Big day for Parker!

Now that I caught your attention, I wanted to share two things regarding Parker on this day!

First of all, our big guy tried his first bite of rice cereal tonight!  He wasn't exactly a fan, per se, but we will keep trying. 

Notice the arm rolls? 

No more, mom, please!

The other reason today is a big day for Parker is... one year ago today, I found out I was expecting him!  I still vividly remember it.  I took the pregnancy test, and walked away to pick out my clothes for the next day.  Stephen came into the closet with the test and said, "What do two pink lines mean?"  I said, "Ha ha, very funny!" (I was absolutely convinced there was no way I was pregnant)  Then he said, "No, really-" and held out the test.  I just remember bursting into laughter, and then I called my sister, who also burst into laughter.  Such a funny memory.  I don't get caught off guard much in life, but that really did get me.

What a blessing this day was last year!

(Final) Training-Week 16

Well, I got some bummy news this morning.  I went back for the follow-up visit to my orthopaedic, and he recommended for me not to run the half-marathon.  He said it's much better for me to stick with 5Ks now (when my hip feels better) and then build up to 10Ks, rather than jumping into the half-marathon and potentially hurting my hip worse.  He said hip bursitis usually sticks around for 3 months.  That would be mid-March. 

I didn't want to hear this, but I think, at this point, it's for the best.  My hip is still not normal.  I can do a lot more on it now, but still can't run on it.  Plus, I kept redoing my training schedule to make it shorter in length since the race day is sneaking up on me.  The problem with shortening the schedule is that they assume you're already in good shape and can start off running 3-5 miles at a time.  Which is definitely not the case!

I guess I'll just do what he says- stick to 5Ks and 10Ks and see how it goes!  I will definitely be cheering on my amazing hubby if he decides to do that race in April. :)

So, I'll make this my last "training" blog... these were done in hopes that I could look back and say- oh, I was only running 1.5 miles?  And it took me 11 minutes per mile?  Look how far I've come!  Yeah... well... that definitely didn't happen.  Here are my final trainings.  So long! 


Saturday, 1/26

Activity: Hip Hop Abs- Total Body Burn
Time: 30 minutes


Sunday, 1/27:

Activity: (Attempted) jogging
Time: Jogging- 2:04 minutes, Walking- 4:00 minutes
Distance: Jogging- .17 miles (I am SO ready for that 1/2 marathon!!), Walking- .26 miles
Calories burned: 45

and

Activity: Advocare Workout DVD (Melt 1)
Time: 24 minutes


Monday, 1/28:

Activity: Advocare Workout DVD (Melt 1)
Time: 24 minutes


Tuesday, 1/29:

Activity: Eliptical
Time: 25 minutes
Distance: 1.69 miles
Calories burned: 259

4 month stats!

Parker had his 4 month well check-up today.  I was very curious to see how much he tipped the scale, because (knock on wood!), we haven't been to the doctor in well over a month!

My guess was 18 pounds.  He had gained 4-1/2 pounds in his first 2 months (to 14 lbs, 1 oz) so I thought for sure he'd gain that much more.  Well, the numbers are in...

Height: 26" (75-85%)
Weight: 16 lbs, 10 oz. (75%)
Head: 44-1/2 cm (>98%)

He is losing momentum with his weight gain!  Though his head growth is still full-force. :)  He is really healthy overall! (Thank you, Lord!)  He does seem to have excema on his face, so we're treating that with vaseline/Aquaphor.  We were given the go-ahead to start solids.  He got 2 shots and an oral vaccine.  Poor little guy has been inconsolable tonight, with a not-quite-a-fever-but-higher-than-normal temp.  Hopefully he'll wake up happier tomorrow.

OK, time for the comparison.  At 4 months:

Sydney was-
Height: 24"
Weight: 13 pounds, 11 oz.

Taylor was-
Height: 25 1/2" (90%)
Weight: 17 lbs, 5 oz. (>95%)
Head: 43 cm. (90%)

Funny how Sydney has turned out the be the "runt" of the family.  It'll be interesting to see how big and tall they get to be as adults. 

