Potty training. Hmmm... I can already tell this is going to be an interesting time.
Matt and I loaded Kathryn up in the car today and headed out to the local Wal-Mart. We thought we should go ahead and purchase her little "potty" so she could start getting used to it. I think neither one of us knew really what to expect when we saw multiple brands of "potty chairs". Pretty sure we stood in the aisle reading all the boxes for about 20 minutes. Matt at one point is holding one of the boxes and starts laughing. He literally says, "this one plays music and rewards the kid for doing #2......Sweet." I'm fairly certain he was jealous at that point.
If only you had been a fly on the wall during this process of deciding which "potty" to go with. Again, referencing the parenting bible that doesn't exist, what's the criteria for choosing one? Design? Easiest to clean? One that converts into a million other things? One that plays music? One that makes "flushing" sounds? I mean, I could go on and on.
We settled on the Princess Potty chair. Clearly the title speaks for itself. Yes, it plays music...apparently that was a major selling point for Matt. I never thought I'd go to a store looking for a little box to sit on so Kathryn could learn to use the bathroom and walk out with a musical, plastic Princess Potty chair that converts into a stool, potty, and "seat for the toilet" sort of contraption. Good times.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Prayers for Brian
Please pray for a sweet little boy, Brian, who is going through his first round of chemo today. He's being treated for Histiocytosis. His aunt, Dabney, is one of my dear friends and her family is going through a whirlwind of events with his diagnosis. Please keep Brian, his family and the doctors in your prayers.
From the Histiocytosis Association of America website: http://www.histio.org/
Unlike cancer, histiocytosis sometimes goes into remission without treatment.The vast majority of people diagnosed with histiocytosis are children under the age of 10, but it is also found in adults of all ages.
It is approximated that histiocytosis affects 1 in 200,000 children born each year in the United States. This illness is so rare, there is little research into its cause and treatment, and it is often referred to as an "orphan disease," meaning it strikes too few people to generate government - supported research.
From the Histiocytosis Association of America website: http://www.histio.org/
Histiocytosis is a rare blood disease that is caused by an excess of white blood cells called histiocytes. The histiocytes cluster together and can attack the skin, bones, lung, liver, spleen, gums, ears, eyes, and/or the central nervous system.
The disease can range from limited involvement that spontaneously regresses to progressive multiorgan involvement that can be chronic and debilitating. In some cases, the disease can be life-threatening.In some ways, histiocytosis is similar to cancer and has historically been treated by oncologists with chemotherapy and radiation.
Unlike cancer, histiocytosis sometimes goes into remission without treatment.The vast majority of people diagnosed with histiocytosis are children under the age of 10, but it is also found in adults of all ages.
It is approximated that histiocytosis affects 1 in 200,000 children born each year in the United States. This illness is so rare, there is little research into its cause and treatment, and it is often referred to as an "orphan disease," meaning it strikes too few people to generate government - supported research.
Monday, September 21, 2009
About Being a Mom...Part 2
These add-ins are to go along with my original post. I'd like to clarify and say that this is what I've learned in 2 years. I'm expecting to have about 900,000+ added to this list in a few years. This is just an inside peek to what a NEW mom has learned. This list is endless...
- "Noise" takes on a whole new meaning when you have a sleeping child. Once your little kid is asleep for a nap, you hear every single noise you never knew existed. It's like you get radar ears the minute your child is born. If you were a cursing individual, you'd curse the sound of the lawnmower 12 houses down from your house, or the mailman two streets over slamming the mailboxes shut, or the dump truck 5 miles away coming down the highway.
- You'd never believe how many times you could listen to the same song or cd over and over just to see the delight and glee of your child.
- You go through kid shoes faster than you can say Willy Wonka Umpa Lumpa.
- If you have a dog before your child is born and he/she is your "baby"...that all changes when you have a child. He gets pushed to the back burner. And if your dog upsets you for whatever reason, he's no longer sent to his cage for "punishment"; your child gets free reign to poke/annoy/irritate/pester him. It's a win-win situation (for parent and child). Poor dog.
- More than you'll like to admit, you'll probably find yourself in a situation where you're in the grocery store, a restaurant, gas station, wherever and your child will start pitching a fit so loud you'd think you gave birth to a pterodactyl. You'll probably believe everyone in the Super WalMart hears your child screaming and you'll think they're thinking "can't that mother control her child?" I can pretty much guarantee this happening at some time or another. All I can say to that is......yep, just giving you a heads up.
- You'd like to think you're never going to say the things your mom used to say that annoyed the crap out of you like, "Because I said so" or "I'm not going to say it again, I said no" or "Say please"...they'll slip out more often than you planned on.
- You'll learn a whole new meaning to love when you meet your little baby.
