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Starting her scavenger hunt - RED!          |
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
fun learning {St. Patrick's Day}
Well week two didn't go as well planned as the first week did, but we made it through. This week was certainly more fun than anything and I'm not sure how much she really picked up from it. I tried to focus on the color green, rainbows, and shamrocks. Eh - can't win them all, but we had fun. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
food fun
Hi, March. Where did you come from? Onward and upward...
For a while now I've been wanting to make sure Miss H was getting some good learnable moments in during her days at home with me. I love that I can spend all this time with her and I want to make the most of it still having a lot of fun. After scouring the interwebbings, a lot of people hold "tot school" in their homes and use various methods of structuring learning for their little ones. It was OVERWHELMING, to say the least. So much in fact that what started out as some simple ideas quickly got all mushed up in my head and I felt completely lost. I had to step back and decide what my goal was, what I really thought was important for her and what would be enjoyable.
So we are in our first week of"tot school", no not school but I haven't figured out what to call it yet. I decided that I would pick a theme or focus for a week or two at a time and structure some play around that theme. Not all her play, and certainly not hours a day. Who has the patience for that? Not me and certainly not my (tear, sniff, sniff) 21 month old now. Nor am I interested in homeschooling. She's a toddler, she plays and should have as much fun as humanly possible before she spends the next 18+ years of her life in school. I also know that they are sponges and learn new things every day by just observing us as adults and going through life. So maybe this whole thing is just to entertain me so things aren't the same everyday? And maybe I think it'd be fun to have new activites for H that will keep her attention for more time than the average sneeze.
This week: Nurtrition/Healthy Foods
On Monday we had to do our usual grocery shopping trip so I made sure to do the usual and point out and talk to her about the foods at the store and what we were putting in the cart. She is mimicing a lot and will repeat pretty much anything you ask her to. Currently her favorite things to visit at the store are the Mangoes (I'm sure its because she thinks theres a chance I'll bust one open right there and then for her...she's still waiting for that day. She loves them.) And of course the live lobster tank. What kid doesn't like that? Later in the afternoon after naptime I let her play in a sensory bin filled with beans...
On Tuesday we played with learning to cut fruit and had some coloring fun. The beans made a reappearance too right before nap because she was insistant on playing with them again. Fine with me! $3.00 bag of pinto beans and entertained for 30 mins or so...DONE!
We also went to the library today and picked up a card finally. We found two books food themed and I'm sure will read them 1,000 times before next week. This Saturday hopefully we can make it out to our favorite Farmers Market and check out the food there to round out the week. Hope you are all having fun!
For a while now I've been wanting to make sure Miss H was getting some good learnable moments in during her days at home with me. I love that I can spend all this time with her and I want to make the most of it still having a lot of fun. After scouring the interwebbings, a lot of people hold "tot school" in their homes and use various methods of structuring learning for their little ones. It was OVERWHELMING, to say the least. So much in fact that what started out as some simple ideas quickly got all mushed up in my head and I felt completely lost. I had to step back and decide what my goal was, what I really thought was important for her and what would be enjoyable.
So we are in our first week of
This week: Nurtrition/Healthy Foods
On Monday we had to do our usual grocery shopping trip so I made sure to do the usual and point out and talk to her about the foods at the store and what we were putting in the cart. She is mimicing a lot and will repeat pretty much anything you ask her to. Currently her favorite things to visit at the store are the Mangoes (I'm sure its because she thinks theres a chance I'll bust one open right there and then for her...she's still waiting for that day. She loves them.) And of course the live lobster tank. What kid doesn't like that? Later in the afternoon after naptime I let her play in a sensory bin filled with beans...
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Digging in the beans for buried plastic fruit and veggies   |
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This knife is part of a kids cutlery set I recently found at IKEA. Not sharp but slighly serrated. It came with forks, knives, and spoons about a hundred of each (not really) for $2.00 I think. Score.     |
Monday, January 16, 2012
the BIG reveal
We are HERE! 18 weeks and 1 day. More importantly the day we find out who I'm really carrying in this belly of mine. Enough with calling him or her "baby" or the dreaded "it". Today was the day and we cooked up a fun plan to involve our entire little family in finding out...
