I have realized that I have two night-time settings.
They are as follows:
Zeke wakes me up and I wander into his room to nurse him. He stops crying and smiles up at me as I arrive in the room and I think "oh how sweet he looks in the moonlight, how precious are these months". I nurse him and we look lovingly at each other. I softly stroke his hair and his chubby little cheek. I am so gentle with him, he seems so fragile.
He drifts off to sleep and I lay him in his crib gently. I know I should go back to bed but he is so quiet and warm and I love listening to his gentle snoring. I sneak another little stroke of his hair. He doesnt move. Then I grow bolder and kiss his forehead, and his little cheek, he still isn't moving. I consider just taking him into bed with me so we can cuddle all night. He is only little once, I reason to myself.
Then he snorts and moves. I freeze, Im not even breathing. Panic begins. Why am I still in here?!? He's going to see me! I run out of the room as fast as I can.
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, ruins the mood faster then the little bugger waking up.
Or setting number 2.
I hear Zeke waking up. Not again, I think. Not yet. I stumble across the hall into his room and he smiles up at me as soon as I see him. Wide awake, I groan to myself and I growl to him "its not time to get up, go back to sleep." I snatch him out of his crib and stuff some boob in his mouth in hopes that he will fall back asleep.
It works and as soon as I hear his obnoxious snoring I almost drop him in his crib. Oh when will it end, I think, when will he sleep thru the night? I am so tired.
I consider crying it out. He is already 7 months I reason with myself. I've already stumbled back to bed, without even a glance behind to check to see if his blanket is wrapped around his head.
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, can fix the mood faster than waking up in the morning.
Grah
I am having one of those days where nothing is going my way.
I was going to go to the Airforce base Funspot with Kaitie and Amber and Jen but then I lost my drivers license. I have NO IDEA where it is. Worse yet I didn't know I had lost it until we drove all the way out there. Yes, we. EVEN WORSE Kaitie was driving me and Zeke. So I didnt just ruin my plans, I ruined hers too! Its not like she could leave me at the visitors center and go in by herself. Kaitie is too nice for that. So we went to Mc Donalds instead. Sorry Kait!
And then I bit my tongue! Just kidding. Well actually I did but its not really that big a deal. Not worth blogging about, lol.
Anyways, so I'm almost glad that I didnt get a chance to update my verse of the week yesterday. Because I could really use some time today meditating on it.
"I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them undone." Isaiah 42:16.
I love to think about that. Especially on frusterating days. I am the blind for sure and its comforting to know that I am being guided.
I was going to go to the Airforce base Funspot with Kaitie and Amber and Jen but then I lost my drivers license. I have NO IDEA where it is. Worse yet I didn't know I had lost it until we drove all the way out there. Yes, we. EVEN WORSE Kaitie was driving me and Zeke. So I didnt just ruin my plans, I ruined hers too! Its not like she could leave me at the visitors center and go in by herself. Kaitie is too nice for that. So we went to Mc Donalds instead. Sorry Kait!
And then I bit my tongue! Just kidding. Well actually I did but its not really that big a deal. Not worth blogging about, lol.
Anyways, so I'm almost glad that I didnt get a chance to update my verse of the week yesterday. Because I could really use some time today meditating on it.
"I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them undone." Isaiah 42:16.
I love to think about that. Especially on frusterating days. I am the blind for sure and its comforting to know that I am being guided.
Sharing the Love
So to share the love a little bit, and to make the 3 hours I took figuring this out a little bit more worthwhile here is my very first EVER tutorial! How To Make Your Blog 3 Columned! I'm going to explain this as well as I can. Messing with your HTML isn't nearly as hard as it looks. Or as hard as my last post made it look. I promise. Really.
And hey, if it doesn't work out you can always go back to the way it was before. Or you can e-mail me at my brand spankin' new bloggy e-mail address. TheCocoCafeMail@gmail.com. And I will try my very bestest to help you out. I really will. You see, I dont work anymore. Enough said.
SOOOOO here goes!
Ok so unfortunately for some of you, you will have to first change your template to Minima. Please tell me you know how to do that. But if you dont, its ok. Go to Customize, then Layout, then Pick New Template.
Now go into Edit HTML. Here is where we get sticky. Almost all of the changes we are making are going to be under Outer Wrapper. So scroll down until you find that section. It looks like this:
#newsidebar-wrapper {
width: 180px;
float: left;
padding-left:10px;
word-wrap: break-word;
overflow: hidden;
}
Ok? Ok. Breath, your doing fine. That was the first step. And actually now you have a 3rd column. But you cant see it. So we better widen everything up.
So we need to find the code that looks like this (it should be above what we just messed with):
#header-wrapper {
width:660px;
margin:0 auto 10px;
border:1px solid $bordercolor;
}
change the number under width from 660 to 860. (hey you say, what if I want it even wider? well, my answer to that is you must have a wide screen moniter. As do I, as do I. But not everyone does. And this is the widest that my old school moniter downstairs can see. And maybe some of your readers still have one. I know some of mine do. So go higher than 860 at their peril.)
Now go down to THIS code:
#outer-wrapper {
width: 660px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:10px;
text-align:left;
font: $bodyfont;
}
Change THAT 660 to 860 as well.
Last find this and change this 660 to 860:
#footer {
width:660px;
clear:both;
margin:0 auto;
padding-top:15px;
line-height: 1.6em;
text-transform:uppercase;
letter-spacing:.1em;
text-align: center;
}
Very last step now. Go way down to the bottom and find this one:
div id='sidebar-wrapper'>
b:widget id='Profile1' locked='false' title=About Me' type='Profile'/>
b:widget id='BlogArchive1' locked='false' title='Arsip Blog' type='BlogArchive'/>
/b:section>
/div>
div id='newsidebar-wrapper'>
b:section class='sidebar' id='newsidebar' preferred='yes'/>
/div>
#main-wrapper {
width: 410px;
float: left;
Any other tweaks that need to be done? Mess around a bit or E-mail me and I will try to help. Every blog is unfortunately different. But this worked for me and should for you too! Now we are all programmers!
Note: A few REAL programmers read my blog. Please dont make fun of my sorry attempts into your field.
And hey, if it doesn't work out you can always go back to the way it was before. Or you can e-mail me at my brand spankin' new bloggy e-mail address. TheCocoCafeMail@gmail.com. And I will try my very bestest to help you out. I really will. You see, I dont work anymore. Enough said.
SOOOOO here goes!
Ok so unfortunately for some of you, you will have to first change your template to Minima. Please tell me you know how to do that. But if you dont, its ok. Go to Customize, then Layout, then Pick New Template.
Now go into Edit HTML. Here is where we get sticky. Almost all of the changes we are making are going to be under Outer Wrapper. So scroll down until you find that section. It looks like this:
/* Outer-Wrapper
------------------------------------------ */
#outer-wrapper {
width: 840px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:10px;
text-align:left;
font: $bodyfont;
}
#main-wrapper {
width: 410px;
float: left;
word-wrap: break-word; /* fix for long text breaking sidebar float in IE */
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}
#sidebar-wrapper {
width: 220px;
float: right;
padding-left:10px; word-wrap: break-word;
overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */
}
Have you found it??? Now right after that last } you need to cut and past this baby:#newsidebar-wrapper {
width: 180px;
float: left;
padding-left:10px;
word-wrap: break-word;
overflow: hidden;
}
Ok? Ok. Breath, your doing fine. That was the first step. And actually now you have a 3rd column. But you cant see it. So we better widen everything up.
So we need to find the code that looks like this (it should be above what we just messed with):
#header-wrapper {
width:660px;
margin:0 auto 10px;
border:1px solid $bordercolor;
}
change the number under width from 660 to 860. (hey you say, what if I want it even wider? well, my answer to that is you must have a wide screen moniter. As do I, as do I. But not everyone does. And this is the widest that my old school moniter downstairs can see. And maybe some of your readers still have one. I know some of mine do. So go higher than 860 at their peril.)
Now go down to THIS code:
#outer-wrapper {
width: 660px;
margin:0 auto;
padding:10px;
text-align:left;
font: $bodyfont;
}
Change THAT 660 to 860 as well.
Last find this and change this 660 to 860:
#footer {
width:660px;
clear:both;
margin:0 auto;
padding-top:15px;
line-height: 1.6em;
text-transform:uppercase;
letter-spacing:.1em;
text-align: center;
}
Very last step now. Go way down to the bottom and find this one:
div id='sidebar-wrapper'>
b:widget id='BlogArchive1' locked='false' title='Arsip Blog' type='BlogArchive'/>
/b:section>
/div>
div id='newsidebar-wrapper'>
b:section class='sidebar' id='newsidebar' preferred='yes'/>
/div>
#main-wrapper {
width: 410px;
float: left;
Any other tweaks that need to be done? Mess around a bit or E-mail me and I will try to help. Every blog is unfortunately different. But this worked for me and should for you too! Now we are all programmers!
Note: A few REAL programmers read my blog. Please dont make fun of my sorry attempts into your field.
Coding
Bear with me as I re-do my blog. Yet again I wonder why I married a programmer if I still have to write my own HTML ;)
Oh yeah. so he can fix it when I destroy everything.
----update----
WHY IS EVERYTHING NOT PROPERLY SPACED MY OCD IS GOING OFF AND IM GOING TO PANIC ATTACK OH NO NO NO NO NO NO THIS IS WHY I DONT MESS WITH HTML!!
Panic attack aside how do you like the 3 columns...you know once I get the center one to scoot over to the left. I think I will wait on that for Josh to come home and work on colors for a bit. Or, you know, raise my child. A blogger aquaintance of mine once said we all have blog orphans. And it is so true.
-----another update----
My husband is wonderful. He fixed it in 3 seconds.
Oh yeah. so he can fix it when I destroy everything.
----update----
WHY IS EVERYTHING NOT PROPERLY SPACED MY OCD IS GOING OFF AND IM GOING TO PANIC ATTACK OH NO NO NO NO NO NO THIS IS WHY I DONT MESS WITH HTML!!
Panic attack aside how do you like the 3 columns...you know once I get the center one to scoot over to the left. I think I will wait on that for Josh to come home and work on colors for a bit. Or, you know, raise my child. A blogger aquaintance of mine once said we all have blog orphans. And it is so true.
-----another update----
My husband is wonderful. He fixed it in 3 seconds.
Naughty and Nice
Good Zeke:
And Bad Zeke:
I am getting a card adapter this weekend. But these pictures should be able to hold you over until then.