- For some CRAZY reason, for the first two years of life you're supposed to reference your child's age by months. I've never been a math person and this one just throws me off every time. After four months I was confused and couldn't keep track anymore so my recommendation is to pick the closest YEAR your child will be and round up. Kathryn's been "almost 2" since she was 19 months old.
- "Noise" takes on a whole new meaning when you have a sleeping child. Once your little kid is asleep for a nap, you hear every single noise you never knew existed. It's like you get radar ears the minute your child is born. If you were a cursing individual, you'd curse the sound of the lawnmower 12 houses down from your house, or the mailman two streets over slamming the mailboxes shut, or the dump truck 5 miles away coming down the highway.
- You'd never believe how many times you could listen to the same song or cd over and over just to see the delight and glee of your child.
- You go through kid shoes faster than you can say Willy Wonka Umpa Lumpa.
- If you have a dog before your child is born and he/she is your "baby"...that all changes when you have a child. He gets pushed to the back burner. And if your dog upsets you for whatever reason, he's no longer sent to his cage for "punishment"; your child gets free reign to poke/annoy/irritate/pester him. It's a win-win situation (for parent and child). Poor dog.
- More than you'll like to admit, you'll probably find yourself in a situation where you're in the grocery store, a restaurant, gas station, wherever and your child will start pitching a fit so loud you'd think you gave birth to a pterodactyl. You'll probably believe everyone in the Super WalMart hears your child screaming and you'll think they're thinking "can't that mother control her child?" I can pretty much guarantee this happening at some time or another. All I can say to that is......yep, just giving you a heads up.
- You'd like to think you're never going to say the things your mom used to say that annoyed the crap out of you like, "Because I said so" or "I'm not going to say it again, I said no" or "Say please"...they'll slip out more often than you planned on.
- You'll learn a whole new meaning to love when you meet your little baby.
- For some CRAZY reason, for the first two years of life you're supposed to reference your child's age by months. I've never been a math person and this one just throws me off every time. After four months I was confused and couldn't keep track anymore so my recommendation is to pick the closest YEAR your child will be and round up. Kathryn's been "almost 2" since she was 19 months old.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Pet Peeves...
- Not returning grocery carts to the "Cart Area". This is a huge issue for me..This actually may be my biggest pet peeve (wouldn't you assume since it's the first one I thought of) If you're "able" to get one you are "able" to put it back where it belongs.
- Going to the post office. I think the post office is worse than the dmv. I despise the post office.
- Having to call Dell's customer service. Don't even get me started on this one.
- All the crap mail we get in our mailbox. No one reads it and it goes straight to recycling. Why waste the postage??
- Going to the post office. I think the post office is worse than the dmv. I despise the post office.
- Having to call Dell's customer service. Don't even get me started on this one.
- All the crap mail we get in our mailbox. No one reads it and it goes straight to recycling. Why waste the postage??
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lesson Learned Today...
In hopes of avoiding the destruction of your mirror and bathroom sink from looking like mine this morning: Turn electric toothbrush on AFTER it is in your mouth. You're just going to have to trust me on that one.
Never forget, I have endless amounts of advice. Just ask anytime. I am sure you could learn a thing or two. And don't worry, my advice is free of charge...at least, for the time being.
On a completely new topic, I have a new favorite fiction author...Vince Flynn. He writes right up my alley of interest with political thrillers, conspiracy and espionage. You won't be disappointed - unless you don't like books on that type of thing...Oh well.
Never forget, I have endless amounts of advice. Just ask anytime. I am sure you could learn a thing or two. And don't worry, my advice is free of charge...at least, for the time being.
On a completely new topic, I have a new favorite fiction author...Vince Flynn. He writes right up my alley of interest with political thrillers, conspiracy and espionage. You won't be disappointed - unless you don't like books on that type of thing...Oh well.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
About Being a Mom
I have some friends who are pregnant for the first time and I was thinking of what advice to give them. Below, are a few things I've learned that the books don't tell you about being a mom...
- You should probably be prepared to get the "You are CRAZY" look from other parents or adults at some point or another. Whether it's deserved or not...that's a different story.
- There will be times when you think you've made the best decision for your baby and then realize you didn't. That's okay.
- There are the type of parents who are obsessive-compulsive about using anti-bacterial lotion 3,400 times a day...and there are parents who don't know what it is. I figure, they didn't have that when we were growing up so a happy medium should do just fine.
- At some time or another you may find yourself in a situation where kids are playing on a playground/play area together and a little boy you don't know (and whose parent isn't around) spits on your child. You can either a) spit on him. b) kick him c) remove your child from the play area or d) all of the above. If you're mad enough, you may get away with a) and c)...
