Just finished All the Way Home by Mary Pride last night. It was a fantastic read about every aspect of being a family. I got Keith to start reading it. She's a big homeschooling author too. This is another oldie but goodie, copyright 1989. Some of the info in the chapter on childbirth is a little outdated, but for the most part is remains relevant. This is a great book not just for stay-at-home moms but for fathers too!
I never realized how many feminist notions had gotten into my head before reading these last two books!
And the new pregnancy symptom is that I cannot drink any caffeinated beverage without experiencing very painful cramps. This is disturbing because sometimes I would just about kill for unsweetened ice tea. Plus monthly mochas are such a treat. It's milk, water, and juice for me from now on.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Go See Star Trek!
Keith and I went to the movies last night for a belated anniversary date. We saw Star Trek and it was AWESOME! I have never seen a single episode of Star Trek, the series, but the trailers for this movie looked cool and I knew Keith liked Star Trek. I highly recommend seeing this movie. I didn't feel "lost" at all because of never watching Star Trek on TV. It was one of the fastest two hours I've ever spent in a movie theater.
Just don't see it in IMAX without taking Dramamine first. As soon as we walked into the theater I was dizzy. Within a half an hour after that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it to the end of the movie without vomiting. It was such a good movie, though, that I endured to the very end! And then I was sick for the rest of the night. Oh well. I'd still say it was worth it!
Just don't see it in IMAX without taking Dramamine first. As soon as we walked into the theater I was dizzy. Within a half an hour after that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it to the end of the movie without vomiting. It was such a good movie, though, that I endured to the very end! And then I was sick for the rest of the night. Oh well. I'd still say it was worth it!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Book #8
It's only taken me a month, but I finally finished What's a Smart Woman like you doing At Home? As I've mentioned before, there are so many quotes I want to take from this book. It was a real encouragement reading it. I never even realized that I may have been apologizing for being a stay-at-home mom when people have asked me what I do in the past. Never again. I feel that in the future I will have such solid responses to inquiries like that.
It's an old publication, copyright 1986, but if you can find it in a bookstore or library, or if you see it at a garage sale, pick it up! It's worth it!
Next will be either Mary Pride's All the Way Home or Susan Richman's Writing From Home.
By the way-Keith came back home safe and sound! But he brought foreign germs home with him and now me and the boys are sick as dogs!
It's an old publication, copyright 1986, but if you can find it in a bookstore or library, or if you see it at a garage sale, pick it up! It's worth it!
Next will be either Mary Pride's All the Way Home or Susan Richman's Writing From Home.
By the way-Keith came back home safe and sound! But he brought foreign germs home with him and now me and the boys are sick as dogs!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thank God For the Internet
Keith has been in Japan since Saturday. I was teary-eyed and miserable for two days, but the internet has been such a wonderful blessing. I never thought much of it until this trip. However, not only have Keith and I been able to send instant messages to one another, but we can also turn on our webcams and see each other, AND we can call each other's computers and HEAR each other! While we're looking at each other! This is all new for me. I know this technology has been around for a long time, but this is the first time I've had any use for it. It has also been great for Keith to be able to see and hear the boys, and vice versa. We are picking him up from the airport tomorrow-and not a minute too soon. I can't wait to see him again.
Mother's Day (which also happened to be our 3 year anniversary) was good and miserable. Keith took care of me before he left by sending me 2 dozen multi-color roses (beautiful!) and a new fancy-schmancy camera! It's one of those semi-pro ones. I had been complaining of the poor quality of our 5 or 6 megapixel cameras and said someday I wanted to splurge on one of those really nice ones. Well, Keith surprised me with just such a camera on Friday before he left. Now I just need to learn how to use it to the best of its ability.
Otherwise we've been doing well here. I finally found a dress for me and an outfit for Isaac for a wedding in 2-3 weeks that we're in. It's tough finding nice dress pants/shirts/ties for a 2 year old. Basically no one carries them. Not even JCPenney or Macy's. The outfit I found was at Sears, on clearance, but the tie didn't match the colors of the wedding. So I found a black tie on clearance at Penney's, and then dress shoes and socks at Payless. All in all, his outfit cost about $50, which is still more than half of what mine cost! I found a cute black maternity dress on clearance for $19.99! Of course, I'll spend a lot more than that getting my hair and nails done. Oh well.
My reading is very slow-going. I'm not sure why. I have been working on the Bible study we're doing in moms group called The Power of a Woman's Words. My moms group breaks for the summer though, so maybe my reading will pick up then. I'm still working on What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? There are so many quotes I want to take from this book. I do recommend any woman who stays at home with her children in any capacity, even if only part-time, read this book. It's an old publication, from the '80's. Hopefully it's still in print though, or can be found at a library. It's been very encouraging.
