The cookies were Dad approved.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Random Pictures
Yogurt facial anyone?
Wearing mama's shoes
splashing in the sink while mom gets ready
His diaper was so full it started to fall off. I was laughing so hard chasing him around the house to change his bum. Cute little thing!
Monday, February 9, 2015
Zander's Shinanigans
He's at it again. Last week Zander got himself stuck in the bathroom. We have to keep the door closed all the time so he doesn't go playing in there, but the door will sometimes pop open by itself, which is how I think he got in. He loves playing in the drawers, but he knows he's not supposed to, so he shut the door and opened two drawers out all the way in front of the door trapping him inside the bathroom and with no way for me to get in. It happened within a few seconds. He thought that was pretty funny. He started pulling everything out of the drawers and just throwing it on the floor. I tried to talk him into closing the drawers, but he was having too much fun.
Stephen was instructing a training that day, so I knew he wouldn't have access to his phone, but I kept texting him anyway. Then I texted mom and Becky. They both thought it was hilarious. I really didn't know what to do except wait until he got tired of playing and closed the drawers, but my main worry was the chance of him falling in the toilet and drowning, as ridiculous as that sounds. I could see him through the crack under the door. He was playing and splashing in the toilet, then got the disgusting toilet brush out and started brushing the door with it. Any time I tried to stick my hand under the door to point to the drawer for him to open he would immediately try to shove my hand back out. I do have to admit, it was kind of funny, but not, at the same time, because there was literally no way for me to get in the bathroom without having to either chop the door down or smash the window.
I finally got him to close one drawer, but not the other. He went back to playing for a while. He climbed on top of the toilet and started going through the tissues pulling them out of the box and throwing them on the floor. I looked for long utensils like a spatula and a long wooden spoon that I could fit under the door and use it to close the other drawer, but as soon as Zander saw them he would run over to the door and grab them out of my hand. What a little stinker!
I finally got him to close the drawer. I got in! It had only been a half hour, but it seemed like forever. Sometimes that kid is too smart for his own good.
The next day was pretty rough on Zander. After a day full crying for no apparent reason, he fell down the stairs. This was the first time it has happened, and I hope the last. I cannot tell you how scary that was to hear his little body go thumping and thudding down the stairs head-first. He landed with a loud crash because he had hit his head on the wall at the very bottom. Stephen was yelling and panicking as he scooped Zander's body up into his arms to check him over for broken bones or a concussion. The poor boy had blood running down his mouth.
We took him to the bathroom to clean him up and give him Tylenol for his head. He didn't cry for too long. Kids are so resilient. I think it traumatized me and Stephen more than it did Zander. You can bet I cried that night just thinking about my little boy hurting himself like that; the thumping noises still ringing in my head. Like I mentioned before, he's usually ok after a few short minutes; as long he can continue playing he's all right.
Stephen was instructing a training that day, so I knew he wouldn't have access to his phone, but I kept texting him anyway. Then I texted mom and Becky. They both thought it was hilarious. I really didn't know what to do except wait until he got tired of playing and closed the drawers, but my main worry was the chance of him falling in the toilet and drowning, as ridiculous as that sounds. I could see him through the crack under the door. He was playing and splashing in the toilet, then got the disgusting toilet brush out and started brushing the door with it. Any time I tried to stick my hand under the door to point to the drawer for him to open he would immediately try to shove my hand back out. I do have to admit, it was kind of funny, but not, at the same time, because there was literally no way for me to get in the bathroom without having to either chop the door down or smash the window.
I finally got him to close one drawer, but not the other. He went back to playing for a while. He climbed on top of the toilet and started going through the tissues pulling them out of the box and throwing them on the floor. I looked for long utensils like a spatula and a long wooden spoon that I could fit under the door and use it to close the other drawer, but as soon as Zander saw them he would run over to the door and grab them out of my hand. What a little stinker!
I finally got him to close the drawer. I got in! It had only been a half hour, but it seemed like forever. Sometimes that kid is too smart for his own good.
The next day was pretty rough on Zander. After a day full crying for no apparent reason, he fell down the stairs. This was the first time it has happened, and I hope the last. I cannot tell you how scary that was to hear his little body go thumping and thudding down the stairs head-first. He landed with a loud crash because he had hit his head on the wall at the very bottom. Stephen was yelling and panicking as he scooped Zander's body up into his arms to check him over for broken bones or a concussion. The poor boy had blood running down his mouth.
