If only I had the gumption to stay up and watch SNL these days. Ha. Gumption. I just wanted to use that word today. (And please say you know that Weekend News Update is on Saturday Night Live and that my world makes sense. Thank you.)
So, the bad little blogger I've been lately. Tsk, tsk. I always have lots of good blogger materials in my head, but well they just never materialize on here. Oh I'm full of it today.
Backtrack with me, okay? Today, Kian and I went to Grant's dedication at Paul & Elissa's church. Kevin was working. We need to have Kian dedicated (it's the other churches version of Christening or Baptism) but since we only recently decided on a church to attend, and being so sick, haven't really been...yeah hasn't happened. I figured we'll do both babies together next year or something? It was nice, simple but poignant. (Can I use another big word today?) We went home to meet Kevin before joining Paul, Elissa, Grant and extended family for lunch. Kevin suggested we take his blazer. He then decided to be a showoff and drive over the huge snowdrifts that had blown into the driveway. And...promptly got stuck. No shoveling, putting wood under the tires, rocking it this way and that, nothing was going to unstick it. (Unstick? did i really just say that?) So, we left it, took my car and then had to have his dad pull it out with his big truck. Way to go Kevin. (insert eye roll here)
Friday, Jon joined us for a nice fish fry at the Galley restaurant. It's right on the canal in Spencerport, which is great in the warmer months. But, they have a neat upstairs area, which is usually pretty unoccupied and private, away from the bar. It's decorated in all things nautical. They also had a huge screen of a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert on, Kian was very fascinated with it.
The rest of the work week was pretty uneventful. Except for the day I got blocked in by three rows of cars in the parking lot and missed a client's meeting at a school. Yeah, that was great. Parking stinks royally at work. But, they recently made an agreement with the lot so that we have free parking, instead of CFC paying us a stipend and then us paying the lot. Problem is, they don't man it well, it's never plowed and people make up their own spots. So I was in the middle of a square of 9 cars, like tic tac toe, but how to get out? I had to have the receptionist page the car, wait for the person to come move a car, and by then the meeting was almost over. Stupid people. They're my favorite.
I've had an ultrasound and a few blood draws so far, and have my first official prenatal appointment monday afternoon. And thus it begins.
Let me tell you, I wasn't quite prepared for this. I (stupidly) thought that the second time around would be easier on me, on my body. No such luck. I was actually feeling sicker all day long, whereas with Kian I was really sick in the morning but then it tapered off. Finally, my doctor told me to take B6 tablets. Thank God for B6 tablets. It's really helped. I feel kind of yucky in the morning still but it's not an all day thing and if I have some ginger tea and toast slowly when I first wake up it seems to curb it.
But, the exhaustion? Still there, just as bad as last time. No, worse. Worse probably because I have to get myself and Kian ready in the morning while feeling crappy, then run after him all night. Yeah, fun times. Kevin has been great about helping, well with Kian at least haha. The house is a total mess. But, Kevin has been changing poopy diapers (the smells make me gag, all smells make me gag at this point!) helping with dinner, doing laundry, etc. And not complaining when I nap with Kian. I know it will get better soon and I'll feel more energetic shortly. But, man! I didn't count on that.
I survived solely on chicken and the occasional beef for years, but that love affair has come to an end abruptly with food aversions. Go figure, the one thing that makes me gag and I cannot even be in the same room with? Chicken. Well, if it's greasy, deep fried chicken wings I can hack it. But, my beloved chicken breast? Just typing it is making me gag and swallow back that oncoming expulsion of this morning's toast... lovely picture huh? With Kian it was ground beef, and especially taco beef. The smell made me drop to my knees. It's odd the things your body does to you. Like an out of body experience for sure.
Let's move on to my one big complaint: Winter. Snow. Wind. Cold, no freezing temperatures. Seriously? I know I live in NY. But, man oh man! I'm so sick and tired of eye-popping RG&E bills, living in layers, chapped lips and cheeks, going through wiper fluid like nobody's business. March? April? Are you there? Please hurry to Rochester. We'd love it oh so much. Thank you. Hoping the rest of you are enjoying milder temps throughout the country and staying warmer than me.
Up to the minute news
We've been busy, in more ways than one. *snicker* So, I decided it was time for a new blog name and look. What do you think so far?
Last week Kian and I stayed home most of the week because he was sick and I was not feeling so well. He had a nasty cough and then a runny nose and fever. Apparently, so did the rest of his class. Thanks daycare. It was nice to just spend time at home with him, not having to go anywhere or do anything.
I know the cause of my ill-feeling and quickly remedied it with some B6 tablets. Still queasy in the mornings, but so much better than before. Queasy? Why you ask?
Oh man, are you sure about this?
Save me daddy!
#2 due to arrive around 9/10/09. Wish us luck!
