today sprout has treated his sippy cup like it was filled with battery acid and killer bees. i've done nothing different- it's the same formula, the same cup, offered in the same chair in the same room.
sigh.
you are frustrating your mama, son.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Woo Hoo!
the sprout, who up until this point has thought sippy cups were only for chewing and banging, drank 4 ounces of formula from a cup tonight!!
(picture me doing the happy dance here)
he also has completely finished the transfer from two naps to one that he started 2 months ago. he now naps pretty reliably at 1pm and USUALLY sleeps for at least 2 hours. (yes, yesterday he only napped for 1 hour and 15 minutes but that is not the norm)
sadly he still hasn't gone back to sleeping through the night. ever since that horrible illness he had at christmas he has gotten up in the middle of the night. it started out as 3-4 times a night and now we are down to one. he almost always has to eat to go back down. we are in the process of making those bottles smaller and smaller hoping to get him to not need the milk at all. hopefully this will work. (keep your fingers crossed!!)
and several of you mentioned how big he looks. he doesn't just look it- he is big. he is starting to wear 18 month size clothes already, for goodness sake!
i just love the age he is at right now. he is just suddenly becoming aware of so much more, discovering things, and learning new things. he has this wonderful joyful face that he makes. he giggles and laughs and is just the happiest little guy i have ever had the pleasure to know. what a lucky mama i am! :)
(picture me doing the happy dance here)
he also has completely finished the transfer from two naps to one that he started 2 months ago. he now naps pretty reliably at 1pm and USUALLY sleeps for at least 2 hours. (yes, yesterday he only napped for 1 hour and 15 minutes but that is not the norm)
sadly he still hasn't gone back to sleeping through the night. ever since that horrible illness he had at christmas he has gotten up in the middle of the night. it started out as 3-4 times a night and now we are down to one. he almost always has to eat to go back down. we are in the process of making those bottles smaller and smaller hoping to get him to not need the milk at all. hopefully this will work. (keep your fingers crossed!!)
and several of you mentioned how big he looks. he doesn't just look it- he is big. he is starting to wear 18 month size clothes already, for goodness sake!
i just love the age he is at right now. he is just suddenly becoming aware of so much more, discovering things, and learning new things. he has this wonderful joyful face that he makes. he giggles and laughs and is just the happiest little guy i have ever had the pleasure to know. what a lucky mama i am! :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sprout Update...
ya know how i mentioned possible teething the other day? well, today i decided to just find out. so i was terribly mean and held him and reached a finger into his mouth and felt around (while he screamed his fool head off). sure enough i felt the rough edge of a molar just starting to break through. teething it is!
and sprout doesn't seem to care for the "normal" order of getting teeth.... he hasn't gotten his lower lateral incisors yet. and if you remember he got his upper lateral incisors before his upper central incisors. silly boy! ;)
and sprout doesn't seem to care for the "normal" order of getting teeth.... he hasn't gotten his lower lateral incisors yet. and if you remember he got his upper lateral incisors before his upper central incisors. silly boy! ;)
Monday, February 23, 2009
All Bean
we talked about the sprout, why not the bean? ;) how is she doing? well.....
she is obsessed with temporary tattoos....
and making goofy faces for the camera. ;)
writing. she loves to write. she is getting better at making her letters every day. i don't make her practice she just is always asking, "how do you spell...." and i tell her. then she calls me in to see what she has written on her easel. i'm really impressed at how much she has improved in the last month.
reading. she is acting interested in learning how. i think a lot of this comes from the fact that her cousin has recently learned to read. i have found a system that is similar to what they teach in the schools around here and we are preparing to start. the lessons start out very simple so they aren't going to overwhelm her. (of course if she wants to quit we will. this is for her, NOT for me.)
school. she still loves it. she wishes she could go everyday. this week her teacher told me that she has been a very good friend lately. i like the sound of that.
we have parent teacher conferences on monday.
they sent next year's registration forms home this week. should she go three or four days a week????
loving. that is what she is. she loves her brother. she loves her mother. sometimes she doesn't want to share him with me. sometimes she doesn't want to share me with him. throw a daddy in there and it is a terrible predicament for a little girl. she doesn't always remember that there is always enough love to go around. :)
she is a sweet girl that gets a little over emotional sometimes. she gets a little bossy sometimes. and every once in a while she lands herself in timeout. (which she claims that she got rid of so i can't put her there anymore! hmmmm.)
she is obsessed with temporary tattoos....
and making goofy faces for the camera. ;)writing. she loves to write. she is getting better at making her letters every day. i don't make her practice she just is always asking, "how do you spell...." and i tell her. then she calls me in to see what she has written on her easel. i'm really impressed at how much she has improved in the last month.
reading. she is acting interested in learning how. i think a lot of this comes from the fact that her cousin has recently learned to read. i have found a system that is similar to what they teach in the schools around here and we are preparing to start. the lessons start out very simple so they aren't going to overwhelm her. (of course if she wants to quit we will. this is for her, NOT for me.)
school. she still loves it. she wishes she could go everyday. this week her teacher told me that she has been a very good friend lately. i like the sound of that.
we have parent teacher conferences on monday.
they sent next year's registration forms home this week. should she go three or four days a week????
loving. that is what she is. she loves her brother. she loves her mother. sometimes she doesn't want to share him with me. sometimes she doesn't want to share me with him. throw a daddy in there and it is a terrible predicament for a little girl. she doesn't always remember that there is always enough love to go around. :)
she is a sweet girl that gets a little over emotional sometimes. she gets a little bossy sometimes. and every once in a while she lands herself in timeout. (which she claims that she got rid of so i can't put her there anymore! hmmmm.)
