tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63256297000159293362024-03-05T21:06:16.298-06:00Two Science NerdsAn Engineer & A Science Teacher making a home and life togetherJacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-26423377041359790332013-08-12T18:08:00.002-05:002013-08-12T18:08:17.883-05:00PrivacyI think I'm going to go private here - not that I've been blogging much but there is a ton of crazy S going on (we stopped swearing cause of the kiddos so now we just use letters - S, F, A, etc.).<br />
<br />
Anyway, rather than put it all out there for anyone to stumble upon, I think I need to go invite only to ensure that only the people I want to see it actually do.<br />
<br />
So... that said, I think I need some e-mail addresses to add people. If you want to, that is.Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-46110895389277729612013-04-19T15:03:00.002-05:002013-04-19T15:03:46.969-05:00The End<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As we close in on Reese's first birthday, we also close in on another event. The end of breastfeeding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm extremely proud that I've been able to nurse both my girls to basically one year, and have never had to use formula. Not that formula is bad, but I truly think it's one of the best things I could possibly do for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The funny thing is, I don't remember weaning Addy. I don't remember how it went, but it seemed to go very smoothly. I know I stopped pumping at work and continued to nurse morning and night and we just eventually dropped both of those feedings as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reese will be 11 months on Sunday and as of Monday I will no longer pump during the day. I'm so ready to stick my pump in a closet and forget about it for a while. Perhaps even give it away, or lend it to someone. Pumping has been a struggle at times, definitely a love-hate thing. There were days where my ounces were low and I stressed about what I was going to do and there were days that I relished in the 30 minutes of quiet time during a busy day. There were also days that I struggled to fit it in my schedule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In just over 3 weeks, I leave on a work trip to Italy and I am bound and determined not to take a pump with me. To have Reese off the breast and on to bottles full time by then. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Most of you moms know that you can't just go cold turkey or you risk ending up in quite a bit of pain and mastitis. So, next week means no pumping, only morning and bedtime feedings. The week after that we'll drop to only night time feedings and the week after that, switch to bottles. Hopefully a week is enough time for each transition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have approximately 40 bags of milk in my freezer that we'll work our way through and then we'll be all done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's the end of an era, but a good end I think. I'm proud of what I've accomplished.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-51279528302872689872013-03-11T10:29:00.000-05:002013-03-11T10:29:13.822-05:00Roomies<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I haven't posted in 2 months?! Crazy. And weird to think that not that much has changed. The girls continue to grow - Addy is doing amazingly well in preschool and Reese is going to walk any day now. She also has 5 (!) teeth and is growing much faster than I'd really like.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">But on to the topic for today's blog.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We're getting a roommate. As in, someone is going to come live in our house for approximately 6 months. She's actually going to live in our basement which was her choice; she could have had the guest room.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I suppose I should back up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So... my aunt is like, borderline certifiably crazy and an alcoholic and her 7 (!) kids want pretty much nothing to do with her. She has a 19-year old daughter who used to live with her until she lost her house and then the daughter, M, went to Florida to live with her dad & 2 younger sisters but didn't like it and missed MN so she came back. BUT, since her mom lost her house and is currently dating (and engaged to and living with) MY DAD she ended up staying on her older sister's couch. That was all about 8 months ago.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Are you still with me?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The older sister (and couch owner) is pregnant and due in early Sept. and I think both of those girls were stressing about what would happen when the baby came and there was someone living on the couch. So I made the comment that M should come stay with us for like 2 weeks after the baby came to let the family adjust to having a baby around and have their couch back.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">M e-mailed me and asked if there was any way she could come stay with us sooner, and for longer and C & I talked about it and decided it would probably be ok and we invited M over for dinner to chat about it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We had a big talk about "boundaries" (I don't want to call them rules) that basically boiled down to, "We're not going to tell you what you can and can't do because you're 19 but you need to be respectful of the fact that we have 2 small children and always be conscious of what they might see or hear." Which means, you can have friends over but they have to be gone by 10 and you can't be too loud. And you can have your boyfriend over and you 2 can do what 19-year olds do, but there are kids around so be mindful of that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I think we're all on the same page and she seems excited about it and everyone keeps telling us how nice it is of us to do and what a good thing we're doing. But honestly, I think it's really sad that she can't depend on her mom for anything and I think you should always be able to fall back on your parents if you're at the end of your rope, you know?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">And to answer all these questions I'm sure are in your head, Yes, my dad is going to marry my mom's sister. No, I'm not exactly happy about it. I'm not sure if I'm going to the wedding. Yes, it is weird.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-16037982998324142002013-01-03T09:36:00.001-06:002013-01-03T09:36:40.797-06:00Goodbye to 2012<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I can't say that I'm sad to see 2012 go. While it was better than 2011 by far, it still had ups and downs and I'd really like things to calm down a little more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I've seen other bloggers do kind of a year in review and I though it was cool. I'm going to try and re-use pictures I've uploaded to fill out this post.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Here we go!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>January</u></strong> - In January I was a stay at home mom (SAHM) for approx. 3 weeks before I went back to work! I'm proud of the fact that I was only laid off for 2 months (to the day!) before finding a job.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>February </u></strong>- Corey & I celebrated 4 years together, from the day we met. I think, for both of us, that when we met we both kind of knew that was it for us. Neither of us ever dated anyone from that day, even though we weren't "official" until 2 months later.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>March</u></strong> - Addy turned 3 and Corey turned 31 and we had a small celebration at our home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>April</u></strong> - I started interviewing with 2 companies for a permanent job as opposed to a contract position. It was intense with phone interviews, 2 formal interviews, a skills test and an evaluation by a occupational psychologist, who walked me through my entire career for 2 hours asking me about details and decisions. Corey, Addy & I enjoyed our last month or so as a small family of 3.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>May</u></strong> - Reese was born! Also, I got job offers from both companies I had been interviewing with and accepted one.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRdWEk1QBfmuGFU9bH-iSVIfjthWZzQBFTLfXfZmoO-CsNEcGqtYYFHuI9fRETbRx9qTPi8sqgEYezHQJpRYFW-2i2pRjI0flYn0jYlGCF6nLHmaYXIoSgAVReEdScixnbjyZkmGg7vPH/s1600/Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRdWEk1QBfmuGFU9bH-iSVIfjthWZzQBFTLfXfZmoO-CsNEcGqtYYFHuI9fRETbRx9qTPi8sqgEYezHQJpRYFW-2i2pRjI0flYn0jYlGCF6nLHmaYXIoSgAVReEdScixnbjyZkmGg7vPH/s1600/Family.jpg" eea="true" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Additionally, Corey & I celebrated one year of marriage, in the hospital. Reese shares our anniversary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>June</u></strong> - We spent June adjusting to life with a new baby. Corey finished up school for the year and we looked forward to our summer together.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>July</u></strong> - We went insane and decided to fly to California for a wonderful friend's wedding and then straight to Ohio to see extended family and friends. We were on the road with a 3-year-old and an 8-month-old for 10 days. After this trip we decided to potty train Addy during my last week of freedom.