My son shows great delight in experiencing and seeing new things. His whole face lights up with joy when I let him hold something new, or if he sees something surprising.
Yesterday I found myself smiling because I saw something I have never seen before. I was driving home and I saw a stroller on the sidewalk. This drew my attention because I thought maybe someone living near me has a baby! Yay! As I came nearer I realized it was an old woman pushing the stroller, and inside the stroller was a dog. A shit-zhu with a sweatband matching the old woman's. I have never seen such a scenario. I have so many questions. These are just my starters:
1. Is the walk to benefit the old woman or the dog? Most owners take their dogs on walks so their dogs can be exercised and relieve themselves. Or so I thought. It seems the stroller would make a walk counterproductive. She must have a different goal. What could it be?
2. Did she actually go into a baby store and purchase a stroller for her dog? Did she bring her dog to make sure it was the right size? I know strollers, and this was not a cheap one. How much did she spend on a dog-stroller?
3. How in the world did she find a dog sweatband? Dogs sweat out of their paws, so I can't imagine these are widely sold. Did she make it herself, and if so WHY?
In regards to having questions, I have another one on a completely different topic. When I tell people the sex of the baby I am greeted with an extended pause. I am not sure what to make of this. Are they disappointed? Do they think I am disappointed? Was I supposed to want one sex over the other and I was unaware? Just to make things clear to all who read this, I was totally ok with getting either a boy or a girl. I really thought both would be GREAT. As long as my baby is healthy (and please, God, a good sleeper) I don't really mind weather it is a boy or girl. It will be the same with my third and fourth babies, too. God knows the best person to come into our family and he knows what sex they should be, so any baby I get, I will be totally happy with.
So, uh, why the silence?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Moving Misadventures and More, much more
Today was one of those days...I was tired. Ethan has been refusing to nap this week off on on. I think it is the 3rd or 4th time in a week. Sigh. I love him. He is so cute. But he seriously needs to sleep like other, normal children. I am rereading baby sleep books. I am thinking of trying something new. Previously, I have been a diehard Dr. Sears fan, but I am now open to other ideas. If you are a mom, please feel free to give me the benefit of your wisdom.
We moved into our new house a week and a half ago, and I LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEE it. I really love having more space. I didn't realize how cramped the one bedroom apartment was until we moved. It is gloriously wonderful to have a nice kitchen, a garage so Ethan doesn't have to be strapped into a hot car seat in a hot car all the time, and a yard for Piper to run around in. I also like that Ethan has his own room.
Speaking of Piper, she did make an escape before Nathan fixed our fence. She found a space under the fence she could fit through and ended up in someone else's lanai. She ignored my calling. When she realized I had meat she tried to come but she couldn't figure out how to get back out of the lanai. I didn't know where the house was exactly because the streets around here are confusing. I guessed on which street to try and a couple of nice ladies walking their dogs helped me. Interestingly, the house Piper was trapped in was vacant because those people were on vacation. Thank goodness the Nice Ladies also knew who was house sitting and I caught them before they went to work. This all happened at 7am and I was in my pajamas, braless, and my hair all crazy.
Also, in relation to moving misadventures, Nathan and I locked ourselves out of the house. I guess I didn't explain the key system very well. Our house has multiple different locks with multiple keys. Nathan thought they were all one in the same and brought the wrong key for the wrong door. We also didn't have a garage door opener or cell phone to aide us in our moment of distress. I solved this problem by slipping through a crack in the garage window. I found it strangely exhilarating to break into my own house.
My mom accompanied me to my ultrasound yesterday since Nathan had to work. She tried to keep Ethan entertained throughout the appointment. It was also nice to have someone their with me while I found out the Big News.
Ah, yes. There it is. He has a nice package, does he not? He leaves no room for misunderstanding. He is 100% BOY. I would love to have a little girl some day. Really love it. However, I was really kind of hoping that this particular baby would be a boy. I thought it would be great to have brothers close in age. The girls can come later with big brothers to protect them. Also, little boys seem to really love their mommies. And, I really like that about them.
This one is in 3-d. I didn't have those with Ethan. I could have potentially seen his little face, but I think he must be shy. I am fine with that. I respect that about him.
We moved into our new house a week and a half ago, and I LOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEE it. I really love having more space. I didn't realize how cramped the one bedroom apartment was until we moved. It is gloriously wonderful to have a nice kitchen, a garage so Ethan doesn't have to be strapped into a hot car seat in a hot car all the time, and a yard for Piper to run around in. I also like that Ethan has his own room.
