2008 was not always the best, but it did bring some great things- Lily.
2008 taught me a lot and I grew in a lot of ways.
I am sad that another year has passed, but glad to start fresh.
Maybe this will be the year things are better and we will be blessed, though my expectations are low, but maybe that is a good thing.
There is only one way to go and that is UP!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
he's a train man and she doesn't hate the car
Lance loves all kind of vehicles, but trains are probably his favorite. Everywhere we go he has to take a train or car with him and we can't drive by Barnes and Noble without hearing him screaming to go in a play. Since trains are his passion we took a mini-trip to a small museum to see their model train exhibit. For the holidays they have a model train display with Thomas the Tank Engine and the Polar Express racing around the tracks. Lance absolutely loved it! We walked around and around and around. He didn't want to leave, he probably could have stayed there all afternoon watching the trains if I would have let him. Lance enjoyed our little adventure and I am excited because Lily survived the 30 minute drive. I am so thankful the trip wasn't a screaming fest because lately we have been limited to where we will go because she screams seems to hate the car. We will be traveling with the swim team late in January and I really need her to get over he hatred of the car because the 4 hour trip to Maryland is going to be unbearable if she continues to scream while we are travelling.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
blah sunday
One word to describe the month of December weather-wise: BLAH!
I am tired of the cloudy, rainy, dreary weather we have been having.
It was sunny yesterday, but today it is so dark and gray, I hate it, it is not motivating and I need motivation to get the house clean and organized.
I need lots of motivation especially since I am sitting on my bed with Lance asleep on me and I could easily move him and get started with what I want to get done, but I lack that motivation and energy to do anything but sit.
My goal: to have the house nice, clean and organized for New Year's so hopefully all I have to do is maintain. I got very behind in cleaning/organizing after Lily because right afterwards I began swim practice and that took up a lot of my time and since that starts back up in a few weeks I need to re-group and get ready for the busy weeks ahead.
Today we went to Target and used our gift cards, I am excited to say we are now owners of a new trashcan. Exciting I know, but I don't always have an extra 50 dollars to spend on a new trashcan and I have been wanting a new one ever since the foot lever broke on ours. I really wanted a different one, but I couldn't rationalize spending 100 on a trash can, maybe one day when we are rich and famous, but until then we got a 50 dollar trash can on clearance for 35, a good find. I should go down and clean out the fridge and make use of our new shiny trashcan, or I may just stay and relax a little longer, I can always clean tomorrow.
I am tired of the cloudy, rainy, dreary weather we have been having.
It was sunny yesterday, but today it is so dark and gray, I hate it, it is not motivating and I need motivation to get the house clean and organized.
I need lots of motivation especially since I am sitting on my bed with Lance asleep on me and I could easily move him and get started with what I want to get done, but I lack that motivation and energy to do anything but sit.
My goal: to have the house nice, clean and organized for New Year's so hopefully all I have to do is maintain. I got very behind in cleaning/organizing after Lily because right afterwards I began swim practice and that took up a lot of my time and since that starts back up in a few weeks I need to re-group and get ready for the busy weeks ahead.
Today we went to Target and used our gift cards, I am excited to say we are now owners of a new trashcan. Exciting I know, but I don't always have an extra 50 dollars to spend on a new trashcan and I have been wanting a new one ever since the foot lever broke on ours. I really wanted a different one, but I couldn't rationalize spending 100 on a trash can, maybe one day when we are rich and famous, but until then we got a 50 dollar trash can on clearance for 35, a good find. I should go down and clean out the fridge and make use of our new shiny trashcan, or I may just stay and relax a little longer, I can always clean tomorrow.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
ready for a change
The talk of New Year's resolutions has begun.
This past year was good, we had a great summer and Lily arrived, but the year financially for us was horrible.
Looking back at last year's resolutions, I didn't really accomplish what I had hoped.
I am drinking more water now, but that is because I am breastfeeding, I hope that I will continue to drink more water this year, it does a body so good.
Walking, well last spring and summer I was good about getting out, but after Lily and then starting the coaching job I didn't really get out and go walking as much as I would have liked, I hope that this spring I will be able to again.
Saving for retirement, unfortunately that didn't happen at all this year, but we will try again this year.
Get rid of debt, closer, we finished paying off one loan, we are close on several others, but we added a bit more- medical debt from having Lily, but we are closer to being debt free then we were at this time last year.
Save more, didn't really happen because we were so low on money that we used savings to pay bills.
Looking at last year's post I had hoped that 2008 would be a better year for us financially, turns out it wasn't, but we survived. I have learned a lot and I have cut back more. Hopefully it is just up from here.