Wearing Taylor's shoes.

Drying off from the monsoon outside.

Someone got a "ba-lew pop pop"

4 months!

Parker is 4 months old!

Accomplishments include:

• Putting his hands together.
• Holding his head up all the way while on his belly.
• He rolled from back to front!  He is really good at rolling from back to his side... just going all the way over that one time.
• Belly laughing.
• Starting daycare!  His teachers have dubbed him the sweetest baby in the class. :)
• Grabbing things and holding onto them for a long time.
• Sitting in the Bumbo seat better.
• He is totally starting to fill out his 6 month clothes in length!
• We think he's starting to get excema on his face.  Not sure if it's that or just really bad dry skin.
• He started going to the nursery at church. 
• Cooing, "talking", kicking his legs... this boy wants to communicate!

He loves his little play mat.

You go boy, holding up that >98th% head!

Twins?

Cheering on the Dawgs!

Training- Week 15 (and hip update)

OK, update on the hip. It's been feeling much better, mostly thanks to time and medicine, less thanks to physical therapy.  I think physical therapy helped some, but I would do things like ride the bike and do stretches on my own for 45 minutes of the hour, and only see the PT for about 15 minutes... and let's face it, an hour after a long day at work with 3 kids and a husband who travels... that hour was not well spent, I didn't think.  I can bike and do stretches on my own.

So, I cancelled the rest of my PT sessions and was really excited to start back running this week.  I looked up a new training schedule, one that was a 14 week schedule (seeing that we are officially 14 weeks out!) and was ready to go today (Monday).

I started jogging at a slower pace on the treadmill today, only to realize within 10 seconds that my hip was not ready for that.  UGGGGHHHHHHHHHH.  SO frustrating.  So, the eliptical it was.

**On a side note, Stephen wanted to train for the half marathon with me, and since he has a healthy hip, he has been able to continue on.  He is up to about 6 miles now, and running at an 8-something minute pace!  I am very proud of him (and a little jealous!).

Monday, 1/21:

Activity: Eliptical
Time: 31 minutes
Distance: 1.70 miles
Calories burned: 300

and

Activity: Advocare Workout Video (Melt 1)
Time: 24 minutes


Tuesday, 1/22:

Activity: Advocare Workout Video (Shred 1)
Time: 24 minutes


Wednesday, 1/23:

Activity: Advocare Workout Video (Sculpt 1)
Time: 24 minutes


Thursday, 1/24:

Activity: Hip Hop Abs- Total Body Burn DVD
Time: 20 minutes


Friday, 1/25:

Activity: Advocare Workout Video (Core Stretch)
Time: 24 minutes

Touching

This story brings tears to my eyes... I think, as educators, we get so caught up in what we *have* to do that we forget the real meaning and purpose of teaching children.  Also, you never really know what someone is going through.  I think it's important we all remember that.

Touching hearts.

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."



"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."

Updates

I feel like I haven't blogged much lately... but sadly, I don't feel like I have anything really interesting to write about!  But, I thought I'd update you on how my New Year's resolution is going so far.

Do you remember my goal was to simplify?  Well, so far, VERY good! 

I think the first thing that has helped is having the maid service!  Holy schmoly, it is so nice not to have to worry about taking times on the nights or weekends to clean the whole house.  They only come once every two weeks, but it sure is nice to have things done that often!  (Yes, I am publicly admitting that we didn't typically do things every 2 weeks.  Sad, but true).  So, that has been great.  Of course, we have to do everyday type cleaning activities, but for the most part, things have been staying relatively clean.  (even the girls' rooms!  Shocker!)

