Today was a bad bad bad bad day. I just was overwhelmed and burnt out. I have so much on my plate I feel like I am spinning in circles. Working from home is getting to me at times. This morning Bear was hungry and wanting BFast. Dad forgot to clean up his plate area last night so while I was cleaning it up and bear was screaming to crawl up on his chair work called with crummy news that the project we worked on wasn't good enough...REDO! Right away tears came streaming. I had a kitty running up a screen, a toddler screaming, a boss crabbing, a phone beeping in on the other side...and me....just crying. The day continued where I just couldn't get it all under control. I had conference calls for work where bear had to play in the living room by himself= momma guilt. Bear had an explosive diaper where I had to throw out an outfit = momma guilt. I got crabby at him when he squished his whole lunch in between his fingers and dumped his milk all over it = momma guilt. I had to let him scream for a few minutes so I can change the laundry = momma guilt.
Sometimes us mommas just can't do it all....but we HAVE TO!
Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Too long
It has been too long since the last post. Momma just needed a break from thinking about every little thing and documenting it all. As a new mom (yes, I still consider myself a new mom) I just get anxious about wanting to document and tell every story and every milestone. I know when we decide to have baby number 2 it will be much harder to do this- but there is so much I want to share and have Brandon read his journey when he gets older. I think as moms we try to do it all and sometimes we need to lower our expectations of our self and just enjoy the moment.
Some new updates on Brandon
September 14th was his first hair cut at SnipIts. He did great with the help of a sucker. He had a few second melt down and we had to pull out the nuk to help but he actually did really well. Mom cried!
September 22nd- 5 shots! OWIE! Both arms and legs got poked. Gma H. has shingles and we are worried about Bear getting the Chicken Pox so it was a priority to get his shot for that.
B. is saying "ome" for Home. "hice" for Hot. "HI" for Hi. 'OhNoh" for No-NO. He babbles a lot and sometimes you just know what he is saying.
He will go get something when you ask him to go get it...if he knows what it is you want him to get. He knows when we say, "Lets go take a bath" and he runs to the tub.
He can do stairs up and down just fine.
He can go down the front steps out to the garage or the front of the house.
He can walk really well-we like to walk around the block or to the park and back and he will walk the entire way.
He is now wearing 18-24 months....even though he just turned 17 months.
We weighed him the other day at 27 pounds and he is just over 31 inches tall which puts him in the 50-60% for height/weight.
His highchair is retired and he is sitting at a booster seat at the table. He eats- cheese, berries, muffins, nutragrain bars, crackers, pb&j, pizza, chips, bananas, yogurt, applesauce, chicken, puffies, and the toddler meals.
My new goal- keep updated!
Some new updates on Brandon
September 14th was his first hair cut at SnipIts. He did great with the help of a sucker. He had a few second melt down and we had to pull out the nuk to help but he actually did really well. Mom cried!
September 22nd- 5 shots! OWIE! Both arms and legs got poked. Gma H. has shingles and we are worried about Bear getting the Chicken Pox so it was a priority to get his shot for that.
B. is saying "ome" for Home. "hice" for Hot. "HI" for Hi. 'OhNoh" for No-NO. He babbles a lot and sometimes you just know what he is saying.
He will go get something when you ask him to go get it...if he knows what it is you want him to get. He knows when we say, "Lets go take a bath" and he runs to the tub.
He can do stairs up and down just fine.
He can go down the front steps out to the garage or the front of the house.
He can walk really well-we like to walk around the block or to the park and back and he will walk the entire way.
He is now wearing 18-24 months....even though he just turned 17 months.
We weighed him the other day at 27 pounds and he is just over 31 inches tall which puts him in the 50-60% for height/weight.
His highchair is retired and he is sitting at a booster seat at the table. He eats- cheese, berries, muffins, nutragrain bars, crackers, pb&j, pizza, chips, bananas, yogurt, applesauce, chicken, puffies, and the toddler meals.
My new goal- keep updated!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Why the blog?
Some folks have asked me why I keep this blog? There are a few answers.
1. I like to write and don't like keeping a personal journal or diary so I do it here.
2. To keep track of our events and activities. It is like our own scrapbook. We like to look back at the beginning of the blog and read about our days and how far we have come in life, parenting, our marriage, work, etc.
