Memorial Day

Remembring those who sacrificed their lives for our country and our freedom. 

Daycare Search - Visit #3

Good grief!  I'm starting to get a little dismayed at daycare centers.  I know there are benefits to daycare and it will be a necessity in the future.  All three of the centers have been in the same price range so it's no that my favorite is exorbitantly priced.

Anyway Daycare3 was a big fat fail from entrance to exit.  I'm going to make this brief and list the things I didn't like about it.

*There isn't a sign explaining how to get into the place.  I'm glad the door is locked to keep creeps from waltzing in but what about prospective parents and children?  Where's the buzzer or call box?

*I didn't get a full understanding of how security works.  I know that parents must sign the children in and out but who checks to make sure the person is who they say they are?

*When I managed to get inside there was no one around to help me.  The office to my right was empty and the room to my left was an infant room.  There was one employee visible and she was surrounded by 3 babies.

*The woman surrounded by the babies didn't look happy to be there.  Now I'm sure there are days when I don't look happy to be surrounded by two babies but we're not talking about me.  One baby was being fed, the second was toddling around and the third was in a swing.  The worker was rocking the hell out of the swing with her foot.  I know the feeling of exasperation but where were the other employees?

*The Assistant Director had no idea that I had an appointment.  I called and scheduled the appointment the day before.

*The price quoted over the phone was different from the price that was given to me in person.

*The place seem cluttered. 

*It was ridiculously noisy.  I know first-hand that babies/toddlers can be noisy but in addition to the children there were 2 or 3 radios playing.

This place is a definite "NO".  I have three more on my list to visit.  Hopefully, they are an improvement.

Thirteen Ways I Saved

1.    I used coupons
2.    I bought baby food that was on sale & I used a coupon
3.    I didn't buy a  wallet
4.    I didn't buy a tote bag
5.    I didn't buy a new book
6.    Added books to my list to borrow from the library
7.    Purchased Target brand diapers
8.    Organized coupons
9.    Watered plants with left over drinking water
10.  Temperature of the house is 78 degrees
11.  Found a 20% off coupon for Babies R Us (future savings)
12.  Earned register rewards at Walgreens
13.  Had Aarons Bday gift shipped to the store instead of to our home

SNIP! SNIP! SNIP! (Part 2)

In my head I know two children is enough.  In my heart I get a little sad. 

I am a little sad that I won't get to experience the excitement of taking a home pregnancy test again.  I'm sad that I won't get to experience the excitement of the first OB appointment.  I'm sad that I won't get another first ultrasound and the nervous anticipation of seeing the heartbeat.  I'm sad that I won't get the excitement of having an ultrasound at 20 weeks to find out the sex.  I won't get to pick out names again.  I won't get to experience seeing my newborn baby for the first time.  I must admit I'd like to know what baby number 3 would look like.

I am grateful that I was able to experience pregnancy and childbirth. I am absolutely positively, unbelievably thankful for my sons.  They are amazing!  They make my heart smile every moment.  It's just that the chapter of childbearing has come to a close.  I look forward to all the new chapters (and challenges) of parenting. 

SNIP! SNIP! SNIP!

My husband got snipped today.  I thought about getting my tubes tied but after reading about Post-Tubal Ligation Syndrome, I decided against it.  At my 6 week post-partum check up my blood pressure was ridiculously high.  It was 156/98, which is unusual for me.  Because of my blood pressure being high my OB/GYN refused to put me on birth control pills.

We had discussed vasectomy during the pregnancy with Ethan.  It's less invasive than tubal ligation, it's performed on an outpatient basis, and hell I've had two c-sections, let him take one for the team!  I looked up some stuff about the procedure online and then found a doctor that accepts our insurance.  Mark initially scheduled the appointment for March.  The day before the appointment I told him that I wasn't fully on board.  We had a discussion and went back and forth about what to do.  I told him to keep the appointment.  He insisted on cancelling so that we could discuss the issue further.

Mark is 100% sure that he doesn't want anymore kids.  I'm not 100% sure that I'm done with two.  However, neither of us is getting any younger and money doesn't grow on trees.  While growing up, I always thought I'd have a daughter.  I envisioned two girls and one boy.  My mother has sisters and I have a sister.  The bond of sisterhood is immeasurable.

I had a lot of negative attitudes towards men when I was a child and throughout my twenties.  I remember thinking to myself, "Watch God give me all boys."  Hahahaha!  Well, I was right.  Somebody I used to work with told me, "God doesn't always give you what you want, but he always gives you what you need."  I need my two boys!

