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Friday, December 11, 2009

Does anyone read this?

Every once in a while I think I should write more often. Or upload pictures of the kids. Or be more interesting.

But does anyone read this?

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Lysol

We acquired quite the cold on our way home from Florida. Ivy's been super sick. Then I got sick. And now Jamey's fighting it off. Jeremy warded it off with a whole day of sleeping. We all in various stages of wellness, but I think we're on the mend. I hope this is over by Christmas. In an effort to kill the bug, I've washed all the bedding. Of course, 14 seconds after I made Ivy's bed, she crawled up there and peed everywhere. What's one more load of laundry? I have sprayed every single surface in our house with Lysol, and even attacked the cars with the spray. We are drinking EmergenC like it's yummy Kool-Aid, alternating with OJ. Here's to hoping we're over this soon!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I'm bored today. And a lot lately. I try to get out of the house more frequently. But it's already too cold for the park, or walks, or bike rides. And they cry when I leave them at the Y. We like to go swimming, but I joined so I could work out. I'm really frustrated with my weight. I stalled in august, and then at the beginning of Nov, I gained 9 pounds back in 2 days. I'm sick of being fat, and I'm bored. Maybe it's time for a change.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Not Doing Things "Right"

I joined the Y last week. And I like taking the kids to swim or "play with friends" in the afternoons. I like quiet mornings to do baths, breakfast, chores, AM nap. All the parenting info I read says that kids should be active right away in the morning. Why? I don't know. To help balance out their huge pool of energy. To get the day off to a good start. To keep them eating well. It's like the church advocating doing devotions in the morning before your day starts so you can focus on Christ all day. Or fitness gurus telling you to get up and run first thing in the morning.

I hate exercising in the morning. I can't focus on reading while the kitchen floor is filthy. And I hate rushing in the morning to get the kids to the pool. So I don't do life in the order that the experts tell me to, but it's great this way. I can go to a fitness class at 4:15 when I've hit the wall and am ready for Daddy to come home. Jamey isn't awake long enough in the morning to justify going out. We get long stretches in the afternoons and evenings to do activities. I'm picking up a devo book to do at dinner or bedtime, because it's the only time we're all home.

This is one time I'm telling the experts to shove it. Our life works great like this, and I love it.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Bored Blogging

It's like drunk dialing.

I have nothing interesting to say. There's nothing more to read or do or look at on the internet. Jeremy is playing some racing game, and I'm tired of watching movies. I'm even all House-d out. The kids are sleeping. I should be stitching. But here I sit with my glass of milk and a cookie and my computer.

Jamey bites. All the time. I have started cringing when he's nursing because I know sooner or later those little razor blade teeth are going to try to cut my nipple right off. And now I think he's using biting as a cue that he's done. When he bites, I take it out of his mouth. Has he learned that that's what he should do? If he keeps biting I don't know if I'll continue much beyond one year. I'd quit now if I didn't have to buy formula. Except I'll miss it. I wish Ivy still nursed. I love all that sweet cuddle time. So I'll keep it up for a few more months and see where we're at.

I should be going in for a face-to-face interview for a contract position this week. It'd just be working on short projects here and there, but the extra money would be nice. I wonder how to charge: hourly or by project?

I'm starting to think about Christmas shopping. A challenge to that is that we have six family birthdays in October and November. But I have some shopping done already, and ideas for a few other gifts.

I have LOADS of ideas for the kids and Jeremy. Now I need an unlimited supply of money so I don't have to pick. :)

Off to find something for Ezra's birthday.

Busy days here

Jamey had surgery the other day and is healing well. He's still taking tylenol and motrin off and on, but he's handling it well.

We're waiting until the end of the week, to hopefully get the quarterly bonus, so we can book our trip to Florida.

Otherwise, there's not a whole lot going on except normal things. Going to play group at the Parenting Oasis, making cookies, playing, coloring, watching House, and wishing for snow.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

what's going on?

You know a tv show is good if you can start Facebooking and blogging while you watch. :) The Biggest Loser could be a radio show.

We're keeping ourselves busy these days. The Arks came over the other day. Ivy loves Maia! And those twins are so adorable. And we've visited Baby Sonny who is also growing and growing.

We are looking at joining the new YMCA in Prior Lake. We went swimming during the open house over the weekend. Now we have a three-day pass. I dropped the kids off at the kids place and got in 70 minutes on the treadmill and elliptical machine before I got called down there. Jamey was pretty sad, and Ivy needed a new tushie. I was thrilled to get that time alone! I'm going to try to get to a class tomorrow and then take the kiddos swimming.

Jamey pulled up to standing the other day ... twice. And he's gotten from lying on the floor to sitting. Just a couple times. Oh! And he's getting up on his hands and knees all the time and rocking. I think he'll be crawling by Thanksgiving.

