Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there. And to my Godfather, for being a great substitute daddy to me.
I'm trying really really hard not to think about my own dad this weekend. Best to just concentrate on how truly wonderful of a daddy Steve is to Stefanie. We are so blessed. Happy Father's Day Love!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Scared to poop?
I'm starting to think Stef is afraid to poop in the potty. She was sitting there this morning as I was reading GoDogGo to her (this is her sitting on the potty book). I could tell she was straining. She kept looking in the potty every few seconds. Finally I saw a little turd in there. As soon as she saw that, she was FINISHED even though I knew she still had to go some more. There was no talking her into sitting back down. Ten minutes later her pull-up was full. She had a bit of a regression over the weekend too. I'm really starting to think she'd do much better just wearing regular panties all day long, but MIL doesn't want her pee'ing on her carpet, so that's out M-Th at least. It's really hard on the weekends too, because that's when we have to do all our running and I really don't want her to pee in the car seat. I almost feel like I need to try another potty training vacation. Sigh
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
My head is gonna explode
...and all the numbers are just gonna come spilling out! And it's not gonna be pretty! These mortgage people are giving me a serious headache. After spending my entire lunch hour (and then some) plus 45 minutes after work (plus about 30 minutes during work - shhhhh) talking to these people, I just couldn't look at it or think about it anymore last night. I looked at it this morning and compared the choices and we're going with a home equity loan from Wachovia. That will free up about $250 a month in the budget. That will offer some breathing room for increasing gas prices and pizza once in a while, plus adding extra payments to the last credit card standing.
I have lived much much leaner than this in my lifetime. I remember having to pawn stuff just to get $10 or $20 for chicken leg quarters. Even leaner - there was a time I only had $20 a week for groceries. Of course groceries were alot cheaper back then, but still.
I have lived much much leaner than this in my lifetime. I remember having to pawn stuff just to get $10 or $20 for chicken leg quarters. Even leaner - there was a time I only had $20 a week for groceries. Of course groceries were alot cheaper back then, but still.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Re-fi land
On a whim I clicked on a popup for refinancing mortgages. It was for lowermybills.com or something close to that. I got matched up with 5 different lenders. The one from QuickenLoans was very pushy at first, but he seems to have the best program and is working the hardest for us, so that's who we decided to go with. I wish I could've talked more with the Wachovia person. They had practically no closing costs in their program. It was too good to be true though and I wanted to ask more questions but she's out of the office til Wed or Thurs. So Quicken it is. I really need to get rid of these credit card bills. They're sucking us dry. Then, we need to put all our credit cards in the freezer in a block of ice. We have too much impulse buying going on. It's time to behave and live within our means again.
I pouted all morning Saturday. I felt so bad for allowing us to get into this situation (since I'm the one who handles the budget, it falls in my lap). Then I decided to get busy doing something about it. It's a bit overwhelming though - gathering all this info and getting it faxed over to Quicken. It's a good thing I'm a good multi-tasker.
I pouted all morning Saturday. I felt so bad for allowing us to get into this situation (since I'm the one who handles the budget, it falls in my lap). Then I decided to get busy doing something about it. It's a bit overwhelming though - gathering all this info and getting it faxed over to Quicken. It's a good thing I'm a good multi-tasker.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Random pictures
Stef's funny face
fell asleep on the recliner
grown from a slip off my grandmother's rose
our house
the red hot pokers are finally blooming again
crazy rose bush
back yard
fell asleep on the recliner
grown from a slip off my grandmother's rose
our house
the red hot pokers are finally blooming again
crazy rose bush
back yard
Sitter situation resolved
Well, mostly, anyway. What it boils down to is that MIL needs to mind her own business and not worry about us having to find a sitter if she's not scheduled to have Stef. If my mom is sick, then it's mine and Steve's responsibility find someone. That being said, I really do have to find a reliable back up for when my mom is sick. I can't keep asking my cousin to stay up all day when she works nights. I've asked my Godmother and she's willing to help if she has nothing else planned. I should still find a daycare with drop in service though in case she's busy on a day that mom's sick. I cringe at the thought of the only one I've found so far. It's very close to our house, but $60 a day is steep. I'll keep looking.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
BooBoo
Steve called me yesterday to tell me he got his tetanus shot. I was thinking it was because of the rip up his arm from catching it on a rusty screen door handle. But NO! He cut the tip of his finger off. There was a razor blade sticking up in his tool bag and it got him when he reached in to get a tool. Imagine a stack of 2 dimes - that's what is missing from his right forefinger. He never did find the missing piece. At first he just put bandaids on it but kept bleeding through so he wrapped it in a paper towel and they sent him to hospital thinking he might need stitches. There's nothing there to stitch, so they bandaged it up really well, gave him a tetanus shot, some vicadan, and the Z-pack antibiotic. It's just going to have grow skin back on it's own. The paperwork they sent home with him said it could take up to 6 weeks! Yuck yuck yuck! The thought of the whole thing just makes me queasy. I'd never have been able to be a nurse!
