Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I've decided...
that for now I have decided to take a break from the bedtime frustrations and to spend some time editing the pictures from our camping trip, way back in August. But I will say that tonight he went right down which he has been doing for quite sometime except for this past week. But the next trial is to see if he will sleep through the night. But I am not thinking of that right now, instead I am spending some minutes editing photos which I have not done in for.ever. Between everything I have going on, I don't have alot of extra time to edit photos.
I started shooting in RAW and that requires more editing time, which frankly I don't care for but I do have to say I love how much more freedom I have with the pictures. Now I need to look into getting some free actions and learning about actions.
But enough said here are some pictures from our fun family camping trip in August.
I started shooting in RAW and that requires more editing time, which frankly I don't care for but I do have to say I love how much more freedom I have with the pictures. Now I need to look into getting some free actions and learning about actions.
But enough said here are some pictures from our fun family camping trip in August.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I can do this...
Really, I can. It amazes me sometimes how much of a will a wee little 17 month old can have. I appreciate everyone's advice, words of wisdom and comfort. Over the past 17 months I have tried all of the above and the one I guess I really haven't done too much is...crying it out. And the only reason for that, for the most part, is that I do hate to hear him cry when I know he is such a happy, little boy...95% of the time. But for some reason lately bedtime, more specifically putting him to bed, has been difficult.
Our normal bedtime routine winds him down and he is begging to go to sleep but not this past week. It has been a fight each night. So since my emotions are stable tonight, he's just going to cry. He was fine and almost asleep when I left his room but 10 minutes later....mommy, daddy. Brad said, "I'll go up." and I said, "no". There is nothing wrong with him so crying it out he will. Maybe I didn't let him wind down enough but that's neither here nor there.
The last time I let him cry it out, it was 1.5 hours before, well, he never did cry himself to sleep. I ended up going up there, wiping his nose and laying him down. He fell asleep then. That's another reason why I hate letting him cry it out....snot. He always has so much snot on his face from crying. We'll see how long it takes tonight. We're already at a half hour and he is going just as loud. I really do hate this. I just wish I knew what changed in him going to sleep so easy, he might have still woken up in the night but at least bedtime wasn't difficult.
Update: It is now 10:15 and not a peep. So after two hours, he gave up. I checked on him once after and hour and he was so mad there was no settling down. He so wanted me to pick him up and I so wanted too, but I didn't.
I checked on him and he is sound asleep with his bumper all squished up. Let's hope we don't have to do that again. That was not fun.
Our normal bedtime routine winds him down and he is begging to go to sleep but not this past week. It has been a fight each night. So since my emotions are stable tonight, he's just going to cry. He was fine and almost asleep when I left his room but 10 minutes later....mommy, daddy. Brad said, "I'll go up." and I said, "no". There is nothing wrong with him so crying it out he will. Maybe I didn't let him wind down enough but that's neither here nor there.
The last time I let him cry it out, it was 1.5 hours before, well, he never did cry himself to sleep. I ended up going up there, wiping his nose and laying him down. He fell asleep then. That's another reason why I hate letting him cry it out....snot. He always has so much snot on his face from crying. We'll see how long it takes tonight. We're already at a half hour and he is going just as loud. I really do hate this. I just wish I knew what changed in him going to sleep so easy, he might have still woken up in the night but at least bedtime wasn't difficult.
Update: It is now 10:15 and not a peep. So after two hours, he gave up. I checked on him once after and hour and he was so mad there was no settling down. He so wanted me to pick him up and I so wanted too, but I didn't.
I checked on him and he is sound asleep with his bumper all squished up. Let's hope we don't have to do that again. That was not fun.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
My 1st Preggar Emotial Breakdown
Now I am not an extremely emotional person but we all know that the preggar hormones really change things. But I truly believe tonight's breakdown is 17 months of frustrations and lack of sleep coming to a head.
It's been an hour and a half that Brad and I have been trying to get Chase back to bed. He woke up crying around 9:30 and we thought he'd just fall back asleep. Wrong. So we both went up to calm him down, he was so upset. Everytime he wakes up like this so many questions run through my head...is he just being naughtly? Are his teeth hurting? Does he have a tummy ache? Is he hungry? Why? What would cause him to be so upset?