I am ready for a change. I am tired to getting frustrated about the same old things. I am tired of not being content and wanting life to be so much more. I am ready for a change and I am going to set some realistic goals for 2009 and resolutions. 2009 is going to be the year for us!
This past year was good, we had a great summer and Lily arrived, but the year financially for us was horrible.
Looking back at last year's resolutions, I didn't really accomplish what I had hoped.
I am drinking more water now, but that is because I am breastfeeding, I hope that I will continue to drink more water this year, it does a body so good.
Walking, well last spring and summer I was good about getting out, but after Lily and then starting the coaching job I didn't really get out and go walking as much as I would have liked, I hope that this spring I will be able to again.
Saving for retirement, unfortunately that didn't happen at all this year, but we will try again this year.
Get rid of debt, closer, we finished paying off one loan, we are close on several others, but we added a bit more- medical debt from having Lily, but we are closer to being debt free then we were at this time last year.
Save more, didn't really happen because we were so low on money that we used savings to pay bills.
Looking at last year's post I had hoped that 2008 would be a better year for us financially, turns out it wasn't, but we survived. I have learned a lot and I have cut back more. Hopefully it is just up from here.
I am ready for a change. I am tired to getting frustrated about the same old things. I am tired of not being content and wanting life to be so much more. I am ready for a change and I am going to set some realistic goals for 2009 and resolutions. 2009 is going to be the year for us!
Friday, December 26, 2008
growing up too fast
I feel like I am always lamenting on how fast my babies are growing up, but they are! Today was a sad day, we packed up the bassinet and have moved Lily to her crib. It is just one of many steps away from newborn to independent child that make me a little sad. Jeff and I both commented on how we were putting away the bassinet and may not ever get it back out again since Lily may be our last. With Lance I was excited for him to grow up, but Lily I want to keep her little forever, especially since she is such an easy baby, I hate to lose this stage. I also feel bad because I don't think I always have time to enjoy her because there is housework, Lance, my job, Jeff, family, friends. I know that I take her for granted and don't give her tons of attention, but I am so thankful for her and hope that I will be able to make more of a point to spend time with her and enjoy every moment before she is grown and its too late. Though she is in a crib and not right beside the bed, she isn't too far. Her bedroom is downstairs, in the coldest room of the house and I don't feel comfortable with her being so far away and in a cold room so we have moved her crib upstairs. We had a hard time trying to figure out where to put her crib, whether in Lance's room or ours and ours seemed to make the most sense because we didn't want the kiddos to disturb each other's sleep. So Lily has graduated to her crib, but fortunately she is too little to be on her own so she is in our room, which makes things not that hard. If moving her to her crib from the bassinet is this hard, I can't imagine how difficult it will be to move her from the crib to the bed, fortunately that is a ways off.
Also on a sad note, we undecorated the Christmas tree. I usually take down the tree and decorations on New Year's but unfortunately our tree stopped drinking water about a week and half ago and was very dry, losing tons of needles, and it was a FIRE hazard, and since we don't want to lose our house so the tree came down, sad, but we also could use the space the tree was taking up because we have a small living room and need every inch of room we can get. So despite the saddest I am excited to get the house back to normal because I have had the hardest time trying to keep things organized and clean. I have almost finished our room, one room down, 9 more to go.
Also on a sad note, we undecorated the Christmas tree. I usually take down the tree and decorations on New Year's but unfortunately our tree stopped drinking water about a week and half ago and was very dry, losing tons of needles, and it was a FIRE hazard, and since we don't want to lose our house so the tree came down, sad, but we also could use the space the tree was taking up because we have a small living room and need every inch of room we can get. So despite the saddest I am excited to get the house back to normal because I have had the hardest time trying to keep things organized and clean. I have almost finished our room, one room down, 9 more to go.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
merry christmas
Merry Christmas!
I hope to enjoy my family and hope everyone else does the same, enjoys their families, not mine, even though you can enjoy mine, I mean, how can anyone resist that sweet potato up there.Monday, December 22, 2008
baby dedication
Yesterday at church we had Lily dedicated. It wasn't as emotional as it was when we dedicated Lance, but it was sentimental and a great reminder that children are a gift of God and we are responsible for raising them. We read a letter to Lily and here is our letter:
Dear Lily Madalyn,
Our sweet baby girl. We found out we were expecting you right before Christmas of last year and you finally made your arrival on 8-18-08, proving all the "theys" out there wrong. Despite looking so small to us, you were a big, strong, baby girl, just what we had hoped and prayed for. The first couple of weeks had some rough patches, but overall the adjustment was quite easy. For awhile we kept expecting for you to wake up and become unbearable, but you have just become easier to be around. You aren't without your quirks, but there are benefits to not going anywhere in the car and holding your every evening. You are so tolerant of your brother when he loves you a little too roughly or tired to get you quiet by hitting you. It was love at first sight for all of us, Lance included and we are so thankful you are a part of our family. We chose the verse Romans 15:13 for you. "May God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Lily you have brought us so much joy, peace, and hope to our family and may you continue to trust in your Heavenly Father and be filled with joy, peace, and hope all your days. Words cannot express how much you mean to us and we look forward to getting to know you more and watching you grown into the beautiful child of God that you are. We love you so much.