I had seen or heard of an idea of revealing the gender with a box full of pink or blue balloons and I knew I loved it! First the boring part, I found a huge box and got it all ready. Then off to the ultrasound it was this morning, armed with a card and envelope for the tech to write boy or girl in. I don't think I was even laying down on the table before I said we don't want you to tell us here, you have to write it in the card, and I'm not going to look at the screen. I'm sure I sounded like a crazy woman but she cheerfully agreed to help us out :)
Let me tell you how hard it was to not tear into that envelope when we left like some hungry honeybadger. We made it to a local park where our dear friend Christine and her daughter, Logan, (H's BFF) were waiting. I eagerly handed over the envelope and box and off she went to get the balloons. Soon she was back and all three of us were ready to find out...
What a FUN and exciting way to find out another sweet baby girl will be joining our crazy bunch! Watch out Daddy, the girls are taking over :)
I had seen or heard of an idea of revealing the gender with a box full of pink or blue balloons and I knew I loved it! First the boring part, I found a huge box and got it all ready. Then off to the ultrasound it was this morning, armed with a card and envelope for the tech to write boy or girl in. I don't think I was even laying down on the table before I said we don't want you to tell us here, you have to write it in the card, and I'm not going to look at the screen. I'm sure I sounded like a crazy woman but she cheerfully agreed to help us out :)
Let me tell you how hard it was to not tear into that envelope when we left like some hungry honeybadger. We made it to a local park where our dear friend Christine and her daughter, Logan, (H's BFF) were waiting. I eagerly handed over the envelope and box and off she went to get the balloons. Soon she was back and all three of us were ready to find out...
What a FUN and exciting way to find out another sweet baby girl will be joining our crazy bunch! Watch out Daddy, the girls are taking over :)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
18 months
Even though I've been saying that the divine Miss H is 18 months old for a couple months now, she really is! Sunday, December 4th to be exact. Anyone else find yourself tripping over saying the age of your child when strangers ask?! I don't want to be that mom that says, "She's 43 months old". That irks me. So when asked I panic for a split second thinking should I answer a year and a half or 18 months. These are big problems people. Real world stuff we are dealing with here!
I'll keep it short because I'm writing on borrowed time. It is the VERY end of naptime and let's see who wins this race...
Stats:
21lbs 2oz. (15%)
31 inches tall (25-50%)
18 1/2 inch head (50-75%)
She's spunky, hilarious, dramatic, and keeps us on our toes. She's a climber and will attempt pretty much anything at least once. Has mastered both the spoon and fork for eating with and sometimes boycotts meals until she has her utensils. She understands way too much for her own good and surprises us daily with what she can do if asked. And now for some pictures from the last few months:
I'll keep it short because I'm writing on borrowed time. It is the VERY end of naptime and let's see who wins this race...
Stats:
21lbs 2oz. (15%)
31 inches tall (25-50%)
18 1/2 inch head (50-75%)
She's spunky, hilarious, dramatic, and keeps us on our toes. She's a climber and will attempt pretty much anything at least once. Has mastered both the spoon and fork for eating with and sometimes boycotts meals until she has her utensils. She understands way too much for her own good and surprises us daily with what she can do if asked. And now for some pictures from the last few months:
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| "Melmo" and Daddy trick-or-treating |
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| H and her Aunt Lisa at COSI (Children's Science Museum) in Columbus. There is a picture just like this with me holding HER daughter (my niece) from at least a decade and half ago! |
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| Being a ham at COSI. She doesn't know what these "vintage" appliances are |
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| In Ohio hanging out with cousins Sammie and Jamie |
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| Happy Thanksgiving! |
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| She played with Moses, my sister's dachshund, the WHOLE time |
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| The game: Throw the duck toy, giggle, and run like hell! Repeat. |
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
surprise that wasn't or was it?
Remember how I said I had things to update and that I was actually going to do it (before yet another 5 years went by...)? I'm a big, fat liar. So now you know!
