I don't watch videos or listen to music online. I don't know why, but I just don't like to. So when people put a video clip on their blog or tell everyone to listen to a certain song, I usually don't. But today, I did.
I've written before about the Smith family and their little girl Audrey who was born a few weeks ago and only lived for 2 1/2 hours, which was about 2 1/2 hours than they expected her to. On their blog today, there was a link to a video that was shown in their friend's church yesterday. It is about their story, and Angie and Todd share their journey. It's long--over 22 minutes, but it is so worth watching. Even if you know nothing of their story, you will be touched by this video.
Angie was talking about how Audrey's life was their "Plan B" because they did not plan on having a little girl with several fatal conditions. They did not plan on having a baby who would not live to grow up. They didn't plan to have to pick out a tombstone for a child that she could feel hiccuping while looking at the options. Their was definitely not their plan. But, it was God's plan. He didn't have a "Plan B" for Audrey. This was His "Plan A," and things went perfectly according to His plan.
That made me really stop and think about things. I've already spent a lot of time thinking about my life and what it is that I am supposed to do next. I feel like I'm at a crosspoint. I'm no longer teaching, but I'm still tutoring up at school. However, I have no job security; I don't even have any sort of contract right now. I generally enjoy it; I've been able to build relationships with students that I probably wouldn't have been able to build in a classroom, but I don't think that I'll be there that much longer.
I am half heartedly looking for another job, one closer to home, but I'm just not sure what I should do. Ideally, I would like to stay home full time with Steven, but at this point, that isn't financially feasible. I've always had a very strong sense that God is preparing me for something big, but He hasn't yet shown me just exactly what it is. Mark and I have definitely been through a lot since we got married almost 7 years ago, and God has allowed me to use my experiences to help others, and I'm so thankful for that.
One benefit of my tutoring position is that I get paid by the hour and not by the student. On Mondays, that's a really good thing. For some reason, Mondays are really really slow. Yesterday I only saw two students in four hours. In contrast, the last two Wednesdays I've seen seven or eight in the same time frame. The Writing Center is actually just a little room, about the size of a small office, with a bookshelf, filing cabinet, round table, a little rectangular table that serves no real purpose, and a computer. It is in our school's Learning Center, but we are independant of them (basically we just use their space). As a result, when things are slow, I have a lot of time to sit. When I was teaching, I used this time to grade papers and prep for my classes.
Now, I've been using the time to do research on the internet. I've spent quite a few hours reading, saving, and printing articles and studies on transracial adoption and race relations. It's been interesting, enlightening, discouraging, disappointing, and inspiring all at the same time. One thing that has bothered me is the lack of diversity in our environment--our church, our neighborhood, our friends, etc. I know that there is definitely some diversity in these groups, but not nearly enough, and not very many people who are African-American.
God has really been burdening my heart about this, so I've been learning as much as I can about both transracial adoption and the black community. I'm realizing the importance of integrating our lives. I want Steven to grow up and see other people who look like him; I want him to read books that have kids of all races in them; I want him to have trucks with black drivers and buses wtih hispanic students, and asian students, and white students. I don't want to just have a token black doll or two mixed in with all his "regular toys." I'm finding that this isn't as easy as it should be. In fact, it's quite hard. I also want his friends to have these same books and toys and role models in their lives.
My first step in some of this is getting invovled in groups for black mothers. I am working to develop relationships in the black community. I need someone to ask my questions to--what do I do with all this curly hair? what type of moisturizer do you use? and where do you find toys and books and programs that will help him develop as a strong black man? But even more so, I need to expand my own world. Not just for Steven's sake, but because my world is so limited right now. I am around people who, for the most part, look like me, think like me, and were raised like me. Pretty much all my friends are christians. Don't get me wrong--it's good to have friends like these, but if that's all we have, how are we going to reach out to others? Wait for them to come to us? These are some of the questions I've been wrestling with and part of why I feel like I'm at a crossroad in my life.
Part of my research has included looking for resources to help me connect with others (such as with Mocha Moms) and to help me integrate our home, and I'm gradually finding some answers and some toys and books online. It's frustrating to have to look so purposefully and so hard at times, but it's a start. Sometime later I plan on posting some of the resources that I've found. In the meantime, I encourage you to start looking around you--look in your homes, look at your friends, look at your church, look to see how integrated your life is and think about what you're going to do about it.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Hey, Good Lookin'
Last week we got a new tv/dsl/phone line package through AT&T. We wanted to go with them before, but they didn't service our neighborhood. A few months ago, they installed a fiber optics system box just across the street, so we switched. It is so weird to have a home phone after almost 5 years without one! (And the price fits our budget!)
The first time it rang (out of only three times in five days!), I can't tell you how much it startled me. It was so loud! I'm used to my cell phone on its level two setting. I am concerned that it will wake Steven up when it rings since you can hear it from anywhere in the house.
I'm also having a hard time adjusting to such a large phone. I asked Mark if we could get a little phone, but he told me that they don't really make them as small as cell phones. Bummer. Still, it's nice to not have to worry so much about my cell phone minutes.
The new tv service is nice too, even though I don't know any of the channel numbers anymore. I've been putting on the preschool music channel for Steven since he loves music and we don't have many cds for him. I am surprised at what they consider preschooler music, though--like the country music song "Hey, Good Lookin.'" I guess that if you take the words at face value, Steven might like to sing about cookin' something up with me :) I'm just glad to have a channel to put it on that he doesn't watch!