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKTuGrlGdDOKrRJIExxqwQkdM-WZjmfWAV2eXmuhCGnlzAh8-v2oAiLNEMt72FWXNCHRmDMM2USKFS3VwpbQtESdp1e67tZk8WV9wBsUUksmGSe7rLOj-qqpudSGESBgASGn_HIXey51e/s1600/DSC00252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKTuGrlGdDOKrRJIExxqwQkdM-WZjmfWAV2eXmuhCGnlzAh8-v2oAiLNEMt72FWXNCHRmDMM2USKFS3VwpbQtESdp1e67tZk8WV9wBsUUksmGSe7rLOj-qqpudSGESBgASGn_HIXey51e/s1600/DSC00252.JPG" eea="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Eq19mjIScxk5_RI2C2qs585an751j2Db_yoY1frgth-cxyOXVssYQDfYwZEgq72oQsoLLgN0xDjcHubULtM1iwqRozfTSC0ygM4YKuCnd2CGY27fmtPBvsN5sLtxXl5QK66bpqbyVYU/s1600/DSC00275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Eq19mjIScxk5_RI2C2qs585an751j2Db_yoY1frgth-cxyOXVssYQDfYwZEgq72oQsoLLgN0xDjcHubULtM1iwqRozfTSC0ygM4YKuCnd2CGY27fmtPBvsN5sLtxXl5QK66bpqbyVYU/s1600/DSC00275.JPG" eea="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>August</u></strong> - I started working again! While my official start date was July 30, I consider it August. We registered Addy for preschool and found Reese a great daycare. Corey prepared to return to school for his 3rd (and tenure!) year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>September</u></strong> - We spend Sept. finding our rythym with work and school and kids. Furlough days started at work so I had 2 Fridays off. At the end of the month we took another quick trip to California for another wedding but left Addy with family.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoTDXVXm-yPoyIksUIIpgl-M3HM4wkALYoRpcgYep6zxjBpB4qq2EC-1NBuvUffS1Y7xZXcY_mGW7lVgF4KRR2645Kky1xfBVgAKRKNh-OCHo-ECfkt8aNzyp3kQs4VkhWJlHHm-LfKUk/s1600/DSC00294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoTDXVXm-yPoyIksUIIpgl-M3HM4wkALYoRpcgYep6zxjBpB4qq2EC-1NBuvUffS1Y7xZXcY_mGW7lVgF4KRR2645Kky1xfBVgAKRKNh-OCHo-ECfkt8aNzyp3kQs4VkhWJlHHm-LfKUk/s1600/DSC00294.JPG" eea="true" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><strong>October</strong></u> - I turned 33 (ugh) in October and had some high-stress days at work where I got approval for my project. Reese turned 5 months and started army crawling. We decided to sleep train her at the end of the month and it worked... for a while.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>November</u></strong> - Reese's first Thanksgiving! I wish I had more to say about November but really, the highlight was Thanksgiving I think. Also, I had my last 2 furlough days and spent one wth Addy and one getting my hair done. I started attempting to use the treadmill more and was successful for most of November.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><strong><u>December</u></strong> - December pretty much means Christmas! Reese's first Christmas! This year we started the Elf on the Shelf tradition which was ok. As the girls grow we will probably have more fun with it. We spent Christmas in Michigan and Ohio, visiting family and friends. I fell off the treadmill (not literally) and am struggling to get back into it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">To sum up:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Jobs: 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Kids: 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Books read: 80+!! I credit pumping and reading on my phone. I doubt this will be as high next year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">My wish for 2013? I'd like a peaceful year. I'm working very hard to let go of something things and just be. I know the summer will be crazy at work and we're talking about another addition to our family but I hope that in one year I can say that 2013 was a great year.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-40520543766413909062012-12-19T10:35:00.000-06:002012-12-19T10:35:33.779-06:00You're killin' me Smalls!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My crazy baby is going to be the one who breaks me. But in a good way, you know?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Reese will be 7 months old in 3 days. In her 6th month she:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Has started crawling for real - she has been army crawling for a good month now but she's up on her knees and moving</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Has a tooth! My doctor said that you take their age in months minus 6 and that's a guideline to how many teeth she should have. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Can sit up on her own - not for long periods of time but she can do it!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Has stood up a few times. She managed to crawl to something, put her hands on it and continue to move her feet. Then she got her feet under he and was basically standing while leaning on the ball. Fortunately, she hasn't figured out how to do this in her crib yet.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">By comparison (not that you should compare your children), Addy was crawling at 7 months, didn't get a tooth until like 9 months and walked at 11 months.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Never having had 2 children before, I wrongly assumed that we knew what to expect from Reese because we'd had Addy. While I knew deep down that no 2 children are alike, I expected that Reese would develop roughly the same as Addy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">But no, Reese is in a hurry for everything apparently. I wonder if this will be an indication of her personality later in life. Wanting to blaze her own path and prove herself to be different than her sister and her own woman.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The tone of this post probably doesn't convey how in awe I am of my baby. We hit the 5 month mark and she turned into a new baby. Suddenly happy almost all the time and HUGE smiles! She loves Addy more than anything, you can tell. She's always crawling over to her and watching her and Addy can make her laugh more than anyone. I desperately hope that their relationship only grows as they do. I always longed for a sister but never got one unfortunately and I'm so happy that my girls have eachother.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-42483429201864822282012-12-03T14:02:00.000-06:002012-12-03T14:02:11.889-06:00It's A Date<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In an effort to put more... effort into our relationship, C & I came up with an idea for this coming year. Well, really I stole the idea from something I saw on Pinterest and C & I modified it to suit us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We divided up the next year into 2 groups of 6 months, we each get every other month and we each have to plan a date for that month. The date can be anything from very simple to quite elaborate, there really aren't any rules.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">By Christmas, we each need to have our 6 date ideas in envelopes labeled by month and we'll put them up somewhere to keep them safe. At the beginning of each month, we'll open that envelope, see what the date idea is, get the calendar and actually plan the date!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">For instance, I have January. My date idea for January is for us to go to a museum together (nerd alert!) of his choosing and then to lunch or dinner or do lunch first and then the museum. Either way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So in January we will open the Jan. emvelope and read the date description then we will pick the day we'd like to go, contact our babysitter and make it happen!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I'm very excited about this and hope that it works and isn't something that we just abandon after a few months. The idea of the envelope is that we're supposed to plan as much as possible ahead of time. So for the museum & food, I might pick up a gift card for a restaurant we can go to. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Here's a quick list of my months and ideas:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">January - Museum & lunch/dinner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">March - I have already registered us to run a 5K together and then we will do brunch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">May - This is our anniversary month...I think I will try to plan a fancy dinner where we get dressed up & maybe an overnight</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">July - Kayak trip in Cannon Falls & either a picnic lunch or grabbing something after</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">September - Segway tour of Minneapolis</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">December - I'd love for us to both skip work and spend a day together Christmas shopping but I'm not sure that will work. I might make it the main idea but have a back up in place just in case.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Other date ideas I came up with are: Dave & Busters, a brewery tour, catching a show at a Theatre, a cooking class together, just going to Happy Hour to spend time talking, Wine tasting, rock climbing...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I did buy a groupon deal for a wine tasting that I need to work in there somehow but it's kind of out of the way for the other things I have planned. Perhaps I can work it into May.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Here's to building our relationship in 2013!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-24514381406352645172012-11-27T07:26:00.000-06:002012-11-27T07:26:06.088-06:006 Month Check Up<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reese had her 6 month check up yesterday and I wanted to record her stats here so I remember them!