To wean: (according to Dictionary.com) to withdraw (a person, the affections, one's dependency, etc.) from some object, habit, form of enjoyment, or the like
Having a baby has caused us to use this word a few times already.
After only a week we had to wean Jackie of sleeping in our bed and transition her to the crib. That was a very successful and short weaning process. Thank goodness!
When Jackie reached about three months it became necessary to start weaning her off of sleeping in the swaddle. She was just too hot all wrapped up and more importantly, she had started rolling on her belly. That was a little longer process, but again successful.
In the future I will have to fully wean her from breast milk on to cows milk, but we're still a ways away from that (hopefully).
At 6 months old, my husband decided that it's probably time to start weaning her off of the swing.
Gasp!
My first reaction was FEAR. OH NO! We can't do that yet...she still meets the weight requirement.
But once I had a chance to think about it, he is probably right.
She is now mobile (more on that later...), she likes to lay on her side, and she HATES being strapped in to the swing.
Starting to get the picture now.
Falling out of the swing is now reality.
The swing has been our crutch for so long. It has allowed us to have dinner peacefully, me to get some chores done around the house, time to get ready for work in the morning, a place for her to sleep when she's stuffy and needs to be a little elevated, some of her best naps are taken in the swing, and it does wonders getting her to fall asleep at night.
Weaning off the swing means all of that disappears...
We are now on our second night of putting Little Miss to bed without the use of the swing and so far so good. Ethan even put baby in her crib awake to see if she would put herself to sleep (something else we need to do a better job of). I can hear her now rustling around in there and I hope she'll just play herself to sleep for the night.
I'm hoping so...I'm ready for bed myself (and it's not even 9:00 yet!)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Tis the Season...
We've been in our house just nine months now, and I am still in awe that we even get to call this place our home. It is what I dreamed we would have someday when we were in our 40s or 50s, not where I thought we would celebrate our 2nd year anniversary.
There are still many things to be done.
And many things we are doing.
But there is just one "something" that I have been waiting to do.
Decorate for the seasons.
I totally want that house on the end of the corner that has the inside decorated for each of the beautiful seasons we get to experience (ok...this last summer wasn't exactly what I would call beautiful, but by February I'm going to be begging for 100 degree weather.)
We closed on the sale of our home last Christmas Eve. Meaning we had no tree, no lights, and my lovely nativity stayed packed in the boxes. At the time, it was a necessary sacrifice. We were in our home, we didn't have to pay two mortgages, and I was just starting to hit my 3rd trimester. However, I still missed it.
I went grocery shopping at Walmart today. Ugh...on a Saturday afternoon. It was not the best part of my Saturday. I was walking up and down the "For the Home" isles looking at all the pretty fall decorations. I even decided that I could do a little decorating for less than 15 bucks. So I picked up a tablecloth, some cute little leave-shaped salt and pepper shakers, and a pretty fake flower arrangement to put on the table.
By the end of the trip I put it back.
If I was going to buy decorations, I needed to do it on a day when I wasn't shopping for the entire month of groceries. By the end of the trip I decided that I didn't need to buy just one more thing.
However, it's coming.
I may not get to decorate for fall this year.
But Christmas decorations are already in the stores. Usually I have a problem with that...but this year I'm so excited to decorate for Christmas that I didn't even care there were lighted trees and puffed up snowmen as I walked through Wally World today.
There are still many things to be done.
And many things we are doing.
But there is just one "something" that I have been waiting to do.
Decorate for the seasons.
I totally want that house on the end of the corner that has the inside decorated for each of the beautiful seasons we get to experience (ok...this last summer wasn't exactly what I would call beautiful, but by February I'm going to be begging for 100 degree weather.)
We closed on the sale of our home last Christmas Eve. Meaning we had no tree, no lights, and my lovely nativity stayed packed in the boxes. At the time, it was a necessary sacrifice. We were in our home, we didn't have to pay two mortgages, and I was just starting to hit my 3rd trimester. However, I still missed it.
I went grocery shopping at Walmart today. Ugh...on a Saturday afternoon. It was not the best part of my Saturday. I was walking up and down the "For the Home" isles looking at all the pretty fall decorations. I even decided that I could do a little decorating for less than 15 bucks. So I picked up a tablecloth, some cute little leave-shaped salt and pepper shakers, and a pretty fake flower arrangement to put on the table.
