Claire is wearing one of her adorable new outfits from Oma and Opa. Notice how she has Elmo in the stroller. She loves her Elmo doll! Check out her cute-ness in this video:
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Car-Crazy Claire
Claire is trying out pushing everything in her car. She likes to put all sorts of stuff in it and push it around. She gets upset if it will not stay on the seat. She also loves to get in cars at other kids' houses. She can't get enough of cars! Make sure your sound is on, too:
Watch Out! Woman Driver!
Check out this cute clip of Claire's first chance in the Driver's Seat. You hear someone say "Happy Birthday." Then you hear Claire say "Happy to you" which is how she says Happy Birthday. We have a CD that has the Birthday song on it, and she loves it. She is starting to sing along to songs. Check it out:
Other new Developments
Claire is getting her other top incisor. She loves Popsicles. They are cold and yummy!
She has also been gnawing on her hands a lot again, like when she was younger. Totally the teeth!
She has also been gnawing on her hands a lot again, like when she was younger. Totally the teeth!She has been able to shut doors if she was in the room since about 8 months...just rolled over and pushed them...but now she can pull the door shut from the room she's in. This is both good and bad. It means she's one step closer to being able to open doors, which is also good and bad. Luckily, our door knobs are pretty high so she can barely reach them.
She's also started to pout if we tell her no or tell her to say sorry about something.
And she's also starting to say words I didn't know she knew how to say. So I'm wondering if she learned them from books or if they were just in her vocab of words she knew, but now has realized how to produce them. Some include "woot, table, monkey, donkey, bush, brush, sky, airp(l)ane, Ernie, Abby, Cookie Elmo (for cookie monster), hug, what, hurt, and jabbies for jammies."
Orange Lover in Apple Overalls!
Claire is a huge fan of bananas and oranges! Her other current favorites are Cheerios and YoBaby strawberry or raspberry yogurt. Yum. Food.
If I cut them small enough she can eat them pretty well. If there is too much white skin stuff, she just gnaws on them, and spits them out.
This is the basket she used in Holly's wedding. I actually don't let her play with it, except when she's sitting on the counter eating food...oh wait..that's a bad example...I actually decided to hide it so it stays nice.
Aww. Such a cutie! :)
This is why I have to cook only on the back 2 burners and put chairs in front of the oven. She likes to climb on the drawer handle and stand up to see what's on the stove. EEP!
If I cut them small enough she can eat them pretty well. If there is too much white skin stuff, she just gnaws on them, and spits them out.
This is the basket she used in Holly's wedding. I actually don't let her play with it, except when she's sitting on the counter eating food...oh wait..that's a bad example...I actually decided to hide it so it stays nice.
Aww. Such a cutie! :)
This is why I have to cook only on the back 2 burners and put chairs in front of the oven. She likes to climb on the drawer handle and stand up to see what's on the stove. EEP!
Toddler Speech
Ok, I disagree with some things this article said, which was posted on a Cafe Mom Chatboard I was visiting. You don't need to talk to your child in adult language all the time. As a matter of fact, Linguistics 101 will cover child-speech acquisition in depth and explain that Motherese/Parentese (speaking baby-talk) exists in not only every language, but actually follows the same patterns and DOES help in speech development. Of course, variety is key; you want to mix it up. I talked to Claire in Motherese all the time. She seems to be doing just fine. This morning when I took off my jammies, she yelled, "Mommy get nakey!" Hmm. Good thing the windows weren't open. :) What do you think of this article? hmm...
Family Ideas to Encourage Toddler Speech Development
by Irene Helen Zundel
Topics:
Family Activities, Growth and Development
Talk a lot to your child.
For children to learn a language, they must hear it spoken often. To get a child to talk, you have to talk.
During the day, comment on things going on in your child’s environment. Describe the colors and shapes of things, objects around them and tasks you are doing. Point out people in the neighborhood like the postal carrier or bank clerk. Talk as long as your child shows interest. If he turns away or appears inattentive, stop. Don’t give your toddler a case of auditory overload!
Read plenty of books for toddlers.
For toddlers, select picture and pop-up books. Take time to point out objects in the pictures and give simple commentary and explanations on what your child is seeing. Also get books with simple-to-follow stories and ear-catching rhymes.
Re-read the books often. Repetition is a key to learning.
Play singing toddler games.
Children are naturally drawn to music and will pay attention to simple songs. Sing, play a musical instrument or use a sing-along tape. Include hand-clapping and finger-play activities such as "Pat-a-Cake" or "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider." Music helps children acquire the rhythm of spoken language. Pleasant jingles and repetitive lyrics are natural memory tools that help a child pick up new words and concepts.
Label things.
Putting labels on commonly seen and used objects helps a child recognize written language and make associations between words and things. Put labels on toys, clothes, furniture, eating utensils, your mailbox, etc. Reinforce the words by repeating them and then asking your toddler to say them, too. ("This is your cup. Can you say cup?")
Expand your child’s experiences beyond family home activities.
Long before children speak, they acquire a receptive vocabulary -- a storehouse of words and concepts they understand before they can speak. Taking them to a wide variety of places and talking in simple language about what you see helps to build your toddler’s storehouse of language.
Go to the supermarket, doctor, playground, post office, bank, zoo and mall. Reinforce what you experience with a follow-up book, drawing, song or creative bedtime story.
Ask questions.
Researchers have found that asking a child questions is a great way to jump start her language development. Even if your toddler can’t give a verbal response, ask questions anyway and give her an opportunity to point, nod yes or no, or attempt a vocalization.
