Oh, don't worry, it's nothing quite as dramatic as the title promises.
I'm just finding that this space doesn't call my name as often as it used to. I feel a bit guilty for only having newsy updates...and nothing really juicy and creative for you. So I think a little time away is just what I need. Hopefully, after my "trial separation," I'll feel a renewed spark and return with all sorts of interesting bits of my life to share.
Farewell for now.
Showing posts with label Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Me. Show all posts
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
We'll be having a new baby........
BOY!
Yep, my feelings were nothing more than some wishful thinking, apparently! However, I must say that after learning the gender of our newest family member, I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean, really, don't I add enough drama to this Weatherby clan as it is?
Don't answer that. Let's just bask in the happy light of knowing that every little ounce and milimeter of this little guy appears to be healthy, according to the sonogram tech and her measurements.
Okay, here's the exciting part:
Names!
After lots of cool-for-a-minute notions, we've narrowed our list down to two possibilities:
*Ian Russell (Matt's favorite)
*Gannon Russell (My favorite...although I'm quite fond of Ian, also.)
Russell is Matthew's middle name, and his father's first name. Avery has my dad's first name for his middle one, so we always knew if we had another boy we'd follow suit with the other side of the family. And while we were still deliberating girl names, we were considering Matt's mother's name, Alayne (or a form of that name), for either a first name or middle name, should we have a daughter.
We're considering waiting until we meet this little boy to decide which name fits him best. Honestly, though, I've already been trying Gannon out, making sure it's something Avery can pronounce (he still has trouble with R's and L's...and I wasn't positive he'd be able to spit it out...but he can! Yay! One point for Mama's name - we're ignoring the fact that Ian is even easier to say than Gannon, by the way.).
That's about it for Weatherby news currently.
We hope the sun is shining down on you.
Yep, my feelings were nothing more than some wishful thinking, apparently! However, I must say that after learning the gender of our newest family member, I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean, really, don't I add enough drama to this Weatherby clan as it is?
Don't answer that. Let's just bask in the happy light of knowing that every little ounce and milimeter of this little guy appears to be healthy, according to the sonogram tech and her measurements.
Okay, here's the exciting part:
Names!
After lots of cool-for-a-minute notions, we've narrowed our list down to two possibilities:
*Ian Russell (Matt's favorite)
*Gannon Russell (My favorite...although I'm quite fond of Ian, also.)
Russell is Matthew's middle name, and his father's first name. Avery has my dad's first name for his middle one, so we always knew if we had another boy we'd follow suit with the other side of the family. And while we were still deliberating girl names, we were considering Matt's mother's name, Alayne (or a form of that name), for either a first name or middle name, should we have a daughter.
We're considering waiting until we meet this little boy to decide which name fits him best. Honestly, though, I've already been trying Gannon out, making sure it's something Avery can pronounce (he still has trouble with R's and L's...and I wasn't positive he'd be able to spit it out...but he can! Yay! One point for Mama's name - we're ignoring the fact that Ian is even easier to say than Gannon, by the way.).
That's about it for Weatherby news currently.
We hope the sun is shining down on you.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
IntelliGender Confusion
For some reason, I've been slightly convinced that this little bean I'm carrying just might be a girl. (Really, this is only supported by two very weak facts: 1. I've been crazy-sick this pregnancy, and 2. Baby's heart rate has been in the high 150's to low 160's range.) It's been killing me that we have to wait so long to find out the sex of the baby! I mean, hey, Matt and I have agreed that this is our last babe, so it's sort of our last hoorah - or something.
Anyway, our ultrasound is scheduled for May 28th. Woohoo. Great. Whoop-dee-doo. That's still another 3 weeks away! My in-laws are coming the week before, and it would be fantastic if we knew, and could celebrate, when they're here. I even considered calling my physician's office to see if we could move our appointment a week earlier. Then I remembered I'll just be 18 weeks on the 28th...and since the window of optimum heart imaging is between 18-20 weeks, I figured we'd better not push our luck. So I gave in.
Then I talked to my friend, Sara, last night! There is something called the IntelliGender Gender Prediction Test. As my pal was explaining this to me, I was thinking that it's probably about as accurate as dangling a pendant above your belly and waiting to see if it moves from side to side, or in circles (By the way, I did this one, too...and it made circles - which is supposed to mean it's a girl!). But apparently, some actual "doctors" claim that this test is 90% accurate, and can be performed as early as 10 weeks into your pregnancy. It detects hormones in your urine, indicating by a color code the sex of your baby.
Ok, so I wasn't exactly convinced yet...but I sure was curious. So this morning I headed to my local CVS pharmacy and bought a test ($40 plus tax!!!). Now, I didn't take photos of my results, but I can tell you they looked like the girl results on this page! I'm not about to rush out and buy everything pink and ruffly I can find, but it's sort of fun - especially if it's accurate! If, on the 28th, however, we're told we're having another boy, I will definitely regret the purchase price. My husband will surely have something to say on the matter, as well.
Anyway, our ultrasound is scheduled for May 28th. Woohoo. Great. Whoop-dee-doo. That's still another 3 weeks away! My in-laws are coming the week before, and it would be fantastic if we knew, and could celebrate, when they're here. I even considered calling my physician's office to see if we could move our appointment a week earlier. Then I remembered I'll just be 18 weeks on the 28th...and since the window of optimum heart imaging is between 18-20 weeks, I figured we'd better not push our luck. So I gave in.
Then I talked to my friend, Sara, last night! There is something called the IntelliGender Gender Prediction Test. As my pal was explaining this to me, I was thinking that it's probably about as accurate as dangling a pendant above your belly and waiting to see if it moves from side to side, or in circles (By the way, I did this one, too...and it made circles - which is supposed to mean it's a girl!). But apparently, some actual "doctors" claim that this test is 90% accurate, and can be performed as early as 10 weeks into your pregnancy. It detects hormones in your urine, indicating by a color code the sex of your baby.
