Secret Admirers
Friday, June 29, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
To Do: Get new Fire Alarms
Is there anything more frightening than having the fire alarm go off at 2am, 4am, etc?
I think not.
Ok, so occasionally (I admit) my cooking sends off the smoke detector. That's understandable. Though the other day all I did was preheat the oven and off it went! While it's frustrating to have to go get a ladder just to shut the darn thing up, I can deal with it.
But these middle of the night fire alarms--I'm done with them!
Again last night, the smoke detectors--which are those electric setup fancy schmancy crap that if one goes off they all go off (and to add to it, blasts "Fire, Fire")--went off at 1:58am. That's approximately that my heart goes into heart attack mode. At 2 am, I'm dead asleep. But that sound makes my heart stop and I jump so fast out of the bed you wouldn't believe it. And needless to say, Parker doesn't sleep through them either. We've got it down now. I make a dash for Parker and Matt pushes all the buttons trying to get the darn thing off.
The first time it happened, I truly thought the house was on fire. Matt actually slept through that one. How, I have not idea! I've since been telling him that I guess he wasn't fibbing when he says he can't hear the baby monitor going off in the night. It's funny what thoughts immediately go through your head. Ok, so one of my first thoughts was "oh lordy, why do I have on the ugliest pajamas tonight? What if this was all I was left with?" Then I worry about pictures, what's in the safe, where is the closest fire department, maybe I should keep the phone on the nightstand, etc.
Every single time this happens (I can almost fill my hand counting)...it reminds me so much of my days back in college at 4-H House.
The house of 55 girls slept in 2 dormers. Because it was campus housing, every time the fire alarms went off, the house had to be evacuated. I can still visualize many, many nights when we went down the emergency stairs, in our pjs and slippers and maybe grabbing a cover off the bed. Seems like then, it was usually a cold, snowy night! Many nights did we stand on the sidewalk facing the house, just wondering when we could get back to catching zzzz's. I never imagined though that those nights would one day be good memories :)
So needless to say, on today's to-do list, is to call the new housing rep and request that these faulty electrical smoke detectors be changed out to just those old fashioned battery operated ones. I've got a husband who will remember to change the batteries when the clocks change! Because let me tell you, the Ervins need all the ZZZZ's we can get!
I think not.
Ok, so occasionally (I admit) my cooking sends off the smoke detector. That's understandable. Though the other day all I did was preheat the oven and off it went! While it's frustrating to have to go get a ladder just to shut the darn thing up, I can deal with it.
But these middle of the night fire alarms--I'm done with them!
Again last night, the smoke detectors--which are those electric setup fancy schmancy crap that if one goes off they all go off (and to add to it, blasts "Fire, Fire")--went off at 1:58am. That's approximately that my heart goes into heart attack mode. At 2 am, I'm dead asleep. But that sound makes my heart stop and I jump so fast out of the bed you wouldn't believe it. And needless to say, Parker doesn't sleep through them either. We've got it down now. I make a dash for Parker and Matt pushes all the buttons trying to get the darn thing off.
Every single time this happens (I can almost fill my hand counting)...it reminds me so much of my days back in college at 4-H House.
The house of 55 girls slept in 2 dormers. Because it was campus housing, every time the fire alarms went off, the house had to be evacuated. I can still visualize many, many nights when we went down the emergency stairs, in our pjs and slippers and maybe grabbing a cover off the bed. Seems like then, it was usually a cold, snowy night! Many nights did we stand on the sidewalk facing the house, just wondering when we could get back to catching zzzz's. I never imagined though that those nights would one day be good memories :)
So needless to say, on today's to-do list, is to call the new housing rep and request that these faulty electrical smoke detectors be changed out to just those old fashioned battery operated ones. I've got a husband who will remember to change the batteries when the clocks change! Because let me tell you, the Ervins need all the ZZZZ's we can get!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
To Do: Celebrate Father's Day
Sunday was Matt's first Father's Day...though technically last year we knew already that he was going to be a dad. In fact, we were so excited last June, but we hadn't made our announcement yet. Now I realize that Father's Day is the same weekend every year, but when you don't work, you don't really pay attention to the calendar (just commercials...ha). I had it in my head that Father's Day was like June 8th (or whatever that Sunday was). I even whipped up a homemade card for my Father-in-Law and it actually arrived before June 8th. When Matt called his dad that Sunday, his dad just sort of giggled and said "thanks." Eventually, he told Matt that it wasn't quite Father's Day yet. Oops! But Matt couldn't wait to tell him he was going to be a dad too so I think he told him anyway. On the actual real Father's Day, we went boating with our Arkansas friends and Matt announced to them that he would be a dad the next year. I remember the complete silence!
