The other night I was flipping through the channels when I came across the show "America's Got Talent". Normally I would have kept changing the channels, but something caught my eye. Jacob was on the show! You can imagine my shock when my two year old informed me that he had sent in an audition tape. All of the judges were super impressed with his performance, as he explained how big he is , (SO BIG!), and then sang his two favorite songs: Old MacDonald and the ABC Song, and he also showcases his crib-climbing talent.
I'm pretty sure we can expect to be flooded with phone calls from talent agencies any day now.
In case you missed his performance, his audition tape is below:
P.S. Sorry about the crazy camera work.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
See You at the Movies!
After you have kids, a lot of things change. The biggest thing to get used to in the beginning - for me anyway - was remembering to pack all of the baby items I would need while we were out of the house. Bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, pacifiers, blankets, first aid kit, thermometer, teethers, rattles, Tylenol, etc. (This was in the beginning when I carried my diaper bag everywhere, and I really did keep every one of those items with me at all times). Eventually though, I was able to relax a little, and realized I didn't need to bring all of those things along for a 10 minute trip to the grocery store. Today, my diaper bag is somewhere in the laundry room, I have switched back to using my purse, and I just keep a couple extra diapers and wipes in the car. I have definitely relaxed, but things are also a little less stressful when you have toddlers versus a new baby.
Other things change too, when you have kids. Obviously there are limitations on what you can do once a baby comes along. While it is possible to take a baby to a restaurant, it's not as relaxing or enjoyable an experience as it once was. When Richard and I get the courage to take the kids out to a restaurant, we usually end up asking for the check as soon as our food comes, then eating it as fast as we can, trying to finish our meals before the boys lose their patience. Oftentimes we have to get boxes to bring our food home to finish later on. We accept this though, and it's not that big of a deal.
One big change though, that really cannot be compromised with, is movies. Once you have a baby, it's pretty much impossible to go to the movies anymore, unless you have a sitter. I guess you could take a newborn or small baby, but if he or she cries, you know your fellow moviegoers are not going to be patient with that, and if you have to wind up walking out of the movie, then that's $10.00 you just threw away. And once a child is old enough to take to the movies, you know you're not going to be watching any of the movies you actually enjoy - no romantic comedies, no action flisks, none of that. The only movies you will be seeing in theaters are kid-friendly ones, mostly cartoons. Thankfully most Disney and Pixar movies do a decent job of entertaining their adult audiences, but come on, it still doesn't make up for all the other movies you're missing out on. For this reason, it is always a big treat whenever Richard and I get to see a movie. It can be difficult, because sometimes we want to see different movies from one another, so those discussions usually come down to an intense match of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
It has been about three months since we last went to see a movie together, and with all of the awesome summer movies coming out right now, I have been feeling that itch - that need to go to the movie theater. I love walking in, breathing in that scent of buttery, warm, trans-fatty popcorn, then purchasing my ticket, buying an outrageously overpriced soda or some type of treat to enjoy, then heading into the theater. Picking a seat is very important. You don't want to be too close, but you also don't want to be too far back. I love those rare times when you are the only person in the theater. My favorite moment though, is when the lights go dim, and the screen lights up, and the movie is about to start. Even in this age of so many technological advancements, the movie theater is still a magical place to me.
Oh, and I hate when we're running late to a movie, and someone says, "It's okay, we'll only miss the previews." Uhmm, hello?? The previews are, like, the best part!
Anyways, like I said, I have really been feeling the need to go see a movie. If all works out, then I think I may be going to see one tonight. The only problem I am having now is which movie to see? Since I only go every few months, there is a lot of pressure on the movie I pick for it to be worth it. Feel free to send me your suggestions!
Other things change too, when you have kids. Obviously there are limitations on what you can do once a baby comes along. While it is possible to take a baby to a restaurant, it's not as relaxing or enjoyable an experience as it once was. When Richard and I get the courage to take the kids out to a restaurant, we usually end up asking for the check as soon as our food comes, then eating it as fast as we can, trying to finish our meals before the boys lose their patience. Oftentimes we have to get boxes to bring our food home to finish later on. We accept this though, and it's not that big of a deal.
