1. To see my FAMILY!!! I haven't met (in person-skype doesn't count) my one year old niece Georgie! I have not seen my sister since she found out she was pregnant. I have never visited either of my sisters houses! Only my parents have met my second child. I'm so excited for Oli and JJ to play with all their cousins that they never see. The price I pay living so far away. So yeah....I'm excited to see my family.
2. To see my Friends! SO excited to see my girlies who I've known since primary school. None of them have met JJ yet. Lots of lunches and catching up and laughing. Lots of boring times for Tim.
3. To see England baby! No matter how long you live in another country, it never feels quite like home. The green, the rain, the freezing cold mornings. The tiny roads and one way streets. The town center with rubbish shops. Living in another country I find myself missing the dumbest things: Tesco value frosties, traffic jams in loughborough, rows of orange houses, the list goes on...
4. FOOD! When I was pregnant I craved everything. Fish and chips all greasy and yummy. Pickled onion monster munch. Baked potato with beans and cheese Shelley style. All the cadburys I can eat. Skips. Apple tango. Yorkshires. And because it's Christmas extra treats like Roses and roasted parsnips with dinner.
5. Shopping!!! I can't wait for H&M, Primark, Boots....oh and let's not forget NEXT sale. Living in Lubbock, I'm seriously deprived.
6. The Sock man. Who knew I would miss Loughborough? I miss Thursday market with loads of yelling and rubbish stuff to buy. I miss the Carillon Court, only go in there when it's raining. I miss walking around town freezing. I miss the Curzon, worst cinema ever, apparently its gone? Sad.
7. Christmas morning at the Ford residence. Some of my best childhood memories ever are Christmas morning, they all take place in Quorn, but hey can't have everything. I love waking up to stockings and all coming downstairs in PJ's tired. ALWAYS open presents before Church, still can't believe some people can wait until after! Everyone sits around while someone hands out presents, opening all at the same time while mum picks up wrapping paper. SO much fun.
8. Christmas dinner at the Ford residence. Always the best meal ever. Turkey and cranberry, parsnips, mash and roasties, pigs in blankets (gross), yorkshires, gravy, trees, brussell sprouts (have to eat one), stuffing. All squashed around the kitchen table with the mickey mouse place settings, pop the crackers, hats on and tell the rubbish jokes. Tummy ache from drinking too much shloer.
9. 4 year wedding anniversary getaway! Our anniversary is Dec 22nd and we're going to Warwick for the day sans kids. Cute bed and breakfast in quaint English town without kids......awesome.
10. Mum's home made chocolate chip cookies: worth travelling 5000 miles for? Yes, they're that good.
Only ten days to go!!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thanksgiving in Dallas
This Thanksgiving was really great. We went to Dallas to see Tim's brother and his family. It's about a 5 hour trip, depending on stoppage time for child related issues. Although now JJ is taking a bottle roadtrips are a lot easier! It's funny, I would used to have said that 5 hours is a really long drive, but now, with the size of Texas, it really feels like nothing! Well, not nothing, but it doesn't seem far at all.
We arrived on Wednesday morning and hung out for a while. Lawson (our 4 year old nephew) was really cute, Tys & Sara said he was holding Oli's toothbrush (that we had left last time we were there) for a few hours before we got there waiting for us to arrive. In the afternoon we went to the Galleria mall in North Dallas. It was a really amazing mall with loads of English shops so I was really excited, and a fun playplace for the kids. We also went to dinner at Genghis grill, it's mongolian bbq and it's amazing!
The next day was Thanksgiving! Tyson and Sara made the dinner and it was soooo yummy. We also found out JJ likes yams, but doesn't like turkey baby food.
I don't think we went out at all that day, just a lot of eating and then some naps. Perfect. The next few days were filled with lots of playing and shopping (for me). On Saturday we went to a local park to take some pictures. They turned out really great, the Fall leaves were so gorgeous. Here's a few:
On Saturday night Sara and I went to Olive Garden (with a gift certificate I'd gotten from complaining!) and to Kohls for some shopping. It was SO nice to be out without the kids! We had a really good time and love being with family, especially since the kids play so well together. We're back in a few weeks before we go to England and for New Years.
We arrived on Wednesday morning and hung out for a while. Lawson (our 4 year old nephew) was really cute, Tys & Sara said he was holding Oli's toothbrush (that we had left last time we were there) for a few hours before we got there waiting for us to arrive. In the afternoon we went to the Galleria mall in North Dallas. It was a really amazing mall with loads of English shops so I was really excited, and a fun playplace for the kids. We also went to dinner at Genghis grill, it's mongolian bbq and it's amazing!