Try simple questions like, "Do you want to have some milk now?" Be sure to pause and be attentive to encourage a response. As your toddler develops better communication skills, try asking questions that offer a choice: "Do you want your book or your ball?"
Keep it simple.
Speak audibly, clearly and slowly. Use simple words and short sentences. Communicating this way makes it easier for your toddler to understand you and to parrot your words and speech patterns. Use adult words, not baby talk. Using cute mispronunciations that will need to be corrected later on will only confuse your child.
Keep up the dialogue.
When your toddler speaks to you, reply in some fashion even if you don’t understand what she's saying. A response of "Is that so?" or "Isn’t that interesting?" will keep a toddler engaged in the conversation and will motivate her keep trying to communicate.
Give your child your full attention. Make eye contact. Listen, reply and give her an opportunity to speak again. Often times children feel left out of conversations and slighted or ignored. Letting your child have the floor sometimes will encourage her self-expression and accelerate her language skills.
Source: "What to Expect: The Toddler Years," Eisenberg, Murkhoff, and Hathaway; Workman Publishing, 1994.
Family Ideas to Encourage Toddler Speech Development
by Irene Helen Zundel
Topics:
Family Activities, Growth and Development
Talk a lot to your child.
For children to learn a language, they must hear it spoken often. To get a child to talk, you have to talk.
During the day, comment on things going on in your child’s environment. Describe the colors and shapes of things, objects around them and tasks you are doing. Point out people in the neighborhood like the postal carrier or bank clerk. Talk as long as your child shows interest. If he turns away or appears inattentive, stop. Don’t give your toddler a case of auditory overload!
Read plenty of books for toddlers.
For toddlers, select picture and pop-up books. Take time to point out objects in the pictures and give simple commentary and explanations on what your child is seeing. Also get books with simple-to-follow stories and ear-catching rhymes.
Re-read the books often. Repetition is a key to learning.
Play singing toddler games.
Children are naturally drawn to music and will pay attention to simple songs. Sing, play a musical instrument or use a sing-along tape. Include hand-clapping and finger-play activities such as "Pat-a-Cake" or "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider." Music helps children acquire the rhythm of spoken language. Pleasant jingles and repetitive lyrics are natural memory tools that help a child pick up new words and concepts.
Label things.
Putting labels on commonly seen and used objects helps a child recognize written language and make associations between words and things. Put labels on toys, clothes, furniture, eating utensils, your mailbox, etc. Reinforce the words by repeating them and then asking your toddler to say them, too. ("This is your cup. Can you say cup?")
Expand your child’s experiences beyond family home activities.
Long before children speak, they acquire a receptive vocabulary -- a storehouse of words and concepts they understand before they can speak. Taking them to a wide variety of places and talking in simple language about what you see helps to build your toddler’s storehouse of language.
Go to the supermarket, doctor, playground, post office, bank, zoo and mall. Reinforce what you experience with a follow-up book, drawing, song or creative bedtime story.
Ask questions.
Researchers have found that asking a child questions is a great way to jump start her language development. Even if your toddler can’t give a verbal response, ask questions anyway and give her an opportunity to point, nod yes or no, or attempt a vocalization.
Try simple questions like, "Do you want to have some milk now?" Be sure to pause and be attentive to encourage a response. As your toddler develops better communication skills, try asking questions that offer a choice: "Do you want your book or your ball?"
Keep it simple.
Speak audibly, clearly and slowly. Use simple words and short sentences. Communicating this way makes it easier for your toddler to understand you and to parrot your words and speech patterns. Use adult words, not baby talk. Using cute mispronunciations that will need to be corrected later on will only confuse your child.
Keep up the dialogue.
When your toddler speaks to you, reply in some fashion even if you don’t understand what she's saying. A response of "Is that so?" or "Isn’t that interesting?" will keep a toddler engaged in the conversation and will motivate her keep trying to communicate.
Give your child your full attention. Make eye contact. Listen, reply and give her an opportunity to speak again. Often times children feel left out of conversations and slighted or ignored. Letting your child have the floor sometimes will encourage her self-expression and accelerate her language skills.
Source: "What to Expect: The Toddler Years," Eisenberg, Murkhoff, and Hathaway; Workman Publishing, 1994.
I don't get paid!
I work all day, but I don't get paid, like this video says. I'm on call 24/7/365 with overtime expected...but no pay? Wait, that means I'm a slave. Check it out:
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tweeting on Twitter
Well, I decided to be a follower, yet again, and get my Twitter account set-up before someone else steals my username that I use for AIM. I'm strwberryjoy so you can start following my TWEETS! I avoided Facebook for the longest time because I figured...hey...I'm on MySpace and Classmates.com and Friendster... Well...I haven't logged into any of those for the LONGEST time. Facebook...I probably log-in at least once a day. I used to be really addicted to the applications called Fluff-Friends. I could handle having a pet on there. :) I have basically rejected 90% of CRAP-plication requests because they are like "forwards" to me...crap-wasting things that suck away time. I was also highly addicted to Scrabulous but then new version sucks, so I refuse to play it.
I have a new Header photo and a new background if you haven't viewed us online for awhile. I usually try to view people's pages online because they seem to be easier to read. Plus videos don't show up in Feed Readers. I think it's also annoying when the full-text of someone I'm following doesn't appear in the Feed Reader. But usually, this is just the more commercially-blogs anyway, and if my attention isn't caught in the title or first line or so...delete!
