Today I have spent the afternoon rearranging toys/rooms/throwing out MORE trash (didn't think it was possible)...and thanks to my labor, Noah is now MOVED OUT of our bedroom!!! YEEEAAAHHHHH!!!!!
Wait.
I can't get too excited yet.
Because this also starts the first night of letting the little booger cry-it-out.
Oh boy.
Oh - and Jason doesn't know it yet. Hehe. He doesn't know I've chosen tonight as "the night". :)
But I've always been one to suffer through the pain, able to see the benefit...I don't mind shots - they make me better/I don't mind labor/delivery - it brings me a boy (yes - convinced it just isn't bringing a girl!).
So I'll keep ya posted.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What's For Dinner??
I found out the other night that one of my husband's most favorite things about marriage is indeed one of my least favorites. I know. Great realization to stumble upon now going strong in our third year. Don't worry - nothing to get our britches in a wad or cause a mini war over - I just found it ironic since this very thing has for some reason, been the topic amongst conversation at weekly "mother" gatherings and the previous morning Bible study.
What is it, you ask?
Jason told me the other night that he is thankful he never has to worry or decide about dinner anymore and labeled it as one of his favorite things of marriage.
Fantastic. This is - most likely - the number one thing that stresses me out and that I have found to definitely NOT BE a strength. Thankfully, I have discovered strengths in other areas of home-making (my new full-time job - and loving it!), such as keeping the house clean (and YES, this includes keeping up with the laundry!), but deciding menus, gathering ingredients, cooking them all into a concoction that then my taste good (the key, of course) - STRESSES ME OUT. You see, I am an oddity that can eat the same thing for each meal for a year before I get sick of it and trade them out for the following year. For example, I can eat oatmeal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and a lean cuisine for dinner EVERY DAY for about 360 consecutively. Obviously, this requires little planning and a darn easy shopping list, all the while eliminating all stresses. That's why when Jason wanted to do the Special-K diet last summer I gave an enthusiastic "YES!!!". Super easy. No stress.
I know cooking can be fun and I do find it enjoyable, but Jason and I have some differences in food-choices that leave me flabbergasted to come up with new, interesting ideas that don't cost a fortune (why spend more money on a crazy list of ingredients when I can hit up La Hacienda for cheaper??).
In fact, it's usually 4-ish in the afternoon before I realize "Oh my gosh! I have no ideas for dinner!" and have to make a grocery store run. And if I happen to accidentally eject my son from the shopping cart at 4:00 in the afternoon while trying to gather dinner (see previous post) - well, dinner is shot and there are no back-up plans because there was never a plan to begin with.
I tried planning out meals for two weeks (our budget is set for two weeks at a time) and this lasted for, well - two weeks. :)
I think what I need is some good easy recipes to add to my boring, bland list (you know - tacos, burgers, spaghetti, grilled chicken...you get the idea). I have some really good things I make, but they are either in the crock-pot or take too much time to make, and if I don't think about dinner until 4:00, well, the crockpot is obviously not an option anymore!
So I ask dear blogging friends - what are some easy, fast dinners (that don't have vegetables as their base since my husband doesn't seem to like this food group) that you rotate through your meals??? I would love suggestions and I would love to improve this area of my life!
And for those of you that want me to come do your laundry in exchange for a meal or de-clutter/organize your life/house - I'm in. :)
What is it, you ask?
Jason told me the other night that he is thankful he never has to worry or decide about dinner anymore and labeled it as one of his favorite things of marriage.
Fantastic. This is - most likely - the number one thing that stresses me out and that I have found to definitely NOT BE a strength. Thankfully, I have discovered strengths in other areas of home-making (my new full-time job - and loving it!), such as keeping the house clean (and YES, this includes keeping up with the laundry!), but deciding menus, gathering ingredients, cooking them all into a concoction that then my taste good (the key, of course) - STRESSES ME OUT. You see, I am an oddity that can eat the same thing for each meal for a year before I get sick of it and trade them out for the following year. For example, I can eat oatmeal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and a lean cuisine for dinner EVERY DAY for about 360 consecutively. Obviously, this requires little planning and a darn easy shopping list, all the while eliminating all stresses. That's why when Jason wanted to do the Special-K diet last summer I gave an enthusiastic "YES!!!". Super easy. No stress.
I know cooking can be fun and I do find it enjoyable, but Jason and I have some differences in food-choices that leave me flabbergasted to come up with new, interesting ideas that don't cost a fortune (why spend more money on a crazy list of ingredients when I can hit up La Hacienda for cheaper??).
