Even though we just got back from a couple of road trips, I am craving some adventure! I want to go somewhere new, and try new things, and be spontaneous. I guess that's why I love to travel so much - I love to see the world and sometimes just fly by the seat of my pants. There is so much to learn and explore. Lately being a 'settled' stay-at-home mom has been hard for me, because of these cravings. I love my little Kayla bear so much. Her giggles are so contagious, and at least every day SHE is having an adventure and exploring new territory. But I've always known that staying at home with my kids would be a challenge for me. I've never been a home body. I remember being on a school trip (it was an over-nighter) when I was 11 and some of the kids were crying because they missed home, and I just couldn't understand. Sure, I loved my parents and brothers, but it was so fun to be on a new adventure.
So today I just wanted to book a flight to Hawaii or somewhere. The fact of the matter is, though, we can choose to blow Kraig's bonus on a trip someplace, or we can re-do our basement (without going into debt anyway). I really want to extra space a finished basement would provide! Plus it would be a good selling-point when we can sell this place. So I reminded myself again, to be wise, and to be practical, enough with the spontaneity and frivolous!!! (But I really would like to go to Hawaii again....along with England, and Japan, and New Zealand, or even just the northeast part of the U.S.!) There I go dreaming again!
One day......
Perhaps I was spoiled growing up, since we got to visit so many places. The BEST Christmas my family ever had was when we went to Germany and skiied, and there were no presents. It was awesome!
Where would you go if you could choose anywhere?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
18 months
(If you're only interested in pictures, scroll down).
To borrow words from Charles Dickins, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times...." - that kind of sums up how it is to raise a toddler! We LOVE the silly faces, the jabber, the funny little things she does, the wrestling and teasing and giggling, new words popping out here and there, the new level of comprehension.......then there's the screaming at inanimate objects when they won't cooperate and the food artwork and... you know, all the other adorable things these little munchkins do that build our patience (and are pretty entertaining!)
Actually though, I'm pretty sure we have more laughter in our home than crying, and more fun than fits. Kayla is such a kind, obedient little girl overall! She gives us things when we ask for them, and she listens and obeys pretty well. She is so good about 'helping' me around the house already too! But I'm not going to pretend that she is a perfectly-behaved little angel (though her dad would beg to differ) Everything she does is cute to him, whereas sometimes I've been with her all day and am out of patience. And THAT is why I appreciate having a great dad for a husband, so I don't go crazy and I can turn things over to him while I do other things besides read stories and play horsie and clean up messes.
He really does enjoy her thoroughly. I do too, but I love going out to tutor my 'kids' (I have 6 of them now) or going to Young Women activities and coming home to a happy little girl who got to hang out with dad. I miss her when I'm gone only a few hours, and it'sa refreshing break! I love being a mom, but it's important for me to just be a person sometimes too.
Anyway, here's a little 18 month update:
1. Miko is her new best friend. She commands her to 'sit' and 'stay' and she tries to sneakily feed snacks to her, which Miko doesn't seem to mind a bit.
2. She's 21 lbs and 31 inches tall.
3. She waits patiently outside the bathroom for me with her back up against the door, 'talking' to me until I get out, then she usually says, "HI!" like it's been forever since she's seen me.
4. She didn't go for the cottage cheese (see last blog post) - made a "yucky" face - but thanks to those of you who suggested it. I'll keep trying.
5. She tries to walk towards the park whenever she gets a chance to ...LOVES the slides.
6. She either loves it or hates it when I do her hair.
7. She loves to play with and feed her baby doll. She'll pull off her hat, then say, "uh-oh".
8. We play outside if the sun is shining, and she's a pretty good little dribbler. She's gonna be a little soccer player. Maybe. If she wants to play.
9. She is very neat (yay!) She likes to put things where they belong - like she puts her pajamas in her drawer....and if a sleeve or something is hanging out, she says, "uh-oh" and fixes it. This is a good sign!
10. Some kids get attached to blankets or teddy bears. Well mine is attached to her coats and shoes. Seriously! She cuddles her coats and gets mad when we take her shoes off.
Well that's enough babbling. Enjoy the pictures.
This is a hair-do that I was pretty excited
about because she actually held still!