All Sprout
so, how's things? i think we are finally disease free. one was sick, then the other, then back again.... i love that kids share germs. i love it.
anyhoo, the sprout. what's new? well he is 11 months old tomorrow and here is what he is doing....
talking. he is trying to talk. we just can't figure out what he is saying. he does say "da-da" and "ma-ma" but i'm still not sure that he is referring to anyone in particular. well, i take that back, i'm pretty sure he called me "da-da" the other day.
if you ask him where dada is he usually points to his daddy. if you ask him where his sister is he usually points to bean. if you ask him where mama is he usually points to the dog. sigh. (ok, i'll give him a break on this one. the dog's name does start with the same sound and i suppose that could be confusing.)
sometimes he seems to be repeating us. so talking is coming. he just isn't as advanced as his sister in this area. which i'm totally fine with! :)
walking. before he only walked when mommy encouraged him to do so. then, we got him to walk to his sister when she called for him (which made her the happiest girl in the world). now, he will just randomly attempt to walk to get to what he wants. he still only goes 6-8 steps but he is getting more sure of himself every day.
eating. for the past month and a half the dang child has REFUSED to be fed with a spoon. he will only eat what he can pick up and put in his mouth himself. he eats lots of things though- veggies (broccoli and peas are his favorites) and fruits (grapes and bananas especially) and beans and meats. oh yes, he likes meat. bean was NOT interested in meat. the sprout LOVES meatballs, meatloaf, chicken, and even a little fish. he doesn't like eggs or cheese, which his sister loved. but bean and sprout do have the same favorite meal- tacos! no joke!
playing. he is starting to roll a ball back to you if you roll it to him. he tried to stack a block the other day but didn't quite make it. he likes to hold the drum sticks and bang on his sister's drum. he loves to put things into other things (small toys into cups or bowls). he holds books and turns the pages (but will only listen to me read a select few without screaming- thank god for sandra boynton). here is a couple of shots of him at the library looking at books....
we are in a "chew everything in sight" phase. that just screams TEETH to me but he WILL NOT let anyone look inside his mouth so we have no idea.
he is in a "if you aren't my mama don't even look at me or i might cry" phase as well. this is entirely normal at his age but bean never did this so it is all new and weird to us. i hope he gets over it before we need a babysitter again..... for the babysitter's sake not mine. ;)
sprout and bean are really funny when they are together. he thinks she is the greatest thing ever- really. sometimes she lays on the floor and he just crawls all over her and they both just laugh and laugh. and ya know, two kids laughing together is just awesome! :)
anyhoo, the sprout. what's new? well he is 11 months old tomorrow and here is what he is doing....
talking. he is trying to talk. we just can't figure out what he is saying. he does say "da-da" and "ma-ma" but i'm still not sure that he is referring to anyone in particular. well, i take that back, i'm pretty sure he called me "da-da" the other day.
if you ask him where dada is he usually points to his daddy. if you ask him where his sister is he usually points to bean. if you ask him where mama is he usually points to the dog. sigh. (ok, i'll give him a break on this one. the dog's name does start with the same sound and i suppose that could be confusing.)
sometimes he seems to be repeating us. so talking is coming. he just isn't as advanced as his sister in this area. which i'm totally fine with! :)
walking. before he only walked when mommy encouraged him to do so. then, we got him to walk to his sister when she called for him (which made her the happiest girl in the world). now, he will just randomly attempt to walk to get to what he wants. he still only goes 6-8 steps but he is getting more sure of himself every day.
eating. for the past month and a half the dang child has REFUSED to be fed with a spoon. he will only eat what he can pick up and put in his mouth himself. he eats lots of things though- veggies (broccoli and peas are his favorites) and fruits (grapes and bananas especially) and beans and meats. oh yes, he likes meat. bean was NOT interested in meat. the sprout LOVES meatballs, meatloaf, chicken, and even a little fish. he doesn't like eggs or cheese, which his sister loved. but bean and sprout do have the same favorite meal- tacos! no joke!
playing. he is starting to roll a ball back to you if you roll it to him. he tried to stack a block the other day but didn't quite make it. he likes to hold the drum sticks and bang on his sister's drum. he loves to put things into other things (small toys into cups or bowls). he holds books and turns the pages (but will only listen to me read a select few without screaming- thank god for sandra boynton). here is a couple of shots of him at the library looking at books....
we are in a "chew everything in sight" phase. that just screams TEETH to me but he WILL NOT let anyone look inside his mouth so we have no idea.he is in a "if you aren't my mama don't even look at me or i might cry" phase as well. this is entirely normal at his age but bean never did this so it is all new and weird to us. i hope he gets over it before we need a babysitter again..... for the babysitter's sake not mine. ;)
sprout and bean are really funny when they are together. he thinks she is the greatest thing ever- really. sometimes she lays on the floor and he just crawls all over her and they both just laugh and laugh. and ya know, two kids laughing together is just awesome! :)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Again with the Me Stuff...
ahhh, yes i'm doing it again. maybe it is a little of me wanting to stump mommee or maybe i've decided i like talking about myself after all. hmmmmmm. regardless here is another dozen things about me....
1. i graduated cum laude with a BFA in art history. what i EVER thought i would do with a degree in art history i don't know. i think i just picked a major based on what i liked/thought would be easy rather than what would get me a good job. hey, i'm book smart NOT street smart. ;)
this is also when i started saying "ya'll". hey, i went to school in the southern part of my state! (it is surprisingly southern down there!)
2. i was engaged for a short time to someone other than my husband. (i've made a lot of crazy mistakes in my life.... this was just one of the worst.)
3. i've been to 8 countries: canada, scotland, england, wales, bahamas, (england again!), france, germany, and austria.
i'd like to go to many more countries too. greece, australia, and ireland are at the top of the list.