And Bad Zeke:
I am getting a card adapter this weekend. But these pictures should be able to hold you over until then.
Technical Difficulties
I'm experiencing technical difficulties today. Basically the cord for my camera is broken, well the cord works fine but the camera is broken so that the cord wont work, if that makes sense. So I have to use the memory card to move pictures. Which would be fine except out of the 3 computers and 1 laptop we own only 1 that has a slot for a Pro Duo memory card. Because they are stupid. No one takes those cards, not Walgreens or Costco or anyone. But its the only card that works for my camera. And now the card reader on the 1 computer that used to be able to read that stupid card is broken!
I HATE my camera. Now not only does it take really blurry and over-flashed pictures but I cant even get my blurry flashed-out pictures off the darned thing! Lol, anyone have a spare Canon Rebel lying around? Or a spare few hundred dollars to buy me one? I wish right?
Anyways. I refuse to let it get me down. And Josh says if he cant figure out how to get my pictures on the computer tonight then he will buy me a converter for my card sometime this weekend. So it is a temporary irritation. I will just post words now and pictures either tonight or this weekend.
So Ezekiel has been an eating monster lately. For breakfast I always give him either rice cereal or oatmeal with a Zeke-approved fruit (apricot, banana, pear, or peach) either mixed in or on the side and rolled in cheerios to make them easier to pick up. It depends on what kind of mess I am wanting at the moment. And for dinner I've been giving him whatever we are eating chopped up into tiny bits in the food processor. He's eaten every dinner we've given him so far...fish and carrots, spaghetti, chicken casserole, steak and potato... And if we are eating something that he cant have (like pizza) then I give him a Zeke-approved vegetable (we are down to squash and sweet potato...Z no longer eats anything green).
And MAN has he been eating. A good 1/2 cup at dinner and probably more in the morning. Today he ate an entire pancake and 2 peach slices! I'm not sure if that is a lot for a 7 month old but it is probably 3 or 4 times what he was eating a few weeks ago so its a lot to me. And therefor I have implemented lunch this week. I never bothered before because he only ever ate a few bites at a time and I didn't figure it was worth it. But now that he's eating so much I can get 4 or so ounces in him even mid-day so I probably "should".
Its kind of a pain as Zeke I are often not home at lunch time (hence putting it off for so long, my breasts are always with me after all and always the right temperature). And since he still doesn't have teeth he really only eats soft foods, which aren't that transportable. It will be a lot easier in a few more months when he can eat pretty much anything. It would also be a lot easier if I swallowed my pride and allowed him to eat either A. jarred baby food or B. Gerber puffs. But since he is my first I still consider Gerber puffs a treat and a way to make him quiet at restaurants or while I do chores, not a meal. And I am so so sooo close to getting him where he eats "real" food that starting him on jars now seems silly. Also I'm not sure he would even eat it. He refused my onion and garlic free spaghetti and opted for mine the other day. Those jars are rather tasteless.
So lunch is a mystery right now. Since he gets a serving of grains and fruit every morning and then a vegetable and either another grain or a meat at night I should probably add more fruits and veggies though. Maybe I can get him to eat green beans again...or peas... Ha, don't count on it.
Any thoughts on my over-mothering?
On a side-note, this eating a lot of solids thing has really cut down on Ezekiel's nursing too. It's bittersweet. Its nice not nursing him constantly, ie in parking lots, in the mall, at restaurants, every 2 or so hours it seemed like sometimes (and really was sometimes). Now if I nurse and feed him before we leave he usually lasts until we get back. But I also miss it in a weird way. I know he's not going to wean but it feels like he needs me that much less...
Its also playing hell on my hormones if you dont mind the phrase.
but I better do a...
And I think this week it will be Mac and Cheese!
Now Macaroni and Cheese is an emotionally charged meal. There are a lot of ways to make it and everyone likes THEIR way best, and will fight for their way to the death. For my part I love ALL mac and cheese. I love boxed, Kraft it is often seen in my home on weekends when Josh and I split it for lunch. I especially love Annie's. Yum yum. I also love the kind you make with velveeta. It is a guilty over-processed pleasure.
This is a recipe made with real cheese however. It is delicious and healthier...at least as healthy as mac and cheese gets right?
And sooooo simple.
First you boil your macaroni noodles.
Then while those are boiling you put some milk, some butter, and some cheese (Ok a LOT of cheese) in a sauce pan. Use your favorite cheese, or a mix. I usually do 1/2 cheddar and 1/2 mozzerella. Stir, stir, stir, until the cheese is all melted.
Now pour your noodles and then your cheese sauce in a casserole dish. Sprinkle it with parmesan if you like and throw it in the oven for 25 minutes.
Enjoy!
I HATE my camera. Now not only does it take really blurry and over-flashed pictures but I cant even get my blurry flashed-out pictures off the darned thing! Lol, anyone have a spare Canon Rebel lying around? Or a spare few hundred dollars to buy me one? I wish right?
Anyways. I refuse to let it get me down. And Josh says if he cant figure out how to get my pictures on the computer tonight then he will buy me a converter for my card sometime this weekend. So it is a temporary irritation. I will just post words now and pictures either tonight or this weekend.
So Ezekiel has been an eating monster lately. For breakfast I always give him either rice cereal or oatmeal with a Zeke-approved fruit (apricot, banana, pear, or peach) either mixed in or on the side and rolled in cheerios to make them easier to pick up. It depends on what kind of mess I am wanting at the moment. And for dinner I've been giving him whatever we are eating chopped up into tiny bits in the food processor. He's eaten every dinner we've given him so far...fish and carrots, spaghetti, chicken casserole, steak and potato... And if we are eating something that he cant have (like pizza) then I give him a Zeke-approved vegetable (we are down to squash and sweet potato...Z no longer eats anything green).
And MAN has he been eating. A good 1/2 cup at dinner and probably more in the morning. Today he ate an entire pancake and 2 peach slices! I'm not sure if that is a lot for a 7 month old but it is probably 3 or 4 times what he was eating a few weeks ago so its a lot to me. And therefor I have implemented lunch this week. I never bothered before because he only ever ate a few bites at a time and I didn't figure it was worth it. But now that he's eating so much I can get 4 or so ounces in him even mid-day so I probably "should".
Its kind of a pain as Zeke I are often not home at lunch time (hence putting it off for so long, my breasts are always with me after all and always the right temperature). And since he still doesn't have teeth he really only eats soft foods, which aren't that transportable. It will be a lot easier in a few more months when he can eat pretty much anything. It would also be a lot easier if I swallowed my pride and allowed him to eat either A. jarred baby food or B. Gerber puffs. But since he is my first I still consider Gerber puffs a treat and a way to make him quiet at restaurants or while I do chores, not a meal. And I am so so sooo close to getting him where he eats "real" food that starting him on jars now seems silly. Also I'm not sure he would even eat it. He refused my onion and garlic free spaghetti and opted for mine the other day. Those jars are rather tasteless.
So lunch is a mystery right now. Since he gets a serving of grains and fruit every morning and then a vegetable and either another grain or a meat at night I should probably add more fruits and veggies though. Maybe I can get him to eat green beans again...or peas... Ha, don't count on it.
Any thoughts on my over-mothering?
On a side-note, this eating a lot of solids thing has really cut down on Ezekiel's nursing too. It's bittersweet. Its nice not nursing him constantly, ie in parking lots, in the mall, at restaurants, every 2 or so hours it seemed like sometimes (and really was sometimes). Now if I nurse and feed him before we leave he usually lasts until we get back. But I also miss it in a weird way. I know he's not going to wean but it feels like he needs me that much less...
Its also playing hell on my hormones if you dont mind the phrase.
but I better do a...
And I think this week it will be Mac and Cheese!Now Macaroni and Cheese is an emotionally charged meal. There are a lot of ways to make it and everyone likes THEIR way best, and will fight for their way to the death. For my part I love ALL mac and cheese. I love boxed, Kraft it is often seen in my home on weekends when Josh and I split it for lunch. I especially love Annie's. Yum yum. I also love the kind you make with velveeta. It is a guilty over-processed pleasure.
This is a recipe made with real cheese however. It is delicious and healthier...at least as healthy as mac and cheese gets right?
And sooooo simple.
First you boil your macaroni noodles.
Then while those are boiling you put some milk, some butter, and some cheese (Ok a LOT of cheese) in a sauce pan. Use your favorite cheese, or a mix. I usually do 1/2 cheddar and 1/2 mozzerella. Stir, stir, stir, until the cheese is all melted.
Now pour your noodles and then your cheese sauce in a casserole dish. Sprinkle it with parmesan if you like and throw it in the oven for 25 minutes.
Enjoy!
A HAPPY post
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8. Because He is. He really really is.
Great things about today:
1. Zeke's nose is really clearing up and he hasnt had a fever or tylenol in 12 hours, I think he is over the hump of his first cold! He *might* even be able to sleep in a somewhat horizontal position tonight. The last few nights he has had to be upright to breathe, which means I was also upright.
2. The whole family sleeping in and staying home ALL DAY. Sometimes you just have to miss church now and then.
3. Left over Cinnamon Wheel from Papa Murphys for breakfast.
Great things about this last week:
1. Zeke learned a new game! Now if you hide under a blanket he will lift it up and find you. Or alternately if you cover HIM with a blanket and say "where's the baby?" he will flip it off his head and laugh.
2. New Phone! Its the Voyager, and it has a touch screen plus duals as a MP3 player. Also now I can text and I'm so already addicted!! I'm so excited and LOOOOVE my husband for buying it for me. Among other reasons of course ;)
3. All my amazing friends. Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without you guys. I am so blessed to have the best support system of women anywhere.
And to finish: Naked escape baby.
Great things about today:
1. Zeke's nose is really clearing up and he hasnt had a fever or tylenol in 12 hours, I think he is over the hump of his first cold! He *might* even be able to sleep in a somewhat horizontal position tonight. The last few nights he has had to be upright to breathe, which means I was also upright.
2. The whole family sleeping in and staying home ALL DAY. Sometimes you just have to miss church now and then.
3. Left over Cinnamon Wheel from Papa Murphys for breakfast.
Great things about this last week:
1. Zeke learned a new game! Now if you hide under a blanket he will lift it up and find you. Or alternately if you cover HIM with a blanket and say "where's the baby?" he will flip it off his head and laugh.
2. New Phone! Its the Voyager, and it has a touch screen plus duals as a MP3 player. Also now I can text and I'm so already addicted!! I'm so excited and LOOOOVE my husband for buying it for me. Among other reasons of course ;)
3. All my amazing friends. Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without you guys. I am so blessed to have the best support system of women anywhere.