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Weight: 15lb 8.5oz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Length: Almost 27 inches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Head Circumference: About 17.25 inches</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Reese is doing well/advanced in: Gross Motor Skills - meaning that she is almost crawling which really impressed the doctor and she's able to feed herself crackers. Both are above her skill set.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Reese is still developing in: Language skills - meaning that she is apparently supposed to be babbling but she isn't. She makes sounds, two syllable sounds, but she does not repeat them. No sounds like "ba-ba-ba-ba". The doctor seemed concerned for a moment that she might have a hearing problem but Reese responds to her name and other noises so it's not an issue.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Other notes: Reese still has a clogged tear duct in her right eye that hasn't cleared up. While it's not a huge concern, if it's still present in a month, we'll probably have to see a pediatric optometrist and we'll discuss probing the tear duct to clear the blockage. That sounds like it will suck but if it makes her better I guess.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The doctor was overall very impressed with Reese. The fact that she's moving (army crawling) is super advanced. We also spoke about the fact that Reese only takes one nap per day but she's gaining weight well and seems overall happy so she wasn't too concerned. She was actually impressed that Reese goes from 7pm to 6am without food or waking up (now that we re-trained her) because apparently that's also advanced. She said she would expect 6-8 hours, not 11.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">All good news for Reese!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-77725590600081860602012-11-26T14:26:00.000-06:002012-11-26T14:26:18.228-06:00VICTORY!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We did. It was made even better by 2 things.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">1) Reese was born on 5/21. Since June of this year, I have been fighting with Aflac to get disability money from them on a policy that I had prior to getting pregnant. There have been all sorts of reasons why they didn't want to pay me and I've been wading my way through their paperwork and call center trying to get this taken care of. Mind you, Reese is 6 months old now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The issue is that approximately 6 days prior to Reese's birth, I stopped working. See, I was going to have a baby and wanted a few days to myself. Since this was a contract position and I had already accepted a full time position elsewhere, I was no longer employed by K Company. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Even though I wasted numerous breaths and hours explaining this to Aflac, they still needed an Employer statement filled out despite the fact that I did not have an employer at the time of the "incident".</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I finally got someone at K Company to fill out the paperwork for me and submit it. I got a letter from Aflac on Saturday and was sure it was telling me my claim had been denied yet again for various stupid reasons. You can imagine how pleased I was to find a check! Victory is mine!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">*Side note: If you are planning to have a baby but are not yet pregnant, I suggest you talk to an Aflac agent. At the very minimum, get Hospital Indemnity coverage which paid me right around $3K for my hospital stay with Reese. It doesn't matter what your current insurance covers, they don't even ask. You submit the hospital bill along with some claim forms (does not require an Employer statement) and they send you a check. Your amount may vary depending on how much you pay in and you have to pay for 10 months prior to having the child but in the end we got roughly 2.5x what we paid in.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">2) We re-trained Reese to sleep through the night. I know, I know, it was like 1.5 months ago that I was talking about training her and how successful it was and now I had to re-do it all. She started waking up once a night at like 3am and I started going and nursing her then. I told myself that she was growing and hungry and gave in. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Well, enough is enough and we put a stop to it over the weekend. We've had 2 nights in a row of solid sleep and it's great. I will probably eat my words in a few months when she's teething but for now, it's great.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So yes, I was able to claim victory over 2 things in my life and I am happy to do so!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-181141660031459392012-11-20T09:30:00.001-06:002012-11-20T09:30:43.531-06:00A Brazilian for your Head<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Friday was my last furlough day at my company and I spent it as a Me Day. Both girls went to their respective daycares/preschools, C went to work and I did whatever I wanted to do. You should know that doing what I wanted to do included running on the treadmill, getting my hair done, doing laundry and spending time cleaning the house. So a little Me time and a little House time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">A while ago, I bought a groupon for a Brazillian Blowout which I have been DYING to get done. For those who don't know me IRL, I have wavy, frizzy, thick hair that can be hard to manage. I usually would end up either spending 30 minutes blowdrying & straightening it or spending 10 minutes putting mousse and other crap in it and scrunching it to wear it curly. It was extremely rare that you would ever see me with wet hair since I hated it in its air dried state.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I bought the groupon (Note: I say groupon to mean any daily deal thing. I think this one was actually from Living social.) and decided to treat myself. I really had no idea what to expect, I only hoped that it would make my mornings easier by reducing the amount of time I spend on my hair.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The process took about 2.5 hours - it varies based on how long your hair is and how thick it is. They wash it twice with a clarifying shampoo to remove any products or oils that might be present. Then they apply the solution in sections which seems the same as applying color. It's then blowdried completely and flat ironed in tiny sections to seal in the chemicals and finally washed again to remove any excess chemicals.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">After it was finished, my hair looked so healthy and shiny and felt amazing. It was 100% straight, something I've never had before. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I waited 48 hours before washing it which was difficult and I felt icky. My hair seemed to hold up pretty well but I wouldn't have gone anywhere the 2nd day until showering. I also avoided putting my hair in a ponytail just to be sure I wouldn't introduce any kinks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I was finally able to wash it on Sunday and I blowdried it afterward and was amazed. There's almost no need to even use a flatiron now. Just to touch up the ends I suppose and curl them under. It's insane and SO much faster than it used to be!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I want this to last as long as possible (max 3 months) so I'm only washing it every other day, which is taking some getting used to. I put some baby powder on my roots today to get rid of some oil. I think my hair needs to adjust as well so things should be better before too long. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">All in all, it was an amazing treat for myself. If it didn't cost so much normally, I would absolutely do it every 3 months. As it is, I can maybe see myself doing it once a year, maybe when summer starts so that mornings go faster and to beat the humidity.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Absolutely, 100% recommend!</span><br />
<br />Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-77947569398461848242012-11-12T13:11:00.004-06:002012-11-12T13:11:59.624-06:00Losing It<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You know that commercial on TV with the cartoon couple where the wife talks about losing weight? And she talks about how she & her husband give up carbs together and he loses like 20lbs and she loses 3?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">This is my real life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">It's not like I expected the baby weight to melt off right away, I've done this before and I'm older now. I know that it takes time and some effort. But I also know that breastfeeding should be helping this journey.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I've been <strike>trying</strike> meaning to work out but it's hard with 2 kids. I get home from work, after picking up both girls and feed/entertain them while we wait for C to get home. IF he gets home at a reasonable time and IF it's not my turn to make dinner and IF the girls are cooperative, then MAYBE I'll have time to run. And you ladies know that getting ready to run takes time to change into workout clothes, remove make-up, and stretch all before you can actually get moving. Add in finding your water bottle and headphones and finding something that you can actually listen to, while, most nights it just doesn't even happen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">C always says that if I want to work out then I'll make it happen. He certainly does. He runs 2-3x per week with one of those being a long run on the weekend. I admire his dedication and the fact that he truly does make it happen.