The lot beside our house is vacant and grassy. It's also covered in yellow leaves. The lady who owns it, in the next house over, has hired/found someone to use a leaf blower on it and clear all the leaves away. He did this for over an hour this afternoon. The sound, never ceasing, of a leaf blower is driving me crazy.
******
Samuel skipped his nap. I don't know why, but every few days he goes 'nap-less' and it worries me more with each passing time. What if nap-less becomes the new normal? I can't handle that yet. I love my son, but I need that 1-2 hours of no Samuel time in the middle of the day.
******
-Pork roast is in the slow cooker, doing it's thang.
-About half of the quilts got aired on the line today - it would have been a shame to waste a windy, sunny November day!
-The bedding from our guests is washed and put away. I feel so productive getting this done as quickly as I did.
******
My mother thinks that the diaper rash that Samuel has is caused by uric acid. She says it will burn the skin; I'm going to strip all of the cloth diapers and put him in disposables in the meantime. A big of a drag, but if it clears up his bum I'll be happy.
I tried making a sauce for our pasta tonight that would only take the amount of time it takes to boil spaghettini. I sauteed a mushroom, half a small onion, two cloves of garlic and a bit of oil together and then added about 1/2 cup of pureed veggies, diced tomatoes and some olives. Then I stirred in a bit of sour cream. Samuel had thirds, so he must have liked it.
******
Moving related tasks accomplished today: washing all of the cleaning cloths leant to us by our landlady so that I could return them. Emptying another box of books onto our bookshelf in our bedroom. Breaking down the boxes and bagging the garbage related to the move and bringing them to the curb for garbage day. (This really helped empty the basement - getting rid of empty boxes.)
Showing posts with label Moving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moving. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
November 5th
I often feel super guilty about not 'entertaining' Samuel. I recognize that I'm his main playmate, but honestly I feel so climbed on and over extended some days I just want him to leave me alone. And then I feel guilty. Take today, for example. Samuel has had two walks today. A friend's older child came over for half an hour and played with him. Grandma and Grandpa read to him. I let him 'help' me make pancakes and David and Grandpa let him 'help' outside with the car. He went out to a restaurant for lunch, had a two hour nap and played tag with me in the basement. Despite all of this interaction (and that's just what I can remember) I just told him to go somewhere and DO SOMETHING that didn't involve me or the television being on. And then I feel guilty because I think I should be magically producing an interesting activity for him at any time that he's bored. Except even typing those words makes me sound like a real patsy.
******
I'm trying to cut myself a little slack in terms of how long it's taking to set up and fit into this house. I want the cats to stop crying already. I want Samuel to stop freaking out about sleeping in his own room. I want the two bookcases lying on their sides in my livingroom to just get moved out. I want my phone to work again and my curtains up and to figure out where the heck I packed every coathanger I own so I can stop getting dressed out of a giant pile of stuff on the floor.
But I can't do these things because these are things that require time. And despite all evidence to the contrary, I have very little of the sort of time needed for this kind of activity. I need Clara asleep, because if she's awake she's a ticking time bomb of neediness. I need Samuel asleep, preferably, or quietly occupied which, haha, almost never happens. And for many of these things I need David home, and not sleeping, and me not exhausted, and it to be daylight out, and no guests, and a concrete plan in place.
******
Clara tried a few new foods today. So far she's had cauliflower - hated it. Pumpkin - disliked it but dealt. Applesauce with cinnamon and vanilla bean - adored it. Banana - adored it. Chicken and turkey - both of which she was ambivalent about. Mashed potato - adored it. Spinach - meh. This is pretty much in keeping with Samuel's likes and dislikes. Everyone is a fan of fruit.
She had a bath in the sink tonight as well, which was incredibly cute. I don't know why I ever bothered with baby bathtubs for Samuel at the beginning. All it gave me was a crick in the back. The sink is the way to go.
******
After supper tonight I dragged Samuel out for a walk. He was worried because it was dark out, and he said he was afraid of the dark. I have never heard this before; I don't know where it came from. But anyway, I told him he didn't have to be afraid because I was with him, and Jesus was with him. He wanted to know where Jesus was. "He's in your heart." He thought about that for a moment and then said "Yeah. He's in my heart. He can't get out." I think I may have messed him up theologically.
