the sweetness of yams or sweet potatoes because those orange foods stain harder than I have the energy to get out. Carrots are borderline, but I can usually get them out after a second wash.
It's processes like these. Articles that promise more time and then turns out I am already doing as the article prescribes and there's nothing to win from reading. The other articles that I always scour and then end frustrated is how to cut your grocery bill in half. You know, things like only buying the basics, only buying what is on sale, only buying what is on your list, only buying store brand, blah blah blah. I have yet to read one of these articles that actually helps me because I am not already doing whatever it lists above.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
5 months with Talmage
Favorite Things: People smiling at you. You get so excited about it. You'll smile super big at someone and then turn your head down and shake it like your hungry, burrying it into whatever is nearest. It seems to me as if that is a way you have found to communicate how tickled you are that someone is paying so much attention to you. You just can't hold it all in and give them a little show.
Special Talent: Rolling over. But just one way. I always have to remember which way you roll when I put you down so that you don't end up pinned next to a wall too quickly.
Favorite Pastime: Scooting around on the floor and rolling around. It happens so slowly I can't even watch it, but you will be on one side of the room and then tucked up against the couch or the chair that gets in your way occasionally. You don't really seem too interested in scooting around for things, but prefer moving just for the moving part.
NickNames: T-Man - this one is sticking.
Sleep: Up at 7, down at 8. A couple naps thrown in and you still have a tendency to need a nap around 5 pm if we are home.
Eating: At your 4 month appointment the doctor suggested that we switch you from 8 oz to 7 oz. You cry after every feeding, wanting more, but as soon as you are burped you are just fine. I have started giving you cereal and vegetables every once in awhile and you are pro already. You love to eat and are good at keeping it in your mouth and down your throat.
Crying: When you need a diaper change. If you start to fuss a little I look at the clock and can usually predict what's going on by knowing your schedule.
Dislikes: Poopy diapers. These are a big deal around here. Considering that you don't fuss all that much and when you are poopy you let us all know in a big way.
Likes: Your sister. You two are adorable together.
My favorite part: Your chunker thighs. I love squeezing them and holding onto them when I carry your around. You are a sturdy little guy. My little rock.
Special Talent: Rolling over. But just one way. I always have to remember which way you roll when I put you down so that you don't end up pinned next to a wall too quickly.
Favorite Pastime: Scooting around on the floor and rolling around. It happens so slowly I can't even watch it, but you will be on one side of the room and then tucked up against the couch or the chair that gets in your way occasionally. You don't really seem too interested in scooting around for things, but prefer moving just for the moving part.
NickNames: T-Man - this one is sticking.
Sleep: Up at 7, down at 8. A couple naps thrown in and you still have a tendency to need a nap around 5 pm if we are home.
Eating: At your 4 month appointment the doctor suggested that we switch you from 8 oz to 7 oz. You cry after every feeding, wanting more, but as soon as you are burped you are just fine. I have started giving you cereal and vegetables every once in awhile and you are pro already. You love to eat and are good at keeping it in your mouth and down your throat.
Crying: When you need a diaper change. If you start to fuss a little I look at the clock and can usually predict what's going on by knowing your schedule.
Dislikes: Poopy diapers. These are a big deal around here. Considering that you don't fuss all that much and when you are poopy you let us all know in a big way.
Likes: Your sister. You two are adorable together.
My favorite part: Your chunker thighs. I love squeezing them and holding onto them when I carry your around. You are a sturdy little guy. My little rock.
coco night
Last night we went to coco night. I've been subbing a lot in St. Helens these past couple of weeks at the high school and have been drawn to the theatre kids. I don't know what it is in particular, but they seem the most comfortable in their own skins, the most likely to reach out and introduce themselves and the easiest to carry a conversation with. They have impressed me and I wanted to support them in some small way that indicated, "I appreciate you."
The opportunity of coco night came and I knew I would jump on that train and would need to make it a surprise date for Steve to be on board for the shindig. He's not much into the arts. Uncultured swine, I tell ya. No, just kidding. I just wanted to say it.
Basically, it's a small group of kids who do a little slam poetry, some improv, a lot of singing and a spackling of instrument playing. It ran for 2 hours and there were a couple of good one-liners that I loved and lot of bewildered laughs as in, "I don't know why I am laughing, or why this is funny, but it feels good." Shared with caught glances throughout the crowd as we turned to one another to see if others were as bewildered and enjoying it as much as we were. They were.
Tears of laughter came from my eyes when some kid with a trumpet and a few other mouth pieces started a monologue of fart noises, punctuated by comments and I laughed and laughed because where else are you going to be sitting with highschoolers enjoying some authentic fart noises that for some reason become funnier and funnier the more they are heard. Some good American culture, right there.
Steve and I came to the auditorium and began to sit in the theatre seats when we were urged to sit on the stage, which I was a little unsure of until I saw the chairs set up in a semi-circle two chairs thick and knew this was going to be a small knit of kids to show up for this. And it was. And they were all so pleasant. A little odd, but pleasant. I loved it. And I admired their bravery in performing.
We met a few kids and supported others that I already knew. Steve talked drums with a band geek and we settled in. One of the young women from church read a couple of poems she had written and her last one choked me up. She's new here and hasn't really found anyone to connect with. She's going through the motions and doing what she can, but I understand her struggle. A senior transplanted. It's hard. She nearly started crying at the end, too. So many emotions. I gave her a hug at the end but I didn't want to embarrass her too much.
The opportunity of coco night came and I knew I would jump on that train and would need to make it a surprise date for Steve to be on board for the shindig. He's not much into the arts. Uncultured swine, I tell ya. No, just kidding. I just wanted to say it.
Basically, it's a small group of kids who do a little slam poetry, some improv, a lot of singing and a spackling of instrument playing. It ran for 2 hours and there were a couple of good one-liners that I loved and lot of bewildered laughs as in, "I don't know why I am laughing, or why this is funny, but it feels good." Shared with caught glances throughout the crowd as we turned to one another to see if others were as bewildered and enjoying it as much as we were. They were.
Tears of laughter came from my eyes when some kid with a trumpet and a few other mouth pieces started a monologue of fart noises, punctuated by comments and I laughed and laughed because where else are you going to be sitting with highschoolers enjoying some authentic fart noises that for some reason become funnier and funnier the more they are heard. Some good American culture, right there.
Steve and I came to the auditorium and began to sit in the theatre seats when we were urged to sit on the stage, which I was a little unsure of until I saw the chairs set up in a semi-circle two chairs thick and knew this was going to be a small knit of kids to show up for this. And it was. And they were all so pleasant. A little odd, but pleasant. I loved it. And I admired their bravery in performing.
We met a few kids and supported others that I already knew. Steve talked drums with a band geek and we settled in. One of the young women from church read a couple of poems she had written and her last one choked me up. She's new here and hasn't really found anyone to connect with. She's going through the motions and doing what she can, but I understand her struggle. A senior transplanted. It's hard. She nearly started crying at the end, too. So many emotions. I gave her a hug at the end but I didn't want to embarrass her too much.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
4 months with Talmage
Favorite Things: Your fists. I really wish you would take a binkie, as those are easier to get rid of than a thumb.
Special Talent: It's fun to be with you. You love to grab things and will take toys when I hand them to you.
Favorite Pastime: I haven't really been around too much this past month, but I know that you are absolutely chill with whatever comes your way. Oh, you especially love those mats with a bar across them, dangling with noise-maker toys. We don't have one, but the babysitter does and the gym does and you are content for a long time looking and trying to hit those.
NickNames: T-Man, Talmage. Alaska hates it if we call you anything but "Talmage" and is constantly reminding us, "His name not Cutie Pie, his name Talmage."
Sleep: You will predictably go down at 7:30 or 8 and get up again around 7. Take a couple two hour naps during the day and even though you still do a late cat nip around 5, you will still down early. You are definitely on a eat, play, sleep schedule and it's nice to have a rhythm that I can count on to define when you are fussing out of hunger or out of being hungry.
Crying: You are so quite most of the time, especially when you wake up. You can be up for half a hour before I hear you because it takes you that long to get the momentum up to cry hard enough.
Dislikes: The binkie. I am just about to give up. You hate that thing with a passion. You will tolerate it, sometimes, but always spit it out before I have held you 5 minutes. And then if I persist, you scream.
Likes: People laughing with you. You aren't much into laughing, but if someone is laughing with you they are more apt to get a chuckle rather than a smile.
My favorite part: Your endearing personality. I love that you are so docile and easy-going. It makes me feel like I am ready for another baby. You are so awesome! I just can't get enough of you.
Special Talent: It's fun to be with you. You love to grab things and will take toys when I hand them to you.
Favorite Pastime: I haven't really been around too much this past month, but I know that you are absolutely chill with whatever comes your way. Oh, you especially love those mats with a bar across them, dangling with noise-maker toys. We don't have one, but the babysitter does and the gym does and you are content for a long time looking and trying to hit those.
NickNames: T-Man, Talmage. Alaska hates it if we call you anything but "Talmage" and is constantly reminding us, "His name not Cutie Pie, his name Talmage."
Sleep: You will predictably go down at 7:30 or 8 and get up again around 7. Take a couple two hour naps during the day and even though you still do a late cat nip around 5, you will still down early. You are definitely on a eat, play, sleep schedule and it's nice to have a rhythm that I can count on to define when you are fussing out of hunger or out of being hungry.
Crying: You are so quite most of the time, especially when you wake up. You can be up for half a hour before I hear you because it takes you that long to get the momentum up to cry hard enough.
Dislikes: The binkie. I am just about to give up. You hate that thing with a passion. You will tolerate it, sometimes, but always spit it out before I have held you 5 minutes. And then if I persist, you scream.
Likes: People laughing with you. You aren't much into laughing, but if someone is laughing with you they are more apt to get a chuckle rather than a smile.
My favorite part: Your endearing personality. I love that you are so docile and easy-going. It makes me feel like I am ready for another baby. You are so awesome! I just can't get enough of you.
3 months with Talmage
Favorite Things: You are pretty low-key. Not sure if you have a favorite anything right now.
Special Talent: Losing your hair. I am not even joking. When I get you in the mornings it looks like a cat slept on your head and shed hair all over the place. You have lost a lot of hair and I first thought it was your head getting bigger and the hair just spreading out all over it, but the hair you leave behind tells the real story.
Favorite Pastime: Looking around. You are perfectly content to sit on a lap, looking out at the world from the safety of my arms.
Sleep: Nailed it. You sleep the whole night through and tend to take cat naps but I have noticed them becoming a little more regular and longer. You do tend to drive me crazy by taking a late afternoon/early evening nap and then I always think you should stay up later to compensate for it, but lo and behold, you really are ready for bed around 9 pm. You'll fall asleep on the floor and are easy to move to the bed.
Crying: Hardly ever. You are the happiest go lucky baby there ever was. I went back to work this past month and I was so happy to know that you were busy being awesome for someone else besides me.
Dislikes: Really? Nothing. Except that swing, still. It takes up so much room, I really should just sell it. But there are occasional times, likes once every three days, where it comes in handy.
Likes: Being on the floor. You just wave your arms around and kick about a little bit and take a nap if the time is right.
My Favorite Part: Your magnetic personality. People are absolutely drawn to you and you reward that attention with lots of smiles.
Special Talent: Losing your hair. I am not even joking. When I get you in the mornings it looks like a cat slept on your head and shed hair all over the place. You have lost a lot of hair and I first thought it was your head getting bigger and the hair just spreading out all over it, but the hair you leave behind tells the real story.
Favorite Pastime: Looking around. You are perfectly content to sit on a lap, looking out at the world from the safety of my arms.
Sleep: Nailed it. You sleep the whole night through and tend to take cat naps but I have noticed them becoming a little more regular and longer. You do tend to drive me crazy by taking a late afternoon/early evening nap and then I always think you should stay up later to compensate for it, but lo and behold, you really are ready for bed around 9 pm. You'll fall asleep on the floor and are easy to move to the bed.
Crying: Hardly ever. You are the happiest go lucky baby there ever was. I went back to work this past month and I was so happy to know that you were busy being awesome for someone else besides me.
Dislikes: Really? Nothing. Except that swing, still. It takes up so much room, I really should just sell it. But there are occasional times, likes once every three days, where it comes in handy.
Likes: Being on the floor. You just wave your arms around and kick about a little bit and take a nap if the time is right.
My Favorite Part: Your magnetic personality. People are absolutely drawn to you and you reward that attention with lots of smiles.
Wrapping it Up
Oh my goodness. This past month as been the busiest ever, but the best! We started out strong, not going to lie. We were reading scriptures every morning before we all went our separate ways and coming home and having dinner - and then week two came and all things fell apart and stayed apart.
But it was fun. So much fun! I mean, hard. But fun. And it reminds me how much I love subbing as compared to actually teaching. Ugh, those lesson plans get me every single time. Because it's so ridiculous. You can either spend two hours getting a lesson together with lots of fun things to do and all that, or you can spend 25 minutes and get nearly the same lesson together. It's just hard to keep myself from spending all that time because it's so easy to get side-tracked at looking at other people's awesome lessons plans and all that.
I absolutely loved the kids, every single one of them. And for whatever reason, the ones that are usually super hard for other people were some of my favorites. Explosive drama and everything, I would definitely do it again.
Lots of things I could say about that month I spent teaching, but to wrap it up quick and fast, I am taking this week of Halloween off of everything to get re-juvenated. And it surprises me how fast a day full of exercising at the gym and naps can go by. Before I even know it, I have landed here at the end of the week and feel as if I have hardly anything to show for it because it was all I could do just to keep up with the slow pace a stay-at-home momma can have.
Monday - spent the day grocery shopping and then up at the Barnes'
Tuesday - went and got all the frames I need to craft up for the upcoming bazaars.
Wednesday - Exercising took extra long because I went to a hour long class and then had to catch up with everyone.
Thursday - Baked ALL day for the Spuds and Suds and Alaska has a friend over, which is the only reason I am sitting down to write, because she is entertained.
Friday - Halloween, need I say more? I really want to get some cute pictures of Alaska this year, I wanted to do that last year, too, but it seemed like every day was rainy. We'll see how it goes. Talmage is being himself, poor kid. He'll have to wait until next year for his cute 'first halloween' pictures.
Saturday - Super Saturday, which I am not super thrilled about, but the rest of the yw presidency has committed to going and they are the funnest bunch of ladies you could ever ask for - so for them I will show up.
And I have exercised every single day, which really takes up some serious time. But I know it's healthy for me.
But it was fun. So much fun! I mean, hard. But fun. And it reminds me how much I love subbing as compared to actually teaching. Ugh, those lesson plans get me every single time. Because it's so ridiculous. You can either spend two hours getting a lesson together with lots of fun things to do and all that, or you can spend 25 minutes and get nearly the same lesson together. It's just hard to keep myself from spending all that time because it's so easy to get side-tracked at looking at other people's awesome lessons plans and all that.
I absolutely loved the kids, every single one of them. And for whatever reason, the ones that are usually super hard for other people were some of my favorites. Explosive drama and everything, I would definitely do it again.
