Obviously, some changes have been made around here in an attempt to spruce things up a bit. A spring cleaning of sorts. If something doesn't look right or some of my links aren't working, please let me know. I'm trying to make sure everything is set up correctly but could easily overlook something!
April 24, 2007
April 20, 2007
Controversy
Wow! That got kinda heated in a relatively short amount of time! I certainly didn't mean to start a debate over my last post. Honestly though I don't believe there was any malice in anything that was said. At least I hope there wasn't.
I think it's obvious that parenting styles and choices can become a very hot topic, and very quickly. Parenting is easily one of the most difficult things that I've ever had to do. I'm continuously asking myself if I'm doing things right; if I'm making the right choices for KT and our family.
Cloth vs. Disposable diapers?
Bre@stfeeding vs. Formula feeding?
Co-sleeping or not?
CIO or not?
Babywearing or not?
Return to work or stay at home?
You can spend an incredible amount of time questioning if you're a good parent and all it does it cause you to lose time. I am a firm believer that everyone needs to make their own choices. These choices are based on what they are comfortable with and what works for that specific child. If it works, that in itself makes it the right thing to do for your family. (Clearly as long as it isn't putting the child in danger.) Every child is different and needs a different parenting approach.
I think it's important that we all remember that. What works for one family may not work for another. And just because we choose to do things differently doesn't make us bad parents.
I think it's obvious that parenting styles and choices can become a very hot topic, and very quickly. Parenting is easily one of the most difficult things that I've ever had to do. I'm continuously asking myself if I'm doing things right; if I'm making the right choices for KT and our family.
Cloth vs. Disposable diapers?
Bre@stfeeding vs. Formula feeding?
Co-sleeping or not?
CIO or not?
Babywearing or not?
Return to work or stay at home?
You can spend an incredible amount of time questioning if you're a good parent and all it does it cause you to lose time. I am a firm believer that everyone needs to make their own choices. These choices are based on what they are comfortable with and what works for that specific child. If it works, that in itself makes it the right thing to do for your family. (Clearly as long as it isn't putting the child in danger.) Every child is different and needs a different parenting approach.
I think it's important that we all remember that. What works for one family may not work for another. And just because we choose to do things differently doesn't make us bad parents.
April 17, 2007
General "Stuff"
I'm here.
Plugging away, day by day.
Nothing monumental happening.
Just life.
To catch everyone up to speed...here's the rundown...
Katie
- 5 months old last week
- will only fall asleep for naps if she's held/rocked
- started on sweet potatoes last weekend
- shrieks just to hear herself make noise
- hasn't rolled over yet
- loves to chew on her toes
- successfully made the transition to sleeping in her crib in the nursery.
Me
- project for work has flopped, has to be totally redesigned
- issues regarding my salary have arisen
- sleeping better at night now that Katie is in her own room
- getting little done around the house
- trying to plan (and plant) a garden
- struggling to find stuff to post on my blog
- way behind on phone calls and emails to family and friends
- acting as a single parent this week with C in Florida
- crossing my fingers Katie's batteries in the swing don't die this week.
So, that's about the extent of it. I wish that I had something more exciting to post but lately the days are running together with little differentiation. I also struggle to find the energy, motivation or topics to post about on this blog. I'm sure people don't want to hear about potato fields and poopy diapers.
Plugging away, day by day.
Nothing monumental happening.
Just life.
To catch everyone up to speed...here's the rundown...
Katie
- 5 months old last week
- will only fall asleep for naps if she's held/rocked
- started on sweet potatoes last weekend
- shrieks just to hear herself make noise
- hasn't rolled over yet
- loves to chew on her toes
- successfully made the transition to sleeping in her crib in the nursery.
Me
- project for work has flopped, has to be totally redesigned
- issues regarding my salary have arisen
- sleeping better at night now that Katie is in her own room
- getting little done around the house
- trying to plan (and plant) a garden
- struggling to find stuff to post on my blog
- way behind on phone calls and emails to family and friends
- acting as a single parent this week with C in Florida
- crossing my fingers Katie's batteries in the swing don't die this week.