By the end of the trip I put it back.
If I was going to buy decorations, I needed to do it on a day when I wasn't shopping for the entire month of groceries. By the end of the trip I decided that I didn't need to buy just one more thing.
However, it's coming.
I may not get to decorate for fall this year.
But Christmas decorations are already in the stores. Usually I have a problem with that...but this year I'm so excited to decorate for Christmas that I didn't even care there were lighted trees and puffed up snowmen as I walked through Wally World today.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Curious Geroge
I am positive that the monkey used in the Curious George books was modeled after a 5 (almost 6) month old baby.
In our case, more ways than one.
Apparently today at daycare, Jackie had a "Curious George" moment.
Our wonderful daycare provider was holding Little Miss in on arm while holding a banana in another.
As she turned her head to talk to one of the other little kids, Jackie saw a curious object staring her in the face.
And she did what most 5 (almost 6) month old babies do with curious objects. She leaned over, put it in her mouth, and took a big bite.
As our babysitter finished the conversation and looked back at her, now shorter banana, she realized that something was missing. Looked at Jackie, and...
Got a big, banana-y grin.
In our case, more ways than one.
Apparently today at daycare, Jackie had a "Curious George" moment.
Our wonderful daycare provider was holding Little Miss in on arm while holding a banana in another.
As she turned her head to talk to one of the other little kids, Jackie saw a curious object staring her in the face.
And she did what most 5 (almost 6) month old babies do with curious objects. She leaned over, put it in her mouth, and took a big bite.
As our babysitter finished the conversation and looked back at her, now shorter banana, she realized that something was missing. Looked at Jackie, and...
Got a big, banana-y grin.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Spoiled?
I read an article this past week that talked about spoiled American children. (Click HERE to read the article) I think that every generation feels that the new generation is spoiled.
"I didn't have that by the time I was your age!"
"You don't know how lucky you've got it."
"You should see what my first cell phone looked like...it came in a BAG!"
"When I have kids someday they will NOT have all these things other kids have..."
Then somewhere along the way kids end up with more technology than they know what to do with. I have students who say their family can't afford to pay for a 15$ t-shirt, but their 13-year-old carries an iPhone.
I don't even have an iPhone (or a smart phone for that matter...)
This is something that I worry about with Jackie. We live in a technology-rich society and I am sure she will learn in school a totally different way than I learned, or am even teaching now. She will go to school with some type of tablet-something-or-other attached to her hip. That is if she actually goes to a school at all. Who knows everything could be all virtual by then... Not to mention her daddy works in the technology field. It is literally his job to stay up-to-date with current technology.
Technology will be her life, and there's really no way of avoiding that.
So I worry about her being spoiled with things.
However, this article made me feel a little better.
It talked about spoiled American children doesn't necessarily refer to the things they have, but rather what they will and won't DO.
Hmmm....
When I think about the kids (or 20somethings who graduate from college expecting to be handed a $60,000+ job right away) I believe to be "spoiled," it really doesn't matter what they have. They could have nothing and still act spoiled.
They never offer to help with anything.
Nothing is ever their fault.
Want NOTHING to do with ANYTHING that MIGHT pose a challenge, or that they would have to actually WORK for.
There's where to put the time and effort into parenting. Making children responsible for SOMETHING. Give them chores, teach them EARLY ON to be a functioning part of the family. There are things even toddlers can learn to do. Sort the silver-ware into the correct place, help move clothes from washer to dryer, pick up their toys, and so on... They may not want to do it, they may not like to do it, but they NEED to learn to do it.
And that is where we will work with Jackie (and any future siblings). She will probably have "things" that will cause older generations to think she is spoiled, but hopefully when she goes to dinner at a friend's house, she will offer to help clear the table.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Baby's found her voice!
Apparently screeching at the top of your lungs is something fun to do when you are 5 months old.
Mom and dad think it's kind of cute too...
The first couple times.
Although screeching at the top of your lungs in a big church where you can also hear the echo. MUCH. MORE. FUN!
That was our Sunday church experience.
How was yours?
Mom and dad think it's kind of cute too...
The first couple times.
Although screeching at the top of your lungs in a big church where you can also hear the echo. MUCH. MORE. FUN!
That was our Sunday church experience.
How was yours?