Part of the girls' rooms staying clean is also all that work on did on 1/1/13, with putting up lots of their toys.  Now there's not as much to make a mess with.  Or, there's not as much to clean up.  Either way you look at it, they go to bed each night with relatively clean rooms.  And me with a clearer head.  (And happy feet, from not stepping on the tenth little lego piece on the floor)

The next thing that has been a huge help is my whole "leave work at work" position.  It has been amazingly fabulous, something I would recommend for everyone.  We work 8+ hour days, there's no reason to have to work more.  If you can't get it done in 8 hours, you get 8 more hours the next day to finish it up.

Lastly, I've been trying to make the post-work, before-Stephen-gets-home time run more smoothly.  If I leave work at a reasonable time, I can get the kids and get home by 4:30.  Stephen usually doesn't get home until 5:30 (or tonight, 6:30 because he went to run).  The girls can be pretty tired after a long day at school, and I hate to just plop them in front of the tv for mindless entertainment.  I've been organizing all the arts and crafts we have into ones appropriate for Sydney and ones appropriate for Taylor to pull from when we get home.  They love it!  It keeps their creative juices flowing, and usually keeps the tears away, while I can unpack bookbags, sign daily sheets, wash bottles, and cook dinner. 

Now, not every night is perfect (like tonight, when all 3 were screaming for a good 10 minutes), but it definitely helps.

Working life with three kids really isn't all that stressful!  (I hope I didn't just jinx anything!!)  I know you can make it more stressful, and stressful days will arise... but, I think with destressing myself and organizing things better, it reflects better on the kids.  It's the circle of... happiness... peace... sanity!

I saw this on Pinterest... it really does entertain them for a long time!

Hello, world!

Training- Week 14

Saturday, 1/12:

Activity: Total Body Burn DVD
Time: 32 minutes

and

Activity: Walking (with Sydney)
Time: 16 minutes
Distance: .86 miles
Average pace: 18:57 miles
Calories burned: 83


Sunday, 1/13:

Activity: Total Body Burn DVD
Time: 20 minutes


Wednesday, 1/16:

Activity: Eliptical
Time: 31 minutes
Distance: 1.98 miles
Calories burned: 320


Thursday, 1/17:

Activity: Eliptical
Time: 31 minutes
Distance: 1.93 miles
Calories burned: 300

Safety tips

I have to tell you, this whole break-in thing that occurred down the street has really shaken me, Stephen, and all of our neighbors up.  People are flocking to gun stores and shooting ranges... getting their alarm systems hooked up... coming up with action plans.  The support from this wonderful town has been amazing.  The sheriff parks his car in front of the targeted house 24/7, to deter any nosy people/news people/unwanted strangers.  They are also having police drive through or neighborhood every hour, just to help us all feel safe.

A Walton Co. detective that lives in our neighborhood spoke to all the neighbors at a meeting the other night.  It was a packed house.  He gave some really good tips/advice, as well as very interesting (and scary) information about crimes and how to keep yourself safe.  I thought I would pass on this information, in case it might help you in the future.

• The detective said that most burglaries happen during the day to houses that appear to be empty. It is a more punishable crime to break into a house with an occupant in it.  The detective recommended that if you are home during the day, to make sure there is a car out that is visible from the street.  If you have a garage, shut the garage and park the car on the driveway.
• The most common things that are burglarized are unlocked cars, garages, and outbuildings (sheds, barns, etc.).  Keep these things closed/locked.  For the first tip listed above, if you park your car on the driveway and shut your garage, make sure you lock your car.
• If someone rings your doorbell and you're not expecting anyone, talk to them through the door.  That way, they know someone is home but you are not opening the door for them to kick it in/enter your house.  If they are solicitors, they have to present you with a license.  If you do open the door and they don't have a license, call the police.  Actual solicitors can be fined $10,000 for not having a license on them, so they know better not to have that with them.
• If someone is at your door and is persistent, tell them through the door that you have a phone and you're going to call 911.  
• If you have glass on your door, or side glass windows, you may want to think about getting a deadbolt that has a key, instead of one that turns.  The key one would require a key to be opened.  If someone breaks part of the glass and reaches his hand in to unlock the locks, they wouldn't be able to unlock the deadbolt part without the key.
• If you hear someone trying to come into your house, you can hit the alarm button on your car remote to scare them off.
• Write down the serial numbers to your electronics.  This can help catch thieves that may steal from you and take the items to a pawn shop.  You can enter your serial numbers into a database, and if your items are stolen, pawn shops can see this when purchasing the items from individuals.
• Buddy up with a nearby neighbor.  If there is strange activity going on, let them know.
• Lastly, the detective said when in doubt, call the police.  He said you should never feel bad about calling.  If it's not an emergency but it's something you're worried about, just tell the officer that it's not an emergency.  