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| Oli & Lawson by the huge Christmas Tree |
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| Dads! |
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| All the Oblad cousins in tow |
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| Almost 7 months...he's so big! |
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| Porter, JJ, Oliver, Makayla & Lawson |
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Normal life
Not much has been happening here recently, just normal life. This usually consists of JJ waking up too early and I end up feeding him in bed, but at least he's sleeping through the night. He just got his first tooth so maybe its to do with that. Anyway, then Oli's up an hour later. And when he's up everybody's up. You know how normally it takes a little time to wake up in the mornings? Not Oli, as soon as his eyes open he is UP. Running around, playing with toys, being usual Oli. I love this about him, but sometimes hate it, especially when I have to deal with his loudness in the mornings because those who know me know I am NOT a morning person. I could sleep in every day until 11am easy, probably noon. If Tim doesn't have a busy day or lots of assignments due, sometimes he let's me sleep in a little with JJ which is SO nice. So on the days when Tim has to leave pronto it's Toy Story on for Oli until mum is fully with it. Bad parenting? Probably. I'm afraid I'm not the kind of mum who is up and ready before everybody else, maybe one day! JJ is usually up about an hour later from his morning nap. If I'm really good I'll be dressed by then, maybe hair done but probably not. Pick up toys, feed JJ. By 10 or 11am we're all ready to get out. Kids dressed, fight with Oli to get shoes and socks on. JJ is car seat, crying. We're out! Usually meeting friends at the park, trip to Walmart or run some errands. Lots of parks in Lubbock, we rotate playing at different ones. Oli loves the ones with SAND. Which means me saying "Don't throw sand" a million times and lots of time outs. Other times its "Don't throw rocks." JJ sitting on my lap all cute while I chat with other mum's about who knows what, our labour experiences, how hard our toddlers are, and how much we miss Cafe Rio (most are from Utah/Arizona areas). By noon JJ and I are ready to go home, fight with Oli to leave and get into the car. Come home for pb&j/grapes/apples/crisps/gogurts. JJ takes a nap (usually). On the days he won't take a nap I feel like I want to cry! So JJ either napping or in jungle gym until he crys and then holding him while I get stuff done. Oli plays around, gets a few time outs and quite a few "NO's" for going in the fridge/knocking down all the DVD's/pulling out all his clothes etc. Mum trys to clean up, laundry, dishes, etc. Sometimes Oli helps. JJ awake by about 2pm, we're all ready to go out again. Oli rides his bike around the parking lot, mum and JJ follow behind him. Afternoon's usually full of playing outside, or arranged activities inside for Oli, like colouring or play dough etc. By 4pm I am DONE! Need a break, when is Tim coming home. I keep checking the clock! Sometimes he is done by 4, on the bad days he's done by 6. What shall I make for dinner? Let's eat out. Tim gets home, burst of new energy for mum. Happy he can hold JJ and entertain Oli. JJ takes a late nap. Clean up some more, watch TV, Oli runs around, a few more "NO's" for knocking over JJ who is cutely sitting in the middle of the carpet grabbing Oli's toys. 7pm: Oli in pajamas and usually a bath. Read endless books with Oli (his way of getting out of going to bed). Then finally, Oli gets into bed. Tears! Sometimes he goes easy, sometimes he really does NOT go easy. Followed by a lot of "Daddy's" and "I need Milk's" Oli has either fallen asleep on the ground or sometimes in his bed. Feed JJ, wrap him up, pack n play in mummy and daddy's room. He usually falls asleep pretty fast, sometimes not, I really don't enjoy those nights when we listen to crying baby for a while. Lots of rocking and singing. JJ asleep. About 9pm. Kids asleep. Tim sits at the desk and writes a paper or studies. On the best nights no homework just a movie and diet dr pepper and food that is bad for you. 11pm or so: move JJ into the living room (trying not to wake him up!) head on pillow, talk for a while. Tell Tim the funny/cute/naughty things Oli and JJ did that day. Asleep!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Happy half-birthday JJ!
Happy half-birthday to my gorgeous baby Jordan! I can't believe 6 months ago today you were born. It seems like so long ago but so its gone so fast at the same time. Here's a little montage of JJ's growing up so far:
JJ you are such a lovely baby. You sleep 9 hours at night (usually). You are smiling all the time and love to watch your brother Oliver, he makes you laugh all the time. You can sit up by yourself and love to play in your bouncy chair. You will not take a bottle which makes mummy mad, but you love to cuddle, which I love. You do not like being in your car seat and cry when I put you in it. You are very interested in everything around you and you are about to start solid foods. You have a very sweet personality like your brother and I can already tell you will be best friends. We love you baby JJ!
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| About 4 hours before you were born |
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| Just a few hours old |
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| 4 days old |
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| 3 weeks old |
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| 5 weeks old |
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| About 2 months old |
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| About 3 months old |
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| 4 months old |
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| 5 and a half months |
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| 6 months old |
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tonight we went to a trunk or treat! Yeah I'd never heard of it either. Basically everybody decorates their car boots (or trunks, hence trunk or treat) and the kids walk around from car to car getting candy. It was nice because we didn't have to walk up to random people's doors and Oli LOVED the displays people had made. Every 5 seconds he kept saying "Pumpkin" "pider" (spider) and "cary" (scary). Oli dressed up as a cowboy which I got for $4 from a used clothes sale in Dallas, people kept asking me if I'd made it, I wish! It was tough getting him to keep the hat on but he was very cute.
JJ was a monkey and wore Oli's outfit from two years ago. Here's a pic of both of them wearing the monkey suit, so similar looking!
Can you tell which one is Oli and which one is JJ? They could be twins (I'm glad they're not)! We had a fun night, Oli got a LOT of candy, of which we let him eat probably too much, hence he's still awake at 10:40pm.