So, that's about the extent of it. I wish that I had something more exciting to post but lately the days are running together with little differentiation. I also struggle to find the energy, motivation or topics to post about on this blog. I'm sure people don't want to hear about potato fields and poopy diapers.
April 3, 2007
The Saga Continues
I still hate my job. I take that back. I don't hate it per se, it just frustrates me incredibly. I told C the other night that when the grant that pays my salary runs out that I will seriously weigh my options at that point. The ideal thing would be to convince the department to hire me on with University funds and have me be on staff for all the faculty. Anyone who needs my help with grant writing or general research items could use my services. But we all know that things don't always work out the way we hope.
So, anyways...my newest problem...
I'm trying to find potato growers to work in collaboration with us for this research project. The big project that pays my salary. We need to identify fields that grow potatoes every 2 years and fields that grow them less frequently than every 3-4 years. After identifying them, we're going to collect soils from their fields and run our own research study on them to see how the different length of time between potato crops affects the soil fertility, the weed seed populations, the disease pressure, etc. To best duplicate field conditions, we'll put the soils in 7-gallon containers and plant the containers in a field for the season. Our original plan was to grow them in a field by my boss' house, so that he could keep a close eye on them and manage all aspects of production -- irrigation, fertilizer applications, etc. When he left, that option disappeared so the plan was to put them in a research field at the experiment station.
Somewhere along the way, it was never specifically asked if we could do this. Yesterday the official word was given that this was NOT an option. These soils could be brought into the greenhouse, but not out into the fields due to contamination issues. Now we're struggling to figure out how to handle this major problem. The best solution we have is to move the container study down to where my boss is in Utah. Problem with that is it's a 5 hour drive for me and my coworker who are supposed to manage/coordinate this project. Our boss will now have to hire someone to run the project on a daily basis and will have to do a good portion of the work himself. Another big issue is how we're going to physically transport 560 7-gallon containers of soil almost 300 miles. Not going to be an easy feat. Not easy at all.
Why am I not surprised that we're facing more hurdles? It seems like everything has been working against this project from the start. Now I just hope that the USDA doesn't decide to pull the funding completely because we're changing the project, again. Because IF the funding goes, there goes my job.
*Sigh*
So, anyways...my newest problem...
I'm trying to find potato growers to work in collaboration with us for this research project. The big project that pays my salary. We need to identify fields that grow potatoes every 2 years and fields that grow them less frequently than every 3-4 years. After identifying them, we're going to collect soils from their fields and run our own research study on them to see how the different length of time between potato crops affects the soil fertility, the weed seed populations, the disease pressure, etc. To best duplicate field conditions, we'll put the soils in 7-gallon containers and plant the containers in a field for the season. Our original plan was to grow them in a field by my boss' house, so that he could keep a close eye on them and manage all aspects of production -- irrigation, fertilizer applications, etc. When he left, that option disappeared so the plan was to put them in a research field at the experiment station.
Somewhere along the way, it was never specifically asked if we could do this. Yesterday the official word was given that this was NOT an option. These soils could be brought into the greenhouse, but not out into the fields due to contamination issues. Now we're struggling to figure out how to handle this major problem. The best solution we have is to move the container study down to where my boss is in Utah. Problem with that is it's a 5 hour drive for me and my coworker who are supposed to manage/coordinate this project. Our boss will now have to hire someone to run the project on a daily basis and will have to do a good portion of the work himself. Another big issue is how we're going to physically transport 560 7-gallon containers of soil almost 300 miles. Not going to be an easy feat. Not easy at all.
Why am I not surprised that we're facing more hurdles? It seems like everything has been working against this project from the start. Now I just hope that the USDA doesn't decide to pull the funding completely because we're changing the project, again. Because IF the funding goes, there goes my job.
