Monday, March 31, 2008

Swimming Lesson!

I signed Richard up for swimming lessons, because he needs to learn how to be comfortable in the water. We have a trip with my family planned to Lake Powell in July and that is another reason I want him to have some comfort with water in larger quanities than a bath. When we last went swimming in November, it took Richard over 30 minutes to get in the water! When we went to Seven Peaks over the summer, his favorite thing to do was throw rocks in the drain. He HATED the slides. So, needless to say, I was nervous about whether I had just wasted my money. We showed up and Richard didn't immediately get in, but it didn't take more than about 30 seconds! When it was time to go, he kept asking if he could still swim! Yea! I love it when Richard surprises me!


On the note of being surprised, if you read one of my previous posts, I'll report on our potty-training strategy. Richard has asked three times today to use the potty! Yea! I am still not convinced it will be a 100% successful day and every day in the future. I'm still hesitant to get too excited. However, he's got to catch the excitement sometime. Maybe it will be sooner than later...

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Sleep. I'd rather sleep.

I work all night. I get paid to stay awake all night. In fact,  I get paid more than those who work during the day. That's why I stay awake. Last night, I worked. My patient was STABLE. Read this and know that means the family had very little to worry about. I was awake and taking care of him. That's what I was getting paid for. So, why would they feel the obligation to stay awake and watch him sleep? He was doing fine. I had to stay awake and make sure he was OK. I could get the family from the waiting room if they wanted to stay close in case something should happen. I don't understand why someone would purposely stay awake all night just to watch someone sleep. I got paid. That's the only reason I watched him sleep. Maybe I'm calloused. Maybe I trust myself too much...

Friday, March 28, 2008

Richard's woes

Number one woe--Last night when Scott finally got home, he and I talked for a little bit. I guess he told a guy at work about our potty training woes with Richard. Well this guy said what finally motivated his son to be potty trained was they put the boy in charge of his diapers. Meaning, changing, cleaning up, putting a clean one back on, etc. So, we decided to try this. Maybe if Richard actually has to put forth more effort he'll be motivated to take the less messy road. We'll see. We explained things to Richard this morning. After some tears and screaming, he finally changed his diaper. Then, this afternoon, after 30 minutes, he finally changed his own poopy diaper. He feels very put upon. He keeps asking me to help. I told him I'd love to help him when he uses the potty. I just hope this makes a difference. Nothing else has.
Number two woe--Richard has a doggy with a music box inside. It plays "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" if you pull the tail. Richard LOVES this dog. In fact he'll say, "it helps me be happy." We have to sing the song along with the doggy every night. He carries it around the house. Well, tonight the music box did NOT start when I pulled the tail. This happened to Scott a couple of weeks ago, and he said he just had to hit it a few times for it to work. I think I pounded that dog on the floor, bed, my hand, and my leg probably 40 times! I felt like I was giving the thing CPR. Richard started to cry when I told him I didn't think it was going to work anymore. Gratefully, the thing finally started to play. I just don't know how much longer that doggy will play music. Poor Richard will be so heartbroken!


Amazingly, this is the most recent picture I have of Richard with the doggy.

Status Update

12:40 AM

Less than an hour and a half to go. 2009 data points down, 491 to go.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Hard worker

Scott was up early today. If you know me at all, you know I'm BLIND as can be without my glasses. So, I can't tell you what time he left, because I couldn't see the clock. I'm pretty sure it was at latest 6:30, because I had time to go back to sleep when he left and my alarm doesn't go off until 7:00. He won't be coming home for dinner. In fact, he's not sure he'll be home in time for dessert night (which is something we do once a week with our siblings), which is not until 9:00. He's putting in a full day at work and then going to campus to get more measurements to finish his thesis. He calculated last night it will take 4-6 hours. He'll be working on revisions while the computer takes the measurements or does whatever it's supposed to do. So, I'm home all alone with the kids while Scott works his tail off today. Way to go Scott! Get that thesis done! Ra, ra!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Self-control....

is not something I have a lot of when it comes to sweets. Surprising I know. I have much more control over buying/making something than I do over eating something. So, Easter comes, and we have all kinds of junk in my house. I eat it. I pick at the jelly beans all day long. I even saw some Easter candy on clearance at Costco and caved in and bought some. My excuse? They were Belgiun chocolate eggs and were 75% off! Scott eats a little bit and is done. So, there's a lot left to continue to tempt me. You'd think the fact that the sugar makes me feel worse would be enough to stop me. No, no! Chocolate anyone?