-Your Mommy, Daddy, and big Brother Lance
I had a hard time writing the letter because I couldn't find the right way of describing how she has entered our family and fit in so seamlessly, there wasn't a huge, difficult transition and she really completes us. Lance is overall madly in love with her, he has his moments, but he is generally interested in her, he loves to hold her, kiss her, help diaper and bath her, and show off for her. I am so thankful for my sweet potato and I really can't wait to watch her grow, though I won't mind if she would stay little forever.
Dear Lily Madalyn,
Our sweet baby girl. We found out we were expecting you right before Christmas of last year and you finally made your arrival on 8-18-08, proving all the "theys" out there wrong. Despite looking so small to us, you were a big, strong, baby girl, just what we had hoped and prayed for. The first couple of weeks had some rough patches, but overall the adjustment was quite easy. For awhile we kept expecting for you to wake up and become unbearable, but you have just become easier to be around. You aren't without your quirks, but there are benefits to not going anywhere in the car and holding your every evening. You are so tolerant of your brother when he loves you a little too roughly or tired to get you quiet by hitting you. It was love at first sight for all of us, Lance included and we are so thankful you are a part of our family. We chose the verse Romans 15:13 for you. "May God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Lily you have brought us so much joy, peace, and hope to our family and may you continue to trust in your Heavenly Father and be filled with joy, peace, and hope all your days. Words cannot express how much you mean to us and we look forward to getting to know you more and watching you grown into the beautiful child of God that you are. We love you so much.
-Your Mommy, Daddy, and big Brother Lance
I had a hard time writing the letter because I couldn't find the right way of describing how she has entered our family and fit in so seamlessly, there wasn't a huge, difficult transition and she really completes us. Lance is overall madly in love with her, he has his moments, but he is generally interested in her, he loves to hold her, kiss her, help diaper and bath her, and show off for her. I am so thankful for my sweet potato and I really can't wait to watch her grow, though I won't mind if she would stay little forever.
Friday, December 19, 2008
friday and a week before Christmas
It is a week before Christmas and so much to do.
Ornaments for grandparents to be made.
Christmas treats to be baked.
A few presents to be wrapped.
Nativities to be driven through and holiday lights to be seen.
A few last minute cards need to be mailed.
Tree and decorations need to be enjoyed.
Our small group gift to friends needs to be finished so one family can enjoy their bathroom.
and time needs to be enjoyed.
so many things, and hopefully just enough time.
Ornaments for grandparents to be made.
Christmas treats to be baked.
A few presents to be wrapped.
Nativities to be driven through and holiday lights to be seen.
A few last minute cards need to be mailed.
Tree and decorations need to be enjoyed.
Our small group gift to friends needs to be finished so one family can enjoy their bathroom.
and time needs to be enjoyed.
so many things, and hopefully just enough time.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
i love and hate it
Christmas that is. I hate trying to please everyone at the expense of enjoying my family of 4. I hate family drama. I hate trying to divide my time amongst people who aren't happy with what they may be given. I can't fake it, I want authenticity. I am tired of just surviving Christmas. I want Christmas to be so much more.
we have been talking about rethinking christmas at church this month and I am really trying to figure out what that looks like and I have realized I am not alone in this: advent conspiracy.
we have been talking about rethinking christmas at church this month and I am really trying to figure out what that looks like and I have realized I am not alone in this: advent conspiracy.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
feeling the love
I feel the love.
Sunday night I took both kids over to my mom's house for about half an hour to pick up some stuff I had left there and to help her get started decorating her tree and when I returned I felt the love. We need new windows and since we are poor and can't afford new ones we put are using the film to keep the cold out. Well the film which is doing a great job insulating posed a holiday decorating problem- I wasn't able to put the candles in the windows. I was bummed and could not find a solution on my own and since Jeff is usually very busy and doesn't have time I thought I would just have to go without this season. Well I was wrong. While I was gone, Jeff cleaned up the kitchen, and I mean cleaned the kitchen, left nothing behind like he usually does (that in and of its self made me feel loved) and he figured out a way to attach the candles to the windowsill despite the film taking up most of the space. YEAH!! I feel the love, he knew that was something I wanted done and I didn't even have to ask or beg or nag, it is awesome! I wish I could somehow get him to fix some of the other things on my to-do but don't know how list without having to ask, beg, or nag.
