Ever have one of THOSE days, when the kids are driving you completely bonkers and you just want to hide out in the bathroom with the shower on, pretending you can't hear anything outside the door????
Yeah. I'm having one of THOSE. In fact, I'm only posting this blog in order to avoid the last few loads of laundry that will quickly become an impossible mountain if I don't wash them TODAY.
*sigh* It has actually gotten to the point that I would rather workout than wash and fold laundry. That's what I just finished doing, and now I'm thinking a shower would be way better than running through a load of wash.
Remember when NB was just starting school and I was all boo-hooey about her going off into the big wide world? Yeah... now as soon as I wake up saturday mornings, I'm counting down the hours until monday morning when I drop her off at the front door. Not that I don't love her, or even that I don't miss her, but now that she's gotten use to that much stimulation throughout her day, she is nearly impossible to deal with on the weekends.
She gets so wired up, and it's too cold to send her outside, so she just goes wild indoors. Neither of the babies nap when she is home, either. She's way too loud. Tomorrow is a holiday, so my weekend has been extended by one more day. Tim is on night shifts, so he is spending the days sleeping and the nights away from home.
I realise this blog is turning into random tidbits and probably should have written it in list form. Oh well! In other news, I tried Zumba this past week! In Public! TWICE! I actually really enjoyed it and am planning on going back this week too.
Sorry for this random post, but it wouldn't really fit in on my other blogs. So now it's here.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wow... So Yeah
I am rather ashamed at how horrible I've done about updating this blog here. I mean... it's still decorated for Christmas for crying out loud! (By the way, Tammie, I got your Christmas card! I'm saving it, since it was your first time celebrating the holiday!)
I have been working on trying to get fit and healthy. However, this is NOT a "resolution." I started back at the beginning of December and so far have lost 10 lbs. I even did really well over the holidays about not over indulging. I'm using sparkpeople and the 400 Calorie Fix cookbook that my Mom got me for a Christmas present. That's been where a lot of my focus has been lately, which isn't helping my blog situation any. Also, I am trying to move more, so when I sit down at the computer, I set a timer for 15 minutes. When it's up, I get up and do something else until I need to track something. Since I've been focusing mainly on sparkpeople, that doesn't leave me a lot of time to update here.
I have been working on trying to get fit and healthy. However, this is NOT a "resolution." I started back at the beginning of December and so far have lost 10 lbs. I even did really well over the holidays about not over indulging. I'm using sparkpeople and the 400 Calorie Fix cookbook that my Mom got me for a Christmas present. That's been where a lot of my focus has been lately, which isn't helping my blog situation any. Also, I am trying to move more, so when I sit down at the computer, I set a timer for 15 minutes. When it's up, I get up and do something else until I need to track something. Since I've been focusing mainly on sparkpeople, that doesn't leave me a lot of time to update here.
Anyway, as of January 1st, the baby is 4 months old. She is rolling all over the place, eating mushy baby cereal, and laughing real belly laughs. If her body would do what she wants it to, she would be crawling all over the place. You can tell from how she moves when you are holding her that she is just ready to GO.
This picture is from a couple of months ago, and is of NB and her new best friend, Joker. We have been trying to make sure she gets out by Tim's grandparents fairly often as she is learning to ride. She has been doing mostly really well in school, with a few difficult days here and there, but I think the break was good for her.
This picture is from a couple of months ago, and is of NB and her new best friend, Joker. We have been trying to make sure she gets out by Tim's grandparents fairly often as she is learning to ride. She has been doing mostly really well in school, with a few difficult days here and there, but I think the break was good for her.
Other than that, we've mostly just been enjoying our spare time with one another, driving off the occasional cold weather with fires in the fire place. Calvin thinks they are better than Spongebob, which is saying something for our house. He just sits there like this, in front of the fire for hours and says "Ohhhhhh! Ahhhh! YAY YAY YAY!!"
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hey, what do you know, An update!
As of today, our little Lena Bena Bobena is 3 months old. In the last month she has discovered that she has hands and they are probably the single most interesting thing happening in her life right now. In every picture we get of her she is studying her hands. She will wave them around in front of her own face for nearly an hour. She is smiling in response to our smiles and making those cute little baby gurgles and sounds. She can also do push ups now and will pop that darling little head up and look around. She loves tummy time, especially when we are enjoying it with her. She loves to be talked to. It really doesn't even matter what you're saying, she just thinks it's hilarious. She's already rolled over from her tummy to her back a couple of times but it's not happening consistently yet, though that could change by tomorrow.