Chillin' with her two little buddies
This is her squinty-eye face, which she now makes whenever she sees the camera.
To borrow words from Charles Dickins, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times...." - that kind of sums up how it is to raise a toddler! We LOVE the silly faces, the jabber, the funny little things she does, the wrestling and teasing and giggling, new words popping out here and there, the new level of comprehension.......then there's the screaming at inanimate objects when they won't cooperate and the food artwork and... you know, all the other adorable things these little munchkins do that build our patience (and are pretty entertaining!)
Actually though, I'm pretty sure we have more laughter in our home than crying, and more fun than fits. Kayla is such a kind, obedient little girl overall! She gives us things when we ask for them, and she listens and obeys pretty well. She is so good about 'helping' me around the house already too! But I'm not going to pretend that she is a perfectly-behaved little angel (though her dad would beg to differ) Everything she does is cute to him, whereas sometimes I've been with her all day and am out of patience. And THAT is why I appreciate having a great dad for a husband, so I don't go crazy and I can turn things over to him while I do other things besides read stories and play horsie and clean up messes.
He really does enjoy her thoroughly. I do too, but I love going out to tutor my 'kids' (I have 6 of them now) or going to Young Women activities and coming home to a happy little girl who got to hang out with dad. I miss her when I'm gone only a few hours, and it'sa refreshing break! I love being a mom, but it's important for me to just be a person sometimes too.
Anyway, here's a little 18 month update:
1. Miko is her new best friend. She commands her to 'sit' and 'stay' and she tries to sneakily feed snacks to her, which Miko doesn't seem to mind a bit.
2. She's 21 lbs and 31 inches tall.
3. She waits patiently outside the bathroom for me with her back up against the door, 'talking' to me until I get out, then she usually says, "HI!" like it's been forever since she's seen me.
4. She didn't go for the cottage cheese (see last blog post) - made a "yucky" face - but thanks to those of you who suggested it. I'll keep trying.
5. She tries to walk towards the park whenever she gets a chance to ...LOVES the slides.
6. She either loves it or hates it when I do her hair.
7. She loves to play with and feed her baby doll. She'll pull off her hat, then say, "uh-oh".
8. We play outside if the sun is shining, and she's a pretty good little dribbler. She's gonna be a little soccer player. Maybe. If she wants to play.
9. She is very neat (yay!) She likes to put things where they belong - like she puts her pajamas in her drawer....and if a sleeve or something is hanging out, she says, "uh-oh" and fixes it. This is a good sign!
10. Some kids get attached to blankets or teddy bears. Well mine is attached to her coats and shoes. Seriously! She cuddles her coats and gets mad when we take her shoes off.
Well that's enough babbling. Enjoy the pictures.
This is a hair-do that I was pretty excited
about because she actually held still!
Chillin' with her two little buddies
This is her squinty-eye face, which she now makes whenever she sees the camera.
Good morning!
At a little fun center with some friends.
Valentine's Day
Attacking her Pooh Bear
Friday, February 26, 2010
10 things
Does anyone else out there have (or have had) a picky eater on their hands? I guess it's carma, 'cause I used to be a picky eater until I was about 5, then one day something must've flipped in my brain and I just decided to start trying things and not be afraid of new tastes and textures. Now I'll try anything!
I thought I got lucky, because Mikayla ate anything and everything we gave her as a baby. She took breast milk, formula, any kind of baby food (even the disgusting smelling brocolli - uck!) It didn't matter to her. Then she hit about 8 months and we started introducing thicker, lumpier foods and her gag reflex kicked in - she couldn't swallow anything that wasn't smooth and she'd throw up and get pretty uptight. So....when she should've been able to eat little pieces of meat or peas or things like that, she was still eating baby food.
Now she is 18 months and still is very wary of anything new, especially if it has texture or a strong taste. She won't even eat cake or brownies! She will eat a total of 10 things! TEN!
1. Toast
2. Bananas
3. Apples
4. Cheese
5. Crackers
6. Yogurt
7. Milk
8. Applesauce
9. Chips (and occasionally refried beans)
10.Guacamole
She will still eat some baby food, and we can get her to eat casseroles or soups or other dinner foods, as long as we grind them up.
