Someone is growing up entirely too quickly.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Confession
I am an unwilling cosleeper.
I didn't plan on it. Rowan never coslept. There was no lying down to feed him. I had to squeeze the milk into him, burp him multiple times for every feed, hold straight upright so it wouldn't come out through his nose... It was a labor intensive process.
And then I had to put him down and pump so I could do it all over again. There were times that he would be crying in his bassinet and I couldn't do much because I was pumping and was half dead on my feet and barely coping as it was.
And then there was Niall. He was SO EASY to feed. I learned to nurse lying down. I fell asleep. I woke up when he wanted to nurse again and I would roll over and give him the other side. I fell back asleep.
I finally booted him from my bed when he was 10 months old and a very greedy, rude sleeper.
I have fallen into that situation again. Eleri snuzzles up to me and I fall asleep while nursing her. She wants the other side, we move and do it all again. And I thought that I was going to try to move her into her side-carred crib.
yeah, right.
I put her in there the other night because she was meowing and smacking around, and I was tired. She meowed a little more and then just rolled over and went to sleep! By herself! Without nursing!
I thought victory was mine! I stretched out, luxurious under the blanket that I could pull all the way up to my shoulders and not have to worry about smothering my precious little baby. And I lay there. And lay there. And couldn't. fall. asleep.
Finally at about 12:30 I got her out of her crib and pulled her back into the bed with me. I nursed her a little since that woke her up, and then we both drifted off. I admit it. I didn't want this, but now I can't fall asleep without my living, breathing, little teddy bear. I have cold shoulders. I'll deal.
Thanks for all the comments on the state of the house vs. life. It's good to know that there are other people on the same page. And you know, it makes me wonder...
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we care so much that we rush around squirreling things away when we know someone is coming over? Why do we present a better face to the public than we present to our own families?
I think that this is something I need to work on. I think I need to have it nicer for my family and not worry so much about the guests. Maybe my friends are secretly glad to see the screwdriver on the mantle and the stack of whatever that is in the corner, because they have the same thing at home. I think I want to keep it a little nicer around here than it is today, and have that be the face that the world sees, too.
And then I really want to tackle my bedroom. It should be my sanctuary instead of being the catch all for what I'm hiding from the rest of the house.
I didn't plan on it. Rowan never coslept. There was no lying down to feed him. I had to squeeze the milk into him, burp him multiple times for every feed, hold straight upright so it wouldn't come out through his nose... It was a labor intensive process.
And then I had to put him down and pump so I could do it all over again. There were times that he would be crying in his bassinet and I couldn't do much because I was pumping and was half dead on my feet and barely coping as it was.
And then there was Niall. He was SO EASY to feed. I learned to nurse lying down. I fell asleep. I woke up when he wanted to nurse again and I would roll over and give him the other side. I fell back asleep.
I finally booted him from my bed when he was 10 months old and a very greedy, rude sleeper.
I have fallen into that situation again. Eleri snuzzles up to me and I fall asleep while nursing her. She wants the other side, we move and do it all again. And I thought that I was going to try to move her into her side-carred crib.
yeah, right.
I put her in there the other night because she was meowing and smacking around, and I was tired. She meowed a little more and then just rolled over and went to sleep! By herself! Without nursing!
I thought victory was mine! I stretched out, luxurious under the blanket that I could pull all the way up to my shoulders and not have to worry about smothering my precious little baby. And I lay there. And lay there. And couldn't. fall. asleep.
Finally at about 12:30 I got her out of her crib and pulled her back into the bed with me. I nursed her a little since that woke her up, and then we both drifted off. I admit it. I didn't want this, but now I can't fall asleep without my living, breathing, little teddy bear. I have cold shoulders. I'll deal.
Thanks for all the comments on the state of the house vs. life. It's good to know that there are other people on the same page. And you know, it makes me wonder...
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we care so much that we rush around squirreling things away when we know someone is coming over? Why do we present a better face to the public than we present to our own families?