In fact, it's usually 4-ish in the afternoon before I realize "Oh my gosh! I have no ideas for dinner!" and have to make a grocery store run. And if I happen to accidentally eject my son from the shopping cart at 4:00 in the afternoon while trying to gather dinner (see previous post) - well, dinner is shot and there are no back-up plans because there was never a plan to begin with.
I tried planning out meals for two weeks (our budget is set for two weeks at a time) and this lasted for, well - two weeks. :)
I think what I need is some good easy recipes to add to my boring, bland list (you know - tacos, burgers, spaghetti, grilled chicken...you get the idea). I have some really good things I make, but they are either in the crock-pot or take too much time to make, and if I don't think about dinner until 4:00, well, the crockpot is obviously not an option anymore!
So I ask dear blogging friends - what are some easy, fast dinners (that don't have vegetables as their base since my husband doesn't seem to like this food group) that you rotate through your meals??? I would love suggestions and I would love to improve this area of my life!
And for those of you that want me to come do your laundry in exchange for a meal or de-clutter/organize your life/house - I'm in. :)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Hmmm...Guess I'll Title This Tons of Pictures???
This weekend was tons of fun so therefore...TONS of pictures (cause that's just how I roll). As you'll see, Lincoln has no concussion and must be one tough little guy cause he played HARD this weekend. Friday night we enjoyed dinner with the Matchell's and Cole's, and Lincoln played and danced so much with his buddies that he slept the morning until 11:00am - oh my word. Is that even heard of with toddlers??? Not in my circles - crazy. What's even crazier, is he still took a 3-hour nap that day! He's a phenomenal sleeper (apparently). Here are some pictures of him playing with his buddies:
He got so dirty from playing in the mud outside, he looked like an army man - I tried to capture his filth, but this just doesn't do it justice AT ALL.
Saturday evening, we went down to the Dogwood festival with the Cole's and my parents. Lincoln loves fried corn dogs, by the way. Here was Noah's point-of-view the whole outing:
And Lincoln's:
Then Sunday after church the Grad Counseling program (that my dad id department head of) did a faculty vs. student softball game. Dad recruited his sons-in-law to help out the profs. They killed the students, by the way.
Daddy let him help catch at one point in the game
Of course he was enamored with the bats
Feeding my darling a banana to re-fuel
Showing off my skills - that's right.
He got so dirty from playing in the mud outside, he looked like an army man - I tried to capture his filth, but this just doesn't do it justice AT ALL.
Saturday evening, we went down to the Dogwood festival with the Cole's and my parents. Lincoln loves fried corn dogs, by the way. Here was Noah's point-of-view the whole outing:
And Lincoln's:
Then Sunday after church the Grad Counseling program (that my dad id department head of) did a faculty vs. student softball game. Dad recruited his sons-in-law to help out the profs. They killed the students, by the way.This afternoon was Lincoln's dream day! He got to be with his three favorite people ("Dadda" uncle "Na-Na" and "Papa") and play with BALLS all afternoon - heaven for my little monster. I don't know if I've mentioned yet on this blog that Lincoln does "roll-call" every morning at breakfast??? It goes something like this:
"Dadda?"
(me) "No - dadda's at work"
"Papa?"
(me) "No - papa's at work.
"Na-Na?"
"Na-Na?"
(me) "No - Na-Na's at work"
and then he continues this ALL DAY long. He's a mess.
Daddy let him help catch at one point in the game
Of course he was enamored with the bats
Papa taking a swing
Feeding my darling a banana to re-fuel
Showing off my skills - that's right.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Heart-Stopper
Yesterday we had an incident. One of those where your heart stops for a a few seconds (or minutes it seemed in my case) and you find yourself thanking God over and over again for His protection as if He doesn't hear you the first time. And the guilt...oh the mom guilt. So before I share our little incident, let me start by prefacing that I do believe I won "world's worst mom" award yesterday. Thankfully God grants grace and new days. :)
It started yesterday afternoon...both kids went down for naps for about 2-3 hours (I MAY have also indulged!), and after we woke up, I realized I had nothing prepared for dinner when Jason got home. This planning dinner thing is not a forte of mine and I tend to remember it's my responsibility mid-day. More on that on a later day. :)
So I loaded up the kids and and we headed to the grocery store (like we do almost every other day!) When we got there, I stuck with my "shopping routine" of getting Lincoln out first and putting him in the big part of the shopping cart. Then we get Noah and sit his carrier on the top part. I've tried the reverse, but when Noah is down alone in the big part, he cries and screams the whole time because he can't see me.
