I don't have any pictures this time because I am waiting until I can buy a new one. Mine is too slow and is always blurring, or it says it is dead when I put brand new batteries in.
Anyway, the last two weeks have been pretty uneventful, but when I think about it, stuff still happens. Patrick has four teeth now, and he sure knows how to use them. He has weaned himself off of nursing this week. This was not my idea. I was willing to stick it out for the next three months, but he won't even latch on anymore--he just bites! So, as you can imagine, I'm okay with him stopping too.
I have had a lot of work last week and this week. I've been able to earn a decent amount of money, but since Ruth is in California, it has been a little more difficult to watch Patrick by myself and work. He is amazingly patient though, and we are pressing through together.
Reed enjoys his job. Things are starting to pick up a little more now that he is starting to get more clients and actually do stuff. In the middle of May he will start online classes for his Behavioral Analysis certification. I guess this will let us know how graduate school will be before we apply. We can test the waters.
We have had a couple of strange snow storms lately. We woke up yesterday morning to 5 inches of snow, and we weren't even expecting that. The sun came out around noon and melted it all quickly, and tomorrow will be 75, but the yo-yo weather still takes some getting used to.
We have looked at several apartments in the area, but my mom suggested that we look at first-time home buyer programs, and now we think we might wait and see if we can qualify for a loan. I have found listings for several small homes and condos in our price range, and if we can snag a good deal on a foreclosure or something, this would be the best time for us. So wish us luck on that front. Everything else is trucking along. We are all healthy and happy.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
How Winnie the Pooh Saved My Life
Patrick is 9 months old today. His personality is loud and clear now. The last few weeks have been really whiny, but understandably so, as he is teething and I can imagine that would be quite painful. He has lots of games that he plays with us. His favorites are probably peek-a-boo and hide from daddy. Today he had spaghetti for dinner, and you can tell by the pictures that he has a lot of fun. I didn't let him feed himself all of it, or else the pictures would be better. I just put a little on his tray to try and grab while I fed him. Patrick likes to have something to do while I feed him. He can't just sit there.
Teeth!
I love blooper shots!
He still sleeps really well. A couple nights ago, we were on our way to bed when Patrick woke up and started to cry. (I am excited for him to have his own room soon so we won't wake him walking by) As I was trying to rock him back to sleep, his crying turned into screaming and soon I thought we may need to call an exorcist. It probably wasn't bad compared to some babies, but I had never heard anything like that come from my baby before. He had some really bad gas (we still haven't determined why) and after that passed he was so worked up that he couldn't calm himself down. We tried several different positions, toys, books, nursing, and we wouldn't call down. Finally, Reed found the Winnie the Pooh electronic book that Patrick LOVES. He will play with this book ALL DAY LONG. He stopped crying almost immediately. I let him play with it for a few minutes, but then it was 11:30 and I wanted to go to bed, so he had to be torn from his love. But he got over it and went to sleep.
That is how Winnie the Pooh saved my life this week.
Teeth!
I love blooper shots!
He still sleeps really well. A couple nights ago, we were on our way to bed when Patrick woke up and started to cry. (I am excited for him to have his own room soon so we won't wake him walking by) As I was trying to rock him back to sleep, his crying turned into screaming and soon I thought we may need to call an exorcist. It probably wasn't bad compared to some babies, but I had never heard anything like that come from my baby before. He had some really bad gas (we still haven't determined why) and after that passed he was so worked up that he couldn't calm himself down. We tried several different positions, toys, books, nursing, and we wouldn't call down. Finally, Reed found the Winnie the Pooh electronic book that Patrick LOVES. He will play with this book ALL DAY LONG. He stopped crying almost immediately. I let him play with it for a few minutes, but then it was 11:30 and I wanted to go to bed, so he had to be torn from his love. But he got over it and went to sleep.
That is how Winnie the Pooh saved my life this week.
Monday, April 6, 2009
This Weekend
This weekend was enjoyable. The weather was cold and yucky, so we stayed in and watched the snow and General Conference. Patrick's two bottom teeth are in now, and one on top is starting to show. This last week has been more cranky than usual because of this, but he is still sweet and gives us lots of smiles. He sleeps a lot right now, which is sometimes really nice. He has learned how to give kisses (which for Daddy mean biting his nose). Still no crawling though! Patrick also got his first haircut on Saturday. His "scare hair" was about 4 inches long and sticking straight up all the time, so I decided to give him a trim and see if his hair will start to grow a little more evenly. He did a really good job. We turned on the clippers and let him feel them and see that it wasn't scaring. These weren't very noisy either, which helped a lot. He didn't cry at all for his first haircut. Pictures will come soon if I can catch him happy and awake.
I think Reed is going to enjoy his job. He likes the people he works with, and the atmosphere is really laid back. Right now work is pretty boring because he is just reading all the training stuff, but he gets to go to appointments this week and shadow. He usually doesn't have to leave until 8:00 or 8:30, so we don't feel really rushed in the morning, which is really nice too.