Last week Kian and I stayed home most of the week because he was sick and I was not feeling so well. He had a nasty cough and then a runny nose and fever. Apparently, so did the rest of his class. Thanks daycare. It was nice to just spend time at home with him, not having to go anywhere or do anything.
I know the cause of my ill-feeling and quickly remedied it with some B6 tablets. Still queasy in the mornings, but so much better than before. Queasy? Why you ask?
Wait, what mom?
Hmmm, let me think about that...
Hmmm, let me think about that...
Oh man, are you sure about this?
Save me daddy!
#2 due to arrive around 9/10/09. Wish us luck!
local populus
well how about in the city of Rochester, NY (not the suburbs) that blacks and whites are about equal in number.
The racial makeup was 48.30% White,
38.55% African American,
0.47% Native American,
2.25% Asian,
0.05% Pacific Islander,
6.58% from other races, and
3.81% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.75% of the population.
Ancestries include:
German (10.9%),
Italian (10.0%),
Irish (9.6%),
English (5.8%), and
Polish (2.7%).
The racial makeup was 48.30% White,
38.55% African American,
0.47% Native American,
2.25% Asian,
0.05% Pacific Islander,
6.58% from other races, and
3.81% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.75% of the population.
Ancestries include:
German (10.9%),
Italian (10.0%),
Irish (9.6%),
English (5.8%), and
Polish (2.7%).
My one and only political post
I was home (semi) sick with Kian who had been up all night with a nasty cough. I watched parts of the ceremony, and since it was on from 9-5 it was hard to miss. Overall, I have mixed feelings about this whole thing. Some things I think are great and am inspired to see are: 1. America has elected a young(er) man for presidency for the first time in quite awhile and 2. a "minority" has been elected president.
I shy away from talking about much political things because no matter where you are or who you are with it always becomes a very heated debate. There are so many shades of gray, from one end of the spectrum to the other, in terms of beliefs, parties, etc. I wasn't thrilled with either Obama or McCain, completely. In the end, I had to vote for the one I could live with myself voting for during the next 4 years. I admire McCain but feel that Palin, while a wonderful woman, wouldn't be able to hold up the country should something happen. Maybe I'm out of the political scene, but I had never even heard Obama's name until campaign season. He just seemed like a nobody, reminded me of a used car salesman at times, good-looking, smooth-talking, something to sell. So, all in all, for me, this election was rather tedious, despite the hype.
I love how if anyone makes a comment that isn't 100% on board with Obama they are automatically a "hater". The outcome has been determined and my stance is that I am somewhat apprehensive, but if he can practice what he preaches, if he can put his "money" where his mouth is and create positive change, then that is awesome. I see some good things coming for the economy overall in the next few years. But, I also fear some things. I fear that some things will be made to benefit certain populations of people rather than America people as a whole. Personally, as a more conservative person watching marriages across the country lose their meaning, abortion rates through the roof...it's a little disheartening, as this is what some call positive change.
So, I stand in the middle and don't throw stones, but take the wait and see approach. I prefer action over words.
I shy away from talking about much political things because no matter where you are or who you are with it always becomes a very heated debate. There are so many shades of gray, from one end of the spectrum to the other, in terms of beliefs, parties, etc. I wasn't thrilled with either Obama or McCain, completely. In the end, I had to vote for the one I could live with myself voting for during the next 4 years. I admire McCain but feel that Palin, while a wonderful woman, wouldn't be able to hold up the country should something happen. Maybe I'm out of the political scene, but I had never even heard Obama's name until campaign season. He just seemed like a nobody, reminded me of a used car salesman at times, good-looking, smooth-talking, something to sell. So, all in all, for me, this election was rather tedious, despite the hype.
I love how if anyone makes a comment that isn't 100% on board with Obama they are automatically a "hater". The outcome has been determined and my stance is that I am somewhat apprehensive, but if he can practice what he preaches, if he can put his "money" where his mouth is and create positive change, then that is awesome. I see some good things coming for the economy overall in the next few years. But, I also fear some things. I fear that some things will be made to benefit certain populations of people rather than America people as a whole. Personally, as a more conservative person watching marriages across the country lose their meaning, abortion rates through the roof...it's a little disheartening, as this is what some call positive change.
So, I stand in the middle and don't throw stones, but take the wait and see approach. I prefer action over words.
Bad Blogger
Well, it's no wonder I have no reading audience. I don't post very often and it's not very interesting. I had a horrible migraine from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon and was pretty much out of commission. I sat on the couch all Sunday and watched three long movies while Kevin and Kian played. It was nice actually, I haven't done that in years. I finally got out of my pajamas and into the shower around 2 pm. =) Guess that's why I don't have much to write about.
