I cannot believe Elayna's 19 months old today!! At 19 months she is:
Basically running, although it looks pretty funny
Saying many words and trying to say a lot more
Loves reading books
Is in a size 3 diaper
Is just now outgrowing her 9 month clothes
Her hair is half way down her back and still a light brown/dark blonde
12 teeth
Obsessed with a Jeep exersaucer at daycare
Loves being outside (sitting outside watching her play as I type)
Is trying to dress/undress herself
Still rear-facing
Loves the pool
Hates the bathtub
Loves fruitsnacks, it's like toddler crack
I took a bunch of pics today and have the camera plugged in to the computer, but with the changes to blogger I can't get them to upload. Grrrr. I guess I'm going to have to break down and get Google Chrome.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Defending Jacob
by William Landay
Do you know who your kid is? Yes, as a parent, you try to know your kid...you eat dinner together every night. You become friends with his friends' parents, you have his internet passwords and a block on his computer so he can't access certain sites. But do you really know your kid?
This is the horror D. A. Andy Barber finds himself facing. Despite doing everything by the book, parenting-wise, he finds he may not know his son after all.
The book spins its story carefully, working between flashbacks and current discoveries. Benjamin Rifkin was murdrered. During the investigation, it comes out that Ben was a bit of a bully and his main target was Jacob Barber, son of Any Barber. Jacob swears that he's innocent, and what choice does a parent have but to believe their child.
In the course of the investigation, the Barber family loses everything - Andy's job, Jacob's education (as he's no longer allowed at school), Laurie (Jacob's mom) starts dwindling away under the stress, and their friends. This book paints a grim picture that, no matter innocent or guilty, anyone accused is always tainted, their lives forever altered.
What really got to me, as a mom, is what do you do if you think/know that your child is guilty, guilty especially of murder? How do you deal with the feeling of betryaing your child by doubting their innocence? Worse, how do you deal if it's not just doubt, but your child really is a murderer?
I was totally sucked into this book. William Landay is an amazing writer and he paints characters I was drawn into and cared about. I saw a bit of myself in Laurie, trying too hard at times to make everything right. And then I would see a bit of myself in Andy, staying stoic and distant when times got a little too tough.
Again, I struggle to write reviews of books because I don't want to give too much away. This was another twisty, turny book that wonderfully pulled all the strings together in the end and tied them in a knot. And like most great books, there was quite the twist at the end that had me go "ooohhhh." I was sad to turn the last page, desperate to know what happened next to this family. It is a must read!
Do you know who your kid is? Yes, as a parent, you try to know your kid...you eat dinner together every night. You become friends with his friends' parents, you have his internet passwords and a block on his computer so he can't access certain sites. But do you really know your kid?
This is the horror D. A. Andy Barber finds himself facing. Despite doing everything by the book, parenting-wise, he finds he may not know his son after all.
The book spins its story carefully, working between flashbacks and current discoveries. Benjamin Rifkin was murdrered. During the investigation, it comes out that Ben was a bit of a bully and his main target was Jacob Barber, son of Any Barber. Jacob swears that he's innocent, and what choice does a parent have but to believe their child.
In the course of the investigation, the Barber family loses everything - Andy's job, Jacob's education (as he's no longer allowed at school), Laurie (Jacob's mom) starts dwindling away under the stress, and their friends. This book paints a grim picture that, no matter innocent or guilty, anyone accused is always tainted, their lives forever altered.
What really got to me, as a mom, is what do you do if you think/know that your child is guilty, guilty especially of murder? How do you deal with the feeling of betryaing your child by doubting their innocence? Worse, how do you deal if it's not just doubt, but your child really is a murderer?
I was totally sucked into this book. William Landay is an amazing writer and he paints characters I was drawn into and cared about. I saw a bit of myself in Laurie, trying too hard at times to make everything right. And then I would see a bit of myself in Andy, staying stoic and distant when times got a little too tough.