I think that this is something I need to work on. I think I need to have it nicer for my family and not worry so much about the guests. Maybe my friends are secretly glad to see the screwdriver on the mantle and the stack of whatever that is in the corner, because they have the same thing at home. I think I want to keep it a little nicer around here than it is today, and have that be the face that the world sees, too.
And then I really want to tackle my bedroom. It should be my sanctuary instead of being the catch all for what I'm hiding from the rest of the house.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Does it count if the fruit/veggie portion of my lunch is salsa?
You bet it does. That means I'm eating.
You see, that's one of the things about being here at home. Some days, most days, I'm just pulled in so many different directions that I forget what it is I'm supposed to be doing. Like feeding myself.
Most days I feel like I didn't get anything done at all.
Some days I spend forever doing a simple thing like changing the look of this blog, and suddenly it's 2pm. The kids have been fed etc and are napping, but what happened to me in all of that?
I'll tell you what happened. I'm still in my jammy pants. That's what happened.
I'm sure most moms are like this. I have the kids, the house, the laundry, the food, editing, cleftadvocate, soggy granola, the birth defects board at babycenter, real physical people here in town, the list goes on and on and I really should have cleaned the carpets this weekend but the carpet machine is sitting by the ironing board in the kitchen right where it's been sitting all week.
And none of it (aside from making sure everyone is fed and reasonably sanitary) is VITAL. It's all just... stuff. The stuff I do. The bits and pieces of things that make up what I've ended up doing with my life. It will get done, eventually, and until then...
Sometimes I think that I should be one of those people who has the sparkling house. Everything has a place and everything in it. But then would I take a whole day to make a blog prettier because I wanted to? Would I go edit fanfiction for people that I don't actually know in real life because it helps both of us learn in the process? Would I pop in on a forum several times a day just to see what's going on?
I think I'd be lonely.
And so here I am. Pulled in however many directions, but getting some of it done. Sometimes.
You see, that's one of the things about being here at home. Some days, most days, I'm just pulled in so many different directions that I forget what it is I'm supposed to be doing. Like feeding myself.
Most days I feel like I didn't get anything done at all.
Some days I spend forever doing a simple thing like changing the look of this blog, and suddenly it's 2pm. The kids have been fed etc and are napping, but what happened to me in all of that?
I'll tell you what happened. I'm still in my jammy pants. That's what happened.
I'm sure most moms are like this. I have the kids, the house, the laundry, the food, editing, cleftadvocate, soggy granola, the birth defects board at babycenter, real physical people here in town, the list goes on and on and I really should have cleaned the carpets this weekend but the carpet machine is sitting by the ironing board in the kitchen right where it's been sitting all week.
And none of it (aside from making sure everyone is fed and reasonably sanitary) is VITAL. It's all just... stuff. The stuff I do. The bits and pieces of things that make up what I've ended up doing with my life. It will get done, eventually, and until then...
Sometimes I think that I should be one of those people who has the sparkling house. Everything has a place and everything in it. But then would I take a whole day to make a blog prettier because I wanted to? Would I go edit fanfiction for people that I don't actually know in real life because it helps both of us learn in the process? Would I pop in on a forum several times a day just to see what's going on?
I think I'd be lonely.
And so here I am. Pulled in however many directions, but getting some of it done. Sometimes.
fiddling again
I'm going to be fiddling with the look of this thing again. So if it looks screwy, it's not you. It's me.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Walky bike
Okay! This is Niall on his walky bike. What's a walky bike? It's what we call a balance bike. In this case - a 12" bike that has had pedals, chain and guard, and whatever else removed.
The theory is that a child will learn to balance better if they use their feet to push them along instead of using training wheels. The bike has to be low enough to do this comfortably, and once they get going fast enough a kid will raise their feet and balance without paying too much attention - it just comes naturally.
It worked great for Rowan, and it's working again. Not bad for a bike that we got for free from the neighbors! So here's the Friday Flick that was supposed to happen while the laptop was in the shop.
The theory is that a child will learn to balance better if they use their feet to push them along instead of using training wheels. The bike has to be low enough to do this comfortably, and once they get going fast enough a kid will raise their feet and balance without paying too much attention - it just comes naturally.