And to finish: Naked escape baby.
Thanks
I know I'm a big ol negative Nancy lately. Its 1/2 Zeke's cold, 1/2 this awful weather (I always get depressed in the winter), 1/2 all the drama I've been dealing with, and 1/2 hormonal (as Zeke shifts to more and more solids and less and less nursing I thing my balance is being thrown off). I DO want to say that I really really really appreciate everyone's support, it makes a big difference in my life. And I know I need some non-mom-time right now and as soon as Zeke (and Josh now) feel better I am totally going to get some.
But even before that can happen I think I am going to focus on all the parts of my life (and motherhood) that I LOVE. And along those lines I will write a really really positive and uplifting post tomorrow morning to start off the week. And I'm also going to get rid of some parts of my life that I dont love, dont need, and arent useful. I'm not going to get into it on this blog for the sake of refraining from unnessisary gossip but after talking and praying about it with Josh I am going to quit the Mommy and Me Meetup group. I have LOVED that group and the people I have met from it but Josh and I decided that the bible says if your ear causes you to sin then cut off your ear, and I think that really makes things clear. M+M is no longer an uplifting part of my life so I am cutting it off.
Anyways, last negative comment for at least 1 week. Because my goal for this coming week is to keep it POSITIVE.
But even before that can happen I think I am going to focus on all the parts of my life (and motherhood) that I LOVE. And along those lines I will write a really really positive and uplifting post tomorrow morning to start off the week. And I'm also going to get rid of some parts of my life that I dont love, dont need, and arent useful. I'm not going to get into it on this blog for the sake of refraining from unnessisary gossip but after talking and praying about it with Josh I am going to quit the Mommy and Me Meetup group. I have LOVED that group and the people I have met from it but Josh and I decided that the bible says if your ear causes you to sin then cut off your ear, and I think that really makes things clear. M+M is no longer an uplifting part of my life so I am cutting it off.
Anyways, last negative comment for at least 1 week. Because my goal for this coming week is to keep it POSITIVE.
Drowning
I was asked today if I ever feel like motherhood is drowning me. In fact quite a few of us were asked and there was a truly awkward silence afterwards in which we all wanted to scream "yes" yet didn't want to admit it. We coughed, or looked at our baby, or asked her what she meant, but we knew. We all know, us mothers of small children. And it slowly came out.
For my part all I could think was "of course". Of course I sometimes feel that way. We all do. Because the truth is that raising children (and especially babies) is a miracle and a blessing and a joy but it's also often exhausting and tedious and suffocating and thankless and boring and smelly. And maybe we would all be a bit happier if we admitted it.
At the least we'd be better prepared. Because it seems like pre-child I heard a lot about the baby entering my world not me entering his, or not forgetting who I am and keeping up my interests, and similar hokey. And it is hokey. Because when that baby comes it may still be your world, honey, but all the rules just changed. And not forgetting your interests is fine and dandy but at the end of the day you don't have the energy to shower let alone read. I'm no April Wheeler or anything but of course I sometimes feel like I'm drowning. (PS is anyone else afraid to see that movie because the book was so good?)
For my part all I could think was "of course". Of course I sometimes feel that way. We all do. Because the truth is that raising children (and especially babies) is a miracle and a blessing and a joy but it's also often exhausting and tedious and suffocating and thankless and boring and smelly. And maybe we would all be a bit happier if we admitted it.
At the least we'd be better prepared. Because it seems like pre-child I heard a lot about the baby entering my world not me entering his, or not forgetting who I am and keeping up my interests, and similar hokey. And it is hokey. Because when that baby comes it may still be your world, honey, but all the rules just changed. And not forgetting your interests is fine and dandy but at the end of the day you don't have the energy to shower let alone read. I'm no April Wheeler or anything but of course I sometimes feel like I'm drowning. (PS is anyone else afraid to see that movie because the book was so good?)
Mommy buffet
Man oh man is Zeke being naughty lately. Can the terrible two's hit at 7 months perhaps? He is just becoming so defiant all of a sudden! Not to Josh, oh no, of course not, as soon as daddy says "no" Ezekiel is almost tripping over himself to obey. But mommy? When mommy says no it falls on deaf ears. Sometimes he will look at me before continuing on his merry way, sometimes even smile and go faster, usually he just ignores me. And I'm the only one that spanks him!
Lets just say this week has been very tiring. A long string of "no, thats not yours" and "no, don't do that"'s. And as devoted to extended breastfeeding as I am I can see why people wean their babies before toddlerhood now. Because it has been a big part of our troubles lately. One example: Zeke's desire, no no his INSISTENCE, on breastfeeding standing up. You see, he cant be bothered to stop and lay down while he's busy playing. So he climbs up me, pulls my shirt down, drinks while standing up for a few seconds, and then off he goes.
This seems really rude to me. I'm not a buffet here, buddy! So we are working on "table"manners, lol. And now that he's mastered the tippy cup we are incorporating that more. But Zeke knows where the good stuff is....oh well. Only another year or so until weaning time right?
Oh and I haven't posted any pics of Z lately you say? Yes, I know. Because they all look like this:
My crawling son LOVES the camera....to eat it that is!
I will keep trying, I promise.
And now for...
Lets just say this week has been very tiring. A long string of "no, thats not yours" and "no, don't do that"'s. And as devoted to extended breastfeeding as I am I can see why people wean their babies before toddlerhood now. Because it has been a big part of our troubles lately. One example: Zeke's desire, no no his INSISTENCE, on breastfeeding standing up. You see, he cant be bothered to stop and lay down while he's busy playing. So he climbs up me, pulls my shirt down, drinks while standing up for a few seconds, and then off he goes.
This seems really rude to me. I'm not a buffet here, buddy! So we are working on "table"manners, lol. And now that he's mastered the tippy cup we are incorporating that more. But Zeke knows where the good stuff is....oh well. Only another year or so until weaning time right?
Oh and I haven't posted any pics of Z lately you say? Yes, I know. Because they all look like this:
My crawling son LOVES the camera....to eat it that is!
I will keep trying, I promise.
And now for...
Chicken Cacciatore Stew!
First start some chicken cooking, while it cooks chop and add some potato and onion.
And while that cooks, chop up and add some red bell pepper and garlic. Wait another minute or maybe 2. Mine had no bell pepper because when the grocery list said red bell pepper Josh bought green. Who knows? I dont complain when he goes grocery shopping without me, especially when he takes the baby with!
Let this boil and then turn it to low to simmer 10 minutes. At this point you can add spinach (I didnt have any in the house) or top it with cheese. Parmesan: good. Romano: way better.
Dr Appointment
Today Zeke and I finally made it to his 6 month well-child appointment, at 7 months and 2 days but at least we made it right? It was our 3rd try and I was beginning to lose hope, seriously I was waiting all morning for another storm to hit. But the day was beautiful and off we went to see the Dr Morgan.
Ezekiel is 20 pounds and 30 inches. 75th and 100th percentiles respectively. All this crawling has really slimmed Z down! Josh and I were both expecting him to weigh a lot more. But it makes sense. While I have had to recently move him into 12 month pants (yet another growth spurt after Christmas, can you believe it?) they can get pulled off his skinny little hips pretty easily.
We got his 3rd DTaP and his 3rd Hib shots so we are done with those, yipee! (A 4th DTaP is sometimes administered at 18 months but we are not receiving that one) In fact, we are done with immunizations until he is 5 years old! I am so excited. At 5 he just needs his T booster and then he's done until 12 when he might be getting his Hep B and maybe even a Hep A, MMR, and Chicken Pox, I haven't decided yet.
I just LOVE partial immunization.
Seriously I do. And I recommend it as often and as loudly as possible to anyone that will listen. I am annoying that way. There are just so very many many options that I don't understand why people don't at least even consider them. I mean, you can do NO immunizations, of course. And most people know that but no one seems to think about doing just SOME of the immunizations. Or going ahead and doing ALL of them but spread out differently.
And I really really really recommend thinking about it. Because some of these shots are plain unnecessary. And sometimes they really overload those little systems with chemicals. I mean, you don't even want to KNOW what they are injecting into your kid. Mercury (yes some still have mercury, though many do not anymore), Aluminum, Formaldehyde, MSG, monkey kidney, aborted baby lung, guinea pig embryo, cows blood, and that's just naming a few. Ick. I don't use any vaccines with human or animal tissue, which means I have to be picky about brands. But if you are going to fully immunize you cant really get away from it. And even I have to put up with some chemicals. And this is where an alternate vaccine schedule comes in really handy. Because you can cut down on how much you give at a time really easily.
For example, Heb B is very very dangerous, and common. I can really see why you'd want your kid immunized against it. I might. But its blood transmitted, so it can really wait until at least 10 or 12. I dont see many kids shooting up or having unprotected sex before then. Same idea with Chicken Pox. Serious as an adult. Not so much as a baby. So why not wait?
Or say you dont even want to wait. You want your child to get immunized more or less on time. Well you can still protect them from chemical overload by going in to the office every month instead of every other. Most doctors will not only allow this but they wont even charge you for the extra visit. You just whip in, see the nurse, and whip right out.
My husband is home and hungry so I better get off. But If you have questions about this please please e-mail me. Lol, I LOVE talking about immunizing! I even have an example of a full vaccine schedule spaced 2 shots at a time. And a great partial schedule too.
PS While I will talk up partial immunization until the freaking sun goes down I know its not for everyone. And it has its risks. And if your child goes to daycare or if you are not breastfeeding until at least 1 year and hopefully more like 2 years you are taking even more risks. Breast milk gives a child all his/her mothers immunities and its the only reason I don't give Z the rotovirus vaccine for example. Partial immunization is also illegal in 2 states, Mississippi I think and Arkansas? I'm not sure on that. Anyways, what I'm saying is dont listen to me blindly any more than anyone else.
Ezekiel is 20 pounds and 30 inches. 75th and 100th percentiles respectively. All this crawling has really slimmed Z down! Josh and I were both expecting him to weigh a lot more. But it makes sense. While I have had to recently move him into 12 month pants (yet another growth spurt after Christmas, can you believe it?) they can get pulled off his skinny little hips pretty easily.
We got his 3rd DTaP and his 3rd Hib shots so we are done with those, yipee! (A 4th DTaP is sometimes administered at 18 months but we are not receiving that one) In fact, we are done with immunizations until he is 5 years old! I am so excited. At 5 he just needs his T booster and then he's done until 12 when he might be getting his Hep B and maybe even a Hep A, MMR, and Chicken Pox, I haven't decided yet.