Again, I struggle to write reviews of books because I don't want to give too much away. This was another twisty, turny book that wonderfully pulled all the strings together in the end and tied them in a knot. And like most great books, there was quite the twist at the end that had me go "ooohhhh." I was sad to turn the last page, desperate to know what happened next to this family. It is a must read!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Severe Weather Alert System
So We're sitting here watching the Supernatural I recorded Friday night. For those in the area, you'll remember Friday night saw some severe thunderstorms. So the alert interupted the show. And it was annoying! It's no longer just the long annoying beep. No, now it also had a very raspy voice guy telling us that there could be hail and to take cover inside.
Okay, seriously, they need to get rid of this alert system. All it does is annoy people by interupting the show! By the time the alert came on Friday, it was already storming. So does no good. And when watching it days later it does no good. I would love to hear of any instance when the alert system did do good or alerted people who didn't know of extreme weather.
Anyway, my vote is to never hear that annoying sound again!!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Hi!
Okay, I know I've been MIA but what happened to blogger while I was gone?? I do not like the new layout...
Anyway, not much has ben going on here. Elayna's now 18 months(!) and amazing. Still tiny, 22.5 pounds. Lots of semi words that I can understand. Says hi all the time. It's really adorable. Life is pretty great.
Ellie fights me (and only me, it seems) getting in the car seat. She wants to stand facing forward!
Size 3 diapers
9 to 12 month clothes mostly
Loves reading with me
Sleeps throughthe night
Is beginning to recognize when her diaper is dirty
Has an obsession with shoes being on everyone
Hates bathtime
Loves the pool
Not a fan of brushng her teeth anymore. Back to the baby brush that goes over my finger
Likes the baby swing at daycare
Likes the jeep excersaucer at daycare
I did read another book I need to do a review on, called The Fifth Witness. Amazing.
That pretty much sums up everything right now. Enjoying life and summer. Hope all is good for everyone!!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Happy 17 months!
Holy cow! How has it been 17 months (and one day) since Elayna was born?!?!?!? Crazy. At 17 months, she is:
22.9 pounds. Itty bitty
In her mimicing stage. Love it
Signs more, toothbrush, bath, please, thank you
Has 12 teeth, 8 in front and 4 molars
Is in size 3 diapers
In 9 month and 12 month clothes mostly. Some 6 month still
Her hair is more than half-way down her back
Size 4 shoes still
Blue eyes
Says mama, dada, mo (for more), doe (for done), huh, no, and nigh-night
Loves bathtime
Loves running away while giggling
Has the best giggle ever
Total mama's girl still
Loves to climb the stairs
Has figured out to slide down furniture to get off
Cleans house with mommy
Brings me her hair stuff whe she wants her hair done
Still nursing occasionally, seriously need to break her of it
Gets jealous when mommy pays attention to other kids and babies
That's all I can think of right now, sure I forgot something. I love her more every day. It's really amazing.
22.9 pounds. Itty bitty
In her mimicing stage. Love it
Signs more, toothbrush, bath, please, thank you
Has 12 teeth, 8 in front and 4 molars
Is in size 3 diapers
In 9 month and 12 month clothes mostly. Some 6 month still
Her hair is more than half-way down her back
Size 4 shoes still
Blue eyes
Says mama, dada, mo (for more), doe (for done), huh, no, and nigh-night
Loves bathtime
Loves running away while giggling
Has the best giggle ever
Total mama's girl still
Loves to climb the stairs
Has figured out to slide down furniture to get off
Cleans house with mommy
Brings me her hair stuff whe she wants her hair done
Still nursing occasionally, seriously need to break her of it
Gets jealous when mommy pays attention to other kids and babies
That's all I can think of right now, sure I forgot something. I love her more every day. It's really amazing.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I got scammed
And no, I didn't send money to a Nigerian Prince :) Since we moved last year, come January 1, 2012, we had to register our house as our homestead to get the break on our taxes. So I got something in the mail from the state to take care of the paperwork. Or so I thought. I filled out the document and sent it back with the $35 fee, not a happy person.
Yes, I know I should have done my research, so I do take partial blame, but really, is it that unbelievable to think the state imposed a fee? Plus, the laws did change in September 2011 to make it where you have to provide a copy of your drivers license with the address matching the house you're claiming and either proof that your vehicle is registered at that address or an affadavit stating that you don't own a vehicle.