The first time it rang (out of only three times in five days!), I can't tell you how much it startled me. It was so loud! I'm used to my cell phone on its level two setting. I am concerned that it will wake Steven up when it rings since you can hear it from anywhere in the house.
I'm also having a hard time adjusting to such a large phone. I asked Mark if we could get a little phone, but he told me that they don't really make them as small as cell phones. Bummer. Still, it's nice to not have to worry so much about my cell phone minutes.
The new tv service is nice too, even though I don't know any of the channel numbers anymore. I've been putting on the preschool music channel for Steven since he loves music and we don't have many cds for him. I am surprised at what they consider preschooler music, though--like the country music song "Hey, Good Lookin.'" I guess that if you take the words at face value, Steven might like to sing about cookin' something up with me :) I'm just glad to have a channel to put it on that he doesn't watch!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sleeping in the Jumparoo Again!
The other day Steven started fussing while in his jumparoo. I was in the other room, so I didn't go get him right away. When I did go, I noticed it was very quiet. I found him sleeping in his jumparoo--he must have worn himself right out!
When he started to stir and his little head was bobbing up and down, I moved him to his crib where he took a nice long nap. Yay!
On another note, Steven slept through the night AGAIN last night. Thirteen hours straight, and the diaper made it too!!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
At Least it was a Start
So, he slept through the night on Tuesday, but on Wednesday he was up non-stop. It really wasn't his fault, though, the poor little buddy has a cold :( He hasn't been sick at all since we got him, so this is our first little sickness. He has a hard time breathing and is very congested.
Yesterday morning I put a vaporizer in his room for his nap. It worked okay. He took a decent nap or two, but it was probably hard for him to sleep because we had an AT&T installation guy here to set up our new phone line, DSL, and tv. It was quite loud at times.
However, he was exhausted last night, and we put him down at 8:00. He slept until 1:00, and I fed him a few ounces at that time. When I put him back down, he was fussy for a while because he was having a hard time breathing. I decided to put him in his swing to sleep (it's a nice papasan cradle swing, perfect for sleeping!), and it worked wonderfully. I moved the monitor to the living room, and he slept until 8:00!! A five hour stretch and a seven hour stretch. Not bad at all! (It's a good thing we have rechargeable batteries--seven hours is a long time to run a swing!)
He's still stuffed up today, but I keep using his saline and cleaning out his poor little nose. That seems to help. Right now he's playing away in his jumparoo after a decent nap in his crib. I can't wait until he's all better--I hate having him feel so lousy!
I have some new pictures, but they'll have to wait until later. I have to get running to make it to an appointment!
Yesterday morning I put a vaporizer in his room for his nap. It worked okay. He took a decent nap or two, but it was probably hard for him to sleep because we had an AT&T installation guy here to set up our new phone line, DSL, and tv. It was quite loud at times.
However, he was exhausted last night, and we put him down at 8:00. He slept until 1:00, and I fed him a few ounces at that time. When I put him back down, he was fussy for a while because he was having a hard time breathing. I decided to put him in his swing to sleep (it's a nice papasan cradle swing, perfect for sleeping!), and it worked wonderfully. I moved the monitor to the living room, and he slept until 8:00!! A five hour stretch and a seven hour stretch. Not bad at all! (It's a good thing we have rechargeable batteries--seven hours is a long time to run a swing!)
He's still stuffed up today, but I keep using his saline and cleaning out his poor little nose. That seems to help. Right now he's playing away in his jumparoo after a decent nap in his crib. I can't wait until he's all better--I hate having him feel so lousy!
I have some new pictures, but they'll have to wait until later. I have to get running to make it to an appointment!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
He Slept Through the Night!!!
Last night Steven slept from 8:00/8:30 until 5:45, and from 6:30 to 9:00! Way to go little buddy!! (And his diaper made it through the night too--and it wasn't even bursting at the seams like before!)
We'll see how he does tonight.
We'll see how he does tonight.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Weirdness!
You know how they have bike trailers/strollers that your kids ride in? Well today we were outside talking to our neighbors, and this lady was pushing one, but you wouldn't believe what was inside. I've seen people with dogs in them (I know Sadie would LOVE it!), but this lady had a birdcage full of birds in it!! What in the world?? Our neighbors have seen her before, and it isn't just this little birdcage or anything--it's more like a two story bird condo.
Fortunately she didn't go on the sidewalk we were standing on. I don't think I would have been able to keep from laughing. Our neighbor suggested (to us only) that she should use leashes so the birds could fly along instead of sitting in a cage. Wouldn't that be a sight!!
Fortunately she didn't go on the sidewalk we were standing on. I don't think I would have been able to keep from laughing. Our neighbor suggested (to us only) that she should use leashes so the birds could fly along instead of sitting in a cage. Wouldn't that be a sight!!
Busy Weekend
We had an incredibly busy weekend, but we got sooo much done! On Friday morning at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), we talked about decluttering our lives. Decluttering our houses, our schedules, and our minds. It really got me thinking, and I spent most of my weekend decluttering our house.