But lucky you, today is the day! I realize that excitement can only be faked for so long - don't worry, I know! OK onward and upward. I mentioned in the last post that there was a surprise that well wasn't/didn't happen and I'm finally over it enough to share. Ha!
Back story: The Hubs hasn't been home for his or my birthdays besides once or twice in the last decade. This is not an exaggeration - true story. Every year he is out of town doing "Arrrrmmmyy training, Siiirr!" (anyone, anyone??) So this year he was turning the BIG 3-0! Whew! I had the brilliant idea to throw him a surprise party a month in advance. That'd get him, he'd never suspect a thing. I sent out an evite to friends and family weeks in advance, even his Mom, Grandma and Aunt he hasn't seen in 20 years were coming into town. He knew they were coming but had no clue they would also be here for a blow out surprise party! I pulled it off! Everyone was set, there were some small hiccups with working that weekend but it seemed to work in our favor. Food was planned, decorations were hiding in the wings...
Then, the Hubs decided it was a good time to get hit with one hell of a stomach virus. THE day all of this family was flying in from Ohio, Michigan and Arizona. It was ok, we had 3 or 4 days until the party and all would be ok. Was I concerned at all still when I had to take him to the ER the night BEFORE the party until 2AM for I.V. fluids due to severe dehydration. Nah! Wasn't going to stop me. He was miraculously going to heal overnight, go into work the next day and we would all yell SURPRISE when he came home. Perfect!
All went "as planned" with hubs begrudgingly dragging his poor body out of bed late in the afternoon and scooting out the door to work, and off we went! Dragging out balloons and taping pictures to walls, we were moving at ludicrous speed! Until 15 minutes later as I'm standing on a chair in my dining room and I hear my Mother- in- law behind me say, "He's home!" Say what? I turn around with a balloon in my hand and there is his, with a "what in the world are you doing" look on his face. Weeks, people!! Weeks of prep and secrecy and he walked right back in the door before anyone was here or ready to say surprise. Anyone who knows me, knows this is typical and why I never attempt things like this, it never works. I've learned that lesson loud and clear this time!
All in all, he was surprised and felt really bad for being sick and "ruining" the surprise. People were already on their way and I had pounds of chili already made so hubs sat on the couch while everyone else partied around him :) All was not lost though. He got some great gifts, especially from me, but I'm biased...
That's right folks! Baby #2 is on the way!! Surprise :) Our two kiddos will be almost exactly two years apart just like we wanted with this baby due around June 16th! (H's bday is June 4th). I am right at 11 weeks and some change and thankfully almost done with this first trimester. I suppose I do have a bit of an excuse for not updating much lately as I have been sicker than a dog with this baby. Much worse than I was with Miss H. Put it this way, I hit a major milestone two nights ago...I ate an entire dinner, at the table, with my family, at dinnertime. It was huge, if that gives you any indication...
Here are some of the most recent pictures we have of Baby B just taken today!
Until next time! Here's where I make an empty promise that it will be soon but we all know that's probably not true ;)
But lucky you, today is the day! I realize that excitement can only be faked for so long - don't worry, I know! OK onward and upward. I mentioned in the last post that there was a surprise that well wasn't/didn't happen and I'm finally over it enough to share. Ha!
Back story: The Hubs hasn't been home for his or my birthdays besides once or twice in the last decade. This is not an exaggeration - true story. Every year he is out of town doing "Arrrrmmmyy training, Siiirr!" (anyone, anyone??) So this year he was turning the BIG 3-0! Whew! I had the brilliant idea to throw him a surprise party a month in advance. That'd get him, he'd never suspect a thing. I sent out an evite to friends and family weeks in advance, even his Mom, Grandma and Aunt he hasn't seen in 20 years were coming into town. He knew they were coming but had no clue they would also be here for a blow out surprise party! I pulled it off! Everyone was set, there were some small hiccups with working that weekend but it seemed to work in our favor. Food was planned, decorations were hiding in the wings...