Sunday night I took both kids over to my mom's house for about half an hour to pick up some stuff I had left there and to help her get started decorating her tree and when I returned I felt the love. We need new windows and since we are poor and can't afford new ones we put are using the film to keep the cold out. Well the film which is doing a great job insulating posed a holiday decorating problem- I wasn't able to put the candles in the windows. I was bummed and could not find a solution on my own and since Jeff is usually very busy and doesn't have time I thought I would just have to go without this season. Well I was wrong. While I was gone, Jeff cleaned up the kitchen, and I mean cleaned the kitchen, left nothing behind like he usually does (that in and of its self made me feel loved) and he figured out a way to attach the candles to the windowsill despite the film taking up most of the space. YEAH!! I feel the love, he knew that was something I wanted done and I didn't even have to ask or beg or nag, it is awesome! I wish I could somehow get him to fix some of the other things on my to-do but don't know how list without having to ask, beg, or nag.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas Home Tour
At Christmas time it is always fun to see how people decorate so here is how we do it:
welcome to our home
the outside lights
a view from the road- the white picket fence has lights on it, but i couldn't get a good shot
the outside in the daytime
the window decorations
the tree
the train going around the bottom of the tree with lance watching it go by
the living room at night
the stocking hung on the stairs since we don't have a fireplace
the stockings up close
lance's table with a candy cane candle on it
candy cane candle holder, i got it years ago and had to redo the candy canes when they melted and after lance has been playing with it, i need to redo it again, he has been sampling
the living room sofa and shelves above
the shelf about the couch with candles on it and lance blocking the side table with candles
close-up of the candles and glitter tree on the shelves
the silver reindeer on the upper shelf
Christmas candles waiting for Christmas Eve to be used
my favorite candle holder and the spirit of Christmas angel
the greenery over the tv with an angel peaking out
the dining room
my favorite Christmas decoration: the Nativity
close up of the Nativity
Christmas dishes and Lance's two chocolate advent calendars- he is very spoiled
we have shatterproof ornaments on the tree so the christmas balls that used to be on the tree are now displayed in a bowl
the christmas banner I got through a game of dirty santa and the high chair waiting for use
the christmas card holder, awaiting Christmas cards
the bib already for lily's first meal on Christmas day
the glass ornaments in the dining room window
close-up of the large ornaments
and a treat for taking the tour:
Almond Spritz
Spritz are one of my favorite cookies because they are easy to make, don't take a lot of time to bake and they are a one bite cookie!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
welcome to our home
the outside lights
a view from the road- the white picket fence has lights on it, but i couldn't get a good shot
the outside in the daytime
the window decorations
the tree
the train going around the bottom of the tree with lance watching it go by
the living room at night
the stocking hung on the stairs since we don't have a fireplace
the stockings up close
lance's table with a candy cane candle on it
candy cane candle holder, i got it years ago and had to redo the candy canes when they melted and after lance has been playing with it, i need to redo it again, he has been sampling
the living room sofa and shelves above
the shelf about the couch with candles on it and lance blocking the side table with candles
close-up of the candles and glitter tree on the shelves
the silver reindeer on the upper shelf
Christmas candles waiting for Christmas Eve to be used
my favorite candle holder and the spirit of Christmas angel
the greenery over the tv with an angel peaking out
the dining room
my favorite Christmas decoration: the Nativity
close up of the Nativity
Christmas dishes and Lance's two chocolate advent calendars- he is very spoiled
we have shatterproof ornaments on the tree so the christmas balls that used to be on the tree are now displayed in a bowl
the christmas banner I got through a game of dirty santa and the high chair waiting for use
the christmas card holder, awaiting Christmas cards
the bib already for lily's first meal on Christmas day
the glass ornaments in the dining room window
close-up of the large ornaments
and a treat for taking the tour:
Almond Spritz
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of almond extract
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
food coloring
Heat oven to 400. Beat butter, sugar, and egg in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed. Stir in remaining ingredients except food coloring. Separate dough to color with different colors. Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 5-8 minutes until set, but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet immediately and place on cooling rack.
Makes about 4-5 dozen cookies.
Makes about 4-5 dozen cookies.
Spritz are one of my favorite cookies because they are easy to make, don't take a lot of time to bake and they are a one bite cookie!