Almost forgot-Keith and I are selling our living room furniture. We just never use it, and we're going to convert the living room into a library/study instead to make better use of the space. So, if anyone is looking, or knows someone who is looking, let me know! The furniture is only about 4 years old I think, and barely used. The fabric is ivory/light beige in color, the wood is like a light oak, and I'd say antique in style. We are selling a couch (seats 3), chaise lounge, square end table, coffee table with glass center, and hemispherical end table, including a matching table lamp. Again, if you know anyone who is interested, pass the info along, or let me know. We are willing to be flexible on the price too. We just want to get rid of it.
Mother's Day (which also happened to be our 3 year anniversary) was good and miserable. Keith took care of me before he left by sending me 2 dozen multi-color roses (beautiful!) and a new fancy-schmancy camera! It's one of those semi-pro ones. I had been complaining of the poor quality of our 5 or 6 megapixel cameras and said someday I wanted to splurge on one of those really nice ones. Well, Keith surprised me with just such a camera on Friday before he left. Now I just need to learn how to use it to the best of its ability.
Otherwise we've been doing well here. I finally found a dress for me and an outfit for Isaac for a wedding in 2-3 weeks that we're in. It's tough finding nice dress pants/shirts/ties for a 2 year old. Basically no one carries them. Not even JCPenney or Macy's. The outfit I found was at Sears, on clearance, but the tie didn't match the colors of the wedding. So I found a black tie on clearance at Penney's, and then dress shoes and socks at Payless. All in all, his outfit cost about $50, which is still more than half of what mine cost! I found a cute black maternity dress on clearance for $19.99! Of course, I'll spend a lot more than that getting my hair and nails done. Oh well.
My reading is very slow-going. I'm not sure why. I have been working on the Bible study we're doing in moms group called The Power of a Woman's Words. My moms group breaks for the summer though, so maybe my reading will pick up then. I'm still working on What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? There are so many quotes I want to take from this book. I do recommend any woman who stays at home with her children in any capacity, even if only part-time, read this book. It's an old publication, from the '80's. Hopefully it's still in print though, or can be found at a library. It's been very encouraging.
Almost forgot-Keith and I are selling our living room furniture. We just never use it, and we're going to convert the living room into a library/study instead to make better use of the space. So, if anyone is looking, or knows someone who is looking, let me know! The furniture is only about 4 years old I think, and barely used. The fabric is ivory/light beige in color, the wood is like a light oak, and I'd say antique in style. We are selling a couch (seats 3), chaise lounge, square end table, coffee table with glass center, and hemispherical end table, including a matching table lamp. Again, if you know anyone who is interested, pass the info along, or let me know. We are willing to be flexible on the price too. We just want to get rid of it.
Friday, May 1, 2009
17 Weeks & My Jeans Are Pretty Tight!
I don't think I'll be able to wear non-maternity jeans much longer! The couple pairs I wore the last few days were pretty snug, and downright uncomfortable when I sat down! It seems my little baby bump has popped out overnight! Oh well. I'm now 17 weeks along in my third pregnancy and everything is going great. I feel wonderful! I do love being pregnant after the first trimester. I've heard the baby's heartbeat twice now and it's beautiful. My 20 week ultrasound is scheduled. I'm not even tempted to find out the gender!
Interestingly, I am experiencing symptoms with this pregnancy that I never have before. The first is faintness in the mornings. It's happened at least three times now where I've felt light-headed, gotten tunnel-vision, and could hear my own heartbeat. I haven't passed out, I always catch it in time to sit down with a glass of ice tea or something. It's just weird. I've never been that kind of person who gets even a little bit faint. The second is headaches! They're very manageable though, and probably have more to do with my back and neck than with pregnancy. If I just exercise at least every other day, I don't get them! I also don't get back or neck pain when I exercise. The last is called chloasma, which are brown spots across your face. They're supposed to go away after birth, and I hope that they do. They're pretty subtle, but I notice them.
Keith is doing wonderfully. He leaves for Japan soon for almost a whole week, so I will miss him a great deal. I'm not stressing out about it, though, because he told me he has to go to China for like a month at the end of the year. That will suck. So I'm using the Japan trip to try and prepare myself.
Isaac continues to be a very skillful singer of songs. He also loves to pray before naptime and bedtime, as well as before, during, and after meals. He's got the Lord's prayer memorized, but he'll never recite it on command. You just have to be lucky and catch him saying it while he's playing. He is beginning to recognize some letters, I think, and he definitely knows the difference between letters and numbers. Colors and shapes continue to be hit or miss. I think he just doesn't care about them.