- You can never just "run out the door" anymore. If you have some place to go with your child in tow, you will need the following:
extra diapers
wipes
bottle
snack
diaper bag
keys
purse
cell phone
- Kids pick up mannerisms and behaviors very easily. Pick and choose wisely who all you associate with.
- There are hundreds and hundreds of books and everyone has their opinion about how you should raise your child and what you should be doing. Always remember you are the one who is ultimately responsible for their well-being.
- When you hear "raising children is the most rewarding experience"...that's true.
- Be prepared to have your tv, windows, fireplace glass, refrigerator, dishwasher and oven door covered with little hand prints. It becomes part of your home.
- You will likely....or rather, you will most definitely do things you'd never think you would do in your life for your child (and no, I'm not talking about spitting on another kid - I really didn't do that but I did think about it.)
- Modesty is out the window when you have a baby.
- Driving down the road with the windows down and the radio blasting is out the window. (Temporarily)
- I still don't know how to get in and out of a public restroom while trying to pee, holding a child and making sure no one touches anything all at the same time.
- Running errands that used to take 20 minutes, now take about an hour. Plan accordingly.
That's all for now but I am sure I will definitely be adding to this list...
- You should probably be prepared to get the "You are CRAZY" look from other parents or adults at some point or another. Whether it's deserved or not...that's a different story.
- There will be times when you think you've made the best decision for your baby and then realize you didn't. That's okay.
- There are the type of parents who are obsessive-compulsive about using anti-bacterial lotion 3,400 times a day...and there are parents who don't know what it is. I figure, they didn't have that when we were growing up so a happy medium should do just fine.
- At some time or another you may find yourself in a situation where kids are playing on a playground/play area together and a little boy you don't know (and whose parent isn't around) spits on your child. You can either a) spit on him. b) kick him c) remove your child from the play area or d) all of the above. If you're mad enough, you may get away with a) and c)...
- You can never just "run out the door" anymore. If you have some place to go with your child in tow, you will need the following:
extra diapers
wipes
bottle
snack
diaper bag
keys
purse
cell phone
- Kids pick up mannerisms and behaviors very easily. Pick and choose wisely who all you associate with.
- There are hundreds and hundreds of books and everyone has their opinion about how you should raise your child and what you should be doing. Always remember you are the one who is ultimately responsible for their well-being.
- When you hear "raising children is the most rewarding experience"...that's true.
- Be prepared to have your tv, windows, fireplace glass, refrigerator, dishwasher and oven door covered with little hand prints. It becomes part of your home.
- You will likely....or rather, you will most definitely do things you'd never think you would do in your life for your child (and no, I'm not talking about spitting on another kid - I really didn't do that but I did think about it.)
- Modesty is out the window when you have a baby.
- Driving down the road with the windows down and the radio blasting is out the window. (Temporarily)
- I still don't know how to get in and out of a public restroom while trying to pee, holding a child and making sure no one touches anything all at the same time.
- Running errands that used to take 20 minutes, now take about an hour. Plan accordingly.
That's all for now but I am sure I will definitely be adding to this list...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Race is on...
I'm hoping to have a great story for you later about me tracking down one of Donald Miller's manuscripts for a friend of mine but you'll just have to wait at the edge of your seat for a little while longer... He is the author of Blue Like Jazz. I've never read it (or anything else by him) but apparently he is hiding 60 of his manuscripts across the nation and on twitter letting everyone know a day in advance what state it will be in and the day of, he'll post the actual address of the hidden manuscript. Whoever gets there first gets the manuscript and a phone conversation with him about any of his books. Today, the state is North Carolina and my friend...who lives in GEORGIA asked if I could help her out since I'm kind of at an advantage. Since she's a dear friend, (and I figure if I'm able to get it, I won't have to worry about her birthday or Christmas present until kingdom come) I told her if it is possible for me to get to the location, I'll be throwing punches to get the manuscript for her. She told me to charge the GPS and thankfully I already have a full tank of gas. I also figured I could use Kathryn as a distraction if it became necessary. I'll just yell "WHOSE CHILD IS THIS!!??" and while everyone's trying to figure it out, I'll snatch the manuscript. I pretty much have it all figured out. I'm prepared to use any means necessary. This is serious business.
On a side note. Does anyone else out there think the Dilbert comics are the funniest things ever? I think Scott Adams is hilarious. The one on the www.dilbert.com site today is great. It won't be as funny if I try to retype it here for you. If you don't laugh at it, consider yourself weird.
On a side note. Does anyone else out there think the Dilbert comics are the funniest things ever? I think Scott Adams is hilarious. The one on the www.dilbert.com site today is great. It won't be as funny if I try to retype it here for you. If you don't laugh at it, consider yourself weird.
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