4. i've been to about half of the states in our country.... most have been visited since i was married. it seems that my family doesn't get out much. ;)
5. all of my jobs have either been kid related (babysitting, safety town, latchkey) or retail. i actually went back and forth. first babysitting/safety town, then kMaRt, then latchkey, then another retailer- united art and ed. i couldn't really say which is better. surprising, huh? let's just say they both have their down sides and leave it at that. ;)
6. i actually like sports. i enjoy watching football and hockey especially. baseball is good- but only if you are there, i can't watch it on tv. interestingly i don't care for basketball. hmmmm......
7. i love flowers but don't like it when people send them to me. they just die so darn fast and it seems such a waste of money. i prefer my flowers still attached to the plant. it is one thing i spend too much money on every spring- flowers for my gardens. :)
8. i'm an emotional eater. i eat because i feel bad, i eat cause i feel good. i don't have to be hungry to eat! being bored is a good enough reason some days. this is why i'm about 30 pounds overweight..... ok, i lost 7 pounds so far this year but i still weigh 157 pounds and at 5'3" that is just not healthy. i would love to be down to about 135, but with my eating patterns that seems like a pipe dream! ;)
9. i can't really watch movies anymore. it just seems like way too much time to invest. but i will sit in front of the computer for a couple of hours reading blogs.... what the hell is my problem?!?! ha!
10. i really enjoy spicy food. we don't eat spicy food at this house though. oh not because of the kids but because of my husband. he thinks big red gum is too hot!! what a wimp!! ;)
11. cheesecake is the world's greatest food. there is no exception. it is simply the most divine food there is!
12. i went back to work when bean was about 2 months old. i couldn't take the stress at home and needed OUT. i worked 2-3 nights a week until she was about 15 months old then stopped because then staying home wasn't so bad and going to work was becoming a hassle.
since sprout was born i have defintely wanted to get OUT again but this time there just isn't any place to go. so i suck it up and deal. because i'm the mommy and that's my job! ;)
there you have it. more crap about me. i promise the next post will be about the amazing sprout. promise.
oh also, i do promise to try to get some pictures up of my paintings. you all seem interested. i just need to dig something out and photograph it!
1. i graduated cum laude with a BFA in art history. what i EVER thought i would do with a degree in art history i don't know. i think i just picked a major based on what i liked/thought would be easy rather than what would get me a good job. hey, i'm book smart NOT street smart. ;)
this is also when i started saying "ya'll". hey, i went to school in the southern part of my state! (it is surprisingly southern down there!)
2. i was engaged for a short time to someone other than my husband. (i've made a lot of crazy mistakes in my life.... this was just one of the worst.)
3. i've been to 8 countries: canada, scotland, england, wales, bahamas, (england again!), france, germany, and austria.
i'd like to go to many more countries too. greece, australia, and ireland are at the top of the list.
4. i've been to about half of the states in our country.... most have been visited since i was married. it seems that my family doesn't get out much. ;)
5. all of my jobs have either been kid related (babysitting, safety town, latchkey) or retail. i actually went back and forth. first babysitting/safety town, then kMaRt, then latchkey, then another retailer- united art and ed. i couldn't really say which is better. surprising, huh? let's just say they both have their down sides and leave it at that. ;)
6. i actually like sports. i enjoy watching football and hockey especially. baseball is good- but only if you are there, i can't watch it on tv. interestingly i don't care for basketball. hmmmm......
7. i love flowers but don't like it when people send them to me. they just die so darn fast and it seems such a waste of money. i prefer my flowers still attached to the plant. it is one thing i spend too much money on every spring- flowers for my gardens. :)
8. i'm an emotional eater. i eat because i feel bad, i eat cause i feel good. i don't have to be hungry to eat! being bored is a good enough reason some days. this is why i'm about 30 pounds overweight..... ok, i lost 7 pounds so far this year but i still weigh 157 pounds and at 5'3" that is just not healthy. i would love to be down to about 135, but with my eating patterns that seems like a pipe dream! ;)
9. i can't really watch movies anymore. it just seems like way too much time to invest. but i will sit in front of the computer for a couple of hours reading blogs.... what the hell is my problem?!?! ha!
10. i really enjoy spicy food. we don't eat spicy food at this house though. oh not because of the kids but because of my husband. he thinks big red gum is too hot!! what a wimp!! ;)
11. cheesecake is the world's greatest food. there is no exception. it is simply the most divine food there is!
12. i went back to work when bean was about 2 months old. i couldn't take the stress at home and needed OUT. i worked 2-3 nights a week until she was about 15 months old then stopped because then staying home wasn't so bad and going to work was becoming a hassle.
since sprout was born i have defintely wanted to get OUT again but this time there just isn't any place to go. so i suck it up and deal. because i'm the mommy and that's my job! ;)
there you have it. more crap about me. i promise the next post will be about the amazing sprout. promise.
oh also, i do promise to try to get some pictures up of my paintings. you all seem interested. i just need to dig something out and photograph it!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
True Story
so, remember the tree thing? the tree that fell down and was laying on the power lines? and how i said i figured they would have to turn off the power to get the tree out and fix said lines? yeah.
i got the kids out the door to go to the library at around 10:10am. after library we were invited to a friend's house for lunch and a little play time. around 2:30ish we headed home. at home there is a large electrical truck and a tree service truck sitting in front of the house. uh-oh.
i push the button. the garage door doesn't open. damn, no power! i get out and go to the front door. i try to open it. the chain lock is on the door and i can't open it. ditto the back door. the only unlocked door is inside the garage, where i clearly can't go. i am locked out. (if you listen closely you might hear my muttered swears. @%*$#&! tree!!!)