Happy Halloween!
JJ was a monkey and wore Oli's outfit from two years ago. Here's a pic of both of them wearing the monkey suit, so similar looking!
Can you tell which one is Oli and which one is JJ? They could be twins (I'm glad they're not)! We had a fun night, Oli got a LOT of candy, of which we let him eat probably too much, hence he's still awake at 10:40pm.
Cooking fun...
Ladybird Cupcakes
Just use a regular cupcake recipe. Here's how to turn them into ladybirds:
I iced the head and body by hand. I used chocolate frosting for the head and vanilla for the body (with lots of red food dye-couldn't find red frosting!)
For the eyes use small white marshmallows with a dot of chocolate frosting in the middle.
The spots are just chocolate drops. And that's it! They were far from perfect but looked really cute.
100 Calories Cupcakes
Chef Curtis Stone made these on The Biggest Loser and I wanted to try them! They definitely do NOT taste like traditional cupcakes but they weren't bad, they were...different. Just a lot of substitutions, whole wheat instead of regular flour, honey instead of sugar and just use egg whites. Here's the link to the recipe: http://www.examiner.com/weight-loss-in-national/curtis-stone-biggest-loser-raspberry-cupcake-recipe
Cafe Rio Pork Barbacoa----Amazing!
One of the hardest things about leaving Utah was leaving Cafe Rio behind, my absolute favourite place to eat ever. My friend told me about a recipe for the pork on somebody's blog so we made it and it's pretty close! Here's everything we used to make the pork and dressing:
Seems like a LOT but it's really not hard to make. The hardest part was finding all the ingredients at the store. All you have to do is put everything in the crock pot and cook for 18 hours! Seriously try this it's soooo good. Here's a link to the blog with the recipe and full instructions: http://heidikins.com/2008/08/29/whippin-it-up-cafe-rio-pork-barbacoa-salad-with-tomatillo-dressing/
More to come soon!
Just use a regular cupcake recipe. Here's how to turn them into ladybirds:
I iced the head and body by hand. I used chocolate frosting for the head and vanilla for the body (with lots of red food dye-couldn't find red frosting!)
For the eyes use small white marshmallows with a dot of chocolate frosting in the middle.
The spots are just chocolate drops. And that's it! They were far from perfect but looked really cute.
100 Calories Cupcakes
Chef Curtis Stone made these on The Biggest Loser and I wanted to try them! They definitely do NOT taste like traditional cupcakes but they weren't bad, they were...different. Just a lot of substitutions, whole wheat instead of regular flour, honey instead of sugar and just use egg whites. Here's the link to the recipe: http://www.examiner.com/weight-loss-in-national/curtis-stone-biggest-loser-raspberry-cupcake-recipe
Cafe Rio Pork Barbacoa----Amazing!
Seems like a LOT but it's really not hard to make. The hardest part was finding all the ingredients at the store. All you have to do is put everything in the crock pot and cook for 18 hours! Seriously try this it's soooo good. Here's a link to the blog with the recipe and full instructions: http://heidikins.com/2008/08/29/whippin-it-up-cafe-rio-pork-barbacoa-salad-with-tomatillo-dressing/
More to come soon!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Fall update...
Sorry it has been a while since I have made a proper post. Turns out life at home with my two boys is a lot more time consuming that I thought! We feel like we've settled in to life here in Lubbock now and Oli has finally stopped saying "I wanna go home" referring to Provo. Here's a couple of pics of how our apt looks now:
Tim is doing really well in his program and is enjoying school. Things are getting a lot busier for him now with his coursework. He is also having one of his undergraduate papers published in the Stance For The Family Journal and is working with the editor on that. He is serving in the young men's and is also an assistant scout master!
Oliver is speaking and understanding amazingly well these days. He is learning his ABCs. He loves playing with JJ and making him laugh. He's learning to use the potty but still needs some more time. He loves to take baths, play at the park, and ride his bike. He is also an aspiring photographer! (Visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=242803&id=718372056#!/album.php?aid=242803&id=718372056). There is a Krispy Kreme around the corner from our house and he doesn't forget it! Every few minutes I hear "donut, I want donut mummy." He has a very sweet personality and can be very sensitive. He can also be very naughty and sometimes defiant, but then he's always making up for it by doing something funny and making us laugh, hence the picture below!
JJ is getting very big and is comprehending more and more. I can tell his little mind is slowly processing everything that goes on around him. It is interesting to watch. He's LOVES Oliver. I can already tell he is going to look up to adore him and look up to him as he grows up.
JJ is usually very good natured and smiles all the time. He does not like car rides, and cries when I put him in his car seat. He loves to lay on his belly and kick around. He has a high pitched scream that he does when he's frustrated which drives me crazy. He grabs everything within his reach. He is doing very well at sleeping through the night and is learning to sit up!
What we've been up to:
We went to Colorado Springs in September to see the BYU football game and to see our friends, the Carters. About a 9-10 hour drive from Lubbock, felt a long way with two kids!
It was a brief but really fun trip. Oli was really excited to see his friend Griffin who he played with everyday over the summer in Provo.
