tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42710204858904837512024-02-06T19:08:52.321-08:00What now?!Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-36994434308038172982016-08-04T21:45:00.003-07:002016-08-04T21:45:33.427-07:00Why TV is good for kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In case you thought you misread the title of this post, yes, it truly does say that TV is good for kids. Seriously.<br />
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Before having children of my own, I used to be one of <em>those </em>people who made statements such as: <br />
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"why would anybody let their kids watch an IPAD at dinner? That would be an excellent time to really have a conversation!' <br />
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" My kids are definitely never going to watch TV everyday. I'll have lots of stimulating activities planned."<br />
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Then... I had kids of my own, and while we do try to limit the amount of TV each day, I do see benefits of television for kids, even young ones. <br />
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1) Safety- Sometimes, parents have to do things such as shower, get ready or cook. TV is a sure-fire way to keep kids safe during these times. Turning on an episode of "Paw Patrol" buys me about 25 of time and I know Andrew is sitting calmly. <em>But, can't he just color or play quietly with puzzles? </em>Sure he can, and we use those too, but those often require help or he wants somebody to sit with him. <br />
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2) Restaurants- When we visit "Kid-friendly" restaurants (McDonalds, Anthony's Beach Café) we don't bring the IPAD. However, if we plan to dine for longer than half-hour and the restaurant lacks a play area or sandbox, a good show can be a lifesaver. Granted, we rarely visit fancier places with the kids, when we do, its a nice back-up plan to have. <br />
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2) Education- While our kids do watch shows, we do monitor (closely) what they watch. So, usually Daniel Tiger, Peppa, Sid the Science Kid or Paw Patrol. Andrew has honestly learned loads from these shows. He's learned about community and jobs from Paw Patrol and Daniel, science vocabulary from Sid and some cook British lingo from Peppa. <br />
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Sure, we could teach him these things ourselves, but it sure wouldn't be as entertaining! Plus, he has carried ideas from the show to real life. We conduct some of the same experiments he sees on Sid and have visited fire trucks and recycle trucks and compare them to the ones on Paw Patrol. <br />
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Not to mention, TV is part of pop culture. Already Andrew and his buddies comment on shirts kids are wearing (Frozen, Mickey, Paw Patrol, etc) just as my co-workers and I dish about the newest TV series we are into. I don't want to raise social outcasts, Kidding. Sort of.<br />
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3) Behavior- TV is one of the only ways we can calm down our super-active kid. Today, we attended a 3-hour gymnastics camp and was still wired this evening when we came home. After watching a show, he was relaxed and reading for books and bed. I liken it to how most adults unwind with a favorite series before bed.<br />
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Not only is TV calming, but it also provides many lessons on appropriate behavior. Daniel Tiger featured an episode on how having a baby sister can make things different, but fun at the same time. This also included a catchy song and it stuck with him way more than me yelling, "Andrew, let Taylor play too!"<br />
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So, yes, I agree that kids shouldn't just sit around watching random TV all day, it does have its place. I know that Pediatricians recommend no TV before two, and I have actually abided to that, but not for lack of trying. Andrew lacked the attention span to watch a show until around that age and Taylor seems to be following in his footsteps. <br />
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For now, kids shows are all we have on here, but I look forward to the days when they are a bit older and we can also have "Family Movie night" and watch favorite shows together. I love that families I know bond over Star Wars, Harry Potter, and that these are ways they connect. <br />
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-33158562973354239682016-04-17T21:22:00.000-07:002016-04-17T21:25:39.372-07:00A toast to a great man...Today I learned my co-worker and our friend passed away after a 12+ year battle with cancer. I have always thought that if you were prepared for somebody to go, it would be easier, especially if the person had already lived a long, full life. Not true.<br />
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While Carl lived to see his kids get married, take many amazing trips with his wife and meet all five of his grandchildren, it doesn't mean he won't be missed. For years, there were many health scares for Carl where he didn't think he would make it. I assumed this final time was the same. When his daughter told me things were not looking good, I figured I would get a call the next day informing me Carl had had improved and we could come and visit. Not this time, this time he was actually gone and I can't seem to shake the disbelief. </div>
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I met Carl over 10 years ago, when he was the reason I was hired for my very first teaching job at Voyager Middle School. I was 23 and had only a one long-term teaching experience under my belt, no Masters degree and no extra certificates. Carl informed the committee he would like to team with me because I reminded him of both his past teaming partner (who moved) and his daughter (who is three days older than me). </div>
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Until he retired last year, i had the privilege of teaching with him and getting to know both Carl and his family. My husband and I played on his softball team, went to his wine parties and he even read at our wedding. He was a special person in our family and we always looked forward to the times we spent with Carl. As a teacher, I've never met anybody who was so dedicated to his job. Even after he retired, when he was obviously run down, he continued to substitute in the building. Kids loved him, many asking to "TA" for him after they moved on to 7th and 8th grade. He was known for his sarcastic humor, passion for sports and myriad of ties- one for each day of the school year, plus some.</div>
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Carl has left a lasting impression in the minds and hearts of many co-workers, friends, students, and of course his family. He was so proud of of all his kids and grand-kids and talked about them often. It will be incredibly difficult to return to work this fall and not hear his voice (literally, I could hear him teaching math lessons from down the hall) in the building. His absence will definitely be felt by all who knew him- and he was known by many.</div>
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So tonight, I'm drinking a nice glass of red wine in honor of Carl- because that is exactly what he would want everybody to be doing. Celebrating a life well lived. </div>
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-86996969680203702712015-07-31T12:56:00.004-07:002015-07-31T12:56:50.689-07:00Stages<div class="c_ic_bar c_ic_greenframe" dir="ltr" id="icTmReadMessageContact0_bar" style="visibility: inherit;">
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<tr class="Header"><td class="ReadMsgHeaderCol1">Even before Taylor was born, I knew that having two kids would be drastically different than having one child. Most of my friends already two (or more) so I had seen it first-hand. Throughout my pregnancy, I worried about how I would possibly pay attention to two at one time, how Andrew would deal with the change and how Adam and I would adjust. <br />
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In comparison to Andrew, Taylor is a relatively calm baby (so far...fingers crossed). She is content to sleep in the ergo or bouncer for hours, giving me two free hands to wrangle a busy toddler. Not to say that two is easy. Far from it. Yesterday, at the park, I had to pick a tantruming (because I wouldn't allow him to play in the street) Andrew off the pavement and fling him under one arm and walk up a steep grass hill. Meanwhile, poor Taylor had somebody screaming in her ear while she was bounced around and jostled. And it was about 80 degrees out. If you've ever "worn " a baby in the heat, you understand. Good times. <br />
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My mind floated back to when Andrew was an infant and I would sit on the couch, relaxing while he slept or we would take walks to the store. I could even shower while he was in the bouncy seat, make dinner or read some books. With one, you actually can sleep while they do, but with two? Good luck.<br />
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Looking back, I would say having one baby was a breeze, although it didn't feel that way at the time. Going from no kids to one means the loss of the life you once knew- there was now a person that came before my "wants" and "needs." No more spontaneous happy hours, long workouts at the gym or sleeping as late as we pleased on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Not to mention, Andrew was (is) quite a spirited baby.<br />
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I have come to the realization all stages in life are difficult because they are new, and not necessarily because any one stage in life is harder than the next.<br />
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Back in 1999, starting college seemed like the hardest thing I had ever done. I was on my own for the first time and had to balance school with work and a social life. Sure, I see now just how easy my life was back then, but it sure didn't feel that way at the time. Why? Because it was new. Same with when I graduated and started my first teaching position, renting my first apartment on my own and managing my own money. It felt hard at the time and I wished for my carefree college days.<br />
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Right now, two kids feels hard. However, I am sure when they are teenagers, I will think back to how easy it was having younger children. Right now, I deal with tantrums and crying, but at least it is over silly things- like having a favorite Mickey Mouse shirt in the wash. With teens, new hardships come into play- like driving, making good decisions and doing well in school. And... you cannot simply throw a tantruming teens under your arm and place them in their stroller!<br />
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Having to juggle attention between two will continue, but no longer will I have to decide who to go to first when they are crying, but instead whose game or activity to go to... .There will also come a day when neither wants our attention as often, and I know when this time comes, I will truly miss the stage we are in now.<br />
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Rather than complain about how difficult things seem at the moment , I will try to enjoy this time now because I know that one day I will miss it- well maybe not the lack of sleep. I will definitely not miss that.<br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-36037384329969959422015-02-18T20:20:00.001-08:002015-02-18T20:20:28.832-08:00More of EverythingSince the time Andrew was born, I knew had loads of energy and was quite high needs. He once screamed for the entire (hour-long) car ride home when most babies would have eventually given up and fallen asleep. We have probably had to leave stores, restaurants and outings more in the last month than most people ever will. Andrew doesn't respond to "no" or distract easily to a new task as I have seen other kids his age do. He is also a mover- walked around 10 months and has been running ever since. He has a delightfully curious nature- he wants to touch everything all the time and see how it works. <br />
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Now, I have found there is actually a term for kids like him- "spirited" and I have begun delving into a book called "Raising your Spirited Child." <br />
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Basically, spirited children share the same characteristics of their peers- just more of each. They have huge extremes. Andrew go from being the happiest, sweetest little boy giving "kisses" on minute to flailing on the ground, screaming the next. Typical discipline techniques to not work on these spirited kids- which can be quite frustrating. It is both the best and the worst.<br />
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Mary Sheedy, the author of the book describes "spirited children" into five major categories. Andrew fit into every one.<br />
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1) Intensity- Their reactions are always powerful<br />
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- This is the category Andrew actually had the least amount of points in, because he is not necessarily loud and screaming all the time.<br />
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However, Andrew's tantrums are loud and his emotions seem to explode. Today, informed him we needed to get out of the car to bring groceries into the house. This was not on his agenda and he preferred to sit in the car for the moment. I could just feel the fit starting as I told him again- and sure enough. It came. His intensity is not always in the form of a tantrum though. He also shrieked with joy earlier as he propelled down a slide at the park. <br />
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One way to help the intensity is to use techniques like humor to stop them. So allowing Andrew to throw a fit for several moments, I started tickling him and laughing. He eventually settled down and we tried one of his other "settle down" favorites- washing his hands. Water, in general, helps to calm him down a lot...<br />
