I have always been concerned (a little bit) about Z's fine motor skills. Ever since he was a baby that always seemed to be the area he was always just a little behind in. He seemed just a tad bit behind with grabbing toys, banging toys together, using utensils, having a pincer grasp, stacking blocks, etc.... Now that he is 2.5 he is not yet doing very will immitating even simple strokes with a crayon like circles and lines. He doesn't snip with scissors very well. He also has never been interested in stacking blocks, puzzles, shape sorters, etc... He just doesn't play that way. I have always chalked it up to it being a personality thing.
However, since I work with first steps (Indiana's early intervention program) and I am a huge advocate for the program I finally decided to go ahead and use it, and have Z get an Occupational therapy evaluation. I must say it was pretty cool for once to be on the other side of the fence. To be the parent with the child being evaluated rather than the evaluator. I always have wondered how that felt.
When you request an evaluation 2 therapist have to come out. The choices are Physical therapy, occupational, speech, and developmental therapy. I obviously didn't need a PT to eval my kid. ;) And I am least concerned about his speech of all areas of development, so I chose the OT and DT.
They came out yesterday to evaluate him. I really was curious how he would perform for the girls that came out. Sometimes he is quiet around other people, and other times he is very social and talkative. Yesterday he was very social and talkative and did Great! He participated very well with them! It was so fun to watch!
He strung beads for them....something he would not do for me. He also stacked blocks for them...another thing he won't do for me. He put leggos together for them....another thing he won't do for me. haha! I guess it's me!
However, he did still have trouble with the immitating lines and cirlces with the crayon and with the scissors while they were here. He also couldn't open a lid off a jar. So, the conclusion was that he is a little delayed with his fine motor skills as I suspected. However, the delay was small enough that he is not eligible for the program. I asked for an age range, and they guestimated that his fine motor skills may be at the 24-27 month level. They said that it may be a "boy" thing, and part of his personality.
The good part is that they gave me many many ideas of things to work on with him to help him develop his fine motor skills better. So, I am happy to have a big bag of tricks of things to start trying to do with him more. Now....it'll be just a matter of getting him to participate. They told me to just incorporate all the fine motor play within his pretend play, since that is what he LOVES so much. That is actually how they got him to do things. They had him build a house for a guy using the blocks, and make food by snipping paper with the scissors for another guy, etc.... They told me I could hide penny's in the playdoh and say it's gold for the pirates and make him get it out, etc... I don't know why I didn't think of all of that before. It seems so obvious to me now, that I should have thought of that!
So, anyway even this First steps therapist learned a lot yesterday! And I am an even bigger advocate for the program. I am just a tiny bit disappointed that he won't get on-going services, but happy that I have so many things I can do to help him now! :)
And NOW for the bragging. You may just want to stop reading at this point, because now I am going to brag big time about how well he did in other areas! :D This is for me! Someday if he is hating school like his dad did, and is doing poorly at all with his grades and/or tests, I can always come back to this blog and say at least when he was two he had it going on...and he did well on "that" test! I can also bring this to his attention and let him know that he really does have lots of potential! :)
While they were here evaluating him they also went on and on and on about how smart he was, and by how well he was talking. After they left I even felt the need to quickly write down many of the comments they said, so that I would always remember that praise! Brian was here too, so he helped me remember all that they said. Here are some of the raves, mostly by the developmental therapist who was previously a teacher:
"He is so advanced with his language skills.....like eons ahead. He is way above his peers....actually he is above his peers older than him."
"He just blows me away"
"He is amazing"
"I have Never seen a child play pretend so well at this age!"
"He scored the highest on the cognitive part of the test of any child I have ever evaluated!" (The test goes up to kids who are three)
And then when Z decided to recite his full name, address, and phone number correctly to them the OT looked shocked and said, "My 4 year old can't even do that yet."
I felt so proud!! :) I am so proud!! Zayden is amazing and he blows me away too! :) However, the moment I am most proud of happened at the very end of the assessment. The girls were leaving and we were telling them good-bye. Zayden ran up to the DT and said, "You forgot your man", "You forgot your man". We were kind of ignoring him at first as we were talking. Finally we realized what he was saying. While they were finishing up their paperwork they had let Z play with one of their "guys". Well, they forgot to get him back from Z. So the DT looked down at Zayden and told him she didn't know where it was, so he could just keep him. With the help of Brian Z found the man and gave him back to the DT willingly...which is big for Z. He loves guys more than anything. So, I felt so proud that he was the only one who remembered that he still had this guy, and that he was so honest. He could have tried to keep it (which many kids I work with do, when I get out my toys), but instead he wanted to return it. :) I felt so proud!!