Lots of things I could say about that month I spent teaching, but to wrap it up quick and fast, I am taking this week of Halloween off of everything to get re-juvenated. And it surprises me how fast a day full of exercising at the gym and naps can go by. Before I even know it, I have landed here at the end of the week and feel as if I have hardly anything to show for it because it was all I could do just to keep up with the slow pace a stay-at-home momma can have.
Monday - spent the day grocery shopping and then up at the Barnes'
Tuesday - went and got all the frames I need to craft up for the upcoming bazaars.
Wednesday - Exercising took extra long because I went to a hour long class and then had to catch up with everyone.
Thursday - Baked ALL day for the Spuds and Suds and Alaska has a friend over, which is the only reason I am sitting down to write, because she is entertained.
Friday - Halloween, need I say more? I really want to get some cute pictures of Alaska this year, I wanted to do that last year, too, but it seemed like every day was rainy. We'll see how it goes. Talmage is being himself, poor kid. He'll have to wait until next year for his cute 'first halloween' pictures.
Saturday - Super Saturday, which I am not super thrilled about, but the rest of the yw presidency has committed to going and they are the funnest bunch of ladies you could ever ask for - so for them I will show up.
And I have exercised every single day, which really takes up some serious time. But I know it's healthy for me.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
First Day of School 2014
I had my first day of school this year! Took a picture and everything.
Last year I finally got everything together to start subbing and within the first week of school I had a call for a sub job!
Want to know how to sub successfully? Oh, I'll tell ya.
Stand at the door as the kids come in and say hi. Let them look you over and size you up.
Come in with a smile and an interest in learning three of their names. Usually it's the three who are the noisiest who you know are gonna be trouble. There is power in names. And more often than not, you can find out one of those names before you even take role, just by listening to the kids talk to one another.
Strategy number two. Make friends with those kids that act out. This can be tricky for the first day, but really, it's all about building reporte, so go ahead and take the time. Most kids are acting out for attention, and if you can give it willingly rather than waiting for them to ask for it in a negative way, more power to you. I always ask them their name and say how glad I am to have them in class. "I can tell you probably know everyone in this class" and go to them if I need anyone's name or rules explained or anything. These kids will expect payment, so be willing to hand out a compliment or a huge thank you at the end of class.
And then, to top your class off with a 'super nice cherry' - find some way to reward them. In Rainier they have an ESP (excellence, spirit, pride) ticket for kids that are showing respect, being responsible or some other R word. I hand these out like candy. The kids like them much better than referrals and they're easier to fill out. As in, it's better to reward than it is to punish.
I was teaching 7th and 8th grade science and LOVED it. Not really teaching. I was supervising. But it was awesome. The 7th graders were complete angels and I loved every single one of them. The 8th graders were a little harder to love. But bless their hearts, they gave me a great work-out as far as strategy and keeping them on task and all that.
I usually bring a book (chicken soup for the teenage soul) to read the last 10 minutes or so of class to break up the monotony of book work, but after working with those 8th graders, I think I may need to get some slow, easy listening music on an i-pod and bring in a speaker. Some Jack Johnson would do them just fine. Because really, they can work for the whole hour in class but would really rather talk. If I had something to measure their volume against as back-ground noise then I could let them talk a little and monitor their own volume with a reminder.
It was so interesting. The first class of 7th graders I just expected them to take notes on a movie because that's what they were getting graded on for participation. Only a handful did. A small handful. The second class I offered ESP tickets for 16 notes and bam - nearly all of them did. The third group I offered ESP tickets but explained to them what an ESP ticket was and what it got them, and only half of them did 16 notes. It was so weird to think that they would rather do an assignment for an unknown reward than know what the reward was. What weirdies, but it was a nice experiment.
Last year I finally got everything together to start subbing and within the first week of school I had a call for a sub job!
Want to know how to sub successfully? Oh, I'll tell ya.
Stand at the door as the kids come in and say hi. Let them look you over and size you up.
Come in with a smile and an interest in learning three of their names. Usually it's the three who are the noisiest who you know are gonna be trouble. There is power in names. And more often than not, you can find out one of those names before you even take role, just by listening to the kids talk to one another.
Strategy number two. Make friends with those kids that act out. This can be tricky for the first day, but really, it's all about building reporte, so go ahead and take the time. Most kids are acting out for attention, and if you can give it willingly rather than waiting for them to ask for it in a negative way, more power to you. I always ask them their name and say how glad I am to have them in class. "I can tell you probably know everyone in this class" and go to them if I need anyone's name or rules explained or anything. These kids will expect payment, so be willing to hand out a compliment or a huge thank you at the end of class.
And then, to top your class off with a 'super nice cherry' - find some way to reward them. In Rainier they have an ESP (excellence, spirit, pride) ticket for kids that are showing respect, being responsible or some other R word. I hand these out like candy. The kids like them much better than referrals and they're easier to fill out. As in, it's better to reward than it is to punish.
I was teaching 7th and 8th grade science and LOVED it. Not really teaching. I was supervising. But it was awesome. The 7th graders were complete angels and I loved every single one of them. The 8th graders were a little harder to love. But bless their hearts, they gave me a great work-out as far as strategy and keeping them on task and all that.
I usually bring a book (chicken soup for the teenage soul) to read the last 10 minutes or so of class to break up the monotony of book work, but after working with those 8th graders, I think I may need to get some slow, easy listening music on an i-pod and bring in a speaker. Some Jack Johnson would do them just fine. Because really, they can work for the whole hour in class but would really rather talk. If I had something to measure their volume against as back-ground noise then I could let them talk a little and monitor their own volume with a reminder.
It was so interesting. The first class of 7th graders I just expected them to take notes on a movie because that's what they were getting graded on for participation. Only a handful did. A small handful. The second class I offered ESP tickets for 16 notes and bam - nearly all of them did. The third group I offered ESP tickets but explained to them what an ESP ticket was and what it got them, and only half of them did 16 notes. It was so weird to think that they would rather do an assignment for an unknown reward than know what the reward was. What weirdies, but it was a nice experiment.
Going to Work
I know. I should be cleaning the oven. Because that's what I do to occupy my time when I have nothing else to do. Don't worry, it only gets done about once a year. It felt so good to wake up this morning to an extra-clean house and extra-happy babies that I just couldn't help myself. I needed to do something useful.
Right now I am reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I read it when Alaska was born and I am brushing up on my skills as I begin the process of sleep tracking Talmage. He's not quite 3 months right now, so I don't feel like I can sleep 'train' him, but I can track him and right now, he's following the steps of a 4 month baby and I am so surprised and so happy and so in love with him for being so awesome! He did it all by himself, I just needed to take the time to pay attention to his hours and bam - he's got this. I am a little leary about what will happen tonight since he tends to take a little snoozer from 8-9 most nights and then go to sleep for good at 10. Which is fine, except that I like my 8-10 times to be un-interrupted time with Handsome Husband.
I have been contemplating a lot the subject of 'intentional living' and something I know, but always forget, is that I am much better at living intentional with a schedule. If I don't have to get up until 8:30, then by gosh darn, I won't get up. And if I nothing going on during the day it's hard to stay motivated to get out and do things. I would rather just hang out at home, taking my time about the day, when really, I could be fitting a whole lot more into it. I have the same 24 hours as anyone else.
Which may be one reason I have jumped on a long-term, part-time subbing job at the alternative school. Yeah. I know. I am terrified. But excited. And anxious, but also calm. Calm that I feel like I can get some credit back in my life. I have it all mapped out. We are going to do awesome at this!
These past few days that I have decided this is what I am going to do have been absolutely blissful! I know my time is limited with my babies, so I have been soaking them in. Actually picking Talmage up and talking to him and snuggling him while Alaska is asleep instead of wishing he were asleep too, so I could get some sleep.
Coloring and reading with Alaska and giving her lots of attention and love. We were having a really hard time with the attention part last week and I knew she felt like Talmage was getting all of me. So these past few days I have been laying it on extra thick and when we read books now, instead of perching on the arm of the chair like she so often does, she's been climbing into my lap. She is so patient when I do her hair and tells me to not pull it please. And I do my best, spraying it with de-tangler so that I don't have to work so hard at being careful but that her messy curls slide right through my comb.
I think it really helps that Talmage is sleeping through the night, so instead of wrapping my fingers around anytime that either one of them is sleeping and wishing I were sleeping, too, I am able to take that time and use it for some one-on-one attention for both of them when the other is sleeping and it makes our whole house a lot more peaceful.
As much as I love them both, I honestly believe I am one of those mommas that loves harder and fiercer when I don't have to be with them all day. I need my own space and own time to do my own things. And then when I am with them, it is that much sweeter. Which is why I am especially excited to take on this subbing job. I know that it will be hard, especially since these kids are high emotional maintenance. One blow-up from one of them causes a whole thunder storm from the rest and that can get tiring fast but I think I can separate the two and turn on my "love everyone momma" when I get home to my babies and give them the attention they need because I want to, not because they will go berserk if I don't.
The silly complications of this job is that even though it's a half-day, it's a split half day. So I teach from 8-9:40 and then again from 11:45 - 1:30. Weird, I know, and it's a rip off that I am getting paid for a half day and have to pay a babysitter for an almost full day, but I am honestly looking forward to those 2 hours in the middle where I can do whatever I want. I know that 2 of the 5 days I will need to do some lesson planning, but that leaves me 3 others to go home and clean if I need to or go to the gym or run errands or even just find a quite place with a book. I am really excited about it all.
Right now I am reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I read it when Alaska was born and I am brushing up on my skills as I begin the process of sleep tracking Talmage. He's not quite 3 months right now, so I don't feel like I can sleep 'train' him, but I can track him and right now, he's following the steps of a 4 month baby and I am so surprised and so happy and so in love with him for being so awesome! He did it all by himself, I just needed to take the time to pay attention to his hours and bam - he's got this. I am a little leary about what will happen tonight since he tends to take a little snoozer from 8-9 most nights and then go to sleep for good at 10. Which is fine, except that I like my 8-10 times to be un-interrupted time with Handsome Husband.
I have been contemplating a lot the subject of 'intentional living' and something I know, but always forget, is that I am much better at living intentional with a schedule. If I don't have to get up until 8:30, then by gosh darn, I won't get up. And if I nothing going on during the day it's hard to stay motivated to get out and do things. I would rather just hang out at home, taking my time about the day, when really, I could be fitting a whole lot more into it. I have the same 24 hours as anyone else.
Which may be one reason I have jumped on a long-term, part-time subbing job at the alternative school. Yeah. I know. I am terrified. But excited. And anxious, but also calm. Calm that I feel like I can get some credit back in my life. I have it all mapped out. We are going to do awesome at this!
These past few days that I have decided this is what I am going to do have been absolutely blissful! I know my time is limited with my babies, so I have been soaking them in. Actually picking Talmage up and talking to him and snuggling him while Alaska is asleep instead of wishing he were asleep too, so I could get some sleep.
Coloring and reading with Alaska and giving her lots of attention and love. We were having a really hard time with the attention part last week and I knew she felt like Talmage was getting all of me. So these past few days I have been laying it on extra thick and when we read books now, instead of perching on the arm of the chair like she so often does, she's been climbing into my lap. She is so patient when I do her hair and tells me to not pull it please. And I do my best, spraying it with de-tangler so that I don't have to work so hard at being careful but that her messy curls slide right through my comb.
I think it really helps that Talmage is sleeping through the night, so instead of wrapping my fingers around anytime that either one of them is sleeping and wishing I were sleeping, too, I am able to take that time and use it for some one-on-one attention for both of them when the other is sleeping and it makes our whole house a lot more peaceful.
As much as I love them both, I honestly believe I am one of those mommas that loves harder and fiercer when I don't have to be with them all day. I need my own space and own time to do my own things. And then when I am with them, it is that much sweeter. Which is why I am especially excited to take on this subbing job. I know that it will be hard, especially since these kids are high emotional maintenance. One blow-up from one of them causes a whole thunder storm from the rest and that can get tiring fast but I think I can separate the two and turn on my "love everyone momma" when I get home to my babies and give them the attention they need because I want to, not because they will go berserk if I don't.
The silly complications of this job is that even though it's a half-day, it's a split half day. So I teach from 8-9:40 and then again from 11:45 - 1:30. Weird, I know, and it's a rip off that I am getting paid for a half day and have to pay a babysitter for an almost full day, but I am honestly looking forward to those 2 hours in the middle where I can do whatever I want. I know that 2 of the 5 days I will need to do some lesson planning, but that leaves me 3 others to go home and clean if I need to or go to the gym or run errands or even just find a quite place with a book. I am really excited about it all.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
2 months with Talmage
Favorite Things: Warm bottles. I was hesitant to give them to you so warm but you love them so. They are often warmer than what I would think you would want but you gobble them down like dessert.
Special Talent: Smiles. Lots of smiles. You are lifting your head so super high during tummy-time and are already testing a little roll-over action.
Favorite Pastime: Playing tea set and fake food. Alaska will help you drink from your cup while you are laying on the floor and will feed you plastic hamburgers. You absolutely love it. You are strong enough to turn away if something is bothering you, but you patiently embrace all the attention she gives you by pressing things to your lips.
Sleep: Down at 10 pm, up at 2:30 am, 6 am and 10 am. Like clock-work.
Crying: I am absolutely paranoid about your being full after our whole nursing fiasco and whenever you cry I am reaching for a bottle. Doesn't matter if you just ate a hour ago, it is my first go-to and I don't even try to figure out what you need until I have tried that first and it doesn't work.
Eating: We have you on all formula now. You eat a lot. But I don't care. I am just relieved that you have made it through without getting on the 'failure to thrive' list.
Dislikes: The swing. Can't get you to stay there for anything. You always end up on the floor. Which I was nervous about with Alaska running around. She is super careful and you do a good job of staying in one place so we've settled on a safe place for you and she knows not to be bouncing around near your space on the floor.
Likes: Being on the floor. You love being able to squirm around and look where you want.
My Favorite Part: I love that you are so content to entertain yourself. It was a hard first month to always be holding you close and I am reveling in the piece that has come next where you are content to just be by yourself on the floor without someone watching you smile and cooo. You'll do it all on your own for your own enjoyment.
Special Talent: Smiles. Lots of smiles. You are lifting your head so super high during tummy-time and are already testing a little roll-over action.
Favorite Pastime: Playing tea set and fake food. Alaska will help you drink from your cup while you are laying on the floor and will feed you plastic hamburgers. You absolutely love it. You are strong enough to turn away if something is bothering you, but you patiently embrace all the attention she gives you by pressing things to your lips.
Sleep: Down at 10 pm, up at 2:30 am, 6 am and 10 am. Like clock-work.
Crying: I am absolutely paranoid about your being full after our whole nursing fiasco and whenever you cry I am reaching for a bottle. Doesn't matter if you just ate a hour ago, it is my first go-to and I don't even try to figure out what you need until I have tried that first and it doesn't work.