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2) Persistence- They don't give up or give in easily<br />
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Overall, this is an excellent trait for people to have. We all need to learn about not giving up and sticking with things when they are tough. This is not, however, always a great attribute when dealing with a toddler...and Andrew scored the highest here.<br />
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If he wants something and his mind is set, it is incredibly difficult to distract Andrew. He remembers things from weeks ago, doesn't take "no" for an answer and attempts to keep going until he gets what he wants. This is great when he attempts new skills- last week, we kept trying and trying to climb up a slide (as he saw some big boys doing) and didn't stop until he figured it out! <br />
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It can also be exasperating. I have heard other parents remark that when they give their kids a firm "no" or use time-out, etc. their kids eventually give up. Not Andrew. Yesterday, he wanted some Chapstick and I put a bit on his lips and then hid it in a drawer. This was apparently not good enough. He wanted to also hold it. I told him "no" and went to fold some laundry. When I turned around- he was standing on his tiptoes to reach another tube of chapstick Adam had left on the counter last week. The little bugger actually remembered this!<br />
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3) Sensitivity- Strong reactions to noise, crowds or even irritating clothes<br />
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This one was made obvious a few days ago when we ventured out to the Children's Museum. The other times we went were weekday mornings, when it was relatively quiet and Andrew had a fabulous time- particularly at the water station. I (stupidly) didn't even think that the environment might be a tad different on a Sunday afternoon. <br />
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Let's just say, I had anxiety and wanted to leave. Andrew was getting frustrated about the lack of personal space and began grabbing at other kids hair and faces. We left and had a much better time just walking around the city and stopping at Starbucks. <br />
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4) Perceptiveness- Noticing anything and everything<br />
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I really don't think this characteristic is a frustrating one...unless you are in a hurry to go somewhere! As they get older, these kids can appear distracted and to not be listening.<br />
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Since Andrew is a toddler, I am not sure how well any of them listen yet, but I have observed him noticing things I miss. Today, we walked by a lady and Andrew said "hi" and then started yelling "daddy." I was very confused, as this woman obviously looked nothing like Adam. He kept insisting and pointing at her shirt- a Seahawk emblem pictured on the front. Adam always wears a Seahawk hat. Smart little guy.<br />
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5) Adaptability- transitions and changes are stressful for these guys<br />
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Andrew has a pretty set schedule and if things are not in the order he expects, he can become quite upset. A little girl he always sees at daycare was not there the other day and they informed me he cried for about 20 minutes. He likes his meals, naps and bedtime at the same time each day- and is not really what you would call "flexible." <br />
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So, while it may sound silly to decline a birthday invite or get together during naptime- with him, it is really not worth it or fun to go. We have learned this and just hope his new sister is a bit more flexible with her schedule! <br />
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I have just started getting into the parts of this book where it addresses how to handle your "spirited" child and so far, many of the strategies have helped. Spirited children are smart and it is nice to focus on the fact that he is wonderfully sweet and intelligent than to become exhausted when he is really showing off his "spirit." <br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-53524526511945287422015-01-20T19:28:00.001-08:002015-01-20T19:28:26.663-08:00"Vacation" with a toddlerLast month, we flew with Andrew to California for Christmas to visit family. Even before having children, I had always imagined we would continue to travel once we had them. Vacations with kids must be fun, I had always thought. Wrong. Although the trip itself was fun, I would not call it so much a "vacation" as a "trip."<br />
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I had seen all of those adorable picture of people's babies looking out of airplane windows, and assumed it must be a piece of cake. Those babies always looked so happy, and their parents so relaxed. <br />
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Wrong. I now think those pictures are a (very) small glimpse as to the real goings on of the plane ride. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTYOHrlZXgjuQcwJgCeoQT2Lxm4gan70jmZUu7ymdJE8FPRpRZJSdAGl8r9ko9069Sfcrz_EyONnjZeo4pEQeeBrgcrhdINhK2n-VNMcJtqUzrV11yy5FU49nNg3JQYrAxuWpaNftnWoN/s1600/plane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTYOHrlZXgjuQcwJgCeoQT2Lxm4gan70jmZUu7ymdJE8FPRpRZJSdAGl8r9ko9069Sfcrz_EyONnjZeo4pEQeeBrgcrhdINhK2n-VNMcJtqUzrV11yy5FU49nNg3JQYrAxuWpaNftnWoN/s1600/plane.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at this picture, you would imagine Andrew was a perfect angel on the flight. Not quite...</td></tr>
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What unfolded for us on the airplane was neither relaxing nor fun. However, I think we will now be better equipped and prepared to fly with Andrew (and his sister once she arrives) in the future.<br />
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So, here you are. Some of my tips for flying with small children- unless of course, yours are not as active as mine:<br />
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1) Buck up and buy the kid their own seat. Even if they are under two. Trust me, it will worth it to keep them contained. We instead bought two first class seats and assumed we would have enough room. While the space was okay in first class, Andrew knew he could move around. He constantly wanted out of the seat and to talk to others around the plane. Or he was kicking the seat of the people in front of us.<br />
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At least, had he been buckled in, he would have been more content. He also might have actually fallen asleep. <br />
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Seriously. This first tip is probably the most important. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQduTL7a-ZpWv_5lxV2iISW0sVbup58xQA1mcabgTSo10ask7jl9ZnMoMmtrj6YYosLLaK2vPzYgrmr3slKA1X0HowzisjxE1VGDKh2doVFDrV6rZg5sQYczrpTOvJWPa0-IBnt3PYROSW/s1600/boy+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQduTL7a-ZpWv_5lxV2iISW0sVbup58xQA1mcabgTSo10ask7jl9ZnMoMmtrj6YYosLLaK2vPzYgrmr3slKA1X0HowzisjxE1VGDKh2doVFDrV6rZg5sQYczrpTOvJWPa0-IBnt3PYROSW/s1600/boy+park.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I should have known this active guy would NOT want to sit still for 2.5 hours.</td></tr>
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2) Drink on the plane if you can. Or before. Or both. Unfortunately, I was unable to imbibe due to my condition, but I certainly was eyeing Adams cocktail with envy. If I had a couple glasses of wine in my system, I may have found the whole situation amusing, but instead I was annoyed and grouchy. And uncomfortable.<br />
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3) Make sure your electronics work prior to take off. Ours didn't. This meant plans of Andrew watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" were down the drain. Instead, I got to walk up and down the aisles with him and stand by the bathrooms for about half an hour. <br />
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4) If your toddler is a fan of whole milk, fill up prior to boarding. Most planes don't carry whole milk and only a small quantity of 2%. I used those containers of milk Starbucks leaves out by the condiments (because the line was about 50 people long).<br />
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5) Provide little treats for them to open during the flight. My mom packed Andrew a bag with little snacks and toys. He liked opening the packages. Just be careful- if you have a "thrower" like he is, you may end up with toys being chucked at unsuspecting passengers. <br />
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6) Bring a stroller on the plane. You can "gate check" them right before you board. Even if your toddler normally doesn't enjoy them. Its nice to race through the airport without having to carry them. Especially if it is busy, as it was when we were flying. <br />
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7) Be prepared for screaming on decent. I wish I had known about toting some suckers along for this...Andrew screamed the entire time we were landing because his ears hurt and he didn't know how to pop them. It was horrible and all I could do was hold him while he wailed away...<br />
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So, basically our flight was horrible. However, Andrew did enjoy the rest of his vacation. He loved the beach and going to Disneyland and being able to hang out outside in the SUN in December! <br />
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Next time we will be more prepared, so we start our travels off on the right foot. Although, I know that the trips we take will no longer be as relaxing as they once were, they still certainly make for great memories we will talk about for years to come!<br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-66059894802667590232014-12-22T13:29:00.000-08:002014-12-22T13:29:49.970-08:00The 2nd time aroundBeing pregnant the 2nd time around is certainly a different experience than the first. With the first, people treat you as though you are a delicate, magical being who needs help with things. You have a glow about you, strangers ask about your bump and how you are feeling and what the nursery will look like. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzp4OEuoXjoV5mYHP911nce14Obg4pQcup8DsVRul4z1Z4QCargONXyqCpIxqlzA2bbgnQ0E-Auz_aqaUr6VAA8Acn8nsnfu5Gz469hUZMb0c7vnijtumctWyquZC_EJTrw8BKvBovFWH/s1600/maternity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzp4OEuoXjoV5mYHP911nce14Obg4pQcup8DsVRul4z1Z4QCargONXyqCpIxqlzA2bbgnQ0E-Auz_aqaUr6VAA8Acn8nsnfu5Gz469hUZMb0c7vnijtumctWyquZC_EJTrw8BKvBovFWH/s1600/maternity.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maternity shoot with Andrew</td></tr>
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I really didn't feel sick when I was pregnant with Andrew, so my pregnancy with him was actually kind of "fun." <br />
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Now, I feel tired, huge and instead of a glow...I have dark circles under my eyes. We are not even sure where the new baby will sleep, so the nursery theme will be "a crib." <br />
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Yes, there are many differences with this pregnancy versus my first...<br />
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1) When I was pregnant with Andrew, I don't recall ever missing alcohol. In fact, it sounded disgusting. However, with #2, I am missing my wine. After a day with crazy middle schoolers, followed by an afternoon and evening with an active toddler (morning too-since he is up by 6am) I was getting used to relaxing at night with a nice class of red wine. Now I have switched to tea, but it is not the same. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf4Aj9Y9Ndr6PLh2daXQX-Ip3zniKEsaVOfctrJnrU_MO3qGMg3lrtcdp9KVK67BQ-5bp6rWEoThifG17ryIEsWAB2cIboZi8psY3P3xqeTphOkZEG02c4mgCw0XV6uiGYiS0lXiVjnjQ/s1600/beach+clap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf4Aj9Y9Ndr6PLh2daXQX-Ip3zniKEsaVOfctrJnrU_MO3qGMg3lrtcdp9KVK67BQ-5bp6rWEoThifG17ryIEsWAB2cIboZi8psY3P3xqeTphOkZEG02c4mgCw0XV6uiGYiS0lXiVjnjQ/s1600/beach+clap.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Toddler at the beach</td></tr>
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2)The first time around, I was so focused on being pregnant, I didn't really put much thought into what life would actually be like once the actual baby arrived. I had been told newborns sleep a lot, so I had visions of Adam and I watching movies at night while the baby slept soundly in a swing. The baby would also come to all of our usual activities- wine tasting, dinner, the gym, etc.. and sleep in a car seat. I had seen other babies doing just that, so I figured ours would to. Wrong. Andrew, although adorable, was an incredibly "high needs" baby who never just "fell asleep" anywhere.<br />
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At least this time, don't have high expectations of how easy it will be. However, I am worried about how we will manage if the next one is as needy as Andrew was? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSoLCYuyzi7mVt_BgMmjZWjGhfTOOvSjquq9I5s2QOd8Uf5wipqitDEBp515kN8d1ADNyh4CAQUw1U_Qo1BqzA6QRbMcDiCmlc119QjFhCbpzJfoQcliZW-d8gz7YSdDSOPZQYcIEiBs7/s1600/2+month+guy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSoLCYuyzi7mVt_BgMmjZWjGhfTOOvSjquq9I5s2QOd8Uf5wipqitDEBp515kN8d1ADNyh4CAQUw1U_Qo1BqzA6QRbMcDiCmlc119QjFhCbpzJfoQcliZW-d8gz7YSdDSOPZQYcIEiBs7/s1600/2+month+guy.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Andrew- active from an early age</td></tr>
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Maybe though, with subsequent children, parents are more relaxed and it will just seems easier? Let's hope so, because the combination of an incredibly energetic toddler and a fussy newborn might put us all over the edge.<br />
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3) When I found out I was pregnant with Andrew, I read every book, anxiously anticipated each doctors appointment and received weekly updates about my baby and what size of fruit Baby Andrew was. We obsessed over possible names and bought tons of baby items for him.<br />