I also decided to update my profile picture and follow myself. I know that's funny, but Josh actually made a post recently, but I didn't know it right away because I don't subscribe to my ownself in my feed-reader. Now I'll know how my posts will show up and if he makes a post! Yay.
Claire demanded we go outside after breakfast, so we took a beautiful misty-morning walk. You have to do that once in awhile in order to appreciate the nice sunny days. I also pulled out all of her summer clothes. She has way too many. I don't know where I am going to put them. Her dressers are full. It's still a little cool to put all the cool weather clothes away...what to do?
Claire always has an obsession. For awhile it was wet wash cloths to chew on. Right now it's going outside with her "Barbie" or "Dirty Yellow" shoes on. She calls them "dirty yellow" because I called them that one day when they didn't match what she was wearing. She calls her pink crocs "Croc" but they don't stay on as they are a big size 7 and she's really still just a 6.5 or 6...but her size 5 tennis shoes still fit...so go figure. I love summer. So much less laundry.
The short sleeves are shorter...the shorts have no pant legs...no socks required. I basically avoid wearing socks if at all possible during the months of April-Nov. I hate shoes and socks. Although now that I've been walking more, I do wear my tennis shoes and socks. Sandals just don't cut it for a fast walk. I did that one day and got a blister ugh. We also tried to sneak in some walks last week between rain showers and got wet twice. Ugh. Oh well. Claire had a great time.
So anyway, I wondered if you like Facebook or MySpace better...I totally prefer Facebook.
Myspace is the AOL of social networking. It’s a technological mish mash pile of vomit that is neither intuitive nor functional. It’s chock full of ads site-wide. The users of MySpace are also the type of people that click ‘Yes’ on any dialog that comes up, and use SmileyCentral in their personal email.
Facebook is functional as well as customizable. There are no vomit inducing profile pages, nor blinky graphics that burn your retinas. The ads that are on the site are few, tasteful, and well placed. Usually text based. Check out this cool article that compares them:
http://www.forbes.com/2007/07/20/facebook-myspace-internet-tech-cz_ccm_0723class.html
I signed up for Facebook when you had to have an email address ending in .edu -- basically you had to be a college student to get in. Now, anyone can get in. Anyway, I decided to sign up for Twitter and see what the next big thing is all about. MySpace was good at first but now it's Cra-zap. Oh...and the music. Music on a website or sound that automatically turns on is terrible. Or as Claire would say "Terr-A-ble."
I have a new Header photo and a new background if you haven't viewed us online for awhile. I usually try to view people's pages online because they seem to be easier to read. Plus videos don't show up in Feed Readers. I think it's also annoying when the full-text of someone I'm following doesn't appear in the Feed Reader. But usually, this is just the more commercially-blogs anyway, and if my attention isn't caught in the title or first line or so...delete!
I also decided to update my profile picture and follow myself. I know that's funny, but Josh actually made a post recently, but I didn't know it right away because I don't subscribe to my ownself in my feed-reader. Now I'll know how my posts will show up and if he makes a post! Yay.
Claire demanded we go outside after breakfast, so we took a beautiful misty-morning walk. You have to do that once in awhile in order to appreciate the nice sunny days. I also pulled out all of her summer clothes. She has way too many. I don't know where I am going to put them. Her dressers are full. It's still a little cool to put all the cool weather clothes away...what to do?
Claire always has an obsession. For awhile it was wet wash cloths to chew on. Right now it's going outside with her "Barbie" or "Dirty Yellow" shoes on. She calls them "dirty yellow" because I called them that one day when they didn't match what she was wearing. She calls her pink crocs "Croc" but they don't stay on as they are a big size 7 and she's really still just a 6.5 or 6...but her size 5 tennis shoes still fit...so go figure. I love summer. So much less laundry.
The short sleeves are shorter...the shorts have no pant legs...no socks required. I basically avoid wearing socks if at all possible during the months of April-Nov. I hate shoes and socks. Although now that I've been walking more, I do wear my tennis shoes and socks. Sandals just don't cut it for a fast walk. I did that one day and got a blister ugh. We also tried to sneak in some walks last week between rain showers and got wet twice. Ugh. Oh well. Claire had a great time.
So anyway, I wondered if you like Facebook or MySpace better...I totally prefer Facebook.
Myspace is the AOL of social networking. It’s a technological mish mash pile of vomit that is neither intuitive nor functional. It’s chock full of ads site-wide. The users of MySpace are also the type of people that click ‘Yes’ on any dialog that comes up, and use SmileyCentral in their personal email.
Facebook is functional as well as customizable. There are no vomit inducing profile pages, nor blinky graphics that burn your retinas. The ads that are on the site are few, tasteful, and well placed. Usually text based. Check out this cool article that compares them:
http://www.forbes.com/2007/07/20/facebook-myspace-internet-tech-cz_ccm_0723class.html
I signed up for Facebook when you had to have an email address ending in .edu -- basically you had to be a college student to get in. Now, anyone can get in. Anyway, I decided to sign up for Twitter and see what the next big thing is all about. MySpace was good at first but now it's Cra-zap. Oh...and the music. Music on a website or sound that automatically turns on is terrible. Or as Claire would say "Terr-A-ble."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
April Showers bring May...
TULIPS!
BLEEDING HEARTS!
PURPLE STUFF!
MORE TULIPS!
And...Daffodil-like FLOWERS!
BLEEDING HEARTS!
PURPLE STUFF!
MORE TULIPS!
And...Daffodil-like FLOWERS!