Eating: We have you on all formula now. You eat a lot. But I don't care. I am just relieved that you have made it through without getting on the 'failure to thrive' list.
Dislikes: The swing. Can't get you to stay there for anything. You always end up on the floor. Which I was nervous about with Alaska running around. She is super careful and you do a good job of staying in one place so we've settled on a safe place for you and she knows not to be bouncing around near your space on the floor.
Likes: Being on the floor. You love being able to squirm around and look where you want.
My Favorite Part: I love that you are so content to entertain yourself. It was a hard first month to always be holding you close and I am reveling in the piece that has come next where you are content to just be by yourself on the floor without someone watching you smile and cooo. You'll do it all on your own for your own enjoyment.
One Month with Talmage
Favorite Things: Bum pats. Nothing a little bum pat can't make right.
Fancy Tricks: Being so calm. You are so super relaxed and easy-going. A lot of patient persistence on your part has to be done for nursing and you have been doing great. It helps keep me calm when you aren't going berserk which makes us a great team. I'll keep calm if you keep calm kind of thing.
Favorite Past Time: Snuggling on my chest. We were just looking at pictures the other day and there is a photo from our first day home. Me in the red chair with you tucked up under my chin and your daddy says, "And that is how he slept. For the rest of forever."
Sleep: You got yourself on a pretty predictable night schedule right fast. 10 pm 12 pm 2:30 am and then a long stretch to 7 or 8 am. Then again until 11 am.
Crying: You fuss before going to sleep. Someone has to be holding you.
Dislikes: Sleeping anywhere but on my chest. We spent a long 5 weeks in that chair every night. I just couldn't bare to set you down and make you cry when you cry so rarely. Such a simple thing I could do for you to keep you comfortable in this big world.
Likes:
The best part for me: Watching your new-born face sleep. I took a picture of what I see, looking down on your little dark head. And it's not a whole lot, but it's precious to me, especially as I feel you breathing into my neck.
I love you so absolutely much. And not to say that I love you more, but it is easier to love. I feel more in control. More like a momma. Less like a care-taker. All the worries I had with my first baby are eased away for you, I have proof that things are going to be ok, and that makes more room for easy love.
Fancy Tricks: Being so calm. You are so super relaxed and easy-going. A lot of patient persistence on your part has to be done for nursing and you have been doing great. It helps keep me calm when you aren't going berserk which makes us a great team. I'll keep calm if you keep calm kind of thing.
Favorite Past Time: Snuggling on my chest. We were just looking at pictures the other day and there is a photo from our first day home. Me in the red chair with you tucked up under my chin and your daddy says, "And that is how he slept. For the rest of forever."
Sleep: You got yourself on a pretty predictable night schedule right fast. 10 pm 12 pm 2:30 am and then a long stretch to 7 or 8 am. Then again until 11 am.
Crying: You fuss before going to sleep. Someone has to be holding you.
Dislikes: Sleeping anywhere but on my chest. We spent a long 5 weeks in that chair every night. I just couldn't bare to set you down and make you cry when you cry so rarely. Such a simple thing I could do for you to keep you comfortable in this big world.
Likes:
The best part for me: Watching your new-born face sleep. I took a picture of what I see, looking down on your little dark head. And it's not a whole lot, but it's precious to me, especially as I feel you breathing into my neck.
I love you so absolutely much. And not to say that I love you more, but it is easier to love. I feel more in control. More like a momma. Less like a care-taker. All the worries I had with my first baby are eased away for you, I have proof that things are going to be ok, and that makes more room for easy love.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Not Always
Not always are Handsome Husband and I doing crazy things. Well. Sometimes. But not always.
Today we went to a truck show with his family. Alaska rode a mini-train and I think she loved it. I didn't get to see since I took the opportunity of the long line and decent ride to feed Talmage so we wouldn't need to wait around for him.
The house has been a disaster for the past few days. We're talking clean clothes spread all over the couch, three days with no vacuuming, stuff everywhere and to top it off - one morning I slept in and Alaska helped herself to the cereal for breakfast and the chocolate chips for potty treats. She did come ask before each mess was made but I was too tired to help her and when I got up there was cereal all over the floor under her chair and chocolate chips spilled everywhere by the pantry. All that on the floor for three days.
Steven helped me clean up. Which is a big thing around here. I don't mind cleaning. I'm not much a big tv/movie watcher and there's no way Alaska would ever let me sit down and read a book of my choice, so cleaning is the only way I can escape. And it's not so bad. Except I sometimes get bogged down in the immenseness of it and I have a very good, too good, of eye for details. Like vacuuming under the couch and along the baseboards and wiping everything down for dust and cleaning the sink with a toothbrush.
It was great to have Steven help. I cleaned up the kitchen and gave Talmage a thorough bath while Steven did the rest. It was so nice to have it all done and not to have been the one who did it all. Afterwards is when it started to get crazy.
We put Alaska to bed and I was so in love and so rested from a great nap and an almost full night of sleep the night before that after sitting on the couch, just soaking in the cleanliness of it all, Steven asked what I wanted to do. I was just saying what was on my mind, not especially thinking anything would come of it. But ice-cream and a movie sounded really nice.
I don't know what came over us, but Steven has run out to get ice-cream and I have a few minutes to wait and I thought I would do a quick blog since this is something I want to remember.
A lot of things have happened these past couple months that I want to remember but they seem so monumental and important that I can't find the time to write about them.
Today we went to a truck show with his family. Alaska rode a mini-train and I think she loved it. I didn't get to see since I took the opportunity of the long line and decent ride to feed Talmage so we wouldn't need to wait around for him.
The house has been a disaster for the past few days. We're talking clean clothes spread all over the couch, three days with no vacuuming, stuff everywhere and to top it off - one morning I slept in and Alaska helped herself to the cereal for breakfast and the chocolate chips for potty treats. She did come ask before each mess was made but I was too tired to help her and when I got up there was cereal all over the floor under her chair and chocolate chips spilled everywhere by the pantry. All that on the floor for three days.
Steven helped me clean up. Which is a big thing around here. I don't mind cleaning. I'm not much a big tv/movie watcher and there's no way Alaska would ever let me sit down and read a book of my choice, so cleaning is the only way I can escape. And it's not so bad. Except I sometimes get bogged down in the immenseness of it and I have a very good, too good, of eye for details. Like vacuuming under the couch and along the baseboards and wiping everything down for dust and cleaning the sink with a toothbrush.
It was great to have Steven help. I cleaned up the kitchen and gave Talmage a thorough bath while Steven did the rest. It was so nice to have it all done and not to have been the one who did it all. Afterwards is when it started to get crazy.
We put Alaska to bed and I was so in love and so rested from a great nap and an almost full night of sleep the night before that after sitting on the couch, just soaking in the cleanliness of it all, Steven asked what I wanted to do. I was just saying what was on my mind, not especially thinking anything would come of it. But ice-cream and a movie sounded really nice.
I don't know what came over us, but Steven has run out to get ice-cream and I have a few minutes to wait and I thought I would do a quick blog since this is something I want to remember.
A lot of things have happened these past couple months that I want to remember but they seem so monumental and important that I can't find the time to write about them.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Talmage Steven
Sweet heart. You are just as mellow and relaxed as I thought you may be. You are the most wonderful addition to our family and I can hardly wait for you to shed your caccoon of baby and grow some toddler wings.
How we have been blessed with two perfect children that are so night and day from one another, I cannot even say. Though, as a secret between you and me, you may be just a little more perfect due to the fact that you aren't as high strung.
I can already see Alaska and I having our collisions with you as a mediator between the two of us. Your level-headedness and compassion will get you far.
But back to you.
You are absolutely handsome. No doubt about that. Your fair skin and dark hair, broad shoulders and forehead makes you look all boy. Your nose was a little mushed when you came out but I feel like its got some strength to it now. Your hands have wide, boy palms with lengthy fingers attached. I know they look unimaginably long right now, but as you fill out and gain some weight they will grow proportioned and will add much strength to this world. They will be handsome. And your feet. Wherever you choose to go and do, those feet will take you. And they are big. Embarrassingly so. With added long toes to match. Those toes will probably add a couple of sizes to your feet that other boys don't have, you can thank me for that. But at least you aren't a girl, trying to fit your size 10 feet into a size 8-9 world where prom shoes don't even appear to come in 10s. Your almost black hair has a meager calic in it that sends your hair spinning into a soft part on your left. When I comb it over, making the part more defined, you hair gathers on top of itself and looks quite dashing. As if someone just gave you the perfect haircut.
We've already had a run-in to trouble. You can't nurse. You have a little bit of a recessed chin, a little bit of upper lip tie, a little bit of tongue tie and all of that together makes you chomp, rather than suck. Nursing was going well when we left the hospital. As in, you were nursing. There's only so much you can tell when your baby is only sucking colostrum for 5 minutes at a time.
By the time my milk came in and engorgement was over and I was still sore all over I was grateful for the lactation appointment we had made from the very beginning as just a check-up to make sure that everything was going fine. I was sore, but sure, who isn't. I wasn't expecting my world to be flipped inside out. She said you were chomping, rather than sucking and sent me on my way with a business card of a physical therapist who specializes in tongue-tied babies and something else called cranial sacral therapy.
You have been such a good sport through the whole thing. That was only the first day, but you have been absolutely amazing, letting your little personality shine on. Never have you gotten frustrated to the point of crying and screaming about not being able to suck a good amount of milk. You are so calm and persistent, always willing to try again. When I do have to set you on my lap for a breather as we try to re-latch for the millionth time it is because of me. I need a rest. You are so patient with me.
I love you to pieces. It's not even scary, to be a mom. It's just love. Everything is going to work out just fine. I still feel as if I am a first-time mom. Especially in boy diaper changing and in nursing. Probably because I have never done the first and the second I was so freaked out about Alaska losing weight and being put on the 'failure to thrive' chart and then thrush and being so conservative I wasn't about to ask for help from someone who had see my boobies (ridiculous as it seems now, that was something I wasn't prepared for). I've got a few things figured out, and a few things we're figuring out together. I always feel dumb, though, when someone who would see me nursing would ask if it were my first child. I would say, "No, number 2" but I always wanted to back-up and say, "but it feels like number 1. I never really got good with nursing."
You are so unimaginably wonderful. Everyone is amazed at your calmness and the fact that you are so big. Which, yes, you are only barely three weeks old and already in 0-3 mths clothes. And even some of those are starting to look a little tight. I can't believe how much you have grown. Though you were big to start off with, too. 9 lbs and 14 oz isn't any small number. I don't even want to think how much bigger you would be if you had stayed safely inside for another three days to make your due-date. Or if you had been late. Makes me shudder. I am so glad you came when you did, though I was serious about being seriously ready four days before you came. I had the house clean, your bed put together, bags packed - the whole thing. And then you didn't come and I was so sad.
So I did a little putting around, a little moping and a little bit of nothing because everything was already done. By the time Thursday rolled around I was so tired of just waiting that Alaska and I started a paint project, a couple, really, and had to run to Longview for some wax to finish up your dresser. We walked around a few antique stores and by the time we got home, it had been a successful and fun day. And that's when you decided to come.
My water broke at 8 pm Thursday, while I was reading bed-time stories to Alaska. I had no idea what was going on, as they had broken my water at the hospital the last time. And sometimes, when your pregnant and huge, you leak pee for no reason, without even knowing your leaking until you feel wet hit your thigh. I know, its gross.
So there I was, sitting in the chair, and then jumping up to run to the bathroom, but it just kept coming. I grabbed one of the sheets I had been using to protect the table from my paint projects and stood on that to keep the carpet dry. Your dad called the nurse hotline to ask what was going on and they suggested we go to the hospital to make sure that it was a water break. I was freaking out at this point because it was when they broke my water at the hospital that the strong contractions started and I didn't want to be having strong contractions anytime during the 45 minute drive to the hospital. While dad was on the phone I was in the bathroom, peeling my bottom half of clothes off and getting in the shower to rinse. Alaska was running back and forth, between me and dad, exclaiming, "Momma pee! Momma ok?" I did my best to reassure her as I quickly found dry clothes to change into. Grammar and Papa came down to get Alaska and we left them, me perched in the front seat on a pile of towels and a pair of jeans. So much for changing into dry clothes.
We got to the hospital and the guy who does the valet parking wasn't as helpful as I thought he may have been. He didn't even get a wheel chair for me. Steve had to hop out and get that, which made me self-conscious, sitting with bodily liquid all around me, not wanting to move because that made more gush out, sitting in front of a total stranger. A guy who just parks cars and was too young to know anything about water breaking.
They wheeled us up to the labor and delivery and stuck us in a waiting room of sorts. Promising a quick clean-up in one of the delivery rooms and we would be settled again in no time. No time turned into three or four hours. After a lot of walking around and a lot of waiting we were finally moved and things were much more comfortable. Until the contractions started. Pity we were in a comfy place and then that's when things started to get uncomfortable. It was a long night, no one slept. Except your dad. He could catch a half hour or 15 minutes here and there. I was always up. Always waiting for the next step. The next change.
Nana was at the hospital with us and she did a great job, always being right there when I needed her.
At 4 am the contractions began to get hard enough I had to stop to breathe through them. At 6 I was all the way done dilating and was biding my time as to when I started to feel 'pushy'. I didn't want to push for very long and I wanted to make sure I was ready to push when it came the time. You were born at 7:02 am with 38 minutes of pushing. No epidural and all 9 lbs and 14 oz of you came spilling out. I knew you were big when I felt your shoulders and waist come out. Heads hurt, no matter what, but when shoulders hurt, too, you know you're in for a big baby.
The absolute grossest thing, as soon as you were out, they didn't even bother cutting the cord but took every gooey, red piece of you and held you up on my chest. I had just pushed you out and had no interest in looking at your or holding you. I turned my head and told your dad to get you off of me as calmly as I could, though inside I was completely freaking out.
How dare they assume that I would want to have you all up in my business when I had just pushed you out of my business. Especially in the messy state you were in.
It was absolutely disgusting to feel every tug and pull of the umbilical cord still inside me but to have it attached to you, being outside. It was pretty clear I wanted nothing to do with you until you were cleaned up a little as I turned my head and held my arms close. They took you away when Steven asked and Nana cut the umbilical cord, though that wasn't really her idea of a good time, either.
I never even saw your face for the first hour you were alive. You went from being bloody all over my chest to being swaddled and then brought over to me and pushed up on my breast to feed. They had to do some extra tests because of your size to make sure your blood sugar wasn't too low and then you would be pushed on me again, naked and skin-to-skin, which was a huge deal. None of the nurses wanted to miss a second of that skin-to-skin time, so I was always seeing half your face at a time. It wasn't until much later that I was able to hold you away from me and look at your broad forehead and mushed nose and swollen eyelids and see how handsome you were.
We spent that day and half of the next in the hospital and then we were home to start as a family of 4. Four is already so much more than three. Starting with the fact that two car seats in a honda civic is a lot of car seats and the passenger gets shoved into the dash pretty far because your car seat is so big the chair has to be pushed as forward as it will go to give you room behind it.
