I mean, so far every age has been amazing in its own unique way... but right now I'm fascinated. Frustrated, but fascinated. I can see little bits of the individual to come appearing every day in C. We're in the "ME do it!!!" stage right now. And the funny thing is, she actually CAN do most of it. It's just a matter of being willing to step back and let her. Which we've been good at all along, but now suddenly I'm more reluctant. Probably because most of what she wants to do for herself now involves a lot of mess potential. LOL
One thing that's great is her eagerness to help. She's so keen on proving that she can do things, that if I just ask her if she'd like to "help mommy" then she's right there. This morning's project was changing bedsheets. She was totally willing to strip off her bed for me - probably just because doing so reveals a great bouncing surface, but anyway. She still wanted to help!
She's just now finished having a picnic with her little dollies, which she arranged all by herself including all the dishes and play food. Then she went to the fridge, got the apple juice, poured it into her little pitcher and put it back, all without asking for help. Of course there was juice dribbled down the hallway, but surprisingly none on the floor in the kitchen!
Then of course there's the dressing/undressing and all that fun stuff.
And our biggest accomplishment at the moment is, she's actually settling into her "big girl bed". Right now it's just a twin mattress on the floor, we haven't set up the frame yet. But last night was the third night there. The first two nights she woke up in the wee hours and came into our room, but last night she slept right through til 6:30. So there IS hope that she'll be totally out of her crib before the next one arrives!!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
What a day!
Wednesday morning C had a temperature. In the afternoon she ended up being kind of sooky and quiet, wouldn't eat... so I gave her apple juice and children's Advil. Which she only kept down for about an hour before she lost all of it. That was one unhappy child. We spend the afternoon just chilling out, and later in the evening she managed to eat supper and drink some diluted juice to get rehydrated. Overnight her temp came back around 3-ish so I gave her more Advil and let her sleep with us. In the morning she seemed okay, just really cranky.
However, since her cousin was diagnosed with a strep infection on Tuesday afternoon, I thought I had better take her in to the doctor to get tested just in case. Ear infections, flu bugs, those I will wait out for a day or two. But I know I can't treat a bacterial infection on my own, and I didn't want to give it time to develop into something more serious. So off we went.
Normally I don't have to go to the outpatient department (ER) because we have a family doctor. But he's on medical leave for heart surgery, and his replacement wasn't available, so today we were walk-ins.
What I learned from this experience is:
1 - it REALLY stinks to not have a regular family doctor to go to, and
2 - people are WAY less considerate these days than they used to be.
She was mostly okay this morning, but overnight her fever had come back and she was just really cranky. So about 10 I went in to the hospital. There were only a half-dozen or so people there so I figured a couple of hours and we'd be done.Well, a couple of hours later was when we first saw the doctor. On arrival they do triage and decide who falls where on the scale of importance. Which makes sense of course, but it stinks when you're going in with a minor complaint just because you have no doctor to go to. We were pretty much at the bottom of the list.
Anyway, the doctor had a look at her, then the nurse did a throat swab (which took her, me and another nurse to accomplish). Then we had to wait for the results to come back.Waiting for the results took hours. There was stuff going on behind the scenes with patients, people the police brought in and people who came by ambulance. One patient brought the entire department to a standstill for three solid hours.
DH called to check on us and I was so tired by that point it was pathetic. We hadn't eaten since breakfast because I didn't have any cash with me and I didn't dare leave long enough to go to the cafeteria (where I think I could have used my Visa) lest we miss being called. About three o'clock I finally asked whether they could just phone me with the results and the nurse checked and said we were next to be seen. So I thought, okay, we'll wait it out.
It was after 4:30 (and two more patients later) when we finally got called back in. Thankfully he said the preliminary test showed no strep and he gave me some tips to deal with her fever and sick stomach if they came back. (They'll run a more complete test over the next two days and call me if anything shows up - apparently 10-15% of negative tests are actually positive.)
So we left, and hurried off to get something to eat. C said she wanted chicken nuggets, french fires, ketchup, chocolate milk, AND a hamburger. LOL I settled for the nuggets and fries, but didn't figure she really needed a burger, too.
