I found this on a friends blog and thought I would share the wealth!
Pay It Forward Exchange is based on the concept of the movie "Pay it Forward". I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join the PIF exchange. All the gifts will be made and posted out 'sometime within the next year'. How exciting to not know when your surprise package will arrive!
What you need to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. This Exchange is only open to those with active websites or blogs. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PROMISE TO POST THIS SAME 'PAY IT FORWARD' MESSAGE ONTO YOUR BLOG, WHICH MUST BE ACTIVE IN ORDER TO PLAY. YOU WILL PAY IT FORWARD TO 3 PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG.
Other comments are welcome, but only the first 3 will be my Pay It Forward recipients. Actually if you have any good ideas for me to make with these hands, feel free to chime in!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
oh baby, where art thou
So lately I have been making a schedule for Anna and myself. Doing so has enlightened me to the random world of baby activities.
As everyone knows being a baby is very stressful so we just finished a course in baby massage. I am not sure but I assume after her massages she is much more relaxed. There were some interesting things that happened in the class. 1. Anna is a very busy baby. She needed to have something in her hands in order for me to be allowed to massage her. And even then it was a struggle. 2. There was a boy in the class (colt) he is 1 month her junior. He was completely smitten with her, not taking his eyes off of her during the class.
Coming up this week we have found a few courses to replace baby massage, which has sadly ended.
1) on Wednesday we will be attending mum and baby yoga, she obviously is going to be more stressed now that baby massage is over, so it only makes since that she would need to have some relaxing yoga time.
2) On a more academic side we have signed up for baby signing (I know you are wondering why we would take a class in it as I have had enough sign language experience to do it myself) but its free and Anna is British and as such should learn British sign language. Plus, she LOVES to be around other children.
3) Anna also has entered the world of swimming lessons. She is now officially enrolled in raindrops, a swimming course for 6 months to 3 years. If she does well, she can earn her duckling 1, 2, and 3 badges. I have a feeling she will do well as she can go under the water (she can even sit on the side of the pool and push herself in, as long as there is a reason, like dropping a toy or something)
4) She now attends story time on the base on Fridays, as she needs some exposure to her country of citizen ship, and stories are a great way to learn.
5) She also attends the child development center twice a week for a total of about 3 hours a week. She has learned a lot from going there. Including, after seeing all the babies being able to get around, she now has more desire. After she went on Thursday while on the floor waiting for her bath she figured out how to push herself backwards. Also she has got on her hands a knees a few times (I am pretty positive these developments are from going to the Child Development center) I have stayed their with her this past week and watched her from across the room and she really learns a lot. In the next few weeks I will be leaving her to go to the gym.
6) She attends a toddler group to sing songs and make friends. She is such a social baby. Seeing other children or babies completely makes her day. She gets very excited and loves singing time.
7) On Mondays we are going to the use the morning to visit friends, this Monday she will be going to a 2 year old's house whom we met at the medical center on base while waiting for a vaccine.
This might sound like a bit of a rigorous schedule, but each thing only lasts half an hour to an hour and a half a week. We try to go out twice a day 1st time after morning nap and 2nd time after afternoon nap. Also, most of it is completely free (with the exception of mum and baby yoga (the free course is full) and raindrops. We have also attended a toddler praise class at a local church, but that is every other week, so it won't really work in our schedule. We do also spend 2 afternoons a week at home just relaxing and spending time together. Makes for a pretty great time and I have to say Harrogate is THE place to grow up as a baby, there is so much to do, and it is all fun!
As everyone knows being a baby is very stressful so we just finished a course in baby massage. I am not sure but I assume after her massages she is much more relaxed. There were some interesting things that happened in the class. 1. Anna is a very busy baby. She needed to have something in her hands in order for me to be allowed to massage her. And even then it was a struggle. 2. There was a boy in the class (colt) he is 1 month her junior. He was completely smitten with her, not taking his eyes off of her during the class.
Coming up this week we have found a few courses to replace baby massage, which has sadly ended.