I think Reed is going to enjoy his job. He likes the people he works with, and the atmosphere is really laid back. Right now work is pretty boring because he is just reading all the training stuff, but he gets to go to appointments this week and shadow. He usually doesn't have to leave until 8:00 or 8:30, so we don't feel really rushed in the morning, which is really nice too.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
After Five Months . . .
Reed is finally employed!!!!!
Reed was offered a job yesterday with Developmental Disabilities Consultants, PC. Of course, he accepted, and he started today. It was a little odd to get up really early and rush to make his lunch and get him out the door again since we have had such a relaxed routine for so long. Reed is nervous because several times he was told, "You're not remotely qualified for this position, but we really like you." I think once he settles down into this position and gets the training he needs, he will feel less nervous. He has to get certified in Behavioral Analysis, which is an online program, and that might postpone his Master's (we don't know yet), but it will help his career in the long run.
We prayed so hard for this job, and we feel really blessed that he was offered this position. It pays enough for us to move out in a few months and support ourselves, and it is in Reed's field of interest. Thank you everyone who also prayed for Reed.
Reed was offered a job yesterday with Developmental Disabilities Consultants, PC. Of course, he accepted, and he started today. It was a little odd to get up really early and rush to make his lunch and get him out the door again since we have had such a relaxed routine for so long. Reed is nervous because several times he was told, "You're not remotely qualified for this position, but we really like you." I think once he settles down into this position and gets the training he needs, he will feel less nervous. He has to get certified in Behavioral Analysis, which is an online program, and that might postpone his Master's (we don't know yet), but it will help his career in the long run.
We prayed so hard for this job, and we feel really blessed that he was offered this position. It pays enough for us to move out in a few months and support ourselves, and it is in Reed's field of interest. Thank you everyone who also prayed for Reed.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
New Nephew
On Saturday, March 21st, we got a new nephew in our family (on Reed's side, of course). Reed's brother Adam and his wife Kelli had a boy, Jason Byard (I hope I spelled it right). That makes 11 grandchildren (8 girls, 3 boys). We are so excited that Patrick will have a boy cousin his age to play with, and we also hope that we will be able to see them soon. Congratulations, Adam and Kelli!
Teeth, Teeth, Wonderful Teeth
Patrick's bottom teeth are finally here! Well, kinda. One has barely broken the surface and the other is thinking about making an appearance very soon. I was so excited to see the little white spot on Saturday, and then we finally heard it yesterday. He likes the sound of his new tooth on his spoons. I wasn't paying attention this morning, though, and he bit me! I won't let that happen again!
Patrick sure loves his big kid food. He will eat just about anything we have, except, of course, when he doesn't want to. And I'm never sure when that will be. He still sleeps super well. He usually goes to bed around 7pm and wakes up around 7am.
And . . . we have finally conquered the two-nap-a-day schedule. Hurray! He is happier, and mommy is happier that he now takes one nap in the morning and one in the afternoon, each 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This also helps him eat closer to the times that we eat, which I like as well.
Patrick sure loves his big kid food. He will eat just about anything we have, except, of course, when he doesn't want to. And I'm never sure when that will be. He still sleeps super well. He usually goes to bed around 7pm and wakes up around 7am.
And . . . we have finally conquered the two-nap-a-day schedule. Hurray! He is happier, and mommy is happier that he now takes one nap in the morning and one in the afternoon, each 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This also helps him eat closer to the times that we eat, which I like as well.
Keep Your Fingers Crossed!
Reed has a second job interview tomorrow afternoon with DD Consultants. We are VERY excited about this and we hope and pray that he will be able to impress the director and secure this job. Needless to say, we are feeling anxious (but good at the say time, you know?). Unfortunately, the BIGGEST SNOW STORM OF THE YEAR is coming tomorrow, with the heaviest snow projected at the exact time he must drive to his interview. Maybe this is a good omen though. We had to drive through the only other big snow storm on the day that I got my job.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Primary
I teach the CTR 8 class (7 & 8 years-old) in Primary, and today we were in charge of sharing time. It was my first time doing sharing time, but I had a great time! I know the kids now and how our primary runs, so I wasn't nervous at all. This week's theme was: I can obey my parents. I told a story about a boy who learns to be obedient by wearing his helmet, and then I had my class sing "I am a Child of God," so we could learn that Heavenly Father has given us "parents, kind and dear" to give us rules for our safety and development. I thought I should teach the kids that parents have been commanded to love their children and give them rules for their own good, not just for fun. We played a memory-type game where they were supposed to match the rule with the reason why parents give that rule. Then we sang "Quickly I'll Obey," which they knew really well, and I bet their parents could hear it down the hall.
I had a fun time in primary today, and I feel really blessed that I was called to teach these kids. My class is large (8-10 each week), but they are really smart and well-behaved (mostly). Sometimes their answers are way out there, but they are enthusiastic and try really hard.
