- I will be guest-posting over at IN EVERY SEASON and I am SO excited! I'll let you all know when it's up. This blog mama is just lovely. Her little bean was born on our wedding anniversary...very cool!
- I'm also trying to create a button for my site and one that can be used for sponsoring. If any of you have super awesome graphic skillz I'd love some help! I'm almost done, but not entirely satisfied.
- B is looking for a 2nd job...please pray that whatever he finds works for us and our schedules.
- Logan talks all.the.time. In fact, last night I had an entire conversation with him on the phone. It was to die for! My heart melted ten times over...he's growing up!
- My desires to become a certified child birth instructor are still strong, however I believe I have found a better way to meet those needs before I can go back to nursing school so...I'm looking into becoming a DONA certified Doula...anyone have experience with a doula? Are you a doula? Let me know...I'm excited and nervous all at the same time! Eventually I hope to also become a Bradley Method instructor, but for now this seems like a better option. I'll be writing more over on my midwife 101 blog and will link up as I do.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
just a few things...
Monday, October 10, 2011
on correcting someone else's kid
Touchy subject, folks.
Every mother parents differently. Every choice one makes is based on her own personal experience, research, opinions, morals, and values. We are constantly judged for those decisions and most of the time those decisions fit into the mold of whatever society is leaning towards at the time. For example, vaccinating your child. This subject has only seemed to intensify since I was pregnant and deciding if I was going to get a swine flu vaccine. At the time, it was one of the hardest decisions I was making because not only would this be affecting me, but also my unborn son. Now, the right to waive vaccines has blown up and to some degree, is out of control. But this has nothing to do with vaccinating your child. That's a whole other post. ;)
I've been around several friends who have children and as we chat and supervise our kids there are certainly moments when things might get out of hand, like a disagreement over a toy or misuse of a toy (for those older siblings). My comfort level in correcting the child(ren) solely depends on my interpretation of how the other mother might feel if I said something to her child. In general, I have no issue redirecting a child away from a situation that is causing a problem. Redirecting is all I do with Logan. His world grows bigger and bigger every day as he learns a new motor skill (climbing) or verbal skills (mine! no!). B and me are on our toes with Logan as he runs circles around us. But when another child is around, what do you do?
I happen to have a wonderful relationship with a friend of three boys. When all four boys hang out, issues are bound to arise and I find my mommy instincts naturally kicking in. On the occasion that has happened I have instantly apologized for correcting her children and without hesitation she has given me permission to do so. In turn, she has permission to correct Logan. We both understand that in no way will our methods of correction include a physical consequence. But we raise our voices just a touch, change the tone, and the children listen. With other parents this is not as easy, but I am finding my way around that very fine line of when it's okay to correct someone else's child and when to keep my mouth shut.
Bethany Joy recently posted about correcting a total stranger's daughter on the street. You can read it here. In short, she scolds a tween throwing a fit in the street over something so silly her mother was hardly paying any attention. Then, once mom heard Joy correct her daughter she snapped at Joy. Being defensive is one thing, but not taking responsibility for your child's actions, no matter how old, is just inappropriate.
Logan's latest fit was at church. It was during a children's service, thankfully, but I don't tolerate his wanting his way in public very well. He either listens or we leave and at this age I know the expectation for listening is low so we left. He was unhappy in the nursery and wanted to wonder through the pews during the service so I had no other choice than to leave. (I mentioned a few posts back about whether or not to let him cry it out in the nursery and I'm not a fan-yet).
On occasion I have corrected that rowdy child in the waiting area who keeps tapping on the fish tank loudly proclaiming "Look at me fishy!" or the child who bolts so fast out our front doors that if he kept going he'd surely get run over by a car in the drop off lane. I'm constantly paying attention to how my own child affects others around him and it baffles me when other parents don't do the same. The child yelling at a fish was nearly stepping on an elderly woman and mom was deep into a magazine. The child who dashed down the hall and almost out the front doors tripped before I could stop him so in a way, his consequence was natural. Mom was several feet back, hardly paying attention. These kinds of situations I just can't ignore and if mom wants to get up in my face about it, so be it. Thankfully, that has not happened yet.