Ok, so I wasn't exactly convinced yet...but I sure was curious. So this morning I headed to my local CVS pharmacy and bought a test ($40 plus tax!!!). Now, I didn't take photos of my results, but I can tell you they looked like the girl results on this page! I'm not about to rush out and buy everything pink and ruffly I can find, but it's sort of fun - especially if it's accurate! If, on the 28th, however, we're told we're having another boy, I will definitely regret the purchase price. My husband will surely have something to say on the matter, as well.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Goodbye, First Trimester!
We won't be missing you!
That's right! We finally hit the 13 week mark. No more progesterone supplements, no more vomiting (at least, not in the last week+), and the exhaustion levels have certainly decreased.
On another positive note, I had another OB check yesterday. Baby's heart rate is still in the high 150's, and my doctor is confident that things will go smoothly from here on out! I had been going in every two weeks to monitor the baby's heart rate and make sure everything else was progressing normally, and after yesterday's visit, I was told I didn't have to come back for 5 weeks!
So, on May 28th we will do another ultrasound (and if things go well, we should find out the sex!) and an appointment with my doctor. During the ultrasound they will focus in on the four chambers of the baby's heart, to make certain our new little one doesn't have any congenital heart defects. Since Avery has a couple issues in that department, our chances are slightly higher that we'd have another child with a similar problem. There has been nothing thus far to indicate that this baby has anything abnormal going on, but knowledge is power in this sort of situation, and the medical staff would like to be aware should our baby need any special care upon birth.
(*Praying that isn't necessary whatsoever!)
In other news, Avery is immensely enjoying "listening" to the baby in Mommy's tummy :) It makes me happy, too, knowing he's excited about the prospect of a new sibling. Let's just hope that good-natured attitude keeps up once the little one is here and wailing 'round the clock!
Happy weekend to you all.
That's right! We finally hit the 13 week mark. No more progesterone supplements, no more vomiting (at least, not in the last week+), and the exhaustion levels have certainly decreased.
On another positive note, I had another OB check yesterday. Baby's heart rate is still in the high 150's, and my doctor is confident that things will go smoothly from here on out! I had been going in every two weeks to monitor the baby's heart rate and make sure everything else was progressing normally, and after yesterday's visit, I was told I didn't have to come back for 5 weeks!
So, on May 28th we will do another ultrasound (and if things go well, we should find out the sex!) and an appointment with my doctor. During the ultrasound they will focus in on the four chambers of the baby's heart, to make certain our new little one doesn't have any congenital heart defects. Since Avery has a couple issues in that department, our chances are slightly higher that we'd have another child with a similar problem. There has been nothing thus far to indicate that this baby has anything abnormal going on, but knowledge is power in this sort of situation, and the medical staff would like to be aware should our baby need any special care upon birth.
(*Praying that isn't necessary whatsoever!)
In other news, Avery is immensely enjoying "listening" to the baby in Mommy's tummy :) It makes me happy, too, knowing he's excited about the prospect of a new sibling. Let's just hope that good-natured attitude keeps up once the little one is here and wailing 'round the clock!
Happy weekend to you all.
Monday, March 8, 2010
6 Weeks and 3 Days
That's how far along we are in this pregnancy! Phew -- I've been debating whether it's too early to announce it to the world, but I've been at my bursting point for way too long...so announcing it I am.
I'm not foolish enough to believe we're in the clear yet, though. After all, I was eight weeks when we lost one before. However, as soon as I saw the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, I called my physician's office, went in for lab work, and discovered my hormone levels weren't spiking as they should have been. I've been on progesterone supplements since we found out about this little bun in my oven, and thankfully, they seem to be doing their job.
We had our first ultrasound on Friday, to make sure things were developing as they should. We got to see the baby's heart beat! And here is the craziest part: our ultrasound tech informed us that a fetus' (I don't particularly care for that term...) heart starts to beat between five weeks five days and five weeks six days, and according to her findings, I was at five weeks six days on Friday. She told us it was entirely possible that the little heart had just started beating within hours! Honestly, I didn't really care when exactly it had happened as long as we could see proof that things were going well so far. And that little heart beat sure calmed my fears for a good while.
So the plan is that I'll stay on the supplements through the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, when we are most susceptible to issues. We have another ultrasound scheduled at the end of March, just to make sure everything is still on track. We will also have our first doctor's visit, so hopefully by that time we can be even more confident that this pregnancy will result in an addition to our little family.
I've been praying, and praying, and praying. And I don't think I'll be stopping anytime soon.
Let this be the one!
I'm not foolish enough to believe we're in the clear yet, though. After all, I was eight weeks when we lost one before. However, as soon as I saw the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, I called my physician's office, went in for lab work, and discovered my hormone levels weren't spiking as they should have been. I've been on progesterone supplements since we found out about this little bun in my oven, and thankfully, they seem to be doing their job.
We had our first ultrasound on Friday, to make sure things were developing as they should. We got to see the baby's heart beat! And here is the craziest part: our ultrasound tech informed us that a fetus' (I don't particularly care for that term...) heart starts to beat between five weeks five days and five weeks six days, and according to her findings, I was at five weeks six days on Friday. She told us it was entirely possible that the little heart had just started beating within hours! Honestly, I didn't really care when exactly it had happened as long as we could see proof that things were going well so far. And that little heart beat sure calmed my fears for a good while.
So the plan is that I'll stay on the supplements through the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, when we are most susceptible to issues. We have another ultrasound scheduled at the end of March, just to make sure everything is still on track. We will also have our first doctor's visit, so hopefully by that time we can be even more confident that this pregnancy will result in an addition to our little family.
I've been praying, and praying, and praying. And I don't think I'll be stopping anytime soon.