Hooray for first steps and hooray for Zayden.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
A bunch of TV
Me: Zayden do you want to watch a little TV?
Z: I want to watch a bunch of it!
Me: *laughing* You want to watch a bunch of tv?
Z: I NEED to watch a bunch of tv.
Me: What do you want to watch.
Z: I want to watch a bunch of movies!
I really try to not have Z watch much TV, but boy does he LOVE it? I let him watch about 30-60 min/day and if we have a busy day none. Brian lets him watch much more when he is watching him....which isn't that often.
If it was up to Z though, he would be watching a bunch of it!
Z: I want to watch a bunch of it!
Me: *laughing* You want to watch a bunch of tv?
Z: I NEED to watch a bunch of tv.
Me: What do you want to watch.
Z: I want to watch a bunch of movies!
I really try to not have Z watch much TV, but boy does he LOVE it? I let him watch about 30-60 min/day and if we have a busy day none. Brian lets him watch much more when he is watching him....which isn't that often.
If it was up to Z though, he would be watching a bunch of it!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Couple quick Zayden funnies
Yesterday, Ivy was crying (because of constipation/pooping issues). So, Zayden came over and got in her face and made some silly sounds to calm her down. Ivy stopped crying and smiled. Z walked away. Then Ivy started crying again, while I was holding her. Z walked over, held out his hands toward Ivy, and said, "Give her to me, She wants ME!"
This morning Ivy was crawling all around and Z and I were talking.
Me: Do you see Ivy crawling around.
Z: Yes.
Me: Did you ever think she was going to do that?
Z: No.
Me: Do you know what she is going to do next?
Z: What?
Me: She is going to walk.
Z: OHHH. MYYYY. GODDDD. That's trouble!
This morning Ivy was crawling all around and Z and I were talking.
Me: Do you see Ivy crawling around.
Z: Yes.
Me: Did you ever think she was going to do that?
Z: No.
Me: Do you know what she is going to do next?
Z: What?
Me: She is going to walk.
Z: OHHH. MYYYY. GODDDD. That's trouble!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A moment with Ivy
Like the title of my blog, I really am trying to pause often during my day and just enjoy the moment. I try to enjoy the little things like reading books, smiles, giggles, hugs, funny conversations, etc..... I try to really live in the moment and enjoy it because I know I won't ever get that moment back. I wish I wrote down more of these moments to help me remember some day.
2 nights ago I had a really special moment with Ivy. I put her down to sleep around 7:30. She woke up (for the first time) shortly after I fell asleep around 11:30 crying. I didn't think she could be hungry yet, so I sleepily went in her room and tried to just give her her pacifier to see if she'd go back to sleep. As I fumbled in the dark to try to get the pacifier in her mouth, she rolled over onto her back and gave me a HUGE smile. I couldn't help but smile back. Then she giggled, and it took all I had to not giggle back, but my smile was still there. I put the pacifier in anyway, and she kept smiling and giggling even with the pacifier in her mouth while looking up at me. I then realized she was NOT going to just go back to sleep no matter how tired I was. So, I picked her up and decided to try to rock her for a little bit. She kept looking up at me and smiling and laughing while I tried to not make much eye contact and remained stoned face and quiet. She didn't let up. Finally, I caved. I looked down at this happy girl and started laughing out loud too. I kissed her on her head, and cheeks and told her I loved her. We then both kept looking at each other smiling and laughing (out loud) even though it was late and we should be sleeping. I had an urge to take her out of her room and bring her to the living room or my bedroom so we could play for awhile, but knew if I did that it would be hours before she would go back to sleep. I finally decided to go ahead and nurse her. She happily nursed, but kept watching me. She would pause every few seconds and smile at me, and I smiled back until she finally drifted off back to sleep. While she fell asleep nursing I thought to myself, "We are going to have a lot of fun together! We are going to be GOOD friends!"
This may sound strange, but I felt in that moment that I got a small glimpse of our future together. I pictured her much older...like in her 20's....and us just hanging out and laughing at our own inside joke. I really enjoyed that moment we shared, and it made me feel happy about what is yet to come!!