Speaking of Piper, she did make an escape before Nathan fixed our fence. She found a space under the fence she could fit through and ended up in someone else's lanai. She ignored my calling. When she realized I had meat she tried to come but she couldn't figure out how to get back out of the lanai. I didn't know where the house was exactly because the streets around here are confusing. I guessed on which street to try and a couple of nice ladies walking their dogs helped me. Interestingly, the house Piper was trapped in was vacant because those people were on vacation. Thank goodness the Nice Ladies also knew who was house sitting and I caught them before they went to work. This all happened at 7am and I was in my pajamas, braless, and my hair all crazy.
Also, in relation to moving misadventures, Nathan and I locked ourselves out of the house. I guess I didn't explain the key system very well. Our house has multiple different locks with multiple keys. Nathan thought they were all one in the same and brought the wrong key for the wrong door. We also didn't have a garage door opener or cell phone to aide us in our moment of distress. I solved this problem by slipping through a crack in the garage window. I found it strangely exhilarating to break into my own house.
My mom accompanied me to my ultrasound yesterday since Nathan had to work. She tried to keep Ethan entertained throughout the appointment. It was also nice to have someone their with me while I found out the Big News.
 |
| From Untrasound |
Ah, yes. There it is. He has a nice package, does he not? He leaves no room for misunderstanding. He is 100% BOY. I would love to have a little girl some day. Really love it. However, I was really kind of hoping that this particular baby would be a boy. I thought it would be great to have brothers close in age. The girls can come later with big brothers to protect them. Also, little boys seem to really love their mommies. And, I really like that about them.
 |
| From Untrasound |
This one is in 3-d. I didn't have those with Ethan. I could have potentially seen his little face, but I think he must be shy. I am fine with that. I respect that about him.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
No more FB
Its not you, its me.
Recently I have been observing in my own life that I interact with people less and less on a real level and it has been reduced to electronic communication. This is largely my fault because I hate talking on the phone. I would rather email, text, or have my husband call than talk on the phone. I also hate voicemail. I hate calling that thing and listening to messages and then being obligated to call people back. So I put off listening to it until my inbox is ridiculously full.
I also realized that when we didn't have internet for a couple of days during our move, I really liked it. I didn't miss checking facebook statuses. Nothing is really happening online anyway. Real life is happening all around me. It happens with my son playing. It happens when I am forced to talk to people instead of communicate online. We went more places. We did more things. Nathan and I talked more and cuddled while watching a movie on our portable dvd player (no tv either) rather then seperately getting on our laptops. I LOVED it.
I realized I need to challenge myself more to get offline and interact with real people. I think this would do a great deal more for the loneliness factor I face, and lots of stay-at-home moms face when they don't have a job and are forced to interact with people every day. The problem is, I am comfortable. Because I am "connected" on facebook I can trick myself into believing that I have real friendships and real relationships when in reality, I don't. Just because I read someone's status update, doesn't mean I have any clue about what is really going on in their lives and in their hearts. Just like most people don't really have any idea with what is going on with me. So, I shall quit facebook for now.
I really will miss keeping up with out of state friends, so if that is you, I am sorry! Please email me or call me with your updates. I will answer the phone, or even call you back. Promise. If you are in Orlando, call me. Lets make a real live interaction date.
Just know, its not you, its me.
Recently I have been observing in my own life that I interact with people less and less on a real level and it has been reduced to electronic communication. This is largely my fault because I hate talking on the phone. I would rather email, text, or have my husband call than talk on the phone. I also hate voicemail. I hate calling that thing and listening to messages and then being obligated to call people back. So I put off listening to it until my inbox is ridiculously full.
I also realized that when we didn't have internet for a couple of days during our move, I really liked it. I didn't miss checking facebook statuses. Nothing is really happening online anyway. Real life is happening all around me. It happens with my son playing. It happens when I am forced to talk to people instead of communicate online. We went more places. We did more things. Nathan and I talked more and cuddled while watching a movie on our portable dvd player (no tv either) rather then seperately getting on our laptops. I LOVED it.
I realized I need to challenge myself more to get offline and interact with real people. I think this would do a great deal more for the loneliness factor I face, and lots of stay-at-home moms face when they don't have a job and are forced to interact with people every day. The problem is, I am comfortable. Because I am "connected" on facebook I can trick myself into believing that I have real friendships and real relationships when in reality, I don't. Just because I read someone's status update, doesn't mean I have any clue about what is really going on in their lives and in their hearts. Just like most people don't really have any idea with what is going on with me. So, I shall quit facebook for now.
