Erin knows a lot, and she'd be happy to tell you how smart she is in case you are unclear. She even let me know the order of smartness in our family and I was lucky enough to come in second, at least on that particular day--though I'm pretty sure she was just trying to be nice. Here are some examples:
Math
Erin: I know everything.
Me: Really? What's 7 x 8?
Erin: Well, sometimes I forget things.
The Human Body
Erin: (pointing to her arm) I know that these things in your arm are called brains.
Me: You mean veins?
Erin: No Mommy, BRAINS... and I know that those things that go on people's teeth are called bracelets.
Science
Erin: Today I learned that spiders are not insects because insects have 6 legs and spiders have 8 and because insects have bums and spiders don't. And did you know that in Spanish they call their bum a thorax?
Art
Erin: (holding up her hand) Daddy, my thumb really hurts.
Jared: Really?
Erin: Yeah... (looking very concerned) ...and this is my coloring hand.
Spiritual
Erin: How did Jesus get us here if he is in outer space?
(I had no comeback for this one. Good question)
Mortality
At the airport a really old lady comes up to us so concerned that Alex, who is climbing all over the stroller, is going to fall out. I thanked her even though I was pretty sure he was fine since he's been doing stuff like that since before he could walk. As she walked off Erin turned to me and said "She's going to die soon!" (Probably true, but so funny to hear her say)
Love
We were at the doctor when I kissed Erin.
Erin: Mommy, what day is it?
Me: It's Wednesday. (Strange question because she usually knows what day it is)
Erin: Then why did you kiss me? I told you that you can only kiss me on Mondays and Fridays.
So I do remember her saying that once, but I didn't think she was serious. Apparently she was. I have no idea what inspired her to set such a rule but she's sticking to it. FYI, she gave Jared Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I guess the other three days she is free from such torture.
Nutrition
I just read this to Erin and asked if she could think of any other funny things she has said.
Erin: Yeah, remember when I asked if I could have a fruit snack and you just laughed? (that was kind of funny--or when she asked for ice cream for breakfast today)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
9 Months
Marissa is now 9 months old and since I seem to have no other way of keeping track of her accomplishments, I'll write it here.
Weight: 16 lbs 1 oz (25th percentile)
Height: 26 inches (also 25th)
Teeth: 6 (bottom 2 at 4 months, top 4 around 6?) Warning--do not stick your finger in her mouth as she knows how to use her teeth.
Hair: sparse, but it's there if you look closely!
Voice: quiet, like her mom. It's hard to hear her cry if you're in the other room.
Sleeping patterns: couldn't be easier. When she is tired she starts making noises and crawling over to you, then as you put her in her crib she simultaneously lays down and sucks her thumb until she is asleep. She has always been a great sleeper. Such a blessing!
Salivary glands: overactive. She drools all the time! She goes through a few bibs and shirts a day. Luckily her brother finally outgrew the same problem so we can only assume she will too.
Skills: crawling (she started doing the one arm scoot around 5 months for about a month and then mastered real crawling at 6), pulling herself up on everything, climbing over things--especially people, and most recently standing on her own (tonight she actually took a little step which is so hard to believe because she is so little!)
Favorite foods: everything! Her nick name is our little garbage disposal (or GD) because she eats just about anything--chicken, rice, taco meat, pasta, cheese, fruit, ice cream, crayons, play-doh, cat food, etc. She has recently taken a fancy to table food and begun turning her nose up at baby food, but being a garbage disposal she still gulps it down if she has to.
Things she loves: being entertained by her siblings, hugs (giving and receiving them), sucking on things, sleeping, smiling, laughing, exploring, receiving attention, standing, her left thumb
Things she hates: taking baths (this has just started in the last few weeks--maybe something traumatic happened, but she just screams and tries to escape till it's over), her physical therapy stretches, and being beat up by her brother (she's going to be one tough kid).
Temperament: extremely HAPPY! She is truly a joy to be around. I absolutely can't imagine my life without her bright little personality in it.
I can't find the charger to my camera, but here are few of the last little while.
She loves being able to stand up
This one makes me laugh because she has always found it torturous when we tried to stick a pacifier in her mouth, yet she found this cool toy on the floor and it was really great to suck on (notice it's upside down)
Weight: 16 lbs 1 oz (25th percentile)
Height: 26 inches (also 25th)
Teeth: 6 (bottom 2 at 4 months, top 4 around 6?) Warning--do not stick your finger in her mouth as she knows how to use her teeth.
Hair: sparse, but it's there if you look closely!
