Lets see....crampy all day yesterday, STARVING today, craved hamburger 2 days ago, my husband felt the same way 2 nights ago as he did when we concieved Zuzu. Took a test today just to make sure and it was negative....might just test again this weekend if I continue to feel this way. Honestly, I am hopeing for another June baby...might as well keep up a good thing :)
In other news my mom is in the hospital due to complications assocated with her bone marrow transplant. She is a fighter though and she wants to watch her grandbabies grow up so I know she will be fine and up here visiting us before the year is over.
A now sit in the dark all by himself when watching TV which is a fantastic accomplishment for him. His grades could be better but he is working harder than he was 2 years ago so got to give him credit.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Less than 8 weeks to go
We move into our new house in less than 8 weeks and we get the keys the first week in November. I am very excited but it still seems so far away and untanglible (maybe because I have moved so many times and it hasn't sunk in yet.)
My nephew is doing okay. He has his good weeks and bad weeks. This last week was a bad one. He fails to take responsiblity for hiself. He missed school, I wrote him a note to take to the office and told him exactly what to do and why and he thought hanging out for his friends the extra 5 minutes was more important. So then we got a lovely note from school letting us know that he was unexcused for those two days. Then he wanted me to call the school for him and take care of it. Of corse I told him to take responsiblity and take care of it himself. My husband also had to teach him how to use a planner last night. Almost 16 years old and he had no idea, just had his own system that wasn't working.
Zuzu is doing well. She is not really reading yet but she has taken a very strong interest in reading programs (on TV.) She is learning about different letter blends right now. This week in Oak Meadow we are learning about the letter C and the number 2. We fell behind last week because she was sick.
Gibo is building his vocabulary and learning about speach patterns. He now fights back when Zuzu picks on him. I plan to transistion him to sharing a room with Zuzu when we move. Yesterday we found out he is for sure allergic to cashews...and who knows what else.
My nephew is doing okay. He has his good weeks and bad weeks. This last week was a bad one. He fails to take responsiblity for hiself. He missed school, I wrote him a note to take to the office and told him exactly what to do and why and he thought hanging out for his friends the extra 5 minutes was more important. So then we got a lovely note from school letting us know that he was unexcused for those two days. Then he wanted me to call the school for him and take care of it. Of corse I told him to take responsiblity and take care of it himself. My husband also had to teach him how to use a planner last night. Almost 16 years old and he had no idea, just had his own system that wasn't working.
Zuzu is doing well. She is not really reading yet but she has taken a very strong interest in reading programs (on TV.) She is learning about different letter blends right now. This week in Oak Meadow we are learning about the letter C and the number 2. We fell behind last week because she was sick.
Gibo is building his vocabulary and learning about speach patterns. He now fights back when Zuzu picks on him. I plan to transistion him to sharing a room with Zuzu when we move. Yesterday we found out he is for sure allergic to cashews...and who knows what else.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
a house?
So we put in an offer on a house. The offer was basically every penny we could scrape up without putting ourself into a world of hurt. They accpeted our offer and inspection is today. The house is a custom built house with everything you would want in a house. Lifetime roof and siding. 2800 finished sq feet with a 700 sq ft basement. A MIL unit (so we can rent it out if things get tight). Has the lot size we wanted. All copper plumbing, central vacuum, generator hook-up, huge bedrooms with huge closets. 3 bathrooms. Jetted master bath (with marble). Porch swing. You want it....this house has it. The only fall backs...it doesn't look like much from the outside, the master bath carpet needs to come up and be replaced with tile or something, and it would be nice to fence in the yard for the kids....oh and it would be prefered if the formal living and dinning room were hardwood instead of carpet.
In family news...my in laws are here for a week visiting. My father in law has been the encouragement that I needed in regards to A. He hasn't seen A in over a year (before he went in a downward spiral) and he says that he says great improvments from that point in time.
In family news...my in laws are here for a week visiting. My father in law has been the encouragement that I needed in regards to A. He hasn't seen A in over a year (before he went in a downward spiral) and he says that he says great improvments from that point in time.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Just shoot me
G had his circumcision on Friday. He had it done at one of the top 5 children's hospitals in the US, but that didn't make it any easier. He couldn't eat/nurse starting at 1am the day before and he went into surgery an hour late. I took my boy back because I didn't want him to have "happy juice" the last thing I want is more drugs and chemicals in his little system. It was so weird and sad being without him for 2 hours. His little pee pee looked horrible. I am a girl and I wanted to cry looking at it from how painful it looked. He was feeling good on drugs most of the first day and by the second day he was dancing around and having a good time. It still looks scary but it is getting better. Needless to say...don't wait. If you are going to do it, do it while your boy is a month old or less.
Sunday night basically we discussed it and of course it is all my fault that Z stutters. As soon as I come under a good amount of stress her stuttering becomes 3 times worse. Will my husband help me aliveate my problems, no. Besides the teenager and all the issues I am dealing with there my mom is undergoing a lot of different things with her cancer and everyday is like a roller coaster. Sunday night I asked for 5 minutes of peace outside on our little 3x12 balcony and instead of giving it to me, my husband stands in the door with G asking me to come in and take him. WTF? Does he not understand that I need 5 minutes with everything going on in my life. Luckily he finally took G and went to bed and I was able to talk to a friend which made me feel better and semi-human again. On top of that I am always hungry and tired and feel like shit. So either I am going to come up pregnant again soon or aunt flo is on her way.
Yesterday was good. We all got out, we all made friends and we got fresh air and exercise. Today we spent the morning out running errands and this afternoon back inside destroying the house and yelling at each other. Seriously I am at my wits end. I know we need a yard and space to move. I wish I could just magically pick a house and plop down the money and be done with it all. (Heck just finding a house that meets our needs that isn't a 1 hour commute for my husband would be nice.) At least tomorrow we get out to the park with other humans again.
Sunday night basically we discussed it and of course it is all my fault that Z stutters. As soon as I come under a good amount of stress her stuttering becomes 3 times worse. Will my husband help me aliveate my problems, no. Besides the teenager and all the issues I am dealing with there my mom is undergoing a lot of different things with her cancer and everyday is like a roller coaster. Sunday night I asked for 5 minutes of peace outside on our little 3x12 balcony and instead of giving it to me, my husband stands in the door with G asking me to come in and take him. WTF? Does he not understand that I need 5 minutes with everything going on in my life. Luckily he finally took G and went to bed and I was able to talk to a friend which made me feel better and semi-human again. On top of that I am always hungry and tired and feel like shit. So either I am going to come up pregnant again soon or aunt flo is on her way.
Yesterday was good. We all got out, we all made friends and we got fresh air and exercise. Today we spent the morning out running errands and this afternoon back inside destroying the house and yelling at each other. Seriously I am at my wits end. I know we need a yard and space to move. I wish I could just magically pick a house and plop down the money and be done with it all. (Heck just finding a house that meets our needs that isn't a 1 hour commute for my husband would be nice.) At least tomorrow we get out to the park with other humans again.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Survived.
SIL came this weekend to visit her boy. She got here.
Day one. Internet. Had to take quizes and then pass a test to clear a speeding ticket (45 in a school zone.) She takes the test she has to pass twice, both times not passing. Then she has her son take it for her, and of corse he passes it. A comes up proud that he knows his stuff and tells us he passed his mom's test. Baba and I tell him that is not okay, I tell him straight up, that is cheating. He tried to make excuses, I said, No that is cheating. His mother comes up about 1 minute behind him, saying "I passed my test." I looked up with a pissed off look in my eye and say, "You mean A passed the test for you??!!" (Did I mention she is a horrible driver and she would benefit from learning the street laws.)
Day 2. She is around when we have a conversation with A about how he may have had coffee when he lived with his mom but under no circumstances is he to have it before he is 18 while living with us. (A get easily addicted to things.) Later that day we pick A and his mom up from Target. She gets in the car we ask her, "Where is A?" "Getting coffee for us both." Baba replies, A and I just had a conversation this morning that he is to have no coffee. She replies, "Well, can't a mother treat her son." To which I reply, "No, he will have absoulutly NO COFFEE! It is NOT okay." (Had she kept going I would have said, why don't you just take him back with you and just buy him some weed while you are at it.) She was smart though, she knew to shut up. Luckily A knows, that when we say, no, we actually mean no, and he got himself a kid friendly treat. Then we told him we were proud of him for making a good choice.
There were also little other things that made me upset. She spent most of her time here on her mothers laptop. She basically flew here to use our internet I guess. While she was online, her son was just sitting around playing video games...nothing like old times. At one point I just disconnected the internet, about 20 minutes later she went out with her son to spend some time with him.
She wanted to help teach Zuzu Arabic...failed! Zuzu speaks and understands Arabic just fine (as well if not better than her own children), but she thought she needed to say a word in Arabic and then explain what is was in English. This is a person who was running her own Arabic school out of her house a year ago and who teaches at a preschool. Obviously she has no idea how to even teach (especailly a 2nd language.)
When the cheating thing came up I told my husband that he needed to address it with her, but he said it wasn't necessary because their parents are dealing with her. I told him so what we should just let her think that what she did was okay and let her continue to f-up the other 2 children?? Our walls are thin. I really hope she heard this part.
So she lies and cheats....does she steal (unknowingly) too??
Day one. Internet. Had to take quizes and then pass a test to clear a speeding ticket (45 in a school zone.) She takes the test she has to pass twice, both times not passing. Then she has her son take it for her, and of corse he passes it. A comes up proud that he knows his stuff and tells us he passed his mom's test. Baba and I tell him that is not okay, I tell him straight up, that is cheating. He tried to make excuses, I said, No that is cheating. His mother comes up about 1 minute behind him, saying "I passed my test." I looked up with a pissed off look in my eye and say, "You mean A passed the test for you??!!" (Did I mention she is a horrible driver and she would benefit from learning the street laws.)
Day 2. She is around when we have a conversation with A about how he may have had coffee when he lived with his mom but under no circumstances is he to have it before he is 18 while living with us. (A get easily addicted to things.) Later that day we pick A and his mom up from Target. She gets in the car we ask her, "Where is A?" "Getting coffee for us both." Baba replies, A and I just had a conversation this morning that he is to have no coffee. She replies, "Well, can't a mother treat her son." To which I reply, "No, he will have absoulutly NO COFFEE! It is NOT okay." (Had she kept going I would have said, why don't you just take him back with you and just buy him some weed while you are at it.) She was smart though, she knew to shut up. Luckily A knows, that when we say, no, we actually mean no, and he got himself a kid friendly treat. Then we told him we were proud of him for making a good choice.
There were also little other things that made me upset. She spent most of her time here on her mothers laptop. She basically flew here to use our internet I guess. While she was online, her son was just sitting around playing video games...nothing like old times. At one point I just disconnected the internet, about 20 minutes later she went out with her son to spend some time with him.
She wanted to help teach Zuzu Arabic...failed! Zuzu speaks and understands Arabic just fine (as well if not better than her own children), but she thought she needed to say a word in Arabic and then explain what is was in English. This is a person who was running her own Arabic school out of her house a year ago and who teaches at a preschool. Obviously she has no idea how to even teach (especailly a 2nd language.)
When the cheating thing came up I told my husband that he needed to address it with her, but he said it wasn't necessary because their parents are dealing with her. I told him so what we should just let her think that what she did was okay and let her continue to f-up the other 2 children?? Our walls are thin. I really hope she heard this part.
So she lies and cheats....does she steal (unknowingly) too??
Friday, July 31, 2009
Typical Day
I typed this out for something else and I thought it was interesting:
5am feed G (and he goes back to sleep)
6am Z potty and dressed and breakfast
7am G up and about 15 minutes of computer time
7:30 get DH out the door and everyone organized for the day
8am sometimes a quick errand or we just veg or do a few pages out of Z's work book, A is usually working on his academics
9:30 take A to school
10am errands or a fun morning outting
11am lunch (all)
12 nap (both kids)
12:30-1:30 mama's time
1:30 organize myself for the rest of the day (some dinner prep or quick pick up of messes.)
2pm pick up A
2:45-3:30 veg.
3:30 start Z on some activity
3:45ish start dinner
5pm eat
6pm go upstairs to play, baths, get ready for bed, stories
7:30pm lights out
8:30pm Z sleeping and A in his room, on a good day G is sleeping too.
8:30 get DH dinner and settle in for some gaming or something on Netflix
10ish head to bed, take Z potty
11pm I am usually IN bed
So yeah I am one of those lazy house wives as you can see. I really wish there more hours in the day.
Z has developed a studder. Baba says it is because I don't talk to her enough. I am thinking it is because she is picking up on my high stress and because every other time she tries to talk to me I am doing 3 other things and can't give her my full focus or A interups her. I am so ready for him to go home. It sounds horrible but I just want to be able to refocus on my beautiful children and not waste half of my day on a teenager who likes to argue. I have also noticed on 3 occasions now A has made up things that were not true. He also says he hears things in his head. I have a strong feeling he has a bit of schzophenia.
5am feed G (and he goes back to sleep)
6am Z potty and dressed and breakfast
7am G up and about 15 minutes of computer time
7:30 get DH out the door and everyone organized for the day
8am sometimes a quick errand or we just veg or do a few pages out of Z's work book, A is usually working on his academics
9:30 take A to school
10am errands or a fun morning outting
11am lunch (all)
12 nap (both kids)
12:30-1:30 mama's time
1:30 organize myself for the rest of the day (some dinner prep or quick pick up of messes.)
2pm pick up A
2:45-3:30 veg.
3:30 start Z on some activity
3:45ish start dinner
5pm eat
6pm go upstairs to play, baths, get ready for bed, stories
7:30pm lights out
8:30pm Z sleeping and A in his room, on a good day G is sleeping too.
8:30 get DH dinner and settle in for some gaming or something on Netflix
10ish head to bed, take Z potty
11pm I am usually IN bed
So yeah I am one of those lazy house wives as you can see. I really wish there more hours in the day.