We just got some junk food for dinner on Saturday and got a few groceries. Sunday we didn't leave the house or do anything at all. Today, I had the day off and stayed home and played with Kian all day. I felt much better. We made an appointment to get a keyless entry/remote starter combo on the van. Kevin was trying to surprise me and get it done but he needed my car and needed me to be available with the car, etc. So, that will be my Valentine's day present I say. Good enough! I will enjoy not having to open only one door with the key then unlocking the rest before I can get Kian in the car. They were booked until 2/16. So, I have to wait a few weeks, but that's okay.
Unfortunately, I have a long day at work tomorrow. But, I get to go watch HOUSE tonight! I'll think of some better stuff to blog about this week! I promise!
We just got some junk food for dinner on Saturday and got a few groceries. Sunday we didn't leave the house or do anything at all. Today, I had the day off and stayed home and played with Kian all day. I felt much better. We made an appointment to get a keyless entry/remote starter combo on the van. Kevin was trying to surprise me and get it done but he needed my car and needed me to be available with the car, etc. So, that will be my Valentine's day present I say. Good enough! I will enjoy not having to open only one door with the key then unlocking the rest before I can get Kian in the car. They were booked until 2/16. So, I have to wait a few weeks, but that's okay.
Unfortunately, I have a long day at work tomorrow. But, I get to go watch HOUSE tonight! I'll think of some better stuff to blog about this week! I promise!
Random pictures
How we spend our Januaries (that spelling just doesn't look right)
Sudsy baths
Chomping celery stalks (he's so my child)
Watching sunrise on glittery snow
Dressing up cats...
okay, well that was Elissa, but Ace seemed to love it. Too bad he's neutered hehe.
Why?
Why did I let everyone else convince me that cutting this:
these gorgeous curls,
was a good idea?
Who let me near those scissors? And let it look like this?
Who let me near those scissors? And let it look like this?
From this moment on, I vow not to cut this baby's beautiful hair until his 2nd birthday.
Okay, maybe that's an extreme. But, each time I "trim" his hair it ends up being way more than that; I get so upset and wish I had just left it alone. I fall prey to the comments and short hair-lovers, peer pressure sets in and next thing you know, I'm chopping at it. Then I feel sick looking at those curls in the basket. Never again! The boy's got gorgeous hair, and I should just leave it. Unless I wet it and put some curl cream in it, when it's that short, it just looks like helmet head.
And as you can see, he loves Connect Four. He and Kevin play a "game" by taking turns with the colors. Kevin lets him win I think, but Kian could be that smart. It also entertains him for a good half hour by himself. He puts them all in, pushes the slide mechanism on the bottom to let them drop out, locks it back in place and puts them in all over again. I just like that it works his fine motor and cognitive skills. =) Happy Monday!
PS. We've been talking about getting a wood pellet or coal stove instead of this crappy wood stove. Any experience or thoughts?
A Scary Situation
See, I knew I wouldn't be able to just relax and do nothing this weekend! Last night Kevin and I were so exhausted we went to bed around 9:30. (I know, we're so boring.) We had a fire burning in the wood stove and hadn't put any wood on it since 7ish. We always push in the flue or damper thingy (I am so technical and knowledgeable about wood stoves, it's scary!) and let it burn out overnight. Usually, there isn't a problem. Except last night...
I went to the bathroom around 2 am, and fell right back to sleep. Next thing I know, Kevin's poking me saying "that thing is going off". I hear some beeping from downstairs. I'm still pretty much asleep and said "so go check it". He went downstairs and found it was the carbon monoxide detector going off. Sometimes it goes off because it needs a new battery. But, this kept going off, exactly how the label said it would if we needed to get out of the house. So, he opens some windows. I bring the detector upstairs in the kitchen. It takes a minute then begins to go off up there also. We bring it up to the bedrooms, it takes a couple minutes and then starts going off up there. At this time we realize this is for real and we need to get out and call the fire department.
He opens up windows, we throw clothes on while he calls 911. I lock the cats in the bathroom with the window wide open, even though it is only about 3 degrees out. I gather up Kian in his blankets, and bring him to the porch. The porch was an addition and has no vents to the house, so we all go out there, close the doors and open windows out there. We run back in grabbing coats and hats and a diaper bag. Luckily, the fire chief lives, literally, around the block, behind our house. He was there in about 2-3 minutes from our call. He and Kevin went in opening all the windows. His crew arrived a couple minutes later with their meters. They definitely found lots of CO. The dangerous level that the alarm will go off at is 35. The kitchen was 37, and the family room (where the alarm is) was over 100!! And this was after windows had been opened for a several minutes! We also noticed the wood stove had an odd smell, not the typical wood burning smell.
