This week we've been working on discipline! I used a great book called On Becoming Baby Wise (given to me by my great sister-in-law, Sheri) when Chase was first born to get him into a routine. I loved the results since it meant my 7 week old was sleeping through the night & I could get my sanity back!
So, I started realizing the need for some instruction in this new pre-toddler phase that Chase is in and turned to Baby Wise again -- this time to Book 2 that deals with 5 to 15 months. Well, we're very late in turning to the wise counsel in this book, but have gained so much from it already!
We had done one of the things mentioned in the book that you shouldn't do. We baby proofed the house to the point that there was nothing within Chase's reach that we didn't want him getting into. That meant that every morning we had to pull the blinds up out of his reach, unplug the nightlight & recently had to cover up the tv buttons in the family room & have started "locking" the oven so he couldn't pull it open.
When I started reading the book, I realized that we weren't teaching him anything by doing this . . . this cute kid had not learned what "no" means or how to obey or have self-control. Now, granted, he's only 13 months old, but in the last week, following the guidelines in the book, he will now leave something alone if we say "no" and stays away from the items that we've already taught him to keep out of.
We have a much happier household now, even though Chase wanders around the house saying, "no-no-no-no-no-no"!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Vote for Chase --- cutest kid contest!
Go to www.wpoc.com
click on the cutest kid contest icon on the top left
select "group 2"
then vote for Chase M.!
He's on the 20th row
2nd from the left
marked "Chase M."
Or hit "control" & "f" on your keyboard to bring up a "search" box. Search for "chase"; he's the only one on the page.
Once you find Chase, click the button next to his name, scroll to the bottom of the page & enter your e-mail address & click on "vote". You'll get an e-mail with a link that you have to click on in order for your vote to count. You can vote as many times as you want, but have to use a different e-mail address each time.
We appreciate all votes! Please pass this on to anyone who might vote for our kiddo!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
From Snow to Sun and Back Again
The cold weather has kept us inside a lot, which has meant lots of having fun & goofing off while playing with Chase. A couple of weeks ago, we were supposed to spend the Saturday on a family outing. With no ideas of what to do, we took the advice of a family friend & drove up to Boyd's Bear Country in Pennsylvania. Its this huge barn that is set up with Boyd's Bear brand stuffed animals in all sorts of different & fun displays. We just walked around, took pictures & bought Chase the cutest stuffed hedgehog that he just loves.
The next night, it started to snow. We got enough snow over the night (Sunday night) that Jeff's work was closed for the day. Again, we stayed mostly inside & played with Chase . . . well, at least Jeff did. I got to spend the day putting our taxes together . . . at least they're done now! We also ventured outside for some pictures & video of Chase in the snow.
By the end of the week, it had warmed up and all the snow melted by Saturday. We decided to take advantage of the warm weather (who knows if it would come again before the end of the month or not?). So, we drove to Pennsylvania again, but this time to Philadelphia. We got a little lost coming into downtown, but ended up finding our way back . . . using the scenic route which involved an extra $4 toll to cross the Ben Franklin bridge. We stopped by the Reading Terminal Market - but it was too busy & crowded to be able to stop & eat with having Chase in the stroller. So, we headed on to the historical sites. We saw the Liberty Bell and headed to Independence Hall (just across the street). By the time we reached our tour time for Independence Hall, Chase was soooo ready for a nap. Tired & cranky and not falling asleep, so we missed out on the tour & headed home instead. Guess we'll have to make another trip another time.
Just playing . . . all cooped up inside during the cold weather. Chase brought over this ring, stuck it in my mouth & then bit the other side -- makes you wonder what they think about when they come up with funny stuff like that.
Don't know what this is exactly . . . just Chase being Chase!
Chase & his hedgehog from Boyd's Bear Country.
The 4 story high Boyd's Bear Country barn.
More playing inside while its snowing outside. Chase has been quite fascinated with his tongue lately & all that it can do!
The view of the snow from Chase's bedroom window.
Chase tries to balance in the snow.
Doing pretty well!
Ooops; lost that balance after all!
Play the above video to see Chase's first experience with snow.
Jeff & Chase in front of the Liberty Bell.
Independence Hall
Chase has that same heavy, furrowed brow that his dad gets!
Play the above video to see Chase playing outside of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. He's a little bit of a chatterbox here and still trying to figure out how to walk in those new shoes.
The next night, it started to snow. We got enough snow over the night (Sunday night) that Jeff's work was closed for the day. Again, we stayed mostly inside & played with Chase . . . well, at least Jeff did. I got to spend the day putting our taxes together . . . at least they're done now! We also ventured outside for some pictures & video of Chase in the snow.