Last night I finally caved a bit to David's increasingly insistant demands that I *do something* with Samuel's hair. I've been letting it grow, because I think that his hair is beautiful and soft and golden and charming, and also because that floppity-hair look on little boys is adorable. And also because I'm a bit lazy. But two days ago I took pity on Samuel and trimmed some especially long hair that has been hanging in his eyes, and last night after his bath I brushed his hair, realized it was now past his shoulders, and took a few inches off the back with my sewing scissors. I think he may look even cuter, if that's possible. And now David can stop going on about that.
******
My inlaws are leaving tomorrow. Whenever they come over they take on the task of doing all the dishes, and can I just say that I love. that. Because dishes are my least favourite job ever. But it will be nice to try and get stuff organized in my bedroom again.
******
I'm trying to cut myself a little slack in terms of how long it's taking to set up and fit into this house. I want the cats to stop crying already. I want Samuel to stop freaking out about sleeping in his own room. I want the two bookcases lying on their sides in my livingroom to just get moved out. I want my phone to work again and my curtains up and to figure out where the heck I packed every coathanger I own so I can stop getting dressed out of a giant pile of stuff on the floor.
But I can't do these things because these are things that require time. And despite all evidence to the contrary, I have very little of the sort of time needed for this kind of activity. I need Clara asleep, because if she's awake she's a ticking time bomb of neediness. I need Samuel asleep, preferably, or quietly occupied which, haha, almost never happens. And for many of these things I need David home, and not sleeping, and me not exhausted, and it to be daylight out, and no guests, and a concrete plan in place.
******
Clara tried a few new foods today. So far she's had cauliflower - hated it. Pumpkin - disliked it but dealt. Applesauce with cinnamon and vanilla bean - adored it. Banana - adored it. Chicken and turkey - both of which she was ambivalent about. Mashed potato - adored it. Spinach - meh. This is pretty much in keeping with Samuel's likes and dislikes. Everyone is a fan of fruit.
She had a bath in the sink tonight as well, which was incredibly cute. I don't know why I ever bothered with baby bathtubs for Samuel at the beginning. All it gave me was a crick in the back. The sink is the way to go.
******
After supper tonight I dragged Samuel out for a walk. He was worried because it was dark out, and he said he was afraid of the dark. I have never heard this before; I don't know where it came from. But anyway, I told him he didn't have to be afraid because I was with him, and Jesus was with him. He wanted to know where Jesus was. "He's in your heart." He thought about that for a moment and then said "Yeah. He's in my heart. He can't get out." I think I may have messed him up theologically.
Last night I finally caved a bit to David's increasingly insistant demands that I *do something* with Samuel's hair. I've been letting it grow, because I think that his hair is beautiful and soft and golden and charming, and also because that floppity-hair look on little boys is adorable. And also because I'm a bit lazy. But two days ago I took pity on Samuel and trimmed some especially long hair that has been hanging in his eyes, and last night after his bath I brushed his hair, realized it was now past his shoulders, and took a few inches off the back with my sewing scissors. I think he may look even cuter, if that's possible. And now David can stop going on about that.
******
My inlaws are leaving tomorrow. Whenever they come over they take on the task of doing all the dishes, and can I just say that I love. that. Because dishes are my least favourite job ever. But it will be nice to try and get stuff organized in my bedroom again.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
A Sunday That Never Ends
Sundays have become my busiest day of the week. We wake up, run around getting children ready for church, walk (or sometimes take a ride from friends) across town and sit through the services. Then we walk over to our pastor's house where our life group meets (a small study group that focuses on one specific topic; our church has several of these) and have lunch and then do our study. Then we walk home. We're never home before 4pm, and sometimes it's closer to 4:30.
Today was busier than usual because we had a potluck lunch at the pastor's house and so David and I had to make a dish and arange for it's transport so we didn't have to carry a giant casserole through town. We also tried to tire out Samuel by having me walk him to church, but since David's parents are with us right now he rode with them to show them the way.
On the walk Samuel said some adorable things. He asked me what a building was at the end of a street.
