This seems like a very good idea. Very practical for working parents and parents who would still like to have a life outside of babies. It doesn't seem like it would cause ANY problems what-so-ever while running errands etc. Can't believe this trend hasn't caught on already!
http://babyparenting.about.com/od/pottytraining/a/Infant-Potty-Training.htm
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
It's ALLLL Good...
I think I may have gone a bit overboard emphasizing the importance of not responding to temper tantrums. Tonight, at the grocery store Audrey started to cry in her car seat that was attached to the shopping cart. As I was unlatching her to take her out of her seat Scott said "I thought we weren't responding to temper tantrums"...
I brought up the point that she had probably been asking us nicely to take her out of her seat by giving us cute gurgles and giggles, which we completely ignored, choosing instead to smile and sing to her but keeping her latched in her seat. After we obviously missed her message she had no choice but to let us have it!
Scott and I got a good laugh, but it brings up a very serious point. I think we all see ourselves as the best possible parents in the world. No one sets out thinking "I will wait until my child throws an absolute FIT before I give them what I want" but actually following through proves to be very difficult!
Tonight, after our trip to the store we accidentally put too much detergent in the dishwasher and the following ensued:
Messy disasters are the bane of the Ward-Ward household. Once the sink disposal backed up and I thought we were going to have to move...
It's ALLLL good :)
I brought up the point that she had probably been asking us nicely to take her out of her seat by giving us cute gurgles and giggles, which we completely ignored, choosing instead to smile and sing to her but keeping her latched in her seat. After we obviously missed her message she had no choice but to let us have it!
Scott and I got a good laugh, but it brings up a very serious point. I think we all see ourselves as the best possible parents in the world. No one sets out thinking "I will wait until my child throws an absolute FIT before I give them what I want" but actually following through proves to be very difficult!
Tonight, after our trip to the store we accidentally put too much detergent in the dishwasher and the following ensued:
Messy disasters are the bane of the Ward-Ward household. Once the sink disposal backed up and I thought we were going to have to move...
In honor of our latest messy mix-up I chose the book Pete the Cat which my dear friend Renee (and Audrey's pseudo Aunt) recommended here and bought for us. The message?
It's ALLLL good :)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Green Thumb
Well anyone who knows Scott or me knows we are terrible at incredibly simple things. While Scott can maintain a spotless household and I can make a mean bowl of macaroni and cheese, things like fixing the toilet, calking the sink, and keeping the grass green have given us a run for our money. It should come as great surprise that I decided to spend the weekend growing a green thumb. You see, it all started with this:
Yes. That's right. An incredibly fine and lovely patch of daisies that grew in the flowerbed at the foot of our house (no thanks to us...they just happened to pop up thanks to the previous owners). Upon arriving home the other night I felt the pansies had gotten out of control and were taking over the flower bed. I decided I would "thin out" the pansies and coordinate them so the bed would have a pattern of colors and look more orderly. I didn't think to take a picture of the before picture because, as usual, I decided this on the spot and made if my afternoon goal without much thought or planning.
This was the result of my hard work:
That's no hail storm folks. That's my beautiful patch of pansies "thinned out". I wish I could say this is due to lack of care or water but sadly, this is the way it looked minutes after the completion of my project.
Well obviously this wouldn't do. Not only did it look like the saddest garden in the neighborhood it also bruised my gardening self-esteem. If you look around ANY neighborhood you will find perfectly fine and un-trampled gardens, and if all of these strangers can have a garden then DARN IT so can I!
I piled Scott and Audrey into the car and off to Lowe's we went. Audrey is not a big fan of her car seat as of lately, so Scott carried her around while I chose the perfect assortment (perenials, so I won't have to do this every stinkin' year...). I also outfitted myself with the correct assortment of materials: plants, gloves, spade, rake, potting soil, watering can, and red mulch.
While Scott was busy thinning out some bushes I got to work. I almost threw in the towel as I stumbled upon an ant hill, but with a few quick jabs with my shovel and some slung dirt I forged ahead.
I set up a sweet setup for Audrey so she could spend time outside with the family, and she loved it. While I was digging in the dirt she was busy talking to her toys in the shade of her blanket.
