12.12.2007
12.09.2007
If Life Were Easy It Wouldn't Be Hard
I know I have been MIA for awhile. . . but for good reason. This last week has been one CRAZY week. Yes CRAZY all capitalized!
Started with my sweet boy washing his hands "all by himself". I had been working on the advent calendar below, and had all of my scrapbook supplies out (all still in boxes), and sitting underneath the bar/kitchen counter. It (the bar) separates our kitchen and tv room.
Isaac's hand washing turned into a water fight with the living room (using the kitchen sink sprayer). To make a long story short Isaac won! Most of my paper was ruined, and Mike and I got to soak up a lot of water out of the carpet.
A few days later, it was Ainsley's turn. I had just finished painting over permanent marker (you remember that story) and set the half gallon of paint on the floor. I put the lid back on, but not hammered. Isaac and I then started to paint the kitchen table. Ainsley had been busy playing with toys in the other room. Isaac and I were just about done when I looked down to see Ainsley pick up the paint can and dump it all over her head, and proceeded to spill the entire contents over herself and all over the kitchen floor.
I grabbed her ran her to the bathroom, stuck her in the bathtub so she couldn't escaped and ran back to scoop up as much of the paint as I could. I then ran back to Ainsley who was screaming in the bathroom. Took off her clothes and wiped her down just enough to not get paint anywhere, and went to go clean up the other mess.
As I was rounding the corner I saw Mayzie (one of the dogs I am watching) heading my way. My heart sank. . . "Oh no, I forgot about the dogs!" I walked into the living room to see Maverick (the other dog) doing some kind of mambo with little yellow paw prints trailing behind him.
So now I had two crying children (Isaac was mad at Ainsley for crying and taking me away from our project), Ainsley was still mad about being covered in paint, a yellow kitchen floor, a yellow bathtub, and yellow paw printed carpet! Where to begin. . .
I will say I am thankful that it takes a lot for me to loose my temper, helping me to think a little more clear. I also had fresh on my mind the previous day's Oprah show. It had been about the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff", and about living life to the fullest and how you would want to spend your last minutes of your life. Meaning right then I had many choices. I could get angry, I could start cleaning, or I could help my crying children. I chose the later.
As soon as Ainsley wasn't crying and busy eating a cracker, I called Chelsea to look up some ideas to clean the mess online (I couldn't do it all!!!) THANKS CHELS!!! I recruited Isaac to help with the carpet. His job was to pour water on all of the paw prints. . . trying to keep it wet. I then sucked it up with the spot bot. Again spot bot to the rescue! EVERYONE should own one!
I am happy to say we survived. I think we got out all but two tiny spots in the carpet. The bathtub still needs some work, and so does the kitchen. . . but no worries. Give me a few days and everything will be in tip top condition!
(Okay I have pictures, but the computer is acting up so check back later for those :). . . you won't be sorry. The advent calendar turned out super cute. . . even if it is a little warped from water damage. It's no more damage than the little fingers that put up the numbers do)!
Started with my sweet boy washing his hands "all by himself". I had been working on the advent calendar below, and had all of my scrapbook supplies out (all still in boxes), and sitting underneath the bar/kitchen counter. It (the bar) separates our kitchen and tv room.
Isaac's hand washing turned into a water fight with the living room (using the kitchen sink sprayer). To make a long story short Isaac won! Most of my paper was ruined, and Mike and I got to soak up a lot of water out of the carpet.
A few days later, it was Ainsley's turn. I had just finished painting over permanent marker (you remember that story) and set the half gallon of paint on the floor. I put the lid back on, but not hammered. Isaac and I then started to paint the kitchen table. Ainsley had been busy playing with toys in the other room. Isaac and I were just about done when I looked down to see Ainsley pick up the paint can and dump it all over her head, and proceeded to spill the entire contents over herself and all over the kitchen floor.
I grabbed her ran her to the bathroom, stuck her in the bathtub so she couldn't escaped and ran back to scoop up as much of the paint as I could. I then ran back to Ainsley who was screaming in the bathroom. Took off her clothes and wiped her down just enough to not get paint anywhere, and went to go clean up the other mess.
As I was rounding the corner I saw Mayzie (one of the dogs I am watching) heading my way. My heart sank. . . "Oh no, I forgot about the dogs!" I walked into the living room to see Maverick (the other dog) doing some kind of mambo with little yellow paw prints trailing behind him.
So now I had two crying children (Isaac was mad at Ainsley for crying and taking me away from our project), Ainsley was still mad about being covered in paint, a yellow kitchen floor, a yellow bathtub, and yellow paw printed carpet! Where to begin. . .
I will say I am thankful that it takes a lot for me to loose my temper, helping me to think a little more clear. I also had fresh on my mind the previous day's Oprah show. It had been about the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff", and about living life to the fullest and how you would want to spend your last minutes of your life. Meaning right then I had many choices. I could get angry, I could start cleaning, or I could help my crying children. I chose the later.
As soon as Ainsley wasn't crying and busy eating a cracker, I called Chelsea to look up some ideas to clean the mess online (I couldn't do it all!!!) THANKS CHELS!!! I recruited Isaac to help with the carpet. His job was to pour water on all of the paw prints. . . trying to keep it wet. I then sucked it up with the spot bot. Again spot bot to the rescue! EVERYONE should own one!
I am happy to say we survived. I think we got out all but two tiny spots in the carpet. The bathtub still needs some work, and so does the kitchen. . . but no worries. Give me a few days and everything will be in tip top condition!
(Okay I have pictures, but the computer is acting up so check back later for those :). . . you won't be sorry. The advent calendar turned out super cute. . . even if it is a little warped from water damage. It's no more damage than the little fingers that put up the numbers do)!
12.02.2007
Itty Bitty Baby Steps
I know I am a little slow on this post, so I better hurry and get it written! Ainsley took her first steps without holding onto anything this past Tuesday. She has been walking around on furniture, and cruising around the house holding Isaac's bike for awhile now, but my daring girl decided to try walking without any encouragement from me.
I was sitting on the couch and she was standing by the love seat let go, and took her few steps to reach me. A HUGE grin on her face the entire time! I was just as proud as she was, but also a little shocked. Later that night when Mike got home I told him what she had done. I think she knew what we were talking about because she let go of where she was standing and walked to him. It was definitely the steps of leaning forward with your feet trying to keep up with your top half. But it was walking, and she did it!
Ainsley then took a turn walking to each Mike, Isaac and I, while we called her name. When she was done she sat down and refused to get back up. We haven't played the game again, I know she can do it, she knows she can do it, and that's seems to make her happy.
She just turned nine months old yesterday, and I am in no hurry to have her walking around. I can just imagine all of the stunts she will start pulling when she is toddling around! As in physical stunts, being the daring child she is. Also meaning, stunts of destruction. I know she has been concocting plans of improving Isaac's destructive methods around the house!
I have to admit I have been smiling just as big as she was when she took those steps just thinking about it. So much fun watching them grow and learn. Both of my children bring so much joy into my life!
I was sitting on the couch and she was standing by the love seat let go, and took her few steps to reach me. A HUGE grin on her face the entire time! I was just as proud as she was, but also a little shocked. Later that night when Mike got home I told him what she had done. I think she knew what we were talking about because she let go of where she was standing and walked to him. It was definitely the steps of leaning forward with your feet trying to keep up with your top half. But it was walking, and she did it!
Ainsley then took a turn walking to each Mike, Isaac and I, while we called her name. When she was done she sat down and refused to get back up. We haven't played the game again, I know she can do it, she knows she can do it, and that's seems to make her happy.
She just turned nine months old yesterday, and I am in no hurry to have her walking around. I can just imagine all of the stunts she will start pulling when she is toddling around! As in physical stunts, being the daring child she is. Also meaning, stunts of destruction. I know she has been concocting plans of improving Isaac's destructive methods around the house!
I have to admit I have been smiling just as big as she was when she took those steps just thinking about it. So much fun watching them grow and learn. Both of my children bring so much joy into my life!
11.29.2007
Three Under Two
So my computer caught something a few days ago and I thought I was the one who was going to die. I didn't realize how much I rely on the internet. Isaac and I wanted to make some cookies and I couldn't even look up a recipe. Thank goodness for my computer geek! He saved the day! The computer is a little slower than before, but at least I have my connection to the outside world.
We had two photo shoots done while in Arizona. Here is one of our photo shoots from that week. Isaac and Ainsley have a new cousin and so we did cousin pictures with baby Brayden. Taking pictures of three kids under the age of two is HARD work! My kids did not want to cooperate. I love the pictures though. . . it's them! So here you go lots and LOTS of pictures.
Real quick I have to say Brayden is probably the cutest newborn I have ever seen! I wish the background wasn't black so you could see how much hair the boy has! I love it!
(For those of you who want to see my haircut check out my friend Sarah's (with an H). She has some posted. . . I will post more when I get our family pictures back!)
We had two photo shoots done while in Arizona. Here is one of our photo shoots from that week. Isaac and Ainsley have a new cousin and so we did cousin pictures with baby Brayden. Taking pictures of three kids under the age of two is HARD work! My kids did not want to cooperate. I love the pictures though. . . it's them! So here you go lots and LOTS of pictures.