Now what do you do? Please share if you are the correcting type or do you let it go? Ignore the situation?
Every mother parents differently. Every choice one makes is based on her own personal experience, research, opinions, morals, and values. We are constantly judged for those decisions and most of the time those decisions fit into the mold of whatever society is leaning towards at the time. For example, vaccinating your child. This subject has only seemed to intensify since I was pregnant and deciding if I was going to get a swine flu vaccine. At the time, it was one of the hardest decisions I was making because not only would this be affecting me, but also my unborn son. Now, the right to waive vaccines has blown up and to some degree, is out of control. But this has nothing to do with vaccinating your child. That's a whole other post. ;)
I've been around several friends who have children and as we chat and supervise our kids there are certainly moments when things might get out of hand, like a disagreement over a toy or misuse of a toy (for those older siblings). My comfort level in correcting the child(ren) solely depends on my interpretation of how the other mother might feel if I said something to her child. In general, I have no issue redirecting a child away from a situation that is causing a problem. Redirecting is all I do with Logan. His world grows bigger and bigger every day as he learns a new motor skill (climbing) or verbal skills (mine! no!). B and me are on our toes with Logan as he runs circles around us. But when another child is around, what do you do?
I happen to have a wonderful relationship with a friend of three boys. When all four boys hang out, issues are bound to arise and I find my mommy instincts naturally kicking in. On the occasion that has happened I have instantly apologized for correcting her children and without hesitation she has given me permission to do so. In turn, she has permission to correct Logan. We both understand that in no way will our methods of correction include a physical consequence. But we raise our voices just a touch, change the tone, and the children listen. With other parents this is not as easy, but I am finding my way around that very fine line of when it's okay to correct someone else's child and when to keep my mouth shut.
Bethany Joy recently posted about correcting a total stranger's daughter on the street. You can read it here. In short, she scolds a tween throwing a fit in the street over something so silly her mother was hardly paying any attention. Then, once mom heard Joy correct her daughter she snapped at Joy. Being defensive is one thing, but not taking responsibility for your child's actions, no matter how old, is just inappropriate.
Logan's latest fit was at church. It was during a children's service, thankfully, but I don't tolerate his wanting his way in public very well. He either listens or we leave and at this age I know the expectation for listening is low so we left. He was unhappy in the nursery and wanted to wonder through the pews during the service so I had no other choice than to leave. (I mentioned a few posts back about whether or not to let him cry it out in the nursery and I'm not a fan-yet).
On occasion I have corrected that rowdy child in the waiting area who keeps tapping on the fish tank loudly proclaiming "Look at me fishy!" or the child who bolts so fast out our front doors that if he kept going he'd surely get run over by a car in the drop off lane. I'm constantly paying attention to how my own child affects others around him and it baffles me when other parents don't do the same. The child yelling at a fish was nearly stepping on an elderly woman and mom was deep into a magazine. The child who dashed down the hall and almost out the front doors tripped before I could stop him so in a way, his consequence was natural. Mom was several feet back, hardly paying attention. These kinds of situations I just can't ignore and if mom wants to get up in my face about it, so be it. Thankfully, that has not happened yet.
Now what do you do? Please share if you are the correcting type or do you let it go? Ignore the situation?
Sunday, October 9, 2011
i heart faces-hands
Check out all the other awesome hand photos below:
(For whatever reason, I cannot get the button of a direct link from the photo to route back to iheartfaces so please follow the link below the picture. THANKS!)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
linked up
Let's be honest, friends. I love my job but omigawd it gets slooooooow in the afternoons. I'm sleepy, have a headache from staring at the computer all day, and have heard the same 5 songs on the radio about 18 times now. So here is how I pass my time. Enjoy!
