Two things of note happened today, both, ahem, potty related. One good, one not so good. I will start with the not so good. I was, um, using the loo this morning while Matt finished getting ready for work. It is the one time of day I can actually use the bathroom in peace. Or so I thought. Lily was running around like a wild child, screaming and yelling, talking and banging on the door. Because heaven forbid I have a moment to myself. The banging on the door is nothing new. This is pretty common. Next, however, the door swung wide open and in popped a smiley little girl greeting me with a big hello. Awesome. So now she can open doors. Now I have to start locking the door if I actually want privacy. Crafty little stinker, that one.
The other thing that happened just made this momma so proud. After Lily woke up from her nap, I gave her her fishy crackers and turned on a couple minutes of PBS, which I usually do to give her a minute to wake up. She came up to me, grabbed her diaper and said "Boop!" Sure enough, she had a stinky! And she told me about it! Granted it was about time for a change anyway, but she has never really indicated to me other than crying or squirming that she had pooped. I know this might be a fluke, but I am so proud just the same. I never knew I could be so proud about such things. We have been working on this at diaper changes - me telling her she pooped when she has - but up until this point, I think she thought I was labeling a body part, because she would just say "boop" and point down there when ever I would take her diaper off, regardless of whether or not she had actually "booped". Not that I am really thinking about potty training yet, but a big YAY! for her communicating with me!
And for anyone who is totally grossed out by my post - remember, this is so I have account of these "milestones" as much as it is to keep you all informed! That said, I will try to keep the potty stuff to a minimum until we are actually potty training. Promise!
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Books on My Bedside Table
The books on my bedside table have threatened to topple over on me and crush my pretty little head while I sleep. It isn't that these books are mean. Some are quite nice, in fact. It is just the sheer volume of books on my bedside table rivals the stacks of books the nerds used to carry down the hallways in high school. Not that I was one of those nerds.
But I digress.
There is a mountain of material, a load of literature, a plethora of paperbacks. There are books on how to be a better wife, how to be a better mother, how to be healthier. Books on how to be more financially responsible and how to organize my house. There is fiction for book club, and parenting magazines galor. There is the book for this upcoming year of MOPS. My Bible sits on my nightstand. I bought it for my Bible study because I am pretty sure my other one is packed into one of the boxes of books in the attic. It is orange and pink and really much prettier than my old Bible. Sadly, it has hardly been touched. In addition to all my reading material, there is a stack of books that my better half (because, really, truly, he is!) reads to the Chickie each night. For some reason, he has a hard time returning these books to her bookshelf in the playroom. There they sit until I wander in to change into my jammies. I sigh and pick them up and return them to their rightful place. Every. Single. Night. These are in addition to the ten or so books in the library tote which sits between my bed and nightstand. Because no matter how many new, cool books we get from the library, the tried and true books we own are read every night.
This might bother me, if I were a different sort of person. But I love books. I love to read. I prefer a good book to a good movie and reading to watching TV. I am a mommy to a 16 month old though, so my reading time is limited. Which likely accounts for the massive amounts of reading material precariously perched just inches from my head every evening. If a book were to make it to the book shelves, it would be forgotten and buried until, by some strange chance I had nothing to read. In which case I would wander over and be re-introduced to my long lost friend. It should be noted that I have never before in my life been reading so many different books at once. I used to be more of a one-book-at-a-time sort of gal. This, like so many other aspects of my life, has changed since becoming a mommy.
But I digress.
There is a mountain of material, a load of literature, a plethora of paperbacks. There are books on how to be a better wife, how to be a better mother, how to be healthier. Books on how to be more financially responsible and how to organize my house. There is fiction for book club, and parenting magazines galor. There is the book for this upcoming year of MOPS. My Bible sits on my nightstand. I bought it for my Bible study because I am pretty sure my other one is packed into one of the boxes of books in the attic. It is orange and pink and really much prettier than my old Bible. Sadly, it has hardly been touched. In addition to all my reading material, there is a stack of books that my better half (because, really, truly, he is!) reads to the Chickie each night. For some reason, he has a hard time returning these books to her bookshelf in the playroom. There they sit until I wander in to change into my jammies. I sigh and pick them up and return them to their rightful place. Every. Single. Night. These are in addition to the ten or so books in the library tote which sits between my bed and nightstand. Because no matter how many new, cool books we get from the library, the tried and true books we own are read every night.