One big change though, that really cannot be compromised with, is movies. Once you have a baby, it's pretty much impossible to go to the movies anymore, unless you have a sitter. I guess you could take a newborn or small baby, but if he or she cries, you know your fellow moviegoers are not going to be patient with that, and if you have to wind up walking out of the movie, then that's $10.00 you just threw away. And once a child is old enough to take to the movies, you know you're not going to be watching any of the movies you actually enjoy - no romantic comedies, no action flisks, none of that. The only movies you will be seeing in theaters are kid-friendly ones, mostly cartoons. Thankfully most Disney and Pixar movies do a decent job of entertaining their adult audiences, but come on, it still doesn't make up for all the other movies you're missing out on. For this reason, it is always a big treat whenever Richard and I get to see a movie. It can be difficult, because sometimes we want to see different movies from one another, so those discussions usually come down to an intense match of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
It has been about three months since we last went to see a movie together, and with all of the awesome summer movies coming out right now, I have been feeling that itch - that need to go to the movie theater. I love walking in, breathing in that scent of buttery, warm, trans-fatty popcorn, then purchasing my ticket, buying an outrageously overpriced soda or some type of treat to enjoy, then heading into the theater. Picking a seat is very important. You don't want to be too close, but you also don't want to be too far back. I love those rare times when you are the only person in the theater. My favorite moment though, is when the lights go dim, and the screen lights up, and the movie is about to start. Even in this age of so many technological advancements, the movie theater is still a magical place to me.
Oh, and I hate when we're running late to a movie, and someone says, "It's okay, we'll only miss the previews." Uhmm, hello?? The previews are, like, the best part!
Anyways, like I said, I have really been feeling the need to go see a movie. If all works out, then I think I may be going to see one tonight. The only problem I am having now is which movie to see? Since I only go every few months, there is a lot of pressure on the movie I pick for it to be worth it. Feel free to send me your suggestions!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Let this be a Lesson
We woke up to sun today. FINALLY! Summer actually seems to be here, thank the Lord. I was thisclose to filing a complaint with the man upstairs. He must have known that my complaint letters can get pretty long and wordy and scathing, and he probably just wanted to avoid that whole mess. He's a smart guy.
Since we haven't had a really sunny, warm day in awhile, I knew right away that I wanted to spend as much time outside with the boys as we could. We started the day off with a three mile walk down to the beach and back. It was glorious! I wore a spaghetti strap tank top, and soaked up all that sunshine as we walked.
After lunch, the boys and I headed back outside to play in their awesome pool. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, but we had a BLAST! Ryan is like a fish, once he's in the pool, he stays put. He splashes all around in the water and is never ready to get out. Jacob went back and forth between the pool and the sprinkler. We would count to three then run through it, hand in hand. Jacob would scream at the top of his lungs as the cold water hit his tummy and face, but he wore a huge smile the entire time. It was awesome.
After all that play time, the boys were ready for a nap. As they slept, I went out on the back deck and sat in a lawn chair and just rested in the awesome sunshine for about twenty minutes.
I mean, look at this view. We couldn't resist playing outside in it.
And I didn't even edit the photo to make the water look more blue.
Well, about an hour ago I passed by a mirror, and caught a glimpse of my reflection.
And I didn't even edit the photo to make my burn look more red.
So, let this be a lesson: Wear sunscreen!
I'm gonna go apply some Aloe Vera.
Since we haven't had a really sunny, warm day in awhile, I knew right away that I wanted to spend as much time outside with the boys as we could. We started the day off with a three mile walk down to the beach and back. It was glorious! I wore a spaghetti strap tank top, and soaked up all that sunshine as we walked.
After lunch, the boys and I headed back outside to play in their awesome pool. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, but we had a BLAST! Ryan is like a fish, once he's in the pool, he stays put. He splashes all around in the water and is never ready to get out. Jacob went back and forth between the pool and the sprinkler. We would count to three then run through it, hand in hand. Jacob would scream at the top of his lungs as the cold water hit his tummy and face, but he wore a huge smile the entire time. It was awesome.
After all that play time, the boys were ready for a nap. As they slept, I went out on the back deck and sat in a lawn chair and just rested in the awesome sunshine for about twenty minutes.
I mean, look at this view. We couldn't resist playing outside in it.
