Recently my visiting teacher was telling me about a book she had read a while back and she really liked it. She said that it had helped her to figure out some things about her kids. The book she was refering to is called the 5 Love Languages. I had read the book years ago and decided Iwanted to read it again.
The premise of the book is that what makes one person feel loved is completely different from what makes another person feel loved. The author has found 5 primary ways that a person feels that they are loved. They include: words of afirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service and physical touch. At first I thought I might be quality time then as I read I thought well, maybe acts of service or who knows. I took the quiz at the end and I scored very high for quality time. Drew got pretty high on that as well. I have been blessed with a husband who really spends a lot of quality time with me so I feel very loved! So here is a recap of the quality time we spent this weekend.
1) We tend to do most things together. Drew works on school work a lot so often I sit with him and read a book or go on the internet. This was true for Friday evening.
2) Saturday, we went swimming with Anna. It was great! I had wanted Drew to be able to come swimming with us for a while but we took the opportunity Saturday and Anna was loving it!
3) We went out to lunch after the pool.
4) Drew worked on school work and I proof read.
5) Sunday we spent time watching general conference and playing with Anna.
On the Anna front there have been some great and adorable developments of late. The biggest and most exciting for me is something that happened on This past Thursday.
After swimming lessons Anna normally has a long nap and then goes to base to spend an hour or so at the child development center. Well, she HATES it there. Really she likes the center but hates being away from me. She will literally spend the entire time screaming. If they try to comfort her she gest more agitated. Distraction doesn't help either. This Thursday something clicked. She didn't even sleep well and therefore went to the cdc very tired so I really hesitated in leaving her. But I did. I ran to the store for about 45 minutes. AND she didn't cry. She was playing happily when I got back! I was SHOCKED and couldn't have been prouder. Then Friday she went back and same thing, she enjoyed herself! I am hoping that this is the end of the separation anxiety or at least the end of her separation anxiety at the CDC. If so, it will have left as quickly as it came. It hit right about 4 months and she is just a little older than 9 months. I must say I felt very liberated to be able to go to the computer lab without thinking that my baby was super stressed. Then coming back to find her happy! Well done!
Anna is VERY close to crawling. I really think it will start any day now.
Anna loves swimming, she isn't the biggest fan of going under the water but has never cried, not once when she has gone under. Now she will actually hold her breath when she comes in from the side of the pool in preparation for going under! Clever girl!
Anna received her first certificate this week. She received a certificate for learning her first sign. She was 8 months old when she learned it. She signs "want" when she wants something. She also has learned to sign milk this week as well!
As a note of interest. Drew and I are thinking about taking a cruise next January with his parents and Anna of course. The cruise is on NCL and it goes from Barcelona to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta, and Egypt. We have been pretty excited about that and I will let you know about any developments there. I hope everyone is well! Happy Easter!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
My Birthday Festivities
It was pretty exciting to celebrate my 30th birthday this week! I have arrived! The big 30! On my big day Anna woke up at 6 AM (about 1 hour earlier than normal! Oh, Joy! Then we went to mum and baby Yoga in the AM. She took a nap while we were there (most of the babies end up falling asleep, very soothing music and a relaxing environment make napping ideal). Anyway, after that, we came home for a while and did some things around the house. Then we went up to base and Anna went the child development center, while I went to the gym. This was the only part of my day which was depressing. In the gym they had the news on (we don't get live TV at home, if we want to watch a show, we will download it). I for one am not a big fan of watching the "news" what they put on TV is always boring. There is plenty of news on the Internet, and usually you can get better information (in my opinion). That being said I am usually too busy to check it out on the Internet anyway. Back to my story, so I was at the gym and the news was on talking about the most horrible violence going on in the world. So, I got a bit down. Then I really wanted to go see my baby. When I got to pick her up she had been pretty much screaming the whole time I was gone. So, there was that. But, then I got to go pick Drew up from work and we ventured to my birthday party. Joan very graciously hosted my birthday party. She made delicious pizza and an amazing strawberry cream cake. Drew got 30 candles too! My friend Fiona and her two boys came over to help celebrate. It was a great party.
After that, I got to go home and talk to my family. Thank you all for making my birthday great!
The final part of my birthday was tonight. Fiona watched Anna so that Drew and I could go out on a date. We headed down to Leeds (a city about 30 minutes from here). We went to Leeds market, which is both an open air and in door market. It has over 800 vendors. It is huge! If I had know about it when mom was out here I would have brought you guys. I think you would have loved it. They have EVERYTHING. Including about 10 butchers, 10 fish mongers, loads of fruit and veg places, candy stores, food from different counties (including a south African food store!), flower shops, shoe shops, etc. Anyway, after we wandered around there, we headed to Victoria Center, which is a very posh shopping center (the kind that doesn't put price tags on things they are so expensive) needless to say we didn't do any shopping there. But they had a little cafe where we got some bittersweet hot cocoa (70% cocoa) a scone and some delicious cheesecake. What a great birthday!
After that, I got to go home and talk to my family. Thank you all for making my birthday great!
The final part of my birthday was tonight. Fiona watched Anna so that Drew and I could go out on a date. We headed down to Leeds (a city about 30 minutes from here). We went to Leeds market, which is both an open air and in door market. It has over 800 vendors. It is huge! If I had know about it when mom was out here I would have brought you guys. I think you would have loved it. They have EVERYTHING. Including about 10 butchers, 10 fish mongers, loads of fruit and veg places, candy stores, food from different counties (including a south African food store!), flower shops, shoe shops, etc. Anyway, after we wandered around there, we headed to Victoria Center, which is a very posh shopping center (the kind that doesn't put price tags on things they are so expensive) needless to say we didn't do any shopping there. But they had a little cafe where we got some bittersweet hot cocoa (70% cocoa) a scone and some delicious cheesecake. What a great birthday!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Pay it Forward
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!
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!
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.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Happy Birthday Grandpa!
We wanted to wish grandpa a happy 60th birthday!
[flv:http://teammudgett.net/blog/media/video/poppop.flv 320 240]
[flv:http://teammudgett.net/blog/media/video/poppop.flv 320 240]
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)