Speaking of which, we are going to Miami for a week or so. I'm so excited to see the Stones and watch the kids play together.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Big Girl Bed

We have taken the crib down, and Ivy has her own bed now. The queen that used to be in our room. Jeremy's pretty excited about a big bed in there, because he usually ends up going in with her during the night. Ivy slept in a twin at my mom's house every night last week and was very excited about it.

Going to Grandma's

On Wednesday morning, Ivy kept asking, "I want Noah. I want Ezra." When we were getting ready to leave for playgroup, I asked her if she wanted to go play with friends. She said, "No, I want Rilla." After a couple phone calls, we drove up to Osakis instead of to the Parenting Oasis.

We didn't do much up there. Marilla and I got pedicures and watched "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Auntie Jenny flew in from PA on Saturday, so we all had dinner over at Stu's. Hailey and Kylie were there for Ivy to play with. I didn't see her at all the three hours we were there. They had a great time. She came upstairs covered in band aids.

Our little adventure was a quick trip to the ER. Ivy bit off and stuck a pencil eraser up her nose. The dr. felt it and then when he looked couldn't find it, so he figured Ivy swallowed it.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Rough week for me

This has been a rough week for me. It's not the activities or chores or anything that's going on. I'm just having a rough time reacting and planning. I'm out of whack this week. Well, Monday was great. It started Monday night with a cruddy swim. Since then, I just can't get my head on straight. The usual tricks aren't working: coffee, reading, a little tv time, computer, a walk, a bike ride, a long shower. I need a Reset button.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Sleep issues resolved

It wasn't anything we did or didn't do. Jamey just started sleeping again. He naps about 3 hours in the morning. Another 90 minutes in the afternoon. And about 9 hours at night.

If it was developmental, he's getting up on his hands and knees quite a bit. He can scoot on his tummy all over the place.

Whatever it was, I'm glad we're passed it. I love sleep.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Quiet mornings

I love slow days. We woke up and cuddled in bed a while. Read some books and rocked while Jamey practices hands and knees. Ate some eggs and toast. Jamey loved his couple bites. I got to talk to my sister for 45 whole uninterrupted minutes while Jamey naps and Ivy watched a movie. Now she's washing the dishes. He's still napping. I'm having my third cup of coffee. Maybe a run this afternoon. It's peaceful here today.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Friday, September 11, 2009

Am I cut out for this?

The last month has been really hard. Enough to make me wonder if I'm cut out to be a mom. Waking up three or four times a night with both kids kills me. I don't get enough sleep and there's no chance to rest during the day. I'm tired physically and emotionally. I want to get away, and I feel like a bad mom for thinking that way.

I have pretty memories of life before kids and wish we could go back.

I miss going out. I miss going for evening walks. I miss sleeping in. And scrap booking. I miss having time to work out. I'm too tired and worn out to care if I eat right.

I feel mopey and full of self-pity tonight.

I asked for more info on a tech writing contract. Maybe I need to get out of the house for a while. To preserve my sanity.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

A mini vacation

I am leaving tomorrow with the kids to spend the rest of the week at my parents' house. It's great to go up there anytime but especially when I'm on the verge of crazy. Ivy adores the kids, and my mom dotes on both the babies. I'll get to walk alone, maybe get my hair done, have lunch with a friend, and just plain have lots of help for days.

There are days I wish we lived down the street from my mom. We've looked at houses up there, but there's no work for Jeremy. If we ever have a million dollars, maybe we'll buy something up there so it's easier to stay longer or more frequently. Although maybe their remodeling project will add a Solt Suite.

I'd really like a vacation--a cruise--with the kids (and a nanny) but I think that has to wait until we start printing our own money.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Rest? Who needs it?

Here it is "midnight 30" and I'm up with Jamey who still isn't sleeping that well.

We thought it was teething and gave him motrin.
We thought he was hungry and gave him cereal and fruit.
We thought he needed more milk and I nursed more often.
We thought the food was giving him gut rot and we quit the food and I nursed even more.
We thought it was habit and let him cry.

No matter what we do or try, this boy wakes up every three hours. I'm going crazy and am getting a bit weary.

Friday, September 4, 2009

YouTube

we'll see if I can do this. I've uploaded a few videos to YouTube that I took with the phone. And we have a couple others out there. I'd like to get a link to our videos on our website, but that's a Jeremy task. Hmm.

Nope, can't do it. Our movies are too big. Well, here's the YouTube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc-k450W5Oc

The Great Minnesota Get Together

We spent yesterday at the State Fair, and it was great! I love the fair.