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Today, somebody asked me how many weeks I was, and I realized I had no idea. I actually had to look up the due date online to figure it out...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLt90kR3GsoCdIHCjb6q6lPhgMypAYV3kU_I8r3Ez-3Dq1peVfQQCr4veb0KskPaBUluW0PNU_JQPMLwIJWLOYiN-YvU_7jOKa0suaUIIgHgkkAnKWV2VQONg2ctrrD8QD7o-AQmJ7U6q/s1600/yoga.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLt90kR3GsoCdIHCjb6q6lPhgMypAYV3kU_I8r3Ez-3Dq1peVfQQCr4veb0KskPaBUluW0PNU_JQPMLwIJWLOYiN-YvU_7jOKa0suaUIIgHgkkAnKWV2VQONg2ctrrD8QD7o-AQmJ7U6q/s1600/yoga.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry-I don't have any actual photos<br />
of myself doing yoga...</td></tr>
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4) At the end of the pregnancy with Andrew, Adam and I attended a birthing class, where all of us hugely pregnant women were made to sit in uncomfortable folding chairs while a lady basically told us if we didn't have a natural birth, we were bad parents right from the start. They tried to tell us that dancing around and sitting on a ball, along with yoga would help one to have this kind of birth.<br />
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Guess what? I did yoga nearly everyday and STILL ended up with a C section. I really do admire women that can have a natural birth, but it wasn't in the cards for me. Since I am having a repeat C Section (no, I do not want a VBAC, so don't ask me about it) the only worries I have are what we are going to do with Andrew when I am in the hospital and recovering at home?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixh6FG-zxDi_H8d3qzCdv4PYfGw0Eu3Fs3T6X9waKSqWCz1ZvYqX4xQhsqEpWcx2V86Td4tMmTF1In5t7ysub9VjXFga1ogAYAs2GLgYE2JFgAVNITUQtchqsvRqQShUN2cUQN0VO1Xn8-/s1600/wedding+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixh6FG-zxDi_H8d3qzCdv4PYfGw0Eu3Fs3T6X9waKSqWCz1ZvYqX4xQhsqEpWcx2V86Td4tMmTF1In5t7ysub9VjXFga1ogAYAs2GLgYE2JFgAVNITUQtchqsvRqQShUN2cUQN0VO1Xn8-/s1600/wedding+sisters.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meaghan and I at my wedding...2010</td></tr>
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5) I took the rules very seriously with Andrew- no lunch meat, alcohol, raw cookie dough, lifting anything over 25 lbs, sleeping on my back or eating sketchy cheese. While I am still laying off the booze, I did sneak a bit of cookie dough this evening and have consumed lot of cheese. As for the lifting rule? Andrew weighs more than 25 lbs, so that rule is out the door. <br />
<br />
The funny thing is that excited as I am about the new baby, I am mostly excited to have two because they will have one another. Even though my sister and I fought sometimes (particularly one incident in Italy where she was sure I stole her gelato money), having a sibling was my favorite part of growing up. Even better? Meaghan and her husband are expecting a baby girl in March, so Andrew and his new sibling will also have a cousin close in age. <br />
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Although, I am not sure if either of us are ready or know what life will be like with two kids, I know that we are excited to find out.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ulAntDPI953YkqpTEUsHtGEAmikBs3nIgz4UGzbIOckz3QgUj9XoJGczRtJ9DP9fTObVua3hlM9AhdNm4I1yCUUm1NAvBgNW2RW2rOM1U_Spl8xb957bX84O8KJPUC_ZfUdDB0Rf1n9B/s1600/hood+canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ulAntDPI953YkqpTEUsHtGEAmikBs3nIgz4UGzbIOckz3QgUj9XoJGczRtJ9DP9fTObVua3hlM9AhdNm4I1yCUUm1NAvBgNW2RW2rOM1U_Spl8xb957bX84O8KJPUC_ZfUdDB0Rf1n9B/s1600/hood+canal.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hood Canal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-76429552202298742562014-05-18T20:44:00.001-07:002014-05-18T20:44:02.557-07:00One year later...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At this time last year, I was anxiously awaiting Andrew's arrival. (Don't worry, this post is NOT a story of my labor and delivery). I had no idea that life was about to change forever. Prior to having a child myself, I couldn't fathom giving up things I loved for a baby. As I stated in an earlier post, I thought it might be nice to have a flexible baby. You know, one that we could take wine tasting and out to nice dinners and such. <br />
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<br />
What I didn't realize was that you don't choose your baby- your baby chooses you and comes with a personality all their own. <br />
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Lately, I have been thinking about how people categorize babies as "good" or "bad/difficult" based on how little they interrupt their parent's lives. A baby is "good" if he or she naps easily, sits quietly at meals, doesn't fuss, etc. "Bad babies" are ones who cry, don't sleep well and don't want to be contained.<br />
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Why are these babies "bad/difficult?" It is simply that different babies have different dispositions, just as we adults do. <br />
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When I was not a parent, I used to hard-core judge parents and their kids in public and categorize them into the "good" and "bad" camp. The baby sleeping quietly on an airplane? Good. The little boy running up and down the aisles at the grocery store? Bad. The toddler sitting nicely in his highchair at a restaurant? Good. The baby who wouldn't sit in her stroller at Greenlake? Bad.<br />
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You get the picture. I figured the "bad" babies were that way due to the fault of the parents. My baby would certainly follow directions because I would know how to parent.<br />
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Then along came Andrew. He was fussy, and I mean really fussy as a newborn. He would only sleep if I walked with him for miles everyday. I always see pictures of other people's babies on Facebook with a caption reading " __________ just fell asleep while playing with her toys! How cute!" <br />
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Andrew has NEVER just fallen asleep while playing, even as a newborn. He was angry a lot, and I know now that he was mad because he wanted to move.<br />
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As he got older, he became a happy, charming little gentleman. He (luckily) was able to sit and crawl at a young age, which gave him the freedom he craved.<br />
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He started walking around ten months and gets loads of attention every where we go, because it does look funny that someone so small is out and running about. However, when he is confined against his will (such as in a high chair, stroller or grocery car) he becomes a "bad" baby. <br />
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The other day, he threw a full on tantrum at the store because he wanted to hold the loaf of bread as we went around the store. Rather than trying to prove a point, I let him hold the damn bread. I had shopping to do, so leaving would actually punish me rather than him. I knew other parents were looking at me, judging me and my "difficult" child or questioning my parenting skills. <br />
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On most days, he will move continuously for 2-3 hours, refuses to let us read him books (we have actually memorized the books and "read" them in the car), refuses to stay in his bouncer for longer than five minutes, and takes a two minute bath because he won't sit in the bath tub. We have realized that going out to eat is no longer fun unless there is a play area. <br />
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Today, we celebrated his birthday with some family at a local ice cream shop. There was another boy also celebrating his first bday. This little boy was sitting quietly on his dad's lap for the entire hour they were there! My little guy? He was running around the shop holding balloons and yelling. And also maybe taking the other little boy's ice cream spoon. <br />
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However, I don't think he is a "bad" baby at all. High energy? Yes. Opinioned and strong-willed? Undoubtedly. But, "bad or difficult?" No. <br />
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See, what I didn't realized until almost a year ago today is the unconditional love that I would feel for this special little boy. Sure he won't sit down and let me read to him anymore, but I love watching him chase Teddy around the house. And tonight, when we was shrieking and running in the sprinkler, I couldn't stop smiling. If he was a "good" baby, would my life be easier? Most likely, but it certainly wouldn't be as fulfilling or fun as it is now!<br />
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Happy Birthday, Andrew Walter. You are my rambunctious little guy and I love you very much. Don't every change, because that strong personality is what makes you incredibly unique (and adorable) and I wouldn't have it any other way!Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-37137615277612736242014-03-26T20:17:00.002-07:002014-03-26T20:17:41.883-07:00Pet Peeves, part 2<span style="color: black;"><strong>"Pet Peeves" because...why not?</strong></span> <br />
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1) When I am on a run and cross paths with a person smoking a cigarette. Totally ruins the fresh air I am trying to breathe and always seems to linger in the air for the next few meters.<br />
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2) Parents that suck and don't do their jobs, and then expect the school to handle their kids. <br />
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Example: A mother of a student of mine had to come in for a conference after her son was very disrespectful to my substitute teacher. This student is...well, a complete asshole (sorry, no way to sugar-coat it). When I met the mother, I realized from whom he inherited his shining personality. Before I could speak, she says, "I feel like I shouldn't have to come to this school unless my son beats the shit out of somebody! Can't you guys just send him to do detention in the office or something?" <br />
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True story<br />
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3) Pouring a nice cup of coffee in the morning, only to realize the creamer is gone.<br />
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4) When shows that are "On Demand" don't allow fast forwarding. <br />
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5) Annoying neighbors. <br />
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Example: My 45-year-old neighbor, who is mooching off his mom, smokes weed in his car ALL day and has no job. He likes to complain that the people doing maintenance on our townhouses aren't working hard enough, and points out people who are "white trash" or "bad neighbors." Have you looked in the mirror buddy? I don't know if this is really a pet peeve or just situational irony?<br />
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6) Still not knowing who "A" is on <em>Pretty Little Liars</em>. I have been watching the show for several years now, and every season I think we are going to find out...nope.<br />
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7) When you see the movie after reading the book. I just saw Divergent and was disappointed with the cutting of major scenes and the rearranging of others. In a way, I was also secretly glad, because we read the book in my classes and I always tell the kids this is the case. Always exciting to hear a sixth-grader say they liked the book better than the movie!<br />
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8) Going to the grocery store and having them put all your items in myriad of plastic bags after you specifically ask for paper. Yes, they still dispense plastic bags up in Lynnwood.<br />
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Not to complain for this entire post, here are some things that made me smile this week:<br />
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- Waking up early to play with Andrew before I go to work in the morning. It is my favorite time. Even when it is 5 am<br />
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- Watching Teddy and Andrew chase one another around the ottoman. <br />
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- Actually remembering to put something in the crockpot for dinner<br />
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- Getting fresh flowers from Adam when he stopped by the store<br />
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- Going for a quick run on my way home from work Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-51838592654289115992014-02-28T21:07:00.005-08:002014-02-28T21:07:56.868-08:00confessions of a working momI wrote a blog entry previously about my (temporary) "Stay-at-home-mom" status. Since then, I have ventured back to work. Without a doubt, I can squelch any debates about which role is more difficult- they are EQUALLY difficult. Both jobs require multi-tasking, decision making and attention. I feel fortunate I could stay home for the first eight months, but am a slightly bitter I had to go back when he really started getting to a fun (non-newborn) stage.<br />
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With that, here are my Confessions of my new "mom" role as a working mom: <br />
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1) I never realized how guilty I would feel about going anywhere or doing anything for myself outside of the work day. Before I had Andrew, I had full intentions to continue Crossfit, maintain my bi-weekly pedicures and catch "happy hour" with friends often. Instead I run a mile on my way home from work, my nails are chipped and we usually just take Andrew to the local Mexican place for dinner. <br />
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2) The good part about working is that I truly did miss the social interaction. By social interaction, I mean discussing things besides babies with other adults. However, since I am a teacher, this occurs <em>maybe</em> an hour each day. The remainder of the day, I communicate with middle-school kids.<br />
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3) Since I work with kids all day and then am a mom at home, I am almost always <em>on. </em>By this, I mean there is little room for down time. You really cannot just kick back and relax around preteens or 9-month-olds, or disastrous things could happen.<br />
