Grayson was being extraordinarily cute the other day at our friend Libby's house. Here is the result.
The Chronicles of a Wife, Mom of 4 boys and Type 1 diabetes warrior.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Grumpy
GRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrumpy. That is what I am this afternoon. I get that it is probably par for the course but I am just angry today. I am so tired of pretending I am not pregnant in public so people won't ask me or congratulate me. I want to be excited about my baby, I want to be happy that I am pregnant. And granted I do cherish every second we have him but sometimes its just too much to think about.
I just spent two hours at the park with some friends and some acquaintances. The friends know what is going on. The rest don't. So there I sit in a tight top and warm up pants cause when I left I didn't feel like changing into something else that covered better. Lately I go out in public with a big puffy vest on so that you can't see what is under it for sure. So there I sit, slumped over so it just looks like I am fat. I don't want to tell them I am pregnant. I don't want to tell them he will die. I don't want more well wishes. I just want my baby!
The worst I think is the things people say when they don't know what to say but feel compelled to say something anyway. For the record- Say you are sorry and leave it at that. Anything more and you are going to put your foot in your mouth. People mean well they really do so I don't hold a grudge and I have no hard feelings if you are reading this and you are one of the people who said these things, but for the love of Pete! PLEASE don't tell me that God works miracles and just to hope. Um ya, thanks my baby is a miracle but no he is not going to miraculously grow a brain at 6 months gestation and be fine. That is just not going to happen. Yes I am sure he of his diagnosis. I would not take it lying down. And yes, I would get a second opinion if I was unsure. We are not. We have seen 3D ultrasounds, he has no brain. Simple as that and its obvious. Unfortunately, anencephalic babies usually don't form a skull either and sadly he didn't.
I don't mean to be harsh, ungrateful or anything else. I am just angry and grumpy. Off to eat worms.
I just spent two hours at the park with some friends and some acquaintances. The friends know what is going on. The rest don't. So there I sit in a tight top and warm up pants cause when I left I didn't feel like changing into something else that covered better. Lately I go out in public with a big puffy vest on so that you can't see what is under it for sure. So there I sit, slumped over so it just looks like I am fat. I don't want to tell them I am pregnant. I don't want to tell them he will die. I don't want more well wishes. I just want my baby!
The worst I think is the things people say when they don't know what to say but feel compelled to say something anyway. For the record- Say you are sorry and leave it at that. Anything more and you are going to put your foot in your mouth. People mean well they really do so I don't hold a grudge and I have no hard feelings if you are reading this and you are one of the people who said these things, but for the love of Pete! PLEASE don't tell me that God works miracles and just to hope. Um ya, thanks my baby is a miracle but no he is not going to miraculously grow a brain at 6 months gestation and be fine. That is just not going to happen. Yes I am sure he of his diagnosis. I would not take it lying down. And yes, I would get a second opinion if I was unsure. We are not. We have seen 3D ultrasounds, he has no brain. Simple as that and its obvious. Unfortunately, anencephalic babies usually don't form a skull either and sadly he didn't.
I don't mean to be harsh, ungrateful or anything else. I am just angry and grumpy. Off to eat worms.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Update: Dr's apt
Just wanted to let everyone know that our next Dr's appointment is not until September 2 at 11.
The specialist is out of town until then. We also have the counselor and whoever else at that appointment. I may or may not have another Ultra-sound at that time. From there we will have a better idea of the timing of Jonathan's induction and birth. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
The specialist is out of town until then. We also have the counselor and whoever else at that appointment. I may or may not have another Ultra-sound at that time. From there we will have a better idea of the timing of Jonathan's induction and birth. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
R & R- Long Beach Washington
(click photos for larger view)After we found out about Jonathan we decided it would be good to get away. Luckily, one of Zack's favorite clients had just offered to rent us their lovely beach house, cheap. So off we headed to Long Beach Washington. It is about 2.5 hours away. We left on Friday morning last week (after we picked Zack's sister Melissa and her daughter Allison from California, up from the airport) and came home on Thursday this week. It was a lovely week.
We spent the week enjoying the house, which was fabulous, playing on the beach when the weather cooperated. We went to the Sunday market with our friends Wade, Di and Jeremiah and Melissa and Allie who came up for the weekend. Astoria is an amazing little town on the edge of Oregon, about 30 minutes from where we were staying. That is where the movie Goonies was filmed. We tried to find the house but we were unable to, we did see the jail from the movie though. We also bumped into our old neighbor Brett from our old Jackson st neighborhood. He and his wife moved last year to Astoria for a job opportunity. We ended up finding a fabulous park.