Anyway, for Matt's big day this year I asked him what he wanted to do. He just wanted to go home and spend the day with his own dad. We pretty much just hung out and his mom made one of our favorite meals--chicken & noodles!
Of course, Parker got a little attention!
His buddy, Caleb, was especially by his side at all times. Caleb didn't like the fact that Parker needed naps. And whenever anyone else held Parker, he constantly asked, "is it my turn yet?"
Matt and I got new bikes for our first Mother's & Father's Day gifts. But I have to show off the other little gift that Parker gave his daddy... (another Pinterest project completed!)
Thank you Matt for being the perfect Dad! (Well, except for not changing dirty diapers...but you get a pass since you remove band-aids after shots when Mommy can't!)
Friday, June 15, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Parker: 5 Months
Weight: 15 lbs
Highlights from the Month (April 28-May 28)
Height: 24.5"
Diaper Size: 2
Clothes: 6 months
Eats: 6-7 oz every 3-3.5 hours; started (or should I say attempting) cereal week before 5 months
Sleeps: Usually from 9pm-5:00am or 5:30am if we are lucky (yes, note this is an hour earlier than last month...urgh!)
Favorite Toys: twisted rattle, links, stuffed giraffe, the newspaper, key teething ring, spinning alphabet toy, mommy and daddy
Favorite Toys: twisted rattle, links, stuffed giraffe, the newspaper, key teething ring, spinning alphabet toy, mommy and daddy
Milestones:
* Rolls occasionally from stomach to back; rarely rolls from back to stomach now
* Starting to enjoy and play when on his tummy; loves to be on his side (especially at night)
* Smiles at his reflection in the mirror (oh I love this!)
* Loves to sit up and stand with support as much as possible. No really...he wants you to hold him up all day!
* Often is seen doing curls; trying to sit up on his own
* Still loves to constantly suck his fingers or anything he can get his hands on. He is a slobbery mess!
* Is fascinated with his hands and feet--and has mastered getting his toes to his mouth (a skill his daddy is jealous of)
* Bats at toys and transfers them between hands
* Smiles with any attention, and occasionally giggles (especially when tickled on his thighs or toes, kissed on the neck, or when daddy makes barking sounds--don't ask)
* Enjoys peek-a-boo and patty-cake
* Babbles different sounds like m. It almost sounds like he is saying mama, but I know he really isn't. And let's not forget--he has mastered his whine and moans!
* Attempts to make bubbles and stick his tongue out when others do
* Loves his bath, kicking his feet and listening to kid songs
* Starting to snuggle with his puppy, we call Pup Pup, at bedtime
* Has transitioned from his swing to his crib for bedtime and afternoon naps
* Loves, loves, loves to be outside!
* Loves, loves, loves to be outside!
Highlights from the Month (April 28-May 28)
* Shared in mommy's first Mother's Day with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma Ervin, Aunt Angie, Cole, Connor, Caleb, and Cierra at the Peoria Zoo.
* Went to Chicago area for cousin Mackenzie's high school graduation party and stayed with Aunt Susan and Uncle Bob. Also visited mommy's friends, Erin and Stacey.
* Had our first trip to "The Mound" in Blue Mound for cousins Cole, Connor, and Caleb's birthday party.
* Went boating with mommy's friend, Julie, and her family over Memorial Day weekend.
* Went to see Uncle Tim and Aunt Janet's new house in Bloomington (do you see any resemblance?)
It was another busy month, as we continued to unpack and make our house our home. We had more visitors and got together with some local friends. The weather has finally warmed up, allowing us to take nightly walks around the neighborhood and meeting a few more neighbors. Happy 5 months sweetheart!
* Had our first trip to "The Mound" in Blue Mound for cousins Cole, Connor, and Caleb's birthday party.
* Went boating with mommy's friend, Julie, and her family over Memorial Day weekend.
* Went to see Uncle Tim and Aunt Janet's new house in Bloomington (do you see any resemblance?)
It was another busy month, as we continued to unpack and make our house our home. We had more visitors and got together with some local friends. The weather has finally warmed up, allowing us to take nightly walks around the neighborhood and meeting a few more neighbors. Happy 5 months sweetheart!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
To Do: Find a Friend
I forgot how long it takes to make new friends. Ugh--too long!