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Back to the commercial, weight is like melting off him. He complains all the time about his pants being too big or shirts ballooning on him. I only feel a little sorry for him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I've actually told him not to lose any more weight, not because I'm jealous (mostly), but because I don't think it's healthy for him. He weighs something like 165 and I think that's low for his frame.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">In the mean time, I lost 20lbs in 5.5 months but those last 10 seem determined to hang around. And it's not that I weight a horrible number (142) but it's more than I'd like. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I managed to run 3x last week, including one family trip to the Y. I'd like to keep it up and see if I can get the scale moving again. I'd like to at least set a good foundation before the holidays hit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Unlike the commercial, I won't be taking supplements.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-26014828998388139152012-11-05T14:37:00.000-06:002012-11-05T14:37:17.757-06:00You Get What You Pay For<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">JC Penny is running a promotion right now with their photo studios where you get free sitting fees, a free 8x10" picture and a free (low resolution) digital image just for coming in. Their hope, I assume, is that you'll spend lots of money buying pictures from them to make up for all the things they waived.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">One of the things I wanted for my birthday was to do a nice family photo shoot to get an image we could use on a Christmas card. My thought was that we'd get a photographer to come do a family shoot and end up with precious photos of our family and the girls to put in our home.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Instead, after seeing the promotion, we decided to give jcp a shot.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I had misgivings because they're a corporation after all. It wasn't at my home, it was a big studio. But I expected that the photographer would take time to ask what we wanted and have creative poses for us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I told them that we wanted to get some good family photos and some nice pictures of the girls. We all wore our Converse shoes so I thought it would be fun to use them in some way. We brought cute hats for the girls to wear as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Now, I understand that children are unreliable. That they don't always co-operate and that they don't understand what's being asked of them. Especially a 5-month old. But, given what I asked for you would think that I would get ONE useable picture of both girls together. I did not.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOWYSbU3zYnebWRTV0b8R5muHlF_bFLBiSnfAWodNVaGgxeRyoWd_MXdLRzjXGAwLBo-CsLho7_hicBXcL8yFLYM7RgjEXNim7D0ZXNfW673sueg0npDgoVOZf5J9S-3ekJ65mxKYBqng/s1600/Girls3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOWYSbU3zYnebWRTV0b8R5muHlF_bFLBiSnfAWodNVaGgxeRyoWd_MXdLRzjXGAwLBo-CsLho7_hicBXcL8yFLYM7RgjEXNim7D0ZXNfW673sueg0npDgoVOZf5J9S-3ekJ65mxKYBqng/s1600/Girls3.JPG" height="320" rea="true" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Don't they look thrilled??</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRAXutHlXdbF53-J8CaceRT7cNRz1GY-fRTqK7HgRLDZTkJtBunvysyUD-sKuyD0wau7lpmoOfuaOcX-SvFHKj2Ap9y0muR6YuVrNxoF9yfiSWdc5kC0TFzZ1z7BbDIFocV5Lv41_R2FD/s1600/Girls2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRAXutHlXdbF53-J8CaceRT7cNRz1GY-fRTqK7HgRLDZTkJtBunvysyUD-sKuyD0wau7lpmoOfuaOcX-SvFHKj2Ap9y0muR6YuVrNxoF9yfiSWdc5kC0TFzZ1z7BbDIFocV5Lv41_R2FD/s1600/Girls2.JPG" height="238" rea="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I wish that they had had the multiple shot feature where it would have taken 3-4 shots each time the button was pushed. This one could have been good.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtHT_3wm7dQ6wMbXz2pP450e2eDCp56ugK4pKzhTpkjdKVR9jKoC0Vk4kUTwG1o06XuPxPpNfVs2_i_zJ3SsZ2ipAImVeRydIqWyw19VTG4jg0soe_9uQODNpjSrt8J4U_f7a0MdLgWqg/s1600/Family3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtHT_3wm7dQ6wMbXz2pP450e2eDCp56ugK4pKzhTpkjdKVR9jKoC0Vk4kUTwG1o06XuPxPpNfVs2_i_zJ3SsZ2ipAImVeRydIqWyw19VTG4jg0soe_9uQODNpjSrt8J4U_f7a0MdLgWqg/s1600/Family3.JPG" height="320" rea="true" width="271" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't even know what Addy is doing here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And here are some good ones:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyywNeunBlmTgU0QutAyhv8fyyW6n_p_2UVMQA2cgPKsufMLtsHTlSmIGKJ8j6rzjqCcZL5i0WxfT0zsss95s6BNIZm4vfjJ0BTlOnkpKaB5fsXEAQsPYk_zW3cgeIbHCdCG5z5bc-bm7k/s1600/Family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyywNeunBlmTgU0QutAyhv8fyyW6n_p_2UVMQA2cgPKsufMLtsHTlSmIGKJ8j6rzjqCcZL5i0WxfT0zsss95s6BNIZm4vfjJ0BTlOnkpKaB5fsXEAQsPYk_zW3cgeIbHCdCG5z5bc-bm7k/s1600/Family.JPG" height="235" rea="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This will likely be our Christmas card picture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFId3gx83ne0okENPoQ8rbREIbmfW-EwBOieCiyUfs9oZBMQp_8q-LkcDa4hQkL_HH7bw392EnKj9KlBh4fDl1TzUEGOdRaHqwNQlDmS4WUh1gdhMEx3prMC3isGOo7uoe0BZorxAn0XgX/s1600/Girls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFId3gx83ne0okENPoQ8rbREIbmfW-EwBOieCiyUfs9oZBMQp_8q-LkcDa4hQkL_HH7bw392EnKj9KlBh4fDl1TzUEGOdRaHqwNQlDmS4WUh1gdhMEx3prMC3isGOo7uoe0BZorxAn0XgX/s1600/Girls.JPG" height="320" rea="true" width="264" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I cropped this from the above photo - it was the only way to get a good shot of the girls together!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_CFKIYMtzHU35ISujf6xL0-E-NdveImuwGX5czooXr6OkH12Qj32j7Ng4M814OhicKMwncg0JdaxSyJK3epVwX0RULHCI3dHva65VOswp3SVM3Qq1x-ZvG4YenNEPgUUmH-uGanDJeWL/s1600/Family2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_CFKIYMtzHU35ISujf6xL0-E-NdveImuwGX5czooXr6OkH12Qj32j7Ng4M814OhicKMwncg0JdaxSyJK3epVwX0RULHCI3dHva65VOswp3SVM3Qq1x-ZvG4YenNEPgUUmH-uGanDJeWL/s1600/Family2.JPG" height="242" rea="true" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I think we ordered a larger one of this size for our wall, though I feel like she framed it poorly. There's a lot of empty space above our heads.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So now that you've seen them - here's my thoughts. The photographer did not suggest any poses other than us standing and holding the girls and seating Reese in a basket with Addy next to her. I suggested we sit and it was like she'd never thought of that. I mentioned our shoes and she apparently thought I meant I wanted them cropped out (which she did anyway). Why would we ALL wear the same shoes if I didn't want them in a picture?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">All-in-all, we got what I wanted which was a nice-ish family shot plus a Christmas card photo. Plus, grand total spent was $12 for the entire thing - sitting fees, digital copy, 2 8X10", 1 5X7", and one 10x13".</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We'll try again next year.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-37137896781978235292012-10-31T10:42:00.001-05:002012-10-31T10:42:10.868-05:00The Day of My Birth<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Was yesterday. I turned 33 yesterday and woke up with a sore hip. I joked to C that perhaps I was turning 60 instead of 33.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I love my birthday. I always have high hopes for it to be a special day and now that I'm older and have kids and everyday life to deal with maybe the expectation should be lowered. I mean, other than a few family members, friends and my own husband, who really cares that it's my birthday.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">That said, I did expect a little more than what I got. I should start with a disclaimer though. C is a wonderful husband and I consider myself lucky every day that he chose me. He is thoughtful and kind and absolutely the love of my life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">However, I did expect him to do something special for me. He ended up buying me a present because I never made up my mind about what I wanted. And that's fine. He bought me something that I've wanted that have never bought for myself due to cost. But he gave it to me 5 days early, in the bag from the store, unwrapped with no card or fanfare.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">And yesterday turned out to be just another day. Nothing special for dinner, no flowers or special dessert, just a typical evening at home. It wasn't a bad evening at all, it just wasn't special.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">For his birthday I not only bought him a present but snuck a card into his lunch and made him a special dinner followed by a homemade dessert. The dinner was not on his actual birthday but I planned it and told him in advance that I was doing it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">And the other thing that sucked? I made cookies to bring to work for my own birthday and not a single person even asked why I did it. The guys all just grabbed cookies and ate them without even questioning why they showed up. So not a single person in the office even knew it was my birthday - not that I wanted it to be a huge deal but it would have been nice to at least hear a few Happy Birthdays.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">First world problems, I know. But it's been bugging me. I suppose it's time to lower my expectations.