Overall we had an amazing time and it was good to get away and not think about the things at home or obligations and things needing done.
Here are some pics from the trip.
kiddos sleeping on the way there.
Wade, Di and Jeremiah
us, Melissa and Allie
Family in the sand
We love you Jonathan! You will always be in our hearts!
Dead Man's Cove at Cape Disappointment. Above the cove is a lovely lighthouse.
The lighthouse above the cove, which is behind the "white" topped rocks
The kiddos at Waikiki Beach at Cape Disappointment. There are these forts all over the beach. The kids had a blast playing in them. This Cape is one of the most dangerous areas for nautical navigation in the world and many many ships have parished.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Baby oh baby.
You know you never think its going to be you. Its never going to be me who has that horrible car accident. Its never going to be me who gets divorced. Its never going to be me who loses a child.
In January my younger cousin Jake and his girlfriend Amanda lost their son to SIDS. He was 8 weeks old. I remember hugging them and telling them I would be there if they needed anything. Knowing they would never call on me because what could I offer? I have never been there, don't know how they feel. And really I prayed I never would. Now I am. So much for it will never be me.
I now know how they feel. You can't decide if you should scream, cry, laugh hysterically (because this HAS TO BE A BAD JOKE!) or run in front of a bus. I never thought it would be me. I am losing a child. I was planning a birth a week ago and now I am planning a memorial service. You can never plan for it, never know how you will react.
My son, Jonathan, will come and go with little more than a breath and yet he has touched so many lives. I will forever be grateful for whatever time I have with him, however long he is in my arms.
I think the things I struggle with the most right now are all the unknowns. As a control freak I have a hard time with not knowing and not being able to "take care of it". Will he know for sure we love him? Does he feel any pain? What are the right choices for him? Why?! WHY?! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?! There are no answers. There may never be.
In January my younger cousin Jake and his girlfriend Amanda lost their son to SIDS. He was 8 weeks old. I remember hugging them and telling them I would be there if they needed anything. Knowing they would never call on me because what could I offer? I have never been there, don't know how they feel. And really I prayed I never would. Now I am. So much for it will never be me.
I now know how they feel. You can't decide if you should scream, cry, laugh hysterically (because this HAS TO BE A BAD JOKE!) or run in front of a bus. I never thought it would be me. I am losing a child. I was planning a birth a week ago and now I am planning a memorial service. You can never plan for it, never know how you will react.
My son, Jonathan, will come and go with little more than a breath and yet he has touched so many lives. I will forever be grateful for whatever time I have with him, however long he is in my arms.
I think the things I struggle with the most right now are all the unknowns. As a control freak I have a hard time with not knowing and not being able to "take care of it". Will he know for sure we love him? Does he feel any pain? What are the right choices for him? Why?! WHY?! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?! There are no answers. There may never be.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Jonathan Mitchell- our son
Many of you have received this in email for those who have not:
Hi friends and family,
Hi friends and family,
We went in for an early ultra sound today and found out we are having a boy. His name is Jonathan Mitchell. It means Gift of God.Unfortunately, that is not our only news. We also found out that our little boy has anencephaly which is a neural tube defect in which the brain does not form. He may not make it to term and will not survive outside the womb. His body may continue to grow as it should because his brain stem tells him so and I provide enough nutrients to do so.Our current plan is to carry him as long as possible at which point I will birth him and Zack and I will hold him for as long as he is alive. Usually its only a few minutes.If you have any questions please feel free to ask. We prefer to communicate over email at this time as talking tends to be harder. But in a few days or so if you'd like to call we'd love to hear from you at 503-352-4180.Love, Jaimey, Zack, Grayson and Jonathan
Friday, July 25, 2008
Picture This!
I recently switched back temporarily to my fabulous film camera because my digital is acting up. (stupid slow ass, annoying thing that it is! arg, not bitter or anything) Funny thing is I have not really used it in months, really like 6. So I had 12 rolls of film to process after last weekends camping trip. So The next few posts will be misc cute things from the last year or so... I will try to stay in order so as not to confuse anyone. LOL
Starskey and Hutch to the rescue!