Friday, September 7, 2012
The Hardest Thing
The hardest part about coaching isn't what you would think.
It's not the parents (although...depending on what you coach and where you coach, that can be a very difficult hurdle.)
It's not coaching 39 middle school girls (although if you've never tried it...you have NO IDEA!)
It's not the lack of competitiveness in players. That is one thing I had to learn early on. Not everyone is as competitive as me, and you can't force them to be! It's internal. Not everyone shakes with adrenaline during a Connect Four game because they just HATE TO LOSE. Not that they should...
It's not the long hours for little pay. Until you coach, you have no idea how many hours you spend thinking and thinking and thinking about practice, girls, equipment, games, attitudes, competitiveness, motivation, etc...
It's not the fact that the coach can't play. I'll admit that is a hard one. I tell my girls over and over and over again..."I can't do it for you." In all reality coaches have control over two things during the game. Time outs and playing time. TWO. Everything else you have to watch.
The hardest part about coaching is watching your team do EXACTLY what they are supposed to do, and still lose. It is SO hard to explain to players that sometimes you do everything right and you just don't come out on top. How do you get middle school girls to understand that you can have a good game, a great game, and still lose.
It's just hard.
It's not the parents (although...depending on what you coach and where you coach, that can be a very difficult hurdle.)
It's not coaching 39 middle school girls (although if you've never tried it...you have NO IDEA!)
It's not the lack of competitiveness in players. That is one thing I had to learn early on. Not everyone is as competitive as me, and you can't force them to be! It's internal. Not everyone shakes with adrenaline during a Connect Four game because they just HATE TO LOSE. Not that they should...
It's not the long hours for little pay. Until you coach, you have no idea how many hours you spend thinking and thinking and thinking about practice, girls, equipment, games, attitudes, competitiveness, motivation, etc...
It's not the fact that the coach can't play. I'll admit that is a hard one. I tell my girls over and over and over again..."I can't do it for you." In all reality coaches have control over two things during the game. Time outs and playing time. TWO. Everything else you have to watch.
The hardest part about coaching is watching your team do EXACTLY what they are supposed to do, and still lose. It is SO hard to explain to players that sometimes you do everything right and you just don't come out on top. How do you get middle school girls to understand that you can have a good game, a great game, and still lose.
It's just hard.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Lately...
Life has been a little hectic the last few weeks. Here's what's been goin' on!
~ My brother-in-law and his family came to visit from New Jersey. We hadn't seen them since the wedding. (two years) It was great to get to spend time with them the last few weeks.
~ I made the transition from just full time mommy to fully time teacher/coach and mommy. Jackie made her transition to going to daycare during the week and spending much of her late afternoons and early evenings with daddy. There's still quite a bit of adjusting to do...on my part. Everyone else seems to have handled the transition quite well.
~ My little brother tied the knot! In a beautiful wedding, to a beautiful lady, on a warm summer day. It was a great time! And I am so thankful that he picked a holiday weekend to get married. I think we all needed this extra day of "rest" to be ready for work again!
~ Jackie has TWO teeth! I cannot believe how soon her teeth decided to come in. I knew she was teething about a month ago, but now we've got some sharp little biters on her bottom gums!
~ I have found that I am not as good at reacting to last minute changes now that I am a mommy. I used to pride myself on being the "roll with the flow" type of person/teacher. Now, however, these last minute changes equal time away from my baby. I.do.not.like.it!
~ Along with rolling with the flow... I had to buy some formula for the first time today. I felt so stupid. There are TONS of different kinds and options. Which one do I pick? I didn't expect to be buying any formula, but the stress of recent weeks, plus decreased time of actual nursing (there is a big difference between a machine and a baby...) has resulted in a decrease in my milk supply. I just cannot keep up with bottles for daycare, bottles for daddy, milk for baby food, and add on top of that game nights where another bottle or two are needed for daddy in the evening and before bedtime. So, I decided to go for the one labeled "with the nutrients found in breast milk." I hope Jackie will take it...we'll find out tonight.
~ Ethan is loving the transition. He is getting to spend a lot of quality time with his little girl, and they are both enjoying it! Jackie is such a happy baby. We are so lucky to have a good baby!.
~ Jackie has discovered "Peek-a-boo." She just giggles and giggles when mommy or daddy pop up from behind the couch saying "here I am!"