A side note: During this entire gardening process we were under a "Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Tornado Watch". We Wards don't like to garden in convenience. Once we get the itch just TRY and stop us.
A second side note: You can tell by the sun and shadows in the pictures that were got zero rain/storms/weather of any kind. I would at least shelter Audrey from the elements...
With a great deal of dirt slinging we ended up with this:
And while this might not seem like a big deal to you, to us it's fabulous! It's symmetrical, it's covered with fresh mulch...AND IT'S STILL ALIVE MINUTES AFTER I PLANTED IT! The green plants will grow into fabulous bushes, I'm just sure of it, and the pink was a gift, so it's a mystery. A year from now, when I post fabulous updates, you will all be astounded!
As a shout out to my first and ONLY follower, I must also include this next photo:
For Father's Day I attempted another simplistic task and baked my first pie - apple pie - to honor Scott on his first Father's Day. Not only does it look delish, it TASTES delish. Many times I bake desserts and Scott appeases me by having a slice or a bite and saying things like he "just prefers fresh fruit" or he's "not a dessert person" but tonight...he's had two slices :)
Elizabeth - don't you think that Paula Dean would be proud?
If you're not careful, I'll start growing my own vegetables and making my own baby food!
Nah... Prob. not :)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Noticings
Blogosphere... I'M BACK!
Nothing like having a newborn to slow down the blogging process. The problem is that over the past 5 months I've thought of so many interesting blogs to write that I fear this post may be a jumble of awesome and interesting noticings.
Noticing #1: The breastfeeding clinic is the happiest place on Earth. Why you ask? Well, it's a room full of women who are in the EXACT same situation as you and there are the nicest women in the world sitting next to you telling you over and over again what a great job you are doing as a mother. Take it from me - there is nothing better in the world when your baby is 2 days old than hearing someone say "Yes. You are doing a good job. Everything is fine." Audrey was born in the middle of winter and the breastfeeding clinic was our savior. It got us out of the house, it was a relaxing place, and every day I left knowing exactly what my little girl weighed. PLUS our hospital had valet parking, which just made me feel famous and important :)
Noticing #2: Moms and dads are a different breed of parents. Now, I must say I knew this before we had Audrey, but having a baby really brings the differences to light. Take, for example, nap time. When Audrey has had an especially difficult night full of soothing wails and cries one of us usually ends up napping with her on the couch during the day. When Audrey and I are taking a nap together I am never able to drift into a deep sleep because I am subconsciously always aware of how she is sleeping. If she shifts or turns I wake up and make sure she's comfortable and still sleeping. When Audrey sleeps with Scott on the couch they are both out cold. Scott's head lobs to the side, Audrey is dangling in his arms, etc. If either of them were droolers I would imagine large piles of drool coating a multitude of surfaces. Scott doesn't budge for her little shifts and turns so by the end of the naps both of them wake up looking like they've survived a disaster area! The ultra-protective mother in me gets onto the two of them for napping this way but the cooperative mother in me sees the importance of having a special "daddy" relationship.
Take play time, for another example. Audrey has learned the art of infant rough-housing from her father, and she LOVES it. Without a daddy, Audrey's life would be filled with quiet play time, and although that is very important her biggest chuckles come when daddy decides it's time to play and dance.
Noticing #3: Everything that I was told while I was pregnant is 100% true, but nothing can prepare you for actually being a parent. We came into parenthood "knowing" we would get less sleep, "knowing" our day-to-day lives would be different, "knowing" babies would be expensive, "knowing" my stomach would never look the same. I now understand that we now KNOW all of these things to be true. I always wondered why everyone always gave us the same advice before Audrey was born. "Sleep now!" They would say. "Say goodbye to your figure" or "Say goodbye to your paycheck". Every time we heard this advice we thought we "know" all of this already, but boy we had no idea. Something comes over you when your baby is born. Yes, you are filled with a greater love you have never known before, yes your world pre-baby-world seems empty and unfulfilled, but more importantly you are filled with the desire to WARN all the other unsuspecting parents. The baby is born and there is an instant need to make sure every pregnant couple "knows" what they are in for. Before Audrey was born I was jealous of every pregnancy announcement and filled with delight and joy for those lucky people who are about to be parents. Now, while I still feels those same things, I also panic thinking "boy, are they going to be tired!"