*Sigh*
March 31, 2007
Mealtimes, Mullets and Monkey Business
The past couple of weeks have been a challenge around here. KT is going through some changes in her schedule (what little schedule she actually had before). Perhaps it would be better to say, she's been changing her routine. She had regressed back to eating every 90 minutes and hardly naps at all during the day. When she does nap, she wants to be held to go to sleep and will only sleep for 15 or 20 minutes. I had gotten to the point where I felt like she was always nursing or sleeping in my arms. She also will NOT go to C at all. If he has her she screams like no ones business and struggles to find me.
An appointment with my midwife last week -- for thrush and a clogged duct, major ouch -- brought us to a decision. Susan recommended that we try to start KT on cereal to help space out her feedings. At this point, she should be spacing her nursing sessions to every 2-3 hours. I was hesitant to start her on any solids until she was 6 months old. Maybe it was for selfish reasons, I'm not entirely sure. After some contemplation we decided to go ahead and give it a try. Sunday afternoon was the first attempt at it. At first she was unsure of what we were putting in her mouth, but after a couple of spoonfuls she began to gobble it down. She now grabs at your hand and pulls the spoon to her mouth! The feedings are spacing to 2 to 2.5 hours so either the cereal is working or we're doing a better job of figuring out her new routine!
Much to the chagrin of many, Miss KT got her first haircut the other night. Over the last couple of months her hair has been growing in really unevenly. There is a two inch patch on the top of her head that is really long -- like 3 to 3.5 inches long. But around that patch the hair is only about 1/2 an inch long. The left side was growing faster than the right and thicker too. But the worst offender was the mullet that was sneaking its way into our lives. She's got the typical bald spot that most babies do, and some "fuzzy" hair around it, The very bottom of her hairline, at the nape of her neck though was a good 2 inches longer than any of the other hair on the back of her head. Total redneck mullet. Although somewhat cute (and rather hilarious) it was starting to look shaggy overall. So after her bath on Wednesday, C held her on his lap and I went to town with the scissors. I just trimmed the sides so the left one was the same length as the right and cut the mullet off. Bad news was that we didn't get any pictures to commemorate the event as both of us had our hands full. Good news was that we did remember to save some of what I cut off for her baby book. In my opinion she looks so much better now!
She's also picked up on two new "habits" this week. She found her feet sometime this week and she's now fascinated with them. If they're not straight up in the air for her to stare at they're in her mouth being used as chew toys. It's a help when changing diapers because she keeps her feet up out of the mess, but is a challenge when trying to get her dressed. Her other new habit is her shreaking. She just makes these random shreaks, at nothing in particular but all the time. I think it's because she like to hear herself. For the first few minutes it's quite cute, but after 15 or 20 minutes it begins to lose the cuteness. Perhaps that's why I've been dealing with these headaches all week!
An appointment with my midwife last week -- for thrush and a clogged duct, major ouch -- brought us to a decision. Susan recommended that we try to start KT on cereal to help space out her feedings. At this point, she should be spacing her nursing sessions to every 2-3 hours. I was hesitant to start her on any solids until she was 6 months old. Maybe it was for selfish reasons, I'm not entirely sure. After some contemplation we decided to go ahead and give it a try. Sunday afternoon was the first attempt at it. At first she was unsure of what we were putting in her mouth, but after a couple of spoonfuls she began to gobble it down. She now grabs at your hand and pulls the spoon to her mouth! The feedings are spacing to 2 to 2.5 hours so either the cereal is working or we're doing a better job of figuring out her new routine!
Much to the chagrin of many, Miss KT got her first haircut the other night. Over the last couple of months her hair has been growing in really unevenly. There is a two inch patch on the top of her head that is really long -- like 3 to 3.5 inches long. But around that patch the hair is only about 1/2 an inch long. The left side was growing faster than the right and thicker too. But the worst offender was the mullet that was sneaking its way into our lives. She's got the typical bald spot that most babies do, and some "fuzzy" hair around it, The very bottom of her hairline, at the nape of her neck though was a good 2 inches longer than any of the other hair on the back of her head. Total redneck mullet. Although somewhat cute (and rather hilarious) it was starting to look shaggy overall. So after her bath on Wednesday, C held her on his lap and I went to town with the scissors. I just trimmed the sides so the left one was the same length as the right and cut the mullet off. Bad news was that we didn't get any pictures to commemorate the event as both of us had our hands full. Good news was that we did remember to save some of what I cut off for her baby book. In my opinion she looks so much better now!