Josiah is going to walk any day now. He is 11 months old now and we've caught him on several occassions taking a step or two from one piece of furniture to another. The trick is to put things in his hands so that he can't hold on. Yesterday he had a Nilla wafer in each hand when he did it. He also waves "hi" and "bye," which is adorable! He eats mostly regular food now and very little baby food. Still hates bottles. I'm still trying to get him used to sippy cups. I'm also weaning him off of the pacifier for sleep. For right now I've just stopped giving it to him at night. I still let him have it for naps.
Up until a few days ago it's been unseasonably warm here in the 'Burgh. We (the boys and I) have spent a lot of time outside playing in the yard and going for walks. Keith has done a bit of yard work. I did pull weeds once. The last few days have been very rainy though. The next time we get one of those beautiful days again I am taking the boys to the zoo.
Right now I'm reading a book called What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? It's been encouraging for me as a stay-at-home mom. It's pretty old though, copyright 1986. It was loaned to me by the wife of someone Keith works with who has 8 kids, and she homeschools them all. Well, the oldest two are in college, so I guess she's homeschooling the remaining 6 now. After I finish the books she loaned me I hope to read some books on childrearing like Shepherding a Child's Heart and maybe a Dobson book like Bringing Up Boys.
Interestingly, I am experiencing symptoms with this pregnancy that I never have before. The first is faintness in the mornings. It's happened at least three times now where I've felt light-headed, gotten tunnel-vision, and could hear my own heartbeat. I haven't passed out, I always catch it in time to sit down with a glass of ice tea or something. It's just weird. I've never been that kind of person who gets even a little bit faint. The second is headaches! They're very manageable though, and probably have more to do with my back and neck than with pregnancy. If I just exercise at least every other day, I don't get them! I also don't get back or neck pain when I exercise. The last is called chloasma, which are brown spots across your face. They're supposed to go away after birth, and I hope that they do. They're pretty subtle, but I notice them.
Keith is doing wonderfully. He leaves for Japan soon for almost a whole week, so I will miss him a great deal. I'm not stressing out about it, though, because he told me he has to go to China for like a month at the end of the year. That will suck. So I'm using the Japan trip to try and prepare myself.
Isaac continues to be a very skillful singer of songs. He also loves to pray before naptime and bedtime, as well as before, during, and after meals. He's got the Lord's prayer memorized, but he'll never recite it on command. You just have to be lucky and catch him saying it while he's playing. He is beginning to recognize some letters, I think, and he definitely knows the difference between letters and numbers. Colors and shapes continue to be hit or miss. I think he just doesn't care about them.
Josiah is going to walk any day now. He is 11 months old now and we've caught him on several occassions taking a step or two from one piece of furniture to another. The trick is to put things in his hands so that he can't hold on. Yesterday he had a Nilla wafer in each hand when he did it. He also waves "hi" and "bye," which is adorable! He eats mostly regular food now and very little baby food. Still hates bottles. I'm still trying to get him used to sippy cups. I'm also weaning him off of the pacifier for sleep. For right now I've just stopped giving it to him at night. I still let him have it for naps.
Up until a few days ago it's been unseasonably warm here in the 'Burgh. We (the boys and I) have spent a lot of time outside playing in the yard and going for walks. Keith has done a bit of yard work. I did pull weeds once. The last few days have been very rainy though. The next time we get one of those beautiful days again I am taking the boys to the zoo.
Right now I'm reading a book called What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? It's been encouraging for me as a stay-at-home mom. It's pretty old though, copyright 1986. It was loaned to me by the wife of someone Keith works with who has 8 kids, and she homeschools them all. Well, the oldest two are in college, so I guess she's homeschooling the remaining 6 now. After I finish the books she loaned me I hope to read some books on childrearing like Shepherding a Child's Heart and maybe a Dobson book like Bringing Up Boys.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Book #7
The Duggars: 20 and Counting! by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar
My mom loaned me this book because she said it had some homeschooling advice in it. I have to say that after reading this book I love the Duggars! I used to always say that I didn't like Kate Gosselin (of Jon & Kate Plus 8) but I could relate to her more than to Michelle Duggar. That is no longer true. The long skirts (the the 18 kids) threw me off, but I actually have way more in common, as far as beliefs, values, and principles go, with the Duggar's than I ever will with the Gosselin's. So I've switched allegiances, so to speak.
What I found to be most encouraging was the information they gave on how they raise their children, young & old, and their frugality. They actually live what I believe when it comes to having no debt. I mean, I firmly believe in living debt free, yet I'm willing to have a mortgage. They truly owe no one anything. That is admirable.
I think I'm going to read some books on staying at home/homeschooling next. One of Keith's friends from work has 8 kids and his wife homeschools them all. I gave her a call to talk to her about it and she loaned me a few books. I figure I better read them and get them back to her as quickly as possible.
One piece of really exciting news...Keith & I are going on a weekend getaway to Mackinac (sp?) Island this summer! My parents are going to watch the boys. We're staying at a bed and breakfast. It looks so quaint. I cannot wait!