I really will miss keeping up with out of state friends, so if that is you, I am sorry! Please email me or call me with your updates. I will answer the phone, or even call you back. Promise. If you are in Orlando, call me. Lets make a real live interaction date.
Just know, its not you, its me.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Druggies, I get you
In recent years I have seen numerous Dr. Phil episodes. Oh, wait, before I continue, I would like to make it clear that I do not watch Dr. Phil anymore. His shows went from interesting to silly. Ok, I have seen numerous Dr. Phil episodes where Dr. Phil confronts mothers who are on drugs. These are average moms from the suburbs that look like the stereotypical soccer moms. They are hard core addicted to pain killers. They sell items on ebay, drown their families in debt, or prositute themselves in order to stay on painkillers.
At first I found it surprising. Why would they do that? Now that I have a toddler, I am starting to get it. Now, I would never do it, because I follow a moral code, and hey, its a really expensive habit. I am starting to get the I am going crazy feeling maybe a few pills will help feeling. The last few days Ethan has been whining a lot, throwing tantrums, yelling for what he wants, and waking up as soon as I start to fall asleep for a nap. I don't really need drugs, but I do need a break.
I really wish my parents lived closer. I am thinking I might be desperate enough to drive 2 hours just to go on a date with my husband. Another idea is I can get Nathan take him this weekend while I go. Just GO.
At first I found it surprising. Why would they do that? Now that I have a toddler, I am starting to get it. Now, I would never do it, because I follow a moral code, and hey, its a really expensive habit. I am starting to get the I am going crazy feeling maybe a few pills will help feeling. The last few days Ethan has been whining a lot, throwing tantrums, yelling for what he wants, and waking up as soon as I start to fall asleep for a nap. I don't really need drugs, but I do need a break.
I really wish my parents lived closer. I am thinking I might be desperate enough to drive 2 hours just to go on a date with my husband. Another idea is I can get Nathan take him this weekend while I go. Just GO.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Cake Fail
I have attempted two Cakes in the last week.
Cake One:
It was going to be chocolate with half chocolate icing, half vanilla. I was going to make two round layers and then put them on top of each other making a two layer cake so there would be more icing per bite.
I tried to time it so it would be done baking before Ethan's nap and could cool while he slept. It wasn't done it time. I put it back in the oven turned down the temperature and hoped it wouldn't burn before I finished rocking Ethan to sleep which could be anywhere from 15-45 minutes. After 30 minutes I thought he was asleep I set him down and he cries. Frustrated, I pick him up, go into the kitchen, get the burned cakes out of the oven, set them on the stove and resume the rocking. 15 minutes later he still wasn't going back to sleep so I decided he would skip today's nap because I was not going to sit in that horribly uncomfortable rocking chair another minute. I take the cakes out of the pans and pull of the burned edges. I ice it. Looks good. I carefully transfer the top of the cake over the bottom.
Fail.
Half of the top fell apart. It crumbles before my eyes. It is beyond repair. It looks like a pile of chocolate poo. It looks so horrible, I want to take a picture.
Taste:Excellent.
Cake Two:
This time I don't try anything fancy. Yellow cake. Half chocolate icing, half vanilla. One pan. One layer. Hmm. Nathan used my baking butter for something else yesterday. I substitute Ethan's vegan butter which clearly states on the side that it is not meant for baking. Oh well. I am not going to the store. Need cake now. Or at least 30 or so minutes from now.
Cake making uneventful.
Tire of cake eating after one piece. Nathan won't eat yellow cake.
Another Cake Fail.
Who wants some?
Cake One:
It was going to be chocolate with half chocolate icing, half vanilla. I was going to make two round layers and then put them on top of each other making a two layer cake so there would be more icing per bite.
I tried to time it so it would be done baking before Ethan's nap and could cool while he slept. It wasn't done it time. I put it back in the oven turned down the temperature and hoped it wouldn't burn before I finished rocking Ethan to sleep which could be anywhere from 15-45 minutes. After 30 minutes I thought he was asleep I set him down and he cries. Frustrated, I pick him up, go into the kitchen, get the burned cakes out of the oven, set them on the stove and resume the rocking. 15 minutes later he still wasn't going back to sleep so I decided he would skip today's nap because I was not going to sit in that horribly uncomfortable rocking chair another minute. I take the cakes out of the pans and pull of the burned edges. I ice it. Looks good. I carefully transfer the top of the cake over the bottom.