On Friday night, I worked on the living room. It has been driving me crazy to have the jumparoo in front of the bookcase and too close to the middle of the room. I knew that we would have to get rid of a piece of furniture in order to get it in a corner, but it was hard to decide what to take out. (The tv and couch were off limits of course!) I finally decided to get rid of the rocking chair since we mainly just use it to store stuff on or when we have a group of friends over (which hasn't happened in a very long time).
I ended up moving the swing to where the rocking chair was and the jumparoo to where the swing was. This worked out perfectly because Steven can no longer see the tv from his jumparoo (yay!!), even if he turns around like he was doing before. I have his swing fully reclined, so he can't see the tv from there either. This also cleared enough floor space to put down his playmat, which means I'll use it more, which means he might start rolling over consistently. I also took out a tree we had in there since it no longer fit in our combined office. It is so much nicer in there now!!
On Saturday, after the MOPS sale, Mark and I finally got the office cleaned out. We had to combine his stuff and mine when we set up Steven's room, but it wasn't really organized. Several weeks ago we pulled everything out of the closet but didn't do anything with it. As a result, the room was a mess--you couldn't walk through it, and the bed was completely covered. Now, there are only 3 or 4 things on the bed, nothing on the floor, and the closet is organized. It looks so good!
On Sunday, I went through the little buddy's closet and pulled out clothes that don't really fit him anymore. I also pulled out the boxes that have his 6-9 month clothes and his 12 month and up clothes to see what we have and what we need. I was glad to see that we are completely set on sleepers for this summer, but we need to get him a few more summer things. I had already picked up a pair of shorts, two short overalls, and swim shorts. He had also been given some one piece outfits, a pair of shorts, and a shirt. I think we're going to need more than one shirt this summer! Now I know exactly what to look for at mom-to-mom sales, and what I definitely don't need!
I also started going through his toys and putting his older kid toys in the basement so they aren't all over in his bedroom. When Mark brings home more boxes from work for me, I'll be able to box them up by age so I don't have to resort through them all. I'm also cleaning out the tox box in the dining room that I filled a few years ago. It will be so nice to have all that done!
It was a busy weekend, but we had fun getting all this done. After the toys, my next huge project is the basement. We're having a neighborhood garage sale in June, so I'm getting things ready for that. Part of my decluttering has been letting go of things that we really don't need and never use. It will be so nice to have a simplified house!
On Friday night, I worked on the living room. It has been driving me crazy to have the jumparoo in front of the bookcase and too close to the middle of the room. I knew that we would have to get rid of a piece of furniture in order to get it in a corner, but it was hard to decide what to take out. (The tv and couch were off limits of course!) I finally decided to get rid of the rocking chair since we mainly just use it to store stuff on or when we have a group of friends over (which hasn't happened in a very long time).
I ended up moving the swing to where the rocking chair was and the jumparoo to where the swing was. This worked out perfectly because Steven can no longer see the tv from his jumparoo (yay!!), even if he turns around like he was doing before. I have his swing fully reclined, so he can't see the tv from there either. This also cleared enough floor space to put down his playmat, which means I'll use it more, which means he might start rolling over consistently. I also took out a tree we had in there since it no longer fit in our combined office. It is so much nicer in there now!!
On Saturday, after the MOPS sale, Mark and I finally got the office cleaned out. We had to combine his stuff and mine when we set up Steven's room, but it wasn't really organized. Several weeks ago we pulled everything out of the closet but didn't do anything with it. As a result, the room was a mess--you couldn't walk through it, and the bed was completely covered. Now, there are only 3 or 4 things on the bed, nothing on the floor, and the closet is organized. It looks so good!
On Sunday, I went through the little buddy's closet and pulled out clothes that don't really fit him anymore. I also pulled out the boxes that have his 6-9 month clothes and his 12 month and up clothes to see what we have and what we need. I was glad to see that we are completely set on sleepers for this summer, but we need to get him a few more summer things. I had already picked up a pair of shorts, two short overalls, and swim shorts. He had also been given some one piece outfits, a pair of shorts, and a shirt. I think we're going to need more than one shirt this summer! Now I know exactly what to look for at mom-to-mom sales, and what I definitely don't need!
I also started going through his toys and putting his older kid toys in the basement so they aren't all over in his bedroom. When Mark brings home more boxes from work for me, I'll be able to box them up by age so I don't have to resort through them all. I'm also cleaning out the tox box in the dining room that I filled a few years ago. It will be so nice to have all that done!
It was a busy weekend, but we had fun getting all this done. After the toys, my next huge project is the basement. We're having a neighborhood garage sale in June, so I'm getting things ready for that. Part of my decluttering has been letting go of things that we really don't need and never use. It will be so nice to have a simplified house!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Pictures with Momma!
Here are a few rare pictures of just Steven and me. We wanted to take pictures for his birth announcements (yeah, we're still doing them), but Mark and I couldn't agree on a location. In the meantime, we had a very sleepy little buddy after church. Mark wanted to take a few pictures in the yard, and I'm glad we did. You would not believe how hard it was to get him to smile. The poor kid was so tired! (and yet, it took a very long time to convince him that he really did need a nap!)
Tired!