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-79458547444181468162012-10-26T09:33:00.001-05:002012-10-26T09:33:37.964-05:00Starting Solids<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reese turned 5 months on Oct. 21 and she has seemed more hungry lately so I decided it was time to start solids. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">When Addy was ready (also around 5 months), I followed everything by the book. Started with rice cereal then moved to jarred purees. I did sneak some mashed up avocado in there but she pretty much ate jarred purees for months. Veggies before fruits to avoid a sweet tooth. Addy was our first, so of course we didn't question anything.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">With Reese, I'm more interested in getting to the good stuff and doing as few purees as possible. Right now, she's getting oatmeal once a day (we're only on day 5) but I want to do things differently this time. I want to be able to give her things that we're having for dinner instead of making her a seperate meal. I want to put some cooked mushy pasta on her tray and let her go to town instead of spoon feeding her everything.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I know it takes time to reach that point, but I think we'll move a little faster than we did with Addy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">One thing that I did with Addy that I think helped her develop a wide palate was to give her chewed up bites of our dinners. If we were having chicken, I would chew some of the chicken and then give her the mush. I know it sounds gross, but other than pureeing it (ew) or buying the chicken in a jar (double ew), it was the only way she would get to taste it. And I like to think that is why Addy is not a picky eater today. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So we will see what actually happens with Reese and solids. I've heard it called Baby Led Weaning (BLW) but I need to do more research into it. I don't actually want her to wean until a full year has gone by so I need to see what it's all about.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-3211350255656897552012-10-19T07:55:00.001-05:002012-10-19T07:55:56.629-05:00Birthday<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My birthday is in less than 2 weeks and C told me that I needed to make a decision. He said that I could either have a gift, or we could do something. But it's up to me to decide what I'd like to do and I for some reason can't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Do you do the thing where you won't buy things for yourself but you'll allow them for your birthday or Christmas? Like right now I want some boots. I always want boots in the fall. But I think that spending money on boots that, let's be honest, I won't wear that much anyway is kind of frivolous so I won't actually buy them for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But my birthday?? Perfect excuse to spend $50 on some boots!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But then again, there's something to be said for a night out with my hubby. C & I kind of got thrust into this life. I would absolutely not change a single thing but it all happened so quickly. It's so important for us to take some time for ourselves, to remember why we're in this. That it's more than kids and jobs and obligations. We chose this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I think it's easy to get bogged down in every day life. To focus on what the kids need or getting dinner on the table or to focus on some problem or project at work. And those things need to happen, absolutely. But every once in a while, its nice to get dressed up, to compliment each other, to walk hand in hand with no strollers in the way and to spend some time together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well, this post didn't end up where I thought it would. I still don't know what to do for my birthday but I know C will make it a great day no matter what I choose.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-48870518051762463052012-10-09T11:04:00.000-05:002012-10-09T11:04:01.877-05:00Sleep Training Break Down<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">No, I didn't have a break down. I thought I'd break down how it all went.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We almost didn't start on Thursday because we were having a rough evening at home. I had at least one clogged duct (I suspect it was 2 or one really big one) and starting to have body aches and not feel well. Addy isn't napping at preschool which makes her extra... pleasant when we get home and C had to work late.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Fortunately, Reese was able to help with the clogged duct issue and Addy cheered up and C got home eventually and we ordered a pizza for dinner. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I took Reese upstairs and got her in her pjs. I nursed her in the glider in the nursery with the lights off and only a night light on. She was pretty tired, having been awake for 4+ hours so she actually passed out when I put her in the crib.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">She woke up 3 times that night and each time I went through the 5-10-20-40 method, though we never actually made it to 40. Each time I went in and rubbed her back while making the Shhhhhh sound. The first few times it actually seemed like it was pissing her off more than helping but she eventually gave in each time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The next night we did the same thing (though I think she had a bath first) and she fussed while going to sleep but didn't last long. She only woke up once the entire night, around 3:30am and fussed for a few minutes and then fell back asleep. I never even had to get out of bed!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Saturday night was the same story.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">And the kicker of the whole thing, Sunday night she never woke up (that I know of)! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I should also point out that each morning I've had to wake her up. So she's sleeping around 11-12 hours each night which is amazing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">She did wake up this morning at 4:45am or so and I did go in and shush her and she eventually went back to sleep. She also woke up again before I was ready, around 6am but basically around when I would have gotten her up anyway.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I joked that I feel like a new woman with the uninterrupted sleep I'm getting. In reality, I'm still tired at night but I think it will start to feel better the more she sleeps. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So we are officially moved into the nursery with a baby who is mostly a great sleeper (knock on wood)!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-51843435023078222982012-10-04T10:02:00.000-05:002012-10-04T10:02:22.157-05:00Tonight We Dine In Hell<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In reality, tonight we sleep train. God help us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We were probably ready to start sleep training weeks ago but put it off for various reasons. I wanted to see the doctor for her 4-month check up and make sure she was at a healthy weight and that there was no medical reason for her to nurse 2-3 times during the night. I also wanted to get his take on our process. With the trip we made over the weekend, I didn't see the point in starting before completely disrupting our schedule.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Mentally, I'm torn. I have been ready for this for at least a month. Ready for a full night's sleep. Sweet baby Reese wakes up 2-3x per night and even though I go right back to sleep, it is most certainly taking a toll on me. (Most evident by my crashing on the couch around 9:15pm last night...)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">But listening to my baby cry in the middle of the night? That's going to be a challenge.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Our doctor recommended we do a modified Ferber method. Tonight we will put her in her crib and come back at 5-10-20-40 minute intervals. He said that we are not allowed to even pick her up and if we must make physical contact that 2 quick pats on the back or rump will suffice. We are to say in a firm but soothing voice, "Reese, it's time for sleep. Mommy and Daddy love you very much. Good night."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">She will evenutally pass out and will wake up again probably around midnight if she follows her schedule. We follow the same pattern as above, and again when she invariably wakes up around 3am.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">If all goes well,she won't get up for real until 6:30-7am, but we'll see.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The next night, we repeat but do 10-20-40 instead. The third night I think we do 20-40-60 (if she makes it that long). Hopefully there won't be a fourth night.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We chose tonight because I'm off tomorrow and can recoup and then its the weekend. I suspect this will be harder on me though we did it with Addy. It's not that C doesn't care, but he's more practical about how this is not a selfish move, she is ready too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">After this weekend, assuming it all worked, there will be no more baby stuff in our room!! Bye bassinet! See ya changing pad and diapers! Hello our room, back to the way it was.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Wish us luck!