3. FOR BRANDON! This is the main reason I write this blog. In a few years he will be able to hop on and read all about his baby and toddler years. It also acts as his own baby book. It is basic documentation about his milestones and struggles and accomplishments. Yes, and to show his first girlfriend and wife on their wedding day...he he:)
Today I got my first nasty email from a family 'friend' about our blog and the lifestyle we lead. I want to stress I am doing this for our son- not to be criticized or put down on how we parent, work, play, keep up our house, spend our money, do our hobbies, etc. So to those who want to go ahead and write me about that- go ahead. We don't care. Judge all you want. Compare us to others. I am not going to change anything I share or way I go about the blog. This blog isn't for YOU. It is for our bear and will continue to be that. We are happy and content with our life and what we do.
1. I like to write and don't like keeping a personal journal or diary so I do it here.
2. To keep track of our events and activities. It is like our own scrapbook. We like to look back at the beginning of the blog and read about our days and how far we have come in life, parenting, our marriage, work, etc.
3. FOR BRANDON! This is the main reason I write this blog. In a few years he will be able to hop on and read all about his baby and toddler years. It also acts as his own baby book. It is basic documentation about his milestones and struggles and accomplishments. Yes, and to show his first girlfriend and wife on their wedding day...he he:)
Today I got my first nasty email from a family 'friend' about our blog and the lifestyle we lead. I want to stress I am doing this for our son- not to be criticized or put down on how we parent, work, play, keep up our house, spend our money, do our hobbies, etc. So to those who want to go ahead and write me about that- go ahead. We don't care. Judge all you want. Compare us to others. I am not going to change anything I share or way I go about the blog. This blog isn't for YOU. It is for our bear and will continue to be that. We are happy and content with our life and what we do.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Weekend
It is Sunday night and the weekend is over. It was one fun and busy weekend for the entire family.
Friday night we enjoyed dinner out at Chili's. We made it a short and simple night with dinner and a couple simple errands. We were home early to enjoy some play time with some new toys we got at the Unique Thrift store. This store is the perfect place to get wonderful toys. They mostly need a simple battery change and a good cleaning and they are brand new for Brandon. We bought him 6 new toys that in retail stores cost up to $45.00 each. Besides the toys we got some golf balls for Rob, canning jars for me (pickle day coming up) and cheap sunglasses for spare (since some little boy likes to destroy mine. All our items came to $19.00 which is a great bargain. After play time it was bath time. Brandon made sure Momma got clean too with lots of splashes!
Saturday morning came quickly as did Grandma and Grandpa. They picked Brandon up at 7am and headed to the airport for a flight to Bismarck, ND to see Great-Grandma and Great Aunts and Uncles. It was a simple day trip up and back. We are blessed that Grandpa Tim works part time for Mesaba airlines and gets discounted or even no-cost flights.
Mom and Dad had a nice child-free day. We love our time with Brandon but some alone time and date time together helps us re-connect. Rob headed out right after Brandon left and did a early round of golf. Rob makes an effort to go golfing at least once a year early in the morning. He says there is nothing like watching a sun rise while golfing on an open course. I (mom) got to go back to bed for much needed extra sleep. 10am came quickly when Rob came home and we were ready for the day. We grabbed an early lunch and headed to Ace Tattoo in New Hope. The owner Randy did a great job after sitting for almost 3 hours tattooing an Autobot signia on Robs shoulder. Then he only needed 20 minutes for me (mom). I did a bear paw on my ankle with Brandon's Birthday below it. The bear paw is because we call him Brandon Bear (obvious with the name of the blog). After 4 hours in the tattoo shop we were very happy with our new art work.
We did a quick clothing change at home and headed downtown to Boom Island Park. We boarded the Paradise and headed down the Mississippi River for over 2 hours. It was the perfect date night for Rob and I. We watched the sun set over the city and enjoyed some appetizers and wine.
After our wonderful date night...or should I say day we headed home and minutes later Grandma and Grandpa showed up with little bear.
Immediately we headed to bed for a much needed sleep after a busy day.
Sunday was spent recovering from our busy Saturday. We ran a few errands and got dad new work boots. We got some more canning supplies for the upcoming pickle day. And I (mom) become a kitchen hero and made a home made cheesecake from scratch. I have always wanted to attempt a home made cheesecake. It is currently still 'setting' and I will attempt it in the morning (or middle of the night).
This was for sure one weekend none of us will ever forget! OK, maybe Bear won't remember it but we have a blog and photos and Gma and Gpa to share the North Dakota stories with him.
