I had a very different post planned for today. The corner of my bedroom is LOADED with yarn, projects, inventory, etc. It is a total mess. Todays post was going to be a before and after of that corner, all fixed up and organized. However, plans changed.

At around 5pm, we were downstairs playing with Dekker when he started fussing. He has entered a fun new stage where he is testing some boundaries and has started to throw tantrums. In this case, he would push one of those walk-behind toys, and if it got hung up or bumped into another toy, he would plop down and wail. When he tantrums and freaks out over silly things like that, we’ve chosen not to address him at all. We’re hoping that he will lose interest in trying to get our attention that way. Anyway, he would not let up. Finally, we got down right with him and tried to offer him different toys. He cried. Sitting on our laps, he cried. watching a different show on tv, he cried. So we went upstairs to play somewhere different. He cried. So we decided he was probably feeling gross (like the rest of the world right now) and, being Dekker, probably wanted to sleep it off. Guess what he did. He cried. We are not afraid to let him cry himself to sleep if he needs to. But he just would NOT let up! Sooo out of character for him!  We got him back up and tried to give him a snack. Still inconsolable. Cuddles in bed with mom and dad, he cried. Diaper change, toys, no clothes, more clothes, he cried and cried. A half hour in we called the health line. They, of course, said we needed to rush to the hospital. I felt at such a loss with him, I agreed and started to get the family ready. After about 45 minutes of crying, he calmed down, and was back to his old self, playing and giggling. Totally confused, we opted for his clinic instead of the hospital. He walked around the waiting room, checking our new people and banging his toys against the tables. We got in to see a doctor who seemed kind of gruff and uninterested. However, he did the all-over exam with Dekker on my lap so he’d be more comfortable. Once it was over, Dekker walked around the little exam room while we talked.

I am embarrassed to say that the doctor said it was probably gas. I always feel a little dumb when the answer is “He looks perfect” yet its not like I went in hoping something was wrong. Does that make sense? The doctor said especially how we described how his crying stopped kind of abruptly and he was back to being Dekker, it was passed. If he was still hurting, he’d still be crying. Once we had concluded that everything was fine but we’d keep an eye on things, instead of heading out to his next room, he just sat and watched Dekker. Probably for about 30 seconds, he sat on his chair and just watched Dekker toddle around the stool and check out the magazines. In that moment, I got a nice warm vibe from him. I remembered how, during Dekkers exam, the doctor had the ear-checker thing in his hand and he was flashing the light to give Dekker something interesting to look at. He was really quite gentle with my son, which is huge for me. After he watched Dekker for a while, he got up to go and said bye to Dekker specifically. Deks doesn’t wave much at all, but the doctor waited at the door, saying “Bye buddy!” until he got a cute little shy smile. And then he was gone.

We’re home now. We picked up some tea from Tims on the way, since Brady is decently sick and y throat is trying to kill me from the inside. Dekker had a bit of milk and is sleeping soundly after lovely cuddles with mommy. We are all tired and ready for bed.

But first – supper.

I’ve gone to 8th St Chiropractic since I was a teenager for various reasons. One thing or another always brought me to Dr. Mike. He is a very good listener, a fast talker, and he’ll look you in the eyes. I have also appreciated the clinic he works in. The staff has always been friendly, I’ve never had a mixed up appointment time, the waiting room music is never loud, you can book short notice, and they never run behind.

I’ve learned to appreciate Dr. Mike even more since I became a mom.

When Dekker was born, he spat up a lot more than other babies I saw. We were also told he may have had a touch of colic. Someone suggested chiropractic treatments, so I called Dr. Mike’s office and they confirmed that yes, he did treat infants. I brought Dekker in for his first treatment. I remember it so vividly. Dr. Mike had Dekker propped in a reclined position facing him. He was supporting behind his shoulders and the back of his head with one hand, and with the other, he began the treatment. Now, I’m assuming he was giving Dekker a quick, light little massage of some sort along one side of his spine, but to Dekker, it was all playful pinches and tickles. He let his head go back and belly laughed through the treatment. I remember watching from my chair in the corner and feeling so proud of my son, being so comfortable in the arms of a stranger, laughing and playing. When Dr. Mike finished, he gave me some instructions and then before sending us on our way, he blessed me as a mother. He caught my eyes and said “Just so you know, kids aren’t just that happy by accident.” And then he left. I felt so affirmed in my parenting in that moment, like I could be confident that I was providing Dekker a happy home. Such a warm moment from someone who didn’t owe me anything besides a chiropractic treatment.

