Here's a video of Sydney counting in Spanish... I love it when she gets to 8, 9, and 10. ;)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Creepy McCreepster
For all you moms out there... have you ever noticed that there is a fine line between strangers being really sweet to your children and strangers being really creepy?
For example... my mom and I were at the Mall of Georgia yesterday. Many of you probably know that the pre-lunch hours on a weekday at a mall are often the exercise times for senior citizens. So, we're at the mall, Sydney is being her funny, full-of-personality self, trotting all around the halls of the mall. People are making comments left and right- "She's so cute!", "What a doll!"-...things like that are fine.
But, this bothered me. And this man was probably just trying to be nice. He came up to Sydney, marveled about her for a minute, and then asked her if she liked chocolate. Of course, she said, "Yes!". He gave her a hershey's kiss. So, as Sydney is tearing into it, I'm trying to take it from her without offending the man- "Sydney, let's wait until after lunch to eat this!" But, of course, Sydney starts throwing a fit because she wants the piece of candy.
Now, this man was probably upper-70s, and he was probably just trying to be sweet. I'm sure he meant no harm. And Sydney is a little too young to learn the "we don't accept things from strangers" talk (although maybe I should get on that!). But, him offering her this single piece of chocolate (it's not like he pulled it out of a bag of other hershey's kisses) was a little creepy to me. Of course, we diverted her attention and I threw the treat away.
Then, we're at O'Charley's for lunch. This guy who is a cook/waiter/something came over to our table, oohs and aahs over Taylor, and grabs her hand to hold it for a few seconds. He was really sweet about it, but as he's leaving, I'm reaching for her wipes to clean off her hand. You just don't know where that hand has been! (yuck).
As we're getting ready to leave, another senior citizen came up to our table and asked if we would bring the two girls by their table so he and his wife could see them. So, we obliged. This wasn't really creepy- I think it probably brought this nice, elderly couple (they had to be in their 80s) some joy.
I guess it was just a strange day with lots of comments and strange interactions. I don't mean to sound ungrateful that people think my daughters are cute (I happen to think so, too!), but it's hard to know what intentions people have. I blame our society these days... probably when these people were younger, it was no big deal to offer a child a piece of candy. Now, we have to inspect everything before our children ingest anything! Ahhh, to live in a carefree world... but we don't, so keep your chocolate away from my children, people! ;)
Here are pics of Sydney and Taylor before our big mall adventure!
For example... my mom and I were at the Mall of Georgia yesterday. Many of you probably know that the pre-lunch hours on a weekday at a mall are often the exercise times for senior citizens. So, we're at the mall, Sydney is being her funny, full-of-personality self, trotting all around the halls of the mall. People are making comments left and right- "She's so cute!", "What a doll!"-...things like that are fine.
But, this bothered me. And this man was probably just trying to be nice. He came up to Sydney, marveled about her for a minute, and then asked her if she liked chocolate. Of course, she said, "Yes!". He gave her a hershey's kiss. So, as Sydney is tearing into it, I'm trying to take it from her without offending the man- "Sydney, let's wait until after lunch to eat this!" But, of course, Sydney starts throwing a fit because she wants the piece of candy.
Now, this man was probably upper-70s, and he was probably just trying to be sweet. I'm sure he meant no harm. And Sydney is a little too young to learn the "we don't accept things from strangers" talk (although maybe I should get on that!). But, him offering her this single piece of chocolate (it's not like he pulled it out of a bag of other hershey's kisses) was a little creepy to me. Of course, we diverted her attention and I threw the treat away.
Then, we're at O'Charley's for lunch. This guy who is a cook/waiter/something came over to our table, oohs and aahs over Taylor, and grabs her hand to hold it for a few seconds. He was really sweet about it, but as he's leaving, I'm reaching for her wipes to clean off her hand. You just don't know where that hand has been! (yuck).
As we're getting ready to leave, another senior citizen came up to our table and asked if we would bring the two girls by their table so he and his wife could see them. So, we obliged. This wasn't really creepy- I think it probably brought this nice, elderly couple (they had to be in their 80s) some joy.
I guess it was just a strange day with lots of comments and strange interactions. I don't mean to sound ungrateful that people think my daughters are cute (I happen to think so, too!), but it's hard to know what intentions people have. I blame our society these days... probably when these people were younger, it was no big deal to offer a child a piece of candy. Now, we have to inspect everything before our children ingest anything! Ahhh, to live in a carefree world... but we don't, so keep your chocolate away from my children, people! ;)
Here are pics of Sydney and Taylor before our big mall adventure!
