Posts Tagged ‘Windham Familia’
Goodbye tonsils! Hello ice cream!
Posted on: May 3, 2010
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Some time last year, we self diagnosed Julia with sleep apnea. She would wake up several times a night gasping for air, scaring not only herself, but us as well. We took her to Pediatric Otolaryngology for an evaluation. They suggested we try a medicinal route first in an effort to shrink her tonsils. It seemed to help for a while, but once she came off the medicine, the apnea came right back. We went back for a follow up and this time scheduled to have her tonsils removed.
Surgery is this Wednesday (which just so happens to be Cinco de Mayo – sigh). We’ve been prepping Julia for what she can expect. She’s very excited about “going to a doctor”. I’m thinking that might change once we’re at the hospital. But, who knows, she some times surprises me with her fearlessness. We got this book last weekend:
She wants to constantly read it and say “goodbye tonsils”, especially when the character gets to eat all the ice cream she wants. I even got masks to cover our mouths in an attempt to get her use to it before surgery.
If you think about it – I’d love prayer for the surgery and post-operation recovery. We’re not sure yet if we’ll be staying overnight at the hospital (it’s usually outpatient, but they want to have the option of us staying if needed), so pray that goes smoothly. I’m bracing myself for two weeks of cranky-Julia, so you can toss up some “give Sarah grace” prayers too. I’ll be taking off blogging for the next few days till I know what to expect with a surgery recovering toddler. This could be interesting…
The fake family photo
Posted on: April 30, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
12 month photo project is a challenge started by Tara Whitney. Here’s what you do:
- Take a photo of your family once a month.
- Write a few things about that month.
- Make it into a book at the end of the year.
Aha! It’s April 30, which means yet again I waited until the last day to take our family picture. I’d say we’ll do better next month, but I sense a pattern…
April has been crazy busy from start to finish. We’ve started the month off with beautiful weather but are wrapping it up with major rainstorms. I can’t complain – I love rainy days. Although, I am so thankful it didn’t rain for my half marathon (since it’s rained every weekend since then). Hannah least likes the rain. She squints her eyes up and makes this really funny face any time the rain gets on her. Which is completely opposite of Julia, who jumps in puddles and runs around “singing in the rain”. While I’ve seen many similarities between the girls in the last 10 months, I’ve seen some drastic differences. But, the coolest part is seeing a real bond forming between them. As for Jonathan, he’s started a MBA class this month that meets on Friday nights and all day Saturday (thankfully it’s only 4 weeks long). He’s such a hard worker and I’m continually humbled by his willingness, no, eagerness to always provide for us. Our family is truly blessed with each of it’s members – I couldn’t imagine life without either girls or Jon!
And, just because I don’t want to leave you hanging… here’s a real picture of the family.
Remodeling with popsicles
Posted on: April 28, 2010
- In: Life
- 4 Comments
I mention some time back, that our kitchen is a galley style and we have a desire to one day remodel. While there are numerous things we love about the kitchen (window over the sink, large windows by the dining table, character, etc) we really don’t like how it feels small. Last night we decided to start tearing down part of the wall between the kitchen and living room. We’ve still got a ways to go and have hit a few snags already – such as having to re-route our furnace vent. Plus, if you follow me on facebook or twitter (which you totally should, btw) then you’ll know I’ve been in an on going battle with the wallpaper in the kitchen. I figured I’d show you how things are coming along:
This is the view from the living room. Once the wall is gone, you will be able to see straight from the front door, through the kitchen and out the back windows. Beautiful!
The girls did not seem the least bit phased by all the banging and trash. They just cheerfully ate their popsicles.
The other day, Hannah ate 3 popsicles in about 2 hours. She loves them. Here she is in all her popsicle glory:
I’ll be sure to post pictures once the remodel is all said and done!
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Today is Earth Day and for the last three days the girls and I have been prepping our garden and planting flowers and veggies. It has been a blast! There can’t be anything more fun than playing in dirt and water with little kids. I think Hannah has had a mud mustache since Tuesday.
The garden
Julia kindly watered. The same spot. Over and over again. By the time she was done we had a nice mud pond.
Hannah really loves the garden. Frankly, she just really loves being outside.
See the mud ‘stache in this next one? Maybe it’s more like a soul patch.
Because we have these two huge beautiful trees in our backyard we get nearly no sun. So this year, rather than try to have the crazy huge garden like last year, we planted “shade” vegetables – lettuce and broccoli.
Julia didn’t like my method of digging holes and adding seeds, she much preferred to dump the packet on the ground. Looks like we could have a lot of lettuce this year.
Here’s to a bountiful harvest. But even better – here’s to a summer spent outside with two of my favorite cuties!
Most ridiculous name ever
Posted on: April 5, 2010
- In: Life
- 11 Comments
I had this pretty awesome stuffed cat growing up. He was the perfect size for snuggling and being a hand-me-down already had some pretty good “love” on him. One problem – I was too young when I got him to name him myself. So my brothers named him for me. He was given the lovely name Buttcat.
Ok, you can stop laughing now. No, really.
I’ll be honest Buttcat (who was later nicknamed BC to keep down the snickering from my junior high girlfriends) isn’t the cutest cat I’ve seen. Never will I say he’s ugly, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, I know the truth, and the truth is he looks a lot like Stimpy from Ren and Stimpy (although Buttcat totally came first – just so you know). Still Buttcat holds a pretty special place in my heart and I doubt I’ll ever part with him – much to Jonathan’s chagrin.
