Raising Raedyn

Wordless Wednesday

2012-03-07T08:52:00.001-07:00

My job in a nutshell

2012-02-24T11:36:00.003-07:00

3 year old: I want to play hide and seek!
Me: Ok! I'll count and you hide! (counts to 10)
3 year old hides in closet.
Me: Ready or not here I come! Hmm where could she be? Is she under the table? Noooooo. Is she behind the slide? Noooooo.
3 year old knocks on closet door.
Me(opening closet door): There you are!
Cue infectious giggling from 3 year old.

Wash, rinse, repeat(about 50 times) with the same exact hiding spot every.single.time.

Job update

2012-02-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

I started my new job last week and overall it went really well. I worked 2 afternoons in the junior life skills class. It was different than anything I've ever done but I really like the idea of it. I was a little overwhelmed at first because I had no idea what to expect and I don't know the kids. I'm hoping that I can get over my shyness a little more and just have a good time with them. It's still a little strange leaving R and going to work but I know it's good for both of us. This week I'll be getting a few more hours working in the daycare so that should be fun.

I won!

2012-02-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

For the past few months I have been entering giveaways mostly for cloth diaper related things. Yesterday I found out I actually won something! I entered the "Happy Hemp Day" giveaway on the Babykicks facebook page for 2 JoeyBunz hemp inserts. I have one of these inserts that I bought off DiaperSwappers and I love it! It is super thin but really absorbent as well. I prefer natural fibers in cloth diapers and am a big fan of hemp. I hope I didn't use up all my good luck because I could really use some more diapers!

Cutie with a cloth booty

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T10:43:00.001-07:00

Loving on her daddy

She loves stealing the remote

Bottoms up!

Snuggle time

I have news!

2012-01-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

Remember how I talked about having an interview? Well I got the job! It feels a little weird to talk about after being a SAHM for over a year but I'm excited to get started. I'm going in tonight to do some paperwork and attend my first training class. Hopefully I can work out my schedule to where we won't need much help with R. I should be working mostly afternoons/evenings and weekends and Travis has school during the day. I still think it would be good for Raedyn to go to some type of daycare with other kids but I really don't want to pay for it! Things are going to be pretty tight for a while since I won't be making nearly as much as what T was when he was working.

In other news, we bought R a potty! Not just any potty, it had to be an ELMO potty. We're not potty training yet but I figure it doesn't hurt to get one now so she's used to it. She was so excited when she saw Elmo and just kept shouting "Elmo! Elmo!" in the store. She already loves to sit on it and "flush" it. It even has a handle that makes a flushing noise! Isn't it cute?

Poor neglected blog

2012-01-17T12:05:00.001-07:00

I am a horrible blogger!
Well, I guess I'll update all of my 4 followers on the changes happening around here. I never wrote about it but Travis got word a while back that he would be deploying in the spring with another unit. We were preparing ourselves for that and I was going to move back home to my parents with R and the pups. I certainly wasn't thrilled about it but we were trying to look at the bright side of things. It would have been a lot more money and we also would have qualified for a VA loan when he got back so we could buy a house. We didn't hear anything for a while and were wondering what was up. T found out that the mission changed and the unit didn't need as many people anymore. So far he hasn't been on the list to go so we might be in the clear for a while. Of course that can change at any time.

When he realized he most likely wouldn't be going T finally took the plunge and enrolled in classes at a community college. He actually started classes today! I'm am proud of him and support him 100% but now I'm faced with my time as a SAHM ending and having to find a job. My goal was to find a nanny job that would allow me to bring R but those are hard to find. I'm actually starting to like the idea of her going to some sort of daycare, I think it will be good for her. I have an interview tomorrow with an agency that works with special needs children. I'm hoping it works out and I can start working soon!

Day 18

2011-12-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Day 18: Something you miss.

I miss summers in New Hampshire. I miss driving up to my family's cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee and going on boat rides. It was so relaxing up there and the air was so clean. I have so many good memories at the campground and it's one of my favorite places to be.

Day 17

2011-12-09T11:25:00.001-07:00

Day 17: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs.

Oh good an easy one! Although I have no idea where my iPod is so I'll use the small amount of music on my iTunes.
1. "How Long" Spoken
2. "Lucy Locket" Kid's music
3. "Words, hands, hearts" Yellowcard
4. "After" MxPx
5. "Breakdown" Relient K
6. "Action" The Starting Line
7. "Bloodless" Emery
8. "You make me, me" MxPx
9. "10,000 Miles" Craig's Brother
10. "The Bad Times[reprise]" Dogwood

Day 16

2011-12-08T10:40:00.001-07:00

Day 16: Your opinion about your body and how comfortable you are with it.

