I have committed this verse to memory so I can repeat it throughout my days.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
my best advice
Everyone is full of advice. I love asking other mom's for advice on stages that we are working through. I love talking to other mom's about how we worked through different stages. Once you have been there it is as if you have CONQUERED something grand.
What diapers do I buy? Am I the only one that feels as if my body is no longer my own? How do you give a baby non-pureed food without killing him? Your kiddo eats cauliflower, how did you do that? Will it work on my husband? Can you teach a crawler 'no'? Your baby sleeps, I want that?! How the heck do I expect a 1 year old to sit in time out when he basically doesn't sit down all day? And on and on and on.
What I didn't account for was the fact that I needed a psychology degree in order to raise a toddler. Hopefully my business degrees and some creative thinking from Corey and I will do.
In my 21 months of mothering, I am by no means an expert. I have done things that I wouldn't do next time. I have done things that worked, but probably won't work next time. I will gladly talk with you about introducing food (most of my ideas I stole from my friend Angela), breast feeding, sign language, diapers, sippy cups, sleeping, saving money on baby gear, or just about anything else. But keep in mind that God has this thing called a sense of humor. There are no easy steps to conquer a stage every time. And there is an above average chance that what worked for me, won't work for you. Gotta love that!
So here is the real advice:
Think Positive - Find something positive to appreciate about every stage. The truth is that that stage will pass, and no matter how icky it is, it is nice to have something to cling to that will make you smile. I remember we had some REALLY rough months in the beginning with Lawrence and a friend gave me this advice. Some sleepless nights the only thing I could cling to was that I got to cuddle with my baby and there would be a day that that wouldn't happen.
Parenting Personality - You and your spouse will find that you have a "parenting personality". What do you both need in order to have a fun, peaceful, and healthy home? There are things that are important to us and that work for our home because of our personalities, and guess what, they are going to be different than others. For example, we like to keep things fairly structured and routine. I am happiest this way and (in my opinion) Lawrence is most predictable in this environment. Of course things are adjusted here and there because that's life. But there are other people that this type of order would make them crazy. And their type of chaos would make me crazy! My advice is to find one or two other couples that have a similar "parenting personality" and focus your questions to those couples. There is a greater chance that their ideas will work in your home. And not that the others are wrong or bad, it's just not gonna fly for you! P.S. Embrace your parenting style and love it - don't feel bad or feel like you should be different because others are.
Insanity - There have been times (especially in the beginning when we were sleep deprived) that things obviously weren't working, we were struggling, we kept trying... And then I reminded myself that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. We were literally going insaine. It is so much harder to stop and rethink what you are doing and try new tactics when you aren't happy with the results you are getting. It usually took Corey throwing out ideas. It is hard to change things up, but if it isn't working anyway then what is there to lose?
Breastfeeding - Ugh. There is nothing natural about this "all natural" way to feed baby. I by no means nailed it. But I worked really hard and was successful. My advice - set (shorter) goals along the way and when you reach them, reevaluate. Find an expert to talk to and don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. And if you have low milk supply - I'm your girl to talk to (it doesn't mean you can't BF).
Shower - Find a time during your daily routine to take a shower. Easier said than done in the beginning! I have done different things at different ages - bouncer in the bathroom, pack and play in the bedroom, naptime, and early morning.
Be Still - As I write I am reminded of a blog post that I wrote while Lawrence was an infant - http://abbybev.blogspot.com/2010/06/lessons-from-seven-pounder.html
I don't know if I should cry or laugh after re-reading that! Yes, it is okay to be still. For one day it won't be an option :)
Today - Thank God for challenging you; whether as a mother or elsewhere.
What diapers do I buy? Am I the only one that feels as if my body is no longer my own? How do you give a baby non-pureed food without killing him? Your kiddo eats cauliflower, how did you do that? Will it work on my husband? Can you teach a crawler 'no'? Your baby sleeps, I want that?! How the heck do I expect a 1 year old to sit in time out when he basically doesn't sit down all day? And on and on and on.
What I didn't account for was the fact that I needed a psychology degree in order to raise a toddler. Hopefully my business degrees and some creative thinking from Corey and I will do.