By the end of the week, it had warmed up and all the snow melted by Saturday. We decided to take advantage of the warm weather (who knows if it would come again before the end of the month or not?). So, we drove to Pennsylvania again, but this time to Philadelphia. We got a little lost coming into downtown, but ended up finding our way back . . . using the scenic route which involved an extra $4 toll to cross the Ben Franklin bridge. We stopped by the Reading Terminal Market - but it was too busy & crowded to be able to stop & eat with having Chase in the stroller. So, we headed on to the historical sites. We saw the Liberty Bell and headed to Independence Hall (just across the street). By the time we reached our tour time for Independence Hall, Chase was soooo ready for a nap. Tired & cranky and not falling asleep, so we missed out on the tour & headed home instead. Guess we'll have to make another trip another time.
Just playing . . . all cooped up inside during the cold weather. Chase brought over this ring, stuck it in my mouth & then bit the other side -- makes you wonder what they think about when they come up with funny stuff like that.
Don't know what this is exactly . . . just Chase being Chase!
Chase & his hedgehog from Boyd's Bear Country.
The 4 story high Boyd's Bear Country barn.
More playing inside while its snowing outside. Chase has been quite fascinated with his tongue lately & all that it can do!
The view of the snow from Chase's bedroom window.
Chase tries to balance in the snow.
Doing pretty well!
Ooops; lost that balance after all!
Play the above video to see Chase's first experience with snow.
Jeff & Chase in front of the Liberty Bell.
Independence Hall
Chase has that same heavy, furrowed brow that his dad gets!
Play the above video to see Chase playing outside of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. He's a little bit of a chatterbox here and still trying to figure out how to walk in those new shoes.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Giving Makes the Giver Happy Too!
Making handcrafted items is a dying art, but they are so fun to make & get! So, here's a little game to encourage the handcrafting to live & thrive!! The first 5 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a super-duper handmade gift from me.What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise!The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here, write up (or copy & paste as I did!) a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Remember that only the first FIVE comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!2. It will be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.)3. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
C'mon, you know you wanna play!
C'mon, you know you wanna play!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Things I love!
I started thinking about all of my "favorite" things the other day, as I went throughout my day. I made a list & thought I would share it:
1. Netflix -- we just got a subscription & are using it like crazy! Its a nice break to have a movie to watch either online or with a dvd after Chase has gone to bed or for a date night.
2. Ken's Steakhouse Honey Mustard -- I just love honey mustard but have never been able to find a restaurant style honey mustard at the store. When I found this brand, I knew I wouldn't miss going out to eat this year!
3. Dove chocolate!
4. Taste of Home magazine & cookbooks -- awesome recipes for real people!
5. Clorox toilet brush
6. Swiffer sweeper - great for picking up all my hair that I lose; I keep it in my bathroom & use it every day after I do my hair.
7. Manicures -- I just got my first one a few months ago. If you've never gotten one, you just have to do it!
8. Wii -- we love playing on our Wii and being a little more active some evenings; we love just the basic sports package that comes with the Wii; tennis is the best!
9. Jon Schmidt -- incredible piano music; I love his stuff!
10. NCIS -- a new favorite tv show; a little quirky, but lots of fun
11. Altoids -- the new chocolate dipped creme de menthe ones are sooo good!
12. Baby Wise -- great book that gets your baby on a schedule; Chase was sleeping through the night by 7 weeks thanks to this great book!
13. Homeology -- all natural cleaners that I sell through Gold Canyon, incredible fragrances, so natural & they work!
14. What Not to Wear -- a favorite tv show on TLC
15. Brite Music -- great music for kids
16. Anita Stansfield -- a favorite author of LDS fiction
17. Sandra Boynton -- a great author of children's board books
18. Gold Canyon candles -- of course I sell these, but I do it because I love them & so does everyone who tries them!
19. Reflections of Christ -- this is the cd I'm currently listening to; can't get enough of it!
20. Weight Watchers -- you can find all sorts of great weight watchers recipes out there that taste great & are good for you
21. Emerge -- body products by Gold Canyon; I love that this stuff keeps my skin moisturized!
22. Kohls -- favorite clothing store to shop!
23. Loreal mineral makeup -- more expensive, but the stuff lasts forever & I love it!
24. Max Factor Lipfinity -- this stuff stays on ALL DAY; no joke - won't come off when you kiss someone, take a drink, etc.
1. Netflix -- we just got a subscription & are using it like crazy! Its a nice break to have a movie to watch either online or with a dvd after Chase has gone to bed or for a date night.
2. Ken's Steakhouse Honey Mustard -- I just love honey mustard but have never been able to find a restaurant style honey mustard at the store. When I found this brand, I knew I wouldn't miss going out to eat this year!
3. Dove chocolate!
4. Taste of Home magazine & cookbooks -- awesome recipes for real people!
5. Clorox toilet brush
6. Swiffer sweeper - great for picking up all my hair that I lose; I keep it in my bathroom & use it every day after I do my hair.
7. Manicures -- I just got my first one a few months ago. If you've never gotten one, you just have to do it!
8. Wii -- we love playing on our Wii and being a little more active some evenings; we love just the basic sports package that comes with the Wii; tennis is the best!
9. Jon Schmidt -- incredible piano music; I love his stuff!
10. NCIS -- a new favorite tv show; a little quirky, but lots of fun
11. Altoids -- the new chocolate dipped creme de menthe ones are sooo good!
12. Baby Wise -- great book that gets your baby on a schedule; Chase was sleeping through the night by 7 weeks thanks to this great book!
