This was just one of those little "Graceisms" I don't want to forget!
The scene: My mom and dad's house. We're all just lounging around and chatting.
My mom: Hola Grace! Do you know what hola means?
Grace: Yep!....It means you're eating at the quesadilla house! (Her name for the Mexican restaurant)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Lost in Translation?
Monday, October 20, 2008
I can't believe it...
My FIRST baby is a TEENAGER. How did that happen? It seems like it was just a few years ago that at this moment, I was about halfway through a 27 hour labor. I was excited, scared, tired and couldn't wait to meet the little munchkin I'd felt fluttering around for so long. Finally, at 12:09 pm he arrived...induced 3 weeks early...weighing in at 6 lbs, 13 ounces (WAY smaller than my other two!) and 21 inches long. He was healthy and screaming and we went home a couple of days later.
As a first-time mom, I remember the early days as being...well...not easy. I was amazed at how little I knew about taking care of a baby. Of course, little Tyler and I figured things out and by the time he was a couple of months old, he was a happy, smiley little fellow. He fought many ear infections during the first two years, but has been perfectly healthy ever since.
Over the years (that have flown by like minutes) he has always been a smart, precocious, caring little boy. Once, at about age 6, he was in the room with Nana as she was watching an episode of Oprah about saving money and when the show was over he told Nana he thought maybe he should open an IRA. As early as second grade, he started asking what he could do to get a scholarship to college.
At age 10, Tyler became a big brother, something he'd been wanting to be for a number of years. From the beginning, he's been so sweet to his siblings. They really look up to him and even Noah asks "Where TyTy?" when he's at school or not around. Both of the little ones feel so special when they get play time with Tyler. It warms my heart to watch them.
Over the years, we've gone from little people, to Pokemon, to skateboarding and soccer to now phones, ipods, and computers. Yes, interests have changed and Tyler has grown into a fine young man (who now stands just 3 inches shorter than me).
On this very special day, I wanted to say...Tyler, I love you. Thank you for being such a great son. I am so proud of you and pray that as you enter your teenage years, you will always remember who you are. Sometimes it may be difficult to make the right choices, but you are a strong young man and your heart is in the right place. I know you're going to do great! Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mom
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Couch to 5K Progress....
Just wanted to post and say...
We're still going!! Follow-through (particularly concerning diet and exercise) has never been my strong suit (as you can probably tell from some of my previous blogs about various diets and programs). But this time, I'm committed! I have paid my money for my first 5K in December and I have to keep going so I can run it!
To track our progress, we have finished:
| Week | Workout 1 | Workout 2 | Workout 3 |
| 1 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. | Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. | Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. |
| 2 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. | Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. | Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. |
| 3 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
| Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
| Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
|
| 4 | Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
| Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
| To be done Saturday morning |
Each day, I'm skeptical about whether or not I'll make it and each day I'm proud of myself when I finish. Each week, I can't imagine doing the runs on the schedule the next week and when each week is finished I say to myself "now that wasn't so bad." The jury's still out. On day 3 of next week, we have a 20 minute run, no stops to walk. "I think I can, I think I can..."
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
These are a few of my favorite things...
No, this is not a sappy, sweet blog. Of course, my husband and sweet children are my VERY favorite things, but this blog is not about them. No...this one is much more materialistic than that. This is about some of the little things that have made life easier for me lately.
First of all, there are a few websites that I want to mention. I am a MAJOR web surfer and I think I am close to "finishing" the internet. :)
- Out of ALL of the websites I have ever shopped from, www.zappos.com is the coolest! Zappos offers mainly shoes, though they do have some clothing now. The cool thing is that you can order shoes and get them the very next day with free shipping! EVEN IF you order them at night. I thought it was amazing when I ordered at 7pm one night and had my order by lunchtime the next day, but when I ordered shoes for Tyler at 10pm and got them the next afternoon, I was DULY impressed. The shipping is free both ways, so if you're not sure what size or style you want, you can order several and ship back what you don't want.
- I think I've mentioned this one before, but www.etsy.com is a cool one too! I like to go there first when I'm looking for things and see if I can support someone who makes their own crafty items.
- Not a shopping site, but lately I have really been enjoying http://orgjunkie.com.
