Is all the illness that comes with it. My whole family is sick. Jon got sick one week ago and is just now feeling above the 50% mark. I think he got the flu and it really wiped him out. In fact I don't know that I have ever seen him this sick since I have known him (12 years). Maybe one other time before we were married when he had walking pneumonia and food poisoning. Blech.
Ewan got bronchitis and is on meds for that. He has been running fever on and off since Saturday. Now Isaac is feeling puny. Part of Jon's illness made one of his eyes get all red and inflamed. Isaac started showing signs yesterday of the red eye illness along with a cough and runny nose. Graham this morning now has the beginnings of the red eye and a runny nose. Isaac did not sleep well last night and this morning is delirious and has a constant running commentary of his ailments.
"My toes hurt, I'm cold, my eyes are red, I'm cold, I'm sick, I don't feel good, I have a cough....." and on and on. The poor guy is sleep deprived and feeling terrible.
I am hoping that Graham won't get as bad as Isaac.
Anyway, if you all could pray for our family to get better that would be fabulous! I am taking Airborne and hoping that all the germs stay far away from me. I don't have time to get sick!
I'm a Texan born woman transplanted across the ocean to live in England with my husband and four boys. Aside from being a stay-at-home mom, I teach birth classes for couples who want to birth naturally. My blog is about my life and how I stay sane through it all.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
When it's Sunny...
When it is sunny in Pittsburgh, and that is rare during the winter, you will take your kids out for a walk in 20 degree weather and also let them ride their bikes--even with a wind chill of 9 degrees.
Anything for the sunshine!!!
Anything for the sunshine!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
More Pictures
I know where my feet are!!!
Today I stuck Graham's thumb in his mouth to see if he would like sucking on it while I was rocking him before his nap. He has learned to flip over from his tummy (how he sleeps) to his back but the problem is that he doesn't really know how to go to sleep on his back. That leads to crying and I don't want to stand over him flipping him back over. I thought that maybe he would start sucking his thumb and be able to soothe himself better. I laid him down and he kept his thumb in his mouth. Who knows if it will stick or not but at least it kept him on his tummy so he would drift off to sleep without any major incident.
Bedtime treasures....
I love this picture of Ewan and Graham together!
Funny Quotes From Our House
Isaac:
"I am not a man....I AM A BOY!!!!"
Mommy:
"Are you a human being?"
Isaac:
"I am not a human being!!!! I AM A BOY!!!!"
Mommy:
" What is a human being?"
Isaac:
"I don't know"
Later on....
Isaac:
"A human being is a couch potato."
Said from the boy who would love nothing better than to sit and watch TV all day. I tried telling him that he would be a couch potato human being but he wasn't convinced. He is only a boy and nothing else.
"I am not a man....I AM A BOY!!!!"
Mommy:
"Are you a human being?"
Isaac:
"I am not a human being!!!! I AM A BOY!!!!"
Mommy:
" What is a human being?"
Isaac:
"I don't know"
Later on....
Isaac:
"A human being is a couch potato."
Said from the boy who would love nothing better than to sit and watch TV all day. I tried telling him that he would be a couch potato human being but he wasn't convinced. He is only a boy and nothing else.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Owwwwwwwwwwwww!
We are in Texas right now enjoying the warmer (cold) weather and enjoying a little more sun than we get in Pittsburg. We are actually here to attend a conference this week that is a part of our denomination but the bonus is that we get to see some friends and family too.
We were hanging out at the in-laws house yesterday and Jon's brother, Alex, brought his Wii over. I have not really played the Wii before so I was not aware of the fun-ness factor it has. There is a boxing game that we played and today I am so sore from boxing. I feel like I did some Tae-Bo workout or something. Every muscle in my upper back, shoulders, and some of my arm muscles are killing me. My upper body strength must really suck!
I couldn't beat Jon but I did manage to beat a 3 year old who was playing! I think I played 5 or 6 times. Who knew that a video game could work up such a sweat?
I think I will have to find my Tae-Bo tapes and start doing some boxing workout videos so the next time I play my arms won't feel like they are going to fall off!
We were hanging out at the in-laws house yesterday and Jon's brother, Alex, brought his Wii over. I have not really played the Wii before so I was not aware of the fun-ness factor it has. There is a boxing game that we played and today I am so sore from boxing. I feel like I did some Tae-Bo workout or something. Every muscle in my upper back, shoulders, and some of my arm muscles are killing me. My upper body strength must really suck!
I couldn't beat Jon but I did manage to beat a 3 year old who was playing! I think I played 5 or 6 times. Who knew that a video game could work up such a sweat?