Let this be the one!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Success and Positive Thinking
1. Success!
Avery is going potty on the toilet. Hooray! I have to confess: I was really stressing over the idea that he may not be potty trained by his third birthday. Then, last Saturday morning, he woke up and wanted to wear some BBU's (Big Boy Underwear). We've tried this approach a couple of times in the last year; putting underwear on and telling him he can't go potty in them, placing him on the toilet, etc. He was excited about this whole idea previously, but never had the patience to sit and wait for the potty to come. Last weekend, though, he stayed on and peed like a champ! Occasionally, after that first successful attempt, he would reject the suggestions I made that he try to sit on the toilet again (usually in about 1/2 hour intervals). So to entice him, I used these little incentives:
- A squirt of baby soap in the toilet, so that when he went potty, he made bubbles!
- A Potty Poster - one star sticker for potty, two star stickers for poop (which we haven't succeeded at yet). Once the poster is filled, he gets to pick out a new toy from the toy store.
- One M&M for each time he even sat on the toilet the first day (thankfully, he forgot about this incentive by the second day, and was more focused on the bubbles and star stickers).
- Fun Disney character underwear. He was so excited to pull those pants down and see his Bob the Builder (actually, I don't think this one is Disney, but you know what I mean), Batman, and Finding Nemo undies every time we went into the bathroom!
It has now been just over a week since we started this potty training shove, and we've only had a handful of accidents. So far, he hasn't made a #2 deposit (he is still wearing diapers overnight and has saved the pooping for then), and aside from making sure he gets lots of fiber and drinks plenty of fluids, I'm not sure what to do to make this one happen on the toilet. I'm trying to be patient, though!
We have an adapter seat on the standard toilet that Avery usually goes potty on, but I've read that doing the "big job" on something so high up makes them feel nervous, which means they're unable to relax enough to poop. (I'm sorry, by the way, if anyone reading this is offended by my topic today. It's a Mama thing, and I doubt I'll offend other Mamas out there. Anyone else can just skip this first portion and go straight down to the Positive Thinking section of my post.) We have a little potty chair in both bathrooms (three kid toilets total)...so we have just been using each of the different ones randomly throughout the day, thinking that maybe he'll find one is "The Perfect Pooper."
So, the point is: I'm open to suggestions. How do I speed this process along? Or at least keep it on track?
2. Positive Thinking
My subtitle for this blog is a quote by Norman Vincent Peale. While I love the quote, I honestly hadn't even heard of Dr. Peale until I Googled famous quotes about zest for life. I decided it's quite uneducated and ridiculous, really, to quote someone about whom I know nothing (I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to figure out if I had written that last sentence properly).
To solve this issue, I decided to order this from Amazon last week. Since Dr. Peale was a minister (preacher?), much of his focus is on the role God plays in one's life. I would say that I'm spiritual, if not overly religious. The reviews I read before purchasing this book were pretty impressive - one reviewer even goes so far as to say the book is like a pocket psychotherapist. Hm...
I have barely begun reading it, but already it has me thinking about my beliefs. I have always questioned why Catholics believe their version of Christianity is better than all others. I have also wondered why each niche religion insists that what they believe is different from the beliefs of others'. From my standpoint, many - if not all - beliefs are centered on the idea that there is a greater power, and that we, as believers, followers, humans, disciples, etc. are to keep that in mind while going about our lives. We are not to feel entitled to everything the world has to offer, but to feel thankful when we are blessed with good things and experiences, and to reflect spiritually - internally - when those things or experiences are not so good.
If the intent of old Norm's book is to make people realize that sometimes we are not in control, I've already figured that out, thank you. I'm hoping I can take something more than that from this collection of three books in one, though. In the first few pages of The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Peale declares that the answer to diminishing self-doubt is to fill those doubt-filled spaces with God's love, support, and dependability.
Now I understand this idea...really, I do, but doesn't this thought process also give away responsibility for one's successes and failures? If I put God into every nook and cranny of my being, the way I'm told to, does that really solve my feelings of insecurity? It is my belief that we are ever-changing individuals - and we are intended to be this way. I think, for instance, that I could be a more generous, giving person...doing more to impact the lives of people who are less fortunate than I. But (unless I'm taking Dr. Peale's thoughts too literally) if I just fill this shortcoming with the knowledge that God accepts me as I am, does that really help me to become a better person?
Perhaps I haven't read far enough into this book yet. Maybe there are more defined, proactive steps to bettering myself than I have found in my initial 26 pages of reading. So far, though, I find myself a little doubtful that this book will be the magic tool I use to improve my quality of life.
Avery is going potty on the toilet. Hooray! I have to confess: I was really stressing over the idea that he may not be potty trained by his third birthday. Then, last Saturday morning, he woke up and wanted to wear some BBU's (Big Boy Underwear). We've tried this approach a couple of times in the last year; putting underwear on and telling him he can't go potty in them, placing him on the toilet, etc. He was excited about this whole idea previously, but never had the patience to sit and wait for the potty to come. Last weekend, though, he stayed on and peed like a champ! Occasionally, after that first successful attempt, he would reject the suggestions I made that he try to sit on the toilet again (usually in about 1/2 hour intervals). So to entice him, I used these little incentives:
- A squirt of baby soap in the toilet, so that when he went potty, he made bubbles!
- A Potty Poster - one star sticker for potty, two star stickers for poop (which we haven't succeeded at yet). Once the poster is filled, he gets to pick out a new toy from the toy store.
- One M&M for each time he even sat on the toilet the first day (thankfully, he forgot about this incentive by the second day, and was more focused on the bubbles and star stickers).
- Fun Disney character underwear. He was so excited to pull those pants down and see his Bob the Builder (actually, I don't think this one is Disney, but you know what I mean), Batman, and Finding Nemo undies every time we went into the bathroom!