I just LOVE partial immunization.
Seriously I do. And I recommend it as often and as loudly as possible to anyone that will listen. I am annoying that way. There are just so very many many options that I don't understand why people don't at least even consider them. I mean, you can do NO immunizations, of course. And most people know that but no one seems to think about doing just SOME of the immunizations. Or going ahead and doing ALL of them but spread out differently.
And I really really really recommend thinking about it. Because some of these shots are plain unnecessary. And sometimes they really overload those little systems with chemicals. I mean, you don't even want to KNOW what they are injecting into your kid. Mercury (yes some still have mercury, though many do not anymore), Aluminum, Formaldehyde, MSG, monkey kidney, aborted baby lung, guinea pig embryo, cows blood, and that's just naming a few. Ick. I don't use any vaccines with human or animal tissue, which means I have to be picky about brands. But if you are going to fully immunize you cant really get away from it. And even I have to put up with some chemicals. And this is where an alternate vaccine schedule comes in really handy. Because you can cut down on how much you give at a time really easily.
For example, Heb B is very very dangerous, and common. I can really see why you'd want your kid immunized against it. I might. But its blood transmitted, so it can really wait until at least 10 or 12. I dont see many kids shooting up or having unprotected sex before then. Same idea with Chicken Pox. Serious as an adult. Not so much as a baby. So why not wait?
Or say you dont even want to wait. You want your child to get immunized more or less on time. Well you can still protect them from chemical overload by going in to the office every month instead of every other. Most doctors will not only allow this but they wont even charge you for the extra visit. You just whip in, see the nurse, and whip right out.
My husband is home and hungry so I better get off. But If you have questions about this please please e-mail me. Lol, I LOVE talking about immunizing! I even have an example of a full vaccine schedule spaced 2 shots at a time. And a great partial schedule too.
PS While I will talk up partial immunization until the freaking sun goes down I know its not for everyone. And it has its risks. And if your child goes to daycare or if you are not breastfeeding until at least 1 year and hopefully more like 2 years you are taking even more risks. Breast milk gives a child all his/her mothers immunities and its the only reason I don't give Z the rotovirus vaccine for example. Partial immunization is also illegal in 2 states, Mississippi I think and Arkansas? I'm not sure on that. Anyways, what I'm saying is dont listen to me blindly any more than anyone else.
Verse of the Week
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7. Josh and I have been talking about this verse for a while now. You see, we have been pondering and praying over what it really means to "teach them diligently", I mean in a practical way what exactly should we be doing? Of course Ezekiel, our only son as of yet, is not even 7 months old for a few more days, so these concerns are slightly premature. But we are planning ahead.
So far all we know is what it isnt, lol, isn't that typical? But we have figured out that it isn't as simple or easy as just attending church, or praying at mealtimes and bedtimes, and not even as simple as reading the bible together (although it of course includes all these activities). We really feel that even all that, as great as it is, isn't really enough. We are starting to realize that its so much harder then that and in the end its nothing less than living everyday, all the time, with and for the Lord, and then constantly telling your kids about it as you do. "...when you sit in the house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
And we know that we really want to be careful not to model great biblical principles but then forget formally teaching them. Or maybe worse to formally teach them but then not model them. And we really hope that we cananage it.
So far all we know is what it isnt, lol, isn't that typical? But we have figured out that it isn't as simple or easy as just attending church, or praying at mealtimes and bedtimes, and not even as simple as reading the bible together (although it of course includes all these activities). We really feel that even all that, as great as it is, isn't really enough. We are starting to realize that its so much harder then that and in the end its nothing less than living everyday, all the time, with and for the Lord, and then constantly telling your kids about it as you do. "...when you sit in the house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
And we know that we really want to be careful not to model great biblical principles but then forget formally teaching them. Or maybe worse to formally teach them but then not model them. And we really hope that we cananage it.
Lol
Lol, you have to love this video. I just took it an hour ago while we ate dinner (its banana all over Ezekiel's face). He was being so funny, shaking his head "no" to every question we asked.
Also an example, while I'm here and loading them up, from my very failed 6 month photo shoot. Seriously, this evil face might be the best I got. We like to call this his Jack Nicholson face.
Whats for Dinner Wednesday!
And now I bring you....
Stir Fry!!!
Yum Yum, I LOVE this meal. Josh and I sometimes make it once and then eat it twice. Because sometimes we don't know how to make it for two people, lol, we tend to have way too much. But we eat it one time Thi style with wide rice noodles and once with white rice, so its still different.
So very first if you want to use wide rice noodles (and I really suggest you try it because its freaking delicious) you need to soak them for about a half hour in warm tap water. You can buy them in the Asian food section at the grocery store, I get a box of A Taste of Thi brand. If you want it over rice then make some white rice.
While that is happening you need to cook some chicken (or beef, or shrimp, or crab, or whatever) in some sauce.
We used a combination of Sweet and Sour and Stir Fry Sauce this time (as well as Josh's secret ingredient but I'm not allowed to name it on pain of death of my website, sorry. I really believe him when he says he will shut it down if I tell!) We have been known to use pretty much anything as sauce, however, if its available in the house, Soy Sauce, Curry, Sesame oil with fresh garlic... Experiment with what you know you like. If you want to add some spice throw in some crushed red pepper (like you put on pizza), but not too much, a little goes a long way!
While your chicken is cooking chop your favorite veggies. We used green bell pepper, mushroom, baby corn, carrot, and water chestnuts. You could also use red bell pepper, broccoli, snow peas, ginger, green beans, bamboo shoots, or onion, I've done all that (except ginger, I'm allergic). I'm sure there are other veggies you could add as well that I'm not thinking of.
When your chicken is cooked add those veggies and stir it all around until they are cooked. I suppose I should note now that water chestnuts shouldn't be added until everything else is done, or else they get mooshy. If you are making it with noodles add the noodles to your pan as well. If you are making it with rice then just pour your veggies over it.
Yum!!!
Ok better go do some cleaning. I spent ALL day with Kait and Kim, lol, it was too good to get out of the house. Thanks girls.
We decided we are going to Seattle together too so I'm super excited, hopefully in April for some outlet store shopping. But if I cant go that time then Kim and I will take our sons to the zoo in July... Hmm...maybe I should ask Josh first before I announce it to the world, yes? But I know he will say yes because my husband is all too lenient when it doesn't have to do with secret ingredients (or kittens, he is a stickler when it comes to kittens) Plus I'm taking the baby on either trip, so, I don't see why not.
PS Im so mad. I bought a hutch off Craigslist and I was paying extra to have it dropped off which was was supposed to happen today and they sold it to someone else!!! Grr!
Stir Fry!!!Yum Yum, I LOVE this meal. Josh and I sometimes make it once and then eat it twice. Because sometimes we don't know how to make it for two people, lol, we tend to have way too much. But we eat it one time Thi style with wide rice noodles and once with white rice, so its still different.
So very first if you want to use wide rice noodles (and I really suggest you try it because its freaking delicious) you need to soak them for about a half hour in warm tap water. You can buy them in the Asian food section at the grocery store, I get a box of A Taste of Thi brand. If you want it over rice then make some white rice.
While that is happening you need to cook some chicken (or beef, or shrimp, or crab, or whatever) in some sauce.
We used a combination of Sweet and Sour and Stir Fry Sauce this time (as well as Josh's secret ingredient but I'm not allowed to name it on pain of death of my website, sorry. I really believe him when he says he will shut it down if I tell!) We have been known to use pretty much anything as sauce, however, if its available in the house, Soy Sauce, Curry, Sesame oil with fresh garlic... Experiment with what you know you like. If you want to add some spice throw in some crushed red pepper (like you put on pizza), but not too much, a little goes a long way!
While your chicken is cooking chop your favorite veggies. We used green bell pepper, mushroom, baby corn, carrot, and water chestnuts. You could also use red bell pepper, broccoli, snow peas, ginger, green beans, bamboo shoots, or onion, I've done all that (except ginger, I'm allergic). I'm sure there are other veggies you could add as well that I'm not thinking of.
When your chicken is cooked add those veggies and stir it all around until they are cooked. I suppose I should note now that water chestnuts shouldn't be added until everything else is done, or else they get mooshy. If you are making it with noodles add the noodles to your pan as well. If you are making it with rice then just pour your veggies over it.
Yum!!!Ok better go do some cleaning. I spent ALL day with Kait and Kim, lol, it was too good to get out of the house. Thanks girls.
We decided we are going to Seattle together too so I'm super excited, hopefully in April for some outlet store shopping. But if I cant go that time then Kim and I will take our sons to the zoo in July... Hmm...maybe I should ask Josh first before I announce it to the world, yes? But I know he will say yes because my husband is all too lenient when it doesn't have to do with secret ingredients (or kittens, he is a stickler when it comes to kittens) Plus I'm taking the baby on either trip, so, I don't see why not.
PS Im so mad. I bought a hutch off Craigslist and I was paying extra to have it dropped off which was was supposed to happen today and they sold it to someone else!!! Grr!
Such a big boy
I'm really being struck this week by how much Zeke has changed. He is such a big boy these days, and not just in size. Recently it seems he is becoming a much "older" baby. 6 months ago he was a tiny infant, just a few weeks old.
Now Zeke can: Crawl,
Pull himself up to standing,
Find his binky and put it in his mouth,
Drink (very messily) out of a tippy cup (only without the stopper),
Feed himself finger foods,
Play hide and seek (Ok, maybe not really hide and seek. But if I hide behind the couch or around a corner while he is looking, he will come and "find" me and then he laughs and laughs. Its our version of hide and seek),
Shake his head "no" when he doesnt like something,
Say da, ba, ma, ga, ra, grunt and squeal, and often a long combo,
Sometimes self sooth (lol, sometimes),
And he's starting to tell when he is being naughty (or atleast he knew when he was taking Jordyn's binky away it was naughty because when I came over he tried to give it back. Also when he has things he shouldnt have lately he will try to hide them from me)
What a change, right? And he is growing so independant now. He will play by himself for hours these days, every once in a while climbing up on me to put his forehead up against mine for a minute or two, and then off he goes again. I cherish those cuddly moments, they are getting few and far between!