Calvin is about 16 months old now and a right handful, for sure. He is now climbing all over the place. He figured out how to go up and down stairs, how to climb up onto the couch and back off again and he loves doing it over and over again. Lately, we call him CalvinBobPlunderPants because he is ALWAYS into something. He likes to pull out everything from the cabinets and sort through it. He loves to stack Lena's formula cans and blocks, but mostly the cans. He is also a little chatterbox these days. He just babbles on and on, and it's so stinking adorable. His new favorite things to say are "Whaizz dat?!" and "Whoizz dat?!" On the other hand, he has also developed quite the temper, which isn't cute in the least. Any time he's not getting his way or thinks we aren't getting the message he will let out this really aggravated sounding yell, like: "AAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!" It's horrible. I think I would prefer crying to that noise. On the other, other hand (how many am I up to now?) he's learned how to give real kisses and LOVES giving them. He kisses me, Tim, NB, the baby, stuffed animals, his cars. It just melts my heart every time. He definitely keeps me back and forth on my toes. The stinker.
NB is still pretty much 95% sas. I think the week long break from school was good for her though, because her behavior and school work are both improved since they've been back at school this week. I'm still trying to keep the creative stimuli coming at home in hopes that it is helping. I made a felt board for the kids a couple of days ago and they have been at it nearly non-stop. Even Calvin gets how he is supposed to use it and will spend a good solid 1/2 hour peeling off the shapes and then sticking them back on. NB informed me today that they made hand print Santa Clauses at school today, so I'm excited about that too! NB had another dentist appointment today for a regular cleaning and then they removed one of her teeth that had an abscess. I think I was more nervous than she was, but she went back there all by herself like a big girl. They somehow numbed her jaw without the use of shots and she did just great. There was no whining, crying, or (thank God) biting, she just sat through it like a big girl. All of which makes me wonder why we were given the big run around through the out of town dentist office in the first place. Seriously, if you can numb the kid's jaw without shots why would anyone do it any other way??!! Why would give an adult a shot for that matter!? I'd much prefer the miracle gel stuff or whatever they used for her. Anyway, I'm just glad that's all over and done with.
In other news, my Grandpa passed away over the Thanksgiving break. My sister and I drove down to Nola for the wake and then back home all in the same day. Even though the circumstances were sad, it was good to see and reconnect with all of our relatives and I wish we'd been able to visit longer. I also wish I had brought the kids with me, but it just seemed like so much to travel that far with the two little ones. Hopefully we will be able to make it down for a more cheerful visit when they are a bit older.
Until next time! Have a Happy Holiday Season!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Whatever Happened to Construction Paper Turkeys?
This is a post that is primarily about me and Nadi-B. She missed school today because we were supposed to be going to the dentist to have some cavities filled as well as a couple of teeth pulled. However there was some kind of mix-up in the scheduling so what ended up happening is that we got up at 4:30 am and drove for 2 hours to the nearest pediatric dentist to end up rescheduling.
Just to get this out of the way, I feel like a big fat failure as a Mom for NB's teeth having any cavities in the first place. I mean, it's not like we allow the child to consume obscene amounts of sweets or sodas. I would feel pretty confident that she doesn't get any more of those things than any normal kid. In fact, I would feel pretty confident saying that she probably gets less than what is "normal." The only thing I can figure is that we started letting her brush her own teeth a little too early on in the game and she just wasn't prepared to do a good job. I mean, at least these are her baby teeth, but it still makes me feel like when that dentist hygienist is looking at me she just sees words like: "Irresponsible Parent" or "Fail"
In any case, we drove all that way for nothing more than a frustrating hour spent alternating between waiting and explaining over and over again what we were supposed to be there for; followed by a few back and forth phone calls between Tim, myself, and NB's regular dentist. I *think* we finally have it all straightened out, but I'll know for sure when she goes for her cleaning in December.
We are still having issues with Nadia's behavior at school. I don't really know how to explain it. She's not behaving badly really. She just can't focus or be still or stop talking so much. She was doing really awesome for a good while, but all of a sudden over the last month or so, she just can't seem to concentrate on anything. Well... that's not entirely true.. it's like she can only focus on one thing. If she's concentrating on not talking or playing during class time then she isn't doing her work. If she's concentrating on doing her work, she's getting in trouble for silly behavior or playing during class time.
If she comes home from a bad day and we talk about it, the next day she does great, but every day after that she goes back to the same behavior. I am pretty much at my wits' end. I don't know what else to do, having exhausted all parenting things I can come up with, or approve of. It just seems not to sink in. I'm quite frankly, tired of having the same conversations every day.
And while I'm at it, I am also kind of bummed about her school's curriculum. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think it is AWESOME to see NB sounding out and reading words and so forth, but whatever happened to the fun stuff? When I was in kindergarten we were coloring pictures every day. At this time of year we were making construction paper turkeys and hand print turkeys to bring home to our moms. I was so looking forward to NB bringing home a turkey or a Popsicle stick reindeer to hang on the tree or SOMETHING for crying out loud! But all we ever get are worksheets, worksheets, worksheets. Do they even get to do things like that at school anymore? As far as I can tell, no.