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!Friday, December 12, 2008
i just wanna cry
and have a pity party
i am so overwhelmed at this moment
the christmas shopping season so far has not been good at the store and we REALLY need it to be good, we are so behind and we have so MANY bills that need to be paid
lance yesterday poured foundation all over my couch, we just got a new slipcover for the sofa last january and now it is ruined, why can't anything stay nice?
lance has been so defiant lately, it is upsetting, he does everything that i tell him not to do and then covering up his rear end because he knows he did what he wasn't suppose to do and is avoiding a spanking
he also has been hitting his sister, taking away her toys and throwing them as far away as possible and just generally harassing her
i am worried our christmas tree isn't going to make it to christmas, it hasn't been drinking a lot of water and then lance has been swatting it with the broom (his idea of sweeping up the needles like daddy asked him too maybe)
i just want to get something accomplished, i had the living room cleaned then lance spilled his life cereal on the floor and stomped on it, then later was the foundation incident
i just want life to get easier, give me a break, please
i am so overwhelmed at this moment
the christmas shopping season so far has not been good at the store and we REALLY need it to be good, we are so behind and we have so MANY bills that need to be paid
lance yesterday poured foundation all over my couch, we just got a new slipcover for the sofa last january and now it is ruined, why can't anything stay nice?
lance has been so defiant lately, it is upsetting, he does everything that i tell him not to do and then covering up his rear end because he knows he did what he wasn't suppose to do and is avoiding a spanking
he also has been hitting his sister, taking away her toys and throwing them as far away as possible and just generally harassing her
i am worried our christmas tree isn't going to make it to christmas, it hasn't been drinking a lot of water and then lance has been swatting it with the broom (his idea of sweeping up the needles like daddy asked him too maybe)
i just want to get something accomplished, i had the living room cleaned then lance spilled his life cereal on the floor and stomped on it, then later was the foundation incident
i just want life to get easier, give me a break, please
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
i miss the simple life
I miss going to sleep and waking up and it is morning.
-if it isn't one kid it is the other or me just getting up because my body is expecting one or the other to get up
I miss being able to have nice clothes and not worry about getting them ruined in a day.
-i don't know if i can get through the day without food or spit up on me and my clothes have to be washed so much nice things would not hold up, plus they would get stretched from being pulled on by both kids
I miss being able to take a shower and stay clean for a couple of hours instead of a couple of minutes.
-lily just threw up all over me forcing me to get a new change of clothes and rewashing some body parts so I won't smell like sour milk all day
I miss personal space.
-i feel like i am always holding a child
I miss being able to do stuff around the house without it being mission impossible.
-it takes 4 times as long as it use to, to get anything done such as laundry, vacuuming, bill paying, etc
I miss being able to clean a room and have it stay clean for more than 10 minutes.
-i miss the easy days when i just had one kid and he wasn't mobile
I miss having extra money to spend on things like Christmas presents.
-i love giving gifts and there are so many things I want to get for jeff, lance, lily, my mom, etc, but the money just isn't there and it stinks
I miss warm weather and daylight, it gets dark so early and the sun gets up so late.
-i hate the cold and dark
Okay, though life with two kids is far from simple it is good, I need to remember that
I love having a boy and a girl
-they are so different, yet very similar and I get to experience raising both genders and some people never get children let alone two healthy children
I love that it is Christmas time
-it is fun, i love decorations, the goodies, wrapping presents, praying for a white christmas, christmas music, etc
I love that the reason my house is a mess because it means we are having a good time and playing
-we can't clean up because that would ruin the fun
I love holding sleeping babies
-especially when they just melt into you
I love that I am for the most part able to stay at home and raise my kids
-many people can't and I pray that I will be able to continue to
I love no life stage is permanent and that in a few years my challenges now will be gone
-though there will be new challenges and may miss the days of spit up, dirty diapers, etc
-if it isn't one kid it is the other or me just getting up because my body is expecting one or the other to get up
I miss being able to have nice clothes and not worry about getting them ruined in a day.
-i don't know if i can get through the day without food or spit up on me and my clothes have to be washed so much nice things would not hold up, plus they would get stretched from being pulled on by both kids
I miss being able to take a shower and stay clean for a couple of hours instead of a couple of minutes.
-lily just threw up all over me forcing me to get a new change of clothes and rewashing some body parts so I won't smell like sour milk all day
I miss personal space.
-i feel like i am always holding a child
I miss being able to do stuff around the house without it being mission impossible.
-it takes 4 times as long as it use to, to get anything done such as laundry, vacuuming, bill paying, etc
I miss being able to clean a room and have it stay clean for more than 10 minutes.
-i miss the easy days when i just had one kid and he wasn't mobile
I miss having extra money to spend on things like Christmas presents.
-i love giving gifts and there are so many things I want to get for jeff, lance, lily, my mom, etc, but the money just isn't there and it stinks
I miss warm weather and daylight, it gets dark so early and the sun gets up so late.