And I didn't even edit the photo to make the water look more blue. Well, about an hour ago I passed by a mirror, and caught a glimpse of my reflection.
And I didn't even edit the photo to make my burn look more red. So, let this be a lesson: Wear sunscreen!
I'm gonna go apply some Aloe Vera.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Goals
Goals.
We all have them, whether you take the time to sit and write out a list for yourself, or it is a quick passing thought at midnight as the New Year arrives, we all have something - or many things - we would like to achieve.
My Dad has always been into writing his goals down on lists. He taught this to me, and I remember as a teenager, when every new school year would start I would write out my goals. The GPA I wanted to have, clubs or teams I wanted to become a part of, get my driver's license, etc.
I still put my goals down. For me it is important to see them visually. People say that if you see your goals every day (either written down, or in some visual form), then you are much more likely to achieve those goals.
Shortly before I met Richard I made a goal board with pictures on it. I had a good job, but I was hoping to meet a nice guy. It had been a couple years since my last boyfriend, and I found it to be almost impossible to meet any decent guys (I worked in an office full of women), and while I tried online dating websites, yes, don't make fun, I didn't have any success there either.
After living on my own for a year and a half, I had moved back in with my parents at the end of March to save up some money over the summer. I made my goal board, shortly after settling in at their house. I put pictures on it of all the things I wanted. I found a photo in a magazine of a couple that looked happy, in love. I wanted that. I wanted to find a great guy that could steal my heart. I put the picture up.
Next, I looked for a picture of the kind of ring I liked. After all, once I found this awesome guy, I knew I would want to marry him! I found a picture of an antique-style ring, with diamonds along the band. I put the picture up.
Next I looked for a photo of a cute house. Once I found one I liked, I put the picture up. I also found a photo of a book and I photo-shopped my name in as the author, since I would love to write a book one day. I put the picture up. There were a few other photos, but you get the idea.
So I made this board at the end of March/beginning of April. Every morning when I got up, I looked at it, and every night as I was going to bed I saw it. I didn't do anything with it, talk to it, nothing. Just looked at it every day.
I met Richard in early June. We both knew right away that what we had was different from anything we'd experienced before. He made it pretty clear that he wanted to propose to me, and I found out later that a friend of mine gave him that picture of the ring I liked, when he went shopping for my ring. Within about three months of making the board, I met my husband, and got a beautiful antique-style ring with diamonds on the band. Pretty unbelievable, but also pretty awesome. Of course, not everything from the board has come true, but that doesn't mean they never will.
I remember shortly after I met Richard he wanted us to make a list of our goals together. I found that list a few months ago, and it was amazing, Richard had accomplished nearly everything he set out for himself. Maybe goal-setting isn't a perfect system, but I do believe there is much power in it. I think once you set those goals and dreams in motion, and if you're visually seeing those goals every day, it can definitely lead you to where you want to be.
This year I set some fun goals for myself. I wanted to participate in three 5k walk/runs, (I have done two so far), and I really wanted to make a quilt, (done! And it was really fun).
What goals do all of you have?
We all have them, whether you take the time to sit and write out a list for yourself, or it is a quick passing thought at midnight as the New Year arrives, we all have something - or many things - we would like to achieve.
My Dad has always been into writing his goals down on lists. He taught this to me, and I remember as a teenager, when every new school year would start I would write out my goals. The GPA I wanted to have, clubs or teams I wanted to become a part of, get my driver's license, etc.
I still put my goals down. For me it is important to see them visually. People say that if you see your goals every day (either written down, or in some visual form), then you are much more likely to achieve those goals.
Shortly before I met Richard I made a goal board with pictures on it. I had a good job, but I was hoping to meet a nice guy. It had been a couple years since my last boyfriend, and I found it to be almost impossible to meet any decent guys (I worked in an office full of women), and while I tried online dating websites, yes, don't make fun, I didn't have any success there either.
After living on my own for a year and a half, I had moved back in with my parents at the end of March to save up some money over the summer. I made my goal board, shortly after settling in at their house. I put pictures on it of all the things I wanted. I found a photo in a magazine of a couple that looked happy, in love. I wanted that. I wanted to find a great guy that could steal my heart. I put the picture up.
