Toys

I'm having another one of "those days," and I just don't know what to do about it. I feel like we are standing still and it's driving me crazy!

Do you find it odd that I am braiding my Barbie's hair? I am trying to "lighten the load" so to speak, and prettying up my dolls to try to get some moo-lah for them. Actually, I'm really just doing it for fun. It makes me feel nostalgic. The dolls aren't worth anything.

I'm having a little hard time parting with the Barbies though. My grandmother made some dresses for them. She was a mean lady, but I think she liked me back when I was the only grandchild (I was first). Not that she ever disliked me, but my dad is the black sheep of the family, so I kind of got the shaft because of that.

Anyway, it's not that I think I'll ever have a little girl to pass them down to, and I don't particularly like the idea of Barbies anyway...it's just what they represent, ya know? A happy time in my life.

Here I go rambling again...it's just one of "those" days.


That's right, the original black Barbie. I did not dress her in the maid outfit, she came with it. That always blew my mind...
Also, we have Pizza Party Ken, complete with little cardboard pizzas, sodas, etc (not pictured).
The dolls are sitting in a Barbie and The Rockers case, worth about $20 on Ebay. But I'm really too lazy to sell it on Ebay...

I guess while I'm at it, I'll show you a picture of the My Little Ponies and Trolls.

I do not know why the Trolls are sideways, and I can't figure out how to turn it. Sorry!

baby!

Here's a few new pics of the baby. I got this highchair for $5 on Craigslist! And our neighbors gave us this tub thingy which I tried as a baby tub because we can't afford to buy a real baby tub, and he's getting too active for the kitchen sink! However, it didn't work out quite as I had hoped. Also, every time he looks toward the camera, he blinks from the flash, so his eyes are partially closed in almost every picture! Enjoy...





And here's a video. I gave the baby carrots -his first solid food. He hasn't "officially" started solids yet, but I thought I would try it out, and he sure loved it! I plan to make my own baby food soon, but I am having an easier time finding organic baby food than organic fresh produce to make it! Not sure what to do about that...



And here's one of the big kid:

Much to talk about

So, I have been wanting to blog for a few days, but I haven't had much to say. Or so I thought...I guess it's just been building up this whole time.

First, I want to make a couple quick notes about my kiddos. I write in my paper journal about them too, but for those of you that aren't near and want the little updates, here you go.

Ben is now able to sit unsupported for several seconds, without falling over. I find this amazing since he is not quite 6 months old! Also, we are still waiting to start solids. I sort of caved the other day and pureed some banana to try with him, but he was still using his tongue to push it out, so I know he's not physically ready. Thank goodness! I'm not ready! I know with the cloth diapers, things will change when we go from exclusive breast milk to solids, and that's a change I'm not looking forward to. Don't tell me to switch to disposables, because even if I wanted to, there's no way we could afford diapers right now...
Aside from that, he is the light of my life, the apple of my eye. Sometimes, it annoys me when he needs to go to sleep and it takes longer than normal. But the tremendous amount of satisfaction I get from all the smiles, laughter, and snuggles I get from him the rest of the time, make up for it!

Nate is growing so fast. He even told me he was growing up. I said "No, you're not allowed. Stay little and be my little boy." To which he replied "I am your little boy!" He is my heart. He loves the heck out of his baby brother. He says cute things all the time, and I am embarrassed that I can't think of any to share with you right now. He suddenly doesn't like to be alone, which I have read is typical for his age. So before, when I could put a movie on, tell him it's quiet time, and go sneak a nap, yeah, those times are over. When we put him to bed and leave the room, he says "but I will be alooone..." just like that with the drawn out "o."
He is also a little sponge. He wants to learn everything right now, and I just think it is so great! I don't mind explaining things to him, and telling him what things are, or how they work. He wants to learn Spanish and he does simple math. He loves to be read to, and is beginning to learn how to read.

On the parental front, Steven is losing his mind working yet another "temporary" job. By temporary, I mean that yes, it pays the bills, but it's not what he really wants to do, so he goes to work every day miserable. I guess there are people in the world that work at a job they hate for 20 years just because. My husband is not one of those people. So...here goes. Back to school for him! We will make it work. We will probably have to move back to Salt Lake City since he already has residency there, and the University of Utah is one of few schools with the degree that he REALLY truly wants which is Meteorology/Atmospheric Sciences. I like to joke with him that he will be the next Jim Cantore. :)

That's not really an official announcement of us moving to SLC, but right now, it's in the works. Money has to happen before that can happen.

How is Hannah doing? Oh, I don't know. Same old I guess. I enjoy my family. I got a piano, and that's what I'm doing for me right now. My goal is to write a song or two, just to get some creative energy flowing. My weight is sitting in the same spot. I do well with my diet (by "diet" I just mean what I am eating) while Steven is working, but on his days off, I can't stick to it. I eat cookies and junk, and whatever pleases my tastebuds.

Oh! AND we got a surprise visit from a couple Tennessee friends who were up in Tampa to see family. It was so great, and it was sad when they left. Not enough time.

That's about it today. Not very exciting, but it's the latest.

