From One Kid to Six in One Weekend

Jim and I watched a family's kids this weekend. The parents went to Arizona, so we watched their four boys and one girl. Plus we had Tralee, so we went from having one kid to six kids in one weekend! Are we brave or what? The kids were well behaved for the most part. There were a few "moments" that weren't so great, but overall it wasn't too bad. Tralee had fun with their little girl. Jim and I now know that we will be able to handle more kids. So maybe in another year or two we'll add another one to our clan.

I don't have any new pictures to add, because we just got home late last night and I'm quite tired. I wasn't able to sleep while we were babysitting. For some reason I can't sleep well unless I'm in my own bed, or if I'm on vacation. I guess what I'm saying is I don't sleep well when I have extra stress. . . . say having six kids! At least I'm able to unwind and relax today, poor Jim had to wake up early and go install cabinets this morning. What a good husband and daddy! I hope he knows how much I appreciate and love him!

Sesame Street

Tralee is really into Sesame Street now-a-days. She likes it when there's a song. I remember really enjoying Sesame Street as a kid, it's pretty clever. I have it on right now, and Grover is screaming for his friend "Stella." Stella's not answering so he's calling for a streetcar to pick him up. Ha ha! Now Cookie Monster is saying, "Thank you for watching Monster Piece Theater" and eating cookies. I don't know why I'm typing all this.

I worked out at the Y last night after FHE while Jim watched Tralee. I did the stationary bike and really pushed myself. When I got off the bike my legs felt like 100 ib weights were strapped to them. I also did some weight lifting, sit-ups, and push ups. I weighed myself this morning and discovered that I GAINED weight. Jim's already lost five pounds. What's with that? In fact, after he got out of the shower this morning he weighed himself again and said, "Oh, I lost another half a pound since I took a shower!" I wanted to take his towel and whip him with it. I guess I have to push myself a little harder, and watch what I eat a little closer. I would go work out tonight, but I have enrichment. I really enjoy chatting with women in our ward while Jim watches Tralee. It's nice to not worry about her for an hour or so and just have fun. Maybe Jim will be nice and let me go work out tomorrow morning, since I can't tonight.

I picked up some groceries, exchanged some jeans for Jim, and went to the bank today. Nothing really exciting is happening.

So, there you go and there you are.

What a Few Days Practice Can Do

After just a few days, Tralee is walking around like a pro! That's all she wants to do now. If I set her down, and try to put her into a sitting position, she locks her legs and stands, then she takes off!!! I can't believe it! My daughter is turning into a little person!!! Bye bye babyhood.




Tralee's terrible-two's seems to have started early. If she doesn't get what she wants she starts screaming and fake crying. We, of course, don't give into her screams, and we try to find something to distract her. "Tralee, we don't scream when we don't get our way, screaming is inappropriate behavior. Instead of screaming let's play with this ball" (said at her eye-level). It almost always works, but I don't get where her temper came from. For instance, when I let Corky out yesterday, Tralee wanted to go outside too. She made a b-line for the open door, and when I said, "Tralee, you don't have socks on, and it's too cold for you outside" then I picked her up and shut the door she started screaming. When I set her down she started banging on the door. I thought, "if she's like this now, what's she going to be like in her teen years?" The little tantrum didn't last long, and when I mentioned taking a bath she calmed right down and got into bath mode. I think her mood also reflected the fact that she didn't get a good nap. Anyway, for all you people who have kids older than mine: Is this little tantrum thing normal for a one-year old? It would make me feel better if I know mine isn't the only kid that's doing this. Also, any tips to nip this new habit in the bud? Like I said, we don't give into her screams, and when she listens and is good she gets lots of praise. I was talking to some other Mom's at church today and they said girls are almost always worse than boys as far as screaming fits go. Don't get me wrong, Tralee is a happy, funny, little girl for the most part. Every once in a while (usually when she's cranky from lack of sleep) she behaves badly.

Well, I guess it's Sunday nap time, because Tralee and Jim are both snoozing. I need to do the dishes, then I might take my own Sunday Siesta. Good Bye!

YMC-YAY!