Remember my saying that the little buddy was exhausted after performing for the social worker? Well, here's the proof. There's just nothing like sleeping in your jumparoo!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Homestudy Update
Our homestudy went really well on Monday night. The post placement homestudies seem to be pretty easy. Seriously, how hard is it to talk about your baby??
I always laugh at some of the questions that our social worker asks. (She asked the same ones when she visited in January.) She wanted to know what Steven enjoys doing and what his favorite things are. In Jan. it was mainly eating and sleeping and hanging out in his swing, but this time, we were able to expand on it a little bit. He LOVES his linkadoos and playing in his jumparoo. He's starting to get the hang of jumping in it. He loves his mobiles as well as music. I sing to him almost all day, making up most of what I sing. The little buddy doesn't know yet that most people can sing on key, so I'm good for now :)
The social worker also asked about his growth and whether or not he's up to date on his shots. (He is.) We talked about his schedule, his sleeping, different milestones he's met, how people have reacted to him, how much time he spends with different family members, etc.
The best part is that Steven was in full performance mode while she was here. He was standing on my lap, talking away, chewing on his toys with more enthusiasm than you could imagine, and just being cute in general. He was definitely having fun, and the social worker enjoyed seeing him since he just slept the last time she was here.
After she left, we gave him some cereal (which he ate!) and a bottle. Half way through the bottle, he fell asleep. Usually moving the bottle wakes him up, but not that time. He was out cold. The visit definitely wore him out!
I always laugh at some of the questions that our social worker asks. (She asked the same ones when she visited in January.) She wanted to know what Steven enjoys doing and what his favorite things are. In Jan. it was mainly eating and sleeping and hanging out in his swing, but this time, we were able to expand on it a little bit. He LOVES his linkadoos and playing in his jumparoo. He's starting to get the hang of jumping in it. He loves his mobiles as well as music. I sing to him almost all day, making up most of what I sing. The little buddy doesn't know yet that most people can sing on key, so I'm good for now :)
The social worker also asked about his growth and whether or not he's up to date on his shots. (He is.) We talked about his schedule, his sleeping, different milestones he's met, how people have reacted to him, how much time he spends with different family members, etc.
The best part is that Steven was in full performance mode while she was here. He was standing on my lap, talking away, chewing on his toys with more enthusiasm than you could imagine, and just being cute in general. He was definitely having fun, and the social worker enjoyed seeing him since he just slept the last time she was here.
After she left, we gave him some cereal (which he ate!) and a bottle. Half way through the bottle, he fell asleep. Usually moving the bottle wakes him up, but not that time. He was out cold. The visit definitely wore him out!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Busy Little Buddy
Yesterday Steven finally decided to start rolling over!! He rolled over four times (front to back each time), three of those in a row. Our biggest challenge is remembering to put him on his belly more. Right now he is back on his blanket on the floor, but I have him on his back because he tends to spit up if he's on his tummy right after eating. He's busy playing with his link-a-doos (his favorite toy) and talking away. The kid loves to watch the tv, and he's got his head turned at an awkward angle so he can watch CNN Headlines news :(
We also tried cereal again last night, and Steven did well with that. He even opened his mouth for us most of the time. He is dying to eat whatever we're having, so I thought that we'd give the cereal another go. Hopefully he continues to like it. I know he's going to love the fruit and veggies when we get to them!
On Saturday, Steven and I went with our friends Katrina and Eli to a couple mom-to-mom sales. We managed to make it in the last 15 minutes for both sales, but as a result, we got some good deals. I spent more than I did last week, but that is partly due to buying lunch in between the sales. Steven got some summer clothes including a pair of swimming trunks that have little lobsters on them, two pairs of short overalls (one jean, one khaki), and a pair of shorts. He also got a bendy bug caterpillar rattle that I had wanted, a cute yellow argyle sweater vest, a leap frog learning drum, a little tikes hammer that we had registered for, as well as a few other toys. Our biggest purchase was a brand new, still sealed in the box Fisher Price Musical Activity Walker. I had been looking for a push toy, so that we nice to find. Our list of things to look for is getting much shorter!
Tonight we have our second post-placement home study visit. I think that we only have one more after this before the adoption is finalized, which should be mid July. Yay! However, our social worker left us a message a looong time ago saying that the court wanted a few more things from me (which, of course, cost a good bit of money), so I'll have to talk to her about that and get everything set up. It will be nice when all of this is finished!
Congratulations to our friend nettiebeau on the upcoming finalization on their adoption!!
We also tried cereal again last night, and Steven did well with that. He even opened his mouth for us most of the time. He is dying to eat whatever we're having, so I thought that we'd give the cereal another go. Hopefully he continues to like it. I know he's going to love the fruit and veggies when we get to them!
On Saturday, Steven and I went with our friends Katrina and Eli to a couple mom-to-mom sales. We managed to make it in the last 15 minutes for both sales, but as a result, we got some good deals. I spent more than I did last week, but that is partly due to buying lunch in between the sales. Steven got some summer clothes including a pair of swimming trunks that have little lobsters on them, two pairs of short overalls (one jean, one khaki), and a pair of shorts. He also got a bendy bug caterpillar rattle that I had wanted, a cute yellow argyle sweater vest, a leap frog learning drum, a little tikes hammer that we had registered for, as well as a few other toys. Our biggest purchase was a brand new, still sealed in the box Fisher Price Musical Activity Walker. I had been looking for a push toy, so that we nice to find. Our list of things to look for is getting much shorter!