We took him to the bathroom to clean him up and give him Tylenol for his head. He didn't cry for too long. Kids are so resilient. I think it traumatized me and Stephen more than it did Zander. You can bet I cried that night just thinking about my little boy hurting himself like that; the thumping noises still ringing in my head. Like I mentioned before, he's usually ok after a few short minutes; as long he can continue playing he's all right.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Parenting
It's only half way through the week, and we've already had a lot of incidences happen this week. First of all, Stephen and I have been trying to get Zander to stop biting, pinching, and scratching. So far we've had no luck and it's driving us insane and I mean to the point of tears most days. We are at wits end and have resorted to yelling at him, and that shouldn't be happening. Period. But what do we do?! So we're trying something new. He gets to go to time-out every time he bites or uses his nails in anyway to hurt someone. Instead of losing my tempter and yelling during the day I decided I'd try and sing a song instead; to calm myself down as well as engage Zander and calm him down as well. I guess it's working so far. I haven't had to stick him in time-out more than a few times a day, and over all we've just had better days since I haven't felt like yelling. I can't tell you how liberating it is not to have to yell. I hate it. It makes me feel really bad and guilty, and Zander couldn't care less; he just tunes it out anyway.
The other thing is trying to get him to calm down while changing his diaper. He hates it. He kicks and rolls, and screams, and when we try to hold him still he scratches at our hands until we let go. So again, we sing songs that we know he likes to do actions for, like "The Wheels on the Bus" or "Patty Cake" etc... usually it works. I didn't think we would be having problems like this and that they would drive us crazy. Parenting is hard; and it's hard in ways you wouldn't expect, but I love it. There's so much more good that comes out of raising children. We love the little runt!
I kept telling myself I would always have a clean house even when I had kids. I'd teach them to clean up their toys and do chores etc... so I wasn't having to do all the cleaning. That was wishful thinking! I need a vacuum in all rooms of the house because I usually end up having to vacuum at least three times a day--the dining room after meals, the living room after he sneaks to play in the plant and throw dirt all over as he's eating it, the stairs where he throws anything and everything including food, the bedrooms where he tracks dirt and garbage from the trash cans throughout the house; it's never ending. There are toys all over the floor upstairs and downstairs at all times. Even after I pick them up; when he gets up from his nap it's like he knows I just cleaned so he takes the whole box of toys and just dumps them out all over again as if saying, "I wasn't done with them Mom."
But then you have the really sweet, tender moments with them like last week Zander learned to give kisses and hugs when you ask him. The other day he said his first prayer all on his own. He folded his arms and jibber jabbered, then did his amen. It was SO cute! Or when I sneak a peak in his bedroom while he's playing and I watch him use his imagination as he plays with his toys. And when Stephen and I try to help him with something, but he pushes us away because he wants to try it on his own. Hearing him laugh.
We always have to take the good with the bad no matter what it is we are dealing with. I know that if we have good attitudes the bad doesn't always seem so bad, and you can usually turn it to something positive. I have the best job in the world; there isn't anything I'd trade it for. I am so thankful that I was entrusted by Heavenly Father to raise Zander and any other future children I may have.
The other thing is trying to get him to calm down while changing his diaper. He hates it. He kicks and rolls, and screams, and when we try to hold him still he scratches at our hands until we let go. So again, we sing songs that we know he likes to do actions for, like "The Wheels on the Bus" or "Patty Cake" etc... usually it works. I didn't think we would be having problems like this and that they would drive us crazy. Parenting is hard; and it's hard in ways you wouldn't expect, but I love it. There's so much more good that comes out of raising children. We love the little runt!
I kept telling myself I would always have a clean house even when I had kids. I'd teach them to clean up their toys and do chores etc... so I wasn't having to do all the cleaning. That was wishful thinking! I need a vacuum in all rooms of the house because I usually end up having to vacuum at least three times a day--the dining room after meals, the living room after he sneaks to play in the plant and throw dirt all over as he's eating it, the stairs where he throws anything and everything including food, the bedrooms where he tracks dirt and garbage from the trash cans throughout the house; it's never ending. There are toys all over the floor upstairs and downstairs at all times. Even after I pick them up; when he gets up from his nap it's like he knows I just cleaned so he takes the whole box of toys and just dumps them out all over again as if saying, "I wasn't done with them Mom."
But then you have the really sweet, tender moments with them like last week Zander learned to give kisses and hugs when you ask him. The other day he said his first prayer all on his own. He folded his arms and jibber jabbered, then did his amen. It was SO cute! Or when I sneak a peak in his bedroom while he's playing and I watch him use his imagination as he plays with his toys. And when Stephen and I try to help him with something, but he pushes us away because he wants to try it on his own. Hearing him laugh.