Zeke loves reading books right now and his cars. And he really really loves computers, especially the laptop. We can't keep him away from it much to our chagrin! I guess that's what happens when he sees us both using them so often. He's also becoming very strong willed. Or I guess more honestly he was always very strong willed but its showing more and more as he gets older. I often wonder where the line is between understanding his needs and showing him who is boss. I pray that I'm getting it right. I dont want to break his spirit but I also dont want to spoil him, and with kids like Zeke that is a thin line.
Although Josh's "putting his foot down" is sadly working really well. Sad because I wanted to be right. What a horrible truth. I should just be happy that Zeke's midnight tantrums are over and we are all sleeping better. He will cry to Josh for, I dont know, 5 minutes top before he gives up and then Josh puts him back in his crib awake and Z falls back asleep. When I was getting up with him it was a half hour of crying, only to be stopped by the boob, so he was falling asleep eating and then I was sneaking him back into bed, and it was becoming more and more often. Now its less and less often and Zeke is only eating twice at night again, at around 2 am and then 5 or 6 am. Once a night if you count 6 am as morning, which I do not because we all go back asleep until a more resonable hour.
I've learned this night thing is never consistent, however. Zeke has gone weeks and weeks sleeping really well before only to revert again. I am not holding my breath. His teeth will start moving again soon, or he will get a cold, or night terrors, or SOMETHING. I've accepted the fact that now that I am a mother I will probably never be able to count on a good nights rest again. Not until Zeke is 30 at least.
Also, in unrelated news, Josh and I in the next week or two are going to start talking to people about getting a home loan. We want to buy this summer if we can manage it. Scary scary scary. We have no idea what we are doing. We are going (so far) to talk to Idahy (our credit union) and to Spokane Teachers Credit Union because we've heard so many good things about them. We want to know how much we can get approved for and at what rate (so we can decide how much we can really afford) and if there's anything we need to do to improve our credit (which is good but fairly non-existent because we are so young) before then. Then when they have given Josh and number and he has given me a number I can start looking around, which is the part that's fun. THEN I dont actually know what happens, craziness, I guess.
I love the idea of buying a home, I love the idea of staying in one place for 5 or 10 years. I am scared out of my mind of doing this wrong. Pray for us?
Now Zeke can: Crawl,
Pull himself up to standing,
Find his binky and put it in his mouth,
Drink (very messily) out of a tippy cup (only without the stopper),
Feed himself finger foods,
Play hide and seek (Ok, maybe not really hide and seek. But if I hide behind the couch or around a corner while he is looking, he will come and "find" me and then he laughs and laughs. Its our version of hide and seek),
Shake his head "no" when he doesnt like something,
Say da, ba, ma, ga, ra, grunt and squeal, and often a long combo,
Sometimes self sooth (lol, sometimes),
And he's starting to tell when he is being naughty (or atleast he knew when he was taking Jordyn's binky away it was naughty because when I came over he tried to give it back. Also when he has things he shouldnt have lately he will try to hide them from me)
What a change, right? And he is growing so independant now. He will play by himself for hours these days, every once in a while climbing up on me to put his forehead up against mine for a minute or two, and then off he goes again. I cherish those cuddly moments, they are getting few and far between!
Zeke loves reading books right now and his cars. And he really really loves computers, especially the laptop. We can't keep him away from it much to our chagrin! I guess that's what happens when he sees us both using them so often. He's also becoming very strong willed. Or I guess more honestly he was always very strong willed but its showing more and more as he gets older. I often wonder where the line is between understanding his needs and showing him who is boss. I pray that I'm getting it right. I dont want to break his spirit but I also dont want to spoil him, and with kids like Zeke that is a thin line.
Although Josh's "putting his foot down" is sadly working really well. Sad because I wanted to be right. What a horrible truth. I should just be happy that Zeke's midnight tantrums are over and we are all sleeping better. He will cry to Josh for, I dont know, 5 minutes top before he gives up and then Josh puts him back in his crib awake and Z falls back asleep. When I was getting up with him it was a half hour of crying, only to be stopped by the boob, so he was falling asleep eating and then I was sneaking him back into bed, and it was becoming more and more often. Now its less and less often and Zeke is only eating twice at night again, at around 2 am and then 5 or 6 am. Once a night if you count 6 am as morning, which I do not because we all go back asleep until a more resonable hour.
I've learned this night thing is never consistent, however. Zeke has gone weeks and weeks sleeping really well before only to revert again. I am not holding my breath. His teeth will start moving again soon, or he will get a cold, or night terrors, or SOMETHING. I've accepted the fact that now that I am a mother I will probably never be able to count on a good nights rest again. Not until Zeke is 30 at least.
Also, in unrelated news, Josh and I in the next week or two are going to start talking to people about getting a home loan. We want to buy this summer if we can manage it. Scary scary scary. We have no idea what we are doing. We are going (so far) to talk to Idahy (our credit union) and to Spokane Teachers Credit Union because we've heard so many good things about them. We want to know how much we can get approved for and at what rate (so we can decide how much we can really afford) and if there's anything we need to do to improve our credit (which is good but fairly non-existent because we are so young) before then. Then when they have given Josh and number and he has given me a number I can start looking around, which is the part that's fun. THEN I dont actually know what happens, craziness, I guess.
I love the idea of buying a home, I love the idea of staying in one place for 5 or 10 years. I am scared out of my mind of doing this wrong. Pray for us?
Ah...how I miss blogging
I know I've been MIA in the blogosphere as of late. Between the holidays and traveling and then all the snow and all the subsequent shoveling and the husband working as often as not from home (meaning I cannot get into the office where we keep the computers), I just haven't had the ability to get online. But hopefully that has changed, and the two weeks I took off from What's for Dinner Wednesday will be just that, two weeks. Because I have been making dinners, and even taking pictures, just not posting.
There have also been "things happening" in this life of mine. Like Josh putting his foot down. Lol. I got Zeke back on schedule from our vacation relatively fast. It took slightly less than a week to get him going to bed at 9, and while it used to be 8 I might like 9 better so I'm keeping it if I can. But Zeke has learned an exciting new bad nighttime habit in the meantime. When he wakes up at night instead of going right back down with a lullaby or a nursing session, he stays up to play. This is aparently the last straw for daddy. Zeke has been getting more and more stubborn, playing with things he knows he shouldnt be, throwing tantrums when we move him, ect. Josh has been patient. But now, suddenly, with this night playing he is "putting his foot down". Zeke WILL learn who is boss.
From now on out when Zeke gets up and refuses to be put down I am not to get involved. It is a battle (perhaps to the death) between the two men in my life. Each insisting on having his way. Zeke says that we will play with him when he demands. Josh says that Zeke will sleep when he demands. I can't wait to see who is more stubborn in the end. Trust me, updates will follow. I'm only sad that Zeke has slept excellently the last 2 nights since this new resolution of Josh's. I really really want to see him put his foot down to our 6 month old. Really, I'm being supportive.
And now for the verse of the week. "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach." Hm, what joyful assurance. Because it sure seems like it, doesn't it? It's difficult unto impossible sometimes it seems; to obstain from gossip, to respect and obey my husband, to love everyone including my enemies, to spend my time reading the Bible when I would much rather veg in front of the latest episode of House or surf the internet. And that's the easiest part.
When you believe, like I do, that it isn't even what you DO that God cares about but WHO YOU ARE. Well that makes it 10,000 times worse doesn't it? Because often I dont gossip, often I attend church when I'm tired or read the bible when I'd rather be reading the latest Parent's magazine, often I volunteer and donate to charity and love my neighbors. But how often do I do these things because I "have to" or even worse because I want people to know that I do? How often do I not say a snide thing but I still think it. How often do I attend church but not listen? Oh the darkness of my soul. I can DO everything right but still not know God. We are all sometimes Pharisees, arent we?
But no matter how it seems, it is not too dificult, what He expects from us. It is never out of reach. We need only go as far as we can by ourselves, and then He will take us the rest of the way.
There have also been "things happening" in this life of mine. Like Josh putting his foot down. Lol. I got Zeke back on schedule from our vacation relatively fast. It took slightly less than a week to get him going to bed at 9, and while it used to be 8 I might like 9 better so I'm keeping it if I can. But Zeke has learned an exciting new bad nighttime habit in the meantime. When he wakes up at night instead of going right back down with a lullaby or a nursing session, he stays up to play. This is aparently the last straw for daddy. Zeke has been getting more and more stubborn, playing with things he knows he shouldnt be, throwing tantrums when we move him, ect. Josh has been patient. But now, suddenly, with this night playing he is "putting his foot down". Zeke WILL learn who is boss.
From now on out when Zeke gets up and refuses to be put down I am not to get involved. It is a battle (perhaps to the death) between the two men in my life. Each insisting on having his way. Zeke says that we will play with him when he demands. Josh says that Zeke will sleep when he demands. I can't wait to see who is more stubborn in the end. Trust me, updates will follow. I'm only sad that Zeke has slept excellently the last 2 nights since this new resolution of Josh's. I really really want to see him put his foot down to our 6 month old. Really, I'm being supportive.
And now for the verse of the week. "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach." Hm, what joyful assurance. Because it sure seems like it, doesn't it? It's difficult unto impossible sometimes it seems; to obstain from gossip, to respect and obey my husband, to love everyone including my enemies, to spend my time reading the Bible when I would much rather veg in front of the latest episode of House or surf the internet. And that's the easiest part.
When you believe, like I do, that it isn't even what you DO that God cares about but WHO YOU ARE. Well that makes it 10,000 times worse doesn't it? Because often I dont gossip, often I attend church when I'm tired or read the bible when I'd rather be reading the latest Parent's magazine, often I volunteer and donate to charity and love my neighbors. But how often do I do these things because I "have to" or even worse because I want people to know that I do? How often do I not say a snide thing but I still think it. How often do I attend church but not listen? Oh the darkness of my soul. I can DO everything right but still not know God. We are all sometimes Pharisees, arent we?
But no matter how it seems, it is not too dificult, what He expects from us. It is never out of reach. We need only go as far as we can by ourselves, and then He will take us the rest of the way.
Christmas Pics
Putting away Christmas decorations is always a bit depressing. The house seems so drab...
Also depressing? My baby might be getting sick. I cant tell yet. He's sleeping a LOT. He's either getting sick or growing. Ugh on either.
And another depressing thing? Being snowed in.
I am in a bad mood. But this might cheer me up, LOTS of pictures!
Lets start with how spoiled Z is....
He also got lots of books, some Christmas classics on DVD that he will love next year, lots of clothes, a little popper dump truck, a stuffed giraffe and a stuffed zebra, some squishy blocks, some bath-time letters, and little santa in his stocking. Plus a gift card to babies-r-us that I have a feeling will turn into a stacking ring and a few balls.