First the background:
Shawn Hankins
So Zack and I are the "residents" that called the police about the guy walking down the street all bloody. Zack saw him first and I made him turn around so I could see him and make sure it was the same guy we had seen on the news this morning. (He looks like Shane- my ex- and I had noticed on the tv pic) So I called 911 while we followed him until he caught onto us and got out of sight. The police officer had caught up with us and pulled us over to get the scoop and then told us to meet him in the Lowe's parking lot across from us. As we started to drive across the street I saw him behind the building and started yelling and pointing. So out of the wood work comes out 3-4 other police cars who race into the parking lot to chase him. He of coarse gave them another run for their money, running back across the street, where the Officer we had talked to pulled his gun on him and then the Sargent tackled him. The Officer later said that he went down pretty hard when I asked why there was an ambulance there. :) Good. Idiot. So yeah! No more bad guy loose in my neighborhood. We have been watching the helicopters all day fly over head looking for him. Guess he was just a really good hider, too bad he was too dumb to wash his face. We never would have even noticed him if he had, but I am really glad he didn't.
On another note, we were the ONLY ones who called. From the first time we saw him to the end some 100+ cars drove past him and not one other person called in anything. That is just sad. Get involved people, this is your home too.
That was our excitement for the night, and to think it never would have happened if I hadn't dwaddled and watched most of Oprah instead of leaving and hour earlier when Zack wanted too. Thanks Oprah! :)
UPDATE: WE RECEIVED A THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE POLICE CHIEF FOR HELPING IN THE CAPTURE OF THIS GUY. HOW COOL IS THAT?! :)
Update: Hillsboro police find man they say drove at officers
Posted by Holly Danks, The Oregonian July 25, 2008 17:45PM
Categories: Breaking News, Washington County
Shawn HankinsHILLSBORO -- A 32-year-old Hillsboro man with a history of driving and theft-related crimes was caught Friday evening, more than 15 hours after police shot at him when he allegedly tried to run over several officers responding to a domestic violence call.
Hillsboro Police Chief Lila Ashenbrenner said a resident reported seeing a bloody man walking down Southeast River Road near Thrush Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. Police responded and took Shawn Michael Hankins into custody without incident.
Ashenbrenner said it wasn't immediately clear if Hankins was suffering from a gunshot wound or if he had been cut by flying glass or some other means.
Lt. Michael Rouches, Hillsboro police spokesman, said one officer fired at least one shot as Hankins drove toward him at about 30 mph in the 800 block of Northeast Kathryn Street shortly after 3 a.m. Friday.
Rouches said the fugitive called his aunt later Friday and said police shot him in the head.
Police found droplets of blood leading away from Hankins' truck toward his house at _____. However, he wasn't there when the Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team fired tear gas inside and gained access after surrounding the residence for nearly three hours, Rouches said.
Later, as many as 25 police officers with 10 dogs and a helicopter searched an area about four miles away near Hillsboro High School after a resident reported that a man with blood on his neck ran through her back yard. No sign of Hankins was found at that time and residents were alerted to call 9-1-1 immediately if they saw him.
"We aren't messing around, he tried to run over a cop," Rouches said earlier in the day. "We take that seriously."
None of the officers was hurt.
While Hillsboro police called off the main search after more than seven hours, they responded to reports of suspicious activity throughout the day.
Hankins turned his truck away from police after the officer's bullet hit the windshield near the driver's side post, Rouches said. Hankins got out of the vehicle and ran away, prompting the search, he said.
The incident started about 3 a.m. Friday with a call that Hankins assaulted his live-in girlfriend. His girlfriend told police he didn't have any guns in the house.
In 1999, Hankins pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, possession of a forged instrument and tampering with public records, among other charges, for setting up an emissions certificate scam while he was working at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's vehicle testing station in Hillsboro.
He was sentenced to 13 months in prison and one-year of post-prison supervision.
"He doesn't want to go back to prison," Rouches said.
Shortly before 6 a.m. Friday, a woman reported she saw a bloody man run through her backyard on Southeast Tanager Circle. Police cordoned off Rood Bridge and River roads.
Rouches said Hankins was calling friends and relatives as he ran, and police were able to trace his cell phone to towers in the area.So Zack and I are the "residents" that called the police about the guy walking down the street all bloody. Zack saw him first and I made him turn around so I could see him and make sure it was the same guy we had seen on the news this morning. (He looks like Shane- my ex- and I had noticed on the tv pic) So I called 911 while we followed him until he caught onto us and got out of sight. The police officer had caught up with us and pulled us over to get the scoop and then told us to meet him in the Lowe's parking lot across from us. As we started to drive across the street I saw him behind the building and started yelling and pointing. So out of the wood work comes out 3-4 other police cars who race into the parking lot to chase him. He of coarse gave them another run for their money, running back across the street, where the Officer we had talked to pulled his gun on him and then the Sargent tackled him. The Officer later said that he went down pretty hard when I asked why there was an ambulance there. :) Good. Idiot. So yeah! No more bad guy loose in my neighborhood. We have been watching the helicopters all day fly over head looking for him. Guess he was just a really good hider, too bad he was too dumb to wash his face. We never would have even noticed him if he had, but I am really glad he didn't.