We spent a total of about 7 hours in the waiting room. And I think I spent 4 of those carrying her around. Little wonder I'm sore tonight. I feel like I walked a mile or ten today.You know what surprised me, though? Maybe it shouldn't, but it did. You know, NO ONE offered me a seat. A pregnant lady carrying a toddler, and NO ONE asked if we'd like to sit down, NO ONE asked if we needed anything... is chivalry really that dead and gone? :(
However, since her cousin was diagnosed with a strep infection on Tuesday afternoon, I thought I had better take her in to the doctor to get tested just in case. Ear infections, flu bugs, those I will wait out for a day or two. But I know I can't treat a bacterial infection on my own, and I didn't want to give it time to develop into something more serious. So off we went.
Normally I don't have to go to the outpatient department (ER) because we have a family doctor. But he's on medical leave for heart surgery, and his replacement wasn't available, so today we were walk-ins.
What I learned from this experience is:
1 - it REALLY stinks to not have a regular family doctor to go to, and
2 - people are WAY less considerate these days than they used to be.
She was mostly okay this morning, but overnight her fever had come back and she was just really cranky. So about 10 I went in to the hospital. There were only a half-dozen or so people there so I figured a couple of hours and we'd be done.Well, a couple of hours later was when we first saw the doctor. On arrival they do triage and decide who falls where on the scale of importance. Which makes sense of course, but it stinks when you're going in with a minor complaint just because you have no doctor to go to. We were pretty much at the bottom of the list.
Anyway, the doctor had a look at her, then the nurse did a throat swab (which took her, me and another nurse to accomplish). Then we had to wait for the results to come back.Waiting for the results took hours. There was stuff going on behind the scenes with patients, people the police brought in and people who came by ambulance. One patient brought the entire department to a standstill for three solid hours.
DH called to check on us and I was so tired by that point it was pathetic. We hadn't eaten since breakfast because I didn't have any cash with me and I didn't dare leave long enough to go to the cafeteria (where I think I could have used my Visa) lest we miss being called. About three o'clock I finally asked whether they could just phone me with the results and the nurse checked and said we were next to be seen. So I thought, okay, we'll wait it out.
It was after 4:30 (and two more patients later) when we finally got called back in. Thankfully he said the preliminary test showed no strep and he gave me some tips to deal with her fever and sick stomach if they came back. (They'll run a more complete test over the next two days and call me if anything shows up - apparently 10-15% of negative tests are actually positive.)
So we left, and hurried off to get something to eat. C said she wanted chicken nuggets, french fires, ketchup, chocolate milk, AND a hamburger. LOL I settled for the nuggets and fries, but didn't figure she really needed a burger, too.
We spent a total of about 7 hours in the waiting room. And I think I spent 4 of those carrying her around. Little wonder I'm sore tonight. I feel like I walked a mile or ten today.You know what surprised me, though? Maybe it shouldn't, but it did. You know, NO ONE offered me a seat. A pregnant lady carrying a toddler, and NO ONE asked if we'd like to sit down, NO ONE asked if we needed anything... is chivalry really that dead and gone? :(
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Saving on Taxes
It's scary how much of our money disappears through the cracks. I've discovered that one of the really big cracks in my finances is that of sales tax. Here in Nova Scotia we pay 14% sales tax on most things. (Books have a lower tax rate.) That adds up to literally hundreds of dollars ever year. It surprised me when I realized just how much we pay out in taxes, between sales tax, income tax, etc.
Now, I'm not saying we should avoid paying them, because for one it's illegal and there are stiff penalties, and because the Bible tells us specifically that we ARE to pay our taxes. But I've started looking for ways to reduce the amount of money that I "nickel and dime" out of my budget. With baby #2 on the way and me looking ahead to a cut in income, it's something that is weighing more on my mind lately.