Real quick I have to say Brayden is probably the cutest newborn I have ever seen! I wish the background wasn't black so you could see how much hair the boy has! I love it!
(For those of you who want to see my haircut check out my friend Sarah's (with an H). She has some posted. . . I will post more when I get our family pictures back!)
11.27.2007
Home Again Home Again
We made it safely home Saturday evening, but somewhere along our trip our luggage wasn't as lucky. We arrived in Dallas missing three suitcases. The only ones from our flight with missing bags. Lucky us.
It was very cold and rainy when we got home so I had to make a trip to the store to get some warm clothes for the kids. I wasn't about to go to church the next day without my blow dryer to fix my hair and no make up on, so needed a few other things as well. While at the store I received a phone call from the airport saying they found my bags and I would get them the next morning around ten. WAHOO! So I went back through the store and put away the "stuff" I was going to buy.
Fast forward a few hours and we were all in bed and all in a much needed DEEP sleep. I woke up and thought I heard my doorbell ring at one in the morning. Kind of got a little freaked out, who rings your door bell that early in the morning. I have also mentioned I am afraid of the dark, so there was NO WAY I was going to see who it was. Then I figured I was crazy and didn't hear anything and went back to sleep.
Fast forward again to ten the next morning. I call the baggage people because they had left messages on my phone all from around midnight. As the phone is ringing I remember I had "thought" I heard the door bell in the middle of the night, so opened the door, just as customer service answered the phone. Boy did I feel silly, all of my luggage was sitting on the front step (yes it had been raining all night), so I said "sorry just kidding I found my bags outside", and hung up!
Of course I took my camera with me, and of course I never remembered to take it out of my suitcase. . . so no pictures. We did get some family pictures taken that week, can't wait to see them. . . Here's a little shout out to Lara Ellingson for working with my crazy kids and doing our pictures for us.
I also had my hair chopped off. Another shout out to Lindsay who did AMAZING! My hair was to the end of my shoulder blades and now is just below my chin. Love it! I am actually going to have to fix my hair everyday, instead of throwing it back into a pony tail.
As soon as I got home Sunday from church I broke out the Christmas decorations! My tree is up and it's beginning to feel like Christmas around here. Isaac talks about Santa coming to our house daily. . . I love how much more magical Christmas is when children are involved. It has also been fun to get out our nativities and Isaac telling me the stories we learned last year about Jesus being born! I LOVE this time of year!
It was very cold and rainy when we got home so I had to make a trip to the store to get some warm clothes for the kids. I wasn't about to go to church the next day without my blow dryer to fix my hair and no make up on, so needed a few other things as well. While at the store I received a phone call from the airport saying they found my bags and I would get them the next morning around ten. WAHOO! So I went back through the store and put away the "stuff" I was going to buy.
Fast forward a few hours and we were all in bed and all in a much needed DEEP sleep. I woke up and thought I heard my doorbell ring at one in the morning. Kind of got a little freaked out, who rings your door bell that early in the morning. I have also mentioned I am afraid of the dark, so there was NO WAY I was going to see who it was. Then I figured I was crazy and didn't hear anything and went back to sleep.
Fast forward again to ten the next morning. I call the baggage people because they had left messages on my phone all from around midnight. As the phone is ringing I remember I had "thought" I heard the door bell in the middle of the night, so opened the door, just as customer service answered the phone. Boy did I feel silly, all of my luggage was sitting on the front step (yes it had been raining all night), so I said "sorry just kidding I found my bags outside", and hung up!
Of course I took my camera with me, and of course I never remembered to take it out of my suitcase. . . so no pictures. We did get some family pictures taken that week, can't wait to see them. . . Here's a little shout out to Lara Ellingson for working with my crazy kids and doing our pictures for us.
I also had my hair chopped off. Another shout out to Lindsay who did AMAZING! My hair was to the end of my shoulder blades and now is just below my chin. Love it! I am actually going to have to fix my hair everyday, instead of throwing it back into a pony tail.
As soon as I got home Sunday from church I broke out the Christmas decorations! My tree is up and it's beginning to feel like Christmas around here. Isaac talks about Santa coming to our house daily. . . I love how much more magical Christmas is when children are involved. It has also been fun to get out our nativities and Isaac telling me the stories we learned last year about Jesus being born! I LOVE this time of year!
11.22.2007
Happy Turkey Day
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am sure looking forward to dinner :) I have to say my favorite part is the mashed potatoes, yams, and stuffing. I eat all of them together. . . a little bit of each in one bite. What is everyone's favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?
Okay here's an update on our little marker situation. I didn't have time to get to the walls before leaving before vacation. . . oh well I am sure they won't go anywhere, and I can do it when I get home. We had success with our table and chairs though. Here is my tip for permanent marker on wood:
Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles!! Toothpaste! I used Colgate whitening toothpaste. Rubbed it onto the stain and let it sit for thirty minutes. Wiped it up with a sponge, and the marker was gone. When I say sponge, I have the kind that have the scrubbing pads on one side. No one would ever know that my sweet boy had been working his art skills on my furniture. YEAH! I think I still want to paint my table, but excited that I can put it off a little longer.
Okay everyone, hope ya'll have a wonderful day!
Okay here's an update on our little marker situation. I didn't have time to get to the walls before leaving before vacation. . . oh well I am sure they won't go anywhere, and I can do it when I get home. We had success with our table and chairs though. Here is my tip for permanent marker on wood:
Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles!! Toothpaste! I used Colgate whitening toothpaste. Rubbed it onto the stain and let it sit for thirty minutes. Wiped it up with a sponge, and the marker was gone. When I say sponge, I have the kind that have the scrubbing pads on one side. No one would ever know that my sweet boy had been working his art skills on my furniture. YEAH! I think I still want to paint my table, but excited that I can put it off a little longer.
Okay everyone, hope ya'll have a wonderful day!
11.18.2007
Picasso in the Making
Did I mention earlier how much fun a two year old boy is? As I was attempting to pack our bags and get some things in order, the house was strangely quiet. If I hadn't been so engrossed in my project, I probably would have stopped and asked myself why is it so quiet? Then I would have checked on the kids. But no, I just assumed (big mistake) that Isaac and Ainsley were actually playing nicely along side each other.
After a few minutes Isaac comes and finds me and says Mom I found a marker. No worries, his coloring markers are all color wonder markers. (For those who don't know what they are, they are white and only show up on special paper. . . ingenious really!) Then Isaac pulls from behind his back a BIG BLACK MARKER. Yes my sweet son had been busy creating a masterpiece throughout the kitchen and hallway with a permanent marker. All the while Ainsley was by his side so deeply interested in what he was doing. The great art master teaching his young young apprentice to explore and create. I could see her mind scheming. What a scene!!
A fellow blogger recently wrote on her blog:
"Cleaning house while the kids are young is like shoveling snow while it's snowing."
How perfect this quote is for me. Picking up one mess while another is in the works.
I did luckily keep my cool and Isaac sat with his nose in the corner for 10 minutes while I found home remedies to undo his, "artistic" mess. After I found a few ideas, Isaac was kind enough to help and put in some elbow grease. Well he was forced, but didn't complain.
I asked him why he colored on the walls when he knows it is a naughty thing to do. He said, looking down and shuffling his feet "I don't know mom, I just did it. I didn't know." How do you get mad at such a sweet child?
Here's what I found:
1. Eraser (just a regular pink eraser). . . absolutely no difference
2. Rubbing alcohol. . . didn't work, but did spread it around
3. Hand sanitizer. . . nothing
4. WD-40. . . softened the lines, but still very noticeable
5. Toothpaste. . .working the best so far.
6. Magic eraser. . . I don't have one and is my last resort on a Sunday (going to buy one)!
I will say another reason I am not too upset about the whole situation is I have been debating about painting my kitchen table and chairs. They are lost against our mustard colored walls. This has pushed me into the affirmative of spicing up my furniture. But until that happens we will now have some interesting artwork to look at while eating our meals together!
11.15.2007
Little bit of this and that
This post is going to be a lot of randomness. . . because quite honestly I have been wracking my brain on what to write and nothing great has come to mind.
My life right now has been filled with trying to make my house feel more like my home. Such a long process for me. I have only done a little here and there. It's hard work, but I love how it looks when I am done! I am just lacking in motivation to do anything these days! There is a wall in my hallway that Isaac painted (quite abstract right now. . . we might have a great artist on our hands) that I have yet to finish. It has been almost two weeks since Isaac "started" the wall for me! I let him paint one wall while I did another. But there are plenty of rooms where he has "painted" with his markers!
I have been trying to keep my home in order, which has not been an easy task either. Most days I feel like I clean a room and then 10 minutes later it looks worse than when I started. The other day sweet Isaac took a roll of tape and proceeded to unravel the roll creating booby traps throughout the entire house. I am amazed at how strong the tape was. He has it a couple inches off of the ground and taped to walls, chairs and furniture. I don't know how many times I tripped!
It's my fault though, like I said early I have so little motivation right now :) Although watching Oprah yesterday helped a little. The show was about hoarders, now I am no where near where this poor lady was. I am really not a hoarder at all, just more disorganized. The one thing that hit me that was said on the show was "What do you want from your home? What do you want from this room?" I certainly don't want clutter and disorganization. So my quest has begun to create the home of peace and love that I desire.