I had an appointment with Dr. Mike today. I was there last week, and I learned that my lower spine is quite twisted from carrying Dekker on the same side all the time. My own fault, really, but he is SO much heavier on my left side! I know that, as Dekker gets more and more mobile, I’ll carry him less, and things will even out. Hopefully my bad back is just for a time. Dr. Mike and I talked, and we again agreed that once he was walking more, it would be easier. I said to him that Dekker really only began walking consistently over Christmas. I made the comment that he was a late walker. He didn’t even miss a beat. “No, he’s a perfect walker.” I feel so refreshed knowing that he feels the exact same way that I do. As a relatively new mom (yes, I still consider myself new 16 months into it) I feel like I need to defend things like his walking, or the trouble we had with him not being able to eat solid food for so long. But he is exactly how he should be! And that is exactly how I want him!

What a wonderful thing to find in someone who has the health of your family in his hands. I recommend him to any and all.

Today Dekker and I went to see friends. Carrie and Lucy. I haven’t spent much time with them recently. We keep missing each others on Sundays, and the Christmas season keeps everyone insanely busy! So it was sooo nice to catch up with them!

Lucy has absolutely grown! She crawls and babbles and makes all those hilarious farting, rolling sounds with her mouth. I sat on the floor with Dekker in the living room, and she crawled right up to us and tried to pull up on me. Dekker had a container of Cheerios is his hand. Lucy reached for it, and Dekker just pulled it away and started crying and fussing. He is shy and hesitant around new people, but that was a little over the top. However, he stayed away from her. It made me laugh how afraid my macho son was of little Lucy. But she never hesitated. She just kept coming back for more, smiling away.

When both kids were napping, it was great to just catch up with a friend. we talked Christmas, kids, movies, etc. Nothing too crazy heavy or anything. Just girlfriend talk. It was perfect.

When I got home, Brady and I opted for an easy and delicious dinner and made a frozen pizza. Let me tell you guys, Bruschetta pizza. Its on a garlicy crust and is amazingly flavorful! Some salad and chips on the side made for a super basic but super yummy supper. Deks was tired by 8pm so we gave him a bit of milk and put him down. He didn’t make a peep. And now the bath runs.

One more fun thing happened today! Brady dragged our old Grand Prix to the town mechanics shop. He’s going to check it over and see what needs fixing on it and basically help us decide if its worth cleaning up and trying to sell, or just dump it. So many new parts went into that car before we gave up and bought the Mazda. And its sat in our driveway laughing at us ever since. I honestly am hoping they just decide to dump it. My hearts desire is to never see that car in my driveway ever again.

Time for a bath and M&Ms and milk. Tomorrow – Thursdate with my mom!

I woke up grouchy today. I had a crappy dream that a close friend was angry at me and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. It was extremely vivid, and I felt like crap. That combined with a few other things put me in a super cruddy mood. I lay in bed and sulked until Dekker woke up around 11.

I tried to be energetic and fun for him. I dragged his high chair into the kitchen (as I’ve started to do in the mornings) so I could feed him while dancing around, singing, and doing some dishes in between. I am bad for being a “one meal a day” kind of person, just eating supper. I’m trying to be better at that, so being in the kitchen with Dekker for breakfast encourages me to eat something too. So I made myself an english muffin with melty peanut butter, and coffee. I shared my orange with Dekker. I know its small, but it counts. He ate well. As soon as he was done, I took him out of his chair and put him on the floor. He’s a walking champ now, so usually he is eager to boot off to the living room to play toys. However, this morning, he stood at my feet with his arms up, whimpering. This is a common scene when he’s super tired or hurt, but not first thing in the morning. Dekker is always at his best in the morning. Being the cranky person I am Being in the cranky mood I was in, I heaved a big dramatic sigh and lifted him up. He would not be put down. I couldn’t even eat my breakfast because I pretty much need both arms to carry him these days. I was really frustrated. It seems mean, I know. How could I not want to hold my son?! I know I will be sadder and sadder as he gets bigger and more independent and wants to be held less. But like I said, I was being really grumpy.