How we have been blessed with two perfect children that are so night and day from one another, I cannot even say. Though, as a secret between you and me, you may be just a little more perfect due to the fact that you aren't as high strung.
I can already see Alaska and I having our collisions with you as a mediator between the two of us. Your level-headedness and compassion will get you far.
But back to you.
You are absolutely handsome. No doubt about that. Your fair skin and dark hair, broad shoulders and forehead makes you look all boy. Your nose was a little mushed when you came out but I feel like its got some strength to it now. Your hands have wide, boy palms with lengthy fingers attached. I know they look unimaginably long right now, but as you fill out and gain some weight they will grow proportioned and will add much strength to this world. They will be handsome. And your feet. Wherever you choose to go and do, those feet will take you. And they are big. Embarrassingly so. With added long toes to match. Those toes will probably add a couple of sizes to your feet that other boys don't have, you can thank me for that. But at least you aren't a girl, trying to fit your size 10 feet into a size 8-9 world where prom shoes don't even appear to come in 10s. Your almost black hair has a meager calic in it that sends your hair spinning into a soft part on your left. When I comb it over, making the part more defined, you hair gathers on top of itself and looks quite dashing. As if someone just gave you the perfect haircut.
We've already had a run-in to trouble. You can't nurse. You have a little bit of a recessed chin, a little bit of upper lip tie, a little bit of tongue tie and all of that together makes you chomp, rather than suck. Nursing was going well when we left the hospital. As in, you were nursing. There's only so much you can tell when your baby is only sucking colostrum for 5 minutes at a time.
By the time my milk came in and engorgement was over and I was still sore all over I was grateful for the lactation appointment we had made from the very beginning as just a check-up to make sure that everything was going fine. I was sore, but sure, who isn't. I wasn't expecting my world to be flipped inside out. She said you were chomping, rather than sucking and sent me on my way with a business card of a physical therapist who specializes in tongue-tied babies and something else called cranial sacral therapy.
You have been such a good sport through the whole thing. That was only the first day, but you have been absolutely amazing, letting your little personality shine on. Never have you gotten frustrated to the point of crying and screaming about not being able to suck a good amount of milk. You are so calm and persistent, always willing to try again. When I do have to set you on my lap for a breather as we try to re-latch for the millionth time it is because of me. I need a rest. You are so patient with me.
I love you to pieces. It's not even scary, to be a mom. It's just love. Everything is going to work out just fine. I still feel as if I am a first-time mom. Especially in boy diaper changing and in nursing. Probably because I have never done the first and the second I was so freaked out about Alaska losing weight and being put on the 'failure to thrive' chart and then thrush and being so conservative I wasn't about to ask for help from someone who had see my boobies (ridiculous as it seems now, that was something I wasn't prepared for). I've got a few things figured out, and a few things we're figuring out together. I always feel dumb, though, when someone who would see me nursing would ask if it were my first child. I would say, "No, number 2" but I always wanted to back-up and say, "but it feels like number 1. I never really got good with nursing."
You are so unimaginably wonderful. Everyone is amazed at your calmness and the fact that you are so big. Which, yes, you are only barely three weeks old and already in 0-3 mths clothes. And even some of those are starting to look a little tight. I can't believe how much you have grown. Though you were big to start off with, too. 9 lbs and 14 oz isn't any small number. I don't even want to think how much bigger you would be if you had stayed safely inside for another three days to make your due-date. Or if you had been late. Makes me shudder. I am so glad you came when you did, though I was serious about being seriously ready four days before you came. I had the house clean, your bed put together, bags packed - the whole thing. And then you didn't come and I was so sad.
So I did a little putting around, a little moping and a little bit of nothing because everything was already done. By the time Thursday rolled around I was so tired of just waiting that Alaska and I started a paint project, a couple, really, and had to run to Longview for some wax to finish up your dresser. We walked around a few antique stores and by the time we got home, it had been a successful and fun day. And that's when you decided to come.
My water broke at 8 pm Thursday, while I was reading bed-time stories to Alaska. I had no idea what was going on, as they had broken my water at the hospital the last time. And sometimes, when your pregnant and huge, you leak pee for no reason, without even knowing your leaking until you feel wet hit your thigh. I know, its gross.
So there I was, sitting in the chair, and then jumping up to run to the bathroom, but it just kept coming. I grabbed one of the sheets I had been using to protect the table from my paint projects and stood on that to keep the carpet dry. Your dad called the nurse hotline to ask what was going on and they suggested we go to the hospital to make sure that it was a water break. I was freaking out at this point because it was when they broke my water at the hospital that the strong contractions started and I didn't want to be having strong contractions anytime during the 45 minute drive to the hospital. While dad was on the phone I was in the bathroom, peeling my bottom half of clothes off and getting in the shower to rinse. Alaska was running back and forth, between me and dad, exclaiming, "Momma pee! Momma ok?" I did my best to reassure her as I quickly found dry clothes to change into. Grammar and Papa came down to get Alaska and we left them, me perched in the front seat on a pile of towels and a pair of jeans. So much for changing into dry clothes.
We got to the hospital and the guy who does the valet parking wasn't as helpful as I thought he may have been. He didn't even get a wheel chair for me. Steve had to hop out and get that, which made me self-conscious, sitting with bodily liquid all around me, not wanting to move because that made more gush out, sitting in front of a total stranger. A guy who just parks cars and was too young to know anything about water breaking.
They wheeled us up to the labor and delivery and stuck us in a waiting room of sorts. Promising a quick clean-up in one of the delivery rooms and we would be settled again in no time. No time turned into three or four hours. After a lot of walking around and a lot of waiting we were finally moved and things were much more comfortable. Until the contractions started. Pity we were in a comfy place and then that's when things started to get uncomfortable. It was a long night, no one slept. Except your dad. He could catch a half hour or 15 minutes here and there. I was always up. Always waiting for the next step. The next change.
Nana was at the hospital with us and she did a great job, always being right there when I needed her.
At 4 am the contractions began to get hard enough I had to stop to breathe through them. At 6 I was all the way done dilating and was biding my time as to when I started to feel 'pushy'. I didn't want to push for very long and I wanted to make sure I was ready to push when it came the time. You were born at 7:02 am with 38 minutes of pushing. No epidural and all 9 lbs and 14 oz of you came spilling out. I knew you were big when I felt your shoulders and waist come out. Heads hurt, no matter what, but when shoulders hurt, too, you know you're in for a big baby.
The absolute grossest thing, as soon as you were out, they didn't even bother cutting the cord but took every gooey, red piece of you and held you up on my chest. I had just pushed you out and had no interest in looking at your or holding you. I turned my head and told your dad to get you off of me as calmly as I could, though inside I was completely freaking out.
How dare they assume that I would want to have you all up in my business when I had just pushed you out of my business. Especially in the messy state you were in.
It was absolutely disgusting to feel every tug and pull of the umbilical cord still inside me but to have it attached to you, being outside. It was pretty clear I wanted nothing to do with you until you were cleaned up a little as I turned my head and held my arms close. They took you away when Steven asked and Nana cut the umbilical cord, though that wasn't really her idea of a good time, either.
I never even saw your face for the first hour you were alive. You went from being bloody all over my chest to being swaddled and then brought over to me and pushed up on my breast to feed. They had to do some extra tests because of your size to make sure your blood sugar wasn't too low and then you would be pushed on me again, naked and skin-to-skin, which was a huge deal. None of the nurses wanted to miss a second of that skin-to-skin time, so I was always seeing half your face at a time. It wasn't until much later that I was able to hold you away from me and look at your broad forehead and mushed nose and swollen eyelids and see how handsome you were.
We spent that day and half of the next in the hospital and then we were home to start as a family of 4. Four is already so much more than three. Starting with the fact that two car seats in a honda civic is a lot of car seats and the passenger gets shoved into the dash pretty far because your car seat is so big the chair has to be pushed as forward as it will go to give you room behind it.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Clever Little Fox Prince
Talmage:
You have been so gentle with me. No hard kicks, very rarely do you stick your feet in my ribs and more often than not you move just a little to get more comfortable. A little twitch or push here or there and you settle down. You are most definitely present, though. Your body fills me up and I cannot bend or get on the floor because you are already taking up your space in the world. My belly is not just a kangaroo pouch that easily goes with me wherever I am. It is a body that requires some extra balance and protection. But you have been gentle.
I hope that you are not what they say boys are. You already have a sister who has cleared a wide path for you, brush-whacking away at all stereotypes with zealous energy. She is a doer. Not a destroyer, but most definitely a doer. But this post isn't about her. This is about you.
You are being named after an author and an apostle of God. An author who was inspired to write about Christ and his life. It's a hard book. But I promise that when the time comes, if you start with prayer, you will understand and appreciate every single word. You will be wise. James E. Talmage was not the best looking guy around. As far as apostles go, in my opinion. So do not think that we are naming you for anyone because of looks. In fact, please don't take it as a total in-equality when you see a picture. You are being named after a very thoughtful and humble man. Someone who had a great challenge set before him but took it on as humbly as possible and has made a most wonderful account of our savior's life. An account that has served the population well, though few have taken the time and energy that it takes to read the words. Like I said, it is hard. But you will be good at doing hard.
Not to diminish the prestige and importance of an apostle, but you are being named after an author. Not all apostles have contributed so much to the literature of the church and to be honest, none of them stand out the way Jesus the Christ does. So while being an apostle is awesome, it is the writing James E. Talmage did that set him apart. Had he not have written that book I never would have known about him. It is his distinguishing act that sets him apart from the rest and what I would like to focus on.
Having been named after an author, I have felt an extra connection to other books when thinking of you. Most particularly to The Little Prince. And even more specific, the character of the fox. You are my clever little fox prince.
I haven't the time, nor the energy, to write my own essay on the character of the fox, but I would like to give you something I have found:
You have been so gentle with me. No hard kicks, very rarely do you stick your feet in my ribs and more often than not you move just a little to get more comfortable. A little twitch or push here or there and you settle down. You are most definitely present, though. Your body fills me up and I cannot bend or get on the floor because you are already taking up your space in the world. My belly is not just a kangaroo pouch that easily goes with me wherever I am. It is a body that requires some extra balance and protection. But you have been gentle.
I hope that you are not what they say boys are. You already have a sister who has cleared a wide path for you, brush-whacking away at all stereotypes with zealous energy. She is a doer. Not a destroyer, but most definitely a doer. But this post isn't about her. This is about you.
You are being named after an author and an apostle of God. An author who was inspired to write about Christ and his life. It's a hard book. But I promise that when the time comes, if you start with prayer, you will understand and appreciate every single word. You will be wise. James E. Talmage was not the best looking guy around. As far as apostles go, in my opinion. So do not think that we are naming you for anyone because of looks. In fact, please don't take it as a total in-equality when you see a picture. You are being named after a very thoughtful and humble man. Someone who had a great challenge set before him but took it on as humbly as possible and has made a most wonderful account of our savior's life. An account that has served the population well, though few have taken the time and energy that it takes to read the words. Like I said, it is hard. But you will be good at doing hard.
Not to diminish the prestige and importance of an apostle, but you are being named after an author. Not all apostles have contributed so much to the literature of the church and to be honest, none of them stand out the way Jesus the Christ does. So while being an apostle is awesome, it is the writing James E. Talmage did that set him apart. Had he not have written that book I never would have known about him. It is his distinguishing act that sets him apart from the rest and what I would like to focus on.
Having been named after an author, I have felt an extra connection to other books when thinking of you. Most particularly to The Little Prince. And even more specific, the character of the fox. You are my clever little fox prince.
I haven't the time, nor the energy, to write my own essay on the character of the fox, but I would like to give you something I have found:
The Taming of the Fox
When the fox and the little prince meet for the first time, the fox asks the prince to “tame” him. When the prince asks him what “tame” means, the fox says it means “to establish ties” (21. 16). The process of “taming,” he explains, they will come to mean something to each other and will need each other. Without “taming,” the fox says, the prince will be “nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys” (21.18). And to the prince, the fox is “nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes” (21.18). But after the fox is tamed, the prince and the fox will become unique for each other.
What the fox means by “tame” is to “make friends” or “to establish a relationship.” According to the fox, unless you build a relationship with a person and get to really understand him or her, that person will remain indistinguishable for you from the hundreds of thousands of people in the world—and you, too, will not be “unique” or special to him or her.
And how does the prince tame the fox? He sits down on the grass at a little distance from the fox and says nothing because, as the fox tells him, “Words are the source of misunderstandings” (21.37). The fox looks at him out of the corner of his eye and every day, at the same time, the prince arrives at their designated spot and sits a little closer to the fox.
Sounds like a process that requires enormous amounts of time and patience, right? Well, according to the fox, that’s the point. Building relationships and deep connections with people is hard work. The fox remarks:
One only understands the things that one tames….Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends any more.” (21.35)
After the fox is tamed, it is time for the prince to leave, and the fox is about to cry. Because of this, the prince worries that the taming has hardly done any good. But the fox says it has done him good “because of the color of the wheat fields” (21.49). The golden wheat will remind the fox of the prince’s golden hair, which will make the wheat fields a source of happiness to the fox – until he was tamed, the wheat fields meant nothing to him. Thus, according to the fox, it is our relationships that make the world around us significant and meaningful.
Love Medicine
The fox rescues the little prince from the despair he had fallen into on seeing a garden full of roses on Earth—until that point, the prince had believed his flower (who was also a rose) when she told him that she was the only one of her kind in the universe.
But after the prince tames him, the fox tells him to go again to see the roses in the garden, and that this time, the prince will see that his rose is indeed unique.
And this is exactly what the prince realizes. He tells these roses:
“To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you….But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses: because it is she that I have watered;…because it is she that I have listened to when she grumbled, or boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing. Because she is my rose.” (21.54)
(Awww.) This is the most important realization that the little prince makes about his relationship, and it is the fox’s wise words that guide him to it.
“Life: A Guide” by Mr. Fox
The fox tells the prince a “secret,” which includes all of this:
- “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” (21.58)
- “It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” (21.60)
- “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.” (21.63)
Why does he call it a “secret”? Shmoop thinks that it’s the “secret” to meaningful friendships and relationships. And these, friends, are the fox’s final words before the little prince leaves him to continue with his adventures. He is now a changed prince: wiser, and fully equipped with relationship advice.
Monday Delivery
It's been a long week full of lots of business. Pretty sure Talmage is coming on Monday, which means I have a lot of projects and getting ready to do. It's not that I am not as super excited for number one as I was for number 2, it's more like our space is so limited that I am putting off dragging out baby stuff as long as I can. We had Alaska's crib made up and done two months in advance and just on Tuesday I pulled the pack-n-play out to scrub it down. A pack-n-play.
I am just now finishing up painting the dresser, which looks super awesome, btw, and yesterday I went to the children's resale to get a swing, and guess what. They didn't even have a swing! I had been putting that off the very longest because really, we have nowhere to put it and it's going to be a huge tripping hazard and make the house completely cluttered. I put my name on a waiting list and hopefully one will come in soon. I guess it is garage sale season and people are probably selling their own baby swings rather than taking them in to a re-sale place.