Rubbing his back doesn't work so we, Brad, finally gives in and picks him up to console him. He's happy, wants his D and relaxes. But you know how that always ends. He cries as soon as you put him down.
So I put some Orajel on his top two molars that are 1/4 way through, he relaxes a bit but still upset. Does he have a tummy ache because he had a toasted cheese a half before bed? Did he have a bad dream? What? It's so frustrating. I wish he could tell us if he's uncomfortable or just being naughty. "Yes mommy I am being naughty."
But really. After everything, Orajel, singing, rocking, rubbing back and finally Tylenol. But still nothing...no consoling to sleep. So I finally reverted to swatting his leg every time he stood up. I hate to do this but usually when he is uncontrollable this works and he goes to sleep. Not tonight.
Finally I just started crying and went downstairs. The only person that understands is Brad. We go to bed every single night wondering what time will he get up? Will he go right down or will it be an ordeal? Will it be in the middle of the night, 4am, 5am etc. We pray every night with Chase for him to sleep well. I just don't understand. Is he this way because of something we did when he was a baby?
I just cried and said this is why I am not as excited for baby #2. I can't handle both being that way, or as soon as the baby cries in the middle of the night will Chase wake up and need to be consoled too. Brad nor I will ever see the back of our eyelids for more than a few hours a night. I told Brad that he needs to fast and pray for Chase and his sleeping habits. I would but I must eat.
As I type this at 11pm, Chase is standing in front of me with a big smile and his toothbrush in his hand. "Teeth, daddy teeth." Because him and daddy are brushing their teeth. From the big smile and happiness, you would never have known that for the past 90 minutes he has been upset. But now what? Brad and I are going to bed....
It's been an hour and a half that Brad and I have been trying to get Chase back to bed. He woke up crying around 9:30 and we thought he'd just fall back asleep. Wrong. So we both went up to calm him down, he was so upset. Everytime he wakes up like this so many questions run through my head...is he just being naughtly? Are his teeth hurting? Does he have a tummy ache? Is he hungry? Why? What would cause him to be so upset?
Rubbing his back doesn't work so we, Brad, finally gives in and picks him up to console him. He's happy, wants his D and relaxes. But you know how that always ends. He cries as soon as you put him down.
So I put some Orajel on his top two molars that are 1/4 way through, he relaxes a bit but still upset. Does he have a tummy ache because he had a toasted cheese a half before bed? Did he have a bad dream? What? It's so frustrating. I wish he could tell us if he's uncomfortable or just being naughty. "Yes mommy I am being naughty."
But really. After everything, Orajel, singing, rocking, rubbing back and finally Tylenol. But still nothing...no consoling to sleep. So I finally reverted to swatting his leg every time he stood up. I hate to do this but usually when he is uncontrollable this works and he goes to sleep. Not tonight.
Finally I just started crying and went downstairs. The only person that understands is Brad. We go to bed every single night wondering what time will he get up? Will he go right down or will it be an ordeal? Will it be in the middle of the night, 4am, 5am etc. We pray every night with Chase for him to sleep well. I just don't understand. Is he this way because of something we did when he was a baby?
I just cried and said this is why I am not as excited for baby #2. I can't handle both being that way, or as soon as the baby cries in the middle of the night will Chase wake up and need to be consoled too. Brad nor I will ever see the back of our eyelids for more than a few hours a night. I told Brad that he needs to fast and pray for Chase and his sleeping habits. I would but I must eat.
As I type this at 11pm, Chase is standing in front of me with a big smile and his toothbrush in his hand. "Teeth, daddy teeth." Because him and daddy are brushing their teeth. From the big smile and happiness, you would never have known that for the past 90 minutes he has been upset. But now what? Brad and I are going to bed....
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Chirp, chirp
It's what 9:20pm right now? And it was over an hour ago I put Chase down for Nee. Nee. I was casually laying on the couch entering some lia sophia orders, blogging and watching Brad play football on the PS3 against Jeff, who was at home playing Brad. Pretty cool what you can do with internet.