I think I will have to find my Tae-Bo tapes and start doing some boxing workout videos so the next time I play my arms won't feel like they are going to fall off!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Graham 4 Months
Graham is 4 and a half months old now and is as cute as ever! This morning he started blowing raspberries which was a fun discovery for him. He has been battling a fever since Sunday night, thankfully with no other symptoms but he has not been his usual happy self. So when he started blowing raspberries I was hopeful that maybe he is getting better and won't be miserable from a 103 temperature.
What does a baby wear to stay warm on a stroller walk in 20-something degree weather while it is lightly snowing?
What does a baby wear to stay warm on a stroller walk in 20-something degree weather while it is lightly snowing?
This!
I think Graham was the warmest of all of us by far :).
I think Graham was the warmest of all of us by far :).
Monday, January 14, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
How Crunchy Are You?
I got this off my friend, Marie's blog. I wanted to take the quiz so I thought I'd post the results here for fun!
1. Do you have homebirths?
20 points for “yes” (unassisted)
15 points for “yes” (midwife in attendance)
10 points for natural childbirth in an alternative birthing center
5 points for natural childbirth in a hospital
2 points for “thinking about/would like homebirth or natural childbirth”
0 for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
2. How do you feel about routine (no medical indication) infant circumcision?
10 points for “believe circumcision is a human rights violation and will not do it to your
sons”
5 points for “won’t circumcise your sons, but don’t feel strongly against it”
0 points for “will circumcise your sons”
Although I don't agree with it either if you read this post, you will see where I stand.
3. Do you use cloth diapers?
25 point if you do Elimination Communication (no diapers)
20 points if “yes” (wash and make your own using natural organic fabric)
15 points if “yes” (wash and make your own or purchase natural organic cloth diapers)
10 points if “yes” (wash your own)
5 points if “yes” (diaper service)
2 points if “thinking about it”
0 points if “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
4. Do you observe your fertility signals using Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control/trying to conceive?
10 points for “yes” (observe and use for birth control and trying to conceive or just for
birth control) or you use ecological breastfeeding/lactational amenorrhea
5 points for “yes” (observe for trying to conceive, but not for birth control)
2 points “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
5. Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
10 points if “yes” I gave myself 10 points for this one because I would if I didn't have to supplement due to weight gain issues
5 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of expressed breastmilk)
2 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of formula or early solids)
0 for “no” (don’t breastfeed by choice).
6. Do you co-sleep?
10 points for “yes” (all night every night) Until two nights ago!
5 points for “yes” (part/all of most nights)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no”.
7. Do you use a sling/soft carrier?
5 points for “yes”
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning (even if that means breastfeeding for several years)?
15 points for “yes” (complete child-led weaning)
10 points for “yes” (up to 3 years)
5 points for “yes” (up to 2 years)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (you’ll wean the baby at 1 year or earlier).
9. Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
10 points for “yes” (nurse during pregnancy and tandem nurse)
5 points for “yes” (nurse during pregnancy, but wean before birth) If I had an opportunity to do this I would.
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
10. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat? Do you use natural cleaning products?
20 points for “yes” (grow own/buy organic, shop only at health food store, grind own
wheat, vegetarian, natural cleaning products, etc.)
15 points for “yes” (grow some of own food, buy organic, use whole wheat flour, bake
own bread, eat some organic, free-range meat occasionally, some natural cleaning
products)
10 points for “yes” (grow some of own food, use whole wheat flour, bake own bread, eat
some meat occasionally)
5 points for “yes” (try to buy natural, whole grain foods, etc.)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
11. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
10 points if “yes” (very rarely see a regular doctor)
5 points if “yes” (but use a doctor occasionally)
2 points if “thinking about it” (see a doc for now)
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
12. Do you or will you homeschool?
10 points if “yes”.
5 points if “part time” (do a combination of private or other school some days and home
school others).
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
13. What’s your take on childhood vaccinations?
15 points for no vaccines
10 for delayed, selective vaccination
5 points for selective, on schedule vaccination
2 points for thinking about not vaccinating
0 points for vaccinating on schedule.
14. Would you/have you ever breastfeed/fed someone else’s baby or have someone else bf your child?
10 points if “yes” (have or someone has breastfed your baby)
5 points if “yes” (would)
2 points if “maybe”
0 if “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
15. Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom?
10 points if “yes” (make own cloth menstrual pads)
5 points if “yes” (buy cloth pads or the keeper)
2 points if “thinking about it” I totally want to but haven't forked over the $$ for it. I use a diva cup but it would be nice to have some cloth products to use along with it.
0 points if “no”.