Sydney dancing to... who else? Dora!
Taylor's sooo excited about her first trip to the mall!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Resolutions
Ok, I must admit... I'm a horrible resolution-er. I will make a resolution and be gung-ho for a few weeks... MAYBE a couple months if I'm lucky... and then I'm off to bigger and better things. So, this year I decided to try something different. Let's face it, Rome wasn't built in a day, right? It's about creating habits, not suddenly changing your lifestyle to reach a goal.
So, I am coming up with one/two big resolutions a month. That way, I'm hoping they will build habits that will stick around for the year... and years to come!
On top of that, I am creating monthly "to do" lists of everything that must be completed by the end of that month.
Let's check out how well I've done so far...
January 2011- The main resolution was to actually stick to our budget. We have had a budget in Quicken for years, and we even update it pretty frequently. We also even look at it pretty often to see how we do... but we never REALLY try to stick to it.
Ok, so how did we do? Well, pretty good!!! The only areas we were over on were medical expenses (bills left over from the hospital), and we were about $30 over on groceries and $20 over on rental house expenses. But everything else, we were WAY under! So, a good start to our keeping-to-the-budget habit...
As for my to-do list, I had about 15 things on there I wanted to get done. I got all but ONE thing done... (and yes, I was cramming in some things late last night ;) The one thing I didn't do was to fill out this "Big Sister" book in terms of Sydney looking at the birth of her little sis. It's a cute book- it's kind of like filling in a baby book, but so much more detail. For example, Sydney's supposed to actually draw a picture in the book and I'm supposed to have all these pictures to put in the book for various things... yeah, that will have to be moved to February's list.
Ok, so onto February! I have made my to-do list, which this month is more like a "things to do before I have to go back to work" list. Our two main resolutions are to pray each night before dinner (something we should be doing anyways, but we're very sporadic about it) and be on time everywhere we go. Now, I realize that's a biggie... but it is SO HARD!!! to get anywhere on time with two girls! I had it down to a T with Sydney and myself... but throwing in one other person makes it so hard. And being late (or waiting on people who are late!) is my biggest pet peeve, so I really hate that I am that person. :)
And, I'm hoping I can get some good "on-time" vibes coming my way, because I will soon be going back to work. At 7:00. In the morning. And that would mean me getting dressed, getting Sydney and Taylor dressed, taking them to daycare, and then getting to work. On time. At 7:00. Yep, AM. Hmmm. Luckily this is only when Stephen is out of town, but still... it should be interesting, to say the least.
So, I'll evaluate in another month... we'll see how it goes! One month down, 11 to go! We'll see where these resolutions take us...
So, I am coming up with one/two big resolutions a month. That way, I'm hoping they will build habits that will stick around for the year... and years to come!
On top of that, I am creating monthly "to do" lists of everything that must be completed by the end of that month.
Let's check out how well I've done so far...
January 2011- The main resolution was to actually stick to our budget. We have had a budget in Quicken for years, and we even update it pretty frequently. We also even look at it pretty often to see how we do... but we never REALLY try to stick to it.
Ok, so how did we do? Well, pretty good!!! The only areas we were over on were medical expenses (bills left over from the hospital), and we were about $30 over on groceries and $20 over on rental house expenses. But everything else, we were WAY under! So, a good start to our keeping-to-the-budget habit...
As for my to-do list, I had about 15 things on there I wanted to get done. I got all but ONE thing done... (and yes, I was cramming in some things late last night ;) The one thing I didn't do was to fill out this "Big Sister" book in terms of Sydney looking at the birth of her little sis. It's a cute book- it's kind of like filling in a baby book, but so much more detail. For example, Sydney's supposed to actually draw a picture in the book and I'm supposed to have all these pictures to put in the book for various things... yeah, that will have to be moved to February's list.
Ok, so onto February! I have made my to-do list, which this month is more like a "things to do before I have to go back to work" list. Our two main resolutions are to pray each night before dinner (something we should be doing anyways, but we're very sporadic about it) and be on time everywhere we go. Now, I realize that's a biggie... but it is SO HARD!!! to get anywhere on time with two girls! I had it down to a T with Sydney and myself... but throwing in one other person makes it so hard. And being late (or waiting on people who are late!) is my biggest pet peeve, so I really hate that I am that person. :)
And, I'm hoping I can get some good "on-time" vibes coming my way, because I will soon be going back to work. At 7:00. In the morning. And that would mean me getting dressed, getting Sydney and Taylor dressed, taking them to daycare, and then getting to work. On time. At 7:00. Yep, AM. Hmmm. Luckily this is only when Stephen is out of town, but still... it should be interesting, to say the least.