Anyway, as I was saying, I was just sitting hear and all of the sudden I hear birds chirping, not live birds of course, but the birds that chirp on Chase's little bedtime soother. It's a crib vibrator that has a nightlite, makes bird chirping sounds and vibrates, not all these at once but they are options. We tend to just use the vibrator when he is being fussy and then the nightlite most of the time.
But back to the chirping. When we hear birds chirping we know that Chase is up, either in the morning or like tonight. We both thought he was sound asleep because he was quiet as a mouse, but then...chirp, chirp. The little stinker was up and playing in his crib and playing with the buttons. A few seconds after he turned the birds on he started yelling...mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy...yes he just continues until I come up.
He was wide awake wanting to chat. So I picked him up and we rocked. "Rock" he says. We chatted and sang. But he still wasn't settled which meant he was probably a little hungry. He had a good dinner but didn't have his bedtime snack. For whatever reason I didn't give him one. I grabbed him half a plain Graham cracker and we sang, did a few Eskimo kisses and Butterfly kisses and then I put him back down for Nee. Nee.
And goodnight he went. Nee. Nee. Chase.
Anyway, as I was saying, I was just sitting hear and all of the sudden I hear birds chirping, not live birds of course, but the birds that chirp on Chase's little bedtime soother. It's a crib vibrator that has a nightlite, makes bird chirping sounds and vibrates, not all these at once but they are options. We tend to just use the vibrator when he is being fussy and then the nightlite most of the time.
But back to the chirping. When we hear birds chirping we know that Chase is up, either in the morning or like tonight. We both thought he was sound asleep because he was quiet as a mouse, but then...chirp, chirp. The little stinker was up and playing in his crib and playing with the buttons. A few seconds after he turned the birds on he started yelling...mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy...yes he just continues until I come up.
He was wide awake wanting to chat. So I picked him up and we rocked. "Rock" he says. We chatted and sang. But he still wasn't settled which meant he was probably a little hungry. He had a good dinner but didn't have his bedtime snack. For whatever reason I didn't give him one. I grabbed him half a plain Graham cracker and we sang, did a few Eskimo kisses and Butterfly kisses and then I put him back down for Nee. Nee.
And goodnight he went. Nee. Nee. Chase.
How I told my mom...
I never seem to do things simple and that's true for telling my my parents I was pregnant with #2. I love to make things even more exciting because rarely do I have exciting news to tell. So a few weeks ago Chase and I were going over to my parents for a visit. Before loading Chase in the car he found a big rock that we wanted to play with, so I of course let him take it. What do I care that he plays with a dirty rock, he's a boy and loves his rocks. It's so cute when he says rock too.
Anyway, I hadn't decided or thought of anything creative on how to tell my parents so I was just going to say it. But then I noticed the nice smooth surface on the rock, found a black Sharpie and named the rock. I wrote in big letters, "Big brother" on the rock. Chase was so excited to see writing and I kept telling him what it said on the way there.
As soon as we arrived and I got him out of his car seat, I told him to go show Nonnie his rock. He was so excited and toddled over to Nonnie and dropped it. I had positioned it just right in his hands but did I really think he would hold it that way the whole time. Well, when he picked it up to show her, my mom was asking Chase what's that on your rock. "Rock," Chase said. And my mom totally missed what it said, probably her eyesight, where's her reading glasses. So I told her what it said, "Big Brother". What? she said. It was so funny because it didn't dawn on her right away and then she of course got real excited. Whereas my dad totally missed it...as usual. I explained to him that I was pregnant. It was too funny. Sometimes I wonder if I should just tell them in a simple way to cause less confusion. Nah. That takes the fun out of it.
I didn't have my camera so I didn't get a picture of Chase or the rock. Stink. It was too cute too. Oh, well the memory is there.
Anyway, I hadn't decided or thought of anything creative on how to tell my parents so I was just going to say it. But then I noticed the nice smooth surface on the rock, found a black Sharpie and named the rock. I wrote in big letters, "Big brother" on the rock. Chase was so excited to see writing and I kept telling him what it said on the way there.