Bling and Bubbles
Claire sporting some Bling from her late Great-Grandma LaVerne. She loves the "neckies" as she calls them.
She also loves the bubble machine my sister gave her. She used it at her wedding. I have to hide it. If she sees it she demands, "BUBBLE! OUT-TIDE!" Well, she demands outside all the time. She can't say "S" still so it's really cute.
Yes, she is very excited about bubbles and being outside.
She loves to pop them and chase them around.
What could be better than me not having to get winded! Thanks, Holly!
She also loves the bubble machine my sister gave her. She used it at her wedding. I have to hide it. If she sees it she demands, "BUBBLE! OUT-TIDE!" Well, she demands outside all the time. She can't say "S" still so it's really cute.
Yes, she is very excited about bubbles and being outside.
She loves to pop them and chase them around.
What could be better than me not having to get winded! Thanks, Holly!
What we did this weekend
My mom came down to visit us this weekend as my Dad hitched a ride with a buddy out to VA Beach to see Holly with a friend of his who was driving out that way to visit family. So this worked out super well as we had a bowling bachelor/bachelorette party for our neighbors Jeff and Jessie. We had a great time bowling. I actually got 5 strikes during 2.5 games. We played for 10 bucks for 2 hours which is why we had half a game. So that's not bad to average a strike every 5 frames. My score both times was less than 90 so I still completely suck, but we had fun visiting and hanging out with some people from our Love Dare Bible study small group as well. They actually had surprisingly good pizza at the bowling alley as well.
My mom took Claire on a nice long walk over to play on the playground at the nearby elementary school. Then she weeded some of my flower beds and made herself a birthday cake. Talk about multi-tasking awesomeness. I felt bad for not making her a cake, but I had remembered to get her a card and gift ready. Claire was awesome the whole time and didn't fuss at all for Oma even though she was up late. Yay.
The next day I enjoyed going to church with my mom. Claire does not do well in the nursery there..still, so my mom took her out during the sermon. I was actually able to relax and listen to the sermon. But I was so tired from the night before being up late, that I started to doze off...eep.
Oh well. Then I enjoyed a short nap with Claire before going up to the Castleton Mall where Claire rode in the stroller cars. We have a perfectly good stroller, but she LOVES cars. She has 2 at home, but I guess she loves to try out new ones! Speaking of this...when we were at the Terre Haute mall to visit Deb last week, I let Claire sit in the stroller cars there while I made a quick phone call and some crabby lady from customer service came over to tell me she wasn't allowed to sit in them if we weren't renting. ARE YOU SERIOUS? I said that I didn't see a sign that said that but we were just about to leave anyway. Seriously...not like we were there for 30 minutes or she was climbing on the tops of them...ugh. TICKED ME OFF. I'm still bent out of shape about it more than a week later. :)
Then Josh and I took my mom out to the Loon Lake Lodge, which is a super yummy place to go and eat. Check it out: http://www.loonlakelodge.com/ A good way to cut down on your eating out is to have a mobile toddler. LOL. I'll post pictures in a separate blog posting.
My mom took Claire on a nice long walk over to play on the playground at the nearby elementary school. Then she weeded some of my flower beds and made herself a birthday cake. Talk about multi-tasking awesomeness. I felt bad for not making her a cake, but I had remembered to get her a card and gift ready. Claire was awesome the whole time and didn't fuss at all for Oma even though she was up late. Yay.
The next day I enjoyed going to church with my mom. Claire does not do well in the nursery there..still, so my mom took her out during the sermon. I was actually able to relax and listen to the sermon. But I was so tired from the night before being up late, that I started to doze off...eep.
Oh well. Then I enjoyed a short nap with Claire before going up to the Castleton Mall where Claire rode in the stroller cars. We have a perfectly good stroller, but she LOVES cars. She has 2 at home, but I guess she loves to try out new ones! Speaking of this...when we were at the Terre Haute mall to visit Deb last week, I let Claire sit in the stroller cars there while I made a quick phone call and some crabby lady from customer service came over to tell me she wasn't allowed to sit in them if we weren't renting. ARE YOU SERIOUS? I said that I didn't see a sign that said that but we were just about to leave anyway. Seriously...not like we were there for 30 minutes or she was climbing on the tops of them...ugh. TICKED ME OFF. I'm still bent out of shape about it more than a week later. :)
Then Josh and I took my mom out to the Loon Lake Lodge, which is a super yummy place to go and eat. Check it out: http://www.loonlakelodge.com/ A good way to cut down on your eating out is to have a mobile toddler. LOL. I'll post pictures in a separate blog posting.
I <3 these jammies!
Claire still prefers to be "nakey" as she calls it, but we have too many jammies for that!
She loves pushing any stuffed animals or dollies in her stroller!
She has to make sure it's just right. She likes to push this kitty cat around, but it flops over, so she has to lean over to fix it. Another note...she is now saying most animal words and not just their noises. She can say cat, dog, puppy, kitty, hippo, bird, birdie, monkey, as well as bear and turtle (which she has been saying).
She can now reach the remotes which we had been storing on the half-walls. Now she can reach them. The joys of tip-toes. She can also reach things about 1/3 of the way onto our bathroom counter. Luckily our kitchen counters are taller so she can only reach the very edges of those. However, she can open the drawers and pull fun things out like silverware and the kitchen towels. Oh joy.
I love this picture. Does anyone have a good caption for it?
She is in love with this little purse that my parents gave her for Easter. It had a bunny in it, but she prefers to stuff it with her various phones, calculators, and mini-board books. She gets very frustrated if she can't fit all the stuff she wants into it.