Friday night we enjoyed dinner out at Chili's. We made it a short and simple night with dinner and a couple simple errands. We were home early to enjoy some play time with some new toys we got at the Unique Thrift store. This store is the perfect place to get wonderful toys. They mostly need a simple battery change and a good cleaning and they are brand new for Brandon. We bought him 6 new toys that in retail stores cost up to $45.00 each. Besides the toys we got some golf balls for Rob, canning jars for me (pickle day coming up) and cheap sunglasses for spare (since some little boy likes to destroy mine. All our items came to $19.00 which is a great bargain. After play time it was bath time. Brandon made sure Momma got clean too with lots of splashes!
Saturday morning came quickly as did Grandma and Grandpa. They picked Brandon up at 7am and headed to the airport for a flight to Bismarck, ND to see Great-Grandma and Great Aunts and Uncles. It was a simple day trip up and back. We are blessed that Grandpa Tim works part time for Mesaba airlines and gets discounted or even no-cost flights.
Mom and Dad had a nice child-free day. We love our time with Brandon but some alone time and date time together helps us re-connect. Rob headed out right after Brandon left and did a early round of golf. Rob makes an effort to go golfing at least once a year early in the morning. He says there is nothing like watching a sun rise while golfing on an open course. I (mom) got to go back to bed for much needed extra sleep. 10am came quickly when Rob came home and we were ready for the day. We grabbed an early lunch and headed to Ace Tattoo in New Hope. The owner Randy did a great job after sitting for almost 3 hours tattooing an Autobot signia on Robs shoulder. Then he only needed 20 minutes for me (mom). I did a bear paw on my ankle with Brandon's Birthday below it. The bear paw is because we call him Brandon Bear (obvious with the name of the blog). After 4 hours in the tattoo shop we were very happy with our new art work.
We did a quick clothing change at home and headed downtown to Boom Island Park. We boarded the Paradise and headed down the Mississippi River for over 2 hours. It was the perfect date night for Rob and I. We watched the sun set over the city and enjoyed some appetizers and wine.
After our wonderful date night...or should I say day we headed home and minutes later Grandma and Grandpa showed up with little bear.
Immediately we headed to bed for a much needed sleep after a busy day.
Sunday was spent recovering from our busy Saturday. We ran a few errands and got dad new work boots. We got some more canning supplies for the upcoming pickle day. And I (mom) become a kitchen hero and made a home made cheesecake from scratch. I have always wanted to attempt a home made cheesecake. It is currently still 'setting' and I will attempt it in the morning (or middle of the night).
This was for sure one weekend none of us will ever forget! OK, maybe Bear won't remember it but we have a blog and photos and Gma and Gpa to share the North Dakota stories with him.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Band Aid Finger and AFV
Today was filled with headaches and crabbies. Both Rob and I are not feeling too great with some crazy headaches going on. Brandon has also not totally been himself today either. I think some new teeth are coming in and he is officially a toddler complete with the tantrums.
He is now able to climb onto the rocker/recliner and the couch. Once he is up there he likes to walk on the couch (we have an L shaped couch) and the coffee table is in front of the table. We push it all the way up to the couch because Brandon likes to crawl under it and behind it and get stuck. Now he likes to crawl on the couch and then on top of the table and dance on it.
Today Brandon cut his pointer finger on his left hand. We don't know how he cut it but while sitting on the couch after dinner dad realized his finger was bleeding. We sat for almost an hour trying to get it to stop with putting pressure on it. Brandon got a bit upset about this because he wanted to get down and play. He didn't realize what was going on. I am thinking it didn't hurt him because he was pulling it away and didn't want us to take care of it. We went through half a box of band aids before the bleeding stopped.
As mean as this might sound, the cutest thing was how he held his finger after the band aid changes. He did try and get the band aids off which is why we wrapped it with 2 or 3 at a time. After we were done and he realized he couldn't get the band aid off he would walk around holding his one pointer finger in the air. As of right now the finger is wrapped and he is doing well (sound asleep).
My favorite part of the day today was when we were all watching America's Funniest Home Videos (AFV). Brandon would sit and watch any parts with animals in it. He would laugh hysterically at any puppy/dog ones. We would rewind the show (we love our dvr) and play it over and over so he would keep laughing. He had a fun time with AFV and we know what makes him laugh! Good Show!
He is now able to climb onto the rocker/recliner and the couch. Once he is up there he likes to walk on the couch (we have an L shaped couch) and the coffee table is in front of the table. We push it all the way up to the couch because Brandon likes to crawl under it and behind it and get stuck. Now he likes to crawl on the couch and then on top of the table and dance on it.