- The Wiegands: I literally just discovered this awesome mama blog thanks to Top Baby Blogs. The photos are awesome. Which is mostly why I'm linking up. She has two beautiful children. Need I say more?
- Short & Hat: These are my friends, yo. And this is their travel blog. They're crossing the country in their little white subi and uncovering all the local awesomeness of just about every little town they run into.
- Hello Giggles: I learned just today that this awesome site was co-created by Zoey Deschanel. I love her. And one of my most favorite bloggers Bethany Joy has been guest blogging over there for a few months now. So fun.
show us your life: pets
Check out all the other awesome pets over at Kelly's Korner.
I have always had a family pet in the home. I grew up with a cat and a dog. When that dog, Katie, died I set my little heart on becoming a vet. I was six years old and that cat was nearly 8...and lived until she was twenty! The last two years of her life she was in and out of kidney failure, a common death sentence for cats. I gave her sub q fluids in the neck twice a day and that kept her somewhat perky. I was 16 when she died and my desires to become a vet had faded away.
Since then, we have had one other family dog who died almost 6 years ago. After she died I went the longest I'd ever gone without a dog in our home. Nine months was all I could take.
After a summer away on the Jersey Shore and nearly a month after my birthday, the family headed to Boulder to pick up this little gem:
Butte was named after the hill near my parents house and honestly, we just loved it. She is a ball-o-fire. She looks like a Sheba Inu, acts like a shepherd, and loves like a lab. She feels no pain, we are certain. Unlike Tulo, if she sustains an injury you'd never know it. The girl insists on throwing the ball and running around no matter what. She's afraid of lightning, fireworks, and the vacuum.
Butte loves long walks, running, raw-hides, treats and loads of love. But more than anything she LOVES Logan. She was not a fan when he was an infant but now that he can throw a stick or ball for her, she smothers him all day long. While he naps she sleeps outside his door. Once he's awake she starts dancing around in circles and lick-attacks him. He loves her too. Just this morning he crawled into her kennel and just kicked back in her bed.
Butte has always been *my* dog, but she will forever be loved by my family since the first two years of her life we lived with my parents.
Now, you all know lots about Tulo. He's a greyhound and enjoys jumping out of windows and causing lots of damage to wallets and windows. I kid. I found Tulo on craigslist. B had been asking me about getting another dog, well before we were even engaged! I knew we'd get married and he had a soft spot for greyhounds. We were intending to adopt a rescue, but I just so happened upon an ad for a greyhound PUPPY!! Unheard of, really. I made a call and off we went. B was so surprised and turns out there were TEN puppies to choose from. B chose Tulo and named him after Troy Tulowitski, the short-stop rookie for the Rockies who'd just won the National League Championship.
Tulo wears his heart on his sleeve. He has the most expressive eyes and ears. You know just how he's feeling by looking at him. He hates getting wet/taking baths and going outside when it's cold (like 50* and he's a wimp). He loves car rides and running in fields with Butte. Hopefully he will back doing that very soon! He too loves Logan and did so from the first time they met.
We are a pet family. Sometimes it's really hard having pets, like when we want to go somewhere for the weekend we need to find someone to watch them or board them. They are SUPER expensive! In Tulo's lifetime, we've paid just as much for him, maybe even more, than we did to have Logan. Wow. Add that to all the yearly visits, shots, upkeep and dog food. They are just two furry family members and we would not want it any other way.
I have always had a family pet in the home. I grew up with a cat and a dog. When that dog, Katie, died I set my little heart on becoming a vet. I was six years old and that cat was nearly 8...and lived until she was twenty! The last two years of her life she was in and out of kidney failure, a common death sentence for cats. I gave her sub q fluids in the neck twice a day and that kept her somewhat perky. I was 16 when she died and my desires to become a vet had faded away.
Since then, we have had one other family dog who died almost 6 years ago. After she died I went the longest I'd ever gone without a dog in our home. Nine months was all I could take.