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-23148061518902087592012-09-27T09:56:00.003-05:002012-09-27T09:56:57.580-05:00This Isn't Math<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When I first lost my mom, I was ANGRY. I was angry at the way that my work at the time treated the whole thing (which I blogged about) and I was angry at anyone who dared to complain about life. I probably should have taken a break from Facebook at the time because anytime someone had the audacity to say anything negative I thought, "Oh, you think you have it bad? My mom is dead."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">This manifested in many ways like, "Oh, you had to put your dog down? See above." And, "Oh, your baby kept you up all night. Mom."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">And then I lost my job and I just felt like my world was crashing down. I was 4 months pregnant with no job, no mom, and a brand new house to pay for. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">For those of you who were following me, you know how this story ends and I'm happy to say that not only did I survive, but I'm in such a better place now except for still missing my mom.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">For a while I thought that the only people who were allowed to complain to me were people who had suffered similar or worse. People who had lost either a baby, a parent, or a spouse. Because no one else knew how bad it could be. I was on a different wavelength when it came to suffering.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">But then my friend got diagnosed with cancer and that sucked. And then, within 5 months, her grandma passed. And I started to think about how she felt. And first I thought, well, it was her grandma and my mom trumps her grandma so NBD. (Not really NBD, just comparatively.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Then I saw that new show, <u>Go On</u>, where Matthew Perry's character is dealing with losing his wife and he joins a support group and they all start comparing stories. And as stupid as it is to learn a life lesson from a sitcom, I did. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">You can't compare grief. You don't know how people process or cope. Sure, maybe losing my mom was a bigger blow than my friend losing her grandma but how do I know? Maybe her grandma was like a second mom to her. And what about my poor brother, who in the span of 2 years lost both a baby and a mom? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">At 32 (almost 33), I'm still learning. Fortunately, no one got hurt while I learned this lesson.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I've been missing my mom a lot lately and blogging offers a little release. So you might see more mom entries for a while.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-48801556931208786442012-09-26T13:38:00.001-05:002012-09-26T13:38:52.932-05:00Potty Party<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We waited until Addy was over 3 (like 3 years, 4 months) to hop on the potty train. In some respects, it was too long but really we needed to wait until she was ready.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Signs your child is ready:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">They recognize that their diaper is dirty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">They know the difference between pee & poop</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">They wake up dry from naps & nighttime</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">They express interest</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I think I should note that Addy really hadn't shown any of the signs but 3 is old enough to go anyway. I couldn't take the thought of changing diapers on a 4-year-old.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We had to wait until after Reese was born to avoid any regression and also we waited until after our 9-day trip to avoid complications. We got home on a Saturday and started training on Sunday.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We did some reading and decided to just do the naked plan. We stripped her down and gave her juice and basically headed for the potty every 30 minutes. We made a "Potty Prize Bowl" full of stupid stuff from the Dollar Store and every time she went successfully, she got a prize. We didn't want to do solely candy as that didn't sound to healthy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We tried putting her in underwear but something about having something on made her think she could go in them. It didn't matter that it was underwear and not a diaper so we evenutally resorted to the naked plan.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The third day of training, we felt like leaving the house. We'd been cooped up for two days and Addy was kind of starting to get it. Being naked helped a lot. So we waited til she went, set the timer for 1 hour and went for a walk. Addy wore clothes on our walk but was commando.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">While we were out, she had an accident and while that wasn't a big deal, she didn't seem to even react to it. She wasn't worried about it, she just kind of tried to wipe it away with her hand and carry on playing. That was probably our mistake, to let her play and get distracted. So we went to the bathroom, changed her and then cleaned up the mess. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">It's important to note that every time she had an accident, we stretched out the changing and cleaning process so that she couldn't just go back to playing. She needed to know that it was a big deal and unpleasant to deal with.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">We spent the week following the same pattern. Potty, 1 hour on the clock, errand. Sometimes we ended up visiting potty at Target and sometimes she was just fine. She only had one accident in the car. At home, naked, she was great. Something about being naked allowed her to feel the urge more than in clothing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">After one week, Addy went to daycare and honestly, that seemed to really help. It probably had something to do with having other potty trained kids around. The first day we sent her commando but our daycare provider didn't like that so we did panties the other days and she was just fine.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Addy has been "potty trained" for over 2 months now with mostly successes. Her first week of preschool was a challenging one in that she had an accident almost every day. She seems to have figured that out now and is having a great week so far.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">However, poop is a different story altogether. She has pooped in the potty exactly 3 times with much screaming and crying and becoming hysterical every time. She does NOT like it. She will wait until bedtime when she gets a diaper on most days instead of going. No amount of promises/bribes of ice cream, toys, candy, etc. will get her to go. We have let it go, assuming that she will eventually get over it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">And that is our potty training saga. I wish you better success with yours!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-38676702011646446872012-09-17T10:15:00.002-05:002012-09-17T10:15:24.172-05:00A Typical Day<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I think a lot of my readers have only 1 child at this time and are probably planning on another. I thought it would be interesting to document a typical day for us to give you an idea of what happens when you add a second child to the mix. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Take this all with a grain of salt though - Reese is still a baby and requires more than Addy. In about 8 months this will look completely different.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Some time around 2-3am - Reese wakes up so I lurch over to her bassinet, grab her, return to bed, nurse her and then put her back down. She usually fusses for a minute but goes back to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">5am - Alarm goes off - I hit snooze and hope it was just a bad dream</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">5:06am - Nope, I'm not getting back to sleep, up and in the shower to start getting ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">5:30am - Wake up C and try not to wake up Reese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">5:35am - Reese is awake, sit and feed her and hope she can hang out til I finish getting ready</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">6am - Wake up Addy and tell her to get dressed. Head downstairs to get breakfast and pack up to leave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">6:05am - Addy comes downstairs naked and carrying her clothes. That's fine as along as she dresses herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">6:20ish - Nurse Reese again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">6:32am - Leave for work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">7am - 4pm - Work - 3 pumping sessions squeezed in around meetings and lunch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">4:30pm - pick up Reese, chat with daycare lady to see how she was during the day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">4:50pm - pick up Addy, chat with teacher to find out how Addy did and if she had an accident</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">5pm - Nurse Reese. Depending on her day she may take a snooze or not. Depending on the day I might have to start cooking dinner (C & I take turns cooking). Depending on how all this works out I *might* be able to get on the treadmill but probably