Aaron: Play twains wif me, mommy?
Me: Yes, buggy, I'll plain trains with you in a couple minutes.
Aaron: You feedin' Mornin mouk?
Me: yep. I'm feeding Lauren milk. Ok?
Aaron: Ok. Pway twains done feedin' Mornin milk.
He's so sweet. I could just eat him up!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Magic Soup
On the downhill slide to four years old, Ian has become much more difficult at the dinner table. Don't get me wrong, I have been blessed with two of the best eaters I have even seen! I believe children all reach a point when eating good food that is good for them is not a fun thing to do...so what's a parent to do? (Take them to Mickey-D's for some nuggets? NO!)
I can't speak for what works in every house, but Roger and I have learned that sometimes getting our kids to eat the food I made for dinner is all about creativity and spin. (and positive attitudes! Trust me, there are lots of nights when all we want to do is yell and give time outs and take away dinner, which always comes back to bite us in the rumps!)
I really should start keeping track of our ideas because nearly all of them are successful tactics for us, we just have to use them sparingly. We've done "dinner winner," where the best eater of dinner gets a special treat like a popsicle or "your choice" from the candy bucket. Or just dessert in general since we don't eat dessert every night. We encourage them to line up their peas on the plate, if that's what makes the peas interesting enough to eat. We may have even discussed how much broccoli you'd have to eat in order to turn green like Luigi. We have a rule (as of a few months ago) that even if you don't want what we are having, you have to eat as many bites as you are old. Most of the time, once the actual eating begins there is no more argument or mention of not liking or wanting dinner.
Tonight, I think was one of my most creative, successful moments yet! (I do say so myself...)
Tonight, we were having Italian Beef Soup for dinner. It's a tomato-beef soup that I made up many moons ago. It's a family favorite. We have it for dinner all.the.time. With the exception of the potatoes, Ian loves it. The potatoes are another story... he doesn't like potatoes in boiled, braised, baked or mashed form, but will eat them as wedges or fries. Eh. Not a battle I care to fight. He doesn't need the potatoes anyway if he's filling up on tomato soup broth and veggies. He'll come around someday.
So anyway, back to tonight. Ian was the first at the table after the dinner bell rang. He even said, "Wahoo!" after I told him what we were having, but as soon as his bowl was placed in front of him he exclaimed, "I don't wan't that! Mommy! Get me peanut butter and jelly!"
Ahem. "First of all, that's not how you ask for something. Second of all, you can have peanut butter and jelly after you eat your 3 bites."
The scoffing continued.
Then he said, "Mommy? How do they make Buzz Lightyear?"
And in my stroke of pure parenting genius (haha) I said what popped into my mind, "Start eating your soup and I'll tell you. It's magic soup. It makes mommy and daddy tell stories."
He picked up his spoon and started eating. As I told him how they make Buzz Lightyears in a silly story, he kept eating. By the time I was done he was done. But he was not finished...
"Mommy? How do they make Barbies?"
"Do you want more magic soup while I tell you?"
"uh-huh!"
Bumpadabum! He ate all of his dinner. And seconds.
Creativity and spin. It's the key to parenting at the dinner table. It also has a lot of other applications when you have 3 under 4...but that's a story for another day.
I can't speak for what works in every house, but Roger and I have learned that sometimes getting our kids to eat the food I made for dinner is all about creativity and spin. (and positive attitudes! Trust me, there are lots of nights when all we want to do is yell and give time outs and take away dinner, which always comes back to bite us in the rumps!)
I really should start keeping track of our ideas because nearly all of them are successful tactics for us, we just have to use them sparingly. We've done "dinner winner," where the best eater of dinner gets a special treat like a popsicle or "your choice" from the candy bucket. Or just dessert in general since we don't eat dessert every night. We encourage them to line up their peas on the plate, if that's what makes the peas interesting enough to eat. We may have even discussed how much broccoli you'd have to eat in order to turn green like Luigi. We have a rule (as of a few months ago) that even if you don't want what we are having, you have to eat as many bites as you are old. Most of the time, once the actual eating begins there is no more argument or mention of not liking or wanting dinner.
Tonight, I think was one of my most creative, successful moments yet! (I do say so myself...)
Tonight, we were having Italian Beef Soup for dinner. It's a tomato-beef soup that I made up many moons ago. It's a family favorite. We have it for dinner all.the.time. With the exception of the potatoes, Ian loves it. The potatoes are another story... he doesn't like potatoes in boiled, braised, baked or mashed form, but will eat them as wedges or fries. Eh. Not a battle I care to fight. He doesn't need the potatoes anyway if he's filling up on tomato soup broth and veggies. He'll come around someday.
So anyway, back to tonight. Ian was the first at the table after the dinner bell rang. He even said, "Wahoo!" after I told him what we were having, but as soon as his bowl was placed in front of him he exclaimed, "I don't wan't that! Mommy! Get me peanut butter and jelly!"