My last step will be getting Alaska's bag ready and my hospital bag. I feel like that is the final touch that a person can do and no need to give anyone permission to come before Monday because there's no way I could handle that. Maybe Sunday, but I've really got my work set out for me these next couple of days and I don't have time for contractions and run to the hospital.
Why Monday, you may ask. Number one, a long long long time ago the 23rd popped into my mind and I hadn't even stopped to look at a calendar to see what day it was until a month ago. Turns out to be a week earlier than the due date I was given. Which is just fine. I am dilated to a two and the doctor will strip the membranes on Monday. Which means a jump-start into labor if my body is ready, which I am pretty sure it should be ready. I wish my appointment were earlier, but it's at 2:30. Which means an evening/night delivery. I really liked having Alaska in my arms around noon and having the rest of the day to get to know her a little instead of being exhausted by labor and also by the fact that it's bed time. It will be interesting to see how it all goes down.
I am just now finishing up painting the dresser, which looks super awesome, btw, and yesterday I went to the children's resale to get a swing, and guess what. They didn't even have a swing! I had been putting that off the very longest because really, we have nowhere to put it and it's going to be a huge tripping hazard and make the house completely cluttered. I put my name on a waiting list and hopefully one will come in soon. I guess it is garage sale season and people are probably selling their own baby swings rather than taking them in to a re-sale place.
My last step will be getting Alaska's bag ready and my hospital bag. I feel like that is the final touch that a person can do and no need to give anyone permission to come before Monday because there's no way I could handle that. Maybe Sunday, but I've really got my work set out for me these next couple of days and I don't have time for contractions and run to the hospital.
Why Monday, you may ask. Number one, a long long long time ago the 23rd popped into my mind and I hadn't even stopped to look at a calendar to see what day it was until a month ago. Turns out to be a week earlier than the due date I was given. Which is just fine. I am dilated to a two and the doctor will strip the membranes on Monday. Which means a jump-start into labor if my body is ready, which I am pretty sure it should be ready. I wish my appointment were earlier, but it's at 2:30. Which means an evening/night delivery. I really liked having Alaska in my arms around noon and having the rest of the day to get to know her a little instead of being exhausted by labor and also by the fact that it's bed time. It will be interesting to see how it all goes down.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
May 14th
We put in another house offer. This has absolutely got to be it! It's done, no need to pull out carpet or redo kitchen floors. No need to paint - anything. And the yard is simple enough that it doesn't need any work unless you were looking for a project. Which we may be, because the more I day-dream the more ideas I have for a patio with a campfire and some front-yard landscaping that would make the house standout from the rest on the block. Also, the yard is completely fenced in with an opening on both sides and it's not falling apart. It's the best, most well-priced house we've seen. It amazes me that I think the last house that was on the market was the last one for us and yet they still seem to stay in our price-range but get better and better.
There's a house about every other week that we can actually think about going and looking at and putting an offer on. A house a week is optimistic but it has been done, they're just not always what we're looking for even if they're in our price range.
It's been on the market for a day and already has two offers on it. We made our offer extra cushy by wrapping up the closing costs into the total payment rather than giving them their asking price and having them pay closing costs. I really hope we get it.
Alaska and I have been enjoying our last days together as mommy/daughter. Lots of shopping, lots of treats and a little bit of potty training that goes well so long as I can remember to have her sit on the toilet. It's really too bad since when we first started by the end of the day on the first day she was telling me when she needed to go. But then we got interrupted by women's conference and an emergency trip to Idaho for the funeral of Steven's grandpa. I am finding it takes a lot to keep life at bay while we try to potty-train and it's much easier to do all in one, hard shot than to drag it out. Also, my patience can only last about a week. Any longer than that and I could care less if she's still in diapers in first grade. But I kid, of course. We will do this.
There's a house about every other week that we can actually think about going and looking at and putting an offer on. A house a week is optimistic but it has been done, they're just not always what we're looking for even if they're in our price range.
It's been on the market for a day and already has two offers on it. We made our offer extra cushy by wrapping up the closing costs into the total payment rather than giving them their asking price and having them pay closing costs. I really hope we get it.
Alaska and I have been enjoying our last days together as mommy/daughter. Lots of shopping, lots of treats and a little bit of potty training that goes well so long as I can remember to have her sit on the toilet. It's really too bad since when we first started by the end of the day on the first day she was telling me when she needed to go. But then we got interrupted by women's conference and an emergency trip to Idaho for the funeral of Steven's grandpa. I am finding it takes a lot to keep life at bay while we try to potty-train and it's much easier to do all in one, hard shot than to drag it out. Also, my patience can only last about a week. Any longer than that and I could care less if she's still in diapers in first grade. But I kid, of course. We will do this.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
"Things are going to be different"
I have been spared the, "boys are so much different than girls" speech for the most part during this pregnancy. Or if I haven't, it hasn't bothered me because I admit it straight up and confess how nervous I am. Seriously. Alaska is super awesome but it's taken us a long time to get to the point of her to be content reading books, drawing or coloring. She's always on the move and never really making messes. Not the kind you see with the flour dumped all over the floor or the toilet paper unrolled through the whole house. Not that kind. Just busy messes. And I like to think that's me, keeping everything messy out of reach, but I know it's partly her, too. And I can't stand the thought of cleaning up messes.
What I haven't been spared is the, "Things are going to be different." No der. But we'll glide gracefully into whatever it is that will be different and if we can't, we'll cannon-ball the heck out of it.
But for right now we're just enjoying the 'now'. The parts where I can re-do Alaska's hair if her pigtails are lopsided because we have the time. The parts where I can slide her Sunday clothes on and tie a perfect bow. The parts where we have all day together, just the two of us, and we fill it with potty training and reading books and painting toenails. The parts where we make messes in her room and leave it until its time to run a vacuum through there again. We're piling those on, breathing them in deep, and knowing that things will change. They undoubtedly will.
What I haven't been spared is the, "Things are going to be different." No der. But we'll glide gracefully into whatever it is that will be different and if we can't, we'll cannon-ball the heck out of it.
But for right now we're just enjoying the 'now'. The parts where I can re-do Alaska's hair if her pigtails are lopsided because we have the time. The parts where I can slide her Sunday clothes on and tie a perfect bow. The parts where we have all day together, just the two of us, and we fill it with potty training and reading books and painting toenails. The parts where we make messes in her room and leave it until its time to run a vacuum through there again. We're piling those on, breathing them in deep, and knowing that things will change. They undoubtedly will.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
April 23rd
This month has absolutely flown by. Glad that it has been so busy and full of life. We're doing good things.
First of all, we jumped on the 'let's buy a house' train, once again. This time in a much serious way. We had our loan pre-approved and had an offer on a house all within a week. That offer ended up being outbid, which was a blessing because A) I pushed Steven into and offered more than he wanted to and B) It wasn't in the ward we are currently in. A week after that another house came on the market. Steven seriously took way too long thinking about it and by the time we had seen the inside of it and decided to put an offer on it, it was sold. It went on the market on Thursday and was sold by Saturday. The houses in our range are seriously going like hotcakes. Just two weeks ago there were 5 that we looked at and all but one are sold now. It seems like house buying is such an emergency affair. Our realtor sends me an address of a new listing, I beg Steven to come look at it with me when he gets off work and then we decide if we want to see the inside and then decide if we want to put an offer on it. It happens so quick!
This time around it was so easy to get our paperwork in for the loan, too. The guy had it all set up for us in just a matter of days and I had Steven step into high gear to get it all in. I ended up putting 90% of the paperwork in, but it was nice to know that it was all there and not have to get frustrated with Steven for forgetting to ask for papers and stuff from work. I just took care of it myself and it was super empowering. It's really not that hard.
Right now we're just waiting for the next house to come on the market. I am going to be in Utah next week and I really hope something comes on before then or after. Not during. Steven is such a stickler for rules and I know he would refuse to sign my name on an offer. Which means we would have to wait and by then the house could be gone. It's been an exciting process and has made this month go by so super fast.
First of all, we jumped on the 'let's buy a house' train, once again. This time in a much serious way. We had our loan pre-approved and had an offer on a house all within a week. That offer ended up being outbid, which was a blessing because A) I pushed Steven into and offered more than he wanted to and B) It wasn't in the ward we are currently in. A week after that another house came on the market. Steven seriously took way too long thinking about it and by the time we had seen the inside of it and decided to put an offer on it, it was sold. It went on the market on Thursday and was sold by Saturday. The houses in our range are seriously going like hotcakes. Just two weeks ago there were 5 that we looked at and all but one are sold now. It seems like house buying is such an emergency affair. Our realtor sends me an address of a new listing, I beg Steven to come look at it with me when he gets off work and then we decide if we want to see the inside and then decide if we want to put an offer on it. It happens so quick!
This time around it was so easy to get our paperwork in for the loan, too. The guy had it all set up for us in just a matter of days and I had Steven step into high gear to get it all in. I ended up putting 90% of the paperwork in, but it was nice to know that it was all there and not have to get frustrated with Steven for forgetting to ask for papers and stuff from work. I just took care of it myself and it was super empowering. It's really not that hard.
Right now we're just waiting for the next house to come on the market. I am going to be in Utah next week and I really hope something comes on before then or after. Not during. Steven is such a stickler for rules and I know he would refuse to sign my name on an offer. Which means we would have to wait and by then the house could be gone. It's been an exciting process and has made this month go by so super fast.
Friday, April 4, 2014
March 21 - April 4th
March 21 - Friday
Chilled at home
March 22 - Saturday
Shopping in the morning for stuff to make our Sunday picnic a hit
Adult session of stake conference. 12 years-old and up invited for the first time that I can remember.
March 23 - Sunday
Stake Conference.
There's a grandma in our ward that sometimes has her granddaughter with her that is the same age. They love playing together so we to help her out with Mihayla sitting quiet and still for two hours we sat together. Stacked in the side pews. It was awesome and I can totally rock having two kids, but you do listen a considerable amount less to the speakers.
Family dinner at the river/park.
Pulled pork sandwiches, a new green bean and potato salad with chips and soda.
March 24 - Monday
First day of spring break and the only day that it was sunny and warm.
Skipped music class and went on a hike with my family instead.
Went to Portland with John and Mommy to get him some new running shoes
March 25 - Tuesday
Music class and found the nearest Winco to music class.
Got lost on the way back home and ended up over by the airport.
March 26 - Wednesday
Glucose test. Had to stay at the doctors for two hours while they did all the tests. Was definitely kind of sick for the rest of the day.
March 27th - Thursday
Thrift shopping for frames to craft with
March 28th - Friday
Brittany came over and we made a few pinterest treats and watched The Book Thief.
Went to a Mary Kay party and got ordered some coral lip-stick. Really excited to wear it at women's conference.
March 29th - Saturday
Feeling really worn out.
General Women's meeting and I couldn't get the energy together to get dressed or do makeup or get Alaska done up. She stayed in jambes the whole day. My mom came over and we watched it online.
March 30th -
Fifth Sunday
The yw went in with the primary and helped teach the song that they are all going to sing for Easter while the teachers went to Relief Society.
Stayed home. Steve had a lot of scout stuff to talk to people about so he wasn't home until 5. I put Alaska down for a nap and ate dinner by myself.
March 31st
Music class.
Swim lessons were supposed to start but I couldn't find the energy to shave my legs. I haven't shaved since December. We didn't go. And we didn't go on Tuesday, either. We'll have to catch the next session.
April 1st
Most boring day ever in a long time.
April 2nd
Spent the morning at the gym
Spent the afternoon talking to Dorian and cleaning.
Combined activity was a total bust. Was supposed to be about leadership and they had one activity planned. Boys were in charge and the men didn't step in until one group left the gym because no one knew what was going on. Ironic that it was about leadership and there was not good leadership that put it together.
April 3rd - Thursday
Morning at the gym, came home and did laundry and ran up to my mom's house to dry it. Our dryer is busted right now. Ran back down to spend some time with Michelle. Her and Dorian went on a few dates and he kind of left her hanging. She looked like she needed someone to talk to last night but it was so busy that I made a date with her for the next day
April 4th - Today. And I already said how that was going. The youth have a temple trip this evening and somehow today I need to get Alaska to my mom for her to watch her. Steven is going, too. I absolutely love my dress that I have, but I know I am going to have to rent one this time around because my belly is much too big to fit.
Chilled at home
March 22 - Saturday
Shopping in the morning for stuff to make our Sunday picnic a hit
Adult session of stake conference. 12 years-old and up invited for the first time that I can remember.
March 23 - Sunday
Stake Conference.
There's a grandma in our ward that sometimes has her granddaughter with her that is the same age. They love playing together so we to help her out with Mihayla sitting quiet and still for two hours we sat together. Stacked in the side pews. It was awesome and I can totally rock having two kids, but you do listen a considerable amount less to the speakers.
Family dinner at the river/park.
Pulled pork sandwiches, a new green bean and potato salad with chips and soda.
March 24 - Monday
First day of spring break and the only day that it was sunny and warm.
Skipped music class and went on a hike with my family instead.
Went to Portland with John and Mommy to get him some new running shoes
March 25 - Tuesday
Music class and found the nearest Winco to music class.
Got lost on the way back home and ended up over by the airport.
March 26 - Wednesday
Glucose test. Had to stay at the doctors for two hours while they did all the tests. Was definitely kind of sick for the rest of the day.
March 27th - Thursday
Thrift shopping for frames to craft with
March 28th - Friday
Brittany came over and we made a few pinterest treats and watched The Book Thief.
Went to a Mary Kay party and got ordered some coral lip-stick. Really excited to wear it at women's conference.
March 29th - Saturday
Feeling really worn out.
General Women's meeting and I couldn't get the energy together to get dressed or do makeup or get Alaska done up. She stayed in jambes the whole day. My mom came over and we watched it online.
March 30th -
Fifth Sunday
The yw went in with the primary and helped teach the song that they are all going to sing for Easter while the teachers went to Relief Society.
Stayed home. Steve had a lot of scout stuff to talk to people about so he wasn't home until 5. I put Alaska down for a nap and ate dinner by myself.
March 31st
Music class.
Swim lessons were supposed to start but I couldn't find the energy to shave my legs. I haven't shaved since December. We didn't go. And we didn't go on Tuesday, either. We'll have to catch the next session.
April 1st
Most boring day ever in a long time.
April 2nd
Spent the morning at the gym
Spent the afternoon talking to Dorian and cleaning.
Combined activity was a total bust. Was supposed to be about leadership and they had one activity planned. Boys were in charge and the men didn't step in until one group left the gym because no one knew what was going on. Ironic that it was about leadership and there was not good leadership that put it together.