This might bother me, if I were a different sort of person. But I love books. I love to read. I prefer a good book to a good movie and reading to watching TV. I am a mommy to a 16 month old though, so my reading time is limited. Which likely accounts for the massive amounts of reading material precariously perched just inches from my head every evening. If a book were to make it to the book shelves, it would be forgotten and buried until, by some strange chance I had nothing to read. In which case I would wander over and be re-introduced to my long lost friend. It should be noted that I have never before in my life been reading so many different books at once. I used to be more of a one-book-at-a-time sort of gal. This, like so many other aspects of my life, has changed since becoming a mommy.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
For Your Viewing Pleasure
don't let the cute semi-smile fool you - she was pretty ticked at me for putting her in the hamper for the sake of a picture
sometimes chickie has the sweetest expressions
like here
and here
here not so much - she foiled yet another attempt for a family photo. i guess it is okay - i kinda look like poop
i believe this was the first of july - we went to the park in pants and long sleeves. JULY 1st people! gotta love chicago weather
peace sign, sorta - did I ever tell you the story about when we were at church, I was probably in junior high. It was the part of the mass when you turn and shake hands with other parishioners, giving the sign of peace. I actually gave the peace sign to the priest. Luckily Father Don was amused. I don't think my parents were.
Rockin' her shades
one of her adorable swim diapers
Blackberry Farm
The 4th
The 3rd of July
enjoying some ribs at Ribfest - don't let the overcast background fool you...I forgot the sunscreen and Chickie looked like a lobster. bad mommy! if it is any consolation, I looked like a raccoon.
mmmm - ice cream
after we left Ribfest, we headed home and Chickie took a nap and hubs and I rinsed off all the gooey sticky bbq-ness in the pool...ahem, we took a refreshing dip in the pool.
we then headed over to a friends for a bbq and walked to a park near their house for fireworks. Chickie loved them, alternately saying "oohh!" "cool" and "bubbles". however, she was bored by the end.
the 4th dawned rainy and icky and cool. we headed to walmart, cuz what is more american than shopping at walmart? we eventually headed over to my inlaws for some pizza and then on to the fireworks.
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this is how chickie enjoyed fireworks on the 4th
me and hubs, a little out of focus
enjoying some ribs at Ribfest - don't let the overcast background fool you...I forgot the sunscreen and Chickie looked like a lobster. bad mommy! if it is any consolation, I looked like a raccoon.
mmmm - ice cream
after we left Ribfest, we headed home and Chickie took a nap and hubs and I rinsed off all the gooey sticky bbq-ness in the pool...ahem, we took a refreshing dip in the pool.
we then headed over to a friends for a bbq and walked to a park near their house for fireworks. Chickie loved them, alternately saying "oohh!" "cool" and "bubbles". however, she was bored by the end.
the 4th dawned rainy and icky and cool. we headed to walmart, cuz what is more american than shopping at walmart? we eventually headed over to my inlaws for some pizza and then on to the fireworks.
/>
this is how chickie enjoyed fireworks on the 4th
me and hubs, a little out of focus
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Month of Me - A Review of June
As you may recall, I decided June was going to be a month of me. I was going to focus on improving myself in a couple different areas. I was joining Weight Watchers, not eating out at all, only reading devotional and inspirational materials and exploring my faith a little more. Here is a re-cap.
Weight Watchers: I would say this aspect was a success. I lost about 12 pounds and for the most part stuck with the diet plan...until the canoe trip. But 12 pounds is 12 pounds and I am not complaining. And after about a week off track, which started with the canoe trip and ended the day after the 4th of July, I still managed to lose over a pound. I was gonna be happy if I didn't gain more than a pound, but I guess adding the gym to the mix, which I started last week, really paid off.
No Eating Out: I would also consider this a success, although I didn't make it the entire month. I made it all the way to the 27th without eating out. But we were starving when we got home from canoeing and too tired to make dinner, so we ended up ordering a pizza. I think that was it though...unless there was something after the 27th that I can't recall (we have eaten out a couple times in July and I can't remember if I did anymore in June). I know for a fact that I didn't eat out before the 27th.
Only reading devotional or inspirational materials, or materials on a topic where I would actually learn something: Hmm, well I was successful in not reading any frivolous books, but I am not sure this was really a success. I did read some devotional/inspirational materials and I did read some on a health topic of interest, but this didn't necessarily replace my frivolous reading before bed and during Lily's nap time. True, I did read before bed, but the books just didn't grab me like the novels I usually read, so therefore I read much less and some evenings I actually just watched more TV. Definitely not what I was figuring when I made this goal. My purpose was to actually read some of the huge stack of books I have been *meaning* to get through when I wasn't distracted by a novel. In reality, I just read less. So therefore I am still trying to get through the same books. I just need to be better disciplined. Perhaps I should force myself to take a half hour each day while Lily is napping to get through this material. Probably would mean less Face Book time...which would actually probably be a good thing. I also have only a little over a week to finish the book I am supposed to be reading for book club. We meet on the 21st, and since I normally fly through novels, I figured no problem if I only had three weeks. The book, however, is just not doing it for me. The kicker - the author of said book is actually going to be at our next meeting to discuss his book with us. I would just not go, but since I already paid for the book...plus, I like my night out of the house.