- First, Mrs. Meyer's Stainless Steel Spray. When we bought our house, Aaron and I were both determined to have stainless steel appliances and I have regretted that decision since day 1! Can you say streaks and tiny fingerprints galore? I have tried product after product and spent countless hours smearing stuff on with one cloth and buffing it off with another only to end up with a streaky, awful looking fridge. Then I found Mrs. Meyer's. It smells heavenly (we got the Lemon Verbena) and best of all it sprays on and wipes off very easily and the appliances just sparkle! Oh, and did I mention it's biodegradable and non-toxic. A very nice bonus since I am making a conscious effort to go green with my household cleaners. Thank you Mrs. Meyer's!
- Speaking of non-toxic household cleaners, I'm also loving Method Surface Spray. It smells so good, I spend the
whole day looking for things that need to be cleaned. Also by Method is almond scented floor cleaner. I hate doing the floors, but this stuff makes it a little more bearable!
And finally, there are a few items that are making Couch to 5K possible (by the way, we are on week 4 and going strong...woohoo!)
- Asics Gel Tennis Shoes! Love love love. I have done the fitness w
alking thing in the past on land and on treadmill and have always stopped because of excruciating pain in my shins. Determined to keep up with C25K, when the aching started this time, I did some research online and purchased these shoes (from zappos.com of course!) Not a problem since.
- My Ipod Nano and C25K podcasts - I never thought I'd need an Ipod, but when I started C25K, Aaron got me one as a (much appreciated) gift and downloaded some podcasts (basically a guy tells you when to run and when to walk and plays music). Cortney and I have developed an appreciation for Robert from California who is 43 years old recently started running again and created these podcasts. Our only real qualm is that he forgets to say "go" sometimes. Here's a link: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/
So, there you have it...a few of my favorite things at the moment. I think I'll do one of these posts once in a while because I love when people share info. about great products with me. If you have any you want to share, please put 'em in the comments!
The Pajama Truck!
Not sure if I've mentioned it on my blog or not, but I LOVE to shop online. Taking Grace and
Noah into a store is like herding cats, but I can shop to my heart's content online while they are sleeping or otherwise engaged. In just a few days (or the NEXT day with zappos.com), the goods arrive right on my doorstep.
On one occasion back in the spring, I ordered Grace and Noah some pajamas. (Note: another positive about ordering online is that it's often easier to find ALL the colors and sizes you need in one place...I have a heck of a time with that in stores). Anyway, when the UPS man arrived, it was the first time Grace really paid attention and grasped the fact that this nice man drove right up to our house and brought her a gift of super soft pajamas. She became very fascinated with this kind prince and took particular note of his noble steed. Since then, we have not passed a UPS truck without Grace saying "Look it's the pajama truck! That man gave me jammies" About a week ago, the pajama man confused her royally and dropped off...CLOTHES. Now, when we see the pajama truck, she identifies it as the pajama truck, then curiously asks "What's he gonna bring me today?"
I think "almost three" is my favorite age! :)
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Potty Training Fun!
I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of a year's worth of potty training so with both Tyler and Grace, I've waited until they really started showing an interest to push the subject. When Tyler was 2 years, 9 months old, his preschool teacher called and said that Tyler was interested in wearing underwear at school like all his friends. So, we bought underwear and no joke...he's been using the potty ever since. No training, no bribing, just him being totally ready.
For a year, Grace has shown spurts of interest followed by total lack of interest, so we haven't pushed it. However, a couple of weeks ago she decided she didn't like the feeling of poop in her diaper (sorry if that's TMI) and she's been putting those in the potty ever since (so far pee pee is still okay to put in the diaper, but she is starting to ask about big girl panties (sorry Janae, that's what she calls 'em...) :) So, I think we're getting very close!
After a few days of sounding the alarm that she needed to go, getting someone to take her, doing the celebratory dance afterwards, etc....she decided she was ready to handle the process herself. I was working while she napped the other day and when she woke up, she quietly went and took care of business herself. Then she (literally) scooted in....
Both legs in ONE pant leg, the other leg hanging around like a tail and pull-ups in a very interesting wad in the back. You better believe she got a huge hug. My sweet little girl is growing up!
Friday, October 03, 2008
Happy Birthday Dear....
Aaron! Another wonderful year has flown by and my sweetheart is now older than me again...woohoo! I know I say it in blog after blog, but I sure do feel blessed to have such a wonderful husband.
Aaron, thank you so much for being:
- my best friend
- a loving, supportive husband
- a wonderful daddy to our children
- my personal chef
- our lawn boy...
- and handyman...
- and "techinical support dude"
- co-diaper changer
- head bath giver
- and of course...in-house comedian
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