thank goodness we have a friend that lives in our neighborhood who is a stay at home dad/babysitter. we hung out with them until daddy came home. then we had to go out to eat because there was still no power. then we went to the mall because there was still no power. finally at around 7pm they got it back on.
so lessons learned.... 1) if you think that they might have to shut your power off for any reason don't engage the chain locks on all your doors, it just makes you swear later. 2) having your kids out of the house from 10:10am until 7:15pm makes for extremely tired and cranky kids.... and adults. one should really try to avoid this at all cost. 3) mall food courts are wonderful places to feed over tired babies. i mean just look at this kid...
you'd never know he was having a meltdown just minutes before. he loves the food court! long live the food court!! ;) and of course 4) it is very important to have a friend that lives nearby. very important indeed!
i got the kids out the door to go to the library at around 10:10am. after library we were invited to a friend's house for lunch and a little play time. around 2:30ish we headed home. at home there is a large electrical truck and a tree service truck sitting in front of the house. uh-oh.
i push the button. the garage door doesn't open. damn, no power! i get out and go to the front door. i try to open it. the chain lock is on the door and i can't open it. ditto the back door. the only unlocked door is inside the garage, where i clearly can't go. i am locked out. (if you listen closely you might hear my muttered swears. @%*$#&! tree!!!)
thank goodness we have a friend that lives in our neighborhood who is a stay at home dad/babysitter. we hung out with them until daddy came home. then we had to go out to eat because there was still no power. then we went to the mall because there was still no power. finally at around 7pm they got it back on.
so lessons learned.... 1) if you think that they might have to shut your power off for any reason don't engage the chain locks on all your doors, it just makes you swear later. 2) having your kids out of the house from 10:10am until 7:15pm makes for extremely tired and cranky kids.... and adults. one should really try to avoid this at all cost. 3) mall food courts are wonderful places to feed over tired babies. i mean just look at this kid...
you'd never know he was having a meltdown just minutes before. he loves the food court! long live the food court!! ;) and of course 4) it is very important to have a friend that lives nearby. very important indeed!
Let's Be Thankful...
this is our neighbor's tree.
it has fallen on another neighbor's garage.... and the power lines.... ugh. (please don't shut off our power to fix them!!! i know, they will probably have to. sigh.)
if it had fallen the opposite direction it would have been on our house.... right on bean's bedroom.
our fence is kinda damaged but we will take that over a damaged house (and possibly damaged child).
we are very thankful.
damn you wind! we have had enough of your fury this past 6 months. go bother someone else for a change!!!
hope everyone else who had to deal with this wind is safe, has power, and is doing well.
:)
it has fallen on another neighbor's garage.... and the power lines.... ugh. (please don't shut off our power to fix them!!! i know, they will probably have to. sigh.)if it had fallen the opposite direction it would have been on our house.... right on bean's bedroom.
our fence is kinda damaged but we will take that over a damaged house (and possibly damaged child). we are very thankful.
damn you wind! we have had enough of your fury this past 6 months. go bother someone else for a change!!!hope everyone else who had to deal with this wind is safe, has power, and is doing well.
:)
Monday, February 09, 2009
Best Shots?
these two pictures are so bad. the first one actually makes my eyes hurt a little- it is that out of focus. but the subject matter is so good that i have to keep these pictures. i simply HAVE to.
this first shot is of sprout. i was attempting to take a picture of him in his way cool ac/dc t-shirt but at this moment he decided that he was coming to get mama (or at least her camera!). this is him taking the chance, being brave, letting go and WALKING to his MAMA!
and if you have the beginning you sure as heck need to have the end! so here is his arrival, his victory, his... well, collapse. he made it to mama. he went 6 whole steps to make it to mama's arms... err, camera. (the boy has a thing about trying to take my camera, what can i say?)
look out world, here comes sprout!!!
these are my "best shots" because, even though they are pretty bad, they are so gosh darn good. ;)
this first shot is of sprout. i was attempting to take a picture of him in his way cool ac/dc t-shirt but at this moment he decided that he was coming to get mama (or at least her camera!). this is him taking the chance, being brave, letting go and WALKING to his MAMA!
and if you have the beginning you sure as heck need to have the end! so here is his arrival, his victory, his... well, collapse. he made it to mama. he went 6 whole steps to make it to mama's arms... err, camera. (the boy has a thing about trying to take my camera, what can i say?)
look out world, here comes sprout!!!these are my "best shots" because, even though they are pretty bad, they are so gosh darn good. ;)
Friday, February 06, 2009
All About Me....
i realized that, along with rarely mentioning my beloved pup, i never really say anything about myself. mostly because this blog started out as a way for family and friends to see what bean was up to. but since other people read this drivel too, maybe they would like to know a little about the unstable person who writes this. ;)
so here are a dozen things about me... in no particular order.
1. fall is my favorite season, followed closely by spring. spring would be my favorite season if it wasn't for all the rain (i love flowers!!). winter and then summer follow. yes, you heard correctly, summer is my least favorite season. i HATE being hot. HATE IT.
2. i'm a tea person. i love it. hot, iced, sweetened, unsweetened, black, green, herbal- i love it. it is just yum-yum-yummy! i hate to say it coffee people- but as lovely as coffee smells it tastes like butt! ;)
3. i paint... ok, i used to paint. i have about 10 unfinished canvases down by my easel right now. the last time i painted was before bean was born! sad. but it is hard to find time to do those kind of things when you have kids. i do have one painting of mine hanging in my house- in the bathroom. ha!
i did paint murals on the playroom walls for the kids though....