Hope these small steps could help you out.  Stephen and I left that meeting with a list of things we are planning on doing.  You can never be too safe!

A day at the park

The weather was so nice and warm this past weekend... a nice surprise for January!  We decided to head to the park for a few hours.  Makes me wish spring was near!

Taylor was obsessed with seeing the ducks.  "Kak kak"

Muscle girl.

Sydney and I went on a walk.

Picnic time.

Stephen would push them high, and then run back and forth between them.  They thought it was the funniest thing.

Training- Week 13

So... I know I've skipped a week or two, but we'll still call this week 13. 

Update on my hip- it wasn't improving, so I went to an orthopaedist.  He diagnosed me with hip bursitis.  I had to google what that was.  He has me doing physical therapy for 4 weeks, and also put me on a non-steroid anti-inflammatory.  This medicine is helping tremendously!!!  Physical therapy seems to help some, too, though I'm only two sessions in.  I am not limping like I was before, and am able to do things like cross my legs again.  I seriously feel so old.  Still can't run, but I've been doing a little bit of cardio.  I'm definitely not going to push the whole running thing, but I am still frustrated about the whole thing.

But, here's what I've done this week:

1/5/2013:
Activity: Elliptical Machine
Time: 45 minutes
Calories burned: 420
Distance: 3.11 miles

1/6/2013:
Activity: Elliptical Machine
Time: 45 minutes
Calories burned: 448
Distance: 3.06 miles

1/11/2013:
Activity: Elliptical Machine
Time: 31 minutes
Calories burned: 309
Distance: 1.82 miles

Mobile Uploads

Finally uploading some pics from my phone.  Here you go!

Ultimate sweetness.

 

I'm sure this is the first of many dress-up incidents.  Notice the jewelry?

Blurry pic, but this is a cute outfit she got for Christmas from her grandparents! (thanks, Mom!)

 

Chubs and Chuckles.  Perfect combination.

 

Same caption as above.  I just can't get enough!

 

Sydney wearing my boots.  I couldn't stop laughing.

 

They like to run circles around the house, holding hands.

 

I wonder how much they will favor each other?

 

Sweet girls.

Silly Taylor.

 

The fashionista herself.

 

Movie night.

First "sleepover" for the girls, in Sydney's room.

 



Shocking- The Latest

Here is a segment from ABC News on the situation that occurred last Friday:

http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/Georgia-Mother-Shoots-Home-Intruder-911-Tapes/14044739518/Comcast/Today_in_Video/?cid=hero_sf_TIV

Shocking

Something happened recently that hit too close to home, literally. A man broke into one of our neighbors' houses, and she had the brains, guts, and strength to hide with her two children after grabbing her gun. You may have heard the story, but if not, you can read about it here.

http://m.ajc.com/news/news/local/mother-of-two-surprises-burglar-with-five-gunshots/nTnGR/

Needless to say, we are all shocked. This happened in our neighborhood? Our quiet, quaint neighborhood of only about 30 houses? In Loganville? (the country-burbs, as I like to call it). I guess this goes to show that things really can happen anywhere.

It has brought up things that Stephen and I really hoped to never have to consider. What would we have done? This family has the exact house plan as us. I can mentally picture exactly what my neighbor, my friend did, where she hid. I can imagine how the guy broke in, where he probably went first, and the track he had to take to drag his body outside. It makes me sick.