Update on MIL working vs babysitting Stef.....Steve mentioned to her that I was looking at some daycares and it scared the living crap outta her. She called me Saturday to say she just doesn't know what she'd do if she wasn't taking care of Lil Munchkin and wanted to know what we are going to do. I said we are going to act on whatever she tells us she wants to do but she has to tell us. I also asked how much it would cost us to keep her fulltime. She doesn't know what she wants to do and even when she decides, she'll second guess her decision til the day she dies. It's really hard sometimes, working with the human waffle. Anyway, we're invited to dinner with her tonight (mac & cheese & fish - YUMMMMM) and I guess we'll talk more then.
What I really need to find is just reliable drop-in service for when my mom gets sick. She'll be more than happy to take Stef 2 days a week as long as she's healthy. I've found out that the daycare at ParkCity Mall takes drop-ins. I haven't called yet though. Guess I should do that before dinner tonight.
Update on MIL working vs babysitting Stef.....Steve mentioned to her that I was looking at some daycares and it scared the living crap outta her. She called me Saturday to say she just doesn't know what she'd do if she wasn't taking care of Lil Munchkin and wanted to know what we are going to do. I said we are going to act on whatever she tells us she wants to do but she has to tell us. I also asked how much it would cost us to keep her fulltime. She doesn't know what she wants to do and even when she decides, she'll second guess her decision til the day she dies. It's really hard sometimes, working with the human waffle. Anyway, we're invited to dinner with her tonight (mac & cheese & fish - YUMMMMM) and I guess we'll talk more then.
What I really need to find is just reliable drop-in service for when my mom gets sick. She'll be more than happy to take Stef 2 days a week as long as she's healthy. I've found out that the daycare at ParkCity Mall takes drop-ins. I haven't called yet though. Guess I should do that before dinner tonight.
Friday, June 02, 2006
SO incredibly upset
It's not like I hadn't been considering the idea myself because of hints being dropped and my mom's health not holding steady. MIL called me this morning on my way to the office to say she really needs to work at least 2 days during the week and can we consider putting Stef in part time daycare, maybe with a church group or something. The thing is, we only pay $10/day right now. I called one daycare that accepts drop-ins: $60/day (plus a $75 application fee). Holy sheep shit! I'm sure the pricing would be different for fulltime or parttime care, but it just gripes me to no end.
After all the fussing and fighting and crying and cojoling she did to get to be THE babysitter, now she keeps backing out on us. First it was Fridays that she isn't keeping Stef. Now she wants another day. I can understand needing to work more, but Sith Spawn!
Of course it's left to me to do all the leg work and research and calling around and budget re-configuring. Something is going to have to go. Maybe more than one something. (I'm not talking about the dogs here)
Maybe I'll call the mortgage lady and see about re-financing or getting a 2nd. Maybe my head will just explode and I'll feel better then.
Sunovahutt!
After all the fussing and fighting and crying and cojoling she did to get to be THE babysitter, now she keeps backing out on us. First it was Fridays that she isn't keeping Stef. Now she wants another day. I can understand needing to work more, but Sith Spawn!
Of course it's left to me to do all the leg work and research and calling around and budget re-configuring. Something is going to have to go. Maybe more than one something. (I'm not talking about the dogs here)
Maybe I'll call the mortgage lady and see about re-financing or getting a 2nd. Maybe my head will just explode and I'll feel better then.