Voice: quiet, like her mom. It's hard to hear her cry if you're in the other room.
Sleeping patterns: couldn't be easier. When she is tired she starts making noises and crawling over to you, then as you put her in her crib she simultaneously lays down and sucks her thumb until she is asleep. She has always been a great sleeper. Such a blessing!
Salivary glands: overactive. She drools all the time! She goes through a few bibs and shirts a day. Luckily her brother finally outgrew the same problem so we can only assume she will too.
Skills: crawling (she started doing the one arm scoot around 5 months for about a month and then mastered real crawling at 6), pulling herself up on everything, climbing over things--especially people, and most recently standing on her own (tonight she actually took a little step which is so hard to believe because she is so little!)
Favorite foods: everything! Her nick name is our little garbage disposal (or GD) because she eats just about anything--chicken, rice, taco meat, pasta, cheese, fruit, ice cream, crayons, play-doh, cat food, etc. She has recently taken a fancy to table food and begun turning her nose up at baby food, but being a garbage disposal she still gulps it down if she has to.
Things she loves: being entertained by her siblings, hugs (giving and receiving them), sucking on things, sleeping, smiling, laughing, exploring, receiving attention, standing, her left thumb
Things she hates: taking baths (this has just started in the last few weeks--maybe something traumatic happened, but she just screams and tries to escape till it's over), her physical therapy stretches, and being beat up by her brother (she's going to be one tough kid).
Temperament: extremely HAPPY! She is truly a joy to be around. I absolutely can't imagine my life without her bright little personality in it.
I can't find the charger to my camera, but here are few of the last little while.
Such a happy child!
She loves being able to stand up
This one makes me laugh because she has always found it torturous when we tried to stick a pacifier in her mouth, yet she found this cool toy on the floor and it was really great to suck on (notice it's upside down)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Valentine's Day
So I actually wrote this before Valentine's Day but it never got posted. I figure as long as it gets in while it's still February I'm good.
All my life Valentine’s Day has kind of always been about, well… me. Since it’s my birthday it has been some kind of special identity that is just mine. I’ve gone through phases when I’ve loved it and times when it was kind of annoying. Like when half my friends were out with boyfriends and the other half were depressed because they didn’t have one, or how restaurants were always way too packed, or that time when all five of my roommates got flowers on my birthday and not me. Don’t worry, it all evened out the year I told that story to some random guy in my ward a couple of weeks before my birthday and he showed up with 24 roses on V-day… yeah, that one was kind of weird considering I didn’t even really know him, but didn’t I deserve those flowers? Valentine’s Day is my day after all.
But that’s not really my purpose for writing this. I’ve written a lot about my kids and my own life, but I haven’t really said much about the most important person in my life, Jared. I guess I take a lot for granted, but I am so grateful for all that he does. There are so many reasons I love him, but here are a few.
1. He is great at fixing things and won’t give up until it’s fixed. That’s a great quality in a husband. He fixes the cars and everything around the house.
2. He is a whiz with computers. Maybe I use him as a crutch because I know he can help with any problem I have, but I just don’t have patience figuring out how to do things on the computer. I don’t know if I could have done as well in school without his computer help.
3. He is so supportive with my personal pursuits. Whenever I have felt like giving up he has encouraged me to keep going. He has taken care the kids while I’ve been in class for years and continues to carry a lot of the childcare load. Currently he gets them breakfast and dressed every day while I sleep in the mornings and puts them to bed almost every night. There’s no way I could have gone to school without his support. Oh, and he also paid for all of it too. Thanks!
4. He is always doing little things to surprise me and he won’t ever tell me what it is over the phone. Sometimes it’s just cleaning up or making banana bread, or he’ll do something on his to do list while I’m gone and wait for me to see it on my own. Recently I got home from the store and found a new cell phone for my birthday. They’re always little things but they make me realize that he is thinking about me.
5. He is the one person in this world who really understands me and accepts me for who I am. No matter what happens out in the world where all my confidence is shattered, I know I can come home and be loved unconditionally.
6. He lets me have my own identity yet I could not imagine living without him. He is truly my best friend. Some of my best memories are just sitting on the couch talking to him about our thoughts and dreams.
I love you Jared! Happy Valentine’s Day!
All my life Valentine’s Day has kind of always been about, well… me. Since it’s my birthday it has been some kind of special identity that is just mine. I’ve gone through phases when I’ve loved it and times when it was kind of annoying. Like when half my friends were out with boyfriends and the other half were depressed because they didn’t have one, or how restaurants were always way too packed, or that time when all five of my roommates got flowers on my birthday and not me. Don’t worry, it all evened out the year I told that story to some random guy in my ward a couple of weeks before my birthday and he showed up with 24 roses on V-day… yeah, that one was kind of weird considering I didn’t even really know him, but didn’t I deserve those flowers? Valentine’s Day is my day after all.