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4) There are times when I feel I am doing both jobs only half-way. That I am not doing the best I can do at teaching or being a mom. It is a struggle to do both well. I used to come into work early and stay late, but now I would rather get home and play with Andrew. At the same time, when I come home from work, I attempt to fit an entire day of play and fun into a few hours before bedtime.<br />
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5) Never in my life did I imagine I would be so tired. All the time. <br />
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6) It is nice to get dressed and wear nice clothes again. Although, I have decided that I no longer have a desire to sport dress pants any longer. Jeans and a top with a blazer/cardigan is good enough. I also realized I had not really gone shopping in about two years and that all of my clothes were out of style. Thank goodness for online shopping! <br />
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7) Some days, I wish I could quit my job and stay at home full-time. Other days, I am excited by what I do and the fact that I am helping other children. I am thankful for the fact that I have summers off, and that one day, I will have the same schedule as Andrew. For now though it is difficult. Teaching is not a flexible job. I cannot decide to work 4-day weeks, come in late or take off early.<br />
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8) Everyday, I worry about what I am missing Andrew do during the day. What if I miss his first step? What if he no longer is excited to see me when I come home? Although I complain about being tired, I secretly enjoy that he wakes up early enough that I can play with him for a couple hours before I go to work. <br />
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9) Although I am working, I am glad that Andrew is with his dad for most of the day. They have really bonded since Adam has been home with him more. The girl we have as a nanny several days a week is excellent and I am grateful that a friend recommended her to us! This makes me feel (a little)bit better that I am not there with him.<br />
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10) I miss taking Andrew to Little Gym and the baby story hours at local libraries. It is great seeing him interact with other babies and have fun at the gym. Every Friday at 1:30, I REALLY wish my job was flexible and I could leave and watch him there. It sucks and often feel like there is not enough time in the day.<br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-78572919807894959622014-01-02T20:06:00.003-08:002014-01-02T20:06:53.822-08:00Every Year...<em>Warning- this is the most difficult thing I have ever posted. That is why it took me over a week to actually post it. I kept re-reading it, questioning if it sounded right, etc. I am not even confident it does now. It is not my typical "sarcastic" post.</em> <br />
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7 years ago today was when I realized I was not invincible and people you love can be lost in an instant. Without warning. Until then, I assumed death was something that happened to grandparents who were old or people who were sick for a long time. One phone call changed all that. <br />
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I still remember the moment vividly. I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping on lower Queen Anne when my phone rang. It was Michelle, an old friend from high school. At first I was excited, thinking she was planning to invite me to a gathering back in Mill Creek. Instead, with sadness in her voice informed me, "there has been an accident and Kaisa passed away." <br />
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At that moment, my heart skipped a beat and denial took over. Surely, Michelle must be mistaken. Maybe Kaisa was injured and in the hospital. We would all go visit and she would there for a while but she would be okay. I had not heard about this on the news or read about it, so it was not real. My mind flashed back to years earlier when a friend was in a horrible car accident in Lake Chelan and had to be airlifted to Harbourview. She was in bad shape, but pulled through and recovered. This had to be the same as that, right?<br />
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Reality hit when I drove north and met up with a group of girls from high school. She was really gone. None of us would ever be the same. Our way of thinking would change forever. We spent the evening sharing "Kaisa" stories.. of which there were many.<br />
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Even still, I often I find my mind wandering and reflecting back on memories I have with Kaisa or see/hear things that remind me of her: Rollerblading through Mill Creek, creating "talk shows" and shooting video of them, traveling to Wenatchee and Yakima to <strike>stalk </strike>watch the baseball team, blasting the "Fugees" in the car, and big groups of us hanging out for hours in her basement. Remembering these times bring both a smile and sadness to my face. I smile because feel fortunate for the good times we had, and sadness that there will be no more of them with Kaisa. <br />
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Sometimes I also feel angry because the last time I talked to Kaisa, we made plans to meet up for Happy Hour and catch up over my winter break. This never happened. I wish I would have not gone so long without connecting. It is important to make time for friends and family... no matter how busy your life may seem at the time. <br />
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I find some comfort in knowing that Kaisa would be pleased that because of her, many friends who had not talked in years reached out to one another and reconnected. She would have loved to stay in Roslyn with Valerie, Carly and I two years ago. I just know she would have been the first of us to sing with the band at The Brick. <br />
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She would also have loved to meet all of the babies and kids that have arrived in the past few years. I remember Kaisa telling me once that she wanted to have a daycare when she was older and she would watch all of our children. This is something she would have been excellent at and enjoyed immensely. It is a blessing to know she is a guardian angel now to so many little ones.<br />
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For some reason, this post took me years to actually put into writing and post. It is one that I drafted over and over again in my mind (and occasionally on paper), but I never quite thought it sounded just right. How do you put something like this into words?<br />
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Kaisa was a girl who loved a good time and would want her friends to cherish the happy memories. She had so many friends and touched many people in her (too short) life. She reminds me every day that life is short and the importance of living each day to the fullest. <br />
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So, today Kaisa, as we begin 2014, I will strive to live life a little more like you did. I will keep in contact with old friends, spend quality time with family and keep dreaming big. Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-18514988478615663472013-12-09T09:21:00.000-08:002013-12-09T09:21:05.013-08:00Confessions of a (temporary) SAHMWow! Where did the time go? It is already December and I head back to work in one month. Crazy. The following are thoughts, feelings, realizations and events from my short tenure as a "Stay at Home Mom."<br />
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1) Some days I wished I could be at work. Some days I wished I didn't have to go back to work. Most days I wished I had the opportunity to work part-time so I could have the best of both worlds. I am also dreading going back due to the new teaching standards and myriad changes to evaluations and testing for kids- but that is a different blog post entirely!<br />
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2) I found myself having long conversations with any adults I encountered in public- baristas, checkers at the grocery store, the mail carrier, etc. <br />
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3) On more than one occasion, I instructed Teddy (our Westie) to "watch Andrew" while I folded laundry, went to get the newspaper or emptied the dishwasher. Yeah, because Teddy is a reliable baby-sitter.<br />
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4) I am sort of miffed that I have to return to work right when Andrew is getting to such a delightful age! He is sitting up, smiles, laughs, and is generally happy. Instead I was mostly with him when he was a gassy, fussy newborn. However, I am glad I was the one to comfort him during this time.<br />
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5) Teaching prepared me, in some regards, for being a mother. I was already used to not being able to use the restroom or get food when I wanted. However, unlike teaching, there is no "plan period" where I can regroup and get ready for the rest of the day. Before I had a baby, I assumed that was what naptime was for. Wrong. Unless I never wanted to shower or clean. Or just lay on the ground.<br />
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6) Motherhood has also brought about the annoying trait of ALWAYS thinking I hear Andrew crying. Sometimes he actually is. Usually my ears are playing tricks on me. Also, why is it that men seem inherit the ability to turn a deaf ear to crying? At night, I will wake up when I hear the little man and Adam will be sleeping away peacefully. <br />
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7) Confession. I might be the worse housewife in the world. For the first 4 months I was home, I (maybe) cooked dinner a handful of times. I am a bit more organized now, but still find that run out of time, forget an item from the store or just don't feel like it because I would rather play with Andrew. Same goes with cleaning. I actually hired a woman to clean a couple times a month. I figured that I only have a limited time to stay home, so I might as well make the most of it.<br />
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8) I am terrified I will have a difficult time balancing work and home. It will be like I have two jobs and I worry that I wont be able to do both well. Also, although it might sound selfish, I worry about having time to myself. When will I work out? Go to the dentist? Or when can Adam and I go out by ourselves? I worry I will feel guilty about leaving Andrew/won't want to leave him because I will not be around him as much. Working moms- any tips would be greatly appreciated!<br />
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9) Growing up, I never really pictured myself as a "mom." In fact, when my sister and I played with dolls, we were always "teachers" and the dolls were our students. Now, I cannot picture myself not being one. It is amazing how someone so small can change your whole life. <br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-58628662224717829972013-10-04T18:36:00.003-07:002013-10-04T18:36:51.321-07:00A flexible baby?Before having a child, I would secretly judge other parents.<em> </em><br />
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<em>I can't believe that kid is watching TV at dinner! No way would my kid watch TV in the car or at a restaurant. </em><br />
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<em>Why do we have to be quiet...I am going to make sure my baby can sleep with noise! </em><br />
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<em>Wow, it would be great to stay home all day- then I could have dinner made and the house cleaned and run all of the errands I need to!</em><br />
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I had always assumed that my baby would be easy-going and mold right into our lifestyle. A flexible baby, if you will.<br />
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Then we had Andrew, who seriously lights up our lives with a single smile. I could just stare at him for hours. However, I now get where these parent are coming from. Andrew is the sweetest (and most adorable) baby, but also quite sensitive. From birth, he had definite likes and dislikes and was not shy about voicing his opinions. Not, in other words, a flexible baby (if such a thing actually even exists).<br />
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This was first apparent when he showed a strong dislike for his car seat. I had heard the car was a mode of lulling babies to sleep. Not the case with my little guy. No sooner would you strap him into the seat, would the screaming begin. I was told he would just cry and then fall asleep. Nope. He even cried the ENTIRE way home from Sultan. Not wanting to be housebound, I researched "infants hating car seats." We tried music, feeding him a bottle, hanging toys, a Baby TV app (<em>I know, I know...I said I would never let my kid watch TV in the car)</em>and turning up the AC. Nothing worked. I may have even had a weak moment and purchased a brand-new convertible car seat on Amazon after reading some babies don't like the infant seats. <br />
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Well, Andrew now tolerates the car and you want to know the secret? He disliked the infant pads that came in the Chicco car seat. The pads that were suppose to make the ride more comfy for babies was making mine miserable. And, he was not shy about letting us know how he felt. I took out both the bottom and head pads and now the crying is rare. He now will even fall asleep in the car on occasion, especially if freeway driving is involved.<br />
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Speaking of sleeping, Andrew was also never a fan of simply falling to sleep on his own. Most newborns (so I am told) simply fall asleep all the time- in people's arms, while in their swings, in their car seats as their parents enjoyed a nice dinner. Even as a tiny baby, Andrew had to be rocked or walked to sleep by an actual human- not a swing. He disliked the cradle hold and would often cry if held by a stranger (or sometimes even a friend or relative). Soon, we had to learn tricks to get him to fall asleep during the day for naps. The Ergo carrier seems to work as well and as a result, I have walked 6 miles today. No joke. The good news is that Adam and I are probably getting stronger. The bad news is that it will soon be too cold and rainy to venture outside that often. I did buy an oversize gold umbrella just in case.<br />