One very easy way I've found to reduce the amount of money that goes out in sales tax is to pay closer attention to what I'm buying. For example - if I buy a bag of grapes, there is no tax. If I buy them washed and stemmed, then there is tax payable on it. Ground beef has no tax, but pre-made patties do. Flour, sugar, eggs, milk, chocolate chips - no tax. Chocolate bars - tax. The tax is payable on things that have had extra processing, convenience foods, etc. So just by cutting out the extra services, and the extra junk food, from my grocery shopping, I am quickly saving $5, $10, even $20 and I haven't really *done* anything. It might mean a little more work when I get home, but it might also mean I have a little extra left over to buy something special. :-)
Now, I'm not saying we should avoid paying them, because for one it's illegal and there are stiff penalties, and because the Bible tells us specifically that we ARE to pay our taxes. But I've started looking for ways to reduce the amount of money that I "nickel and dime" out of my budget. With baby #2 on the way and me looking ahead to a cut in income, it's something that is weighing more on my mind lately.
One very easy way I've found to reduce the amount of money that goes out in sales tax is to pay closer attention to what I'm buying. For example - if I buy a bag of grapes, there is no tax. If I buy them washed and stemmed, then there is tax payable on it. Ground beef has no tax, but pre-made patties do. Flour, sugar, eggs, milk, chocolate chips - no tax. Chocolate bars - tax. The tax is payable on things that have had extra processing, convenience foods, etc. So just by cutting out the extra services, and the extra junk food, from my grocery shopping, I am quickly saving $5, $10, even $20 and I haven't really *done* anything. It might mean a little more work when I get home, but it might also mean I have a little extra left over to buy something special. :-)
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
So, you want to be treated like a lady?
Something has changed in the last couple of generations. We want to be treated like ladies, but heaven forbid we should do anything that would make us appear weaker than our male counterparts. So we squash the craving to be cherished, to be cared for, to be protected, and we rush off to do everything ourselves. This is in stark contrast to what I see when I look at my grandmother's generation. Most of the more aged ladies I know are indeed 'ladies' who would think it odd indeed to be out with a man who didn't come around to open the car door.
I see it in little things, like whether a man opens the door for a woman, or lets her go ahead of him, who places the order in a restaurant, who drives, things like that. I think a lot of the reason for it is women becoming more independent, more dominant, and not wanting to appear "weak". And also, because of men working more and more hours, more women are thrust into the position of having to do everything themselves, or else having it simply not get done.
I'm trying to change this in myself - I'm very much one who will "just do it" rather than waiting, whether "it" is doing a load of laundry or changing a light fixture. I'm stepping back a bit more often. Hesitating rather than rushing ahead - if I just go ahead and open the door, then he doesn't have the opportunity to do it, even if he wants to. I'm trying to ask for help more often. Pointing out things that need to be done, but of course trying not to nag. Opening up a little more and admitting that I would like to be more feminine even though I struggle with it. Asking him to pray at mealtimes when he's home, and getting C to say her prayers with daddy when he's here instead of just doing it myself. Asking for advice, even if I feel like I already know the best answer and am ready to move forward.
And no doubt paying attention to appearance helps immensely. I've been trying to pay more attention to that - being 6 months pregnant has thrown me a bit and I tend to just put on something that fits and put my hair up in a knot because it's cooler... but this week I got a big bag of maternity clothing from a friend which was a nice boost to my shrinking wardrobe, and I've been giving a little more thought to little things like painting my nails or putting on a bit of perfume.
I guess it comes down to taking the time to think and act a little more "delicate" and allowing the men in our lives the opportunity to step up to the plate and treat us like princesses :-)
I see it in little things, like whether a man opens the door for a woman, or lets her go ahead of him, who places the order in a restaurant, who drives, things like that. I think a lot of the reason for it is women becoming more independent, more dominant, and not wanting to appear "weak". And also, because of men working more and more hours, more women are thrust into the position of having to do everything themselves, or else having it simply not get done.
I'm trying to change this in myself - I'm very much one who will "just do it" rather than waiting, whether "it" is doing a load of laundry or changing a light fixture. I'm stepping back a bit more often. Hesitating rather than rushing ahead - if I just go ahead and open the door, then he doesn't have the opportunity to do it, even if he wants to. I'm trying to ask for help more often. Pointing out things that need to be done, but of course trying not to nag. Opening up a little more and admitting that I would like to be more feminine even though I struggle with it. Asking him to pray at mealtimes when he's home, and getting C to say her prayers with daddy when he's here instead of just doing it myself. Asking for advice, even if I feel like I already know the best answer and am ready to move forward.