Our challenge is getting protein and vegetables into her. We play games, and we make a huge deal if she tries new things, like doing over-the-top cheering and clapping, which seems to be a huge motivator for her. But sometimes it just ain't enough and as I encourage her and hold the food out to her she looks at me like, "Yeah right, mom!"
I just don't know what to do to expand her diet. Does anyone have any tricks or suggestions????? Also, I don't want to encourage her pickiness by feeding her baby food veggies, but what's worse - eating baby food veggies or not eating veggies at all?
I thought I got lucky, because Mikayla ate anything and everything we gave her as a baby. She took breast milk, formula, any kind of baby food (even the disgusting smelling brocolli - uck!) It didn't matter to her. Then she hit about 8 months and we started introducing thicker, lumpier foods and her gag reflex kicked in - she couldn't swallow anything that wasn't smooth and she'd throw up and get pretty uptight. So....when she should've been able to eat little pieces of meat or peas or things like that, she was still eating baby food.
Now she is 18 months and still is very wary of anything new, especially if it has texture or a strong taste. She won't even eat cake or brownies! She will eat a total of 10 things! TEN!
1. Toast
2. Bananas
3. Apples
4. Cheese
5. Crackers
6. Yogurt
7. Milk
8. Applesauce
9. Chips (and occasionally refried beans)
10.Guacamole
She will still eat some baby food, and we can get her to eat casseroles or soups or other dinner foods, as long as we grind them up.
Our challenge is getting protein and vegetables into her. We play games, and we make a huge deal if she tries new things, like doing over-the-top cheering and clapping, which seems to be a huge motivator for her. But sometimes it just ain't enough and as I encourage her and hold the food out to her she looks at me like, "Yeah right, mom!"
I just don't know what to do to expand her diet. Does anyone have any tricks or suggestions????? Also, I don't want to encourage her pickiness by feeding her baby food veggies, but what's worse - eating baby food veggies or not eating veggies at all?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Loooove songs
Today being a lovey-type day, I thought it would be fun to put a few of my favorite mushy songs about love on here.
-Just a little blurb about each one:
1. Je t'aime
This is our special song. One night Kraig drove me to this pretty overlook, and he played this song for me. I spoke enough French to understand the words without it losing any beauty in translation, and it pretty much melted me. We also did a walz in front of everyone to this at our reception. Aaaahhh....I love it.
2. The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson)
Just a fun, catchy, laid-back song. It reminds me of how I feel about my sweetie.
3. Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Again, catchy and laid-back. I love the live version but couldn't find the one that sounds the best.
4.You Were Meant for Me (Jewel)
This song was 'meant' for me and Kraig. Our paths were absolutely meant to cross at the perfect time, and we were prepared along the way to meet each other through specific experiences. When we met things just clicked a little too easily and naturally, and we were amazed at the common backgrounds we had, even though we grew up thousands of miles apart. I feel very lucky to have this guy who treats me so sweetly (though he's a cheeky bandit lots of the time, it makes things pretty fun.)
5.Eternal Flame (Bangles)
Okay, I know, pretty cheesey, but a classic oldie. It brings back memories for me cuz it was one of those well known songs among me and my friends when I was a teenager and a fave karaoke song.
-Just a little blurb about each one:
1. Je t'aime
This is our special song. One night Kraig drove me to this pretty overlook, and he played this song for me. I spoke enough French to understand the words without it losing any beauty in translation, and it pretty much melted me. We also did a walz in front of everyone to this at our reception. Aaaahhh....I love it.
2. The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson)
Just a fun, catchy, laid-back song. It reminds me of how I feel about my sweetie.
3. Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Again, catchy and laid-back. I love the live version but couldn't find the one that sounds the best.
4.You Were Meant for Me (Jewel)
This song was 'meant' for me and Kraig. Our paths were absolutely meant to cross at the perfect time, and we were prepared along the way to meet each other through specific experiences. When we met things just clicked a little too easily and naturally, and we were amazed at the common backgrounds we had, even though we grew up thousands of miles apart. I feel very lucky to have this guy who treats me so sweetly (though he's a cheeky bandit lots of the time, it makes things pretty fun.)