As soon as we arrived and I got him out of his car seat, I told him to go show Nonnie his rock. He was so excited and toddled over to Nonnie and dropped it. I had positioned it just right in his hands but did I really think he would hold it that way the whole time. Well, when he picked it up to show her, my mom was asking Chase what's that on your rock. "Rock," Chase said. And my mom totally missed what it said, probably her eyesight, where's her reading glasses. So I told her what it said, "Big Brother". What? she said. It was so funny because it didn't dawn on her right away and then she of course got real excited. Whereas my dad totally missed it...as usual. I explained to him that I was pregnant. It was too funny. Sometimes I wonder if I should just tell them in a simple way to cause less confusion. Nah. That takes the fun out of it.
I didn't have my camera so I didn't get a picture of Chase or the rock. Stink. It was too cute too. Oh, well the memory is there.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Yes the rumor is true...
Baby #2 will be here in May. I was going to wait a few more weeks until I was further along but that's ok. Some people have commented that I don't seem very excited, well I am but I am also overwhelmed and scared of the unknown. You know, twice the responsibility, twice the diapers, twice no-sleep and sharing my love. But everyone tells me that God makes a mother's heart special so that we have enough love to go around.
But really, I am praying for this little one and that it will like to sleep. That's not all of course, I'm praying for a safe, healthy pregnancy, and that #2 will weigh in less than 10lbs, 8lbs. would be nice. But also for this child to have a sweet-spirit, be healthy and happy, teething will be painless and of course, enjoy sleep.
Chase at 17 months still doesn't sleep well. It gets so extremely exhausting. I really don't understand, I've tried and done everything. His crib is all plushed out...nice plush crib bumper so his legs and arms to get stuck in the rungs, a foam egg carton underneath his sheets for a plush mattress, sound machine and small heater to keep him warm. But to no avail, he wakes up in the night. This weekend I am blaming the full moon.
But yes, I am one of the three Pastor mentioned. I am excited to share this exciting experience with the other two. Such a special time in our lives and to spend it together. I still can't believe that we're able to do it together. Now that is exciting to me.
But really, I am praying for this little one and that it will like to sleep. That's not all of course, I'm praying for a safe, healthy pregnancy, and that #2 will weigh in less than 10lbs, 8lbs. would be nice. But also for this child to have a sweet-spirit, be healthy and happy, teething will be painless and of course, enjoy sleep.
Chase at 17 months still doesn't sleep well. It gets so extremely exhausting. I really don't understand, I've tried and done everything. His crib is all plushed out...nice plush crib bumper so his legs and arms to get stuck in the rungs, a foam egg carton underneath his sheets for a plush mattress, sound machine and small heater to keep him warm. But to no avail, he wakes up in the night. This weekend I am blaming the full moon.
But yes, I am one of the three Pastor mentioned. I am excited to share this exciting experience with the other two. Such a special time in our lives and to spend it together. I still can't believe that we're able to do it together. Now that is exciting to me.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...
Today I realized just how much Chase is listening and putting two and two together and what a little computer he is. Well, I always knew he was a sponge especially at this age. He is just learning too much so fast.
Well, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...
As our bedtime routine goes, we read, snack, D, sing and pray. One song we always sing, which is always the first, don't know why, but is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. As soon as I start singing he points towards his bed and says, "Nee. Nee." and can't get into his bed fast enough. So I usually only get one song in unless he's not real sleepy. But anyways, I lie him down and pray.
Today when we were visiting Katie and Gracie, there were some stars that the kids were playing with. Chase gave me one, then Katie. When he gave it to Katie she said "twinkle, twinkle." And immediately after Chase goes..."Nee. Nee." It was too cute. He associates the song with bedtime. And it was close to naptime so he was just about ready to "Nee.Nee."
Well, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...
As our bedtime routine goes, we read, snack, D, sing and pray. One song we always sing, which is always the first, don't know why, but is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. As soon as I start singing he points towards his bed and says, "Nee. Nee." and can't get into his bed fast enough. So I usually only get one song in unless he's not real sleepy. But anyways, I lie him down and pray.
Today when we were visiting Katie and Gracie, there were some stars that the kids were playing with. Chase gave me one, then Katie. When he gave it to Katie she said "twinkle, twinkle." And immediately after Chase goes..."Nee. Nee." It was too cute. He associates the song with bedtime. And it was close to naptime so he was just about ready to "Nee.Nee."