It has now been just over a week since we started this potty training shove, and we've only had a handful of accidents. So far, he hasn't made a #2 deposit (he is still wearing diapers overnight and has saved the pooping for then), and aside from making sure he gets lots of fiber and drinks plenty of fluids, I'm not sure what to do to make this one happen on the toilet. I'm trying to be patient, though!
We have an adapter seat on the standard toilet that Avery usually goes potty on, but I've read that doing the "big job" on something so high up makes them feel nervous, which means they're unable to relax enough to poop. (I'm sorry, by the way, if anyone reading this is offended by my topic today. It's a Mama thing, and I doubt I'll offend other Mamas out there. Anyone else can just skip this first portion and go straight down to the Positive Thinking section of my post.) We have a little potty chair in both bathrooms (three kid toilets total)...so we have just been using each of the different ones randomly throughout the day, thinking that maybe he'll find one is "The Perfect Pooper."
So, the point is: I'm open to suggestions. How do I speed this process along? Or at least keep it on track?
2. Positive Thinking
My subtitle for this blog is a quote by Norman Vincent Peale. While I love the quote, I honestly hadn't even heard of Dr. Peale until I Googled famous quotes about zest for life. I decided it's quite uneducated and ridiculous, really, to quote someone about whom I know nothing (I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to figure out if I had written that last sentence properly).
To solve this issue, I decided to order this from Amazon last week. Since Dr. Peale was a minister (preacher?), much of his focus is on the role God plays in one's life. I would say that I'm spiritual, if not overly religious. The reviews I read before purchasing this book were pretty impressive - one reviewer even goes so far as to say the book is like a pocket psychotherapist. Hm...
I have barely begun reading it, but already it has me thinking about my beliefs. I have always questioned why Catholics believe their version of Christianity is better than all others. I have also wondered why each niche religion insists that what they believe is different from the beliefs of others'. From my standpoint, many - if not all - beliefs are centered on the idea that there is a greater power, and that we, as believers, followers, humans, disciples, etc. are to keep that in mind while going about our lives. We are not to feel entitled to everything the world has to offer, but to feel thankful when we are blessed with good things and experiences, and to reflect spiritually - internally - when those things or experiences are not so good.
If the intent of old Norm's book is to make people realize that sometimes we are not in control, I've already figured that out, thank you. I'm hoping I can take something more than that from this collection of three books in one, though. In the first few pages of The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Peale declares that the answer to diminishing self-doubt is to fill those doubt-filled spaces with God's love, support, and dependability.
Now I understand this idea...really, I do, but doesn't this thought process also give away responsibility for one's successes and failures? If I put God into every nook and cranny of my being, the way I'm told to, does that really solve my feelings of insecurity? It is my belief that we are ever-changing individuals - and we are intended to be this way. I think, for instance, that I could be a more generous, giving person...doing more to impact the lives of people who are less fortunate than I. But (unless I'm taking Dr. Peale's thoughts too literally) if I just fill this shortcoming with the knowledge that God accepts me as I am, does that really help me to become a better person?
Perhaps I haven't read far enough into this book yet. Maybe there are more defined, proactive steps to bettering myself than I have found in my initial 26 pages of reading. So far, though, I find myself a little doubtful that this book will be the magic tool I use to improve my quality of life.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
I Got Sidetracked...
I really have been meaning to get back here and tell you about more of our favorite things. My little hopeful business venture got an unexpected endorsement this week, though.
Oh. Dear. Me.
I had hopes of starting my own day care out of our home. It was put on the back burner, though, after our propery managers failed to install the fence we were promised. So Avery and I have been content just doing as our hearts desire each day.
Until Tuesday!
I've got a little guy starting twice a week with me! It turns out, it's not what you know that gets you places -- it's WHO you know. (I know...we've all heard this before, but in this instance, it was proven to me indefinitely.) A lady who works with my mom at the clinic was looking for someone to watch her adorable nearly-one-year-old son two days a week (her mother watches said cutie the rest of the week).
So, please excuse me if I've been a bit distracted. I've been scrambling to insert all of the outlet covers and crawl around looking for other dangers to little beings.
Hopefully we'll get into a better rhythm after the holidays.
Until then,
Merry Christmas!
Oh. Dear. Me.
I had hopes of starting my own day care out of our home. It was put on the back burner, though, after our propery managers failed to install the fence we were promised. So Avery and I have been content just doing as our hearts desire each day.
Until Tuesday!
I've got a little guy starting twice a week with me! It turns out, it's not what you know that gets you places -- it's WHO you know. (I know...we've all heard this before, but in this instance, it was proven to me indefinitely.) A lady who works with my mom at the clinic was looking for someone to watch her adorable nearly-one-year-old son two days a week (her mother watches said cutie the rest of the week).
So, please excuse me if I've been a bit distracted. I've been scrambling to insert all of the outlet covers and crawl around looking for other dangers to little beings.
Hopefully we'll get into a better rhythm after the holidays.
Until then,
Merry Christmas!
Monday, September 14, 2009
"Teghan baby"
***Have you ever tried to do a photo session of just you and someone else using a camera that has a little weight distribution problem (don't get me wrong, I LOVE my D60, but trying to just point it at yourself at arm's length is exremely difficult!)?
Anyway, I'm getting a little off the topic. Matt and I have been talking to Avery for the past six months or so about how he'd feel about having a little baby brother or sister. So far, he's really excited about the whole idea! (Not that we have news for y'all, because we don't YET.) And when asked if he'd like a baby brother or a baby sister, he states very emphatically, "I want a Teghan baby."
Teghan is Avery's cousin, whom he doesn't get to see often. She lives in Nebraska with her mommy and my in-laws. But the few occasions he's been able to bond with Teghan, he's loved every moment of it. Yes, part of that time is spent being the older (by three months) bully. But the majority of it was wonderful! At least from the mama's perspective...