I hope and pray that the bond of brotherhood is immeasurable.  Today, I told Aaron that Ethan is his first best friend.

Sunday Prayer & Meditation

"But they that wait upon the Lord Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Thursday 13 - Time Waste

I'm really, really, really good at wasting time.  I wonder how much free time I'd have if I didn't do the following.

1.    Looking for my keys
2.    Searching for Sippy cups
3.    Looking for Aaron's shoes
4.   Reading/posting messages on the Nest/Bump
5.    Facebook - but that's almost a necessity
6.    Blogs (LOL)
7.    Watching TV - gotta love the DVR
8.    Text messaging
9.    Daydreaming
10.  Picking up the same toys over & over & over
11.  Worrying about everything
12.  Trying to get in touch with my mother - her phone is always off or she can't find it
13.  Getting rid of junk mail - both snail mail and email

Wishlist Wednesday

We met up with our playgroup at a local pool.  I packed swim diapers, sunscreen, and a beach towel for Aaron.  For Ethan I packed bottles, diapers, and a hat.  I was woefully unprepared.  The other parents showed up with floaties, rafts, noodles, and other toys.  It's a good thing the other parents encourage sharing otherwise Aaron would have been bummed.

To make trips to the pool more fun I wish I had these:

1. A baby raft looks like a great place to put Ethan. He can enjoy the water and still have shade.  It's available at Target.

2. This little contraption would be for Aaron.  The details state that it's for children between 30-50 pounds.  Aaron only weights about 26.  This is also from Target's website.

3. Of course we'd have to have this old stand-by. 

4. I'll will of course need a huge tote to carry beach towels and stuff.  This one is from LandsEnd.

Day Care Search - Visit #2

Daycare #2 is a little further of a drive from our home but it received a recommendation from a co-worker and is gold-star accredited.  The price is comparable to Daycare#1.  Many of the policies regarding drop-off/pick-up, illness, and supplies are similar.

The differences between the two were notable.  First the woman giving me the information and tour was friendly, professional and very thorough.  While she did give me a packet of papers, she explained and reviewed them with me.  As we toured the facility, she introduced me to the staff members.  She showed me the toddlers artwork, schedules and menu.  I was able to see eating and sleeping areas, where clothes, diapers and bottles were kept and the playground.

One thing that stood out was how bright and cheerful it was.  The toddler room had adorable bright color chairs and toys.  There were letter and number posters on the wall.  The infant room had toys, swings and rockers readily available.  The are to store extra diapers and clothes was neatly arranged.  In both rooms schedules and activities were clearly visible. 

Daycare#2 left me with a much better impression of what a daycare should be.  If I had to choose today, I would pick daycare#2.

Tomorrow I plan to visit Daycare#3.

Sunday Prayer and Meditation

"10. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  11. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  12. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."

Psalm 51:10-12

Day Care Search - Visit #1

I've started researching childcare options.  I've been a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) since Aaron was born.  I applied to a radiography program and if I'm accepted I will need childcare for the boys.

I started by looking in my yellow pages and writing down the names/numbers of those centers on streets that I was familiar with.  Then I searched the state website by county and zip code.  From those two methods I came up with a list of six daycare centers.  Since I've never used a daycare center I asked other moms what I should look for.  I also found a great checklist on line at babycenter.com.

I went to DayCare1 website and filled out the info request form.  About 29 seconds after hitting send my phone rang!  I spoke briefly with the representative and scheduled an appointment for 4:30pm.  When I arrived the receptionist (I guess that's who she was) and the director were in the entrance.  I immediately noticed an odd smell.  The receptionist was disheveled and frazzled looking.  She appeared as though she had been changing tires along the freeway or something.  The director was pleasant in demeanor and profession in appearance.

It was clear that they had no idea that I had an appointment.  The representative made it sound like I'd be welcomed in for a discussion and given a tour.  I was handed a piece of paper with rates and told, "The 2 year old room is over there."  Okay...thank you?

I explained that I needed information on everything as finding daycare is new territory for me.  The director pulled out a packed with a parent handbook and enrollment pamphlets.  As Aaron was crying and squirming, I was trying to remember questions.  I quickly gave that up as my thoughts were drowned out by Aaron's wailing.

During the "tour" (I use that therm loosely), I walked through an area that looked like storage for furniture.  We arrived at the infant room.  It was bland and boring.  Several cribs were lined along the walls. There were some bouncy chairs and toys around.  I did manage to ask a couple questions about bottles, formula, etc  Aaron continued to cry and drip snot.  We then turned around and walked through the furniture warehouse area to the front of the building.  The two year old room was just as bland and boring as the infant room.