Next, I looked for a picture of the kind of ring I liked. After all, once I found this awesome guy, I knew I would want to marry him! I found a picture of an antique-style ring, with diamonds along the band. I put the picture up.
Next I looked for a photo of a cute house. Once I found one I liked, I put the picture up. I also found a photo of a book and I photo-shopped my name in as the author, since I would love to write a book one day. I put the picture up. There were a few other photos, but you get the idea.
So I made this board at the end of March/beginning of April. Every morning when I got up, I looked at it, and every night as I was going to bed I saw it. I didn't do anything with it, talk to it, nothing. Just looked at it every day.
I met Richard in early June. We both knew right away that what we had was different from anything we'd experienced before. He made it pretty clear that he wanted to propose to me, and I found out later that a friend of mine gave him that picture of the ring I liked, when he went shopping for my ring. Within about three months of making the board, I met my husband, and got a beautiful antique-style ring with diamonds on the band. Pretty unbelievable, but also pretty awesome. Of course, not everything from the board has come true, but that doesn't mean they never will.
I remember shortly after I met Richard he wanted us to make a list of our goals together. I found that list a few months ago, and it was amazing, Richard had accomplished nearly everything he set out for himself. Maybe goal-setting isn't a perfect system, but I do believe there is much power in it. I think once you set those goals and dreams in motion, and if you're visually seeing those goals every day, it can definitely lead you to where you want to be.
This year I set some fun goals for myself. I wanted to participate in three 5k walk/runs, (I have done two so far), and I really wanted to make a quilt, (done! And it was really fun).
What goals do all of you have?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Fourth of July
I have been both highly anticipating, and dreading this day.
From the day Richard left on deployment, I just felt that once we got to July 4th, I would feel better. I would feel that we had chipped away a good portion of this deployment (two months exactly), and that my spirits would be up and the end wouldn't seem so far away. Fortunately, this date has arrived quickly for both Richard and myself. I find it hard to believe that we are here already, but am thankful for it.
I have been dreading this day however, because this is what I have always thought was our family holiday. When Richard and I got married, with him being in the military, I pretty much told myself to prepare for him to miss big holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and to know that he wouldn't always be around on birthdays. But he has always been here on July 4th, and naively, I designated this day as our special family holiday, that we could always celebrate together. I know it doesn't make sense, but that's what I did. In fact, when we got the dates for this current deployment, my first thought was that he wouldn't be here for the Fourth. I was heartbroken.
I love to look at the pictures we have taken on the past few July 4th holidays, and look at how we have changed, and how our family has grown.
2007. Our first Fourth of July together, my Dad let Richard drive his Mustang, he almost crashed, and was afraid he would never see me again. We laughed it off though, and three days after this picture was taken, Richard proposed.
2008. Jacob's first Fourth of July, in our new home on Camano. It was so much fun celebrating as a family.
2009. Two kids, and a beautiful day where we made many fun memories.
2010. Just me and the boys this year. We miss Richard so much, but we couldn't be prouder of him and his service to our great country.
I keep telling myself that one year from now, Richard will be home, and we will get to celebrate together, with the boys. I will look back at this year's pictures and remember how much we missed him being here with us, but thankfully, it will be just a memory.
Tonight I will sit alone on our couch, watching the beautiful fireworks as they light up the night sky, missing my husband. Tomorrow morning though, I can wake up, with the 4th behind me, ready to move forward, finish out this deployment and get my husband home, where he belongs.
From the day Richard left on deployment, I just felt that once we got to July 4th, I would feel better. I would feel that we had chipped away a good portion of this deployment (two months exactly), and that my spirits would be up and the end wouldn't seem so far away. Fortunately, this date has arrived quickly for both Richard and myself. I find it hard to believe that we are here already, but am thankful for it.
I have been dreading this day however, because this is what I have always thought was our family holiday. When Richard and I got married, with him being in the military, I pretty much told myself to prepare for him to miss big holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and to know that he wouldn't always be around on birthdays. But he has always been here on July 4th, and naively, I designated this day as our special family holiday, that we could always celebrate together. I know it doesn't make sense, but that's what I did. In fact, when we got the dates for this current deployment, my first thought was that he wouldn't be here for the Fourth. I was heartbroken.