But that’s not really my purpose for writing this. I’ve written a lot about my kids and my own life, but I haven’t really said much about the most important person in my life, Jared. I guess I take a lot for granted, but I am so grateful for all that he does. There are so many reasons I love him, but here are a few.
1. He is great at fixing things and won’t give up until it’s fixed. That’s a great quality in a husband. He fixes the cars and everything around the house.
2. He is a whiz with computers. Maybe I use him as a crutch because I know he can help with any problem I have, but I just don’t have patience figuring out how to do things on the computer. I don’t know if I could have done as well in school without his computer help.
3. He is so supportive with my personal pursuits. Whenever I have felt like giving up he has encouraged me to keep going. He has taken care the kids while I’ve been in class for years and continues to carry a lot of the childcare load. Currently he gets them breakfast and dressed every day while I sleep in the mornings and puts them to bed almost every night. There’s no way I could have gone to school without his support. Oh, and he also paid for all of it too. Thanks!
4. He is always doing little things to surprise me and he won’t ever tell me what it is over the phone. Sometimes it’s just cleaning up or making banana bread, or he’ll do something on his to do list while I’m gone and wait for me to see it on my own. Recently I got home from the store and found a new cell phone for my birthday. They’re always little things but they make me realize that he is thinking about me.
5. He is the one person in this world who really understands me and accepts me for who I am. No matter what happens out in the world where all my confidence is shattered, I know I can come home and be loved unconditionally.
6. He lets me have my own identity yet I could not imagine living without him. He is truly my best friend. Some of my best memories are just sitting on the couch talking to him about our thoughts and dreams.
I love you Jared! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Friday, February 27, 2009
The gym
I've been meaning to blog about this for a while. I guess I should back up to about a year and a half ago. I began running again pretty regularly. I was signed up to do the Disney half marathon in January (2008). I had it all worked out and it was great. I would either go running really early or I would send Erin to school at 8:00 and take the stroller out with Alex. Of course all my efforts were foiled by me finding out I was 20 weeks pregnant a week before the race. Exercise ceased. I had Marissa and used the old "I'm still healing" card for a while until it was really too ridiculous to use anymore.
The thing is that I honestly love to exercise. Yes it is hard to be consistent and hard to roll myself out of bed most of the time, but I feel so much better during and after doing it. Plus it gives me an excuse to eat whatever I want, though it is becoming more clear that this strategy may not continue to work as well as I wade deeper into my 30's. So the desire was there, I just couldn't figure out how or when to do it with three kids with varying nap schedules. I began walking to Erin's school with three kids in the double stroller but that meager attempt at exercise only lasted so long (Marissa is way too big for that now).
My answer came in the form of a brand new gym opening up last October. They converted an old grocery store into a 24 Hour Fitness and it is less than half a mile from our house. I went to check it out and it looked great; they even had a kid's club to watch the kids. The only snag was that they had to be at least 6 months and Marissa was only 4. For two months I wrestled with it. Was it really worth the money? Surely I could find the time to go out running on my own. After all, I have an elliptical machine and work out videos at home. Would I start out going and then end up never using it? I have a vague recollection of a few roommates getting into a gym contract that they never used--would this happen to me?
Finally, I joined and I took the kids the day Marissa turned 6 months. I think I got a great deal (one of those Thanksgiving internet specials) and I tell you, it has been worth every penny! I love, love, LOVE the gym! When I first went, dropped off the kids and walked around without the kids in the middle of the day I felt so liberated, so free. I didn't have to arrange for a babysitter, I could just get out of my little cave and do something that made me feel really good. I think it's a common feeling for mothers of little kids to feel trapped and isolated. I recommend a gym to anyone feeling this way. I try to go as much as I can (amidst all the school craziness) and even though it takes me from the time I get up to get everyone ready until 9:30 or 10:00 when I get there, I have felt motivated to go. Trust me, it's worth it. And though my body may not look a whole lot better and my pre-pregnancy clothes still only fit until I need to breathe (err), I feel great. When mom is happy, the kids are happy.
