As of today, John and I have been married for 6 years. It's been an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. I am so blessed to be his eternal companion. My mum has all 3 boys until Wednesday, so we're enjoying so peace and quiet for a few days.
Christmas went very well this year, which was a very nice change from last year. We spent time with family and I got to see 2 good friends, so it was a good time.
So yesterday was my last day of my 90 day Individual Worth project. I ended up losing a final total of 22.8 lbs in those 90 days. As I've mentioned in the past, I fully intend for the change to be permanent. I am SO SO SO grateful that I decided to do this as my project. I have felt so much better about myself and it has helped my bipolar so much as well. Several people have told me that they can see that the weight loss has made a difference in me emotionally as well as physically. I'm taking today off as John and I are having a nice supper and then going out to have a New Year's party with a few friends, but our goal in January is to exercise every single day. I have 2 Jillian Michaels DVDs and my Zumba game for the Wii, so I'm really looking forward to this new challenge. John is letting me put together an exercise program for him, so I'll be basing it off of the 30 Day Shred.
Anyway, I think that's about all for now, mostly I just wanted to get in the final info for my 90 day project. I hope you all have a wonderful 2012.
Any goals for 2012? Mine is to reach my goal weight, and I'm over halfway there:)
The goings on of our geeky little family and the musings and soapbox moments of the lone female in the group.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Christmases 1 & 2 of 2011
We're now half way through our Christmases. Apparently we can't have just 1, we need to have 4. We had our first with my mum and step-dad on Saturday. The boys loved it. John and I got a Blu-Ray player and a cutting board with a strainer in it (which I've been wanting for quite a while). I also got a new dress and John got a new tie to wear to Church on Christmas. Caleb got an Optimus Prime voice changing helmet, swimming lessons with a towel and goggles, a Batman cave and Easy Bake cake mixes. Ty got a box of Duplo blocks, a Cars art kit, an Oilers jersey, a sock monkey and I think something else that I can't remember. Brettley got a glowing Sea Horse (think aquatic Glow Worm), a twisty bug toy, a tray for his Bumbo and a jacket for next year. The boys also got matching church outfits to wear on Christmas day.
Yesterday evening my dad came over and we opened gifts with him. Caleb got a Mario Kart K'nex set, a Lego Optimus Prime and a Yoda lightsabre. Ty got 2 Ben 10 action figures, an Omnitrix and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs on Blu-Ray. Brettley got his present early, which was the Bumbo. Caleb and Ty got the Angry Birds board game together. They each opened a present from us as well. Caleb got a big box of Transformers, Ty got some jeans and Brettley got a container of bath toys.
Caleb and Brettley had been really sick over the weekend. Caleb had an ear and throat infection. Brettley had the nastiest cough and congested chest. He spent most of Saturday puking up mucous, it was so gross. They are both so much better now. Caleb is back to school after missing most of last week. It was so hard watching Brettley go through that and knowing all I could do for him was to let him ride it out.
On the note of my weight loss, I've now lost 21.3 lbs since October 1st. I had a rough week last week and gained some weight and ate some things I shouldn't have and it set me back a fair bit. After the next 0.1 lb I lose I'll be the lightest that I've been in a very long time. I'm so happy with what I've accomplished and looking forward to having more success in 2012:)
Yesterday evening my dad came over and we opened gifts with him. Caleb got a Mario Kart K'nex set, a Lego Optimus Prime and a Yoda lightsabre. Ty got 2 Ben 10 action figures, an Omnitrix and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs on Blu-Ray. Brettley got his present early, which was the Bumbo. Caleb and Ty got the Angry Birds board game together. They each opened a present from us as well. Caleb got a big box of Transformers, Ty got some jeans and Brettley got a container of bath toys.
Caleb and Brettley had been really sick over the weekend. Caleb had an ear and throat infection. Brettley had the nastiest cough and congested chest. He spent most of Saturday puking up mucous, it was so gross. They are both so much better now. Caleb is back to school after missing most of last week. It was so hard watching Brettley go through that and knowing all I could do for him was to let him ride it out.
On the note of my weight loss, I've now lost 21.3 lbs since October 1st. I had a rough week last week and gained some weight and ate some things I shouldn't have and it set me back a fair bit. After the next 0.1 lb I lose I'll be the lightest that I've been in a very long time. I'm so happy with what I've accomplished and looking forward to having more success in 2012:)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Dear Wheat
Dear Wheat:
I no longer like you. Well, I do, and I will sorely miss you in spaghetti, lasagna, pizza and toast under poached eggs. However, you're just not worth it. I go a few days without you and do great with my weight loss and feel good as long as I eat other kinds of carbs. As soon as I bring you back in, you make me gain weight and feel yucky. So we're not going to be seeing a lot of each other anymore. I hope you can understand.
Sincerely:
The Nikki Who's Over Halfway To Her Goal (Booyah!)
I no longer like you. Well, I do, and I will sorely miss you in spaghetti, lasagna, pizza and toast under poached eggs. However, you're just not worth it. I go a few days without you and do great with my weight loss and feel good as long as I eat other kinds of carbs. As soon as I bring you back in, you make me gain weight and feel yucky. So we're not going to be seeing a lot of each other anymore. I hope you can understand.
Sincerely:
The Nikki Who's Over Halfway To Her Goal (Booyah!)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Weight, Personal Progress and Calling
You might notice that I now have a Lose It button up top. I'll be posting in there at least once a week with my progress. Also, I changed my ticker today because I couldn't resist after accomplishing my goal weight for 2011 that I made when I started everything in October.
So I realized that I haven't updated on my Personal Progress in a while. I have accomplished 18 goals and 1 value project and passed off my Virtue value. I am currently working on 2 goals and 2 projects. I have lots more fun goals and projects to look forward to in 2012, including doing temple work at least once per month.
I also got a new calling this past Sunday. I am now the ward bulletin editor and website administrator. It is almost all done at home, which will be very good for me right now. There's also a side project with the calling that I'm still working out in my head and with the bishopric, so more news to come on that one in the new year.
Well, off I go. Caleb is home from school today because he and Ty spent yesterday evening puking. On the plus side, I was able to deal with it, which is a HUGE step for me.
So I realized that I haven't updated on my Personal Progress in a while. I have accomplished 18 goals and 1 value project and passed off my Virtue value. I am currently working on 2 goals and 2 projects. I have lots more fun goals and projects to look forward to in 2012, including doing temple work at least once per month.
I also got a new calling this past Sunday. I am now the ward bulletin editor and website administrator. It is almost all done at home, which will be very good for me right now. There's also a side project with the calling that I'm still working out in my head and with the bishopric, so more news to come on that one in the new year.
Well, off I go. Caleb is home from school today because he and Ty spent yesterday evening puking. On the plus side, I was able to deal with it, which is a HUGE step for me.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Christmas Questions, Advent and More Weight Loss
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like wrapping paper for Christmas. Birthdays and everything else can be gift bags, but there's just something about wrapped presents under the tree that I love.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I'd like the smell of real, but not the short life or clean up, so we're all about the pre-lit artificial ones.
3. When do you put up the tree? I try to wait until the first week in December, I usually fail and it goes up shortly after Remembrance Day. I made it to December 1st this year, though.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually on or around January 8th so that it's up for Ukrainian Christmas.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? I love the light stuff, but won't be having much this year as it's very high in calories.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmm, Tinker Toys always seem to stand out to me.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad, every single year.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Caleb, he's always the easiest.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, my mother in law got me 3 parts to the Willow Tree set and I love it.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I usually mail them all, but I only mailed a small amount this year. I love getting them in any form, though.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Nothing is really standing out, except maybe Caleb puking all over the place last year and having a disorder relapse...Wasn't the best gift, ha ha.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Forgotten Carols, all the way.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually October, but have started in September a time or two. I'm usually done by December 1st. I just have John's stocking left to do right now.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I remember
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas and favorite Christmas dessert? Stuffing, stuffing and stuffing. I also greatly miss doing the appetizer dinner at my mum's house on Christmas Eve. My favourite Christmas 'treat' is Almond Roca.
16. Lights on the tree? How can you have a tree without lights? I like the coloured ones while I have kids at home, but will probably switch over to clear many years down the road.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I have several and none are traditional. Christmas Carroll, Christmas Candy...Mary, Did You Know?...Breath Of Heaven...Old City Bar...
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This will be our last year of travelling. We are very much looking forward to doing Christmas in our own home after this year.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? Sure can
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have an angel because that's what I grew up with.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We usually do pajamas on Christmas Eve night and the rest Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Having people dictate the kind of festive greeting that I'm allowed to give. You wish me what you celebrate and I'll wish you a Happy Christmas because that's what I celebrate. How difficult is that?
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'd love to eventually do teal, red and silver or something like that.
24. Handmade ornaments or store bought? I like both.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I just want my in-laws to like what we're giving them. I put a lot of thought into it and I'm very excited about it. As long as we all enjoy the day and remember our Savior, then I'm good.
************
We have done 2 advent days in December so far. On the 1st, we put up and decorated the tree. Yesterday we made 2 different kinds of chocolate covered cookie balls. Today the kids are writing letters to Santa.
I knew the weight I'd gained yesterday was water weight...I have now officially broke my pre-Ty pregnancy weight!!! I have 3 more pounds to lose by the end of December to reach my goal. I'm hoping to do that by the 16th instead, but we'll see how it plays out.
2. Real tree or Artificial? I'd like the smell of real, but not the short life or clean up, so we're all about the pre-lit artificial ones.
3. When do you put up the tree? I try to wait until the first week in December, I usually fail and it goes up shortly after Remembrance Day. I made it to December 1st this year, though.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually on or around January 8th so that it's up for Ukrainian Christmas.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? I love the light stuff, but won't be having much this year as it's very high in calories.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmm, Tinker Toys always seem to stand out to me.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad, every single year.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Caleb, he's always the easiest.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, my mother in law got me 3 parts to the Willow Tree set and I love it.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I usually mail them all, but I only mailed a small amount this year. I love getting them in any form, though.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Nothing is really standing out, except maybe Caleb puking all over the place last year and having a disorder relapse...Wasn't the best gift, ha ha.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Forgotten Carols, all the way.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually October, but have started in September a time or two. I'm usually done by December 1st. I just have John's stocking left to do right now.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I remember
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas and favorite Christmas dessert? Stuffing, stuffing and stuffing. I also greatly miss doing the appetizer dinner at my mum's house on Christmas Eve. My favourite Christmas 'treat' is Almond Roca.
16. Lights on the tree? How can you have a tree without lights? I like the coloured ones while I have kids at home, but will probably switch over to clear many years down the road.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I have several and none are traditional. Christmas Carroll, Christmas Candy...Mary, Did You Know?...Breath Of Heaven...Old City Bar...
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This will be our last year of travelling. We are very much looking forward to doing Christmas in our own home after this year.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? Sure can
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have an angel because that's what I grew up with.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We usually do pajamas on Christmas Eve night and the rest Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Having people dictate the kind of festive greeting that I'm allowed to give. You wish me what you celebrate and I'll wish you a Happy Christmas because that's what I celebrate. How difficult is that?
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'd love to eventually do teal, red and silver or something like that.
24. Handmade ornaments or store bought? I like both.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I just want my in-laws to like what we're giving them. I put a lot of thought into it and I'm very excited about it. As long as we all enjoy the day and remember our Savior, then I'm good.
************
We have done 2 advent days in December so far. On the 1st, we put up and decorated the tree. Yesterday we made 2 different kinds of chocolate covered cookie balls. Today the kids are writing letters to Santa.
I knew the weight I'd gained yesterday was water weight...I have now officially broke my pre-Ty pregnancy weight!!! I have 3 more pounds to lose by the end of December to reach my goal. I'm hoping to do that by the 16th instead, but we'll see how it plays out.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
2 Months In...
It has been 2 months since I started what was supposed to be 90 days of eating healthy and exercising regularly. I've missed a fair amount of exercising due to illness and what not, but I've rarely messed up on staying in my calorie range. Like I said, I started it only intending to endure the 90 days. However, with so much progress I've decided to make it permanent. When I eventually get to my goal weight I will adjust my calories to maintain the weight instead of losing. I have gone from 20-22 jeans to 16s. As of this morning I have officially lost 16.6 lbs in 2 months, which is 6.6 lbs more than I'd originally expected to have lost by this point. I have lost 26.6 lbs since my heaviest point in June. The very best part, though, is what it's done for my mood. If you have me on facebook then you've probably noticed the difference. Cynical and negative Nikki has been disappearing. I've been so much happier and positive. Life just feels great. Not manic great, just happy great (I did take a step back to evaluate that this morning). My house work has been getting tackled way more.
It has started to bug me when people act like you can't lose weight by just counting your calories and exercising when possible. They act like you need some miracle diet or something and that what I'm doing is so basic that it must not work. But it does. I use a free app to count my calories and use exercise equipment that I already had (WiiFit Plus, recumbant bike, glider), and have actually been spending less on groceries, so it's been saving me money. No costly shakes or special foods. No costly gym fees. If you have enough will power, this is the greatest way to lose the weight.
Anyway, I will be making a change in January to my exercise. I will be doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred every day that month, just to kick it up a bit. It's going to kick my butt, I fully accept that going in. In fact, I'm hoping for it. My goal by the end of the month is to lose 3.5 more pounds. Pretty sure I can manage that one. Also, just for the record, I'm 0.4 lbs from my pre-Ty weight!!!! So what started as a personal progress value project has become a life changing experience for me. I love it and have no intention of looking back. Life is great!
It has started to bug me when people act like you can't lose weight by just counting your calories and exercising when possible. They act like you need some miracle diet or something and that what I'm doing is so basic that it must not work. But it does. I use a free app to count my calories and use exercise equipment that I already had (WiiFit Plus, recumbant bike, glider), and have actually been spending less on groceries, so it's been saving me money. No costly shakes or special foods. No costly gym fees. If you have enough will power, this is the greatest way to lose the weight.
