Currently, Ashley is laying on the Play Gym swatting at the toys - kicking, and wiggling around. She is trying her damnedest to roll over. Did I mention... she is 3 months old today? Travis didn't roll over til her was 8 months old... but his noggin was so big... can't say I don't understand why.
Anyway... I am dealing with a raging headache... Big Sure Fires are causing grey, sunless days, full of smoky air, and ashes are falling from the sky. So, I am sure breathing in all that crap is contributing to feeling like ick. Ashley is sneezing and coughing... Travis is having a tough time breathing without sniffling, and my eyes itch, too. Lovely, no?
Anyway... need to pick up the Girl... she is expressing her unhappiness at being on the floor.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Potty time!
Woohoo! The Boy is actually napping!! I was able to get a short nap in, myself. 30 minutes, enough to feel refreshed-ish. It was cut short by my cell phone ringing, but what are ya gonna do?
We ran out of diapers for Travis this morning. I am debating not buying any more. We have a bunch of Pull-ups and Easy-ups. I really want Travis to use the potty. He is really not into it. I mean, he would sit in there and read books before, and he's even peed in there a few times.
Lately, though, whenever it's mentioned that he go sit on the potty, he freaks out.
He screams, cries, and flat-out refuses. "I CAN'T sit on the potty! I need to change my diaper!"
Sooo... we've taken to pointing out which of his friends use the potty (nearly all of them, on at least a part-time basis) - including one friend who just turned 3.
While we were at the park today, said friend used the potty 3 times. He (and his mom) were really good sports, and allowed Travis to go into the stall with him while he sat. Travis was a great cheerleader...
"Yeah! You did it!" With high-fives, and enthusiasm abounding. Afterward, Travis said he would use the potty "soon" too. But, when we got home, Travis pooped, without warning in his diaper. I put him in a Pull-Up, he whined, "No Pull-ups, I need a diaper. No potty!" I told him we didn't have any diapers, and he needed to wear a Pull-up. The kid tried to take it off. I told him if he took it off he had to go sit on the potty. He didn't listen, and I had to threaten a time-out if he didn't leave it on.
I made him a sticker chart, like we had when he started to sleep in his bed. I found some Go Diego, Go! clip art, and made him a custom Potty Chart, with his name on it, and everything. You think it was greeted with enthusiasm as I taped it to his bedroom door yesterday morning? Ha!
Sigh. So, I'm thinking of going the training underwear route. During the day, when we're at home, at least. All or nothing? Maybe that's what it's going to take with this kid.
Ironically, in the typing of this blog, Ashley had the biggest diaper blowout to date... necessitating a full outfit change (for her) and half a package of wipes to clean up the resulting mess. So, yeah. It's time, people... it's time!
We ran out of diapers for Travis this morning. I am debating not buying any more. We have a bunch of Pull-ups and Easy-ups. I really want Travis to use the potty. He is really not into it. I mean, he would sit in there and read books before, and he's even peed in there a few times.
Lately, though, whenever it's mentioned that he go sit on the potty, he freaks out.
He screams, cries, and flat-out refuses. "I CAN'T sit on the potty! I need to change my diaper!"
Sooo... we've taken to pointing out which of his friends use the potty (nearly all of them, on at least a part-time basis) - including one friend who just turned 3.
While we were at the park today, said friend used the potty 3 times. He (and his mom) were really good sports, and allowed Travis to go into the stall with him while he sat. Travis was a great cheerleader...
"Yeah! You did it!" With high-fives, and enthusiasm abounding. Afterward, Travis said he would use the potty "soon" too. But, when we got home, Travis pooped, without warning in his diaper. I put him in a Pull-Up, he whined, "No Pull-ups, I need a diaper. No potty!" I told him we didn't have any diapers, and he needed to wear a Pull-up. The kid tried to take it off. I told him if he took it off he had to go sit on the potty. He didn't listen, and I had to threaten a time-out if he didn't leave it on.
I made him a sticker chart, like we had when he started to sleep in his bed. I found some Go Diego, Go! clip art, and made him a custom Potty Chart, with his name on it, and everything. You think it was greeted with enthusiasm as I taped it to his bedroom door yesterday morning? Ha!
Sigh. So, I'm thinking of going the training underwear route. During the day, when we're at home, at least. All or nothing? Maybe that's what it's going to take with this kid.
Ironically, in the typing of this blog, Ashley had the biggest diaper blowout to date... necessitating a full outfit change (for her) and half a package of wipes to clean up the resulting mess. So, yeah. It's time, people... it's time!
Friday, June 13, 2008
In Good Hands...