After a summer away on the Jersey Shore and nearly a month after my birthday, the family headed to Boulder to pick up this little gem:
Butte was named after the hill near my parents house and honestly, we just loved it. She is a ball-o-fire. She looks like a Sheba Inu, acts like a shepherd, and loves like a lab. She feels no pain, we are certain. Unlike Tulo, if she sustains an injury you'd never know it. The girl insists on throwing the ball and running around no matter what. She's afraid of lightning, fireworks, and the vacuum.
Butte loves long walks, running, raw-hides, treats and loads of love. But more than anything she LOVES Logan. She was not a fan when he was an infant but now that he can throw a stick or ball for her, she smothers him all day long. While he naps she sleeps outside his door. Once he's awake she starts dancing around in circles and lick-attacks him. He loves her too. Just this morning he crawled into her kennel and just kicked back in her bed.
Butte has always been *my* dog, but she will forever be loved by my family since the first two years of her life we lived with my parents.
Now, you all know lots about Tulo. He's a greyhound and enjoys jumping out of windows and causing lots of damage to wallets and windows. I kid. I found Tulo on craigslist. B had been asking me about getting another dog, well before we were even engaged! I knew we'd get married and he had a soft spot for greyhounds. We were intending to adopt a rescue, but I just so happened upon an ad for a greyhound PUPPY!! Unheard of, really. I made a call and off we went. B was so surprised and turns out there were TEN puppies to choose from. B chose Tulo and named him after Troy Tulowitski, the short-stop rookie for the Rockies who'd just won the National League Championship.
Tulo wears his heart on his sleeve. He has the most expressive eyes and ears. You know just how he's feeling by looking at him. He hates getting wet/taking baths and going outside when it's cold (like 50* and he's a wimp). He loves car rides and running in fields with Butte. Hopefully he will back doing that very soon! He too loves Logan and did so from the first time they met.
We are a pet family. Sometimes it's really hard having pets, like when we want to go somewhere for the weekend we need to find someone to watch them or board them. They are SUPER expensive! In Tulo's lifetime, we've paid just as much for him, maybe even more, than we did to have Logan. Wow. Add that to all the yearly visits, shots, upkeep and dog food. They are just two furry family members and we would not want it any other way.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Stats
Here's what we gots going on:
In other news:
- My appointment yesterday with the gastroenterologist was great, aside from the 45 minute wait to see her. Seriously, 30 minutes in the waiting room and 15 to see her. Not only was I in pain, but hungry and anxious to get to work early.
- She has a number of diagnosis she wants to check out including celiac, crohns and irritable bowel disease (NOT IBS)...all to be determined (or ruled out) by a lovely upper endoscopy AND colo..fun.
- B came with me to the apt and kept me company. I love that man.
- I weigh 122.4. Mkay people THIS IS NOT GOOD! I can't remember the last time I saw that on a scale. I'm thinking just before or right after starting college and I sure as heck know B has never seen me this thin. I asked him if I look hallow and he said no, so that's good I guess.
- I'm losing weight for a number of reasons: it hurts to eat so I don't, even when I'm hungry and I have a wicked-fast metabolism so match that with when I actually do eat, not much is being absorbed in a healthy way.
- A lot of my clothes hang on me now in an awkward, baggy fashion and that makes me sad.
In other news:
- Logan was the reason why we left church early on Sunday. This could be a whole post on its own but honestly I just could not bear to hear him scream for me as I walked away and left him in the nursery. Sundays are "our" days. B works so we get to do whatever we want and I certainly don't want him sad and crying for me. I wish we could have stayed longer, but clearly the Lord intended for us to instead go play with Amy and take a long nap (four hours people!).
- Semi-house hunting...we're keeping our eyes out. We LOVE the house we currently rent. Really, we do. But we know how quickly July is going to be here and how long the home-buying process can take. At the same time, we also know how fast things can go so we're treading lightly on the subject. We have a new realtor and I skim over new listings every few days. We've only seen 1 place and it was no good (right next to an apt complex...nothankyou).