So, we joined the YMCA! So far we've used it everyday we've been a member. Day one (Monday) Tralee and I took advantage of their awesome indoor pool area. They have a "beach" area that has a nice padded floor, it has fountains, water splish-splashy things and the water gradually gets deeper. There are also two fun slides, a lazy river, lap pool, recreational pool, and spa. Tralee and I had fun in the beach area, and recreational pool. Tralee LOVES the water. She starts crawling and goes deeper and deeper until Mommy has to rescue her, or she would drown. She's not afraid at all. When I took her into the deeper water, she kept squirming and wanting to be on her own. Eventually I let her lay back on my shoulder -- belly up -- and as I walked around she just chilled. It was pretty cute. I wonder if being in water reminded her of being in my belly. Do you think she can still remember that? Anyways, the water was 85 degrees, so it was super nice! We really enjoyed ourselves.

Tuesday morning Jim got up and went to the Y to work out. I went this morning. I did the elliptical machine and several weight lifting machines. It felt good, but I got winded pretty quick. I need to make sure I work out at LEAST every other day so I can get back into shape. Before the winter weather I would go on two-mile walks everyday with Tralee and Corky, then come home and do sit-ups. But, I've slacked on working out once it got too cold to go outside with Tralee, so now I have no excuse! I'm so happy we belong to the Y, and I can't wait to get back into shape! I'm also glad Tralee and I have a fun place to go play when we get bored at home.

She's Walking!!!!!!!

Church is Canceled!

Here are some pictures from what we woke up to this morning:

Snow Day!! Snow Day!! We got a phone call this morning to let us know church is canceled. So, we stayed in bed, watched a movie, and then got up and made crepes for breakfast. Snow days are great!! Don't get me wrong, too bad we couldn't go to church, but I'm glad I get to spend time with my family at home in our pjs!

Well, I guess I'll just post some cute pictures of Tralee on here.Okay, bye bye!

American Girl Canadian Boy

Jim took the camera when he left to go snowboarding this afternoon, so I don't have any new pictures to post. That's one big difference about Jim and I. The weather outside is snowy and windy. I would rather be inside sipping hot chocolate and watching a good movie, and Jim would rather be playing in the yucky weather. In fact, yesterday he went ice fishing! Anyways, Jim seems to handle the cold weather fairly well, while I tend to cry like a baby if I'm too cold. That's not the only difference between my Canadian husband and myself, so I thought I would post a poem I wrote a while ago about our differences. I don't really have anything new to post anyways. I still feel like it needs some work, as I do with EVERYTHING I write, but it's just for fun, so enjoy!

Canadian Boy & USA Girl

He never placed his hand
against his breast
and repeated the anthem
that makes America blest

Instead he sang
about his native home
a wintery place
where mounties roam

She never fashioned
a toque to her head
or plugged in her car
to put it to bed

These things were
foreign to this poor lass
until she met a boy
with a Canadian past

And so he and she met
and started dating
but not without finding
a few things agitating

She thought him odd
for ending his phrases with “eh”
and standing guard for a symbol
that could blow away

He thought her mad
for never tasting a Wonderbar
and for not understanding what
Kilometers and Celsius are

And onward they argued
over what sport is the best
“Football!” she cried out
“No, Hockey!” he argued in jest

He rolled his eyes when she asked
“Can we put the heat on please?”
While he wore a t-shirt and shorts
in -40 degrees

He wished for Nanaimo bars
when it was brownies she bought
She wished to be called his “sweetheart”
But it was “Hey Hoser” she got.

And onward it went
and onward it goes
because Ms. America said “yes”
When the Canadian proposed

Now several years later
they’re still butting heads
He wants her to say “grade two”
But she says “second grade” instead

Whenever they snuggle
and watch some T.V
the boy mentions “Pam Anderson is Canadian
as well as Jim Carrey.”

The girl just rolls her eyes and
ignores his pride
Even as he jumps at the Lebatt Blue ad
and pushes her aside

She knows he will never think
the US is better
and she will never reside
where everyday you must wear a sweater

But don’t get me wrong
she loves the Great White North
it’s where her man is from
So it gotta be great, of course.

And he would never trade her
for a Canadian girl
For her he would even
Give US traditions a whirl

They’ve made peace with their differences
and moved on ahead
Their love is greater than places
at least that’s what they’ve said