In my 21 months of mothering, I am by no means an expert. I have done things that I wouldn't do next time. I have done things that worked, but probably won't work next time. I will gladly talk with you about introducing food (most of my ideas I stole from my friend Angela), breast feeding, sign language, diapers, sippy cups, sleeping, saving money on baby gear, or just about anything else. But keep in mind that God has this thing called a sense of humor. There are no easy steps to conquer a stage every time. And there is an above average chance that what worked for me, won't work for you. Gotta love that!
So here is the real advice:
Think Positive - Find something positive to appreciate about every stage. The truth is that that stage will pass, and no matter how icky it is, it is nice to have something to cling to that will make you smile. I remember we had some REALLY rough months in the beginning with Lawrence and a friend gave me this advice. Some sleepless nights the only thing I could cling to was that I got to cuddle with my baby and there would be a day that that wouldn't happen.
Parenting Personality - You and your spouse will find that you have a "parenting personality". What do you both need in order to have a fun, peaceful, and healthy home? There are things that are important to us and that work for our home because of our personalities, and guess what, they are going to be different than others. For example, we like to keep things fairly structured and routine. I am happiest this way and (in my opinion) Lawrence is most predictable in this environment. Of course things are adjusted here and there because that's life. But there are other people that this type of order would make them crazy. And their type of chaos would make me crazy! My advice is to find one or two other couples that have a similar "parenting personality" and focus your questions to those couples. There is a greater chance that their ideas will work in your home. And not that the others are wrong or bad, it's just not gonna fly for you! P.S. Embrace your parenting style and love it - don't feel bad or feel like you should be different because others are.
Insanity - There have been times (especially in the beginning when we were sleep deprived) that things obviously weren't working, we were struggling, we kept trying... And then I reminded myself that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. We were literally going insaine. It is so much harder to stop and rethink what you are doing and try new tactics when you aren't happy with the results you are getting. It usually took Corey throwing out ideas. It is hard to change things up, but if it isn't working anyway then what is there to lose?
Breastfeeding - Ugh. There is nothing natural about this "all natural" way to feed baby. I by no means nailed it. But I worked really hard and was successful. My advice - set (shorter) goals along the way and when you reach them, reevaluate. Find an expert to talk to and don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. And if you have low milk supply - I'm your girl to talk to (it doesn't mean you can't BF).
Shower - Find a time during your daily routine to take a shower. Easier said than done in the beginning! I have done different things at different ages - bouncer in the bathroom, pack and play in the bedroom, naptime, and early morning.
Be Still - As I write I am reminded of a blog post that I wrote while Lawrence was an infant - http://abbybev.blogspot.com/2010/06/lessons-from-seven-pounder.html
I don't know if I should cry or laugh after re-reading that! Yes, it is okay to be still. For one day it won't be an option :)
Today - Thank God for challenging you; whether as a mother or elsewhere.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Hearts Day!
Today will be a simple and special day of love. We will grill steaks tonight. I will make a special cake. Little man humored me by wearing the t-shirt that I made for him. Tell me that he is not a ladies man...
In fact, he got asked out on his first date the other day in Sam's. And it was even by an older lady. He was very polite as he declined.
Corey and I also got a babysitter for Thursday night and are going out to dinner. I'm pretty excited for a big kid meal. We are going to Chester's. Ooooooooo. Since we have a gift card. We haven't been there since we were dating. I remember flying in from Denver and we went straight to Chester's from the airport, still in our work clothes. It is quite the treat!
In fact, he got asked out on his first date the other day in Sam's. And it was even by an older lady. He was very polite as he declined. We even made a special card for dad. Totally "inspired" by Pinterest - meaning I stole the idea, changed it a bit, and made it in my own home so it is legal.