Sunovahutt!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Back to the grind
I'm finally back at work after a 10 day break/vacation. I have lots to share but also lots of work to get caught up on.
Here's the reader's digest version:
Stef is about 85% potty trained now. She was doing really really well, but then went on strike Thursday and Friday. Back on track now.
We had a great time visiting the Philly Zoo. And Stef and I had a fabulous week together!
Our neighborhood yard sale is this Saturday. I'm anxious to clean the spaces being taken up by all the baby stuff and collect some cash for it all, but it's bitter sweet. I don't really want to be getting rid of any of these things. Sigh.
More later in the week as time permits (go figure! they actually expect me to do some WORK in exchange for use of their high speed interenet connection!)
Here's the reader's digest version:
Stef is about 85% potty trained now. She was doing really really well, but then went on strike Thursday and Friday. Back on track now.
We had a great time visiting the Philly Zoo. And Stef and I had a fabulous week together!
Our neighborhood yard sale is this Saturday. I'm anxious to clean the spaces being taken up by all the baby stuff and collect some cash for it all, but it's bitter sweet. I don't really want to be getting rid of any of these things. Sigh.
More later in the week as time permits (go figure! they actually expect me to do some WORK in exchange for use of their high speed interenet connection!)
Thursday, May 18, 2006
2 year checkup
Last night was Stef's 2 yr checkup. She got to stand on the "big girl scale" and use the "big girl heighth measuring thingy". She was not impressed. But then again, she refused her nap but fell asleep in the car on the way to the doctor, which always makes for a very grumpy Stef.
She weighs 28 lbs and is 33" (which will make her 5'6" fully grown if that theory holds true). She's developing wonderfully, normal in all aspects. The development sheet they gave us says she should be saying I, ME, and YOU, which she doesn't, but it'll come in time. She should have at least 50 clear words in her vocabulary. She has well over 50 words I'm sure, but I didn't actually sit and count them. We're supposed to go off the whole milk and toddler toothpaste now. The doc was impressed with her progress in potty training. Next week is my vacation week to do intensive potty training with her.
My mother-in-law was very frustrated with Stef's potty training yesterday. She kept refusing to keep her pull ups on. Everytime she tried to put pants on the child, she'd run screaming "potty potty". Put her on the potty and nothing. Later she pee'd on the carpet, pee'd on the floor, and pooped on the floor (right next to the potty!!) Agh! I think Stef was just full of herself yesterday. My little Miss Independence.
Crap Crap Crap! Now my mom just called. She's sick and won't be able to watch Stef tomorrow. I can't take off work because my niece is supposed to career shadow me tomorrow, plus I have all next week off. My sister is busy, Wendy can't take off, Von is working. The last hope I can think of is Megan. I left her a voice mail. I know she's working at a Wendy's but don't know her schedule. I hope she calls me back really soon! I have one other thought but I don't think Steve would be comfortable with it. We shall see.
She weighs 28 lbs and is 33" (which will make her 5'6" fully grown if that theory holds true). She's developing wonderfully, normal in all aspects. The development sheet they gave us says she should be saying I, ME, and YOU, which she doesn't, but it'll come in time. She should have at least 50 clear words in her vocabulary. She has well over 50 words I'm sure, but I didn't actually sit and count them. We're supposed to go off the whole milk and toddler toothpaste now. The doc was impressed with her progress in potty training. Next week is my vacation week to do intensive potty training with her.
My mother-in-law was very frustrated with Stef's potty training yesterday. She kept refusing to keep her pull ups on. Everytime she tried to put pants on the child, she'd run screaming "potty potty". Put her on the potty and nothing. Later she pee'd on the carpet, pee'd on the floor, and pooped on the floor (right next to the potty!!) Agh! I think Stef was just full of herself yesterday. My little Miss Independence.