Z has developed a studder. Baba says it is because I don't talk to her enough. I am thinking it is because she is picking up on my high stress and because every other time she tries to talk to me I am doing 3 other things and can't give her my full focus or A interups her. I am so ready for him to go home. It sounds horrible but I just want to be able to refocus on my beautiful children and not waste half of my day on a teenager who likes to argue. I have also noticed on 3 occasions now A has made up things that were not true. He also says he hears things in his head. I have a strong feeling he has a bit of schzophenia.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Still here...
Finally we developed a schedule that seems to work for the whole family. The younger kids get their nap, I get child free time for an hour or more, and we are all happy again.
G has dropped to one nap a day. He is giving me nice blisters from nursing. I am thinking about switching him to bottles or sippy cups for a while. I am also trying to have him spend more time sleeping in his crib. This has been working pretty well aside from Z jumping in with him (waking him and us up) during the night/early morning.
Z is so demanding and if I turn my back, she just helps herself. If I would let her she would watch Cinderella and play Wii all day. Nothing would make us both happier than a house with a yard and some pavment for riding her bike.
A is doing very well in school. 100% on everything and he is even catching all the teachers mistakes. He really is learning that hard work does pay off. Currently he is at summer school 2 hours and then he works on Biology the rest of the day in preperation for the start of school in fall (when he will completly retake the 10th grade.)
Meanwhile I am down to 121 lbs. Yay me! Last weekend I won a free massage. I didn't realized how messed up I was. (1 leg is even 1/8" shorter than the other from an old injury). They are doing lovely contruction on the already noisy 4 lane road next to our home. In good news we are going camping this weekend which hopefully means I can get some fresh air and relax a bit more. The whole family is really excited about this trip.
G has dropped to one nap a day. He is giving me nice blisters from nursing. I am thinking about switching him to bottles or sippy cups for a while. I am also trying to have him spend more time sleeping in his crib. This has been working pretty well aside from Z jumping in with him (waking him and us up) during the night/early morning.
Z is so demanding and if I turn my back, she just helps herself. If I would let her she would watch Cinderella and play Wii all day. Nothing would make us both happier than a house with a yard and some pavment for riding her bike.
A is doing very well in school. 100% on everything and he is even catching all the teachers mistakes. He really is learning that hard work does pay off. Currently he is at summer school 2 hours and then he works on Biology the rest of the day in preperation for the start of school in fall (when he will completly retake the 10th grade.)
Meanwhile I am down to 121 lbs. Yay me! Last weekend I won a free massage. I didn't realized how messed up I was. (1 leg is even 1/8" shorter than the other from an old injury). They are doing lovely contruction on the already noisy 4 lane road next to our home. In good news we are going camping this weekend which hopefully means I can get some fresh air and relax a bit more. The whole family is really excited about this trip.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
AGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
We found what could have been the ideal house. We both liked it, we had the offer ready to go. It was close. It was liveable. It has space for everyone. But...it must not have been the right house for us. We have the offer all printed up, just had to sign and send it in. Our agent's offices were closed for the holiday so it was going in Monday. Friday the listing agent called me and said there is another offer that is contengent on the sale of another home and that they would try to stall till Monday so they could also look at our offer. Well..........guess not. It came up contengent today. I am frustrated because we waited when we could have should have moved faster, but at the same time I have a feeling the timing wasn't right. I am sure there will be a better house for us....but 5 years later and 4, well almost 4 offers later, it kind of makes you wonder.
It is such a crime to want a yard for your children to play in. Is that really too much to ask?? I mean really I WANT a fu4king yard already. My daughter is 3 and she is missing out on some of the best life has to offer because her parents can't get thier sh1t together.
It is such a crime to want a yard for your children to play in. Is that really too much to ask?? I mean really I WANT a fu4king yard already. My daughter is 3 and she is missing out on some of the best life has to offer because her parents can't get thier sh1t together.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Why
I need to vent...
Why the f**k do people have kids and continue to have kids if they don't want them? Why do they allow them to get so completly messed up and then ask for advice and then continue along thier merry way as if they were given no advice.
Why am I the one undoing someone's mess up and allowing the child in my house and allowing the negative influence.
A is constantly arguing. Today we went to the store. Can I have this...can I have that.... Why...... but I want it. How about this? How about that.....why not???
I don't want to....but I am tired. No....I don't want to. How about later. It's hot outside.
Why can't people every mean what they say and follow through. Has his parents done that he would have never been in this mess in the first place.
Why the f**k do people have kids and continue to have kids if they don't want them? Why do they allow them to get so completly messed up and then ask for advice and then continue along thier merry way as if they were given no advice.
Why am I the one undoing someone's mess up and allowing the child in my house and allowing the negative influence.
A is constantly arguing. Today we went to the store. Can I have this...can I have that.... Why...... but I want it. How about this? How about that.....why not???
I don't want to....but I am tired. No....I don't want to. How about later. It's hot outside.
Why can't people every mean what they say and follow through. Has his parents done that he would have never been in this mess in the first place.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Changes
Life keeps moving so quickly, somedays I barely know how I have time to breathe.
I am down to 123 lbs, which is good for me, but not quiet where I wanted to be a year later.
My laptop that has seen me through 3 years of breast feeding died last weekend. The battery was done, the CD drive was done, the case was cracking in multiple places, the hard drive decided it was done too. We don't have another HD sitting around so it is offically retired.
I finally got A (the 15 year old) a bed yesterday. He was sleeping on an air mattress. Now if only I can find a dresser.
My little G turns 1 year old on Saturday. He is up to 4 teeth. Takes 1-2 steps but not really walking yet.
We are no longer preventing child number 3, or 4 depending on how you are counting :)
Still looking and hoping for a house (or should I say a yard with a house) new goal is by 2010.
I am down to 123 lbs, which is good for me, but not quiet where I wanted to be a year later.
My laptop that has seen me through 3 years of breast feeding died last weekend. The battery was done, the CD drive was done, the case was cracking in multiple places, the hard drive decided it was done too. We don't have another HD sitting around so it is offically retired.
I finally got A (the 15 year old) a bed yesterday. He was sleeping on an air mattress. Now if only I can find a dresser.
My little G turns 1 year old on Saturday. He is up to 4 teeth. Takes 1-2 steps but not really walking yet.
We are no longer preventing child number 3, or 4 depending on how you are counting :)
Still looking and hoping for a house (or should I say a yard with a house) new goal is by 2010.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
2 weeks later
I am home.
Two weeks ago my husband was fed up with my sister in law letting the 15 year old do everything he wanted. So 10am I decided I needed to load up the kids and go do something about it. We left at noon, AKA nap time. We stopped once at a rest stop, then spent the night in Eugene. Then Friday morning we left at 4am and I drove till 6am with the kids sleeping. Then we had breakfast and we were in Redding at 9ish. Then Modesto by 2:30, after a couple of stops. We spent the weekend with my parents and then the week with my sister in law.
I spent 5 out of the 6 weekdays I was there, at the court house doing temporary guardianship paperwork and I am still not done yet. My sister in law is a very messed up person, and my guidance helped in some areas, but I could easily spend a month there. (Think the nanny tv show, but the nanny with 2 kids of her own, cause that is what it was.)
Yesterday we (Z, G, & 15 year old A) left California at 7am for home. We stopped for an early lunch, then left Redding at noon and made it to Eugene by 5pm. We arrived home before 11pm last night.
While I was away my husband put up the stairway gate, organized his closet, cleaned, did laundry, bought a table and lamp for Z.
So now we are 5...
Two weeks ago my husband was fed up with my sister in law letting the 15 year old do everything he wanted. So 10am I decided I needed to load up the kids and go do something about it. We left at noon, AKA nap time. We stopped once at a rest stop, then spent the night in Eugene. Then Friday morning we left at 4am and I drove till 6am with the kids sleeping. Then we had breakfast and we were in Redding at 9ish. Then Modesto by 2:30, after a couple of stops. We spent the weekend with my parents and then the week with my sister in law.
I spent 5 out of the 6 weekdays I was there, at the court house doing temporary guardianship paperwork and I am still not done yet. My sister in law is a very messed up person, and my guidance helped in some areas, but I could easily spend a month there. (Think the nanny tv show, but the nanny with 2 kids of her own, cause that is what it was.)
Yesterday we (Z, G, & 15 year old A) left California at 7am for home. We stopped for an early lunch, then left Redding at noon and made it to Eugene by 5pm. We arrived home before 11pm last night.
While I was away my husband put up the stairway gate, organized his closet, cleaned, did laundry, bought a table and lamp for Z.
So now we are 5...
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Wait there is more
We just found out my husband's aunt (her son is my husband's BFF, so to speak) has stage 4 cancer.
Another roller coaster year ahead....Hope you all are strapped in tight.
Another roller coaster year ahead....Hope you all are strapped in tight.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Wanted: 3 houses
So on one side we have my mom, fighting cancer and will hopefully under go steam cell in the next 2 months. Next to her we have my dad, who has managed to do damage to his spinal cord (who works as a laborer, I might add.) Who are "taking" care of my brother, who has schizophrenia. On the other side we have my husband's father who is recovering from pneumonia that put him in the ICU for 2 months (a year ago), and his wife (my mother in law) who has her diabetes under control. Then we have my sister in law who is having herself a pitty party after finally getting out of a 16 year marriage that she knew she should have never got into. She wants someone to hold her hand and her excuse for life is "my life is hard so I can't help it that I stay up till 2am cleaning and watching religious videos and then can't get out of bed at 6:30 to get my kids to school on time." Now her two oldest children say the exact same thing. "My life is hard so I can't help it if I smoke pot everyday" and "My life is hard so I can't help it if I lie and make shit up" (even though I know better.)
Who needs Jerry Springer when you have family...oh and I almost forgot...we have my brother in law who bought a 2009 Dodge Ram and just spent $18K on parts to make it totally white trash like, because he likes to "take care of his baby" who is going to sale when the 2010's come out (so he can start all over.) Then my brother who in general is doing well and hopefully his wife can find a job soon and they can both help take care of my parents.
So just to be safe, let's make it 4 houses on 5-10 acres or 4 houses right next to each other. Thank God our parents have enough money to sustain themselves for now and hopefully they will have enough money to help us buy/build all these houses.
Who needs Jerry Springer when you have family...oh and I almost forgot...we have my brother in law who bought a 2009 Dodge Ram and just spent $18K on parts to make it totally white trash like, because he likes to "take care of his baby" who is going to sale when the 2010's come out (so he can start all over.) Then my brother who in general is doing well and hopefully his wife can find a job soon and they can both help take care of my parents.
So just to be safe, let's make it 4 houses on 5-10 acres or 4 houses right next to each other. Thank God our parents have enough money to sustain themselves for now and hopefully they will have enough money to help us buy/build all these houses.
Friday, May 01, 2009
11 months later
As you can tell I am still not down to where I need to be, but I am mostly content. I am also wearing my $5 jeans from Macy's children's department. The little man G was 23 lbs and over 31" long today.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Home schooling
I spent all of last week (8 hours a day) researching home schooling materials. I must have book marked 15 books and 20 sites. After all that work I went to Costco on Friday and they had 3 packs of Kumon books for $12.99 that were age appropriate. Right now the two I am focusing on is "Cutting" and "Tracing."
Cutting just requires your child to cut along the grey line. It starts off very simple and then progresses into cutting out fun things your child can play with. Yesterday she cut out a train that I taped together and today a she cut out two combs. We are currently on lesson 8 in the book.
Tracing is not really tracing right now as much as it is...draw a line from this point to that point and stay inside the lines. It will get her ready to write her own name by herself.
We also have "Coloring" and "Easy Mazes." Coloring has the child color in a shape within a picture, then a page of connecting two points without touching any objects along the way. Easy Mazes so far is very similar to the tracing book.
Our set also included "Upper Case Letters" and "Numbers 1-30." Both of those involve tracing the actual letters or numbers so I plan to wait until we finish a couple of the other books first.
After doing all my home school reseach I have decided that Zuzu will be starting a basic Kindergarten homeschool ciriculum this fall. The home school material is very basic and she already knows most of the academics covered in the programs I am interested in using with her. Right now I am thinking of using Oak Meadows and some Enki stories and then throwing in some more academic materials as we progress.
In other news I can squeeze into my smallest pants...so much so that I could wear them, but they just aren't comfortable. I am still hanging out at 126 but I am starting to get a waist back slowly. Must get down a little more by June....
Cutting just requires your child to cut along the grey line. It starts off very simple and then progresses into cutting out fun things your child can play with. Yesterday she cut out a train that I taped together and today a she cut out two combs. We are currently on lesson 8 in the book.
Tracing is not really tracing right now as much as it is...draw a line from this point to that point and stay inside the lines. It will get her ready to write her own name by herself.
We also have "Coloring" and "Easy Mazes." Coloring has the child color in a shape within a picture, then a page of connecting two points without touching any objects along the way. Easy Mazes so far is very similar to the tracing book.
Our set also included "Upper Case Letters" and "Numbers 1-30." Both of those involve tracing the actual letters or numbers so I plan to wait until we finish a couple of the other books first.
After doing all my home school reseach I have decided that Zuzu will be starting a basic Kindergarten homeschool ciriculum this fall. The home school material is very basic and she already knows most of the academics covered in the programs I am interested in using with her. Right now I am thinking of using Oak Meadows and some Enki stories and then throwing in some more academic materials as we progress.
In other news I can squeeze into my smallest pants...so much so that I could wear them, but they just aren't comfortable. I am still hanging out at 126 but I am starting to get a waist back slowly. Must get down a little more by June....
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thinking
It has begun. The open discussion of when to have child #3. I am excited to have another child, but the thought seems pre-mature since G is not even eating one solid meal a day. Then part of me thinks maybe it would be for the better just to have the closeness in age.
Did I mention my husband would like a March/April ('10) baby...