And then we venture in...we had only been in the store maybe 30 seconds when Lincoln caught the eye of the bakery worker and started laughing and smiling at her - to which she was reciprocating. The exchange was adorable but was promptly disrupted when I accidentally rammed the shopping cart straight into a large, short crate holding Dr. Pepper bottles (that was completely hidden out of my sight!). Maybe if Noah's seat wasn't on top I would have seen it? Not sure.
But the images of those next few moments will be forever etched in my memory!
When i hit the crate, I bumped it so hard that it propelled (yes, PROPELLED) Lincoln out of the shopping cart, frontwards, to where he FLIPPED out - head first.
I saw all of this in what seemed slower than slow motion and felt my eyes and heart beginning to pop out of their places - seriously it looked HORRIFIC. Praise the Lord - he didn't hurt himself at all. I'm not really sure how to be honest...broken bones? Busted head? Even a little blood? Obviously the much much much worse scenarios I don't even want to mention...? But nothing.
He landed into the Dr. Peppers which braced his fall from a direct hit on the floor, and then just rolled into the floor.
Needless to say - he was screaming which triggered Noah to join in chorus and I was doing everything in my power to at least be the one to hold it together! I got Lincoln calm within a minute (cookies help!) but then found myself roaming aimlessly around the store realizing, concentration and dinner planning was just NOT happening.
So we left.
I called the Dr. to let them know what happened.
I cried. A little at first, then balled after I called my husband!
But this tough guy was not affected apparently. He was able to show me all his "tricks" do all of his sign language, show me where all of his body parts are (yes - we went through the WHOLE list!), and then danced t his favorite song with utmost energy as if to show me he was fine. :)
That's when I captured this picture:
On a funny note, though, Jason got home about 3 hours later (Lincoln had been in a great mood playing and dancing with no signs of his accident), and the first thing Lincoln did when Jason walked in the door was immediately put on a frown face and rub his head as if to tell Jason "Mommy ejected me from the grocery cart today!"
It started yesterday afternoon...both kids went down for naps for about 2-3 hours (I MAY have also indulged!), and after we woke up, I realized I had nothing prepared for dinner when Jason got home. This planning dinner thing is not a forte of mine and I tend to remember it's my responsibility mid-day. More on that on a later day. :)
So I loaded up the kids and and we headed to the grocery store (like we do almost every other day!) When we got there, I stuck with my "shopping routine" of getting Lincoln out first and putting him in the big part of the shopping cart. Then we get Noah and sit his carrier on the top part. I've tried the reverse, but when Noah is down alone in the big part, he cries and screams the whole time because he can't see me.
And then we venture in...we had only been in the store maybe 30 seconds when Lincoln caught the eye of the bakery worker and started laughing and smiling at her - to which she was reciprocating. The exchange was adorable but was promptly disrupted when I accidentally rammed the shopping cart straight into a large, short crate holding Dr. Pepper bottles (that was completely hidden out of my sight!). Maybe if Noah's seat wasn't on top I would have seen it? Not sure.
But the images of those next few moments will be forever etched in my memory!
When i hit the crate, I bumped it so hard that it propelled (yes, PROPELLED) Lincoln out of the shopping cart, frontwards, to where he FLIPPED out - head first.
I saw all of this in what seemed slower than slow motion and felt my eyes and heart beginning to pop out of their places - seriously it looked HORRIFIC. Praise the Lord - he didn't hurt himself at all. I'm not really sure how to be honest...broken bones? Busted head? Even a little blood? Obviously the much much much worse scenarios I don't even want to mention...? But nothing.
He landed into the Dr. Peppers which braced his fall from a direct hit on the floor, and then just rolled into the floor.
Needless to say - he was screaming which triggered Noah to join in chorus and I was doing everything in my power to at least be the one to hold it together! I got Lincoln calm within a minute (cookies help!) but then found myself roaming aimlessly around the store realizing, concentration and dinner planning was just NOT happening.
So we left.
I called the Dr. to let them know what happened.
I cried. A little at first, then balled after I called my husband!