Monday, September 21, 2009
Nee. Nee.
We have quite the ritual established for Chase's bedtime. If it's not a bath night we start with a 2-3 animal cookies and he snacks on them while we read 2-3 books, always ending with Goodnight Moon. Which is ironic. I never heard of this book until Chase received two copies at my baby shower. He looooves the book. I thought this odd because I didn't see why this book was such a classic but he does love it. As we read it, he says "Nee.Nee" to the kitties, balloon, cow, stars and the bunny. He just listens and turns the pages, sometimes turning them faster than I can read, thank goodness they are short lines.
After Goodnight Moon, we go downstairs to brush his teeth, he only gets a snack if he didn't eat a good dinner otherwise we skip the snack and brush the teeth then read. Anyway, after brushing his teeth, which he has to do himself, of course, we then get his "D" which if you have forgotten is his drink. Oh, I forgot to mention the bottle went to bottle heaven on July 10. It just kind of happened, well I guess when you stay the night at Grammy's house and forget the bottle, you just make do and never bring it back.
So we grab his D and go back upstairs to sing and pray. Sometimes he is so tired he doesn't even want to sing, he points to his crib and says "Nee. Nee". So I lay him in his crib and say our goodnight prayers and off to sleep la la land he goes, with his D wrapped under his arm. And don't worry, only water in his D at all times during the night. I don't want him to have rotten teeth from drinking juice at night.
I say sleep la la land but in actuality that's not true. He is an awful sleeper or maybe just a very light sleeper. He wakes up at least once during the night and sometimes we have to go in and console him because he is standing in his crib. Very rough, that's for sure. Right now his top two molars are popping through so it's that much more of restless nights, Motrin or not.
Here's to a restful Nee. Nee. tonight.
Chase 5 months old...Nee. Nee.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The day we became united...A MUST READ
It's been 8 years already since our country was attacked on September 11 and September 12 became the day that America united. It's sad that just 8 years later how soon we forget the pain. But even more how disrespectful and ignorant we are of our country and the men who fought for our freedom. 195 years ago on September 14, our country became free from the British and our National Anthem was penned. Read the following post and think and pray for God's hand and mercy on our country.
This is an amazing story told of our National Anthem and you must listen to it. Stop what you are doing, take 8 minutes to listen to this, and visualize it as you listen. You will never listen to the National Anthem the same again...
We all know the words to the National Anthem, but how many of you know the true story behind those words? Sadly, the memory of the noble and heroic actions of those who won our freedom so many years ago becomes more diluted with each passing generation.
Let’s revive the spirit of our Founding Fathers who fought so gallantly, against all odds, to defeat the greatest military power in the world at that time. Let’s educate our younger Americans who only know the National Anthem as, “That song they sing at baseball games” so they too stand proudly and shed a tear of gratitude for their freedom, as we do, when we hear the words that were penned during the darkest hour of our county’s birth.
Please spread this very emotionally moving and educational rendition of our National Anthem throughout the Internet so all Americans can FULLY appreciate our National Anthem.
Click here for a rendition of our national anthem that you’ve never heard before. It is amazing and you'll never hear the our National Anthem the say again.
http://fsblog.s3.amazonaws.com/TheStarSpangledBanner.wmv
This is an amazing story told of our National Anthem and you must listen to it. Stop what you are doing, take 8 minutes to listen to this, and visualize it as you listen. You will never listen to the National Anthem the same again...
We all know the words to the National Anthem, but how many of you know the true story behind those words? Sadly, the memory of the noble and heroic actions of those who won our freedom so many years ago becomes more diluted with each passing generation.
Let’s revive the spirit of our Founding Fathers who fought so gallantly, against all odds, to defeat the greatest military power in the world at that time. Let’s educate our younger Americans who only know the National Anthem as, “That song they sing at baseball games” so they too stand proudly and shed a tear of gratitude for their freedom, as we do, when we hear the words that were penned during the darkest hour of our county’s birth.
Please spread this very emotionally moving and educational rendition of our National Anthem throughout the Internet so all Americans can FULLY appreciate our National Anthem.