Corey and I also got a babysitter for Thursday night and are going out to dinner. I'm pretty excited for a big kid meal. We are going to Chester's. Ooooooooo. Since we have a gift card. We haven't been there since we were dating. I remember flying in from Denver and we went straight to Chester's from the airport, still in our work clothes. It is quite the treat! Show someone you love how important they are to you. Life is short.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
cReAtIve JuIcEs: baby scrapbook
I have recently completed a scrapbook for our soon to be niece. Corey's sister, Kamie, is not the creative scrapbooky type... so when her first child was born I made him a scrapbook because otherwise the kid wouldn't have one. With number two on the way I wanted to do the same thing. I know what it's like to be the second child and all of a sudden the camera is broken your entire childhood! Or in Kamie's case her baby book has her name and date of birth -- that's it :)
From there I have a layout for each month - February 2012 that she is born through her birthday in February 2013. Each of these pages has a calendar on it so mom can record milestones like when the baby rolled over and when she moves up to sleeping 3 hours at a time.
I have Lawrence's book from his first year and it is humerous to look back at the torture we went through in the first months. Whenever I start to forget how hard the baby stage is, I just pull it out and remind myself of how long it actually was before I got 6 hours of sleep at one time.
These are a few of my favorite layouts. I found that having the layouts already created for me made the task of doing Lawrence's baby book so much less overwhelming. I made my pictures fit with the layout and it looks great. If I would have had to kick in my creative mind, have the time, and do the work then it likely wouldn't be done yet.
I don't know why it rotated my pictures.
I had so much fun getting to use girly stuff like flowers and ribbons!
I adapted (the blog term for 'I made a few changes, but really stole this) idea from my dear friend Angela who was so sweet to do this for me! Don't worry, I had copyright permission.
The first page of the book will be the baby's name, a picture, and a stats page (that includes length, weight, eye color, hair, doctor, hospital). Kamie has the stats page and will take it to the hospital with her so the nurses can stamp the baby's footprints on it also.
Then I have an a double page spread for pictures and a double page spread that has a verse and pouch (for hospital bands, etc).
From there I have a layout for each month - February 2012 that she is born through her birthday in February 2013. Each of these pages has a calendar on it so mom can record milestones like when the baby rolled over and when she moves up to sleeping 3 hours at a time.I have Lawrence's book from his first year and it is humerous to look back at the torture we went through in the first months. Whenever I start to forget how hard the baby stage is, I just pull it out and remind myself of how long it actually was before I got 6 hours of sleep at one time.These are a few of my favorite layouts. I found that having the layouts already created for me made the task of doing Lawrence's baby book so much less overwhelming. I made my pictures fit with the layout and it looks great. If I would have had to kick in my creative mind, have the time, and do the work then it likely wouldn't be done yet.
I don't know why it rotated my pictures.
I had so much fun getting to use girly stuff like flowers and ribbons!
Of course some face time for the big brother.
I had so much fun making this for Kamie! And I love that it is something that she wouldn't do herself.
I had so much fun making this for Kamie! And I love that it is something that she wouldn't do herself.Tuesday, January 31, 2012
cReAtIvE jUiCeS: oven mitts
My first mass production sewing project - making oven mitts for stocking stuffers! I found the pattern for these double handed oven mitts at a small quilt shop in Yoder. I thought they were rather ingenious and creative.
It was a slow start considering I made a practice one for myself first. I don't even like to use it myself because it was SO bad. Then I moved on to the mitts that were actually going to go in someone else's home. Yikes. The next two mitts I redid three times! Every time Corey would ask how they were coming, I was redoing something. BUT, I made some adaptations and got better!
This one ended up being my favorite fabric choice. I really enjoyed picking out fabric that matched each gal's personality!
So I've made 8 so far and really have 2 more that I want to make. One for a friend and then a "good" one for myself. BUT, I'm taking a break. I'm sorta over the mitts. Hopefully I'll come back to them once I finish the baby scrapbook that I am making for a friend.
I rolled them and tied them with rafia for the stockings. Such a fun and personal gift!
It was a slow start considering I made a practice one for myself first. I don't even like to use it myself because it was SO bad. Then I moved on to the mitts that were actually going to go in someone else's home. Yikes. The next two mitts I redid three times! Every time Corey would ask how they were coming, I was redoing something. BUT, I made some adaptations and got better!This one ended up being my favorite fabric choice. I really enjoyed picking out fabric that matched each gal's personality!
So I've made 8 so far and really have 2 more that I want to make. One for a friend and then a "good" one for myself. BUT, I'm taking a break. I'm sorta over the mitts. Hopefully I'll come back to them once I finish the baby scrapbook that I am making for a friend. I rolled them and tied them with rafia for the stockings. Such a fun and personal gift!