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Once Andrew is down for nap, the next trick is to keep him asleep. I did say that my baby would be able to sleep with lots of noise and this is somewhat true. Andrew has slept at parties, with the TV on and while walking near loud cars. However, he does not enjoy sudden noises. And by not enjoy, I mean he hates them. This includes: the garbage disposal, Teddy's dog door, Teddy barking, the door opening and the doorbell. He is incredibly sensitive to loud noise even when awake, but if is asleep...it is almost impossible if one of these noises wakes him. One way I have solved this is to put my phone next to him with the "white noise" app on as he naps in his swing or car seat.<br />
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Like I mentioned, I often see babies sleeping at restaurants. The other day, I went on a walk with Andrew and we (okay me) decided that frozen yogurt was in order. There were two other babies around Andrews age. One was sleeping in his car seat and the other was sleeping in his mother's arms as she selected toppings. What was my man doing? Sitting on my lap, sticking his fingers in my frozen yogurt and chucking my gummy bears on the ground. I am pretty sure he enjoyed a bit of "Cake Batter" well before the pediatrician recommended he start on dairy.<br />
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This last anecdote was when I realized how much I love my inflexible baby. As he smeared bits of fro-yo on his face, people walked by and smiled at him. He smiled back, shrieking and waving his hands. They all remarked what a handsome boy he was and what a big personality he had. I thanked them and let him continue his fun. Hey, at least he enjoys eating out at restaurants as much as we do- it is in fact, one of his favorite things. He lets us know this by wanting to stand on the table and laugh and well- stick his hands in our food. I figure there is only a small window where this is cute and might as well take advantage now.<br />
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We continued on our walk soon after and I thought again about the whole "flexible baby" idea. Why would we have a kid if we wanted to do everything exactly the same as before?Andrew may not exactly fit in to the lifestyle we once had, I love how he has welcomed us into his. We have a new lifestyle now and I truly could not be happier. <br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-45804718156671329662013-09-20T12:39:00.006-07:002013-09-20T12:39:49.681-07:00Things that used to be fun...but now are not.Sorry for the incredible lack of creativity in the title, but there really is no other way to describe this post. <br />
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In my twenties (particularly my early 20's), there were many things that I thought were amazing and could not imagine having it any other way. Now that I have entered my 30's, I see things a bit differently. <br />
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<strong>1) Staying out late on a weeknight and then going to work the following day</strong><br />
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When my friend Chrissy and I were roommates right after graduating from WSU, we rented an apartment in lower Queen Anne. The reason for our selection? It was in walking distance to many popular bars. Since Thursday was always a fun night to go out in college, we decided to keep up this trend. However, I soon realized that dealing with 60+ middle school kids while hung-over was in no way enjoyable! Now I stick to "happy hours" during the week as they only last until 7pm or so.<br />
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<strong>2) Living in sub-par conditions (yes, that is an actual photo of my former abode)</strong><br />
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The apartment mentioned in #1 fits this bill perfectly. It might have been in a prime location, but it was disgusting and lacked many amenities. No dishwasher, shared washer/dryer and no garbage disposal. It was also always humid inside, causing us to often discover our shoes had sprouted mold. We did not really care at the time because we were rarely home. Upon returning to collect mail after moving out, I discovered the reason for the humidity when the landlord was ripping up all of the floorboards in the unit. There was an abundance of water underneath. Don't worry it is fixed now, so if anybody is interested in living there- the name is Prestige Lane. Great memories while living there, but I now prefer a place I can actually relax in- and do my laundry with my own washer and dryer!<br />
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<strong>3) Camping at the Gorge Campground</strong> <strong><em>(if you can call it "camping" as there are absolutely zero trees)</em></strong><br />
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During my college years, we would head to the Gorge for a three-day-long Dave Matthews Band extravaganza. After the concert each night, we would return to our tents in the dusty, hot campground where the honeybucket lines were long and there was no running water. We didn't mind-and stayed up all hours of the night, only to repeat it again the following one.<br />
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When we were about 26, Adam and I decided to camp here again, remembering how great it was in years prior. After attempting to relive our youth (and perhaps attempting to beer bong) it was then I realized I NEVER wanted to camp there again and would gladly make the drive to Crescent Bar or Chelan following future concerts.<br />
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4)<strong> Having a late night feast after going out at night</strong><br />
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In Pullman, after a night out, we would almost always order pizza or go to Pita Pit. It wasn't even a question of if we would indulge in a snack late night, but where to go to purchase the tasty treats. I am going to assume that these 2am meals <em>just might</em> have hindered my ability to stay in shape in college...especially since I continued to work out almost everyday. <br />
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<strong>AND...Things that were fun in my 20's that I still love!</strong><br />
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<strong>1) Girls night out</strong><br />
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Even thought I don't get to partake as often as I used to, I look forward to nights (or days) out with the ladies. Whether it is to wine taste, celebrate a birthday or just head out to happy hour, I treasure these times with my friends.<br />
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<strong>2) Wearing high heels</strong><br />
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I know many people think I am crazy for saying this, but there is something about a heeled shoe that immediately makes me feel more put together. They can make jeans seem dressy, make your legs appear longer and take a make a casual dress appropriate for a wedding. Heels also makes me feel as though I am a normal height, given that most of my taller friends opt for flat shoes. Since heels are not practical in all situations, the wedge is a great replacement that gives a similar feeling.<br />
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<strong>3) Listening to rap music</strong><br />
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Nothing helps my mile time like a little Tupac or Dr. Dre. Yes, the lyrics are a bit crass for a teacher to be listening to- but something about the beat just puts me in a good mood. And yes, I can still recite all the lyrics to Warren G's "Regulate."<br />
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<strong>4) Sales</strong><br />
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In my early 20's I was lacking the cash flow right after graduating from college (plus a lot of the money I did make went towards going out at night). Because of this, I usually only bought clothes when they were on sale. I still get a thrill when I see the 40% off rack at Banana Republic or go to purchase an item online to discover that everything is on sale that day! The only issue is that since everything gets marked down so quickly, I often feel cheated if I buy an item at full price only to discover it on clearance a week later.<br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-2220171025041699432013-08-17T21:44:00.001-07:002013-08-17T21:44:08.353-07:00Decisions, decisons...<br />
One thing that I am aware of is that I have a "type A" personality. My closet is organized by type and color and I religiously make the bed each day. This personality also seeps into my professional life. As a teacher, I feel confident when I in total control of my classroom. For this reason, I have yet to enlist a student teacher, plan lessons weeks in advance and rarely take a day off. I just cannot stand to have somebody else running my classroom. <br />
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For these reasons, the decision I made last week was a tough one. <br />
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I decided to take the first half of the year off and stay at home with Andrew. Let me also tell you I NEVER thought I would want to stay at home and always pictured that it would be easy to return to work because I was sure I would be bored. Truly, I love working. Weird, I know, but I do. <br />
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I figured I would be completely ready to go back in September when Andrew was a little over three months. But I was not. In fact, I was dreading it. <br />
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I considered my options...could I really take more time off? Would a sub totally ruin my classroom? <br />
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This is where my "type A-ness" actually assisted me in making the decision. After contacting the district office, I discovered I had nearly 80 sick days/personal days at my disposal. This was due to my near perfect attendance over the past 9 years of teaching. These days would get me through December and I could return to work in January (after winter break). I officially put in my request and it was accepted. I will attend the first few days of school to get to know the students, but then I will have the next several months off to spend with Andrew. <br />
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Honestly, this has been a tremendous weight lifted off of my shoulders. I do know that I am ultimately postponing the inevitable and that it may actually be more difficult to return when he is almost 8 months old. It may be. But I do know this is the right decision for me now. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59MmGJkmfiIfG008wzL7AKchPhr88h-kbyr6CBCfyLlHrXi6UWhKcu_cp7S4-_d633fxzMzCCNdFb3kbyL2pGHgpBZU9M28aNSH5lrSpRS_MN1y3W9qY5jKh6vLbBrsMHny8Z3zApXRpb/s1600/august+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59MmGJkmfiIfG008wzL7AKchPhr88h-kbyr6CBCfyLlHrXi6UWhKcu_cp7S4-_d633fxzMzCCNdFb3kbyL2pGHgpBZU9M28aNSH5lrSpRS_MN1y3W9qY5jKh6vLbBrsMHny8Z3zApXRpb/s200/august+12.JPG" width="150" /></a>As somebody who NEVER had any intentions or desire to stay at home, this whole situation threw me for a loop. I guess I never knew who strong my love would be for this little man or that I would actually want to spend my entire day just staring at him. Funny how one little human can change your whole world...Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-45763948235063651712013-07-14T17:34:00.004-07:002013-07-14T17:34:32.449-07:00Misconceptions in month two...Even before Andrew was born, I felt I knew quite a bit about babies from watching friends and relatives with their little guys. The doctor and classes at the hospital also provided us with advice for comforting and caring for newborns.<br />
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While some of this information turned out to be accurate, some of it did not hold true for our baby. <br />
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Here are those misconceptions:<br />
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1) <strong>All babies LOVE car rides. Get an infant seat so you can carry them from the car to your destination while they are asleep.</strong><br />
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<em>This is a rare pic of Andrew SLEEPING in the cars eat!</em><br />
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False for Andrew. More than false. He HATES either his car seat, the car... or possibly both. I have yet to carry a sleeping Andrew from the car in his seat. There are rare occasions where he might entertain himself for 15 minutes (even more unlikely) fall asleep, but most of the time this is not the case. Last night he cried for the duration of a 45 minute trip. It is awful, mostly because I cannot pick him up and feel horrible. I also feel like I, seriously, am a danger on the road as I attempt to get home at a record pace. <br />
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We have tried everything: pacifiers (he also does not like those), music, rolling the windows down, sun shields and dangling toys. The other night, I frantically ordered a convertible seat on Amazon because I read some babies dislike the angle of the infant seats. We have yet to put it in, but plan to this week!<br />
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Hopefully he outgrows this. Until then, I am getting quite a bit of exercise walking everywhere with him in the Ergo.<br />
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<strong>2) Babies like to sleep in the bedroom with you in a basinet.</strong> <br />
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We did try a few nights in the bassinet, but our active buddy needed more room. Even at a few days old, he was kicking the sides of it and waking himself up. After that, we put him in the crib and he seems to enjoy his space. Let's hope we can get him out of there when he needs to move to a "big kid bed."<br />