Click here for a rendition of our national anthem that you’ve never heard before. It is amazing and you'll never hear the our National Anthem the say again.
http://fsblog.s3.amazonaws.com/TheStarSpangledBanner.wmv
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Monday, September 7, 2009
1,000 Islands Day 1
Back in August, 8/19-8/22, we took our first official family vacation....we went camping to the 1,000 Islands with the D's. We borrowed my parents camper, Brad doesn't like to tent and frankly with a 15 month old, I wouldn't have wanted to either. Katie and Jeff also had a camper which worked out great.
We arrived Wednesday afternoon at Wellesley Island State Park. It is a huge campground and absolutely beautiful. The loop we stayed at is fairly new so there wasn't much shade but there was plenty of open mowed field for the kids to run. We had an EZ-up so that gave us some shelter from the sun when needed. 
The first night was pretty uneventful. We unloaded, set up the canopies and while the boys cooked the hamburgers for dinner, Katie and I took the kids for a bike ride to find the beach. The kids just hung out in the bike trailer as we did a quick tour. We headed back as the boys were patiently waiting for us, oops. We enjoyed hamburgers and macaroni salad for supper. And before we knew it it was time to put the kiddos to bed. Well, this is what I was dreading, a new bed and new place for Chase.
We had the fan and air conditioner going for sound and put up a sheet to make his own "room." It worked pretty well. But he did wake up once during the night, I just got up and rubbed his back and out he went. This became a nightly routine over the next few days.
We arrived Wednesday afternoon at Wellesley Island State Park. It is a huge campground and absolutely beautiful. The loop we stayed at is fairly new so there wasn't much shade but there was plenty of open mowed field for the kids to run. We had an EZ-up so that gave us some shelter from the sun when needed. The first night was pretty uneventful. We unloaded, set up the canopies and while the boys cooked the hamburgers for dinner, Katie and I took the kids for a bike ride to find the beach. The kids just hung out in the bike trailer as we did a quick tour. We headed back as the boys were patiently waiting for us, oops. We enjoyed hamburgers and macaroni salad for supper. And before we knew it it was time to put the kiddos to bed. Well, this is what I was dreading, a new bed and new place for Chase.
We had the fan and air conditioner going for sound and put up a sheet to make his own "room." It worked pretty well. But he did wake up once during the night, I just got up and rubbed his back and out he went. This became a nightly routine over the next few days.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Date night with my man...lil man that is.
While daddy and Jeff spent the night racing, Chase, Gracie, Katie and I had planned early on in the day to go to Burnap's Farm Market and then to Sodus Point for fun in the sand and a walk.
Well, it was around 3:45pm and Katie was out of work and we were ready to go, everyone except Gracie that is. She decided to take a late nap and, well, made us change our plans. We decided to wait and see if she woke up in time to still make the trip, nope.
Five rolled around and I decided that Chase and I were still going to. I really wanted to spend some more time outside, we only have a few days left of nice weather. So I packed him up and off to Burnaps we went. They were done serving food so ice cream it was. After ice cream for dinner we headed down to Sodus Point to enjoy a nice walk by the water, fun in the sand and french fries.
I was so bummed, I left the house without my camera, any camera. I was so upset, a perfect opportunity and I forgot. Oh well, my cell phone gathered some simple shots for memories.
Opps thought I got the lighthouse in the background, well I got what was important...US.
Our feet after playing in the waves and running the sand.
Well, it was around 3:45pm and Katie was out of work and we were ready to go, everyone except Gracie that is. She decided to take a late nap and, well, made us change our plans. We decided to wait and see if she woke up in time to still make the trip, nope.
Five rolled around and I decided that Chase and I were still going to. I really wanted to spend some more time outside, we only have a few days left of nice weather. So I packed him up and off to Burnaps we went. They were done serving food so ice cream it was. After ice cream for dinner we headed down to Sodus Point to enjoy a nice walk by the water, fun in the sand and french fries.
I was so bummed, I left the house without my camera, any camera. I was so upset, a perfect opportunity and I forgot. Oh well, my cell phone gathered some simple shots for memories.
Opps thought I got the lighthouse in the background, well I got what was important...US.
Our feet after playing in the waves and running the sand.
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