And no doubt paying attention to appearance helps immensely. I've been trying to pay more attention to that - being 6 months pregnant has thrown me a bit and I tend to just put on something that fits and put my hair up in a knot because it's cooler... but this week I got a big bag of maternity clothing from a friend which was a nice boost to my shrinking wardrobe, and I've been giving a little more thought to little things like painting my nails or putting on a bit of perfume.
I guess it comes down to taking the time to think and act a little more "delicate" and allowing the men in our lives the opportunity to step up to the plate and treat us like princesses :-)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Helpful resources
I just thought I'd pass on a couple of links that have been incredibly helpful for me in getting myself better organized, or at least inspired to be!
Keeping the Home blog. Lots of great writing and teaching here as well, but at the moment she is also working through a series on building a Home Management Binder. Definitely pop over there and learn something!
Who hasn't heard of FlyLady by now? Excellent site. 'Nuf said.
I'm finally getting to the place where my morning routine is happening consistently. I'm sure that having the house for sale is helping. But for a solid week now I've kept up with the dishes, the laundry and the clutter, just by making sure it's all done before I leave the house to go anywhere. Which meant for a few days we really didn't go anywhere. But I got all caught up and now it's maintenance.
Want to know what I did to help with the laundry? I threw away my hamper. Yup. Tossed it out. So now all I have to catch the laundry are two baskets in the bathroom, one for darks and one for lights. When one is full, it goes straight to the washer, and voila, just like that the laundry isn't getting ahead of me anymore! Before, I was dumping it into the hamper in the laundry room (which will hold something like three loads if it's packed down). No wonder there was always more to do!
Keeping the Home blog. Lots of great writing and teaching here as well, but at the moment she is also working through a series on building a Home Management Binder. Definitely pop over there and learn something!
Who hasn't heard of FlyLady by now? Excellent site. 'Nuf said.
I'm finally getting to the place where my morning routine is happening consistently. I'm sure that having the house for sale is helping. But for a solid week now I've kept up with the dishes, the laundry and the clutter, just by making sure it's all done before I leave the house to go anywhere. Which meant for a few days we really didn't go anywhere. But I got all caught up and now it's maintenance.
Want to know what I did to help with the laundry? I threw away my hamper. Yup. Tossed it out. So now all I have to catch the laundry are two baskets in the bathroom, one for darks and one for lights. When one is full, it goes straight to the washer, and voila, just like that the laundry isn't getting ahead of me anymore! Before, I was dumping it into the hamper in the laundry room (which will hold something like three loads if it's packed down). No wonder there was always more to do!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Save Money and Calories - Eat from the kids' menu!
Such a simple thing to do, this is. Except that the restaurants make it more difficult than it needs to be. But if you're going through a drive-through, just order yourself a kid's meal. It costs less, and it has much less food, although what's in a kid's meal today really is enough for an adult. Eat slower, don't just gulp it down, and you'll see I'm right. The same goes for ice cream shops - most of the places I've been recently serve as much on a kid's cone as any adult needs to have! And you'll save yourself a couple of dollars just like that. That's actually what put this on my mind today. C and I went out for an ice cream cone at DQ, and instead of a small I ordered a kid's cone for myself. The order total went from 5.37 for a kiddie and a small down to 3.00 for two kiddie cones. Which means I have enough change left to go through the car wash later on. :-)
If you're eating in, this is trickier because most place won't let an adult eat from the kid's menu. If that's the case then just put a little more thought into your meal. See if they will do half-size servings. If they won't, then ask them to box up half of your entree before they even bring it out to you. Bring the other half home and you've got lunch for tomorrow! Or simply split a regular entree with your dinner partner.
Eating out doesn't have to blow your budget - either in cash or calories!
If you're eating in, this is trickier because most place won't let an adult eat from the kid's menu. If that's the case then just put a little more thought into your meal. See if they will do half-size servings. If they won't, then ask them to box up half of your entree before they even bring it out to you. Bring the other half home and you've got lunch for tomorrow! Or simply split a regular entree with your dinner partner.
Eating out doesn't have to blow your budget - either in cash or calories!
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