1) on Wednesday we will be attending mum and baby yoga, she obviously is going to be more stressed now that baby massage is over, so it only makes since that she would need to have some relaxing yoga time.
2) On a more academic side we have signed up for baby signing (I know you are wondering why we would take a class in it as I have had enough sign language experience to do it myself) but its free and Anna is British and as such should learn British sign language. Plus, she LOVES to be around other children.
3) Anna also has entered the world of swimming lessons. She is now officially enrolled in raindrops, a swimming course for 6 months to 3 years. If she does well, she can earn her duckling 1, 2, and 3 badges. I have a feeling she will do well as she can go under the water (she can even sit on the side of the pool and push herself in, as long as there is a reason, like dropping a toy or something)
4) She now attends story time on the base on Fridays, as she needs some exposure to her country of citizen ship, and stories are a great way to learn.
5) She also attends the child development center twice a week for a total of about 3 hours a week. She has learned a lot from going there. Including, after seeing all the babies being able to get around, she now has more desire. After she went on Thursday while on the floor waiting for her bath she figured out how to push herself backwards. Also she has got on her hands a knees a few times (I am pretty positive these developments are from going to the Child Development center) I have stayed their with her this past week and watched her from across the room and she really learns a lot. In the next few weeks I will be leaving her to go to the gym.
6) She attends a toddler group to sing songs and make friends. She is such a social baby. Seeing other children or babies completely makes her day. She gets very excited and loves singing time.
7) On Mondays we are going to the use the morning to visit friends, this Monday she will be going to a 2 year old's house whom we met at the medical center on base while waiting for a vaccine.
This might sound like a bit of a rigorous schedule, but each thing only lasts half an hour to an hour and a half a week. We try to go out twice a day 1st time after morning nap and 2nd time after afternoon nap. Also, most of it is completely free (with the exception of mum and baby yoga (the free course is full) and raindrops. We have also attended a toddler praise class at a local church, but that is every other week, so it won't really work in our schedule. We do also spend 2 afternoons a week at home just relaxing and spending time together. Makes for a pretty great time and I have to say Harrogate is THE place to grow up as a baby, there is so much to do, and it is all fun!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Howdy
So, after not posting in so long, I have finally sat down to type out a few thoughts. It has taken me a TON of time to get back into the swing of things after my trip to the states. It is February and I am still not all the way back into my routine. WOW! Anyway, we have had a few things that have been going on. A man that moved back home to the states gave us a couch! So now more than two people can actually sit in our living room. We also saved up our a few pence and purchased one of those ikea bookshelves that has all the cubbies. So now I feel as though we are truly moved in. Our computer room is clean! Drew did that while I was on my trip. Every room has been moved in, so even when the house is a mess it only involves a little bit of straightening, fold a few items of clothing, and washing some dishes!
Next, it snowed here. It has snowed maybe twice so far this winter but they have hardly even been worthy of a mention. But this week it snowed and snowed. We have probably a good 8 inches of snow! It is also supposed to snow more in the next few weeks. By the way, Denise your pretty lucky that stuff doesn't get cancelled when it snows. Here the British stuff doesn't get cancelled but it seems like everything on Base is a no go. On Monday for instance the children's center in town still held baby massage class. We went, and had a good time. On Tuesday, the Child development center on base cancelled our appointment (I have enrolled Anna in the hourly program their, so now twice a week I drop her off for a couple hours so I can go the gym). Its a great deal and only costs $3.50 an hour. I had to get her additional vaccines and everything but they have cancelled on us several times. Shhhesh!