Ahem. "First of all, that's not how you ask for something. Second of all, you can have peanut butter and jelly after you eat your 3 bites."
The scoffing continued.
Then he said, "Mommy? How do they make Buzz Lightyear?"
And in my stroke of pure parenting genius (haha) I said what popped into my mind, "Start eating your soup and I'll tell you. It's magic soup. It makes mommy and daddy tell stories."
He picked up his spoon and started eating. As I told him how they make Buzz Lightyears in a silly story, he kept eating. By the time I was done he was done. But he was not finished...
"Mommy? How do they make Barbies?"
"Do you want more magic soup while I tell you?"
"uh-huh!"
Bumpadabum! He ate all of his dinner. And seconds.
Creativity and spin. It's the key to parenting at the dinner table. It also has a lot of other applications when you have 3 under 4...but that's a story for another day.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas Eve
A "Church Clothes" photo & A "new jammie" photo. Stockings hanging, cookies out... And the rest has yet to be revealed.
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| This was actually after we got home from church, our first "successful" Christmas Eve service since 2006 ...nobody crying, mama didn't have to leave the sanctuary, etc! Lovely! |
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| we only had 4 hooks, so Roger's and mine are on the same one. |
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| Stockings knitted for us by my "Aunt" Peggy Groover. |
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Almost 5 Months
Another post coming soon from a camera we gave to Ian to use... but for now, here's our almost-5-month-old in her bumgenius diaper.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Lunch Date
Today, Lauren & I went into the city to meet a friend for lunch! She was in Pittsburgh on business. We had never met in person before and it was really fun to finally lay my eyes on her in real life. And a momma's lunch out. Debbie got to eat her very first Primanti Bros. sandwich, a Pittsburgh tradition. What a nice lunch!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My Name is Lauren
And I have huge eyes.
And a sinus infection.
Just like my brothers.
...anyone else notice that her hair has started to grow?
And a sinus infection.
Just like my brothers.
...anyone else notice that her hair has started to grow?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Lauren's 4m Statistics
Lauren is a "healthy"
14 pounds 12 oz (75th percentile)
25 inches (75th percentile)
41 1/2cm head circumference (50-75th percentile)
Just for fun I looked up Ian and Aaron's 4 month statistics: Ian was 18 lbs 4oz & 25 inches, Aaron was ... apparently I didn't blog Aaron's 4 month well visit statistics so I'll have to do a little digging for them! (Found it: 14 lbs 8oz, 24in.)
She got all of her vaccinations today and is now completely passed out. Hopefully I don't bother her too much when we have to go get Ian from school in a few minutes. Poor Girl! Vaccination day is always a hard day.
She's growing well. We got the green light to start solid foods and "since she's breastfeeding exclusively" a nice pep-talk about starting fortified cereal to boost her iron levels.
The doctor noted Lauren's excellent head control, ability to sit unassisted for 15-30 seconds at a time, rolling both ways, chuckling, squawking, and mostly happy demeanor. She's sleeping great compared to her brothers, usually down by 9:30pm and waking around 4:30 to eat, then back to sleep until 7am (or later). I can't remember what all I said in her actual 4 month post and I feel like I'm repeating myself so I'll stop.
We got a prescription for Aaron to have an x-ray of his sinuses before his ENT appointment on 12/14...so that will be our next adventure.
Never, ever a dull moment around here!
14 pounds 12 oz (75th percentile)
25 inches (75th percentile)
41 1/2cm head circumference (50-75th percentile)
Just for fun I looked up Ian and Aaron's 4 month statistics: Ian was 18 lbs 4oz & 25 inches, Aaron was ... apparently I didn't blog Aaron's 4 month well visit statistics so I'll have to do a little digging for them! (Found it: 14 lbs 8oz, 24in.)
She got all of her vaccinations today and is now completely passed out. Hopefully I don't bother her too much when we have to go get Ian from school in a few minutes. Poor Girl! Vaccination day is always a hard day.
She's growing well. We got the green light to start solid foods and "since she's breastfeeding exclusively" a nice pep-talk about starting fortified cereal to boost her iron levels.
The doctor noted Lauren's excellent head control, ability to sit unassisted for 15-30 seconds at a time, rolling both ways, chuckling, squawking, and mostly happy demeanor. She's sleeping great compared to her brothers, usually down by 9:30pm and waking around 4:30 to eat, then back to sleep until 7am (or later). I can't remember what all I said in her actual 4 month post and I feel like I'm repeating myself so I'll stop.
We got a prescription for Aaron to have an x-ray of his sinuses before his ENT appointment on 12/14...so that will be our next adventure.
Never, ever a dull moment around here!
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| Sleeping after her shots this morning |
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Happy Baptism, Lauren!
Lauren was baptized this morning at Calvary UMC in Greenville!