Anyway, I will be making a change in January to my exercise. I will be doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred every day that month, just to kick it up a bit. It's going to kick my butt, I fully accept that going in. In fact, I'm hoping for it. My goal by the end of the month is to lose 3.5 more pounds. Pretty sure I can manage that one. Also, just for the record, I'm 0.4 lbs from my pre-Ty weight!!!! So what started as a personal progress value project has become a life changing experience for me. I love it and have no intention of looking back. Life is great!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
I Love To See The Temple
Our temple is reopening this week. It has been closed for renovations. I've missed it. I never realize how much I take the temple for granted until easy access is taken away. That's why I'm so grateful that one of my projects for Personal Progress involves going to the temple every single month in 2012. I might even fit my dress by then, too!
The spirit that I feel as soon as I step onto temple grounds never fails to amaze me. It's like the hugest breath of fresh air that you could ever imagine. I think of how blessed I am to be a member of this church and how much good it has done me, I can scarcely remember life before my baptism. I'm so grateful, SO grateful and I can't imagine living without the church in my life ever again.
The spirit that I feel as soon as I step onto temple grounds never fails to amaze me. It's like the hugest breath of fresh air that you could ever imagine. I think of how blessed I am to be a member of this church and how much good it has done me, I can scarcely remember life before my baptism. I'm so grateful, SO grateful and I can't imagine living without the church in my life ever again.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Ticker, Ticker, Watch Me Shrink
You may notice the ticker above my posts now. It's my extra motivation. I'm staying accountable to everyone who reads my blog. I will get that ticker to the end!!! I'm over a third of the way there, I can do this. I will be updating the ticker every Friday. I want it to be at least to the halfway mark by Brett's first birthday, Feb 11th. That's 5.1 lbs to go, and I will get there (or bust). I didn't think I'd get back in non-plus sized clothes again after I had Brett, and I'm already wearing them. I feel AMAZING!!! The only thing I'm nervous about is being away from home for a few days next month and not being in control of what's being cooked. I'll pull through, though, because I've never felt more empowered as I have doing this.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
November's Thankful Thursday
I almost forgot about this month's Thankful Thursday. What better day to do it than the day that my favorite American couple is celebrating Thanksgiving?
1) I am SO grateful for how much better I feel since losing 24 lbs since June, 14 of which I've lost since Oct 1st. I feel happier and healthier and I think other people have noticed a difference as well. John sure has. May be TMI, but my monthly week of crankiness was significantly better this month, according to John.
2) I am grateful that Caleb is doing so well in school and that his teachers are so impressed with him. They kept telling me over and over yesterday at his conference just how adorable he is and how well he knows and follows the routine in the classroom. He loves school, for which I'm also grateful.
3) I am grateful that it's Christmas season. It's my favorite time of the year. All of our advent activities are ready to go. I'm trying really hard to get through to Caleb about what this holiday is really about and really waffling on when to tell him who Santa really is. We're having a hard time agreeing on that one. Regardless though, I love Christmas and the spirit this time of year. It's amazing!
1) I am SO grateful for how much better I feel since losing 24 lbs since June, 14 of which I've lost since Oct 1st. I feel happier and healthier and I think other people have noticed a difference as well. John sure has. May be TMI, but my monthly week of crankiness was significantly better this month, according to John.
2) I am grateful that Caleb is doing so well in school and that his teachers are so impressed with him. They kept telling me over and over yesterday at his conference just how adorable he is and how well he knows and follows the routine in the classroom. He loves school, for which I'm also grateful.
3) I am grateful that it's Christmas season. It's my favorite time of the year. All of our advent activities are ready to go. I'm trying really hard to get through to Caleb about what this holiday is really about and really waffling on when to tell him who Santa really is. We're having a hard time agreeing on that one. Regardless though, I love Christmas and the spirit this time of year. It's amazing!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Me, My Weight and My Baby Boy
A good friend of mine has been doing self improvement/realization questions on her blog and I've been answering them. They've been pretty good for me. She is reminding me that people don't see me as negatively as I see myself. I've realized that deep down I'm still a bit angry at B for being such a jerk about my being pregnant with L. I'm hoping to work on this one and let it go. Seriously, he's not worth the trouble. He's a child of God, but it doesn't mean that I have to like the things that he's done or let those things have power over me.
On a more positive note, I have officially lost 23.6 lbs since June! WOOHOO! Thank you so much to my AMAZING friend, Kyla, who has been keeping me accountable for my food intake and exercising for the past month and a half.
Other than that, things are going fairly well in the Bly home. A head cold for Brettley and I, but we're toughing it out. He's still quite happy. He popped out teeth #3 & #4 in the past few days and #5 is just about to cut through. I love my kids, I love my husband and I love my life:)
On a more positive note, I have officially lost 23.6 lbs since June! WOOHOO! Thank you so much to my AMAZING friend, Kyla, who has been keeping me accountable for my food intake and exercising for the past month and a half.
Other than that, things are going fairly well in the Bly home. A head cold for Brettley and I, but we're toughing it out. He's still quite happy. He popped out teeth #3 & #4 in the past few days and #5 is just about to cut through. I love my kids, I love my husband and I love my life:)
Monday, November 14, 2011
# 4...Someday...
I've had enough people ask and the word is out there enough that I may as well just announce it on my blog. Yes, we plan on having 1 more baby. No, I'm not currently pregnant. We plan on waiting about 3 years. Yes, we have prayed about this and I've received a priesthood blessing about it, I wouldn't be even considering it if we hadn't (remember, I was sure we were done). We know that this is right for our family and what we're meant to do. I've taken a lot of flack for it already, so if you don't agree with the answer we got from the Lord, then please don't comment.
Another Bly baby down the road...WOOHOO! We are very very nervous and very very excited and just trying to focus on being better people and parents now instead of just waiting around.
Another Bly baby down the road...WOOHOO! We are very very nervous and very very excited and just trying to focus on being better people and parents now instead of just waiting around.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Weight
I thought my pre-pregnancy weight was lower than it actually was. I am officially lighter than my pre-Brettley pregnancy weight. Now it's losing the bipolar weight. I can do this!!!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Christmas Comments
It's not a well hidden fact that I LOVE Christmas. I listen to my favourite Christmas albums year round and I get super excited for decorating every year. I love the spirit of it. I'd love to start decorating on November 1st every year and have at least 2 full months of decorations. I don't, though. I always wait until November 12th at the earliest. Because I don't want my focus to be decorations on November 11th. I'm Canadian to the core and have no idea what Veteran's Day is like in the States. But up here, I do my best to give Remembrance Day the respect that it deserves. I wear my poppy for 2 weeks before the day. I often read books that remind me of the sacrifices that people made in wars for freedom. I have already started collecting books that will help my kids to become educated about the World Wars. So many lives were lost and so many more were scarred to ensure freedom, that it feels disrespectful to decorate for Christmas before then, at least to me. But you'd better believe that I'll be unpacking my Christmas tote on November 12th!
On another note about Christmas, I keep wondering why everyone is allowed to have rights during the holidays (or year round, for that matter) except for Christians. Seriously, if someone wishes you a Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, no one's going to correct them or chastize them. Happy Holidays is considered perfectly acceptable, politically correct and highly encouraged. However, if you wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas then all of a sudden you're discriminating and offending people. HONESTLY?!? Take a step back and realize just how lost and corrupt our society has become so that someone can't even give people a pleasant festive greeting anymore. So whatever people wish me this year, I'll smile, say thank you and wish them a Happy Christmas. Because I don't answer to cranky atheists who want to control the beliefs and morality (or lack thereof) of the world. I answer to Heavenly Father, and it's the birth of His son that I am thankful for this time of the year, and always.
*Takes a step off of the soapbox*
On another note about Christmas, I keep wondering why everyone is allowed to have rights during the holidays (or year round, for that matter) except for Christians. Seriously, if someone wishes you a Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, no one's going to correct them or chastize them. Happy Holidays is considered perfectly acceptable, politically correct and highly encouraged. However, if you wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas then all of a sudden you're discriminating and offending people. HONESTLY?!? Take a step back and realize just how lost and corrupt our society has become so that someone can't even give people a pleasant festive greeting anymore. So whatever people wish me this year, I'll smile, say thank you and wish them a Happy Christmas. Because I don't answer to cranky atheists who want to control the beliefs and morality (or lack thereof) of the world. I answer to Heavenly Father, and it's the birth of His son that I am thankful for this time of the year, and always.
*Takes a step off of the soapbox*
Monday, October 31, 2011
Weight Loss and Halloween Time
John and I did our official 4 week weigh ins on Saturday. He has lost 16 lbs since Oct 1st and has dropped 2 pants sizes. I have lost 9.2 lbs and have dropped 1 pants size. I am pretty impressed that we managed to accomplish that in the same month as Thanksgiving, Caleb's surgery and company staying with us for a weekend. My goal for November is to lose 5.1 lbs, so that I will be under 180. As of Saturday, I only have 10 lbs to go to reach my pre-pregnancy weight from when I got pregnant with Brettley. I am hoping to reach this by the end of 2011, but by Brett's first birthday at the absolute latest.
Weight has been a huge struggle for me the past few years. After having Ty I got back to a healthy weight and looked quite decent for someone who'd been pregnant 3 times. Then we found out I had bipolar when it got super out of control and I got put on meds for it. In the first month alone I gained 25 lbs. I just kind of gave up after that. I tried to go back to calorie counting a few times but just couldn't stick with it, my heart wasn't all there.
Why is this time different? Probably for several reasons. The first being that it's a project for my Personal Progress, which I really want to do. The second reason would be that I am accountable to someone for how I do each day and I don't want to have to tell her that I gave up or wimped out or something (thanks for being there for me). The third is that I just got downright sick of not being able to wear clothes that I actually like because I was too big to fit in any of them. There are more reasons...Health, being a good example for my kids and more. It was all too much and finally it stuck. If I mess up a day here or there I just get back on track the next day.
***
On Saturday we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. It was Caleb's first outing since the surgery. First they had games which resulted in Ty eating at least 3 rice krispie treats and John and I making fools of ourselves racing each other to eat 2 gummie worms and a bowl of whipped cream each faster than the other. I lost and I'm okay with that. Then we went outside and people gave out candy from the trunks of their vehicles. It was VERY cold. Caleb was The Human Torch (Fantastic Four), Ty was Thomas the Tank Engine and Brettley was Yoda. I did take pictures, I just haven't uploaded them yet. Ty will have to be Larry the Cucumber tonight because he got strawberries all over his costume on Saturday afternoon.
That night John and I went to the Olive Garden on a date. It was wonderful, I love their food. After that we picked up Brettley's Christmas present from Grandpa M a couple of months early. He got a bright red Bumbo chair. He loves it and I love having it. It's so useful. He 'sat' during Sacrament Meeting in it yesterday, which freed up both of us to deal with the other 2 boys.
Weight has been a huge struggle for me the past few years. After having Ty I got back to a healthy weight and looked quite decent for someone who'd been pregnant 3 times. Then we found out I had bipolar when it got super out of control and I got put on meds for it. In the first month alone I gained 25 lbs. I just kind of gave up after that. I tried to go back to calorie counting a few times but just couldn't stick with it, my heart wasn't all there.
Why is this time different? Probably for several reasons. The first being that it's a project for my Personal Progress, which I really want to do. The second reason would be that I am accountable to someone for how I do each day and I don't want to have to tell her that I gave up or wimped out or something (thanks for being there for me). The third is that I just got downright sick of not being able to wear clothes that I actually like because I was too big to fit in any of them. There are more reasons...Health, being a good example for my kids and more. It was all too much and finally it stuck. If I mess up a day here or there I just get back on track the next day.
***
On Saturday we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. It was Caleb's first outing since the surgery. First they had games which resulted in Ty eating at least 3 rice krispie treats and John and I making fools of ourselves racing each other to eat 2 gummie worms and a bowl of whipped cream each faster than the other. I lost and I'm okay with that. Then we went outside and people gave out candy from the trunks of their vehicles. It was VERY cold. Caleb was The Human Torch (Fantastic Four), Ty was Thomas the Tank Engine and Brettley was Yoda. I did take pictures, I just haven't uploaded them yet. Ty will have to be Larry the Cucumber tonight because he got strawberries all over his costume on Saturday afternoon.
That night John and I went to the Olive Garden on a date. It was wonderful, I love their food. After that we picked up Brettley's Christmas present from Grandpa M a couple of months early. He got a bright red Bumbo chair. He loves it and I love having it. It's so useful. He 'sat' during Sacrament Meeting in it yesterday, which freed up both of us to deal with the other 2 boys.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Brett, Caleb and Ty
Brettley had his ophthalmology appointment yesterday. Glasses are a must. We are going to look at some tonight, and hopefully to book Caleb's check up as well. I'm pretty nervous about dealing with glasses on an 8 month old baby who's not even supposed to be 7 months yet, but other people have done it so I'm sure I'll figure it out.
He has to wear the glasses for a couple of months and then we go back to see the Dr. If his eyes still aren't at normal strength then we will have to try patching them for a while (I'm even more nervous about this one).
After we've tried that if there is still strengthening to be done then it will have to be done by surgery. Obviously I'm the most nervous about that one.
Sometimes it feels like this is really hard and all, but when you consider that he was born at 33 weeks and this and the apnea are the only real problems that he's had, we're very blessed.
Brett also discovered yesterday how much fun it is to "help" me feed him his solids. It was a messy experience, but he loved it.
***
Caleb is doing okay. He's willing to eat more again, although he prefers to eat Brettley's pureed veggies over most of what I make for supper. I don't have a problem with him eating it, since it's just concentrated vegetables and packed full of nutrition.
He's still not up to par and surviving on Tylenol and Motrin, so I'm glad that I decided to keep him out of school until next Tuesday. He has been working on his printing and doing worksheets brought home from school, and that has been really good for him.
***
Ty turned 3 on Sunday. We had celebrated the weekend before though so that Caleb would be able to enjoy cake with him. He got lots of Star Wars stuff. He is still fighting the toilet training like a mad man and I've decided to just not worry about it for now. I REALLY didn't want to send him to Sunbeams still in diapers, but right now all the training is doing is frustrating the both of us really bad. Maybe if he's not mad about it then he'll stop decorating my wall with a black permanent marker.