G just had his first swimming lesson yesterday. He looked so handsome in his little shorts. He is pretty fearless and calm in the water. He stuck his head down in the water numerous times and it never phased him.
Did I mention my husband would like a March/April ('10) baby...
G just had his first swimming lesson yesterday. He looked so handsome in his little shorts. He is pretty fearless and calm in the water. He stuck his head down in the water numerous times and it never phased him.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Time stops for no one
My son is almost 10 months old and in 3 months I will have a 3 year old. The reading is slowly coming along for the 3 year old. My son is crawling, pulling up, trying to stand alone and all that good stuff. 2 sets of stairs, despite my constant pestering, no gates have been put up. Instead of putting the gates up my husband taught my son how to climb up them. Yes we have already an incident that resulted in cut gums and a scrapped chin. Of course it was my fault cause I was the one who turned my back for 30 seconds.
My brother's wedding is in 1 week. I am down to 127....not the 122-123 I dreamed of. My husband has been supplying me with girl scout cookies for the last month. If I know him, he still has one or two more boxes in his car with my name on them. I still have a week left....I am aiming for 125 by the wedding. For some reason I feel rounder this time around than I did 2 years ago. My hips are also an inch wider. So they didn't go all the way back this time. I got myself something to suck it all in and hopefully it will make me feel a little better about myself when I stand next to people 10 years younger than me next week. Zuzu is very excited about getting to wear a white dress, just not sure how she will do with walking down the aisle and throwing some flowers.
My son is still not really eating solids. I give him a tiny bite of two off of my plate at best. He still looks at me, like I am trying to posion him.
I cut down on my grocery bill and no longer let my husband do the shopping. Which saves us any where from $100-200 a month. We also cut down on cable TV. We got rid of HBO and the big package "deal" with the DVR and now we have basic and a netflix subscription, saving us $40 a month.
My husband is tired of his job and wants to find a new one, but he says this every year. He just has some issues he needs to stand his ground on.
That's my current life in a nutshell.
My brother's wedding is in 1 week. I am down to 127....not the 122-123 I dreamed of. My husband has been supplying me with girl scout cookies for the last month. If I know him, he still has one or two more boxes in his car with my name on them. I still have a week left....I am aiming for 125 by the wedding. For some reason I feel rounder this time around than I did 2 years ago. My hips are also an inch wider. So they didn't go all the way back this time. I got myself something to suck it all in and hopefully it will make me feel a little better about myself when I stand next to people 10 years younger than me next week. Zuzu is very excited about getting to wear a white dress, just not sure how she will do with walking down the aisle and throwing some flowers.
My son is still not really eating solids. I give him a tiny bite of two off of my plate at best. He still looks at me, like I am trying to posion him.
I cut down on my grocery bill and no longer let my husband do the shopping. Which saves us any where from $100-200 a month. We also cut down on cable TV. We got rid of HBO and the big package "deal" with the DVR and now we have basic and a netflix subscription, saving us $40 a month.
My husband is tired of his job and wants to find a new one, but he says this every year. He just has some issues he needs to stand his ground on.
That's my current life in a nutshell.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Baby Legs Winner
I have sent the winner (Francis) an e-mail. I will try to e-mail again. If there is no response by tomorrow night I will pick a new winner on Monday.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Weight Loss
So those ticker people lost my ticker or whatever...it disappeared.
So anyway...I think it started at 147 and my goal was 115lbs (cause I am short). Right now I am at 129 8 months after having a baby. I think my high during the pregnancy was 167.
My brother's wedding is in 2 months. I think it is reasonable to try to be 122-123 by then. I just hope the dress I have isn't too big if I get down to that weight... :D
So anyway...I think it started at 147 and my goal was 115lbs (cause I am short). Right now I am at 129 8 months after having a baby. I think my high during the pregnancy was 167.
My brother's wedding is in 2 months. I think it is reasonable to try to be 122-123 by then. I just hope the dress I have isn't too big if I get down to that weight... :D
Teaching a 2.5 year old to read?
My daughter has recently taken an interest in reading. She has known how to id all letters and letter sounds for the last 7 months or so. I think I am going to use a basic strategy. Start off with her sounding out "AT" and then adding different letters to the beginning of it. Then once we get that down I can start changing the end of the word to a different consonant. Then we can aim for really being able to read basic words and books this summer when she turns 3.
I have a feeling I am going to have my work cut out for me in a few more years...
I have a feeling I am going to have my work cut out for me in a few more years...
Friday, February 06, 2009
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Great Gifts
Z got this for a Christmas gift. She loves it. She is actually getting kind of good at the letters (for a 2.5 year old.) It is endless hours of dry erase fun. She works on it by herself and sometime we work together. For $6 you really can't go wrong.
Okay I just saw this and had to share. I don't eat fruit roll-ups but if you do thisis for you http://www.myfruitrollups.com/ This would be a fantastic birthday party favor, and $30 for 30 and free shipping using the code on their website...not too bad.
A trip to the allergist
Today was our second trip.
First trip it took one and a half hours for the doctor to look at my child's skin and do some online research while we were in the room. $200 billed to insurance.
Today we found out lil G has a latex allergy and I told her about the milk allergy incident. We did one shot (Prevnar) and then next time we do the Polio shot.
I got a prescription for one of those crazy pen shots that you use should Benedryl not be good enough. It is scary to think that I may have to use it someday, but I will not be afraid to use it should I need to. I also got a note to we can fly with it (since we fly a lot and have been known to eat airport food.)
I realized....I need to go back to my posts from 1 year ago...because the only things that have changed are our location, I have a handsome son now (vs. being pregnant), and instead of my husband's father being sick and worrying about him, we are now worried about my mom. The housing situation is exactly the same.
First trip it took one and a half hours for the doctor to look at my child's skin and do some online research while we were in the room. $200 billed to insurance.
Today we found out lil G has a latex allergy and I told her about the milk allergy incident. We did one shot (Prevnar) and then next time we do the Polio shot.
I got a prescription for one of those crazy pen shots that you use should Benedryl not be good enough. It is scary to think that I may have to use it someday, but I will not be afraid to use it should I need to. I also got a note to we can fly with it (since we fly a lot and have been known to eat airport food.)
I realized....I need to go back to my posts from 1 year ago...because the only things that have changed are our location, I have a handsome son now (vs. being pregnant), and instead of my husband's father being sick and worrying about him, we are now worried about my mom. The housing situation is exactly the same.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Give Away
I don't care for baby legs, but I got some for free when I ordered my last set of glamourmom nursing tops (which I no longer recommend because they switched to a lower quality fabric that piles.)
So here is the deal leave a comment (with your e-mail address, I will not publish it) between now and Saturday (Feb. 7th) and I will randomly pick a winner and mail try to mail them out in time for Valentines Day. I will not mail them outside of the U.S. , so my apologies to my international readers.
We are moving
So I just unpacked my husbands clothes a month ago. He needed winter clothes and he ever unpacked his self. A few things (decorative) never got unpacked.
Now our lease is up in a month and if we don't get out by then the rent goes up $400 or about 25%. Do we have a place lined up...no, but there is one potential. I wish the perfect house would come on the market, so this could be our last move for at least 5 years (or more) but I sure don't see the perfect house anywhere.
While I am on the topic. My husband likes multi level houses. I have no idea why, other than he says, "It is nice to separate the living and sleeping areas." He obviously doesn't spend enough time home alone with the kids. (Did I mention it is a 3 story town house with no gates on the stairs...yeah it gives me nightmares.) All the while he says this, he wants an office, which would likely be upstairs next to his nephew the teenager, and his loud music. If you ask me, it is really because he associates multi level with wealth and upper class in his home country (where there is no middle class.)
Now if only G will wait one more month before he gets good at crawling.
Now our lease is up in a month and if we don't get out by then the rent goes up $400 or about 25%. Do we have a place lined up...no, but there is one potential. I wish the perfect house would come on the market, so this could be our last move for at least 5 years (or more) but I sure don't see the perfect house anywhere.
While I am on the topic. My husband likes multi level houses. I have no idea why, other than he says, "It is nice to separate the living and sleeping areas." He obviously doesn't spend enough time home alone with the kids. (Did I mention it is a 3 story town house with no gates on the stairs...yeah it gives me nightmares.) All the while he says this, he wants an office, which would likely be upstairs next to his nephew the teenager, and his loud music. If you ask me, it is really because he associates multi level with wealth and upper class in his home country (where there is no middle class.)
Now if only G will wait one more month before he gets good at crawling.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Why didn't I think of that...
A "Stay Dry Bath Apron." I am always afraid I am going to drop a squirmy baby while maneuvering around the bathroom. I always take off half my clothes before bathing the kids cause I always end up wet anyway. I am not sure if this is really what I need (I really need a rain suit), but it is a good idea and I could see how it would be really useful. Maybe I should make one for myself...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Just a note
Gibo played with his sisters sippy cup that had (cow's) milk in it. It is safe to say he is allergic to milk. I hope he out grows this in a year or less.
Coupons
I got my Kiwi Magazine and I have a lot o coupon codes to share. (I highly recommend the magazine for AP/Green mamas.)
Lavera Organic Skin Care 10% off with Kiwi09
SmartKnitKIDS Seemless Socks 10% off with KIWI
LoveBlessings.com Gift Baskets 10% off and free shipping with your first order KIWIBABE
Noli and Nali Skin Care 25% off your order with KIWI
Wee BE Organic Baby Cap 20% off with KIWI20
Green to Grow Gift Set 15% off with KIWIMAG
Sweet Pea Products 20 % off with KIWI
Child Safe Tee 10% off with KIWI
Lil Diaper Depot 10 % off first order till 2/28 with KIWI9
Dapple Baby Cleaning Products $5 off with KIWI
Happy Family Foods 15% off with KIWI109
Spa Princess Cookbook (all natural spa treatments and edible treats for kids) 15% off till 2/28
Lavera Organic Skin Care 10% off with Kiwi09
SmartKnitKIDS Seemless Socks 10% off with KIWI
LoveBlessings.com Gift Baskets 10% off and free shipping with your first order KIWIBABE
Noli and Nali Skin Care 25% off your order with KIWI
Wee BE Organic Baby Cap 20% off with KIWI20
Green to Grow Gift Set 15% off with KIWIMAG
Sweet Pea Products 20 % off with KIWI
Child Safe Tee 10% off with KIWI
Lil Diaper Depot 10 % off first order till 2/28 with KIWI9
Dapple Baby Cleaning Products $5 off with KIWI
Happy Family Foods 15% off with KIWI109
Spa Princess Cookbook (all natural spa treatments and edible treats for kids) 15% off till 2/28
Friday, January 23, 2009
70-80% sure
that we will be taking in a before mentioned teenager this summer. His mom can't handle him and his younger siblings are tired of listening to him and his mother fight. My husband tells me it is because she never allowed him to grow up. You think??!!!?? At 15 years old he still likes to ride in the shopping carts at Costco and have someone push him (not fast and crazy like a teenager, but like we do my 2 year old.) He is more afraid of the dark than my two year old. I wish I was exaggerating. I am worried about having a teenager and his influence on my children, but I am hoping to nip a few things in the butt right away so I don't hear my 2 year old cussing.
We turned in the offer on the house yesterday. It was a low ball offer but I got an appraisal from an agent that had already seen the house and our offer was right on. However the owners said it was so low they weren't even willing to counter offer. (They obviously didn't see the news about 1400 people getting laid off 5 miles up the road yesterday.) So now the hunt continues. Looks like we will be moving out of here and into a 3 bedroom house even if we have to rent. I am excited about that part, but with the price of rent and the price of buying so close, I hope we find an even better house in the next 2 weeks.
We turned in the offer on the house yesterday. It was a low ball offer but I got an appraisal from an agent that had already seen the house and our offer was right on. However the owners said it was so low they weren't even willing to counter offer. (They obviously didn't see the news about 1400 people getting laid off 5 miles up the road yesterday.) So now the hunt continues. Looks like we will be moving out of here and into a 3 bedroom house even if we have to rent. I am excited about that part, but with the price of rent and the price of buying so close, I hope we find an even better house in the next 2 weeks.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Z not sleeping
In a previous post I blamed Zuzu's lack of good sleep habits on all of these weird changes and unusual events. Last night we found out the real culprit. The neighbor kid.
We live in a townhouse apartment. Apparently the neighbor kid (who is between 6 and 10) has his bed up against the shared wall. At night he moves around and his bed thumps the wall and wakes Zuzu up. This also explains why Zuzu would cry in the middle of the night and mumble something about noises and she loves to come into our room and sleep even if it means in G's crib.
My poor girl is being woke up 2-3 times a night by the neighbor kid....I am so ready for a house...sure there will be dogs, and parties and all kinds of other noises, but my guess is, it won't be every night.
With that said, we found a nice humble house that would meet our needs for the next 30 years. Could we throw a dinner party for 50 people in it...probably not, but we could in the backyard. :) Is it perfect, no, but it is as close to perfect as it gets without the house stretching our budget to the max (which is not something we want to do given the uncertain economic times.) Hopefully we will get an offer in that the sellers will approve of in the next week and we can all feel good. and if it doesn't work out...there will be a reason...and it may be another year before we learn that reason...
We live in a townhouse apartment. Apparently the neighbor kid (who is between 6 and 10) has his bed up against the shared wall. At night he moves around and his bed thumps the wall and wakes Zuzu up. This also explains why Zuzu would cry in the middle of the night and mumble something about noises and she loves to come into our room and sleep even if it means in G's crib.
My poor girl is being woke up 2-3 times a night by the neighbor kid....I am so ready for a house...sure there will be dogs, and parties and all kinds of other noises, but my guess is, it won't be every night.
With that said, we found a nice humble house that would meet our needs for the next 30 years. Could we throw a dinner party for 50 people in it...probably not, but we could in the backyard. :) Is it perfect, no, but it is as close to perfect as it gets without the house stretching our budget to the max (which is not something we want to do given the uncertain economic times.) Hopefully we will get an offer in that the sellers will approve of in the next week and we can all feel good. and if it doesn't work out...there will be a reason...and it may be another year before we learn that reason...