It worked great for Rowan, and it's working again. Not bad for a bike that we got for free from the neighbors! So here's the Friday Flick that was supposed to happen while the laptop was in the shop.
it's back
The laptop is home again. We're getting reaquainted. And I haven't been sleeping well lately, so my brain is oatmeal. I'm trying to upload some video now. Stay tuned.
Friday, March 27, 2009
be advised
the computer is flodging. I'm trying to upload video but it may die.
Taking it in today, so it might be a while before there's a new update.
Taking it in today, so it might be a while before there's a new update.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
behind my time
I have not updated. Yes. I know. Exciting times here chez sweet tea...
Rowan is on track break still. Eleri will be baptised on Saturday, and Niall is getting better at riding his walky bike.
And today.... today we have achieved pigtails. Click the picture to make it bigger.
Rowan is on track break still. Eleri will be baptised on Saturday, and Niall is getting better at riding his walky bike.
And today.... today we have achieved pigtails. Click the picture to make it bigger.
Friday, March 20, 2009
brainworm, the good kind
I woke up with a hymn running through my mind, and I couldn't remember the words.
Google is awesome, though. And I found the whole thing just by putting in the one phrase that I remembered. So I'm putting it here so I can find it easily when I want it. It's called Will You Let Me Be Your Servant.
Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
Google is awesome, though. And I found the whole thing just by putting in the one phrase that I remembered. So I'm putting it here so I can find it easily when I want it. It's called Will You Let Me Be Your Servant.
Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey; we are trav’lers on the road.
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I'll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow till we've seen this journey through.
When we sing to god in heaven, we shall find such harmony,
born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.
Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
Friday Flick!
This makes me laugh EVERY SINGLE TIME!
Thank you very much. We're here all night.
Be sure to tip your server.
Thank you very much. We're here all night.
Be sure to tip your server.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Welcome to the office Ms. Pixie
We're so pleased to have you on our team. Here is your desk.
I expect it will meet your needs perfectly. It's the same one your brothers used when they worked for us. How are they doing these days? Good? I'm so glad to hear it!
I'm sure you're anxious to get to work, so I'll get out of your way. Remember to look over the memo. We have a new cover sheet for the TPS reports.
You're a little young to be joining our team, but you seem to be enjoying the office environment. You'll be working on a limited basis until you learn the ropes. We'll decide further on your performance review next month.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
lunchtime tip
Heat the spaghetti-o's in a big pyrex measuring cup.
Then you can pour it right into the bowls. No big spoon needed.
Ya, it's been that kind of day.
Then you can pour it right into the bowls. No big spoon needed.
Ya, it's been that kind of day.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Maireann croà éadrom i bhfad.
That means something like the lighter heart lives the longest.
That's what I'm going for anyway.
Happy St. Pat's! I'm going to try to get back into the blog groove again. I got out of the habit during our visit to SC.
That's what I'm going for anyway.
Happy St. Pat's! I'm going to try to get back into the blog groove again. I got out of the habit during our visit to SC.
We started the day with an old family tradition. Green Cream of Wheat! I told Rowan that it's only green one day out of the year. It's magic! He wants to have it again tomorrow to see what color it turns on regular days.
Niall wasn't nearly as enchanted. This may be he only bite of it that he took. Someone needs to recognize the magic of the green bowl o' wheat. Sláinte!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Hi
We're home from SC. I took lots of pics. They'll be on snapfish soon.
And no, I don't update the blog when I'm down there. Too busy! Too much to see and do!
But we're home now, so I'll be back at it.
Just to tide you over:
And no, I don't update the blog when I'm down there. Too busy! Too much to see and do!
But we're home now, so I'll be back at it.
Just to tide you over:
Friday, March 06, 2009
So... MOTY moment
Some days you just chase your tail.
Yesterday was Eleri's well visit for 4 months old. She's doing great! 13lbs 9oz, growing, thriving, prevacid is working, yay yay yay.
Niall woke up with a puffy eye. So, when I got to the doc's office I asked them if we could piggyback a check on him with our visit. Yes. So score for us!
