Riding bikes, walking, strollers, sunny spring days. It's here. It's finally here!!!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring has Sprung!
Riding bikes, walking, strollers, sunny spring days. It's here. It's finally here!!!
the things I find...
on the internet LATE at night when I should be in bed *note time on post*
63 words
HA! that's on the first try too. ;)
thank you piano for years and years and years...and typing class in high school.
Although I thought it was much faster. I am faster I think on true sentences not just random words, it's much harder to type random words than full sentences and thoughts. At least it is for me.
so, dh, I challenge you...what is your speed? Not that Dh and I are competitive or anything. Oh no, all those IQ tests taken side by side and comparing scores, or all those quizes on trivia facts, or the fact that we like to play opposite each other in Trivial Pursuit. ;) Nah. Not competitive at all.
oooh...2nd try
84 words
63 words
HA! that's on the first try too. ;)
thank you piano for years and years and years...and typing class in high school.
Although I thought it was much faster. I am faster I think on true sentences not just random words, it's much harder to type random words than full sentences and thoughts. At least it is for me.
so, dh, I challenge you...what is your speed? Not that Dh and I are competitive or anything. Oh no, all those IQ tests taken side by side and comparing scores, or all those quizes on trivia facts, or the fact that we like to play opposite each other in Trivial Pursuit. ;) Nah. Not competitive at all.
oooh...2nd try
84 words
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Scattergories - a Meme
It's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... They have to be real places, names, things... nothing made up! You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl.
1. What is your name? Carla
2. 4 letter word: care
3. Vehicle: Chrysler, CRV (Honda),
4. City: Cheyenne, Cincinnati, Chicago, Chattanooga, Charlotte
5. Boy Name: Carl, Charles, Carlos, Chip,
6. Girl Name: Caitlyn, Caroline, Charlotte,
7. Alcoholic drink: cointreau (taking a friend's word for it...I don't drink)
8. Occupation: Construction worker, chiropractor, crane operator (but dang I wanted to say call girl)
9. Something you wear: cotton sundress, corduroy pants,
10. Celebrity: Cher
11. Food: Chocolate.
12. Something found in a bathroom: cotton balls
13. Reason for Being Late: car ran out of gas, car would not start, car wreck
14. Cartoon Character: Cinderella
15. Something You Shout: Call me! Catch me if you can!
16. Animal: cheetah, chihuahua,
17. Body part: cranium
18. Describe you: cheerful, caring
and to think I used to love playing Scattergories! Thanks Kristie! You really made me think tonight. ;)
1. What is your name? Carla
2. 4 letter word: care
3. Vehicle: Chrysler, CRV (Honda),
4. City: Cheyenne, Cincinnati, Chicago, Chattanooga, Charlotte
5. Boy Name: Carl, Charles, Carlos, Chip,
6. Girl Name: Caitlyn, Caroline, Charlotte,
7. Alcoholic drink: cointreau (taking a friend's word for it...I don't drink)
8. Occupation: Construction worker, chiropractor, crane operator (but dang I wanted to say call girl)
9. Something you wear: cotton sundress, corduroy pants,
10. Celebrity: Cher
11. Food: Chocolate.
12. Something found in a bathroom: cotton balls
13. Reason for Being Late: car ran out of gas, car would not start, car wreck
14. Cartoon Character: Cinderella
15. Something You Shout: Call me! Catch me if you can!
16. Animal: cheetah, chihuahua,
17. Body part: cranium
18. Describe you: cheerful, caring
and to think I used to love playing Scattergories! Thanks Kristie! You really made me think tonight. ;)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Are we geeks?
Thinking back to other fun forum posts (what else do you do while you wait ever so long?), I remember this one thread. We were discussing whether we were geeks or not. I'm not talking "nerd" but geek. I told a friend about it recently and we were laughing and trying to figure out if we were geeks or not.
It started innocently enough with talk of keeping score on a laptop for a Scrabble game and then graphing it in Excel (yeah I can see Dh doing that for Rook or Spades). Sudoku was brought up, and yes we both do that quite a bit (Dh more so than myself as it requires a few more brain cells than I seem to have at the moment). But when it started in with just things as "data points" and "expanded Star Wars universe" and then "discussion of viability of FTL" I was starting to worry as I understood what they were saying. I didn't even think I was a geek there. Nor did I think we were geeks when I admitted that we had seen every episode ever made of Star Trek. Yes, even Enterprise...and Voyager to the bitter end. While we could not claim status of "Trekkie Convention Goer" we did go to Vegas to see the Star Trek Encounter, and bought our first child a Star Trek uniform (HEY! I think it would fit Katie...perhaps I should dig it out and photograph her in it). I still didn't think we were classified as geeks at that point. But I started wondering when I admitted that Dh at one point knew the star dates for every TNG episode based on the first line of the show.
I laughingly admitted that Dh *might* be a geek at that point.