"That's a grain elevator" I told him. "Oh. A grain elevator. They bring cows up and down?" "No, they bring cow food up and down." I said. It's so funny the things he thinks. Later on the walk he saw a tree in someone's yard that had had tar put on the cut branches making them look like holes. "What's in those holes?" "Maybe acorns, or squirrels, or leaves?" I said. "Maybe sunflowers!"
I feel a little bit guilty every week at church because I put the children in the nursery. I don't feel terrible, but I do feel a little bad. Samuel likes it a lot, despite telling me every week that he doesn't want to go; he makes a craft, sometimes gets time in the gym playing with balls, has a snack. Clara is in the infant class and I know she is in good hands - the workers even give us a pager that will buzz if they need us. Still. I feel like the children should be with me even though I know from experience that that makes the service awful for all of us.
**********
Today's big task; hanging up all of the clothes in the children's bedroom. I know I've complained about this before, but honestly clothing maintenance takes up so much of my time. I don't know why this is. Either I'm just no good at it or else everyone else's children are very unlike my own. I recently purchased a bag of really nice, barely used 2T-3T clothing for Samuel, including new church shoes. Almost every single piece of it is either stained beyond use or completely outgrown already. All of the shoes are too small. I have salvaged a few pairs of pajamas, two pairs of boots (that I think may just fit for a few more months) and maybe two or three sweaters and a pair of slippers. His body is the strangest shape. He's a 2T, except in torso length where he's a 3T, and then he's a mix of 2T - 3T in pants, except that his waist is really more of a 24 month size. How does one dress a child like that?
Clara may be even worse off. I have done nothing but accept clothing for her for months and months, and yet I look at what's in the closet that fits her and it's pathetic. Random pants that match nothing, a few 'church outfits', some sleepers...I get depressed every time I go to dress her.
I'm really not sure what the solution to this is. I spent $5 on 40 clothes hangers the other week thinking that maybe if everything was just hung up it would be easier to figure out. So far, this doesn't seem to be the case.
***********
David and his parents are re-watching a video we got the other week: The Bible vs. Joseph Smith. The music is lovely in it. We get a lot of videos like this from Firefighters For Christ. It's a free resource and you can download their stuff as MP3s if that's your thing; we tend to order hard copies.
I wish I knew of more places I could get free Christian DVDs from. Ideas?
Today was busier than usual because we had a potluck lunch at the pastor's house and so David and I had to make a dish and arange for it's transport so we didn't have to carry a giant casserole through town. We also tried to tire out Samuel by having me walk him to church, but since David's parents are with us right now he rode with them to show them the way.
On the walk Samuel said some adorable things. He asked me what a building was at the end of a street.
"That's a grain elevator" I told him. "Oh. A grain elevator. They bring cows up and down?" "No, they bring cow food up and down." I said. It's so funny the things he thinks. Later on the walk he saw a tree in someone's yard that had had tar put on the cut branches making them look like holes. "What's in those holes?" "Maybe acorns, or squirrels, or leaves?" I said. "Maybe sunflowers!"
I feel a little bit guilty every week at church because I put the children in the nursery. I don't feel terrible, but I do feel a little bad. Samuel likes it a lot, despite telling me every week that he doesn't want to go; he makes a craft, sometimes gets time in the gym playing with balls, has a snack. Clara is in the infant class and I know she is in good hands - the workers even give us a pager that will buzz if they need us. Still. I feel like the children should be with me even though I know from experience that that makes the service awful for all of us.
**********
Today's big task; hanging up all of the clothes in the children's bedroom. I know I've complained about this before, but honestly clothing maintenance takes up so much of my time. I don't know why this is. Either I'm just no good at it or else everyone else's children are very unlike my own. I recently purchased a bag of really nice, barely used 2T-3T clothing for Samuel, including new church shoes. Almost every single piece of it is either stained beyond use or completely outgrown already. All of the shoes are too small. I have salvaged a few pairs of pajamas, two pairs of boots (that I think may just fit for a few more months) and maybe two or three sweaters and a pair of slippers. His body is the strangest shape. He's a 2T, except in torso length where he's a 3T, and then he's a mix of 2T - 3T in pants, except that his waist is really more of a 24 month size. How does one dress a child like that?