So I got all that paperwork gathered and sent it into the state. And then received another official looking document that hubby and I had to get signed and notarized together, and send in with another $39 fee.
At this point, I was furious. First, having to get the two of us together somewhere during business hours and second another freaking fee. So I started to do some googling and found out it's a total scam.
It looks official. It comes from a company called Homestead Recording Service in Austin, Texas. Yes, if you go down to the very bottom it says it's an advertisement. But my problem is that it's selling itself as being from the state. It's just wrong and I don't know why the state lets them do it.
Because all the "work" they did for $35 was to send me the document to fill out. The document that's free online. So I know it's a done deal and I know it won't happen, but I want my freaking $35 back!!! And I did file a complaint with the State Attorney General.
This is my PSA to let everyone know not to fall for the trick I did. I'm just glad it was only $35.
Yes, I know I should have done my research, so I do take partial blame, but really, is it that unbelievable to think the state imposed a fee? Plus, the laws did change in September 2011 to make it where you have to provide a copy of your drivers license with the address matching the house you're claiming and either proof that your vehicle is registered at that address or an affadavit stating that you don't own a vehicle.
So I got all that paperwork gathered and sent it into the state. And then received another official looking document that hubby and I had to get signed and notarized together, and send in with another $39 fee.
At this point, I was furious. First, having to get the two of us together somewhere during business hours and second another freaking fee. So I started to do some googling and found out it's a total scam.
It looks official. It comes from a company called Homestead Recording Service in Austin, Texas. Yes, if you go down to the very bottom it says it's an advertisement. But my problem is that it's selling itself as being from the state. It's just wrong and I don't know why the state lets them do it.
Because all the "work" they did for $35 was to send me the document to fill out. The document that's free online. So I know it's a done deal and I know it won't happen, but I want my freaking $35 back!!! And I did file a complaint with the State Attorney General.
This is my PSA to let everyone know not to fall for the trick I did. I'm just glad it was only $35.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Flylady
I know I haven't posted a flylady challenge in awhile, so I wanted to give a brief update. Yes, I'm still fluttering, but with modifications. Part ofnthe beauty of flylady is that each person has to adapt it to their own life. She just give basics blocks to start the building.
One thing I've let go of is the routines. Sure, I have things that have to get done each morning, noon, and night, but I've realized that they don't, and can't, get done in the same order every day. So it's a daily to do list, I know certain things have to get done before work, after work, and before bed. And it works perfectly for me.
Next thing that's going pretty well is decluttering. I'll admit, I have stuffitis. I have a hard time getting rid of things, it feels like a betrayal to those who gave it to me, or a betrayal to the money that was spent. I'm working on getting over that. 3 boxes went to good will last weekend and it felt good.
Do it now! Seriously is an awesome concept. I don't know why the human brain exaggerates the time it takes to do things, but it does. The dishwasher? Roughly two minutes to empty. Load of laundry? About 10 minutes, including going upstairs. I've been trying to do things before my brain can talk me out of it.
Still a lot of progress to make, but I feel good. House is looking not half bad, and I'm taking it one project at a time.
One thing I've let go of is the routines. Sure, I have things that have to get done each morning, noon, and night, but I've realized that they don't, and can't, get done in the same order every day. So it's a daily to do list, I know certain things have to get done before work, after work, and before bed. And it works perfectly for me.
Next thing that's going pretty well is decluttering. I'll admit, I have stuffitis. I have a hard time getting rid of things, it feels like a betrayal to those who gave it to me, or a betrayal to the money that was spent. I'm working on getting over that. 3 boxes went to good will last weekend and it felt good.
Do it now! Seriously is an awesome concept. I don't know why the human brain exaggerates the time it takes to do things, but it does. The dishwasher? Roughly two minutes to empty. Load of laundry? About 10 minutes, including going upstairs. I've been trying to do things before my brain can talk me out of it.
Still a lot of progress to make, but I feel good. House is looking not half bad, and I'm taking it one project at a time.
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