Then I started thinking of other SciFi favorite shows and talked with my friend who also likes the same ones such as Babylon5, FarScape (and yes that discussion went on into whether the shows ending was good or bad...), and don't forget Battlestar Galactica. Of which I was not part of the argument of whether the new version was better than the old. I didn't see the old version. I quite like this version, and yes, I think Starbuck is a Cylon. Dh and I can also quote lines from Firefly (you know the series that led to the movie Serenity).
Okay, so perhaps I might have a teeny tiny bit of geekiness in me.
Lord of the Rings came up. We saw all 3 in the theaters and if we had not had the complications of childcare, we would have done the 3 movies in one day marathon. Gosh I still think that would have been one of the most amazing movie theater experiences...well other than having to run to the bathroom so much.
Yeah, our geekiness meter did inch up a little there didn't it?
It went on and on...and then I thought of college, and one of the courses I took was the ULTIMATE geek class...guess I stood no chance huh? I still submit that I didn't really take Methods of Real Analysis as I had major help from Ty's Momma to get through that semester (but she's not a geek - she's a Math wonder). Besides, she's too pretty to be a geek. So what if the Numerical Analysis course I took required a thorough understanding of MatLab and I enjoyed it. (oops, did I just admit that out loud?) That does not make me a geek. Does it?
Yeah, figured that about sealed my fate in "geekiness."
so, tonight, we're off to play with friends down the street. What are we playing?Illuminati and for wikipedia's description click here
If that wasn't bad enough, our 9 year old son loves to play this game with us, loves watching all the above shows we watch, and at the age of 5 made part of his argument about handwriting using factual information about an EM pulse. Yes, we're ensuring his future as a geek as well.
It started innocently enough with talk of keeping score on a laptop for a Scrabble game and then graphing it in Excel (yeah I can see Dh doing that for Rook or Spades). Sudoku was brought up, and yes we both do that quite a bit (Dh more so than myself as it requires a few more brain cells than I seem to have at the moment). But when it started in with just things as "data points" and "expanded Star Wars universe" and then "discussion of viability of FTL" I was starting to worry as I understood what they were saying. I didn't even think I was a geek there. Nor did I think we were geeks when I admitted that we had seen every episode ever made of Star Trek. Yes, even Enterprise...and Voyager to the bitter end. While we could not claim status of "Trekkie Convention Goer" we did go to Vegas to see the Star Trek Encounter, and bought our first child a Star Trek uniform (HEY! I think it would fit Katie...perhaps I should dig it out and photograph her in it). I still didn't think we were classified as geeks at that point. But I started wondering when I admitted that Dh at one point knew the star dates for every TNG episode based on the first line of the show.
I laughingly admitted that Dh *might* be a geek at that point.
Then I started thinking of other SciFi favorite shows and talked with my friend who also likes the same ones such as Babylon5, FarScape (and yes that discussion went on into whether the shows ending was good or bad...), and don't forget Battlestar Galactica. Of which I was not part of the argument of whether the new version was better than the old. I didn't see the old version. I quite like this version, and yes, I think Starbuck is a Cylon. Dh and I can also quote lines from Firefly (you know the series that led to the movie Serenity).
Okay, so perhaps I might have a teeny tiny bit of geekiness in me.
Lord of the Rings came up. We saw all 3 in the theaters and if we had not had the complications of childcare, we would have done the 3 movies in one day marathon. Gosh I still think that would have been one of the most amazing movie theater experiences...well other than having to run to the bathroom so much.
Yeah, our geekiness meter did inch up a little there didn't it?
It went on and on...and then I thought of college, and one of the courses I took was the ULTIMATE geek class...guess I stood no chance huh? I still submit that I didn't really take Methods of Real Analysis as I had major help from Ty's Momma to get through that semester (but she's not a geek - she's a Math wonder). Besides, she's too pretty to be a geek. So what if the Numerical Analysis course I took required a thorough understanding of MatLab and I enjoyed it. (oops, did I just admit that out loud?) That does not make me a geek. Does it?
Yeah, figured that about sealed my fate in "geekiness."
so, tonight, we're off to play with friends down the street. What are we playing?Illuminati and for wikipedia's description click here
If that wasn't bad enough, our 9 year old son loves to play this game with us, loves watching all the above shows we watch, and at the age of 5 made part of his argument about handwriting using factual information about an EM pulse. Yes, we're ensuring his future as a geek as well.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Katie threw a temper tantrum!
Actually she threw a couple. She wanted to walk and run at the science museum (in and out of the gift shop). I picked her up and carried her to another section of the museum...arched back, screaming, crying, and kicking of feet.
I was so happy!!!!
Then, a little later I tried to put her in the stroller, she flailed and kicked and screamed.
I think my smile was the largest I've had in a year.
Tonight, she screamed and cried and gave us evil looks for putting her in the carseat. She arched her back if we picked her up to carry her.