We started the morning with several cups of chocolate milk and a cone of Sweet Martha's cookies. Then off to the Fine Arts, Creative Activities, 4-H, Eco-Experience, and Horticulture buildings. A friend has a photograph in the Fine Arts building. Then we strolled up to Machinery Hill to check out the Harley dealership and scope out a couple vehicles. Why doesn't anyone make a hybrid car for a family?

Ivy enjoyed the Miracle of Birth Center, the horses, rodeo, and more chocolate milk. She did not like the roosters, which were very loud. She made it through the little farm chores and earned a box of cheerios.

We topped off the fun day with a short Storyhill concert with the Harriger Girls and Andrew.

Good good times! Next year we might brave the Kidway.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Home school?

I'm going to have to start a Pros & Cons list to make any sort of decision about home schooling. Good thing we have years to decide.

If you have a great chart or something to address decision making, send it my way.

Facebook

I'm totally addicted to Facebook. I have it on the phone, so it's super easy to check it. I check status updates about 37 times a day. I wish everyone updated more often. Somedays Facebook is my only adult interaction.

And I don't like Twitter. Except for zoo news.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Sleeping ... or not

I love this new blog theme. Fun and pretty. And I'm updating from the phone, which makes my little heart sing. I'm trying to get away with never getting on an actual computer again.

This reminds me of a story. A while ago, Jeremy and I were watching the History Channel. I was interested in looking something up online but not enough to get up. Jeremy said, if only we had a portable computing device." To which I replied, "my phone is upstairs." he looked at me like I was crazy. My laptop was on the floor next to the couch.

Anyway, Jamey slept great last night, but is being a little stinker again tonight. Ugh! It's been a long month of weird sleep for both kiddos. I don't think it's teeth because motrin isn't really helping. Now I'm wondering if he's legitimately hungry. I'm making a few feeding changes and we'll see if that helps.

In potty news, ivy has gone on the potty chair a few more times. It's all very exciting.

Our last bitof super exciting news is that Jamey is big enough for and likes the burley. We've been out biking everyday. I love it!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I did it!

Ivy was downstairs watching a show while I was upstairs giving Jamey some food. She yelled up to me, "I did it!" I ran down to see what she did. She was carrying the insert to the potty chair up to me. She had peed on her own!!!

losing my cool

After two years of parenting, I lost it today for the first time. We've been trying to potty train off and on. Ivy's been sick for a few days, puking and pooping everywhere. She's whiny and clingy. She won't go to bed well. She cries at naps (if she takes one), screams her head off at bedtime, but is cranky and ack to be around. I hollered at her for peeing on the floor. Full blown yell.  At first, I didn't even feel bad. It felt great. I was frustrated and really annoyed. Now that it's been an hour or so, I know that it would've been better to take myself on a little break to the deck for a Happy Gilmore moment. I did manage to calm down, get Jamey down for a nap, give Ivy a bath, and rock her peacefully.

And not that potty training isn't going okay. She peed in the potty chair twice this morning. She was diaperless and told me, "poopy." I put her on the chair, and she peed. The second time, she said, "potty" and sat down on her own and peed. She's doing great!

I think I need to blog more often as a kind of talk therapy.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Miracles do happen

I have added new pictures to the Solt Gallery. I'm not going to add pictures from things that happened months ago, but I had some cute potty training pics and a few fun ones from swimming lessons. Maybe I'll try to update the gallery when I write the News.

Now if only I could get our video edited. :)

Monday, January 19, 2009

Potty Training pt 1

Ivy knows when she has to go to the bathroom and the other night told us. As we rushed her naked butt to a diaper, she peed on the floor and was UNHAPPY about it. That little episode preceded this morning's attempt to potty train. And my desire to not have two in diapers. I almost would rather wipe a little pee off the floor than change another diaper. I haven't had to clean up poop off the floor yet, but I'm sure that would change my mind about not diapering her. Anyway, I am not in the mood to potty train. She drank two cups of milk this morning and cried if I even got her close to the potty chair. She loved the M&Ms that were around to tempt her into peeing on the potty. The last straw was when she squatted down in the kitchen and peed on the floor. Thankfully, she was still pretty upset about it, pulled a towel off the stove and tried to wipe it up. She is a cutie pie!! However, a diaper went straight on that adorable tushie, and Mommy is going to eat the rest of the M&Ms during nap time. I think I'll let my mom handle the potty training when Jamey's born. :)

Monday, January 12, 2009

The gallery

I haven't updated our gallery in ages and ages. I know I need to. I also need to get our video edited and posted. Oh, and I'm trying to finish a stitching project before Jamey's born. And Jeremy & I just volunteered to create a website for my dad, who is expanding his business.

I'm 34 weeks along now and only have a few left. 3-6. It's coming so quickly! I'm getting very excited to hold a new baby again.