My sweet son is 7 months old today!
How the time flies.
He's a cereal/veggie/fruit officianado, is starting to push up on his knees and rock back and forth, and is now sharing a room with his big sister.
Oh yeah - and he's cutting 4 teeth right now. All on top. All at the same time. Ouch.
So that last post included "Milking Cows." I actually found the classic movie on YouTube. This is the video clip that we watched...over and over and over and over again. It's not really called "Milking Cows," that was just the name we had for it.
We sang "Milk, Miiiiilk!" ALL the time. Oh, the memories.
Seriously. Is there anything sweeter?
(Yup. Still hangs on to the pacifier for dear life.)
Milking Cows. This was our FAVORITE episode of Sesame Street when we were growing up. OK, so it's not really called Milking Cows, but I'll bet you can guess what it was about just by the name!
Here in Tucson, there was a dairy farm across town. Many mornings, my parents would take us out there, pick up some Dunkin Donuts, and go see our very own Milking Cows.
I thought Sariah needed to experience this. So while Jared was helping a family move on Saturdays, Sariah and James and I headed out there! We were joined by Kendall, Aiden, Parker, and Emerson.
Sadly - when we got there - it was barren. No cows to be found. Broken fences, rundown milking house, and just totally abandoned. However, there was one lonely horse holding down the fort. She wasn't abandoned - food and water, but she looked lonely.
Even though there were no other animals, there was plenty to play with!
A pile of sheep wool:
A pile of something-else-that-I-don't-want-to-know-what-it-was:
And, of course, what farm wouldn't be complete without a tractor?
It was fun, but I think we'll have to find another farm to scratch our Milking Cows itch with.
My new obsession is colored tights. OK, so they're not really an obsession, but I love them!
(I have them in blue, purple, pink, brown, green, and gray.)
Although I'm not actively looking for another child to take care of in my home, I interviewed a woman this morning who was referred to me by someone. I say "interviewed," but it's more of a conversation. I'm trying to see if her child will be a good fit for us just as much as she's deciding if I'm a good fit for her.
She called me, and frosted my ego with all kinds of compliments that she had heard about the way I take care of children. I love each child like they're my own, I'm consistent about discipline, I serve nutritious food, I'm nice, yada yada yada.
She has a 3 year old that she is looking to place in a home childcare environment. Perfect for Sariah! I was close to considering it when we had the following conversation:
Her: Alyviah (pronounced "Olivia") isn't used to sharing because she's an only child. So if she's not sharing, please don't make her. I want our homes to be consistent and she doesn't need to share at home.
Me: {Silent pause.} I understand that she may not need to share at home, but there are 2 other children here that she will need to share with. I promise to ease her in to sharing gently, and with lots of conversation and positive reinforcement.
Her: Alright, well, I'll have to think about that. Another thing is Alyviah can't fall asleep on her own, so you'll have to lay in bed with her until she falls asleep. Then if she wakes up during her nap, please go back in and lay with her again until she falls back asleep.
Me: {The sleep consultant in me is appalled.} Falling asleep on her own may be a good habit for her to start. If you decide to bring her here, I can help her with that. Because I teach online, I use naptime as my grading time, so I can't promise that I will go back in there to lay with her.
Her: I'll have to think about that, too. I don't want her to feel like she's been abandoned and banished to a room to sleep. I'm afraid that will traumatize her.
Me: I promise to make it as comfortable, peaceful, and an easy transition as possible. We read books and sing a lullaby before we go to sleep, so she will be given plenty of love before being put down for her nap.
Her: Hmmm. We may have to agree to disagree about this one. But let's move on. I feed my child only organic food. Organic milk, eggs, peanut butter, hotdogs, organic everything. Please do the same.
Me: All of my produce is organic, and I know that organic food may be best in some cases. I didn't know they even made organic hotdogs! {Uncomfortable chuckle.} However, organic food is considerably more money. If you would like me to feed your child all organic food, will you be providing it? If not, I may have to charge you a little more per week to cover the cost of food.
NOTE: Food is part of my weekly fee. I don't ask parents to provide food for their children, or require them to provide me a food allowance.
Her: I'll see what I can do about that, and I'll talk to my husband. I'll also get you a list of movies she's allowed to watch, books she's allowed to read, songs she's allowed to sing, oh and her diaper size so you can stock up on diapers for her.
Me: I can assure you that the books we read are enriching, fun, and captivating. We sing and dance and play all day, but we watch minimal TV. And by the way - I don't buy diapers. That is one thing I will ask you to provide. However, she is 3...maybe I can help you potty train?
Her: We let her watch TV whenever she wants at home. She's old enough to know what she wants. And you want me to bring diapers for her? She's not ready to potty train, and I think that you should provide diapers. You want me to provide her food and her diapers? Let me talk to my husband, and I'll get back to you.
Me: It was great talking to you. Have a good morning!
After I hung up the phone, I sighed, shook my head, and then started to laugh at what kind of teenager this girl was going to be. Seriously. Think Veruca Salt from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Oh, and if it's not obvious, I won't be accepting this child.
I wish everyone a happy and safe New Year's!!!
Now about New Year's Resolutions - I actually go against the grain and I don't make them.
Why, you may ask?
For a couple of reasons.
1. They're the same every year - lose weight, manage money better, live in the moment, be more crafty, appreciate the home and things I have, etc.
2. If I fail, then I have regrets.
3. I think that having goals are a very important, and productive, part of life. I don't think they should be made only at the start of a new year, but rather all year long.
Thus, I look at the New Year as a new beginning. The start of a new day. A fresh year to being new things, and to be a better person. No resolutions for me - just the start of a fresh year to make it whatever I choose.
July 2001 brought Jared and I together.
We were sitting in the San Diego temple, waiting with a youth group to do baptisms for the dead.
The temple president came in and started talking to the youth.
He told the girls that someday, they could be there with their very own Captain Moroni, to be sealed for time and all eternity.
Jared squeezed my hand.
8 years ago today, I was married to my Captain Moroni. It says so on the inside of his wedding band.
Long ago, Jared and I decided that we wouldn't do anniversary gifts. Instead, we go away every year for an overnight trip, and we take turns planning. This year was Jared's turn.
We stayed in a sweet hotel, and ate at the Cheesecake factory.
And we went to the temple.
And Jared squeezed my hand.
I love him.
Christmas came and went.
I'm lame and didn't take any pictures.
But know that it was fun.
Really fun.
Low key, good food, and fun.
(Kinda glad it's over, but looking forward to next year.)