Yes, we have achieved temper tantrums. She finally feels comfortable enough with us to protest, to throw a tantrum, to show us she is unhappy and upset. FINALLY. Prior to this she would shut down and comply. We are, of course, still doing "holding time" and "loving time" and "snuggle time" with her, and I will make sure she will still look me in the eyes to night (lovingly not that evil look she gave me in the car). But, honestly, I need a break from her tonight for the first time since we have been home. Loss of compliance coupled with the boys feeling better and little sleep on my part makes for a cranky Mommy. In fact, all of us were a little cranky today. We're all feeling better, and we're hopeful that illnesses are going to give us a little bit of a break...at least we hope so.
I think I'm going to watch Baby Einstein with my little temper tantrum throwing Katie-bug.
I was so happy!!!!
Then, a little later I tried to put her in the stroller, she flailed and kicked and screamed.
I think my smile was the largest I've had in a year.
Tonight, she screamed and cried and gave us evil looks for putting her in the carseat. She arched her back if we picked her up to carry her.
Yes, we have achieved temper tantrums. She finally feels comfortable enough with us to protest, to throw a tantrum, to show us she is unhappy and upset. FINALLY. Prior to this she would shut down and comply. We are, of course, still doing "holding time" and "loving time" and "snuggle time" with her, and I will make sure she will still look me in the eyes to night (lovingly not that evil look she gave me in the car). But, honestly, I need a break from her tonight for the first time since we have been home. Loss of compliance coupled with the boys feeling better and little sleep on my part makes for a cranky Mommy. In fact, all of us were a little cranky today. We're all feeling better, and we're hopeful that illnesses are going to give us a little bit of a break...at least we hope so.
I think I'm going to watch Baby Einstein with my little temper tantrum throwing Katie-bug.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
From this last weekend
Our weekend, in pictures.
Not seen are the mountains of laundry we tackled, the now clean bathrooms, the clean kitchen, and the clean dining room. Nor do you see the books read, the stacks of movies watched, and the clean bedrooms.
Saturday started off cold, and it was mid-50s by Sunday. Thus the outside play with the stomp rockets. Yes, the boys are shooting them towards each other (goal was to shoot them in the air and see if you could land it near the other person). I figured since Dh was out there and the rockets were foam tipped, that there was not any harm in it. They had fun, enjoyed some much needed sunshine, and I had a chance to clean the "sick room" without little helpers around.
ah...the joys of being Mom. You get to be thrilled at having time alone to clean.
Not seen are the mountains of laundry we tackled, the now clean bathrooms, the clean kitchen, and the clean dining room. Nor do you see the books read, the stacks of movies watched, and the clean bedrooms.
Saturday started off cold, and it was mid-50s by Sunday. Thus the outside play with the stomp rockets. Yes, the boys are shooting them towards each other (goal was to shoot them in the air and see if you could land it near the other person). I figured since Dh was out there and the rockets were foam tipped, that there was not any harm in it. They had fun, enjoyed some much needed sunshine, and I had a chance to clean the "sick room" without little helpers around.
ah...the joys of being Mom. You get to be thrilled at having time alone to clean.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Happy 3 months!
Can you believe it? 3 months ago Katie was place in our arms in that little cold room in Kunming China. I'm in the midst of our China slideshow, and I had hoped to have it done by today. Flu has a way of changing plans. :)
Hopefully I'll have it done by the 4 month anniversary. You're just left with photos today. These were taken today of little Miss Katie. She's loving on her doll more and more, and she's always on the go.
snapshots one and all, taken with the point and shoot. I'm too tired to care. I'm going to have take her out soon and get Easter Portraits done in her pretty dress. I also need to get portraits taken in her Christmas outfit! I'm so behind on that.
Hopefully I'll have it done by the 4 month anniversary. You're just left with photos today. These were taken today of little Miss Katie. She's loving on her doll more and more, and she's always on the go.
snapshots one and all, taken with the point and shoot. I'm too tired to care. I'm going to have take her out soon and get Easter Portraits done in her pretty dress. I also need to get portraits taken in her Christmas outfit! I'm so behind on that.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Going Stir Crazy!
JM is doing MUCH better (YAY for Tamiflu), although I have a feeling he would have kicked it quickly given how he responds to illnesses period. After being cooped up in the little Saturn for 40 minutes (or so) with JM Saturday morning, I'm feeling a little bad. 2 doses of Tamiflu though are more than likely helping, and it's what is keeping me from being curled up in the fetal position on my bed whimpering.
The other 3 member of our household are going strong and doing well.
I'm the one changing JM's sheets, doing his laundry, taking him all his food and meds. ;) ME. Figured I was exposed the most so might as well contain it to me. We're sticking at home tomorrow. JM will be allowed out of his room tomorrow (well he's out right now and on the computer (lysol will be soaking the keyboard and mouse when he gets up).
Being stuck in the house for 2 days has it's advantages...3 clean bathrooms, clean sheets all around, JM and Samuel's room is clean (JM and I cleaned it today), the kitchen is clean (we're working on the cabinet doors now), laundry is caught up, Katie's room is clean (dh did that one), and the loft is looking pretty darn good as well. With all this work came the inevitable soreness of muscles, so now, we're not 100% sure if the muscle soreness I feel is flu achiness or soreness from all the cleaning. Yes, spring cleaning at its finest!