We have also been to see Tyson and Sara (Tim's older brother and his wife) twice in Dallas. They're only about 5 hours away. It was really nice to be with family and really fun. All the cousins played together really well, especially Oli and Makayla. We ate a lot of really good food and watched football/conference. Sara and I went to a used kids clothing sale and got a lot of really good stuff. I got Oli's halloween costume (pics to come later). I also got Oli and JJ ugly Christmas sweaters (family pics to come later!)
So that is pretty much everything we've been up to. I am spending my days playing, feeding, cleaning and going to the gym. I am also the new ward choir director which I am really excited about. We are going to England for Christmas in less than 2 months. Even though the plane ride will probably be a nightmare with the two boys I cannot wait!
Here's one last picture to make you smile:
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| Living room |
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| Oli jumping on our bed |
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| Oli's room, yes he's asleep on the floor |
Tim is doing really well in his program and is enjoying school. Things are getting a lot busier for him now with his coursework. He is also having one of his undergraduate papers published in the Stance For The Family Journal and is working with the editor on that. He is serving in the young men's and is also an assistant scout master!
Oliver is speaking and understanding amazingly well these days. He is learning his ABCs. He loves playing with JJ and making him laugh. He's learning to use the potty but still needs some more time. He loves to take baths, play at the park, and ride his bike. He is also an aspiring photographer! (Visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=242803&id=718372056#!/album.php?aid=242803&id=718372056). There is a Krispy Kreme around the corner from our house and he doesn't forget it! Every few minutes I hear "donut, I want donut mummy." He has a very sweet personality and can be very sensitive. He can also be very naughty and sometimes defiant, but then he's always making up for it by doing something funny and making us laugh, hence the picture below!
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| Needs no explanation! |
JJ is usually very good natured and smiles all the time. He does not like car rides, and cries when I put him in his car seat. He loves to lay on his belly and kick around. He has a high pitched scream that he does when he's frustrated which drives me crazy. He grabs everything within his reach. He is doing very well at sleeping through the night and is learning to sit up!
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| Until he falls sideways... |
We went to Colorado Springs in September to see the BYU football game and to see our friends, the Carters. About a 9-10 hour drive from Lubbock, felt a long way with two kids!
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| Us at the game |
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| Falcon Stadium |
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| Poor JJ had to wear one of Maelie's (our friend's little girl) sunhats because I forgot his. |
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| Oli and Griffin: Best buds |
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| Lawson, Oli, Porter, JJ and Makayla |
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| Porter and JJ (JJ is 3 weeks older than Porter) |
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| Makayla and the babies |
Here's one last picture to make you smile:
Friday, October 15, 2010
Officially Texans
Our License Plates dropped the Arch and took up the Lone Star. Sorry...Y'all
Next Up: Texas state driver's licenses
Next Up: Texas state driver's licenses
Monday, September 27, 2010
Oblad Boys
Oliver twisted his ankle and is limping around the house. JJ is learning to use a bottle and is starting to learn to sit up. There's a weekly snapshot!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Settling in to Lubbock
Sorry I only just got around to doing this post. Things have been a little rough with the kids since we moved. I didn't realize moving would turn their world upside down! JJ hasn't slept through the night since we moved, and even went through a phase of crying a couple of hours every night for no reason. Oli wouldn't sleep in his bed the first week we were here and kept crying and saying "go home" it was so sad!! We've been here just over a month now and they are both finally starting to settle in!
Tim is settling into graduate school really well. He's taking Statistics and Family Theory classes. He's really enjoying them so far. He's also helping a professor teach an Infant Development class which he is really excited about.
Life in Lubbock is pretty slow, it has a nice small town feel but there's still enough here that it doesn't feel too small. Everyone is really nice too. There's not a lot else outside of Lubbock, just fields for a long time! Since we moved here we've been to Dallas (about 6 hours away) to see Tyson & Sara and to Colorado Springs (about 9 hours) to see our friends from Provo and the Air Force game (which we lost quite badly-sad). This weekend was the Texas Tech, Texas football game so there was madness here in Lubbock, and now since they lost the whole town is in mourning, it's a pretty big deal here. It's been consistently very hot and humid, and we've had a few storms in which the roads were flooded in about 5 mintues, it was crazy!
Unfortunately I've been eaten alive by bugbites (Tim and the boys haven't had any just me!) We've also had at least half a dozen cockroaches in the kitchen. Nice. I'm really liking our new apartment though, it's bigger than our last one and the best thing is:
I'm enjoying life being a mum, it's nice taking things slow and not having to worry about homework and babysitters. Oliver is as demanding as ever, and we're starting to try potty training again, he was doing pretty well before we left but we took a huge step back because he was so stressed on moving. The hardest thing about not living in Provo is being away from family and friends, we really miss everyone, especially Tim's family having them so close before.
So, all in all, it's been a month of ups and downs but we're finally starting to settle in.