-i hate the cold and dark
Okay, though life with two kids is far from simple it is good, I need to remember that
I love having a boy and a girl
-they are so different, yet very similar and I get to experience raising both genders and some people never get children let alone two healthy children
I love that it is Christmas time
-it is fun, i love decorations, the goodies, wrapping presents, praying for a white christmas, christmas music, etc
I love that the reason my house is a mess because it means we are having a good time and playing
-we can't clean up because that would ruin the fun
I love holding sleeping babies
-especially when they just melt into you
I love that I am for the most part able to stay at home and raise my kids
-many people can't and I pray that I will be able to continue to
I love no life stage is permanent and that in a few years my challenges now will be gone
-though there will be new challenges and may miss the days of spit up, dirty diapers, etc
Sunday, December 07, 2008
where did Saturday go?
Yesterday was crazy and flew by in a flash.
Let's see. Got up way to early, six am, hate it when the kids are up before the sun.
We made a big breakfast since I had a swim meet and didn't know if I would be able to eat lunch.
Then we headed to the library for a dinosaur puppet show, it was cheesy, but lance loved it. I then immediately headed over to the pool for the swim meet. After the swim meet I grabbed a quick bite to eat and then we bundled up to watch the Christmas parade. We contemplated not going since it was snowing, but we knew how much Lance would enjoy watching the fire trucks and floats so we went despite the snow. Part of me wished we hadn't gone since it was FREEZING cold and I still feel chilled today and then there was Lily. Lily was not the happiest of campers and would not sit in the stroller so we had to walk around with her, not fun, my shoulder still aches from holding her. We did get lots and lots of candy, it was like Halloween, but we didn't have to walk anywhere, we just sat and people brought candy to us, it was nice. Frito Lay was also there handing out lots and lots of chips. We didn't stay for the end of the parade because we were too cold and hungry. We were planning on going shopping afterwards, but the roads were starting to get icy and not to mention it was so COLD out so we grabbed a bite to eat, then played some Lego Star Wars and then it was time for bed. The day really flew by and I didn't have a chance to sit down and relax at all, hopefully today we will get some downtime before a busy week.
Let's see. Got up way to early, six am, hate it when the kids are up before the sun.
We made a big breakfast since I had a swim meet and didn't know if I would be able to eat lunch.
Then we headed to the library for a dinosaur puppet show, it was cheesy, but lance loved it. I then immediately headed over to the pool for the swim meet. After the swim meet I grabbed a quick bite to eat and then we bundled up to watch the Christmas parade. We contemplated not going since it was snowing, but we knew how much Lance would enjoy watching the fire trucks and floats so we went despite the snow. Part of me wished we hadn't gone since it was FREEZING cold and I still feel chilled today and then there was Lily. Lily was not the happiest of campers and would not sit in the stroller so we had to walk around with her, not fun, my shoulder still aches from holding her. We did get lots and lots of candy, it was like Halloween, but we didn't have to walk anywhere, we just sat and people brought candy to us, it was nice. Frito Lay was also there handing out lots and lots of chips. We didn't stay for the end of the parade because we were too cold and hungry. We were planning on going shopping afterwards, but the roads were starting to get icy and not to mention it was so COLD out so we grabbed a bite to eat, then played some Lego Star Wars and then it was time for bed. The day really flew by and I didn't have a chance to sit down and relax at all, hopefully today we will get some downtime before a busy week.
Friday, December 05, 2008
bold and cold
I hate the cold, I could never live up North, I love the summer and warm weather. I am not a fan of winter except that it does have Christmas which I love and you get snow in the winter. The only time I like cold weather is when it is snowing which in the last couple of years has been a rare event or if it does snow it is a pitiful amount, no feet worth of snow that I remember as a child. Anyways, we have been having some discipline problems with Lance lately, he has been a terror and extremely defiant. The other day at swim practice when I was fed up with his behavior I had a light bulb moment. He might be having discipline problems becuase he has too much energy due to not enough playtime especially outside. With this in mind I have tried to give him some outside time everyday. Wednesday he was too cold and didn't want to stay outside. Yesterday it was very mild so we played around outside a little bit, not enough as we should, but I tried. Today we didn't have anything going on so I bundled the kids up and we went and took a walk. It was COLD, but nice to be out and about. We walked down to Magnolia and got a snack. Then we walked a few doors down and watched the miniature train in the window at a lawyer's office. Then we headed towards home, but stopped at a couple of walls so Lance could walk on the top of them, he enjoys balancing on the top of the small brick walls by some condos on our way. Lance rode in the stroller on the way down to Magnolia, but he walked a good part of the way home. I don't know if I got enough energy out of him, but it is 1 pm and he is already down for a nap and it wasn't a struggle to get him to sleep, thank goodness. Today is early swim practice and I hate waking him up to go especially when he doesn't go down until 2, this will put him in a much better mood for the rest of the afternoon. His nap schedule has been totally off, wait he has had no nap schedule lately and maybe if I will toughen up, spend more time outside and getting his energy out he will go down for nap sooner, rest better, be less defiant and he will all be happier people. If it was only that easy. So today I was bold and ventured out in the 30-something degree morning to get some energy out of my kiddo. They say boys need outside time and I do believe. As a note: the television hasn't been on so far this morning! yeah, we are breaking the cycle!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