Crap Crap Crap! Now my mom just called. She's sick and won't be able to watch Stef tomorrow. I can't take off work because my niece is supposed to career shadow me tomorrow, plus I have all next week off. My sister is busy, Wendy can't take off, Von is working. The last hope I can think of is Megan. I left her a voice mail. I know she's working at a Wendy's but don't know her schedule. I hope she calls me back really soon! I have one other thought but I don't think Steve would be comfortable with it. We shall see.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Funny little girl
Stef was with me in the bathroom yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work. She grabbed me and pushed to make me turn around. She was saying "Tail? Tail?" She's looking for my tail!!! I tried to explain to her that people don't have tails. Grandma says she's been looking at all her babies and animals trying to find the tails too.
For about the past 2 wks, Stef has been saying Omi (German for grandma) for my mom. Well actually she's been saying something more like Aaah-mi. All the sudden Sunday afternoon, she starts calling her Emmo (her word for Elmo)! Omi was not very amused (on the outside anyway. on the inside I think she thinks it's hilarious). She kept asking Stef "Do I look like I'm red and furry?" I just had to say "Well Mom, you did have your hair dyed red not too long ago" :) She's gone back to calling her Aaah-mi, so now Omi wonders if Stef was making a joke? Can they do that this young?
For about the past 2 wks, Stef has been saying Omi (German for grandma) for my mom. Well actually she's been saying something more like Aaah-mi. All the sudden Sunday afternoon, she starts calling her Emmo (her word for Elmo)! Omi was not very amused (on the outside anyway. on the inside I think she thinks it's hilarious). She kept asking Stef "Do I look like I'm red and furry?" I just had to say "Well Mom, you did have your hair dyed red not too long ago" :) She's gone back to calling her Aaah-mi, so now Omi wonders if Stef was making a joke? Can they do that this young?
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Party party party
Stef's birthday party was GREAT! We all had lots of fun. Here are some pictures.
The cakes I made:
Daddy pushing Stef in her favorite present:
Having fun with the game leftovers:
eating some cupcakes:
her 4th cupcake!!
The cakes I made:
Daddy pushing Stef in her favorite present:
Having fun with the game leftovers:
eating some cupcakes:
her 4th cupcake!!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Another Prozac day
I finally admitted to myself yesterday that my Prozac needs to be adjusted. I haven't felt quite like myself for about 5 weeks now. I've been either short tempered or on the verge of tears and getting upset over stupid inconsequential things. Five weeks ago would be about when we decided to give up trying to conceive and I expected to feel down from that. I was giving it some time to see if I would get over it, if it was just a situational temporary depression. Five weeks later, it's not better. And the kicker that made me the call the doc was that my new boss called me Terrisa to a co-worker and I was gonna jump down his throat! Not a smart move for a no-big-deal offense. Wake up call!
So the doc approved increasing me from 40mg to 60mg and if that doesn't work I need to call them in about 2 weeks.
On the potty training front...Stef made poopoo for me today. She kept saying poopoo (as I'm getting us ready to get out the door of course) so I sat her down on the potty. She had a little poo in her diaper but she kept pushing and saying poopoo. Nothing happened so she got up and was running around the kitchen diaperless. I had to take the messed diaper up to the diaper pail and get a fresh pull up for her. When I came back downstairs, there she is, squatting under the table. She got SO excited to tell me she made a poopoo (on my kitchen floor!!) so I couldn't possibly be mad at her. She's too cute to get mad at her anyway. ;)
So the doc approved increasing me from 40mg to 60mg and if that doesn't work I need to call them in about 2 weeks.
On the potty training front...Stef made poopoo for me today. She kept saying poopoo (as I'm getting us ready to get out the door of course) so I sat her down on the potty. She had a little poo in her diaper but she kept pushing and saying poopoo. Nothing happened so she got up and was running around the kitchen diaperless. I had to take the messed diaper up to the diaper pail and get a fresh pull up for her. When I came back downstairs, there she is, squatting under the table. She got SO excited to tell me she made a poopoo (on my kitchen floor!!) so I couldn't possibly be mad at her. She's too cute to get mad at her anyway. ;)
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Almost ready
I only have about a dozen details to settle for Stef's 24 month birthday party now. Lets see...
Cover the puzzles (printed out from the web) in plastic and cut pieces apart
Draw a face on the last Shovel and Pail
Make one more Handy Dandy Notebook and put it and the last 2 already made together.
Order the food Friday for pickup Sunday.
Make bean bags for the game.