We always have to take the good with the bad no matter what it is we are dealing with. I know that if we have good attitudes the bad doesn't always seem so bad, and you can usually turn it to something positive. I have the best job in the world; there isn't anything I'd trade it for. I am so thankful that I was entrusted by Heavenly Father to raise Zander and any other future children I may have.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Cravings
Wahoo I'm almost halfway through this pregnancy! I think it's definitely gone by a lot faster this time around. I'm half way into my second trimester, and I finally feel, almost, like my old self again...minus the growing belly. It's been really weird the past several weeks after the morning sickness let up, I didn't feel pregnant at all--its been great, but now that my belly is getting bigger and more stretched out, I definitely feel pregnant.
I am SO excited to meet this little guy! Since I am no longer nauseous all the time my appetite has come back with a vengeance. I have been craving all sorts of junk food. Like chips and crackers, and juice. Not so much chocolate, but sour things like sour patch kids. I gave Stephen some for his stocking for Christmas, and I'm pretty sure I ended up eating two thirds of the bag. I felt guilty about it since they were Stephens, so I bought him a new bag, I had good intentions, I swear, but by the time he got home from work that day there was only a third of the bag left for him.
Seriously, chips. I can't get them off my mind. I hardly ever buy chips for this very reason; they'll be gone within a day or two and then I feel guilty and fat for eating them all. Also, tacos. I've been craving tacos a lot lately--just the hard shell, simple beef tacos or better yet, one made from Doritos! Oh that sounds so good....I may have to have Stephen make a Taco Bell run tonight... Despite my unhealthy cravings I really do try to eat healthy, and I don't cave in to those craving all the time, as much as I want to. In fact I marinated a few steaks for fajitas tonight, yum!
I get the question, "So are you nervous to have another baby, especially being so close in age?" All. The. Time. So let me tell you, NO! I'm not nervous about having another baby, sure it'll be an adjustment, but we'll all get a new routine that works for everyone and we'll all be happy. Zander will be a great helper and big brother, and Stephen and I will have to work a little more around the house and lose some sleep here and there, but that's life.
What I am nervous about is going through labor again. I don't know why, but it freaks me out a lot more than it did the first time. I am planning on doing a natural birth again, so I'm sure that's half of it. The other half, I think, is now I know what to expect when going into labor and remembering how much it hurt and thinking "I'm never doing this again" makes me nervous. I'm hoping all will go just as it did last time, because Zander's birth was perfect--I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I'm nervous that I might wait too long before going to the hospital and not making it in time. It's about a 25 minute drive to the hospital, so you can see why I'd be nervous about it. There's only one change I'd make from last time, actually two: (1) do not get my membranes swept ever again, and (2) do not pack a hospital bag. Seriously, I only used two things out of the bag I packed--my slipper socks, and my robe. I used nothing else; I didn't even eat the chocolate I brought for my recovery. Obviously, I'll bring a bag, but there won't hardly be anything in there. The hospital provided everything I needed last time.
Zander. He's such a boy. I love his guts, but lately he's been driving me crazy. I don't know why, it could be because I'm pregnant, but I don't like to pin my faults on my hormones. He's somewhat gotten past the biting, and now he's on to pinching and scratching. My hands and wrists are covered in tiny scratches, scabs, and bite marks. I have no idea what to do about it. When we tell him no or that hurts he just laughs. Most of the time I don't think he means to hurt us, but he doesn't understand the word "hurt" or "ouch" that's funny to him so he continues to do it. I can't get through to him, so I'm hoping it's just a phase and he'll grow out of it soon.
He loves to be outside. He lives for our little walks around the neighborhood in the afternoons. It's been so warm here; it's been perfect for little outings. He never wants to go back inside the house because there's so much to explore. I'm anxious for spring so we can spend more time in the yard. He loves to throw things down the stairs too; it's his newest favorite game. He also loves to read his books especially if they're interactive like flap books or touch and feel. He's becoming so independent all on his own, and it's nice that I can give him a simple task like "put your shoes in the closet" or "close the door" and he'll gladly do them. I've also noticed that he likes physical touch; he is happiest when Stephen and I tickle him, or throw him on the beanbag, or chase him around the house, or roughhouse with him, etc... He can play by himself all right, but I think it's a good thing he's getting a little brother soon to pal around with in the the next year and half.
My life is great; there isn't anything I would change. I love being a stay-at-home mom to one little boy. He is my world. And I have the absolute best husband. He works hard everyday to provide for us, and looks forward to walking through the door to see Zander every night. It's so cute, Zander is now giving kisses and hugs when you ask him to. Stephen and Zander already have a special bond and I love that.