***
Yeah, that's about all that's really going on here. We're trying to figure out our plans for Christmas. Anyway, I'm off to do some work on a Personal Progress project. Have a good one!
He has to wear the glasses for a couple of months and then we go back to see the Dr. If his eyes still aren't at normal strength then we will have to try patching them for a while (I'm even more nervous about this one).
After we've tried that if there is still strengthening to be done then it will have to be done by surgery. Obviously I'm the most nervous about that one.
Sometimes it feels like this is really hard and all, but when you consider that he was born at 33 weeks and this and the apnea are the only real problems that he's had, we're very blessed.
Brett also discovered yesterday how much fun it is to "help" me feed him his solids. It was a messy experience, but he loved it.
***
Caleb is doing okay. He's willing to eat more again, although he prefers to eat Brettley's pureed veggies over most of what I make for supper. I don't have a problem with him eating it, since it's just concentrated vegetables and packed full of nutrition.
He's still not up to par and surviving on Tylenol and Motrin, so I'm glad that I decided to keep him out of school until next Tuesday. He has been working on his printing and doing worksheets brought home from school, and that has been really good for him.
***
Ty turned 3 on Sunday. We had celebrated the weekend before though so that Caleb would be able to enjoy cake with him. He got lots of Star Wars stuff. He is still fighting the toilet training like a mad man and I've decided to just not worry about it for now. I REALLY didn't want to send him to Sunbeams still in diapers, but right now all the training is doing is frustrating the both of us really bad. Maybe if he's not mad about it then he'll stop decorating my wall with a black permanent marker.
***
Yeah, that's about all that's really going on here. We're trying to figure out our plans for Christmas. Anyway, I'm off to do some work on a Personal Progress project. Have a good one!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Surgery
Just when you thought you were safe and that I'd gone into hibernation, hey? I honestly just haven't had much of anything to talk about. I've been busy attempting to keep my house clean, eat better and exercise. For the most part it has been going quite well. I have a wonderful friend who has been keeping me accountable with the eating and exercising.
Yesterday Caleb went and had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Everything went very well and he was eating everything in sight less than 4 hours after the surgery even began, including pizza and chicken strips. He was a bit sore today and out of sorts, but he's still doing a lot better than I'd expected him to be doing. He has been a trooper and the only times he cried yesterday were getting the IV put in and taking the tape off of it to get it out. I can't blame him, I hate IVs with a fiery passion.
The only other thing that is really new is that Brettley goes for his opthamologist appointment on Monday evening. I'm trying to be hopeful, but even his pediatrician agrees that it's highly unlikely that he won't need surgery. For those of you who haven't been following what's going on, both of his eyes are very fixed into a crossed position and getting worse instead of improving.
That's really about all that's new here. I hope everyone is doing well.
Yesterday Caleb went and had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Everything went very well and he was eating everything in sight less than 4 hours after the surgery even began, including pizza and chicken strips. He was a bit sore today and out of sorts, but he's still doing a lot better than I'd expected him to be doing. He has been a trooper and the only times he cried yesterday were getting the IV put in and taking the tape off of it to get it out. I can't blame him, I hate IVs with a fiery passion.
The only other thing that is really new is that Brettley goes for his opthamologist appointment on Monday evening. I'm trying to be hopeful, but even his pediatrician agrees that it's highly unlikely that he won't need surgery. For those of you who haven't been following what's going on, both of his eyes are very fixed into a crossed position and getting worse instead of improving.
That's really about all that's new here. I hope everyone is doing well.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Birthday, Health and Gratitude
Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 27, which is nothing spectacular. I don't feel old on my birthdays because John is 8 years older than I am and he makes me feel young. I didn't do much of anything for my birthday, except make myself beef enchiladas for supper. They were pretty good, but a little bit more work than I thought they'd be. I haven't decided yet if they're going to stay on the regular menu or be replaced with something a bit easier to make.
I have been calorie counting since Sunday morning and exercising since Monday. I am really enjoying it and have an awesome sponsor who's keeping me accountable and that's working very well for me. John has been counting calories as well and doing great with it. Even when they have yummy leftovers at work he's been staying on track. My goal is to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight by Brettley's first birthday. I don't think there will be any trouble reaching that. My goal after that will be to lose my bipolar weight (I gained 25lbs in just 1 month because of medication), but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'm feeling so much better health wise and about myself since I started doing this.
In the spirit of the upcoming Canadian Thanksgiving Day (this coming Monday), I will do this month's Attitude of Gratitude today:)
1) I am so grateful for the ability that we have to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father about what we should do in our lives. I am also grateful for the priesthood and for a husband who worthily holds it. I am grateful for the ability that he has to give me priesthood blessings so that I can receive further guidance from my Heavenly Father.
2) I am grateful that pomegranates are back in season. I miss them so much when they're not. I have had 3 in the past week and it wasn't nearly enough. I will have to buy more next week. I love pomegranates.
3) I am grateful for how wonderful I've felt this week in regards to my physical and emotional health. In choosing to take better care of my body, I am being extremely blessed. Heavenly Father is so good to us:)
I have been calorie counting since Sunday morning and exercising since Monday. I am really enjoying it and have an awesome sponsor who's keeping me accountable and that's working very well for me. John has been counting calories as well and doing great with it. Even when they have yummy leftovers at work he's been staying on track. My goal is to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight by Brettley's first birthday. I don't think there will be any trouble reaching that. My goal after that will be to lose my bipolar weight (I gained 25lbs in just 1 month because of medication), but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'm feeling so much better health wise and about myself since I started doing this.
In the spirit of the upcoming Canadian Thanksgiving Day (this coming Monday), I will do this month's Attitude of Gratitude today:)
1) I am so grateful for the ability that we have to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father about what we should do in our lives. I am also grateful for the priesthood and for a husband who worthily holds it. I am grateful for the ability that he has to give me priesthood blessings so that I can receive further guidance from my Heavenly Father.
2) I am grateful that pomegranates are back in season. I miss them so much when they're not. I have had 3 in the past week and it wasn't nearly enough. I will have to buy more next week. I love pomegranates.
3) I am grateful for how wonderful I've felt this week in regards to my physical and emotional health. In choosing to take better care of my body, I am being extremely blessed. Heavenly Father is so good to us:)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Happy:)
I've been pretty happy lately. I think I can only attribute it to doing goals that help me focus on the gospel and working harder on saying my prayers and reading my scriptures. I know it's not a high because I don't in the slightest feel like taking on the world. I'm just...happy.
Last night I got to go and help make all of the displays of the vinyl projects for our Super Saturday in November (craft day at our church). It was so much fun and I'm very excited about the projects. I love one of them in particular. I may or may not post pictures later, it depends on how the kids are. Ty has been sick this week with a cold, so he's very out of sorts.
Brettley has been loving his food. He has now had rice, barley, oatmeal and mixed cereals. For vegetables he's had squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and peas. For fruits he's had apples, pears, bananas and tomorrow he'll be starting peaches. He loves to eat and especially to stick his hands in his mouth when there's food in there.
Oh...His hand in his mouth. I never thought I would WANT a kid to use a dummy for longer, but Brett has proved me wrong. He gave it up at 4 months when he got a cold (same thing happened with Caleb at the same age). Ty lost his at 8 months when Caleb threw it in the toilet. I refuse to go past a year, but we've never made it there. Caleb and Ty both did fine once they were done and never resorted to using anything else. However, Brettley has realized that even though he doesn't want his dummy back that his fingers work perfectly fine for the same purpose. His fingers spend almost all of their time in his mouth. I don't know how to break him of that, I really don't. It's becoming a problem because he never wants to take them out long enough to learn how to hold things and pass them in between hands or to be able to crawl properly. He wants to crawl and does great with his legs, but he keeps trying to suck on his fingers while he does it and so it isn't so effective. I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas?
Caleb is going to "the big mall" today with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob as his belated birthday present. He want to play mini golf this year (last year he made a friend at Build-A-Bear). It should be fun for him:)
That's about all for now. Have a wonderful General Conference weekend!
Last night I got to go and help make all of the displays of the vinyl projects for our Super Saturday in November (craft day at our church). It was so much fun and I'm very excited about the projects. I love one of them in particular. I may or may not post pictures later, it depends on how the kids are. Ty has been sick this week with a cold, so he's very out of sorts.
Brettley has been loving his food. He has now had rice, barley, oatmeal and mixed cereals. For vegetables he's had squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and peas. For fruits he's had apples, pears, bananas and tomorrow he'll be starting peaches. He loves to eat and especially to stick his hands in his mouth when there's food in there.
Oh...His hand in his mouth. I never thought I would WANT a kid to use a dummy for longer, but Brett has proved me wrong. He gave it up at 4 months when he got a cold (same thing happened with Caleb at the same age). Ty lost his at 8 months when Caleb threw it in the toilet. I refuse to go past a year, but we've never made it there. Caleb and Ty both did fine once they were done and never resorted to using anything else. However, Brettley has realized that even though he doesn't want his dummy back that his fingers work perfectly fine for the same purpose. His fingers spend almost all of their time in his mouth. I don't know how to break him of that, I really don't. It's becoming a problem because he never wants to take them out long enough to learn how to hold things and pass them in between hands or to be able to crawl properly. He wants to crawl and does great with his legs, but he keeps trying to suck on his fingers while he does it and so it isn't so effective. I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas?
Caleb is going to "the big mall" today with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob as his belated birthday present. He want to play mini golf this year (last year he made a friend at Build-A-Bear). It should be fun for him:)
That's about all for now. Have a wonderful General Conference weekend!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Projects
One of my favourite family members asked me what my goals/projects for Personal Progress are. Since I think she's so awesome, I'll post them.
First off, for those of you who aren't members of the church I will explain what it is. Personal Progress is a program for girls ages 12-17 in our church where they work on goals and projects to help increase their testimony and prepare them for the temple, marriage and motherhood. There are 8 different sections that you work on. Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue. In order to have completed the program you must do 3 required goals from the first 7 sections as well as 3 other suggested goals from each (you can pick your own as well, as long as it is appropriate for the section and is approved by a parent or leader). For Virtue there are just 4 required goals. Also, each section (we call them values, actually) there is a project that you must do (you can use a suggestion or make up your own and get it approved, except for Virtue). These projects must take AT LEAST 10 hours to complete.
I'm mostly just doing the required and suggested goals for all of them, I chose one goal of my own for Individual Worth. That one is a bit personal, though.
However, here's what I chose for my projects:
Faith: Complete all of the assignments for Book of Mormon Seminary & Memorize all of the Scripture Masteries for the Book of Mormon.
Divine Nature: Plan out and make lessons for Family Home Evening for the entire 2012 year and use them every week.
Individual Worth: Plan how to eat nutritiously and exercise for 90 days. Then do it, keeping a daily record of what is eaten, what exercise has been done and how it has made me feel about myself.
Knowledge: Learn and use a new homemaking skill (such as sewing or canning). *I haven't decided on one yet*
Choice & Accountability: Organize all of the rooms in our home. Record in my journal how doing this has helped in other areas of my life.
Good Works: Go to the temple to do some form of proxy work once every month in 2012. Write about each experience in my journal.
Integrity: Create books of quotations for myself and the boys that will remind us each day of our committment to be honest and true at all times and known for our personal integrity. These books will be given to them upon their ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood.
Virtue: Read The Book of Mormon cover to cover. (This is a required project and the one that I am currently working on. I am almost finished Mosiah and on schedule to finish the book before the middle of December.)
So there you have it:)
First off, for those of you who aren't members of the church I will explain what it is. Personal Progress is a program for girls ages 12-17 in our church where they work on goals and projects to help increase their testimony and prepare them for the temple, marriage and motherhood. There are 8 different sections that you work on. Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue. In order to have completed the program you must do 3 required goals from the first 7 sections as well as 3 other suggested goals from each (you can pick your own as well, as long as it is appropriate for the section and is approved by a parent or leader). For Virtue there are just 4 required goals. Also, each section (we call them values, actually) there is a project that you must do (you can use a suggestion or make up your own and get it approved, except for Virtue). These projects must take AT LEAST 10 hours to complete.
I'm mostly just doing the required and suggested goals for all of them, I chose one goal of my own for Individual Worth. That one is a bit personal, though.
However, here's what I chose for my projects:
Faith: Complete all of the assignments for Book of Mormon Seminary & Memorize all of the Scripture Masteries for the Book of Mormon.
Divine Nature: Plan out and make lessons for Family Home Evening for the entire 2012 year and use them every week.
Individual Worth: Plan how to eat nutritiously and exercise for 90 days. Then do it, keeping a daily record of what is eaten, what exercise has been done and how it has made me feel about myself.
Knowledge: Learn and use a new homemaking skill (such as sewing or canning). *I haven't decided on one yet*
Choice & Accountability: Organize all of the rooms in our home. Record in my journal how doing this has helped in other areas of my life.
Good Works: Go to the temple to do some form of proxy work once every month in 2012. Write about each experience in my journal.
Integrity: Create books of quotations for myself and the boys that will remind us each day of our committment to be honest and true at all times and known for our personal integrity. These books will be given to them upon their ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood.
Virtue: Read The Book of Mormon cover to cover. (This is a required project and the one that I am currently working on. I am almost finished Mosiah and on schedule to finish the book before the middle of December.)
So there you have it:)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sick on His Birthday
I have really been enjoying working on the Personal Progress program. I have passed off 13 goals and am currently working on 2 goals and 1 project. It has been wonderful to take more time to stop and think about my testimony of the Savior and our Heavenly Father's plan for us.
Caleb's party went well on Saturday. He had lots of fun and was very happy and appreciative of all the presents that he received. He ended up puking that night (too much sugar) and so John was up with him for most of the night because he didn't want to fall back asleep. In the morning, on his birthday, his ear was still hurting so John took him to the Medicentre but thankfully there was no infection. He felt better in the afternoon and was still able to enjoy his birthday supper and have Grandpa M over to visit.
Not a whole lot else is really new with us, I just thought I'd quickly write up about these 2 things since I'm severely slacking in the paper journal department. I hope you all had a good weekend. We are really looking forward to General Conference this weekend and being able to hear from our prophet and to know of the things that our Heavenly Father wants us to know at this time.