Make the cakes/cupcakes.
Buy the last few things like napkins, small plates, hamburger, Manwich, condiments.
Make hamburg BBQ.
Okay, so that's only 8 things. I must be missing something.
And I got a phone call this morning that Stef made poopoo in the potty!!!!!!!!!!!! She made peepee 3 times yesterday! I think she's gonna be a thankfully easy train. (knock wood)
Cover the puzzles (printed out from the web) in plastic and cut pieces apart
Draw a face on the last Shovel and Pail
Make one more Handy Dandy Notebook and put it and the last 2 already made together.
Order the food Friday for pickup Sunday.
Make bean bags for the game.
Make the cakes/cupcakes.
Buy the last few things like napkins, small plates, hamburger, Manwich, condiments.
Make hamburg BBQ.
Okay, so that's only 8 things. I must be missing something.
And I got a phone call this morning that Stef made poopoo in the potty!!!!!!!!!!!! She made peepee 3 times yesterday! I think she's gonna be a thankfully easy train. (knock wood)
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Why doth she vex me so?
My mother-in-law was jumping up and down on my last nerve yesterday. I'm trying really really hard to just let it go. It's not that important. Honestly though, I have enough trouble maintaining my self-esteem. I sure don't need help from her in tearing it down further.
Serenity now!!!!!
Serenity now!!!!!
Monday, May 01, 2006
We might not make it....
to my vacation week of May 22, scheduled with the intention of intensive potty training.
I say we might not make it because Stef made peepee in the potty last night!! She asked to go. I didn't believe her but she insisted so I sat her down. And she filled it with peepee!!!!! Stood up and said peepee in a different tone of voice like she was saying "see mom mom?!? told ya so!"
Freaking hilarious! What a great baby! Yes I still say baby. She's not turning 2 this Sunday. She's turning 24 months. As long as I can still say months, she's still a baby. Right? LOL
I say we might not make it because Stef made peepee in the potty last night!! She asked to go. I didn't believe her but she insisted so I sat her down. And she filled it with peepee!!!!! Stood up and said peepee in a different tone of voice like she was saying "see mom mom?!? told ya so!"
Freaking hilarious! What a great baby! Yes I still say baby. She's not turning 2 this Sunday. She's turning 24 months. As long as I can still say months, she's still a baby. Right? LOL
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Stef's not helping
Baby girl was so happy and pleasant this morning...until I tried to put her shoes and jacket on. Then she knew we were about to pack up in the car and go to her Grandma's house. She started fussing and whining and complained about a non-existent booboo the whole way in the car. She's usually quite happy to stay with Gra-Ma and Daiseeey. But today, she didn't want to get out of the car seat and kept reaching for me to hold her and didn't want to take off her coat. I know she was okay as soon as I left but it just breaks my heart into little bitty pieces when she acts like that at drop off time.
Now I'm feeling so utterly sad that I can hardly concentrate here at work.
Now I'm feeling so utterly sad that I can hardly concentrate here at work.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
What a dumb ass
Would you believe....
I bought a new HP printer last night on sale at Staples. The dude even asked me if I need a printer cable. I said "No, I have one. I'm replacing a dead printer" Well, apparently printer cables have changed from the big fat P&J type to the nice little USB type since I bought my last printer. So, the new printer is set up, but I still couldn't make Stef's invitations because I don't have a USB cable. I have some USB lines with some other connection of the other side, but not one with USB on both ends. There is NO way I'm going to buy the USB at Staples now. I'll be going to Office Max where the sales people have no idea how dumb I am. Gee, if all else fails, read the directions on the box.
I bought a new HP printer last night on sale at Staples. The dude even asked me if I need a printer cable. I said "No, I have one. I'm replacing a dead printer" Well, apparently printer cables have changed from the big fat P&J type to the nice little USB type since I bought my last printer. So, the new printer is set up, but I still couldn't make Stef's invitations because I don't have a USB cable. I have some USB lines with some other connection of the other side, but not one with USB on both ends. There is NO way I'm going to buy the USB at Staples now. I'll be going to Office Max where the sales people have no idea how dumb I am. Gee, if all else fails, read the directions on the box.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Depressed again?