2 nights ago I had a really special moment with Ivy. I put her down to sleep around 7:30. She woke up (for the first time) shortly after I fell asleep around 11:30 crying. I didn't think she could be hungry yet, so I sleepily went in her room and tried to just give her her pacifier to see if she'd go back to sleep. As I fumbled in the dark to try to get the pacifier in her mouth, she rolled over onto her back and gave me a HUGE smile. I couldn't help but smile back. Then she giggled, and it took all I had to not giggle back, but my smile was still there. I put the pacifier in anyway, and she kept smiling and giggling even with the pacifier in her mouth while looking up at me. I then realized she was NOT going to just go back to sleep no matter how tired I was. So, I picked her up and decided to try to rock her for a little bit. She kept looking up at me and smiling and laughing while I tried to not make much eye contact and remained stoned face and quiet. She didn't let up. Finally, I caved. I looked down at this happy girl and started laughing out loud too. I kissed her on her head, and cheeks and told her I loved her. We then both kept looking at each other smiling and laughing (out loud) even though it was late and we should be sleeping. I had an urge to take her out of her room and bring her to the living room or my bedroom so we could play for awhile, but knew if I did that it would be hours before she would go back to sleep. I finally decided to go ahead and nurse her. She happily nursed, but kept watching me. She would pause every few seconds and smile at me, and I smiled back until she finally drifted off back to sleep. While she fell asleep nursing I thought to myself, "We are going to have a lot of fun together! We are going to be GOOD friends!"
This may sound strange, but I felt in that moment that I got a small glimpse of our future together. I pictured her much older...like in her 20's....and us just hanging out and laughing at our own inside joke. I really enjoyed that moment we shared, and it made me feel happy about what is yet to come!!
Zayden Funnies
Here's some funny moments that I can recall from the past week:
I was changing Ivy's diaper. Both are in huggies, but Z's diapers are one size bigger. Zayden said, "That's my diaper!" I told him that "No, this is Ivy's diaper. Her diapers have a big Pooh (Winnie the Pooh) and your diapers have a little Pooh on them." Z then said, "NO, I have a big poop, and Ivy has a little poop!"
When we leave the house and it's dark still, Z always talks about how dark it is. So, one morning when we were driving in the dark to get the conversation going, I asked, "Is it light out or dark?" Z said, "light out" Surprised, I said, "No Z it's dark out." Z said, "No, the light IS out!"......then when we got to the in-laws and I opened my door and the dome light came on he said, "Now the light is on."
We had to go to the doctor's on friday, and he was pretty funny during that trip. First we get to the appointment and we see all the St. Patricks Decorations hanging up in the waiting room. Z asks what all of it is. I tell him it's decorations for "Saint Patrick's Day". Then my boy, Zayden Patrick, smiles and says, "My day?" And since then he keeps talking about his day and anytime anyone says anthing about St. Patricks day he thinks it is his day. And if we talk about someone else's birthday or something he'll say. "MY day is coming up soon!!" So starting in 2009 I now claim March 17th as not only St. Patrick's day but Also Zayden Patrick Day! ;) Now I'm going to have to find an Ivy Renee day.
While waiting for the Doctor, I asked Z if he remembered her name, as we haven't seen her for awhile. Z smiled big, said "Dr. Seuss" and then started laughing. Brian and I cracked up laughing too. A few seconds later he then said her correct name on his own. Sooo, he did know her name and he purposefully made a joke I believe. :) It was a good joke.....for a 2 year old.
Last night I walked in the room, and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, you freaked me out!"
Just now as I was finishing this up he walked by and I asked, "Zayden did you poop?" The answer of course was "No". I said, "Then what do I smell?" He said, "Stinkers! You smell stinkers!" .........................................now I'm off to change a diaper. ;)
I was changing Ivy's diaper. Both are in huggies, but Z's diapers are one size bigger. Zayden said, "That's my diaper!" I told him that "No, this is Ivy's diaper. Her diapers have a big Pooh (Winnie the Pooh) and your diapers have a little Pooh on them." Z then said, "NO, I have a big poop, and Ivy has a little poop!"
When we leave the house and it's dark still, Z always talks about how dark it is. So, one morning when we were driving in the dark to get the conversation going, I asked, "Is it light out or dark?" Z said, "light out" Surprised, I said, "No Z it's dark out." Z said, "No, the light IS out!"......then when we got to the in-laws and I opened my door and the dome light came on he said, "Now the light is on."