We didn't know if he had something in there, or if he was trying to get pink eye, or what... so Dr. A put some contrast stuff in there and shined a black light in his eye to see.
Are you picturing this? Imagine how easy it was to get him to cooperate. Just imagine.
So is it any wonder that I forgot that it was early release day at school?
I got a call at about 12:20, "Mrs. D, did you forget that it's early release day? I have Rowan waiting for you in the office." D'oh!
I tore around, getting Niall up from his nap (he hadn't gone to sleep yet), getting Eleri out of her swing (she was very asleep and didn't enjoy the waking), slamming the door, buckling in carseats, getting my keys caught in the carseat buckles...
School is only about 1.5 miles away... but still... I forgot my KID.
Rowan was sitting there on the floor of the office, with the 3 other children who were also waiting for forgetful parents. He thought it was funny. The office staff were very understanding. Eleri's hair glossed over any disapproval. Rowan told me that maybe I needed more coffee.
So ya. Some days I don't blog. And now you know why.
Oh, and Niall's eye? nothing was in it. We have drops because he thought it was the beginning of pink eye. I get to put them in BOTH eyes, 3 times a day. JOY.
Yesterday was Eleri's well visit for 4 months old. She's doing great! 13lbs 9oz, growing, thriving, prevacid is working, yay yay yay.
Niall woke up with a puffy eye. So, when I got to the doc's office I asked them if we could piggyback a check on him with our visit. Yes. So score for us!
We didn't know if he had something in there, or if he was trying to get pink eye, or what... so Dr. A put some contrast stuff in there and shined a black light in his eye to see.
Are you picturing this? Imagine how easy it was to get him to cooperate. Just imagine.
So is it any wonder that I forgot that it was early release day at school?
I got a call at about 12:20, "Mrs. D, did you forget that it's early release day? I have Rowan waiting for you in the office." D'oh!
I tore around, getting Niall up from his nap (he hadn't gone to sleep yet), getting Eleri out of her swing (she was very asleep and didn't enjoy the waking), slamming the door, buckling in carseats, getting my keys caught in the carseat buckles...
School is only about 1.5 miles away... but still... I forgot my KID.
Rowan was sitting there on the floor of the office, with the 3 other children who were also waiting for forgetful parents. He thought it was funny. The office staff were very understanding. Eleri's hair glossed over any disapproval. Rowan told me that maybe I needed more coffee.
So ya. Some days I don't blog. And now you know why.
Oh, and Niall's eye? nothing was in it. We have drops because he thought it was the beginning of pink eye. I get to put them in BOTH eyes, 3 times a day. JOY.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Proof they love each other
We've been having bed time issues for a while now. They are boys. Sleeping is lame. It's more fun to jump off the bunk bed and fight and yell and carry on.
Last night, I had a plan. IF Rowan was trying to go to sleep and Niall was pestering, I was going to let Rowan lie down in our bed to fall asleep there. We could move him later.
It would be easier to move Niall, since he's on the bottom bunk, but Niall is not to be trusted in our room.
BUT, last night, Rowan was part of the problem. So John threatened. It didn't work. (It never does.) Then I went back there. I made Rowan go into the playroom. He got to have his pillow and blanket and he had to lay on the floor. (Again, can't make Niall go in the playroom. He'd just turn on the lights and start playing unless I sat right there with him. I have no desire to do this by the end of the day.)
awwwww
Last night, I had a plan. IF Rowan was trying to go to sleep and Niall was pestering, I was going to let Rowan lie down in our bed to fall asleep there. We could move him later.
It would be easier to move Niall, since he's on the bottom bunk, but Niall is not to be trusted in our room.
BUT, last night, Rowan was part of the problem. So John threatened. It didn't work. (It never does.) Then I went back there. I made Rowan go into the playroom. He got to have his pillow and blanket and he had to lay on the floor. (Again, can't make Niall go in the playroom. He'd just turn on the lights and start playing unless I sat right there with him. I have no desire to do this by the end of the day.)