The other 3 member of our household are going strong and doing well.
I'm the one changing JM's sheets, doing his laundry, taking him all his food and meds. ;) ME. Figured I was exposed the most so might as well contain it to me. We're sticking at home tomorrow. JM will be allowed out of his room tomorrow (well he's out right now and on the computer (lysol will be soaking the keyboard and mouse when he gets up).
Being stuck in the house for 2 days has it's advantages...3 clean bathrooms, clean sheets all around, JM and Samuel's room is clean (JM and I cleaned it today), the kitchen is clean (we're working on the cabinet doors now), laundry is caught up, Katie's room is clean (dh did that one), and the loft is looking pretty darn good as well. With all this work came the inevitable soreness of muscles, so now, we're not 100% sure if the muscle soreness I feel is flu achiness or soreness from all the cleaning. Yes, spring cleaning at its finest!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Mom-Nesia
Read this on my yahoo group....
I'm a forgetful mom and each kid I have I joke about losing IQ points.
My mom friends say the same thing. Well, on the NBC nightly news this
past Thursday a Neuropsychologist named this condition! Really! It's
called "mom-nesia." When a newborn is added to a family a mom loses
at least 2 hours of sleep per night for the first year. That's 700ish
hours! Wanna guess what sleep deprivation does? The report went on
to say that putting things in places they don't belong (like socks in
the freezer because you're multi-tasking) is common for mom's of new
children. There is good news, though, and that is mom's do get
smarter at the same time our memory seems to be leaving us. The
saying that we have eyes in the back of our heads is actually our
mental ability picking up to monitor various things at one time. So,
all you mom's-to-be and mom's-of-many, if your memory seems poor, your
intuition and instinct is awesome!
Oh how I know EXACTLY what they are talking about! Sometimes I think if I didn't have my head on my body I'd lose it too. I lost a piece of camera equipment last month (light meter). I looked and looked and looked, and all I could remember was that I had it early January. In asking my friends where else I could have put it, I had the answers of "the refrigerator, the deep freezer, the linen closet, the toy box, etc." Seems they have all lost items as well and found them in odd places.
I'm a forgetful mom and each kid I have I joke about losing IQ points.
My mom friends say the same thing. Well, on the NBC nightly news this
past Thursday a Neuropsychologist named this condition! Really! It's
called "mom-nesia." When a newborn is added to a family a mom loses
at least 2 hours of sleep per night for the first year. That's 700ish
hours! Wanna guess what sleep deprivation does? The report went on
to say that putting things in places they don't belong (like socks in
the freezer because you're multi-tasking) is common for mom's of new
children. There is good news, though, and that is mom's do get
smarter at the same time our memory seems to be leaving us. The
saying that we have eyes in the back of our heads is actually our
mental ability picking up to monitor various things at one time. So,
all you mom's-to-be and mom's-of-many, if your memory seems poor, your
intuition and instinct is awesome!
Oh how I know EXACTLY what they are talking about! Sometimes I think if I didn't have my head on my body I'd lose it too. I lost a piece of camera equipment last month (light meter). I looked and looked and looked, and all I could remember was that I had it early January. In asking my friends where else I could have put it, I had the answers of "the refrigerator, the deep freezer, the linen closet, the toy box, etc." Seems they have all lost items as well and found them in odd places.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Welcome to my blog!!
I'm joining in the fun at the Ultimate Blog Party, so I think I might need to introduce ourselves to the 1 or 2 new people who visit my blog this week.
I'm Carla, sole writer of the blog even though I wish Dh would write something sometime. We have 3 amazing kids. I know everyone says that about their own kids, but it's true.
JM is our oldest. He's survived being the guinea pig of our parenting skills so far, and we hope he turns out okay in the end. At least, we hope he still loves us when he grows up. He's 9, but thinks he should be allowed to do anything that teenagers get to do like play "T" games on the Playstation. When asked what he likes to do, or what interests him, he'll likely say "I don't know." But he's a yellow belt in Karate, he plays baseball, he likes to read (sometimes fiction, but mostly DK books). He loves all things related to space - from Star Wars and other sci fi shows to learning about our own space program. When he was 5 he told us he wanted to go to Mars when he grew up. He just might make it. You'll be here to hold my hand won't you?
Samuel is our middle child. He's our child that has benefited from our mistakes with JM, but is also the guinea pig for our NEW theories. He's 5.5 (that half is very important) and can't wait to start playing baseball. He's also in Karate and almost a yellow belt. He wants so badly to be just like his big brother, and we're trying to teach him that he's GREAT just as he is. We hope he loves us when he grows up as well, and that he actually grows to be taller than his Mom (he should, but barely). While he may be a little small in size (36 pounds at 5.5 and just about 42 inches tall), his heart is BIG. We're not sure what he wants to be yet, but it will be fun I'm sure.