Monday, March 24, 2008

Curiosity

So, I put a ticker on my blog so I'd be reassured someone actually reads it besides me. Then, I noticed it ticks up a lot more than I expected. Have you ever wondered who actually READS what you write? Too bad I don't know how to check who actually reads my musings...

A fabulous surprise...

I meant to post this yesterday and somehow forgot. I got a phone call from a member of the primary presidency to tell me which nursery Audrey will be in (we have three). She then said I could bring Audrey if I wanted. I clarified and asked if I needed to stay with Audrey. She said no! Yea! So, Audrey went to nursery all by herself! When I first brought her, she seemed a little unsure. However, she didn't act at all upset when I left her. Then, when I went to pick her up, the leaders said she did great! She saw me and ran up with a big smile and said, "mommy!" So, I enjoyed Sunday School and Relief Society, and she enjoyed nursery! Yea! We're all happy! Not only that, we're happy 3 weeks earlier than we thought we'd be! (Since Audrey's first week would technically be conference and so would be pushed to the next week).

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Easter!

We are so grateful for this time of year to reflect on the resurrection of the Savior. What a blessing! I have finally decided Richard is old enough that we need to actively acknowledge Easter. So, yesterday, we colored Easter eggs and had an Easter egg hunt!
This is how it started when Richard insisted on looking at the eggs while I made the dye. Alas, not as many eggs to color.
Richard colored most of the eggs, because he had a better inkling of what was going on.
Audrey kept trying to sample the dye.
Our finished products.

Audrey needed a little help but soon caught on to what we were doing.

Richard had a lot of fun! We did the hunt in our house so the neighbor kids wouldn't steal the eggs. We don't have a fenced yard.Today the kids got Easter baskets with candy and a book. Here are the kids in their church clothes. Audrey had a new dress, because her other dresses ae starting to get too short. Richard is not in new clothes, but we took a picture of him anyway! The kids in primary sang in church. I was excited to have Richard sing for the first time. He refused to go up on the premise of "I don't know the words." What three-year-old cares about that!
So, Richard never actually got to eat any candy today, because he wouldn't finish breakfast or eat lunch or dinner. I don't know how he survives on how little he agrees to eat. Audrey, on the other hand, definitely appreciated her candy. You can see her chocolate drool and she is doing the sign for more.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Clothing woes...

I've started to gain weight and so I think I need to start looking at a new wardrobe. I anticipate having this problem until about October 19, and so I need some suggestions of cute clothes.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Getting bigger...

So, Audrey has made a couple of progressions! Well, I've finally LET Audrey progress. Today, I was trying to quickly get dinner in the crock pot so it would have time to cook. Well, Audrey wanted some yogurt. So, I finally broke down and just let her feed herself. I could tell she felt so BIG! Then, she wouldn't let me help her at all once I had a chance to.
Also, a couple of days ago, I finally retired the high chair and put Audrey in the booster seat up at the table. I moved Richard when was a little younger, so I guess I should have moved her earlier. She seems so pleased to actually be sitting at the table instead of being by the table in the high chair.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Taxes

I just finished my taxes. I feel robbed. I'm thoroughly disgusted.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Audrey is no longer the odd girl out...

A couple of weeks ago, it was quite warm and we were outside. Quite a few other kids from the neighborhood were also out and came by our house quite a few times. Richard and all the other kids were on their bikes. Audrey walked around and as soon as a child would get off their bike, Audrey would unsuccessfully try to climb on. One girl actually had a small, plastic trike that Audrey had a prayer of getting on, but the girl quickly snatched it away when she saw Audrey trying to climb on. Poor Audrey seemed so dejected! I could tell she really wanted to be part of the fun. I never got anything for Richard at that age, because he never saw anyone else on a bike and didn't realize he was missing out. Plus, we lived on a very busy street. So, I was telling my sister how I needed to buy something for Audrey and she was kind enough to lend me this small push toy! Audrey doesn't care much for riding it, but she can sit on it and propel herself with her feet. Usually she prefers to just push it, but I'm glad she feels part of the fun now!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Band-aids