13. Homeology -- all natural cleaners that I sell through Gold Canyon, incredible fragrances, so natural & they work!
14. What Not to Wear -- a favorite tv show on TLC
15. Brite Music -- great music for kids
16. Anita Stansfield -- a favorite author of LDS fiction
17. Sandra Boynton -- a great author of children's board books
18. Gold Canyon candles -- of course I sell these, but I do it because I love them & so does everyone who tries them!
19. Reflections of Christ -- this is the cd I'm currently listening to; can't get enough of it!
20. Weight Watchers -- you can find all sorts of great weight watchers recipes out there that taste great & are good for you
21. Emerge -- body products by Gold Canyon; I love that this stuff keeps my skin moisturized!
22. Kohls -- favorite clothing store to shop!
23. Loreal mineral makeup -- more expensive, but the stuff lasts forever & I love it!
24. Max Factor Lipfinity -- this stuff stays on ALL DAY; no joke - won't come off when you kiss someone, take a drink, etc.
IVF - could we end up with octuplets?!!
Of course, the story of the octuplets conceived through IVF has been widely publicized and debated. I just found out about an article that addresses some interesting stuff & the doctor that they quote is actually a dr. with the clinic that we use: Shady Grove Fertility
Here's the link for the article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-03-invitro-fertilization_N.htm#uslPageReturn
We will most likely be using 2 embryos this time, though we used just a single one when we got Chase. As is addressed in the article, ours is an issue of insurance. Insurance covers 50% of the costs for us (but doesn't cover the medications at all) and also has a limit that when we reach it, they won't cover any more. So, we're willing to take the risks associated with twins, but not more than that. Shady Grove is excels when it comes to fertility treatments & we have been so impressed with their concerns over multiple birth possibilities as well as their advancements in technology. We're thrilled to be doing our procedures with them!
Here's the link for the article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-03-invitro-fertilization_N.htm#uslPageReturn
We will most likely be using 2 embryos this time, though we used just a single one when we got Chase. As is addressed in the article, ours is an issue of insurance. Insurance covers 50% of the costs for us (but doesn't cover the medications at all) and also has a limit that when we reach it, they won't cover any more. So, we're willing to take the risks associated with twins, but not more than that. Shady Grove is excels when it comes to fertility treatments & we have been so impressed with their concerns over multiple birth possibilities as well as their advancements in technology. We're thrilled to be doing our procedures with them!
Friday, February 27, 2009
$50 kids shoes!
I can't believe I spent over $50 on a pair of shoes for Chase today! Jeff doesn't know yet, so . . . shhhhh!LOL
Over the past year, I have purchased several different pairs of shoes & none of them ended up working for us. Usually it was a case of not being able to get the shoes on his feet, but if we were able to squeeze his feet inside the shoe then they wouldn't stay on for more than a minute or two. So, I've wasted a lot of money on cheap shoes.
Today, we went to the mall to the Stride Rite store. I've never been there before & I was impressed! You get one-on-one service to pick out the right shoes. They asked if Chase was walking yet and that determined the selection of shoes that we got to pick from. They measured his feet to determine a size and discovered that his feet weren't as pudgy as we thought and could easily fit shoes after all -- he just needed the right ones. We chose the styles to try on & then they brought them out & put them on him, had him stand up so they could feel how the fit was and then had him walk around. (That was pretty funny to see him trying to figure that one out, it involved high & wide stepping on his part, like he was trying to climb over something.) After picking out the right pair of shoes, they took a picture of him in his first shoes and encouraged me to keep the shoes on him instead of taking them off & putting them back in the box.
It was great service & I was impressed! And even after we left, he kept the shoes on for quite a while today, though he kept grabbing at his feet trying to figure out what those things on his feet were!
Over the past year, I have purchased several different pairs of shoes & none of them ended up working for us. Usually it was a case of not being able to get the shoes on his feet, but if we were able to squeeze his feet inside the shoe then they wouldn't stay on for more than a minute or two. So, I've wasted a lot of money on cheap shoes.
Today, we went to the mall to the Stride Rite store. I've never been there before & I was impressed! You get one-on-one service to pick out the right shoes. They asked if Chase was walking yet and that determined the selection of shoes that we got to pick from. They measured his feet to determine a size and discovered that his feet weren't as pudgy as we thought and could easily fit shoes after all -- he just needed the right ones. We chose the styles to try on & then they brought them out & put them on him, had him stand up so they could feel how the fit was and then had him walk around. (That was pretty funny to see him trying to figure that one out, it involved high & wide stepping on his part, like he was trying to climb over something.) After picking out the right pair of shoes, they took a picture of him in his first shoes and encouraged me to keep the shoes on him instead of taking them off & putting them back in the box.
It was great service & I was impressed! And even after we left, he kept the shoes on for quite a while today, though he kept grabbing at his feet trying to figure out what those things on his feet were!
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