My loving husband has only sisters - his own, whose name is also Megan, and my two, Danielle and Jessica. He has seen for himself the drama and mood swings that come along with having females in a household. Because of this, he has proclaimed that he will never have a girl - he even states he doesn't "make girls." Mmm hmmm. Yup. His "swimmers only make boys."
Well, Matthew, I have my heart set on a girl. And yes, as long as the baby is healthy I truly don't care about the sex. But darn it, if your negative attitude is the only thing keeping us from getting sugar and spice and everything nice, I'm gonna be a mama with one huge chip on her shoulder.
And trust me, you don't wanna cross this mama.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Books, books, books
Oh, how we LOVE books!
Well, I should clarify. Avery and I LOVE books...Avery's daddy - not so much. I'm okay with it, though. If I can't convert my husband, I'm at least going to make sure my children appreciate all the wonderful, out-of-this-world, imagination-tickling places books can take us.
A couple weeks ago, Avery and I stopped by Savers and spent the majority of our time searching for books that would appeal to a 2 1/2 year-old. We found some real winners! And not only did we get a great deal (eight hardcover books for less than $2.00 a piece), but they have really become some of our favorites.
In my next posts, I'm going to share them with you. And we're going to start today with my favorite out of the bunch, "Five Nice Mice" presented by Chisato Thashiro, translated from the Japanese by Sayako Uchida, and adapted by Kate Westerlund. (Phew! Jennifer, if I didn't do that correctly, please look away now and pretend I was never your student!)
Not only is this story adorable -- I mean, come on, mice and frogs??? How could it not be cute? -- but the pictures are endearing, too. Here, I'll show you!
Now, I'm not going to tell you the whole story, but here are a few of the highlights:
In this scene, the mice have just come from a concert performed by frogs, and have been inspired to start a band. They hunt around for items to transform into instruments. See the can of tomatoes and the pencils? They're my favorite.
The completed instruments! They practice very hard so they can put on their own concert. Don't you just love the lollipop drumsticks?
Near the end, mice and frogs have joined together to make beautiful music.
This one is Avery's favorite. They played so long and so hard, they just wore themselves out!
By the way, this book is part of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Just in case that matters to you.
Tomorrow: "The Mine-O-Saur" by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrated by David Clark. Betcha can't guess my reasons for buying this one! The fact that this has become Avery's favorite could be taken two ways: either a) it is seeping into his little brain, switching a little lightbulb on in the sharing department of his brain, or b) he IS the Mine-O-Saur.
Let's hope for the first option, shall we?
Well, I should clarify. Avery and I LOVE books...Avery's daddy - not so much. I'm okay with it, though. If I can't convert my husband, I'm at least going to make sure my children appreciate all the wonderful, out-of-this-world, imagination-tickling places books can take us.
A couple weeks ago, Avery and I stopped by Savers and spent the majority of our time searching for books that would appeal to a 2 1/2 year-old. We found some real winners! And not only did we get a great deal (eight hardcover books for less than $2.00 a piece), but they have really become some of our favorites.
In my next posts, I'm going to share them with you. And we're going to start today with my favorite out of the bunch, "Five Nice Mice" presented by Chisato Thashiro, translated from the Japanese by Sayako Uchida, and adapted by Kate Westerlund. (Phew! Jennifer, if I didn't do that correctly, please look away now and pretend I was never your student!)
Not only is this story adorable -- I mean, come on, mice and frogs??? How could it not be cute? -- but the pictures are endearing, too. Here, I'll show you!
Now, I'm not going to tell you the whole story, but here are a few of the highlights:
In this scene, the mice have just come from a concert performed by frogs, and have been inspired to start a band. They hunt around for items to transform into instruments. See the can of tomatoes and the pencils? They're my favorite.
The completed instruments! They practice very hard so they can put on their own concert. Don't you just love the lollipop drumsticks?
Near the end, mice and frogs have joined together to make beautiful music.
This one is Avery's favorite. They played so long and so hard, they just wore themselves out!
By the way, this book is part of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Just in case that matters to you.
Tomorrow: "The Mine-O-Saur" by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrated by David Clark. Betcha can't guess my reasons for buying this one! The fact that this has become Avery's favorite could be taken two ways: either a) it is seeping into his little brain, switching a little lightbulb on in the sharing department of his brain, or b) he IS the Mine-O-Saur.
Let's hope for the first option, shall we?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Lessons learned
Sounds like I'm going to share some kind of changed-my-life-forever life lesson, doesn't it?
Nope!
I'm referring to Avery's first swimming lesson, which was last Thursday evening at our local YMCA. You see, my boy is in love with water. We inflate his little floaties, put them on his arms, and in the time it takes you to uncap the sunscreen, Avery is already jumping off the dock and into the lake.
Because of this passion for water, Matt and I decided now is the perfect time to start some actual swimming lessons (lessons that go way beyond our, "Move your arms! Kick your legs! You're paddling just like a little puppy!"). We thought we'd capitalize on this situation, before Avery would have a chance to develop any sort of fear of water; large bodies of water, large fish, etc.
As it turns out, a child can't be enrolled into a swimming class on his own until he's three. (Do you see where this is going?) Which means that one of the loving adults in his life get to sign up with him, and accompany him in the pool. Did I mention this is SWIMMING LESSONS? And it requires a person to WEAR A SWIM SUIT?
I think I've become a fairly rational, level-headed adult. But the thought of donning a swim suit in front of other (slimmer, more glamorous) adults just about put me into panic mode. I trudged into the YMCA Thursday evening, though. I knew my little tadpole would benefit from these lessons, and I'm a mama, first and foremost.
Surprise! There were mamas just like me! Granted, there were some who were definitely slimmer, more glamorous, and just plain lovely, but I was so focused on the instructors and their lesson, I didn't have time to worry about how my thighs jiggled or how my post-pregnancy belly was still MIA.