So I called my mom. I really like my mom, and I knew she would listen and likely pray for me throughout the day. And I was right. She listened, and agreed that some of my reasons for being grumpy were completely valid. Just talking to her cheered me up immensely. Meanwhile, Dekker was getting very comfortable in my arms, and rested his head on my shoulder. I finished my phone call with my mom, and Dekker hadn’t moved. I walked slowly over to a mirror we have on the wall by our stairs, and saw that his eyes were definitely open, but he was zoned and comfy. I walked and walked, and he just breathed. I love that feeling. Unfortunately, he is quite heavy and I’m not exactly muscular. I couldn’t shift him around too much without running the risk of making him uncomfortable and breaking the silence. So I sat down in a living room chair. Of course he immediately did a push up on me, giggled, and started squirming. So I let him down and he booked it over to his music table. I took the opportunity to go back to the dining room and eat my cooling breakfast. Dekker pressed all of one button for one song before he came toddling back over, smiling away. I plopped him on my lap and he tried for my food. So I had to push it all out of his reach. Just then, Brady called. So I put him on speaker so Dekker could hear him. We had a nice chat, as we usually do over our lunch dates. When Brady went back to work, Dekker still would not be put down. So we watched a music video on youtube, and then the “behind the scenes” on it. One huge eye rub later, Dekker was in bed. 

Dekker, I’m sorry it took me so long to realize what a special time this morning was. I love your cuddles! I would drink cold coffee every morning if I could get such beautiful cuddles. I’m so completely in love with you!!!

As I said earlier, Dekker is at his best in the morning.

I laugh a little at the phrase/term/whoknowswhat “omg.” Its right up there with all the half-assed swear words in the world. These days, when I stub a toe or step on a toy or do something else painful, I catch myself in a “ffffuuuuuuungus!” We all do our best 🙂

However, if I was going to ever find myself in a place to say omg, it would be today. I just realized I FORGOT AN ORDER!!! As in, before Christmas someone asked for a hat, and I didn’t remember! Until now. Gross. I feel totally sick about it. I mean, are there more?! Are people just too polite to say anything?! If I’ve forgotten you, please let me know! 🙁 I want happy customers and friends!

So, considering I spent today not crocheting what I should have been, instead I decided to play with coffee cup sleeves, or “mug hugs” as I like to call them. I found the idea for the ones I came up with on Pinterest (of course). They are sort of a sleeve/coaster. Without further ado…

Ok, that’s really all I have to say. My day was filled with eating leftover chicken spaghetti, crocheting cozies, and bathing my screaming son. What did everyone else do to waste their days away?

 

 

 

I decided what my resolution will be. Ready? Don’t hold your breath or anything, its not that exciting.

My last years resolution of just generally trying harder in my “housewife” role was amazing, and I truly enjoyed it. I still am, and I feel like it is only getting easier. For the days that I don’t completely rock at it, I have an understanding husband who will love me anyway. I don’t have to be afraid of failing. My family also doesn’t have expectations for me to cook dinner by myself everyday and keep the house spotless. Brady has meals he makes and I have meals I make. And honestly, we don’t mind our house looking fairly “lived in.” The dishes being done is considered our house being clean, and I sweep often enough that we don’t have full Cheerios stuck to our socks. It works for us. I enjoy our lives and I’m looking forward to a few little housewifey projects I have up my sleeve for the next little while. 

Instead of stretching last years resolution out (because I plan to do it anyway) I have decided to pursue my crocheting. I have so many reasons not to, but it is something that is just pulling at me. I really truly enjoy it! So I have decided to crochet at least 10-12 things per month this year, and when they all come around, I’d like to participate in one of those small towny craft fairs. I’d love to do the Farmers Market in the city, but I’m not sure I could keep up with that. Seems ominous for a first try. I’m happy to start in town 🙂 I sat down and made a list of products I would be proud to sell that I can (and have) crocheted in the recent past. There were a lot more than I thought, and there are a few sizes of each! Kind of ominous, but that is where the discipline comes in I guess! I think making a monthly goal is smarter than a weekly goal, or having to make something every three days. That seems scarier somehow. This way, if I have a solid weekend with nothing to do, I could get most of it done, and then get even more than my ten things accomplished! I’m pretty excited 🙂

So, without further ado, I finished a few things already!

 

 

 

So thats the goal. Let’s say twelve things (or more!) per month. Keep reminding me ok? Oh, and I apologize if any men read this blog who might get bored with all my crocheting posts that will inevitably come. I could use the support!