She's also picked up on two new "habits" this week. She found her feet sometime this week and she's now fascinated with them. If they're not straight up in the air for her to stare at they're in her mouth being used as chew toys. It's a help when changing diapers because she keeps her feet up out of the mess, but is a challenge when trying to get her dressed. Her other new habit is her shreaking. She just makes these random shreaks, at nothing in particular but all the time. I think it's because she like to hear herself. For the first few minutes it's quite cute, but after 15 or 20 minutes it begins to lose the cuteness. Perhaps that's why I've been dealing with these headaches all week!
March 22, 2007
Reconnecting
I'm not very good at making new friends. I never have been. I have a circle of "close" girlfriends that consists of a couple of friends from High School, a couple of friends from college, female family members and some girls I've met on the internet. These are the people that I turn to for almost everything.
Since moving into our house last fall I've met two women in the neighborhood. My direct neighbor and the girl around the corner. Both of whom have had babies since we moved in, giving us a commonality. Other than that, I just don't put myself into situations where I can meet new people. I don't know if it's an issue of shyness or laziness. I'm content with the friends I have--happy with the relationships I've formed.
Because of this, when something happens to change a friendship, my small circle of girlfriends gets even smaller. Over the last 12 years or so I've "lost" a couple of my good friends due to one reason or another.
When I was a senior in High School one of my best friends did something that at the time I thought was unforgivable. We literally went from having a sister-like relationship to not speaking to one another in a matter of seconds. I walked away from the friendship and never looked back. I saw it as her loss, not mine.
Over the years I've heard bits of pieces about what this person was doing. My one sister was in contact with her brother; another friend of mine stayed in contact with her periodically. I knew that she'd moved away, gotten married, had babies, etc. More than once I had tried to look her up. Tried to find her email just so that I had it. Just in case I ever felt the need to get in touch with her.
A couple of weeks ago this person got in touch with me through a website that I frequent. I knew that she was on the same site as well but hadn't approached her. When she contacted me I was initially unsure about how to handle the message. Should I respond? Politely? Act like nothing happened all those years ago? Should I ignore the email and act like she never tried to get in contact with me? Well, I emailed her back. She apologize for what happened years ago and asked if we could start again.
C thinks that I'm being too easy on her. I think that 11 1/2 years have gone by and what happened in the past is just that -- in the past. We've both grown up, gotten married and moved on with our lives. After all these years I have an apology and she admits what she did was stupid and wasn't worth ruining our friendship over.
Why should I dwell on something that was probably a blessing in disguise (the act, not the loss of friendship)?
Since moving into our house last fall I've met two women in the neighborhood. My direct neighbor and the girl around the corner. Both of whom have had babies since we moved in, giving us a commonality. Other than that, I just don't put myself into situations where I can meet new people. I don't know if it's an issue of shyness or laziness. I'm content with the friends I have--happy with the relationships I've formed.
Because of this, when something happens to change a friendship, my small circle of girlfriends gets even smaller. Over the last 12 years or so I've "lost" a couple of my good friends due to one reason or another.
When I was a senior in High School one of my best friends did something that at the time I thought was unforgivable. We literally went from having a sister-like relationship to not speaking to one another in a matter of seconds. I walked away from the friendship and never looked back. I saw it as her loss, not mine.
Over the years I've heard bits of pieces about what this person was doing. My one sister was in contact with her brother; another friend of mine stayed in contact with her periodically. I knew that she'd moved away, gotten married, had babies, etc. More than once I had tried to look her up. Tried to find her email just so that I had it. Just in case I ever felt the need to get in touch with her.
A couple of weeks ago this person got in touch with me through a website that I frequent. I knew that she was on the same site as well but hadn't approached her. When she contacted me I was initially unsure about how to handle the message. Should I respond? Politely? Act like nothing happened all those years ago? Should I ignore the email and act like she never tried to get in contact with me? Well, I emailed her back. She apologize for what happened years ago and asked if we could start again.