4. i'm a bird watcher. i know it sounds lame to a lot of people but i enjoy it. birds are really beautiful and it can be really exciting to see a bird you have never seen before. sadly this doesn't get done often either. little kids are just too darn noisy and i get so little time alone....
5. i read- a lot. i LOVE to read. i mostly read mysteries but i read all sorts of other stuff too. this is one thing that kids have not interfered with too much. (this can be done while they are in bed!) i'm always on the look out for good books- suggestions anyone??
6. i'm a shower person. (as much as i would like to enjoy a relaxing bath i just can't. there is something about a bath that is just unappealing to me. i can't explain it.) the hotter the better. when i'm done the room is full of steam. my husband thinks i'm going to scald myself.
7. i'm not a make-up person. i hate to wear it. i know i would probably look better if i used it but golly it takes time and you need to know how it put it on and what colors to use and geez that is just too much work. i feel the same way about fashion. what is wrong with jeans and a t-shirt anyways!
8. i'm terrible at cleaning house. i can't think of a chore that i even sorta enjoy. my house is usually a pit. i guess i'm just terribly lazy- but i try to pretend it is because i spend so much quality time with my kids though.
9. i love nature but DON'T like the idea of camping at all. i don't like the idea of sleeping and going to the bathroom outside. beds and toilets and showers are necessities in my life. pathetic but true. (honestly, i have a terrible time sleeping anywhere but my own bed. so if i'm not home i'm not fully rested.... wait, i haven't been fully rested in years. but, kids have a way of doing that to you too, don't they!)
10. i'm TOTALLY done having kids. the two i've got keep my hands FULL. and to be honest i'm not all that crazy about the newborn/infant stage. i'm SO happy that i'm all done with that. i find i like children much better when they are at about sprout's developmental stage. so much more fun and rewarding! i like being able to do stuff with them- crafts, games, outdoor activities- and that doesn't happen until they are older.
11. i've always wanted to write a book. this requires both time (of which i have none) and a subject matter (which i also don't have) so don't look for my name at the bookstore anytime soon.
12. i like to cook. i'm not real good at it and i'm not able to make anything too exciting (because my husband is a SUPER picky eater) but i do enjoy doing it. i really dislike the cleaning up part though. ugh.
if anyone has any super easy, my kids will eat it and they love it, no weird ingredient recipes they would like to share, i'm all ears! :)
there you have it, a dozen things about me. if you want to know anything else, just ask. i'm home, bored, with two sick kids- and have been for the past 5 days. help keep me from losing my mind!
what's that?
you say that's already happened?
damn! i think you are right.
so here are a dozen things about me... in no particular order.
1. fall is my favorite season, followed closely by spring. spring would be my favorite season if it wasn't for all the rain (i love flowers!!). winter and then summer follow. yes, you heard correctly, summer is my least favorite season. i HATE being hot. HATE IT.
2. i'm a tea person. i love it. hot, iced, sweetened, unsweetened, black, green, herbal- i love it. it is just yum-yum-yummy! i hate to say it coffee people- but as lovely as coffee smells it tastes like butt! ;)
3. i paint... ok, i used to paint. i have about 10 unfinished canvases down by my easel right now. the last time i painted was before bean was born! sad. but it is hard to find time to do those kind of things when you have kids. i do have one painting of mine hanging in my house- in the bathroom. ha!
i did paint murals on the playroom walls for the kids though....
4. i'm a bird watcher. i know it sounds lame to a lot of people but i enjoy it. birds are really beautiful and it can be really exciting to see a bird you have never seen before. sadly this doesn't get done often either. little kids are just too darn noisy and i get so little time alone....
5. i read- a lot. i LOVE to read. i mostly read mysteries but i read all sorts of other stuff too. this is one thing that kids have not interfered with too much. (this can be done while they are in bed!) i'm always on the look out for good books- suggestions anyone??
6. i'm a shower person. (as much as i would like to enjoy a relaxing bath i just can't. there is something about a bath that is just unappealing to me. i can't explain it.) the hotter the better. when i'm done the room is full of steam. my husband thinks i'm going to scald myself.
7. i'm not a make-up person. i hate to wear it. i know i would probably look better if i used it but golly it takes time and you need to know how it put it on and what colors to use and geez that is just too much work. i feel the same way about fashion. what is wrong with jeans and a t-shirt anyways!
8. i'm terrible at cleaning house. i can't think of a chore that i even sorta enjoy. my house is usually a pit. i guess i'm just terribly lazy- but i try to pretend it is because i spend so much quality time with my kids though.
9. i love nature but DON'T like the idea of camping at all. i don't like the idea of sleeping and going to the bathroom outside. beds and toilets and showers are necessities in my life. pathetic but true. (honestly, i have a terrible time sleeping anywhere but my own bed. so if i'm not home i'm not fully rested.... wait, i haven't been fully rested in years. but, kids have a way of doing that to you too, don't they!)
10. i'm TOTALLY done having kids. the two i've got keep my hands FULL. and to be honest i'm not all that crazy about the newborn/infant stage. i'm SO happy that i'm all done with that. i find i like children much better when they are at about sprout's developmental stage. so much more fun and rewarding! i like being able to do stuff with them- crafts, games, outdoor activities- and that doesn't happen until they are older.
11. i've always wanted to write a book. this requires both time (of which i have none) and a subject matter (which i also don't have) so don't look for my name at the bookstore anytime soon.