The firemen emptied out the woodstove and opened all the flues and dampers to outside. The RG&E guy came to check out the water heater and furnace. No CO was coming from the water heater or furnace, which was a good thing. The highest numbers were from the wood stove. By this time it was about 4:30 am, over an hour after we had been alerted by the life-saving alarm. The numbers were now down in the 20's and teens up in the kitchen. They suggested we leave every window open, turn the furnace down to 55, and encouraged that Kian and I really not be in the house for awhile until it clears out. He and I are most susceptible and "damage-able" right now. They said that cats would be fine with the window open. Since none of us had any symptoms-no headaches, nausea or vomiting, they didn't think we needed to be checked out.
This is when it's great to have in-laws live only a few miles away. Kevin grabbed his work bag and we went right over. Kevin's dad was getting ready for work anyways. Kian was wide awake this entire time, enthralled with the firemen and loving the truck. He did settle down in bed with us at Kevin's parents and both boys fell right to sleep. I did not however. It was quite the experience, and had me thoroughly exhausted, but yet unable to sleep just yet. In one way, I am glad it wasn't the smoke alarm and that there wasn't a fire spreading through the house. Fire would have left so much damage and loss. But, on the other hand, if we had ignored that alarm or it had malfunctioned, we would have no warning and, well I can't think about that right now. I thank God that we woke up immediately and that our alarm was working properly, that we did not have any ill-affects from this. It truly was Him that we are all safe and okay right now.
So, Kevin went to work from his parents' house while Kian and I stayed there. Kian, of course, woke up at his usual 7:30 am, even after missing 2+ hours of sleep. I ran back home around 8:30 to close the windows and turn the furnace up and let the house warm up, and to feed the fish and cats. Then Kian and I stayed at the in-laws until Kevin was done with work at lunchtime and came to pick us up. This worked out well for me, who was so exhausted, to have Kian running around playing with grandma and let me sit around. hehe. She also let me run to Wegmans with her car and leave him there so when we got home we could just pick up the house and take a nap.
All we have to do is not use the wood stove until we have someone come clean it and check it out to see what the problem is, what the cause was. It could be the extremely cold temps causing smoke and CO back in the house, or a blockage, or some other random thing. It just means I have to have a blanket on me instead, but I am okay with that. I'd rather be cold and have my life!
I went to the bathroom around 2 am, and fell right back to sleep. Next thing I know, Kevin's poking me saying "that thing is going off". I hear some beeping from downstairs. I'm still pretty much asleep and said "so go check it". He went downstairs and found it was the carbon monoxide detector going off. Sometimes it goes off because it needs a new battery. But, this kept going off, exactly how the label said it would if we needed to get out of the house. So, he opens some windows. I bring the detector upstairs in the kitchen. It takes a minute then begins to go off up there also. We bring it up to the bedrooms, it takes a couple minutes and then starts going off up there. At this time we realize this is for real and we need to get out and call the fire department.
He opens up windows, we throw clothes on while he calls 911. I lock the cats in the bathroom with the window wide open, even though it is only about 3 degrees out. I gather up Kian in his blankets, and bring him to the porch. The porch was an addition and has no vents to the house, so we all go out there, close the doors and open windows out there. We run back in grabbing coats and hats and a diaper bag. Luckily, the fire chief lives, literally, around the block, behind our house. He was there in about 2-3 minutes from our call. He and Kevin went in opening all the windows. His crew arrived a couple minutes later with their meters. They definitely found lots of CO. The dangerous level that the alarm will go off at is 35. The kitchen was 37, and the family room (where the alarm is) was over 100!! And this was after windows had been opened for a several minutes! We also noticed the wood stove had an odd smell, not the typical wood burning smell.
The firemen emptied out the woodstove and opened all the flues and dampers to outside. The RG&E guy came to check out the water heater and furnace. No CO was coming from the water heater or furnace, which was a good thing. The highest numbers were from the wood stove. By this time it was about 4:30 am, over an hour after we had been alerted by the life-saving alarm. The numbers were now down in the 20's and teens up in the kitchen. They suggested we leave every window open, turn the furnace down to 55, and encouraged that Kian and I really not be in the house for awhile until it clears out. He and I are most susceptible and "damage-able" right now. They said that cats would be fine with the window open. Since none of us had any symptoms-no headaches, nausea or vomiting, they didn't think we needed to be checked out.
This is when it's great to have in-laws live only a few miles away. Kevin grabbed his work bag and we went right over. Kevin's dad was getting ready for work anyways. Kian was wide awake this entire time, enthralled with the firemen and loving the truck. He did settle down in bed with us at Kevin's parents and both boys fell right to sleep. I did not however. It was quite the experience, and had me thoroughly exhausted, but yet unable to sleep just yet. In one way, I am glad it wasn't the smoke alarm and that there wasn't a fire spreading through the house. Fire would have left so much damage and loss. But, on the other hand, if we had ignored that alarm or it had malfunctioned, we would have no warning and, well I can't think about that right now. I thank God that we woke up immediately and that our alarm was working properly, that we did not have any ill-affects from this. It truly was Him that we are all safe and okay right now.