5.Eternal Flame (Bangles)
Okay, I know, pretty cheesey, but a classic oldie. It brings back memories for me cuz it was one of those well known songs among me and my friends when I was a teenager and a fave karaoke song.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Mikayla's Favorite Pastimes
These days we think of our girl as 'Sweet and Sassy' (or 'Sweet'n' Sour') because she is usually so happy and loving, but if she doesn't feel good or doesn't get her way.....watch out. That's normal, right? A healthy part of becoming more independent. She has a pretty strong will, and I spend a lot of the day playing games to 'trick' or distract her into doing things she doesn't want to, like eating good food or getting in her car seat or come inside to warm up. But then there's those times when she just has to deal with life being not fair and handles that with screaming and big, sad tears. But she gets over it. It must be so frustrating to be a toddler..... It sure has its perks too, though! Sometimes I'm envious of a toddler's life - at night I wish someone would put me in my PJ's, give me a snack, cuddle me, read me stories and put me to bed!
The other day my friend mentioned to me that I haven't blogged about Mikayla in a while - here's a list of her fave things to do:
1. Wrestling with us on our bed - SO MUCH FUN! She goes crazy!!!
2. Painting with Food instead of EATING it
3."Helping" us with ANYTHING (Even loves to pick up things and put them away)
4. Exploring Outside
5.Petting her dogs
6.Playing the Piano
7. Pouting
Heh heh, I think this pic is so funny with her one sad blue eye peeking out. My favorite is when she is upset and will run and put her hands over her eyes and bury her head into the couch or the wall. WHERE do they learn these things?!?
8. Reading Stories
9. dancing (this was back at Christmas time)
The other day my friend mentioned to me that I haven't blogged about Mikayla in a while - here's a list of her fave things to do:
1. Wrestling with us on our bed - SO MUCH FUN! She goes crazy!!!
2. Painting with Food instead of EATING it
3."Helping" us with ANYTHING (Even loves to pick up things and put them away)
4. Exploring Outside
5.Petting her dogs
6.Playing the Piano
7. Pouting
Heh heh, I think this pic is so funny with her one sad blue eye peeking out. My favorite is when she is upset and will run and put her hands over her eyes and bury her head into the couch or the wall. WHERE do they learn these things?!?8. Reading Stories
9. dancing (this was back at Christmas time)
10. Fooling w/ our electronics (She has somehow reset our Stereo so that we can't adjust the volume with the remote anymore, and changed our DVD player's default setting to Spanish.......!?!?!?!!!)
11. Taking her baby for a walk. She likes to make us kiss her baby.
12.Singing (anytime she hears us sing along to a song, or when she finds Kraig's french little hymn book)
13. tantrums (always accompanied by finding something to bite down on..in this case a dinosaur tail did nicely) 
14. Pushing stuff around. Anything that will roll, anything that won't but she'll give it a try (like our coffee table) 
15. dress up. The shoes are a normal occurance, but today she had my pajama bottoms on her head like a hood. 
16.Playing hide and seek (more like 'find daddy')Kraig started this a few months ago, and it's really fun to run from room to room hiding and have her come in and check the 'usual' spots - and then jump out from somewhere new and scare her, sending her into a fit of giggles. I love the simple games of childhood!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
DOG GONE (it)!
So....with the milder weather the ground thawed enough. Enough for my free-spirited, mischievous (and annoying!) golden retriever to get the idea to dig her way out to go on a walk-about. AAAAAAAARRRRRHHHGGGGG! She's driving me crazy how she does this. Miko, being the German Shepherd police dog/mother hen that she is, always thinks she has to go after her. So this is how it goes down. (We've actually spied on them before). Tiggi digs the hole, Miko looks around nervously, Tiggi disappears through the hole, Miko squeals, wimpers, and looks around nervously again, then goes after her.
(Tiggi Hoodini)
(Miko to the rescue)
So I had just got back from the gym, and there's a couple messages on the phone. One lady who says she found my dastardly dogs (OK those were not her words they are mine) and she put them back in our yard. WELL they're not there anymore because there's a huge HOLE under the fence. Now, there's nothing more fruitless and frustrating than driving around random streets in the neighborhood looking for two fast-moving animals. The whole time I'm worried about them getting run over, or maybe freaking out a kid or two, or them getting caught by the pound and having to pay a ton of fines.