Focus on my faith: I would say this is still a work in progress, which is exactly what I anticipated it would be. We had to put Bible Study on hold for two weeks because of Lily's swim lessons which majorly messed with nap time, making plans for the rest of the day hit or miss. We were only able to meet three times, but I did go over some of the material on my own.
I would consider June to be pretty successful in terms of my goals. For July, I am going to continue with Weight Watchers and exploring my faith. I am going to try not to eat out too much, but if we do, oh well. I am going to try to devote time to my "other" books. I am going to try to hit the gym at least 4 times a week. Seeing as we are already almost half way through the month, I am not going to beat myself up if I don't reach my goals. How about you? Does anyone else set monthly goals for themselves?
Weight Watchers: I would say this aspect was a success. I lost about 12 pounds and for the most part stuck with the diet plan...until the canoe trip. But 12 pounds is 12 pounds and I am not complaining. And after about a week off track, which started with the canoe trip and ended the day after the 4th of July, I still managed to lose over a pound. I was gonna be happy if I didn't gain more than a pound, but I guess adding the gym to the mix, which I started last week, really paid off.
No Eating Out: I would also consider this a success, although I didn't make it the entire month. I made it all the way to the 27th without eating out. But we were starving when we got home from canoeing and too tired to make dinner, so we ended up ordering a pizza. I think that was it though...unless there was something after the 27th that I can't recall (we have eaten out a couple times in July and I can't remember if I did anymore in June). I know for a fact that I didn't eat out before the 27th.
Only reading devotional or inspirational materials, or materials on a topic where I would actually learn something: Hmm, well I was successful in not reading any frivolous books, but I am not sure this was really a success. I did read some devotional/inspirational materials and I did read some on a health topic of interest, but this didn't necessarily replace my frivolous reading before bed and during Lily's nap time. True, I did read before bed, but the books just didn't grab me like the novels I usually read, so therefore I read much less and some evenings I actually just watched more TV. Definitely not what I was figuring when I made this goal. My purpose was to actually read some of the huge stack of books I have been *meaning* to get through when I wasn't distracted by a novel. In reality, I just read less. So therefore I am still trying to get through the same books. I just need to be better disciplined. Perhaps I should force myself to take a half hour each day while Lily is napping to get through this material. Probably would mean less Face Book time...which would actually probably be a good thing. I also have only a little over a week to finish the book I am supposed to be reading for book club. We meet on the 21st, and since I normally fly through novels, I figured no problem if I only had three weeks. The book, however, is just not doing it for me. The kicker - the author of said book is actually going to be at our next meeting to discuss his book with us. I would just not go, but since I already paid for the book...plus, I like my night out of the house.
Focus on my faith: I would say this is still a work in progress, which is exactly what I anticipated it would be. We had to put Bible Study on hold for two weeks because of Lily's swim lessons which majorly messed with nap time, making plans for the rest of the day hit or miss. We were only able to meet three times, but I did go over some of the material on my own.
I would consider June to be pretty successful in terms of my goals. For July, I am going to continue with Weight Watchers and exploring my faith. I am going to try not to eat out too much, but if we do, oh well. I am going to try to devote time to my "other" books. I am going to try to hit the gym at least 4 times a week. Seeing as we are already almost half way through the month, I am not going to beat myself up if I don't reach my goals. How about you? Does anyone else set monthly goals for themselves?
Canoe Trip
Two weeks ago, Matt and I went on a canoe day trip with some of his friends from work. It was really a camping and canoeing weekend, but since we have a little chickie at home, we decided to opt out of the two nights of camping and just do the canoeing. A couple of years ago, we did the whole shebang. It was a lot of fun, but I couldn't sleep for a week before this trip, just worrying about leaving Lily all day while we floated down a river. I couldn't even imagine being gone the whole weekend! Steph was kind enough (like I really had to twist her arm) to come and spend the entire day with Lily. Matt and I headed out to the camp site to meet up with everyone and then drove on to the canoe place. You get on a bus with your cooler and whatever else you feel like bringing and they drive you up river 12 miles and you get in your canoe and then float/canoe on down to your car. While it is technically a canoe trip, since we are in canoes and all, it is really just a big drink beer and float down the river trip. We "barge up" - lash all our canoes together with bungee cords - and kick back and drink and have a great time. We went to shore a couple times for lunch, potty breaks, and some swimming, and then floated on. It is the Fox River, but it is a whole different river than up by my parents house. By my parents it is speed boats and jet skis. Down where we were it is rock walls and wild life and just as peaceful as can be, if you don't count the rowdy bunch actually on the river in canoes :) It was a great time and while I did miss Chickie terribly, it was nice to just hang out and be an adult and not have to worry about being a mom for the day. I took some pictures with a disposable waterproof camera, but they didn't turn out that great. Sorry.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
One of Those Days
Today has been one of those days. One melt down after another. Battles during meal time, diaper changes, getting into the carseat. One of those days that makes me think I am not cut out for this mothering thing. For raising a child into a caring and considerate adult. I mean, I am just trying to survive today! It doesn't help that I am on my own while the hubs is on a much deserved boys weekend. I try to tell myself that Chickie is still off kilter from the holiday weekend. Possibly. Or that spending an hour in childcare while I am at the gym may be confusing to her - although she seems to love it and not even notice when I leave. But the truth - the honest to God truth - is that she is a toddler and I am ill-equipped to handle tantrums. I still throw tantrums myself. Just ask my husband.