Noticing #4: Social media makes trying to get pregnant feel impossible. Being friends with 400
+ people on Facebook means that at one time or another someone is always pregnant. And when you're trying without success every new pregnancy announcement is like a dagger. It's socially inappropriate to share daily "trying to get pregnant, without success, for a 6th month in a row" yet more often than not those are the stories behind the pregnancy announcements. At the same time, pregnancy is an amazing experience, and one of the best ways to work through the changes is to share your experiences with others. By social media standards I found pregnancy to be a conundrum - I wanted to share with others everything I was experiencing without daggering all the couples who hadn't found their success yet. As someone in the education field I know that it takes more than a pregnancy to make a family, and so for those of you out there who haven't been able to make a fabulous "pregnancy" announcement on Facebook, hold-out hope. Your day will come, some way, some how.
Noticing #5: Showers are a gift from heaven. Before I was pregnant I was a "get-in-and-get-out" kind of showerer. I have a brother known for marathon showers and I never understood their appeal. After 20 hours of labor one of the first things I was tasked with was taking a shower. At the time I remember thinking "Yeah. Right. I just created human life and you want me to get up and shower?" It wasn't until I was standing in the steamy hot shower that I found myself thinking I had found heaven. I had a perfectly healthy baby girl and I was clean and warm. Showers have taken on a whole new meaning in my life. I find myself rivaling my brother for the marathon shower award.
A side note: As I was standing in the shower the other day I glanced over at my new body wash. "Be Earth conscious: Save 1 million-billion gallons of water by shortening your shower by only 2 short minutes" Thanks, new body wash, for ruining my chance of ever enjoying a marathon shower again. Now I just feel thirsty.
Nothing like having a newborn to slow down the blogging process. The problem is that over the past 5 months I've thought of so many interesting blogs to write that I fear this post may be a jumble of awesome and interesting noticings.
Noticing #1: The breastfeeding clinic is the happiest place on Earth. Why you ask? Well, it's a room full of women who are in the EXACT same situation as you and there are the nicest women in the world sitting next to you telling you over and over again what a great job you are doing as a mother. Take it from me - there is nothing better in the world when your baby is 2 days old than hearing someone say "Yes. You are doing a good job. Everything is fine." Audrey was born in the middle of winter and the breastfeeding clinic was our savior. It got us out of the house, it was a relaxing place, and every day I left knowing exactly what my little girl weighed. PLUS our hospital had valet parking, which just made me feel famous and important :)
Noticing #2: Moms and dads are a different breed of parents. Now, I must say I knew this before we had Audrey, but having a baby really brings the differences to light. Take, for example, nap time. When Audrey has had an especially difficult night full of soothing wails and cries one of us usually ends up napping with her on the couch during the day. When Audrey and I are taking a nap together I am never able to drift into a deep sleep because I am subconsciously always aware of how she is sleeping. If she shifts or turns I wake up and make sure she's comfortable and still sleeping. When Audrey sleeps with Scott on the couch they are both out cold. Scott's head lobs to the side, Audrey is dangling in his arms, etc. If either of them were droolers I would imagine large piles of drool coating a multitude of surfaces. Scott doesn't budge for her little shifts and turns so by the end of the naps both of them wake up looking like they've survived a disaster area! The ultra-protective mother in me gets onto the two of them for napping this way but the cooperative mother in me sees the importance of having a special "daddy" relationship.
Take play time, for another example. Audrey has learned the art of infant rough-housing from her father, and she LOVES it. Without a daddy, Audrey's life would be filled with quiet play time, and although that is very important her biggest chuckles come when daddy decides it's time to play and dance.