Katie is our little girl and youngest. We adopted her in December, so she's been with us for 3 months now. We threw out the theories with her, and just love on her. She makes it easy so far, but I know the day is coming when she'll join the ranks of all other almost two year olds and throw a temper tantrum. I hope to capture it on video when she does...I'm sure it'll be cute. We are in love with her, and it is our hope that she loves us when she is an adult. We know what she wants to be when she grows up...a PRINCESS! :)
Dh is the resident computer genius, and a wonderful father. He truly is. While I cringe at the yucky side of raising kids, he walks right in and takes care of it. He has ER duty...I have dirty diaper duty. Works out in my mind. ;) He's a great husband and I would marry him again without hesitation. I can't imagine going through life and raising these kids without him. I hope I never have to learn.
Me? Oh me. I do not like talking about myself. I'm a Mom, who stays home with the kids. I homeschool them (but really Dh and I do that together). I try to clean the house, and keep us stocked with food and clean clothes. Some weeks are better than others. I also take photos. Lots of photos. I scrapbook, read, blog, take photos, scrapbook, read, blog....and I love talking about, reading about, and thinking about adoption.
If you are interested in adoption, just ask. If you want to read some other great people who adopted...there are lots of links to adoption blogs. If you want to talk about photography, then just ask and I'll send you to some great blogs about that as well (or forums).
Here's a photo of me and my little girl (aren't I just lovely without makeup, hair pulled back, and a 5 year old taking the photo? at least I'm keeping it true to life)
Here's my Hubby and I at the Lover's Tree in Beijing
a photo of the start of our family of 5...Not a happy little girl.
and Prizes? Did someone mention prizes?
My top 3 would be:
#1 - the rocking horse offered by A Rocking Horse to Love, oh my wouldn't Katie love that (and Samuel) and then think of the PROP usage for the photography? But I'm in LOVE with the Play Kitchens. :) The ladybug "rocking horse" and then..swoon that airplane rocking toy!
#34 - the Princess could use a tu-tu from LiveLoveDance don't you think?
and #45 - blog design - *swoon* a full blog design? from Blog Designs by Summer I would love this one for ME!
If those are not available, the following would be cool too...in no particular order. Really, anything I could win would be fun.
#67, 66, 81, 88, or 102
Honestly, I would be thrilled to win ANYTHING and do not expect it. I just enjoy reading the blogs I find my way to through this. I would love anything really, related to the ages of my kids (9, 5, and 1) or something a Mom who has not time for herself...or anything else you think I would like!
Update on Lia and update on our family!
Lia was home this afternoon after a brief visit to the ER. She sure scared her parents (and me) though. She has a virus, more than likely flu.
Which leads to our family...many states away...JM came home today from Friday Classes and said he didn't feel good. That he'd been sneezing a LOT today. I shrugged off with "GREAT another cold."
2 hours later I felt to see if he was running a fever, don't know why except his cheeks were flushed. Yep. He was hot. Grabbed a thermometer and it was over 102. GREAT. Said his legs hurt. Coughing a little. Sore/dry throat...and we know he was exposed to flu last week. We'll get him in to the doctor tomorrow if they are open (severe winter weather coming through tonight). Luckily it's our Ped on call, so he knows our history. HOPEFULLY it is officially the flu and we can all get on Tamiflu to keep from re-visiting those asthmatic coughs and coughing until vomit happens with the other 2. Otherwise, it's a virus...another cold...which will run through the house and we'll spend the rest of March dealing with MORE meds for the lungs. JOY. What fun.
Can we just wipe out the month of February next year? Not even have it? We've had someone sick in this house since before February 7th! Mostly colds and runny noses that led to coughing...but dang. I'm done already!!! LOL
Which leads to our family...many states away...JM came home today from Friday Classes and said he didn't feel good. That he'd been sneezing a LOT today. I shrugged off with "GREAT another cold."
2 hours later I felt to see if he was running a fever, don't know why except his cheeks were flushed. Yep. He was hot. Grabbed a thermometer and it was over 102. GREAT. Said his legs hurt. Coughing a little. Sore/dry throat...and we know he was exposed to flu last week. We'll get him in to the doctor tomorrow if they are open (severe winter weather coming through tonight). Luckily it's our Ped on call, so he knows our history. HOPEFULLY it is officially the flu and we can all get on Tamiflu to keep from re-visiting those asthmatic coughs and coughing until vomit happens with the other 2. Otherwise, it's a virus...another cold...which will run through the house and we'll spend the rest of March dealing with MORE meds for the lungs. JOY. What fun.
Can we just wipe out the month of February next year? Not even have it? We've had someone sick in this house since before February 7th! Mostly colds and runny noses that led to coughing...but dang. I'm done already!!! LOL
Pray for Lia please!!