On another note, we were the ONLY ones who called. From the first time we saw him to the end some 100+ cars drove past him and not one other person called in anything. That is just sad. Get involved people, this is your home too.
That was our excitement for the night, and to think it never would have happened if I hadn't dwaddled and watched most of Oprah instead of leaving and hour earlier when Zack wanted too. Thanks Oprah! :)
UPDATE: WE RECEIVED A THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE POLICE CHIEF FOR HELPING IN THE CAPTURE OF THIS GUY. HOW COOL IS THAT?! :)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
TMI- Tuesday (but I am LATE!)
I usually don't do these silly things but since Sarah was sure that noone would play along I decided I would. :) You are welcome. For the rest of you, this is a TMI POST- Enter at your own risk!
1. Are your farts;
a. Silent but deadly
b. All sound, no fury
c. Loud and stinky
It totally depends on what I have eaten and if my lactose intolerance is acting up. If so, silent but VERY deadly! And pregnant I can clear rooms. {evil grin}
2. Have you ever farted in front of a lover? Who was the 1st one to do it? How did they or you handle it.
I think that is part of my initiation into my life. If you want to be with me you take me as I am, farts and all.
3. Have you ever farted and tried to blame someone else? Who and did you get away with it?
(A true fart connoisseur never blames anyone else - they wait for them to blame themselves. He who smelt it, dealt it.) That is Sarah's answer and I must say that I totally disagree. When one has lactose intolerance but loves dairy and eats it any way, one tends to blaim just about anyone. Good rule of thumb, with two people you are screwed cause they always know it wasn't them. But 3 or more and you are golden cause everyone blames someone else and noone really knows except that it wasn't them.
I used to blame my charges when I was a nanny. Grete (2) would totally say yes when I asked if she tooted! Score!
4. What food triggers you?
Dairy and raw vegis, run for the hills.
5. Varts (Vaginal Farts) Scary, or an indication of a good time being had by all?
I have no idea what you are talking about- sticking my head back in the sand now...
Bonus (as in optional): When you do fart with someone in your bed, do you cover their head with the sheet and hold them under?
No, but I don't tell Zack that I did either, let him figure it out. :)
PS. My favorite ASL signs are poop and fart! LOL
Fart-astic TMI
1. Are your farts;
a. Silent but deadlyb. All sound, no fury
c. Loud and stinky
It totally depends on what I have eaten and if my lactose intolerance is acting up. If so, silent but VERY deadly! And pregnant I can clear rooms. {evil grin}
2. Have you ever farted in front of a lover? Who was the 1st one to do it? How did they or you handle it.
I think that is part of my initiation into my life. If you want to be with me you take me as I am, farts and all.
3. Have you ever farted and tried to blame someone else? Who and did you get away with it?
(A true fart connoisseur never blames anyone else - they wait for them to blame themselves. He who smelt it, dealt it.) That is Sarah's answer and I must say that I totally disagree. When one has lactose intolerance but loves dairy and eats it any way, one tends to blaim just about anyone. Good rule of thumb, with two people you are screwed cause they always know it wasn't them. But 3 or more and you are golden cause everyone blames someone else and noone really knows except that it wasn't them.
I used to blame my charges when I was a nanny. Grete (2) would totally say yes when I asked if she tooted! Score!
4. What food triggers you?
Dairy and raw vegis, run for the hills.
5. Varts (Vaginal Farts) Scary, or an indication of a good time being had by all?
I have no idea what you are talking about- sticking my head back in the sand now...
Bonus (as in optional): When you do fart with someone in your bed, do you cover their head with the sheet and hold them under?
No, but I don't tell Zack that I did either, let him figure it out. :)
PS. My favorite ASL signs are poop and fart! LOL
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Memory Game- from Lindsey
I hope everyone will play along.
Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments
Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
My Quirky Things
I've been tagged by Cathy so I must hold up my end of this and let you in on some of my quirky little habits. There are quite a few so this might be kinda tough! First things first, I must post and follow the rules for this...
1. Link the person(s) who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours…
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them…
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours…
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them…
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.
Here we go, an inside peek into my neurotic little world...