Tonight we have our second post-placement home study visit. I think that we only have one more after this before the adoption is finalized, which should be mid July. Yay! However, our social worker left us a message a looong time ago saying that the court wanted a few more things from me (which, of course, cost a good bit of money), so I'll have to talk to her about that and get everything set up. It will be nice when all of this is finished!
Congratulations to our friend nettiebeau on the upcoming finalization on their adoption!!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Snuggling with Grandma
Snuggling after a long day of visiting the doctor, getting vaccinated, and trying cereal for the first time.
Picky Cat!
Our cat always thinks she's starving. At her previous home, she was allowed to free feed, but when we adopted her, we put her on a diet. She has done well on it and is now a good weight. However, she thinks that she's always starving and meows constantly if it's close to meal time (or if she thinks it should be!).
We typically feed her purina indoor cat food, but last time, we had a good coupon and got her iams. This time, we had another really good coupon and got her a different type of cat food, one that she's had before, and I think that it's made by purina.
However, she has decided that she does not like it. Last time she picked out the wheat balls but ate everything else. This time she doesn't want anything to do with it. For a cat who usually inhales her food (you can hear her gulping it in, which is quite gross), this is very weird. Here is what her food dish looked like several HOURS after I fed her earlier this week.
The most impressive part? Her dish still looked like this several hours later, after I had gone out and then come back. Why's that impressive? The dog was home and didn't touch it. Such a good girl!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Diapers
Since Steven is no longer sleeping through the night, I haven't fully tested them, but I LOVE Huggies Supreme Ultra Care. They are much thicker than the Pampers Swaddlers and seem a ton more absorbant. I forgot to change him while we were out the other day (for a really long time), and the diaper was huge, but it didn't leak. Yay!
I also bought some lap pads to put under him when he sleeps. So far I haven't had to use them.
Thanks for all your great advice. (BTW, Huggies Overnights start at size 3, but we'll probably try them when we get there!)
I also bought some lap pads to put under him when he sleeps. So far I haven't had to use them.
Thanks for all your great advice. (BTW, Huggies Overnights start at size 3, but we'll probably try them when we get there!)
NOT Sleeping Through the Night, Sales, and Ebay
After my post about Steven sleeping through the night, he stopped :( Technically, it doesn't affect me since Mark takes care of the feeding, but it would be so nice if Steven would give that up. Mark has been reducing the amount he gives him in the night, and it's probably about time to reduce it even more.
We've also taken a break from cereal for a while. He just wasn't interested, and it was a pain to try to feed him. I'll probably try the cereal again this weekend to see if he's more interested now. You'd think with how hungry the kid is, he'd want solid foods! Maybe it's just too much work for him too :)
Steven, Katie, and I went to a HUGE mom-to-mom sale this weekend. I only spent $10, but I got a lot of stuff. I bought 8-10 bibs (dark colored ones to hide the inevitable baby food stains), a large rolling toy with bells/balls inside of it for when he gets a bit bigger, a rattle to put on his play mat or rocking seat, a mobile for over his changing table/to take with us on trips (he absolutely loves mobiles), and a Vicks vaporizer. It seems like there were a couple other things too, but I'm not at home to check.
A nice thing about my going to these sales is that Mark no longer gets upset when I spend money. I think he realized how good of a bargain shopper I am when we went through Babies R Us to register, and I kept pointing out things that we already had an telling him how much I paid for them. (Such as the $60 playmat I got for $2!!) There were a lot of things we didn't have to buy for Steven, and that was so nice. Mark and I went to a sale together two weeks ago, and we were there when it opened. Oh my, it was a zoo! We did some good stuff--clothes and fun toys, but I think that it scared Mark off (not that it was hard--he was looking for an excuse anyway!).
I've already got one picked out for this Saturday, and then next week is our church's huge sale. I'm working at the sale, so I get to shop an hour before it opens. Right now I'm looking for summer clothes and larger toys, esp. push toys and ride ons for when he gets a little bigger. We've got a good number of toys for now, but I don't have much for the 9/12 month-18 month stage, and this is a much cheaper option than buying them new!
For all my e-bay friends out there, I need some advice. I bought a shopping cart cover/playmat on e-bay last week. It was listed as "slightly used," but when it came, it was well worn, complete with a hole in it!! I'm so frustrated! We didn't pay much for it, but the shipping was really high. I'm going to contact the seller, but I'm not sure what to say/ask for. I'd really like a refund for the entire amount paid (including shipping since that was the bulk of the cost). Is that unreasonable? I'm really frustrated about the whole thing since we thought we were getting a great deal and then didn't at all. It's not worth my sending it back for a refund of what the actual cost is since it would be more expensive to ship (although we would send it slow mail not the overnight/2 night that the seller did). Any advice??
We've also taken a break from cereal for a while. He just wasn't interested, and it was a pain to try to feed him. I'll probably try the cereal again this weekend to see if he's more interested now. You'd think with how hungry the kid is, he'd want solid foods! Maybe it's just too much work for him too :)
Steven, Katie, and I went to a HUGE mom-to-mom sale this weekend. I only spent $10, but I got a lot of stuff. I bought 8-10 bibs (dark colored ones to hide the inevitable baby food stains), a large rolling toy with bells/balls inside of it for when he gets a bit bigger, a rattle to put on his play mat or rocking seat, a mobile for over his changing table/to take with us on trips (he absolutely loves mobiles), and a Vicks vaporizer. It seems like there were a couple other things too, but I'm not at home to check.