12. i like to cook. i'm not real good at it and i'm not able to make anything too exciting (because my husband is a SUPER picky eater) but i do enjoy doing it. i really dislike the cleaning up part though. ugh.
if anyone has any super easy, my kids will eat it and they love it, no weird ingredient recipes they would like to share, i'm all ears! :)
there you have it, a dozen things about me. if you want to know anything else, just ask. i'm home, bored, with two sick kids- and have been for the past 5 days. help keep me from losing my mind!
what's that?
you say that's already happened?
damn! i think you are right.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Best Shot Monday
i nearly never talk about the magpie. that is kinda sad seeing as she was my very first "baby". even though she drives me up the gosh darn wall most days i love her to death. i remember when i had my miscarriage. she got up in bed with me and nestled herself right up against me in what we refer to as "ball form". she never moved. she seemed to know that i needed someone and even though she couldn't speak her gesture spoke volumes. it strengthened our bond.
she is a sweet animal but she has never really taken to bean. she tolerates bean and she would definitely protect bean BUT she sees bean as the little person who took her place. apparently animals can hold grudges too! she seems to be much more interested and tolerant of sprout. he can actually tug on her without getting a warning growl! maybe she is softening up in her old age?
magpie will be 7 in a couple of weeks. 7 years old. that is when dogs are considered "senior citizens". it is kinda scary to think that in just a couple of years magpie could be gone. that is the worst thing about dogs- their life span is shorter than ours. so, this year i'm making sure to spend the "good time" with the magpie. there will be more walks, more playing, more petting and snuggling. and what the heck, more treats too. after all, i have no idea how much time we have left.
she looks a little old and sad in these pictures but i assure you that she's not. she just is a little annoyed that i'm disturbing her nap- her 4 hour nap. (oh to be a dog and have your job description say that you need to take several multi-hour naps a day!!)
these are my best shots this week. what are yours of?? :)
she is a sweet animal but she has never really taken to bean. she tolerates bean and she would definitely protect bean BUT she sees bean as the little person who took her place. apparently animals can hold grudges too! she seems to be much more interested and tolerant of sprout. he can actually tug on her without getting a warning growl! maybe she is softening up in her old age?
magpie will be 7 in a couple of weeks. 7 years old. that is when dogs are considered "senior citizens". it is kinda scary to think that in just a couple of years magpie could be gone. that is the worst thing about dogs- their life span is shorter than ours. so, this year i'm making sure to spend the "good time" with the magpie. there will be more walks, more playing, more petting and snuggling. and what the heck, more treats too. after all, i have no idea how much time we have left.
she looks a little old and sad in these pictures but i assure you that she's not. she just is a little annoyed that i'm disturbing her nap- her 4 hour nap. (oh to be a dog and have your job description say that you need to take several multi-hour naps a day!!)
these are my best shots this week. what are yours of?? :)
Oh That Bean!
ok, so i haven't talked much about my darling daughter lately, have i? well.... she is good and, um, three. one of her "things" right now is that she doesn't particularly want her picture taken and when she does allow you to you get all these weird ass faces. BUT of course she loves taking her own picture and does it quite often. (i really need to get some of these off her camera to share with you all some time.)
****
so, here is a little beanism for you. yep, we still have them they just are fewer and farther between now- at least the really good ones are. ;)
we are driving down the road. she asks, "how is your hand on your arm?"
i ask, "excuse me??"
"how is it attached to your arm?" she replies (with that "duh mom" voice that she uses when she thinks she is being perfectly clear.)
"oh, by your bones honey. all your bones are connected together," i say. (simple is ALWAYS best- less chance of additional impossible to answer questions.)
"hmm. i wish it could come off..... i wish my hand was on my face. then i could pick things up with my face!" she declares with excitement.
wha- huh?!?!
(i have to stiffle my laughter because, oh my goodness why on earth would you want a hand coming out of your face?!? i can't even look at my husband because he is shaking with giggles.)
"that would be interesting," i say "but i think that might look kinda funny. don't you?"
she sits and thinks for a moment and kinda chuckles to herself. "yeah, i don't think i want a hand on my face now."
ha!! i really wonder what makes her think up these things sometimes!
****
here is one of the only decent pictures i've gotten of her in the past week.
still as cute as ever. still as ornery as ever. still bossy, loving, hostile, adoring and ridiculous as ever too. she can throw a temper at the drop of a hat- you won't even know what hit you. she also spontaneously gushes with love and sweetness. she is very smart but doesn't always want to show it. and even though some days i'd like to throw her out the window, i guess we will keep her. after all, who would make us laugh if she was gone?? :)
****so, here is a little beanism for you. yep, we still have them they just are fewer and farther between now- at least the really good ones are. ;)
we are driving down the road. she asks, "how is your hand on your arm?"
i ask, "excuse me??"
"how is it attached to your arm?" she replies (with that "duh mom" voice that she uses when she thinks she is being perfectly clear.)
"oh, by your bones honey. all your bones are connected together," i say. (simple is ALWAYS best- less chance of additional impossible to answer questions.)
"hmm. i wish it could come off..... i wish my hand was on my face. then i could pick things up with my face!" she declares with excitement.
wha- huh?!?!
(i have to stiffle my laughter because, oh my goodness why on earth would you want a hand coming out of your face?!? i can't even look at my husband because he is shaking with giggles.)
"that would be interesting," i say "but i think that might look kinda funny. don't you?"
she sits and thinks for a moment and kinda chuckles to herself. "yeah, i don't think i want a hand on my face now."
ha!! i really wonder what makes her think up these things sometimes!