- Work has been great. I still enjoy a varied schedule. I keep checking for Labor and Delivery tech positions but the turn around here is super low, which is awesome, but that just means it will be even harder for me to get a job over there. Still, I try.
- Logan's favorite words are "no" and "mine". He even taught a friend how to say mine. I can't help but smile only because when he says it, the kid has the deepest voice!! It's to die for so all I can do is say "yes, that is yours".
- Shows I'm loving right now are Parenthood, Revenge (still unsure, but like the appeal), Grey's, Private Practice, and someday soon One Tree Hill will premier. I've moved from being a CW girl to an ABC girl. I checked out Heart of Dixi...not a fan.
- B has been painting a lot more and I love watching him create new fun pieces.
- I have an awesome photo ready for the i heart faces contest next week..can't wait to share it!
- Have a wonderful Hump Day.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
I'm staring at the curser here trying to come up with a suitable title and I just can't seem to come up with one. Tuesday, I see the gastroentinologist regarding my on-going stomach issues. I wish I could say it's become better and less frequent but that's not true. The pains seem to come and go. I can go 3-5 days without any episodes, as I call it, and start feeling as if whatever is effecting me is subsiding and resolving. Then something sets me off. The pains return. The cramping increases and just the thought of eating hurts. In fact, I become so hungry the pains increase and I just "give-in".
After nearly two months of thinking more consciously about what I'm eating and if there's an ingredient in it that might upset my stomach, there seems to be no clear answers. Not any one thing makes it all go away. Avoiding something like whey, which is in just about everything (processed, restaurants, chips, etc), is hard enough and I can tell that it helps, but it's not the solution.
Now that I work in a hospital I feel like I am aware of more than I should be. I see so many things happen to people every day, good or bad, and the outcomes are uncertain. Just yesterday a mama was rushed for an emergency c-section and nearly bled out. The doctor had to do a total hysterectomy to save her life and stop the bleeding. Baby was fine and after some blood transfusions and lots of rest, mom should be fine too. All this to say I feel so aware of what will most likely happen on Tuesday. I'll see the doctor and tell her all about my history, the pains, diet, etc and then she'll check me out and order more tests. More blood work, maybe an ultrasound, endoscopy and the dreaded colonoscopy. UGH!! I'm nervous. Only because I've never been referred to a specialist for anything and the relief of finding some answers is certainly encouraging, but to go through all this and maybe not get any answers would be just as frustrating. I don't know if I will have all or any of those procedures, but chatting about it certainly has not gotten me anywhere. I'm certain the anticipation of all this may be worse than actually going through with it.
After nearly two months of thinking more consciously about what I'm eating and if there's an ingredient in it that might upset my stomach, there seems to be no clear answers. Not any one thing makes it all go away. Avoiding something like whey, which is in just about everything (processed, restaurants, chips, etc), is hard enough and I can tell that it helps, but it's not the solution.
Now that I work in a hospital I feel like I am aware of more than I should be. I see so many things happen to people every day, good or bad, and the outcomes are uncertain. Just yesterday a mama was rushed for an emergency c-section and nearly bled out. The doctor had to do a total hysterectomy to save her life and stop the bleeding. Baby was fine and after some blood transfusions and lots of rest, mom should be fine too. All this to say I feel so aware of what will most likely happen on Tuesday. I'll see the doctor and tell her all about my history, the pains, diet, etc and then she'll check me out and order more tests. More blood work, maybe an ultrasound, endoscopy and the dreaded colonoscopy. UGH!! I'm nervous. Only because I've never been referred to a specialist for anything and the relief of finding some answers is certainly encouraging, but to go through all this and maybe not get any answers would be just as frustrating. I don't know if I will have all or any of those procedures, but chatting about it certainly has not gotten me anywhere. I'm certain the anticipation of all this may be worse than actually going through with it.
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