A nice thing about my going to these sales is that Mark no longer gets upset when I spend money. I think he realized how good of a bargain shopper I am when we went through Babies R Us to register, and I kept pointing out things that we already had an telling him how much I paid for them. (Such as the $60 playmat I got for $2!!) There were a lot of things we didn't have to buy for Steven, and that was so nice. Mark and I went to a sale together two weeks ago, and we were there when it opened. Oh my, it was a zoo! We did some good stuff--clothes and fun toys, but I think that it scared Mark off (not that it was hard--he was looking for an excuse anyway!).
I've already got one picked out for this Saturday, and then next week is our church's huge sale. I'm working at the sale, so I get to shop an hour before it opens. Right now I'm looking for summer clothes and larger toys, esp. push toys and ride ons for when he gets a little bigger. We've got a good number of toys for now, but I don't have much for the 9/12 month-18 month stage, and this is a much cheaper option than buying them new!
For all my e-bay friends out there, I need some advice. I bought a shopping cart cover/playmat on e-bay last week. It was listed as "slightly used," but when it came, it was well worn, complete with a hole in it!! I'm so frustrated! We didn't pay much for it, but the shipping was really high. I'm going to contact the seller, but I'm not sure what to say/ask for. I'd really like a refund for the entire amount paid (including shipping since that was the bulk of the cost). Is that unreasonable? I'm really frustrated about the whole thing since we thought we were getting a great deal and then didn't at all. It's not worth my sending it back for a refund of what the actual cost is since it would be more expensive to ship (although we would send it slow mail not the overnight/2 night that the seller did). Any advice??
Monday, April 7, 2008
Audrey Caroline
Audrey was born today at 4:31, and she spent the next 2+ hours with her family before leaving them for heaven around 6:45 tonight. Please pray for Angie and Todd and their other little girls--Abby, Ellie, and Kate.
Two Little Girls
Since January, I've been following the stories of two little girls, Gwyneth Rose and Audrey Caroline.
Gwyneth Rose was born in early January at approx. 25 weeks gestation. Her entire story is a miracle. Her mom, Trisha, has CF (cystic fibrosis) and was getting ready for a transplant when she found out that her secret prayers had been answered--she was pregnant. Despite some of the doctors' advice and the incredible odds against both of them surviving, she and her husband, Nate, continued the pregnancy. Because of Trisha's health, she was admitted to Duke University and has been there since. Shortly after Gwyneth was born, Trisha was placed on the transplant list, and she just received her new lungs last week (on Nate's birthday!). Both Gwyneth and Trisha are continuing to do well.
Several times a day, Nate writes about his girls. I have witnessed the excitement over new lungs turn into disappointment when they were not a good enough match. I have seen Gwyneth grow and start to breath room air and eat from a bottle. I've listened as he's poured out his heart and his story to everyone who is listening.
The other little girl, Audrey Caroline, is being born today at 4:00 p.m. eastern time. Her story started several months ago when the doctors told her parents, Todd (from the music group Selah) and Angie, that she would not survive. In fact, she has several conditions and each is fatal. Her kidneys are non functioning. She does not have enough fluid in the anmiotic sac. Her lungs aren't developing. Angie has been sharing her story, and I feel like I was there in the hospital getting the updated ultrasound, praying that Audrey would be healed.
I've followed along as they have taken Audrey and her three sisters to Disney World so that she too could experience it. I've listened as they describe the ways that they show Audrey love--eating peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches so they can feel her jump and move. And I've prayed along with them and for them as they have had to do the unthinkable--pick out a burial plot for their little girl, even as they could feel her moving and hiccuping inside of Angie. I've watched them try to explain to their 4 year old twins and 2 year old girls that Audrey is hurt and that this is the only time they have with her.
Gwyneth and Audrey are two little girls, both very much loved by their families, both with incredible medical needs. One is thriving, and the other is not expected to survive. But both of them are testaments to God's amazing grace and power. Both families have an unshakeable faith in God. Both families are praising Him through their stories.
Two little girls. Two families. Two drastically different outcomes. One amazing God.
Gwyneth Rose was born in early January at approx. 25 weeks gestation. Her entire story is a miracle. Her mom, Trisha, has CF (cystic fibrosis) and was getting ready for a transplant when she found out that her secret prayers had been answered--she was pregnant. Despite some of the doctors' advice and the incredible odds against both of them surviving, she and her husband, Nate, continued the pregnancy. Because of Trisha's health, she was admitted to Duke University and has been there since. Shortly after Gwyneth was born, Trisha was placed on the transplant list, and she just received her new lungs last week (on Nate's birthday!). Both Gwyneth and Trisha are continuing to do well.
Several times a day, Nate writes about his girls. I have witnessed the excitement over new lungs turn into disappointment when they were not a good enough match. I have seen Gwyneth grow and start to breath room air and eat from a bottle. I've listened as he's poured out his heart and his story to everyone who is listening.
