Leanna's all excited because Timothy was sitting up a little bit today. So I started talking to her about all the things that Justin has learned to do and all the stuff that she can do. She asked me, Mommy, can I grow up today and be all grown up? I said, no, it takes a long time to grow up. She said, you mean days and days and days?
Sometimes it seems like it's happening that quickly.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Visit with Nanny Sue, aka Hazel
We had a nice visit with Nanny Sue last night. Well, I think it was Nanny Sue-she kept claiming to be some woman named Hazel.(this was while she was helping me wash dishes Justin slept in the chair with his Daddy for most of the visit. Leanna chatted her ear off, and Timothy visited for a little before he fell asleep. Then later we made a quick trip to the Dollar General, and Nanny Sue bought: a coffee maker for me(!), a tic-tac-toe game for Leanna, a dump truck for Justin, and pain pills for Tom.
Thanks!
hearing test
Leanna had her hearing checked yesterday morning. After a long wait to get in(the old lady never called our name to check in!) we saw a very friendly lady. It was great to finally see someone who was good with kids. I've been to the doctor's office and seen various specialist in the last 4 1/2 years, and this one was the best. Leanna was shy, and that was ok. She didn't force her, and it worked. She explained what she was going to do beforehand, so Leanna wouldn't get scared. She was patient. She just had a really good manner.
She did 4 different tests on Leanna's ears. She said that everything looked fine, all well within the range of normal. She said Leanna could just be more sensitve to sound and her body than most people(that's what gets my vote) or that maybe there was a slight buildup of wax in one ear (making things sound louder in the other ear) that shifted before Leanna was tested. Leanna can be really sensitive to things that other people don't notice. The way things smell or feel in particular.
My favorite part was when the lady took just Leanna and I to a special room. She told Leanna that she would put a plug in her ear and it would draw a picture.
Ear specialist: "I bet you didn't know your ears could draw a picture! Would you like to see them make a mountain? Do you want to see your ears draw a picture?"
Leanna: "I want Cinderella! Make a picture of Cinderella!"
Ear specialist: "I can't do that, how about a nice mountain, that's what we like to see."
Leanna(earnestly):"No, I really like Cinderella."
Afterward she gave Leanna a sticker and let Leanna pick a little toy for her and one for Justin. Leanna slowly considered her options. The lady asked, which one do you think your brother would like? Leanna said, "Well, he really likes colorful things, "...........and she chose a green dinosaur for him. She chose a fish for herself. I wish all doctors were that patient and understanding.
She did 4 different tests on Leanna's ears. She said that everything looked fine, all well within the range of normal. She said Leanna could just be more sensitve to sound and her body than most people(that's what gets my vote) or that maybe there was a slight buildup of wax in one ear (making things sound louder in the other ear) that shifted before Leanna was tested. Leanna can be really sensitive to things that other people don't notice. The way things smell or feel in particular.
My favorite part was when the lady took just Leanna and I to a special room. She told Leanna that she would put a plug in her ear and it would draw a picture.
Ear specialist: "I bet you didn't know your ears could draw a picture! Would you like to see them make a mountain? Do you want to see your ears draw a picture?"
Leanna: "I want Cinderella! Make a picture of Cinderella!"
Ear specialist: "I can't do that, how about a nice mountain, that's what we like to see."
Leanna(earnestly):"No, I really like Cinderella."
Afterward she gave Leanna a sticker and let Leanna pick a little toy for her and one for Justin. Leanna slowly considered her options. The lady asked, which one do you think your brother would like? Leanna said, "Well, he really likes colorful things, "...........and she chose a green dinosaur for him. She chose a fish for herself. I wish all doctors were that patient and understanding.
little kids are draining, sometimes.
Justin's been asking to hold the baby in his arms lately. It's really sweet to see him get excited about his brother. Even though he always has to wait for me while I take care of Timothy first, he's still clearly attached to him. I did worry that he might really resent Timothy because of that. I'm sure he does resent it to some extent, but I guess it's not enough to make him not like the baby.