So, Kevin went to work from his parents' house while Kian and I stayed there. Kian, of course, woke up at his usual 7:30 am, even after missing 2+ hours of sleep. I ran back home around 8:30 to close the windows and turn the furnace up and let the house warm up, and to feed the fish and cats. Then Kian and I stayed at the in-laws until Kevin was done with work at lunchtime and came to pick us up. This worked out well for me, who was so exhausted, to have Kian running around playing with grandma and let me sit around. hehe. She also let me run to Wegmans with her car and leave him there so when we got home we could just pick up the house and take a nap.
All we have to do is not use the wood stove until we have someone come clean it and check it out to see what the problem is, what the cause was. It could be the extremely cold temps causing smoke and CO back in the house, or a blockage, or some other random thing. It just means I have to have a blanket on me instead, but I am okay with that. I'd rather be cold and have my life!
TGIF
Seriously, thank you God it is finally Friday! After all that vacation, it has been one loooooooong week. I've just been exhausted every day, like barely keep my eyes open, exhausted. We were lucky enough to sleep in some days and hang out in pajamas for a bit and then do whatever we wanted to do. Now, we're back to the routine and there's no room for error or I am really late. Okay, I am always a few minutes late.
It doesn't help that this week has been freezing cold and snowing, and dark. It just makes me want to curl up by the wood stove with a blanket and a movie. It also doesn't help that my job has had drastic changes recently. The county is handing down a bunch of crazy changes that have us all scrambling, making our heads spin with the ridiculous amount of work we now have to do. Mostly to cover their butts, as usual. My brain just can't hold all this information anymore. Something's got to give...
So, this weekend I plan on doing a lot of nothing! A lot of relaxing with Kevin, a lot of playing with Kian and probably a lot of eating. =)
It doesn't help that this week has been freezing cold and snowing, and dark. It just makes me want to curl up by the wood stove with a blanket and a movie. It also doesn't help that my job has had drastic changes recently. The county is handing down a bunch of crazy changes that have us all scrambling, making our heads spin with the ridiculous amount of work we now have to do. Mostly to cover their butts, as usual. My brain just can't hold all this information anymore. Something's got to give...
So, this weekend I plan on doing a lot of nothing! A lot of relaxing with Kevin, a lot of playing with Kian and probably a lot of eating. =)
Night-time nuisance
I took Kian to his 18 month check up on December 23rd. They said he was smart, verbal, happy and healthy. He's 25 1/2 pounds and 34 inches. No problems whatsoever. The pediatrician went on about how soon we'll need to start time out and that Kian will probably start testing us and having some behavior issues. I was like "yeah yeah whatever" in my head because A. I work in child development and I know this stuff and B. my child is so happy and agreeable and, well, easy.
Thank you doctor. You jinxed my child. I swear it was like the next day Kian started in on things. Now, I know that there were lots of holiday outings and his routine was totally off and he was tired a lot, etc. But, he wasn't crabby or cranky. No, his problem right now is he is slapping everything. It's not done to be malicious. Usually it involves the cats, they take the brunt of it. I don't think he understands he's hitting them and it's hard and hurts. He sometimes is playing with Kevin and walks up and slaps him, in the face, arm, wherever. He's smiling and happy when he does it. He never hits, kicks or bites us when he's angry or upset-he just throws himself on the floor and cries. To that I can walk away and ignore. But, I'm in a catch-22 with the slapping. I don't want to react to in in ways that make him want to do it more, for my reaction to him, a vicious cycle. He's a little young for time out yet. I've tried putting him in a chair for 30 seconds to start so he gets the idea, but it's not happening yet. Sometimes ignoring it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've been telling him "no hit, that hurts" then we say sorry to daddy or the kitty and give them a hug. I know it's going to be ongoing.
Another issue that is bigger on my list right now is bedtime. I do bedtime 98% of the time. Mostly because when Kian was an infant I'd just nurse him, read him a story and put him to bed. I have a routine, which I have gone through with Kevin and he follows. The problem is that Kian only wants me to do the bedtime routine. Lately, he cries and screams and flips out if I don't come up there and sit with him for a few minutes. Sometimes I can get away with kissing him downstairs after reading him a few books and Kevin will take him up for teeth brushing and then into bed.
I don't know how to get him to not flip out when Kevin puts him to bed. We've done the routine together several times. But, he still cries if Kevin sits in the chair and reads the books while I sit nearby. And I still have to hold him for a few minutes before he goes in the crib. I think it's a phase right now, as he also begs for Kevin all day but the second Kevin walks in the door he says 'no' and hides from him. Ugh! Sometimes I'm just so tired I would love him to go to bed with Kevin peacefully. My other thought is to have Kevin and Kian go out alone, together. Kevin picks Kian up sometimes from daycare and is home with him for a few hours before I get home and everything is fine. But, I'm thinking I should have them go out, whether to the store, for a special treat, playground, something so that he thinks being with Kevin is a huge, fun deal. We'll see...