We had to go to the doctor's on friday, and he was pretty funny during that trip. First we get to the appointment and we see all the St. Patricks Decorations hanging up in the waiting room. Z asks what all of it is. I tell him it's decorations for "Saint Patrick's Day". Then my boy, Zayden Patrick, smiles and says, "My day?" And since then he keeps talking about his day and anytime anyone says anthing about St. Patricks day he thinks it is his day. And if we talk about someone else's birthday or something he'll say. "MY day is coming up soon!!" So starting in 2009 I now claim March 17th as not only St. Patrick's day but Also Zayden Patrick Day! ;) Now I'm going to have to find an Ivy Renee day.
While waiting for the Doctor, I asked Z if he remembered her name, as we haven't seen her for awhile. Z smiled big, said "Dr. Seuss" and then started laughing. Brian and I cracked up laughing too. A few seconds later he then said her correct name on his own. Sooo, he did know her name and he purposefully made a joke I believe. :) It was a good joke.....for a 2 year old.
Last night I walked in the room, and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, you freaked me out!"
Just now as I was finishing this up he walked by and I asked, "Zayden did you poop?" The answer of course was "No". I said, "Then what do I smell?" He said, "Stinkers! You smell stinkers!" .........................................now I'm off to change a diaper. ;)
Friday, February 20, 2009
Even Ivy has bad days sometimes.
Ivy really is the happiest baby on the block! I've never been around another baby that smiles and laughs so much. Even while getting her first 4 teeth, and through this past cold this week she has been all smiles. Of course occasionally she cries if she is hungry or tired, and lately if I walk out of the room.....or even move a couple feet away from her (hello separation anxiety days). However, mostly she is dazzling us with those dimples!
Today was different. She woke up and within 10 minutes was crying and fussy. I was holding her, nursing her, letting her stand at her favorite toys (her favorite thing lately), and she still was crying and very fussy. She didn't have a fever, but this was NOT like my happy baby! So, I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened this morning because I "knew" she had an ear infection. She batted at her right ear 2x during her fussy period.
The doctor confirmed it. Ivy has her first ear infection in her right ear. And we started her first round of antibiotics this afternoon. Luckily Tylenol has brought back those dimples! :) Let's hope she recovers quickly and doesn't have any more bad days anytime soon!
Today was different. She woke up and within 10 minutes was crying and fussy. I was holding her, nursing her, letting her stand at her favorite toys (her favorite thing lately), and she still was crying and very fussy. She didn't have a fever, but this was NOT like my happy baby! So, I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened this morning because I "knew" she had an ear infection. She batted at her right ear 2x during her fussy period.
The doctor confirmed it. Ivy has her first ear infection in her right ear. And we started her first round of antibiotics this afternoon. Luckily Tylenol has brought back those dimples! :) Let's hope she recovers quickly and doesn't have any more bad days anytime soon!
Monday, February 16, 2009
A lesson from Ivy
Last night was a very difficult night here. Ivy developed a cold, and was so congested all night. She couldn't breathe through her nose, and since she prefers to sleep with a pacifier, she basically did not sleep much at all, and was waking up every 30 minutes or so crying. ugh! I am the only one in this house that gets up with the crying kids in the middle of the night, so it was all on me. Anyway, I am guessing I probably got about 2 hours of broken sleep, when 5:00 hit and Ivy was suddenly WIDE awake and ready to be up for the day!
I felt completely exhausted like I hadn't slept at all. I laid Ivy on the floor in the living room, so I could go let out the dog and feed him. I let the dog out....peeked around the corner, and Ivy was lying on her back holding one of Zayden's pirate hats and chewing on it. Luckily Z was still sleeping or else he would have not been happy. While I was feeding the dog I kept thinking, "HOW am I going to manage today? How am I going to function and take care of 2 energetic demanding kids who are not feeling well? How can I get through this day?"
I came back into the living room to find Ivy up on her hands and knees facing me with a big smile on her face while wearing the pirate hat perfectly on her head, but backwards! I have no idea how she did it, but it was just what I needed! I laughed and laughed, and then she laughed too...that little pirate baby! It had to be one of the funniest and cutest things I had ever walked in on! ;)
And then I realized HOW I was going to make it through the day. I was going to laugh and smile and enjoy my kids. I was going to be grateful for having a baby that keeps me up all night, and for having 2 kids to enjoy ALL day even if I can barely keep my eyes open!
Thank you Ivy for the reminder that I needed today!
I felt completely exhausted like I hadn't slept at all. I laid Ivy on the floor in the living room, so I could go let out the dog and feed him. I let the dog out....peeked around the corner, and Ivy was lying on her back holding one of Zayden's pirate hats and chewing on it. Luckily Z was still sleeping or else he would have not been happy. While I was feeding the dog I kept thinking, "HOW am I going to manage today? How am I going to function and take care of 2 energetic demanding kids who are not feeling well? How can I get through this day?"