I remember learning in my child development class or pediatrics class or one of those child-oriented lectures I attended that preschool-aged children like band-aids. No. They NEED band-aids. I guess researchers have determined that these children are worried about their insides leaking out the hole. So, regardless of the bloody state, or lack thereof, of the injury, a band-aid MUST be applied to satisfy the world. So, knowing this, I am a little more appreciative when Richard informs me he needs a band-aid.
I am el-cheapo. I always have been and hope to always be. At the hospital, we have IV start kits. They are little plastic pouches with all the things you might need. In this pouch is a roll of about 2 feet of tape. I ask you, who needs two feet of tape to secure an IV? Not me. We are supposed to just throw away the contents of said pouch after the IV is started. I throw away all but the other 12-18 inches of tape that I did not use. And, I bring it home. I have quite a few rolls of this tape. So, lest you be confused at the kind of tape I use, it is skin approved.
So, back to Richard. He wants a band-aid. I don't want to waste a perfectly good band-aid for an injury I can't even identify. Hence the tape. I got it for free. It was meant to be thrown away, so no one is out anything. Richard gets tape. When he thinks his insides will leak out, we pull out the trusty tape and solve the problems of the world. He applied his own tape today. In fact, he applied it in a different location than he originally told me the injury was. Whatever. He was happy.

If you can't see the tape, look above his right eye...

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Miss grumpy gills...

I know it's hard to sleep when your nose is stuffed up. I can appreciate that. I know it's hard to be happy when you are tired and feel like trash. I can also appreciate that. I know Audrey has suffered both of these, but it still makes it hard to be 100% patient. I'm just about ready to lock the kids outside so I can have some quiet! Audrey is crying over everything and Richard is doing his best to make it worse. My what a happy day....

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A couple of thoughts...

So, last night, I was bored and started surfing people's blog pages. I looked at a page from a couple from my married ward. Who should they have a picture of? A guy from my singles ward from about 6 years ago. Somehow, I never put it together they knew each other. Usually, you don't I suppose. I find they have a link to his page on their blog. So, I look at that page. Who do I find? My secretary from when I was the Relief Society President in said singles ward. She married the guy she had just broken up with last I knew. Obviously they worked things out. Then, who should be on her page? Another couple who used to be in my married ward. Oh, the connections in the BYU alumni community.

Another thought, though totally unconnected. Scott and I were watching the news and do you know what they have to put on light posts in London? Pads! Like the pads they put on ski lift posts. People are so occupied texting on their cell phones that they don't pay attention to where they are going! Doctors have noticed an increase in shoulder injuries as well as broken noses from people tripping and falling. Stuides have not found an increase in the USA due to walking but have found in increase in car accidents. Wow. I haven't gotten in to the whole texting concept. If I want to tell someone something, I'll e-mail or call them. If you text, that's fine. Whatever. Just PAY ATTENTION to what is going on around you. The stupidity associated with some things just baffles me...

Monday, March 10, 2008

About my kids

so, my kids have been tagged. We've never been tagged. Oh, the novelty! So, what are eight things about my kids you may not know....

Audrey--17 months:
1. She LOVES books. She always has. She's pretty nice to them as well. She knows when they're upside down and will be sure to correct it. She flips through the pages and jabbers as she "reads" them. She can't be bothered with my reading them unless I only talk about each page for 5 seconds. Otherwise, she flips to the next page.

2. She jabbers. All day. I have no idea what she says most of the time, but she sure things she has a lot to say! She can only say about 15 words, but she tries.

3. She loves shoes. In fact, that was her first word. She must wear shoes or she'll point to wear she knows they are and say shoes until we put them on her. She has little feet. She still wears size 3. Richard was in size 5-6 by this age!

4. She loves to be a helper. She cleans up so much more easily than Richard did! She cleans up toys. She helps me put away dishes. She puts Richard's stuff in his room. I have been told I did this as well. I guess more proof she's like me!