So, I'll evaluate in another month... we'll see how it goes! One month down, 11 to go! We'll see where these resolutions take us...
Two Months!
Happy 2 months to Taylor!!!
We went to her well check-up today... it was only 2 weeks after her one-month check-up, but I wanted to get back on track with being more on time. Here are the stats:
Weight: 13 pounds, 8 ounces (95%)
Height: 23-1/4" (75-90%)
Head circumference: 40 cm (75-90%)
Now, the bad news is that she only gained 2 ounces in the last 2 weeks. If you read about her laryngomalacia, it's important that the babies with this condition continue to gain weight- otherwise, they are struggling to breathe so much that they are burning extra calories and not gaining weight.
I'm hoping that she weighed more at her last appointment because she had just downed a 5-ounce bottle of milk... this time, it had been over an hour since she ate. Regardless, I have to take her back next week to do a weight check.
The doctor told me that even though she weighs a lot, it's important not to take that lightly (no pun intended!) and make sure she is still gaining at an appropriate speed. And, her reflux is pretty bad, so I was told to put rice cereal in her bottles to help keep it down. My poor girls... both had different stomach and reflux issues... yuck! Luckily, Sydney has outgrown hers... here's hoping Taylor will do the same!
She got all of her shots, and cried for about a minute afterwards. Then, I fed her a bottle and she has been out since... going on 3-1/2 hours!
*smiling
*seeing her second snowfall
*sleeping about 6 hours a time at night... sometimes 4, sometimes 7!
*cooing
*being awake a lot more during the day
*going on her first walk outside in her stroller
*going to the church nursery for the first time
*moving into 3-6 month clothes!
This next month should bring new adventures of experimenting with rice cereal, going back to the ENT, and beginning daycare! Let's hope it all goes well!
We went to her well check-up today... it was only 2 weeks after her one-month check-up, but I wanted to get back on track with being more on time. Here are the stats:
Weight: 13 pounds, 8 ounces (95%)
Height: 23-1/4" (75-90%)
Head circumference: 40 cm (75-90%)
Now, the bad news is that she only gained 2 ounces in the last 2 weeks. If you read about her laryngomalacia, it's important that the babies with this condition continue to gain weight- otherwise, they are struggling to breathe so much that they are burning extra calories and not gaining weight.
I'm hoping that she weighed more at her last appointment because she had just downed a 5-ounce bottle of milk... this time, it had been over an hour since she ate. Regardless, I have to take her back next week to do a weight check.
The doctor told me that even though she weighs a lot, it's important not to take that lightly (no pun intended!) and make sure she is still gaining at an appropriate speed. And, her reflux is pretty bad, so I was told to put rice cereal in her bottles to help keep it down. My poor girls... both had different stomach and reflux issues... yuck! Luckily, Sydney has outgrown hers... here's hoping Taylor will do the same!
She got all of her shots, and cried for about a minute afterwards. Then, I fed her a bottle and she has been out since... going on 3-1/2 hours!
Yay!! I'm 2 months old!
Taylor's accomplishments in her second month:*smiling
*seeing her second snowfall
*sleeping about 6 hours a time at night... sometimes 4, sometimes 7!
*cooing
*being awake a lot more during the day
*going on her first walk outside in her stroller
*going to the church nursery for the first time
*moving into 3-6 month clothes!
This next month should bring new adventures of experimenting with rice cereal, going back to the ENT, and beginning daycare! Let's hope it all goes well!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
My talented girls...
Sydney's going to be a track star! Olympics 2032, watch out!
Taylor's talent- being the sweetest baby ever!
A walk in the park
Who would believe that today- January 29- in Georgia, the temperature got up to 70 degrees?!! I am LOVING it! It totally gives me spring fever. Today felt like a day right out of the month of April.
We took advantage of the lovely weather and went to a nearby park. It was awesome. There was a toddler area, a big-kid area, and a walking path. Sydney wanted to hit up all three areas. So we did. I'll let the pictures tell you about our day!
We took advantage of the lovely weather and went to a nearby park. It was awesome. There was a toddler area, a big-kid area, and a walking path. Sydney wanted to hit up all three areas. So we did. I'll let the pictures tell you about our day!
Playing in the toddler area.
Weeeeeeeee!
See-sawing with daddy.
Forget that baby stuff... bring on the big-kid playground!
Taylor and I went for a jog while Sydney and her daddy played.
She enjoyed it thoroughly!