The other little girl, Audrey Caroline, is being born today at 4:00 p.m. eastern time. Her story started several months ago when the doctors told her parents, Todd (from the music group Selah) and Angie, that she would not survive. In fact, she has several conditions and each is fatal. Her kidneys are non functioning. She does not have enough fluid in the anmiotic sac. Her lungs aren't developing. Angie has been sharing her story, and I feel like I was there in the hospital getting the updated ultrasound, praying that Audrey would be healed.
I've followed along as they have taken Audrey and her three sisters to Disney World so that she too could experience it. I've listened as they describe the ways that they show Audrey love--eating peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches so they can feel her jump and move. And I've prayed along with them and for them as they have had to do the unthinkable--pick out a burial plot for their little girl, even as they could feel her moving and hiccuping inside of Angie. I've watched them try to explain to their 4 year old twins and 2 year old girls that Audrey is hurt and that this is the only time they have with her.
Gwyneth and Audrey are two little girls, both very much loved by their families, both with incredible medical needs. One is thriving, and the other is not expected to survive. But both of them are testaments to God's amazing grace and power. Both families have an unshakeable faith in God. Both families are praising Him through their stories.
Two little girls. Two families. Two drastically different outcomes. One amazing God.
Friday, April 4, 2008
School Starts Again
Spring Quarter began on Monday, and for the first time in almost three years, I'm not teaching. I've always taught year round, including summers, so it is definitely weird to not be teaching right now.
I did, however, substitute teach for a friend at school. She was my mentor for my Workplace Communications class, so we teach it the same way. (Almost everyone else teaches it a different way.) I taught that class on Monday night, and it was weird to be going over someone else's syllabus with the students. I had a hard time knowing that it wasn't my class.
On Wednesday, I taught her Comp. I class. This was harder because I have no idea how she teaches it, and while she left me a million handouts, there were a few mentioned on the syllabus that I didn't have :( I did a good job winging it, and we got out an hour early. I told them that I could almost guarantee that it was the only time that would happen! This class was so different from the Monday night one. It was much more subdued, which made sense with the type of class it is, but I could not get them to talk for anything. They had already written about the topic we were discussing, but no one wanted to share. I told them that I could wait them out, and after several very long and painful minutes, I got a few responses.
It was a boring class. We went over MLA formatting, how to do a works cited page, practiced with our text book, etc. I told them that I knew it was boring, but it was all information that had to be covered before they could begin their papers. (I also assured them that it would be the most boring class of the quarter!) I didn't struggle as much emotionally as I did on Monday.
It was hard going into the faculty office and not having a mail box. (I'm going to ask for it back since I'll be tutoring on campus two days a week and need to have a place for my time sheets.) It was hard to have everyone asking what I was teaching this quarter and having to tell them that I'm not. It was just hard all around.
However, I am soooo thankful that God provided writing center hours for me. I guess that they are having a hard time staffing it, which is the opposite of the last few quarters. This meant that I got a lot more hours than I expected, which means that I'll be making a lot more money too! I enjoy the tutoring, and it's nice to not have to worry about prepping or grading, and the pay is good. I like working with students one-on-one, but at times that gets very old depending on the student and how many times they come to see you to try to get you to practically write the paper for them. I'm praying that it will be a good experience.
Several weeks ago, I did have a job offer, and it was very difficult to turn it down. It was a project based job scoring standardized tests, and I did it last year and really enjoyed it. The problem is that it is full time for 4-8 weeks, and I don't want to put Steven in day care. Plus it's not exactly a high paying job, so after day care costs and taxes, I would bring home practically nothing. Still, it was hard to turn it down.
With my tutoring job, my family is watching Steven while I work. It's such a blessing to have them do that. Steven loves his grandparents and Aunt Katie, and they obviously love him too. It's still hard to leave him at times, but I feel so much better about leaving him there, and they have a swing and stroller and toys all there for him. I so appreciate their watching him!
Even though I didn't get any classes this quarter, I am so thankful that I can still work on campus in a position that I enjoy. This is probably my last year there, so I'm trying to enjoy while I can. On May 3, I am applying/interviewing for a position in our county's community college district. This would drastically cut my commute and allow me to spend more time at home and less in the car.
I am trying to rest in the knowledge that God already has this all figured out for me and that He will continue to provide as He always has in the past.
God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
I did, however, substitute teach for a friend at school. She was my mentor for my Workplace Communications class, so we teach it the same way. (Almost everyone else teaches it a different way.) I taught that class on Monday night, and it was weird to be going over someone else's syllabus with the students. I had a hard time knowing that it wasn't my class.
On Wednesday, I taught her Comp. I class. This was harder because I have no idea how she teaches it, and while she left me a million handouts, there were a few mentioned on the syllabus that I didn't have :( I did a good job winging it, and we got out an hour early. I told them that I could almost guarantee that it was the only time that would happen! This class was so different from the Monday night one. It was much more subdued, which made sense with the type of class it is, but I could not get them to talk for anything. They had already written about the topic we were discussing, but no one wanted to share. I told them that I could wait them out, and after several very long and painful minutes, I got a few responses.
It was a boring class. We went over MLA formatting, how to do a works cited page, practiced with our text book, etc. I told them that I knew it was boring, but it was all information that had to be covered before they could begin their papers. (I also assured them that it would be the most boring class of the quarter!) I didn't struggle as much emotionally as I did on Monday.