I've been avoiding this one but I guess I have to get it over with at some point. I've never had huge issues with my body. I have a thin frame and have always been fairly thin to average. My main issue is my stomach. I have been ~~cursed~~ blessed with the family trait of a pot-belly. Even at my thinnest my belly always seems to stick out. As a gymnast in my younger years it wasn't really noticeable. When I stopped working out regularly I became really self-conscious about it. I have pictures that look like I'm pregnant when I'm not! My brother once edited a picture for me to flatten my belly because it was so bad! I know part of it is because I tend to slouch and then my belly sticks out even more. After having a baby it's just gotten worse. I know I need to work out more and I hope I can discipline myself to do that. We just got the Kinect for XBox and a dancing game that's really fun but also a good workout. My goal is to dance at least 3 times a week to start.

She's not a baby anymore

2011-12-02T14:21:00.001-07:00

Is it just me or does 15 months sound so much older and more toddler-like than 12/13/14 months. This is the first "month-day" that makes me really feel like I don't have a baby anymore. More than ever my little R always knows just what she wants and is determined to get it. Just the other day I watched her open up the fridge(with just a tiny bit of help from mama), climb up on the flat bottom below the drawers, reach up to the top shelf, and grab her sippy cup. She also won't hesitate to stand up on her tiptoes to reach on the table or counter and grab some crackers that were left out. We're lucky if she gets more in her mouth than on the floor in that way but hey that's why we have dogs right? Right. This is probably one reason the furbabies love her so much. Little girl please slow down a little!

Day 15

2011-10-28T21:02:00.001-07:00

Day 15: Death row meal

Do I have to pick just one? This is a hard choice for me because I have 2 favorite meals. Those who know me well enough could probably guess!
Prime rib and chicken fingers.
I'll take both please! I love prime rib and it's definitely something I choose when I want to treat myself. Cook it medium with lots of au jus, a side of mashed potatoes, and some green beans and I am a happy girl. Chicken fingers are my comfort food. I may have been called "the chicken finger girl" more than once. It's my go-to meal when I'm at a new place or can't decide what to order. I like them with honey mustard and french fries.

Fun down south

2011-10-20T15:01:00.003-07:00

Last week we were down in Sierra Vista while Travis finished up a block of training classes at Ft. Huachuca. He was only supposed to be there for 3 weeks but during the 3rd week they told him he had to stay for one more. We had had quite enough of missing each other so we packed up the dogs and the baby and headed down south. The weather was beautiful while we were down there. It was a little boring while Travis was in class because he had to take the car which meant I had to stay in the hotel room the whole day.
One night (Wednesday?) we went to Daisy Mae's Steakhouse with 2 of his buddies. While the atmosphere and service were nothing to write home about the ribeye we all got was A-MA-ZING. We also confirmed that Raedyn is not a fan of potatoes. The next night we went on a nice drive to Bisbee. We saw the old copper mine and then drove through the town which was so cute. It was dark by when we were driving by the shops so I'd really like to go back during the day and check it out some more.
The Mine

Bisbee

Travis got out early on Friday so we went to Tombstone. I had heard a lot about it so I was excited to go check it out. The town was really neat but after spending a whole week in a hotel we didn't have the money to spend on the activities and food. Travis of course had to buy some Sarsaparilla but that was the extent of our spending that day.
Tombstone

Raedyn seeing a horse for the first time

Fun up north

2011-10-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

It's been busy times for the past week and half or so. Last weekend (7-8) we headed up to Payson to go camping. I was expecting it to be quite a bit cooler than down in the Valley but was I surprised when we got up there and saw SNOW on the ground!

It was freezing the night we got up there so Raedyn and I stayed in the nice warm car while my awesome husband set up the tent.

There was no one around us so we were able to let the dogs roam free for the most part. They had a blast! Raedyn got us up nice and early on Saturday and we got a fire going and had some breakfast.

We got Raedyn all bundled up and she had a great time walking around exploring.

We went on a hike, came back for lunch, and then went to the Tonto Fish Hatchery.

We roasted marshmallows for s'mores but ended up forgetting the bag with the graham crackers in it so I improvised.

We were going to stay another night but after forgetting quite a few things we were all pretty much over camping by Saturday evening and went home early. It was still nice and relaxing family time.

First stomach bug

2011-09-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

I guess it had to happen sometime! Other than getting thrush as a newborn and a few sniffles here and there, Raedyn has been perfectly healthy for the last year. Yesterday I noticed she was a little fussy and tired. We were going to go to The Little Gym but I decided to keep her home just in case. I was sitting down on the computer chair and she came up to me and wanted to cuddle. Now that she's walking, this doesn't happen often so I was enjoying it while it lasted! Without warning she throws up ALL OVER ME! She has never actually thrown up before besides the normal baby spit-up. My clothes, the chair, and the floor were covered but somehow Raedyn only ended up with a little on her arm. She seemed fine afterwards and she didn't have a fever so I wasn't too worried but we hung out at home most of the day just in case. She threw up one more time just before going to bed and that was it.