While I do want more kids, I want a break for a while. I've tried explaining to Tom that it wouldn't be fair to Timothy or Justin to have another baby soon. They both need me so much yet, and then there's the question of my sanity. At times it's hanging by a thread, a worn piece of thread, and I think another baby would completely break it. It'd be different if I had more help, or even just more breaks.
Don't get me wrong-I don't regret the kids or their spacing. I wouldn't do it any differently. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard. I really do feel that it will get easier as they get a bit older. It takes a lot of hard work in the early years, that hopefully will pay off later. So I don't expect to do major projects now, to do anything that takes a long time or long period of concentration. I just wish I could get through to Tom that even just a little time away-a quick walk-can be enough to recharge my energy. No matter how I say it he just doesn't seem to understand that. I think that time to yourself is really important, no matter if you work or stay at home. It should be interesting to see what happens once Leanna is at school. I don't know if having one less kid during the day will make it easier or harder-She does help keep Justin occupied and I know he will miss her.
While I do want more kids, I want a break for a while. I've tried explaining to Tom that it wouldn't be fair to Timothy or Justin to have another baby soon. They both need me so much yet, and then there's the question of my sanity. At times it's hanging by a thread, a worn piece of thread, and I think another baby would completely break it. It'd be different if I had more help, or even just more breaks.
Don't get me wrong-I don't regret the kids or their spacing. I wouldn't do it any differently. But I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard. I really do feel that it will get easier as they get a bit older. It takes a lot of hard work in the early years, that hopefully will pay off later. So I don't expect to do major projects now, to do anything that takes a long time or long period of concentration. I just wish I could get through to Tom that even just a little time away-a quick walk-can be enough to recharge my energy. No matter how I say it he just doesn't seem to understand that. I think that time to yourself is really important, no matter if you work or stay at home. It should be interesting to see what happens once Leanna is at school. I don't know if having one less kid during the day will make it easier or harder-She does help keep Justin occupied and I know he will miss her.
Monday, February 27, 2006
links
A few links, in case anyone's interested:
Organic diet reduces pesticide levels in children's bodies
DUH?!! Why is that surprising?
Moms feel stressed even during "free" time
Another duh!
Formula recall:
(Thank God I don't need to worry about this! Hopefully no one reading this does!)
THURSDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDayNews) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide recall for some Gentlease powdered infant formula that may contain metal particles up to 2.7 millimeters in size.
The recall affects 41,464 24-ounce cans of formula with lot number BMJ19, use by 1 Jul 07, which can be found on the bottom of the can. Anyone with a can from this batch of formula should not use the product and should contact manufacturer Mead Johnson at (888) 587-7275.
Organic diet reduces pesticide levels in children's bodies
DUH?!! Why is that surprising?
Moms feel stressed even during "free" time
Another duh!
Formula recall:
(Thank God I don't need to worry about this! Hopefully no one reading this does!)
THURSDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDayNews) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide recall for some Gentlease powdered infant formula that may contain metal particles up to 2.7 millimeters in size.
The recall affects 41,464 24-ounce cans of formula with lot number BMJ19, use by 1 Jul 07, which can be found on the bottom of the can. Anyone with a can from this batch of formula should not use the product and should contact manufacturer Mead Johnson at (888) 587-7275.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Miscarriage & stress
Pregnant women who are stressed out during the first three weeks after conception are nearly three times as likely to miscarry, a new study finds. They measured cortisol, a stress-linked hormone. In all, miscarriages occurred in 90 percent of pregnancies in which the women had increased cortisol levels and in 33 percent of those with normal cortisol levels.
Most pregnancy losses take place in the first three to four weeks after conception.
Nepomnaschy said it's unclear why a boost in cortisol might raise miscarriage risks, but he offered a hypothesis: "The body might interpret that [increased cortisol level] as conditions deteriorating, and maybe that might trigger an abortion mechanism."
Makes sense to me.
Most pregnancy losses take place in the first three to four weeks after conception.
Nepomnaschy said it's unclear why a boost in cortisol might raise miscarriage risks, but he offered a hypothesis: "The body might interpret that [increased cortisol level] as conditions deteriorating, and maybe that might trigger an abortion mechanism."