Clara may be even worse off. I have done nothing but accept clothing for her for months and months, and yet I look at what's in the closet that fits her and it's pathetic. Random pants that match nothing, a few 'church outfits', some sleepers...I get depressed every time I go to dress her.
I'm really not sure what the solution to this is. I spent $5 on 40 clothes hangers the other week thinking that maybe if everything was just hung up it would be easier to figure out. So far, this doesn't seem to be the case.
***********
David and his parents are re-watching a video we got the other week: The Bible vs. Joseph Smith. The music is lovely in it. We get a lot of videos like this from Firefighters For Christ. It's a free resource and you can download their stuff as MP3s if that's your thing; we tend to order hard copies.
I wish I knew of more places I could get free Christian DVDs from. Ideas?
November 4th
Am really tired. I really just want to go to sleep and sleep straight through the night one night. Well, I'm ok with nursing, but a reasonable amount. Clara has recently decided she does not want to sleep in her little rocking basinette thing beside our bed. She doesn't like it anymore. So this is fine, but it means that until we get back into our master bedroom (David's parents are staying there right now) we can't set up the portable crib, which is the 'next stage' my babies go through, and instead she is sleeping with us.
My friends can tell you how I feel about sharing my bed with children. I. don't. like. it. This is a personal thing; I have many people in my life who bed share with great success and happiness, but I am not one of those people. I like to sleep not touching anything, and on my stomach, and slightly star-fishy, and sleeping with children is not conducive to this. Therefore they sleep, and I lie in a cramped position trying not to breathe so as to not wake them.
So yes, the portable crib. She'll go into that until she isn't waking regularly to feed throughout the night, about a year or so, and then she'll go into the 'big' crib. It's all about stages.
But Clara is not the only one unhappy at night these days, with her constant nursing and grouchiness. Samuel is not having good overnights either. He's up in the wee hours almost every night and climbing in with us. I'm not sure why this is but I do know that he kicks a lot, and thrashes about hitting Clara in the head and waking her up, and kicking the cats and my legs and just generally being a very unpleasant person to share a bed with.
Two unhappy sleepers. It wouldn't be so bad if they would nap simultaneously. Because then I could put them down for naps and I could sleep for a few hours as well. But usually Clara is tired and sleeps, and then when she wakes up Sam is tired, and then a third switch. No sleep for Mama. For a terrifying few days I thought Samuel was actually dropping his last nap, which would be horrific. I need that nap. That's my break from a toddler. But of course it wouldn't be unusual for him to stop needing an afternoon nap - he is going to be 2 years and 8 months old. But still. Clara, thankfully, shows signs of being an excellent napper. Two solid naps a day. They've gone down a bit in length since birth but she's six months old. How is that possible?
Speaking of which, I went to the doctor for something the other day and he asked about Clara and then said "Six months. Time for another one." Ohmygoodness. I think I laughed and made some lame joke.
Wait, I was going to say something else about bedsharing. It's funny the difference between the mother I feel I would be if the children were personality free and the mother I am. I would not, for example, share my bed. But my children have other ideas. I would not probably be nursing an almost three year old, that's for sure. Speaking of which, the weaning is going very well. Samuel is down to nursing once a day. He's being pretty good about it. I think he'd still nurse all the time if he could, but he's content enough with what he's offered. Clara is eating a wee little bit of solid food now, so she's thrilled with life. Oh mashed banana, where have you BEEN all my life?
My friends can tell you how I feel about sharing my bed with children. I. don't. like. it. This is a personal thing; I have many people in my life who bed share with great success and happiness, but I am not one of those people. I like to sleep not touching anything, and on my stomach, and slightly star-fishy, and sleeping with children is not conducive to this. Therefore they sleep, and I lie in a cramped position trying not to breathe so as to not wake them.
So yes, the portable crib. She'll go into that until she isn't waking regularly to feed throughout the night, about a year or so, and then she'll go into the 'big' crib. It's all about stages.
But Clara is not the only one unhappy at night these days, with her constant nursing and grouchiness. Samuel is not having good overnights either. He's up in the wee hours almost every night and climbing in with us. I'm not sure why this is but I do know that he kicks a lot, and thrashes about hitting Clara in the head and waking her up, and kicking the cats and my legs and just generally being a very unpleasant person to share a bed with.