I actually think that might be part of the problem with NB's behavior. There doesn't seem to be any time cut out in their day to create anything. She gets to draw on the back of her worksheets if she finishes on time, but other than that they haven't brought home a single art project of any kind. It makes me feel sad and even jipped on her part.
So today, after our nice road trip, and our nice lunch out, just us two; NB and I made a construction paper turkey. I have already started researching any and all holiday art projects I can find for us to do in the afternoons when she is home. I'm hoping that the creative stimulation might help curb her enthusiasm a little at school. I also have ONE more thing I'm going to try with her for behavior, and that's meditation.
I don't mean anything lengthy or structured or anything. Just simple transcendental meditation, which is simply sitting quietly with one's eyes closed for a short amount of time. I am thinking 5 minutes in the morning after waking up and 5 minutes in the evenings before bed. I'm going to do it with her. I think it will help her "practice" being still and calm and quiet, and that it will also teach her to still her constantly turning mind so she can focus better. I am excited to see how this will do with NB and with myself. In the meantime, we are making our own construction paper turkeys and popsicle reindeer.
Just to get this out of the way, I feel like a big fat failure as a Mom for NB's teeth having any cavities in the first place. I mean, it's not like we allow the child to consume obscene amounts of sweets or sodas. I would feel pretty confident that she doesn't get any more of those things than any normal kid. In fact, I would feel pretty confident saying that she probably gets less than what is "normal." The only thing I can figure is that we started letting her brush her own teeth a little too early on in the game and she just wasn't prepared to do a good job. I mean, at least these are her baby teeth, but it still makes me feel like when that dentist hygienist is looking at me she just sees words like: "Irresponsible Parent" or "Fail"
In any case, we drove all that way for nothing more than a frustrating hour spent alternating between waiting and explaining over and over again what we were supposed to be there for; followed by a few back and forth phone calls between Tim, myself, and NB's regular dentist. I *think* we finally have it all straightened out, but I'll know for sure when she goes for her cleaning in December.
We are still having issues with Nadia's behavior at school. I don't really know how to explain it. She's not behaving badly really. She just can't focus or be still or stop talking so much. She was doing really awesome for a good while, but all of a sudden over the last month or so, she just can't seem to concentrate on anything. Well... that's not entirely true.. it's like she can only focus on one thing. If she's concentrating on not talking or playing during class time then she isn't doing her work. If she's concentrating on doing her work, she's getting in trouble for silly behavior or playing during class time.
If she comes home from a bad day and we talk about it, the next day she does great, but every day after that she goes back to the same behavior. I am pretty much at my wits' end. I don't know what else to do, having exhausted all parenting things I can come up with, or approve of. It just seems not to sink in. I'm quite frankly, tired of having the same conversations every day.
And while I'm at it, I am also kind of bummed about her school's curriculum. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think it is AWESOME to see NB sounding out and reading words and so forth, but whatever happened to the fun stuff? When I was in kindergarten we were coloring pictures every day. At this time of year we were making construction paper turkeys and hand print turkeys to bring home to our moms. I was so looking forward to NB bringing home a turkey or a Popsicle stick reindeer to hang on the tree or SOMETHING for crying out loud! But all we ever get are worksheets, worksheets, worksheets. Do they even get to do things like that at school anymore? As far as I can tell, no.
I actually think that might be part of the problem with NB's behavior. There doesn't seem to be any time cut out in their day to create anything. She gets to draw on the back of her worksheets if she finishes on time, but other than that they haven't brought home a single art project of any kind. It makes me feel sad and even jipped on her part.
So today, after our nice road trip, and our nice lunch out, just us two; NB and I made a construction paper turkey. I have already started researching any and all holiday art projects I can find for us to do in the afternoons when she is home. I'm hoping that the creative stimulation might help curb her enthusiasm a little at school. I also have ONE more thing I'm going to try with her for behavior, and that's meditation.
I don't mean anything lengthy or structured or anything. Just simple transcendental meditation, which is simply sitting quietly with one's eyes closed for a short amount of time. I am thinking 5 minutes in the morning after waking up and 5 minutes in the evenings before bed. I'm going to do it with her. I think it will help her "practice" being still and calm and quiet, and that it will also teach her to still her constantly turning mind so she can focus better. I am excited to see how this will do with NB and with myself. In the meantime, we are making our own construction paper turkeys and popsicle reindeer.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Mundane Update:
Wow! So things have finally slowed down enough that I can post a little mundane family update. Well... they aren't really slow at all, actually. I'm just forcing the time. The last few weeks I have been working part time at my favorite discount fabric store to fill in for one of their employees who got bit by a brown recluse. *shudder* Anyway, she is now back at work, even though she isn't quite at 100%, and I'm a little bummed. I really enjoyed filling in there. However, they are considering having me come in on Fridays from now on just to help out with their busiest day! I hope that works out because I really do/did LOVE working there.