5. She plays with what Richard plays with. Cars, trains, balls, etc. She has a doll. She ignores it. I guess it's a sibling thing. She wants what Richard wants who wants what she wants, etc.

6. She loves to be outside. She'll throw a temper tantrum when I bring her in regardless of how long we've been out. She doesn't care if it's cold, windy, snowy, rainy, etc. She wants out!

7. She loves baths. If you accidently say the word she'll run to the bathroom door (which we keep closed) and pound on it and say bath. She'll try to climb in before I get her clothes off. She loves to splash. She loves to make faces at the upper drain thing (so the tub doesn't overflow). She gets mad when I get her out.

8. She's doesn't care much for TV. I could get Richard to at least watch Baby Einstein once through at her age so I could take a shower. She'll only watch it if I'm right there with her and then it only lasts for 5 minutes. Otherwise, she couldn't be bothered.

Richard--3 1/2 years old:
1. He doesn't care much for eating. He'd much rather play. In fact, it's now 2:00 and he finally asked if he could have lunch. He'd much rather starve than eat something I've made that hasn't passed the eye test. If I threaten to not let him have dessert, he doesn't care. More time to play, I guess.

2. He has a great memory. We can't promise him anything, because he remembers. He remembers where his toy cars came from. He remembers random things from the past. He remembers what he hears on Baby Einstein DVDs. He quotes movies.

3. He is timid. He didn't like quite a few rides at Disneyland and just buried his head in my lap. He won't do things or say things for people he doesn't know REALLY well. Scott gets bugged at how timid Richard can be.

4. He is obsessed with cars. Especially the movie "Cars." He always has. He must bring cars to bed. In fact, one of the biggest punishments is to put his Lightning McQueen in time-out.

5. He is very skinny. We have a hard time finding pants that are long enough that will stay on his waist without a huge wad of material bunched up at his waist because of a belt. In fact, when he was Audrey's age, we had to safety pin his pants because they didn't have belt loops.

6. He must wear socks. Last summer Scott threatened to put his socks in the garbage if Richard didn't insist on wearing them. Honestly, it was hot and who needs socks when it's hot?

7. He loves to cuddle. He often asks me to sit by him on the couch so we can cuddle and watch a movie. He loves to get in bed with me in the morning so we can cuddle.

8. He loves to run errands. In fact, some days, he'll say, "Mommy, can we run errands?" or "Mommy, can we go to another store?" I think he just likes getting out of the house and adding variety to his day.

So, I guess I'll tag housewife. She has a child and I know she reads this. Jill tagged me, so I guess I can't tag her back. I honestly don't know for sure who else reads this who has kids, so, uh, tag if you have a child!

Friday, March 7, 2008

Signs

I must say, I was a bit skeptical, because it took Audrey a few months to catch on. However, she now consistently will sign the few things I've taught her! Lest you be too amazed, I've only taught her four signs. But I've been tempted to try a few more. I don't know if they are "Baby Sign Language" approved, but communication occurs and that's what matters! She can sign food, drink, more, and all done. She's so cute! If I ever figure out how to post a video, I'll be sure to post her doing them. I also don't know that the few signs she knows have cut down on tantrums all that much, because I still don't know WHAT she wants to eat. However, at least I know when she's done!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

imagination

Richard is getting so imaginative! He keeps running around our basement saying, "Mommy, I'm getting the bad guys! Oh, there are more in here!" while waving around a ruler. I guess he's watched Scott play a lot of computer games. Mind you, he's doing this while reeking of a poopy diaper that he denies and refuses to get a diaper and wipes for. However, he's getting the bad guys! It's all about priorities. he's just said, "Mommy will you kill the bad guys? I have a sword for you..." So, I'm off....

Monday, March 3, 2008

quoting movies

I love to quote movies. I have no original, creative thoughts, so I must steal from others. It's been so fun to hear Richard do the same!

These are all things Richard has said:
(meant to be an insult) "You are a child's play thing!"

(While giving Audrey some food) "Don't just hoark it down! You've got to savor it." (I have NO idea how to spell hoark...)

(Just random talking) "Keep your arms and hands inside the ride at all times. And parents, please watch your children."

(while looking at stuff at the mall) "Where is my super suit?"