~ I had to make a cut-back. I knew my fall would be a busy one, just as it always is, but this time with an added job of full time mommy, I just couldn't handle everything. I painfully decided to cut out helping with our Church's youth religion program through September and October. I will pick it up again in November when I am no longer coaching. I just couldn't do another night away from home.
~ We scheduled our first family photos. We decided to go for fall, when the weather would be cool and crisp. Our photographer? A high school Senior who I used to teach in middle school. For those of you who know my husband and his part-time photography hobby. You will understand how good these pictures must be for him to want to go to someone else! I can't wait. Now if I can just get a wardrobe all picked out...
~ Jackie has tried 3 foods. Rice cereal, which she had gotten pretty good at. Avocados...a little scary at first, but then she seemed to take to them really well. And sweet potatoes just this weekend. Not so sure about the sweet potatoes right now. She seems to have back-tracked and won't eat anything off a spoon right now. I think we'll give it a few nights and then try again.
~ I had the PERFECT S'more last night! Mallows were toasted and melted just right, the Reese's bar I put on was just the right ratio of chocolate to peanut butter (never tried a Reese's on a S'more...you're missing out!), and the graham was crunchy and didn't break all over when I took a bite. It's probably a good thing I only ever let myself have one!
~ I finished my 24 day challenge. Results were very good. 10 lbs. lost (and still slowing losing) and about 9 inches. I feel good and have been able to continue a lot of the program just on my own. Smarter choices, but still getting my s'more every now and then :)
~ Jackie LOVES the computer or the I-Pad or Ethan's smart phone. She is amazed with all the buttons and bright lights. Raising a baby in the technological age...
~ We have really enjoyed the last couple weeks and some of the cooler temperatures that came with it. I think we will definitely enjoy the fall and some evening and weekend walks with the cooler weather.
~ I have been to a zoo 4 times this summer. The Wichita Zoo three times and the Omaha Zoo once. Guess how many times I have seen my favorite animal. ZERO! The hippos just haven't been out when I come by. Yes, the hippos are my favorite. Such an under-appreciated animal!
~ My brother-in-law and his family came to visit from New Jersey. We hadn't seen them since the wedding. (two years) It was great to get to spend time with them the last few weeks.
~ I made the transition from just full time mommy to fully time teacher/coach and mommy. Jackie made her transition to going to daycare during the week and spending much of her late afternoons and early evenings with daddy. There's still quite a bit of adjusting to do...on my part. Everyone else seems to have handled the transition quite well.
~ My little brother tied the knot! In a beautiful wedding, to a beautiful lady, on a warm summer day. It was a great time! And I am so thankful that he picked a holiday weekend to get married. I think we all needed this extra day of "rest" to be ready for work again!
~ Jackie has TWO teeth! I cannot believe how soon her teeth decided to come in. I knew she was teething about a month ago, but now we've got some sharp little biters on her bottom gums!
~ I have found that I am not as good at reacting to last minute changes now that I am a mommy. I used to pride myself on being the "roll with the flow" type of person/teacher. Now, however, these last minute changes equal time away from my baby. I.do.not.like.it!
~ Along with rolling with the flow... I had to buy some formula for the first time today. I felt so stupid. There are TONS of different kinds and options. Which one do I pick? I didn't expect to be buying any formula, but the stress of recent weeks, plus decreased time of actual nursing (there is a big difference between a machine and a baby...) has resulted in a decrease in my milk supply. I just cannot keep up with bottles for daycare, bottles for daddy, milk for baby food, and add on top of that game nights where another bottle or two are needed for daddy in the evening and before bedtime. So, I decided to go for the one labeled "with the nutrients found in breast milk." I hope Jackie will take it...we'll find out tonight.
~ Ethan is loving the transition. He is getting to spend a lot of quality time with his little girl, and they are both enjoying it! Jackie is such a happy baby. We are so lucky to have a good baby!.
~ Jackie has discovered "Peek-a-boo." She just giggles and giggles when mommy or daddy pop up from behind the couch saying "here I am!"
~ I had to make a cut-back. I knew my fall would be a busy one, just as it always is, but this time with an added job of full time mommy, I just couldn't handle everything. I painfully decided to cut out helping with our Church's youth religion program through September and October. I will pick it up again in November when I am no longer coaching. I just couldn't do another night away from home.