Yesterday I hosted my very first Pampered Chef cooking show for a friend and it was AWESOME! We made homemade pizza, a cheese torta, and mini tirramissu cakes using all the fancy shmancy pampered chef gear. Then we got to eat the outcome while shopping. It was a fairly good/entertaining show and we did pretty well with the sales too which means more free stuff for me for hosting! Whaa-hoo! I'm so excited! Mom also ordered me a pizza stone for my birthday, so that's one thing I don't have to spend my free on.
Okay! Enough about me, moving on to the important people: the kids.
And here's my other pretty girl! NB is modelling a dress I made her this past weekend. NB is just her own kind of person. She is doing well in school, but every day is a struggle for her to get a "smiley face." It's not that she's a bad kid, by any means. It's that she's over imaginative and sociable and silly, so her greatest offenses are often just forgetting herself and talking too much at times that are inappropriate. We've also been having a little issue with her rushing through her work so she can spend more time drawing kitty cats. NB is OBSESSED with cats. Her teacher sent me a message informing me that NB now insists on being called "Nadia Cat." *laughs* See what I mean about being her own person?
It has also become apparent that she is very sensitive. She gets it from her momma, so she comes by it honest. Yesterday she got her feelings hurt over a few other kids laughing at the name she calls her Gigi. Apparently "Gigi" sounds funny to a five year old, but NB thought they were making fun of her Gigi. So instead of doing her work, she spent her time making a necklace for her Gigi. Oh geeze! So that was a whole other discussion we had to have with her. Nothing is ever mundane or boring with NB around, that's for sure! My biggest challenge as a Mom has been to balance correcting her without crushing her spirit and individuality, which are the things I love in her.
My life is a Mom's life. But it's a happy one!
Yesterday I hosted my very first Pampered Chef cooking show for a friend and it was AWESOME! We made homemade pizza, a cheese torta, and mini tirramissu cakes using all the fancy shmancy pampered chef gear. Then we got to eat the outcome while shopping. It was a fairly good/entertaining show and we did pretty well with the sales too which means more free stuff for me for hosting! Whaa-hoo! I'm so excited! Mom also ordered me a pizza stone for my birthday, so that's one thing I don't have to spend my free on.
Okay! Enough about me, moving on to the important people: the kids.
Lena is 2 months old, as of November 1st. She is all smiles these days and just today started rolling over from her tummy to her back! At her 2 month check up, she was a little over 8lbs. She is still small for her age, but since she's been small since birth, developmentally, she's right on track. Our pretty girl is somewhat of a miracle baby. At 2 months she already sleeps the majority of the night. Occasionally, she will get up once during the night, but about 5/7 nights of the week she will sleep the whole night. It's pretty awesome to say the least.
Calvin is getting bigger by the day! He is now 15 months. He is a little jabber box these days. Most of it is just cute baby jibberish, but there are a few words he's getting really good at. He now recognizes us in photos. He likes to point at NB's picture on the fireplace and say "Sisser?!" He also knows the baby, Daddy, and Momma. I think he also says "Papa," for my dad. He can also say "Uh oh," and "tank u!"
He is my little heart throb. I am so in love with this kid, I tell ya. He is so goofy and silly and sweet. Most of the time. He has a temper though when he isn't getting his way! But he is growing super fast it seems. It's already hard to imagine him as Lena sized.
And here's my other pretty girl! NB is modelling a dress I made her this past weekend. NB is just her own kind of person. She is doing well in school, but every day is a struggle for her to get a "smiley face." It's not that she's a bad kid, by any means. It's that she's over imaginative and sociable and silly, so her greatest offenses are often just forgetting herself and talking too much at times that are inappropriate. We've also been having a little issue with her rushing through her work so she can spend more time drawing kitty cats. NB is OBSESSED with cats. Her teacher sent me a message informing me that NB now insists on being called "Nadia Cat." *laughs* See what I mean about being her own person?
It has also become apparent that she is very sensitive. She gets it from her momma, so she comes by it honest. Yesterday she got her feelings hurt over a few other kids laughing at the name she calls her Gigi. Apparently "Gigi" sounds funny to a five year old, but NB thought they were making fun of her Gigi. So instead of doing her work, she spent her time making a necklace for her Gigi. Oh geeze! So that was a whole other discussion we had to have with her. Nothing is ever mundane or boring with NB around, that's for sure! My biggest challenge as a Mom has been to balance correcting her without crushing her spirit and individuality, which are the things I love in her.
My life is a Mom's life. But it's a happy one!
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