I am SO excited to meet this little guy! Since I am no longer nauseous all the time my appetite has come back with a vengeance. I have been craving all sorts of junk food. Like chips and crackers, and juice. Not so much chocolate, but sour things like sour patch kids. I gave Stephen some for his stocking for Christmas, and I'm pretty sure I ended up eating two thirds of the bag. I felt guilty about it since they were Stephens, so I bought him a new bag, I had good intentions, I swear, but by the time he got home from work that day there was only a third of the bag left for him.
Seriously, chips. I can't get them off my mind. I hardly ever buy chips for this very reason; they'll be gone within a day or two and then I feel guilty and fat for eating them all. Also, tacos. I've been craving tacos a lot lately--just the hard shell, simple beef tacos or better yet, one made from Doritos! Oh that sounds so good....I may have to have Stephen make a Taco Bell run tonight... Despite my unhealthy cravings I really do try to eat healthy, and I don't cave in to those craving all the time, as much as I want to. In fact I marinated a few steaks for fajitas tonight, yum!
I get the question, "So are you nervous to have another baby, especially being so close in age?" All. The. Time. So let me tell you, NO! I'm not nervous about having another baby, sure it'll be an adjustment, but we'll all get a new routine that works for everyone and we'll all be happy. Zander will be a great helper and big brother, and Stephen and I will have to work a little more around the house and lose some sleep here and there, but that's life.
What I am nervous about is going through labor again. I don't know why, but it freaks me out a lot more than it did the first time. I am planning on doing a natural birth again, so I'm sure that's half of it. The other half, I think, is now I know what to expect when going into labor and remembering how much it hurt and thinking "I'm never doing this again" makes me nervous. I'm hoping all will go just as it did last time, because Zander's birth was perfect--I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I'm nervous that I might wait too long before going to the hospital and not making it in time. It's about a 25 minute drive to the hospital, so you can see why I'd be nervous about it. There's only one change I'd make from last time, actually two: (1) do not get my membranes swept ever again, and (2) do not pack a hospital bag. Seriously, I only used two things out of the bag I packed--my slipper socks, and my robe. I used nothing else; I didn't even eat the chocolate I brought for my recovery. Obviously, I'll bring a bag, but there won't hardly be anything in there. The hospital provided everything I needed last time.
Zander. He's such a boy. I love his guts, but lately he's been driving me crazy. I don't know why, it could be because I'm pregnant, but I don't like to pin my faults on my hormones. He's somewhat gotten past the biting, and now he's on to pinching and scratching. My hands and wrists are covered in tiny scratches, scabs, and bite marks. I have no idea what to do about it. When we tell him no or that hurts he just laughs. Most of the time I don't think he means to hurt us, but he doesn't understand the word "hurt" or "ouch" that's funny to him so he continues to do it. I can't get through to him, so I'm hoping it's just a phase and he'll grow out of it soon.
He loves to be outside. He lives for our little walks around the neighborhood in the afternoons. It's been so warm here; it's been perfect for little outings. He never wants to go back inside the house because there's so much to explore. I'm anxious for spring so we can spend more time in the yard. He loves to throw things down the stairs too; it's his newest favorite game. He also loves to read his books especially if they're interactive like flap books or touch and feel. He's becoming so independent all on his own, and it's nice that I can give him a simple task like "put your shoes in the closet" or "close the door" and he'll gladly do them. I've also noticed that he likes physical touch; he is happiest when Stephen and I tickle him, or throw him on the beanbag, or chase him around the house, or roughhouse with him, etc... He can play by himself all right, but I think it's a good thing he's getting a little brother soon to pal around with in the the next year and half.
My life is great; there isn't anything I would change. I love being a stay-at-home mom to one little boy. He is my world. And I have the absolute best husband. He works hard everyday to provide for us, and looks forward to walking through the door to see Zander every night. It's so cute, Zander is now giving kisses and hugs when you ask him to. Stephen and Zander already have a special bond and I love that.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Zander Update
Zander is growing like a little weed! I can't believe how fast it goes by; every time I watch him play and I look at his hands and feet I can't believe how big they have gotten. He's become a little firecracker--always getting into things, constantly reaching up in drawers, counter tops, and table tops that he wasn't able to reach before. Not only that, but if he can't quite reach for something he'll grab something to stand on so he can reach it.
He loves to stand on a chair in the kitchen while I am cooking or baking so he can see what's going on. He has a need to feed his curiosity and he'll stop at nothing until he's satisfied.