1.) I sleep with a blanket I have had since birth. It's name is Blankie. Yes, I did just say it has a name. I have slept with it since I can remember (or one of the few I have) and I have actually tried to give it up but after giving to my hubby as a gift for our wedding along with a note that said "I never thought anyone would replace Blankie until I met you..." I didn't sleep for weeks. He finally got tired of me keeping him awake and told me to go get my blankie. :)
2.) I have total OCD when it comes to where things go and how they go there. I need my towels folded a certain way. If they aren't I redo them- really- ask anyone who has tried to do my towels...sad I know. As hard as I try to just let people do them their way, it doesn't work. I end up with a stack of towels that "don't fit" in the cabinet.
3.) I love to organize. Now that doesn't mean I am always organized, I'm usually not, but I love to do it either way. :) I used to go to my Nana's house as a kid to organize her Tupperware drawer, which was HUGE. It made me happy. Still does.
4.) Stupid people make me crazy. Not the ones that were born that way. The ones that do stupid things repeatedly. Make the same mistakes over and over again, never learning from them. Those are the worst. My second least favorites are the ones who are just plain horrible drivers. I am sure its not long before my son yells something to the effect of "thanks for cutting me off you MORON!" (I know its horrible- but it could be worse)
5.) I have a weird lump in the middle of my head, I call my "tUmah" (Its not a tumah) no idea what it really is but hope its fine cause I haven't ever had it checked. (Head in sand much?)
6.) I can never think on the spot for these things. I *know* I am a very quirky person, often accused of having issues so for me not to be able to come up with 6 REAL ones is just sad. I blame it on my long weekend...more on that later!
I hereby tag:
Heather
Lindsey
Melissa
Kelli
Stephanie
Tali
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Underwear Man!
Faster than a speeding bullet.
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Look! Up in the sky!
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Underwear Man!
We introduced underwear today and Grayson wanted to wear them right from the start. He kept wanting to sit on the potty so he could wear the underroos. Which I said he could only wear if he went pee in the potty. :) Hopefully he will potty train quickly and somewhat soon so we don't have two in diapers for too long.
There is nothing cuter than a little baby butt in underwear!
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
Look! Up in the sky!
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Underwear Man!
We introduced underwear today and Grayson wanted to wear them right from the start. He kept wanting to sit on the potty so he could wear the underroos. Which I said he could only wear if he went pee in the potty. :) Hopefully he will potty train quickly and somewhat soon so we don't have two in diapers for too long.
There is nothing cuter than a little baby butt in underwear!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Green Toys
Those of you who are interested in safe plastic toys for your children I have the product for you! I just read about these on someone else's blog so to be fair I have not tried them but they look great.
Green Toys Inc. is a brand-spanking new company based in San Francisco. Their toys are made from 100% curbside collected plastic milk jugs. How cool is th at? If you're wondering if this plastic is safe, the answer is yes. It's considered some of the cleanest, safest plastic available. The energy saved in every pound of recycled plastic used in making Green Toys is enough to equal the energy in 3,000 AAA
batteries, enough to power a TV set for 3 weeks and run a laptop computer for 1 month! It's safe and non-toxic and good for the environment. Can you say that for all those noisy plastic toys that are hanging out in your toy box?
Functionality **** - These toys are very solidly made. They don't seem flimsy. I'm pretty certain that the little pots
Style **** - While they are plastic, they aren't the obnoxious bright-colored toys you see all over Toys R Us. The colors are soft which means I don't mind having them sitting out on my windowsill.
Cost *** - The price tag for these toys is what I would expect for an innovative new product, especially a green one. You might be paying a little more than you would for the cute hot pink princess cookware set, but I feel like the extra $10 or so is a small price to pay for getting a toy you can feel good about letting your child play with.
Overall Rating ***1/2 - Green Toys Inc. is off to a great start. Their toys are solidly and safely constructed, appealing to the eye, and good for the environment. Seriously, what more could you ask for in a toy?"
www.greentoys.com
I love the concept of these. I am going to go this week to the store by me that has them and check them out. (Piccolo Mondo Toys)
Green Toys Inc. is a brand-spanking new company based in San Francisco. Their toys are made from 100% curbside collected plastic milk jugs. How cool is th at? If you're wondering if this plastic is safe, the answer is yes. It's considered some of the cleanest, safest plastic available. The energy saved in every pound of recycled plastic used in making Green Toys is enough to equal the energy in 3,000 AAA
batteries, enough to power a TV set for 3 weeks and run a laptop computer for 1 month! It's safe and non-toxic and good for the environment. Can you say that for all those noisy plastic toys that are hanging out in your toy box?Another bonus? Green Toys are made entirely in the USA! Here's what their website has to say about why this is so important.