We live in the friendliest area...or maybe we just continue to get really lucky. After driving around for an hour, I went home to find a different lady than the one who called earlier - she'd found the little punks by a burger joint helping themselves to some scraps on the ground. I could tell that she was an outdoorsy, dog-lovin type of lady. She has two golden retrievers of her own so at least she had a blanket in the back of her SUV and didn't get her car too dirty. It was such a blessing to have her help us out like that! She read our address off their colars and somehow found our house. I thanked her and we chatted for a bit.
As we chatted, she made the comment, "Your dogs are like your kids" which I inwardly balked at, but she just did me a huge favor so I wasn't about to argue with her - maybe her dogs are her 'kids' but to me, pets and kids are worlds apart. I just think it's funny and kind of sad how lots of women are choosing to not have kids these days, but they still have those motherly instincts and so they shower their affections, money, time, etc. on a dog. Obviously I like dogs, they're great companions (I especially like mine for running and hiking) but they just can't compare to your own flesh and blood, a little wonder running around with some of your characteristics mixed together with their own personality.
I am so grateful that I am able to have children. Mikayla drives me CRAZY sometimes with her little tantrums and 'food finger painting/tossing' (every mother has to deal with, I know, but I know it's all part of healthy development). BUT SHE IS SO SWEET AND SO FUNNY so I guess all the times she gives us kisses or makes us laugh makes up for her toddler ways. When she does something 'naughty' like turn off the T.V. or make something fall over, she runs and hides! And she sometimes grabs your face and looks so intently into your eyes and jabbers in her language like you should understand. My favorite thing lately - when we put her to bed at night, after some songs and a prayer, we whisper little things to her, which sometimes makes her giggle, and then she whispers back.
These little moments are ones that as a parent I never want to forget.
(Do you like my boufy hair? This 'highly recommended' lady did it - only took FOUR hours and WAY too much hair product...)
(Tiggi Hoodini)
(Miko to the rescue)
So I had just got back from the gym, and there's a couple messages on the phone. One lady who says she found my dastardly dogs (OK those were not her words they are mine) and she put them back in our yard. WELL they're not there anymore because there's a huge HOLE under the fence. Now, there's nothing more fruitless and frustrating than driving around random streets in the neighborhood looking for two fast-moving animals. The whole time I'm worried about them getting run over, or maybe freaking out a kid or two, or them getting caught by the pound and having to pay a ton of fines.
We live in the friendliest area...or maybe we just continue to get really lucky. After driving around for an hour, I went home to find a different lady than the one who called earlier - she'd found the little punks by a burger joint helping themselves to some scraps on the ground. I could tell that she was an outdoorsy, dog-lovin type of lady. She has two golden retrievers of her own so at least she had a blanket in the back of her SUV and didn't get her car too dirty. It was such a blessing to have her help us out like that! She read our address off their colars and somehow found our house. I thanked her and we chatted for a bit.
As we chatted, she made the comment, "Your dogs are like your kids" which I inwardly balked at, but she just did me a huge favor so I wasn't about to argue with her - maybe her dogs are her 'kids' but to me, pets and kids are worlds apart. I just think it's funny and kind of sad how lots of women are choosing to not have kids these days, but they still have those motherly instincts and so they shower their affections, money, time, etc. on a dog. Obviously I like dogs, they're great companions (I especially like mine for running and hiking) but they just can't compare to your own flesh and blood, a little wonder running around with some of your characteristics mixed together with their own personality.
I am so grateful that I am able to have children. Mikayla drives me CRAZY sometimes with her little tantrums and 'food finger painting/tossing' (every mother has to deal with, I know, but I know it's all part of healthy development). BUT SHE IS SO SWEET AND SO FUNNY so I guess all the times she gives us kisses or makes us laugh makes up for her toddler ways. When she does something 'naughty' like turn off the T.V. or make something fall over, she runs and hides! And she sometimes grabs your face and looks so intently into your eyes and jabbers in her language like you should understand. My favorite thing lately - when we put her to bed at night, after some songs and a prayer, we whisper little things to her, which sometimes makes her giggle, and then she whispers back.