Any thoughts? Who does the bedtime routine in your house? And how to stop the slapping??
Thank you doctor. You jinxed my child. I swear it was like the next day Kian started in on things. Now, I know that there were lots of holiday outings and his routine was totally off and he was tired a lot, etc. But, he wasn't crabby or cranky. No, his problem right now is he is slapping everything. It's not done to be malicious. Usually it involves the cats, they take the brunt of it. I don't think he understands he's hitting them and it's hard and hurts. He sometimes is playing with Kevin and walks up and slaps him, in the face, arm, wherever. He's smiling and happy when he does it. He never hits, kicks or bites us when he's angry or upset-he just throws himself on the floor and cries. To that I can walk away and ignore. But, I'm in a catch-22 with the slapping. I don't want to react to in in ways that make him want to do it more, for my reaction to him, a vicious cycle. He's a little young for time out yet. I've tried putting him in a chair for 30 seconds to start so he gets the idea, but it's not happening yet. Sometimes ignoring it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've been telling him "no hit, that hurts" then we say sorry to daddy or the kitty and give them a hug. I know it's going to be ongoing.
Another issue that is bigger on my list right now is bedtime. I do bedtime 98% of the time. Mostly because when Kian was an infant I'd just nurse him, read him a story and put him to bed. I have a routine, which I have gone through with Kevin and he follows. The problem is that Kian only wants me to do the bedtime routine. Lately, he cries and screams and flips out if I don't come up there and sit with him for a few minutes. Sometimes I can get away with kissing him downstairs after reading him a few books and Kevin will take him up for teeth brushing and then into bed.
I don't know how to get him to not flip out when Kevin puts him to bed. We've done the routine together several times. But, he still cries if Kevin sits in the chair and reads the books while I sit nearby. And I still have to hold him for a few minutes before he goes in the crib. I think it's a phase right now, as he also begs for Kevin all day but the second Kevin walks in the door he says 'no' and hides from him. Ugh! Sometimes I'm just so tired I would love him to go to bed with Kevin peacefully. My other thought is to have Kevin and Kian go out alone, together. Kevin picks Kian up sometimes from daycare and is home with him for a few hours before I get home and everything is fine. But, I'm thinking I should have them go out, whether to the store, for a special treat, playground, something so that he thinks being with Kevin is a huge, fun deal. We'll see...
Any thoughts? Who does the bedtime routine in your house? And how to stop the slapping??
New Year, New Look?
I think I need something done to this blog. It lacks pizzazz, well and interesting topics and posts, but that is besides the point. I'm debating about changing the name also. I mean, yes it's about me and Kevin and Kian and our initials are all KG, but *yawn* it was cute for a minute. I'd love to have Rachel do a header for me, but at the moment funds are tied up and I can't justify that. Maybe sometime, like for my birthday I can tell Kevin that's what I want =D
In the meantime I will continue with me mediocre, self-made headers and continue to think of a better blog name. Any ideas?
In the meantime I will continue with me mediocre, self-made headers and continue to think of a better blog name. Any ideas?
A Look Back At 2008
Have a seat as I walk you through 2008 briefly...
January: Not much to report this month, as we barely made it up to see the ball drop. I was still blissfully home daily with Kian and cooking up a storm.
February: Kian started crawling. Things got interesting around the house. More cleaning and more safety measures ensue. We host a small Superbowl party and Kenny's birthday dinner back to back.
March: I get the wake up call that I need to go back to work. My former co-workers and boss beg me to come back. I agree. We start the daycare search, with dread.
April: I start back to work on the 7th to what is supposedly half-day week, but is not. Kian goes to daycare for the first time and survives.
May: We prime and paint white over the wood walls in our family room and paint the rest of the room gray. It takes a full week. I plant a garden, smaller than years before, but still good. Kian loves outdoors. I celebrate my first official Mother's Day and birthday all in one by making a big brunch at my house for my mom. Hmm...
June: We take Kian to Seabreeze for my employee picnic on his birthday, with Jon of course. We celebrate Kian's 1st birthday with immediate family and friends. He hasn't got this walking thing down yet, but can sign and say a few words. Kian's first cousin Grant is born to Paul & Elissa. We celebrate Kevin's first Father's Day, by going to the campground for fishing and a picnic.
July: Kian loves the fireworks displays we take him to. We go camping with Patrick and Savannah at Gravel Ponds. Kian can make several animal sounds and has quite a few words.
August: Kian starts walking (finally!) more cleaning up after the child and more safety measures installed. We go camping at Alleghany State Park with my family and enjoy our short vacation. Courtesy of Jon we get to take Kian to the zoo for the first time. He loves seeing all the animals, and we're thrilled with our membership.