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| Our new apt |
Life in Lubbock is pretty slow, it has a nice small town feel but there's still enough here that it doesn't feel too small. Everyone is really nice too. There's not a lot else outside of Lubbock, just fields for a long time! Since we moved here we've been to Dallas (about 6 hours away) to see Tyson & Sara and to Colorado Springs (about 9 hours) to see our friends from Provo and the Air Force game (which we lost quite badly-sad). This weekend was the Texas Tech, Texas football game so there was madness here in Lubbock, and now since they lost the whole town is in mourning, it's a pretty big deal here. It's been consistently very hot and humid, and we've had a few storms in which the roads were flooded in about 5 mintues, it was crazy!
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| Oli playing in the rain puddles |
Unfortunately I've been eaten alive by bugbites (Tim and the boys haven't had any just me!) We've also had at least half a dozen cockroaches in the kitchen. Nice. I'm really liking our new apartment though, it's bigger than our last one and the best thing is:
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| Big walk in closet! |
So, all in all, it's been a month of ups and downs but we're finally starting to settle in.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
32 Reasons......
Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad! 32 years, pretty impressive. As a tribute to those 32 years here's 32 reasons why I love you both and some of my favourite memories growing up.
Mum
1. You make the best chocolate chip cookies in the world
2. I would always know when you were coming upstairs to kiss me goodnight because I would hear the bells on your flowy skirt
3. You would always buy me a bakers oven iced bun when we went into town
4. You would always know which notes we had missed on the piano without looking at the music
5. Estee Lauder and Liz Claiborne!
6. When my teachers said I was too talkative, you said at least I didn't sit in the corner and say nothing
7. You came to every single rubbish violin/flute/voice recital/play I ever had
8. I've never heard you say a single angry word to dad
9. You were never ever late picking us up from school
10. I knew I could graduate school with a baby because you did it
11. You raised 5 children, how did you handle that many toddlers!!!
Dad
12. Because of you I know words like "Ferengi" and "Klingon"
13. You used to pay us to jump into the freezing sea on holiday
14. Some of my favourite childhood memories are fights on the bed and fireman's lifts
15. Hide the ring!
16. You would call at least twice before lunchtime from work to talk to mum, sometimes more
17. You used to say you didn't like Domino but then you cried when she died.
18. The only time I've ever heard you swear was on the football pitch
19. You are the best at telling stories, three little pigs fast version!
20. I would always look forward to my "Saturday" with dad, I love it how we always had to buy flowers for mum
21. You are the hardest working person I know.
Mum and Dad
22. Holidays in Center Parcs, going down Jungle River getting loads of bruises
23. Ilfracombe crazy golf, donkey derby and fish n chips with loads of seagulls attacking
24. You still hold hands
25. Dad still calls mum "darling"
26. Mum still wears her necklace you got when you were engaged because you couldn't afford a ring
27. You lived in a one bedroom flat in london with two children....amazing
28. You never argued in front of us
29. The best example of a marriage to all of us
30. Always came up and said sorry after you told us off because you did it because you love us
31. Should win a best dressed parents award, I'm talking about dad's pointy shoes among other things
32. Have been married for 32 years!!!
Thought of SO many more as I was doing this, but had to choose my favourite ones. Happy Wedding Anniversary Mum and Dad, hopefully this isn't too personal!
Love Al x
Mum
1. You make the best chocolate chip cookies in the world
2. I would always know when you were coming upstairs to kiss me goodnight because I would hear the bells on your flowy skirt
3. You would always buy me a bakers oven iced bun when we went into town
4. You would always know which notes we had missed on the piano without looking at the music
5. Estee Lauder and Liz Claiborne!
6. When my teachers said I was too talkative, you said at least I didn't sit in the corner and say nothing
7. You came to every single rubbish violin/flute/voice recital/play I ever had
8. I've never heard you say a single angry word to dad
9. You were never ever late picking us up from school
10. I knew I could graduate school with a baby because you did it
11. You raised 5 children, how did you handle that many toddlers!!!
Dad
12. Because of you I know words like "Ferengi" and "Klingon"
13. You used to pay us to jump into the freezing sea on holiday
14. Some of my favourite childhood memories are fights on the bed and fireman's lifts
15. Hide the ring!
16. You would call at least twice before lunchtime from work to talk to mum, sometimes more
17. You used to say you didn't like Domino but then you cried when she died.
18. The only time I've ever heard you swear was on the football pitch
19. You are the best at telling stories, three little pigs fast version!
20. I would always look forward to my "Saturday" with dad, I love it how we always had to buy flowers for mum
21. You are the hardest working person I know.
Mum and Dad
22. Holidays in Center Parcs, going down Jungle River getting loads of bruises
23. Ilfracombe crazy golf, donkey derby and fish n chips with loads of seagulls attacking
24. You still hold hands
25. Dad still calls mum "darling"
26. Mum still wears her necklace you got when you were engaged because you couldn't afford a ring
27. You lived in a one bedroom flat in london with two children....amazing
28. You never argued in front of us
29. The best example of a marriage to all of us
30. Always came up and said sorry after you told us off because you did it because you love us
31. Should win a best dressed parents award, I'm talking about dad's pointy shoes among other things
32. Have been married for 32 years!!!
Thought of SO many more as I was doing this, but had to choose my favourite ones. Happy Wedding Anniversary Mum and Dad, hopefully this isn't too personal!