Yay for Friday!! Travis passed out on the couch about 20 minutes ago, so - again, yay!!
I took Ashley in for her weight check... she's 11 pounds, 6 oz. Exactly a pound bigger than she was 3 weeks ago at her check-up. So, my worrying after my highly scientific method of weighing her at home showed she had gained NO weight(standing on the digital scale, and then again while holding her, and noting the difference) was all for nothing.
My trip yesterday to the cardiologist was informative, to say the very least. My bp was still elevated. 140/110. That is on my medication, too... but also after a 1/2 Caf Peet's Latte. Sigh.
Apparently, the fact that I was told to suddenly stop taking my Labetalol while in the hospital after I had Ashley was a big, big no-no.
Mr. Heart Doc said that can cause vasoconstriction, and a heart attack. Lovely, no? Just the thing a new mommy needs, right? A medically-ordered heart attack. So, in the future, if I need to stop taking it, the dosage has to be gradually tapered off over a period of two weeks.
Anyway, my dosage was upped from 200 mg twice daily, to 200mg in the morning, and 300 mg at night. He told me we're almost there with the dosage, and if we can get into the range of 130 or lower, he would be happy - of course lower is optimal.
I return to his office in 2 weeks for a re-evaluation, and an EKG to rule out the possibility of left ventricular hypertrophy (thickened heart muscle due to overuse). Fortunately, even if I do have LVH, once my BP gets into check, it would most likely resolve itself.
I am really glad I sought out a specialist, instead of just a General Practitioner. I feel like I am in capable hands, and that we will get this figured out.
I took Ashley in for her weight check... she's 11 pounds, 6 oz. Exactly a pound bigger than she was 3 weeks ago at her check-up. So, my worrying after my highly scientific method of weighing her at home showed she had gained NO weight(standing on the digital scale, and then again while holding her, and noting the difference) was all for nothing.
My trip yesterday to the cardiologist was informative, to say the very least. My bp was still elevated. 140/110. That is on my medication, too... but also after a 1/2 Caf Peet's Latte. Sigh.
Apparently, the fact that I was told to suddenly stop taking my Labetalol while in the hospital after I had Ashley was a big, big no-no.
Mr. Heart Doc said that can cause vasoconstriction, and a heart attack. Lovely, no? Just the thing a new mommy needs, right? A medically-ordered heart attack. So, in the future, if I need to stop taking it, the dosage has to be gradually tapered off over a period of two weeks.
Anyway, my dosage was upped from 200 mg twice daily, to 200mg in the morning, and 300 mg at night. He told me we're almost there with the dosage, and if we can get into the range of 130 or lower, he would be happy - of course lower is optimal.
I return to his office in 2 weeks for a re-evaluation, and an EKG to rule out the possibility of left ventricular hypertrophy (thickened heart muscle due to overuse). Fortunately, even if I do have LVH, once my BP gets into check, it would most likely resolve itself.
I am really glad I sought out a specialist, instead of just a General Practitioner. I feel like I am in capable hands, and that we will get this figured out.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Round-up
I apologize for my lack of blog-age lately... Jeff's dad & step-mom were in from NH Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. We had a nice visit... eating great food (I gained 2 pounds!) and playing tourist in our own town. We went to the Aquarium, did 17 Mile Drive, and generally just hung out. They brought so many gifts for the kiddos... Travis is in Diego heaven. They brought clothes for the baby and Travis,(yay, bigger sizes for later!) books, etc.
We were sad to see them leave, wishing they lived closer, like Los Angeles vs. East Coast... one of these days we'll make the trip out there.
Saturday we went grocery shopping, and had dinner at Jeff's Grandma's. On Sunday afternoon, we went to Jeff's business partner's house to help break in their new margarita machine and barbecue. They have a little boy around Travis' age, and they had a great time, laying with the hose, and toys, and generally being hooligans.
Ashley is still being a big old cranky-pants. Her fussing seems to be getting better & worse... it's spread out more throughout the day, and less crazy most nights.
I am still getting nothing done.... occasionally the dishwasher gets emptied, and I am managing dinner most nights, but that is abut the extent on my domestic abilities at the moment.
I can't knit one-handed... but I did manage to post-process and crop a good amount of photos to have printed.
Travis continues to amaze me daily. His vocabulary astounds me at times... as well as his ability to put together 6-8 word sentences. And, he is stringing thoughts together. He has an opinion about everything... just now when I put on a Tivod episode of Little Einsteins he said: "I can't like that show either! I just watched it earlier! I can't watch THAT! I want to watch Super Why!"
Um, ok.