****
here is one of the only decent pictures i've gotten of her in the past week.
still as cute as ever. still as ornery as ever. still bossy, loving, hostile, adoring and ridiculous as ever too. she can throw a temper at the drop of a hat- you won't even know what hit you. she also spontaneously gushes with love and sweetness. she is very smart but doesn't always want to show it. and even though some days i'd like to throw her out the window, i guess we will keep her. after all, who would make us laugh if she was gone?? :)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Humpty Dumpty
guess who just fell down and split his lip open!
sigh. at least it is in a different spot this time.
sigh. at least it is in a different spot this time.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sprout's 9 Month Portraits
a couple of weeks ago sprout got his picture taken. he did better than i expected. the guy would take a few shots then sprout would turn and look at me. he'd look back at the photographer then turn and crawl to me as fast as he could. we just repeated this over and over until the session was done. we got some cute shots too. all the employees kept saying that how photogenic they thought he was. of course i agreed. :) here are some of the best shots...
and now i must go compose a post about bean because i feel like i haven't said very much about her lately. ooops!
awww what a cutie!!!
this one just cracks me the heck up!
mommy's little sweetie
and now i must go compose a post about bean because i feel like i haven't said very much about her lately. ooops!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Baby Steps
sprout really has his heart set on walking. he considers it more and more. you can tell by watching him that he really wants too but sometimes he chickens out. other times mommy strands him standing in the middle of the room and he has little choice....
as you can see my life will be completely changed VERY soon. my busy little boy is going to be even busier. sigh. i'm beginning to wonder if i will ever be able to relax again!
as you can see my life will be completely changed VERY soon. my busy little boy is going to be even busier. sigh. i'm beginning to wonder if i will ever be able to relax again!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ouchie!
well, sprout is totally on his way toward walking. the past couple of days have seen him attempt to take a step but when he lifts up his foot he leans forward which of course ends in him crashing to the ground. this has not made him give up however and last night we very nearly had an actual first step.
BUT these great milestones come with something attached- boo boos, owies, and ouchies. take exhibit one for example:
this is what happens when you cruise the furniture a little too fast. not sure what exactly happened but i'm assuming one of those new teeth of his split that lip open when he crashed face first into the ground. instant blood, instant fat lip. it was pretty nasty. i actually thought for a second that it may need stitches because the bleeding was pretty heavy and i was having a little trouble getting it stopped... but that may have been due to all the thrashing and slapping that sprout was doing. (yeah, he totally smacked me in the face while i was trying to help him out. can you believe it?!? HA!)
i love being home alone with two children when one decides to have blood pouring out of their face! good times, good times. when i was trying to clean sprout up (and prevent any more blood from getting on my light beige carpet) bean began to totally FREAK THE HECK OUT. she actually was crying and lamenting, "but who is going to take care of me". really? honestly? your brother is bleeding all over the place and you want to know who is going to take care of you?!?! oh the mind of a three year old is an interesting thing!
anyhoo, sprout totally did NOT want me to touch his face. he was screaming like some one was trying to kill him and all i was trying to do was apply slight pressure to stop the bleeding, for the love of pete! i finally got things under control- bleeding stopped, crying stopped, big sister's hysterical screaming stopped- and decided to take some pictures. i mean, we NEED fat lip pictures, am i right? i think that i am.
apparently sprout wanted to make sure he looked good in his bloodied pj's. this kid was shrieking 5 minutes ago and now he's laughing??? what is up with my kids? what are they trying to prove?
we took some day after pictures too. as you can see the "sprout pout" is looking a little more prominent that normal but other that that things are lookin' ok. i think it is a good look for him- little tough guy. he's totally got your back! ;)
so that is the story of sprouts first big injury. it is sure to be the first of many... probably thousands the way he barrels around now. and once the real walking starts- lord we are in BIG trouble!!
BUT these great milestones come with something attached- boo boos, owies, and ouchies. take exhibit one for example:
this is what happens when you cruise the furniture a little too fast. not sure what exactly happened but i'm assuming one of those new teeth of his split that lip open when he crashed face first into the ground. instant blood, instant fat lip. it was pretty nasty. i actually thought for a second that it may need stitches because the bleeding was pretty heavy and i was having a little trouble getting it stopped... but that may have been due to all the thrashing and slapping that sprout was doing. (yeah, he totally smacked me in the face while i was trying to help him out. can you believe it?!? HA!) i love being home alone with two children when one decides to have blood pouring out of their face! good times, good times. when i was trying to clean sprout up (and prevent any more blood from getting on my light beige carpet) bean began to totally FREAK THE HECK OUT. she actually was crying and lamenting, "but who is going to take care of me". really? honestly? your brother is bleeding all over the place and you want to know who is going to take care of you?!?! oh the mind of a three year old is an interesting thing!
anyhoo, sprout totally did NOT want me to touch his face. he was screaming like some one was trying to kill him and all i was trying to do was apply slight pressure to stop the bleeding, for the love of pete! i finally got things under control- bleeding stopped, crying stopped, big sister's hysterical screaming stopped- and decided to take some pictures. i mean, we NEED fat lip pictures, am i right? i think that i am.
apparently sprout wanted to make sure he looked good in his bloodied pj's. this kid was shrieking 5 minutes ago and now he's laughing??? what is up with my kids? what are they trying to prove?
we took some day after pictures too. as you can see the "sprout pout" is looking a little more prominent that normal but other that that things are lookin' ok. i think it is a good look for him- little tough guy. he's totally got your back! ;)
so that is the story of sprouts first big injury. it is sure to be the first of many... probably thousands the way he barrels around now. and once the real walking starts- lord we are in BIG trouble!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Best Shot Monday
this week we have the spaghetti edition of best shot monday! honestly they really aren't all that great. i haven't been taking many photos at all lately and editing almost none. i'm just not feelin' it i guess. but i do enjoy these shot and thus feel the need to share them. so, here we gooooooo!
when you are 9 months old, spaghetti is hard to eat.
it is hard to pick up!
it can cause more than a little frustration.
and when you are lucky enough to get a few pieces in your hand....
it is hard to get them into your mouth and even harder to get them to stay in there!!!
but when you are successful it is SO tasty!