C thinks that I'm being too easy on her. I think that 11 1/2 years have gone by and what happened in the past is just that -- in the past. We've both grown up, gotten married and moved on with our lives. After all these years I have an apology and she admits what she did was stupid and wasn't worth ruining our friendship over.
Why should I dwell on something that was probably a blessing in disguise (the act, not the loss of friendship)?
March 16, 2007
Disconnected
My laptop crashed on me on Wednesday. I spent most of Wednesday and all of yesterday trying to get it back up and running (hence my absence on boards, blogs, emails and instant messengers). I think I'm finally at a point where I can let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, C had bought an external hard drive last weekend and I had backed up all of my files. Whew.
Gotta love technology.
Gotta love technology.
March 9, 2007
Getting girly
I couldn't help buy buy the hat in Target the other day. There's just something so fun about dressing up a little girl!
All ready for some fun in the sun(minus the jammies, of course).
Cutie patootie with her little barrette --makes her look so big!
White t-shirt night in our household
What? Me? I'm not up to anything...I promise.
Ready for bootcampMarch 7, 2007
It's a Conspiracy
I'm sure that many of your remember my post about the batteries dying in KT's swing just after C's plane left when he was headed to China...
On Monday morning he left for Northern Idaho for a quick overnight trip. I kid you not, just as it happened before, shortly after he got on the road the batteries in her swing died. Seriously. What are the chances of that? But thankfully this time I had a spare set under the entertainment center.
I'm beginning to think he sabotages them before he leaves...
On Monday morning he left for Northern Idaho for a quick overnight trip. I kid you not, just as it happened before, shortly after he got on the road the batteries in her swing died. Seriously. What are the chances of that? But thankfully this time I had a spare set under the entertainment center.
I'm beginning to think he sabotages them before he leaves...
March 5, 2007
Travel Memoirs
Pictures from our trip to Michigan...
Getting ready to fly
Trying out the crib at Grandma Peggy's
Mandy, Katie, Kris & Miss V
Avery & Katie
Aunt Ashley, Mandy, Katie & Aunt Krystal
Aunt Ashley, Aunt Krystal, Mandy, Katie & Grandma Peggy
(left to right) Uncle Phil (to-be), Aunt Ashley, Grandma Peggy, Mandy,
Tyler, Katie, Aunt Krystal & Uncle Jeremy
(Left to right) Front - Uncle Phil, Aunt Ashley, Aunt Krystal
Back - Grandma Sheila, Tyler, Grandpa John, Mandy, Katie & Uncle Jeremy
Grandpa John & Katie (her bib says "Grandpa Loves Me")
Grandma Debbie, Dylan, Grandpa Willis and Katie
Aunt Jess, Dylan, Mandy & Katie
Katie
Dylan & Katie
"Great" Aunt Deb & Katie
All tuckered out at Aunt Ashley's -- Ready to go home!
Getting ready to fly
Trying out the crib at Grandma Peggy's
Mandy, Katie, Kris & Miss V
Avery & Katie
Aunt Ashley, Mandy, Katie & Aunt Krystal
Aunt Ashley, Aunt Krystal, Mandy, Katie & Grandma Peggy
(left to right) Uncle Phil (to-be), Aunt Ashley, Grandma Peggy, Mandy,Tyler, Katie, Aunt Krystal & Uncle Jeremy
(Left to right) Front - Uncle Phil, Aunt Ashley, Aunt KrystalBack - Grandma Sheila, Tyler, Grandpa John, Mandy, Katie & Uncle Jeremy
Grandpa John & Katie (her bib says "Grandpa Loves Me")
Grandma Debbie, Dylan, Grandpa Willis and Katie
Aunt Jess, Dylan, Mandy & Katie
Katie
Dylan & Katie
"Great" Aunt Deb & Katie
All tuckered out at Aunt Ashley's -- Ready to go home!
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