tv free, well trying to be
In the last few months, well since pregnant with Lily and with her arrival I have been a slacker and watched more tv then I would probably like to admit. I can totally justify it because I watch less then the average American does according to statistics that I have heard, but it doesn't matter, I felt it was too much and too much for Lance (he didn't watch anything until he was almost 2). What defines too much? For me, too much is when you are watching it for the sake of watching it, not because there is something that you want to watch or planned on watching, but just to be watching for the sake of watching. Anyways, Lance and I were watching 17 Kids and Counting on TLC over a week ago and it really convicted me. Though those Duggers don't make a lot of sense, they don't let their kids watch tv, yet they are on a tv show, but it reminded me that I don't want my kids to be tv addicts and that I was sliding on my little tv standards. I don't want my kids to watch much tv and I don't want myself to watch much because it can easily be such a time waster and I don't have a lot of time to waste (the other time waster in my life- the Internet, that is the next thing to cut back on). I have digressed. I have been a slacker and have had the tv on a little too much lately, but this week we have been doing pretty good and I found out the secret to helping me limit the time the tv is on. If I don't turn on the tv in the morning, it really doesn't get turned on until Jeff gets home from work. Yesterday I did let Lance watch a half hour of Noggin, but that was it. The secret is getting through the morning tv free. I also been trying to turn on the tv only when there is a specific show I want to watch and I don't turn it on to "see" what is on. I have my favorite shows I like to watch, but even they are letting me down and might get dumped from my must watch list. For example: the first season I really enjoyed Private Practice, it didn't seem to be to be like Grey's Anatomy where everyone was sleeping with everyone else and it was all about sex, well this season it seems to be all about sex though they do have some sad story mixed in every week, but it doesn't seem as good. It has gotten rather controversial in my opinion this season first is was incest then the pedophile and last night abortions, it is getting depressing and sad, I want a show that doesn't depress me, is that possible. Another reason I want to cut back on the tv in this house is because I am more aware about how much Lance picks up on despite his lack of verbal communication. I don't want him desensitised to violence and language and honestly I want to protect him as long as I can. So we are day 4 of trying to cut back and though I know we will have slacker days we are making progress so far and I hope to continue the trend, though I have been missing "Jack's Big Music Show" every morning, I guess I could record it, another case of the mommy brain.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
brain cells and hair loss
Those oh so famous "theys" out there may be right about one thing: women lose brain cells after having children. I don't feel as smart as I use to be and yesterday was a perfect case in point.
Yesterday I got up, took a shower while the kids were still a sleep (they slept in, too bad I was wide awake and not catching up on missed sleep), put in my contacts and got ready for the day. The kids and I went to the bank, then to the library for storytime. I remember specifically noticing at the library that I just couldn't see very well. I thought maybe my eyes were goopy due to allergies or the cold weather and didn't think much of it. After storytime we headed to Dollar General to get some things we needed for the "stockings with care" for church, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed to the college for the afternoon swim practice. At swim I once again stopped and noticed that I really could not see that well. I was starting to think that maybe my eyesight was getting worse which was upsetting because I can't afford new contacts and a trip to the eye doctor right now. After practice we headed home and I tried getting the kids down for nap. Lily fell asleep first and I picked up a book to try and rest while lance was winding down for nap. While I was reading I noticed the words were blurry and hard to read. All morning I kept rubbing my forehead, blinking a lot and trying to figure out why I couldn't see, seven hours of blurry vision had transpired that day. I was starting to get a bit concerned that something was wrong and that is when the light bulb in my brain went off. My right eye has a different prescription then my left and at that moment I considered the possibility that maybe I had my contacts in the wrong eyes. I took out the left contact and looked for the little dot that is on the right to see if my blurry vision was due to a case of the mommy brain. Sure enough, there was a small dot on the contact that was in my left eye, my contacts were in the wrong eyes. I went into the bathroom switched out my contacts and it was like magic, I could see. Right after I switched contacts I realized how bad my vision had been all morning and then I started to wonder how long had my contacts been switched, I think there have been a few times over the last few days when I felt like I couldn't see that well. I don't know how long my contacts had been switched, but I can't believe how long, at least seven hours, I went not being able to see well and not realizing that things could be better. If I hadn't lost all those brain cells having kids I might be able to draw a great metaphorical parallel to life, but now I feel like such a dope going around all day not being able to see and not realizing that there is something I could have done to fix the problem.