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<strong>3) Babies like pacifiers and being swaddled</strong><br />
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<em>Right after he was born- already has his hands out of the swaddle...</em><br />
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Andrew looks at us like we are stupid when we try to give him one. He might suck on it while somebody is holding it, but then he spits it out. I have ordered (again on Amazon) about 10 different kinds, but to no avail. Now my hope is that he finds his finger/thumb to help with the hellacious car rides.<br />
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As for swaddling- he broke out of the swaddle even when they were done by the professionals at the hospital so we kind of gave up on it. He regularly broke out of our swaddles too and then it was dangerous to have him in the crib (where the blanket could suffocate him). I know swaddling calms many babies and perhaps we should have worked on it more?<br />
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<strong>4) A rocking chair is a necessity in a babies room</strong><br />
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I think I used the rocking chair for a week and then realized the couch was must more comfortable when he work up in the middle of the night. Here I could relax and catch up on my 80's sitcoms. <br />
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<strong>5) Newborns are super easy to take places, because they just sleep all of the time</strong><br />
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Perhaps some newborns do. Mine? Not so much. He has slept through several dinners out in the carrier, but other than that, he up most of the day. Rather than taking long naps during the day, he prefers 20 minute naps and then will wake up ready to play. Or cry. Or both. Regardless, we have no plans to take him to a wedding or movie any time soon! <br />
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My mom claims this as Karma because I never slept during the day either. <br />
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I guess the consensus I have come up with is that "all babies are different." What works for one baby may or may not work for another. My friend Alicia also told me that just because they dislike something one day, does not mean they will not like it the next. They are constantly growing and changing as well. Good advice. <br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-91897842780825287902013-06-24T19:24:00.001-07:002013-06-24T19:24:12.024-07:00Lessons Learned in month #1As of yesterday, Andrew is 5 weeks old. Certainly, both Adam and myself have learned a great deal in the month+ of being new parents. Basic things like using a Diaper Genie, bathing a newborn or tips for burping a baby or how to assemble an infant swing.<br />
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Also, there are those lessons that one cannot learn simply from reading a book or a guide: Never, for example, did I think I could love somebody so much after first meeting them. I now understand what parents mean when they say this.<br />
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There are however, myriad of random tidbits of information I discovered thus far in my life as a new mom:<br />
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1) There is an entire channel dedicated to 80's sitcoms (HUB) and you can even catch "Who's the Boss" reruns at 2am.<br />
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2) It is possible to shower and get ready in 20 minutes.<br />
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3) That being said, I never fathomed I might have to choose whether to nap or get ready for the day. Or even needing a nap at all for that matter.<br />
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4) Going to do anything by MYSELF feels refreshing and somewhat weird. This includes trips to the grocery store.<br />
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5) Although I cannot actually work out yet, I feel my arms are getting quite strong from lifting the BOB stroller out of my trunk. Also, since Andrew only likes it when it is continuously bounced, this adds to the muscle fatigue. Add attempting to walk a dog in the mix, and I think it might beat a Crossfit WOD!<br />
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6) It is okay to sing to babies- they do not care if you are (literally) the world's worse singer. It also might be okay to read your baby the newest Dan Brown novel (Inferno) rather than a baby book from time to time. Don't judge- it's the only time I can find to read.<br />
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7) Ordering online is the most fantastic thing ever- as are drive-thru restaurants and coffee stands. This was a concept foreign to me prior, as I LOVED getting out of my car and going into said establishment. <br />
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8) I never knew beer could taste so delicious. Or that one beer is all I can drink now without really feeling the effects. Probably because this has been the longest time period I have gone without alcohol since I was...I don't know, maybe 16? Again, don't judge.<br />
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9) Having a newborn sleep on you makes you feel instantly tired as well. Definitely a cure for insomnia. <br />
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10) It is possible to fly by even though all that was done was changing, feeding and playing with a baby all day. <br />
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11) The following constantly have "marathons" and you can watch them all day (if you choose): Love it or List It, What Not to Wear, Bones, CSI, Bones, 16 and Pregnant or Criminal Minds.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-67325103960343004952013-05-17T09:09:00.002-07:002013-05-17T09:09:44.266-07:00Don't ever let me do the following...So, people say that having a child changes not only your life but who you are as a person as well. I am sure this is true, but there are several things I will strive NEVER to do. Feel free to let me know if you see the following occurring:<br />
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1) Getting a "mom" haircut or forgetting to color my hair regularly. Yes, I know I will be busy, but that is no excuse for a hairdo like Kate Goslings!<br />
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2) Allowing my child to run around with "Sticky Jam Hands" after eating. This is more of an issue when kids get older and go to school. I still remember the kids in my class that reeked of breakfast food and were covered in Maple Syrup each day. And no, I was not just envious because we only ate cold cereal!<br />
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3) Wear "Mom Jeans" especially if they are made by LEE or have pleats. A long, flat butt look is not a good one for anybody. <br />
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4) Overshare disgusting things on Facebook about my child's daily activities. This includes: anything about excrement, boogers, breast feeding, vomit or pictures of any said items. Please really let me know if I "Instagram" pictures of above items that I have really lost it!<br />
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That being said, anxiously awaiting Baby Boy Brown's (no, we still have not decided on a name- we are not just keeping it a secret) arrival! Any day now...feel free to make your appearance SOON little guy!</div>
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-83009179136005466852013-04-29T18:55:00.004-07:002013-04-29T18:55:45.968-07:00And the Oscar goes to...Every year when the Oscar nominees are announced, I always make a point to watch the movies nominated. Sometimes they are excellent and other times...not so much. However, rarely are these movies ones I would ever watch twice. <br />
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Take <em>Zero Dark Thirty</em> for example. A well done picture, but I could never envision myself sitting through it again. Same goes for <em>Argo</em>, <em>Silence of the Lambs</em>, <em>American Beauty</em> or<em> Lord of the Rings</em> (okay, so I hated that one the FIRST time and may have fallen asleep mid-way through). <br />
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Some, such as <em>Forest Gump</em> or <em>Braveheart</em>, I have enjoyed multiple times, but they don't have the pull that my all time favorites do. <br />
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There are certain movies, I would literally watch over and over again...and not grow tired of them. If there was an Oscar category for "watchability" the following, in no particular order, would defnintely get my vote (I have also included a favorite quote from each):<br />
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1) <strong>Mean Girls</strong> (2004) <br />
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<br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1086543/">Karen</a></i>: You know who's looking fine tonight? Seth Mosakowski. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000327/">Gretchen</a></i>: Okay, you did not just say that. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1086543/">Karen</a></i>: What? He's a good kisser. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000327/">Gretchen</a></i>: He's your cousin. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1086543/">Karen</a></i>: Yeah, but he's my first cousin. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000327/">Gretchen</a></i>: Right. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1086543/">Karen</a></i>: So, you have your cousins, and then you have your first cousins, and then you have your second cousins... <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000327/">Gretchen</a></i>: No, honey, uh-uh. <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1086543/">Karen</a></i>: That's not right, is it? <br /><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000327/">Gretchen</a></i>: That is so not right.<br />
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2) <strong>Troop Beverly Hills</strong> (1989) <br />
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<em>"It was a cold and rainy day in March. I went to Kristoff's where I usually get my hair done but Kristoff wasn't there. He had mysteriously disappeared. In his place was a stranger named Rinaldo. I'll never forget him. His eyes were steely gray. His hands were like ice. He said, "I'll streak your hair and I'll give you a body wave." He worked very fast and then, as he turned my chair around to face the mirror, I saw it. He permed me!"</em><br />
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3) <strong>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</strong> (1992) <br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001785/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Buffy</span></a>: All I want to do is graduate from high school, go to Europe, marry Christian Slater, and die. Now it may not sound too great to a sconehead like you, but I think it's swell. And you come along and tell me I'm a member of the hairy mole club so you can *throw* things at me?<br />
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4) <strong>Heathers</strong> (1988) <br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0907947/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Heather Chandler</span></a>: You wanted to be a member of the most powerful clique in school. If I wasn't already the head of it, I'd want the same thing.<br />
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5) <strong>Ferris Bueller's Day Off</strong> (1986) <br />
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"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." — Ferris<br />
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7) <strong>Love Actually</strong> (2003) <br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000424/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Prime Minister</span></a>: Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around.<br />
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8) <strong>Boyz in the Hood</strong> (1991) <br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000401/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Furious Styles</span></a>: Why is it that there is a gun shop on almost every corner in this community? <br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562924/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">The Old Man</span></a>: Why? <br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000401/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Furious Styles</span></a>: I'll tell you why. For the same reason that there is a liquor store on almost every corner in the black community. Why? They want us to kill ourselves. <br />
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9) <strong>Legally Blonde</strong> (2001) <br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004757/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Vivian</span></a>: Nice outfit. <br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000702/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Elle</span></a>: Oh, I like your outfit too, except when I dress up as a frigid bitch, I try not to look so constipated. <br />
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10) <strong>Girls Just Wanna Have Fun</strong> (1985) <br />
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<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000166/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character">Lynne</span></a>: Whenever I'm in a room with a guy, no matter who it is - a date my dentist, anybody - I think, If we were the last two people on Earth, would I puke if he kissed me?<br />