I came back into the living room to find Ivy up on her hands and knees facing me with a big smile on her face while wearing the pirate hat perfectly on her head, but backwards! I have no idea how she did it, but it was just what I needed! I laughed and laughed, and then she laughed too...that little pirate baby! It had to be one of the funniest and cutest things I had ever walked in on! ;)
And then I realized HOW I was going to make it through the day. I was going to laugh and smile and enjoy my kids. I was going to be grateful for having a baby that keeps me up all night, and for having 2 kids to enjoy ALL day even if I can barely keep my eyes open!
Thank you Ivy for the reminder that I needed today!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Random car conversation with the Z man!
I LOVE the random conversations Zayden and I have during our 5 minute drive home from my in-laws on the days I get a chance to pick him up! Here is our long conversation we had today with many topic changes and some funnies to the best of my recollection.
Me: So, how was your day today?
Z: I got a bird.
Me: You got a bird?
Z: Yes, an eagle.
Me: What did you do with it?
Z: I don't know. It flew away.
Me: It flew away?
Z: I don't know where it went.
Me: Maybe it went to it's nest, it's home.
Z: Yeah the best nest, the best nest.
Z: What is that?
Me: What?
Z: That!
Me: What?
Z: That!!
Me: ummm cars.
Z: No actually it's a man.
Me: Do you see the fire truck?
Z: Yes! It's a big truck.
Me: Do you know what color it is?
Z: Red
Me: Yes smarty pants it is red.
Z: Is there a green fire truck?
Me: I have never seen a green fire truck.
Z: Fire trucks are good.
Me: Yes they are good. They help put out fires and save lives.
Z: There's a gas station.
Me: YES, that IS a gas station.
Z: Can we live there?
Me: *long explanation of why we can't live in a gas station and should go home*
Z: I don't want to go home!
Me: Where do you want to go?
Z: Target.
Me: Target?
Z: I have to buy some money. I have to go to Target to buy some money.
Me: Oh yeah?
Z: Do you see that boy? He's walking!
Me: Yes, I see him.
Z: Can we go see him again?
Me: No.
(last 2 lines repeated 3 times)
Z: Who is at their house?
Me: I don't know. I don't know those people. Do you know them?
Z: Yes
Me: Who are they?
Z: I don't know
Z: A car is going to hit you.
Me: No a car won't hit me. I am driving safely.
Z: I don't want to go home!
Me: Why not?
Z: Cause there is a monster.
Me: Where is a monster?
Z: There is a monster at my home.
Me: There is no monster there!
Z: Yes, there is a monster.
Me: *long explanation of how monsters are just pretend and in books, but not at our house*
Me: So, what do you want for dinner tonight?
Z: I don't want anything. I'm okay. Don't make me any food.....okay mommy?
And then we were in the garage....and my evening was made!!
Me: So, how was your day today?
Z: I got a bird.
Me: You got a bird?
Z: Yes, an eagle.
Me: What did you do with it?
Z: I don't know. It flew away.
Me: It flew away?
Z: I don't know where it went.
Me: Maybe it went to it's nest, it's home.
Z: Yeah the best nest, the best nest.
Z: What is that?
Me: What?
Z: That!
Me: What?
Z: That!!
Me: ummm cars.
Z: No actually it's a man.
Me: Do you see the fire truck?
Z: Yes! It's a big truck.
Me: Do you know what color it is?
Z: Red
Me: Yes smarty pants it is red.
Z: Is there a green fire truck?
Me: I have never seen a green fire truck.
Z: Fire trucks are good.
Me: Yes they are good. They help put out fires and save lives.
Z: There's a gas station.
Me: YES, that IS a gas station.
Z: Can we live there?
Me: *long explanation of why we can't live in a gas station and should go home*
Z: I don't want to go home!
Me: Where do you want to go?
Z: Target.
Me: Target?
Z: I have to buy some money. I have to go to Target to buy some money.
Me: Oh yeah?
Z: Do you see that boy? He's walking!
Me: Yes, I see him.
Z: Can we go see him again?
Me: No.
(last 2 lines repeated 3 times)
Z: Who is at their house?
Me: I don't know. I don't know those people. Do you know them?
Z: Yes
Me: Who are they?
Z: I don't know
Z: A car is going to hit you.
Me: No a car won't hit me. I am driving safely.
Z: I don't want to go home!
Me: Why not?
Z: Cause there is a monster.