Here she is admiring her Barbie hat, which she loves. It's actually not Barbie, it's the Disney Princesses, but whatever. They're both over-marketed things girlies tend to like. I think she just likes that they have faces at her age.
She is also getting good at scooting along on her little tiny green car. She can move it better than the bigger car she has, which requires a little more "oomph." She can move them both backwards pretty quickly now!
She loves pushing any stuffed animals or dollies in her stroller!
She has to make sure it's just right. She likes to push this kitty cat around, but it flops over, so she has to lean over to fix it. Another note...she is now saying most animal words and not just their noises. She can say cat, dog, puppy, kitty, hippo, bird, birdie, monkey, as well as bear and turtle (which she has been saying).
She can now reach the remotes which we had been storing on the half-walls. Now she can reach them. The joys of tip-toes. She can also reach things about 1/3 of the way onto our bathroom counter. Luckily our kitchen counters are taller so she can only reach the very edges of those. However, she can open the drawers and pull fun things out like silverware and the kitchen towels. Oh joy.
I love this picture. Does anyone have a good caption for it?
She is in love with this little purse that my parents gave her for Easter. It had a bunny in it, but she prefers to stuff it with her various phones, calculators, and mini-board books. She gets very frustrated if she can't fit all the stuff she wants into it.
Here she is admiring her Barbie hat, which she loves. It's actually not Barbie, it's the Disney Princesses, but whatever. They're both over-marketed things girlies tend to like. I think she just likes that they have faces at her age.
She is also getting good at scooting along on her little tiny green car. She can move it better than the bigger car she has, which requires a little more "oomph." She can move them both backwards pretty quickly now!
Not like we need another reason...
Not like anyone needs another reason to breastfeed, but in emergencies or "pandemics" breastfeeding will continue to protect the nursing child no matter the age, be it 4 months, 14 months, or 4 years...check out this CDC page: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/breastfeeding.htm Very supportive of breastfeeding. It even said "limit formula as much as possible" but I really like the response to "Is it ok to breastfeed if I'm sick?" Seriously, people, THINK. Do you think the pioneers pulled out a little bottle of formula if they as mothers got sick? Um, no. Of course it's ok to nurse while sick. This was the response that even mentioned milk banks, yay:
Yes. One of the best things you can do for your sick baby is keep breastfeeding.
Do not stop breastfeeding if your baby is ill. Give your baby many chances to breastfeed throughout the illness. Babies who are sick need more fluids than when they are well. The fluid babies get from breast milk is better than anything else, even better than water, juice, or Pedialyte® because it also helps protect your baby’s immune system.
If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, he or she can drink your milk from a cup, bottle, syringe, or eye-dropper.
If no expressed milk is available, you can give your baby milk donated by other mothers to a HMBANA-certified milk bank.
Top Kid Museums
Indy's Children's Museum made the list http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2009/05/05/ten-best-children-s-museums-in-the-u-s.aspx
Pretty cool!
Pretty cool!
Ban The Bags
We need to get formula bags banned. It's like passing out free cigarettes. Both pose health risks. Formula is a medical intervention when needed, but most using it do not realize this. Check out this detailed post on formula bags and samples: http://www.phdinparenting.com/2009/05/04/sabotage/
I've actually spoken to our lactation consultant about the formula bag I got at the hospital where Claire was born. It was a breastfeeding bag that of course came with some formula samples and the brand ... one of the big ones plastered all over the "bottles" for milk storage. I asked her if she knew that it was against the World Health Organization to distribute such a bag. She knew. She said she can't really do anything about it. Geez. If the lactation consultant at a small-town hospital has no say in what HER breastfeeding patients get, I don't know what they are thinking...here, take this bag, feed your baby formula so it gets sicker and has more health issues, and come back soon!
No, it's about everyone's bottom line. I'm sure they get kick-backs and wined and dined for giving out Brand 1 instead of another. Sad. I wonder if they give out free bacon on the cardiac wings or cigarette coupons at the Commit to Quit Smoking Meetings???
I saw this great quote today:
I've actually spoken to our lactation consultant about the formula bag I got at the hospital where Claire was born. It was a breastfeeding bag that of course came with some formula samples and the brand ... one of the big ones plastered all over the "bottles" for milk storage. I asked her if she knew that it was against the World Health Organization to distribute such a bag. She knew. She said she can't really do anything about it. Geez. If the lactation consultant at a small-town hospital has no say in what HER breastfeeding patients get, I don't know what they are thinking...here, take this bag, feed your baby formula so it gets sicker and has more health issues, and come back soon!
No, it's about everyone's bottom line. I'm sure they get kick-backs and wined and dined for giving out Brand 1 instead of another. Sad. I wonder if they give out free bacon on the cardiac wings or cigarette coupons at the Commit to Quit Smoking Meetings???
I saw this great quote today:
Formula feeding is the longest lasting uncontrolled experiment lacking informed
consent in the history of medicine. - Frank Oski, MD Chair, Department of
Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, 1985-1996 Founding Editor,
Contemporary Pediatrics.
Is early weaning to cow's breast milk any different?
The Butt Flu
When I saw H1N1 flu ... I thought ... THAT WILL NEVER CATCH ON. I also thought of "heinie" aka butts. I'm not the only one: http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2009/05/04/swine-flu-maybe-we-won-t-close-school.aspx
Monday, May 4, 2009
Couples Quiz for Maria
Couple Quiz
1. She's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Jon and Kate(beotch) Plus 8
Duggar Family
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does she get on his salad?