~ We scheduled our first family photos. We decided to go for fall, when the weather would be cool and crisp. Our photographer? A high school Senior who I used to teach in middle school. For those of you who know my husband and his part-time photography hobby. You will understand how good these pictures must be for him to want to go to someone else! I can't wait. Now if I can just get a wardrobe all picked out...
~ Jackie has tried 3 foods. Rice cereal, which she had gotten pretty good at. Avocados...a little scary at first, but then she seemed to take to them really well. And sweet potatoes just this weekend. Not so sure about the sweet potatoes right now. She seems to have back-tracked and won't eat anything off a spoon right now. I think we'll give it a few nights and then try again.
~ I had the PERFECT S'more last night! Mallows were toasted and melted just right, the Reese's bar I put on was just the right ratio of chocolate to peanut butter (never tried a Reese's on a S'more...you're missing out!), and the graham was crunchy and didn't break all over when I took a bite. It's probably a good thing I only ever let myself have one!
~ I finished my 24 day challenge. Results were very good. 10 lbs. lost (and still slowing losing) and about 9 inches. I feel good and have been able to continue a lot of the program just on my own. Smarter choices, but still getting my s'more every now and then :)
~ Jackie LOVES the computer or the I-Pad or Ethan's smart phone. She is amazed with all the buttons and bright lights. Raising a baby in the technological age...
~ We have really enjoyed the last couple weeks and some of the cooler temperatures that came with it. I think we will definitely enjoy the fall and some evening and weekend walks with the cooler weather.
~ I have been to a zoo 4 times this summer. The Wichita Zoo three times and the Omaha Zoo once. Guess how many times I have seen my favorite animal. ZERO! The hippos just haven't been out when I come by. Yes, the hippos are my favorite. Such an under-appreciated animal!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
"You could make friends with a rock!"
We used to tease my brother Joe when we were growing up with that statement. Although I will always say that we really meant it as a compliment.
You see, my brother is a people person. He always has been. We would go on family vacations, camping somewhere, and he would always run off and return with some new friends for us all to play with. I don't know what it is that he's got, but people like it. And him.
If he needed anymore evidence to this fact, he got it. Last weekend.
It's no surprise to anyone that Joe found a wonderful woman who loves him, and before they walk down the isle, boys will do what boys will do and a bachelor party was needed.
Joe didn't want a fancy dinner or a trip to the casinos or even a night out on the town that ended up spending a lot of one dollar bills.
He wanted a chance for all his friends to get together, enjoy a few drinks, and spend the evening just hanging out. My dad smoked some pork, my brother, John, planned the entire shindig and sent out the invite to as many of Joe's friends as he could.
The result.
A little more overwhelming than Joe probably expected.
There were TONS of people there. I don't know how many times someone came running into the house and said "Can you believe it? ____ just got here. It was so nice of him to come." The back yard shop was hoppin' with people all night. Different kinds of people from all different times in Joe's life. They all hung out, enjoyed the company, and celebrated Joe.
After that night. No one can argue that Joe has been an important person in so many people's lives.
He sure has collected a lot of "rocks" over the years.
:-)
You see, my brother is a people person. He always has been. We would go on family vacations, camping somewhere, and he would always run off and return with some new friends for us all to play with. I don't know what it is that he's got, but people like it. And him.
If he needed anymore evidence to this fact, he got it. Last weekend.
It's no surprise to anyone that Joe found a wonderful woman who loves him, and before they walk down the isle, boys will do what boys will do and a bachelor party was needed.
Joe didn't want a fancy dinner or a trip to the casinos or even a night out on the town that ended up spending a lot of one dollar bills.
He wanted a chance for all his friends to get together, enjoy a few drinks, and spend the evening just hanging out. My dad smoked some pork, my brother, John, planned the entire shindig and sent out the invite to as many of Joe's friends as he could.
The result.
A little more overwhelming than Joe probably expected.
There were TONS of people there. I don't know how many times someone came running into the house and said "Can you believe it? ____ just got here. It was so nice of him to come." The back yard shop was hoppin' with people all night. Different kinds of people from all different times in Joe's life. They all hung out, enjoyed the company, and celebrated Joe.
After that night. No one can argue that Joe has been an important person in so many people's lives.
He sure has collected a lot of "rocks" over the years.
:-)
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