Me: Where is a monster?
Z: There is a monster at my home.
Me: There is no monster there!
Z: Yes, there is a monster.
Me: *long explanation of how monsters are just pretend and in books, but not at our house*
Me: So, what do you want for dinner tonight?
Z: I don't want anything. I'm okay. Don't make me any food.....okay mommy?
And then we were in the garage....and my evening was made!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Paying it forward!
I went snowboarding on Friday with Brian and his good friend Chris. We had a good time. I was starting to get the hang of it again, and the boys were pretty good teachers. Then one of my worst nightmares happened. Brian lost our camera!! Not only does this suck because it is a decent camera with a 4 GB sd card, but I had many pictures and vidoes on there that I had not yet transferred to the computer. I was soooo upset. Brian said he lost it during a fall. We looked everywhere and nothing.
Brian said if someone found it they would definitely just keep it for themselves because it was a nice camera. I literally felt sick. I had a headache, and I was just then tired of snowboarding. I'd already been at it for a couple of hours. So I took off all my gear, and went inside for some hot chocolate and lunch. First I stopped by the front desk to see if someone by chance may have turned it in.
To my surprise and huge relief someone DID find it and turn it in!! And it still was in perfect condition. I told the lady that worked at the desk that I wished I could thank the person who turned it in, but there was no way. She didn't know who did.
So, I decided I needed to go do something nice for a stranger. I went to get my lunch, and stood in line with my tray waiting. I then turned to the lady behind me and asked if I could buy her lunch. She looked at me like I was nuts, and told me "no". I explained what had just happened to me, and how I wanted to "pay it forward". I then just asked that in return she does something nice for someone else soon. She said she definitely would, and let me buy her lunch.
It made me feel so good to give back, even if it wasn't to the person who helped me.
I've done that kind of thing before, but it's been awhile. I think I want to try to do that type of thing more often and teach my kids to do that. It sure did feel good even though it was such a small thing. I want my kids to learn that type of gift that they can give themselves by helping to spread happiness!
I also believe when you give...you get back....here's 2 stories of a situation when I just gave a little and got a lot in return. Years ago I was a big sister in the big brothers/big sisters program. I took my little sister to a movie one day. The lady at the concession stand gave me a dollar too much back in change. I corrected her and gave her the dollar back. My little sister laughed at me and told me that no one does that. Later that night after I dropped off my little sister when I got home I found a $20 bill in the parking lot in front of my apartment. Thanks Karma!
Another time, I was with a friend and we did some charity walk (I think the Komen walk), and afterwards we got a free bagged meal. My friend had like an oatmeal cookie in hers, and I had a chocolate chip in mine. My friend told me she was jealous and wished she had the chocolate chip. I like cc better than oatmeal too, but it wasn't a big deal so I traded her. 2 days later another friend of mine who didn't know that happened for no reason at all baked me a dozen chocolate chip cookies. LOL! Crazy but true!
So anyway, those have all been lessons learned for me. And I am so anxious for my kids to get old enough to teach them THAT kind of stuff!! :)
So while I am in some ways sad how time flies, I really am eager for all the things that are coming around the corner!!
Brian said if someone found it they would definitely just keep it for themselves because it was a nice camera. I literally felt sick. I had a headache, and I was just then tired of snowboarding. I'd already been at it for a couple of hours. So I took off all my gear, and went inside for some hot chocolate and lunch. First I stopped by the front desk to see if someone by chance may have turned it in.
To my surprise and huge relief someone DID find it and turn it in!! And it still was in perfect condition. I told the lady that worked at the desk that I wished I could thank the person who turned it in, but there was no way. She didn't know who did.
So, I decided I needed to go do something nice for a stranger. I went to get my lunch, and stood in line with my tray waiting. I then turned to the lady behind me and asked if I could buy her lunch. She looked at me like I was nuts, and told me "no". I explained what had just happened to me, and how I wanted to "pay it forward". I then just asked that in return she does something nice for someone else soon. She said she definitely would, and let me buy her lunch.
It made me feel so good to give back, even if it wasn't to the person who helped me.
I've done that kind of thing before, but it's been awhile. I think I want to try to do that type of thing more often and teach my kids to do that. It sure did feel good even though it was such a small thing. I want my kids to learn that type of gift that they can give themselves by helping to spread happiness!