Ranch on the side.
3. What's one food she doesn't like?
Beef jerky. Om nom nom.
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does she order?
Buttery Nipple(Not really, I just wanted to say that), or Water.
5. Where did she go to high school?
Valpo High! Woot!
6. What size shoe does she wear?
11 Wide
8. What is her favorite type of sandwich?
Depends. Reubens are good.
9. What would this person eat every day if she could?
Chocolate.
10. What is her favorite cereal?
Count Chocula
11. What would she never wear?
A Nazi SS Uniform
12. What is her favorite sports team?
The Colts, or anything swimming.
13. Who did she vote for?
Obama
14. Who is her best friend?
Me! :)
15. What is something you do that she wishes you wouldn't do?
Hmmm....going upstairs, stepping over the items that need to be hauled up, and then pretending that I didn't see them ;)
16. What is her heritage?
Mein German blumchen!
17. You bake her a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
Ice Cream cake from DQ...mmmmmm.
18. Did she play sports in high school?
Swimming Captain!
19. What could she spend hours doing?
Blogging, playing with Claire, reading books, etc.
20. What is one unique talent she has?
Scrapbooking and photography. I have had to expand my network storage to handle all of the pictures and high definition videos of Claire, us, etc.
1. She's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Jon and Kate(beotch) Plus 8
Duggar Family
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does she get on his salad?
Ranch on the side.
3. What's one food she doesn't like?
Beef jerky. Om nom nom.
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does she order?
Buttery Nipple(Not really, I just wanted to say that), or Water.
5. Where did she go to high school?
Valpo High! Woot!
6. What size shoe does she wear?
11 Wide
8. What is her favorite type of sandwich?
Depends. Reubens are good.
9. What would this person eat every day if she could?
Chocolate.
10. What is her favorite cereal?
Count Chocula
11. What would she never wear?
A Nazi SS Uniform
12. What is her favorite sports team?
The Colts, or anything swimming.
13. Who did she vote for?
Obama
14. Who is her best friend?
Me! :)
15. What is something you do that she wishes you wouldn't do?
Hmmm....going upstairs, stepping over the items that need to be hauled up, and then pretending that I didn't see them ;)
16. What is her heritage?
Mein German blumchen!
17. You bake her a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
Ice Cream cake from DQ...mmmmmm.
18. Did she play sports in high school?
Swimming Captain!
19. What could she spend hours doing?
Blogging, playing with Claire, reading books, etc.
20. What is one unique talent she has?
Scrapbooking and photography. I have had to expand my network storage to handle all of the pictures and high definition videos of Claire, us, etc.
Baby's First Bike Ride
Claire enjoyed her first bike ride on the back of my bike! I scored this baby bike seat at a garage sale for only $5! Woot!She has become my Little Helper! She loves to help me transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer. She also hands me dishes from the dishwasher to put in the cupboards...minus the glass glasses and silverware! She loves to help and is so cute!
She has also discovered FUN WITH GRAVITY and has been enjoying throwing things down the stairs. Luckily, only small toys fit through the bars on the baby gate! :) I know she sees me throwing dirty clothes down so this is where she got the idea from!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Couple Quiz
1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Battle Star "Mind-eff"
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Caesar
3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Carrots...haha. Claire LOVES THEM!
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
The darkest beer they sell!
5. Where did he go to high school?
Valpo and Naples, FL
6. What size shoe does he wear?
11
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Anything that involves bacon!
9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
A Hamburger with lots of bacon and cheese on it!
10. What is his favorite cereal?
Cap'n Crunch with Berries
11. What would he never wear?
T-shirts with goofy sayings on them. Hello High School.
12. What is his favorite sports team?
The Colts. And I don't even know the names of any others besides the Bears, Cubs, and Sox from growing up...Sports are for the simple-minded...
13. Who did he vote for?
Obama
14. Who is his best friend?
Me! :)
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Speed
16. What is his heritage?
German?
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
I usually buy an ice cream cake for him from Culvers or Ritters!
18. Did he play sports in high school?
If you count skipping school to go surfing in FL!
19. What could he spend hours doing?
Geeking it up, X-Box 360, playing with Claire and me
20. What is one unique talent he has?
recovering data on your computer that has been lost and deleted 1,000 times over. Yay, nothing is truly every deleted, keeping me up to date on computer, and electronic things, and ANYTHING computer related...you will never see a flashing VCR clock in this house. Mostly because VCRs should no longer be in homes, but you will not seeing things like that...
THE COUPLES QUIZ:
1. What are your middle names?
Gabriel and Joy
2. How long have you been together?
since fall of 1997
3. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
3 years/since frosh year of HS...mutual friends, etc
4. Who asked whom out?
He asked me to see the HS play "The Music Man" as our first date.
5. Whose siblings do you see the most?
Probably mine since I have 3 vs. 1 and they live closer.
6. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
We are both very verbal and communicate pretty well. This is an enormous blessing of course when it comes to any relationship. We are also both penny-pinchers, so we don't fight about money...ever..I can see the hardest thing as being disciplining Claire. I don't do "Time-Outs" I do time-ins which is where I sit with her in the corner if she needs to and talk to her. I don't see time-outs being effective for the under 2 crowd.
7. Did you go to the same school?
for 3 of 4 years of HS
8. Are you from the same home town?
Basically, yes, see 7 above.
9. Who is smarter?
Math and Science=Josh...his degree is computer science and math.