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Others that almost made the list: <em>16 Candles, Top Gun, Mallrats, Jawbreaker, Sugar and Spice, Bring it On, Usual Suspects, Dirty Dancing, A League of their Own, Can't Buy Me Love and Clueless</em>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-30291954334217703292013-04-23T20:57:00.003-07:002013-04-23T20:57:46.206-07:00Anti-hoarder<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuYMmGP0K8X7KWJ_u1yP_WJYhO6WzfP1mzeSL_JT7l7M8DahWhyphenhyphenJG0dYtoNI4m3en-xA7Agw3MIpNKSd3r_ZXudxUIyxtBbi6GwXyLtwight6CPtUoDAtw-0UqDDQ5MZIQmD-Vlw54nA1/s1600/hoarders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuYMmGP0K8X7KWJ_u1yP_WJYhO6WzfP1mzeSL_JT7l7M8DahWhyphenhyphenJG0dYtoNI4m3en-xA7Agw3MIpNKSd3r_ZXudxUIyxtBbi6GwXyLtwight6CPtUoDAtw-0UqDDQ5MZIQmD-Vlw54nA1/s200/hoarders.jpg" width="135" /></a>The other day I was flipping channels and ended up watching a bit of the show<em> Hoarders</em> on A&E. You know the show- the one where people have ungodly amounts of garbage (sometimes literally) in their homes. In this episode, it was so bad the woman had to sleep on a pillow...in her kitchen. I get that these people have some serious issues, but I cannot fathom how one can let things get to this state.<br />
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This may be due to the fact I have the exact opposite problem. I get rid of everything. Accumulation of junk drives me crazy and I cannot stand clutter of any kind. If I am done using it...out of my house it goes.<br />
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Most people perform the annual task of cleaning out their closets. I do this monthly. It bothers me when yesterday's newspaper is still sitting on the table. And...don't get me started about dishes in the sink or an unmade bed. I have even been known to organize junk drawers. One day, I organized my husband's side of the closet...arranging his clothes by type and color (no, this did not last).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ_0_xIdd7AnkyeNdY8PXGYMJshyphenhyphenW2ArUxH1cqyPIBYBGkIutuZDIV3uD7-UV9SWZlMLC8Tpy0Tlfmo-R_iV4eSnjujMbGzwrMnFxUPKdVDZxIs_FpJ1sdsVj-b3nwRD9fJMVqH4Tuf93/s1600/teddy+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ_0_xIdd7AnkyeNdY8PXGYMJshyphenhyphenW2ArUxH1cqyPIBYBGkIutuZDIV3uD7-UV9SWZlMLC8Tpy0Tlfmo-R_iV4eSnjujMbGzwrMnFxUPKdVDZxIs_FpJ1sdsVj-b3nwRD9fJMVqH4Tuf93/s200/teddy+bed.jpg" width="200" /></a>Okay, so I admit to being a bit OCD, but it is a good distraction when I am supposed to working on other things. Plus, when I have let things go, it never works out well. Yesterday, I left a pile of "Thank You" cards out on the stairs (I was planning to mail them when I had a chance). Upon arriving home from work, I discovered Teddy (our Westie) had eaten half of the cards. They were all over the house! Lesson learned.<br />
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This urge to declutter continues at work. When I first started teaching, I kept everything. I just assumed this is what one did. As soon as we started using projectors rather than overheads (wow, I just totally aged myself), all of this went into the recycle. Now, I have everything neatly organized on my computer. My desk is always clean and the counter space is clear of paper- everything neatly in baskets.<br />
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What is wrong with being an anti-hoarder you might ask? Well, occasionally, I toss (or donate) something I wished I had not. For example, my entire National Board Portfolio? Missing. Mistakenly, I assumed I had backed it up on my thumb drive. When the information was deleted from my computer, I lost the entire thing. Sometimes, I will look for an article of clothing and realize it is now at the Goodwill. <br />
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Overall though, no major issues have arisen due to my habit. Unlike on <em>Hoarders</em>, none of my family or friends have nominated me to have my habit examined by psychologists on national television. Nor have I been at risk of being evicted from my residence. Instead I just get irritated when junk piles up.<br />
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However, with a baby on the way, I know that I will need to let my guard down a bit. There may be days when dishes do sit out longer than I would like. Toys might not be put away and there may even be days when clothes are on the floor. While this is not as severe as what one might see on <em>Hoarders</em>, it is something I will have to be okay with. <br />
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And I am sure a new baby will be a distraction from the mess. I might not notice it (well, at least not as much). However, if you ever come over to my house and have to clear a path to navigate from room to room- feel free to stage an intervention (see picture below).<br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-81089928462121439922013-03-23T07:55:00.001-07:002013-03-23T07:55:46.019-07:00Unsolicited Advice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before I begin, let me say that I honestly did attempt to blog about a topic other than pregnancy, but my life has been seriously boring as of late. The only other topics that came to mind had to do with going back to school or teaching...which I think might be even more dull. <br />
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You may remember back in December when I stated that I did not look pregnant. Well, I definitely do now. I am really starting to question the validity of the show "I didn't know I was Pregnant" because I not only look REALLY pregnant, but feel that way as well! In fact, both random strangers and people I know like to make comments regarding the matter. Really tactful statements such as: <br />
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- Oh wow! You still have two months!? You're stomach is HUGE!<br />
<em>Thanks, I had no idea. What stomach?</em><br />
<em></em><br />
- Are you sure there are not two babies in there?<br />
<em> Eff off. That is only response that comes to mind here...</em><br />
<em></em><br />
- He is really sticking out front. That must be uncomfortable. <br />
<em> Nope, I feel totally normal. Except that I cannot paint my toenails or wear normal pants...</em><br />
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- Are you sure you should be working out? Isn't that bad for the baby? You could fall.<br />
<em> Let me add that my workouts consist of </em><em>doing yoga, walking and workouts from "Crossfit Moms" (designed specifically for pregnant women). I have yet to see anybody take a tumble whilst in a downward-facing dog or doing squats. </em><br />
<br />
- You should not be reaching above your head. The baby could strangle on the cord!<br />
<em> Um...pretty sure this is the most ridiculous statement I have heard. Although, it could get me out of lots of work!</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>- </em>Coffee? Are you supposed to have that when you are pregnant? <br />
<em>A woman actually had the nerve to ask me this at Starbucks. Rather than give her the medical response (that some caffeine is okay) I simply glared at her.</em><br />
<br />
- Do you plan on getting an epidural? I did it naturally because I really wanted to experience childbirth and I did not want my baby born drugged out.<br />
<em>I honestly had no response to this comment either. I just smiled and said,"that's nice."</em><br />
<br />
As of this week, I officially have two months left before my due date and we are both getting anxious to meet (the still unnamed) baby boy. <br />
<br />
I will be the first to admit...I am a bit worried about having an actual baby here to take care of because it is a little human we will be completely responsible for. However, parents have been doing it forever and I do know that every baby is different and we will have to see what our little guy is like. (I am already assuming he will stay awake ALL night and SLEEP during the day-since that is his schedule now). I am am also prepared for more comments and advice from strangers after the baby has arrived (shifting from pregnancy tips to child-raising tips).<br />
<br />
Honestly, I think we will be able to figure it out (and we have TONS of friends with babies to ask for advice if needed). <br />
<br />
Besides, due to my experience teaching middle school kids, I know that caring for a baby seems to be a piece of cake compared to raising a teenager! At least a baby cannot talk back to you or sneak out of the house...Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-5752536943663258192012-12-04T08:34:00.002-08:002012-12-04T08:34:59.373-08:00misconceptions...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5yZ-9jUAZPBm0bXfKVQJWxvHIbIzRM2iPJVgrDGMBqHWh3kQLLk3g0PVURcNNAzk58IEi8KgI88fbe1nFAA8sUz2YUiifjI9zKAzntmiLWKAsKxBVjYPcqiRV56-gQTXwOFdqerU1mIM/s1600/ted+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5yZ-9jUAZPBm0bXfKVQJWxvHIbIzRM2iPJVgrDGMBqHWh3kQLLk3g0PVURcNNAzk58IEi8KgI88fbe1nFAA8sUz2YUiifjI9zKAzntmiLWKAsKxBVjYPcqiRV56-gQTXwOFdqerU1mIM/s320/ted+big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As most of you have seen on Facebook, Teddy is soon going to be a "big brother" and we are all thrilled (well, not so sure about Teddy). Although most of my friends have babies and I certainly have seen them through the various stages of pregnancy, I still held certain misconceptions about the reality of it all. Below are some of the myths I would like to debunk:<br />
<br />
<strong>1) When you are pregnant, you can eat whatever you want and relax on the couch eating ice cream.</strong> <br />
<br />
<em>Sad to say that this is quite untrue. For the entire first trimester, I felt like eating nothing but white bread or crackers. Now that I have my appetite back, I am actually eating way healthier than before-lots of protein, fruit and whole grains. Oh yeah and no alcohol. When I have my first glass of wine after the baby arrives, I will probably be completely wasted. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>As for the idea of sitting around on the couch- well, I have been doing more of that because my weekend nights are not as crazy, but I still have to go to work everyday. Also, I have still been working out and while my Crossfit Workouts are modified, they feel harder because apparently everything makes you tired when you are with child due to the fact you have more blood pumping through your system.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>2) Pregnant women all have a cute, little bump so everybody knows their condition</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<em>I blame movies for this one. Often in movies, women are only shown in a certain magical stage of pregnancy where they have a round bump (this is prob because said bump is fake in movies). However, at 16 weeks, I still lack a bump at all and simply look like I have been drinking too much beer! Not a cute look. Nobody show the awkward stage in movies when a women's regular clothes are tight and the maternity clothes are too big.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>3) Morning sickness is also how you see it depicted in movies</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<em>Once again, I am blaming movies for this misconception. In every movie I have seen, the woman throws up in the morning and then wonders if she might be pregnant (think Katherine Hiegel in "Knocked Up"). I am sure most women will hate me for this, but I never actually threw up at all, although I think I would have felt better if I had. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Instead for weeks, I woke up feeling as if I had a wild night imbibing in drinks the night prior. So, it was like a hangover without the fun to make it worth it. Oh and it lasted ALL day, not just in the morning. Let's just say I did not look my best for these weeks. Of course, when I looked my worst was when nobody knew I was pregnant. I was convinced my co-workers just thought I was overindulging in winter snacks and staying out late partying to obtain the pale, drawn face and bloated belly.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>4) It is great we have the Internet so one can stay well-informed during pregnancy </strong><br />
<br />
<em>Not true. The Internet is the devil when it comes to anything medical. Now, I was bad about this before, and used to use WedMD to diagnose myself (usually it would say I might have Lupus or a form of Cancer). Being pregnant provides even more opportunities for misinformation and the ability to scare the hell out of you. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>For example, the other day, when my legs itched, one website said I might have some horrible aliment that can cause premature labor. The doctor told me it was just dry, winter skin prescribed lotion. Another day, I texted my friend Chrissy, freaking out because I had consumed a hot dog at a work lunch. Later, I read (online) these were not to be consumed during pregnancy. She laughed at me and let me know it would be fine. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>My mom is also guilty of looking up symptoms on the Internet. A few weeks ago, I told her I was really thirsty and drinking about 8 bottles of water a day. She called me a few minutes later and told me that I might want to ask my doctor if it could be diabetes, as she read online this was a symptom for it.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em> For now, I have (tried) to stay off of the Internet and just ask my friends who have gone through the same experiences recently or wait and ask my doctor. </em><br />
<br />
<br />
I have learned so far, that it is best just to consider that every pregnancy is different and not to believe what you see in movies. Oh, and don't worry, now this blog will not be consumed with pregnancy posts or my ultrasound pictures. I plan on continuing to also post about the random thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis. They just probably will not be as interesting, as I usually write better after a few glasses of wine.<br />
Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-58791725763443913482012-11-22T09:19:00.002-08:002012-11-22T09:19:34.871-08:00Holiday Shopping season has begun!<br />
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This fall has been a busy one for me; school starting, my sister's wedding and some more difficult classes. I have missed writing and kept thinking of good blog ideas, but never found the time to actually write about or post them. <br />
<br />
After realizing I had not penned a post since AUGUST due to my class schedule this quarter, I carved out some time this AM to do so. Especially since the holiday season has arrived. <br />
<br />
Shopping season has officially started, now that we have not only "Black Friday" but "Small-Business Saturday" and "Cyber Monday" and it seems "the week prior to Black Friday" sales. <br />
