Recently someone close to me said to someone else close to me "Well, not everyone can stay as busy as A.J." I felt that this was a compliment. I am definitely an active participant in my own life - and I prefer it that way.
We do have help when we need it, and I am very grateful for that. However, we don't have as much help as a lot of other families that we know. My mom is coming to visit this Friday (CAN'T WAIT!), but I haven't seen her since Christmas.
Most people don't understand how I do it without her here. It's simple. This is our life, our house and our kids. We do it because it's our responsibility and what we always wanted and worked very hard for.
Having said that I do have to openly admit that I can get jealous when I hear of other people's parents coming over to watch their kids while they get something done at home or calling just to see if they can have the kids for a night. I think to myself, what would I do if I had that kind of help and support right at my fingertips?
The truth is, it wasn't like that when I was a kid so I don't even know if that's what it would be like even if my parents did live 10 minutes away. For them, being a grandparent is completely different than being a parent. I guess, in my mind, that's how it should be.
My parents come for the weekend and get to truly enjoy my girls. Generally speaking, Bill and I change diapers, feed and bath and put to bed. That's our job. My parents play, tease, read to and give the girls special things - big and small.
When I need to clean out my office, I do it with the girls at home. When it's time to put a piece of furniture together or paint a wall, we do it with the girls at home. When we grocery shop or run errands, the girls come with. When we are getting the house together for a birthday party, baptismal reception, Christmas get together, or the like - guess what - the girls are here.
I don't really feel that this is any great feat. After all, I have Bill and we are a team.
It could be a lot worse.
But, just for the record, I am proud of what I can accomplish in a day all on my own, or with Bill.
I like that we are the only ones who have a real say in how to deal with our children. Mostly, I LOVE that when we do get time with my parents it's spent having fun (and, OK, getting a little...a LOT spoiled) - even if it's just for a few days.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Got Me Going
It is so crappy outside. I have a better word to describe it, but thought I should keep this a G-rated blog.
So, being stuck inside I was looking through the computer at some old pictures and came across these two from Christmas of '06.
Jimmy and Megan sent Cecelia an Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) wig to go with her dress she got at Disney for a Christmas gift.
It is seriously so beautiful. I'm thinking about using it when I go out on the town.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Blog Nerd
Hi, my name is A.J. and I am a total blog nerd. Guess what, that probably means you are too if you're reading this.
My intention in starting this blog was to have a way for my family (NONE of whom live anywhere near me) could view recent pictures of our family and read about our daily lives. What I didn't expect was the network of other friends and family that I would make and become, quite frankly, addicted to.
It's like a sickness. I get on this machine and must see what is happening with so-and-so, and so-and-so. It's my own personal version of Days of Our Lives - minus the murder. I seriously love reading about what other people are doing, what their kids are doing and how we're all handling it.
I have been able to connect and reconnect with some very cool people (you know who you are). I have learned so much through this blogging business and gained so much by peering in to the lives of others.
What is really nice about all this, too, is that most bloggers are women with families. I link on to one blog and link to another only to find another really cool person with interesting things to say.
I hope you understand that I'm not a voyeur, but a learner and most importantly a nerd.
My intention in starting this blog was to have a way for my family (NONE of whom live anywhere near me) could view recent pictures of our family and read about our daily lives. What I didn't expect was the network of other friends and family that I would make and become, quite frankly, addicted to.
It's like a sickness. I get on this machine and must see what is happening with so-and-so, and so-and-so. It's my own personal version of Days of Our Lives - minus the murder. I seriously love reading about what other people are doing, what their kids are doing and how we're all handling it.
I have been able to connect and reconnect with some very cool people (you know who you are). I have learned so much through this blogging business and gained so much by peering in to the lives of others.
What is really nice about all this, too, is that most bloggers are women with families. I link on to one blog and link to another only to find another really cool person with interesting things to say.
I hope you understand that I'm not a voyeur, but a learner and most importantly a nerd.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Twin Cities, MN - (and some cute pictures)
Just a few more recent pictures. Delaney waking up in her crib, my BELLY, Cecelia looking all grown up, and the girls camped out on my bedroom floor.
The pictures of CeCe and I are from the day we went to the MN Orchestra for "Mozart: You Kid You." The day was very cool as her and I were "the Ladies" going to the Orchestra together.
What I love about living in a metro is the opportunity to experience things just like that.
I know I've been complaining of the long and cold winter, but the truth is I'd rather be suffering through it here, in a bustling city, than anywhere else in the midwest.
Just in the last few months alone we have done the Mall of America (extremely culturally stimulating - if you ask me!), the Children's Museum, the MN Zoo, Como Zoo, the Circus, Arboretum, a few theater shows, the Orchestra, and on and on. As the weather warms it will only get better and better adding to our list MN Twins games, neighborhood parks, biking trails, beaches and countless summer festivals including the Taste of MN and the State Fair!
I LOVE that we are 10 minutes from either skyline - Minneapolis or St. Paul.
I think I'm a city girl at heart. I love the people, the hustle and bustle and the opportunity.