I got a call from Lia's Mom this morning telling me that Lia was very sick and asking how Katie looks when sick (skin coloring). Lia was almost a grayish color. Lia has flu like symptoms from what I could tell (it is going around up there and her big brother had same symptoms earlier this week). I asked her mom how she was breathing since Katie had a pale color in China when struggling to breathe, and her Mom went to check her pulse ox (Lia did not exhibit any of the signs of struggling to breathe). She told me in, in a panic, "Lia's barely breathing, gotta go." Understandably the phone was hung up.
Please pray for them.
I called them back after an hour to leave my cell number so I could updates while out and about today.
Please pray for them.
I called them back after an hour to leave my cell number so I could updates while out and about today.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
3 months ago...
3 months ago we were trying to get to Beijing, without any knowledge of what was in store for us. We had no idea of all the wonderful things in store for us. Katie is doing wonderfully, amazingly wonderful!
Just this week she tried to give me kisses (yes that is ME her Mommy). At Karate today she refused to go to Sensei, and came to me and clung to me (her Mommy again). She'll smile at Sensei, give him five, but no longer happily goes to him. She has learned to shake her head NO, and does that quite a bit. She is also saying "yeah" sometimes. Usually in response to a question of something she wants to do like "Do you want some chocolate?" "Yeah!," so we think she knows what it means. Katie refuses to say "Da-da" and insists on using "Ba-ba" which is Chinese for Da-da. Quite stubborn with it in fact. She seems to be fully attaching to us and bonding with us well.
Katie does imitate most words we say these days, so we think she is trying to learn some new words. She still tells us off in baby gibberish, but it sounds a lot less like Chinese and more like English. That's actually kind of sad. It is quite funny to hear her go into the boys room, look at it and then rattle off a lot of baby gibberish. I think she's trying to tell them it is a wreck and that I said to clean it already! I will work on a list of all the words she has said, but it is quite long. The words she uses on her own is much shorter: "Uh-oh! Yum-yum! Yeah. Bye. Roar (it's really cute too). Ma-ma, ba-ba, Mamule (Samuel), ooh"...and I think that's it for words she uses on her own.
She still loves to make silly faces, and play with you. But we are starting to see more and more of her love for music. Opening music to television shows captures her attention and she'll dance. She'll squeal in happiness and clap her hands if it is a show he recognizes (like Ni Hao Kai Lan or Backyardigans). She insists on her music at bedtime and naptime, the same music everyday.
Katie now has full run our of our house except for bathrooms and the stairs (well and the boys room and our bedroom). Bathrooms are off limits because she adores playing in the toilet. ADORES IT. If a bathroom door is open for a minute, she's in there...with a hand in the toilet splashing the water. Seems to only happen though when she's dressed all cute for a special occasion and thoroughly soaks her outfit...right before we're headed out the door. Thus, bathroom doors stay shut. Firmly shut. The stairs are off limits because she's not mastered them, we're working on it though. As a result of her newfound freedoms, she thinks she is big stuff and should be included in what the boys are doing. It's really cute to see them all playing together.
Sleeping is going great still, but she does not want us to rock her to sleep, or for her to fall asleep in our arms. Not even when sick. We learned this week that the cold I thought she had is more than likely allergies (clear snot for 2+ weeks?). Between that, teething, and this cough (sounds like Samuel's asthma cough actually) she's not felt the best in the world. When she feels pretty crummy she wants to sit alone without one of us touching her, but she wants us very close by where she can touch us if she wants to. If we dare touch her little highness without her permission, we hear of it. Loudly.
Katie is eating well, and we think she's actually growing some. At least the 6-12 month pants and outfits are getting short. The 12 month outfits are starting to get short as well in the arms and legs. They still, of course, fall off her waist. We also think she finally hit the 20 pound mark (at least with clothes and shoes on). 19 months and finally hitting 20 pounds. I think we'll throw a party when she reaches it officially. One thing I'm happy, though others look at me funny when I say it, is that Katie is now whining for drinks or for food. She'll point to her high chair and whine. She'll fuss and point for cups. This is new in the past month, and I'm taking it as a sign that she's sure we'll supply that need for her now. I remember clearly, one day soon after we were home where it was 6pm and I realized she had not had anything to drink ALL DAY. She was obviously thirsty, but she never made a sound. She makes noises now. Oh she does.
Just this week she tried to give me kisses (yes that is ME her Mommy). At Karate today she refused to go to Sensei, and came to me and clung to me (her Mommy again). She'll smile at Sensei, give him five, but no longer happily goes to him. She has learned to shake her head NO, and does that quite a bit. She is also saying "yeah" sometimes. Usually in response to a question of something she wants to do like "Do you want some chocolate?" "Yeah!," so we think she knows what it means. Katie refuses to say "Da-da" and insists on using "Ba-ba" which is Chinese for Da-da. Quite stubborn with it in fact. She seems to be fully attaching to us and bonding with us well.
Katie does imitate most words we say these days, so we think she is trying to learn some new words. She still tells us off in baby gibberish, but it sounds a lot less like Chinese and more like English. That's actually kind of sad. It is quite funny to hear her go into the boys room, look at it and then rattle off a lot of baby gibberish. I think she's trying to tell them it is a wreck and that I said to clean it already! I will work on a list of all the words she has said, but it is quite long. The words she uses on her own is much shorter: "Uh-oh! Yum-yum! Yeah. Bye. Roar (it's really cute too). Ma-ma, ba-ba, Mamule (Samuel), ooh"...and I think that's it for words she uses on her own.