And my little tadpole? Well, let's just say after having the freedom to do as he liked in the water at the lake, he had a slight problem with authority. At the end of the lesson, however, the instructors allowed the children to jump off the edge of the pool into their Mommy or Daddy's arms. Talk about leaving on a good note!
Three more classes to get through...then this winter after his birthday, he can be enrolled in a class on his own. Much as I hate to admit it, I think I'll breathe a sigh of relief knowing I don't have to squeeze into my swimsuit and accompany him in the public pool again.
Nope!
I'm referring to Avery's first swimming lesson, which was last Thursday evening at our local YMCA. You see, my boy is in love with water. We inflate his little floaties, put them on his arms, and in the time it takes you to uncap the sunscreen, Avery is already jumping off the dock and into the lake.
Because of this passion for water, Matt and I decided now is the perfect time to start some actual swimming lessons (lessons that go way beyond our, "Move your arms! Kick your legs! You're paddling just like a little puppy!"). We thought we'd capitalize on this situation, before Avery would have a chance to develop any sort of fear of water; large bodies of water, large fish, etc.
As it turns out, a child can't be enrolled into a swimming class on his own until he's three. (Do you see where this is going?) Which means that one of the loving adults in his life get to sign up with him, and accompany him in the pool. Did I mention this is SWIMMING LESSONS? And it requires a person to WEAR A SWIM SUIT?
I think I've become a fairly rational, level-headed adult. But the thought of donning a swim suit in front of other (slimmer, more glamorous) adults just about put me into panic mode. I trudged into the YMCA Thursday evening, though. I knew my little tadpole would benefit from these lessons, and I'm a mama, first and foremost.
Surprise! There were mamas just like me! Granted, there were some who were definitely slimmer, more glamorous, and just plain lovely, but I was so focused on the instructors and their lesson, I didn't have time to worry about how my thighs jiggled or how my post-pregnancy belly was still MIA.
And my little tadpole? Well, let's just say after having the freedom to do as he liked in the water at the lake, he had a slight problem with authority. At the end of the lesson, however, the instructors allowed the children to jump off the edge of the pool into their Mommy or Daddy's arms. Talk about leaving on a good note!
Three more classes to get through...then this winter after his birthday, he can be enrolled in a class on his own. Much as I hate to admit it, I think I'll breathe a sigh of relief knowing I don't have to squeeze into my swimsuit and accompany him in the public pool again.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Are you still there?
I know it's been a very long time, but I'm here now!
Is anyone out there?
I won't even try to give you excuses about how busy I've been, how life has been complicated, or how a two-year-old can monopolize your time like nobody's business. Really...I won't. Or at least I'll try.
I'll just post some of my best photos from the last few months and hope you'll forget the fact that I abandoned you all.
Is anyone out there?
I won't even try to give you excuses about how busy I've been, how life has been complicated, or how a two-year-old can monopolize your time like nobody's business. Really...I won't. Or at least I'll try.
I'll just post some of my best photos from the last few months and hope you'll forget the fact that I abandoned you all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I'm Still Here!
Well, there's been an awful lot going on lately. The most dramatic thing going on would be the flooding. I think we've all heard enough about that lately that we don't need another dose from me.
The most exciting piece of news is that I got my dream camera for my birthday! Yay! My Nikon D60 is everything I could have hoped for! I've been out and about snapping photos...and hopefully will be able to post some of the decent ones on here soon.
I just thought I'd better make sure you all weren't planning to send out a search party for me. The move went all right, slow and painful, but it got done! And I can't tell you how happy I am to be out of a ground-level apartment considering the state of flood waters in this area!
I'll be back soon.
The most exciting piece of news is that I got my dream camera for my birthday! Yay! My Nikon D60 is everything I could have hoped for! I've been out and about snapping photos...and hopefully will be able to post some of the decent ones on here soon.
I just thought I'd better make sure you all weren't planning to send out a search party for me. The move went all right, slow and painful, but it got done! And I can't tell you how happy I am to be out of a ground-level apartment considering the state of flood waters in this area!
I'll be back soon.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Farewell -- for the moment.
I thought I'd better post an update since I'll be taking a hiatus from blogland. In the next week, I start a new, full-time job, Avery starts daycare, and we are moving. Phew! Are you as tuckered out as I am at the prospect of all that?
Our To-Do list is quite long, and I'm not sure how big of a priority it will be to reconnect the computer. Certainly it will come after setting up beds, unpacking clothes, and making Avery's toys and coloring books available to him. After all that, I may just be too pooped out to care about the computer. Then again, maybe I'll need an escape to blogland...so I may forget about the nightmares I'll be having about unmarked boxes containing items I don't recognize.
If you don't hear from me by March, please come looking. Perhaps I've packed myself.
Our To-Do list is quite long, and I'm not sure how big of a priority it will be to reconnect the computer. Certainly it will come after setting up beds, unpacking clothes, and making Avery's toys and coloring books available to him. After all that, I may just be too pooped out to care about the computer. Then again, maybe I'll need an escape to blogland...so I may forget about the nightmares I'll be having about unmarked boxes containing items I don't recognize.
If you don't hear from me by March, please come looking. Perhaps I've packed myself.
Friday, January 9, 2009
We've Been Busy
As you can see, we've been busy with a few things around here. Tattoos, toilet training (which is slow, at its best), and eating stuff. And not just any old stuff. Yes, there's the usual crayon here and there. But in addition, almost a week ago now, this kid swallowed a nickel -- or at least I'd have bet good money that he had. As the days went by, and I found no coins in the dirty diapers, I started to think maybe I had just imagined Avery gagging and then swallowing hard...and then coming up a nickel short on the 15 cent deposit into his piggy bank.
But alas! Today I opened the average smelly diaper, and there it was! I'll spare you the photo I so badly wanted to take. But let me just tell you it didn't look like it does now when it went in.