I'll never get sick of too many options.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Six Months
I have now entered my 6th month of pregnancy which meant a little doctor visit last night.
All is well, lots of movement, slow and steady heartbeat and Mom is doing great. I was experiencing some leg cramping but have since upped my water intake and that seems to have taken care of the problem.
This pregnancy seems to be taking a little more toll of my body at an earlier stage, though. After a full day on my feet my hips will ache. I get winded pretty easy and don't seem to have the strength I used to. I'm not sure if I'm to blame it on it being my 3rd pregnancy in 4 years, or a long and sedentary winter. I look forward to spring and summer. Walks to the park and swimming in the pool will do the body good.
Naming our girl is at a stand still right now. Bill has a name in mind but I'm having a hard time settling on it quite yet. I do love the name, but am afraid to say it's a final decision. Hopefully I will make up my mind in the next month or two. It would be fun to prepare Cecelia and Delaney by calling the baby by name before she arrives. It's such a big decision.......
Also, I happen to think to myself this morning "what if this is my last pregnancy?" Since this isn't exactly my first rodeo I haven't spent a lot of time just spending time with my bump. Will I regret not soaking it all in once it's all over?
And, how do women/families know when they're done?? Is it just a feeling or more a logical decision? I want a feeling, and a strong one at that. I want there to be just this overwhelming emotion of, this is it, we are complete. Is that realistic?
For now I am focusing on what I've got in front of me, which is going to be a brand new teeny tiny baby girl. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, maybe I will actually post something non kid related in the near future.
All is well, lots of movement, slow and steady heartbeat and Mom is doing great. I was experiencing some leg cramping but have since upped my water intake and that seems to have taken care of the problem.
This pregnancy seems to be taking a little more toll of my body at an earlier stage, though. After a full day on my feet my hips will ache. I get winded pretty easy and don't seem to have the strength I used to. I'm not sure if I'm to blame it on it being my 3rd pregnancy in 4 years, or a long and sedentary winter. I look forward to spring and summer. Walks to the park and swimming in the pool will do the body good.
Naming our girl is at a stand still right now. Bill has a name in mind but I'm having a hard time settling on it quite yet. I do love the name, but am afraid to say it's a final decision. Hopefully I will make up my mind in the next month or two. It would be fun to prepare Cecelia and Delaney by calling the baby by name before she arrives. It's such a big decision.......
Also, I happen to think to myself this morning "what if this is my last pregnancy?" Since this isn't exactly my first rodeo I haven't spent a lot of time just spending time with my bump. Will I regret not soaking it all in once it's all over?
And, how do women/families know when they're done?? Is it just a feeling or more a logical decision? I want a feeling, and a strong one at that. I want there to be just this overwhelming emotion of, this is it, we are complete. Is that realistic?
For now I am focusing on what I've got in front of me, which is going to be a brand new teeny tiny baby girl. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, maybe I will actually post something non kid related in the near future.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Funny!
I sent this as an email, but thought that it was funny enough to post as well.
I also urge you to read Barbara's latest post - also very funny and a little more thought provoking.
Thinking of Having Kids (or grand kids)? Do this 11 step program first!
Lesson 1.
Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.
Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2 . Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.
Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM-10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.
2. Eat cold food with one hand for dinner
3. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
4. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
5. Set the alarm for 3AM.
6. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM, make a drink and watch an infomercial.
7. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
8. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
9. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
10. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night.
Keep this up for 3-5 years.
Look cheerful and together.
Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make?
To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?
Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out. Time allowed for this - all morning.
Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.
1. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.
2. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.
Lesson 8
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.
Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, theT eletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.
Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhereyou go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.
Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!
I also urge you to read Barbara's latest post - also very funny and a little more thought provoking.
Thinking of Having Kids (or grand kids)? Do this 11 step program first!
Lesson 1.
Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.
Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2 . Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.
Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM-10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.
2. Eat cold food with one hand for dinner
3. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
4. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
5. Set the alarm for 3AM.
6. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM, make a drink and watch an infomercial.
7. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
8. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
9. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
10. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night.
Keep this up for 3-5 years.
Look cheerful and together.
Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make?
To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?
Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out. Time allowed for this - all morning.
Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.
1. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.
2. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.
Lesson 8
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.
Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, theT eletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.
Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhereyou go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.
Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!
Great News Weekend!
Well, Rick was sent home on Saturday - yippee!! Still under the watchful eye of the Docs on a weekly basis though. I'm very relieved and happy all is well.
Also, I'm Going to be an Auntie, I'm going to be an Aunti!!!!! In addition to my two nieces on the Heer side I get to add another niece or nephew on the FESKE side!!
Jimmy and Megan are expecting a baby this fall. I am beyond excited because that means the cousins will only be 3 months apart.
Great News Weekend indeed.
Also, I'm Going to be an Auntie, I'm going to be an Aunti!!!!! In addition to my two nieces on the Heer side I get to add another niece or nephew on the FESKE side!!
Jimmy and Megan are expecting a baby this fall. I am beyond excited because that means the cousins will only be 3 months apart.
Great News Weekend indeed.
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