When Hannah was born, our friends gave her this cute little bear (above). Over the last month she’s gotten pretty attached to it. In fact, every time I put her in her crib, she crawls over, grabs the bear and snuggles it to sleep. Very precious. Bear doesn’t have a name. We’ve been calling it “Hannah’s bear” since I can’t come up with any good names. I’ve had some suggestions, but nothing that’s stuck. One friend suggested just leaving it “bear” until Hannah is older and can name it for herself. But I’m worried that the bear will forever just be “bear” – which isn’t bad, just not very cute. At the same time, I really don’t want the bear getting a name that will forever scar it. You know, like Buttbear or something crazy like that.
Here’s where you come in. I want your name suggestions. Dazzle me with your best bear name.
12 month photo project – March
Posted on: March 31, 2010
- In: Life
- 6 Comments
12 month photo project is a challenge started by Tara Whitney. Here’s what you do:
- Take a photo of your family once a month.
- Write a few things about that month.
- Make it into a book at the end of the year.
Despite “planning” better this month, we still managed to wait until the last day to take our family photo.
This picture speaks volumes about our lives. Julia – set off on her own, claiming her independence, Me – in perpetual motion between both girls, Hannah – always trying to get closer to mama, and Jonathan – always smiling. It’s not perfect, but it’s us. And I love it.
March has been a whirlwind of a month. We moved into our house on the 5th. We’ve slowly turned it into our home. There have been so many great things we’ve discovered about this place. Currently my favorite spot is the kitchen sink. I love the window that is above it and being about to see all around. While there are many projects to be completed, we’re taking our time and enjoying this new adventure. Hannah’s really taken off with her crawling and Julia’s expressing her independence on an almost minute basis (which is good and bad). Jonathan’s amazing. I have no idea how he manages to show such grace living with three highly emotional, opinionated women. He truly is the rock of our family. As for me, I turned another year old this month. It seems surreal in ways, but I’m planning to embrace this year with fervor and joy.
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
That’s right, readers: I’m taking a day off from blogging. Today is my birthday. Jonathan took off work, and I’m stepping away from the computer to enjoy time with my family, eating my free Cold Stone and making my birthday dinner – Poppyseed Chicken.
Making a house our home
Posted on: March 24, 2010
- In: Life
- 11 Comments
We have been in our new house not quite three weeks and things are coming along quite nicely! We had all the trim and cabinets painted white along with having a few rooms as well. Here are some before and afters:
Kitchen:
You know it’s my kitchen when beans are cooking on the stove and tortillas are rising in the Kitchen Aid!
Living room 1:
Living room 2:
Hallway:
Playroom/school room:
Master bedroom:
Girls’ room:
Like the Texas Star? Oh, yeah. 😉
Guest room, downstairs:
Office:
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
TOMS Shoes is a company that matches one-for-one. Meaning; for every one pair of shoes you purchase, they give a pair to a child in need.
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
- A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet.
- Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
- Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
- Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.
On April 8, TOMS is hosting One Day Without Shoes. They are asking people to go barefoot for “the day, part of the day, or even just a few minute… to experience life without shoes first-hand, and to help spread awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring a child’s life.”
Will you join us?
The bedtime wars
Posted on: March 18, 2010
- In: Life
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The hard cold truth is: Julia doesn’t like sleeping. Over the last 2+ years I’ve just come to accept that fact. I don’t like it, but I’ve accepted it.
Our bedtime routine has always involved some complicated, drawn out process. First it was nursing Julia to sleep. Second it was giving her a bottle till she fell asleep. Then, sometime in January 2009, we hit a soft spot. We could give Julia a bottle, lay her down in her crib and that was it. Done. No crying, no screaming, just peaceful nothingness. A-maz-ing. Then, we took the bottle away. What. Were. We. Thinking?? That might have been the hardest few weeks of my parenting life. Hannah had just been born and we were now dealing with major sleep issues with both girls. Whew.
Eventually, we got into a new routine. I’d nurse Hannah while staying in the room until Julia fell asleep. But, then Julia would take up to an hour to go to sleep. And trying to leave the room before she was sleeping wasn’t an option. Well, actually, it was an option, one that resulted in mega drama and tears. So, we avoided it at all cost. This eventually led into laying down with her, holding her hand or playing with her hair to help “speed” things up. Alas, those all started getting drawn out too. We’d find ourselves trapped in her room for well over an hour. Every. Single. Night.
Then, one day I set my foot down. I told Julia I’d stay in her room, but that I wasn’t holding her hand, playing with her hair or laying down with her. I’m a mean mama, I know. She fought it at first, but eventually she gave up and our bedtime routine was cut in half. I started reading to help pass the time and for months this was our routine.
Until last week. Last week, while I was waiting for Julia to fall asleep, she started talking. Not to me, just to herself. And for whatever reason, in that moment I thought “I really don’t need to be in here. She needs to handle this herself”. So, I left. Ok, that sounds harsh. I actually, very sweetly, told her I was going to sit in the living room (where she could still see me) and read my book out there. At first, she whimpered, saying “Mama, stay” but being the firm mama I am (haha!), I just told her to call out if she needed help and I’d come right back. That first night she called out twice. Once to “talk” and once right as she was falling asleep, to have her blankets pulled up.
Since then, she’s been going to bed on her own every night. And over the last few nights she’s been asking us to shut her door when we leave. Even more A-maz-ing. Yet, you want to know something crazy? I sorta miss laying down with her. Just a little, and I’m not saying I’d want to go back to do it. But, this new step is just showing me that she’s really growing up. And it’s just a little sad. On the other hand, she does still get into our bed in the middle of the night – every night. So I’ll count that as my snuggle time.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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