Made in California, USA:
Less Transportation, Less Energy
All Green Toys products are 100% made in the USA. To be more specific, they are produced in California, a state known for strict toy safety and environmental laws. It's cool to buy USA, but also think about this: transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gasses. We all know driving less is good for mother nature, but did you ever think about how many miles a toy logs before it ends up in your local store Made in California, USA:
Less Transportation, Less Energy
Our toys are truly local creations. Every step in the process, from milk container recycling to toy production to final assembly, occurs in California. Our raw materials and toys aren't shipped from overseas, which saves a lot of energy and reduces greenhouse gasses. It also guarantees your toys won't get seasick before they get to your home!
There is minimal packaging as well, a major plus in my book. I am so tired of spending more time trying to get the toy out of the package than Grayson spends playing with it. You currently have 4 choices of toys from Green Toys Inc. There is a tea set, a cookware and dining set, a sand play set, and our favorite, an indoor gardening set.
The original blogger I borrowed this from gave the review:
"On to the official review:Functionality **** - These toys are very solidly made. They don't seem flimsy. I'm pretty certain that the little pots
Style **** - While they are plastic, they aren't the obnoxious bright-colored toys you see all over Toys R Us. The colors are soft which means I don't mind having them sitting out on my windowsill.
Cost *** - The price tag for these toys is what I would expect for an innovative new product, especially a green one. You might be paying a little more than you would for the cute hot pink princess cookware set, but I feel like the extra $10 or so is a small price to pay for getting a toy you can feel good about letting your child play with.
Overall Rating ***1/2 - Green Toys Inc. is off to a great start. Their toys are solidly and safely constructed, appealing to the eye, and good for the environment. Seriously, what more could you ask for in a toy?"
www.greentoys.com
I love the concept of these. I am going to go this week to the store by me that has them and check them out. (Piccolo Mondo Toys)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Clothes, Carseats and Strollers. Oh My!!!
So I have been trying to figure out what I need for this, my second child. I don't need all the stuff I had to get with Grayson (Thank Gawd!) but still there are things to get.
I am hopeful that I am carrying a girl so that I can buy all the cute girly clothes cause we all know I have a "minor" Gymboree addiction. Only 6-7 more weeks until I get the Ultra Sound to tell me that its a girl. Fingers, toes, eyes all crossed!
Then there is the car seat. We currently have a "bucket" baby seat but Grayson was so tall that
he outgrew it at about 4 months. At that point he had to go into a convertible car seat which can go from backwards to forwards. Luckily we had a freebie from my previous employer of a lovely ($$) Britax Marathon. But for this baby I have decided to sell our current bucket that only goes to 29" and 22 lbs in favor of one that goes to a more accommodating 32" and 30 lbs. (Grayson is 33" and 23 lbs now at 17 months so it would last much longer!) The Graco Safe seat is only $100 compared to the Britax that we would be buying at 4 months which is $250 (yikes but they are very safe and go to 65 lbs so worth it in the long run) Isn't it amazing that we all lived through our childhoods with out $100-250 car seats or car seats at all for that matter?! I believe I rode home from the hospital on my moms lap! Now you can't leave the maternity floor without your bucket in hand, which is obnoxious if you are not using a bucket but a convertible.
As for the stroller, of coarse I have a single stroller. But now that I will have a second child it would probably be convenient to have a double so that I can haul all my monkeys and their gear... I can't pack lightly as my family and husband will a test. I have never been every good at parring down. :) So I have been looking online at all the amazing options for strollers out there. It is amazing to me that people will pay $800 for a stroller! Like this Bugaboo chameleon. www.bugaboostrollers.com
I knew I wanted something with options, which is why people like the above Bugaboo, the seats change out and around so as the child grows and develops you can turn then to face away from you as they are ready. I know this first hand. I started a baby boot camp class when Grayson was 3 months old and in the jogger I had he would SCREAM the entire time because he could not see me. So I went online and found a stroller that was less expensive than the above but about as cool. (much heavier though I found out) I ended up getting a used one on CL for $75 instead of $350. It was a Zooper Buddy. I love that stroller. The seat can face you or with a few handy clicks, turn to face away. It was great and boot camp was much more pleasant for both of us. So my search for the perfect double continued. Fast forward to the other day at the zoo. (below) and right as we were leaving I saw this stroller in a line:
The Kolcraft Contour Tandem. Both seats can be removed completely or turned either direction. So the children can face each other when they are older or when the baby is new I can have it face me and G can face out front. Or I can even take out the babies seat and use the under area for groceries and walk to the grocery store with the baby in the front pack and G in the front of the stroller. (since gas is SO expensive!) Cool huh? I am so excited about this stroller, now I just have to sell some stuff to afford it...stupid expensive gas...