She still loves to make silly faces, and play with you. But we are starting to see more and more of her love for music. Opening music to television shows captures her attention and she'll dance. She'll squeal in happiness and clap her hands if it is a show he recognizes (like Ni Hao Kai Lan or Backyardigans). She insists on her music at bedtime and naptime, the same music everyday.
Katie now has full run our of our house except for bathrooms and the stairs (well and the boys room and our bedroom). Bathrooms are off limits because she adores playing in the toilet. ADORES IT. If a bathroom door is open for a minute, she's in there...with a hand in the toilet splashing the water. Seems to only happen though when she's dressed all cute for a special occasion and thoroughly soaks her outfit...right before we're headed out the door. Thus, bathroom doors stay shut. Firmly shut. The stairs are off limits because she's not mastered them, we're working on it though. As a result of her newfound freedoms, she thinks she is big stuff and should be included in what the boys are doing. It's really cute to see them all playing together.
Sleeping is going great still, but she does not want us to rock her to sleep, or for her to fall asleep in our arms. Not even when sick. We learned this week that the cold I thought she had is more than likely allergies (clear snot for 2+ weeks?). Between that, teething, and this cough (sounds like Samuel's asthma cough actually) she's not felt the best in the world. When she feels pretty crummy she wants to sit alone without one of us touching her, but she wants us very close by where she can touch us if she wants to. If we dare touch her little highness without her permission, we hear of it. Loudly.
Katie is eating well, and we think she's actually growing some. At least the 6-12 month pants and outfits are getting short. The 12 month outfits are starting to get short as well in the arms and legs. They still, of course, fall off her waist. We also think she finally hit the 20 pound mark (at least with clothes and shoes on). 19 months and finally hitting 20 pounds. I think we'll throw a party when she reaches it officially. One thing I'm happy, though others look at me funny when I say it, is that Katie is now whining for drinks or for food. She'll point to her high chair and whine. She'll fuss and point for cups. This is new in the past month, and I'm taking it as a sign that she's sure we'll supply that need for her now. I remember clearly, one day soon after we were home where it was 6pm and I realized she had not had anything to drink ALL DAY. She was obviously thirsty, but she never made a sound. She makes noises now. Oh she does.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
THE SPOILED UNDER-30 CROWD!!!
Got this from a friend (a fellow "over 30" friend)
If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!
When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were when they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning ... uphill. BOTH ways
yadda, yadda, yadda
And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a Utopia!
And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know how good you've got it!
I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!
There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter; with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there!
There were no MP3's or Napsters! You wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!
We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!
And we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either!
When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't now!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!
We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!
When you went to the movie theater there no such thing as stadium seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy or some old broad with a hat sat in front of you and you couldn't see, you were just out of luck!
Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like 15 channels and there was no on screen menu and no remote control! You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find o ut what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your butt and walk over to the TV to change the channel and there was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you
hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons!
And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we had to use the stove or go build a fire...imagine that! If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that stupid Jiffy Pop thing and shake it over the stove forever like an idiot.
That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy.
You're spoiled. You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980!
Regards,
The over 30 Crowd
Now, I have to admit...I'm barely "over 30" and I do remember that we got call waiting (it was a BIG TIME DEAL), we had a tv with a remote by the time I was in high school as well...and well, the microwave. I think we got one of the first ones! LOL I remember it was huge, and we got it before I was in high school. But the rest? Oh the rest I remember though. ;)
If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!
When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were when they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning ... uphill. BOTH ways
yadda, yadda, yadda
And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it! But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a Utopia!
And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know how good you've got it!
I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog!!
There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter; with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there!
There were no MP3's or Napsters! You wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!
We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!
And we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either!
When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't now!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!
We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!
When you went to the movie theater there no such thing as stadium seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy or some old broad with a hat sat in front of you and you couldn't see, you were just out of luck!
Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like 15 channels and there was no on screen menu and no remote control! You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find o ut what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your butt and walk over to the TV to change the channel and there was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you
hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons!
And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we had to use the stove or go build a fire...imagine that! If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that stupid Jiffy Pop thing and shake it over the stove forever like an idiot.
That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy.
You're spoiled. You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980!
Regards,
The over 30 Crowd
Now, I have to admit...I'm barely "over 30" and I do remember that we got call waiting (it was a BIG TIME DEAL), we had a tv with a remote by the time I was in high school as well...and well, the microwave. I think we got one of the first ones! LOL I remember it was huge, and we got it before I was in high school. But the rest? Oh the rest I remember though. ;)
Working on photos from China
I've been inspired to get our adoption slideshow/video done. I was also inspired by the nags from fellow travel mates wanting photos! LOL
I'm through Beijing, currently I'm on the Kunming photos.