Today Brandon cut his pointer finger on his left hand. We don't know how he cut it but while sitting on the couch after dinner dad realized his finger was bleeding. We sat for almost an hour trying to get it to stop with putting pressure on it. Brandon got a bit upset about this because he wanted to get down and play. He didn't realize what was going on. I am thinking it didn't hurt him because he was pulling it away and didn't want us to take care of it. We went through half a box of band aids before the bleeding stopped.
As mean as this might sound, the cutest thing was how he held his finger after the band aid changes. He did try and get the band aids off which is why we wrapped it with 2 or 3 at a time. After we were done and he realized he couldn't get the band aid off he would walk around holding his one pointer finger in the air. As of right now the finger is wrapped and he is doing well (sound asleep).
My favorite part of the day today was when we were all watching America's Funniest Home Videos (AFV). Brandon would sit and watch any parts with animals in it. He would laugh hysterically at any puppy/dog ones. We would rewind the show (we love our dvr) and play it over and over so he would keep laughing. He had a fun time with AFV and we know what makes him laugh! Good Show!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Are You One Finger?
We all do it. Ask our young ones "How old are you?" During that question we are sticking our fingers in the air waiting for them to become instant geniuses and answer us the first time we ask.
The most popular time we ask is when they just turn one. They are official a 'finger' a whole 'one finger' years old.
Today I was practicing this with Brandon. I would ask him the question and then hold up my one finger and wait for a reaction from him. Right away he repeated my actions which is what all of us moms want. Thinking, "My he is SO smart" I applauded his answer. The key to kids learning anything is repeating yourself over and over. A few minutes later I asked again, "How old are you?" and held up my one finger. Again, he knew exactly what to do. However, this time he stood starring at me waiting for my next action. I thought he was looking for praise from me but I was wrong. After a few brief moments later he ran over to me and grabbed my 'one' finger. With his other hand he dug for my other 'one' finger and then put them together.
I scared him with my laughing response.
You see, he doesn't think of just the 'Are you one finger' but thinks the 2 fingers that go together. He thinks this because I have been busy teaching him 'Cut the Pickle'. He kept putting my fingers together and apart. He could care less about the 'Are You One Finger' but rather the 'Cut the Pickle' finger because he knows it gets him a good laugh.
Not only does Brandon get his laugh with a 'tickle, tickle' to his belly mom gets a good laugh because he learned 'cut the pickle' before 'are you one' and his reaction to it is just perfect for a 'tickle, tickle' for mom.
The most popular time we ask is when they just turn one. They are official a 'finger' a whole 'one finger' years old.
Today I was practicing this with Brandon. I would ask him the question and then hold up my one finger and wait for a reaction from him. Right away he repeated my actions which is what all of us moms want. Thinking, "My he is SO smart" I applauded his answer. The key to kids learning anything is repeating yourself over and over. A few minutes later I asked again, "How old are you?" and held up my one finger. Again, he knew exactly what to do. However, this time he stood starring at me waiting for my next action. I thought he was looking for praise from me but I was wrong. After a few brief moments later he ran over to me and grabbed my 'one' finger. With his other hand he dug for my other 'one' finger and then put them together.
I scared him with my laughing response.
You see, he doesn't think of just the 'Are you one finger' but thinks the 2 fingers that go together. He thinks this because I have been busy teaching him 'Cut the Pickle'. He kept putting my fingers together and apart. He could care less about the 'Are You One Finger' but rather the 'Cut the Pickle' finger because he knows it gets him a good laugh.
Not only does Brandon get his laugh with a 'tickle, tickle' to his belly mom gets a good laugh because he learned 'cut the pickle' before 'are you one' and his reaction to it is just perfect for a 'tickle, tickle' for mom.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Praise vs. Scold dilemma (TMI Warning)
About 24 hours ago I had one of my worst nightmares come true. I can't say the worst since I consider that to be a childhood illness, death in the family, child abduction...all that sad stuff. But in the 'normal realm of motherhood' it was one of my worst nightmares that jumped outside my overactive mind and came true to ruin my morning which in turn wrecked my day.
At 8:49am on Wednesday morning Brandon woke up chatting like usual. After I secured the living room (aka closed the baby gate) I excitedly ventured down the hallway to get my happy little boy. Obviously he was going to be happy because I could smell the hard work he did in his diaper from the hallway. Thinking, "Boy, that must have been a hard one for him. I bet he feels better." I turned the knob in slow motion like you see in a horror movie. I walked in and screamed (and gagged).