Anyway, other than that I have figured out I need a set of bunk beds for G. Rather than another crib I will then have to store. So we will attempt to transition him between when baby B gets here and when it needs to leave my room probably around 3 months old.
Also:
- baby bedding if its a girl- I love this stuff from babies r us
- and I would love to get a new Organic mattress for the crib but it may not be in the budget. sigh.
If anyone has some good lotto numbers to play let me know! LOL
Oh, any friends/ family with multiple children please let me know if there is something else handy that I can't live without! :P
I am hopeful that I am carrying a girl so that I can buy all the cute girly clothes cause we all know I have a "minor" Gymboree addiction. Only 6-7 more weeks until I get the Ultra Sound to tell me that its a girl. Fingers, toes, eyes all crossed!
Then there is the car seat. We currently have a "bucket" baby seat but Grayson was so tall that
he outgrew it at about 4 months. At that point he had to go into a convertible car seat which can go from backwards to forwards. Luckily we had a freebie from my previous employer of a lovely ($$) Britax Marathon. But for this baby I have decided to sell our current bucket that only goes to 29" and 22 lbs in favor of one that goes to a more accommodating 32" and 30 lbs. (Grayson is 33" and 23 lbs now at 17 months so it would last much longer!) The Graco Safe seat is only $100 compared to the Britax that we would be buying at 4 months which is $250 (yikes but they are very safe and go to 65 lbs so worth it in the long run) Isn't it amazing that we all lived through our childhoods with out $100-250 car seats or car seats at all for that matter?! I believe I rode home from the hospital on my moms lap! Now you can't leave the maternity floor without your bucket in hand, which is obnoxious if you are not using a bucket but a convertible.
As for the stroller, of coarse I have a single stroller. But now that I will have a second child it would probably be convenient to have a double so that I can haul all my monkeys and their gear... I can't pack lightly as my family and husband will a test. I have never been every good at parring down. :) So I have been looking online at all the amazing options for strollers out there. It is amazing to me that people will pay $800 for a stroller! Like this Bugaboo chameleon. www.bugaboostrollers.com
I knew I wanted something with options, which is why people like the above Bugaboo, the seats change out and around so as the child grows and develops you can turn then to face away from you as they are ready. I know this first hand. I started a baby boot camp class when Grayson was 3 months old and in the jogger I had he would SCREAM the entire time because he could not see me. So I went online and found a stroller that was less expensive than the above but about as cool. (much heavier though I found out) I ended up getting a used one on CL for $75 instead of $350. It was a Zooper Buddy. I love that stroller. The seat can face you or with a few handy clicks, turn to face away. It was great and boot camp was much more pleasant for both of us. So my search for the perfect double continued. Fast forward to the other day at the zoo. (below) and right as we were leaving I saw this stroller in a line:
The Kolcraft Contour Tandem. Both seats can be removed completely or turned either direction. So the children can face each other when they are older or when the baby is new I can have it face me and G can face out front. Or I can even take out the babies seat and use the under area for groceries and walk to the grocery store with the baby in the front pack and G in the front of the stroller. (since gas is SO expensive!) Cool huh? I am so excited about this stroller, now I just have to sell some stuff to afford it...stupid expensive gas...
Anyway, other than that I have figured out I need a set of bunk beds for G. Rather than another crib I will then have to store. So we will attempt to transition him between when baby B gets here and when it needs to leave my room probably around 3 months old.
Also:
- baby bedding if its a girl- I love this stuff from babies r us
- and I would love to get a new Organic mattress for the crib but it may not be in the budget. sigh.
If anyone has some good lotto numbers to play let me know! LOL
Oh, any friends/ family with multiple children please let me know if there is something else handy that I can't live without! :P
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Zoo Fun!
One of our favorite things to do lately is go to the zoo. Grayson loves to see the animals and it helps to have him see them and learn the sign. We have been 3-4 times in the last month and he loves to learn the signs for all the new animals he sees. This trip (yesterday) we saw the elephants, tigars, zebras, giraffes, bear and gazelle and he now knows the sign for all but gazelle, only because I don't know that one to teach him- I think its the one for deer but I can't remember that one either.
We went with our friend Diana and her son Jeremiah who is almost 9 months old and her nephew John who is 4 months old. We had a great time a really wore the boys out! (not sure who was more tired, me or them!)