I love to look at the pictures we have taken on the past few July 4th holidays, and look at how we have changed, and how our family has grown.
2007. Our first Fourth of July together, my Dad let Richard drive his Mustang, he almost crashed, and was afraid he would never see me again. We laughed it off though, and three days after this picture was taken, Richard proposed.
2008. Jacob's first Fourth of July, in our new home on Camano. It was so much fun celebrating as a family.
2009. Two kids, and a beautiful day where we made many fun memories.
2010. Just me and the boys this year. We miss Richard so much, but we couldn't be prouder of him and his service to our great country.I keep telling myself that one year from now, Richard will be home, and we will get to celebrate together, with the boys. I will look back at this year's pictures and remember how much we missed him being here with us, but thankfully, it will be just a memory.
Tonight I will sit alone on our couch, watching the beautiful fireworks as they light up the night sky, missing my husband. Tomorrow morning though, I can wake up, with the 4th behind me, ready to move forward, finish out this deployment and get my husband home, where he belongs.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Making Up for Lost Time
Ryan was born at 34.5 weeks gestational age. While we were so lucky that his lungs were mature and his body as a whole was healthy, he still wasn't technically ready to come into the world, as most babies prefer to chill in their mama's bellies for at least four more weeks than he did. Obviously none of us remember what it's like to be in utero, but I imagine it's pretty comfy, warm, peaceful, where you just sleep a lot.
When we first brought Ryan home, all he did was sleep. A lot. He would get up every few hours to eat, but he would quickly shut his eyes as he drank his bottle, having expended what little energy he had to let out a few cries, and soon enough he would be back to sleep, and sleeping some more. We put him on a slanted bed out in the middle of the family room all day long, so that he could hear our voices and feel like he was included in everything we did, even though he snoozed through all of it.
One night Richard and I were going to bed and he confided in me, "I feel kind of bad, like we're ignoring Ryan, he never does anything!" I was so relieved, because I had been feeling the same way. But the fact was that Ryan just needed to catch up on several weeks of lost sleep, so we let him sleep as much he needed. Finally he started coming around, being awake more and more often, and before we knew it, our premature, sleeping angel was this chubby, giggly baby who never stopped smiling or chasing after his brother!
I can't help but think sometimes though, that those early weeks of sleeping have made Ryan feel like he's got to constantly be on the go now that he is so mobile. His favorite activity?
Climbing.
My mom pointed out to me that there should be many more pictures on here of places he has climbed onto, but in those instances I had to save his life, rather than turn it into a photo-op. Who knows where Ryan's skills will take him. Today it's the window sill, maybe in a few months it will be the apple tree out back, and in twenty years, maybe he will be scaling Mt. Everest.
Guess we'll all have to wait and see, (and I'll try not to have a heart attack in the meantime).
When we first brought Ryan home, all he did was sleep. A lot. He would get up every few hours to eat, but he would quickly shut his eyes as he drank his bottle, having expended what little energy he had to let out a few cries, and soon enough he would be back to sleep, and sleeping some more. We put him on a slanted bed out in the middle of the family room all day long, so that he could hear our voices and feel like he was included in everything we did, even though he snoozed through all of it.
One night Richard and I were going to bed and he confided in me, "I feel kind of bad, like we're ignoring Ryan, he never does anything!" I was so relieved, because I had been feeling the same way. But the fact was that Ryan just needed to catch up on several weeks of lost sleep, so we let him sleep as much he needed. Finally he started coming around, being awake more and more often, and before we knew it, our premature, sleeping angel was this chubby, giggly baby who never stopped smiling or chasing after his brother!I can't help but think sometimes though, that those early weeks of sleeping have made Ryan feel like he's got to constantly be on the go now that he is so mobile. His favorite activity?
Climbing.
My mom pointed out to me that there should be many more pictures on here of places he has climbed onto, but in those instances I had to save his life, rather than turn it into a photo-op. Who knows where Ryan's skills will take him. Today it's the window sill, maybe in a few months it will be the apple tree out back, and in twenty years, maybe he will be scaling Mt. Everest.
Guess we'll all have to wait and see, (and I'll try not to have a heart attack in the meantime).
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