Monday, January 12, 2009
What to do...
My parents are only 51. They are already loosing their short term memory. I wasn't planning on their care being my main concern until they were at least 60. This was supposed to be my time to have babies and their time to enjoy them. We did everything right, my mother had me when she was 22 and I still have a couple of years until I am 30.
I'd like to think I could handle 3 people with mental illness, but I am no super woman. I am a simple mom of 2 hoping to have 2 more children and buy a house.
What a mess this is. So on one side we have my sister in law and her 3 children and on the other side there are my parents and my brother that will need more care in the next couple of years.
All of this "drama" makes me feel like we need to just step away and realize that my husband and I are only two people and we can't help everyone.
We gave my sister in law enough tips to keep her kids out of trouble (when they were asked for), but if she chooses to ignore them, there is not much we can do.
I don't want to have any regrets with our own children, and the week my nephew was here they did take the back seat to him and his studies and that may be why we are having sleeping problems with Z. She seems to be more insecure and she only sleeps well in our room since the nephew left.
Ugh...my mother. Her brain is shutting off every few days for an hour or two. She wanted to drive and pick up a rental Saturday. I said, no. As I type this she tells me she is going to drive to the doctors by herself on Friday. I told her no. She can not afford another accident.
Why do most things that matter have to be such a struggle....
I'd like to think I could handle 3 people with mental illness, but I am no super woman. I am a simple mom of 2 hoping to have 2 more children and buy a house.
What a mess this is. So on one side we have my sister in law and her 3 children and on the other side there are my parents and my brother that will need more care in the next couple of years.
All of this "drama" makes me feel like we need to just step away and realize that my husband and I are only two people and we can't help everyone.
We gave my sister in law enough tips to keep her kids out of trouble (when they were asked for), but if she chooses to ignore them, there is not much we can do.
I don't want to have any regrets with our own children, and the week my nephew was here they did take the back seat to him and his studies and that may be why we are having sleeping problems with Z. She seems to be more insecure and she only sleeps well in our room since the nephew left.
Ugh...my mother. Her brain is shutting off every few days for an hour or two. She wanted to drive and pick up a rental Saturday. I said, no. As I type this she tells me she is going to drive to the doctors by herself on Friday. I told her no. She can not afford another accident.
Why do most things that matter have to be such a struggle....
Cloth Diaper Troubles
My son has sensitive skin. Cloth diapers were working well until November. Now I just can't get them clean enough and I have little or no sun to put them in to help.
I am having trouble with the Bum Genius pocket diapers. They rub the skin off his hips now that he is all over the place and spends time sitting up. They stink (like ammonium) when he pees, and they are stained. I have done my research and tried everything, short of the sun.
Why does using cloth diapers have to be such a pain in the butt? Why can't I just wash them and use them. It shouldn't require chemistry.
I have 2 FuzziBunz diapers that I like still but they don't get as much use as the others. I know in time I will switch to FuzziBunz (since Bum Genius' one size doesn't fit bigger toddlers), but for now I am frustrated with the money I invested and the way the diapers are interacting with my son.
I am having trouble with the Bum Genius pocket diapers. They rub the skin off his hips now that he is all over the place and spends time sitting up. They stink (like ammonium) when he pees, and they are stained. I have done my research and tried everything, short of the sun.
Why does using cloth diapers have to be such a pain in the butt? Why can't I just wash them and use them. It shouldn't require chemistry.
I have 2 FuzziBunz diapers that I like still but they don't get as much use as the others. I know in time I will switch to FuzziBunz (since Bum Genius' one size doesn't fit bigger toddlers), but for now I am frustrated with the money I invested and the way the diapers are interacting with my son.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Steak/Beef seasoning
While out at PCC this week I bought a sirloin tip roast. I had not cooked one before so I googled it. I came across this link. It was so good!! I cooked it for over an hour, because I don't like rare. It seriously tasted like a $40 restaurant steak.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (3 pound) sirloin tip roast
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix the paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme. Stir in the olive oil, and allow the mixture to sit about 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Place the roast on the prepared baking sheet, and cover on all sides with the spice mixture.
Roast 1 hour in the preheated oven, or to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let sit 15 minutes before slicing.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (3 pound) sirloin tip roast
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, mix the paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme. Stir in the olive oil, and allow the mixture to sit about 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Place the roast on the prepared baking sheet, and cover on all sides with the spice mixture.
Roast 1 hour in the preheated oven, or to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Let sit 15 minutes before slicing.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Yes you can be too cheap
Background: My mom drives a 1992 POS car. People have ran into the back of the car twice in the last year. I always bug my dad to get her a newer car with a few safety features...like say an airbag or two. Instead he usually turns around and brags about how little he spent on the car and that even though the head gasket leaks, the car still runs.
Yesterday afternoon on the way to the doctor my mom was sitting at a red light. This lady backs out of a mini mart across two lanes and hits my mom on her drivers side. The CR -V that hit her bounces off while shoving her car into another car on the passenger side. They had to use the jaws of life to get her out of the car.
The impact shifted her teeth and brain. It caused minor bleeding on her left side between the lining and the brain tissue. She spent 24 hours in the hospital and got a little cut up too (a few stitches.)
I was talking to my dad today. Telling him well we need to find mom a newer safer car. His first response, "I am only spending $5K. Cars are only to get you from point A to B." This coming from a man who has no problem spending $10k buying himself a motorcycle and who owns about a $1M in real estate spread out over 4 places. I went off! "You know they have side airbags now, if mom was driving a newer car she would have easily walked away and insurance would have bought you a new car. Mom's safety is worth more than $5k. I am tired of your bull sh1t excuses. Sell a property and take care of my mother."
My mom went to visit her family for Thanksgiving(4 days). She came home sick and miserable. On her way home (a 2 hour car ride) my dad calls and says, I don't have any food for work tomorrow. Can you stop and buy groceries. Then when my mom finally gets home sick and exhausted at 6pm. He asks her to make dinner. Instead of returning to work on Monday she spent the week at home in bed sick. Can you say lazy ass!
My mom's doctor today said to take two weeks off from work and my mom talked the doctor down to 1 week because my mom feels like she has to work. Seriously how can you have so much and yet still feel poor, feel like you need money to survive month to month and jeopardize your already weak health.
Yesterday afternoon on the way to the doctor my mom was sitting at a red light. This lady backs out of a mini mart across two lanes and hits my mom on her drivers side. The CR -V that hit her bounces off while shoving her car into another car on the passenger side. They had to use the jaws of life to get her out of the car.
The impact shifted her teeth and brain. It caused minor bleeding on her left side between the lining and the brain tissue. She spent 24 hours in the hospital and got a little cut up too (a few stitches.)
I was talking to my dad today. Telling him well we need to find mom a newer safer car. His first response, "I am only spending $5K. Cars are only to get you from point A to B." This coming from a man who has no problem spending $10k buying himself a motorcycle and who owns about a $1M in real estate spread out over 4 places. I went off! "You know they have side airbags now, if mom was driving a newer car she would have easily walked away and insurance would have bought you a new car. Mom's safety is worth more than $5k. I am tired of your bull sh1t excuses. Sell a property and take care of my mother."
My mom went to visit her family for Thanksgiving(4 days). She came home sick and miserable. On her way home (a 2 hour car ride) my dad calls and says, I don't have any food for work tomorrow. Can you stop and buy groceries. Then when my mom finally gets home sick and exhausted at 6pm. He asks her to make dinner. Instead of returning to work on Monday she spent the week at home in bed sick. Can you say lazy ass!
My mom's doctor today said to take two weeks off from work and my mom talked the doctor down to 1 week because my mom feels like she has to work. Seriously how can you have so much and yet still feel poor, feel like you need money to survive month to month and jeopardize your already weak health.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Have we got a deal for you!
Why is health care in the US so bad....here is an idea. Doctors and hospitals are greedy. My mom was online researching and she came across a cancer center in Zion, IL. They have this "great" deal. They will fly you and a spouse out to them for $40 a night lodging and $5 a meal pp for 3-5 days to set up a plan to treat your cancer. Then they will fly you out there as often as they need to treat you (once a week is the average.) My mom was so excited...."Wow! This sounds great." Okay first off, if you are sick and your immune system is very very fragile (as it is with MM and only made worse by the treatment) why would you fly anymore than you absolutely have to? It is only going to make you really sick and likely get pneumonia which will put you in the hospital....namely their hospital (because you will want to be near your doctor.) There you will stay for 1-6 months and accumulate a hospital bill anywhere from $200,000 to $2,000,0000 or more. While you are in the hospital your family will fly in and visit you or stay near you and generate more income for the hospital and the community.
The icing on the cake. This cancer center has a location in Arizona, which is closer to my mother. Do they offer this same package there.....nope. They only offer this to this little whole in the wall community half way across the US. (No offense to anyone, as I grew up in a similar community.)
Greedy bastards....
A family of 5
Last week we were a family of 5. My 15 year old nephew was here. He is failing Geometry and his mother is lucky if she can do 4th grade math, so we brought him up for a week of tutoring and a break from his mother (who has her own problems that she keeps sharing with the 15 year old.) This is the same kid who tried space cookies last month and told his mom she needed to try one. She is worried she is loosing her son, which she is because she is wrapped up in having a perfectly clean and decorated house.
While here he had to wake up at 5am everyday to start math. He would work with my husband until 7am, then all day on his own till 5pm with a 2 hour break for lunch, gym, and a shower. At 5pm he would play with the babies while I finished getting dinner ready. After dinner he got an hour to watch TV or play Xbox while we put the babies to bed. Then another hour on math and then about 30 minutes of TV or Xbox before bed.
Friday we drove up to the snow and spent the morning playing in the snow, and the afternoon shopping. Saturday morning he was begging my husband to let him live with us, but life isn't that easy and it is not our choice. Later that morning he flew home.
By Saturday night my husband was missing him.
Our nephew did so much better in our home with our rules than he does with his mom. For the most part getting him to do basic chores was not a struggle. At his house he whines non-stop because his mother allows it and it works her up and he gets attention from it. I personally don't allow arguments and whining and my husband is slowly learning not to allow them either.
My husband and I also saw his old self come back out. He has not been his old self in over a year when he pulled his dad off his mom. Sadly by the next day he was upset to be home.
Being a teenager is very hard.I think a lot of parents forget that. They forget that teenagers like to go out and spend time as a family receiving positive attention from their parents. They really only play video games and listen to music all day because they have nothing else better to do. Just like adults they want balance to their lives. Teenagers don't know how to give balance to their lives on their own and it is up to the parents to be an example and to occasionally make sure the balance is their (despite the will of the teenager.) They need time to work, play (which should include a physical activity), and then relax and unwind too.
Why am I writing all this...I want to remember it later when my own kids are grown and I want to remind myself that even now I need to be continually working toward a more perfect balance.
While here he had to wake up at 5am everyday to start math. He would work with my husband until 7am, then all day on his own till 5pm with a 2 hour break for lunch, gym, and a shower. At 5pm he would play with the babies while I finished getting dinner ready. After dinner he got an hour to watch TV or play Xbox while we put the babies to bed. Then another hour on math and then about 30 minutes of TV or Xbox before bed.
Friday we drove up to the snow and spent the morning playing in the snow, and the afternoon shopping. Saturday morning he was begging my husband to let him live with us, but life isn't that easy and it is not our choice. Later that morning he flew home.
By Saturday night my husband was missing him.
Our nephew did so much better in our home with our rules than he does with his mom. For the most part getting him to do basic chores was not a struggle. At his house he whines non-stop because his mother allows it and it works her up and he gets attention from it. I personally don't allow arguments and whining and my husband is slowly learning not to allow them either.
My husband and I also saw his old self come back out. He has not been his old self in over a year when he pulled his dad off his mom. Sadly by the next day he was upset to be home.
Being a teenager is very hard.I think a lot of parents forget that. They forget that teenagers like to go out and spend time as a family receiving positive attention from their parents. They really only play video games and listen to music all day because they have nothing else better to do. Just like adults they want balance to their lives. Teenagers don't know how to give balance to their lives on their own and it is up to the parents to be an example and to occasionally make sure the balance is their (despite the will of the teenager.) They need time to work, play (which should include a physical activity), and then relax and unwind too.
Why am I writing all this...I want to remember it later when my own kids are grown and I want to remind myself that even now I need to be continually working toward a more perfect balance.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Learning from others
We just got back from California. We spent the better part of the week with my sister in law and her children.
Every time I see her and her children, I feel the same way. She messed up her life and she continues to allow it to roll down hill.
I am continually learning from her mistakes so I would like to share her story. Hopefully others will not make the same mistakes. I will refer to her as E.
When E was 19 she entered her rebellious phase. She feel in love with a man 16 years ago, who she knew had a history of spousal abuse and she never told anyone about his history. Her husband occasionally hit her but she always took it and kept it mostly to herself. He was unemployed for 6 months. At that time they moved in with E's parents. E's mother spent a good portion of her savings and retirement supporting the family. Finally E's husband got a job in California close to my husband. From time to time E's parents would come and stay with E. E's parents always did the cooking cleaning and bought E's children the best gifts while visiting and buy other large ticket items that were needed. E's husband was never happy about E's parents visiting. E's husband was only good for the money he made. E and her husband were funny. They buy things they don't need but tighten the budget on things they do need (food, clothing, housing.)
In fall 2007 E's husband beat her. He threw her against the wall then down on the ground and started hitting and kicking her. All of the children were a witness (4, 9, 14 years old.) The 14 year old boy had to step in and pull his father off of his mother. We (my husband and I) wanted to call the police but E did not want us too. We respected her wishes and my husband had a serious talk with E's husband and was warned that next time there would be no choice and no one to stop us from calling.