I have no idea what is normal or standard but I wasn't exactly impressed.  The director didn't seem to really want to take the time with me even after I explained that I was new to daycare searching.  The facility just seemed cold and dreary.  As an environment for children, I expected it to be bright and cheerful.

This is the first place I visited so once I see a few more maybe I'll return with a better understanding of what we want and need in a daycare center.

Thursday Thirteen

Things I HATE!!!

1.   People that don't use turn signals
2.   Smokers that throw their cigarette butts anywhere/everywhere
3.   Pants worn hanging below the butt
4.   Not having enough time
5.   Worrying
6.   Lousy customer service
7.   Mosquitos, fireants, wasps
8.   Debbie Downers (People that never see the positive)
9.   Irresponsible dog owners
10. Irresponsible parents
11. Nintey-eight percent of all commercials
12. Washing dishes
13. Cleaning toilets

Wordless Wednesday

The Big Boy Room

As I mentioned in a previous post, we are planning to create The Big Boy Room. I'm still not finished clearing all of the junk out of the room but it's sooo hard to get anything done with two little ones around.

My sister agreed to let us store at her house the furniture that was mine during my single days. I really like the furniture and don't want to just drop it off at goodwill. Since she has extra space she can either store it for us or use in one of her spare rooms. It's a full size bed with a mattress that's practically brand new, a six-drawer dresser, two night stands, two lamps and two framed pictures. I wish we had another bedroom:(

I'm pretty sure we decided on paint. I couldn't figure out how to upload the paint swatches so you'll have to wait to see the finished product. The walls are going to be a Sterling Silver by Olympic Paints. It's a medium shade of grey-blue. I'd love to add a stripe 3/4 of the way up the wall. I hope that's not a lot of work for us (I mean Mark). The stripe will be a dark blue called Dragonfly also by Olympic Paints. I'd also like to add a grey stripe called Vintage Gray by Valspar. We of course aren't going to start painting until the furniture is moved.

I want the room to be well decorated but still childish and able to withstand two boys. There's a website http://babyroombio.weebly.com/boy-toddler.html that has help inspire my creativity. I'm not going to copy any of the rooms but it's nice to see what other people have done with children's rooms.

After debating between dinosaurs, airplanes and sports, we decided the theme will be sports. I found sports print sheets at Target for a nice price. I also found wall hooks and artwork at Target. I practically live at Target. I love that place! This is what one of the pictures that's going to be on the wall looks like.

The crib that Aaron is sleeping in is a convertible crib. I have spent a lot, probably too much time trying to decide whether on not to leave Aaron in his crib and buy a new one for Ethan. I surveyed moms on facebook, Thebump and at our playgroup. I was hoping to get some insight on when/how/why moms moved their kids to a bed. The responses were as varied as the moms and children themselves. Some kept kids in cribs until a certain age. Some parents moved a child when he/she started trying to climb out of the crib. Others moved the older child when a younger sibling came along. Basically, talking to other parents didn't help much.

We had a few scenarios to contemplate:
1.  Leave Aaron in his crib and buy Ethan a crib.
2.  Buy a toddler bed for Aaron and give the crib to Ethan
3.  Buy twin bunk beds.  Set up one twin bed or Aaron and store the other one for use in the future. Ethan would be in the crib.  When Ethan is ready to give up the crib he will get the other twin bed.  When both boys are old enough for bunk beds then we would stack the beds.

We chose option number 3.  I hope and pray that Aaron makes the transition smoothly.  I really don't want to mess up a good thing.  The "good thing" being Aaron's ability to sleep through the night.

As I write this I am having second thoughts.  Maybe I should buy a second crib?

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Wishing all of the Moms and Moms-to-be a very Happy Mother's Day. In my heart and prayers are those Mother's who have lost children and the children who have lost their Mothers. God bless you. Below are quotes that summarize just a few of my thoughts on motherhood.

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest. ~Irish Proverb

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back. ~William D. Tammeus

Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother. ~Oprah Winfrey

Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they didn't have anything to do with it. ~Haim Ginott

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. ~Chinese Proverb

I speak two languages (Thursday 13)

All mothers long to hear their child's first word. I'm pretty sure most moms want that first word to be 'mama'. Aaron spoke his first word at nine months and it wasn't 'mama'. It was 'dada'!!