Fail.
Half of the top fell apart. It crumbles before my eyes. It is beyond repair. It looks like a pile of chocolate poo. It looks so horrible, I want to take a picture.
Taste:Excellent.
Cake Two:
This time I don't try anything fancy. Yellow cake. Half chocolate icing, half vanilla. One pan. One layer. Hmm. Nathan used my baking butter for something else yesterday. I substitute Ethan's vegan butter which clearly states on the side that it is not meant for baking. Oh well. I am not going to the store. Need cake now. Or at least 30 or so minutes from now.
Cake making uneventful.
Tire of cake eating after one piece. Nathan won't eat yellow cake.
Another Cake Fail.
Who wants some?
Airport Recollections
Flying on the way to Ohio with Ethan didn't exactly permit me time to read. My job was to hold on to him so he wouldn't go toddling down the aisles to try to get to the stewerdesses or whatever PC name they call themselves. My mom brain can't quiet think of it now. One FLIGHT ATTENDANT (that's it) looked kind of like my mom and Ethan kept holding his arms out for her to hold him every time she would pass and would run for her if I let my guard down. Other than this task, and trying to entertain him with various toys, I spent my time privately observing the people across the aisle.
They were an elderly couple. They both had hearing aids. The man seemed very sweet and kind. I make this judgement based on the observation that he smiled at my child and commented that he looked like so and so and whatever age. He also had on several bracelets. He was showing his wife his new one.
"See? It has WWJD on it." He states with enthusiasm. He must not have noticed they were popular 10 years ago. "I got you one. Its pink!"
His wife, was not so kind. She sat hunched over. She wore a gold cross on her neck and read a christian fiction novel.
"I don't want that thing! I've got one. See?" She hold up her arm and displays her watch/bracelet.
Later in the flight something falls out of one of their bags further under the seat in front of them.
"Didn't I tell you to put that inside the bag?" The old lady admonishes her husband.
"It wouldn't fit."
She huffs. Takes off her seatbelt (seatbelt sign On) and grabs the item and shoves it in the bag.
"Are you taking off your seatbelt?" Her husband questions in a low, scared voice.
"How ELSE am I supposed to get the thing?" She says irritatedly.
Even later in the flight. We are waiting to get off the plane. Ethan has been screaming for the last 20 minutes or so. A little boy behind us crowds to get out of the plane as soon as he can and he ends up near the old lady. She looks at him and says, "YOU were a good boy on the flight." She glances at Ethan. Hint taken: Mine was not a good little boy.
I say nothing but think its a good thing you believe in that cross around your neck lady, because based on attitude, you so wouldn't make the cut for heaven.
I couldn't help but wonder during my observation of Sweet Old Man and Mean Old Lady if that is a glimpse of Nathan and I in the future. I don't want to be rude like her, but I can so see it happening if I don't watch myself.
They were an elderly couple. They both had hearing aids. The man seemed very sweet and kind. I make this judgement based on the observation that he smiled at my child and commented that he looked like so and so and whatever age. He also had on several bracelets. He was showing his wife his new one.
"See? It has WWJD on it." He states with enthusiasm. He must not have noticed they were popular 10 years ago. "I got you one. Its pink!"
His wife, was not so kind. She sat hunched over. She wore a gold cross on her neck and read a christian fiction novel.
"I don't want that thing! I've got one. See?" She hold up her arm and displays her watch/bracelet.
Later in the flight something falls out of one of their bags further under the seat in front of them.
"Didn't I tell you to put that inside the bag?" The old lady admonishes her husband.
"It wouldn't fit."
She huffs. Takes off her seatbelt (seatbelt sign On) and grabs the item and shoves it in the bag.
"Are you taking off your seatbelt?" Her husband questions in a low, scared voice.
"How ELSE am I supposed to get the thing?" She says irritatedly.
Even later in the flight. We are waiting to get off the plane. Ethan has been screaming for the last 20 minutes or so. A little boy behind us crowds to get out of the plane as soon as he can and he ends up near the old lady. She looks at him and says, "YOU were a good boy on the flight." She glances at Ethan. Hint taken: Mine was not a good little boy.
I say nothing but think its a good thing you believe in that cross around your neck lady, because based on attitude, you so wouldn't make the cut for heaven.
I couldn't help but wonder during my observation of Sweet Old Man and Mean Old Lady if that is a glimpse of Nathan and I in the future. I don't want to be rude like her, but I can so see it happening if I don't watch myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)