We moved away from California. August 2008 we received a call at 11pm from the 14 year old. He called to let us know his dad was drunk and threatening his mother and being vulgar. The 14 year old and my husband communicated online. When E was hit by her husband, my husband was on the phone with the local (to them) police and they were there in 2 minutes. They took him away and a restraining order was issued the next day.
As you can see it was very typical. He is a control freak when it comes to what he can control and she is naive about the world. He kept $50k in the bank all the time saying how poor they are. He even made a joint account just so he could deposit the tax return money without her knowledge (or signature.) E believes that everyone she meets is so nice and had no idea that the government was giving $1500 to families as part of the tax relief program (in 2008) even though everyone I know was talking about it.
Every time I see her and her children, I feel the same way. She messed up her life and she continues to allow it to roll down hill.
I am continually learning from her mistakes so I would like to share her story. Hopefully others will not make the same mistakes. I will refer to her as E.
When E was 19 she entered her rebellious phase. She feel in love with a man 16 years ago, who she knew had a history of spousal abuse and she never told anyone about his history. Her husband occasionally hit her but she always took it and kept it mostly to herself. He was unemployed for 6 months. At that time they moved in with E's parents. E's mother spent a good portion of her savings and retirement supporting the family. Finally E's husband got a job in California close to my husband. From time to time E's parents would come and stay with E. E's parents always did the cooking cleaning and bought E's children the best gifts while visiting and buy other large ticket items that were needed. E's husband was never happy about E's parents visiting. E's husband was only good for the money he made. E and her husband were funny. They buy things they don't need but tighten the budget on things they do need (food, clothing, housing.)
In fall 2007 E's husband beat her. He threw her against the wall then down on the ground and started hitting and kicking her. All of the children were a witness (4, 9, 14 years old.) The 14 year old boy had to step in and pull his father off of his mother. We (my husband and I) wanted to call the police but E did not want us too. We respected her wishes and my husband had a serious talk with E's husband and was warned that next time there would be no choice and no one to stop us from calling.
We moved away from California. August 2008 we received a call at 11pm from the 14 year old. He called to let us know his dad was drunk and threatening his mother and being vulgar. The 14 year old and my husband communicated online. When E was hit by her husband, my husband was on the phone with the local (to them) police and they were there in 2 minutes. They took him away and a restraining order was issued the next day.
As you can see it was very typical. He is a control freak when it comes to what he can control and she is naive about the world. He kept $50k in the bank all the time saying how poor they are. He even made a joint account just so he could deposit the tax return money without her knowledge (or signature.) E believes that everyone she meets is so nice and had no idea that the government was giving $1500 to families as part of the tax relief program (in 2008) even though everyone I know was talking about it.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
You know your 2 year old will be smarter than you when....
She knows the difference between right and left body parts, says, "We're almost home!" when you turn on your street, reminds you to "Be careful!" when you get mad at other drivers or (baba) starts swerving, and she spells her last name with the same ease you do.
We have a local educational channel aimed for middle school to high school level students. I told my husband maybe I should have her watch that and the university channel (always watching in on a computer technology class.) Could you imagine....
I would really never have her watch something that advanced at her age, but children truly are sponges at this age.
Did I mention the 6 month old says, mama, baba, and night, night. He is just now getting a firm grasp on sitting up by himself.
We have a local educational channel aimed for middle school to high school level students. I told my husband maybe I should have her watch that and the university channel (always watching in on a computer technology class.) Could you imagine....
I would really never have her watch something that advanced at her age, but children truly are sponges at this age.
Did I mention the 6 month old says, mama, baba, and night, night. He is just now getting a firm grasp on sitting up by himself.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Grandmas.....
My mom called this morning. We started talking about Christmas presents. As you can see from the last post I am a very practical person and I know what I want for my kids. We don't celebrate but they do so we are going to see them for the holidays.
Cotton food from "Under the Nile." He can chew on it, she can play with it and have herself a store or cooking party. $26 not cheap, but okay.
Melissa and Doug Lacing beads. She can sort but color or shape and make her own necklace. $10 very affordable.
I talk to my mom and she was thinking about getting them something along the same lines but different.
Not bad or anything. Just more money and it looses half of it's purpose (sorting) and I am not sure Gibo will want to play with it when he is 3.
This for Gibo. $68 from FAO. It is a very cool toy and all, but for a 6 month old I don't see a lot of purpose behind it.
From my mother who in the same call said she is worried about money (she has cancer and will start chemo. soon) The same person who growing up said $50 gifts are the limit and made all three of us go in together to get the orginal Nintendo for Christmas one year.
I guess being a grandma changes everything.....
Cotton food from "Under the Nile." He can chew on it, she can play with it and have herself a store or cooking party. $26 not cheap, but okay.
Melissa and Doug Lacing beads. She can sort but color or shape and make her own necklace. $10 very affordable.I talk to my mom and she was thinking about getting them something along the same lines but different.
Not bad or anything. Just more money and it looses half of it's purpose (sorting) and I am not sure Gibo will want to play with it when he is 3.
This for Gibo. $68 from FAO. It is a very cool toy and all, but for a 6 month old I don't see a lot of purpose behind it.From my mother who in the same call said she is worried about money (she has cancer and will start chemo. soon) The same person who growing up said $50 gifts are the limit and made all three of us go in together to get the orginal Nintendo for Christmas one year.
I guess being a grandma changes everything.....
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
This years toddler "IT" gift
This year if you have a toddler you have just got to get them a kitchen. Almost every toddler parent I know is buying them a kitchen. It's okay if you don't have room, just make room for it. It okay if you can't afford your mortgage and you are thinking of letting your house get forclosed on, just get your kid a kitchen for Christmas because if you don't your 2 year old will hate you and you will be out casted by all of your other cool parent of 2 year old friends.
They range from the table top stoves
to diners
Yeah so guess what Z is getting. $10-15 wood lacing beads. And G? He is getting felt or cotton fruits and/or veggies ($20) so he can chew on them safely.
They range from the table top stoves
to diners
Yeah so guess what Z is getting. $10-15 wood lacing beads. And G? He is getting felt or cotton fruits and/or veggies ($20) so he can chew on them safely.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Chicken Pox with a baby
Gibo will be 6 months this Friday. Last Wednesday it became obvious he had the chicken pox. I thought okay it is just chicken pox, not a big deal. I was so wrong. Emotionally it was so draining.
We went to the doctor on Wednesday. Our usual doctor was not in. The doctor we saw looked at him and wasn't sure what it was and had to go get a second opinion. As we are waiting more and more dots are showing up, they are doubling right before my eyes. They conference with each other and decide it is chicken pox that I gave to him from the shingles that I had (didn't know it was shingles at the time), because they have a 2 week incubation period.
Thursday (Thanksgiving) my husband is home for the weekend to help. Thursday night only Zuzu sleeps. We are up all night with Gibo who is just so upset, uncomfortable and has a 102 fever with Tylenol in him. We changed our bed sheets at least twice that night and gave him an oatmeal bath at 3am to help with the itching.
Zuzu's love for Gibo really started to show through. She wanted to be there with him and confort him when he cried. She would get upset when she couldn't be by his side.
Friday night it became obvious Zuzu had the chicken pox too. Saturday Gibo started getting better and Zuzu worse. Saturday night her eye started getting a little red so for the 3rd time in a week we went back to the doctor. Turns out it went away on it's own and she was fine.
Now we are just waiting for all the sores to scab over so we are no longer contagious and we will pray for minimal scars and that Gibo has magically become immune (even though when babies his age get it they usually don't.)
In all of this I did learn that Gibo is 20 lbs now and my husband not only had the chicken pox as a boy, but the mumps and measles too.
I am happy that Zuzu and Gibo had each other through this and even if we could not make them smile, they could still make each other smile.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
My favorite store of all time
PCC Natural Markets. They are only in the greater Seattle area, but they should be an example to grocery stores everywhere. They but Whole Foods to shame. Think costco (organic) food prices but without the bulk and with more choices and products. They even have a full vegan refrigerated row with chesses, milk and whatever else you could need.
I knew I was in love when I walked in one day to buy my staples, bought about $15 extra dollars in shampoo and still walked outspending less than my usual trips to other grocery stores.
...and it only got better. I became a member (it is optional) and now once a month I get an additional 5% off and another time I get 10% off everything. The membership was $60 and it is a lifetime membership, unlike Costco where you pay every year.
They only allow the use of plastic bags for produce (which usually are wet from the misting) and the dry goods (like grains, soup mixes, and nuts) but in both cases there are small brown paper bags as an option too.
They have cooking classes for toddlers up to seniors.They support farmland growth and local farms. They carry harder to find meat, like lamb and bison. Every time I try something new from PCC I fall in love all over again.
If you are ever in the greater Seattle area make sure you check out PCC.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Worth the time
My parents claim they know (all about this.) Well if the "know" the why don't they make the necessary changes???
I can talk until I am blue in the face and nothing ever changes because I am and always will be the "daughter" and they the "parents". I hope I am smarter than that when I am 50.
Another strike against phamacetical companies
I can't believe that anyone would be so naive as to even make all these assumptions this in the first place. Motrin is working on pulling the ad.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Old Pictures
My mom and I taking a bath circa 1981.
Dig my pin striped jeans, suspenders and my volcano science project. 1989
Just in case there was any doubt about my poor white trash history :) It was a 4 door long bed Chevy. I slept in one of the bench seats, my brother in the back row, then my parents and youngest brother in the back of the truck. Not sure when this picture was taken other than sometime between 1985 and 1992. I believe this was Pismo Beach.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
It's offical
My mom has cancer in her bones. It took doctors 6 months to figure out what we already thought it was by the power of deduction and reading on the internet. Just one more mark against doctors in the US and another reason I don't trust them. She has been suffering with no name to her pain for almost a full year now.
So after Thanksgiving she starts Chemo and we go from there. As she says the good news is she will finally be loosing that extra 100 lbs she has been carrying around and we will be making a few trips out to California. The doctor that she is working with told her that some blood count number (to tell you have cancer) is the highest he has ever seen, but with a bone marrow transplant and possibly some stem cells she should be okay after they are able to kill off the cancer.
Just when I was happy that this ride called 2008 was going to be over....a ride called 2009 is looking even more challenging.
So after Thanksgiving she starts Chemo and we go from there. As she says the good news is she will finally be loosing that extra 100 lbs she has been carrying around and we will be making a few trips out to California. The doctor that she is working with told her that some blood count number (to tell you have cancer) is the highest he has ever seen, but with a bone marrow transplant and possibly some stem cells she should be okay after they are able to kill off the cancer.
Just when I was happy that this ride called 2008 was going to be over....a ride called 2009 is looking even more challenging.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Feeling skinny--er
I am officially down to 134 lbs. My size 4's fit. I am happy. About 7 more pounds and my 2's should fit. I am very excited. My husband even said, "What is this you loose a few pounds and suddenly you have energy?" I seriously thought loosing weight would be harder this time around, I love to be wrong :)
My goal is to be squeezing into those 2's for the new year. With Gibo's help I should be able to do it.
My goal is to be squeezing into those 2's for the new year. With Gibo's help I should be able to do it.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Worse than poop
Baba has this big waiting room chairs that he got for free 3 years ago and he loves them. I hate them. They are our dinning room chairs. When we moved they got covered in plastic. Baba put Zuzu's chair on top of the plastic (as in 4/6 chairs were still covered in moving plastic.) Her chair is on there in such a way that he threaded it through holes he poked in the plastic.
Most of this week our apartment smelled like something died. 2 days ago I figured out it was her chair. So yesterday I vacuumed the sides to see if I could get anything out. It still stunk.
This morning after breakfast while baba was still upstairs I said screw his precious chair (and cover) I am taking the booster & plastic off.
I seriously started gagging. Ever smell a rotting animal...the stinkiest smell you can imagine...that was this. A brown puddle of milk with floating chunks and a ring around the edge of the booster chair.
I seriously contemplated throwing the chair away. I held my breath and hosed it down in the sink. Then I soaked it in the sink, then scrubbed with soap. Then sprayed down with anti-bacterial cleaner then rinsed again.
I think it will be okay now. Did I mention I hate Baba's chairs.....
Most of this week our apartment smelled like something died. 2 days ago I figured out it was her chair. So yesterday I vacuumed the sides to see if I could get anything out. It still stunk.
This morning after breakfast while baba was still upstairs I said screw his precious chair (and cover) I am taking the booster & plastic off.
I seriously started gagging. Ever smell a rotting animal...the stinkiest smell you can imagine...that was this. A brown puddle of milk with floating chunks and a ring around the edge of the booster chair.
I seriously contemplated throwing the chair away. I held my breath and hosed it down in the sink. Then I soaked it in the sink, then scrubbed with soap. Then sprayed down with anti-bacterial cleaner then rinsed again.
I think it will be okay now. Did I mention I hate Baba's chairs.....
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
2 adults, 2 kids, 1.5 beds
We had guests over the weekend that were 80 years old. So We gave our guests Zuzu's room so they could be close to the bathroom and minimize the stair climbing.
We have a queen bed and a crib attached to the side. Zuzu would get ready and go to bed first in our bed. Then Gibo would fall asleep and we put him in the crib next to the bed. Then we would sleep like that until Gibo would wake up hungry. Then I put Gibo in my spot, move Zuzu to the crib, then move Gibo over to the middle and nurse him back to sleep. If my husband and I both sleep on our sides or almost on the very edge of the bed we can fit all four of us. The problem becomes Zuzu's tossing and turning and bumping her brother.
So it can be done, and I am sure there are people all over the globe that sleep four people to a bed everynight. I do admit, I love snuggling with both my kids, but Zuzu did miss her room.
Through all of this we started a new routine of putting both kids to sleep at 7:30/8pm so that we could have 2 hours every night to ourselves.