He has finally mastered going down the stairs, so the gate is finally coming down this weekend.
He no longer likes us to carry him outside to the car; he wriggles free so he can walk and find rocks and other things to play with.
He recently had two molars cut through. what a nightmare!
His first word was kitty.
He loves books!
He has learned to drink from a straw.
He has learned to throw things away in the garbage can....then take them out and play with them.
A few weeks ago he started eating part of a day old sandwich from off the floor one morning. He chewed on it for a while, then I saw him spit it out in his hand and put it in my purse.
He is such a tease, and is always making us laugh.
Last Sunday I had him in primary with me and he tripped and fell hitting his mouth on the bottom of the bench I was sitting on. two of his upper teeth went through his bottom lip. Poor boy. he had blood dripping out of his mouth so I rushed him to the bathroom. He didn't cry for very long though. He's pretty tough; he's had a number of accidents recently and they don't seem to really phase him. As long as he can still play.
He loves containers. Anything with a lid on it will entertain him for at least an hour. He's really smart too, the other day he was playing in the messy Tupperware drawer pulling containers out. He was able to find the right lids to every container on the floor and put them on. I have all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes and he matched every one correctly. I was pretty awed by that because it wasn't something I had really taught him.
He loves to help me with chores; especially unloading the dishwasher and vacuuming. He also likes to throw things away and get things out of the pantry for me.
We are excited to see what new things he'll learn next. This stage is getting to be really fun because he's starting to imitate and copy me and daddy. He's very chatty and still loves to follow the cat around the house.
He loves to stand on a chair in the kitchen while I am cooking or baking so he can see what's going on. He has a need to feed his curiosity and he'll stop at nothing until he's satisfied.
He has finally mastered going down the stairs, so the gate is finally coming down this weekend.
He no longer likes us to carry him outside to the car; he wriggles free so he can walk and find rocks and other things to play with.
He recently had two molars cut through. what a nightmare!
His first word was kitty.
He loves books!
He has learned to drink from a straw.
He has learned to throw things away in the garbage can....then take them out and play with them.
A few weeks ago he started eating part of a day old sandwich from off the floor one morning. He chewed on it for a while, then I saw him spit it out in his hand and put it in my purse.
He is such a tease, and is always making us laugh.
Last Sunday I had him in primary with me and he tripped and fell hitting his mouth on the bottom of the bench I was sitting on. two of his upper teeth went through his bottom lip. Poor boy. he had blood dripping out of his mouth so I rushed him to the bathroom. He didn't cry for very long though. He's pretty tough; he's had a number of accidents recently and they don't seem to really phase him. As long as he can still play.
He loves containers. Anything with a lid on it will entertain him for at least an hour. He's really smart too, the other day he was playing in the messy Tupperware drawer pulling containers out. He was able to find the right lids to every container on the floor and put them on. I have all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes and he matched every one correctly. I was pretty awed by that because it wasn't something I had really taught him.
He loves to help me with chores; especially unloading the dishwasher and vacuuming. He also likes to throw things away and get things out of the pantry for me.
We are excited to see what new things he'll learn next. This stage is getting to be really fun because he's starting to imitate and copy me and daddy. He's very chatty and still loves to follow the cat around the house.
Hardware Ranch
Our first family trip of the year was to Hardware Ranch last weekend. I wanted to take Stephen and Zander up there because that's where we used to go every Christmas growing up. Mom and Dad took us to the ranch for a sleigh ride to see the elk then we'd go ice skating and look at the lights at Temple Square.
It was pretty cold when we got up there and a lot of the snow had already melted from the big storm we had over Christmas, so instead of riding in a sleigh we were in a wagon. Zander loved the snow, but we couldn't let him play in it too long before we got on the wagon. We don't have a winter coat in his size either so we ended up using the 3T coat Becky sent us. It kept him warm!
After seeing the elk we had lunch at Maddox in Brigham City. My family loves this place and I've been dying to take Stephen ever since we were married. Anyway, it was a fun outing, Zander did really well, and it was just nice to be out as a family.
It was pretty cold when we got up there and a lot of the snow had already melted from the big storm we had over Christmas, so instead of riding in a sleigh we were in a wagon. Zander loved the snow, but we couldn't let him play in it too long before we got on the wagon. We don't have a winter coat in his size either so we ended up using the 3T coat Becky sent us. It kept him warm!
After seeing the elk we had lunch at Maddox in Brigham City. My family loves this place and I've been dying to take Stephen ever since we were married. Anyway, it was a fun outing, Zander did really well, and it was just nice to be out as a family.
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