On to my children. . . Oh they do try and test my patience. Really I have had just about enough of Isaac body slamming, hitting and pushing his little sister. Obviously I am doing something wrong in the punishing department, nothing I have tried is working, and lately I just ignore the two as much as I can. Unless there is major pain involved I have been letting them work it out themselves. Still not the answer I am wanting, but I need a break from playing referee everyday!
Now don't misunderstand me, my kids truly to drive me nuts, but I love them dearly. I have so many ARGHH moments daily, but I live for my children. They mean the world to me. Even when I am ready to pull out my hair or scream from the top of my lungs. . . hey maybe that's where my chipped tooth came from. Holding my teeth together to keep from screaming!!
Today I feel like I am going through puberty all over again. Of course a few days before I am about to have family pictures taken I break out. Not just a few little blemishes. . . full on GIANT mountains of ZITS! What's up with that?! Seriously? I have a horrible nervous habit of picking at my face when it does break out making it 10 times worse! Thank goodness for photo shop! We'll just erase those little nasties from my face and all is well! I wonder if the photographer can erase 30 lbs as well :)
I took a test yesterday to find out what kind of cookie I am. I am a chocolate chip cookie. It even says in the description I am a little disorganized. . . So while each of you take the test to find out what kind you are (just click the picture below) I will be off trying to hold my tongue, playing referee, and creating a little bit of beauty in our home. . . oh yeah and planning my VT message!
You're sweet (but not too sweet) and you fill other people's lives with tasty bits of awesomeness. You're no perfectionist – in fact, you're a bit disorganized – but your friends find your easygoing personality irresistible. You're so popular and loveable that even when you're having a bad day, people still like having you around.
My life right now has been filled with trying to make my house feel more like my home. Such a long process for me. I have only done a little here and there. It's hard work, but I love how it looks when I am done! I am just lacking in motivation to do anything these days! There is a wall in my hallway that Isaac painted (quite abstract right now. . . we might have a great artist on our hands) that I have yet to finish. It has been almost two weeks since Isaac "started" the wall for me! I let him paint one wall while I did another. But there are plenty of rooms where he has "painted" with his markers!
I have been trying to keep my home in order, which has not been an easy task either. Most days I feel like I clean a room and then 10 minutes later it looks worse than when I started. The other day sweet Isaac took a roll of tape and proceeded to unravel the roll creating booby traps throughout the entire house. I am amazed at how strong the tape was. He has it a couple inches off of the ground and taped to walls, chairs and furniture. I don't know how many times I tripped!
It's my fault though, like I said early I have so little motivation right now :) Although watching Oprah yesterday helped a little. The show was about hoarders, now I am no where near where this poor lady was. I am really not a hoarder at all, just more disorganized. The one thing that hit me that was said on the show was "What do you want from your home? What do you want from this room?" I certainly don't want clutter and disorganization. So my quest has begun to create the home of peace and love that I desire.
On to my children. . . Oh they do try and test my patience. Really I have had just about enough of Isaac body slamming, hitting and pushing his little sister. Obviously I am doing something wrong in the punishing department, nothing I have tried is working, and lately I just ignore the two as much as I can. Unless there is major pain involved I have been letting them work it out themselves. Still not the answer I am wanting, but I need a break from playing referee everyday!
Now don't misunderstand me, my kids truly to drive me nuts, but I love them dearly. I have so many ARGHH moments daily, but I live for my children. They mean the world to me. Even when I am ready to pull out my hair or scream from the top of my lungs. . . hey maybe that's where my chipped tooth came from. Holding my teeth together to keep from screaming!!
Today I feel like I am going through puberty all over again. Of course a few days before I am about to have family pictures taken I break out. Not just a few little blemishes. . . full on GIANT mountains of ZITS! What's up with that?! Seriously? I have a horrible nervous habit of picking at my face when it does break out making it 10 times worse! Thank goodness for photo shop! We'll just erase those little nasties from my face and all is well! I wonder if the photographer can erase 30 lbs as well :)
I took a test yesterday to find out what kind of cookie I am. I am a chocolate chip cookie. It even says in the description I am a little disorganized. . . So while each of you take the test to find out what kind you are (just click the picture below) I will be off trying to hold my tongue, playing referee, and creating a little bit of beauty in our home. . . oh yeah and planning my VT message!
You're sweet (but not too sweet) and you fill other people's lives with tasty bits of awesomeness. You're no perfectionist – in fact, you're a bit disorganized – but your friends find your easygoing personality irresistible. You're so popular and loveable that even when you're having a bad day, people still like having you around.
11.12.2007
Pearly Whites
When will the tooth drama end around here? If it's not one of us, it's another.
I noticed last night that I chipped one of my teeth. Really I have no idea when. I am guessing in my sleep. . . I really have no idea though. Luckily it doesn't hurt.
Ainsley has two bottom teeth and has been cutting her two top teeth this past week. Last night I heard her grinding her teeth, so we have a break through. One little tooth has come through on the top. The only problem is I noticed it was kind of dark. With all of the problems we have had with Isaac's teeth, I am a little worried to go through it with her too. First of all, we don't have the money to keep forking out for this, second it's not fun for any of us. Emotionally, and physically draining. I am hoping I am just paranoid. But you can't bet your bottom dollar I am watching her teeth like a hawk!
Last but not least, Isaac fell on his face today. I was worried because I don't want to break his "new" teeth. The dentist told us they can break or chip easy and wants us to watch him. . . especially because he is a boy (his exact words!) Luckily it doesn't look like any damage was done to his teeth. He has a nice fat lip and quite the bump on his forehead.
To end on a funnier note. . . While I was holding Isaac and putting ice on his head he looked up at me and said "mom why are there spider webs in your nose?" I tried to keep a straight face and asked "oh no how did they get there?. He said, "I guess it came in from outside and went up your nose!" I about died! I had no idea I had that much nose hair. . . guess something needs to be done about that!!
I noticed last night that I chipped one of my teeth. Really I have no idea when. I am guessing in my sleep. . . I really have no idea though. Luckily it doesn't hurt.
Ainsley has two bottom teeth and has been cutting her two top teeth this past week. Last night I heard her grinding her teeth, so we have a break through. One little tooth has come through on the top. The only problem is I noticed it was kind of dark. With all of the problems we have had with Isaac's teeth, I am a little worried to go through it with her too. First of all, we don't have the money to keep forking out for this, second it's not fun for any of us. Emotionally, and physically draining. I am hoping I am just paranoid. But you can't bet your bottom dollar I am watching her teeth like a hawk!
Last but not least, Isaac fell on his face today. I was worried because I don't want to break his "new" teeth. The dentist told us they can break or chip easy and wants us to watch him. . . especially because he is a boy (his exact words!) Luckily it doesn't look like any damage was done to his teeth. He has a nice fat lip and quite the bump on his forehead.
To end on a funnier note. . . While I was holding Isaac and putting ice on his head he looked up at me and said "mom why are there spider webs in your nose?" I tried to keep a straight face and asked "oh no how did they get there?. He said, "I guess it came in from outside and went up your nose!" I about died! I had no idea I had that much nose hair. . . guess something needs to be done about that!!
11.07.2007
Thankful Heart
So I was tagged by Holly and Chelsea and I am excited to do this one. Good reminder for me, and it came at a good time! Thanks Holly and Chelsea! Maybe I should do 20!!
Here is my list of 10 things I am thankful for (no particular order):
1. My washer and dryer. Sounds a little funny but right before moving to Texas we got a new dryer. It was so nice not to have to run it TWICE before getting our clothes dry. We had to get a new washing machine when we moved out here. I normally let the laundry pile up for a week before doing it, but I was naughty and let it pile up TWO weeks and of course the day I start to do my laundry that machine breaks. Luckily brand new and under warranty, bad news it was going to be a full week before they could come fix it! Not a good thing when you have a baby and two year old boy! There isn't a very close launder(y) mat (I don't know which it is), so when we were running out of some necessaries I washed the clothes by hand. Takes a lot of work, and makes your arms sore :) Made me a little more grateful and appreciate what our ancestors did before electronics!!
2. A son that keeps me on track. This morning I wanted to eat breakfast and he says "No Mom, we have to exercise!" Thank you Isaac! He also is quick to tell me that I should clean a particular room, and of course he loves to help (wreck and clean!)
3. Pest control. I don't like bugs, especially big spiders. Eeek! I love that I find most bugs dead around the outside of our house rather than inside. I love when the sticky pads in our garage are full of crickets and wolf spiders.
4. Grass and Backyards. I love that we have a fenced in backyard where my children can play. Even more that we have a ENTIRE yard of GRASS. Something you wouldn't quite understand if you haven't lived in the Phoenix area with a nice hot rock/dirt yard!
5. Paint. I love my new house and I am thankful that I can paint the walls any color I like. I would have never guessed how much color on my walls would brighten my spirit! I love that there is paint that is super washable. Comes in handy when I have a two year old that has colored on the walls!
6. My Spot Bot and wood floors. I love that I can turn on my spot bot and continue doing something else while it cleans up messes on the floor. Very handy. I look forward to the day when we can have wood floors in our house and I won't have to look at spots on the floor! AND I saw that they make heated wood floors, super excited about that!