And I figured no one was just going to come ring my doorbell and say "hi, wanna be my friend?" (though I'm optimistic this still could happen since the street is only half built!)
So I'm reaching out of my comfort zone.
Last week Parker and I went to our first Mom's Group outing. It was just an hour at a nearby park. He loves to be outside and it was right after nap time. Let me brag a bit: I had a trophy son :)
This week we ventured to our first storytime. A storytime geared for kids birth to 18 months. Score!
Again, Parker was a trophy son. He laughed and smiled the whole time. Attention seeker I tell ya! Who knows--Maybe he too is seeking friends!
Oh I would have loved to taken a picture of his first storytime, but I didn't want to be THAT parent. Yeah, there was one mother snapping away and she looked a little wackadoodle doing that. (Funny thing: Her daughter was obsessed with my shoes and I'm pretty sure my shoes made it into every photo).
I always think I'm the only mom desperate for companionship, a friend. But really, I wonder if the other moms were there for the same reason? Let's just say yes to make myself feel better.
The cool thing is that there were like 8-10 moms there. I chatted most of the time with one mom with a 6 month girl and another with a 9 month boy (an adorable Asian boy at that--if you know me, you know my love for Asian babies!)--both of which live in our adjoining subdivision. I have a feeling we'll see each other again. (If anything, when our kids enter kindergarten). This made my day!
I have to admit, it was a funny feeling to be on the other side of storytime. When I first graduated from college, I had the awesomest job ever! I got to plan and lead all kinds of activities for families with kids under the age of 5. Storytime was probably one of my least favorite activities. Parker will tell you--I have 3 voices--my normal voice, a high pitch one, and a low pitch one. That's all I got. So being dramatic wasn't up my alley.
But anytime I was with those kiddos, I loved it. Just this week as I was unpacking, I came across this photo that one of the mom's had taken (and no, she isn't wackadoodle!) at the end of a storytime. The kids always got a free book for coming--yes, bribery works!
These kids--going to high school next year. Eeks!
Oh I wish somedays that I could go back now, after 10-15 years of other experiences, and do those storytimes again. I may still have to work on my voices, but I have a new understanding of why maybe those parents came--sure, they wanted their child to love books...but maybe too...they just needed a friend for an hour.
And I figured no one was just going to come ring my doorbell and say "hi, wanna be my friend?" (though I'm optimistic this still could happen since the street is only half built!)
So I'm reaching out of my comfort zone.
Last week Parker and I went to our first Mom's Group outing. It was just an hour at a nearby park. He loves to be outside and it was right after nap time. Let me brag a bit: I had a trophy son :)
This week we ventured to our first storytime. A storytime geared for kids birth to 18 months. Score!
Again, Parker was a trophy son. He laughed and smiled the whole time. Attention seeker I tell ya! Who knows--Maybe he too is seeking friends!
Oh I would have loved to taken a picture of his first storytime, but I didn't want to be THAT parent. Yeah, there was one mother snapping away and she looked a little wackadoodle doing that. (Funny thing: Her daughter was obsessed with my shoes and I'm pretty sure my shoes made it into every photo).
I always think I'm the only mom desperate for companionship, a friend. But really, I wonder if the other moms were there for the same reason? Let's just say yes to make myself feel better.
The cool thing is that there were like 8-10 moms there. I chatted most of the time with one mom with a 6 month girl and another with a 9 month boy (an adorable Asian boy at that--if you know me, you know my love for Asian babies!)--both of which live in our adjoining subdivision. I have a feeling we'll see each other again. (If anything, when our kids enter kindergarten). This made my day!
I have to admit, it was a funny feeling to be on the other side of storytime. When I first graduated from college, I had the awesomest job ever! I got to plan and lead all kinds of activities for families with kids under the age of 5. Storytime was probably one of my least favorite activities. Parker will tell you--I have 3 voices--my normal voice, a high pitch one, and a low pitch one. That's all I got. So being dramatic wasn't up my alley.
But anytime I was with those kiddos, I loved it. Just this week as I was unpacking, I came across this photo that one of the mom's had taken (and no, she isn't wackadoodle!) at the end of a storytime. The kids always got a free book for coming--yes, bribery works!
These kids--going to high school next year. Eeks!
Oh I wish somedays that I could go back now, after 10-15 years of other experiences, and do those storytimes again. I may still have to work on my voices, but I have a new understanding of why maybe those parents came--sure, they wanted their child to love books...but maybe too...they just needed a friend for an hour.
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