It was hard going into the faculty office and not having a mail box. (I'm going to ask for it back since I'll be tutoring on campus two days a week and need to have a place for my time sheets.) It was hard to have everyone asking what I was teaching this quarter and having to tell them that I'm not. It was just hard all around.
However, I am soooo thankful that God provided writing center hours for me. I guess that they are having a hard time staffing it, which is the opposite of the last few quarters. This meant that I got a lot more hours than I expected, which means that I'll be making a lot more money too! I enjoy the tutoring, and it's nice to not have to worry about prepping or grading, and the pay is good. I like working with students one-on-one, but at times that gets very old depending on the student and how many times they come to see you to try to get you to practically write the paper for them. I'm praying that it will be a good experience.
Several weeks ago, I did have a job offer, and it was very difficult to turn it down. It was a project based job scoring standardized tests, and I did it last year and really enjoyed it. The problem is that it is full time for 4-8 weeks, and I don't want to put Steven in day care. Plus it's not exactly a high paying job, so after day care costs and taxes, I would bring home practically nothing. Still, it was hard to turn it down.
With my tutoring job, my family is watching Steven while I work. It's such a blessing to have them do that. Steven loves his grandparents and Aunt Katie, and they obviously love him too. It's still hard to leave him at times, but I feel so much better about leaving him there, and they have a swing and stroller and toys all there for him. I so appreciate their watching him!
Even though I didn't get any classes this quarter, I am so thankful that I can still work on campus in a position that I enjoy. This is probably my last year there, so I'm trying to enjoy while I can. On May 3, I am applying/interviewing for a position in our county's community college district. This would drastically cut my commute and allow me to spend more time at home and less in the car.
I am trying to rest in the knowledge that God already has this all figured out for me and that He will continue to provide as He always has in the past.
God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Help!
Steven's doing pretty well sleeping through the night (minus last night's 3:00 a.m. feeding), but his diapers don't make it that long. After pulling up his sheets again this morning (and having it rip--his nice matching his bumper and everything sheet!!), I'm looking for help. Right now he wears a variety of diapers because that's what we were given. He has pampers swaddlers and huggies supreme gentle care.
We recently switched to size 2, so I don't think that the size is the problem. I tried doubling using a size 3 on top of the size 2. The two nights I did that, he didn't leak through, but the size 3 was completely dry. Last night he was doubled, but Mark forgot to change him after feeding him, so his first diaper was soaked, the second diaper had wet spots on the back, and the back of Steven's clothes along with his sheet were soaked. My point on this is that the second diaper did very little.
I spent some time online reading about other people's stories, but most of them had older children and could limit their intake before bed. If we do that, Steven won't sleep through the night. I've read some about huggies overnight diapers. Has anyone used these? Have you found anything else that has worked?
I am so sick of doing laundry--didn't help today that during tummy time he spit up all over and then put his face in it. That's just gross! I finally decided that I wasn't doing laundry until my mom picked him up to watch him while I sub for a friend tonight. She also took home the ripped (and still dirty) sheet to fix it. My mom's amazing!
I had better run--I have to start getting ready for class (esp. since I lost my notes on what to cover, but since it's the first night and I've taught this class before, I should be okay). And I have to get all the laundry in, including the clothes that I'm wearing since he spit up on those too. He usually doesn't spit up too much, but today was a different story.
If you have any advice, let me know!
We recently switched to size 2, so I don't think that the size is the problem. I tried doubling using a size 3 on top of the size 2. The two nights I did that, he didn't leak through, but the size 3 was completely dry. Last night he was doubled, but Mark forgot to change him after feeding him, so his first diaper was soaked, the second diaper had wet spots on the back, and the back of Steven's clothes along with his sheet were soaked. My point on this is that the second diaper did very little.
I spent some time online reading about other people's stories, but most of them had older children and could limit their intake before bed. If we do that, Steven won't sleep through the night. I've read some about huggies overnight diapers. Has anyone used these? Have you found anything else that has worked?
I am so sick of doing laundry--didn't help today that during tummy time he spit up all over and then put his face in it. That's just gross! I finally decided that I wasn't doing laundry until my mom picked him up to watch him while I sub for a friend tonight. She also took home the ripped (and still dirty) sheet to fix it. My mom's amazing!
I had better run--I have to start getting ready for class (esp. since I lost my notes on what to cover, but since it's the first night and I've taught this class before, I should be okay). And I have to get all the laundry in, including the clothes that I'm wearing since he spit up on those too. He usually doesn't spit up too much, but today was a different story.
If you have any advice, let me know!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
He Must Have Been Listening!!
When Steven and I went to the doctor on Friday, she said that he should be able to sleep through the night, and she suggested feeding him extra before bed and reducing the amount in his bottle in the night. Well, we haven't really been doing the extra feeding before bed, partly because he was sick after he got his shots.
But. . . none of that seems to have mattered. He has slept through the night every night since we saw the doctor!! (And it's not the cereal either since we only did that the first day.) It's been so nice! Hope he keeps it up :)
But. . . none of that seems to have mattered. He has slept through the night every night since we saw the doctor!! (And it's not the cereal either since we only did that the first day.) It's been so nice! Hope he keeps it up :)
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