September: Our busiest month: We have enough of Kian's daycare and make the switch to Pearce 4 Kids, Kian adjusts well and loves it. My mother-in-law begins watching Kian on Mondays, great for our checking account! Kevin celebrates his 28th birthday. Kevin and I celebrate our 5th anniversary by taking a trip to Toronto and watching the Yankees lose horribly. We stay in China town and laugh at the silly signs while Kian stays home with Aunt NeeNee, the first time alone overnight without us! Kian falls backwards on the driveway and requires a Saturday visit to the pediatrician to clean out the cut on the back of his head and make sure it doesn't require stitches-it doesn't. This walking thing takes a toll on all of us! We also attend the Roberts Wesleyan reunion and parade-nice to see those friends from 5 years ago-5 years already?! The pediatrician doesn't believe me that my child has at least 40+ words. hehe.
October: Kian runs into a corner at daycare and requires an after-hours doctor visit to glue his deep gash together on his forehead. We begin to understand that having a little boy means lots of blood, bruises, and dirt. We stock up our first aid kit. Kian is a scarecrow (homemade) for Halloween. We hide from the trick-or-treaters by going to Wegmans and watching movies in the dark afterwards.
November: Kian votes-so he thinks (and still has the sticker on his car seat to prove it). Kian begins talking in 2 word sentences. We enjoy our two Thanksgivings, start Christmas shopping and November flies by. Jon secures our Strong Museum membership for the year-woo hoo!
December: Kian loves Christmas this year and gets 4 of them! Winter weather finally (?) hits NY and we get dumped on a few times. I have to drive through a blizzard for 2 hours to get home. We take Kian to the Museum and he can't get enough, luckily we get to go again and again... We ring in the New Year with a few friends, quietly.
And then... I'll tell The Rest of the Story! Just like Paul Harvey...
January: Not much to report this month, as we barely made it up to see the ball drop. I was still blissfully home daily with Kian and cooking up a storm.
February: Kian started crawling. Things got interesting around the house. More cleaning and more safety measures ensue. We host a small Superbowl party and Kenny's birthday dinner back to back.
March: I get the wake up call that I need to go back to work. My former co-workers and boss beg me to come back. I agree. We start the daycare search, with dread.
April: I start back to work on the 7th to what is supposedly half-day week, but is not. Kian goes to daycare for the first time and survives.
May: We prime and paint white over the wood walls in our family room and paint the rest of the room gray. It takes a full week. I plant a garden, smaller than years before, but still good. Kian loves outdoors. I celebrate my first official Mother's Day and birthday all in one by making a big brunch at my house for my mom. Hmm...
June: We take Kian to Seabreeze for my employee picnic on his birthday, with Jon of course. We celebrate Kian's 1st birthday with immediate family and friends. He hasn't got this walking thing down yet, but can sign and say a few words. Kian's first cousin Grant is born to Paul & Elissa. We celebrate Kevin's first Father's Day, by going to the campground for fishing and a picnic.
July: Kian loves the fireworks displays we take him to. We go camping with Patrick and Savannah at Gravel Ponds. Kian can make several animal sounds and has quite a few words.
August: Kian starts walking (finally!) more cleaning up after the child and more safety measures installed. We go camping at Alleghany State Park with my family and enjoy our short vacation. Courtesy of Jon we get to take Kian to the zoo for the first time. He loves seeing all the animals, and we're thrilled with our membership.
September: Our busiest month: We have enough of Kian's daycare and make the switch to Pearce 4 Kids, Kian adjusts well and loves it. My mother-in-law begins watching Kian on Mondays, great for our checking account! Kevin celebrates his 28th birthday. Kevin and I celebrate our 5th anniversary by taking a trip to Toronto and watching the Yankees lose horribly. We stay in China town and laugh at the silly signs while Kian stays home with Aunt NeeNee, the first time alone overnight without us! Kian falls backwards on the driveway and requires a Saturday visit to the pediatrician to clean out the cut on the back of his head and make sure it doesn't require stitches-it doesn't. This walking thing takes a toll on all of us! We also attend the Roberts Wesleyan reunion and parade-nice to see those friends from 5 years ago-5 years already?! The pediatrician doesn't believe me that my child has at least 40+ words. hehe.
October: Kian runs into a corner at daycare and requires an after-hours doctor visit to glue his deep gash together on his forehead. We begin to understand that having a little boy means lots of blood, bruises, and dirt. We stock up our first aid kit. Kian is a scarecrow (homemade) for Halloween. We hide from the trick-or-treaters by going to Wegmans and watching movies in the dark afterwards.
November: Kian votes-so he thinks (and still has the sticker on his car seat to prove it). Kian begins talking in 2 word sentences. We enjoy our two Thanksgivings, start Christmas shopping and November flies by. Jon secures our Strong Museum membership for the year-woo hoo!