We loved watching the animals do funny things. This Gazelle (I think thats what its called) REALLY wanted to eat these leaves. I knew they did this because I had seen it on the discovery channel but I had never seen it in person.
And this goofy bear, he looks dead but we were told that
it was sleeping, I am still a little concerned.
(This is Jeremiah----------------------------------->)
Enter to win a Bum Genius Starter Kit!
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Friday, June 6, 2008
Blah!
So women, tell me again why we want children when they make us SO sick?! I am miserable. This nausea is killing me! I spend most of the day about ready to blow and at some point usually do. It seems to have no rhyme or reason or pattern. I am sick one day in the a.m. the next in the evening the next not at all and the next all day, or some weird combo of those! arg. Darn baby. It better be a girl. (She is already trouble...wish us luck!)
My poor son, he is getting totally shafted. I barely leave the house anymore and spend most of my day lying around on one or the other of the couches in my house. He tries to be a good sport but I am sure he would rather his Mommy play and engage him then turn on the tv or doze while he plays by himself. I keep telling myself this is just a phase and it too will pass but....gotta barf!
My poor son, he is getting totally shafted. I barely leave the house anymore and spend most of my day lying around on one or the other of the couches in my house. He tries to be a good sport but I am sure he would rather his Mommy play and engage him then turn on the tv or doze while he plays by himself. I keep telling myself this is just a phase and it too will pass but....gotta barf!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The first Kiss!
It's your First Kiss and several questions might come to mind:
Is it the right time ?
Is anyone watching?
Does your partner even want to?
Is your breath fresh?
AND,---Should you use some tongue?
Then you say ...
'What the heck!' and Just Go for it!!!
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This must be a 2nd or 3rd child...because Mom grabbed the camera and not the kid!
Is it the right time ?
Is anyone watching?
Does your partner even want to?
Is your breath fresh?
AND,---Should you use some tongue?
Then you say ...
'What the heck!' and Just Go for it!!!
scroll down
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This must be a 2nd or 3rd child...because Mom grabbed the camera and not the kid!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
oooooouch!
Lumpy as we fondly refer to him is a good strong bump who knows no limits for which to stop. These photos were taken a few hours after it had happened and the swelling was starting to go down already. He refused to let me ice it and I figured sitting on him would only make it more tramatic so it went uniced. Lumpy stood about an inch off Grayson's head at his peak and turned lovely shades of black blue and purple. As of this writing Lumpy is more like a Bruisy with a mild lumpy :) and is lovely shades of green. (Our FIRST black eye- GREAT!)
As I said I am not a worrier but I must admit I grabbed the good old Kaiser handbook to see the signs of concussion and when to call in...and when he slept a little too long on his nap I checked on him to make sure was still breathing. Poor kid. Later that night he was trying to hand me some books to read before bed and he slipped and fell into the corner of his dresser, getting Lumpy's brother Bumpy on the back of his head. Luckily Bumpy didn't bruise or stay long, just a short evening visit! (accident prone like his dad or just clumsy like his mom...only time will tell)
Bun in the Oven!
That phrase has always kinda bugged me! But alas it is true. I have a bean in my belly! :) Little one is due January 10th 2009, which for those not in the know, is 3!!! days before Grayson's second birthday. I'd like to say that it was all in my grand plan- cause those that know me would say I am good at that but sadly- little one was a surprise to us! I have had two ultra sounds to determine for sure the size and age of LO (cause we had almost NO idea when conception occurred! Too much info I am sure!) and both point to that date.
So far this pregnancy has proved to be very interesting. I had no idea for the first 5 weeks and then almost as soon I found out I was nauseous. (psychosomatic? Maybe.) Now I fluctuate between nauseous and praying to the porcelain Gods. Which after I puke I feel surprisingly better. Who knew. Luckily I have Jesse around to clean the toilets. :P (cause cleaning them or thinking about cleaning them makes me want to puke more)
I am hoping that this baby is a girl cause the pregnancy is so different from the first one.
Oh and my Chinese Conception calendar say so! HAHA!
So far this pregnancy has proved to be very interesting. I had no idea for the first 5 weeks and then almost as soon I found out I was nauseous. (psychosomatic? Maybe.) Now I fluctuate between nauseous and praying to the porcelain Gods. Which after I puke I feel surprisingly better. Who knew. Luckily I have Jesse around to clean the toilets. :P (cause cleaning them or thinking about cleaning them makes me want to puke more)
I am hoping that this baby is a girl cause the pregnancy is so different from the first one. Oh and my Chinese Conception calendar say so! HAHA!
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