But even better than gifts was...
Wearing out Great Grand-Nonnie's arms!
Showing off all his skillz at Grandma Mel's house!
Playing video games just like his big-boy uncles!
Laughing at his crazy cousin Tyler!
Eating his very first Christmas Eve dinner at Kyoto's. Mommy's been doing it since she was almost his age! And even though he only got fried rice this time he will be asking for his steak rare just like the rest of the family soon!
Finally getting a liking for Grandpa Keith!
Meeting daddies "first girlfriend"! He was 3.
Listening to Great Grandpa Bruce play some Cash!
Sitting in a high chair that daddy once used!
Also depressing? My baby might be getting sick. I cant tell yet. He's sleeping a LOT. He's either getting sick or growing. Ugh on either.
And another depressing thing? Being snowed in.
I am in a bad mood. But this might cheer me up, LOTS of pictures!
Lets start with how spoiled Z is....
He also got lots of books, some Christmas classics on DVD that he will love next year, lots of clothes, a little popper dump truck, a stuffed giraffe and a stuffed zebra, some squishy blocks, some bath-time letters, and little santa in his stocking. Plus a gift card to babies-r-us that I have a feeling will turn into a stacking ring and a few balls.But even better than gifts was...
Wearing out Great Grand-Nonnie's arms!
Showing off all his skillz at Grandma Mel's house!
Playing video games just like his big-boy uncles!
Laughing at his crazy cousin Tyler!
Eating his very first Christmas Eve dinner at Kyoto's. Mommy's been doing it since she was almost his age! And even though he only got fried rice this time he will be asking for his steak rare just like the rest of the family soon!
Finally getting a liking for Grandpa Keith!
Meeting daddies "first girlfriend"! He was 3.
Listening to Great Grandpa Bruce play some Cash!
Sitting in a high chair that daddy once used!
We are back...
...and as soon as I find my camera in all the bags I need to unpack I will jump on and put up some pictures of Christmas. Zeke even *helped* unwrap a few presents.
The drive back was cake. It had rained and cleared the roads for us. Charlie, my new GPS, almost got us lost. Lol. I know the way from McCall to Spokane like cake, yet as soon as I get a GPS I almost miss a turn. Good thing Josh pays attention. And Zeke, as usual, was very happy to be home. He was trying out his new skill to get into all sorts of things that were out of reach before.
Oh yeah, you don't know! On Christmas Eve Zeke pulled himself up to standing for the first time! 6 1/2 months. My son is such a genius ;). It makes me wonder what new thing he will do next Christmas Eve. It was that day last year that I first felt him kick. And much like the kicking of last year, this new standing thing is now a regular part of our day. He does it all the time, and it makes him so proud. He just laughed and laughed when he got up on Grandma Melanie's couch.
What else? I dont know. Better start tackling all my laundry and bags though...and take down all my decorations :(
PS Will it ever stop snowing do you think? I'd like to leave the house someday!
The drive back was cake. It had rained and cleared the roads for us. Charlie, my new GPS, almost got us lost. Lol. I know the way from McCall to Spokane like cake, yet as soon as I get a GPS I almost miss a turn. Good thing Josh pays attention. And Zeke, as usual, was very happy to be home. He was trying out his new skill to get into all sorts of things that were out of reach before.
Oh yeah, you don't know! On Christmas Eve Zeke pulled himself up to standing for the first time! 6 1/2 months. My son is such a genius ;). It makes me wonder what new thing he will do next Christmas Eve. It was that day last year that I first felt him kick. And much like the kicking of last year, this new standing thing is now a regular part of our day. He does it all the time, and it makes him so proud. He just laughed and laughed when he got up on Grandma Melanie's couch.
What else? I dont know. Better start tackling all my laundry and bags though...and take down all my decorations :(
PS Will it ever stop snowing do you think? I'd like to leave the house someday!
We made it
So we made it to McCall and even then to Boise. Praise the Lord right? It actually wasn't as hard as we thought and worried that it would be. The roads were mostly a broken snow floor, every once in a while some packed snow. We did swerve off the road once, but you could tell that it was almost Christmas. By the time Josh got out of the car to start pushing we had about 5 cars behind us that stopped to help. I love Christmas. The hardest part, really, was getting out of our driveway. As of Saturday our road had not been plowed. Hopefully it is by NEXT weekend, when we come back, but I'm not making any bets.
We our having a lovely time visiting our families, though, and I wanted to take a short break to update my verse of the week, seeing as how Sunday is almost over. Its a favorite of mine. Isaiah 30:15. "For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, 'In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.'"
Just think of it. I feel my soul relaxing in joy even as I type it. Because it is so true and so easy. In repentance and rest we WILL be saved. In quietness and in trust is our strength. This is a lesson that I am so grateful to have learned, even if it took a very difficult time for me to learn it. I used to struggle constantly. I struggled to be a "Good Christian", to do everything right. I struggled against the way things would turn out, or the way things were in my life. Even things I had no control over, I would be constantly struggling against. I was filled with frusterations. I dont know how many times in my early christian years I found myself literally yelling at the top of my lungs to God and at God. "Why?" I would yell in my tears. Why this and why that and why cant it be this? And I was always trying to change it. To change everything.
It took my miscarriage, a situation I could in no way control and could in no way handle, to teach me to rest. "Cease striving, and know that I am God." is another verse I love and that I would meditate on during those difficult months, when I was praying for my baby to be saved, when it was enevitable that I was losing the pregnancy and I was just waiting for it to happen, and in the months afterwards when Josh and I were both healing from the loss. In quietness and in trust is where I found my strength. Even though my prayers were not answered in that situation, it was in repentance, in turning to God, and in resting in His arms, that I was saved. It's how my soul was saved when I was 16 and I turned to Him and its, I literally believe, how my life was saved when I fould myself in the darkest of places after I lost my first baby.
Wow, what a can of worms to open right? I never really meant to, but there it is.
We our having a lovely time visiting our families, though, and I wanted to take a short break to update my verse of the week, seeing as how Sunday is almost over. Its a favorite of mine. Isaiah 30:15. "For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, 'In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.'"
Just think of it. I feel my soul relaxing in joy even as I type it. Because it is so true and so easy. In repentance and rest we WILL be saved. In quietness and in trust is our strength. This is a lesson that I am so grateful to have learned, even if it took a very difficult time for me to learn it. I used to struggle constantly. I struggled to be a "Good Christian", to do everything right. I struggled against the way things would turn out, or the way things were in my life. Even things I had no control over, I would be constantly struggling against. I was filled with frusterations. I dont know how many times in my early christian years I found myself literally yelling at the top of my lungs to God and at God. "Why?" I would yell in my tears. Why this and why that and why cant it be this? And I was always trying to change it. To change everything.
It took my miscarriage, a situation I could in no way control and could in no way handle, to teach me to rest. "Cease striving, and know that I am God." is another verse I love and that I would meditate on during those difficult months, when I was praying for my baby to be saved, when it was enevitable that I was losing the pregnancy and I was just waiting for it to happen, and in the months afterwards when Josh and I were both healing from the loss. In quietness and in trust is where I found my strength. Even though my prayers were not answered in that situation, it was in repentance, in turning to God, and in resting in His arms, that I was saved. It's how my soul was saved when I was 16 and I turned to Him and its, I literally believe, how my life was saved when I fould myself in the darkest of places after I lost my first baby.
Wow, what a can of worms to open right? I never really meant to, but there it is.
Oh the weather outside if frightful...
But see, the problem is I do have a place to go. So yeah...maybe don't let it snow anymore? My husband tells me we are still leaving tomorrow morning, just not in our pre-planned rout, and perhaps 3 or 4 hours early. His plan is to leave right in the eye of the storm. (The eye of the storm is the calm part right in the middle correct? I think that is true. Although my only reference is Jacob Have I Loved...a great book but one I read over 10 years ago.) Anyways, the rumor is that THIS storm is over (its moved East), and the NEW storm wont start until Sunday and will last for another week. The fact that we are also moving East I have chosen not to point out. Nor the point that we also have to come BACK at some point. I am being the obedient wife. And praying.
But can you BELIEVE this snow? For those of you not in Spokane, just choose not to believe it, lol. It put down 25 inches yesterday, I know, because I measured. And it was in a good spot too. Not under any trees where extra snow can fall off, or near any shoveling. I know how to measure snow.
Just look at our deck!! After a while we were starting to get concerned about its structural integrity. I mean, honestly, I worry about that deck's structural integrity when its windy. But we had been so focused on the driveway all day that I didn't get to it until after dark. It was even higher than in this picture!
After all that shoveling I had to treat myself!
Lol, Zeke wanted some cocoa too. I have him a zwieback toast instead, and he thought that was just as good.
But then this morning he kept getting into the shovel over and over again. He wanted to shovel some snow too! Maybe he thought I'd give him some hot-cocoa this time?
Anyways, its certainly crazy out there. I've been stuck at home, as our street has not seen a plow yet. In the last 3 days I've missed a Le Leche League meeting, a Mindful Mothering meeting, a MOPS meeting, AND a 6 month appointment. Oh and also Josh's Christmas party tonight was cancelled. What can I say? I'm a busy woman. And staying at home, let me tell you, is driving me nuts!!
I thought it would be a little better because Josh also cant leave (a.k.a. cant go to work). But alas he CAN work from home. And he's doing just that. Seriously? Sometimes I HATE my husbands work ethic. It's ridiculous. I bet everybody else is slacking off. But he wont even take extra breaks. He's all like..."well usually around 3 I take a 10 or 15 minute break to play fooz so I will be up then and say hi." So I'm not even really seeing him extra! I'm all alone all day, by myself, stranded, and he is even home! Hasn't he heard of a snow day? Lol.
I'm going nutters.
But can you BELIEVE this snow? For those of you not in Spokane, just choose not to believe it, lol. It put down 25 inches yesterday, I know, because I measured. And it was in a good spot too. Not under any trees where extra snow can fall off, or near any shoveling. I know how to measure snow.
Just look at our deck!! After a while we were starting to get concerned about its structural integrity. I mean, honestly, I worry about that deck's structural integrity when its windy. But we had been so focused on the driveway all day that I didn't get to it until after dark. It was even higher than in this picture!
After all that shoveling I had to treat myself!
Lol, Zeke wanted some cocoa too. I have him a zwieback toast instead, and he thought that was just as good.