This is a picture of the kid's club and can I say it is awesome! The kids love it and since it is new it sort of seems like things aren't broken, dirty or slobbered on already (even though they probably are by now--and probably by my baby no less). It has a climbing thing with a slide, basketball, movies, coloring, kid computer games and even that dance, dance revolution game that I am pretty bad at but it's still cool that it's there. Oh, and the best part is I only pay $9.99 extra for the babysitting a month for up to three kids and up to two hours a day. By my calculations, if I go every day for two hours that equals 5 1/2 cents per hour per kid. All right, I'm not going to use it that much, but you get the idea--it's cheap!
The rest of the gym is fabulous. They have all the cardio and weight machines you could dream of for muscles you didn't even knew you had, a pool, hot tub, sauna, basketball courts, racquetball courts and more. They have all sorts of classes that are included which I love and best of all I have rekindled my love for racquetball after years of hesitancy from breaking my nose while playing. A friend from my ward and I have been playing and it is great!
My only beef with the gym, you'd think with all the TV's mounted on the ceiling and on each individual cardio machine with hundreds of channels to choose from, one of them could be HGTV. I chose a gym membership over cable or satellite TV. Wouldn't life be so great if I could watch Design to Sell or House Hunters while at the gym? Yes, it would. And even though I am more of a "Drew Carey was good on Who's Line is it Anyway but not so much on Price is Right" kind of girl, I guess it will have to do until they come to their senses. We can't have everything.
The thing is that I honestly love to exercise. Yes it is hard to be consistent and hard to roll myself out of bed most of the time, but I feel so much better during and after doing it. Plus it gives me an excuse to eat whatever I want, though it is becoming more clear that this strategy may not continue to work as well as I wade deeper into my 30's. So the desire was there, I just couldn't figure out how or when to do it with three kids with varying nap schedules. I began walking to Erin's school with three kids in the double stroller but that meager attempt at exercise only lasted so long (Marissa is way too big for that now).
My answer came in the form of a brand new gym opening up last October. They converted an old grocery store into a 24 Hour Fitness and it is less than half a mile from our house. I went to check it out and it looked great; they even had a kid's club to watch the kids. The only snag was that they had to be at least 6 months and Marissa was only 4. For two months I wrestled with it. Was it really worth the money? Surely I could find the time to go out running on my own. After all, I have an elliptical machine and work out videos at home. Would I start out going and then end up never using it? I have a vague recollection of a few roommates getting into a gym contract that they never used--would this happen to me?
Finally, I joined and I took the kids the day Marissa turned 6 months. I think I got a great deal (one of those Thanksgiving internet specials) and I tell you, it has been worth every penny! I love, love, LOVE the gym! When I first went, dropped off the kids and walked around without the kids in the middle of the day I felt so liberated, so free. I didn't have to arrange for a babysitter, I could just get out of my little cave and do something that made me feel really good. I think it's a common feeling for mothers of little kids to feel trapped and isolated. I recommend a gym to anyone feeling this way. I try to go as much as I can (amidst all the school craziness) and even though it takes me from the time I get up to get everyone ready until 9:30 or 10:00 when I get there, I have felt motivated to go. Trust me, it's worth it. And though my body may not look a whole lot better and my pre-pregnancy clothes still only fit until I need to breathe (err), I feel great. When mom is happy, the kids are happy.
This is a picture of the kid's club and can I say it is awesome! The kids love it and since it is new it sort of seems like things aren't broken, dirty or slobbered on already (even though they probably are by now--and probably by my baby no less). It has a climbing thing with a slide, basketball, movies, coloring, kid computer games and even that dance, dance revolution game that I am pretty bad at but it's still cool that it's there. Oh, and the best part is I only pay $9.99 extra for the babysitting a month for up to three kids and up to two hours a day. By my calculations, if I go every day for two hours that equals 5 1/2 cents per hour per kid. All right, I'm not going to use it that much, but you get the idea--it's cheap!
The rest of the gym is fabulous. They have all the cardio and weight machines you could dream of for muscles you didn't even knew you had, a pool, hot tub, sauna, basketball courts, racquetball courts and more. They have all sorts of classes that are included which I love and best of all I have rekindled my love for racquetball after years of hesitancy from breaking my nose while playing. A friend from my ward and I have been playing and it is great!
My only beef with the gym, you'd think with all the TV's mounted on the ceiling and on each individual cardio machine with hundreds of channels to choose from, one of them could be HGTV. I chose a gym membership over cable or satellite TV. Wouldn't life be so great if I could watch Design to Sell or House Hunters while at the gym? Yes, it would. And even though I am more of a "Drew Carey was good on Who's Line is it Anyway but not so much on Price is Right" kind of girl, I guess it will have to do until they come to their senses. We can't have everything.
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