April 3rd - Thursday
Morning at the gym, came home and did laundry and ran up to my mom's house to dry it. Our dryer is busted right now. Ran back down to spend some time with Michelle. Her and Dorian went on a few dates and he kind of left her hanging. She looked like she needed someone to talk to last night but it was so busy that I made a date with her for the next day
April 4th - Today. And I already said how that was going. The youth have a temple trip this evening and somehow today I need to get Alaska to my mom for her to watch her. Steven is going, too. I absolutely love my dress that I have, but I know I am going to have to rent one this time around because my belly is much too big to fit.
April 4th
I am so sick of March. Tired of thinking about it, tired of looking at the calendar, trying to remember what we did each day so that I can record it on here with a few other thoughts and mostly tired of looking at the green border around the calendar part. I never get to see the pictures on the calendar anymore because I always have it folded in half. All I see is the color that the calendar people thought was fitting for that month. I would prefer some plain black and white. I really need to get one of those desk calendars that teachers have. Write stuff on that and keep that as a journal. And I am also tired of April slipping past because I keep have to keep buggering my mind about journaling about March.
That being said, I woke up today and couldn't get back to sleep. It was one of those mornings where I even went in a checked on Alaska, just to watch her sleep. Usually I am not so sentimental. It is definitely Steven who is more all about bed time and tucking in. I am so tired and done by the end of the day the last thing I want to do is play goodnight games and talk about the day. I hope that will change as she gets older because I do know the value of a tuck-in, it's just really hard for me right now to hang around any longer than I have to after a full day.
Plan A right now is to just pound out the last week of March so that I can start in on our adventures in April. Perhaps right now I need to resort to bullet points and not try to fill in any stories. Even though I feel like that's the whole point of blogging and journaling. Is to tell a story and learn and examine what I am feeling because of the situation. Maybe just for one week I can let that go and just get the facts down and leave the story-telling for another time.
That being said, I woke up today and couldn't get back to sleep. It was one of those mornings where I even went in a checked on Alaska, just to watch her sleep. Usually I am not so sentimental. It is definitely Steven who is more all about bed time and tucking in. I am so tired and done by the end of the day the last thing I want to do is play goodnight games and talk about the day. I hope that will change as she gets older because I do know the value of a tuck-in, it's just really hard for me right now to hang around any longer than I have to after a full day.
Plan A right now is to just pound out the last week of March so that I can start in on our adventures in April. Perhaps right now I need to resort to bullet points and not try to fill in any stories. Even though I feel like that's the whole point of blogging and journaling. Is to tell a story and learn and examine what I am feeling because of the situation. Maybe just for one week I can let that go and just get the facts down and leave the story-telling for another time.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
March 20
March 20th
Spent the first part of the day cleaning up the house hard-core style and put in a couple of maintenance requests that didn't necessarily have to be done, but it would be nice just to have the house updated. I read some good advice from a blog. If you keep your house up to par like you are about to move, you will love your house that much more. I totally agree. There's something satisfying about having clean walls and having everything working and the lights matching and all that.
Steven had the day off and after Alaska's nap we went to Washington Square to get ourselves an apple computer. We opted for the 13" laptop and it has been absolutely perfect! We even got to use my sub ID to get an educator's discount. All that schooling is starting to pay off. So glad I chose the major that I did.
While Steven was doing all the paperwork Alaska was trailing a stink aura and I had to make an emergency exit to get her to a bathroom. Only, you wouldn't suppose who had forgotten the diaper bag, hu? Diapers and wipes are the only thing we need to carry our diaper backpack around for and most times I forget it. Luckily poops lately have been pebbles so I dumped them in the toilet and put the soggy thing back on.
We weren't going to be out much later, anyways. Just dinner and be on our way home. Just dinner turned into swinging by deseret book and looking around a little bit at the new art and new books. Which then turned into swinging by the visitor's center. A hour and a half later we're just barely deciding as to where to eat and her soggy bum has turned into 10 lbs of saturated diaper. It wasn't even soggy anymore. It was rock hard from so much pressure pushing against the lining.
Steven turned left and we searched and searched for a grocery store or a gas station or anything that might carry a diaper. Passing through residential streets and admiring the huge houses was fun but didn't distract us from the possibility of an explosive diaper riding in the back seat. 10 minutes of driving dumped us out by a high school and around the corner a stripmall and gas station. And what do you know. The stripmall housed a store boasting, "The friendliest store in town" named Earth Friendly Grocery. I took one look at that and new we were going to be getting some organic diapers that would cost a fortune.
And I am not even kidding when I say, everyone in there was friendly. Both customers and employees were super nice and everything was presented in the most appeasing fashion. It was absolutely adorable. It was a store no larger than a safeway, perhaps just a tad bit smaller, but they had a whole half-isle with bulk granolas and flours. We found our diapers. All chlorine free and brands we knew nothing about. We grabbed the smallest, most economic package we could find and Steven opened it in the isle, sending me to the bathroom with Alaska while he went to the register and payed.
I might also add that even the store brands were happy, most literally. A whole line of baby food titled Happy Tummies.
We went to Applebees for dinner afterwards and Alaska was absolutely exhausted. But she's too awesome to cry when she's tired. Especially when there's so much to look at. Her sleepy eyes watched the basketball game on the t.v. and when she just couldn't anymore she laid her head in my lap since we were at a booth. She ate her fair share of the onion ring appetizer and even managed to eat a few bites of her own dinner. Which never happens. She was pleasant and laughed and smiled and I couldn't stop telling Steven how lucky we are to have such an awesome person as part of our family.
We weren't even out of the parking lot before Alaska was asleep in her carseat and we drove home with our awesome family.
Spent the first part of the day cleaning up the house hard-core style and put in a couple of maintenance requests that didn't necessarily have to be done, but it would be nice just to have the house updated. I read some good advice from a blog. If you keep your house up to par like you are about to move, you will love your house that much more. I totally agree. There's something satisfying about having clean walls and having everything working and the lights matching and all that.
Steven had the day off and after Alaska's nap we went to Washington Square to get ourselves an apple computer. We opted for the 13" laptop and it has been absolutely perfect! We even got to use my sub ID to get an educator's discount. All that schooling is starting to pay off. So glad I chose the major that I did.
While Steven was doing all the paperwork Alaska was trailing a stink aura and I had to make an emergency exit to get her to a bathroom. Only, you wouldn't suppose who had forgotten the diaper bag, hu? Diapers and wipes are the only thing we need to carry our diaper backpack around for and most times I forget it. Luckily poops lately have been pebbles so I dumped them in the toilet and put the soggy thing back on.
We weren't going to be out much later, anyways. Just dinner and be on our way home. Just dinner turned into swinging by deseret book and looking around a little bit at the new art and new books. Which then turned into swinging by the visitor's center. A hour and a half later we're just barely deciding as to where to eat and her soggy bum has turned into 10 lbs of saturated diaper. It wasn't even soggy anymore. It was rock hard from so much pressure pushing against the lining.
Steven turned left and we searched and searched for a grocery store or a gas station or anything that might carry a diaper. Passing through residential streets and admiring the huge houses was fun but didn't distract us from the possibility of an explosive diaper riding in the back seat. 10 minutes of driving dumped us out by a high school and around the corner a stripmall and gas station. And what do you know. The stripmall housed a store boasting, "The friendliest store in town" named Earth Friendly Grocery. I took one look at that and new we were going to be getting some organic diapers that would cost a fortune.
And I am not even kidding when I say, everyone in there was friendly. Both customers and employees were super nice and everything was presented in the most appeasing fashion. It was absolutely adorable. It was a store no larger than a safeway, perhaps just a tad bit smaller, but they had a whole half-isle with bulk granolas and flours. We found our diapers. All chlorine free and brands we knew nothing about. We grabbed the smallest, most economic package we could find and Steven opened it in the isle, sending me to the bathroom with Alaska while he went to the register and payed.
I might also add that even the store brands were happy, most literally. A whole line of baby food titled Happy Tummies.
We went to Applebees for dinner afterwards and Alaska was absolutely exhausted. But she's too awesome to cry when she's tired. Especially when there's so much to look at. Her sleepy eyes watched the basketball game on the t.v. and when she just couldn't anymore she laid her head in my lap since we were at a booth. She ate her fair share of the onion ring appetizer and even managed to eat a few bites of her own dinner. Which never happens. She was pleasant and laughed and smiled and I couldn't stop telling Steven how lucky we are to have such an awesome person as part of our family.
We weren't even out of the parking lot before Alaska was asleep in her carseat and we drove home with our awesome family.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
March 16 - 19
March 16th
Went to my parents for dinner and we had taco salad. It was absolutely delicious and something I have been needing but with just Steven and I to eat a whole head of lettuce and two cans of beans and a can of olives takes forever. I don't make it a lot because I am definitely not a left-over eater.
March 17th
Music class was small, again. I have definitely gotten faster at getting there, not having to look at the directions for every turn. We got there 15 minutes early so Alaska and I turned into an apartment complex and got out to play at their playground to use up some time. I hadn't brought a jacket or anything and the slide was wet so I wasn't about to let her go down it. She ran around a little and then told me she was cold and we went and got back in the car. First time ever we have left a park because she was cold. Maybe we should leave the coats off more often. It's always me that is too cold to stay out longer than 10 minutes.
We made a little adventure by finding a Winco and then instead of turning around to go back the way I knew I just kept going, trusting that whatever road we were on would take us back to 1-5. Not so. It took us to 205 and dropped us off at the airport. That was an extra half hour of driving that we spent in the car that day and I really wish I were not so directionally challenged. We should have gone to IKEA while we were over there but I totally forgot. We've only got two chairs right now but it is easier for Alaska to sit at a chair than for me to be always getting her in and out of the highchair. Great benefits of having growing children.
March 18th
John did his court of honor tonight. It was combined with another boy from the ward and it was nice to have that many more people there to support both of them but it was a little longer due to that and we were all a little antsy by the end. We were sitting next to a little boy with a video game and Alaska watched him play like it was a movie. He was really sweet with her and even took the time to explain a few things to her about what was happening and all that. It was nice to have something extra for her to do to keep her quiet.
Afterwards she found all the kids and ran to keep up with them, starting a game of chase all by herself. She never actually said chase me or tagged anyone, but she would run up to a little girl her age and then run away, looking over her shoulder to be sure the little girl was going to follow. It was really adorable watching her interact with everyone.
When it was time to go and we were looking for her someone asked what she looked like and one of the young men piped up, "The little girl with the bows." Which is super ironic since that day Alaska had asked for bows in her hair all by herself. All my insistence upon wearing bows and doing hair is paying off! It happened one other time last week, too. When we went to the park after her nap she reminded me that she needed her hair done before we left. She's going to be alright.
March 19th
For mutual we made some healthy cookie bars and apple dip. The girls seemed to enjoy it enough though it was a little big of a group to have everyone helping with something.
Went to my parents for dinner and we had taco salad. It was absolutely delicious and something I have been needing but with just Steven and I to eat a whole head of lettuce and two cans of beans and a can of olives takes forever. I don't make it a lot because I am definitely not a left-over eater.
March 17th
Music class was small, again. I have definitely gotten faster at getting there, not having to look at the directions for every turn. We got there 15 minutes early so Alaska and I turned into an apartment complex and got out to play at their playground to use up some time. I hadn't brought a jacket or anything and the slide was wet so I wasn't about to let her go down it. She ran around a little and then told me she was cold and we went and got back in the car. First time ever we have left a park because she was cold. Maybe we should leave the coats off more often. It's always me that is too cold to stay out longer than 10 minutes.
We made a little adventure by finding a Winco and then instead of turning around to go back the way I knew I just kept going, trusting that whatever road we were on would take us back to 1-5. Not so. It took us to 205 and dropped us off at the airport. That was an extra half hour of driving that we spent in the car that day and I really wish I were not so directionally challenged. We should have gone to IKEA while we were over there but I totally forgot. We've only got two chairs right now but it is easier for Alaska to sit at a chair than for me to be always getting her in and out of the highchair. Great benefits of having growing children.
March 18th
John did his court of honor tonight. It was combined with another boy from the ward and it was nice to have that many more people there to support both of them but it was a little longer due to that and we were all a little antsy by the end. We were sitting next to a little boy with a video game and Alaska watched him play like it was a movie. He was really sweet with her and even took the time to explain a few things to her about what was happening and all that. It was nice to have something extra for her to do to keep her quiet.
Afterwards she found all the kids and ran to keep up with them, starting a game of chase all by herself. She never actually said chase me or tagged anyone, but she would run up to a little girl her age and then run away, looking over her shoulder to be sure the little girl was going to follow. It was really adorable watching her interact with everyone.
When it was time to go and we were looking for her someone asked what she looked like and one of the young men piped up, "The little girl with the bows." Which is super ironic since that day Alaska had asked for bows in her hair all by herself. All my insistence upon wearing bows and doing hair is paying off! It happened one other time last week, too. When we went to the park after her nap she reminded me that she needed her hair done before we left. She's going to be alright.
March 19th
For mutual we made some healthy cookie bars and apple dip. The girls seemed to enjoy it enough though it was a little big of a group to have everyone helping with something.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
March 15
To celebrate bonus checks Les Schwab always hosts a dinner for the employees and their wives. Last year Steven hadn't been officially working for the St. Helens store but he went to the dinner anyway. I opted to stay home.
This dinner for this year was my first time seeing everyone at once and it's always interesting to see who the guys are married to. There were even some guys I didn't recognize at all because there are so many employees at that store. Made me feel a little foreign and I missed our Centerville crew with their guys and their wives that I knew and always made me feel comfortable.
We went to El Tapatio and used a whole string of tables and half another. We got there late, something I had forgotten as a huge 'no no' if you want to pick your own seat and not get seated at the table that takes all the left-over people. I was so nervous that we were the last ones there, too. Meaning we would be the only ones not at the main table. Fortunately we weren't and the guy that Steven works the most with and his wife came after us and sat at our table along with one other couple that came late. I was most definitely out of my comfort zone and watched everyone else. Thank goodness Shayna (the guy's wife) is super outgoing and has no qualms about what stories to share and started up a rowdy conversation with the other wife and I put-in when I could but mostly stayed quiet. One of Shayna's best friends from high school is also a wife of one of the guys and she came over and sat at our table to get in on Shayna's stories and share her own. It was fun to listen to them and they seemed quite content to run the conversation.
I ordered fajitas and they were definitely not as good as the ones that I make. Not even close. It was a little bit of a let-down, but not something that I didn't totally expect. El Tap and I have a hate/neutral relationship. There is a building in Rainier and we had to go there for an assignment for Spanish once and order in Spanish. It was humiliating and their food isn't really all that good. Also, it's 'the place' to go in Rainier, apparently. A lot of kids from high school would go there for their birthdays and special occasions and I just don't know why. I guess it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth being so connected to highs school and people from high school.
There was a baptism for some lady at 2 earlier that day. I had it on the calendar and everything and totally spaced it. I had no idea who it was, she's never been to all three hours of church and going to gospel essentials for Sunday School makes it easy to meet investigators. Why do they do that? Why would someone be baptized without first going to church? Seems backwards to me.