But then this morning he kept getting into the shovel over and over again. He wanted to shovel some snow too! Maybe he thought I'd give him some hot-cocoa this time?
Anyways, its certainly crazy out there. I've been stuck at home, as our street has not seen a plow yet. In the last 3 days I've missed a Le Leche League meeting, a Mindful Mothering meeting, a MOPS meeting, AND a 6 month appointment. Oh and also Josh's Christmas party tonight was cancelled. What can I say? I'm a busy woman. And staying at home, let me tell you, is driving me nuts!!I thought it would be a little better because Josh also cant leave (a.k.a. cant go to work). But alas he CAN work from home. And he's doing just that. Seriously? Sometimes I HATE my husbands work ethic. It's ridiculous. I bet everybody else is slacking off. But he wont even take extra breaks. He's all like..."well usually around 3 I take a 10 or 15 minute break to play fooz so I will be up then and say hi." So I'm not even really seeing him extra! I'm all alone all day, by myself, stranded, and he is even home! Hasn't he heard of a snow day? Lol.
I'm going nutters.
What's For Dinner Wednesday...and a Christmas Letter!
So I was thinking today, as I mailed out my last 7 Christmas cards...making it 50, people! 50 cards!...Anyways I was thinking that all my lovely blog readers weren't getting one. I mean, some of you will, but not all of you. So I thought, I should post my letter, because you already got the Christmas picture yesterday but the letter you have not seen. So here it is. Even before the snail mail recipients.
AAAAnnnndddd, now a segment of......WFDW!
Rice Pilaf and Honey Chicken!
So first you want to put some brown rice and some broth, (at a 1/2 ratio...as in 1 cup of rice equals 2 cups broth) along with a few tablespoons of butter, some garlic, and some pepper in a pot to boil. If you dont keep chicken broth in your house, by the way, you should. It makes everything better. But I suppose you could use water.
While it heats up and maybe even starts to boil you can chop up and add some carrot, some parsley, and some onion. (I shake my parsley in because its dried. Fresh is better but who really keeps fresh herbs all the time?) Once its boiling and everything is added turn your burner down to low, cover your pot, and ignore it completely for 4o minutes. You now have other things to do!
Like taking a couple of chicken breasts out of the freezer or fridge, placing them in a casserole dish, and drenching them in butter and honey. For my 2 breasts I think I probably used 2 Tbls of butter and 2 Tbls of honey and it was plenty. Bake it for...oh it depends if it was frozen or not, but it took mine say 40 min for frozen? Thawed more like 20 I'd guess. Just look at it every once in a while. When it looks like cooked chicken and isn't bleeding anymore its done. Its not hard, trust me.
Yum! Josh loves this chicken, because he loves honey. And we had that canned cranberry jelly with it, you know, the Thanksgiving kind. Because I love that stuff. But that's optional, lol. You could have green beans or something for all I care. I just cant get enough of that cranberry jelly. I know its probably 40 percent high fructose corn syrup but I just dont care. I'm even eating some right now as I type!
Anyways, have an amazing Wednesday. I know I will, admiring my lovely toes (I got a pedicure last night). Especially since Zeke slept all night. And really ALL NIGHT this time. Ah lovely pain medication, my teething son can have you everyday for all I care. Im seriously considering writing a sonnet to Tylenol.
Dear Friends and Family,
Josh, Courtney, and Ezekiel Clark
AAAAnnnndddd, now a segment of......WFDW!
Rice Pilaf and Honey Chicken!
So first you want to put some brown rice and some broth, (at a 1/2 ratio...as in 1 cup of rice equals 2 cups broth) along with a few tablespoons of butter, some garlic, and some pepper in a pot to boil. If you dont keep chicken broth in your house, by the way, you should. It makes everything better. But I suppose you could use water.
While it heats up and maybe even starts to boil you can chop up and add some carrot, some parsley, and some onion. (I shake my parsley in because its dried. Fresh is better but who really keeps fresh herbs all the time?) Once its boiling and everything is added turn your burner down to low, cover your pot, and ignore it completely for 4o minutes. You now have other things to do!
Like taking a couple of chicken breasts out of the freezer or fridge, placing them in a casserole dish, and drenching them in butter and honey. For my 2 breasts I think I probably used 2 Tbls of butter and 2 Tbls of honey and it was plenty. Bake it for...oh it depends if it was frozen or not, but it took mine say 40 min for frozen? Thawed more like 20 I'd guess. Just look at it every once in a while. When it looks like cooked chicken and isn't bleeding anymore its done. Its not hard, trust me.
Yum! Josh loves this chicken, because he loves honey. And we had that canned cranberry jelly with it, you know, the Thanksgiving kind. Because I love that stuff. But that's optional, lol. You could have green beans or something for all I care. I just cant get enough of that cranberry jelly. I know its probably 40 percent high fructose corn syrup but I just dont care. I'm even eating some right now as I type!Anyways, have an amazing Wednesday. I know I will, admiring my lovely toes (I got a pedicure last night). Especially since Zeke slept all night. And really ALL NIGHT this time. Ah lovely pain medication, my teething son can have you everyday for all I care. Im seriously considering writing a sonnet to Tylenol.
I dreamt I got a full nights sleep...
...and woke up to a dream come true! Thank you, thank you to Jen (and Kim in all fairness also pointed it out, albeit in person) for letting me in on the now-obvious information that my son is teething! Moving him into our room didn't help Sunday night. But Monday night some Tylenol did! He was out like a rock till 1 am for a feeding and a re-dose and then straight back out till 4, repeat. Then till 6 when he always wakes up and I switch the boys in my bed. Not amazing but so much better! So Zeke is sleeping back in his room and Mommy is buying some Motrin (which works better for teeth/lasts longer).
I'd be so lost without you guys!
And to reiterate something that has come up a few times since Sunday and I guess I haven't fully explained: It's not that I'm 100 percent against crying it out. I think it has its place. But these are my thoughts. The point of any sleep training method is to teach your baby to sleep. This isn't knowledge we are born with, and the transition from wakefulness to sleep must be learned. I fear that when you teach your baby how to sleep by leaving him to cry (or scream) himself out before he's ever learned how to sleep, you are teaching him that sleep is a scary state to go into and setting yourself up in the long run for a bad sleeper, nightmares, ect. Since the Ferberization of our country kids' night terrors, bed wetting, and even sleep problems in adults have skyrocketed. I worry its related. And my biggerproblem is that you're not really teaching your child how to sleep so much as that you are teaching him "We are not listening to you, this isn't working, you might as well give up." Crying is Zeke's only form of communication. I want him to know I am responsive to it.
Now when Ezekiel becomes older and knows about and recognizes sleeping, and has other ways of communicating with me so I know if it's something like an ear ache, and even more importantly can understand me when I say "no it's time for bed and I will be right outside your door in my room, but you need to sleep now." Well then I'll probably let him yell if I have to. Because I know that he is just being ornery and trying to get up in the middle of the night. And my son is ornery, believe me, I will let him yell many times and for many things in his life, I am sure. I already do for his tantrums. I am a huge fan of ignoring/not responding to bad behavior. But for right now he is only starting to be ready for it, and his night crying wasn't tantrum crying, but his baby cry, so I chose to respond like I did.
For the record I'm not a huge fan of bed-sharing either. I also think this has it's place with newborns and sick children and occasional bad nights, or even very high need kids. But I don't think its the best full-time situation for most children. Again, its just not teaching your child to get himself to sleep.
This has always been my problem. I have no extremist cult following to go along with. But I think, in reality most people don't. We all try a little of everything until we find a blend that is truly ours. I do the two steps forward, one step back method. Zeke was in my bed until we were both recovered from birth, a few weeks. Then he was in his Moses basket next to my bed for part of the night, them most of the night, then all. When he went down to 2 or 3 wakings/feedings I moved him into his own room, mostly even then because he was outgrowing his basket. In hindsight I think it was a bit early. But the point is this has all been a 2 steps forward, one step back deal. If he wasn't doing well that night or that week we went back to the old way for a while. And I always do the smallest amount of comforting necessary but at the same time as much as is necessary, ie if just whispering "your ok, Zekers, go back to sleep" puts him back out, that's all I do, next I try rubbing his back, then and only THEN will I pick him up. This sleep training method, if you want to call it that, means less sleep for me, probably. For now. But its teaching him gently to be independent, and I think will pay off in the end when I hopefully have a great sleeping toddler.
At the least it works for us. Which is what matters. It might also work with the next one, it might not. It might work but take WAAAY longer to get to each new step. Who knows. But I will try everything again, with a better feel for what I like due to experience, until I find the blend that works for me at THAT time. That much I know.
See you tomorrow for Whats for Dinner Wednesday! I'm making rice pilaf and honey chicken. And I'm even going to do an extra this week so I have one to post while I'm in Boise!
And totally unrelated. Look how cute our Christmas picture is! Thanks to Kait! She is a photo taking wizard! Im mailing out Christmas cards today so watch out for them!
I'd be so lost without you guys!
And to reiterate something that has come up a few times since Sunday and I guess I haven't fully explained: It's not that I'm 100 percent against crying it out. I think it has its place. But these are my thoughts. The point of any sleep training method is to teach your baby to sleep. This isn't knowledge we are born with, and the transition from wakefulness to sleep must be learned. I fear that when you teach your baby how to sleep by leaving him to cry (or scream) himself out before he's ever learned how to sleep, you are teaching him that sleep is a scary state to go into and setting yourself up in the long run for a bad sleeper, nightmares, ect. Since the Ferberization of our country kids' night terrors, bed wetting, and even sleep problems in adults have skyrocketed. I worry its related. And my biggerproblem is that you're not really teaching your child how to sleep so much as that you are teaching him "We are not listening to you, this isn't working, you might as well give up." Crying is Zeke's only form of communication. I want him to know I am responsive to it.
Now when Ezekiel becomes older and knows about and recognizes sleeping, and has other ways of communicating with me so I know if it's something like an ear ache, and even more importantly can understand me when I say "no it's time for bed and I will be right outside your door in my room, but you need to sleep now." Well then I'll probably let him yell if I have to. Because I know that he is just being ornery and trying to get up in the middle of the night. And my son is ornery, believe me, I will let him yell many times and for many things in his life, I am sure. I already do for his tantrums. I am a huge fan of ignoring/not responding to bad behavior. But for right now he is only starting to be ready for it, and his night crying wasn't tantrum crying, but his baby cry, so I chose to respond like I did.