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| Lauren & Papa before the service |
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| Uncle Todd showing Lauren the Christmas tree |
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Someone told me
If I didn't have an indoor clothes drying rack, I could just hand Lauren's diapers over the banister to dry. Adorable. I do plan on getting a rack, but probably not until after Christmas.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Aaron's First time in Cloth & Little Sis Photo
I guess I should not say first time because there were some times as an infant that Aaron was in cloth diapers. Anyway. Here's Aaron... in his Bumkins All-in-One diapers. I bought these probably 2 years ago now... and they've been in the closet just waiting. Perhaps somehow I just knew I would eventually go for it? Sorry to be posting so much about cloth diapers, but I'm really trying to immerse myself & get really excited about it so I don't give up.
Right now it is a little like starting out breastfeeding: I know the benefits, I'm excited about doing it, but it is hard (for me) to get going. In a few weeks, I'll probably look back and say, "hey, this is alright!"
Of course now I'll just mention since I know you're curious... no, I didn't ever do bottles because I thought it was easier, but I definitely thought about giving up on nursing Ian. The first 4 weeks of breastfeeding Ian were awful. I stuck it out & I'm glad I did! Now I'm nursing my third baby!
Anyway, that was a huge tangent I just went on...
Here are the pics.
Other things we're up to?
1. All 3 kids have snotty faucet-noses. (Nasty!)
2. I'm thinking about the Apple tarte I'm making tomorrow morning.
3. I'm making Challah right now for french toast tomorrow.
4. Missing Roger & wishing he was on vacation today.
5. Thinking about Aaron's ENT appointment scheduled for 12/14.
6. Trying a new thing where we only buy meat once a month...and really take advantage of our freezer space.
7. Going to Grandma & Grandpa Bishop's for Thanksgiving dinner.
8. Thankful for a great many things this year.
Right now it is a little like starting out breastfeeding: I know the benefits, I'm excited about doing it, but it is hard (for me) to get going. In a few weeks, I'll probably look back and say, "hey, this is alright!"
Of course now I'll just mention since I know you're curious... no, I didn't ever do bottles because I thought it was easier, but I definitely thought about giving up on nursing Ian. The first 4 weeks of breastfeeding Ian were awful. I stuck it out & I'm glad I did! Now I'm nursing my third baby!
Anyway, that was a huge tangent I just went on...
Here are the pics.
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| LMV sleeping on the changing table (through a diaper change) |
Other things we're up to?
1. All 3 kids have snotty faucet-noses. (Nasty!)
2. I'm thinking about the Apple tarte I'm making tomorrow morning.
3. I'm making Challah right now for french toast tomorrow.
4. Missing Roger & wishing he was on vacation today.
5. Thinking about Aaron's ENT appointment scheduled for 12/14.
6. Trying a new thing where we only buy meat once a month...and really take advantage of our freezer space.
7. Going to Grandma & Grandpa Bishop's for Thanksgiving dinner.
8. Thankful for a great many things this year.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Happy 4-Month Birthday!
Lauren is 4 months old today. Where has the time gone?
She is wearing 3-6 month size clothes. (No idea how big she is... well visit next week)
Lauren can log-roll across the living room floor!
She loves her daddy & will smile and coo at him for long periods.
She is chewing on everything in sight & drooling too.
The tear duct in her right eye is still clogged, despite putting prescription drops in it. (And breastmilk, I'll admit, I tried it.)
She is settling into a pretty predictable schedule for sleep: morning nap while we're out running around, afternoon nap when Ian & Aaron nap, cat nap in the evening, sleeping for the night around 9pm, up at 4:00 for some nunnies, back to sleep until 7 or so.
I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything right now.
She is wearing 3-6 month size clothes. (No idea how big she is... well visit next week)
Lauren can log-roll across the living room floor!
She loves her daddy & will smile and coo at him for long periods.
She is chewing on everything in sight & drooling too.
The tear duct in her right eye is still clogged, despite putting prescription drops in it. (And breastmilk, I'll admit, I tried it.)
She is settling into a pretty predictable schedule for sleep: morning nap while we're out running around, afternoon nap when Ian & Aaron nap, cat nap in the evening, sleeping for the night around 9pm, up at 4:00 for some nunnies, back to sleep until 7 or so.
I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of anything right now.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Cloth Diapers?
Am I crazy? Perhaps. It's something I always thought I wanted to do, but was afraid. So we're now on the third baby and I still want to do it. So I decided to avoid regret, I should try it.
So today, Little Miss Vandervort is wearing cloth diapers.
And it's cute!
Hopefully it goes well.
What are your favorite kinds of Cloth Diapers? What kind of laundry soap do you use for them? How many do you have? And little tips or tricks you've picked up along the way?
So today, Little Miss Vandervort is wearing cloth diapers.
And it's cute!
Hopefully it goes well.
What are your favorite kinds of Cloth Diapers? What kind of laundry soap do you use for them? How many do you have? And little tips or tricks you've picked up along the way?
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