Makes sense to me.
Bedtime prayers
Last night my Mom asked Leanna about bedtime prayers. Leanna told her that she wanted to pray to Laura. Naturally, my Mom found this a bit puzzling. But no, Leanna didn't want to pray to God or to the Lord, it had to be Laura. Finally she figured out why. When Leanna eats at my Mom's house, my Mom thanks "the lord" for the food. Apparently all this time Leanna thought she had been thanking Laura for the food! LOL!!
So today I was at my parents' house and Laura was over too. Leanna ran over to her and told her, I want to pray to you! Laura said, "You mean you want to pray FOR me? Not TO me!" And Leanna said, "NO. I want to pray to you!" And with that, she ran off to play. Then my Mom told us the story. : )
So today I was at my parents' house and Laura was over too. Leanna ran over to her and told her, I want to pray to you! Laura said, "You mean you want to pray FOR me? Not TO me!" And Leanna said, "NO. I want to pray to you!" And with that, she ran off to play. Then my Mom told us the story. : )
Friday, February 24, 2006
the real words
For my Mom, who has trouble remembering(which causes her to make up her own, more annoying lyrics):
Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
All down her back, back, back
She asked her mother, mother, mother
For fifty cents, cents, cents
To see the elephant, elephant, elephant
Jump the fence, fence fence
They jumped so high, high, high
They touched the sky, sky, sky
And didn't come back, back, back
Till the fourth of July, July, July
Contributed by Angela Martin and Heidi Wallis
Or, add to the end the following lines:
He jumped so high, high, high
He touched the sky, sky, sky
And he never came back, back, back
Till the fourth of July, July, July!
Contributed by T. Stivers
http://www.gameskidsplay.net/jump_rope_ryhmes/jump_miss_mary_mack.htm
Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
All down her back, back, back
She asked her mother, mother, mother
For fifty cents, cents, cents
To see the elephant, elephant, elephant
Jump the fence, fence fence
They jumped so high, high, high
They touched the sky, sky, sky
And didn't come back, back, back
Till the fourth of July, July, July
Contributed by Angela Martin and Heidi Wallis
Or, add to the end the following lines:
He jumped so high, high, high
He touched the sky, sky, sky
And he never came back, back, back
Till the fourth of July, July, July!
Contributed by T. Stivers
http://www.gameskidsplay.net/jump_rope_ryhmes/jump_miss_mary_mack.htm
Thursday, February 23, 2006
I love you!
I guess Tom and Justin made up.....a minute ago Tomwas holding Justin upsidedown, behind his back and Justin's yelling"Daddy, I love you!"
(Then again, maybe he's just really smart and he said it to get Tom to put him down!)
(Then again, maybe he's just really smart and he said it to get Tom to put him down!)
poll
Just curious-what do you guys think of this picuture? It's Britney Spears, post baby. I think her son has the same birthdate that I do.
Not that that is related to anything.
Sometimes I don't understand men!
Geez-Justin falls down and Tom yells at him for making noise! I'm pretty sure that given a choice, Justin wouldn't have wanted to fall(thus causing the noise), but try explaining that to a man! This one, anyway.
Doctor visit again
Timothy's 15 lbs. 1 oz, and I think 25 inches long. He's in the 75th percentile for height, around 50th for weight. He had 4 shots, didn't cry for the first two. Then he started getting angry and cried only until I picked him up. That's Leanna again.
Leanna's 36 lbs.-they checked her eye one last time. I also asked about her ear because she's mentioned that things sound loud in one ear. So they attempted to do a hearing test, just to check. No luck though, she wouldn't cooperate. So we had to make an appt. for the regular hospital to have them do the kind of test you don't have to cooperate for. Probably the same kind they do on newborns.
Leanna's 36 lbs.-they checked her eye one last time. I also asked about her ear because she's mentioned that things sound loud in one ear. So they attempted to do a hearing test, just to check. No luck though, she wouldn't cooperate. So we had to make an appt. for the regular hospital to have them do the kind of test you don't have to cooperate for. Probably the same kind they do on newborns.