not. During this time Addy is supposed to play by herself but mostly ends up asking me to watch "Addy shows" or play "Addy Games" on the kindle or phone. She also wants a snacky and a drinky. Get the mail. Check facebook and whatever else while nursing. Wash pump parts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">6:30pm-ish - sit down to dinner. If we're lucky, Reese will sit in the "shakey chair" while we eat but most of the time C & I trade off holding her and eating. Reese usually wants to eat sometime in here again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">7pm-ish - finish dinner and clean up. Every other night is bath night so either we head upstairs to start baths or we hang out for 20 or so minutes. C & Addy usually use this time to throw Addy on the couch and tickle her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">7:30pm - start getting both girls ready for bed. Addy in pjs with brushed teeth and Reese in her pjs and swaddled. We try to pick out clothes with Addy for the next day too. C & I take turns reading to Addy so if it's my turn I nurse Reese while C helps Addy get ready and then I read, otherwise we divide and conquer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">8pm - at this point both girls should be down for the night. Usually after Addy has been in bed for approximately 20 minutes she will come tell us she pooped in her night time diaper (I am thinking of writing another post about potty training but for now all you need to know is that Addy is scared to death of pooping in the potty and holds it until she's in a diaper again - or goes in her underwear...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">8-9:30pm - C & I finish cleaning up dinner, pack things for the next day and finally get to sit on the couch and relax.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">9:30pm - start getting myself ready for bed as quietly as possible so Reese stays asleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">11-12ish - Reese wakes up for a snack.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Lather, rinse, repeat!</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-57497538612247757102012-09-06T09:29:00.000-05:002012-09-06T09:29:03.881-05:00The First and The Last<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">C has declared that we will not have more babies. To me, that remains to be seen but he has stated his case. We can have more kids, but no more babies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">So that means that Reese will pontentially be my last baby. And it's sad! As frustrating as babies can be, I love the baby stage. I love the big grins, the cooing, the snuggling. I absolutely loved taking a nap with Reese snuggled up on my chest, so tiny. I don't know if I treasure it more because it could be the last time or if I just love it that much anyway.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I love Addy too, but in a different way. I will be honest and admit that I'm not a huge fan of the 2-3 year old stage. I think that's actually a reflection on me and the amount (or lack) of patience I have. Some times I just can't handle the Whys and the questions and the flat out ignoring/not listening. I hate yelling at her but it happens more than I care to admit.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">C is the opposite, he dislikes the baby stage (obviously) and loves this current stage. He loves that Addy can tell us what's wrong or what she needs, that he can play with her and make her laugh and actually talk to her. And yes, I like those things too, but well, you saw how I feel up there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Addy started preschool this week and the biggest thing was that it hasn't even seemed to phase her. I want to chalk it up to our preparation at home with talking it up for a few weeks and making a big deal of packing her backpack and picking out her outfit and everything, but I really think Addy is just kind of unflappable. The first morning, she just ran off, eager to explore and play with all the new toys. I had to force her to hug me goodbye.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I have no doubts that we will have rough mornings and she'll do some clinging, but for the most part she's ready to head off into the world with hardly a glance back.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I firmly believe that it will be even harder with Reese, knowing that its my last. I know C will be so excited to have them grow up but a little piece of me will always miss the babies.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-22984556659809420112012-08-22T10:50:00.000-05:002012-08-22T10:50:07.997-05:00Dear Reese<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dear Reese,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">You turned 3 months old yesterday! We've had a lot of change and you actually have been doing pretty well with everything we've thrown at you lately. One thing you'll learn about our family is that we can't seem to sit still for long but maybe that's not a bad thing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">You've been home with Dad for a few weeks now while I returned to work. It wasn't too hard of an adjustment because you got to stay home and I felt better knowing you were in your own home, with Dad. You did fuss a little when taking the bottle at first but I like to think that it's only because you missed me :-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">This week we had to start you in daycare because the school year is starting and Dad needs to get ready. We found a nice lady with a nice home and what seems to be a great program for when you're older and I think she's doing a pretty good job with you. In only 2 days you're already eating and napping like a champ so I'm not too worried about you during the day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">You've been having some stomach issues lately and giving Dad & I a run for our money when it comes to bedtime. I think you're gassy a lot but I can't figure out why. I don't know if I'm eating something that's bothering you or if you've just got a sensitive tummy. I'm hoping that now that we've hit the 3-month mark that things will start to smooth out. It would be better for all of us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Dad and I are also wondering if you're teething early because all you want to do is suck (feed) or chew on something. You quiet down when you get a finger or pacifier in your month. It would be super early but not unheard of I suppose.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">You are so much fun lately, you have HUGE smiles when you're happy! You've started making little squeaks when you smile like you're talking to me and I love to sit and smile and coo back to you. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I should mention that you are also already rolling over, about a month early. You can go both from stomach to back and back to stomach, but you go more back to stomach. You certainly keep Dad & I on our toes!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I'm excited to see what the next few months bring us. I love you little girl!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Love, Mom</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-85883859627704591662012-08-15T09:49:00.000-05:002012-08-15T09:49:02.159-05:00One Year<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">On July 17th it was the 1-year anniversary of my mom's passing. For a few months after she passed, I wondered what we would do that day. Would my brothers and I come together and find a way to honor and remember her? Would we all be a little closer, having grown over that year? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">The answer is that I spent that day by waking up at 4am to catch a 6:30am flight from LA to Cleveland with my 2 small children. To be honest, I can't even remember now exactly what we did. (We went to the store, cooked dinner and hung out until we all crashed - I just remembered.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Yes, I thought of her off and on through out the day and I missed her but it was mostly nothing new.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">When she passed, we had her cremated and the remains were simply placed in a cardboard box that went home with my dad. As far as I know, he put that box on the mantle and it is still there. I don't know, I haven't been in the house for quite some time. When all this was happening, I requested that eventually we do something, put something somewhere so that we would all have a place to go to visit her, talk to her, remember her. That hasn't happened.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I miss her every single day. I think about her every day. I have dreams about her and I wish they were good dreams where she reassured me that everything was ok, but mostly she's sad in them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I stopped going to therapy at the beginning of this year. It wasn't because I thought I was done but because I was pregnant, starting a new job, etc. Busy. If I were still there I'm sure that she would have recommended that I do something to honor her like go to her favorite place for lunch or write her a letter or something. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">As for all of us being closer, we're not. Not that we're further apart, just that things don't really seem to have changed. With one exception, my dad. There has been a lot of turmoil over the past year in our relationship and we are distant.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">If there isn't a place to go and visit her, perhaps I'll have to create one.