Noticing #3: Everything that I was told while I was pregnant is 100% true, but nothing can prepare you for actually being a parent. We came into parenthood "knowing" we would get less sleep, "knowing" our day-to-day lives would be different, "knowing" babies would be expensive, "knowing" my stomach would never look the same. I now understand that we now KNOW all of these things to be true. I always wondered why everyone always gave us the same advice before Audrey was born. "Sleep now!" They would say. "Say goodbye to your figure" or "Say goodbye to your paycheck". Every time we heard this advice we thought we "know" all of this already, but boy we had no idea. Something comes over you when your baby is born. Yes, you are filled with a greater love you have never known before, yes your world pre-baby-world seems empty and unfulfilled, but more importantly you are filled with the desire to WARN all the other unsuspecting parents. The baby is born and there is an instant need to make sure every pregnant couple "knows" what they are in for. Before Audrey was born I was jealous of every pregnancy announcement and filled with delight and joy for those lucky people who are about to be parents. Now, while I still feels those same things, I also panic thinking "boy, are they going to be tired!"
Noticing #4: Social media makes trying to get pregnant feel impossible. Being friends with 400
+ people on Facebook means that at one time or another someone is always pregnant. And when you're trying without success every new pregnancy announcement is like a dagger. It's socially inappropriate to share daily "trying to get pregnant, without success, for a 6th month in a row" yet more often than not those are the stories behind the pregnancy announcements. At the same time, pregnancy is an amazing experience, and one of the best ways to work through the changes is to share your experiences with others. By social media standards I found pregnancy to be a conundrum - I wanted to share with others everything I was experiencing without daggering all the couples who hadn't found their success yet. As someone in the education field I know that it takes more than a pregnancy to make a family, and so for those of you out there who haven't been able to make a fabulous "pregnancy" announcement on Facebook, hold-out hope. Your day will come, some way, some how.
Noticing #5: Showers are a gift from heaven. Before I was pregnant I was a "get-in-and-get-out" kind of showerer. I have a brother known for marathon showers and I never understood their appeal. After 20 hours of labor one of the first things I was tasked with was taking a shower. At the time I remember thinking "Yeah. Right. I just created human life and you want me to get up and shower?" It wasn't until I was standing in the steamy hot shower that I found myself thinking I had found heaven. I had a perfectly healthy baby girl and I was clean and warm. Showers have taken on a whole new meaning in my life. I find myself rivaling my brother for the marathon shower award.
A side note: As I was standing in the shower the other day I glanced over at my new body wash. "Be Earth conscious: Save 1 million-billion gallons of water by shortening your shower by only 2 short minutes" Thanks, new body wash, for ruining my chance of ever enjoying a marathon shower again. Now I just feel thirsty.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Before and After
Well... We have come to the realization that our daughter is in fact growing up, despite our greatest efforts to keep her small for eternity! Every day of the past three months I think two thoughts:
1. I can't believe you are so big!
2. I can't believe you are so small!
Here is a little tour of how our lives were BEFORE a baby and AFTER a baby (only in regards to the baby of course... there have been many more changes then the ones I'm about to mention but Scott is headed to work and my time is limited!)
BEFORE the baby was born we had her crib built (No small accomplishment...)
NOW her crib is built and slept in every night! Plus we hung the mobile because who KNEW it was so difficult to entertain a baby long enough for a 45 sec. shower... (Also...notice the quilt my step-mom made. The fabric is on the wall as it became our bedroom theme... Also note the curtains made by my mom... it was a family affair!)
BEFORE we had a baby the dresser looked like this... Clean and well kept with a few of mom's things laying around...
AFTER the baby the dresser looks like this! Complete with changing table, a shelf for the 1 million diapers, a diaper pail that eliminates odors... and photos hung of everyone who has come to meet our little sweet pea! Also notice the magnificent alphabet that Scott hung (notice the step stool...).
Before we had a baby our lives were like this. Well put together, organized, and happy.
AFTER we had the baby we realized that our lives were just not as full as they could be, and the little details and day to day experiences have enriched our lives beyond anything we could have imagined! (Notice the additions to the wall, the play set on the floor, the cradle full of books, the laundry basket...etc. Quite a lot is needed for babies...WHO KNEW!?)
BEFORE our baby was born her coming home outfit looked like this.