Letter to my kindergarten teacher

Dear Mrs. R,

I just wanted to let you know that I turned out alright. You'll be glad to know that I am now married to a wonderful man, and we have two beautiful boys. Yes, I got married at only 18, but we waited until we were 22 to have our first son. We bought our first home at 21, but we have moved around a lot and seen a lot of places. You probably knew that would happen since I moved so much with my Dad.

I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to help in your class when I was in high school. I fell in love with those 5 year olds, and I learned that I could be responsible. But more important to me were the talks we had, and the friendship and wisdom you offered me.

When I met my mother, and she tried to keep me in Los Angeles, you used your credit card to get me a plane ticket home. You didn't have to do that, but if you hadn't, I don't know what would have happened.

When I called you for help one day, months later, after we had lost touch for awhile, and you said "no," you saved my life. You knew something was wrong and you were right to turn me away. I was upset at the time, but now I am thankful.

You don't know what a powerful influence you have been in my life. I don't know where you are now, but if I ever find you, I will try to thank you in person. For now, I just wish you had the satisfaction of knowing that I am okay! I'm not in jail, or living on the street. I go to church, and I have a family, and I am even enrolling in college. Be proud. You helped give me the foundation that I needed when it was time to get out of trouble and into real life.

Thanks for everything.

Teaching Moments

So, I have decided, within the last few days, that I am definitely making the choice to home school. AND I am going to do it from the beginning. There are so many reasons. Maybe I will go into it in another post. But I will say that I have checked out several books on the subject (thank you local library), and they have been IMMENSELY helpful!

For now I just want to record some of my experiences since I have made this HUGE decision. I have noticed so many opportunities to teach since I have been paying attention!

Today, I have already taught my son about gravity and basic math. I believe him to be a visual learner, so I tend to take advantage of things that he sees. We were watching Phineas and Ferb (a cartoon) earlier, and they were making an anti-gravity machine, so I got to explain gravity! Then, we were playing Mario Kart together, and I was asking him "if I am in 7th place, and there are 8 people playing, how many people are in front of me?" and "if I am in 3rd place, how many people are behind me?" We went on like this for some time, and he really got it!

I have learned that I really CAN do this! I have already been homeschooling without even realizing it! (As are so many other parents of preschoolers.)

I have not yet chosen a method, but I think we will probably try different things in the first few years until we find what works. And what works for him may not be the same thing that works for his younger brother. Sooo, it feels like an adventure! And I am very excited.

Pictures of the day

My baby turned 20 weeks old yesterday. Today he rolled over from his back to his tummy! Here is a picture right after he did it.




And here is a picture of my improved waistline. :)

Lbs, California and misc.

I am down to 151. I feel guilty to say I haven't been the best about the plan. I think the Florida heat is melting it off, and breastfeeding. LOL I haven't technically worked out in a few days, and I have been eating M&Ms. I even went on a donut binge for 2 days last week. But ever since that I felt so guilty that I went back to healthy. I am now trying this thing where you eat a huge breakfast (protein), medium lunch (more protein) and light dinner. We will see if it works, because I have the biggest appetite after dinner....
Don't get me wrong, I am being somewhat active, I just haven't seen Jillian (Michaels), or Carmen (Electra) since last week. I went to the beach and swam a bit. This morning I went for a walk. It's really hot at 10 am...and walking with a 3 yr old is not exactly cardio.

It's really weird that my husband is at work Monday and Tuesday, home Wednesday and Thursday, at work Friday and Saturday, and home Sunday. It sort of shakes everything up around here. But it's nice seeing him that much, and being able to do things together during the week (like go to the beach) when there aren't as many people out.
The only weird thing is that on the days he is at work, I don't really see him until after 8 pm. Then we go to bed at 10ish.

I am really leaning toward homeschool. I did a lot of research yesterday and I think I can do it. However, I am thankful that we have at least another year to decide. Haha.

Also, I think we are California bound. "But you JUST MOVED all the way across the country to Florida!" you say? Well, that's how we roll. This time we are going to make a plan.

This is our moving plan.
1. Before we move we MUST have our credit card debt PAID (about $2600 as of right now).
2. We will sell both of our vehicles when we leave. If we do that, we will not have to pay the gas to drive them, or repairs because they both won't make it across the country as of right now. We can probably buy a little sedan when we get there for $2000 which is the same or more than what we would have to invest to bring one or both cars.
3. Steven WILL transfer with Comcast. So we will start watching for positions when our lease is up (hoping our landlord will let us go month to month), and when there is one open in a town we like, he will apply.
4. I will not even think about having another baby until we get settled where we are going. ONLY THEN will we open it back up for discussion.
5. We are yet undecided exactly HOW to move. It depends on how much money we have to make the move. We could rent the smallest UHaul, bring what we can fit, and Steven can drive it out, while I fly with the kids. (Overall cost, approx. $2500) Actually, we could probably use a company that drives our stuff out for us and all of us fly for about the same price...That would be even better!!!

I estimate it will be at least a year before we can get back to the West Coast. Man, we are crazy.