We have a queen bed and a crib attached to the side. Zuzu would get ready and go to bed first in our bed. Then Gibo would fall asleep and we put him in the crib next to the bed. Then we would sleep like that until Gibo would wake up hungry. Then I put Gibo in my spot, move Zuzu to the crib, then move Gibo over to the middle and nurse him back to sleep. If my husband and I both sleep on our sides or almost on the very edge of the bed we can fit all four of us. The problem becomes Zuzu's tossing and turning and bumping her brother.
So it can be done, and I am sure there are people all over the globe that sleep four people to a bed everynight. I do admit, I love snuggling with both my kids, but Zuzu did miss her room.
Through all of this we started a new routine of putting both kids to sleep at 7:30/8pm so that we could have 2 hours every night to ourselves.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
For the first time in over three years....
my toe nails have paint. I use to always paint them and well for the last 3 years I haven't made it a priority. So now it is 11:30pm and I am finally doing it :)
Interesting enough it was almost 3 years ago today that I found out I was pregnant with Zuzu. What a journey the last 3 years have been....
Oh and I lost another pound
Interesting enough it was almost 3 years ago today that I found out I was pregnant with Zuzu. What a journey the last 3 years have been....
Oh and I lost another pound
Saturday, October 18, 2008
PLEASE teach my husband to drive!
We have owned our for 5 or so weeks now. So far my husband has slammed into the curb with it 2 times. The second time was today about 3 hours after I talked to him and said take it easy because your driving sucks. Be easy and smooth....smooth = good driving. I got no problem if he wants to drive like crap...that is fine just be willing to let me drive then and quit the macho BS.
Our gender roles are messed up. Honestly he is a better cooker and cleaner than I am, and I am a better fixer of things non-computer as well as I know my way around a garage and how to mow a lawn (he has never mowed a lawn.) Is he willing to admit it, No! I am? Yes!
Our problem #2: I don't like the way he french kisses (no passion) and he doesn't like the way I do (probably too much passion. This has been bothering me a lot lately.
Our problem #3: He is always at his sisters beck and call and rarely at mine. Sure I am not anywhere as needy or confused about day to day function in society, but when I say help please he should at least try to respond in a semi-quick fashion. (This is an ongoing problem...can you tell.)
Our gender roles are messed up. Honestly he is a better cooker and cleaner than I am, and I am a better fixer of things non-computer as well as I know my way around a garage and how to mow a lawn (he has never mowed a lawn.) Is he willing to admit it, No! I am? Yes!
Our problem #2: I don't like the way he french kisses (no passion) and he doesn't like the way I do (probably too much passion. This has been bothering me a lot lately.
Our problem #3: He is always at his sisters beck and call and rarely at mine. Sure I am not anywhere as needy or confused about day to day function in society, but when I say help please he should at least try to respond in a semi-quick fashion. (This is an ongoing problem...can you tell.)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Weight Loss Conclusion
Well I didn't do as well as I wanted to, but I did well enough. I had to slow down and back off to keep G's weight up. Diet and exercise are not good for chubby babies.
I hope to loose another 10 lbs by the end of the year, then I will be content until G is a year old....or so I think.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Economics
It is not like me to use this blog to post about real world politics, but believe it or not I am an educated woman and spend my fair share taking econ. classes, it was my minor.
Everyday I wake up listening NPR and everyday I hear something that makes me think "WHAT THE F**K ARE THEY DOING????" I am sorry but this nation is ran by a bunch of morons.
First- How is it that each state with in the U.S has to balance it's budget and make huge cut backs while we blow trillions on a war for oil and Israelies. (Follow something besides your local news and fox and follow the BBC or something half way decent and let me know when the light bulb comes back on.)
Second- So let me get this straight, we give AIG money, they take a vacation, come back & say they need more money and now we give them a loan?? Do I look like your sugar daddy or your b1tch???
Third- We loan GM $25B, they spend $3B in internet advertising. Dear GM we know who you are, your cars suck and/or are over priced, that's why we don't buy them. Why don't you invest that money in figuring out a way to get the engines to go 100,000 miles without leaking oil all over the place? I mean 100 years using a combustion engine, this isn't like rocket science.
Fouth- We have the Boeing machinests on strike. I understand you are under valued but your neighbor just lost his job 2 months ago and is getting forclosed on next week (see for yourself). There comes a time when you have to feed your family and keep a roof over their head and tell the union to go F themselves.
Now for the Biggie...
How about we raise the interest rate to give our dollar value again and then people will be interested in keeping their money in the banks (since it would actually earn money.) Then we could switch to complete Islamic banking home loans over the next 6 months.
If companies get burned in the process it was probably their own faults, in time other better ran companies will take their place anyway.
Islamic banking:
Say you want a $100,000 house, but you only have enough to cover your closing costs and put $10,000 down. So you need a loan for 90% of your house. Three blocks over a house just like your's rents for $1000 a month.
Given this info., the people that loaned you the money own 90% of the house that you live in. So every month you pay them 90% of $1000, or $900 rent. Then you need to pay down your home loan, so you pay them another $835 a month, so that every month you own more of your home and you pay less rent. So then if you paid $10,000 in the first year, not counting rent (plus your orginal down) you now own 20% of your home, and your rent has been adjusted every month and now you are paying $800 a month rent.
If at the end of the first year you have to sell your house at a loss the loss is split. So say the $100,000 house is now only worth $50,000. The split is an 80/20 (since those are the owned percentages) so buyer would only get $10,000 back out of the sale and bank only gets $40,000 from the sale (plus the rent them.)
I have the strongest feeling everything they are doing right now is only making things worse long term.
Everyday I wake up listening NPR and everyday I hear something that makes me think "WHAT THE F**K ARE THEY DOING????" I am sorry but this nation is ran by a bunch of morons.
First- How is it that each state with in the U.S has to balance it's budget and make huge cut backs while we blow trillions on a war for oil and Israelies. (Follow something besides your local news and fox and follow the BBC or something half way decent and let me know when the light bulb comes back on.)
Second- So let me get this straight, we give AIG money, they take a vacation, come back & say they need more money and now we give them a loan?? Do I look like your sugar daddy or your b1tch???
Third- We loan GM $25B, they spend $3B in internet advertising. Dear GM we know who you are, your cars suck and/or are over priced, that's why we don't buy them. Why don't you invest that money in figuring out a way to get the engines to go 100,000 miles without leaking oil all over the place? I mean 100 years using a combustion engine, this isn't like rocket science.
Fouth- We have the Boeing machinests on strike. I understand you are under valued but your neighbor just lost his job 2 months ago and is getting forclosed on next week (see for yourself). There comes a time when you have to feed your family and keep a roof over their head and tell the union to go F themselves.
Now for the Biggie...
How about we raise the interest rate to give our dollar value again and then people will be interested in keeping their money in the banks (since it would actually earn money.) Then we could switch to complete Islamic banking home loans over the next 6 months.
If companies get burned in the process it was probably their own faults, in time other better ran companies will take their place anyway.
Islamic banking:
Say you want a $100,000 house, but you only have enough to cover your closing costs and put $10,000 down. So you need a loan for 90% of your house. Three blocks over a house just like your's rents for $1000 a month.
Given this info., the people that loaned you the money own 90% of the house that you live in. So every month you pay them 90% of $1000, or $900 rent. Then you need to pay down your home loan, so you pay them another $835 a month, so that every month you own more of your home and you pay less rent. So then if you paid $10,000 in the first year, not counting rent (plus your orginal down) you now own 20% of your home, and your rent has been adjusted every month and now you are paying $800 a month rent.
If at the end of the first year you have to sell your house at a loss the loss is split. So say the $100,000 house is now only worth $50,000. The split is an 80/20 (since those are the owned percentages) so buyer would only get $10,000 back out of the sale and bank only gets $40,000 from the sale (plus the rent them.)
I have the strongest feeling everything they are doing right now is only making things worse long term.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Made my own wrap
G wasn't very happy in the ergo like Z use to be, so I had some green cotton knit laying around and make my own wrap out of that. It seems a little more comfortable but he still hates it.
That was 2-3 weeks ago. Now we are back to the ergo and he is such a big boy he sits in it normally. With Z we didn't do that until 6 months.
Each child is obviously different, I knew it but I guess I didn't realize how true it could be.
That was 2-3 weeks ago. Now we are back to the ergo and he is such a big boy he sits in it normally. With Z we didn't do that until 6 months.
Each child is obviously different, I knew it but I guess I didn't realize how true it could be.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Cherios and high chair toy down!!
Z was just laying on the ground and all of a sudden she starts peeing like a boy. It starts shooting up in the air, she peed in the bowl of cherios she was munching on and this little toy that fits inside the tray of her fisher price booster seat (that I just got out for her brother this morning) and of course on the carpet.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Ramblings
I have been pretty busy. Potty training, sick babies, making good food for my husband to eat (Ramadan), going to parks, swimming lessons, teaching Z some preschool level skills.
Then music lessons are starting this week and family coming next week.
I am very much enjoying my new van. It brings a new level of freedom.
Where am I going to nurse my son, where am I going to change his diaper, and how am I going to keep an eye on my daughter while I do all that? Not to mention have have more than enough trunk space now I can start getting some craigslist deals since I now have the means to get items myself versus sending my husband out when ever he has the time. (I really want to to get G a jumperoo in the next couple of weeks.)
In other news the economy is really suffering. I see the pros and cons in this. Good because now those crazy housing prices are finally starting to adjust back down to normal levels, but bad because my husband is too scared of the economy to buy a house. Maybe the November election will bring some good change with the new year.
Then music lessons are starting this week and family coming next week.
I am very much enjoying my new van. It brings a new level of freedom.
Where am I going to nurse my son, where am I going to change his diaper, and how am I going to keep an eye on my daughter while I do all that? Not to mention have have more than enough trunk space now I can start getting some craigslist deals since I now have the means to get items myself versus sending my husband out when ever he has the time. (I really want to to get G a jumperoo in the next couple of weeks.)
In other news the economy is really suffering. I see the pros and cons in this. Good because now those crazy housing prices are finally starting to adjust back down to normal levels, but bad because my husband is too scared of the economy to buy a house. Maybe the November election will bring some good change with the new year.
Friday, September 12, 2008
All in a days work....
throw-up in bed, blue paint in carpet, coffee table coasters soaked in urine (don't ask)....
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Finally....
I finally got my minivan. (I was supposed to get it before G was born.)
We were going to get the Odyssey but DH is a techy so he wanted some bells and whistles. He fell in love with this model a year ago when we rented one for a week.
We brought home mama's new baby....
A '08 Sienna XLE Limted with Dvd, leather, laser cruise, and bluetooth and some other fancy toys.
If you are bored here is an entertaining story....
We went to one dealer to get Costco pricing. We get their unload the kids and she says....I have the '08 at the other lot, let me get a car you can follow me. (Well at first she wate us to ride with her over...um hello two car seats lady....)
So we get to the other lot and unload the kids again.
"look as this beauty I drove over pre-owned '06 with 39K miles dvd, navigation, laser cruise...the works, only $31xxx."
The cars are all locked and they are all the '09. "I just wanted you to see them for color and feel them" (okay smoke much weed lady??) We tell her what we want, she says "that package doesn't exsist" I told her I just saw it last weekend. About 2-3 more times we tell her what we want and she continues to tell us that doesn't exists. Then she says we should go
She says let's go back, I can talk to my manager, and get some VIN to look up the costco pricing on.
We get back in our car the man & I are like this lady is crazy. We told her what we wanted, she said she had it in stock and all we wanted was a price. Now she is just wasting our time & she wants us to sit for 2 hours to get a price because she has to find the car by talking to her manager, searching the state, & typing in VINs....let's go. DH said let's just go and not say anything...if she asks we will say the kids were done. I told him, no I might be bringing our car their for service so we better just say thanks but no thanks.
Anyway we traveled to another dealer where we knew they had our car in stock & got it for about $1k more than the '06 the crazy lady showed us.
We were going to get the Odyssey but DH is a techy so he wanted some bells and whistles. He fell in love with this model a year ago when we rented one for a week.
We brought home mama's new baby....
A '08 Sienna XLE Limted with Dvd, leather, laser cruise, and bluetooth and some other fancy toys.
If you are bored here is an entertaining story....
We went to one dealer to get Costco pricing. We get their unload the kids and she says....I have the '08 at the other lot, let me get a car you can follow me. (Well at first she wate us to ride with her over...um hello two car seats lady....)
So we get to the other lot and unload the kids again.
"look as this beauty I drove over pre-owned '06 with 39K miles dvd, navigation, laser cruise...the works, only $31xxx."
The cars are all locked and they are all the '09. "I just wanted you to see them for color and feel them" (okay smoke much weed lady??) We tell her what we want, she says "that package doesn't exsist" I told her I just saw it last weekend. About 2-3 more times we tell her what we want and she continues to tell us that doesn't exists. Then she says we should go
She says let's go back, I can talk to my manager, and get some VIN to look up the costco pricing on.
We get back in our car the man & I are like this lady is crazy. We told her what we wanted, she said she had it in stock and all we wanted was a price. Now she is just wasting our time & she wants us to sit for 2 hours to get a price because she has to find the car by talking to her manager, searching the state, & typing in VINs....let's go. DH said let's just go and not say anything...if she asks we will say the kids were done. I told him, no I might be bringing our car their for service so we better just say thanks but no thanks.
Anyway we traveled to another dealer where we knew they had our car in stock & got it for about $1k more than the '06 the crazy lady showed us.
7 weeks
That is how long it took to loose 10lbs. I haven't had any junk food. When I crave it, I just try to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy clothes and that reminds me that I can do without.
At this rate I hope to start to fit in my old clothes in 2 more months.
At this rate I hope to start to fit in my old clothes in 2 more months.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Cashmere Cuddles Review
I had a chance to try out a carrier from Cashmere Cuddles for a few weeks. It is by far one of the most beautiful carriers I have seen and the pictures don't do them justice.