How to prove they love each other
1. Separate fighting children
2. Forbid them from being near each other
3. Ignore the small noises you hear from them trying to sneak to be together. (If they think they have to be quiet to get away with something, they are extra quiet.)
3. Ignore the small noises you hear from them trying to sneak to be together. (If they think they have to be quiet to get away with something, they are extra quiet.)
awwwww
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Why NC is awesome
If you don't like the weather, just wait a few days. It will change. Today it's 36. I'm not going to Target because it's cold out there. But that's ok. If I wait and go on Thurs it will be 60.
It won't be this nice in the summer, when my choices will probably be a range of 90 something. But hey, snow one weekend and grilling out the next? I can do that.
It won't be this nice in the summer, when my choices will probably be a range of 90 something. But hey, snow one weekend and grilling out the next? I can do that.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Yeah. riiiiiight...
You all know that I'm a stay at home mom, right?
Well, someone needs to inform the Biltmore Who's Who. Apparently I've been "recently chosen as a potential candidate to represent the professional and business community of [your town], North Carolina, in the Biltmore 2009 Honors Edition of Who's Who Among Executives and Professional Women.
The Publishing Committee selected [me] as a potential candidate, based upon [my] current standing as well as criteria from executive and professional rosters. Given [my] background, the Publishing Director believes [my] profile would make a fitting addition to [their] Honors Edition publication."
Really? *cough* Excuse me. I think I must have swallowed wrong. or something...
There's no cost to be listed. We'll just have confirmation of your mailing address, that's all. So we can solicit you to buy the Who's Who book. The Honors edition. It's chock full of other putzes who fell for this gag. And you can be listed right there with them! We don't want anything from you, really. Nothing at all...
Well, someone needs to inform the Biltmore Who's Who. Apparently I've been "recently chosen as a potential candidate to represent the professional and business community of [your town], North Carolina, in the Biltmore 2009 Honors Edition of Who's Who Among Executives and Professional Women.
The Publishing Committee selected [me] as a potential candidate, based upon [my] current standing as well as criteria from executive and professional rosters. Given [my] background, the Publishing Director believes [my] profile would make a fitting addition to [their] Honors Edition publication."
Really? *cough* Excuse me. I think I must have swallowed wrong. or something...
There's no cost to be listed. We'll just have confirmation of your mailing address, that's all. So we can solicit you to buy the Who's Who book. The Honors edition. It's chock full of other putzes who fell for this gag. And you can be listed right there with them! We don't want anything from you, really. Nothing at all...
4 months old
Yes, it snowed here today, but not as much as we got earlier this season. I took a couple of pics, but Eleri and I opted to stay inside and look through the window. I had this post planned for today anwyay.
Eleri turned 4 months old on Friday! It's hard to believe she's that old already, and harder to believe that she wasn't always with us. What did we do before we had this sweet little girl? I said that about both the boys too. :) What on earth did I do before I had kids?
So anyway here are a couple of shots from her 4 month old photo shoot. The rest of the pictures for the month of Feb can be found here. Why yes! I am working on being on the ball again. How did you guess?
Eleri turned 4 months old on Friday! It's hard to believe she's that old already, and harder to believe that she wasn't always with us. What did we do before we had this sweet little girl? I said that about both the boys too. :) What on earth did I do before I had kids?
So anyway here are a couple of shots from her 4 month old photo shoot. The rest of the pictures for the month of Feb can be found here. Why yes! I am working on being on the ball again. How did you guess?
She started out the day in this outfit. So cute! I had her in a sposie diaper because I didn't want to fiddle with tights and a diaper/cover combo. Bad choice. Of course she had a poo, and of course it went right up the back. Why do I even bother? That never happens in her sandies. *sigh* So out of the pretty little dress for the rest of the pictures.
I love her expression in that last picture.
Her 4 months ped visit is on Thurs. I have a feeling we're going to ditch the prevacid for prilosec. It's just not quite doing the job for her. Poor baby.
Her 4 months ped visit is on Thurs. I have a feeling we're going to ditch the prevacid for prilosec. It's just not quite doing the job for her. Poor baby.
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