7. Music. I am thankful that I have a husband who is incredibly talented at playing the piano. . . all instruments really. I am thankful that we are able to have a BEAUTIFUL piano in our home. I am thankful for a mother who insisted I learned how to play the piano, and made me keep playing until I was older!! I am thankful for my mother's beautiful singing voice and her taking the time to sing us to sleep almost every night. My Grandpa Waddell's amazing voice as well. There are certain songs that I hear that bring tears to my eyes and don't sound quite right without him singing them. I am thankful that I have two children who love music as much as their father and I do.
8. Warm and Cold days! I am not the biggest fan of COLD COLD. Growing up in Kansas school would be canceled not because of snow, but because of how cold it was outside. Which meant there probably was snow on the ground, but you couldn't play in it. Cold enough to make your nose hairs freeze when you breathe in. I also love and hate scrapping my windshields. It's kind of a hassle but I always feel so energized afterwards and it feels so good to be in a warm car! I also love snuggling under the blankets and drinking hot chocolate. . . something you don't do a whole lot of in Mesa. Cold days can be pretty miserable but it makes me thankful for warm days. Eating Popsicles, playing in the pool, sitting in the warm sun (I am not talking crazy hot days though, those are the times I miss cold days. . .vicious cycle huh?!) Basically I love being outdoors. My favorite is Flagstaff AZ. Beautiful mountains and beautiful weather!
9. Amazing extended family and friends. First my family. I love my sisters and brother dearly. They all make me laugh more than anyone. Even Orson makes me laugh so hard. My poor parents have to deal with a bunch of crazy "kids" when we all get together! My parents are amazing. Taught me so much and continue to teach me. My in laws have raised a great guy and are so supportive and are there for us if we ever need them. My husbands siblings are all wonderful! So fun to be around and characteristics each have that I learn from. I have amazing grandparents, aunts and uncles whom I adore. Cousins that have been my best friends. I have been blessed to have great friends too. It's been hard moving away from all of my family and friends, but I have great friends (new and old) that continue to support and love me! Always there to give me a good laugh, or listen to my complaining and give me advice! I love all of you!!
10. My small immediate family. I have two beautiful children who drive me nuts sometimes, but bring such joy and laughter in my life. Isaac is such a sweet guy and loves to please. He is quite the funny guy too. . . most of the time he has no idea that he is even being funny, which makes me laugh even harder. Ainsley on the other hand is temperamental, and I love her all the more for it. She reminds me so much of myself (I can see myself in both kids, as well as Mike, and I LOVE IT!). Ainsley will definitely always keep me on my toes. She is so independent and full of fire, and I love being around her, she tends to bring out the best in me. Then there is Michael. He makes me a better person. He is not so high strung as I am, and keeps me grounded. He knows how to make me laugh, and is such a wonderful father. He is such a hard worker and takes such good care of all of us! I am the luckiest girl to have a great husband and wonderful children.
Basically I am one lucky girl. It's good for me to stop and count my many blessings!
I now tag Brittney, Sarah T. (and MT 2 lists!), Lara, and Whitney. Can't wait to hear what you are thankful for.
Here is my list of 10 things I am thankful for (no particular order):
1. My washer and dryer. Sounds a little funny but right before moving to Texas we got a new dryer. It was so nice not to have to run it TWICE before getting our clothes dry. We had to get a new washing machine when we moved out here. I normally let the laundry pile up for a week before doing it, but I was naughty and let it pile up TWO weeks and of course the day I start to do my laundry that machine breaks. Luckily brand new and under warranty, bad news it was going to be a full week before they could come fix it! Not a good thing when you have a baby and two year old boy! There isn't a very close launder(y) mat (I don't know which it is), so when we were running out of some necessaries I washed the clothes by hand. Takes a lot of work, and makes your arms sore :) Made me a little more grateful and appreciate what our ancestors did before electronics!!
2. A son that keeps me on track. This morning I wanted to eat breakfast and he says "No Mom, we have to exercise!" Thank you Isaac! He also is quick to tell me that I should clean a particular room, and of course he loves to help (wreck and clean!)
3. Pest control. I don't like bugs, especially big spiders. Eeek! I love that I find most bugs dead around the outside of our house rather than inside. I love when the sticky pads in our garage are full of crickets and wolf spiders.
4. Grass and Backyards. I love that we have a fenced in backyard where my children can play. Even more that we have a ENTIRE yard of GRASS. Something you wouldn't quite understand if you haven't lived in the Phoenix area with a nice hot rock/dirt yard!
5. Paint. I love my new house and I am thankful that I can paint the walls any color I like. I would have never guessed how much color on my walls would brighten my spirit! I love that there is paint that is super washable. Comes in handy when I have a two year old that has colored on the walls!
6. My Spot Bot and wood floors. I love that I can turn on my spot bot and continue doing something else while it cleans up messes on the floor. Very handy. I look forward to the day when we can have wood floors in our house and I won't have to look at spots on the floor! AND I saw that they make heated wood floors, super excited about that!
7. Music. I am thankful that I have a husband who is incredibly talented at playing the piano. . . all instruments really. I am thankful that we are able to have a BEAUTIFUL piano in our home. I am thankful for a mother who insisted I learned how to play the piano, and made me keep playing until I was older!! I am thankful for my mother's beautiful singing voice and her taking the time to sing us to sleep almost every night. My Grandpa Waddell's amazing voice as well. There are certain songs that I hear that bring tears to my eyes and don't sound quite right without him singing them. I am thankful that I have two children who love music as much as their father and I do.
8. Warm and Cold days! I am not the biggest fan of COLD COLD. Growing up in Kansas school would be canceled not because of snow, but because of how cold it was outside. Which meant there probably was snow on the ground, but you couldn't play in it. Cold enough to make your nose hairs freeze when you breathe in. I also love and hate scrapping my windshields. It's kind of a hassle but I always feel so energized afterwards and it feels so good to be in a warm car! I also love snuggling under the blankets and drinking hot chocolate. . . something you don't do a whole lot of in Mesa. Cold days can be pretty miserable but it makes me thankful for warm days. Eating Popsicles, playing in the pool, sitting in the warm sun (I am not talking crazy hot days though, those are the times I miss cold days. . .vicious cycle huh?!) Basically I love being outdoors. My favorite is Flagstaff AZ. Beautiful mountains and beautiful weather!
9. Amazing extended family and friends. First my family. I love my sisters and brother dearly. They all make me laugh more than anyone. Even Orson makes me laugh so hard. My poor parents have to deal with a bunch of crazy "kids" when we all get together! My parents are amazing. Taught me so much and continue to teach me. My in laws have raised a great guy and are so supportive and are there for us if we ever need them. My husbands siblings are all wonderful! So fun to be around and characteristics each have that I learn from. I have amazing grandparents, aunts and uncles whom I adore. Cousins that have been my best friends. I have been blessed to have great friends too. It's been hard moving away from all of my family and friends, but I have great friends (new and old) that continue to support and love me! Always there to give me a good laugh, or listen to my complaining and give me advice! I love all of you!!
10. My small immediate family. I have two beautiful children who drive me nuts sometimes, but bring such joy and laughter in my life. Isaac is such a sweet guy and loves to please. He is quite the funny guy too. . . most of the time he has no idea that he is even being funny, which makes me laugh even harder. Ainsley on the other hand is temperamental, and I love her all the more for it. She reminds me so much of myself (I can see myself in both kids, as well as Mike, and I LOVE IT!). Ainsley will definitely always keep me on my toes. She is so independent and full of fire, and I love being around her, she tends to bring out the best in me. Then there is Michael. He makes me a better person. He is not so high strung as I am, and keeps me grounded. He knows how to make me laugh, and is such a wonderful father. He is such a hard worker and takes such good care of all of us! I am the luckiest girl to have a great husband and wonderful children.
Basically I am one lucky girl. It's good for me to stop and count my many blessings!
I now tag Brittney, Sarah T. (and MT 2 lists!), Lara, and Whitney. Can't wait to hear what you are thankful for.
11.06.2007
Oprah Through the Eyes of a Two Year Old
Today Isaac watched Oprah with me. It was about You Tube and some fun people were on today. Isaac enjoyed all of it, but he had two favorites. There was a man singing opera music and Isaac watched him sing very intently then said, "Wow Mom, that guys sings the LOUDEST!" Very good observation Isaac.
His very FAVORITE act was the skateboarding dog. Isaac started singing "He was a skater puppy"! I have to say I enjoy watching the Oprah show, but today was one of the most enjoyable with Isaac's sweet commentary!!
His very FAVORITE act was the skateboarding dog. Isaac started singing "He was a skater puppy"! I have to say I enjoy watching the Oprah show, but today was one of the most enjoyable with Isaac's sweet commentary!!
11.01.2007
Eight Months Old
Ainsley is 8 months old today. Growing so quickly. . . a little too fast at times. I want to share some of her favorites and some of her most recent accomplishments.
15. She LOVES to eat. Anything you feed her she eats it. Even things she is not supposed to. For instance buttons, paper, anything small and sparkly.
Perfect example of how EVERYTHING goes straight for the mouth!
14. She signs eat, and for the first time yesterday signed cracker. Funny thing is I haven't really been doing sign with her like I did with Isaac. Just every once in awhile Isaac and I sign (he is really into knowing what all the signs are for ALL of his toys right now). Back to Ainsley. Ironic she signed eat as her first . . . I think not!