So while I have all kinds of exciting things to blog about like the 4th of July, our canoe trip from two weeks ago, and a re-cap of how my month of me went, that will have to wait until tomorrow. Or the next day. Or whenever I don't feel too drained to do much more than veg in front of the boob tube once I put Chickie down. Which has also been a struggle all week. And all the cute pictures I have been taking...well they are still on my camera. But I promise, promise, PROMISE to have some new pictures up soon. And to not be so whiny in my next post. Until then, I will just drown my sorrows in Weight Watcher ice cream products and settle in to watch some Bones.
So while I have all kinds of exciting things to blog about like the 4th of July, our canoe trip from two weeks ago, and a re-cap of how my month of me went, that will have to wait until tomorrow. Or the next day. Or whenever I don't feel too drained to do much more than veg in front of the boob tube once I put Chickie down. Which has also been a struggle all week. And all the cute pictures I have been taking...well they are still on my camera. But I promise, promise, PROMISE to have some new pictures up soon. And to not be so whiny in my next post. Until then, I will just drown my sorrows in Weight Watcher ice cream products and settle in to watch some Bones.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Random Thoughts
I have some cute pics of Lily to upload. I also have our canoe trip to write about. But I am feeling rather lazy, so I decided to just share some random thoughts. Probably no one cares whats knocking around in my head, but that's fine. I need to get all the convoluted dribble out so I can turn my mind to more pressing matters, like whether or not it is advisable to convince my husband we should take a vacation in October that we absolutely cannot afford.
- Lily has some adorable Elmo jeans. The cut of them is kinda strange. The rise is really high, the legs are short, but they are not capris. Kind of a bummer since they are so dang cute. Every time I put a pair of jeans on her - and she has been wearing jeans all week due to the very seasonable weather we are having (which I love, just in the appropriate month - say, October)she points to the ankle and says Elmo. Hmmm, I hope she isn't too disappointed that not all her jeans have Seasame Street characters on them.
- My ear hurts. It has for three days. I don't have an ear infection. The doctor who spent exactly 90 seconds with me this morning told me so. Now I remember why I don't go to the doctor, like ever. I always feel like a horse's ass when nothing is wrong with me.
- My house really needs to be cleaned, but I have discovered this very addicting game on Facebook called Bejeweled Blitz. I seriously think they need to develop a support group for people who play this. I can't stop.
- My new favorite show is Bones. I have been watching it on TNT. Actually, I have been recording it and Matt and I have been watching a couple episodes every night. Booth is HOT! Matt doesn't think so because he used to watch the show called Angel or something, which Booth was in. And because he isn't gay.
- Also, I have been watching Gilmore Girls on ABC Family. I have seen it a million times, but the final season is finally in syndication. Yay!
- I have many more random thoughts to share, but I am off to play Bejeweled Blitz some more. See...I have a problem!
- Lily has some adorable Elmo jeans. The cut of them is kinda strange. The rise is really high, the legs are short, but they are not capris. Kind of a bummer since they are so dang cute. Every time I put a pair of jeans on her - and she has been wearing jeans all week due to the very seasonable weather we are having (which I love, just in the appropriate month - say, October)she points to the ankle and says Elmo. Hmmm, I hope she isn't too disappointed that not all her jeans have Seasame Street characters on them.
- My ear hurts. It has for three days. I don't have an ear infection. The doctor who spent exactly 90 seconds with me this morning told me so. Now I remember why I don't go to the doctor, like ever. I always feel like a horse's ass when nothing is wrong with me.
- My house really needs to be cleaned, but I have discovered this very addicting game on Facebook called Bejeweled Blitz. I seriously think they need to develop a support group for people who play this. I can't stop.
- My new favorite show is Bones. I have been watching it on TNT. Actually, I have been recording it and Matt and I have been watching a couple episodes every night. Booth is HOT! Matt doesn't think so because he used to watch the show called Angel or something, which Booth was in. And because he isn't gay.
- Also, I have been watching Gilmore Girls on ABC Family. I have seen it a million times, but the final season is finally in syndication. Yay!
- I have many more random thoughts to share, but I am off to play Bejeweled Blitz some more. See...I have a problem!
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