December: Kian loves Christmas this year and gets 4 of them! Winter weather finally (?) hits NY and we get dumped on a few times. I have to drive through a blizzard for 2 hours to get home. We take Kian to the Museum and he can't get enough, luckily we get to go again and again... We ring in the New Year with a few friends, quietly.
And then... I'll tell The Rest of the Story! Just like Paul Harvey...
Happy 2009!
Now, we'll see how long it takes for me to write 2009 on all my work papers, instead of 2008. I mean, I was still writing 2007 until recently. That's what I get for taking an extended maternity leave I guess.
While I don't have very specific goals for 2009, well maybe a few, but we'll save those for a later date, I do wish that I could slow life down just a bit. It seems to be going just way too fast. I feel like I was just pregnant and having a newborn and now I have a very verbal, very active, very smart toddler. Craziness.
I already have a dilemma, the right way to start off a new year right? Let me see if I can make this story short. We have two living rooms in our split level home, one upstairs which has nice wood floors and the fish tank and a smaller TV and DVDs. We don't sit up here too much, but the plan is to use it more for a regular living room now that Kevin has taken over the downstairs room with his pool table, darts, and whatever else. But, there is a massive 55 inch TV downstairs that just takes up way too much room. We've been talking about getting rid of the huge TV (that does not have any storage space) and either moving the smaller one down here and getting a nice new flat screen for upstairs. Or, maybe just selling the huge TV and being happy with one smaller TV upstairs. We did get some Christmas money that would allow us to do one or the other. (Of course selling the massive thing would give us more money!) Then, last night Kevin throws out at me "well, how about you just let me keep this huge one down here in MY room, and you can take the Christmas money and buy a nice camera?" Oh! Be still my heart! Did I really just hear those words? Instead of getting a nice 42" flat screen TV (after having 55" it's hard to use the 37" upstairs!) I could have my Nikon camera?
Sounds like a great bargain right? Ugh. Torn in two. I have never spent a lot of money on myself. Spending $100 for clothes always feel slightly tense to me even. I know, it's ridiculous. Then, I think well, we could use that Christmas money for paying off school loans too. But, then I think, but it was a gift to be used as a gift for fun stuff. But, I could get the TV and we'd all be happy. Or...I could have a beautiful camera. Or, I could not get the more expensive camera that would eat up all the money, get the less expensive, one is still 100x better than what I have now, and still have a bit left over for a small flat screen to replace the huge one down here. Ohhhh what to do? Kevin's no help. He changes his mind hourly and throws out a billion suggestions that vary with each tick of the clock. Now, I start my new year by wracking my brain and feeling quite tormented... Cheers!
While I don't have very specific goals for 2009, well maybe a few, but we'll save those for a later date, I do wish that I could slow life down just a bit. It seems to be going just way too fast. I feel like I was just pregnant and having a newborn and now I have a very verbal, very active, very smart toddler. Craziness.
I already have a dilemma, the right way to start off a new year right? Let me see if I can make this story short. We have two living rooms in our split level home, one upstairs which has nice wood floors and the fish tank and a smaller TV and DVDs. We don't sit up here too much, but the plan is to use it more for a regular living room now that Kevin has taken over the downstairs room with his pool table, darts, and whatever else. But, there is a massive 55 inch TV downstairs that just takes up way too much room. We've been talking about getting rid of the huge TV (that does not have any storage space) and either moving the smaller one down here and getting a nice new flat screen for upstairs. Or, maybe just selling the huge TV and being happy with one smaller TV upstairs. We did get some Christmas money that would allow us to do one or the other. (Of course selling the massive thing would give us more money!) Then, last night Kevin throws out at me "well, how about you just let me keep this huge one down here in MY room, and you can take the Christmas money and buy a nice camera?" Oh! Be still my heart! Did I really just hear those words? Instead of getting a nice 42" flat screen TV (after having 55" it's hard to use the 37" upstairs!) I could have my Nikon camera?
Sounds like a great bargain right? Ugh. Torn in two. I have never spent a lot of money on myself. Spending $100 for clothes always feel slightly tense to me even. I know, it's ridiculous. Then, I think well, we could use that Christmas money for paying off school loans too. But, then I think, but it was a gift to be used as a gift for fun stuff. But, I could get the TV and we'd all be happy. Or...I could have a beautiful camera. Or, I could not get the more expensive camera that would eat up all the money, get the less expensive, one is still 100x better than what I have now, and still have a bit left over for a small flat screen to replace the huge one down here. Ohhhh what to do? Kevin's no help. He changes his mind hourly and throws out a billion suggestions that vary with each tick of the clock. Now, I start my new year by wracking my brain and feeling quite tormented... Cheers!
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