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-26017810673614829852012-08-07T10:46:00.001-05:002012-08-07T10:46:43.312-05:00Mish-mash<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I have started and deleted 2 blog posts in the last week. One because I decided you didn't really want to read about my daycare woes (and the post was getting to be crazy long [and boring if I'm being honest]) and one because it got confusing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I have a hard time telling only part of a story. So when I want to write a post about my relationship with the Church and religion, I feel like I need to start at the very beginning with my childhood and what led to this point.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Here is a gist of things I want to write about but haven't had time or don't want you falling over from boredom:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">How we as a family are thinking about distancing ourselves from the Catholic church and perhaps looking into more of a Christian religion that doesn't make us say a prayer to deny gay couples the right to marry. I think they should be allowed to marry and I don't want to teach my girls that gay couples are something to be looked down on.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Side note: Why isn't there as big an effort against divorce? I would think it's way more harmful to marriage than gay couples.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Daycare - how hard it is to find the right one, how weird it is that I have to pay for their time off, and events leading up to our switch. Basically, after some mis-communication Reese is going to a brand new (to us) daycare starting in a few weeks. Addy will be in pre-school so we will no longer be using our previous one. Sad, but it had to happen.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I am crazy and already planning our trip to Ohio for Christmas. Basically, I want to buy tickets because the price is reasonable but C's extended family can't ever figure things out so he wants to just buy the tickets and what happens, happens. I want to make sure that Reese can see her great-grandma so I don't want to buy tickets until we know what's going. </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Tangent post - C thinks its unfair that we make all kinds of effort to come visit but no one comes to see us except his mom. I counter that when we visit everyone is in one place (We see every aunt, uncle, cousin, etc.) whereas each one of them would have to buy tickets.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">C went crazy and started seriously looking into moving back to California and I freaked out and we had a fight and he agreed to back off a bit. The end of this is that we're not moving. Yet. If ever.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I'm back to work. I already wrote about this but I could write forever about schedules, pumping at work, etc. It's going fine, basically.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I don't speak to my dad hardly at all any longer. I thought after my mom passed that things would change and we would become closer and he would come over for dinners but I'm afraid that our relationship has been damaged beyond repair. I think that's really sad.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">So there you go. Jacque's mind - in 1000 words or less.</span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-84033460642475506082012-08-01T16:14:00.000-05:002012-08-01T16:14:04.457-05:00New Directions<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">A little shout out to the Glee fans (New Directions is the name of the Glee club).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">As of Monday, I now work for A Corporation. Those of you who are my FB (and Real life) friends already know what the real name is but I don't want to risk getting fired so A Corporation it will remain here.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Changes like a new job impact all areas of your life, whether you're prepared or not. Spending 10 weeks at home with Reese was amazing and the best thing I could have done. Having C home with me was like icing on the cake. I honestly loved being able to spend time with him and amazingly we didn't even get sick of eachother.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">But going back to work is both a blessing and a curse. Pros: I feel like a contributing member of society, PAYCHECKS, time away from my loved ones (makes the heart grow fonder), and a schedule. Cons: I miss my family (since I got used to being home), no more sleeping in or mid-day naps, and most of the time coming home to chaos as I try to catch up with C & Addy and feed Reese and figure out some dinner etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Note: I don't think that SAHMs are not contributing members of society. I simply know that I am not cut out to be one. More power to you moms who do stay home because I know how hard it can be. For me, having a job outside the home provides us the luxuries we have and its so ingrained in me to work that staying home isn't even an option.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">Things will get harder once the school year starts. C is teaching a brand new class (to him) this year which means more planning. Plus, he may not get a free period at school which means the planning happens before and after school. A is starting pre-school which we're all very excited about but its a change. And of course, Reese is still a baby and will be starting a new daycare. C & I are struggling with tryign to figure out the pick up/drop off schedule already. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: xx-small;">I think that if we can make it through this year that we'll come in to a place where things settle down and we can enjoy being a family. By next summer Reese will be 1, Addy will be 4 and hopefully C will have tenure. And hopefully I'll be settled and enjoying my new position. </span>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6325629700015929336.post-77617134012006956672012-07-26T08:39:00.001-05:002012-07-26T08:40:09.534-05:00BreakI am SO sorry for the extra long break here, something happened with out laptop and I literally couldn't sign in to blog!<br />
<br />
Granted, I have a 9 week old baby around too, but she does sleep occasionally. <br />
<br />
We just got back from our epic trip and I have to say, it wasn't horrible - the traveling that is. Seeing our friends and family is always great. The day before the trip I was starting to regret planning such a huge trip, flying from Cali to Ohio and being on the road for 9 days. In retrospect, it probably was the best way to do it because now we're home and it's done.<br />
<br />
Reese is getting bigger every day and starting to settle. She still occasionally has some stomach issues but they seem to be less frequent so that's good. She's a great sleeper, last night she slept 7 hours followed by 3! Of course, that 3 hour stretch ended at 6:15 so I've been awake for a while now. I guess it's good practice for going back to work, which I do next week! <br />
<br />
Going back to work is a good and a bad, mostly because it will be good to get back to work (and earn a paycheck) but I've really loved being home with C, Addy & Reese this summer. I feel like we didn't take advantage of it like I wanted to but we have an infant, so what did I expect we'd get done?<br />
<br />
This week being my last week home, and our daycare being closed, we decided to tackle potty training Addy. She's almost 3 1/2 so I think its time for sure. It's been an interesting week. She does well at home, while running around naked but as soon as we put bottoms on her (shorts or pants, no undies or diapers) she seems to have issues. Like she can't remember. She can't run around naked at daycare so I hope she figures it out soon.<br />
<br />
I'm attaching a couple pictures from our trip, enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Eq19mjIScxk5_RI2C2qs585an751j2Db_yoY1frgth-cxyOXVssYQDfYwZEgq72oQsoLLgN0xDjcHubULtM1iwqRozfTSC0ygM4YKuCnd2CGY27fmtPBvsN5sLtxXl5QK66bpqbyVYU/s1600/DSC00275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Eq19mjIScxk5_RI2C2qs585an751j2Db_yoY1frgth-cxyOXVssYQDfYwZEgq72oQsoLLgN0xDjcHubULtM1iwqRozfTSC0ygM4YKuCnd2CGY27fmtPBvsN5sLtxXl5QK66bpqbyVYU/s320/DSC00275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKTuGrlGdDOKrRJIExxqwQkdM-WZjmfWAV2eXmuhCGnlzAh8-v2oAiLNEMt72FWXNCHRmDMM2USKFS3VwpbQtESdp1e67tZk8WV9wBsUUksmGSe7rLOj-qqpudSGESBgASGn_HIXey51e/s1600/DSC00252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKTuGrlGdDOKrRJIExxqwQkdM-WZjmfWAV2eXmuhCGnlzAh8-v2oAiLNEMt72FWXNCHRmDMM2USKFS3VwpbQtESdp1e67tZk8WV9wBsUUksmGSe7rLOj-qqpudSGESBgASGn_HIXey51e/s320/DSC00252.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswEx8l4tnhs54SPVBT1L99c0iK71eHoqRknwyUJ2IWIecj8kbMOznr_Pmg74p0Mln32GGn5MxQJ1MmhBdy39bSPb3zatKk2ROh3FuNemGelxrP9qR2qkl-ICdE4WNtE_G3xdelOvP3fSR/s1600/DSC00268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswEx8l4tnhs54SPVBT1L99c0iK71eHoqRknwyUJ2IWIecj8kbMOznr_Pmg74p0Mln32GGn5MxQJ1MmhBdy39bSPb3zatKk2ROh3FuNemGelxrP9qR2qkl-ICdE4WNtE_G3xdelOvP3fSR/s320/DSC00268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoTDXVXm-yPoyIksUIIpgl-M3HM4wkALYoRpcgYep6zxjBpB4qq2EC-1NBuvUffS1Y7xZXcY_mGW7lVgF4KRR2645Kky1xfBVgAKRKNh-OCHo-ECfkt8aNzyp3kQs4VkhWJlHHm-LfKUk/s1600/DSC00294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoTDXVXm-yPoyIksUIIpgl-M3HM4wkALYoRpcgYep6zxjBpB4qq2EC-1NBuvUffS1Y7xZXcY_mGW7lVgF4KRR2645Kky1xfBVgAKRKNh-OCHo-ECfkt8aNzyp3kQs4VkhWJlHHm-LfKUk/s320/DSC00294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jacquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12559182871801654046noreply@blogger.com0