Monday, January 16, 2012
pizza with pizzazz
I am loving making homemade pizza these days. Remember my grilled pizza that Shiloh and I made? I need to learn how to do that cool link thing.
Moving along, I got a pizza stone for Christmas this year and was so excited to try it out! I made pizza for us the other night and it was SO yummy. Maybe not a Bob and Luigi's replacement - but it sure is a lot cheaper and a lot healthier! And the little man will almost always eat it, which is very important. I love being able to make it at home and the whole family enjoys it and doesn't feel nasty the next day from all the sodium and grease. We didn't have homemade pizza growing up. Did you? Oh wait, there was that one time that my mom made us "individual pizzas" on hamburger buns. Gag. Soggy bread with tomato sauce and hamburger. No offense, mom! I'm sure it was a busy mom trick of the times. And I only remember it making the menu once!
No more buns. My keys to a good homemade pizza:
- The Crust - Did you know that Fleishmanns makes a yeast specifically for pizza crusts? It is fabulous. In a matter of a few minutes you mix it, knead it, roll it, and bake it. It is super quick because you don't have to plan ahead for rise time. Next time I want to experiment with part wheat flour.
- The Sauce - I use a homemade sauce that I found on the Our Best Bites blog. It is essentially tomato sauce, water, and seasonings. So much tastier than a jar.
- The Secret - I sprinkle my pizza with a bit of Oregano before baking.
- The Pizza Stone!
Moving along, I got a pizza stone for Christmas this year and was so excited to try it out! I made pizza for us the other night and it was SO yummy. Maybe not a Bob and Luigi's replacement - but it sure is a lot cheaper and a lot healthier! And the little man will almost always eat it, which is very important. I love being able to make it at home and the whole family enjoys it and doesn't feel nasty the next day from all the sodium and grease. We didn't have homemade pizza growing up. Did you? Oh wait, there was that one time that my mom made us "individual pizzas" on hamburger buns. Gag. Soggy bread with tomato sauce and hamburger. No offense, mom! I'm sure it was a busy mom trick of the times. And I only remember it making the menu once!
No more buns. My keys to a good homemade pizza:
- The Crust - Did you know that Fleishmanns makes a yeast specifically for pizza crusts? It is fabulous. In a matter of a few minutes you mix it, knead it, roll it, and bake it. It is super quick because you don't have to plan ahead for rise time. Next time I want to experiment with part wheat flour.
- The Sauce - I use a homemade sauce that I found on the Our Best Bites blog. It is essentially tomato sauce, water, and seasonings. So much tastier than a jar.
- The Secret - I sprinkle my pizza with a bit of Oregano before baking.
- The Pizza Stone!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
cReAtIvE jUiCeS - tie
A few months back I made this tie for my little man. I was so proud of myself considering it was only my 4th sewing project; and when it was done I felt that it was worthy of him leaving the house in it :) In fact, Christmas morning seemed like the perfect occasion! I'm wishing I would have gotten some closer pictures.
I bought the pattern from the Make It and Love It blog that I follow. Her instructions were so thorough and I learned several new techniques like how to do a hidden stich and how to turn a long skinny tube right side out after it is sewn.
This project gave me the confidence to keep sewing. Meaning, sewing things that leave the house (unlike the pj pants that I lengthened for my abnormally long husband). I took on a project to use for Christmas gifts and considering I still gave them as gifts, I think that was a success also. Sometimes being a perfectionist is the pits. Stay tuned for pictures of my Christmas project (after I make the last one of course, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise).
I bought the pattern from the Make It and Love It blog that I follow. Her instructions were so thorough and I learned several new techniques like how to do a hidden stich and how to turn a long skinny tube right side out after it is sewn.
This project gave me the confidence to keep sewing. Meaning, sewing things that leave the house (unlike the pj pants that I lengthened for my abnormally long husband). I took on a project to use for Christmas gifts and considering I still gave them as gifts, I think that was a success also. Sometimes being a perfectionist is the pits. Stay tuned for pictures of my Christmas project (after I make the last one of course, I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)