Two unhappy sleepers. It wouldn't be so bad if they would nap simultaneously. Because then I could put them down for naps and I could sleep for a few hours as well. But usually Clara is tired and sleeps, and then when she wakes up Sam is tired, and then a third switch. No sleep for Mama. For a terrifying few days I thought Samuel was actually dropping his last nap, which would be horrific. I need that nap. That's my break from a toddler. But of course it wouldn't be unusual for him to stop needing an afternoon nap - he is going to be 2 years and 8 months old. But still. Clara, thankfully, shows signs of being an excellent napper. Two solid naps a day. They've gone down a bit in length since birth but she's six months old. How is that possible?
Speaking of which, I went to the doctor for something the other day and he asked about Clara and then said "Six months. Time for another one." Ohmygoodness. I think I laughed and made some lame joke.
Wait, I was going to say something else about bedsharing. It's funny the difference between the mother I feel I would be if the children were personality free and the mother I am. I would not, for example, share my bed. But my children have other ideas. I would not probably be nursing an almost three year old, that's for sure. Speaking of which, the weaning is going very well. Samuel is down to nursing once a day. He's being pretty good about it. I think he'd still nurse all the time if he could, but he's content enough with what he's offered. Clara is eating a wee little bit of solid food now, so she's thrilled with life. Oh mashed banana, where have you BEEN all my life?
Saturday, November 3, 2012
All Moved In And Living In Chaos
There. We're moved.
It was a long day for us and all of our helping crew. None of whom (ahem) stayed for pizza, leaving us with four pizzas which we are still eating. The rain poured, the white sofa is awwwwful, there is stuff everywhere. e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.
But we're moved, hallelujah. I've never moved with children before so I was expecting it to be a pretty rough experience, which it was, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. And the livingroom is about 80% set up into some kind of order, as are the dining room and kitchen. There are a lot of boxes, mostly of books, that are scattered around the house, but all in all it isn't looking too bad.
I detest chaos, though, and any sort of disorder or change, and so this move has essentially been an emotional nightmare for me. I've had to deal with beaurocracy and red tape and address changes and the post office (oh I hate the post office) and I've had to clean and tidy and organize and manage and entertain and handle everyone's meltdowns. Samuel's meltdowns, mostly. He did not move well. And in the midst of this I've had to feed and clothe four people
David's parents arrived last night with their car, which is being transferred to us on Monday, and that's another source of stress for me - a new car.
But, except for a few places, I think I've changed our address everywhere it needed to be changed. And the hydro guy came on Friday and switched the power to our name, and the phone/internet guy came yesterday and hooked up those utilities. Our landlord has fixed the hot water tap upstairs and is working on getting the dryer looked at (it squeaks terribly) and is fixing the rough edges of the deck; they don't bother me but they bother her. So the house is in good working order, we've made our first trip out to buy a few groceries to see us through until I can figure out how everything is getting organized and make a big fill-up-the-pantry trip. Once I know where the pantry is.
And so things are slowly, slowly, slowly coming together. I wouldn't say we've found our groove, but we're closer to it. And that's okay by me.
It was a long day for us and all of our helping crew. None of whom (ahem) stayed for pizza, leaving us with four pizzas which we are still eating. The rain poured, the white sofa is awwwwful, there is stuff everywhere. e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.
But we're moved, hallelujah. I've never moved with children before so I was expecting it to be a pretty rough experience, which it was, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. And the livingroom is about 80% set up into some kind of order, as are the dining room and kitchen. There are a lot of boxes, mostly of books, that are scattered around the house, but all in all it isn't looking too bad.
I detest chaos, though, and any sort of disorder or change, and so this move has essentially been an emotional nightmare for me. I've had to deal with beaurocracy and red tape and address changes and the post office (oh I hate the post office) and I've had to clean and tidy and organize and manage and entertain and handle everyone's meltdowns. Samuel's meltdowns, mostly. He did not move well. And in the midst of this I've had to feed and clothe four people
David's parents arrived last night with their car, which is being transferred to us on Monday, and that's another source of stress for me - a new car.