13. She is our little dare devil. She climbs up everything. She climbed onto the couch the other day (cushions were off), but still somehow she made it up.
12. She has been trying to stand on her own. She has been walking all over the place (holding onto furniture or walls), but recently started letting go and seeing how long she can stand before falling over. Once again my little dare devil!
11. She loves playing patty cake, and started clapping on her own when she wants to play.
10. She blows back into your face when you blow into hers.
9. Ainsley loves shaking her head no. Ask her a question and the answer is always no.
8. Our little girl is social, and yet likes to play shy. If anyone besides mom, dad or Isaac talks to her she will hide her head in my shoulder. As soon as I tell her to say hi, she will look up at me, look at the person and then wave, with a big smile on her face.
Here she is playing camera shy. Almost all photo shoots go this way with her. I get in front of her to take a picture and she turns her back towards me.
7. Ainsley is a speed crawler. She is just as fast as Isaac when he is crawling.
6. Ainsley LOVES to be outside. Her eyes light up, and is such a happy little girl when we are out. When it's time to come back in she will cry.
5. She loves music. She bops to any kind of music on the radio. Ainsley loves playing the piano. She stands on her tiptoes and plays our big piano, or will play Isaac's little one. The piano will keep her occupied for at least five minutes! I think that's great for an baby!
4. She has a very nice courtesy laugh. Sounds like a mix between a cough and a laugh. She does this laugh when you think something is funny and she wants to join in the laughter.
3. Ainsley has learned how to get her brother in trouble. I know they are communicating on how to upset mom! He comes running to push her over or take her toys away, and she screams! If she is feeling neglected she will scream if he's just in the room, to get my attention. I will ask Isaac if he did anything to her. "No mom, she's just like that!"
2. Ainsley's favorite person (next to mom) is Isaac. She LOVES Isaac. They fight like crazy sometimes, but she adores him. Follows him around, and just giggles every time he talks to her.
1. Ainsley is a DEFINITE mommas girl, but recently has started getting excited when daddy gets home. She knows daddy takes her outside to play when he gets home from work. She will follow him into the room and sit there and wait for him to change his clothes and get shoes on.
Ainsley is such a joy to be around, and I am sure lucky to have her in my life!
Okay Halloween pictures didn't turn out so good so I am going to take some more pictures later. Maybe when all the snot has left our house!! Here's the best I got:
(I will tell the story when I get some better pictures!)
15. She LOVES to eat. Anything you feed her she eats it. Even things she is not supposed to. For instance buttons, paper, anything small and sparkly.
Perfect example of how EVERYTHING goes straight for the mouth!14. She signs eat, and for the first time yesterday signed cracker. Funny thing is I haven't really been doing sign with her like I did with Isaac. Just every once in awhile Isaac and I sign (he is really into knowing what all the signs are for ALL of his toys right now). Back to Ainsley. Ironic she signed eat as her first . . . I think not!
13. She is our little dare devil. She climbs up everything. She climbed onto the couch the other day (cushions were off), but still somehow she made it up.
12. She has been trying to stand on her own. She has been walking all over the place (holding onto furniture or walls), but recently started letting go and seeing how long she can stand before falling over. Once again my little dare devil!
11. She loves playing patty cake, and started clapping on her own when she wants to play.
10. She blows back into your face when you blow into hers.
9. Ainsley loves shaking her head no. Ask her a question and the answer is always no.
8. Our little girl is social, and yet likes to play shy. If anyone besides mom, dad or Isaac talks to her she will hide her head in my shoulder. As soon as I tell her to say hi, she will look up at me, look at the person and then wave, with a big smile on her face.
Here she is playing camera shy. Almost all photo shoots go this way with her. I get in front of her to take a picture and she turns her back towards me.7. Ainsley is a speed crawler. She is just as fast as Isaac when he is crawling.
6. Ainsley LOVES to be outside. Her eyes light up, and is such a happy little girl when we are out. When it's time to come back in she will cry.
5. She loves music. She bops to any kind of music on the radio. Ainsley loves playing the piano. She stands on her tiptoes and plays our big piano, or will play Isaac's little one. The piano will keep her occupied for at least five minutes! I think that's great for an baby!
4. She has a very nice courtesy laugh. Sounds like a mix between a cough and a laugh. She does this laugh when you think something is funny and she wants to join in the laughter.
3. Ainsley has learned how to get her brother in trouble. I know they are communicating on how to upset mom! He comes running to push her over or take her toys away, and she screams! If she is feeling neglected she will scream if he's just in the room, to get my attention. I will ask Isaac if he did anything to her. "No mom, she's just like that!"
2. Ainsley's favorite person (next to mom) is Isaac. She LOVES Isaac. They fight like crazy sometimes, but she adores him. Follows him around, and just giggles every time he talks to her.
1. Ainsley is a DEFINITE mommas girl, but recently has started getting excited when daddy gets home. She knows daddy takes her outside to play when he gets home from work. She will follow him into the room and sit there and wait for him to change his clothes and get shoes on.
Ainsley is such a joy to be around, and I am sure lucky to have her in my life!
Okay Halloween pictures didn't turn out so good so I am going to take some more pictures later. Maybe when all the snot has left our house!! Here's the best I got:
(I will tell the story when I get some better pictures!)
10.31.2007
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
The Power Rangers movie was just on tv and I let Isaac watch it. I thought it was scary, but he loved it! They were doing all of those crazy flips and he says "Mom watch I can do that!" Does a half somersault thing and then says "Oh I guess I can't."
Funny boy!
Funny boy!
10.30.2007
Lazy Day
We all have colds around here, and I didn't feel like doing much, so I worked on some scrapbook pages. I still need to figure out how to take good pictures of the pages. I don't know if it's the lighting, or cropping that makes them look so poor. You pro's out there I could use some advice!
10.29.2007
Child LIKE not ChildISH
Isaac, Ainsley, and I went shopping this past Saturday. I was trying to find some things for decorating my house, and I hit gold at Ross. Found the exact things I was looking for and at a great price! Go to purchase my items, and here is where the drama starts.
There were only TWO registers open and at least 15 people waiting between the two. We stood in line for almost 15 min (kid you not!). The line we were standing in was headed in an L shape, if that makes sense. I was finally fourth in line, and just about to make my way around the corner and be straight on with the register. Anyway one couple comes up and I over hear the man say "Yeah right, they think they can make the line go that way" and nods pointing to our little L shaped line (NOTE: we were trying to keep the shopping path clear and that is how the odd shaped line started). So this couple kind of cuts me off but keeps their distance a little.
The lady just in front of me gets frustrated with the wait and leaves. I start to move up to my place in line and that's when the couple moves in much faster. Now I was getting a little irritated standing in line for so long. Cart full, holding Ainsley on my hip, while trying to keep Isaac entertained. So when this lady cut me off, seeing what a struggle I was having, and I flipped.
I looked at her and said "Are you kidding?!" She just smirked and took another step forward. I said "this is ridiculous I have been waiting here longer than you. Then said to Isaac (the embarrassing part for me "this lady is very rude and I don't want to wait here any more." Isaac starts crying because he can't get the toy he picked out, and I make my way to the exit, just fuming. What kills me is look of satisfaction on this women's face.
I was furious, but decided to keep shopping and head for the next store on our list. Luckily Michael's (the store) had cheery Christmas music playing, and NICE fellow customers. There was a sweet woman who let me get in front of her in line because I had less than she did AND two squirmy children. Her politeness along with the music calmed me down completely.
Now I am just embarrassed about my childish display. Dang, now you guys know I am far from perfect :) !! Hopefully I have learned my lesson and next time I can control my temper!
There were only TWO registers open and at least 15 people waiting between the two. We stood in line for almost 15 min (kid you not!). The line we were standing in was headed in an L shape, if that makes sense. I was finally fourth in line, and just about to make my way around the corner and be straight on with the register. Anyway one couple comes up and I over hear the man say "Yeah right, they think they can make the line go that way" and nods pointing to our little L shaped line (NOTE: we were trying to keep the shopping path clear and that is how the odd shaped line started). So this couple kind of cuts me off but keeps their distance a little.
The lady just in front of me gets frustrated with the wait and leaves. I start to move up to my place in line and that's when the couple moves in much faster. Now I was getting a little irritated standing in line for so long. Cart full, holding Ainsley on my hip, while trying to keep Isaac entertained. So when this lady cut me off, seeing what a struggle I was having, and I flipped.
I looked at her and said "Are you kidding?!" She just smirked and took another step forward. I said "this is ridiculous I have been waiting here longer than you. Then said to Isaac (the embarrassing part for me "this lady is very rude and I don't want to wait here any more." Isaac starts crying because he can't get the toy he picked out, and I make my way to the exit, just fuming. What kills me is look of satisfaction on this women's face.
I was furious, but decided to keep shopping and head for the next store on our list. Luckily Michael's (the store) had cheery Christmas music playing, and NICE fellow customers. There was a sweet woman who let me get in front of her in line because I had less than she did AND two squirmy children. Her politeness along with the music calmed me down completely.
Now I am just embarrassed about my childish display. Dang, now you guys know I am far from perfect :) !! Hopefully I have learned my lesson and next time I can control my temper!