Oh, PS, anyone from the Philippines or Laos feel like commenting? I’m sooo curious!! 🙂

 

As you probably read, I woke up yesterday with a pretty insane sore throat. Sore enough to keep me awake before 7am. I eventually overcame it, but felt completely wiped all day. My body is NOT used to sleeping so little! However, I drank yummy pretty warm drinks all morning and eventually got over myself.

It is easy when your baby is so cute as well!

Dekker and I had to be in the city around 3:15, so since he woke up so late, I figured I’d try to keep him awake and maybe he’d sleep in the car, since we were going to leave around 2:15. He was completely exhausted by 1pm so I put him down to sleep for an hour. Needless to say, when I went to go get him from his crib, he was not finished sleeping. He was completely out cold.

We met Brady on the edge of the city so we wouldn’t have to drag both vehicles all around the city, and made our way to our chiropractors office. I know not everyone is pro-chiropractic, but I really like ours! However, if you know me at all, you know my aversion towards cracking sounds. Even as a teenager, when I would go see him, he would have to trick me in order to get my body to relax enough for him to crack it. He’d get me in that strange position where my lower half is laying on its side but my shoulders are flat with my arms folder over my chest, and then he’d get me all wrapped up how he needed me, and the anticipation would almost be killing me. I’d be sooo tense and nervous and he’d make some awkward comment or joke and just as I’d laugh, crunch! So gross! I mean, its great, but its so nerve wracking for me! Anyway, I realized once I got to his clinic that I hadn’t been to see him since I was in high school! So I filled out a new form and then went in with the boys. Brady first, then me. He came up behind me and touched my lower back, and was amazed at apparently how screwed up I am! He described to me the way my spine was twisted, but how it makes sense since I carry Dekker on the same side all the time, and he’s more than 25% of me in weight! So a LOT of cracking later, I felt amazing. Barely sore! And then I touch my lower back, it feels (even to me) completely different! I had no idea I was so enflamed back there! However, the interesting take on this story is Dekker’s reaction. Brady says I resisted the treatment. I don’t feel like I did, I just reacted more than some others might I guess. But Dekker was not impressed with my getting my treatment! Not one bit. As in BIG tears accompanied by wailing. I get a bit of a kick out of that actually. I love that my little one is sensitive to me being in any kind of “distress.” Cute 🙂

After chiro, we hit up Fabricland for some buttons for the cowls I made the other day, then to Superstore for a few groceries, and then home. Dekker was exhausted early so he was sleeping by 8pm, and we were both exhausted as well and were asleep before 9:30!!! Crazy, I know. However, the night was not over.

Between 1:30am and about 4am, Brady threw up on five different occasions. We don’t know why. Its all over now, and as usual, we ate the same food yesterday. And I’m fine. This same scenario happened to us twice in December with me as the barfer, but I guess this was his turn. We sat in the bathroom together, waiting for him to actually throw up the first time, for about ten minutes. Nothing. But it was one of those times when you know its gonna come but for some reason it just won’t. So I said “Remember that time we ate spoiled yogurt?” and he leaned over and puked and puked and puked. I actually had a laugh before I brought him some water, Kleenex, and a cloth. It was a pretty yucky night though. Brady had virtually nothing left to chuck and mainly woke up the next four times to dry heave like mad and just throw up the few sips of water he’d taken the last time.  It was pretty horrendous, but I’m just so thankful that we were tired as early as we were. We both got a solid four hours in before he got sick, and then another three-ish hours after the last time he threw up.

Our dear son slept until 11:30 this morning. Ya, thats 15.5 hours. So we got lots of sleep first and had a warm bath, then fed the baby, and then ourselves. My mom was wonderful enough to meet us in the city yesterday with fresh turkey soup. I felt a little guilty last night, since we had decided to have subs for supper and left the soup for today, but I’m definitely glad we chose to do it in the order that we did! The soup was perfect for Bradys stomach and my still aching throat.

So yesterday was definitely the definition of “mixed emotions” but I feel good about how it played out. Brady might have a different opinion on the matter, I suppose. But the ugliness has passed and now we have a great excuse to be comfy and squishy and lazy today.

Naptime!

My throat is on FIRE! And not in a “being warm is nice” kind of way. In a way that prevents me from sleeping anymore. Brady wakes up pretty early, and while I usually hear his alarm, 98% of the time I keep sleeping. Not this morning. One swallow and it was over.