This dinner for this year was my first time seeing everyone at once and it's always interesting to see who the guys are married to. There were even some guys I didn't recognize at all because there are so many employees at that store. Made me feel a little foreign and I missed our Centerville crew with their guys and their wives that I knew and always made me feel comfortable.
We went to El Tapatio and used a whole string of tables and half another. We got there late, something I had forgotten as a huge 'no no' if you want to pick your own seat and not get seated at the table that takes all the left-over people. I was so nervous that we were the last ones there, too. Meaning we would be the only ones not at the main table. Fortunately we weren't and the guy that Steven works the most with and his wife came after us and sat at our table along with one other couple that came late. I was most definitely out of my comfort zone and watched everyone else. Thank goodness Shayna (the guy's wife) is super outgoing and has no qualms about what stories to share and started up a rowdy conversation with the other wife and I put-in when I could but mostly stayed quiet. One of Shayna's best friends from high school is also a wife of one of the guys and she came over and sat at our table to get in on Shayna's stories and share her own. It was fun to listen to them and they seemed quite content to run the conversation.
I ordered fajitas and they were definitely not as good as the ones that I make. Not even close. It was a little bit of a let-down, but not something that I didn't totally expect. El Tap and I have a hate/neutral relationship. There is a building in Rainier and we had to go there for an assignment for Spanish once and order in Spanish. It was humiliating and their food isn't really all that good. Also, it's 'the place' to go in Rainier, apparently. A lot of kids from high school would go there for their birthdays and special occasions and I just don't know why. I guess it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth being so connected to highs school and people from high school.
There was a baptism for some lady at 2 earlier that day. I had it on the calendar and everything and totally spaced it. I had no idea who it was, she's never been to all three hours of church and going to gospel essentials for Sunday School makes it easy to meet investigators. Why do they do that? Why would someone be baptized without first going to church? Seems backwards to me.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
March 13 and 14
March 13
Such an incredibly busy day ahead of me that I only worked on the eliptical for half a hour before calling it quits with my mind churning with all the things I still had to do. Alaska wasn't ready to leave the daycare yet, she was having too much fun. I stayed and talked with the lady doing the watching for a little while until I was able to pull Alaska to the door.
Took off running as soon as we hit the home-front. The house wasn't nearly clean enough for the missionaries to come over and I needed to get dinner in the crockpot (Cafe Rio pork). Hurried along until nap time and my mom came out to watch Alaska while I went and did a funeral. There were only 6 or so people there and it was kept short since the man that died, his twin sister had to check in with her parole officer at 3. Easy peasy. John, the funeral director, had just sold the business the day before and so David, the new guy in charge, was there to oversee stuff. I did an extra-good job at releasing that dove.
When I got back, Alaska and Mommy hadn't left for the park yet. I changed quick and took a shot at going with them. We walked to Campbell and played for 30 or 45 minutes and then walked back. It barely gave me enough time to get the cilantro/tomatillo dressing done before the missionaries were knocking on the door. In my rush of getting everything ready I totally forgot about the rice. Thank goodness it was minute rice that took 10 minutes to make.
Megan's choir concert started at 7 and I knew we had to be there early to get a seat. We left right along with the missionaries, locking the door behind us. I stayed for the whole concert because I was enjoying it so much. Everyone else had to leave after the first song because of mutual or because they were hungry. Steven had come over straight from work and hadn't been home yet for dinner.
Dorian was in need of a date for his army banquet a few days ago and I instinctively had him ask Michelle (one of the yw in our ward). They had met on trek but he had always had a girlfriend since then. I know that she liked him and I was pretty sure that he had at least looked at her twice so when I offered to call her mom up and get permission he took me up on it in a heartbeat. He was a little timid about asking an LDS girl to an army banquet. Under good reason, I guess those things can get a little rowdy with the alcohol and a little grotesque with the humor. I told him not to worry about it. She could handle it. I am sure any LDS girl could handle it, really, sometimes I think he underestimates them.
After Megan's concert I went over to Michelle's house to help her pick a dress. Apparently banquets are dress up Prom-like. She was super excited and we ended up sending two photos to Dorian to get his opinion on a dress. Thank goodness he texted back the next day with his choice and that's what she ended up wearing.
March 14 -
Potluck at the church and I took fried rice. It wasn't super yummy, but at least it was edible. Which is saying a lot considering the other foods that were there. It was a passport potluck and you took your passport with you and checked off any foods that you tried from different countries. I was really surprised at how much variety there was. And as far as I could tell, no one had chosen China, lol. Not that fried rice is really Chinese, but you know. The missionaries were the hosts of the whole thing and they did a great job of keeping it interesting. After most people were done eating we had a little trivia. The questions were printed for us and put at each table and then when read out-loud we had to send someone up from our table as fast as we could with the right answer. We did a few of those, not the whole sheet, and then played some minute-to-win-it games. The primary kids were all over this and they did a great job. Then a little family feud of couples against couples but they had all the boys on one team and all the girls on another team so that couples were competing against each other. Some more minute-to-win-it and we had to leave to put Alaska to bed before they even started the 'messy skits' - I never found out what those were.
Alaska had a good time running around with all the other kids and made herself right at home even though she was the youngest by about a year. The older kids are so good to be gentle with her and she does her best to keep up. It's a good middle ground. The cutest thing ever was when the newest baby in the ward was sleeping in his carseat all the little girls gathered around him to watch. 5 girls around a carseat with ages varying from Alaska to 10 was the most precious thing ever!
Such an incredibly busy day ahead of me that I only worked on the eliptical for half a hour before calling it quits with my mind churning with all the things I still had to do. Alaska wasn't ready to leave the daycare yet, she was having too much fun. I stayed and talked with the lady doing the watching for a little while until I was able to pull Alaska to the door.
Took off running as soon as we hit the home-front. The house wasn't nearly clean enough for the missionaries to come over and I needed to get dinner in the crockpot (Cafe Rio pork). Hurried along until nap time and my mom came out to watch Alaska while I went and did a funeral. There were only 6 or so people there and it was kept short since the man that died, his twin sister had to check in with her parole officer at 3. Easy peasy. John, the funeral director, had just sold the business the day before and so David, the new guy in charge, was there to oversee stuff. I did an extra-good job at releasing that dove.
When I got back, Alaska and Mommy hadn't left for the park yet. I changed quick and took a shot at going with them. We walked to Campbell and played for 30 or 45 minutes and then walked back. It barely gave me enough time to get the cilantro/tomatillo dressing done before the missionaries were knocking on the door. In my rush of getting everything ready I totally forgot about the rice. Thank goodness it was minute rice that took 10 minutes to make.
Megan's choir concert started at 7 and I knew we had to be there early to get a seat. We left right along with the missionaries, locking the door behind us. I stayed for the whole concert because I was enjoying it so much. Everyone else had to leave after the first song because of mutual or because they were hungry. Steven had come over straight from work and hadn't been home yet for dinner.
Dorian was in need of a date for his army banquet a few days ago and I instinctively had him ask Michelle (one of the yw in our ward). They had met on trek but he had always had a girlfriend since then. I know that she liked him and I was pretty sure that he had at least looked at her twice so when I offered to call her mom up and get permission he took me up on it in a heartbeat. He was a little timid about asking an LDS girl to an army banquet. Under good reason, I guess those things can get a little rowdy with the alcohol and a little grotesque with the humor. I told him not to worry about it. She could handle it. I am sure any LDS girl could handle it, really, sometimes I think he underestimates them.
After Megan's concert I went over to Michelle's house to help her pick a dress. Apparently banquets are dress up Prom-like. She was super excited and we ended up sending two photos to Dorian to get his opinion on a dress. Thank goodness he texted back the next day with his choice and that's what she ended up wearing.
March 14 -
Potluck at the church and I took fried rice. It wasn't super yummy, but at least it was edible. Which is saying a lot considering the other foods that were there. It was a passport potluck and you took your passport with you and checked off any foods that you tried from different countries. I was really surprised at how much variety there was. And as far as I could tell, no one had chosen China, lol. Not that fried rice is really Chinese, but you know. The missionaries were the hosts of the whole thing and they did a great job of keeping it interesting. After most people were done eating we had a little trivia. The questions were printed for us and put at each table and then when read out-loud we had to send someone up from our table as fast as we could with the right answer. We did a few of those, not the whole sheet, and then played some minute-to-win-it games. The primary kids were all over this and they did a great job. Then a little family feud of couples against couples but they had all the boys on one team and all the girls on another team so that couples were competing against each other. Some more minute-to-win-it and we had to leave to put Alaska to bed before they even started the 'messy skits' - I never found out what those were.
Alaska had a good time running around with all the other kids and made herself right at home even though she was the youngest by about a year. The older kids are so good to be gentle with her and she does her best to keep up. It's a good middle ground. The cutest thing ever was when the newest baby in the ward was sleeping in his carseat all the little girls gathered around him to watch. 5 girls around a carseat with ages varying from Alaska to 10 was the most precious thing ever!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
March 12
March 12th -
Got my Paula Dean on this morning to prepare a million dozen cookies for young womens tonight. The theme is dots so I carefully cut out and cooked circles. Half-way through baking I realized there was no way I was about to make home-made frosting and so I went to the cupboard and scrounged around for a pre-made frosting container. Also, next time for a dot theme I am most definitely coating vanilla wafers in frosting. Paula Dean, I am putting you back on the shelf.
Steven had the day off and had asked that I make him a doctor appointment. I had big plans to do some subbing that day but didn't sign up for another week so that I could be home with Alaska while he went and got told that nothing was wrong with him but a severe cold. Which is exactly what happened. Not even thinking about the time, I had totally jumped on a morning appointment and I ended up missing the gym, as well, because he had the car. Kind of a bummer day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Brittany is watching Elayna again so we invited them to the park with us. The girls had such a great time together and it was fun watching them run after one another. Elayna would go down the slide first and wait for Alaska to come down and then Alaska would take off running to do it again and Elayna would follow, taking the short-cut of the ladder rather than going around to the stairs. Which would give her the head-start to get down the slide again before Alaska.
The weather was just so warm and nice - perfect weather for a road trip. Steven came and picked us up. We don't live that far from the park and it's an easy 10 or 15 minute walk but it also hasn't got a sidewalk for part of the walk and always makes me nervous. He had been up at his dad's helping with some car/truck/tire something or other and took Alaska back up with him after dropping me off at the house. I so wanted to high-tail it out of town and go shopping or somewhere else awesome but I knew if we left at 3:30 there's no way we would be getting back before 7, when I needed to be at mutual for new beginnings.
I took my polka-dot cookies and come candies that I picked up at Winco that seemed to fit the theme all too well and went to mutual. I made sure that all the girls had a place and then when their moms came in that they also had a place to sit with someone to talk to. It felt nice to be self-appointed usherer and I loved making so many of them feel welcome.
Got my Paula Dean on this morning to prepare a million dozen cookies for young womens tonight. The theme is dots so I carefully cut out and cooked circles. Half-way through baking I realized there was no way I was about to make home-made frosting and so I went to the cupboard and scrounged around for a pre-made frosting container. Also, next time for a dot theme I am most definitely coating vanilla wafers in frosting. Paula Dean, I am putting you back on the shelf.
Steven had the day off and had asked that I make him a doctor appointment. I had big plans to do some subbing that day but didn't sign up for another week so that I could be home with Alaska while he went and got told that nothing was wrong with him but a severe cold. Which is exactly what happened. Not even thinking about the time, I had totally jumped on a morning appointment and I ended up missing the gym, as well, because he had the car. Kind of a bummer day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Brittany is watching Elayna again so we invited them to the park with us. The girls had such a great time together and it was fun watching them run after one another. Elayna would go down the slide first and wait for Alaska to come down and then Alaska would take off running to do it again and Elayna would follow, taking the short-cut of the ladder rather than going around to the stairs. Which would give her the head-start to get down the slide again before Alaska.
The weather was just so warm and nice - perfect weather for a road trip. Steven came and picked us up. We don't live that far from the park and it's an easy 10 or 15 minute walk but it also hasn't got a sidewalk for part of the walk and always makes me nervous. He had been up at his dad's helping with some car/truck/tire something or other and took Alaska back up with him after dropping me off at the house. I so wanted to high-tail it out of town and go shopping or somewhere else awesome but I knew if we left at 3:30 there's no way we would be getting back before 7, when I needed to be at mutual for new beginnings.
I took my polka-dot cookies and come candies that I picked up at Winco that seemed to fit the theme all too well and went to mutual. I made sure that all the girls had a place and then when their moms came in that they also had a place to sit with someone to talk to. It felt nice to be self-appointed usherer and I loved making so many of them feel welcome.
March 11th
March 11th
Pretty normal day. Went to the gym, came home, Alaska took a nap while I made cookie dough to put in the fridge for tomorrow and we headed off to Hillsboro to do grocery shopping. We didn't even really 'need' anything - but I did need ingredients for a few big events. New Beginnings, a dinner for the missionaries and stuff for a potluck side.
Alaska and I stopped by Michael's before going to Winco and we picked up a few needed items so that I could get some craftiness made up. I had printed a printable at one of the copy shops in town and needed a cheap-o frame with good glass that I could paint up to put it in. I love shopping frames at Goodwill but sometimes it's a hit or miss and I really just wanted to get this project done. Found my frame and got a good paintbrush to go with it. Alaska did great to draw in the cart the whole time we were in there. She has definitely upped her shopping skills since Christmas and I am beginning to think it wasn't practice that she needed but just some growing time.
Grocery shopping was grocery shopping, nothing too super about it. The cashier did comment on how well Alaska behaved during check-out, though, despite the long wait. I had given her a note pad and pen and she was concentrating very hard on making lots of little circles and lines.
We got back just in time to unload groceries before going back to Steven's work to pick him up.
Pretty normal day. Went to the gym, came home, Alaska took a nap while I made cookie dough to put in the fridge for tomorrow and we headed off to Hillsboro to do grocery shopping. We didn't even really 'need' anything - but I did need ingredients for a few big events. New Beginnings, a dinner for the missionaries and stuff for a potluck side.
Alaska and I stopped by Michael's before going to Winco and we picked up a few needed items so that I could get some craftiness made up. I had printed a printable at one of the copy shops in town and needed a cheap-o frame with good glass that I could paint up to put it in. I love shopping frames at Goodwill but sometimes it's a hit or miss and I really just wanted to get this project done. Found my frame and got a good paintbrush to go with it. Alaska did great to draw in the cart the whole time we were in there. She has definitely upped her shopping skills since Christmas and I am beginning to think it wasn't practice that she needed but just some growing time.
Grocery shopping was grocery shopping, nothing too super about it. The cashier did comment on how well Alaska behaved during check-out, though, despite the long wait. I had given her a note pad and pen and she was concentrating very hard on making lots of little circles and lines.
We got back just in time to unload groceries before going back to Steven's work to pick him up.