16. Do you use positive discipline?
15 points if “yes” (never yell, spank, punish)
10 points if “yes” (believe in it and try really hard)
5 points if “sort of” (use time out, don’t spank, and use rewards for good behavior)
2 points if “thinking about it” (use time out, spank occasionally, use rewards for good
behavior and punishments for bad)
0 points if “no” (you think spanking is needed)
Ratings120 – 205 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama105– 119 Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!90 – 104 Pretty Crispy30 – 89 Sprinkled with Granola10 – 29 Instant Oatmeal0 - 9 Jell-O
I am an Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama!
1. Do you have homebirths?
20 points for “yes” (unassisted)
15 points for “yes” (midwife in attendance)
10 points for natural childbirth in an alternative birthing center
5 points for natural childbirth in a hospital
2 points for “thinking about/would like homebirth or natural childbirth”
0 for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
2. How do you feel about routine (no medical indication) infant circumcision?
10 points for “believe circumcision is a human rights violation and will not do it to your
sons”
5 points for “won’t circumcise your sons, but don’t feel strongly against it”
0 points for “will circumcise your sons”
Although I don't agree with it either if you read this post, you will see where I stand.
3. Do you use cloth diapers?
25 point if you do Elimination Communication (no diapers)
20 points if “yes” (wash and make your own using natural organic fabric)
15 points if “yes” (wash and make your own or purchase natural organic cloth diapers)
10 points if “yes” (wash your own)
5 points if “yes” (diaper service)
2 points if “thinking about it”
0 points if “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
4. Do you observe your fertility signals using Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control/trying to conceive?
10 points for “yes” (observe and use for birth control and trying to conceive or just for
birth control) or you use ecological breastfeeding/lactational amenorrhea
5 points for “yes” (observe for trying to conceive, but not for birth control)
2 points “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
5. Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
10 points if “yes” I gave myself 10 points for this one because I would if I didn't have to supplement due to weight gain issues
5 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of expressed breastmilk)
2 points for “no” (use occasional bottles of formula or early solids)
0 for “no” (don’t breastfeed by choice).
6. Do you co-sleep?
10 points for “yes” (all night every night) Until two nights ago!
5 points for “yes” (part/all of most nights)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no”.
7. Do you use a sling/soft carrier?
5 points for “yes”
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning (even if that means breastfeeding for several years)?
15 points for “yes” (complete child-led weaning)
10 points for “yes” (up to 3 years)
5 points for “yes” (up to 2 years)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (you’ll wean the baby at 1 year or earlier).
9. Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
10 points for “yes” (nurse during pregnancy and tandem nurse)
5 points for “yes” (nurse during pregnancy, but wean before birth) If I had an opportunity to do this I would.
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
10. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat? Do you use natural cleaning products?
20 points for “yes” (grow own/buy organic, shop only at health food store, grind own
wheat, vegetarian, natural cleaning products, etc.)
15 points for “yes” (grow some of own food, buy organic, use whole wheat flour, bake
own bread, eat some organic, free-range meat occasionally, some natural cleaning
products)
10 points for “yes” (grow some of own food, use whole wheat flour, bake own bread, eat
some meat occasionally)
5 points for “yes” (try to buy natural, whole grain foods, etc.)
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
11. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
10 points if “yes” (very rarely see a regular doctor)
5 points if “yes” (but use a doctor occasionally)
2 points if “thinking about it” (see a doc for now)
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
12. Do you or will you homeschool?
10 points if “yes”.
5 points if “part time” (do a combination of private or other school some days and home
school others).
2 points for “thinking about it”
0 points for “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
13. What’s your take on childhood vaccinations?
15 points for no vaccines
10 for delayed, selective vaccination
5 points for selective, on schedule vaccination
2 points for thinking about not vaccinating
0 points for vaccinating on schedule.
14. Would you/have you ever breastfeed/fed someone else’s baby or have someone else bf your child?
10 points if “yes” (have or someone has breastfed your baby)
5 points if “yes” (would)
2 points if “maybe”
0 if “no” (wouldn’t consider it).
15. Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom?
10 points if “yes” (make own cloth menstrual pads)
5 points if “yes” (buy cloth pads or the keeper)
2 points if “thinking about it” I totally want to but haven't forked over the $$ for it. I use a diva cup but it would be nice to have some cloth products to use along with it.
0 points if “no”.