But, except for a few places, I think I've changed our address everywhere it needed to be changed. And the hydro guy came on Friday and switched the power to our name, and the phone/internet guy came yesterday and hooked up those utilities. Our landlord has fixed the hot water tap upstairs and is working on getting the dryer looked at (it squeaks terribly) and is fixing the rough edges of the deck; they don't bother me but they bother her. So the house is in good working order, we've made our first trip out to buy a few groceries to see us through until I can figure out how everything is getting organized and make a big fill-up-the-pantry trip. Once I know where the pantry is.
And so things are slowly, slowly, slowly coming together. I wouldn't say we've found our groove, but we're closer to it. And that's okay by me.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Moving Day
Last night around supper time we heard that the landlady was getting possession of our new house that night, and had plans to shampoo the carpets. We offered to come by and help her out with that, and in the process, bring a few loads over to kickstart the big Wednesday move.
So yesterday I shampooed my new livingroom carpet.
The house looks good. There are a few minor issues, but nothing major. Mostly cosmetic. The only real problem I can see is that the old tenants replaced the hot water tap in the bathtub and now it doesn't work; but the landlords discovered this last night and are planning to fix it today, so really not a huge issue. The old tenants kept it very clean, so I don't imagine there will be many problems.
We brought over our huge air conditioner, and two van loads of boxes, plus all of our strollers, carseats, deck furniture and other large randomness. The apt. already looks emptier.
I was back home by 10pm, and found David still awake and working. He was so wired up he couldn't sleep for hours; even to the point of going to get more boxes at 11pm.
Samuel and Clara know something is up, though. Sam had a terrible night's sleep. He tried to climb into bed with us at least once, and has been tossing and turning and so grumpy this morning. When I woke up at 4:30 and couldn't fall back asleep he came out to the kitchen and had to be sent back to bed again, not once but twice. Clara has been crying in her sleep.
And in true moving fashion, it is pouring outside. The tail end of hurricane Sandy has hit us and the wind is howling, the trees are blowing and the rain is pouring. It's going to be a really fantastic day for a move.
Yesterday after Bible study I went to the grocery store to buy the pizza to serve the moving team. I got one of those really large square ones, because I figured that would be fine. David looked at it and said "oh no that's definately not enough pizza" and went off to Walmart where he bought 3 more. And two bags of chips. I am seriously having trouble imagining how any group of people is going to eat this much pizza, but...ok. I'm game.
Since we won't have our phone or internet hooked up until Friday, this may be the last you hear of me until then.
So yesterday I shampooed my new livingroom carpet.
The house looks good. There are a few minor issues, but nothing major. Mostly cosmetic. The only real problem I can see is that the old tenants replaced the hot water tap in the bathtub and now it doesn't work; but the landlords discovered this last night and are planning to fix it today, so really not a huge issue. The old tenants kept it very clean, so I don't imagine there will be many problems.
We brought over our huge air conditioner, and two van loads of boxes, plus all of our strollers, carseats, deck furniture and other large randomness. The apt. already looks emptier.
I was back home by 10pm, and found David still awake and working. He was so wired up he couldn't sleep for hours; even to the point of going to get more boxes at 11pm.
Samuel and Clara know something is up, though. Sam had a terrible night's sleep. He tried to climb into bed with us at least once, and has been tossing and turning and so grumpy this morning. When I woke up at 4:30 and couldn't fall back asleep he came out to the kitchen and had to be sent back to bed again, not once but twice. Clara has been crying in her sleep.
And in true moving fashion, it is pouring outside. The tail end of hurricane Sandy has hit us and the wind is howling, the trees are blowing and the rain is pouring. It's going to be a really fantastic day for a move.
Yesterday after Bible study I went to the grocery store to buy the pizza to serve the moving team. I got one of those really large square ones, because I figured that would be fine. David looked at it and said "oh no that's definately not enough pizza" and went off to Walmart where he bought 3 more. And two bags of chips. I am seriously having trouble imagining how any group of people is going to eat this much pizza, but...ok. I'm game.
Since we won't have our phone or internet hooked up until Friday, this may be the last you hear of me until then.
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