10.24.2007
Candy Land
Last monday night we made "Candy Houses" as Isaac calls them. I am not as creative, so you can totally tell which one is mine. Basic doors and windows. So creative! Isaac helped us with both of them, and probably ate tons more than he should have. . . but we had fun!
(The candy corns and green stuff up front was a swimming pool, Isaac's choice of color. He's on a green kick right now!)
(The candy corns and green stuff up front was a swimming pool, Isaac's choice of color. He's on a green kick right now!)
10.20.2007
It's a First
I just entered my first "scrapbook" challenge. It's been two years since Sarah introduced me to scrapbooking. Never would have thought I would have so much fun with it!! I have been a break lately, but I am trying to get back into my scrapping groove.
So anyway the challenge was decorate a pumpkin. I chose "fall" so I could keep it up longer. Really into the crinkle/wrinkle stuff right now, so that's what I did. It took me longer than I thought it would, but I had fun!
You guys in AZ can do another craft group :)
So anyway the challenge was decorate a pumpkin. I chose "fall" so I could keep it up longer. Really into the crinkle/wrinkle stuff right now, so that's what I did. It took me longer than I thought it would, but I had fun!
You guys in AZ can do another craft group :)
10.18.2007
Lessons Learned This Week
What a week and it's only Thursday morning!!! The lessons I have learned this week:
1. Never buy tropical smelling trash bags again. Really who was I kidding, thinking it would mask the smell of food and dirty diapers. Hah! Now every time I open the trash can I smell diapers, food, and something that resembles tropical air fresheners (Key word RESEMBLES!)
2. If I make a batch of cookies I end up eating most of them myself. . . same goes for the Halloween candy too.
3. The harder I try to diet the more I want the foods I shouldn't eat (see above).
4. Texas weather is TEMPERAMENTAL. We had a nasty storm the other night. All kinds of lightening and true raining of cats and dogs. Then it got so cold the next couple days. Then this morning it is warm and sunny out. Note to self: buy all seasons of clothes for the kids, because you never know what you will need!
5. The longer I let the dishes pile up in the sink, the harder it is to get the courage to start cleaning!
6. Having a permanent attachment to my hips, does wonders for my posture (sarcastic). Ainsley has serious separation issues right now, and is glued to my hip. Good news though I am becoming ambidextrous.
7. Photography is harder than it looks. So much to learn, lots of practicing, and definitely not easy with "on the go" subjects!
8. Takes me at least 30 minutes to clean one room, and five minutes (or less) for Isaac to trash it.
9. I have more energy through out the day if I work out first thing in the morning, and sleep better if I do yoga before bed. . . but it's doing it that is the hard part.
10. Never ever put light colored carpet in my house when I have young children!!! Our house came with light carpet, and now it looks like feaux fur, dalmatian style! I feel like I am constantly cleaning spots (LOVE MY SPOT BOT). When I have the money saved I want wood floors, or even darker carpet!!
11. When making soup in my food processor NEVER forget the cover/shield thing. Soup will come flying out and spray the entire kitchen. Adds to the daunting task of cleaning the kitchen!!
1. Never buy tropical smelling trash bags again. Really who was I kidding, thinking it would mask the smell of food and dirty diapers. Hah! Now every time I open the trash can I smell diapers, food, and something that resembles tropical air fresheners (Key word RESEMBLES!)
2. If I make a batch of cookies I end up eating most of them myself. . . same goes for the Halloween candy too.
3. The harder I try to diet the more I want the foods I shouldn't eat (see above).
4. Texas weather is TEMPERAMENTAL. We had a nasty storm the other night. All kinds of lightening and true raining of cats and dogs. Then it got so cold the next couple days. Then this morning it is warm and sunny out. Note to self: buy all seasons of clothes for the kids, because you never know what you will need!
5. The longer I let the dishes pile up in the sink, the harder it is to get the courage to start cleaning!
6. Having a permanent attachment to my hips, does wonders for my posture (sarcastic). Ainsley has serious separation issues right now, and is glued to my hip. Good news though I am becoming ambidextrous.
7. Photography is harder than it looks. So much to learn, lots of practicing, and definitely not easy with "on the go" subjects!
8. Takes me at least 30 minutes to clean one room, and five minutes (or less) for Isaac to trash it.
9. I have more energy through out the day if I work out first thing in the morning, and sleep better if I do yoga before bed. . . but it's doing it that is the hard part.
10. Never ever put light colored carpet in my house when I have young children!!! Our house came with light carpet, and now it looks like feaux fur, dalmatian style! I feel like I am constantly cleaning spots (LOVE MY SPOT BOT). When I have the money saved I want wood floors, or even darker carpet!!
11. When making soup in my food processor NEVER forget the cover/shield thing. Soup will come flying out and spray the entire kitchen. Adds to the daunting task of cleaning the kitchen!!
10.15.2007
Music and More
I finally added my music play list to the bottom of my blog! Thanks for introducing me to Regina Spektor, Bucky!!
Also some of you have been asking about my photography class. It is online with Amber Ludlow. I am learning a lot. Honestly though you guys are too nice. I still have A LOT to learn, and LOTS of practicing to do. I get lucky with my pictures. Some turn out really good, but most of the time not so good :) That's where the practicing comes in. My goal is to figure out how to work my camera and in time upgrade, which will make all the difference in my pictures.
Also some of you have been asking about my photography class. It is online with Amber Ludlow. I am learning a lot. Honestly though you guys are too nice. I still have A LOT to learn, and LOTS of practicing to do. I get lucky with my pictures. Some turn out really good, but most of the time not so good :) That's where the practicing comes in. My goal is to figure out how to work my camera and in time upgrade, which will make all the difference in my pictures.
10.14.2007
Pickin' Pumpkins
Yesterday we went to the Bill Bates Pumpkin patch. There was a small petting zoo (goats, sheep and cows), I wasn't too impressed with it, but what does my opinion matter? Isaac liked feeding the goats. Ainsley even got in on the action.
We got free hot dogs, and I am happy to say Isaac ate his! I was thrilled. After dinner, we walked around and took LOTS of pictures on the hay bales. As you can see Ainsley had more fun eating the hay, and Isaac spent a lot of time trying to get Ainsley not to eat the hay.
Here's a few of Isaac playing with the pumpkins (aka me trying to get him to pose for a picture):
A few of Ainsley doing the same:
We also went on a hay ride. Isaac is still asking about the farmer who got "stuck" in the hay bales. I am sure most of you have seen something similar. There were signs along the way asking if anyone had seen farmer John (or whatever his name was). Then at the end there was some legs and a arm hanging out of the giant hay bale. I felt bad for a little girl older than Isaac. She was really concerned about it, and kept asking her parents if he was real.
After the hay ride we went and picked a small pumpkin for Isaac. We walked up and down the pumpkin patch and let Isaac pick his own. He looks thrilled in this picture. . . He really did have fun though pointing out all of the pumpkins and examining each to find the perfect pumpkin!
Then went to the store for some "cheaper" bigger pumpkins. We will be carving them in the next couple weeks. So watch for those pictures. Just to hold you over, here are last year and the year before. All Mike's artwork. I am more of the triangle face kind of gal. I am going to try something different this year, hopefully I will be successful and patient enough to do so!!
We got free hot dogs, and I am happy to say Isaac ate his! I was thrilled. After dinner, we walked around and took LOTS of pictures on the hay bales. As you can see Ainsley had more fun eating the hay, and Isaac spent a lot of time trying to get Ainsley not to eat the hay.
Here's a few of Isaac playing with the pumpkins (aka me trying to get him to pose for a picture):
A few of Ainsley doing the same:
We also went on a hay ride. Isaac is still asking about the farmer who got "stuck" in the hay bales. I am sure most of you have seen something similar. There were signs along the way asking if anyone had seen farmer John (or whatever his name was). Then at the end there was some legs and a arm hanging out of the giant hay bale. I felt bad for a little girl older than Isaac. She was really concerned about it, and kept asking her parents if he was real.After the hay ride we went and picked a small pumpkin for Isaac. We walked up and down the pumpkin patch and let Isaac pick his own. He looks thrilled in this picture. . . He really did have fun though pointing out all of the pumpkins and examining each to find the perfect pumpkin!
Then went to the store for some "cheaper" bigger pumpkins. We will be carving them in the next couple weeks. So watch for those pictures. Just to hold you over, here are last year and the year before. All Mike's artwork. I am more of the triangle face kind of gal. I am going to try something different this year, hopefully I will be successful and patient enough to do so!!
10.13.2007
All at the Soccer Game
We went and watched Mike play soccer (with his work team) today. Isaac was a little bummed about not being able to play with the big boys. Wait, did I say "little". He wouldn't drop the subject the entire game. Luckily they only play two 20 minute halves.
Three milestones for Ainsley were noted at the soccer game. Well two and a half. First we will start with the half. She started waving yesterday. I was thinking maybe it was a fluke, but it wasn't. She waved at everyone we passed, and if they waved back she got so giddy. So cute.
Ainsley also started clapping today. She LOVES playing pattycake, but doesn't ever clap on her own. Then today at the game everyone started clapping (for a goal Mike scored) and she clapped. She continued clapping much of the game.
I also noticed, while at the game, that two little teeth are poking through. They are her two bottom teeth. Just barely poking, and you can only see them if the light hits just right. They can definitely be felt. Big girl!