I thought we were getting past this "Everything must go in my mouth!" stage. Evidently I was wrong.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Our Holiday in Photos
First of all, I realized this Christmas what a hassle it is to have to rely on everyone else to take photos of all the special moments you'd like captured on film. I was constantly chasing down my mother and sisters to catch these fleeting events. Then, last night, I realized an even bigger problem. I got some decent pictures of my family during the holidays, but none of them were accessible to me! I begged and pleaded with Danielle to stop over so I could download (upload?) her photos to my computer. Jessica is still in Minneapolis, so hers will have to wait.
In the meantime, you'll have to be content with these. At least until I get that darn Kodak replaced with my dream camera, the Nikon D60. ***Hint hint, Matthew. My birthday's coming up, you know.***
My parents thoroughly enjoyed the calendar we made using ArtsCow (Thanks, Jennifer, for the idea!). I think it will have to become a Christmas tradition.
This is what you get when this kid is hopped up on sugar for the better part of 48 hours.
Daddy did a great job picking out gifts for Avery!
Or were they for Daddy? (Matt is modeling Avery's Army helmet and goggles. The gadget belt, which holds a mini shovel, compass, flashlight, and walkie-talkie was just a bit small.) They were holed up in that tent for a good long while.
That adorable little horse is Charmin. He was mine when I was Avery's age. My family didn't have a strange liking for bathroom tissue...my father once owned a real live horse he named Charmin.
In the meantime, you'll have to be content with these. At least until I get that darn Kodak replaced with my dream camera, the Nikon D60. ***Hint hint, Matthew. My birthday's coming up, you know.***
My parents thoroughly enjoyed the calendar we made using ArtsCow (Thanks, Jennifer, for the idea!). I think it will have to become a Christmas tradition.
This is what you get when this kid is hopped up on sugar for the better part of 48 hours.
Daddy did a great job picking out gifts for Avery!
Or were they for Daddy? (Matt is modeling Avery's Army helmet and goggles. The gadget belt, which holds a mini shovel, compass, flashlight, and walkie-talkie was just a bit small.) They were holed up in that tent for a good long while.
That adorable little horse is Charmin. He was mine when I was Avery's age. My family didn't have a strange liking for bathroom tissue...my father once owned a real live horse he named Charmin.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What's for supper?
I'll tell you what's for supper at our house! Baked beans and cornbread. Yummy.
Pioneer Woman has an amazing recipe for this fantastically filling food (like my alliteration?). But I wasn't really in the mood to spend a bunch of time in the kitchen today. Last night I made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, country gravy, and peas...and delicious as it was, I just wasn't willing to do that many dishes again.
So today I'd like to pass on the cheater's recipe for baked beans.
Shhhh. It calls for pre-cooked, canned beans. Don't tell your professional chef friends.
Oh yeah -- it also calls for hamburger. As Jennifer stated so eloquently, "Men Like Meat."
EASY Baked Beans
2 cans Lima or Butter Beans
1 can Pork & Beans
1 can Kidney Beans
1/2 lb. Hamburger
1/2 lb. Bacon
1 C. Onion, chopped
1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1 tsp. Salt
1 C. Ketchup
3/4 C. Brown Sugar
Drain lima and kidney beans. Brown hamburger, bacon, and onion and cook until nearly done. Add hamburger mixture to beans and spices. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr 20 min, covered. ***Or, if you're like me, follow all directions, then throw the entire mixture into your crock pot. Cook on low for approximately 4 hrs.***
Your carnivores won't be disappointed!
Pioneer Woman has an amazing recipe for this fantastically filling food (like my alliteration?). But I wasn't really in the mood to spend a bunch of time in the kitchen today. Last night I made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, country gravy, and peas...and delicious as it was, I just wasn't willing to do that many dishes again.
So today I'd like to pass on the cheater's recipe for baked beans.
Shhhh. It calls for pre-cooked, canned beans. Don't tell your professional chef friends.
Oh yeah -- it also calls for hamburger. As Jennifer stated so eloquently, "Men Like Meat."
EASY Baked Beans
2 cans Lima or Butter Beans
1 can Pork & Beans
1 can Kidney Beans
1/2 lb. Hamburger
1/2 lb. Bacon
1 C. Onion, chopped
1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1 tsp. Salt
1 C. Ketchup
3/4 C. Brown Sugar
Drain lima and kidney beans. Brown hamburger, bacon, and onion and cook until nearly done. Add hamburger mixture to beans and spices. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr 20 min, covered. ***Or, if you're like me, follow all directions, then throw the entire mixture into your crock pot. Cook on low for approximately 4 hrs.***
Your carnivores won't be disappointed!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thank Goodness for Moms...
Mine spent the day with me yesterday assisting while I worked on the gifts for my sisters.
Considering I've put these off until basically the last minute, I think they're coming along quite nicely now! Now if I can just get the other two finished before spring...
Considering I've put these off until basically the last minute, I think they're coming along quite nicely now! Now if I can just get the other two finished before spring...
Sunday, December 7, 2008
We're feeling the Christmas spirit!
I just couldn't imagine not having a tree up for the first Christmas Avery is really excited about. So Matt went out to the garage last night (in 4 degree weather) and hauled our Martha Stewart clearance special in, after some persistent nagging on my part.
By the time we got it assembled, fluffed (because that's what you have to do to fake trees after they've been in a box for a year), strung with lights, and decorated, Matt and I were sufficiently frustrated. All we are supposed to have to do is put the three sections of tree together, then plug it into the wall...and WHOILA! "Ooohs" and "Aahs" that took only minutes to achieve! However, try as we might, we could only get two of the three sections to light up.
So if you stop by the Weatherby residence this Christmas, don't get too close to the tree, otherwise you'll be able to see all the bulbs that WILL NOT LIGHT UP. And Mr. and Mrs. Weatherby would rather not be reminded of this issue.