These little moments are ones that as a parent I never want to forget.
(Do you like my boufy hair? This 'highly recommended' lady did it - only took FOUR hours and WAY too much hair product...)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"The Best is Yet to Come"
I wish I would've kept a quote book throughout my life like my friend Amy used to. She would write down funny/insightful/quirky quotes said by her family and friends. I am sure I would have some GREAT little treasures of things all of ya have said! When Mikayla starts talking in legible sentences, my goal is to keep a little quote book of the funny things she says. Anyway, I've been trying to update my little quote section at the top each time I post, and most of the ones I've put up there have just been from memory. But I have no more ideas. What are all of your favorite quotes??? (Be warned though, if you comment and share a quote, I might just steal it!)
For this month, my favorite quotes come from a talk I read from the January Ensign -"The best is yet to come" and "Faith is in the future, not the past" - Jeffery R. Holland. That just sets a very positive tone for the year, and it's pretty refreshing when it's so common and so fashionable to be a complainer, you know the talk - the economy stinks, our nation is falling apart, we're all gonna die from the icecaps melting, I have the worst in-laws ever, we don't have enough money, etc. etc. I've definately got caught up in negative patterns a few times this past year, but this year I want to believe that the best is yet to come, and our lives really aren't that miserable, we are actually pretty spoiled and pretty lucky to be living in this country, imperfect as it is. And our families are pretty great too, imperfect as they are!
A few months ago Kraig had an opportunity to apply for a job in Montreal, Canada. Now, I LOVE to see new places and to travel, but after the initial thrill of going somewhere different had worn off, I remembered that I love the United States, and that I did want my kids to grow up here and have opportunities that will enrich their lives. By opportunities I mean little things (but in my mind important) like the chance to play American sports, to be part of U.S. history in the making, to grow up with American traditions and culture and friends. While I really appreciate my experiences growing up in England (especially my awesome British friends) I do think that it's not easy to grow up being the foreigner (but not completely). You feel kind of like a mutt - not fully either nationality.
Also, I am going to appreciate Utah for all of the great things there are here. Sometimes I wished I lived somewhere with more diversity and with more money allotted to education, but there are so many great things here - lots to do, family-friendly, I love my ward, skiing is 20 mins. away, I have some family here, lots of memories from when we'd visit in our childhood, and so on...
Here's to a more positive and grateful 2010.
For this month, my favorite quotes come from a talk I read from the January Ensign -"The best is yet to come" and "Faith is in the future, not the past" - Jeffery R. Holland. That just sets a very positive tone for the year, and it's pretty refreshing when it's so common and so fashionable to be a complainer, you know the talk - the economy stinks, our nation is falling apart, we're all gonna die from the icecaps melting, I have the worst in-laws ever, we don't have enough money, etc. etc. I've definately got caught up in negative patterns a few times this past year, but this year I want to believe that the best is yet to come, and our lives really aren't that miserable, we are actually pretty spoiled and pretty lucky to be living in this country, imperfect as it is. And our families are pretty great too, imperfect as they are!
A few months ago Kraig had an opportunity to apply for a job in Montreal, Canada. Now, I LOVE to see new places and to travel, but after the initial thrill of going somewhere different had worn off, I remembered that I love the United States, and that I did want my kids to grow up here and have opportunities that will enrich their lives. By opportunities I mean little things (but in my mind important) like the chance to play American sports, to be part of U.S. history in the making, to grow up with American traditions and culture and friends. While I really appreciate my experiences growing up in England (especially my awesome British friends) I do think that it's not easy to grow up being the foreigner (but not completely). You feel kind of like a mutt - not fully either nationality.
Also, I am going to appreciate Utah for all of the great things there are here. Sometimes I wished I lived somewhere with more diversity and with more money allotted to education, but there are so many great things here - lots to do, family-friendly, I love my ward, skiing is 20 mins. away, I have some family here, lots of memories from when we'd visit in our childhood, and so on...
Here's to a more positive and grateful 2010.
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