My mom loaned me this book because she said it had some homeschooling advice in it. I have to say that after reading this book I love the Duggars! I used to always say that I didn't like Kate Gosselin (of Jon & Kate Plus 8) but I could relate to her more than to Michelle Duggar. That is no longer true. The long skirts (the the 18 kids) threw me off, but I actually have way more in common, as far as beliefs, values, and principles go, with the Duggar's than I ever will with the Gosselin's. So I've switched allegiances, so to speak.
What I found to be most encouraging was the information they gave on how they raise their children, young & old, and their frugality. They actually live what I believe when it comes to having no debt. I mean, I firmly believe in living debt free, yet I'm willing to have a mortgage. They truly owe no one anything. That is admirable.
I think I'm going to read some books on staying at home/homeschooling next. One of Keith's friends from work has 8 kids and his wife homeschools them all. I gave her a call to talk to her about it and she loaned me a few books. I figure I better read them and get them back to her as quickly as possible.
One piece of really exciting news...Keith & I are going on a weekend getaway to Mackinac (sp?) Island this summer! My parents are going to watch the boys. We're staying at a bed and breakfast. It looks so quaint. I cannot wait!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Book #6
I finished 1984 by George Orwell while on vacation. Definitely a great classic! I have to admit though, it took a couple of days to fully absorb the ending, for it to really sink in. Also, I was expecting more parallels (sp?) to today's political climate and didn't find very many. Then again, they could've gone right over my head.
Next up is the Duggar's book Twenty & Counting.
Also, while I'm at it, vacation was great except for the boys being so sick all week. They both had terribly runny noses and coughs all week long, fevers off & on, and Isaac had some GI issues I won't go into detail about. The climax of all the illnesses was actually yesterday when we were in North Carolina, driving home, about two hours away from where we were going to stop for the night, when Isaac vomitted all over himself and his carseat. So that was a drama, getting that all cleaned up. Then he continued to be sick for the rest of the evening, and when he did it again at 1:45 am, we just decided to pack up and leave for Pittsburgh then. He's still having GI troubles today.
Back to vacation though...the resort we stayed at was beautiful. We were there with Keith's dad, stepmom, brothers and sister, and his sister's two kids, Austin and Dominik, who Isaac absolutely adored. We got to do lots of swimming. Isaac is fearlessly suicidal in the water! We did have one really chilly day, when we decided to go to the Magic Kingdom. It was so cold though that I fear we made the boys' coughs and colds worse that day. The next two days we went to Universal and Islands of Adventure-LOVED both parks! Only downside was I couldn't ride very much because I'm pregnant. Also, Isaac wasn't tall enough for a lot of the rides, and I couldn't hold Josiah on my lap on many rides either. It was still great though. The parks are beautiful and cute, and I can't wait to go back when I'm not pregnant to ride The Hulk and The Mummy, among many other things! Islands of Adventure does have a section called Seuss Landing, which was so adorable, and Isaac could ride everything! Josiah even rode the Caro-Seuss-el! A big thank you to Keith's dad and Roxanne for inviting us along!
Next up is the Duggar's book Twenty & Counting.
Also, while I'm at it, vacation was great except for the boys being so sick all week. They both had terribly runny noses and coughs all week long, fevers off & on, and Isaac had some GI issues I won't go into detail about. The climax of all the illnesses was actually yesterday when we were in North Carolina, driving home, about two hours away from where we were going to stop for the night, when Isaac vomitted all over himself and his carseat. So that was a drama, getting that all cleaned up. Then he continued to be sick for the rest of the evening, and when he did it again at 1:45 am, we just decided to pack up and leave for Pittsburgh then. He's still having GI troubles today.
Back to vacation though...the resort we stayed at was beautiful. We were there with Keith's dad, stepmom, brothers and sister, and his sister's two kids, Austin and Dominik, who Isaac absolutely adored. We got to do lots of swimming. Isaac is fearlessly suicidal in the water! We did have one really chilly day, when we decided to go to the Magic Kingdom. It was so cold though that I fear we made the boys' coughs and colds worse that day. The next two days we went to Universal and Islands of Adventure-LOVED both parks! Only downside was I couldn't ride very much because I'm pregnant. Also, Isaac wasn't tall enough for a lot of the rides, and I couldn't hold Josiah on my lap on many rides either. It was still great though. The parks are beautiful and cute, and I can't wait to go back when I'm not pregnant to ride The Hulk and The Mummy, among many other things! Islands of Adventure does have a section called Seuss Landing, which was so adorable, and Isaac could ride everything! Josiah even rode the Caro-Seuss-el! A big thank you to Keith's dad and Roxanne for inviting us along!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