She's been fine today so we went to the park to have a picnic and play around a little. It wasn't too bad in the shade while we were eating but in the sun it was so hot! We didn't stay long but it was nice to get out of the house.

Day 14:

2011-09-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

Day 14: A picture of you last year – how have you changed?

That was me about this time last year. Raedyn was only a few weeks old and I was exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. Part of me felt like I might never get the hang of motherhood. I put a lot of pressure on myself to "do it all." Even though people always tell you "sleep when the baby sleeps" I felt like I was being lazy or a slob if I left a few dishes in the sink. I wondered if I would ever feel like myself again.

Now, I'm still exhausted more than I'd like but I've stopped being so hard on myself. As conceited as it may sound, I feel like I'm a pretty good mom. My daughter is healthy and happy so I must be doing something right! It's easy to fall into those feelings of needing to be the perfect housewife/mom when you stay at home. I've been focusing on myself a little more and learning new things.

Day 13

2011-09-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Day 13: Goals

I want to be a loving wife and mom to my husband and daughter every single day. Some days are easier than others but I know I must always love even when it's hard.

I ~~want~~ NEED to finish college so I don't feel like I wasted 4.5 years of my life and actually get a degree to be proud of. I want to get rid of my pot-belly and feel strong and sexy again. I want to be more diligent at recording milestones and memories as my daughter grows.

Day 12

2011-09-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Day 12: Something you don’t leave the house without.

My cellphone, house keys, diapers, and lip balm.

The end.

Ok that was boring so I'll leave you with some Raedyn cuteness!

Day 11

2011-09-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

Day 11: A quote you love.

It's the perfect day for this question. While on facebook today I had an old status pop up from this day in 2009. It said "Love can take a little, love can give a little more." It's actually a lyric from a song by Skillet and it's one of my favorites. On this day 2 years ago Travis was well into Basic Training for the army. It wasn't an easy time but songs like this helped to get me though. I was reminded that in love when both partners are giving more than they take, both are happy. It seems simple really but sometimes we get so caught up in what we want and what we're not getting that we forget to think about the other person and their needs.

Day 10

2011-09-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Day 10: Something you’re afraid of.

I'm afraid of being the center of attention. I have always been pretty shy and although I've gotten better over the years I still prefer not to have everyone's eyes on me. I'm afraid of screwing up in front of people or embarrassing myself. I'm afraid that my daughter will have the same issues and I don't want that kind of life for her.

Day 9

2011-09-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend.

Does this really need an explanation?

Looking back

2011-08-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my sweet "little" baby's first birthday. In honor of this I thought I would post my birth story and some pictures. :)

Raedyn Hope was born on Wednesday Sept. 1, 2010 at 12:53pm. She was 8lbs and 20in long.

I started having contractions at about 2:30am on Wednesday morning but they were so mild I assumed they were just the same braxton hicks I had been having. When they wouldn't go away I started timing them and they were 5-10 min apart. I still didn't believe it was the real thing but I kept timing them and when they started gettting closer together I woke my husband up. He wanted to get to the hospital right then but I was worried they would send me home so I started walking around the house to see if it they would let up. Of course they didn't and they got to about 3 min apart when we decided it was time to go in.

We got to the hospital at about 5am and they checked me and I was 5cm! I was so relieved that we didn't have to be sent home! L&D was packed that day so I was actually in triage for quite a while. We ended up getting put in the only room they had available which was the "isolation room." It was not nearly as welcoming as the room we saw on our tour.

Over the next 3 hours the contractions got really intense and were less than a minute apart. I felt like I barely had time to catch my breath. I was sure they must be doing something. The nurse checked me again and I was still only 5cm! At that point I decided to go ahead and get the epidural so I would have the strength to push when the time came. I was glad that I was still able to feel the contractions but they weren't painful. The doctor came in and broke my water and started me on pitocin.

Within an hour I was at 8cm and about 2 hours after that I was ready to push! I was totally watching Full House in between contractions! I pushed for about 45 min and then she was out! When they put her on my chest it was seriously the best moment of my life so far. She was so beautiful! She stopped crying as soon as I started talking to her and she opened her big eyes and stared at me.

Day 8

2011-08-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

Day 8: A place you’ve traveled to and where else you want to travel.

Kenya!

I would love to travel to Australia, Ireland, and Germany!

Day 7

2011-08-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

Day 7: What makes you happy.

My husband.
My daughter.
Chocolate.
Hugs.
Swimming.
Star gazing.
Helping people.
Kids.
Music.
Best Friends.
Reminiscing.
Old pictures.

Day 6

2011-08-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Day 6: Pet peeves.

Being interrupted
Nosy people
Doing the dishes
People who can't spell simple words and who RiTE LyKe DiS
Bad drivers
People who hear something new or different and automatically think it's stupid/wrong/gross etc. without doing any research on the subject.