Caleb's party went well on Saturday. He had lots of fun and was very happy and appreciative of all the presents that he received. He ended up puking that night (too much sugar) and so John was up with him for most of the night because he didn't want to fall back asleep. In the morning, on his birthday, his ear was still hurting so John took him to the Medicentre but thankfully there was no infection. He felt better in the afternoon and was still able to enjoy his birthday supper and have Grandpa M over to visit.
Not a whole lot else is really new with us, I just thought I'd quickly write up about these 2 things since I'm severely slacking in the paper journal department. I hope you all had a good weekend. We are really looking forward to General Conference this weekend and being able to hear from our prophet and to know of the things that our Heavenly Father wants us to know at this time.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
It Has Returned, Sort Of
I am pleased to announce the return of Attitude of Gratitude. However, it will only be once a month instead of once per week. So here we go:
1) I am grateful for a wonderful little boy who is turning 5 on Sunday. I have been sick the past few days and yesterday I felt totally run down. Before he left for school he decided he was going to clean the living room all by himself. He tidied everything up and even did half of the vacuuming. Then in the afternoon when Ty was throwing a raging fit and I was dealing with that Caleb came up and asked me what he could do to help me. He is such a wonderful person!
2) I am grateful for the weather right now. It's not too warm and not too cold, it's nice and comfortable and I'm loving it:)
3) I am grateful that I have such a great relationship with my brother. Seeing other people who don't have a good relationship with their siblings or even one that's fairly good but not great makes me appreciate how much Roo and I love each other and care about each other. There is no better brother, save Jesus Christ alone.
So there you have it. The return of Attitude of Gratitude.
The Personal Progress is going well. I have passed off 2 goals already and am in the middle of working on a third. It has been a great feeling so far as I do these goals and I'm so glad that I decided to do this.
Well, that's about all that's new for today. Have a good one:)
1) I am grateful for a wonderful little boy who is turning 5 on Sunday. I have been sick the past few days and yesterday I felt totally run down. Before he left for school he decided he was going to clean the living room all by himself. He tidied everything up and even did half of the vacuuming. Then in the afternoon when Ty was throwing a raging fit and I was dealing with that Caleb came up and asked me what he could do to help me. He is such a wonderful person!
2) I am grateful for the weather right now. It's not too warm and not too cold, it's nice and comfortable and I'm loving it:)
3) I am grateful that I have such a great relationship with my brother. Seeing other people who don't have a good relationship with their siblings or even one that's fairly good but not great makes me appreciate how much Roo and I love each other and care about each other. There is no better brother, save Jesus Christ alone.
So there you have it. The return of Attitude of Gratitude.
The Personal Progress is going well. I have passed off 2 goals already and am in the middle of working on a third. It has been a great feeling so far as I do these goals and I'm so glad that I decided to do this.
Well, that's about all that's new for today. Have a good one:)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Public Again
Also, just a note:
I opened my blog back up to the public. Something kept telling me that I need to. I don't know what the reason is, but I felt like I had to, so I did it.
I opened my blog back up to the public. Something kept telling me that I need to. I don't know what the reason is, but I felt like I had to, so I did it.
Life Is Good, Very Good
In the way of news, the biggest one is that I finally geeked out and started playing D & D with John on Friday. It's actually a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be. It's something he really enjoys and it's nice to have something to do together.
We have been gearing up for the weekend of parties. I'm having a ladies night on Friday and then Saturday afternoon is Caleb's birthday party. He has invited 5 friends, plus Ty.
I have decided to do the Personal Progress program at home. John said he'd throw me a recognition party when I finish. I've never done the program since I joined the church at the age of 19. I wanted to do something that would help me feel better about myself and help strengthen my testimony and I feel strongly that the Personal Progress program is the perfect thing to do that.
We are also starting to implement the 7 habits of highly effective families into our FHE lessons and hopefully into our lives.
Brettley has finished being introduced to 5 different vegetables and is starting fruits today. Fun times:) I've really been enjoying making all of his baby food (minus the baby cereal).
So yeah, lots of great things going on here at the Bly home. Life is good!
We have been gearing up for the weekend of parties. I'm having a ladies night on Friday and then Saturday afternoon is Caleb's birthday party. He has invited 5 friends, plus Ty.
I have decided to do the Personal Progress program at home. John said he'd throw me a recognition party when I finish. I've never done the program since I joined the church at the age of 19. I wanted to do something that would help me feel better about myself and help strengthen my testimony and I feel strongly that the Personal Progress program is the perfect thing to do that.
We are also starting to implement the 7 habits of highly effective families into our FHE lessons and hopefully into our lives.
Brettley has finished being introduced to 5 different vegetables and is starting fruits today. Fun times:) I've really been enjoying making all of his baby food (minus the baby cereal).
So yeah, lots of great things going on here at the Bly home. Life is good!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
It's Been A While
I haven't posted in over a week. It's been a rough time for me. My grandpa had a heart attack and went for what was supposed to be a triple bypass. It ended up being 6 instead of 3. The hardest part of it is that my parents decided that we weren't going to tell my brother until it was all over with and my grandpa was on the mend, since Roo's in Europe right now. I had to straight out lie to my brother and his fiance about why my mum wasn't answering e-mails. I don't lie to my brother. Roo and I have such a special relationship that we've had mothers tell us they could only WISH for their children to have. We end every conversation saying "I love you", whether it be in private or in public. Having to go through this without being able to talk to him about it was hard enough. Having to lie to him made it so much worse. Anyway, my mum finally told my brother yesterday and my grandpa is well on the mend, so things are getting better and back to normal here.
Caleb absolutely loves school. He has been looking at lots of books and has a book fair tomorrow, along with meet the teacher night and a BBQ at the school. Ty has decided that he absolutely refuses to toilet train at this point in time, so we're waiting a few weeks before we try again. Brettley has now tried squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and green beans. He doesn't like carrots unless they're mixed with something else, but he likes the rest. Next on the list to try is peas. We thought he had some hearing problems, but he's been responding to noise a lot better since then.
That's about all that's really new here. Well, I should go. I think the boys are trying to kill each other.
Caleb absolutely loves school. He has been looking at lots of books and has a book fair tomorrow, along with meet the teacher night and a BBQ at the school. Ty has decided that he absolutely refuses to toilet train at this point in time, so we're waiting a few weeks before we try again. Brettley has now tried squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and green beans. He doesn't like carrots unless they're mixed with something else, but he likes the rest. Next on the list to try is peas. We thought he had some hearing problems, but he's been responding to noise a lot better since then.
That's about all that's really new here. Well, I should go. I think the boys are trying to kill each other.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Caleb Goes To School
I just sent my baby boy off to Kindergarten. Well, he's my oldest boy, actually. But he'll always be my little blue eyed baby.
For the record, neither he nor I cried. However, Ty did. He was so sad that Caleb left without him.
For the record, neither he nor I cried. However, Ty did. He was so sad that Caleb left without him.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Update on the Kids
Caleb had his orientation yesterday. He was one of the best behaved kids in the group. I was so thrilled with his behavior. He is so excited to start school in "4 more sleeps". Caleb has also been wanting to help with Brettley a lot more. I usually let him hold the bottle while I hold Brett. My little man is growing up, I can't believe he's almost 5 years old already!
Ty has been in underwear most of the time these past few days. He's getting a lot better about it. Here's hoping it sticks and we can finish getting this figured out.
Brettley has started eating vegetables. My friend Amanda and I made him a freezer full of homemade baby food on Saturday. SOOO much cheaper than store bought and more concentrated which means more nutrition. He has been eating squash and he loves it. Tomorrow he will start carrots. Also, I think he might be getting another tooth. His appointment with the opthamologist got moved from early March to mid October, so I guess they agreed that he needs to get going on treatment instead of waiting for him to grow out of it.
Not too much else is new in the Bly home. We have had friends over on Tuesday, cousins over yesterday and today and have friends coming for a visit tomorrow morning. I'm not used to other people being around this much, but for the most part I'm happy about it (my kids don't always play the best with their cousins).
Ty has been in underwear most of the time these past few days. He's getting a lot better about it. Here's hoping it sticks and we can finish getting this figured out.
Brettley has started eating vegetables. My friend Amanda and I made him a freezer full of homemade baby food on Saturday. SOOO much cheaper than store bought and more concentrated which means more nutrition. He has been eating squash and he loves it. Tomorrow he will start carrots. Also, I think he might be getting another tooth. His appointment with the opthamologist got moved from early March to mid October, so I guess they agreed that he needs to get going on treatment instead of waiting for him to grow out of it.
Not too much else is new in the Bly home. We have had friends over on Tuesday, cousins over yesterday and today and have friends coming for a visit tomorrow morning. I'm not used to other people being around this much, but for the most part I'm happy about it (my kids don't always play the best with their cousins).
Monday, August 29, 2011
School, Logic and More
I got a phone call from Caleb's school today. He has his small group orientation on Thursday morning (no siblings allowed) and then he starts normal classes next Tuesday. So I did the smart thing and called my sister-in-law as soon as I got off the phone with the school to let her know when Caleb's orientation is. It's a good thing I did, as they tried to give her one at the same time. She ended up with a Friday one, though, so we can swap babysitting.
Brettley saw his pediatrician this morning. He's still growing well and all, although his physical milestones could be a bit better. I guess he's closer to his adjusted age with those than his actual age. The biggest concern is that it's not just 1 eye that's a problem, it's both. We have an appointment scheduled with the pediatric opthamologist for March, but his pediatrician is going to call them and see if he can get in sooner because he's not improving. In fact, he's probably getting worse. We know he can see because of how he reacts to sights, but his eyes are definitely not strong. His pediatrician informed me that he would most likely have to have surgery for it and pretty much guaranteed me that he would have to get glasses. So today was a really rough day for me trying to accept/digest this all.
Logically I know my reasons for having a hard time with it aren't right, but logic doesn't always win out. I kept feeling like these problems are because he was premature and that if I could have just done something different then maybe he wouldn't have been premature and had this problem. I tried to remember that I DID try to do what I should have. When I realized that I was contracting way too much a couple weeks before he was born I did try to go on bed rest. But that's next to impossible when you have 2 busy boys at home and no one around willing to help you out. Hopefully logic will win out tomorrow, though. It's been a toughy.
Caleb gave a talk in primary yesterday. He did great, I was really impressed. Ty has been wearing underwear a bit, but today we went through 5 pair in 2 hours. It's pretty draining. Hopefully when I do the strict boot camp on Saturday that will help him get it better.
Tomorrow is baby food making day. Should be lots of fun.
Brettley saw his pediatrician this morning. He's still growing well and all, although his physical milestones could be a bit better. I guess he's closer to his adjusted age with those than his actual age. The biggest concern is that it's not just 1 eye that's a problem, it's both. We have an appointment scheduled with the pediatric opthamologist for March, but his pediatrician is going to call them and see if he can get in sooner because he's not improving. In fact, he's probably getting worse. We know he can see because of how he reacts to sights, but his eyes are definitely not strong. His pediatrician informed me that he would most likely have to have surgery for it and pretty much guaranteed me that he would have to get glasses. So today was a really rough day for me trying to accept/digest this all.
Logically I know my reasons for having a hard time with it aren't right, but logic doesn't always win out. I kept feeling like these problems are because he was premature and that if I could have just done something different then maybe he wouldn't have been premature and had this problem. I tried to remember that I DID try to do what I should have. When I realized that I was contracting way too much a couple weeks before he was born I did try to go on bed rest. But that's next to impossible when you have 2 busy boys at home and no one around willing to help you out. Hopefully logic will win out tomorrow, though. It's been a toughy.
Caleb gave a talk in primary yesterday. He did great, I was really impressed. Ty has been wearing underwear a bit, but today we went through 5 pair in 2 hours. It's pretty draining. Hopefully when I do the strict boot camp on Saturday that will help him get it better.
Tomorrow is baby food making day. Should be lots of fun.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Assessment and Routine
I meant to post about this sooner, but there really isn't much to talk about. Caleb had his initial assessment on Tuesday with Child and Adolescent Health, which basically consisted of us telling the nurse about him, us and our family history. We go back in a couple of weeks where she will be playing with him to get a feel for how he interacts with others and what not. I also have to hand in a scan tron that I filled out with the answer to 300 questions about him. (No the 300 is not a typo)
We have started getting on a routine now in order to prepare Caleb for school. They aren't really big on parts of it yet, but hopefully they'll come around. The biggest one that they don't like is they now have scheduled play time in their room (which is where their toys are). However, I need some time in the afternoon to recharge or I have a VERY difficult time controlling my temper by the end of the day, so it's pretty necessary.
Not too much else is really new here. Brettley now eats rice, oatmeal and barley cereals and tolerates them well. Soon we'll be moving on to vegetables and then fruits. He has a pediatrician appointment coming up on Monday morning. Yeah, that's about it.
We have started getting on a routine now in order to prepare Caleb for school. They aren't really big on parts of it yet, but hopefully they'll come around. The biggest one that they don't like is they now have scheduled play time in their room (which is where their toys are). However, I need some time in the afternoon to recharge or I have a VERY difficult time controlling my temper by the end of the day, so it's pretty necessary.
Not too much else is really new here. Brettley now eats rice, oatmeal and barley cereals and tolerates them well. Soon we'll be moving on to vegetables and then fruits. He has a pediatrician appointment coming up on Monday morning. Yeah, that's about it.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Update In List Form
So here's what's new in the Bly home:
* Brettley cut his first 2 teeth. They were first noticed Sunday morning.
* Brett is also demanding 8 oz feedings now. He is growing up way too fast.
* Caleb has officially memorized the 1st Article of Faith, which is "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." Now we'll have to work on the second one with him.
* Ty is my turkey of turkeys. I think he'll be the one that makes me go grey early.
* I had a great visit with my family on Thursday. I will miss my brother a lot.
* My mum camped out with the boys in the living room in my tent on Friday. They loved it.
* She also bought me some new shirts and skirts.
* Caleb gets to give a talk in Primary this coming Sunday.