When I first tried this on I was overwhelmed and it wasn't as intuitive as the ergo. G was about 6 weeks at the time and had little head control so getting him in it was not easy. (You put it on and then put baby on shoulder like you are going to burp baby but a little higher than normal and then ease the baby down into the carrier.) G was not happy with his feet tucked inside and wasn't quite wide enough to sit in it like the picture (taken at 10 weeks when G was 16 lbs and 25.5" long.)
As you can see G doesn't have a lot of head control as this age but now Teri (the owner) has added the option of hoods that would help support little heads.
The carriers are very comfortable and light weight which is great on warm muggy days. There is also a matching tie to hold your child in closer to your body (not pictured.) Since this carrier lacks a lot of bulk it easily fits in any diaper bag and most purses. A huge plus over the ergo.
Cashmere Cuddles now has an online video available by requests for those of you that are like me and sometimes feel "carrier stupid." Seeing them used in real life and video really helped me with using it.
After using it for a few weeks, I am not sure this is the right carrier for a newborn just because getting them in and out (especially) is really difficult (since you need 2 hands to lift them out and then you don't have a free hand to support their head.) I think this is a great carrier starting at 3-5 months with the leg gussets and for half the price of an ergo you can't go wrong.
If I still lived in California (where the weather stays warmer longer) I would probably have Cashmere Cuddles make me one with gussets and have her add a zipper or velcro pocket since I always need an extra pocket for my phone, wallet, and keys.
When I first tried this on I was overwhelmed and it wasn't as intuitive as the ergo. G was about 6 weeks at the time and had little head control so getting him in it was not easy. (You put it on and then put baby on shoulder like you are going to burp baby but a little higher than normal and then ease the baby down into the carrier.) G was not happy with his feet tucked inside and wasn't quite wide enough to sit in it like the picture (taken at 10 weeks when G was 16 lbs and 25.5" long.)
As you can see G doesn't have a lot of head control as this age but now Teri (the owner) has added the option of hoods that would help support little heads.
The carriers are very comfortable and light weight which is great on warm muggy days. There is also a matching tie to hold your child in closer to your body (not pictured.) Since this carrier lacks a lot of bulk it easily fits in any diaper bag and most purses. A huge plus over the ergo.
Cashmere Cuddles now has an online video available by requests for those of you that are like me and sometimes feel "carrier stupid." Seeing them used in real life and video really helped me with using it.
After using it for a few weeks, I am not sure this is the right carrier for a newborn just because getting them in and out (especially) is really difficult (since you need 2 hands to lift them out and then you don't have a free hand to support their head.) I think this is a great carrier starting at 3-5 months with the leg gussets and for half the price of an ergo you can't go wrong.
If I still lived in California (where the weather stays warmer longer) I would probably have Cashmere Cuddles make me one with gussets and have her add a zipper or velcro pocket since I always need an extra pocket for my phone, wallet, and keys.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
2 months and 1 week later
I am down to 142 lbs and at this stage I am content. Sure I wish I was already back down to 125 but any progress is good progress.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Scamming ...
So we moved in March out of state so I canceled the car policy (since CSAA only covers you while living in CA.) They said okay we will get the refund check out to you at the end of the month.
I got busy and called back in May, they said check is going out on May 31st. Had Gibo called end of June, some other lame excuse, called July they said oh we sent it to your old address but we will cancel that check & send to your new address. (A obvious lie because; all mail is automatically fwd here and it never showed, I changed my mailing address to the current one before canceling the policy so why would they have sent it to the old one????)
I call today 1st call I wait, she comes back says it the re-issued check was mailed on the 28th (July) and then CSAA drops the call. I immediatly call back go through the maze of "press 1 for..." and instead of picking up I get a Buzz buzz...yeah guess what that means. I call back again get a new person he says it was mailed on 28th again & repeats my current address back to me minus the apartment #. "Opps!"
I find this entertaining because the post office can still deliver because it doesn't take an IQ to match the last name which is written inside the box so if they had received it, it would have been delivered or returned to CSAA by now. All the other times the CSAA people repeated my mailing address correctly WITH the apartment #.
To make matters more entertaining I went through somethig very similar with my old OBs billing department. Our medical insurence use to cut us a check to pay for bills and I made the mistake of mentioning this and her voice perked up & she wanted to know how much. Didn't tell her, but that lead to a similar string of events & her wanting me to pay over the phone without recieving the bill.Did she think I was stupid???
Makes me wonder if billing departments are starting to try to scam people and how many people have become the latest prey.
I got busy and called back in May, they said check is going out on May 31st. Had Gibo called end of June, some other lame excuse, called July they said oh we sent it to your old address but we will cancel that check & send to your new address. (A obvious lie because; all mail is automatically fwd here and it never showed, I changed my mailing address to the current one before canceling the policy so why would they have sent it to the old one????)
I call today 1st call I wait, she comes back says it the re-issued check was mailed on the 28th (July) and then CSAA drops the call. I immediatly call back go through the maze of "press 1 for..." and instead of picking up I get a Buzz buzz...yeah guess what that means. I call back again get a new person he says it was mailed on 28th again & repeats my current address back to me minus the apartment #. "Opps!"
I find this entertaining because the post office can still deliver because it doesn't take an IQ to match the last name which is written inside the box so if they had received it, it would have been delivered or returned to CSAA by now. All the other times the CSAA people repeated my mailing address correctly WITH the apartment #.
To make matters more entertaining I went through somethig very similar with my old OBs billing department. Our medical insurence use to cut us a check to pay for bills and I made the mistake of mentioning this and her voice perked up & she wanted to know how much. Didn't tell her, but that lead to a similar string of events & her wanting me to pay over the phone without recieving the bill.Did she think I was stupid???
Makes me wonder if billing departments are starting to try to scam people and how many people have become the latest prey.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mmmmmm...good
I have to share, cause my dinner was that good (I was tempted to lick the plate.)
Chicken breast marinated in Annies Organic balsamic raspberry dressing(I think that is the brand) for a day. Cooked 350 till no longer pink.
Basmeti rice (cooked with chicken broth or knorr chicken bullion cube already dissolved in water.)
Veggies
Half a decent size onion coarsely chopped and lightly sauteed in a little bit of butter
Half a bag (I think about 5 oz) of frozen corn
Half a bag of frozen peas
Half a can of tomato paste
1/4 to 1/2 a cup of water
2-3 shakes of garlic powder
about 1/2 teaspoon of all spice (you want to be able to smell it a little even after you stirred it in)
salt & pepper to taste
Let simmer stirring occasionally. You want a nice thick pasta sauce consistency.
Serve veggies over rice.
You can substitute the peas & corn with almost any veggie. We always to this with okra (just cook the okra until it is breaking up, mushy, sticky before adding the tomato paste) and peas and carrots. I think my MIL even does it with spinage and it is delicious. You could also change the rice broth flavor if you were having it with beef.
.....and this is how we get picky eaters to eat veggies in our (extended) family. :)
Chicken breast marinated in Annies Organic balsamic raspberry dressing(I think that is the brand) for a day. Cooked 350 till no longer pink.
Basmeti rice (cooked with chicken broth or knorr chicken bullion cube already dissolved in water.)
Veggies
Half a decent size onion coarsely chopped and lightly sauteed in a little bit of butter
Half a bag (I think about 5 oz) of frozen corn
Half a bag of frozen peas
Half a can of tomato paste
1/4 to 1/2 a cup of water
2-3 shakes of garlic powder
about 1/2 teaspoon of all spice (you want to be able to smell it a little even after you stirred it in)
salt & pepper to taste
Let simmer stirring occasionally. You want a nice thick pasta sauce consistency.
Serve veggies over rice.
You can substitute the peas & corn with almost any veggie. We always to this with okra (just cook the okra until it is breaking up, mushy, sticky before adding the tomato paste) and peas and carrots. I think my MIL even does it with spinage and it is delicious. You could also change the rice broth flavor if you were having it with beef.
.....and this is how we get picky eaters to eat veggies in our (extended) family. :)
Friday, July 25, 2008
NBL
A group of friends are doing a kind of contest like Biggest Looser. We are all weighing ourselves this weekend and then 12 weeks from now we will weigh ourselves again.
Right before I got pregnant with Zuzu I was 115lbs (I am short) in between the pregnancies I got down to 125 lbs. My goal before I have another child is to get down to 120lbs or make sure all my old clothes fit a little more on the comfortable side.
I ordered 6 minute blast for a workout DVD, I figure I should be able to squeeze that in 5 days a week. It should be arriving soon and I can't wait.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Lesson Learned
Before I had G, Z ate lunch at 11:30 and started her nap 12/12:30.
Baba was taking care of her for one week and instead of keeping on the program he did things his way....late lunch 1pm and sometimes a trip to the park after ward then naps would start between 2 and 4pm.
Now she naps anywhere between 11am and 4pm and I can't do anything about it. I put G down turn my back for 3 seconds & she wakes him up. Sometimes I just set him down or move him & he wakes up.
Long day (can you tell?).....
As soon as G turns 3 months it will get even easier and I'll work on a schedule for us all.
Baba was taking care of her for one week and instead of keeping on the program he did things his way....late lunch 1pm and sometimes a trip to the park after ward then naps would start between 2 and 4pm.
Now she naps anywhere between 11am and 4pm and I can't do anything about it. I put G down turn my back for 3 seconds & she wakes him up. Sometimes I just set him down or move him & he wakes up.
Long day (can you tell?).....
As soon as G turns 3 months it will get even easier and I'll work on a schedule for us all.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Cloth Diapering
So finally I am cloth diapering almost full time for Gibo. Seriously I think it was a great choice. I have 12 Bum Genius pocket diapers and they are working really well. I am doing laundry every other day and Gibo sleeps better at night while he is wearing them. I also have less problems with leaks. Strangely enough I am not really getting peed on with diaper changes when I use the cloth.
The bad news is, these diapers have 3 size settings and Gibo is already on the middle one at 6 weeks. I guess I shouldn't be too suprised considering I am a week or two away from taking out the 6-9 month clothes.
If you are looking to buy these cloth diapers the best deal is from cottonbabies.com and using coupon code BESTDEAL for 5% off. I recommend buying the 6 pack, if you try oneor two and don't like them, you ca always sell the other 4-5 you don't use for the same price you paid for them on ebay.
The bad news is, these diapers have 3 size settings and Gibo is already on the middle one at 6 weeks. I guess I shouldn't be too suprised considering I am a week or two away from taking out the 6-9 month clothes.
If you are looking to buy these cloth diapers the best deal is from cottonbabies.com and using coupon code BESTDEAL for 5% off. I recommend buying the 6 pack, if you try oneor two and don't like them, you ca always sell the other 4-5 you don't use for the same price you paid for them on ebay.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Last night I realized people are happy and life is good because they say it is (not because good or bad things determine it.)
I thought about this because how is it that some people can constantly be so down on their life and feel like all they have is crap, when others deal with things 100 times worse and still go on and manage to smile and be happy at the end of the day.
I truly love my life and enjoy every minute, even when I am half way asleep at 3 am and covered in pee and poop, I just wish I could clean it up while sleeping. :)
I guess my mom wasn't lying when she said, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes stronger" and "All things happen for a reason."
My children, my husband, and I are healthy, feed, and happy, life is good :)
I thought about this because how is it that some people can constantly be so down on their life and feel like all they have is crap, when others deal with things 100 times worse and still go on and manage to smile and be happy at the end of the day.
I truly love my life and enjoy every minute, even when I am half way asleep at 3 am and covered in pee and poop, I just wish I could clean it up while sleeping. :)
I guess my mom wasn't lying when she said, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes stronger" and "All things happen for a reason."
My children, my husband, and I are healthy, feed, and happy, life is good :)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Flying with 2
We left on Thursday afternoon. One child in the go-go-kidz travelmate & car seat and the other in the infant seat and stroller and then one suitcase.
Security wasn't too bad, but we were anything but fast. We had the row in front of the exit row, which did not allow car seats, so Zuzu sat without it. She was upset and fussy whe she had to put on her seat belt (it was nap time) but we distracted her with a snack. Once we were up in the air both kids were sleeping.
We landed and got a rental car. A new Crystler Town & Country. Nice cause it was a mini van but drove & guzzled gas like a truck, and it was gutless (even for a minivan.)
We got to see friends & family on our trip. Thursday night the fire alarm went off in our hotel at 11pm, but both kids slept through it. Z got worn out Friday night and got a little fever, but was better by morning.
Sunday we flew back home. This time there was a 14-16 month old girl that was screaming so it really muffled Z's sadness of puting on a seat belt. G slept the whole way and Z was awake until we started the desent. Funny how she waited until it was time to land.
Overall we had a great trip and I would gladly do it again.
Security wasn't too bad, but we were anything but fast. We had the row in front of the exit row, which did not allow car seats, so Zuzu sat without it. She was upset and fussy whe she had to put on her seat belt (it was nap time) but we distracted her with a snack. Once we were up in the air both kids were sleeping.
We landed and got a rental car. A new Crystler Town & Country. Nice cause it was a mini van but drove & guzzled gas like a truck, and it was gutless (even for a minivan.)
We got to see friends & family on our trip. Thursday night the fire alarm went off in our hotel at 11pm, but both kids slept through it. Z got worn out Friday night and got a little fever, but was better by morning.
Sunday we flew back home. This time there was a 14-16 month old girl that was screaming so it really muffled Z's sadness of puting on a seat belt. G slept the whole way and Z was awake until we started the desent. Funny how she waited until it was time to land.
Overall we had a great trip and I would gladly do it again.
Monday, July 07, 2008
My list of accomplishments
Feeding a 2 year old (table foods) and 3 week old at the same time. Putting a 2 year to bed & reading her stories while ursing the other.
Grocery shopping with 2 by myself in a very small car. (Donations will be excepted to buy mama a newer model minivan since my husbad's car is more like a clown car for midgets-which luckily I am close to being one.)
...Coming soon: Flying with a 2 year old and a 5 week old.