English and German = Me. People ask me if I am fluent in German because they find out I taught it. I wonder if anyone out there teaching ISN'T FLUENT? I am not sure how well that would work...I would say we are both bookish and geeky and proud of it.
10. Who is the most sensitive?
Me. I am the female...
11. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We go to St. Elmo's or the Melting Pot for our birthday's/anniversary.
12. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Amsterdam, Germany, foothills of Alps, France
13. Who has the craziest exes?
Neither of us would have ever dated a crazy.
14. Who has the worst temper?
Josh. Esp. when it comes to stupid drivers.
15. Who does the cooking?
Me, unless you count Josh ordering a pizza online.
16. Who is the neat-freak? me
17. Who is more stubborn? Josh
18. Who hogs the bed?
Me.
19. Where was your first date?
HS play, then we went to his place and I looked at some graphic design stuff he'd done on the computer as well as other pictures, and then we watched a movie!
20. Who is more jealous?
Josh?
21. How long did it take to get serious?
It was love at first sight! :) We were talking about getting married by the Feb. of our Sr. year of HS!
22. Who eats more?
It depends on the food.
23. Who does the laundry?
I do mine and Claire's and the bedding/towels, but Josh runs his own clothes through.
24. Who’s better with the computer?
Um, Josh. He is a computer-God. He can do anything. There has never been an issue he cannot fix. And please do not call us for computer help. It is freaking annoying. Try this first: http://www.justfreakingoogleit.com/
25. Who drives when you are together?
Josh. That way I can entertain Claire.
This is a really old photo of us from Oct. 2005:
Battle Star "Mind-eff"
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Caesar
3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Carrots...haha. Claire LOVES THEM!
4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
The darkest beer they sell!
5. Where did he go to high school?
Valpo and Naples, FL
6. What size shoe does he wear?
11
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Anything that involves bacon!
9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
A Hamburger with lots of bacon and cheese on it!
10. What is his favorite cereal?
Cap'n Crunch with Berries
11. What would he never wear?
T-shirts with goofy sayings on them. Hello High School.
12. What is his favorite sports team?
The Colts. And I don't even know the names of any others besides the Bears, Cubs, and Sox from growing up...Sports are for the simple-minded...
13. Who did he vote for?
Obama
14. Who is his best friend?
Me! :)
15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Speed
16. What is his heritage?
German?
17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
I usually buy an ice cream cake for him from Culvers or Ritters!
18. Did he play sports in high school?
If you count skipping school to go surfing in FL!
19. What could he spend hours doing?
Geeking it up, X-Box 360, playing with Claire and me
20. What is one unique talent he has?
recovering data on your computer that has been lost and deleted 1,000 times over. Yay, nothing is truly every deleted, keeping me up to date on computer, and electronic things, and ANYTHING computer related...you will never see a flashing VCR clock in this house. Mostly because VCRs should no longer be in homes, but you will not seeing things like that...
THE COUPLES QUIZ:
1. What are your middle names?
Gabriel and Joy
2. How long have you been together?
since fall of 1997
3. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
3 years/since frosh year of HS...mutual friends, etc
4. Who asked whom out?
He asked me to see the HS play "The Music Man" as our first date.
5. Whose siblings do you see the most?
Probably mine since I have 3 vs. 1 and they live closer.
6. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
We are both very verbal and communicate pretty well. This is an enormous blessing of course when it comes to any relationship. We are also both penny-pinchers, so we don't fight about money...ever..I can see the hardest thing as being disciplining Claire. I don't do "Time-Outs" I do time-ins which is where I sit with her in the corner if she needs to and talk to her. I don't see time-outs being effective for the under 2 crowd.
7. Did you go to the same school?
for 3 of 4 years of HS
8. Are you from the same home town?
Basically, yes, see 7 above.
9. Who is smarter?
Math and Science=Josh...his degree is computer science and math.
English and German = Me. People ask me if I am fluent in German because they find out I taught it. I wonder if anyone out there teaching ISN'T FLUENT? I am not sure how well that would work...I would say we are both bookish and geeky and proud of it.
10. Who is the most sensitive?
Me. I am the female...
11. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We go to St. Elmo's or the Melting Pot for our birthday's/anniversary.
12. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Amsterdam, Germany, foothills of Alps, France
13. Who has the craziest exes?
Neither of us would have ever dated a crazy.
14. Who has the worst temper?
Josh. Esp. when it comes to stupid drivers.
15. Who does the cooking?
Me, unless you count Josh ordering a pizza online.
16. Who is the neat-freak? me
17. Who is more stubborn? Josh
18. Who hogs the bed?
Me.
19. Where was your first date?
HS play, then we went to his place and I looked at some graphic design stuff he'd done on the computer as well as other pictures, and then we watched a movie!
20. Who is more jealous?
Josh?
21. How long did it take to get serious?
It was love at first sight! :) We were talking about getting married by the Feb. of our Sr. year of HS!
22. Who eats more?
It depends on the food.
23. Who does the laundry?
I do mine and Claire's and the bedding/towels, but Josh runs his own clothes through.
24. Who’s better with the computer?
Um, Josh. He is a computer-God. He can do anything. There has never been an issue he cannot fix. And please do not call us for computer help. It is freaking annoying. Try this first: http://www.justfreakingoogleit.com/
25. Who drives when you are together?
Josh. That way I can entertain Claire.
This is a really old photo of us from Oct. 2005:
Visiting with Sharman!