I had a fun time in primary today, and I feel really blessed that I was called to teach these kids. My class is large (8-10 each week), but they are really smart and well-behaved (mostly). Sometimes their answers are way out there, but they are enthusiastic and try really hard.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Killer Yard Sale
Saturday morning we got up to go to this big yard/consignment sale I read about in a local parenting magazine. An organization called Moms of Multiples (MOMS) holds a giant yard sale twice a year at the Douglas County Community Events Center in Castle Rock, which is down the road from us about 15 miles. We decided to all go and get out of the house. First of all, I had no idea how HUGE this was going to be. It said the doors opened at 10:30; we got there at 10:45 and there were probably 200 people in line (many with strollers and laundry baskets for shopping carts). We had to pay $1 to get in, which is why there was a line.
The line moved quickly though, and once we were in, there was no turning back. The entire center (which is the size of a large gym or auditorium) was packed, and even though it was frantic, it was quite organized. They had all things baby for sale (except for actual babies, of course). I passed the baby off to grandma and grandpa, and I dove right in. I wasn't looking for anything specific, but I thought I would look for older sizes, and then just browse for any good deals. And I found some killer deals. I got six pairs of jammies, 3 shorts, 2 pants, swimming trunks, a hat, and some misc stuff for about $40. My best deals were a dress shirt/sweater/tie for $2 and a brand new pair of dark-wash OshKosh overalls (tag said $15.99) for $4!
The line to check out was super long, but they passed out treats and the volunteers were super organized and helpful. Patrick was very patient, considering, and I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. I will definitely go in August when they have their next one, although I will probably leave Patrick home next time.
Here are a few pictures I took of Patrick when I got home and tried some stuff on. The last pictures are actually from this morning when we were getting ready for church. It isn't the new sweater I got, but he is still cute. I'm sorry that the pictures are blurry. My camera is too slow and my baby is too fast.
These are sunglasses that came with his swimming suit. He is dancing, so the picture is blurry.
This is going to be his "zoo hat" because it is big and he can't pull it off because of the string. Right now it looks like a sombrero.
This is the most common look we get from Patrick these days. Can you see the curiosity? He has to know what everyone is doing at all times.
Patrick is eating more and more table food. Today he had some of the pork tacos we ate for lunch. He had pork, rice, avocado and cheese. Even with no teeth, he is getting good at chewing. Unfortunately, he is also starting to refuse to nurse. I really need him to nurse somewhat for the next 4 months, so I am going to try and get him to nurse longer at night right before I go to bed when he is sleepy. He is just too busy to nurse. He has better things to do, I guess. He still has no desire to crawl though. He just sits and grunts at everything. I know he will figure things out eventually, but it is funny watching him stretch in the mean time.
The line moved quickly though, and once we were in, there was no turning back. The entire center (which is the size of a large gym or auditorium) was packed, and even though it was frantic, it was quite organized. They had all things baby for sale (except for actual babies, of course). I passed the baby off to grandma and grandpa, and I dove right in. I wasn't looking for anything specific, but I thought I would look for older sizes, and then just browse for any good deals. And I found some killer deals. I got six pairs of jammies, 3 shorts, 2 pants, swimming trunks, a hat, and some misc stuff for about $40. My best deals were a dress shirt/sweater/tie for $2 and a brand new pair of dark-wash OshKosh overalls (tag said $15.99) for $4!
The line to check out was super long, but they passed out treats and the volunteers were super organized and helpful. Patrick was very patient, considering, and I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. I will definitely go in August when they have their next one, although I will probably leave Patrick home next time.
Here are a few pictures I took of Patrick when I got home and tried some stuff on. The last pictures are actually from this morning when we were getting ready for church. It isn't the new sweater I got, but he is still cute. I'm sorry that the pictures are blurry. My camera is too slow and my baby is too fast.
These are sunglasses that came with his swimming suit. He is dancing, so the picture is blurry.
This is going to be his "zoo hat" because it is big and he can't pull it off because of the string. Right now it looks like a sombrero.
This is the most common look we get from Patrick these days. Can you see the curiosity? He has to know what everyone is doing at all times.
Patrick is eating more and more table food. Today he had some of the pork tacos we ate for lunch. He had pork, rice, avocado and cheese. Even with no teeth, he is getting good at chewing. Unfortunately, he is also starting to refuse to nurse. I really need him to nurse somewhat for the next 4 months, so I am going to try and get him to nurse longer at night right before I go to bed when he is sleepy. He is just too busy to nurse. He has better things to do, I guess. He still has no desire to crawl though. He just sits and grunts at everything. I know he will figure things out eventually, but it is funny watching him stretch in the mean time.
Interviews!
Reed finally has two interviews tomorrow morning!!!!
We spent most of Monday applying to jobs, and we were very excited when he was contacted for two interviews tomorrow. We have prayed all week, we went to the temple on Friday, and we went to all of our meetings this weekend for stake conference. I really really have my fingers crossed that something will come of our hard work and prayers. My job is tiding us over, but we would really like to move on with our lives right now. Please keep Reed in your prayers tomorrow.
We spent most of Monday applying to jobs, and we were very excited when he was contacted for two interviews tomorrow. We have prayed all week, we went to the temple on Friday, and we went to all of our meetings this weekend for stake conference. I really really have my fingers crossed that something will come of our hard work and prayers. My job is tiding us over, but we would really like to move on with our lives right now. Please keep Reed in your prayers tomorrow.
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