It also brings up the whole gun talk. To have or not to have? I can tell you my opinion changed in a split second. It freaks me out that it could've been any of our houses on this unlucky day. Not that I would have wished it on my neighbor, but it sounds like she was one of few who was actually prepared. That guy sure did choose the wrong house.

So, in the wake of this happening so close to us, and the terrible tragedy in CT, I'm feeling defeated. Worried about the world our kids are growing up in. In the words of my neighbor, "Hold your little ones tight. You never know when it could be your last day."

I want to freeze the naivety of my kids. They were outside in our driveway on Friday, waving at and trying to get the attention of the news copters overhead. I love that their only problems are who gets to wear what princess dress. I think about the kids who witnessed this. They moved in when they were 3. Now they are 9 and have seen something completely terrifying that most of us will never have to witness. Please pray for this family. May God give them the strength in the next few days, weeks, months. And maybe you and your family should come up with an emergency plan... You just never know.

Operation 2013: Simplifying

Yep, that's my new year's resolution this year... simplifying my life.  Of course, that goes along with my regulars- lose weight, exercise more, floss my teeth more regularly.  Those are just givens.  But, making my life more simple is something that is becoming a requirement!

So, what does simplifying look like, exactly?  Well, take today, for example.  It's a cold, rainy, yucky day outside, so I have been inside purging old toys, baby stuff Parker is done with, and getting clothes too small for Taylor to give to my neighbor friend, for her daughter who is 1.  I am putting up toys in bins in my closet to swap out in a month or two with "old" toys, to keep the toys fresh and to prevent 3,000 toys laying around the house.  I have organized closets, bought more baby-proofing tools to prevent Taylor from getting in all our cabinets and pulling EVERYTHING out 10 times a day (no, I'm not exaggerating).  Needless to say, after today, I feel better about the start to this whole idea.

Isn't the definition of insanity where you do the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result?  That's how I have felt lately.  After the 300th time of picking up all the game pieces from all the games/puzzles in our cabinet that Taylor pulls out, I decided to put the games out in the garage.  On a high shelf.  Where Taylor can't reach them.  (I should knock on wood, I'm sure she will find a way one day soon.) After the 1,000th time of picking up the 200 books we have in Sydney's room on her bookshelf, I have put all the books up in a bin in our attic, and left out about 7 to pick from for now. 

I don't mean to sound ungrateful for all the wonderful toys, books, etc. that we have... we are very blessed.  I'm just trying to simplify and organize our household better.  And, hopefully, the girls will appreciate what they have more.

Another way I'm going to have to simplify things is by being much more organized at night.  I'm packing for 3 for daycare now, so I'll need to make it a priority at night to get their bags packed, jackets in the car, papers signed and put back in folders.  I'm planning on laying out the kids' outfits for the whole week on Sunday.  I'll lay out my outfit at night, too.  Who knows how this whole morning routine will go?  (Guess I'll find out tomorrow!)

I'm going to try to use up things in our house before others get replaced.  Right now, for example, Sydney has outgrown her black and brown boots.  But, she has a pair of brown and black shoes.  They may not be as cute with some of her outfits, but... she is 4.  She will be perfectly fine.  I'd also like to continuously clean out our pantry before buying new food.  Clutter... be gone.

I'm also going to try my best to leave work at a reasonable time each day, and to leave work at work.  At least, leave it until the kids go to bed and I get the aforementioned things accomplished.  We've also buckled down and gotten a maid service to come (they start this Friday, woohoo!) and we are ordering things from Amazon Prime, like diapers, pull-ups, paper towels, etc. to come straight to our door.

Simplicity.  I crave it.  I don't feel like I have that now at all (though it is for good reason, and I wouldn't trade that!).  But, here is to a simple, organized, low-key, somewhat manageable (and hopefully lighter, healthier, with better gums) 2013. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

12-31-2012

Charlotte's birthday party- 12-28-2012

My sweet thumbsucker.

Sydney & Avery

Sara and Daniel came to see us!!

Taylor enjoying a nice treat.