On our way back from Terre Haute a week ago, Saturday, we met my friend Sharman in Brazil, IN for a little visit. Claire was such a good sport all day long! I used to work with Sharman when I was in college. I worked at the Vice President for Student Affairs Office starting my 2nd semester in college until the time I started sub. teaching 3 days a week and taking classes 2 days a week my senior year.
Claire is generally very outgoing once she warms-up to people. She even gave Sharman a good-bye kissy! :) We also visited my friend Debbi, but I forgot to bring my camera in there. Maybe Sharman and/or Deb will come visit Claire and I at our house soon! :)
Claire is generally very outgoing once she warms-up to people. She even gave Sharman a good-bye kissy! :) We also visited my friend Debbi, but I forgot to bring my camera in there. Maybe Sharman and/or Deb will come visit Claire and I at our house soon! :)
Partying with Pierce!
Claire had a great time playing on Pierce's new playset that he just got!
Claire is in love with shoes, as she is with other accessories. She will demand these which she calls "yellow" or her pink croc sandals which she calls "Barbie!"
Claire is in love with shoes, as she is with other accessories. She will demand these which she calls "yellow" or her pink croc sandals which she calls "Barbie!"
It was a little tricky, but Claire figured out how to press the pedal to make the car go. Claire is also in love with cars. I would love to snag a Power Wheel for her at a garage sale for a good deal. She would love it!
This is Pierce opening his Elmo books from Claire. As you can see, Claire is paying close attention! :)
Claire helped Pierce open a few things. This was good practice for her bday coming up in July. She also enjoyed helping him play with some of his new toys. She also ate an entire scoop of mint-chocolate chip ice cream, which was the first time she'd had that flavor. She loved it! YUMMY!
Claire and I had a good time at Pierce's party! :)
This is Pierce opening his Elmo books from Claire. As you can see, Claire is paying close attention! :)
Claire helped Pierce open a few things. This was good practice for her bday coming up in July. She also enjoyed helping him play with some of his new toys. She also ate an entire scoop of mint-chocolate chip ice cream, which was the first time she'd had that flavor. She loved it! YUMMY!
Claire and I had a good time at Pierce's party! :)
Busy Busy Busy Weekends
So LAST weekend, I went to the LLL conference early Sat. morning in Avon, IN, which was really informative. I suck up info like a sponge! One of the Castleton group leaders Lisa, did a birthing presentation. She had actually had an evening at her house where some regular group members (including myself) watched a birthing video and had a little discussion about that and lotus birth. So I thought most of the info would be repeated, but everything she presented was pretty much new to me.
Then I went to one session on becoming a breastfeeding advocate which talked about the breastfeeding coalitions in place in Indiana, which are trying to get more mothers to initiate breastfeeding and increase the duration of breastfeeding, which are pretty similar to what LLL is about, as well! One of the interesting points brought up in this sessions was how obesity is on the rise in America, and not so coincidentally we also have the lowest breastfeeding rates at 6 and 12 months, etc. Anyway, they also had goodies to buy and a silent auction...all good stuff there...like books, awesome toddler toys, and cool LLL things like a handmade needlepoint of the LLL mommy/babby nursing pair.
THEN after a catered lunch there of Fazolis (which Claire loved the breadsticks) she and I drove scenic old 40 to Terre Haute, IN, which was only about an hour from Avon. Claire had crashed hard from running around playing with other little toddlers that morning (PLUS getting up super early to get to the conference!), so while she continued to car nap, I drove around my college stomping grounds and some of our old apartments! It was so different!
Claire and I visited my old boss Debbi, then headed to the "main attraction"--Pierce's 2nd Birthday party! Pierce is the son of college friends Jeremy and Stephanie. The theme was Little Einstein's, and he had a very cool little cake! Claire then had an awesome time running around in his backyard and trying out his sandbox and other toys! She was actually able to get his Power Wheels car to drive, but kept running into stuff because the concept of steering has yet to come. She was just in the fenced in backyard, though! I have some pictures I will try to post soon of this. I also have some videos of that...plus wedding/Easter footage...but who knows if/when I'll get around to posting that!
Then I went to one session on becoming a breastfeeding advocate which talked about the breastfeeding coalitions in place in Indiana, which are trying to get more mothers to initiate breastfeeding and increase the duration of breastfeeding, which are pretty similar to what LLL is about, as well! One of the interesting points brought up in this sessions was how obesity is on the rise in America, and not so coincidentally we also have the lowest breastfeeding rates at 6 and 12 months, etc. Anyway, they also had goodies to buy and a silent auction...all good stuff there...like books, awesome toddler toys, and cool LLL things like a handmade needlepoint of the LLL mommy/babby nursing pair.
THEN after a catered lunch there of Fazolis (which Claire loved the breadsticks) she and I drove scenic old 40 to Terre Haute, IN, which was only about an hour from Avon. Claire had crashed hard from running around playing with other little toddlers that morning (PLUS getting up super early to get to the conference!), so while she continued to car nap, I drove around my college stomping grounds and some of our old apartments! It was so different!
Claire and I visited my old boss Debbi, then headed to the "main attraction"--Pierce's 2nd Birthday party! Pierce is the son of college friends Jeremy and Stephanie. The theme was Little Einstein's, and he had a very cool little cake! Claire then had an awesome time running around in his backyard and trying out his sandbox and other toys! She was actually able to get his Power Wheels car to drive, but kept running into stuff because the concept of steering has yet to come. She was just in the fenced in backyard, though! I have some pictures I will try to post soon of this. I also have some videos of that...plus wedding/Easter footage...but who knows if/when I'll get around to posting that!
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