Rub-a-dub-dub, two kids need to visit the tub
The giggles comming from the kitchen are infectious. Much like Jaime's son, Jonathan, my kids have been longing to play with water lately. (see her blog: http://jonathanstaniec.blogspot.com) Justin's never stopped trying to drink the water in the tub since the time he got his first bath.
Usually this just means I have a mess to mop up on the kitchen floor. It doesn't matter where you put the water-in the sink, in a container on top of like, 12 towels-the floor is always covered in water before they're done. This time they've pulled a chair up to the sink and as best as I can tell are just pouring the water on the floor and each other. It's keeping them amused.
Hmmmm, Leanna claims that Justin poured the water on his own head, but somehow, I doubt that.
Usually this just means I have a mess to mop up on the kitchen floor. It doesn't matter where you put the water-in the sink, in a container on top of like, 12 towels-the floor is always covered in water before they're done. This time they've pulled a chair up to the sink and as best as I can tell are just pouring the water on the floor and each other. It's keeping them amused.
Hmmmm, Leanna claims that Justin poured the water on his own head, but somehow, I doubt that.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Birth order
I've always thought birth order studies were interesting, but now they're interesting to me in a whole new way. Now I'm looking at them with my kids in mind instead of me and my sisters.
In case you don't know, the birth order theory refers to: "the idea that your spot in the family has an influence on who you are--everything from your personality traits to your overall IQ. In other words, the eldest child in a given family should be expected to exhibit certain traits, the youngest child certain other traits, and so on.
In fact, some people put such stock in birth order that they credit it--and the sibling rivalry it can lead to--for changing history. "
There are lots of other factors that can influence this though-as the author points out: "A parent can die; a hurricane can leave us homeless; we can contract a life-threatening disease. Any one of these things will probably have more of an effect on our personalities than the presence of siblings. And, birth order aside, people are born with certain temperaments that can affect how they respond to others."
Here's the link, there are 3 pages. I like the stuff about family rivalry in the Bush family. It's kind of funny to picture the president of the US pouting because Mommy & Daddy like his brother more.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/Columns/?Article=birthordermain
In case you don't know, the birth order theory refers to: "the idea that your spot in the family has an influence on who you are--everything from your personality traits to your overall IQ. In other words, the eldest child in a given family should be expected to exhibit certain traits, the youngest child certain other traits, and so on.
In fact, some people put such stock in birth order that they credit it--and the sibling rivalry it can lead to--for changing history. "
There are lots of other factors that can influence this though-as the author points out: "A parent can die; a hurricane can leave us homeless; we can contract a life-threatening disease. Any one of these things will probably have more of an effect on our personalities than the presence of siblings. And, birth order aside, people are born with certain temperaments that can affect how they respond to others."
Here's the link, there are 3 pages. I like the stuff about family rivalry in the Bush family. It's kind of funny to picture the president of the US pouting because Mommy & Daddy like his brother more.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/Columns/?Article=birthordermain
little skaters
Last night Justin and Leanna were running back and forth through the downstairs, over and over. They were "skating." We watched them for a bit and Tom asks me, "Were they like this all day?" And I said, "This is peaceful!" And it was, for me. Because they were entertaining themselves in a way that caused no damage to our property or made extra messes for me to clean!
Then after I said that I realised that it would be a strange kind of peace, to anyone else.
Then after I said that I realised that it would be a strange kind of peace, to anyone else.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Box
Along the same vein as the last post-more examples of great imagination. Today Leanna and Justin were playing spaceship. They were sitting in this little box, sometimes together, sometimes just Justin. Leanna was decorating the box with a pen and pretending to use nailpolish on it. I told her she should go visit Pop-Pop J. at the paint store to really paint it. So she agreed. She told me they were going to fly the spaceship to the paint store with Pop-Pop, then to Walmart, and then to the doctor's. They were playing with this box for quite a while. It's funny, isn't it? There are a lot of really great new toys and it's nice to have a variety of them, but you just can't beat a good old fashioned box for entertainment!
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