* I am currently rereading The Work and the Glory series by Gerald N Lund. I really love them, almost as much as I love his Kingdom and the Crown trilogy.
* Brettley has his 6 month shots tomorrow morning and in the afternoon Caleb has a counselling appointment for his anger/violence issues. Hopefully we'll be able to get some good skills for dealing with it.
Yeah, I think that's about it. I've been seriously slacking lately with my blog, but it was a tough first half of the week and then I was busy the second half.
* Brettley cut his first 2 teeth. They were first noticed Sunday morning.
* Brett is also demanding 8 oz feedings now. He is growing up way too fast.
* Caleb has officially memorized the 1st Article of Faith, which is "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." Now we'll have to work on the second one with him.
* Ty is my turkey of turkeys. I think he'll be the one that makes me go grey early.
* I had a great visit with my family on Thursday. I will miss my brother a lot.
* My mum camped out with the boys in the living room in my tent on Friday. They loved it.
* She also bought me some new shirts and skirts.
* Caleb gets to give a talk in Primary this coming Sunday.
* I am currently rereading The Work and the Glory series by Gerald N Lund. I really love them, almost as much as I love his Kingdom and the Crown trilogy.
* Brettley has his 6 month shots tomorrow morning and in the afternoon Caleb has a counselling appointment for his anger/violence issues. Hopefully we'll be able to get some good skills for dealing with it.
Yeah, I think that's about it. I've been seriously slacking lately with my blog, but it was a tough first half of the week and then I was busy the second half.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lookin' Up
Today is better than yesterday. We met with Caleb's ENT doctor yesterday and we have a surgery date for his tonsils and adenoids to come out, October 20th. We are very happy that they are coming out as his quality of sleep is very poor because of them.
I have decided today to do a 90 day health challenge. I have to exercise at least 30 minutes every day for 90 days. I'm hoping by the time I'm done it will just be habit. I will also be calorie counting again because I need to be able to fit my winter jacket since I can't afford to be buying a new one this year. That's my short term goal, to fit my winter jacket. Then I'll find a new short term goal as soon as I reach this one.
My mum, brother and future sister in law are all coming on Thursday, which I'm excited about. This will be the last time I see my brother for a few month. He and Danielle are going to Europe (can we say jealous?). She just finished her schooling and they are going to take the trip before she enters the work force in Interior Design.
That's about all for now, I guess. I am excited for Caleb to start school in a few weeks. We now have his backpack, lunch kit, indoor shoes and some pencils, erasers and a sharpener for homework. That's all they need for Kindergarten at his school. He has already decided what snacks he wants, so when it gets closer we'll pick up the stuff for that and juice boxes and that will be that. Fun times ahead:)
I have decided today to do a 90 day health challenge. I have to exercise at least 30 minutes every day for 90 days. I'm hoping by the time I'm done it will just be habit. I will also be calorie counting again because I need to be able to fit my winter jacket since I can't afford to be buying a new one this year. That's my short term goal, to fit my winter jacket. Then I'll find a new short term goal as soon as I reach this one.
My mum, brother and future sister in law are all coming on Thursday, which I'm excited about. This will be the last time I see my brother for a few month. He and Danielle are going to Europe (can we say jealous?). She just finished her schooling and they are going to take the trip before she enters the work force in Interior Design.
That's about all for now, I guess. I am excited for Caleb to start school in a few weeks. We now have his backpack, lunch kit, indoor shoes and some pencils, erasers and a sharpener for homework. That's all they need for Kindergarten at his school. He has already decided what snacks he wants, so when it gets closer we'll pick up the stuff for that and juice boxes and that will be that. Fun times ahead:)
Monday, August 15, 2011
Rough Day
7 years ago I was in a delivery room, about to give birth to the most beautiful girl in the world. In the past, her birthday has never been a problem for me. I celebrated the fact that she was born, and all that she gave me.
Of course this year would be different. Mother's Day was wonderful, so I guess I needed to have another day that would be tough for me. I don't expect her birthday to be tough from now on. In fact, I expect this one will be the only really hard one for me. Because everything to do with a girl this year is hard for me. Watching friends have baby girls, knowing that the only girl I'll ever give birth to is the one I placed, it's been a really huge struggle. It eats away at me a lot more than I'd like to admit. Let's face it, no one likes a complainer and as much of a complainer as I am, I hold a lot back to keep it from being worse.
Just please allow me this one day to struggle. I wish people would stop reminding me of all of the good things that I have and trying to stop me from talking about what hurts. It's not going to get better if I don't talk about it. However, I know very few people who understand the bittersweetness of placing a child with another couple and I've only met 1 person who is in the same situation as me (placed a girl, married and then had 3 boys and won't be having any more kids). Thankfully, at least she told me that it's okay to hurt and that just because it hurts doesn't mean that I love any of my boys less than I should.
I would never want to be without Brettley in our lives. I love him. He is the sweetest little thing with a smile that can melt your heart. I love the other 2 boys as well. I just wanted a girl, too. A girl of my own. I pass cute little girl clothes in Walmart and I tear up. It hurts, it really hurts.
However, I am bound and determined that next year will be better. Because next year will be better. That sweet girl that B wanted me to abort will be getting baptized, and that is definitely something to be celebrated.
Of course this year would be different. Mother's Day was wonderful, so I guess I needed to have another day that would be tough for me. I don't expect her birthday to be tough from now on. In fact, I expect this one will be the only really hard one for me. Because everything to do with a girl this year is hard for me. Watching friends have baby girls, knowing that the only girl I'll ever give birth to is the one I placed, it's been a really huge struggle. It eats away at me a lot more than I'd like to admit. Let's face it, no one likes a complainer and as much of a complainer as I am, I hold a lot back to keep it from being worse.
Just please allow me this one day to struggle. I wish people would stop reminding me of all of the good things that I have and trying to stop me from talking about what hurts. It's not going to get better if I don't talk about it. However, I know very few people who understand the bittersweetness of placing a child with another couple and I've only met 1 person who is in the same situation as me (placed a girl, married and then had 3 boys and won't be having any more kids). Thankfully, at least she told me that it's okay to hurt and that just because it hurts doesn't mean that I love any of my boys less than I should.
I would never want to be without Brettley in our lives. I love him. He is the sweetest little thing with a smile that can melt your heart. I love the other 2 boys as well. I just wanted a girl, too. A girl of my own. I pass cute little girl clothes in Walmart and I tear up. It hurts, it really hurts.
However, I am bound and determined that next year will be better. Because next year will be better. That sweet girl that B wanted me to abort will be getting baptized, and that is definitely something to be celebrated.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Eternal Marriage
Today in Relief Society we had a lesson about Eternal Marriage. I have a huge testimony of the importance of having an eternal marriage. I opted to be married in the temple from day 1, which meant that neither of my parents nor my brother were able to see me get married. It was a bit hard to know that I had no family there with me, but I knew that I was being married in the right place and putting the Lord first and that I would be blessed for it. Having an eternal marriage is such a special thing. It's not a partnership between my husband and I, it is a 3 way partnership and covenant between myself, my husband and our Heavenly Father. It's not something to be taken lightly. If I do something that is hurtful or disappointing to my husband, I'm doing the same the to the Lord.
Some people have issues with my priority list, but here are the top three, in order:
1) Heavenly Father
2) My Husband
3) My Kids
I think a lot of people feel that your kids should be first. However, if I am putting things in the order I listed, they never suffer and they will learn in life the things that are truly important. In a world full of moral decay where living a good and clean life is ridiculed, it is SO important to me that they learn how essential it is to have the right priorities and do what's right, no matter what the cost is.
Anyway, this is my rambling on thoughts I had today. Sorry if I've bored you, please remember that this is also my journal at the moment and sometimes I put things in here just for me, so that I'll remember them.
Some people have issues with my priority list, but here are the top three, in order:
1) Heavenly Father
2) My Husband
3) My Kids
I think a lot of people feel that your kids should be first. However, if I am putting things in the order I listed, they never suffer and they will learn in life the things that are truly important. In a world full of moral decay where living a good and clean life is ridiculed, it is SO important to me that they learn how essential it is to have the right priorities and do what's right, no matter what the cost is.
Anyway, this is my rambling on thoughts I had today. Sorry if I've bored you, please remember that this is also my journal at the moment and sometimes I put things in here just for me, so that I'll remember them.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
10 On Tuesday
1) I just printed out a whole bunch of stuff for a chore jar. I am so excited to use it. Some chores are mandatory, other chores you can choose whether to do them or not but they are paid chores. There are also some wild cards (pick 2 more, put 1 back). Should make things more interesting.
2) I taught in Relief Society on Sunday. We had hardly anyone there and it was kind of a tough crowd. I loved the talk I was teaching from, though. It was LDS Women Are Incredible from Elder Cook at the last General Conference.
3) I came home to such a nice clean and organized bedroom. It felt so nice. John also got some oil to burn that smells like pomegranate and raspberry. YUM!
4) Caleb has started getting in the habit of wearing his Medic Alert bracelet all of the time so it won't be new to him at school. He's allergic to amoxicillin.
5) Brettley has a nasty bout of croup right now and just feels rotten. I feel horrible for him.
6) Caleb and Ty are both looking forward to learning skills over the next year. Ty will be learning things like toilet training and saying prayers by himself. Caleb will be learning things like making sandwiches and clearing & setting the table.
7) Caleb is going to start getting an allowance in October. Of all the suggestions I've read, I like the idea of $1/year of age/month the best. So this year he'll be getting $5 per month. He also has the option of doing the paid chores to earn more.
8) I am SUPER happy to be back home. It was a long few weeks and even though I'm glad that I stayed to give them more time with Grandpa Bly, I won't be doing another trip like that until the boys are a fair bit older.
9) Caleb adored swimming and his teacher. He wants to be a swimming instructor when he gets older. We are going to put him in swimming lessons again during the fall, winter and spring.
10) I love looking at Old Navy's website. There are so many shirts for Caleb that I would love to buy, and quite a few things for myself as well.
2) I taught in Relief Society on Sunday. We had hardly anyone there and it was kind of a tough crowd. I loved the talk I was teaching from, though. It was LDS Women Are Incredible from Elder Cook at the last General Conference.
3) I came home to such a nice clean and organized bedroom. It felt so nice. John also got some oil to burn that smells like pomegranate and raspberry. YUM!
4) Caleb has started getting in the habit of wearing his Medic Alert bracelet all of the time so it won't be new to him at school. He's allergic to amoxicillin.
5) Brettley has a nasty bout of croup right now and just feels rotten. I feel horrible for him.
6) Caleb and Ty are both looking forward to learning skills over the next year. Ty will be learning things like toilet training and saying prayers by himself. Caleb will be learning things like making sandwiches and clearing & setting the table.
7) Caleb is going to start getting an allowance in October. Of all the suggestions I've read, I like the idea of $1/year of age/month the best. So this year he'll be getting $5 per month. He also has the option of doing the paid chores to earn more.
8) I am SUPER happy to be back home. It was a long few weeks and even though I'm glad that I stayed to give them more time with Grandpa Bly, I won't be doing another trip like that until the boys are a fair bit older.
9) Caleb adored swimming and his teacher. He wants to be a swimming instructor when he gets older. We are going to put him in swimming lessons again during the fall, winter and spring.
10) I love looking at Old Navy's website. There are so many shirts for Caleb that I would love to buy, and quite a few things for myself as well.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Potty Boot Camp...In Time.
Is there ever a good time to start toilet training? Not really. However, right now is a really BAD time to start. We have a mass of appointments coming up (pediatrician, immunizations, counselling, throat specialist, etc) and I have to make it through all of this before I can hunker down with Ty for a few days and get him converted to underwear. I feel bad that it's taking so long to get him toilet trained, but life happens.
I sat down today and realized that I couldn't start until September long weekend because off all of the appointments. It's not ideal, because Caleb will be starting school right around then, but I don't want to put it off any longer. I would really like for him to be toilet trained by the time he turns 3, which is Oct 23rd. So the Saturday of the long weekend is our starting date. It gives me time to get everything ready to go. We are doing Potty Boot Camp, which my friend told me about. It's very structured for the first few days, which I think will really help me to be consistent with him and that consistency will help him.
We came back home from Magrath yesterday. It was a very long day and we drove through 2 storms. The first wasn't very long, but was very doom and gloom looking and including some really wicked hail. The second storm lasted for over an hour of driving. It was really hard rain and it really scared Caleb.
It feels so nice to be back home. However, I'm exhausted after a long couple of weeks and yesterday's drive, so I'm off to bed.
I sat down today and realized that I couldn't start until September long weekend because off all of the appointments. It's not ideal, because Caleb will be starting school right around then, but I don't want to put it off any longer. I would really like for him to be toilet trained by the time he turns 3, which is Oct 23rd. So the Saturday of the long weekend is our starting date. It gives me time to get everything ready to go. We are doing Potty Boot Camp, which my friend told me about. It's very structured for the first few days, which I think will really help me to be consistent with him and that consistency will help him.
We came back home from Magrath yesterday. It was a very long day and we drove through 2 storms. The first wasn't very long, but was very doom and gloom looking and including some really wicked hail. The second storm lasted for over an hour of driving. It was really hard rain and it really scared Caleb.
It feels so nice to be back home. However, I'm exhausted after a long couple of weeks and yesterday's drive, so I'm off to bed.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
10 On ... Thursday?
1) I am really really homesick. I don't do very well away from John for more than a night or two. Apparently, neither does Brettley. He's been off since John went back home.
2) Caleb left early this morning to go fishing in Papa's boat. I am SO glad he's getting to do this. When I was filling out his spotlight survey for Primary and asked him what his dream holiday (or something like that) was he said "to go fishing with Grandpa Bly in his boat".
3) Brettley has learned to roll over both ways in the last 24 hours. Life is about to get a lot more interesting, I'm sure.
4) Caleb has been loving swimming lessons so much. He has had a wonderful teacher, Brad, who is excellent with young kids. The past two days, Caleb has been the only kid wanting to go in the deep end at the end of class, so he has loved that individual time with his teacher (I think he's missing Daddy, too).