My perfect little boy had learned how to take off his diaper. Not only did he learn how to take it off he also learned how to use his entire crib and himself and a bathroom for his diaper #2 duties. Why is it that toddlers think because it is brown it must be a fingerpaint? I wanted to laugh but I cried! I didn't know where to start. Sadly, I called my sister and my mom to get some moral support.
The praise vs. scold dilemma came when I noticed how proud Brandon was that he took his diaper off himself. He thought he was doing mommy a huge favor and that he was such a big boy because he took his own diaper off. Do you become a proud momma that your little bear learned a new thing and he applied himself or do you scold him for the disaster of a mess he created?
This is not the first time I have pondered the problem. He has had this reaction more than once.
When he tips his entire cup upside down and is so proud he got all the milk out of the cup.
When he knows how to use the remote to turn the television to another division of the world (we have 4 remotes and many different steps need to be taken to just watch tv). He thinks he is so smart he got the screen to change but you have no idea what planet the television is portraying.
When he learns things can go into the toilet and when you push the flush button they disappear. This only happened with a little fuzzy toy once but Brandon thought he was Houdini the Magician.
When he realized the bed skirt on his crib is just for decoration. He realized he could fit under there and get stuck. He knows a good hide and go seek spot now.
When he noticed rocks look just as good in the rock area of the yard as they do the grass area. He was so proud of himself for just starting his own landscaping company and made life easier for dad who doesn't have to mow the yard anymore if you just fill it all with rock.
When he learned Grandma and Grandpa react when they are splashed with water. He was so proud he saved them from the heat and used the water to keep them cool.
Obviously, Brandon is proud of himself for finding new and exciting things to learn and ways to contribute to the world. As his mom, I want to be really proud of him as well and praise him when he learns new things but as a 'MOM' I also want to scold him, discipline when necessary and redirect! So as the BEST MOM you come to a middle ground.
So, you solve the dilemma? What would YOU do? Leave a comment! I want to hear from YOU!
At 8:49am on Wednesday morning Brandon woke up chatting like usual. After I secured the living room (aka closed the baby gate) I excitedly ventured down the hallway to get my happy little boy. Obviously he was going to be happy because I could smell the hard work he did in his diaper from the hallway. Thinking, "Boy, that must have been a hard one for him. I bet he feels better." I turned the knob in slow motion like you see in a horror movie. I walked in and screamed (and gagged).
My perfect little boy had learned how to take off his diaper. Not only did he learn how to take it off he also learned how to use his entire crib and himself and a bathroom for his diaper #2 duties. Why is it that toddlers think because it is brown it must be a fingerpaint? I wanted to laugh but I cried! I didn't know where to start. Sadly, I called my sister and my mom to get some moral support.
The praise vs. scold dilemma came when I noticed how proud Brandon was that he took his diaper off himself. He thought he was doing mommy a huge favor and that he was such a big boy because he took his own diaper off. Do you become a proud momma that your little bear learned a new thing and he applied himself or do you scold him for the disaster of a mess he created?
This is not the first time I have pondered the problem. He has had this reaction more than once.
When he tips his entire cup upside down and is so proud he got all the milk out of the cup.
When he knows how to use the remote to turn the television to another division of the world (we have 4 remotes and many different steps need to be taken to just watch tv). He thinks he is so smart he got the screen to change but you have no idea what planet the television is portraying.
When he learns things can go into the toilet and when you push the flush button they disappear. This only happened with a little fuzzy toy once but Brandon thought he was Houdini the Magician.
When he realized the bed skirt on his crib is just for decoration. He realized he could fit under there and get stuck. He knows a good hide and go seek spot now.
When he noticed rocks look just as good in the rock area of the yard as they do the grass area. He was so proud of himself for just starting his own landscaping company and made life easier for dad who doesn't have to mow the yard anymore if you just fill it all with rock.
When he learned Grandma and Grandpa react when they are splashed with water. He was so proud he saved them from the heat and used the water to keep them cool.
Obviously, Brandon is proud of himself for finding new and exciting things to learn and ways to contribute to the world. As his mom, I want to be really proud of him as well and praise him when he learns new things but as a 'MOM' I also want to scold him, discipline when necessary and redirect! So as the BEST MOM you come to a middle ground.
So, you solve the dilemma? What would YOU do? Leave a comment! I want to hear from YOU!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)