He knows he shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. He sings songs, from Justin Timberlake to The Wiggles. He loves all music. He LOVES the Gypsy Kings.
"The Gypsy Kings are singing in SPANISH!" "Diego speaks SPANISH too!"
He'll say "Hola, Mommy!" and can count to 10 in Spanish. He says "Gracias" to the ladies at Chipotle, and I really am glad he's picking up the language. We just got the Rosetta Stone software (from only slightly less than legal means) - and I really want to learn as well.
My little man is getting so big. He's socially engaging, empathetic toward others, and overall very sweet. Don't get me wrong, he drives me bonkers a lot of the time (daily) but, I know a lot of it is because he's bored here. He wants social interaction, challenges, etc.
Beginning next week, I really plan on focusing a lot more on the potty issue. I really want him to be able to start a pre-school program in the fall... and he has to be using the potty before then.
So, that's about it. Oh, I am taking Ashley to the doctor for a weight check today. Also, I have an appointment tomorrow with a cardiologist to check me out. My blood pressure went back up after I had Ashley, so we need to look into things. I am hoping to change meds, to something even less-likely to enter my breastmilk.
Also, tomorrow, some of the moms from our Parent's Place class are hosting a belated "Baby Sprinkle" Brunch for Ashley & me. That should be nice... thinking back, we never had any sort of shower for Travis. Anyway... I will try and be better about the updates.
One last thing. I baked these Oatmeal-Raisin bars last night and they kick ass. If you like Oatmeal Raisin cookies, these are right up your alley. I may or may not have had one or two for breakfast this morning with a glass of milk.
We were sad to see them leave, wishing they lived closer, like Los Angeles vs. East Coast... one of these days we'll make the trip out there.
Saturday we went grocery shopping, and had dinner at Jeff's Grandma's. On Sunday afternoon, we went to Jeff's business partner's house to help break in their new margarita machine and barbecue. They have a little boy around Travis' age, and they had a great time, laying with the hose, and toys, and generally being hooligans.
Ashley is still being a big old cranky-pants. Her fussing seems to be getting better & worse... it's spread out more throughout the day, and less crazy most nights.
I am still getting nothing done.... occasionally the dishwasher gets emptied, and I am managing dinner most nights, but that is abut the extent on my domestic abilities at the moment.
I can't knit one-handed... but I did manage to post-process and crop a good amount of photos to have printed.
Travis continues to amaze me daily. His vocabulary astounds me at times... as well as his ability to put together 6-8 word sentences. And, he is stringing thoughts together. He has an opinion about everything... just now when I put on a Tivod episode of Little Einsteins he said: "I can't like that show either! I just watched it earlier! I can't watch THAT! I want to watch Super Why!"
Um, ok.
He knows he shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. He sings songs, from Justin Timberlake to The Wiggles. He loves all music. He LOVES the Gypsy Kings.
"The Gypsy Kings are singing in SPANISH!" "Diego speaks SPANISH too!"
He'll say "Hola, Mommy!" and can count to 10 in Spanish. He says "Gracias" to the ladies at Chipotle, and I really am glad he's picking up the language. We just got the Rosetta Stone software (from only slightly less than legal means) - and I really want to learn as well.
My little man is getting so big. He's socially engaging, empathetic toward others, and overall very sweet. Don't get me wrong, he drives me bonkers a lot of the time (daily) but, I know a lot of it is because he's bored here. He wants social interaction, challenges, etc.
Beginning next week, I really plan on focusing a lot more on the potty issue. I really want him to be able to start a pre-school program in the fall... and he has to be using the potty before then.
So, that's about it. Oh, I am taking Ashley to the doctor for a weight check today. Also, I have an appointment tomorrow with a cardiologist to check me out. My blood pressure went back up after I had Ashley, so we need to look into things. I am hoping to change meds, to something even less-likely to enter my breastmilk.
Also, tomorrow, some of the moms from our Parent's Place class are hosting a belated "Baby Sprinkle" Brunch for Ashley & me. That should be nice... thinking back, we never had any sort of shower for Travis. Anyway... I will try and be better about the updates.
One last thing. I baked these Oatmeal-Raisin bars last night and they kick ass. If you like Oatmeal Raisin cookies, these are right up your alley. I may or may not have had one or two for breakfast this morning with a glass of milk.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Fuming....
Let me preface this by saying that I do not normally personally involve myself in how others choose to parent their kids. Yes, I may utter snarky comments to my husband while in Costco about people being "bad parents" for letting their 2 year old jump up and down in the cart... or when we are out and I see people giving their toddler ICE to suck on... or soda... or when we're at the park and kids are running around BAREFOOT and crap - wtf?