I also believe when you give...you get back....here's 2 stories of a situation when I just gave a little and got a lot in return. Years ago I was a big sister in the big brothers/big sisters program. I took my little sister to a movie one day. The lady at the concession stand gave me a dollar too much back in change. I corrected her and gave her the dollar back. My little sister laughed at me and told me that no one does that. Later that night after I dropped off my little sister when I got home I found a $20 bill in the parking lot in front of my apartment. Thanks Karma!
Another time, I was with a friend and we did some charity walk (I think the Komen walk), and afterwards we got a free bagged meal. My friend had like an oatmeal cookie in hers, and I had a chocolate chip in mine. My friend told me she was jealous and wished she had the chocolate chip. I like cc better than oatmeal too, but it wasn't a big deal so I traded her. 2 days later another friend of mine who didn't know that happened for no reason at all baked me a dozen chocolate chip cookies. LOL! Crazy but true!
So anyway, those have all been lessons learned for me. And I am so anxious for my kids to get old enough to teach them THAT kind of stuff!! :)
So while I am in some ways sad how time flies, I really am eager for all the things that are coming around the corner!!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
What's next? College applications perhaps?
This week I am watching my kids and listening to Zayden speak to me and they all of a sudden seem so incredibly OLD! I know I talk a lot about time flying and them growing up too fast, and everyone says this happens....but holy smoke it is happening WAY too fast for my liking! Is there a way to slow this down a little, or do I just need to buckle up and enjoy the thrilling high speed rollercoaster?
Yesterday, we had to lower Ivy's crib, which in my head means she's not my "little" baby anymore. She is so close to crawling now. She starts to get going and then falls on her face. ;) She can army crawl a little in desperation to get a toy. She gets into sitting on her own. She has even gotten herself up into a standing position a couple of times. She has one toy at my in-laws house that is at eye level if she is on her hands and knees, and she can push up on that to stand up. She also climbed up on me the other day to stand up. And when she is standing at a toy, she'll now even sometimes take a step or two to the side. WHAT is going on....she's 6 months old. *sniff sniff* While I love watching her do all these things and discover how to do them, it is also sad that she is getting so "big"!! She also has waved "bye bye" to my MIL twice now.
And Zayden went from two to thirteen in the past couple weeks. He all of a sudden has this teen attitude, and says things I never thought my two year old would say....these are things teens and tweens say, right? I guess not.
Here's some examples:
Today I asked him to do something for me and he responded with, "I cant. I'm busy right now!"
yesterday my father in law was trying to get Zayden to help put away his toys when I went to pick him up. Z walked over and was looking at a toy rather than putting it away, and my father told him to put it away, and Z said to him with attitude, "Be pateint!"
The thing he says the most though, that drives me crazy is all day long when I tell him something he responds with "Yeah, I know it!" or "Yeah, I know that!" Apparently he already knows everything!
He is saying some other phrases that make him sound older that are nice and not punched with as much attitude though like,
"I will help you mommy. I am a really good helper."
and "I got in big trouble today. Pawpaw was very mad at me"
and today when we were going to the park to see some friends, he said, "I am going to go play with my buddies!" (don't know where he learned buddies!) :D
and "Daddy is going to scare me. Well, actually daddy is a good guy!" I love when he says actually!
and
"I don't want to go to grandma's house today (be)cause everyone is sick. Grandma's sick and pawpaw's sick too."
Anyway....he just sounds too grown up when he talks lately. I love that Z talks so well, but gosh it all is just flying at me so fast!!
I really just want freeze time RIGHT now! I guess I just need to be better about living in the moment, and enjoying them all as they come because I am already missing so many moments that have passed by!
Yesterday, we had to lower Ivy's crib, which in my head means she's not my "little" baby anymore. She is so close to crawling now. She starts to get going and then falls on her face. ;) She can army crawl a little in desperation to get a toy. She gets into sitting on her own. She has even gotten herself up into a standing position a couple of times. She has one toy at my in-laws house that is at eye level if she is on her hands and knees, and she can push up on that to stand up. She also climbed up on me the other day to stand up. And when she is standing at a toy, she'll now even sometimes take a step or two to the side. WHAT is going on....she's 6 months old. *sniff sniff* While I love watching her do all these things and discover how to do them, it is also sad that she is getting so "big"!! She also has waved "bye bye" to my MIL twice now.
And Zayden went from two to thirteen in the past couple weeks. He all of a sudden has this teen attitude, and says things I never thought my two year old would say....these are things teens and tweens say, right? I guess not.
Here's some examples:
Today I asked him to do something for me and he responded with, "I cant. I'm busy right now!"
yesterday my father in law was trying to get Zayden to help put away his toys when I went to pick him up. Z walked over and was looking at a toy rather than putting it away, and my father told him to put it away, and Z said to him with attitude, "Be pateint!"