Grocery shopping with 2 by myself in a very small car. (Donations will be excepted to buy mama a newer model minivan since my husbad's car is more like a clown car for midgets-which luckily I am close to being one.)
...Coming soon: Flying with a 2 year old and a 5 week old.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Gibriel
Pronounced: Gib-reel
He is after God's messenger, just in Arabic. DH had a dream about this being his name a few weeks ago, but I wasn't fond of it. So we were really going for Ayoub (Job in Arabic) but when we saw him he was obviously a Gibriel and not an Ayoub.
So Gibriel joined us two days ago and is enjoying milk and naps :)
He is after God's messenger, just in Arabic. DH had a dream about this being his name a few weeks ago, but I wasn't fond of it. So we were really going for Ayoub (Job in Arabic) but when we saw him he was obviously a Gibriel and not an Ayoub.
So Gibriel joined us two days ago and is enjoying milk and naps :)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Birth Story
As you all know I had teaser contractions for about a month prior to birth. I didn't sleep well the night before. More of what I thought were teasers and lots of using the toilet. Morning came and the teasers didn't go away and after all the bathroom visits I knew it would be that night.
So all day yesterday I stayed closed to my friend the toilet and relaxed listening to some Beatles music and just tried to rest up. For the most part they were 7-10 minutes apart while I was laying down and relaxing, but when I would get up to do anything they would come closer. To me they really didn't feel to bad. About 10:30 or 11 am they started getting about 5 minutes apart and a little more intense, but they still didn't seem too bad. So I decided to go take a warm bath. When that didn't make a difference on the contractions and they continued to intensify I told baba he should let the mid-wife know we would be on our way soon. (I didn't want to spend 20 minutes in the car in hard labor so I told him let's just go.)
We arrived around 1pm. They were intense but still not what I would call full power (when compared to Zuzu's birth). So I got in the tub there and relaxed. Then just to get an idea of where I was at I had the mid-wife check me. She said I was at 8 cm. I was completely shocked. I thought for sure she was just trying to be nice or something. (I was thinking maybe 5-6 cm.) About an hour after that I was at 10 cm.
I started pushing. This time was different. I had to work a lot harder to get the water to break and him to crown. It was probably all of 3pm by then. Then I took my time stretching myself so I wouldn't tear. Pushing was so much harder this time, especially in relation to the labor. This time I could feel so much more with his head coming out. It was really weird.
Finally my little man was born at 3:41pm. He came out blue. The mid-wife said it was normal though I wasn't so sure, but he was breathing well and she said to give him some time to get some color.
I ended up with a 2nd degree tear. Which I thought was weird since I was being so careful. Turns out I tore in the exact same spot. I got stitched up.
Later we found out he was 8lbs 5 oz and 21" long. Zuzu was only 7lbs 1 oz, so I guess the extra 1 lb and 4 oz needed to escape some how :D Now I am just worried the next one is going to be 10lbs or something crazy.
We left the birthing center as a family of 4 at 7pm. I came home and rested while baba and Zuzu got me a Fatburger. :)
I'll try to get a picture or two up soon. There are only 3-4 pictures currently in exsistence and baba has them all. I will say he does have light brown hair but nothing when compared to Zuzu at birth.
So all day yesterday I stayed closed to my friend the toilet and relaxed listening to some Beatles music and just tried to rest up. For the most part they were 7-10 minutes apart while I was laying down and relaxing, but when I would get up to do anything they would come closer. To me they really didn't feel to bad. About 10:30 or 11 am they started getting about 5 minutes apart and a little more intense, but they still didn't seem too bad. So I decided to go take a warm bath. When that didn't make a difference on the contractions and they continued to intensify I told baba he should let the mid-wife know we would be on our way soon. (I didn't want to spend 20 minutes in the car in hard labor so I told him let's just go.)
We arrived around 1pm. They were intense but still not what I would call full power (when compared to Zuzu's birth). So I got in the tub there and relaxed. Then just to get an idea of where I was at I had the mid-wife check me. She said I was at 8 cm. I was completely shocked. I thought for sure she was just trying to be nice or something. (I was thinking maybe 5-6 cm.) About an hour after that I was at 10 cm.
I started pushing. This time was different. I had to work a lot harder to get the water to break and him to crown. It was probably all of 3pm by then. Then I took my time stretching myself so I wouldn't tear. Pushing was so much harder this time, especially in relation to the labor. This time I could feel so much more with his head coming out. It was really weird.
Finally my little man was born at 3:41pm. He came out blue. The mid-wife said it was normal though I wasn't so sure, but he was breathing well and she said to give him some time to get some color.
I ended up with a 2nd degree tear. Which I thought was weird since I was being so careful. Turns out I tore in the exact same spot. I got stitched up.
Later we found out he was 8lbs 5 oz and 21" long. Zuzu was only 7lbs 1 oz, so I guess the extra 1 lb and 4 oz needed to escape some how :D Now I am just worried the next one is going to be 10lbs or something crazy.
We left the birthing center as a family of 4 at 7pm. I came home and rested while baba and Zuzu got me a Fatburger. :)
I'll try to get a picture or two up soon. There are only 3-4 pictures currently in exsistence and baba has them all. I will say he does have light brown hair but nothing when compared to Zuzu at birth.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Sleep is over rated.....
Windy rainy weather. A daughter that got out of bed twice. Going pee every 30 minutes and contractions on and off all night. I think I slept 2 hours maybe 3.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Update
This is way too much info. but I keep this here for my record if nothing else since I don't think I have too many regular readers.
Today my ho-ha feels alive. I believe it has more blood circulation than normal. Not really like tingly (like after good sex), but like more blood is pumping around down there. Almost like when you have to pee badly and you feel it hitting the sides as it comes out.
I am also having little cramps, but they are very little and barely worth mentioning, especially compared to other ones I have experienced.
At my mid-wife appointment last night my blood pressure was way down like 106 over 70, and the heart beat was only in the mid to upper 120s, where it is usually in the 140s. I am also having a harder time getting to sleep even though I am exhausted. My guess is more hormones are kicking in and are almost in full gear.
1pm PST we have the "bloody show". So I guess my ho-ha felt weird for a reason, it is the blood vessels in there rupturing.
Today my ho-ha feels alive. I believe it has more blood circulation than normal. Not really like tingly (like after good sex), but like more blood is pumping around down there. Almost like when you have to pee badly and you feel it hitting the sides as it comes out.
I am also having little cramps, but they are very little and barely worth mentioning, especially compared to other ones I have experienced.
At my mid-wife appointment last night my blood pressure was way down like 106 over 70, and the heart beat was only in the mid to upper 120s, where it is usually in the 140s. I am also having a harder time getting to sleep even though I am exhausted. My guess is more hormones are kicking in and are almost in full gear.
1pm PST we have the "bloody show". So I guess my ho-ha felt weird for a reason, it is the blood vessels in there rupturing.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Still pregnant
Just keeping the blog updated. I am ready, but I guess baby is not, so I will just try to enjoy my time.
Friday, May 30, 2008
I was killing time this morning...
So I made up my own top 10.
You know your baby has dropped when.....
10. Half of your lap is gone.
9. Your belly no longer grows, your baby just drops.
8. Even though your bed is tall (and you almost have to jump to get into it) you have to roll out of it.
7. You ask your almost 2 year old for help getting up and you seriously consider a digging your hiking cane out of the garage.
6. Clothing that covers the bottom of your belly leaves an inprint (from being compressed between your belly and lap) after you have been sitting for more than 2 minutes.
5. You start to think about what you could put between you belly and lap during the end of labor so that baby comes out with a "cool" imprint on his/her shoulder. (I would really never do this, but I am sure if guys carried babies this would happen all the time.)
4. You go up the stairs on your tippy toes because you have short legs and you are not sure your legs could clear the stairs and your belly going up.
3. You feel like you have a ball between your upper thighs.
2. You start to think that having someone's head between your legs is normal.
*insert drum roll like Letterman*
...And the #1 reason you know you have dropped is when...
....the head starts to stick out of your ho-ha.
Looks down, doesn't see anything, grabs a mirror....phew we are still okay on that last one... :D
You know your baby has dropped when.....
10. Half of your lap is gone.
9. Your belly no longer grows, your baby just drops.
8. Even though your bed is tall (and you almost have to jump to get into it) you have to roll out of it.
7. You ask your almost 2 year old for help getting up and you seriously consider a digging your hiking cane out of the garage.
6. Clothing that covers the bottom of your belly leaves an inprint (from being compressed between your belly and lap) after you have been sitting for more than 2 minutes.
5. You start to think about what you could put between you belly and lap during the end of labor so that baby comes out with a "cool" imprint on his/her shoulder. (I would really never do this, but I am sure if guys carried babies this would happen all the time.)
4. You go up the stairs on your tippy toes because you have short legs and you are not sure your legs could clear the stairs and your belly going up.
3. You feel like you have a ball between your upper thighs.
2. You start to think that having someone's head between your legs is normal.
*insert drum roll like Letterman*
...And the #1 reason you know you have dropped is when...
....the head starts to stick out of your ho-ha.
Looks down, doesn't see anything, grabs a mirror....phew we are still okay on that last one... :D
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Still as big as a house....
I am still pregnant. Yesterday was another "teaser" day. Cramping and back pain most of the day. Monday I tried walking, spicy food and sex. Got a little bit of cramping Tuesday but nothing that did anything or progressed.
I am really tired of being teased and I am ready to have this baby come out. If I wasn't being teased so much, on a deadline so baba can spend a good amount of time with us, and concerned with spending more money on the birth (Baba had a fit when he heard the price and the thought that it could be more after June 1st makes me want to plug my ears), other than that another week or two are good for me.
At my appointment this week my belly was measuring the same and my protein was high, but my BP was normal.
Come on out baby! Your family is waiting. :)
(No I wasn't nearly as bad with Zuzu, she didn't tease me she just did her own thing and came out at the perfect time.)
I am really tired of being teased and I am ready to have this baby come out. If I wasn't being teased so much, on a deadline so baba can spend a good amount of time with us, and concerned with spending more money on the birth (Baba had a fit when he heard the price and the thought that it could be more after June 1st makes me want to plug my ears), other than that another week or two are good for me.
At my appointment this week my belly was measuring the same and my protein was high, but my BP was normal.
Come on out baby! Your family is waiting. :)
(No I wasn't nearly as bad with Zuzu, she didn't tease me she just did her own thing and came out at the perfect time.)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
So bored...
Today I woke up cleaned the stove and microwave THEN ate breakfast. This is seriously insane. I was hungry but I felt like I just had to do it.
Then we went out and bought some food. Then ate some more food and took our nap.
Next I vacuumed and wiped down everything from the bathroom, walls, and even base boards. Yes I know we have only been here 2 months.
If I had a cleaner that didn't stink so bad I would probably clean the shower door better and the sliding glass door.
Now I am looking at the clock wishing it was a little later so I could start dinner.
So not like me, but I want everything to be done and ready because I know I won' t really touch anything again for 3 months.
Then we went out and bought some food. Then ate some more food and took our nap.
Next I vacuumed and wiped down everything from the bathroom, walls, and even base boards. Yes I know we have only been here 2 months.
If I had a cleaner that didn't stink so bad I would probably clean the shower door better and the sliding glass door.
Now I am looking at the clock wishing it was a little later so I could start dinner.
So not like me, but I want everything to be done and ready because I know I won' t really touch anything again for 3 months.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What I learned last night
Early labor dragging on for 3 hours straight is no better than real labor. At least with real labor you know you are getting somewhere.
If this is all I needed to do to get 30 minutes in a warm bath while Baba and Zuzu pick me up dinner I would have done it a long time ago :D
My mid-wife says sometimes Benedryl (even children's) can slow things down. Didn't have to try it but came very close to considering it.
Now I am hoping to make it to the weekend. Not sure how realistic that is but I can hope.
If this is all I needed to do to get 30 minutes in a warm bath while Baba and Zuzu pick me up dinner I would have done it a long time ago :D
My mid-wife says sometimes Benedryl (even children's) can slow things down. Didn't have to try it but came very close to considering it.
Now I am hoping to make it to the weekend. Not sure how realistic that is but I can hope.
Monday, May 19, 2008
We are getting to close for comfor now...
Baba was away last week. Wednesday through Saturday night.
Friday of I had a scare. Little contractions for about an hour.
Today I decided to go the store before it got warm. Getting off my butt, BIG mistake. Nothing but little contractions for the 30 minutes I was out.
It is 4:30 and now I can't stand up with out a cramp.
Here is something else interesting I want to look into. Friday my temp was around 98.5, Saturday it was 98.1, then yesterday it was 98.4 and right now it is 98.8. I am not sick just PG and hot. In dogs a change in temperature is a sign of labor....
Friday of I had a scare. Little contractions for about an hour.
Today I decided to go the store before it got warm. Getting off my butt, BIG mistake. Nothing but little contractions for the 30 minutes I was out.
It is 4:30 and now I can't stand up with out a cramp.
Here is something else interesting I want to look into. Friday my temp was around 98.5, Saturday it was 98.1, then yesterday it was 98.4 and right now it is 98.8. I am not sick just PG and hot. In dogs a change in temperature is a sign of labor....
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Almost ready.
Had my mid-wife appointment on Tuesday. Baby's head is down and engaged in my pelvis.
I am "enjoying" walking around with my legs pinched together...yes that great feeling like the baby is trying to get out and putting pressure on everything.
My bowels are going crazy on me, the "ring of fire" is mild compared to what I experienced today.
In one week we will be a go for this baby (37 weeks). I just hope baby waits until after my birthday.
I am "enjoying" walking around with my legs pinched together...yes that great feeling like the baby is trying to get out and putting pressure on everything.
My bowels are going crazy on me, the "ring of fire" is mild compared to what I experienced today.
In one week we will be a go for this baby (37 weeks). I just hope baby waits until after my birthday.
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