I started feeling my sore throat yesterday evening. But I took a hot bath and drank a cup of tea and didn’t think much of it. But this morning, I’ve already made some honey lemon hot water, and its just after 7:00am! Hopefully I’ll find the nerve to actually drink it soon. My drinker is not a happy place right now!

Hopefully this all wears off soon. I have a date with my chiropractor this afternoon, and then a few groceries to pick up. And buttons. On the note of buttons, thanks to all who replied to my post yesterday about those cowls! Whether on here or on Facebook, I got a few responses that helped me see that really they’re both pretty! I was worried one was considerably above the other, but it seems like its just a taste thing. Perfect 🙂 So thanks.

I hope all of you are still in bed, and wake up feeling better than me.

I’m finally catching up on crochet orders! I took Christmas off with the exception of a hat made for one of my sisters while she was over. But no orders. Now, I’m back. So for those who asked and haven’t received, consider your stuff officially being worked on! I have finished products for Karla, Hailey, and Amber. The rest of you, I’m getting there!

I’m on a huge kick right now. I’ve started getting headaches, so I invested (about $15) in a pair of low prescription glasses. I have had a prescription since I was 1.5 years old, but quit wearing glasses altogether about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back. Vision was never my problem, but that is another looooong story. So anyway, just for the people out there who think I’m not sure what I’m doing buying glasses, I do. Anyway, I have my new glasses, and new hooks I got for Christmas! They’re metal, but they are all lightly tinted to be a pretty color. They come in this adorable pink leathery case. I have added small scissors, yarn needles, my loom knitting hook, and a tape measure to the mix as well. It is the perfect set up for me! I know, its silly for something like hooks to get me so excited, but my husband gets excited when he gets new tools, and I’m sure he’s not the only one! My version is just slightly more feminine.

To finish the story, I’ll tell you guys I made two cowls today! I have an order for one and I have never actually made one! So I tried our two different ways and I’ll let her pick her favorite 🙂 Any opinions on cowls out there? One of these has more texture, but one has more structure. What do we like?

 Oh! I should clarify. They will have buttons, but I still have to buy them. So the fold will be held there by buttons.

Which is your favorite?

I laugh at New Years resolutions, honestly. Maybe I just don’t exercise my self discipline well enough, but promising to do “x” for a year sort of freaks me out. I feel like, as soon as I say it out loud, I’m going to fail. Just general self doubt I guess, I’m sure I’m not the only person who feels this way. Right? Right?!

Last year was the first time I made a resolution. It was sooo vague and I made it to myself so no one had to know when I failed. I’ve said these words many times throughout my posts but I’ll say them again. I resolved to be a good steward of what I’d been given. I decided it was time for me to step up and do better in my life. I have a husband who would likely physically carry me from place to place if he could. He loves to take care of his family and dote on us. He cooks way more often than I do, he cleans more than I do, he does laundry, and the list goes on. It was time for me to help. So without any strict guidelines, I tried. I experimented in the kitchen and came out with a couple AMAZING meals. I learned how to make jam. I baked. I helped build a deck, and put on a party for Dekker this summer. I started a blog that I committed to post on every day, and I have! I’ve tried harder than ever to maintain a positive attitude. I didn’t ace everything I did, but I made a considerable effort. I can honestly say that, coming out of 2012, I feel like I succeeded in my goal.

I’ve been pondering for a while now how to amp up he resolution this year. I want to continue doing what I started, but I’m not sure how. I considered things like trying a new meal every week, but that horrifies me! And as soon as I miss a week, I’ll feel like an utter failure, and thats a hard thing to pull myself out from. But once a month seems lame and tiny. I thought about meal planning, as that idea has always been attractive to me, but it seems like kind of a huge undertaking, and I’m scared that I wouldn’t make it. Another thing that has been on my heart is my crocheting. I’d love to make something of it, and while I don’t have a business and don’t necessarily know if I want one officially, I’m not sure how to further my work. My idea has been to crochet my year away and then have a huge lot to sell off when those crafty Christmas trade shows come around. But how many things do I make per month? Or how do I set up that idea without it falling and biting me in the butt, leaving me with tons of toques and scarves with no one to love them? (Dramatic, I know. I’m half kidding.) I’m finding setting any goal or resolution somewhat daunting, but I don’t want to go as vague as I did last year. It worked, but I want to improve and expand! Thoughts?

Another thought on the new year – I’s considering changing the picture on the header of my blog. Thoughts? Opinions? Just might be time for a change…