THEN we had a newborn and the outfit looked like this...
NOW we have a three month old and the outfit looks like this!
1. I can't believe you are so big!
2. I can't believe you are so small!
Here is a little tour of how our lives were BEFORE a baby and AFTER a baby (only in regards to the baby of course... there have been many more changes then the ones I'm about to mention but Scott is headed to work and my time is limited!)
BEFORE the baby was born we had her crib built (No small accomplishment...)
NOW her crib is built and slept in every night! Plus we hung the mobile because who KNEW it was so difficult to entertain a baby long enough for a 45 sec. shower... (Also...notice the quilt my step-mom made. The fabric is on the wall as it became our bedroom theme... Also note the curtains made by my mom... it was a family affair!)
BEFORE we had a baby the dresser looked like this... Clean and well kept with a few of mom's things laying around...
AFTER the baby the dresser looks like this! Complete with changing table, a shelf for the 1 million diapers, a diaper pail that eliminates odors... and photos hung of everyone who has come to meet our little sweet pea! Also notice the magnificent alphabet that Scott hung (notice the step stool...).
Before we had a baby our lives were like this. Well put together, organized, and happy.
AFTER we had the baby we realized that our lives were just not as full as they could be, and the little details and day to day experiences have enriched our lives beyond anything we could have imagined! (Notice the additions to the wall, the play set on the floor, the cradle full of books, the laundry basket...etc. Quite a lot is needed for babies...WHO KNEW!?)
BEFORE our baby was born her coming home outfit looked like this.
THEN we had a newborn and the outfit looked like this...
NOW we have a three month old and the outfit looks like this!
My Growing Girl
Dear Audrey,
It’s been 3 months since my last letter and you are already growing like a weed! The other day I had a friend over and you were in my arms. As we were talking I said “When Audrey was a baby…” because even though you are already three months old I feel as if you are my big girl!
Everyone in your family absolutely adores you. Your grandma Alice, grandpa Don, Grandpa Bob, uncle Luke, great-grandma Rosebrough, great-grandpa Rosebrough, great-uncle Bob, great-aunt Brenda, grandpa Perry, grandma Anne, great-aunt Stacy, great-uncle Pat, Aunt Anne, cousin Chase, cousin Alex, uncle David and first-cousins-once-removed Ian, Hugh, Amy, Megan, and Mark have all come to Greeley or Colorado Springs to meet you. Uncle Brian Ward is in France and is coming to meet you this summer and uncle Brian Walker is coming in May! Your grandma Sharon will be here in a few weeks to take care of you while I’m back at work. Every time a family member came they gushed over how beautiful and sweet you are. Your dad and I have a very hard time letting them have a turn to hold you because we love being around you so much. Your grandma Alice makes it very clear that it is HER TURN FIRST every time she comes to visit (and she’s already been up 3 times and we’ve gone to see her 3 times too!)
Even though you are a big three-month-old girl you are still in your newborn clothes. At your two month appointment you weighed a whopping 8 pounds 6 ounces! We just switched you out of newborn diapers into size 1’s. The other day we were visiting a little two-week-old baby and I couldn’t help but notice that she was already in size 1 diapers and weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces… You are so petite, just like your parents. We have had to put two newborn pieces of clothing away (a giraffe shirt and some polka dot jammies) and I get a little sad knowing you’re getting to be a big girl!
You have started doing so many things in the past couple of weeks! Right now your favorite thing is laying on your changing table. You smile and coo and talk to a pink butterfly that is hanging on your wall. Last week I put together your mobile and you like to lay underneath it and watch the shapes spin overhead. When we lay you on your stomach you push with your feet, trying desperately to roll yourself over so you can get in on all the action. When we help you roll over you smile at us and talk about everything that is going on in your little world. You just love staring at peoples’ faces. You are also very enthralled by lamps. We have had many discussions together in the rocking chair about the beige lamp to our right.
Today we were at grandma Ali’s and grandpa Bob’s and you had your first photo shoot. You were absolutely adorable! I don’t know how your dad and I are going to ever choose which photos to buy. If we had all the money in the world we would buy every single one in poster size. We don’t get to see the pictures for a month and your dad and I have already mentioned how anxious we are to see them. We bought the most adorable hat online and you found one of the strings and managed to put it in your mouth! We think that’s brilliant!