There's this short little show on Playhouse Disney... we always kind of roll our eyes and snark about... Lou & Lou Safety Patrol. These two know-it-all kids are always up in everyone's business about "Safety Violations."
But, today, I had to get a bit involved. I had just finished doing a Target/Starbucks run with the kiddos... and was getting Travis buckled in. Then, I put Ashley in. While I was doing that, Travis un-clicked his chest buckle. Thankfully, he can't un-do the rest of his harness himself. I chewed him out for it, and made him buckle it back up. Then, I re-opened his door to double-check that he was secure.
I got in myself, and put my seatbelt on. Then, I started the engine, and was scrolling through my iPod.
Directly across from me, a couple was parked with their windows down. They had a little boy in the back seat, who looked younger than Travis. He was clearly not buckled in. He was leaning way forward, and was rocking the booster seat forward with his weight.
Then the dad started the car, and the parent's seat belts auto-engaged.
Thene dad started to back out of the space. I called out of open window to the van. "Excuse me!! Excuse me!!"
No response. I unbuckled, and stepped out of the van.
Louder: "Excuse me! Sir! Your child is not buckled!"
He stopped, and looked at me. I thought he perhaps didn't realize his kid was unbuckled. And that he was stopping to fix it. But then, he started shining me on...
"Thanks, but I'll take care of it in a minute."
I continued loudly: "It's illegal to drive that way, it's not safe!"
He resumed backing out of the space.
I realized he just was not going to fasten his child in...
I shouted after him:
"PLEASE! If you care about your child BUCKLE him UP!"
He drove off... and an older lady standing outside her car looked over at me, and shook her head sympathetically. I felt like I should have done something further... but they had no front plate on the car... so I couldn't even write down their license number to call in. I mean, short of following them (which I was NOT about to do with two little ones in the car) there was nothing else that I could have done. But, seriously - what the eff is wrong with people?
It's one thing to have no regard for your PERSONAL safety... but quite another to blatantly put your CHILD in danger.
I just hope next time that family gets into the car, they stop and think about the lunatic woman waving her arms at them and shouting in the Target parking lot, and actually do the PARENTAL thing, and take just a few seconds to take responsibility for the well-being of their child.
There's this short little show on Playhouse Disney... we always kind of roll our eyes and snark about... Lou & Lou Safety Patrol. These two know-it-all kids are always up in everyone's business about "Safety Violations."
But, today, I had to get a bit involved. I had just finished doing a Target/Starbucks run with the kiddos... and was getting Travis buckled in. Then, I put Ashley in. While I was doing that, Travis un-clicked his chest buckle. Thankfully, he can't un-do the rest of his harness himself. I chewed him out for it, and made him buckle it back up. Then, I re-opened his door to double-check that he was secure.
I got in myself, and put my seatbelt on. Then, I started the engine, and was scrolling through my iPod.
Directly across from me, a couple was parked with their windows down. They had a little boy in the back seat, who looked younger than Travis. He was clearly not buckled in. He was leaning way forward, and was rocking the booster seat forward with his weight.
Then the dad started the car, and the parent's seat belts auto-engaged.
Thene dad started to back out of the space. I called out of open window to the van. "Excuse me!! Excuse me!!"
No response. I unbuckled, and stepped out of the van.
Louder: "Excuse me! Sir! Your child is not buckled!"
He stopped, and looked at me. I thought he perhaps didn't realize his kid was unbuckled. And that he was stopping to fix it. But then, he started shining me on...
"Thanks, but I'll take care of it in a minute."
I continued loudly: "It's illegal to drive that way, it's not safe!"
He resumed backing out of the space.
I realized he just was not going to fasten his child in...
I shouted after him:
"PLEASE! If you care about your child BUCKLE him UP!"
He drove off... and an older lady standing outside her car looked over at me, and shook her head sympathetically. I felt like I should have done something further... but they had no front plate on the car... so I couldn't even write down their license number to call in. I mean, short of following them (which I was NOT about to do with two little ones in the car) there was nothing else that I could have done. But, seriously - what the eff is wrong with people?
It's one thing to have no regard for your PERSONAL safety... but quite another to blatantly put your CHILD in danger.
I just hope next time that family gets into the car, they stop and think about the lunatic woman waving her arms at them and shouting in the Target parking lot, and actually do the PARENTAL thing, and take just a few seconds to take responsibility for the well-being of their child.
Meemee!
Flickr Mosaic meme
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
(Click on picture for the answers)
The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker).
The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name
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