Love Al x
Friday, August 27, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Desitin Disaster!
Last night before we went to bed we checked on Oli like we always do, sometimes he's asleep in cute positions, or there's multiple toys in his bed. We usually have a little giggle and then go to bed. But last night when we opened the door something was obviously wrong. For one the room absolutely stank, of what yet I did not know. On closer looking at Oli, he was asleep on his back but he was as white as a ghost, it scared the life out of me.
When we quickly turned on the light we saw what had happened. There was thick white paste all over the door, carpet, multiple toys and Oli's bed. His hair was completely coated in it. And then we found the culprit, a whole tub of desitin. It was basically empty, Oli has used enough desitin to cure at least a hundred diaper rashes. I freaked out and began searching for any sign that Oliver had eaten some, there wasn't, luckily. So since desitin is extemely effective at locking out moisture, it is ridiculously hard to clean!! Tim put Oli in the bath and tried to get the paste off his skin and out of his hair while I tried to get it out of the carpet and changed his sheets and cleaned his bed and toys. We found somebody online that said Dawn is effective at getting it out, and it worked! It worked better than anything else anyway. His hair was the hardest part to get clean, its still quite bad this morning so I'm probably going to buzz his head later on today!!
When we quickly turned on the light we saw what had happened. There was thick white paste all over the door, carpet, multiple toys and Oli's bed. His hair was completely coated in it. And then we found the culprit, a whole tub of desitin. It was basically empty, Oli has used enough desitin to cure at least a hundred diaper rashes. I freaked out and began searching for any sign that Oliver had eaten some, there wasn't, luckily. So since desitin is extemely effective at locking out moisture, it is ridiculously hard to clean!! Tim put Oli in the bath and tried to get the paste off his skin and out of his hair while I tried to get it out of the carpet and changed his sheets and cleaned his bed and toys. We found somebody online that said Dawn is effective at getting it out, and it worked! It worked better than anything else anyway. His hair was the hardest part to get clean, its still quite bad this morning so I'm probably going to buzz his head later on today!!
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| This is how we found him: asleep |
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| I like the handprint on the door! |
Friday, July 23, 2010
The bests and worsts of Provo...
Reflecting on the last almost 6 years of my life that have mainly been spent in Provo there are definitely some things I will miss, and definitely some thing I will not!
I will miss:
Cafe Rio!!!
Living right under the mountains...gorgeous
BYU Choir every day
Seven Peaks passes
BYU football games (mostly Tim)
Visiting teaching 2 minutes away
All our amazing friends
I will not miss:
Long, freezing and snowy winters
Buying textbooks from the bookstore...ridiculous
University Ave and Center Street
Homework!
Utah news, it drives me crazy
Allens
I will miss:
Cafe Rio!!!
Living right under the mountains...gorgeous
BYU Choir every day
Seven Peaks passes
BYU football games (mostly Tim)
Visiting teaching 2 minutes away
All our amazing friends
I will not miss:
Long, freezing and snowy winters
Buying textbooks from the bookstore...ridiculous
University Ave and Center Street
Homework!
Utah news, it drives me crazy
Allens
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Life's precious moments...
So this morning I was all ready to go out. I had both kids strapped into their seats-side note-sometimes life begins to feel like an endless loading and unloading of children into car seats! Anyway, we were about the leave when I get a whiff of something bad...turns out both of my children had pooped. So I unload both of them and start all over again. This got me to thinking...a lot of times in life there are things that happen, like today, and you have two choices: get mad or laugh. Here's a few examples:
When you get to the checkout and realize you've forgotten your wallet. When you put the baby down after finally getting him to sleep and 2 minutes later he's crying. When you think you've come into some money and then realize a check just hasn't cleared. When you buy something full price because you HAD to have it and then it's on sale the next day. When you get home from the supermarket and realize you left a bag. When your computer crashes and you hadn't saved the essay that was almost finished. When you shut the car door just as you realize the keys are still inside. When you are just about to fall asleep and you hear that little cry. When you wake up thinking its Saturday and realize its Friday...
I guess what I'm saying is next time it happens, try to laugh, it won't seem as bad!
When you get to the checkout and realize you've forgotten your wallet. When you put the baby down after finally getting him to sleep and 2 minutes later he's crying. When you think you've come into some money and then realize a check just hasn't cleared. When you buy something full price because you HAD to have it and then it's on sale the next day. When you get home from the supermarket and realize you left a bag. When your computer crashes and you hadn't saved the essay that was almost finished. When you shut the car door just as you realize the keys are still inside. When you are just about to fall asleep and you hear that little cry. When you wake up thinking its Saturday and realize its Friday...
I guess what I'm saying is next time it happens, try to laugh, it won't seem as bad!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
A word to moms
I read something tonight that fueled the idea for my next blog. A mum on facebook was asking for advice about weaning her 6 month old. Loads of friends gave a bunch of different words of advice and encouragement. One ruffled my feathers a little. It was along the lines of: "I fed my child a variety of foods since they were young so now they love to eat all their fruits and vegetables." That's great I thought....for you. So for those of us who find it difficult to get their 2 year old to consume anything remotely green, we feel like failures. Which got me to thinking, everyone is always going on about the "correct" way of doing things. No more than two hours of TV, make sure they eat this many foods from this many food groups, if you don't breastfeed for 6 months there's something wrong with you, your child is two and he doesn't know his ABC's??, your 3 year old is still not potty trained, that child is really too old to have a dummy/pacifier, oh and my personal favourite: if you had an epidural you didn't really suffer during labour.