From then on I would say 'mama' over and over and over in an attempt to get him to repeat it. He didn't say much more than 'dada' and other baby babbling sounds. I was told by pediatricians, magazines and books not to worry. All babies develop differently. I was told not to compare my baby to others. It's hard not to when going to play groups, church and library story time and listening to other mothers talk.

At Aaron's 1 year pediatrician appointment I asked the pediatrician again about Aaron's language skills. Half of me just new the doctor would say he needed to see a speech therapist. Instead I was told to read to him and talk to him. Well, I knew that! I was already doing that!

Around 15 or 16 months old Aaron had a word explosion. Initially, I kept a list of the words and I would add a word to the list each time he learned a new one. Now he speaks too many to count. He of course also speaks in short phrases. Here's a brief guide to my second language. I'll call it Aaronese.

1. Yilk - milk
2. bubbage - garbage
3. cuck - stuck
4. yo'hit - yogurt
5. nore - snore
6. fy warm - fire alarm
7. mumools - muscles
8. mammich - sandwich
9. go'bish - gold fish, as in the gold fish crackers
10. wamools - waffles
11. bink - pink
12. noonools - noodles
13. Eeesin - Ethan, his brother

Oh, and by the way, I had to wait until Aaron was about 22 months old for him to say 'Mummy'. I love it!

Hoarders

In my quest not to be on the show Hoarders, I've started throwing out some of my most prized possessions. Actually, it's just junk. I tend to be rather sentimental which leads me to keep movie ticket stubs, wedding favors, playbills, newspapers, magazines, gift bags, gift boxes, office supplies, out of date clothes/shoes, buttons, empty beer cans, bandaids from pediatrician appointments...

I'm also the type of person who always thinks, "I might need this someday". That day usually never comes because I forget I even have "this" still around.

My motivation for cleaning out closets is the need to work on The Big Boy Room. Currently, Aaron is in his room in a crib and Ethan is in the bassinet in our room. Well Ethan is rapidly approaching the weight limit for the bassinett.

Until both boys are sleeping through the night, I want them in separate rooms. I do NOT need both boys up at night! Well, we can't change the guest room into the big boy room until I remove a lot of stuff and clear out the furniture.

So far I have taken a car full of stuff to the goodwil, accumulated a pile of personal papers to be shredded and filled a recycling bin full of papers and magazines. I'm still not finished. After taking some more blankets, sheets, toys and decorations to the Goodwill, I should be done with the clutter...for now.

"Well, you've got your hands full"

Yep! I sure do. Everyday I hit the ground running. I set my alarm for 7:30am but I have yet to need it. Aaron and Ethan are my alarm clocks!

Why did we have our kids so close together? Because we're not getting any younger! I'm thirty-four and Hubby is thirty-nine years old. Both pregnancies were considered high risk. I'd also rather not add the additional risk factors associated with advanced maternal age into the mix.

When we got married we agreed on two children. Actually, I said two or three. In my mind I pictured two girls and a boy, but I digress. With plans for education/career, we knew it would be best to space them about two years apart. Initially, Hubby wanted to start trying when Aaron turned one. I wanted to try for a second child when Aaron turned eighteen months. Instead, we conceived when Aaron was just a little over 10 months old.

Gimme an 'E'

Ethan, our second child, was born January 2010. A mere 19.5 months after Aaron was born.

Ethan was born by repeat c-section. He was just as cute, healthy and adorable as could be. He is also a really easy baby. The only bumps along the road so far have been gassiness and very mild reflux. He found his fingers early and easily. Laughing, giggling, and smiling are his favorite hobbies. I can't wait to see how he grows!

When we brought Ethan home from the hospital, I was just as nervous as when we brought Aaron home. This time, however, it wasn't because I was a new mommy, it was because I was a mommy to two little ones.

Sunday Prayer and Meditation

"7. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. 8. For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9. Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed."

Isaiah 61:7-9, NIV

Gimme an 'A'

June 2008 brought Aaron into our world. He weighed 6lbs. 3oz. and was just incredibly cute! I had spent the whole pregnancy worried and stressed out but he was just perfect.

When we brought Aaron home from the hospital, I was the typical worried new mom. I remember walking into the house and thinking, "Okay, what do we do now?" I checked to make sure he was breathing frequently. I held him almost non-stop.

Fortunately, for us he was a fairly easy baby. Aaron cried when he was hungry or wet, or sleepy. I am forever grateful that we didn't have to deal with colic. What we did have to deal with is the fact that he didn't start sleeping through the night until he was about 10 months old!