and this last shot.... it really has nothing to do with the spaghetti BUT it is beyond funny. i dare you not to laugh!
don't worry little guy! your sister freaks me out sometimes too. ;)
have a good monday, ya'll. and stop by tracey's to see more best shots.
when you are 9 months old, spaghetti is hard to eat.
it is hard to pick up!
it can cause more than a little frustration.
and when you are lucky enough to get a few pieces in your hand....
it is hard to get them into your mouth and even harder to get them to stay in there!!!
but when you are successful it is SO tasty!
and this last shot.... it really has nothing to do with the spaghetti BUT it is beyond funny. i dare you not to laugh!
don't worry little guy! your sister freaks me out sometimes too. ;)have a good monday, ya'll. and stop by tracey's to see more best shots.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tag, Tag, Tiggity-Tag
my lovely friend christina tagged me. apparently she wants to see the 4th photo in the 4th folder on my computer.... hopefully you all do.
(thank goodness she didn't want me to post a picture of myself at the moment i read her blog. that would have been a sight!! thank you for not passing that tag christina!)
ok. here we go. fourth folder! fourth photo!
drum roll, please!
this is a shot of bean from october of 2005. she was 3 months old. her shirt is wet from drool- she was working on getting her first two teeth, but they wouldn't come in for another month or so. dang she was bald! i'd forgotten how "cue-ball-esque" she was. ;) but still a sweet little princess despite that lack of hair. (although she was ALWAYS called a boy by strangers. EVEN when she was wearing ALL pink for the love of pete! just cause a baby has no hair doesn't mean it's a boy people!)
thanks for taking this stroll down memory lane with me. i don't feel much like taggin' anyone but if you'd like to share your own fourth picture from your fourth folder let me know and i'll stop by and check it out. :)
(thank goodness she didn't want me to post a picture of myself at the moment i read her blog. that would have been a sight!! thank you for not passing that tag christina!)
ok. here we go. fourth folder! fourth photo!
drum roll, please!
ta da!
this is a shot of bean from october of 2005. she was 3 months old. her shirt is wet from drool- she was working on getting her first two teeth, but they wouldn't come in for another month or so. dang she was bald! i'd forgotten how "cue-ball-esque" she was. ;) but still a sweet little princess despite that lack of hair. (although she was ALWAYS called a boy by strangers. EVEN when she was wearing ALL pink for the love of pete! just cause a baby has no hair doesn't mean it's a boy people!)
thanks for taking this stroll down memory lane with me. i don't feel much like taggin' anyone but if you'd like to share your own fourth picture from your fourth folder let me know and i'll stop by and check it out. :)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Frozen
yesterday's low as very low. it got down to -9 degrees but it felt like -28 when you factored in the wind chill. this morning it isn't any warmer. it is actually colder some how. when i woke up it was -13 degrees. BURRRRR!
we have very bad windows in our house. they are original to our 1960's house- single pane aluminum frame. ughh! and most no longer have their storm windows either. thus our house is chilly. you can feel drafts of cold air if you stand in certain places. also, most of our windows have a sheet of ice on the inside of them. there are even icicles on the handles one uses to open these windows.
needless to say we are NOT going outside today. it is a huddle indoors and be thankful for central heating systems kinda day. and a day you pray all those less fortunate than us found a shelter to sleep in.
we have very bad windows in our house. they are original to our 1960's house- single pane aluminum frame. ughh! and most no longer have their storm windows either. thus our house is chilly. you can feel drafts of cold air if you stand in certain places. also, most of our windows have a sheet of ice on the inside of them. there are even icicles on the handles one uses to open these windows.
needless to say we are NOT going outside today. it is a huddle indoors and be thankful for central heating systems kinda day. and a day you pray all those less fortunate than us found a shelter to sleep in.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Day in the Snow
we had enough snow on the ground monday to make it worth our while to go out and play in it. bean was SO very excited to show sprout what snow was all about! she kept talking about snowballs and snow angels and snowmen and snow forts as we got everyone bundled up. sprout didn't have any boots so i put an old pair of bean's on him. they were 2-3 sizes too big and magenta with leopard print- i promised him no one would ever know he was wearing girl boots. guess i lied, huh? ;)
sprout hated his snow pants, hated the boots, hated the mittens, and he's really always disliked his coat and hat. so, it didn't start out on the best foot but we did make it out the door.
the magpie had a GREAT time!
the bean had a GREAT time!
the sprout was..... suspicious.
but then thought maybe it wasn't so bad.
then he tipped over (seems it is difficult to sit up when you are so thoroughly bundled). he didn't like that part so much.
the snow was not of the packable variety so the snowball, snowman, snow fort thing was out but bean did make several angels. she also smashed snow into sprout's face which of course he did NOT like. the explanation was that she wanted him to try the snow (she loves to eat it and wanted him too do the same). sigh.
next time we get a decent snow we are going to my sister's house to do some sledding. wonder what sprout will think of that? ;)
sprout hated his snow pants, hated the boots, hated the mittens, and he's really always disliked his coat and hat. so, it didn't start out on the best foot but we did make it out the door.
the magpie had a GREAT time!
the bean had a GREAT time!
the sprout was..... suspicious.
but then thought maybe it wasn't so bad.
then he tipped over (seems it is difficult to sit up when you are so thoroughly bundled). he didn't like that part so much.
the snow was not of the packable variety so the snowball, snowman, snow fort thing was out but bean did make several angels. she also smashed snow into sprout's face which of course he did NOT like. the explanation was that she wanted him to try the snow (she loves to eat it and wanted him too do the same). sigh.
next time we get a decent snow we are going to my sister's house to do some sledding. wonder what sprout will think of that? ;)
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