There's some really strict rules like: no cows milk until 12 months. So does that mean if you give your child who is 11 months and 29 days milk he will be sick, but somehow a day later he'll be fine???
When we achieve something we feel great, but if somehow we fall a little bit short we punish ourselves, too much. Honestly some days it is just about survival, getting through that day, and then I'll get to the next one. We put too much pressure on ourselves to have the perfect scrapbook, to be the perfect parent who never raises their voice. It's unrealistic to expect your two year old to stop doing something right away the first time you tell them no, it's going to take a few tries. It's not realistic to imagine that we can live up to the world's really high standard of what the "perfect child" should be like. So mom, go get a pedicure and give yourself some credit...you are doing an amazing job.
There's some really strict rules like: no cows milk until 12 months. So does that mean if you give your child who is 11 months and 29 days milk he will be sick, but somehow a day later he'll be fine???
When we achieve something we feel great, but if somehow we fall a little bit short we punish ourselves, too much. Honestly some days it is just about survival, getting through that day, and then I'll get to the next one. We put too much pressure on ourselves to have the perfect scrapbook, to be the perfect parent who never raises their voice. It's unrealistic to expect your two year old to stop doing something right away the first time you tell them no, it's going to take a few tries. It's not realistic to imagine that we can live up to the world's really high standard of what the "perfect child" should be like. So mom, go get a pedicure and give yourself some credit...you are doing an amazing job.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Some thoughts...
Last night I was feeling frustrated so I started writing. It ended up being amazingly therapeutic and made me feel a lot better. So I thought I'd share. By the way this is probably the cheesiest thing I've ever written...
Sometimes I look at my life and wonder: Is this it? Is this how I am going to spend my next 20 years? The constant cleaning when you know its only going to be dirty again tomorrow. Trying to discipline a toddler who is acting out and will not listen to a word you say. Trying to feed him fruit and vegetables when all he wants is candy and chips. Trying to entertain him with a book when all he wants to do is watch TV. Trying to keep your cool when he screams at the top of his lungs and breaks something you had no idea he could reach. And then there's the baby: the constant feeding which to be honest hurts and is usually followed by being puked on and/or changing poop. He cries a LOT and doesn't give you much love. Then your husband comes home and wonders why you're in a bad mood and wonders why there's no dinner ready. He calls you high maintenance when you get angry he leaves his stuff on the floor and calls you a nag when you ask him to take the rubbish out three times in half an hour. You ask "permission" to go and take a shower and feel guilty to take a nap while he watches both kids, even though that's what you've been doing all day! You are completely exhausted.......
And then you have a moment, it usually takes only one, and it all becomes worth it. All the picking up dirty socks and doing dishes. All the 3am feedings and dirty nappies. All the mundane and monotonous things you do every day become worth it when your two year old does something so cute you have to laugh, when he runs over the baby and kisses his head. When he sits on your lap and plays with your hair. When he comes over to you for a cuddle just because he wants to be close to you. When he curls up in bed with his favourite toy and softly snores. When your baby looks up at you with those huge eyes and blinks, when he burps so loud after you feed him. When he falls asleep in only your arms. When he cries until you hold him. And when your husband tells you you look cute today, or when you look at each other and laugh over something only you both know. When you know what he's thinking and what he's going to say. In that moment you realize that this is true happiness, this is what you have wanted all along, this is what makes everything else doable. In that moment you know that you are doing potentially the most difficult thing in the world. You are being a wife and a mum.
Sometimes I look at my life and wonder: Is this it? Is this how I am going to spend my next 20 years? The constant cleaning when you know its only going to be dirty again tomorrow. Trying to discipline a toddler who is acting out and will not listen to a word you say. Trying to feed him fruit and vegetables when all he wants is candy and chips. Trying to entertain him with a book when all he wants to do is watch TV. Trying to keep your cool when he screams at the top of his lungs and breaks something you had no idea he could reach. And then there's the baby: the constant feeding which to be honest hurts and is usually followed by being puked on and/or changing poop. He cries a LOT and doesn't give you much love. Then your husband comes home and wonders why you're in a bad mood and wonders why there's no dinner ready. He calls you high maintenance when you get angry he leaves his stuff on the floor and calls you a nag when you ask him to take the rubbish out three times in half an hour. You ask "permission" to go and take a shower and feel guilty to take a nap while he watches both kids, even though that's what you've been doing all day! You are completely exhausted.......