Three milestones for Ainsley were noted at the soccer game. Well two and a half. First we will start with the half. She started waving yesterday. I was thinking maybe it was a fluke, but it wasn't. She waved at everyone we passed, and if they waved back she got so giddy. So cute.
Ainsley also started clapping today. She LOVES playing pattycake, but doesn't ever clap on her own. Then today at the game everyone started clapping (for a goal Mike scored) and she clapped. She continued clapping much of the game.
I also noticed, while at the game, that two little teeth are poking through. They are her two bottom teeth. Just barely poking, and you can only see them if the light hits just right. They can definitely be felt. Big girl!
How to Keep a 2 Year Old Still
As you can see from Michael's post below Isaac's procedure went good. He woke up faster than they thought he would. He was waking up before he was even into recovery. All of the nurses were very impressed that he never really cried or made any noise. He was cuddling with a nurse when they brought us in. After that he sat on Mike's lap and kind of whined and whimpered, mostly because of the IV in his foot. After they took that out he was fine.
We were told that he would probably sleep most of the day, and he would probably not have much of an appetite. Well he was FURIOUS that we tried to keep him down, and the boy was starving. I know most of you won't appreciate this, but a few will. He had a turkey and cheese sandwich, three rolls, two bowls of ice cream, one Popsicle, one smoothie, and two bowls of spaghetti O's. This all within a five hour period.
I also went on a little grocery run, and he wanted to go so bad, we made it a family outing. So the picture below is him on the carousel outside of the store. Way to keep him down all day huh?!
While the nurses were telling me the "rules" for when we get home, I just sat there and nodded my head. Really I was thinking "How do you keep a two year old still. . . all day? How do I get a PICKY two year old to only eat liquids (something to do after the anesthesia, not the teeth )?" So in the end we had Isaac watch a movie, and just avoided hard play. I let him eat anything he wanted, that wasn't hard or crunchy.
I definitely saw some prayers answered yesterday. Isaac was so brave, and recovered so quickly. Thank you everyone for your prayers!
We were told that he would probably sleep most of the day, and he would probably not have much of an appetite. Well he was FURIOUS that we tried to keep him down, and the boy was starving. I know most of you won't appreciate this, but a few will. He had a turkey and cheese sandwich, three rolls, two bowls of ice cream, one Popsicle, one smoothie, and two bowls of spaghetti O's. This all within a five hour period.
I also went on a little grocery run, and he wanted to go so bad, we made it a family outing. So the picture below is him on the carousel outside of the store. Way to keep him down all day huh?!
While the nurses were telling me the "rules" for when we get home, I just sat there and nodded my head. Really I was thinking "How do you keep a two year old still. . . all day? How do I get a PICKY two year old to only eat liquids (something to do after the anesthesia, not the teeth )?" So in the end we had Isaac watch a movie, and just avoided hard play. I let him eat anything he wanted, that wasn't hard or crunchy.
I definitely saw some prayers answered yesterday. Isaac was so brave, and recovered so quickly. Thank you everyone for your prayers!
10.12.2007
10.11.2007
Wish Us Luck
Tomorrow morning at 8:30 Isaac will be having his procedure done. I have actually done good, but now that it's time to go to bed, I am starting to get anxious. I hate this feeling. I hope I can get some sleep. We get to leave here at 6:30 in the morning, and our mornings around here don't normally start until at least 9.
He did really good last year, when he had surgery, so I pray this time goes as smoothly.
Here's a picture for my photography class. This past week we were working with natural lighting from inside. I sure love my little, grumpy, bucket head!
He did really good last year, when he had surgery, so I pray this time goes as smoothly.
Here's a picture for my photography class. This past week we were working with natural lighting from inside. I sure love my little, grumpy, bucket head!
10.10.2007
Crazy Eyes
I am taking a photography class online, so I have been spending a lot of time with my camera. Now this picture isn't good. . . I was just messing around with different settings, not really trying to take any good pictures. Ainsley was in a good mood and I wanted to practice.
Okay I warned you NOT A GOOD PICTURE. BUT you can see her two different colored eyes. One is hazel and one is blue. One of her eyes changed colors a few months ago, and I am starting to wonder if the other one is going to catch up. My sweet little crazy eyes!!
Okay I warned you NOT A GOOD PICTURE. BUT you can see her two different colored eyes. One is hazel and one is blue. One of her eyes changed colors a few months ago, and I am starting to wonder if the other one is going to catch up. My sweet little crazy eyes!!
10.08.2007
Mothers Who Know
I have been trying to sit down and type this for awhile. Even before conference. . . but as luck would have it my children have not cooperated. I have also had a few other things on my mind (see previous post regarding medical insurance).
I have a dear friend who has had many (major) struggles with her boys. The oldest is my age, the youngest is 17. These boys are like brothers to me, and it has been hard for me to watch them fall, and succumb to worldly pressures. It breaks my heart every time I talk to their mother , to hear her express her concerns and the challenges. She wonders where she went wrong, or when/if they will change their lives around. Her worries have become my own, not only for her boys, but for my own children as well.
I have worried watching Isaac and how frustrated he becomes (over the tiniest of things), and daily pray to know how to help him deal and overcome his frustrations.
I am sitting here trying to write the words, but nothing is coming. A small part of that is I am a little stressed with Isaac's procedure that will be done in two days, and dealing with this insurance. The biggest part is conference is over and I am at peace. So many GREAT talks. I LOVED loved LOVED the Sunday morning session. Every single talk had answers to prayers. Since we have DVR with our satellite, I have been able to go back and watch one talk at a time.
I know there will be struggles and hardships as I raise my children. I now have a stronger resolve to do the things that will better myself as a parent.
I am so blessed to have such sweet children. They are more often the better examples around our home (really don't know if that sentence is worded right, but "y'all" get the idea!)
1. The other night Michael was putting Isaac to bed, and he fell asleep instead. Isaac comes wandering back into the living room. I ask him what he is doing awake. He looks at me so innocently and says "Mom, we didn't say our prayers." Ouch. We knelt together, said our prayers, and he went to bed and right to sleep without any argument. Talk about a humbling experience.
2. A couple days ago I was so frustrated with Isaac, and Ainsley both. They hadn't been sleeping well at night, weren't taking very good naps. Not a good combination to have cranky, sleepy kids, and a grumpy, sleepy mom! I got after Isaac for waking up Ainsley (I had finally got her to go down for a nap). I felt horrible about it after, and went to talk to him. I first apologized for being upset, and let him know I am learning and trying to be a better mom. He tells me "Mom I know. I will help you. I love you. You are my best."
I have a dear friend who has had many (major) struggles with her boys. The oldest is my age, the youngest is 17. These boys are like brothers to me, and it has been hard for me to watch them fall, and succumb to worldly pressures. It breaks my heart every time I talk to their mother , to hear her express her concerns and the challenges. She wonders where she went wrong, or when/if they will change their lives around. Her worries have become my own, not only for her boys, but for my own children as well.
I have worried watching Isaac and how frustrated he becomes (over the tiniest of things), and daily pray to know how to help him deal and overcome his frustrations.
I am sitting here trying to write the words, but nothing is coming. A small part of that is I am a little stressed with Isaac's procedure that will be done in two days, and dealing with this insurance. The biggest part is conference is over and I am at peace. So many GREAT talks. I LOVED loved LOVED the Sunday morning session. Every single talk had answers to prayers. Since we have DVR with our satellite, I have been able to go back and watch one talk at a time.
I know there will be struggles and hardships as I raise my children. I now have a stronger resolve to do the things that will better myself as a parent.
I am so blessed to have such sweet children. They are more often the better examples around our home (really don't know if that sentence is worded right, but "y'all" get the idea!)
1. The other night Michael was putting Isaac to bed, and he fell asleep instead. Isaac comes wandering back into the living room. I ask him what he is doing awake. He looks at me so innocently and says "Mom, we didn't say our prayers." Ouch. We knelt together, said our prayers, and he went to bed and right to sleep without any argument. Talk about a humbling experience.
2. A couple days ago I was so frustrated with Isaac, and Ainsley both. They hadn't been sleeping well at night, weren't taking very good naps. Not a good combination to have cranky, sleepy kids, and a grumpy, sleepy mom! I got after Isaac for waking up Ainsley (I had finally got her to go down for a nap). I felt horrible about it after, and went to talk to him. I first apologized for being upset, and let him know I am learning and trying to be a better mom. He tells me "Mom I know. I will help you. I love you. You are my best."
10.05.2007
Mind Your Manners
Blogging. What is it about blogging that makes it so addictive? I have found myself thoroughly entertained, blog surfing, countless times. Even finding myself sometimes disappointed, when those blocked signs pop up. The ones that shout out "Mind your own business!"
Here are a few of my thoughts, and I would love to hear your opinions. First off if it's a public blog, it's free reign. Am I wrong? I don't mind people looking at mine. The more the better. I LOVE when people post comments. It's like getting an e-mail, but so much easier. I love when I open my blog and see x amount of comments, and a little bummed when there aren't any. (Maybe I am just a little too addicted!)