The thing he says the most though, that drives me crazy is all day long when I tell him something he responds with "Yeah, I know it!" or "Yeah, I know that!" Apparently he already knows everything!
He is saying some other phrases that make him sound older that are nice and not punched with as much attitude though like,
"I will help you mommy. I am a really good helper."
and "I got in big trouble today. Pawpaw was very mad at me"
and today when we were going to the park to see some friends, he said, "I am going to go play with my buddies!" (don't know where he learned buddies!) :D
and "Daddy is going to scare me. Well, actually daddy is a good guy!" I love when he says actually!
and
"I don't want to go to grandma's house today (be)cause everyone is sick. Grandma's sick and pawpaw's sick too."
Anyway....he just sounds too grown up when he talks lately. I love that Z talks so well, but gosh it all is just flying at me so fast!!
I really just want freeze time RIGHT now! I guess I just need to be better about living in the moment, and enjoying them all as they come because I am already missing so many moments that have passed by!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Funny, sweet, smart, egotistical Z!
I couldn't really title this one Funnies, because some of them are just kind of cute little sayings that weren't necessarily haha funny, but still worth remembering.
All of these were said during our day yesterday.
We were driving in the car, and had this conversation:
Z: Mommy is your hat on?
Me: No, I took it off.
Z: Why?
Me: I don't know.
Z: Do you like hat's?
Me: Not really. Daddy like's hats.
Z: YEAH
Me: Pawpaw likes hats
Z: YEAH
Me: Pirates like hats
Z: YEAH
Me: Football players like hats!
Z: YEAH......*pause* Actually football players wear helmets.
Later in the day, Z hurt his knee "real bad" so I put a band-aid on it. He then looked up at me and said, "Mommy you are the best friend I never had!"
My screen saver has a picture of Z and Ivy together. Z looked at it yesterday and said, "That's Ivy and me! We are the greatest kids in the whole world" (I wonder who tells him that all the time. ;))
Yesterday we were hanging out not doing much and Z looks at me and says, "I have an idea!! Let's eat candy!"
Yesterday I wanted to go to the store, and Z didn't want to go. I told him Ivy and I were going with out him, and he said okay, so I pretended to leave without him. I carried Ivy out of the room, opened and shut the door like we left, and then stood there quietly in the next room listening. Z just carried on playing like nothing happened. So, then I decided to use my cell to call the house number, because usually when the phone rings Z will tell me it's ringing. I thought he must not believe I really left. So I call the house, and then I hear Z pause from playing with his guys and say, "Mommy went to the store!"
Oh....and this one was a couple of days ago, but still pretty funny!
Z: Daddy I falled down
Brian: Fell
Z: I did fell down!
All of these were said during our day yesterday.
We were driving in the car, and had this conversation:
Z: Mommy is your hat on?
Me: No, I took it off.
Z: Why?
Me: I don't know.
Z: Do you like hat's?
Me: Not really. Daddy like's hats.
Z: YEAH
Me: Pawpaw likes hats
Z: YEAH
Me: Pirates like hats
Z: YEAH
Me: Football players like hats!
Z: YEAH......*pause* Actually football players wear helmets.
Later in the day, Z hurt his knee "real bad" so I put a band-aid on it. He then looked up at me and said, "Mommy you are the best friend I never had!"
My screen saver has a picture of Z and Ivy together. Z looked at it yesterday and said, "That's Ivy and me! We are the greatest kids in the whole world" (I wonder who tells him that all the time. ;))
Yesterday we were hanging out not doing much and Z looks at me and says, "I have an idea!! Let's eat candy!"
Yesterday I wanted to go to the store, and Z didn't want to go. I told him Ivy and I were going with out him, and he said okay, so I pretended to leave without him. I carried Ivy out of the room, opened and shut the door like we left, and then stood there quietly in the next room listening. Z just carried on playing like nothing happened. So, then I decided to use my cell to call the house number, because usually when the phone rings Z will tell me it's ringing. I thought he must not believe I really left. So I call the house, and then I hear Z pause from playing with his guys and say, "Mommy went to the store!"
Oh....and this one was a couple of days ago, but still pretty funny!
Z: Daddy I falled down
Brian: Fell
Z: I did fell down!
Exercise is paying off for Miss Ivy!
She has been doing push-ups:
And Yoga:
And Yoga:
Which paid off because tonight she managed to do this several times:
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