March 9 - 10
March 9th -
Steven stayed home from church and slept most of the morning. I took Alaska to my 12:00 presidency meeting and she did absolutely fantastic. She colored and drew and ate fruitsnacks like a champ. We were in the chapel early so we were sure to get 'our spot' and she did fantastic the whole way through. I honestly feel for mommas who have girls first and don't know what a child is really like. I think I remember my brothers all too vividly and am absolutely amazed and grateful for Alaska's awesomeness at being quiet and still. I know I have it coming for me. But I won't stop enjoying what I have right now in fear of the future. Even though that as the days get closer to use meeting Talmage my heart has begun to beat a little bit faster with anxious nervousness. How in the world will I deal?
She loves nursery and always has. We've never had to leave her crying at the door and it's hard enough to get a kiss off her before she's off holding hands with one of the other kids or picking out her doll-of-the-day. On our way home she gave me the most grown-up toddler look she could muster and said, "No way" when I asked her to buckle up her seat-belt. It was absolutely hillarious and we both laughed at the silliness of it as she buckled her seat. "Alaska, you are so funny," I say. "Aska bunny. Me. Bunny," She says. And passes the compliment on, "Momma. Bunny." And we laughed some more. I love that little girl so so so much.
We had plans to go up to the Barnes' for dinner and I really didn't want to cancel. Thank goodness Steven didn't want to either and got dressed as quickly as he could when we came in the door. We had crepes and breakfast casserole for dinner, afterwards looking at prom dresses.
March 10th -
Steven stayed home from work and Alaska and I went ahead and went to music class. We were nearly the only ones there that day. I don't understand why a parent would sign up for something like music class and then not come? Seems like a hassle to do a make-up.
Had a doctor appointment. One of the last monthly ones. It seems to have gone so smoothly I have barely noticed there's a baby there for the past long while. Which is sooo nice. Everyone has started asking, since it's now obvious there's a baby bump, how I am feeling. And then hardy har har, "Feeling pregnant?" Well, I'll let you know. I felt more pregnant when I was puking my guts into the toilet twice a day than I do now. So hardy har har back at you. I feel normal and awesome and so excited about life. Especially when I can remember to take my vitamin D with my other vitamins.
Back to the doctor appointment. I am 24 weeks and measuring 23. Not surprising. Still holding those babies close. I never got huge with Alaska, either. I always wanted to be one of those ladies that just pops it all out the front like a basketball. No muffin tops or love handles, all baby right out the front. Not that lucky. I seem to grow a little rounder rather than ovaler. But I haven't gained as much weight as I did with Alaska... yet. I feel like it's going to be a little more tricky to keep it off these next few months than it has in the past. I am eating more and all that because I feel so good.
There was a lady resident following my usual man doctor and I totally understand why I love having a man. They're much more 'business and let's get you out of here' where as the lady was more interested in how I was feeling and asked follow-up questions to almost every answer I gave her. Took longer than I wanted but it was nice to feel cared about. But I think I am more all about being efficient and getting on my way than I care about talking about feelings and what's going on in life and all that. I mean, how well do you need to know a person to drop a baby in their hands?
Got out of there late, like I said, and hustled over to get my finger-prints taken for my substitute license. Jordan was coming over at 4:30 to work on an English paper and I needed to get back. Thank goodness fingerprints don't take too long and I was able to make it back just in time.
Jordan and I worked on her paper for about about 2 hours. 1 1/2 of it being actual writing and half hour of it being coming up with ideas and topics and looking at examples. The teacher has assigned an I Believe paper and I loved reading the examples we looked at. Brilliant. They are so short but so moving and loaded with thought. We went over the grading criteria and made sure that we found the same elements in each of the papers we read and then made hers a perfect example of everything she needed to get a good grade. I told her to re-write her rough draft and give me a kind of final copy on Sunday so that I could look over it and make any needed changes. She worked good and hard and it was absolutely awesome to have something to show for it at the end. I took her home after she had loaded me up with compliments about how easy I had made it become and how she was so relieved to get it done and how I should definitely be a teacher. If only she knew. My classroom management skills lack a lot, lol. I can handle working one-on-one but I am pretty much scarred from student teaching. As much as my cooperating teacher tried to help me and gave me literature to read about classroom management I am still a little nervous about that part.
Steven stayed home from church and slept most of the morning. I took Alaska to my 12:00 presidency meeting and she did absolutely fantastic. She colored and drew and ate fruitsnacks like a champ. We were in the chapel early so we were sure to get 'our spot' and she did fantastic the whole way through. I honestly feel for mommas who have girls first and don't know what a child is really like. I think I remember my brothers all too vividly and am absolutely amazed and grateful for Alaska's awesomeness at being quiet and still. I know I have it coming for me. But I won't stop enjoying what I have right now in fear of the future. Even though that as the days get closer to use meeting Talmage my heart has begun to beat a little bit faster with anxious nervousness. How in the world will I deal?
She loves nursery and always has. We've never had to leave her crying at the door and it's hard enough to get a kiss off her before she's off holding hands with one of the other kids or picking out her doll-of-the-day. On our way home she gave me the most grown-up toddler look she could muster and said, "No way" when I asked her to buckle up her seat-belt. It was absolutely hillarious and we both laughed at the silliness of it as she buckled her seat. "Alaska, you are so funny," I say. "Aska bunny. Me. Bunny," She says. And passes the compliment on, "Momma. Bunny." And we laughed some more. I love that little girl so so so much.
We had plans to go up to the Barnes' for dinner and I really didn't want to cancel. Thank goodness Steven didn't want to either and got dressed as quickly as he could when we came in the door. We had crepes and breakfast casserole for dinner, afterwards looking at prom dresses.
March 10th -
Steven stayed home from work and Alaska and I went ahead and went to music class. We were nearly the only ones there that day. I don't understand why a parent would sign up for something like music class and then not come? Seems like a hassle to do a make-up.
Had a doctor appointment. One of the last monthly ones. It seems to have gone so smoothly I have barely noticed there's a baby there for the past long while. Which is sooo nice. Everyone has started asking, since it's now obvious there's a baby bump, how I am feeling. And then hardy har har, "Feeling pregnant?" Well, I'll let you know. I felt more pregnant when I was puking my guts into the toilet twice a day than I do now. So hardy har har back at you. I feel normal and awesome and so excited about life. Especially when I can remember to take my vitamin D with my other vitamins.
Back to the doctor appointment. I am 24 weeks and measuring 23. Not surprising. Still holding those babies close. I never got huge with Alaska, either. I always wanted to be one of those ladies that just pops it all out the front like a basketball. No muffin tops or love handles, all baby right out the front. Not that lucky. I seem to grow a little rounder rather than ovaler. But I haven't gained as much weight as I did with Alaska... yet. I feel like it's going to be a little more tricky to keep it off these next few months than it has in the past. I am eating more and all that because I feel so good.
There was a lady resident following my usual man doctor and I totally understand why I love having a man. They're much more 'business and let's get you out of here' where as the lady was more interested in how I was feeling and asked follow-up questions to almost every answer I gave her. Took longer than I wanted but it was nice to feel cared about. But I think I am more all about being efficient and getting on my way than I care about talking about feelings and what's going on in life and all that. I mean, how well do you need to know a person to drop a baby in their hands?
Got out of there late, like I said, and hustled over to get my finger-prints taken for my substitute license. Jordan was coming over at 4:30 to work on an English paper and I needed to get back. Thank goodness fingerprints don't take too long and I was able to make it back just in time.
Jordan and I worked on her paper for about about 2 hours. 1 1/2 of it being actual writing and half hour of it being coming up with ideas and topics and looking at examples. The teacher has assigned an I Believe paper and I loved reading the examples we looked at. Brilliant. They are so short but so moving and loaded with thought. We went over the grading criteria and made sure that we found the same elements in each of the papers we read and then made hers a perfect example of everything she needed to get a good grade. I told her to re-write her rough draft and give me a kind of final copy on Sunday so that I could look over it and make any needed changes. She worked good and hard and it was absolutely awesome to have something to show for it at the end. I took her home after she had loaded me up with compliments about how easy I had made it become and how she was so relieved to get it done and how I should definitely be a teacher. If only she knew. My classroom management skills lack a lot, lol. I can handle working one-on-one but I am pretty much scarred from student teaching. As much as my cooperating teacher tried to help me and gave me literature to read about classroom management I am still a little nervous about that part.
Friday, March 14, 2014
March 6th - 8th
March 6th -
Released a bird at a funeral for the first time since December. And December was a crazy busy month for people to be dying in. On top of all the Christmas stuff going on I also did 4 funerals. Usually I get one or two a month so it was nice to have some extra cash around the holiday season but then also a huge let-down when I didn't get any calls for January or February. I was beginning to wonder if they had forgotten all about me. Not that the weather was all that good for standing outside anyways. It would have been harder money to earn than being outside on a nice day. But of course it drizzled the whole way through the service, which is nice because the preacher man keeps them short when the weather is bad, but also kind of miserable for speaking because you have to talk above not only the traffic along the highway, but also above the raindrops hitting umbrellas and the canopy and this particular time we were set up next to the central water fountain that was making all kinds of watery noise. I spoke extra loud and because of that, had to speak extra slow in order to get the volume out. Quite a few older people came by and told me I did a great job as I was leaving so I am glad I could appease their hard-of-hearing ears.
It was an enjoyable service, as far as friendly people go. There were a lot of friends from clubs and church so I didn't stick out too much like I do when it's just family. One of the ladies was telling me 'his story' which became 'her story' which then became 'their story' and it was just so sweet it made me want him to come back for her. They were both living in retirement homes placed just down the street from one another. He was out for a walk one day and saw her coasting along in her wheel chair and was instantly smitten. He got in contact with the preacher that did Sunday services for both homes and found out a little about her before introducing himself. He made her laugh, a lot. And they always had a good time together. He would come over every day to visit her. She loved him a lot and they made a care contract. They didn't get married, but did say some kind of vows in a church setting about how they would look out for one another. He stayed at his retirement home and her at hers but he was over every day to spend time with her. So sweet!
Alaska's appointment went well. She was super well-behaved and everyone that saw her commented on how adorable she was. At the doctor's office and at WalMart afterwards when we picked up her prescription. We had to wait a half hour for it to be filled so I let her walk around and look and see whatever her heart desired. We went up and down the toy isles a few times before she was bold enough to start exploring other things. I let her do her thing and followed after her, making sure she wasn't running infront of shopping carts and such.
She ended up having a cold that was severe enough to turn into an ear infection and the doctor gave me medicine to start right away.
March 7th -
I don't even remember what happened on Friday. No notes on the calendar which means nothing was planned. We probably just stayed home and hung out. But it must not have been too painful since I can't really remember what was going on.
March 8th -
Steven woke up with a fever but insisted on going to work since it was a Saturday and that's the busiest day. We had plans to go to a game night at a ward member's house at 6:30 so I had Alaska go to Tamera's for the night. They took her in the later afternoon and I ran around doing a few errands. When Steven got home he wasn't feeling any better so we spent the night watching a movie and I went and got a Papa Murphys pizza to make it feel a little more festive. Which is really too bad, since we need that socialization of hanging out with people. But it never seems to work. Mostly because I will only go through so much effort to make sure it works out that we get there and all that. I am just too much of a home-body and it's more of a hassle to find someone to watch Alaska and figure out when to drop her off and when to pick her up than it is of a relief that she's being watched by someone else. I just don't want it bad enough. Same with evening church activities. It stresses me out more to have Steven home by 7 to watch Alaska so I can go to mutual than the relief that comes of getting to escape the house. Perhaps that will change as we add more kids and I think it definitely makes a difference as to their age. Because before it was kind of a relief, though still stressful to leave Alaska, but now she's communicating and it's so much simpler to get her to do things and there's less negative impact on my part about what to do to keep her entertained because she can do that herself now.
Released a bird at a funeral for the first time since December. And December was a crazy busy month for people to be dying in. On top of all the Christmas stuff going on I also did 4 funerals. Usually I get one or two a month so it was nice to have some extra cash around the holiday season but then also a huge let-down when I didn't get any calls for January or February. I was beginning to wonder if they had forgotten all about me. Not that the weather was all that good for standing outside anyways. It would have been harder money to earn than being outside on a nice day. But of course it drizzled the whole way through the service, which is nice because the preacher man keeps them short when the weather is bad, but also kind of miserable for speaking because you have to talk above not only the traffic along the highway, but also above the raindrops hitting umbrellas and the canopy and this particular time we were set up next to the central water fountain that was making all kinds of watery noise. I spoke extra loud and because of that, had to speak extra slow in order to get the volume out. Quite a few older people came by and told me I did a great job as I was leaving so I am glad I could appease their hard-of-hearing ears.
It was an enjoyable service, as far as friendly people go. There were a lot of friends from clubs and church so I didn't stick out too much like I do when it's just family. One of the ladies was telling me 'his story' which became 'her story' which then became 'their story' and it was just so sweet it made me want him to come back for her. They were both living in retirement homes placed just down the street from one another. He was out for a walk one day and saw her coasting along in her wheel chair and was instantly smitten. He got in contact with the preacher that did Sunday services for both homes and found out a little about her before introducing himself. He made her laugh, a lot. And they always had a good time together. He would come over every day to visit her. She loved him a lot and they made a care contract. They didn't get married, but did say some kind of vows in a church setting about how they would look out for one another. He stayed at his retirement home and her at hers but he was over every day to spend time with her. So sweet!
Alaska's appointment went well. She was super well-behaved and everyone that saw her commented on how adorable she was. At the doctor's office and at WalMart afterwards when we picked up her prescription. We had to wait a half hour for it to be filled so I let her walk around and look and see whatever her heart desired. We went up and down the toy isles a few times before she was bold enough to start exploring other things. I let her do her thing and followed after her, making sure she wasn't running infront of shopping carts and such.
She ended up having a cold that was severe enough to turn into an ear infection and the doctor gave me medicine to start right away.
March 7th -
I don't even remember what happened on Friday. No notes on the calendar which means nothing was planned. We probably just stayed home and hung out. But it must not have been too painful since I can't really remember what was going on.
March 8th -
Steven woke up with a fever but insisted on going to work since it was a Saturday and that's the busiest day. We had plans to go to a game night at a ward member's house at 6:30 so I had Alaska go to Tamera's for the night. They took her in the later afternoon and I ran around doing a few errands. When Steven got home he wasn't feeling any better so we spent the night watching a movie and I went and got a Papa Murphys pizza to make it feel a little more festive. Which is really too bad, since we need that socialization of hanging out with people. But it never seems to work. Mostly because I will only go through so much effort to make sure it works out that we get there and all that. I am just too much of a home-body and it's more of a hassle to find someone to watch Alaska and figure out when to drop her off and when to pick her up than it is of a relief that she's being watched by someone else. I just don't want it bad enough. Same with evening church activities. It stresses me out more to have Steven home by 7 to watch Alaska so I can go to mutual than the relief that comes of getting to escape the house. Perhaps that will change as we add more kids and I think it definitely makes a difference as to their age. Because before it was kind of a relief, though still stressful to leave Alaska, but now she's communicating and it's so much simpler to get her to do things and there's less negative impact on my part about what to do to keep her entertained because she can do that herself now.
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