I hit a snag though. Emotions. I did not expect all the emotions to hit me with this. I see the fear in Katie's eyes. I see the confusion. My heart aches for her, and who she was then.
I hear the sounds of the room in my head. I see the sights I remembered and many I do not remember at all. I remember the craziest details, yet had forgotten that it was cold in the room. Very cold to us.
I forgot how short Jerry was.
Kathy and Cheri...I'm going to be sending you emails with images attached.
Friday, February 29, 2008
She's not real fond of salsa yet
As a member of our family, it's almost required that you like Mexican food, particularly salsa. Both of our boys were eating chips and dip by the time they were Katie's age. Looks like we have a little longer of teaching her to like it. She did keep dipping that chip though, but wasn't too sure about the taste.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Illnesses and hyperness
I had to take Katie in to the pediatrician today due to her loving on those aquarium tanks over the weekend. Seems she picked up a cold, only she's now had it for 5 days. The last day she started running a fever, and since it's been a few years since I had to deal with fevers in little bitty ones I called the doc. The triage nurse told me that I had to bring her in since she'd been sick for a few days THEN started running a fever. Classic sign of secondary infection, like ear infection, going on. Great. I didn't want to take her in as that place is full of really sick kids...with you know THE FLU! Actually based on what I saw there today I think we're finally coming off the peak of the season for our area. Less than half were there with the flu.
Turns out Katie only has a cold. The doc wasn't thrilled with the triage nurse since I had now exposed Katie to the flu (I'm hoping that our dash through the sick waiting room from the hallway minimized the exposure).
While we were there Dr. E asked me about the boys. "How are they doing?" So, I explained to him that they had had that chest congestion cold about 2 weeks ago. JM was all better but Samuel had had to go to his Asthma doctor (I chose the asthma doc over the ped because the asthma doc is less likely to have flu cases running around). ;) Seriously, Samuel was not running fevers, no snotty nose, just that out of control cough. I told the pediatrician that the asthma doc said Samuel had "asthmatic bronchitis" and put him on an antibiotic, cough suppressant, and steroid. Dr. E asked if he was doing better. I told him that yes, he was. He was bouncing off the walls...literally. Dr. E's response? "that steroid kicked in huh?" Oh yes it did. Dr. E did ask a few more questions, and he's comfortable with what all Samuel is doing...breathing wise and medicine wise. I told him Samuel had the same cold as Katie but kicked it quickly. Guess that regime of meds is keeping him from developing more asthma problems from that cold.
So, now we wait to see if Katie picked up something else from the doctor's office. 4-7 days and we should know. Right? I'm hopeful we minimized our exposures to all the nasty germs floating around our town at the moment.
I've never been more ready for spring in my life! It's been 18 days of sickness here in our house. Doesn't that make you want to come visit? It's only really been colds, but 18 days worth of it. Bouncing from child to child to adult to child and back again.
I'm glad Samuel can breathe again...but man that hyperness is driving us all crazy. I think I'm going to send in a treat for his teacher tomorrow...she'll deserve something for dealing with him. He's not bad...just...well..BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS. I personally think it's a combination of being able to breathe again and the steroid working. Lots and lots of energy.
Turns out Katie only has a cold. The doc wasn't thrilled with the triage nurse since I had now exposed Katie to the flu (I'm hoping that our dash through the sick waiting room from the hallway minimized the exposure).
While we were there Dr. E asked me about the boys. "How are they doing?" So, I explained to him that they had had that chest congestion cold about 2 weeks ago. JM was all better but Samuel had had to go to his Asthma doctor (I chose the asthma doc over the ped because the asthma doc is less likely to have flu cases running around). ;) Seriously, Samuel was not running fevers, no snotty nose, just that out of control cough. I told the pediatrician that the asthma doc said Samuel had "asthmatic bronchitis" and put him on an antibiotic, cough suppressant, and steroid. Dr. E asked if he was doing better. I told him that yes, he was. He was bouncing off the walls...literally. Dr. E's response? "that steroid kicked in huh?" Oh yes it did. Dr. E did ask a few more questions, and he's comfortable with what all Samuel is doing...breathing wise and medicine wise. I told him Samuel had the same cold as Katie but kicked it quickly. Guess that regime of meds is keeping him from developing more asthma problems from that cold.
So, now we wait to see if Katie picked up something else from the doctor's office. 4-7 days and we should know. Right? I'm hopeful we minimized our exposures to all the nasty germs floating around our town at the moment.
I've never been more ready for spring in my life! It's been 18 days of sickness here in our house. Doesn't that make you want to come visit? It's only really been colds, but 18 days worth of it. Bouncing from child to child to adult to child and back again.
I'm glad Samuel can breathe again...but man that hyperness is driving us all crazy. I think I'm going to send in a treat for his teacher tomorrow...she'll deserve something for dealing with him. He's not bad...just...well..BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS. I personally think it's a combination of being able to breathe again and the steroid working. Lots and lots of energy.
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