Last week Anna and I went swimming at a pool called the Hydro. I had never been in before and boy am I glad we went! It is huge and it has a fitness center inside. Its not as big as the sports and learning complex (for those of you that are local) but it is probably a combination of Rollingcrest splash park, a golds gym, and a dance studio. They have what is called a Creche their that you can drop your kids off for them to watch them while they work out. I was inquiring about the classes they run at the front desk, when a man came up and asked me if I was interested in a post natal class. I said that my daughter was 7 months old but if that was cool with them I was all for it. So, now I get to participate in a pilot class for free, that they teach you exercises to get your body back into shape after having a baby. It is taught by a physiotherapist (which I can only assume means physical therapist, but who knows) and they also discuss the proper ways to carry babies etc. I am glad I got into the class, its 4 weeks long, once a week and its pretty late in the day so Drew will be able to pick Anna up from the Child Development center (as long as they don't cancel!) And she will only need to be their for a half hour. When we get out of debt, I might be able to afford to pay for a class!
In April, Joan and Fred are going on a bike trip to Holland and want us to come along! They are going to let us take their car, while they bike around. We are pretty excited to be going out to travel. We are going to go for about 4 days or so, so it should be great.
Drew started another semester of his Masters program, so he is pretty busy now. But we have put Anna on a new sleep schedule. She is going to bed at about 7 and having consistent naps, so its helps things around here run a bit smoother. Now, I just need to get her to take longer naps, but one step at a time!
Our house is still on the market and hasn't sold yet =( We even had to lower the price to try and get a new buyer. They we had some issues with the smell or gas and a broken pipe. So we are considering replacing the stove (which has always smelled a little like gas but the plumbers and now the gas company wasn't really concerned, so its not like a panic thing). We hope that a buyer comes along soon! Please keep us in your prayers!
Hope everyone is well. I will try to post a little more often.
Next, it snowed here. It has snowed maybe twice so far this winter but they have hardly even been worthy of a mention. But this week it snowed and snowed. We have probably a good 8 inches of snow! It is also supposed to snow more in the next few weeks. By the way, Denise your pretty lucky that stuff doesn't get cancelled when it snows. Here the British stuff doesn't get cancelled but it seems like everything on Base is a no go. On Monday for instance the children's center in town still held baby massage class. We went, and had a good time. On Tuesday, the Child development center on base cancelled our appointment (I have enrolled Anna in the hourly program their, so now twice a week I drop her off for a couple hours so I can go the gym). Its a great deal and only costs $3.50 an hour. I had to get her additional vaccines and everything but they have cancelled on us several times. Shhhesh!
Last week Anna and I went swimming at a pool called the Hydro. I had never been in before and boy am I glad we went! It is huge and it has a fitness center inside. Its not as big as the sports and learning complex (for those of you that are local) but it is probably a combination of Rollingcrest splash park, a golds gym, and a dance studio. They have what is called a Creche their that you can drop your kids off for them to watch them while they work out. I was inquiring about the classes they run at the front desk, when a man came up and asked me if I was interested in a post natal class. I said that my daughter was 7 months old but if that was cool with them I was all for it. So, now I get to participate in a pilot class for free, that they teach you exercises to get your body back into shape after having a baby. It is taught by a physiotherapist (which I can only assume means physical therapist, but who knows) and they also discuss the proper ways to carry babies etc. I am glad I got into the class, its 4 weeks long, once a week and its pretty late in the day so Drew will be able to pick Anna up from the Child Development center (as long as they don't cancel!) And she will only need to be their for a half hour. When we get out of debt, I might be able to afford to pay for a class!
In April, Joan and Fred are going on a bike trip to Holland and want us to come along! They are going to let us take their car, while they bike around. We are pretty excited to be going out to travel. We are going to go for about 4 days or so, so it should be great.
Drew started another semester of his Masters program, so he is pretty busy now. But we have put Anna on a new sleep schedule. She is going to bed at about 7 and having consistent naps, so its helps things around here run a bit smoother. Now, I just need to get her to take longer naps, but one step at a time!
Our house is still on the market and hasn't sold yet =( We even had to lower the price to try and get a new buyer. They we had some issues with the smell or gas and a broken pipe. So we are considering replacing the stove (which has always smelled a little like gas but the plumbers and now the gas company wasn't really concerned, so its not like a panic thing). We hope that a buyer comes along soon! Please keep us in your prayers!
Hope everyone is well. I will try to post a little more often.
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