5) I get to see my mum today. She is on holidays in Southern AB as well, so they are making time to come and see us. I'm looking forward to going to Cardston with them. We haven't been there together since my wedding.
6) I find that I only miss having cable for one show, Deadliest Warrior. I got to watch an episode last night and I really miss it, but not enough to pay that outrageous price.
7) We went for a picnic in Waterton Lakes National Park on Monday. It was a beautiful drive. We also got to take the boys to see some wild bison. They kept asking if they were water buffalo (we love Veggie Tales Silly Songs).
8) After getting home on Monday we got to take Caleb to the ER in Raymond. He spiked a fever of 39.3•C and had a sore throat and a cough. With him having chronicly swollen tonsils, I don't take the chance of waiting, we go immediately. Luckily, it's only a viral illness and he's doing a lot better, except for coughing evety 2 seconds during the night.
9) I got to have a really long visit with a good friend last Friday. They used to live in our ward but moved to southern AB rwo years ago. We'd been trying since then to meet up but have had no luck until last week. It was fun and much needed.
10) I miss John. I already said it, but it's so strong that it warrents another mention.
2) Caleb left early this morning to go fishing in Papa's boat. I am SO glad he's getting to do this. When I was filling out his spotlight survey for Primary and asked him what his dream holiday (or something like that) was he said "to go fishing with Grandpa Bly in his boat".
3) Brettley has learned to roll over both ways in the last 24 hours. Life is about to get a lot more interesting, I'm sure.
4) Caleb has been loving swimming lessons so much. He has had a wonderful teacher, Brad, who is excellent with young kids. The past two days, Caleb has been the only kid wanting to go in the deep end at the end of class, so he has loved that individual time with his teacher (I think he's missing Daddy, too).
5) I get to see my mum today. She is on holidays in Southern AB as well, so they are making time to come and see us. I'm looking forward to going to Cardston with them. We haven't been there together since my wedding.
6) I find that I only miss having cable for one show, Deadliest Warrior. I got to watch an episode last night and I really miss it, but not enough to pay that outrageous price.
7) We went for a picnic in Waterton Lakes National Park on Monday. It was a beautiful drive. We also got to take the boys to see some wild bison. They kept asking if they were water buffalo (we love Veggie Tales Silly Songs).
8) After getting home on Monday we got to take Caleb to the ER in Raymond. He spiked a fever of 39.3•C and had a sore throat and a cough. With him having chronicly swollen tonsils, I don't take the chance of waiting, we go immediately. Luckily, it's only a viral illness and he's doing a lot better, except for coughing evety 2 seconds during the night.
9) I got to have a really long visit with a good friend last Friday. They used to live in our ward but moved to southern AB rwo years ago. We'd been trying since then to meet up but have had no luck until last week. It was fun and much needed.
10) I miss John. I already said it, but it's so strong that it warrents another mention.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
10 On Tuesday
1) I have a wicked sunburn on my neck. I got it on Saturday from the parade and lawnmower races. It still stings like mad.
2) Caleb and Ty are currently in swimming lessons. We thought Ty would run at it head on and Caleb would get scared. It turned out to be the opposite. Caleb adores swimming and Ty is terrified of it. He's taking a break from lessons tomorrow.
3) I learned an important lesson today. If your son falls asleep in his carseat while holding an ice cream slurpie, take said slurpie away as soon as you notice he's asleep. If you don't, said slurpie will end up on the floor of the van 2 minutes later.
4) I have been craving Booster Juices again. Luckily I am in Magrath and it's not an option right now.
5) Of 4 different brands of formula, Brettley tolerates the Parents Choice from Walmart the best. Who would have thought?
6) I have very mixed feelings about my blog being private now. I can't decide if it was really the right decision or not. I like knowing who's reading and so I feel more comfortable disclosing how I feel about things, but at the same time I feel like it will never make a difference if it's private.
7) Tomorrow is my mum's birthday, she'll be 52. She is only 7 years older than my oldest sister in law. That never fails to crack me up.
8) I love being able to send Caleb out to play without having to worry. It's been wonderful for us both.
9) John watched the end of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition today. I cried, even though I didn't know why they needed it. I'm such a sap sometimes.
10) My canola allergies are seriously hurting my eyes this year. I'm seriously considering caving and buying some Benadryl.
2) Caleb and Ty are currently in swimming lessons. We thought Ty would run at it head on and Caleb would get scared. It turned out to be the opposite. Caleb adores swimming and Ty is terrified of it. He's taking a break from lessons tomorrow.
3) I learned an important lesson today. If your son falls asleep in his carseat while holding an ice cream slurpie, take said slurpie away as soon as you notice he's asleep. If you don't, said slurpie will end up on the floor of the van 2 minutes later.
4) I have been craving Booster Juices again. Luckily I am in Magrath and it's not an option right now.
5) Of 4 different brands of formula, Brettley tolerates the Parents Choice from Walmart the best. Who would have thought?
6) I have very mixed feelings about my blog being private now. I can't decide if it was really the right decision or not. I like knowing who's reading and so I feel more comfortable disclosing how I feel about things, but at the same time I feel like it will never make a difference if it's private.
7) Tomorrow is my mum's birthday, she'll be 52. She is only 7 years older than my oldest sister in law. That never fails to crack me up.
8) I love being able to send Caleb out to play without having to worry. It's been wonderful for us both.
9) John watched the end of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition today. I cried, even though I didn't know why they needed it. I'm such a sap sometimes.
10) My canola allergies are seriously hurting my eyes this year. I'm seriously considering caving and buying some Benadryl.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Hardest Letters I've Had To Write
Just over 7 years ago I wrote a letter that would be the hardest thing I'd ever written in my life. C & D asked that I write a letter to give to Laur at a time of their choosing. Trying to put everything into words was so hard and my face was soaked with tears as I wrote it (I'm sure pregnancy hormones didn't help any).
That letter has now become the second hardest thing I've ever written. I just finished off my letter to my father in law. I have been trying for months to do this. Trying to tell an amazing man like that just how much they mean to you under these circumstances is such a hard thing to do. However, I did it, and I know that he'll appreciate it.
On to more fun things, we're finishing up getting everything ready to head off to Magrath tomorrow morning. I'm so excited:) I probably won't get on here much while I'm gone, so I hope you have a great few weeks.
That letter has now become the second hardest thing I've ever written. I just finished off my letter to my father in law. I have been trying for months to do this. Trying to tell an amazing man like that just how much they mean to you under these circumstances is such a hard thing to do. However, I did it, and I know that he'll appreciate it.
On to more fun things, we're finishing up getting everything ready to head off to Magrath tomorrow morning. I'm so excited:) I probably won't get on here much while I'm gone, so I hope you have a great few weeks.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Painted Nails, Hair and Perspective
I painted my toenails today. It sounds so painfully normal if you don't know me. However, if you do know me then you know that this is something that only occurs once every couple of years, if that. It happened after Ty found my bottle of pink nail polish and decided to paint up his face. I locked the pink bottle in the bathroom, sent Ty to his room, grabbed the bottle of purple polish and went at it. They look so strange, not like my feet because my feet don't have painted toenails...I like it, though. It adds a punch of color, and purple is my color this year (for personal reasons).
I also am liking that my hair is long enough to put up in a pony tail or whatever without needing to be wet first. This is great on sweltering days like today. We have decided to invest in a pair of thinning shears so that I can keep my long hair and not have to pay to have it thinned every 6 weeks or so.
I feel better about the girl thing today. Nothing like reading someone else's post about a tragedy to put things into perspective for you. C wrote about D's cousin losing their 2 year old in a tractor accident on Saturday. I have a 2 year old. As crazy as life is with him, I would be devastated if we lost him. Even though all of my kids have a handle (to quote my FIL), they are still precious to me. I love them and I am so glad that our family is an eternal one.
I also am liking that my hair is long enough to put up in a pony tail or whatever without needing to be wet first. This is great on sweltering days like today. We have decided to invest in a pair of thinning shears so that I can keep my long hair and not have to pay to have it thinned every 6 weeks or so.
I feel better about the girl thing today. Nothing like reading someone else's post about a tragedy to put things into perspective for you. C wrote about D's cousin losing their 2 year old in a tractor accident on Saturday. I have a 2 year old. As crazy as life is with him, I would be devastated if we lost him. Even though all of my kids have a handle (to quote my FIL), they are still precious to me. I love them and I am so glad that our family is an eternal one.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
The Girl Thing and Dad B
I thought I was really making peace with not having a girl of my own. I'd been doing a lot better. However, this morning at church they announced that a couple in our ward had a baby girl this past week. In came the tears, a couple of different times. It got me to wondering, when will I be okay enough to stop crying every time that I hear that someone has had or is having a baby girl? I know there's a reason why John and I have all boys. I could even take a few guesses that are probably really good ones, but I don't fully know the answer. I probably never will in this life. So when will it stop stinging so bad that I cry? When will it stop throwing me for hours or days?
Don't get me wrong. I love all of my boys and I wouldn't trade them for anything. However, it would have been so nice to have a girl as well. I'm sure it wouldn't have hurt as much if there wasn't a beautiful girl out there who's turning 7 in less than a month that I carried in me for 9 months before I placed her in the arms of one of the most amazing women I know.
So now I'm looking forward to going to Magrath even more and being able to take a step out of my normal life and just enjoy things. To spend time with one of the most wonderful men in the world. Remembering Dad and what he's going through helps me to keep my perspective better. He's such a blessing in my life. I love him so much. However, before Thursday, I want to write him the letter that I've been thinking about writing since we got the bad news last year. I don't know how to put all of this into writing, but I know that I need to do it. Because he's amazing, and I love him.
Don't get me wrong. I love all of my boys and I wouldn't trade them for anything. However, it would have been so nice to have a girl as well. I'm sure it wouldn't have hurt as much if there wasn't a beautiful girl out there who's turning 7 in less than a month that I carried in me for 9 months before I placed her in the arms of one of the most amazing women I know.
So now I'm looking forward to going to Magrath even more and being able to take a step out of my normal life and just enjoy things. To spend time with one of the most wonderful men in the world. Remembering Dad and what he's going through helps me to keep my perspective better. He's such a blessing in my life. I love him so much. However, before Thursday, I want to write him the letter that I've been thinking about writing since we got the bad news last year. I don't know how to put all of this into writing, but I know that I need to do it. Because he's amazing, and I love him.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Goodbye To The Last 9 1/2 Years
In December of 2001, I went and saw Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with my brother and our friend, Scott. I had not read the books yet because I still had a hard time reading anything fantasy like. I came out of that movie entirely hooked. Over Christmas hols I devoured the first 4 books (not literally). It felt like falling in love. That month was followed by waiting for movie and book releases. It shook me in book 5 when Sirius died, he was my favorite character. I wanted to scream at the Prisoner of Azkaban movie as it's my favorite of the books and the movie was the worst of them all. In July 2007 John went out and bought me the last book right at midnight. I bawled my eyes out at the death of Fred Weasley (the book has been out for almost 4 years, surely you know by now that he dies even if you haven't read it). It was bittersweet finishing that book. There was no story left, but as a diehard (obsessed) fan, I still had the movies to look forward to.
My emotions have been all over the place the past few months anticipating this movie. I have been excited like a little kid again at one point and then feeling indifferent at other points. I had no idea what to expect from this movie that would end my 9 1/2 years of waiting for the next Potter event. Yesterday morning things got even crazier when at the last minute I needed to find someone to go with me. There was only 1 person I wanted to ask, though, and thankfully she couldn't turn it down. As we stood in line for about an hour or so it felt so unreal and so exciting. I was jealous of the people in full costume. I tried, but my sweater doesn't fit at the moment and things didn't look right without it, so I just wore the tie in my hair instead and wore my muggle clothes (it is summer hols for Hogwarts right now, right?). John said I looked really cute, though:)
I won't spoil the movie for anyone, but I will say the following: My hat is off to you to, David Yates. You definitely did the finale better than any other movie I've ever watched. I could watch it over and over again (I'm sure I will when it's released on DVD/Blue-ray). Also, I must mention Alan Rickman. You were the perfect man for the role and your portrayal of the bravest man in the series is absolutely astounding. You did it justice and them some. It's been a long time since I cried like that at a movie, but by golly, you deserved it.
I have never left a Harry Potter movie without complaints before. However, when I walked out last night, it was just "WOW!". There's no complaints here. Bang on, Yates, bang on!
My emotions have been all over the place the past few months anticipating this movie. I have been excited like a little kid again at one point and then feeling indifferent at other points. I had no idea what to expect from this movie that would end my 9 1/2 years of waiting for the next Potter event. Yesterday morning things got even crazier when at the last minute I needed to find someone to go with me. There was only 1 person I wanted to ask, though, and thankfully she couldn't turn it down. As we stood in line for about an hour or so it felt so unreal and so exciting. I was jealous of the people in full costume. I tried, but my sweater doesn't fit at the moment and things didn't look right without it, so I just wore the tie in my hair instead and wore my muggle clothes (it is summer hols for Hogwarts right now, right?). John said I looked really cute, though:)
I won't spoil the movie for anyone, but I will say the following: My hat is off to you to, David Yates. You definitely did the finale better than any other movie I've ever watched. I could watch it over and over again (I'm sure I will when it's released on DVD/Blue-ray). Also, I must mention Alan Rickman. You were the perfect man for the role and your portrayal of the bravest man in the series is absolutely astounding. You did it justice and them some. It's been a long time since I cried like that at a movie, but by golly, you deserved it.
I have never left a Harry Potter movie without complaints before. However, when I walked out last night, it was just "WOW!". There's no complaints here. Bang on, Yates, bang on!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
8 Sleeps Until Magrath
We had a really fun FHE on Monday about the Plan of Salvation. I printed out the pictures from a lesson that I found online and John told what each picture meant as I put it down. The boys really enjoyed it. If I were rich I'd have all of the lessons from Crafty Copies. However, I'm not, so I'm searching the net to find some good ones online that people don't charge you for. Today we printed off ones for Fire Safety, The First Vision and The Word of Wisdom. That will last me until we come back from Magrath. I'm pretty sure we're coming back on the 6th, but I keep waffling about staying an extra week. I guess we'll see how things are going closer to the 6th.