But this tough guy was not affected apparently. He was able to show me all his "tricks" do all of his sign language, show me where all of his body parts are (yes - we went through the WHOLE list!), and then danced t his favorite song with utmost energy as if to show me he was fine. :)
That's when I captured this picture:
On a funny note, though, Jason got home about 3 hours later (Lincoln had been in a great mood playing and dancing with no signs of his accident), and the first thing Lincoln did when Jason walked in the door was immediately put on a frown face and rub his head as if to tell Jason "Mommy ejected me from the grocery cart today!"Thursday, April 22, 2010
Because I'm Bored and Kids are Napping
Some of our latest happenings:
Noah has started sleeping through the night and it couldn't be more amazing! We've been wondering how we were going to implement the whole "cry it out" technique since he's in our room still and without waking up Lincoln...but we might not have to if this keeps up! We feed him around 11:30, and then he sleeps until about 5:00am, but which he usually starts stirring, but if I put his pacy back in his mouth and re-snuggle him in his blanket, he goes back to sleep until about 8:00. Sometimes if he's having a harder time falling back asleep, I'll pull him in the bed with us at 5:00.
I've been listening to this Song of Solomon series done by Mars Hill Church that is fantastic! I listen to it while we walk in the mornings and I am going to download it on Jason's ipod so he can listen to it on his way to work. I'm only two into the series, but have already learned some amazing things from Scripture and, well, they just reiterate what an amazing husband I married. Love him.
It's suppose to storm tomorrow!!!!!!! I love storms. In a very weird way, love them.
Tomorrow night we also get to hang out with our good friends the Cole's and Matchells and that is always a fun time.
Speaking of the Cole's, Bethany and I have been walking most days after she is done with work and these times have been refreshing in many ways. Love the adult conversation with a good friend, love the physical activity (yes, Brandon, we do sweat and work hard!), and love her friendship.
We now officially have our house with a realtor and there are a couple of positives in the works, but nothing too exciting yet. Oh - and somehow I have managed to keep the house CLEAN. I have a system that seems to be working. :)
And some pictures. :)
While Noah still isn't the biggest fan of baths, he's getting better! A frown face, but no tears!
Noah has started sleeping through the night and it couldn't be more amazing! We've been wondering how we were going to implement the whole "cry it out" technique since he's in our room still and without waking up Lincoln...but we might not have to if this keeps up! We feed him around 11:30, and then he sleeps until about 5:00am, but which he usually starts stirring, but if I put his pacy back in his mouth and re-snuggle him in his blanket, he goes back to sleep until about 8:00. Sometimes if he's having a harder time falling back asleep, I'll pull him in the bed with us at 5:00.
I've been listening to this Song of Solomon series done by Mars Hill Church that is fantastic! I listen to it while we walk in the mornings and I am going to download it on Jason's ipod so he can listen to it on his way to work. I'm only two into the series, but have already learned some amazing things from Scripture and, well, they just reiterate what an amazing husband I married. Love him.
It's suppose to storm tomorrow!!!!!!! I love storms. In a very weird way, love them.
Tomorrow night we also get to hang out with our good friends the Cole's and Matchells and that is always a fun time.
Speaking of the Cole's, Bethany and I have been walking most days after she is done with work and these times have been refreshing in many ways. Love the adult conversation with a good friend, love the physical activity (yes, Brandon, we do sweat and work hard!), and love her friendship.
We now officially have our house with a realtor and there are a couple of positives in the works, but nothing too exciting yet. Oh - and somehow I have managed to keep the house CLEAN. I have a system that seems to be working. :)
And some pictures. :)
While Noah still isn't the biggest fan of baths, he's getting better! A frown face, but no tears!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Oh Dear
Well, it looks like either the cow is on production strike or the milk-ee is one hungry fella. For those of you that know me or read my blog a year ago, you're familiar that I had issues producing milk with Lincoln. This time around I came armed and ready with multiple natural supplements, ample water, and a fighting attitude which seems to have been sufficient...until recently. After chatting with some moms this morning at a play group, I realized that Noah's had more trouble nursing as of the past few days and doesn't seem to get full, easy feedings like he used to. So after one of his struggling ones (there's been about 4 of those today), I decided to give him a bottle. Sure enough, he sucked it down. He has now done this twice after nursing today and today has also been the day he has not been fussy hardly AT ALL and has slept phenomenally. He's truly been a happier baby today. While I've loved the smiles and coos and pure satisfaction, I HATE it might be my milk! So I start looking for the culprits: birth control maybe? needing to increase supplements (that I had decreased some)? My body just doesn't naturally produce adequate milk supplies?
Not sure.
But tomorrow I am arming myself with the supplements and water again in a valiant attempt to attack my milk making abilities! My goal was at least 6 months and we're just not there yet!