Now onto hair loss. I must whine for a second. I hate post-partum hair loss. It is so GROSS!!!! I feel like I am not going to have any hair left. My shower is clogged up, my sink probably will be soon, all surfaces, clothing, etc, seem to be covered in hair, I don't understand how I can lose so much when I don't think I have all that much to start with. I know that it will slow down and it probably just seems so extreme now because I don't lose much when pregnant, but alright already, stop. I hate it. To make matters worse, with my schedule and two kids I don't have the time to do the cleaning I prefer to do and the hair loss just makes the not being able to clean part seem worse, I wish I could hire a cleaning lady, heck I wish I had disposable income.
Yesterday I got up, took a shower while the kids were still a sleep (they slept in, too bad I was wide awake and not catching up on missed sleep), put in my contacts and got ready for the day. The kids and I went to the bank, then to the library for storytime. I remember specifically noticing at the library that I just couldn't see very well. I thought maybe my eyes were goopy due to allergies or the cold weather and didn't think much of it. After storytime we headed to Dollar General to get some things we needed for the "stockings with care" for church, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed to the college for the afternoon swim practice. At swim I once again stopped and noticed that I really could not see that well. I was starting to think that maybe my eyesight was getting worse which was upsetting because I can't afford new contacts and a trip to the eye doctor right now. After practice we headed home and I tried getting the kids down for nap. Lily fell asleep first and I picked up a book to try and rest while lance was winding down for nap. While I was reading I noticed the words were blurry and hard to read. All morning I kept rubbing my forehead, blinking a lot and trying to figure out why I couldn't see, seven hours of blurry vision had transpired that day. I was starting to get a bit concerned that something was wrong and that is when the light bulb in my brain went off. My right eye has a different prescription then my left and at that moment I considered the possibility that maybe I had my contacts in the wrong eyes. I took out the left contact and looked for the little dot that is on the right to see if my blurry vision was due to a case of the mommy brain. Sure enough, there was a small dot on the contact that was in my left eye, my contacts were in the wrong eyes. I went into the bathroom switched out my contacts and it was like magic, I could see. Right after I switched contacts I realized how bad my vision had been all morning and then I started to wonder how long had my contacts been switched, I think there have been a few times over the last few days when I felt like I couldn't see that well. I don't know how long my contacts had been switched, but I can't believe how long, at least seven hours, I went not being able to see well and not realizing that things could be better. If I hadn't lost all those brain cells having kids I might be able to draw a great metaphorical parallel to life, but now I feel like such a dope going around all day not being able to see and not realizing that there is something I could have done to fix the problem.
Now onto hair loss. I must whine for a second. I hate post-partum hair loss. It is so GROSS!!!! I feel like I am not going to have any hair left. My shower is clogged up, my sink probably will be soon, all surfaces, clothing, etc, seem to be covered in hair, I don't understand how I can lose so much when I don't think I have all that much to start with. I know that it will slow down and it probably just seems so extreme now because I don't lose much when pregnant, but alright already, stop. I hate it. To make matters worse, with my schedule and two kids I don't have the time to do the cleaning I prefer to do and the hair loss just makes the not being able to clean part seem worse, I wish I could hire a cleaning lady, heck I wish I had disposable income.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
sleep deprived mommy
Monday morning Lily woke up and when I picked her up out of her bassinet I noticed she was wet, actually soaked. Jeff changed her for me and he noticed that one side of her diaper wasn't fasten correctly and she had peed all over herself. I felt so bad for the poor thing, sleeping in a puddle of her own pee because I couldn't put a diaper on right! In my defense: Lily has been waking up at 5 am to eat, but that night she got up at 2, my body was not ready to be up so soon and I was still halfway asleep. I remember changing her diaper and trying to do it quickly because she was starting to cry and I thought I attached both sides of the diaper, but in my rush I must have only secured one side down. So all day yesterday I felt bad that I couldn't put the poor thing in a diaper on correctly, but this morning I am redeemed! I should note that Lily is transitioning from size 1-2 diapers to size 2 and in our bedroom we have the size 1-2 which fit, but just barely around her. Back to my story, this morning I changed Lily's diaper and right after I attached one side of the diaper Lily, whose legs were up in the air, pulled them down which unattached the diaper tab. It wasn't me who diapered her incorrectly in the middle of the night, it was Lily who probably in her fussing to eat, kicked and twisted to make the tab of the almost too small diaper come undone and since it was dark and the middle of the night I didn't notice. Lesson learned: diapers that might be a bit too small need to stay downstairs and be worn during the day!
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