16. Do you use positive discipline?
15 points if “yes” (never yell, spank, punish)
10 points if “yes” (believe in it and try really hard)
5 points if “sort of” (use time out, don’t spank, and use rewards for good behavior)
2 points if “thinking about it” (use time out, spank occasionally, use rewards for good
behavior and punishments for bad)
0 points if “no” (you think spanking is needed)
Ratings120 – 205 Super Nutty, Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama105– 119 Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!90 – 104 Pretty Crispy30 – 89 Sprinkled with Granola10 – 29 Instant Oatmeal0 - 9 Jell-O
I am an Ultra-Crunchy Granola Earth Mama!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Happier Days
Well, the house still stinks on occasion but I am feeling less grumpy! We put Graham in his bed all night for the first time last night. He woke up 2 times to eat instead of waking up 5 times. I am still sleepy from interrupted sleep but being woken up twice rather than 5 times is awesome! We'll see how tonight goes but it does make me wonder if he was waking up more because he was in our bed.
This morning he took his first nap at 8:15 and woke up at 9. I thought I would see if he would go back to sleep a little longer so I took a shower. By the time I was out of the shower 10 minutes later, he was asleep and slept for one more hour!!! Hopefully some of these 40-45 minute naps will be making their way into the past!
Our ritual is to watch the clock for his sleep times. We don't keep him up for more than 2 hours at a time and start soothing him for a sleep when he starts showing signs of drowsiness. Then we rock in the rocking chair and I sing to him until he relaxes. Sometimes he falls asleep but most of the time he doesn't. Then I lay him down in the bed and he fusses for a few minutes and then falls asleep. As far as sleep training goes, he has been the easiest!
I know I slept better last night because I could spread out in the bed and didn't have to worry about waking Graham up. Sometimes he would wake me up because his long hair would stick up and tickle my nose. It was nice to feel a little more connected to Jon too. He didn't feel so far away from me in the bed.
Now all we need to do is wait for Graham to start sleeping in bigger chunks at night and get rid of the pee odor! All in due time I suppose.
This morning he took his first nap at 8:15 and woke up at 9. I thought I would see if he would go back to sleep a little longer so I took a shower. By the time I was out of the shower 10 minutes later, he was asleep and slept for one more hour!!! Hopefully some of these 40-45 minute naps will be making their way into the past!
Our ritual is to watch the clock for his sleep times. We don't keep him up for more than 2 hours at a time and start soothing him for a sleep when he starts showing signs of drowsiness. Then we rock in the rocking chair and I sing to him until he relaxes. Sometimes he falls asleep but most of the time he doesn't. Then I lay him down in the bed and he fusses for a few minutes and then falls asleep. As far as sleep training goes, he has been the easiest!
I know I slept better last night because I could spread out in the bed and didn't have to worry about waking Graham up. Sometimes he would wake me up because his long hair would stick up and tickle my nose. It was nice to feel a little more connected to Jon too. He didn't feel so far away from me in the bed.
Now all we need to do is wait for Graham to start sleeping in bigger chunks at night and get rid of the pee odor! All in due time I suppose.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Sleepy and Stinky and Grumpy
Sounds like the name of some Snow White Dwarves huh?
Nope, it is me. I am so sleepy these days that my brain feels foggy. Graham has decided that he needs to wake up every 3 hours at night which means that I only get two hours of sleep at a time--if I am lucky. Last night he woke up at 11:00 (to eat), 1:20 (I put him back to sleep), 1:50 (to eat for 10 minutes), 2:30 (to eat for 10 minutes), 3:15 (to eat), 6:00 (to eat), 6:45 to be awake and eat a little more. For a full feeding at night he is usually awake for 45 minutes to one hour. I feel like a sleep deprived zombie. A little over a month ago he was sleeping for about 5 hours for his long stretch at night. What happened to that???!!!!
His naps during the day are shorter than I would like them to be. Sometimes he will sleep for over an hour but mostly during the day he is sleeping for about 30-45 minutes. 30 minutes is not long enough because he wakes up more grumpy. That means that he might take 2 naps before noon! Or maybe 4 or 5 naps in one day! What in the world? I am not keeping him up too long before he goes back to sleep so I don't think he is overtired but something isn't clicking with him quite yet. I am really wanting some more sleep!!!! The only thing that makes it tolerable is that he is such a sweet baby and so happy that it helps me survive during the day. After we go to Dallas later this month I am going to sleep train him and put him in his bed at night. I don't know that being in our bed is making him wake up more at night but I am ready to see if it helps him sleep longer when he is by himself. I think when he learns how to soothe himself a little better he won't wake up quite as often.
The stinky part is that we had some cats get under our back porch to sleep in and find cover when it snows. The result is that they have peed all on the insulation back there and now it flows into the rest of the house and in certain climate conditions the house REEKS of cat pee. Jon has been too busy getting ready for his next class to have time to get under there and rip out the peed on insulation. We boarded up the entry way so the cats can't get back in but I am really disliking the smell that permeates into the house. Bleeeecccchhhh! Stupid stray cats.
So that is me...sleepy, smelling the stink, and feeling grumpy for it.
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