All in all, I think it turned out quite nice. Even after stringing a couple of strands of lights on, trying to strategically position the shatter-proof decorations on the lower section, and competing for assistance with televised college football, I'm still feeling optimistic.
That warm, hopeful feeling was multiplied a few times over this morning when I came out of the bedroom to see not a single decoration had been pulled off the tree by the cat. Plus, as soon as Avery saw it, he said this: "Wow, pretty!"
So far, so good!
By the time we got it assembled, fluffed (because that's what you have to do to fake trees after they've been in a box for a year), strung with lights, and decorated, Matt and I were sufficiently frustrated. All we are supposed to have to do is put the three sections of tree together, then plug it into the wall...and WHOILA! "Ooohs" and "Aahs" that took only minutes to achieve! However, try as we might, we could only get two of the three sections to light up.
So if you stop by the Weatherby residence this Christmas, don't get too close to the tree, otherwise you'll be able to see all the bulbs that WILL NOT LIGHT UP. And Mr. and Mrs. Weatherby would rather not be reminded of this issue.
All in all, I think it turned out quite nice. Even after stringing a couple of strands of lights on, trying to strategically position the shatter-proof decorations on the lower section, and competing for assistance with televised college football, I'm still feeling optimistic.
That warm, hopeful feeling was multiplied a few times over this morning when I came out of the bedroom to see not a single decoration had been pulled off the tree by the cat. Plus, as soon as Avery saw it, he said this: "Wow, pretty!"
So far, so good!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Hustle and Bustle
It's December 2nd and I'm about 95% finished with my Christmas shopping! Yay!
December 15th is the deadline for a project I've had nagging at me for a couple of months now...Emmeline aprons for Jessica and Danielle's birthday gifts. I'm also planning to make one for myself and one for my mother - they're just so dang cute, after all!
I'm not exactly sure what we're going to do about a tree and gifts this year. Avery has already ripped open two of his presents that we brought back from Thanksgiving in Nebraska (Grandma and Grandpa Weatherby have excellent taste!). He also managed to tear apart one of Matthew's presents. So I'm under the impression that we're just asking for trouble if we put wrapped gifts under our tree - if we even put up our full-sized tree. That's the other dilemma. Tree or no tree. I have this terrible feeling that if we put it up, we will have no ornaments left by the end of this holiday season. And even if we do as my mother-in-law suggested and only decorate the top half, I am afraid Avery would just yank the entire thing down on him trying to reach them.
What do you think? Tree or no tree? Wrapped gifts under the tree? Wrap the gifts and let them sit in the closet until Christmas Eve (this one gets my vote).
I just can't wait until Christmas morning, watching my little one excitedly rushing from one gift to another, surrounded by people who love him so deeply.
23 days and counting...
December 15th is the deadline for a project I've had nagging at me for a couple of months now...Emmeline aprons for Jessica and Danielle's birthday gifts. I'm also planning to make one for myself and one for my mother - they're just so dang cute, after all!
I'm not exactly sure what we're going to do about a tree and gifts this year. Avery has already ripped open two of his presents that we brought back from Thanksgiving in Nebraska (Grandma and Grandpa Weatherby have excellent taste!). He also managed to tear apart one of Matthew's presents. So I'm under the impression that we're just asking for trouble if we put wrapped gifts under our tree - if we even put up our full-sized tree. That's the other dilemma. Tree or no tree. I have this terrible feeling that if we put it up, we will have no ornaments left by the end of this holiday season. And even if we do as my mother-in-law suggested and only decorate the top half, I am afraid Avery would just yank the entire thing down on him trying to reach them.
What do you think? Tree or no tree? Wrapped gifts under the tree? Wrap the gifts and let them sit in the closet until Christmas Eve (this one gets my vote).
I just can't wait until Christmas morning, watching my little one excitedly rushing from one gift to another, surrounded by people who love him so deeply.
23 days and counting...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I voted!
Okay. I'm about to reveal a slightly shameful side of myself. Prepare yourselves. Take a deep breath, and clear your mind.
Until last night, I had NEVER voted. Phew. Thank goodness that's off my conscience! But wait! Let me explain!
You see, my opinion on voting, especially during a presidential election, has always been based on the idea that it's better to not vote at all than to vote for a candidate you know nothing about. I can honestly tell you I've paid very minimal attention to every campaign I've ever witnessed - until this one. Even if I had climbed under a rock and spent the last year holding my hands over my ears, I think somehow I'd have felt the stir in the air. The prospect of change, while our country has been in such a dire economic situation, and strained in a time of war, has sent little electricity-charged vibes through the air in America.
These vibes have touched hordes of people who previously had never ventured to the polls; people who had never taken a serious interest in the outcome of an election. Whatever one might say about our new president, that in itself is an astounding revelation.
Never before had I been able to bask in the tingly excitement that follows such a powerful experience. I think I'll just sit and enjoy this for a few more moments.
Good day to you, America!
Until last night, I had NEVER voted. Phew. Thank goodness that's off my conscience! But wait! Let me explain!
You see, my opinion on voting, especially during a presidential election, has always been based on the idea that it's better to not vote at all than to vote for a candidate you know nothing about. I can honestly tell you I've paid very minimal attention to every campaign I've ever witnessed - until this one. Even if I had climbed under a rock and spent the last year holding my hands over my ears, I think somehow I'd have felt the stir in the air. The prospect of change, while our country has been in such a dire economic situation, and strained in a time of war, has sent little electricity-charged vibes through the air in America.
These vibes have touched hordes of people who previously had never ventured to the polls; people who had never taken a serious interest in the outcome of an election. Whatever one might say about our new president, that in itself is an astounding revelation.
Never before had I been able to bask in the tingly excitement that follows such a powerful experience. I think I'll just sit and enjoy this for a few more moments.
Good day to you, America!
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