Sydney went down this slide by herself!
Sydney's taking me to the big slide...
Who's going to win?
Swinging on the... circular monkey bars?
And one... and two...
Muscle girl!
Going for a walk...
So sweet...
Hey, don't forget about me, mom!
What a great day!
PS- Can this warm weather stick around a little longer? Pleeeeease?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Shenanigans...
I haven't posted in a while, and I'm getting quite a few posts in tonight! It's catch up time...
It's been a stressful week, but we are doing fine. Just trying to make sure Taylor is doing well, giving her her Zantac to help control the reflux, following doctor's orders on feeding her less but more often, keeping her upright after feedings, having her sleep propped up.
I've also had to do some work this week for my job... I even had to go in on Friday for a few hours in the morning to train my new sub (my old one ended up getting a full-time teaching job!). It was so fun to see the kids. I was texting/FB emailing with a girl I share a classroom with the night before, and she told me that when she signs the kids' agendas (homework log) at the end of the day, she always finds cards and notes that the kids made for me, saying how much they missed me. I told her that night I'd be coming in the next morning, and she said the kids would be ecstatic.
They were!! It was so fun to see them, and I was able to get all of those cards and notes to take home with me. The kids would not stop hugging me. It was great. I do miss them (though I really don't want this last month of maternity leave to go by quickly).
Another funny thing that's happened recently... I've been DVRing Oprah this week, because she's been in Australia. For those of you that don't know, I am dying to go there. Well, at the beginning of yesterday's show, Oprah starts out by saying, "Hello, Sydney!!" Sydney got the biggest kick out of that... thinking Oprah was talking to her. She kept wanting me to rewind it so she could hear it again, and she'd get the cutest, biggest smile on her face. She is just so funny. I feel like Stephen and I are the only ones who see her true personality, as she sometimes clams up in front of others. She is such a funny little girl!! The things that come out of her mouth, her facial expressions, her cute little personality. Hilarious.
Anyways, I just wanted to write yet another blog tonight, letting y'all know that we are fine. I apologize to my friends who I owe phone calls and/or emails to. I haven't gotten much of those done this week. I guess I could be doing that now instead of typing this blog, huh? On the plus side, I survived being with both girls overnight by myself while Stephen traveled for work. Go me!
It's been a stressful week, but we are doing fine. Just trying to make sure Taylor is doing well, giving her her Zantac to help control the reflux, following doctor's orders on feeding her less but more often, keeping her upright after feedings, having her sleep propped up.
I've also had to do some work this week for my job... I even had to go in on Friday for a few hours in the morning to train my new sub (my old one ended up getting a full-time teaching job!). It was so fun to see the kids. I was texting/FB emailing with a girl I share a classroom with the night before, and she told me that when she signs the kids' agendas (homework log) at the end of the day, she always finds cards and notes that the kids made for me, saying how much they missed me. I told her that night I'd be coming in the next morning, and she said the kids would be ecstatic.
They were!! It was so fun to see them, and I was able to get all of those cards and notes to take home with me. The kids would not stop hugging me. It was great. I do miss them (though I really don't want this last month of maternity leave to go by quickly).
Another funny thing that's happened recently... I've been DVRing Oprah this week, because she's been in Australia. For those of you that don't know, I am dying to go there. Well, at the beginning of yesterday's show, Oprah starts out by saying, "Hello, Sydney!!" Sydney got the biggest kick out of that... thinking Oprah was talking to her. She kept wanting me to rewind it so she could hear it again, and she'd get the cutest, biggest smile on her face. She is just so funny. I feel like Stephen and I are the only ones who see her true personality, as she sometimes clams up in front of others. She is such a funny little girl!! The things that come out of her mouth, her facial expressions, her cute little personality. Hilarious.
Anyways, I just wanted to write yet another blog tonight, letting y'all know that we are fine. I apologize to my friends who I owe phone calls and/or emails to. I haven't gotten much of those done this week. I guess I could be doing that now instead of typing this blog, huh? On the plus side, I survived being with both girls overnight by myself while Stephen traveled for work. Go me!
Both my girls passed out after playing at Meg, Manny, and Aubrie's house last weekend.
Silly Sydney.
This was hilarious. Aubrie is holding a thing of cookie dough in her hand right here. Once this picture was taken, Aubrie was still posing for a second shot, and Sydney leaned in and took a big bite out of that piece of cookie dough. We all were dying laughing... yes, I probably should have been concerned about my daughter ingesting raw cookie dough, but it was too funny. I wish I had gotten the "bite" on camera. :)
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