<br />
Ignorantly, I paid a visit to the Alderwood Mall, in the glorious city of Lynnwood, last Sunday to do a bit of shopping. Since I typically shop at time when nobody else does (dinner time during the week), I was ill prepared for the crowd I encountered upon entering. It started off fine. I parked in my "secret spot" (the 2nd level of the Nordstrom parking garage) and headed into Nordstrom. It was more packed than during the week, but all in all, not too bad. Same goes with the new outdoor area. A bit of a crowd, but fairly manageable. I made stops in William Sonoma and Ann Taylor and decided to walk back to Nordstrom inside, since it started to rain.<br />
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Bad decision. It was then I remembered why I NEVER shop on the "Sears" side of the mall. First, I had to walk past the germ-infested play area, where I am sure one should not walk if they have not yet had a flu shot. There were so many people, I literally, could not see more than a couple feet in front of me as there were millions (maybe an exaggeration) of people trying obtain early deals in the stores lining this part of the mall.<br />
<br />
From there, things got worse. At some point, it was decided to place kiosks in every square inch of the center of the mall walkway. A strange man attempted to apply lotion to my hands, a young women ran after me with a clip of fake hair and I was almost hit by a remote-controlled helicopter. Fortunately, I survived and made it to the center of the mall-by Macys. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Macys was holding its annual perfume sale right outside their entrance. After dodging squirts of perfume and pushy salespeople, I trekked on...to the "skanky" section of the mall. Now, there used to only be a "Forever 21" where one could purchase "going-out-clothes" (only to be worn once, because they fall apart after that). Now, there is about ten stores similar to "Forever 21" all in one area. While passing through this section of the mall, I spotted about twenty teenage girls wearing outfits that did not seem approp for a Sunday mall outing, or were very figure-flattering. Just a tip- if you are wearing a long sweater, you should wear tights/leggings under or you will just appear to have forgotten your pants. Tall boots are not pants. <br />
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Finally, after ignoring the remainder of the kiosks, I reached the promised land- Nordstrom. I have never been more excited to be in this store and rewarded myself with several new winter items. <br />
<br />
This hellacious visit to the mall did remind me of a couple of important things: 1) Always shop during non-peak hours and 2) Stay away from the Sears side of mall and opt for the outdoor area instead. <br />
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That being said, I am surprised that I am actually contemplating if I should hit up any of the actual "Black Friday" sales tomorrow. Might just stick to the (less crowded) "Small-Business Saturday" or the (crowd free) "Cyber Monday" ones instead. Less stress, less crowded and no helicopters flying at my head!<br />
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Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-12606704965830055442012-08-26T10:53:00.001-07:002012-11-22T09:19:58.483-08:00P-Town (no, not Puyallup)<br />
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Last week, I ventured five hours east to Wazzu (I think we are allowed to call it that again), otherwise known as the place where I spent the craziest four years of my life. I had not been over for some time, so jumped at the chance to help out with rush (now called recruitment) where I was pleased to see that many of the girls I met reminded so much of my friends and I back in the day. <br />
<br />
Since graduating NINE (yes, I am old) years ago, much has changed in Pullman (nicer buildings and a remodeled stadium to name a few). But it was reassuring to see how much remains the same.<br />
<br />
It was funny, because as long as I have been gone from WSU, it still feels like "home" every time I return. <br />
<br />
<i>"I can't define it; I can't tell somebody who isn't a Cougar what it's
like. There's something that happens at Washington State, you quietly and subtly
become infected. There are very few people I've ever met who have gone to WSU
and not come away with a favorable impression ... Washington State was a
passion. Being a Cougar was a passion."</i>
<b>-Jim Walden Head Football Coach 1978-86<br />From his book "Tales from the
Washington State Cougars Sideline"</b><br />
<strong></strong><br />
After a busy four days, I drove away from the WSU and thought about the things I missed about my college days:<br />
<br />
1) Thinking that a 9:10am class was "early"...I would LOVE to start work at this time now!<br />
2) Having a Pita Pit right up the street<br />
3) Daily Grind Coffee- somebody should really open one up here!<br />
4) Being able to go to all football games without worrying about the following: taking the Friday off of work, obtaining a hotel room (nearly impossible during WSU football season), and hoping the pass is okay to drive over.<br />
5) Having all of my friends (literally) steps or minutes away and ability to hang out with them at a moments notice. It was so great to always have somebody to work out with, have coffee with, go on a walk with or just talk to (in person) without having to plan it in advance. However, I am so grateful we have all remained close and make an effort to see one another on a regular basis.<br />
6) Sunsets and stars in the Palouse- I am not sure I appreciated this much when I was in school, but sure did on my visit. <br />
7) The ability to to drink Busch Light, Franzia and Monarch vodka and think it actually tasted decent. Happy Hour would sure be cheaper if I still felt this way!<br />
8) Being a student in an actually classroom- totally different than going to school online after working all day<br />
9) It was okay to not know what was coming next in life- I was still young and had time to figure it out. Sometimes I miss those days of being so carefree. And to think I completely took them for granted.<br />
10) Party Pics- you never had to worry about who was taking pictures to capture the night. Although now, I just rely on my friend with the nice cameras to upload albums for me.<br />
11) The defined seasons of eastern Washington: Hot summers, cold and snowy winters and crisp/sunny fall days. <br />
12) Driving to and from school with friends, blasting Mr. Big's "To Be With You" and singing loudly the whole way.<br />
13) Seeing people in costumes when it was NOT Halloween and thinking it was completely normal. Luckily as a teacher, this is still normal during "Spirit Weeks" at school!<br />
14) Being able to camp at the Gorge for a concert for the entire weekend and not thinking it was completely disgusting. Attempted this in my late 20's....never again. I will camp in Vantage from now on.<br />
15) Prank calling people after a night out from the room phones (#67= no caller ID) using the Greek Directory. Laughing about it for hours. On a side note: I still think prank calls are funny and it was actually how I met my husband.<br />
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And the list could go on and on. However, reminiscing on my college days also makes me realize how incredibly happy I am with who and where I am now in my life. <br />
<br />
I will always look back fondly on the memories at WSU and the reassurance that a Cougar is not just something you are when you are in college, but becomes part of who you are later. It is kind of difficult to put into words, but this quote says it best:<br />
<br />
<i>"I can't define it; I can't tell somebody who isn't a Cougar what it's like. There's something that happens at Washington State, you quietly and subtly become infected. There are very few people I've ever met who have gone to WSU and not come away with a favorable impression ... Washington State was a passion. Being a Cougar was a passion."</i><b>-Jim Walden Head Football Coach 1978-86<br />From his book "Tales from the Washington State Cougars Sideline"</b>Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-9312300004268574582012-08-07T20:38:00.002-07:002012-08-07T20:38:10.906-07:00What not to wear?Today, I was at the mall looking for a new pair of jorts (jeans + shorts= jorts) for my sister's "western theme" bachelorette party and stumbled across something very disturbing: <br />
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These:<br />
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Yup. The high-waisted denim you may remember from the 70's is back and this is NOT a good thing. Basically, these are "mom" jeans hacked off and give even the most petite girls a long butt. I am not sure who would want to add length to their derriere, but apparently many people do judging by the ratio of high-waisted shorts to regular ones. They are found in nearly every store- from Nordstrom to Forever 21 for women of all ages to try out. Here is a sampling of the myriad of styles I found: <br />
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With color and a bit of "bling" these bring back memories of "hypercolor" <br />
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Or for a more rugged look, slip on a faded pair...with plaid shirt or large hat. See, you can still show off your upper stomach when your pants go up to your belly button.<br />
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<br />
Perhaps these "modern" gems are more your style. See how they also elongate the crotch are- always flattering: <br />
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I get that these are trending right now, and they may even look wonderful on a select few women (ones with model figures) but do no favors for us average folk. <br />
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So, this is one fashion statement I will be avoiding this summer season. Let's just hope come fall, people are not sporting these with colored tights underneath. <br />
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On a positive note- they do eliminate the dreaded "muffin top" plaguing society for the past few years when "super low-rise pants" were all the rage. And that, in itself, might be worth the the abundance elongated butts roaming around.<br />
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<br />Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4271020485890483751.post-19456974147323973702012-07-13T16:28:00.005-07:002012-07-13T16:30:38.142-07:00I spoke too soon...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0CPw2v3-fI2ZTR6k-ctfpegC5dS_VsZinmPQ_nWseQqTyq5VdU-BzSkqOgWihyxrC5I93NHNcM1HMhK2oPd3OqOZ9kIfMqNaxHKUbgV_55xArfeLmYJ3sD8xBTf8_LQdW2DvjCpPxXAK/s1600/summer+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0CPw2v3-fI2ZTR6k-ctfpegC5dS_VsZinmPQ_nWseQqTyq5VdU-BzSkqOgWihyxrC5I93NHNcM1HMhK2oPd3OqOZ9kIfMqNaxHKUbgV_55xArfeLmYJ3sD8xBTf8_LQdW2DvjCpPxXAK/s1600/summer+school.jpg" /></a>You may remember a blog I wrote approximately two weeks ago regarding how I was going to relax this summer. I then described how I really did not have anything to do. <br />
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Well...I totally jinxed myself with that post! Currently, I am working on a Masters degree in Literacy through and online university called Walden (don't worry, I had not heard of it either, until I started talking to some other teachers). Adam likes to joke about me attending football games against our rival college, University of Phoenix and asks if I am going to fly to MN for the commencement ceremony. Not possible considering there is NO actual campus, hence NO graduation ceremony. <br />
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The online format has actually been great so far, since I can work on my own time and do not have to spend my evenings sitting in a classroom.<br />
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Since beginning the course in October, I have felt the classes were fairly doable with my busy schedule. One discussion post each week (due Wednesday) and a paper (usually about 3-5 pages) due Sunday. Most of the work involved lessons in our own classrooms, so I was confident with the workload. Even though I would rather be watching "Pretty Little Liars" instead of writing a paper, I always submitted work on time and have yet to earn less than a B+ on any assignment.<br />
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<em>So, a summer course should be a breeze, I thought. Plus I have TONS of free time now that I am not working</em>. <br />
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Apparently the program designers at Walden thought so too, because the class I am taking this summer is by far the most difficult one yet. It is called "Action Research" and is similar to studies one would conduct if working toward a Doctorate in Administration or Education. At the conclusion of the class, we are required to publish our findings. And these are not the usually 3-5 page papers of classes past, but 10-12 page documents!<br />
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Let me make this clear- I have ZERO desire to A) Become a professor or B) Work as a principal or other type of administrator. One of the reasons I went into teaching is because I enjoy working with kids and do not think I would like to be in charge of my peers.<br />
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I am keeping up with the course thus far, although the sunshine Seattle has given us recently is making it difficult. Today, I have already spent four hours reading, researching and writing a paper on "How the use of technology can increase student motivation in writing" (I know, you are all DYING to read it when I finish- don't worry, I will gladly email you a copy).<br />
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This adult version of "summer school" is certainly not as enjoyable as I remember summer school being in Pullman (so far, none of my Walden classes have met at The Coug). <br />
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While my summer may not be as relaxing as I envisioned, at least I cannot complain of having nothing to do... now I just have to motivate myself to stick it out.Allisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01690054928995023165noreply@blogger.com0