Then, the Hubs decided it was a good time to get hit with one hell of a stomach virus. THE day all of this family was flying in from Ohio, Michigan and Arizona. It was ok, we had 3 or 4 days until the party and all would be ok. Was I concerned at all still when I had to take him to the ER the night BEFORE the party until 2AM for I.V. fluids due to severe dehydration. Nah! Wasn't going to stop me. He was miraculously going to heal overnight, go into work the next day and we would all yell SURPRISE when he came home. Perfect!
All went "as planned" with hubs begrudgingly dragging his poor body out of bed late in the afternoon and scooting out the door to work, and off we went! Dragging out balloons and taping pictures to walls, we were moving at ludicrous speed! Until 15 minutes later as I'm standing on a chair in my dining room and I hear my Mother- in- law behind me say, "He's home!" Say what? I turn around with a balloon in my hand and there is his, with a "what in the world are you doing" look on his face. Weeks, people!! Weeks of prep and secrecy and he walked right back in the door before anyone was here or ready to say surprise. Anyone who knows me, knows this is typical and why I never attempt things like this, it never works. I've learned that lesson loud and clear this time!
All in all, he was surprised and felt really bad for being sick and "ruining" the surprise. People were already on their way and I had pounds of chili already made so hubs sat on the couch while everyone else partied around him :) All was not lost though. He got some great gifts, especially from me, but I'm biased...
Here are some of the most recent pictures we have of Baby B just taken today!
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| and just for fun, here is the "wall of hubs" I created for his party that wasn't. It is made up entirely of pictures of him from baby pictures to more recent ones :) |
Until next time! Here's where I make an empty promise that it will be soon but we all know that's probably not true ;)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
It's October?
Why didn't you tell me? Wasn't it just July? For that matter, wasn't it just LAST October?! But I had an inkling something was up. Central Texas finally dropped into the 90's and we all ran outside our houses and did dances. Then most recently (as in the last week or so) we have seen temperatures that can only be discribed as arctic in comparison to our brutal summer. Eighty degree temps and even some upper 70's! For all my northern family, I know, I know...but when 108 becomes a norm, 70's and 80's feel incredible!
So, being that its October - and I know this because my calendar tells me so, AND the fact that our local pumpkin patch is brimming full of bright orange pumpkins- to the patch we went recently! So far we have visited twice - have I mentioned we will do just about anything outside these days and there are limited options super close to the house.
Trip one was with H's BFF, Lo. Trip two was also with our BFF's and the seester and Mr Max. Enjoy!
And then, pumpkin patch take two...
There is much, much more to catch up on. Including a surprise that almost wasn't, well not almost, it just wasn't. Started that way but didn't end up that way. Trips, activities, and more. I will get caught up, if it kills me!
So, being that its October - and I know this because my calendar tells me so, AND the fact that our local pumpkin patch is brimming full of bright orange pumpkins- to the patch we went recently! So far we have visited twice - have I mentioned we will do just about anything outside these days and there are limited options super close to the house.
Trip one was with H's BFF, Lo. Trip two was also with our BFF's and the seester and Mr Max. Enjoy!
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| There's that devlish grin |
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| Having a little sit in the pumpkins. It was just a year ago I had to prop her up in there strategically! |
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| Oooo! |
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| Anyone think these girls have watched their Momma's shop before? Yikes! |
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| "I found the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! I mean, Mom!" |
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| Strollin' |
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| Ta-da! (Honestly, un-prompted! She's just a ham!) |
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| The Max! |
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| Bwahahaha |
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| Cousins! Wouldn't know unless I told ya, would you? |
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| Official |
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| Look how crazy, Aunt Bird! |
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| Patiently waiting for the train to go by... |
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| It's here, Daddy!! (Note: big, loud, passenger size train, Amtrak like train a mere 100 yards from her. She LOVES it! Crazy) |
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| Max and his Momma (the seester) |
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| Handsome boy |
There is much, much more to catch up on. Including a surprise that almost wasn't, well not almost, it just wasn't. Started that way but didn't end up that way. Trips, activities, and more. I will get caught up, if it kills me!
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