Your grandma had the Colorado Springs family over for dinner since you were in town and your great-grandpa Rosebrough was there. He is sick with Alzheimer’s so he says the funniest things to you! Tonight I was holding you and he said “How old is that thing?” and “Is that a boy or a girl?” (which who can blame him… you have no hair…). Great-grandma Rosebrough was the first to tell him about you and he thought for a minute and said “I think you’d better take care of that…” He may not understand who you are in our family but he can tell you are very special to him. Your great-grandma Rosebrough got down on the floor next to your blanket tonight and just smiled and talked to you. That is so special because she has to use a walker to get around. She just loves you to pieces and never misses an opportunity to hold you and look at you.
Your grandma Alice is making your Easter dress (Easter is in two weeks) and it’s going to be pink and frilly. We love to dress you in pink and take your picture. We have already posted hundreds of your photo online for everyone we know to enjoy. I have your first Easter basket all ready to go, with a stuffed bunny, a bunny sippy cup, and some socks. I have a feeling I will not be the only one preparing an Easter basket for you this year though…
Well, that is all for now little one. I’m typing this in the car on the way home from Grandma’s and you’re starting to wake up in the back seat. You probably want your pacifier and a little face rubbin’.
We love you!
Mom and Dad (And Tober)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sleep Deprivation
You can tell when a family has a new baby because they never post anything on their blog...
We are coming out of one of the most exciting and exhausting experiences of our lives! If having a newborn weren't enough the UNC Bears have gone on a terrific run and are headed to the National Tournament. We await our destiny this Sunday, when the place and opponent are announced.
Scott has been so busy I tease that basketball has made me a single parent. Yesterday, the day of the Big Sky Championship was Scott's birthday, and we all know what happened the day before MY birthday, so we are both hoping for less eventful ways to ring in our 30's next year... :)
Scott has worked so hard he has managed a whopping 12 total hours of sleep this week. His exhaustion caught up to him this afternoon. We had one of my friends from work over and Audrey was fussy because she had a wet diaper. Scott volunteered to change her (he is a diaper CHAMPION by the way) and then handed her off to me when he was finished in a cute dress, a onsie and a pair of tights (the outfit is important because I need for you to visualize the layers. Many layers between my little girl and my outfit). As I was visiting with my friend I realized that I was all of a sudden wet...VERY wet. I turned to Scott and asked
"How in the world did you attach this diaper? It REALLY leaked"
His face turned white. His response:
"I forgot to put a diaper on her..."
A new outfit for Audrey and a new outfit for me and a nap for Scott later all is well with the world :) No one is covered in pee for now...
There is always a chance tomorrow :)
We are coming out of one of the most exciting and exhausting experiences of our lives! If having a newborn weren't enough the UNC Bears have gone on a terrific run and are headed to the National Tournament. We await our destiny this Sunday, when the place and opponent are announced.
Scott has been so busy I tease that basketball has made me a single parent. Yesterday, the day of the Big Sky Championship was Scott's birthday, and we all know what happened the day before MY birthday, so we are both hoping for less eventful ways to ring in our 30's next year... :)
Scott has worked so hard he has managed a whopping 12 total hours of sleep this week. His exhaustion caught up to him this afternoon. We had one of my friends from work over and Audrey was fussy because she had a wet diaper. Scott volunteered to change her (he is a diaper CHAMPION by the way) and then handed her off to me when he was finished in a cute dress, a onsie and a pair of tights (the outfit is important because I need for you to visualize the layers. Many layers between my little girl and my outfit). As I was visiting with my friend I realized that I was all of a sudden wet...VERY wet. I turned to Scott and asked
"How in the world did you attach this diaper? It REALLY leaked"
His face turned white. His response:
"I forgot to put a diaper on her..."
A new outfit for Audrey and a new outfit for me and a nap for Scott later all is well with the world :) No one is covered in pee for now...
There is always a chance tomorrow :)
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