I have been counting calories and exercising the last few days. The exercising is exhausting me as I don't sleep properly, but it will be worth it in the long run. The calorie thing is going better than I'd expected. It's always nice when I find low calorie recipes that we really like. Last night we had Foil Bake Taco Chicken Dinners and we really enjoyed them. One plate is only 310 calories, which is awesome.
I'm in the process of trying to figure out a new way to do my blog. My friend, Sami, decided to focus on one thing every day (for example, weigh in Wednesdays). I'm trying to think of something like that. I enjoy blogging frequently and this is my journal, pretty much. So any ideas would be great.
I have a confession to make. I'm not over the moon excited about Harry Potter on Friday. This is really baffling me as I have LOVED the Harry Potter world for over 9 1/2 years now. Maybe it's because I realize that my priorities in life are changing or maybe it's because I feel guilty that I'm spent almost $40 just on 2 tickets to see it. I'm not sure. However, I'm sure I'll enjoy the movie once I'm sat down watching it.
I have been counting calories and exercising the last few days. The exercising is exhausting me as I don't sleep properly, but it will be worth it in the long run. The calorie thing is going better than I'd expected. It's always nice when I find low calorie recipes that we really like. Last night we had Foil Bake Taco Chicken Dinners and we really enjoyed them. One plate is only 310 calories, which is awesome.
I'm in the process of trying to figure out a new way to do my blog. My friend, Sami, decided to focus on one thing every day (for example, weigh in Wednesdays). I'm trying to think of something like that. I enjoy blogging frequently and this is my journal, pretty much. So any ideas would be great.
I have a confession to make. I'm not over the moon excited about Harry Potter on Friday. This is really baffling me as I have LOVED the Harry Potter world for over 9 1/2 years now. Maybe it's because I realize that my priorities in life are changing or maybe it's because I feel guilty that I'm spent almost $40 just on 2 tickets to see it. I'm not sure. However, I'm sure I'll enjoy the movie once I'm sat down watching it.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Health, Magrath and Brettley
This weekend involved a lot of thinking. John and I have decided to really focus on our spiritual health and on our physical health. We have started using Lose It again and will be doing 30 minutes of exercise every week day. What happened to the running you might ask. Well, my hip is not in any condition to handle it right now. I'm hoping that once I lose some weight that I'll be able to handle it, but if not, the main priority is that I'm doing my best to be healthy. In focusing on my spiritual health, I have 1 book left to read in the series I'm working on, and then I will be focusing on just spiritually uplifting books for a few months. At least for the rest of the summer, but probably longer. Also, we will be refocusing on holding FHE every week and will be studying the new Marriage and Family Relations manual from the church. I want the things that I do to be reflective of what's really the most important to me, which would be Heavenly Father, the Savior and my family.
We are excited to head to Magrath late next week. The boys and I will be staying for at least 2 1/2 weeks. Caleb and Ty are enrolled in swimming lessons, which should be lots of fun. We are looking forward to getting to spend lots of time outside and with John's family.
Today Brettley turned 5 months old, adjusted age 3 1/2 months. We are sure that he is at least past the 4 month mark in development now. He had his first meal of rice cereal yesterday. He has been acting hungry shortly after downing a whole bottle of formula, so we decided to give it a try. He seemed to enjoy it and didn't fuss at all. He would have sat nice in his high chair, but John and I find it easier to have someone hold the baby the first time they try baby food. He'll be back in the high chair tonight.
We are excited to head to Magrath late next week. The boys and I will be staying for at least 2 1/2 weeks. Caleb and Ty are enrolled in swimming lessons, which should be lots of fun. We are looking forward to getting to spend lots of time outside and with John's family.
Today Brettley turned 5 months old, adjusted age 3 1/2 months. We are sure that he is at least past the 4 month mark in development now. He had his first meal of rice cereal yesterday. He has been acting hungry shortly after downing a whole bottle of formula, so we decided to give it a try. He seemed to enjoy it and didn't fuss at all. He would have sat nice in his high chair, but John and I find it easier to have someone hold the baby the first time they try baby food. He'll be back in the high chair tonight.
Friday, July 8, 2011
If Only...
Day 5: The Dress
For the redo of the original wedding, picture the red as white and the gold as silver. I couldn't find a picture of the bouquet I wanted, but it would be ivy with white and blue roses.
For the Hawaii wedding, here is something that I'm sure will shock the living daylights out of my mum. If I hadn't had the theme that I did for my wedding, this is what I would have wanted (dress photo courtesy of TotallyModest.com).
For the redo of the original wedding, picture the red as white and the gold as silver. I couldn't find a picture of the bouquet I wanted, but it would be ivy with white and blue roses.
For the Hawaii wedding, here is something that I'm sure will shock the living daylights out of my mum. If I hadn't had the theme that I did for my wedding, this is what I would have wanted (dress photo courtesy of TotallyModest.com).
Thursday, July 7, 2011
My Peeps & Their Garb
I will be foregoing the Attitude of Gratitude today. I'm thinking about just doing it the first or last Thursday of the month instead of every week. We'll see what happens.
Onto the wedding...
Day 2: The Bridesmaids & Co
Let's do the youngin' first. My flower girl (since mine are too old to be flower girls now) would be Addie Summers (my friend Heidi's little girl). Here's the dresses she'd wear for both themes. Just imagine with the first one that the blue color would be navy blue and the gold trim parts would be silver instead. (The second photo is from TotallyModest.com)
Next would be my maid of honor and bridesmaids. If I could change one thing about my real wedding, this would be it. My maid of honor would be Danya Wood and my bridesmaids would be Heidi Summers and Danielle Rajotte. I had a few other people that I wanted to include as well, but I didn't want too big of a wedding party. So here are the dresses. (The second photo is from TotallyModest.com and would be in fuscia instead of the color it is in the picture) For the first wedding, they wouldn't have flowers, they'd have a wreath of ivy in on their heads instead.
(I really want one of these dresses in either the blue or the fuscia)
(The bridesmaids bouquet ball)
Onto the wedding...
Day 2: The Bridesmaids & Co
Let's do the youngin' first. My flower girl (since mine are too old to be flower girls now) would be Addie Summers (my friend Heidi's little girl). Here's the dresses she'd wear for both themes. Just imagine with the first one that the blue color would be navy blue and the gold trim parts would be silver instead. (The second photo is from TotallyModest.com)
Next would be my maid of honor and bridesmaids. If I could change one thing about my real wedding, this would be it. My maid of honor would be Danya Wood and my bridesmaids would be Heidi Summers and Danielle Rajotte. I had a few other people that I wanted to include as well, but I didn't want too big of a wedding party. So here are the dresses. (The second photo is from TotallyModest.com and would be in fuscia instead of the color it is in the picture) For the first wedding, they wouldn't have flowers, they'd have a wreath of ivy in on their heads instead.
(I really want one of these dresses in either the blue or the fuscia)
(The bridesmaids bouquet ball)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Monstrosity
Day 3: The Cake
For the bigger version of the original wedding, I couldn't decide between 2 different cakes. Props to you if you know what both of them are. I also would pick either almond cake or egg nog cake for either of these and it would be made by Charm City Cakes (think Ace of Cakes). Actually, the top cake WAS made by CCC.
~~~
For my beautiful Hawaiian wedding, I would pick a far more traditional looking cake and the flavor would be marble. I probably wouldn't be so picky about who made this one as long as they did a great job.
Stay tuned tomorrow to see who my bridesmaids and co would be and what they would be wearing.
For the bigger version of the original wedding, I couldn't decide between 2 different cakes. Props to you if you know what both of them are. I also would pick either almond cake or egg nog cake for either of these and it would be made by Charm City Cakes (think Ace of Cakes). Actually, the top cake WAS made by CCC.
~~~
For my beautiful Hawaiian wedding, I would pick a far more traditional looking cake and the flavor would be marble. I probably wouldn't be so picky about who made this one as long as they did a great job.
Stay tuned tomorrow to see who my bridesmaids and co would be and what they would be wearing.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Big Par-tay
Day 2: The Reception
First off, I would only have 1. We had 2 and the second one wasn't really important to us because we'd been married for a week already. However, the whole calling reception thing would be out the window in a heartbeat. I didn't enjoy it because I just saw a whole bunch of people I don't know long enough to shake their hand and have them congratulate me (or offer condolences if they had a sense of humor). I was sick and I was confined to stand in line and not have any supper. Instead, remember that sweet looking castle wall in the last post? They would have been all around the place and we would have had a light dinner with salads and sandwiches with people we actually REALLY knew (I knew hardly anyone at our big reception) and then we would have had a big fun dance. Our wedding song would be God Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. It wouldn't have been in the church so that we could have stayed and had everyone ring in the New Year together. Fun times.
However, if we were in Hawaii we would have been having a big sit down dinner that would include Zuppa Toscana and Herb & Brie Stuffed Filet Mignon, among other yummy foods. Then we'd dance it up on a beach or something with everyone in nice casual tropical attire. Free non alcoholic drinks all night (mmm, virgin strawberry daiquiris...). In looking for pictures to go with this tropical idea I realized that my main color would be a really bold pink. It doesn't seem like me, hey? But I'm lovin' it (and now I'm stuck on McDonald's).
The dinner area would look something like this:
First off, I would only have 1. We had 2 and the second one wasn't really important to us because we'd been married for a week already. However, the whole calling reception thing would be out the window in a heartbeat. I didn't enjoy it because I just saw a whole bunch of people I don't know long enough to shake their hand and have them congratulate me (or offer condolences if they had a sense of humor). I was sick and I was confined to stand in line and not have any supper. Instead, remember that sweet looking castle wall in the last post? They would have been all around the place and we would have had a light dinner with salads and sandwiches with people we actually REALLY knew (I knew hardly anyone at our big reception) and then we would have had a big fun dance. Our wedding song would be God Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. It wouldn't have been in the church so that we could have stayed and had everyone ring in the New Year together. Fun times.
However, if we were in Hawaii we would have been having a big sit down dinner that would include Zuppa Toscana and Herb & Brie Stuffed Filet Mignon, among other yummy foods. Then we'd dance it up on a beach or something with everyone in nice casual tropical attire. Free non alcoholic drinks all night (mmm, virgin strawberry daiquiris...). In looking for pictures to go with this tropical idea I realized that my main color would be a really bold pink. It doesn't seem like me, hey? But I'm lovin' it (and now I'm stuck on McDonald's).
The dinner area would look something like this:
Monday, July 4, 2011
My Imaginary Wedding - Day 1/5
On one of the blogs I'm reading she's doing an imaginary wedding week. Here's what I would do if I were planning a wedding now instead of 5.5 years ago, and with an unlimited budget.
Day 1: The Theme
Day 2: The Reception
Day 3: The Cake
Day 4: The Bridesmaids & Co.
Day 5: The Dress
***
Day 1: The Theme
We had a medieval/Lord of the Rings themed wedding and I loved it. I don't think I would really change that. We had originally picked blue and silver as our colors and I would still go with them (the burgundy and green came in for convenience reasons).
However, if money were no object, I would have loved to have had a tropical wedding at the Laie Hawaii Temple. If we'd had the wedding there I would have picked any fun tropical colors that really went.
Day 1: The Theme
Day 2: The Reception
Day 3: The Cake
Day 4: The Bridesmaids & Co.
Day 5: The Dress
***
Day 1: The Theme
We had a medieval/Lord of the Rings themed wedding and I loved it. I don't think I would really change that. We had originally picked blue and silver as our colors and I would still go with them (the burgundy and green came in for convenience reasons).
However, if money were no object, I would have loved to have had a tropical wedding at the Laie Hawaii Temple. If we'd had the wedding there I would have picked any fun tropical colors that really went.
Canada Turned 144 Years Young
It felt strange not to be posting over the long weekend, I really got used to doing this every morning. Oh well, it's not like I had a lot to say anyway. The older boys left with my stepdad on Thursday morning to spend the weekend in Wainwright. My dad took Brettley and I to Brettley's checkup with the pediatrician. He weighed in at 13 lbs 6.5 oz. His ped said that for his developmental milestones he's pretty much at par with his actual age, instead of his adjusted age, but still just a bit shorter and lighter. He's doing great with catching up, though. The only concern is that Brett has a 'very' lazy eye. His ped has decided that because it's so pronounced that we will be safe and she's referring him to a pediatric optometrist. Hopefully it won't take too long to figure out what's up.
We kicked off our Canada Day long weekend by having poutine for supper on Thursday. I went to bed with my throat bothering me. I really should have been smart and gargled with salt water before I went to bed. On Friday I woke up and felt like I'd been punched in the face a few times or something. My throat was sore and my nose was having some huge sinus issues. We didn't do much of anything for Canada Day, except grocery shopping. I slept a lot, the cold was really wiping me out. I'm not the kind of person who feels the need to go nuts once a year in an effort to make myself feel patriotic. I love Canada all of the time and I'm always happy to be a citizen of this wonderful country. Brettley did wear his Canada shirt, though.
Saturday we did a whole load of nothing. I slept a lot again and was feeling worse. For the evening I went for a ladies night at a friend's place. We had snacks a watched a couple of movies. It was a lot of fun, but I was feeling pretty rotten by the end.
When I woke up yesterday I thought that there was no way I was going to church. Then I got a nosebleed and decided that since I missed the weekend before that I needed to go this time. I got through Sacrament meeting okay, just had to get up once to go down the hallway and hack up a lung. Sunday School was spent in the hallway with our home teacher and I only made it partway through Relief Society before I had to call it a day and have John drive me back home.
I'm feeling better this morning, though. My head isn't quite as foggy and I only feel like I've been punched in the nose instead of all over my face. So my Canada Day weekend wasn't quite how I'd envisioned it, but I did get more sleep than usual and Caleb and Ty had a BLAST at Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob's.