For the record I'm not a huge fan of bed-sharing either. I also think this has it's place with newborns and sick children and occasional bad nights, or even very high need kids. But I don't think its the best full-time situation for most children. Again, its just not teaching your child to get himself to sleep.
This has always been my problem. I have no extremist cult following to go along with. But I think, in reality most people don't. We all try a little of everything until we find a blend that is truly ours. I do the two steps forward, one step back method. Zeke was in my bed until we were both recovered from birth, a few weeks. Then he was in his Moses basket next to my bed for part of the night, them most of the night, then all. When he went down to 2 or 3 wakings/feedings I moved him into his own room, mostly even then because he was outgrowing his basket. In hindsight I think it was a bit early. But the point is this has all been a 2 steps forward, one step back deal. If he wasn't doing well that night or that week we went back to the old way for a while. And I always do the smallest amount of comforting necessary but at the same time as much as is necessary, ie if just whispering "your ok, Zekers, go back to sleep" puts him back out, that's all I do, next I try rubbing his back, then and only THEN will I pick him up. This sleep training method, if you want to call it that, means less sleep for me, probably. For now. But its teaching him gently to be independent, and I think will pay off in the end when I hopefully have a great sleeping toddler.
At the least it works for us. Which is what matters. It might also work with the next one, it might not. It might work but take WAAAY longer to get to each new step. Who knows. But I will try everything again, with a better feel for what I like due to experience, until I find the blend that works for me at THAT time. That much I know.
See you tomorrow for Whats for Dinner Wednesday! I'm making rice pilaf and honey chicken. And I'm even going to do an extra this week so I have one to post while I'm in Boise!
And totally unrelated. Look how cute our Christmas picture is! Thanks to Kait! She is a photo taking wizard! Im mailing out Christmas cards today so watch out for them!
Do you think the baby jesus slept through the night?
Josh says he didn't. But I like to imagine that he did. Sleeping through the night is a popular subject around here lately. Because guess who doesn't anymore? Zeke has developed major separation anxiety, or something like it. He wont abide being left alone. If he wakes up and he's alone he screams holy terror. So the last week or so, around midnight or 1 or if we've been really patient 3 am either Josh or I have moved to Zeke's floor and slept there. Its ridiculous. We don't even touch him, but as long as we are in there he falls fast asleep. If we aren't he wakes up over and over, getting more upset each time. This weekend we decided that this situation is NOT working. And since we still both firmly don't believe in letting our son scream in terror for a few hours every night for a week we did the only thing we could think to do, we moved his crib into our room. I feel defeated but also glad that I am the kind of parent that is responding to my child's needs and not necessarily what he is "supposed" to be doing. Zeke does things in his own time. And I know that raising kids is 2 steps forward, 1 step back. This is one step back.
Also on a step back? He doesn't eat anymore. Don't get me wrong, he nurses. He would nurse all day if I let him, just a drink here and a drink there and playing all the while. But solids? Meh, he's over that. So we offer in the morning and at night and shrug it off. I find the longer I am a parent, the more I shrug.
In other news, I'm starting another weekly segment, a verse of the week. See it up there in the top left? This is actually something I've done personally for, say, 2 years now. I'm supposed to be memorizing them. Yeah right. I am awful at memorization. I'll have it for 3 or 4 weeks and then, poof, its gone. But at least I try right? And now I'll share them with you. And for this week I'll get slightly Christmasy, just a little. "Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." Mary says it in Luke 1:38. I've always loved that line. You see, the angel Gabriel just told her that she was preggers, unmarried. She knew no one was going to believe she was a virgin, no one did. She knew she would be ostracized by everyone, she was. This wasn't really good news. But she just accepts. Because its what the Lord had planned. I never accept. I always fight. I want to be more like Mary.
And a picture, because you havent had one is so very long. Isnt Zeke such a big boy now in his new carseat?
And some baby giggles, because we could all use some sometimes.
Also on a step back? He doesn't eat anymore. Don't get me wrong, he nurses. He would nurse all day if I let him, just a drink here and a drink there and playing all the while. But solids? Meh, he's over that. So we offer in the morning and at night and shrug it off. I find the longer I am a parent, the more I shrug.
In other news, I'm starting another weekly segment, a verse of the week. See it up there in the top left? This is actually something I've done personally for, say, 2 years now. I'm supposed to be memorizing them. Yeah right. I am awful at memorization. I'll have it for 3 or 4 weeks and then, poof, its gone. But at least I try right? And now I'll share them with you. And for this week I'll get slightly Christmasy, just a little. "Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." Mary says it in Luke 1:38. I've always loved that line. You see, the angel Gabriel just told her that she was preggers, unmarried. She knew no one was going to believe she was a virgin, no one did. She knew she would be ostracized by everyone, she was. This wasn't really good news. But she just accepts. Because its what the Lord had planned. I never accept. I always fight. I want to be more like Mary.
And a picture, because you havent had one is so very long. Isnt Zeke such a big boy now in his new carseat?
And some baby giggles, because we could all use some sometimes.Im dreaming of a white Christmas...
...With every Christmas card I write.
So I'm sitting here, writing my Christmas letter, semi-freaking out that I haven't mailed them yet, listening to carols, sometimes singing along, wondering why Amber hasn't relieved my suffering and posted the sex of the twins yet, obsessively checking her in-vitro blog, wishing I hadn't eaten all of my fudge already, pretending to myself that its strange for me to eat that much fudge already, considering making more fudge tomorrow, getting up over and over again to take Zeke out of the bathroom...again... (he likes the heater vent, and doesn't realize there is at least one in every room), realizing I could just shut the bathroom door, doing just that, feeling ashamed that I didn't think of it sooner, thinking about what a noob I am, WHEN IT STARTS TO SNOW.
An aside: Yes, yes I WAS thinking all of that at once. Got a problem?
So yipee snow! Even I was starting to wonder where it all was this year. At least until I remembered last year. And then I didn't care again. But hey, now my Christmas pictures are going to be super cute. Like, at least 124% more cute then they would have been had it NOT snowed today. Because no, no I haven't taken our Christmas picture yet. Got a problem?
Also, just so you know, Zeke's new car seat came!!! So now I get to practice not nagging my husband until he installs it. Lol. Pray for me, I need it!
Also again, If you don't read my blog as obsessively as I write it, you'd better scroll down. Because yes, yes I have posted 3 days in a row. If you DO read as obsessively as I write...well....man...you might need to get a life. We all already know I don't have one. I decided to have a baby instead.
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an update: 2 girls!!! Congratulations Amber!
So I'm sitting here, writing my Christmas letter, semi-freaking out that I haven't mailed them yet, listening to carols, sometimes singing along, wondering why Amber hasn't relieved my suffering and posted the sex of the twins yet, obsessively checking her in-vitro blog, wishing I hadn't eaten all of my fudge already, pretending to myself that its strange for me to eat that much fudge already, considering making more fudge tomorrow, getting up over and over again to take Zeke out of the bathroom...again... (he likes the heater vent, and doesn't realize there is at least one in every room), realizing I could just shut the bathroom door, doing just that, feeling ashamed that I didn't think of it sooner, thinking about what a noob I am, WHEN IT STARTS TO SNOW.
An aside: Yes, yes I WAS thinking all of that at once. Got a problem?
So yipee snow! Even I was starting to wonder where it all was this year. At least until I remembered last year. And then I didn't care again. But hey, now my Christmas pictures are going to be super cute. Like, at least 124% more cute then they would have been had it NOT snowed today. Because no, no I haven't taken our Christmas picture yet. Got a problem?
Also, just so you know, Zeke's new car seat came!!! So now I get to practice not nagging my husband until he installs it. Lol. Pray for me, I need it!
Also again, If you don't read my blog as obsessively as I write it, you'd better scroll down. Because yes, yes I have posted 3 days in a row. If you DO read as obsessively as I write...well....man...you might need to get a life. We all already know I don't have one. I decided to have a baby instead.
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an update: 2 girls!!! Congratulations Amber!
Not Me....a one time thing
Many brave blogging souls post every Monday a "Not Me" segment, in which they list the things they most definitely "NEVER do". In a rash and unexpected fit of...lets call it honesty?....I will now admit for the first time ever my perfection. And its not even Monday.
I have NEVER nursed Zeke while going to the bathroom. Nope. Not me. Thats gross...and probably unsanitary.
And speaking of nursing, I have also NEVER EVER nursed him while I surfed the web because that is the only time he will ever sit still. And I really really don't do it every day. I'm totally not doing it right now. Because, you know, breast feeding is about bonding.
Another thing I've never ever done? I've never lost my baby under a couch. Or under a bed. Not me. I always know where my son is. I don't need muffled babbling to find him. Don't listen to Kait.
Another thing Kait will lie about? I've never melted a bottle nipple in my dish washer. I know to use one of those little plastic boxes. And if that did, you know, hypothetically speaking, happen once, I wouldn't run upstairs thinking my Christmas tree was on fire. I can smell the difference between plastic burning and pine burning. I didn't sniff the tree.
And I never, after hours and hours of my son babbling at THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS, not hearing a single solitary grown voice ALL DAY LONG, yell "BAAA BAAAA BAAAA BAAAA, HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?" I am an adult. I dont talk to a 5 month old like that.
I also bathe my baby every night. Even when House is on. And he totally gets dressed every day. Who do you think I am?
Now come on, tell me a few of YOUR finest Not Me moments.
I have NEVER nursed Zeke while going to the bathroom. Nope. Not me. Thats gross...and probably unsanitary.
And speaking of nursing, I have also NEVER EVER nursed him while I surfed the web because that is the only time he will ever sit still. And I really really don't do it every day. I'm totally not doing it right now. Because, you know, breast feeding is about bonding.
Another thing I've never ever done? I've never lost my baby under a couch. Or under a bed. Not me. I always know where my son is. I don't need muffled babbling to find him. Don't listen to Kait.
Another thing Kait will lie about? I've never melted a bottle nipple in my dish washer. I know to use one of those little plastic boxes. And if that did, you know, hypothetically speaking, happen once, I wouldn't run upstairs thinking my Christmas tree was on fire. I can smell the difference between plastic burning and pine burning. I didn't sniff the tree.
And I never, after hours and hours of my son babbling at THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS, not hearing a single solitary grown voice ALL DAY LONG, yell "BAAA BAAAA BAAAA BAAAA, HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?" I am an adult. I dont talk to a 5 month old like that.
I also bathe my baby every night. Even when House is on. And he totally gets dressed every day. Who do you think I am?
Now come on, tell me a few of YOUR finest Not Me moments.
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