Not sure.
But tomorrow I am arming myself with the supplements and water again in a valiant attempt to attack my milk making abilities! My goal was at least 6 months and we're just not there yet!
Monday, April 12, 2010
2 Month Update: Postpartum and Baby Style
Today's was Noah's 2 month well-check and...poor baby - his first round of shots from the ped clinic. I was a tee bit nervous the rascal would scream from start to finish from this appointment because, well, he's a cryer and a sucker for being held by his mother AT ALL TIMES POSSIBLE. But surprise! He did FANTASTIC and only cried when he was being weighed, getting pricked, and prodded with the stethoscope. But each of those times was instantly consolable but the warmth pf mommy's arms (not always the case).
So his stats (I just know you're dying to know)...?
Height = 23'' (50%)
Weight = 9'11 (15%)
Head = 15.5'' (15%)
I chart Noah's in blue ink on Lincoln's same chart since he was born to see the comparisons. It was SO interesting because Lincoln and Noah were dead on EXACT on the weight and height measurements at this age!!! The head, you ask? Um, no. It looks like Noah's not going to get the crazy extra large melon his brother has. :)
All in all, the appointment went great with Dr. Davis (yet another ped I LOVE)! Aunt Amy came to the appointment to help tame Lincoln (who also deserves props for his good behavior and telling the doctor "thank you" when he was complimented on his outfit - already making momma beam with pride!). Then we all went out for lunch to Flying Burrito, where kids eat free and there's a caged-in outside patio for Lincoln to roam.
Now for the mom update: This mother is a tad frustrated with the post-partum weight loss. You see, with Lincoln, I lost all of my weight plus a few extra pounds even, within a month. I know that's fast, but I'd say I was lying if I didn't expect the same this time around. But it's not the same (of course). I have hung on to about 12 extra pounds now pretty consistently for the past 6 weeks and no matter how healthy I eat (which I always have and this hasn't changed), or the fact that I exercise almost everyday (something else I've always done already) - the scale is not budging - not even one pound! I have a slight pooch for the first time in my life that makes me self conscious and still can't comfortably (or attractively) fit into my pants. And I'm refusing to buy new pants so when you see me constantly in workout pants or sweatpants - now you know why. I don't have any others that fit!
You see, I've always been under the impression that breastfeeding helps you lose weight faster. I am still breastfeeding and not losing it faster and I only breastfed 6 weeks with Lincoln and lost it all FAST. So to all of you breastfeeding moms, when did the weight start to fall off? Was it a slower process? I'd love advice/opinions on this matter! :)
So his stats (I just know you're dying to know)...?
Height = 23'' (50%)
Weight = 9'11 (15%)
Head = 15.5'' (15%)
I chart Noah's in blue ink on Lincoln's same chart since he was born to see the comparisons. It was SO interesting because Lincoln and Noah were dead on EXACT on the weight and height measurements at this age!!! The head, you ask? Um, no. It looks like Noah's not going to get the crazy extra large melon his brother has. :)
All in all, the appointment went great with Dr. Davis (yet another ped I LOVE)! Aunt Amy came to the appointment to help tame Lincoln (who also deserves props for his good behavior and telling the doctor "thank you" when he was complimented on his outfit - already making momma beam with pride!). Then we all went out for lunch to Flying Burrito, where kids eat free and there's a caged-in outside patio for Lincoln to roam.
Now for the mom update: This mother is a tad frustrated with the post-partum weight loss. You see, with Lincoln, I lost all of my weight plus a few extra pounds even, within a month. I know that's fast, but I'd say I was lying if I didn't expect the same this time around. But it's not the same (of course). I have hung on to about 12 extra pounds now pretty consistently for the past 6 weeks and no matter how healthy I eat (which I always have and this hasn't changed), or the fact that I exercise almost everyday (something else I've always done already) - the scale is not budging - not even one pound! I have a slight pooch for the first time in my life that makes me self conscious and still can't comfortably (or attractively) fit into my pants. And I'm refusing to buy new pants so when you see me constantly in workout pants or sweatpants - now you know why. I don't have any others that fit!
You see, I've always been under the impression that breastfeeding helps you lose weight faster. I am still breastfeeding and not losing it faster and I only breastfed 6 weeks with Lincoln and lost it all FAST. So to all of you breastfeeding moms, when did the weight start to fall off? Was it a slower process? I'd love advice/opinions on this matter! :)
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