We kicked off our Canada Day long weekend by having poutine for supper on Thursday. I went to bed with my throat bothering me. I really should have been smart and gargled with salt water before I went to bed. On Friday I woke up and felt like I'd been punched in the face a few times or something. My throat was sore and my nose was having some huge sinus issues. We didn't do much of anything for Canada Day, except grocery shopping. I slept a lot, the cold was really wiping me out. I'm not the kind of person who feels the need to go nuts once a year in an effort to make myself feel patriotic. I love Canada all of the time and I'm always happy to be a citizen of this wonderful country. Brettley did wear his Canada shirt, though.
Saturday we did a whole load of nothing. I slept a lot again and was feeling worse. For the evening I went for a ladies night at a friend's place. We had snacks a watched a couple of movies. It was a lot of fun, but I was feeling pretty rotten by the end.
When I woke up yesterday I thought that there was no way I was going to church. Then I got a nosebleed and decided that since I missed the weekend before that I needed to go this time. I got through Sacrament meeting okay, just had to get up once to go down the hallway and hack up a lung. Sunday School was spent in the hallway with our home teacher and I only made it partway through Relief Society before I had to call it a day and have John drive me back home.
I'm feeling better this morning, though. My head isn't quite as foggy and I only feel like I've been punched in the nose instead of all over my face. So my Canada Day weekend wasn't quite how I'd envisioned it, but I did get more sleep than usual and Caleb and Ty had a BLAST at Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob's.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Day 30 & AoG
Day 30 - Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year
Savior by Rise Against
It's still tied as my favorite song with Sing by My Chemical Romance (Day 1). Seriously, though, what is with awesome songs having the strangest videos?
***
It's Thursday:)
1) I am grateful that the extremely high fever and nausea that Caleb had during the night is gone so that he can go and spend the weekend at Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob's house. (Also grateful to have a few days breather from the older boys)
2) I am grateful that we handed back the keys to the old unit this week. It feels so nice to not have to worry about it anymore and to be able to move forward. We have some really good memories of that place (bringing home Ty and Brettley), but there are quite a few bad memories as well (my disorder going out of control as we tried to figure out how to control it). It's nice to be able to start fresh.
3) I am grateful for the wonderful country that I live in. I am SO happy to be a Canadian. I love this place so much. Happy 144th birthday tomorrow, Canada!!!
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy Canada's birthday. We will be having poutine for supper, does it get more Canadian than that?
Savior by Rise Against
It's still tied as my favorite song with Sing by My Chemical Romance (Day 1). Seriously, though, what is with awesome songs having the strangest videos?
***
It's Thursday:)
1) I am grateful that the extremely high fever and nausea that Caleb had during the night is gone so that he can go and spend the weekend at Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob's house. (Also grateful to have a few days breather from the older boys)
2) I am grateful that we handed back the keys to the old unit this week. It feels so nice to not have to worry about it anymore and to be able to move forward. We have some really good memories of that place (bringing home Ty and Brettley), but there are quite a few bad memories as well (my disorder going out of control as we tried to figure out how to control it). It's nice to be able to start fresh.
3) I am grateful for the wonderful country that I live in. I am SO happy to be a Canadian. I love this place so much. Happy 144th birthday tomorrow, Canada!!!
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy Canada's birthday. We will be having poutine for supper, does it get more Canadian than that?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Day 29, Allergens & Dummies
Day 29 - A Song From Your Childhood
The Loco-Motion by Kylie Minogue
I could have picked oh so many songs (up to and including Alice Cooper), but decided to go with this one from when we took a trip down east when I was 4. So here an 80s flashback for you.
***
Yesterday was such a throwaway day. Caleb and Brettley were both really off of their game from the immunizations. Ty, however, decided to do every single naughty thing he could think of during the times that I was feeding the baby. It was not so much fun.
During the night both of the boys woke up and came into our room. Caleb was coughing and sneezing and I was coughing as well. I'm not sure what was in the air but after about an hour or so of trying to get them back to sleep I did something I thought I'd never do. I Benadryled my kids to see if it would help them sleep. They did sleep though and Caleb's not coughing as much this morning, so it must have helped. So we're obviously a bit on the tired side today. Oddly enough, the only one who slept through the night was Brettley.
Brettley has some exciting news. He has officially decided that he's done with the dummy (soother). We are very happy that, like Caleb, he has chosen on his own to get rid of it at a very young age. Ty had his the longest (9 months). Brettley doesn't fuss much unless he's hungry, so there's really no need for it anyway. So we are now a dummy free home:)
The Loco-Motion by Kylie Minogue
I could have picked oh so many songs (up to and including Alice Cooper), but decided to go with this one from when we took a trip down east when I was 4. So here an 80s flashback for you.
***
Yesterday was such a throwaway day. Caleb and Brettley were both really off of their game from the immunizations. Ty, however, decided to do every single naughty thing he could think of during the times that I was feeding the baby. It was not so much fun.
During the night both of the boys woke up and came into our room. Caleb was coughing and sneezing and I was coughing as well. I'm not sure what was in the air but after about an hour or so of trying to get them back to sleep I did something I thought I'd never do. I Benadryled my kids to see if it would help them sleep. They did sleep though and Caleb's not coughing as much this morning, so it must have helped. So we're obviously a bit on the tired side today. Oddly enough, the only one who slept through the night was Brettley.
Brettley has some exciting news. He has officially decided that he's done with the dummy (soother). We are very happy that, like Caleb, he has chosen on his own to get rid of it at a very young age. Ty had his the longest (9 months). Brettley doesn't fuss much unless he's hungry, so there's really no need for it anyway. So we are now a dummy free home:)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Day 28 & The Plan
Day 28 - A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty
With Arms Wide Open by Creed
Sometimes I feel that going into starting a family with both parents suffering from mental illness that we have condemned our children because the odds are a lot higher that they will suffer from some form of it as well. This song kind of reminds me of that ("If I had just one wish, only one demand, I hope he's not like me, I hope he understands that he can take his life and hold it by the hand and he can greet the world with arms wide open"). I LOVE this song, even if it does occasionally make me feel a bit guilty.
***
John and I had a good talk last night about exercising. We decided to scale it back and build up to it. Let's face it. I am overweight and horribly out of shape. Trying to run makes me almost puke right now because my body isn't ready to take that step. So we decided that every week day I will use the WiiFit Plus during the day and then go for a 30 minute brisk walk every evening to get used to exercising again and to doing so in the outdoors. Once that becomes easy then I'll start adding in the running part. If I just trying and go full guns with running right now I'll hate every second of it and never want to do it. If I help prepare my body more to handle it, then it won't be such a shock to my body and I'll be able to enjoy it more.
John went and did the walk through for the old place last night. It sounds like we should get a fair chunk of our deposit back, which is nice. We are very happy to be done with the place and just moving forward now.
Today is going to be another lazy movies day as Caleb still has a fever from his shots. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by having them immunized, but I'd rather this than them getting really sick and dying or something because I didn't have them immunized. So many people are going without immunizing their kids now that I feel these things are going to start popping back up. I'd rather know that I'm doing my best to protect my kids.
With Arms Wide Open by Creed
Sometimes I feel that going into starting a family with both parents suffering from mental illness that we have condemned our children because the odds are a lot higher that they will suffer from some form of it as well. This song kind of reminds me of that ("If I had just one wish, only one demand, I hope he's not like me, I hope he understands that he can take his life and hold it by the hand and he can greet the world with arms wide open"). I LOVE this song, even if it does occasionally make me feel a bit guilty.
***
John and I had a good talk last night about exercising. We decided to scale it back and build up to it. Let's face it. I am overweight and horribly out of shape. Trying to run makes me almost puke right now because my body isn't ready to take that step. So we decided that every week day I will use the WiiFit Plus during the day and then go for a 30 minute brisk walk every evening to get used to exercising again and to doing so in the outdoors. Once that becomes easy then I'll start adding in the running part. If I just trying and go full guns with running right now I'll hate every second of it and never want to do it. If I help prepare my body more to handle it, then it won't be such a shock to my body and I'll be able to enjoy it more.
John went and did the walk through for the old place last night. It sounds like we should get a fair chunk of our deposit back, which is nice. We are very happy to be done with the place and just moving forward now.
Today is going to be another lazy movies day as Caleb still has a fever from his shots. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by having them immunized, but I'd rather this than them getting really sick and dying or something because I didn't have them immunized. So many people are going without immunizing their kids now that I feel these things are going to start popping back up. I'd rather know that I'm doing my best to protect my kids.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day 27 And Such
Day 27 - A Song That You Wish You Could Play
One by Metallica
I tried to find a live version of this to use because I don't like how they added movie clips with words into the video and I love the lights in the live performances, but all of the live ones have a bad word in them, so I had to use the actual video:( There is a wicked guitar bit in this song though, and it's a song that I've loved for years and years.
***
I started running this morning. It was torture. I could only do 5 reps of running before I had to call it a day and set a goal to do 6 tomorrow. I almost got sick a couple of times. However, I'm going to keep on going and make this happen. My friend, Heidi (who is a major athletic type), said that I'll hate the first 3 weeks and then I'll start to love it. She's right about the hating it part so I'm hoping she's right about the loving it part as well.
Caleb and Brettley had their immunizations this morning. Caleb totally freaked out, but now he's done until grade 5. Brettley weighed in at 13 lbs 1 oz. The health nurse said he's growing very well. That's about it, I guess.
One by Metallica
I tried to find a live version of this to use because I don't like how they added movie clips with words into the video and I love the lights in the live performances, but all of the live ones have a bad word in them, so I had to use the actual video:( There is a wicked guitar bit in this song though, and it's a song that I've loved for years and years.
***
I started running this morning. It was torture. I could only do 5 reps of running before I had to call it a day and set a goal to do 6 tomorrow. I almost got sick a couple of times. However, I'm going to keep on going and make this happen. My friend, Heidi (who is a major athletic type), said that I'll hate the first 3 weeks and then I'll start to love it. She's right about the hating it part so I'm hoping she's right about the loving it part as well.
Caleb and Brettley had their immunizations this morning. Caleb totally freaked out, but now he's done until grade 5. Brettley weighed in at 13 lbs 1 oz. The health nurse said he's growing very well. That's about it, I guess.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Day 26 & DONE!
Day 26 - A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument
Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
I probably can't anymore, but I could play part of it on guitar at one point in time. I'm not very musically talented, I just have a deep appreciation for it, I guess.
***
We finished up the old place yesterday. I painted and did almost all of the cleaning of every surface in that place (John did the stuff that involved a ladder and lugging stuff into the van). Today I feel like a truck just kept running over me and backing up to do it again. I'm so happy that it's done, though, I just wish it hadn't made me unable to sit for more than 10 minutes at a time. John is handing the keys back tomorrow night, YAHOO!!!
Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
I probably can't anymore, but I could play part of it on guitar at one point in time. I'm not very musically talented, I just have a deep appreciation for it, I guess.
***
We finished up the old place yesterday. I painted and did almost all of the cleaning of every surface in that place (John did the stuff that involved a ladder and lugging stuff into the van). Today I feel like a truck just kept running over me and backing up to do it again. I'm so happy that it's done, though, I just wish it hadn't made me unable to sit for more than 10 minutes at a time. John is handing the keys back tomorrow night, YAHOO!!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Day 25 & A Baptism
Day 25 - A Song That Makes You Laugh
Perry the Platypus Theme by Randy Crenshaw
We LOVE Perry the Platypus in this house.
***
Yesterday evening I got to attend the baptism of a very special girl that I've taught in Primary and she was in Activity Days while I was there as well. I was asked to give the talk about baptism, which was a huge honor. I am so happy about the choice she has made to be baptized.
Caleb and Ty decided what themes they want for their birthday parties yesterday so that I have time to make some stuff. Caleb has chosen Star Wars (after I had to talk him out of Angry Birds) and Ty has chosen Lightning McQueen from Cars.
That's about it. I'm off to go put the last coat of paint on at the old place. Have a great Saturday:)
Perry the Platypus Theme by Randy Crenshaw
We LOVE Perry the Platypus in this house.
***
Yesterday evening I got to attend the baptism of a very special girl that I've taught in Primary and she was in Activity Days while I was there as well. I was asked to give the talk about baptism, which was a huge honor. I am so happy about the choice she has made to be baptized.
Caleb and Ty decided what themes they want for their birthday parties yesterday so that I have time to make some stuff. Caleb has chosen Star Wars (after I had to talk him out of Angry Birds) and Ty has chosen Lightning McQueen from Cars.
That's about it. I'm off to go put the last coat of paint on at the old place. Have a great Saturday:)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day 24 & The Temple
Day 24 - A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral
The Change by Garth Brooks
It won't get played because it will be LDS Hymns at my funeral, but if I could choose any song that isn't a hymn, this is the song I would choose. I am so sad that I couldn't find a video that didn't have Bush's voice involved, but you should seriously check this song out.
***
Our van is in the shop right now. It gushed out all of the power steering fluid yesterday. However, we were grateful that we have AMA so that they could tow it for us and that the shop said they can probably get it done today.
Yesterday night I went to the temple with my friend, Alana. I can't remember the last time I did an endowment session, but I am SO glad that I went. I feel a lot better about something I have really been struggling with and I just feel better in general. I always do after I go to the temple, I don't know why I don't go more often. However, our temple is about to close for 6 months so that they can do some work on it:( I'm looking forward to going back once it's done though.
Caleb is currently at a birthday party and wants to start planning his. His birthday is September 25th.
The Change by Garth Brooks
It won't get played because it will be LDS Hymns at my funeral, but if I could choose any song that isn't a hymn, this is the song I would choose. I am so sad that I couldn't find a video that didn't have Bush's voice involved, but you should seriously check this song out.
***
Our van is in the shop right now. It gushed out all of the power steering fluid yesterday. However, we were grateful that we have AMA so that they could tow it for us and that the shop said they can probably get it done today.
Yesterday night I went to the temple with my friend, Alana. I can't remember the last time I did an endowment session, but I am SO glad that I went. I feel a lot better about something I have really been struggling with and I just feel better in general. I always do after I go to the temple, I don't know why I don't go more often. However, our temple is about to close for 6 months so that they can do some work on it:( I'm looking forward to going back once it's done though.
Caleb is currently at a birthday party and wants to start planning his. His birthday is September 25th.
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