And then you have a moment, it usually takes only one, and it all becomes worth it. All the picking up dirty socks and doing dishes. All the 3am feedings and dirty nappies. All the mundane and monotonous things you do every day become worth it when your two year old does something so cute you have to laugh, when he runs over the baby and kisses his head. When he sits on your lap and plays with your hair. When he comes over to you for a cuddle just because he wants to be close to you. When he curls up in bed with his favourite toy and softly snores. When your baby looks up at you with those huge eyes and blinks, when he burps so loud after you feed him. When he falls asleep in only your arms. When he cries until you hold him. And when your husband tells you you look cute today, or when you look at each other and laugh over something only you both know. When you know what he's thinking and what he's going to say. In that moment you realize that this is true happiness, this is what you have wanted all along, this is what makes everything else doable. In that moment you know that you are doing potentially the most difficult thing in the world. You are being a wife and a mum.
Monday, May 10, 2010
New Baby Boy!!!
So our new baby boy Jordan James (JJ) is now just over a week old.
Here's the story of last Sunday:
So I wake up on Sunday morning (May 2-my due date!) at 4am with quite painful contractions...I'm very excited because I'm thinking, maybe I'll have a baby by lunchtime! For the past week I had been SO ready to have this baby, very uncomfortable and exhausted. By 8am my contractions had slowed down and weren't very regular. By 10am they had completely stopped, so I was disappointed. I continued to have random ones throughout the day, everytime one came I got excited and would start timing, but then I wouldn't have one for a while again. Finally around 3pm they started up again and were quite intense...they continued for a couple of hours to get stronger, closer together and longer. By 5 30pm I had gone from happy I was in labour to focusing more on the pain! We got in to the hospital around 6pm, I was only dilated to 3cm so I was disappointed because I felt like I was further along!
An hour and a half later my waters broke and I got an epidural...finally! 2 hours later I was ready to push! I pushed about 20 minutes and JJ was here...it was such a relief. With Oliver I was pushing for 2 and a half hours.....it was tough! So this time it almost felt easy! My whole labour experience this time was really enjoyable.
JJ weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 inches long, bigger than Oliver, which I could tell by the way I carried him. He nursed about minutes after he was born, he already knew what to do! I was really happy about that too because nursing was a struggle with Oli for a while. We stayed in the hospital for a couple of days and came home Tuesday afternoon with a new happy, healthy baby.
This week has been interesting, I'm so glad my mum has been here helping with Oliver....otherwise I don't know what I would have done! JJ is a really good baby, his days are switched with nights right now so he's not very good at sleeping at night! I had to take him in to the hospital every day to get his bilirubin levels checked, on Friday he had gotten so high that we had to get the bili lights (again-same thing with Oliver). Basically its a little suitcase with lights in it that are supposed to help cure the jaundice, I've no idea how it works scientifically, something to do with red blood cells. Anyway, it's hard to keep them in the suitcase, only taking them out for feeding and changing. He especially didn't want to be in there at night, so we had a few sleepless nights this weekend! Yesterday morning I took him in for another check and he's low risk now so I'm glad he only had to be under the lights for a few days!
My mum leaves on Tuesday so I'm nervous for it to be just me and the boys but I'm really happy and loving being at home with my little ones!
Here's the story of last Sunday:
So I wake up on Sunday morning (May 2-my due date!) at 4am with quite painful contractions...I'm very excited because I'm thinking, maybe I'll have a baby by lunchtime! For the past week I had been SO ready to have this baby, very uncomfortable and exhausted. By 8am my contractions had slowed down and weren't very regular. By 10am they had completely stopped, so I was disappointed. I continued to have random ones throughout the day, everytime one came I got excited and would start timing, but then I wouldn't have one for a while again. Finally around 3pm they started up again and were quite intense...they continued for a couple of hours to get stronger, closer together and longer. By 5 30pm I had gone from happy I was in labour to focusing more on the pain! We got in to the hospital around 6pm, I was only dilated to 3cm so I was disappointed because I felt like I was further along!
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| Me a couple of hours before delivery |
An hour and a half later my waters broke and I got an epidural...finally! 2 hours later I was ready to push! I pushed about 20 minutes and JJ was here...it was such a relief. With Oliver I was pushing for 2 and a half hours.....it was tough! So this time it almost felt easy! My whole labour experience this time was really enjoyable.
JJ weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 inches long, bigger than Oliver, which I could tell by the way I carried him. He nursed about minutes after he was born, he already knew what to do! I was really happy about that too because nursing was a struggle with Oli for a while. We stayed in the hospital for a couple of days and came home Tuesday afternoon with a new happy, healthy baby.
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| Introducing: Jordan James Oblad |
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| Our little family |
This week has been interesting, I'm so glad my mum has been here helping with Oliver....otherwise I don't know what I would have done! JJ is a really good baby, his days are switched with nights right now so he's not very good at sleeping at night! I had to take him in to the hospital every day to get his bilirubin levels checked, on Friday he had gotten so high that we had to get the bili lights (again-same thing with Oliver). Basically its a little suitcase with lights in it that are supposed to help cure the jaundice, I've no idea how it works scientifically, something to do with red blood cells. Anyway, it's hard to keep them in the suitcase, only taking them out for feeding and changing. He especially didn't want to be in there at night, so we had a few sleepless nights this weekend! Yesterday morning I took him in for another check and he's low risk now so I'm glad he only had to be under the lights for a few days!
My mum leaves on Tuesday so I'm nervous for it to be just me and the boys but I'm really happy and loving being at home with my little ones!
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