I don't know. I was very emotional all day yesterday for no good reason. Both down and angry intermittently.
Stress? Probably.
Hormones? Maybe.
Do my meds need adjusted? I won't visit that with a doctor unless this lasts more than a week or so.
It might be that the planets were aligned in a bad way for capricorns because Steve was in a mood yesterday too. Thankfully, he understands when I say my nerves are on edge, he gets extra helpful. I was on the verge of a meltdown as we went to bed last night but he rescued me.
I have so many things to do right now and no time, it seems to do them. Stef's birthday is less than 2 weeks away now and I STILL haven't made the party invitations. My printer is dead. It has a carriage stall, which could be serviced at the Best Buy in Harrisburg (not conveniently located for me). Or I could trade it in on a refurbished HP printer (no thank you).
I should have had time to go buy a new one yesterday, but that didn't end up working out. We fixed my mom's electrical issues and finished his mom's phone line installation that he couldn't finish Saturday night (we needed more parts and it was late and we were all too tired by then). I got groceries while he finished the phone line thing. Laundry is still not finished. I usually get most of the laundry done on Sundays, but one or 2 loads have been spilling over into the week lately. I didn't vacuum at all or swiffer the kitchen. I didn't check with the grocery store on prices of the party platters for Stef's birthday.
It stresses me out that we only have the weekends to get all this crap done and then that's also when people want help from one or both of us. It doesn't help that Steve sleeps til 10-ish most weekends. I hate to say he can't do that. He works hard during the week and especially the weekend after he gives up the beeper, he needs to catch up on his rest. It just crams everything into the afternoons, and usually screws up Stef's nap time.
AND, I'm pretty sure she's ready to start potty training and have no real idea where to begin. I was thinking of taking a week off work to do the intensive every-30-minutes plan. The vacation schedule is looking pretty full at the time I wanted to take off. Sigh, at least my mother-in-law is offering to "work together" on the potty training now. When it was first mentioned, she said "I'll let you handle that" Whatever. I'd rather be the one to handle it and all aspects of raising my daughter, but that's not in my future any time soon.
Somebody please take this pity pot away from me!!!!!
Stress? Probably.
Hormones? Maybe.
Do my meds need adjusted? I won't visit that with a doctor unless this lasts more than a week or so.
It might be that the planets were aligned in a bad way for capricorns because Steve was in a mood yesterday too. Thankfully, he understands when I say my nerves are on edge, he gets extra helpful. I was on the verge of a meltdown as we went to bed last night but he rescued me.
I have so many things to do right now and no time, it seems to do them. Stef's birthday is less than 2 weeks away now and I STILL haven't made the party invitations. My printer is dead. It has a carriage stall, which could be serviced at the Best Buy in Harrisburg (not conveniently located for me). Or I could trade it in on a refurbished HP printer (no thank you).
I should have had time to go buy a new one yesterday, but that didn't end up working out. We fixed my mom's electrical issues and finished his mom's phone line installation that he couldn't finish Saturday night (we needed more parts and it was late and we were all too tired by then). I got groceries while he finished the phone line thing. Laundry is still not finished. I usually get most of the laundry done on Sundays, but one or 2 loads have been spilling over into the week lately. I didn't vacuum at all or swiffer the kitchen. I didn't check with the grocery store on prices of the party platters for Stef's birthday.
It stresses me out that we only have the weekends to get all this crap done and then that's also when people want help from one or both of us. It doesn't help that Steve sleeps til 10-ish most weekends. I hate to say he can't do that. He works hard during the week and especially the weekend after he gives up the beeper, he needs to catch up on his rest. It just crams everything into the afternoons, and usually screws up Stef's nap time.
AND, I'm pretty sure she's ready to start potty training and have no real idea where to begin. I was thinking of taking a week off work to do the intensive every-30-minutes plan. The vacation schedule is looking pretty full at the time I wanted to take off. Sigh, at least my mother-in-law is offering to "work together" on the potty training now. When it was first mentioned, she said "I'll let you handle that" Whatever. I'd rather be the one to handle it and all aspects of raising my daughter, but that's not in my future any time soon.
Somebody please take this pity pot away from me!!!!!
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