So when do you leave a comment? Every time you visit someones blog? You know, common courtesy saying you've been there. Even if it's just a "hi", I read your post. Easy right. . . when it's someone you are friends with. What about someone you know, but you don't know if they know you, or they don't like you? I don't want to feel like an idiot commenting and the person thinking "What? Who is this?" or "Why would are they looking at my blog?" For me personally, I would love if EVERYONE who reads my blog commented. Brightens my day! (By the way Chelsea, thanks for stepping up to the plate and going first!)
So what do you guys think? Should I not be reading other people's blogs? Do I comment every time? Do I read, and then slip away like I was never there? SERIOUSLY maybe I just think too much!!
Like I said early I like to think of this as my little cyberspace journal, and an e-mail to all of my friends out there. Since I have been reading, how much people love fall. . . this goes out to all of my blogging buddies (known and unknown!) :
Here are a few of my thoughts, and I would love to hear your opinions. First off if it's a public blog, it's free reign. Am I wrong? I don't mind people looking at mine. The more the better. I LOVE when people post comments. It's like getting an e-mail, but so much easier. I love when I open my blog and see x amount of comments, and a little bummed when there aren't any. (Maybe I am just a little too addicted!)
So when do you leave a comment? Every time you visit someones blog? You know, common courtesy saying you've been there. Even if it's just a "hi", I read your post. Easy right. . . when it's someone you are friends with. What about someone you know, but you don't know if they know you, or they don't like you? I don't want to feel like an idiot commenting and the person thinking "What? Who is this?" or "Why would are they looking at my blog?" For me personally, I would love if EVERYONE who reads my blog commented. Brightens my day! (By the way Chelsea, thanks for stepping up to the plate and going first!)
So what do you guys think? Should I not be reading other people's blogs? Do I comment every time? Do I read, and then slip away like I was never there? SERIOUSLY maybe I just think too much!!
Like I said early I like to think of this as my little cyberspace journal, and an e-mail to all of my friends out there. Since I have been reading, how much people love fall. . . this goes out to all of my blogging buddies (known and unknown!) :
10.03.2007
Ouch
Just got a phone call from Isaac's dentist office. Our insurance won't cover the hospital bills or anesthesia. . .$1,500. Little stunned right now. I don't know what's going to happen next. Do we just fork out the money, look for someone else, try to convince insurance they should cover it? Sure puts a damper on my day though.
10.02.2007
Graceful Leap
I had been waiting to hear back from the Dr.'s office today, and my phone began to ring I raced to go get it. I jumped over Isaac's skateboard lying in the hallway, and on the other side of the board, my foot landed on the prongs of a plug. I was in such a hurry, that I didn't notice the pain at first. I knew it hurt, but after that phone call, WOW, I was sure feeling it!
I have a nice gash on the bottom of my foot, about an inch in length. It's not one of those cuts that bleeds much, but almost feels that it's tearing open when I walk. Basically it hurts! I will spare everyone the pictures. . .
In some more, delightful news, Ainsley is now crawling on her knees. No more army crawling for this girl, she means business these days. Ainsley's eyes can catch the smallest piece of anything on the floor, and OFF she goes. I don't remember Isaac being such an eater "of things", but I also didn't have a two year old to leave "things" around, or distract mom from picking "things" up. Ainsley likes to keep me on my toes.
I am also very proud of Isaac today. Those of you have picky eaters will understand my joy. Those of you who don't, this will all sound very trivial. For lunch today, Isaac ate THREE chicken nuggets, TWO crinkle fries, and (my favorite) an entire strawberry. It has been a VERY LONG time since he would eat a strawberry. I was thrilled and offered him more, but for now I just get to be happy that he ate ONE!!!
I am also thrilled that my desk arrived today! It has taken the moving company three months to fix what they broke, but it here now and I finally get to set up my scrapbook "shop". I have been trying to do a few different projects and it's been quite the challenge with my supplies in boxes. . . unorganized. Hopefully in the next day or two I will be organized, and can start fulfilling my scrapping urge. Sounds funny, but I am so behind on Ainsley's scrapbook, and more than ready to catch up. Not to mention I am taking a photography class online (which I love, and will post later about it), so in the near future hope to have some amazing pictures to scrap!
I have a nice gash on the bottom of my foot, about an inch in length. It's not one of those cuts that bleeds much, but almost feels that it's tearing open when I walk. Basically it hurts! I will spare everyone the pictures. . .
In some more, delightful news, Ainsley is now crawling on her knees. No more army crawling for this girl, she means business these days. Ainsley's eyes can catch the smallest piece of anything on the floor, and OFF she goes. I don't remember Isaac being such an eater "of things", but I also didn't have a two year old to leave "things" around, or distract mom from picking "things" up. Ainsley likes to keep me on my toes.
I am also very proud of Isaac today. Those of you have picky eaters will understand my joy. Those of you who don't, this will all sound very trivial. For lunch today, Isaac ate THREE chicken nuggets, TWO crinkle fries, and (my favorite) an entire strawberry. It has been a VERY LONG time since he would eat a strawberry. I was thrilled and offered him more, but for now I just get to be happy that he ate ONE!!!
I am also thrilled that my desk arrived today! It has taken the moving company three months to fix what they broke, but it here now and I finally get to set up my scrapbook "shop". I have been trying to do a few different projects and it's been quite the challenge with my supplies in boxes. . . unorganized. Hopefully in the next day or two I will be organized, and can start fulfilling my scrapping urge. Sounds funny, but I am so behind on Ainsley's scrapbook, and more than ready to catch up. Not to mention I am taking a photography class online (which I love, and will post later about it), so in the near future hope to have some amazing pictures to scrap!
9.28.2007
So Unexpected
Yesterday was my birthday, and Mike got me birthday presents without me even knowing. Normally we all go shopping and I pick out what I want.
If you read a previous post of mine you will see I have a hard time getting things for myself and prefer buying for my kids or Mike. That being said, I asked for a high chair for Ainsley, and a food processor, so I could make Ainsley food.
Mike got me both of those and even sneaked in one more present. He got me a 21 piece set of stainless steel cookware. YEAH! I love it!!
I know Mike will read my blog sometime today, and I wanted everyone else to hear it too "I sure love you Michael. Thank you for being such a great dad and husband! We are sure lucky to have you around!"
If you read a previous post of mine you will see I have a hard time getting things for myself and prefer buying for my kids or Mike. That being said, I asked for a high chair for Ainsley, and a food processor, so I could make Ainsley food.
Mike got me both of those and even sneaked in one more present. He got me a 21 piece set of stainless steel cookware. YEAH! I love it!!
I know Mike will read my blog sometime today, and I wanted everyone else to hear it too "I sure love you Michael. Thank you for being such a great dad and husband! We are sure lucky to have you around!"
9.26.2007
Day After
It has been a rough day today. Isaac is better, and is back to eating normal, but he has been quite the little pill.
While giving him a shower, I ran to check on Ainsley, and grab him a towel, and in less than one minute he had emptied a new bottle of shampoo (a nice expensive one!!) I can't get too mad either because I left him alone, even if it was for a minute!
He has been hitting, kicking, and stepping on Ainsley all day. Seriously driving me nuts.
I don't even know where to begin with his messes today. Just two examples (and there are MANY), he took his Gatorade and dumped it on the floor. Took a packet of crackers and dumped them on the carpet, and stepped on them.
I could probably keep going with my list, but I think you get the point. So now for the silver lining with my day:
- Isaac is eating and not throwing up! He even tried apples today! Only took a couple bites, but I will take it.
- After he dumped out my shampoo the bathroom smelled really good.
- Ainsley still adores Isaac even after all of the torture. They played in the bathtub before bed, and both of them just giggled and had fun together. Isaac even prays for his "little Beep Bop" (Ainsley), so at the end of the day they still love each other.
- At least the Gatorade was spilled in the kitchen and now my whole floor gets a good mopping again. . . making at least that part of the house clean. As for the crackers, lets just say I am thankful I have a good vacuum cleaner.
This is a picture of when we were still on campus. . . but it sums up my day today. Both with him being such a stinker and yet so cute, and a huge mess that I get to clean, but a big smile on my face!
While giving him a shower, I ran to check on Ainsley, and grab him a towel, and in less than one minute he had emptied a new bottle of shampoo (a nice expensive one!!) I can't get too mad either because I left him alone, even if it was for a minute!
He has been hitting, kicking, and stepping on Ainsley all day. Seriously driving me nuts.
I don't even know where to begin with his messes today. Just two examples (and there are MANY), he took his Gatorade and dumped it on the floor. Took a packet of crackers and dumped them on the carpet, and stepped on them.
I could probably keep going with my list, but I think you get the point. So now for the silver lining with my day:
- Isaac is eating and not throwing up! He even tried apples today! Only took a couple bites, but I will take it.
- After he dumped out my shampoo the bathroom smelled really good.
- Ainsley still adores Isaac even after all of the torture. They played in the bathtub before bed, and both of them just giggled and had fun together. Isaac even prays for his "little Beep Bop" (Ainsley), so at the end of the day they still love each other.
- At least the Gatorade was spilled in the kitchen and now my whole floor gets a good mopping again. . . making at least that part of the house clean. As for the crackers, lets just say I am thankful I have a good vacuum cleaner.
This is a picture of when we were still on campus. . . but it sums up my day today. Both with him being such a stinker and yet so cute, and a huge mess that I get to clean, but a big smile on my face!
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