It's 89 degrees in the house today...
Just thought everyone should know
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Finally...a house!
I have not blogged in a few months because we are currently living with our BIL/SIL.
Today we got word today that the offer we put on a house was accepted.
Here's the story:
Mid-March we placed an offer on this house for $40,000; received a counter offer of 48,000; and then countered back at 45,000. We didn't hear anything back from the bank for a few days and so dropped our offer back to $40,000. (It was the beginning of our search at that point and with all the different houses on the market here, I was optimistic that we could find a better house/deal...)
We searched for another house and nothing worked. All of our offers fell through. I was super stressed and mad at the world. When the house popped back up on the market with a listing price of $44,900; I about passed out. We immediately put in a new offer of $40,000. This time, they accepted!
The house is 1630 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath. It needs new flooring, paint, and a lot of cleaning but besides that its great!
I am so excited. Theresa's already planning on visiting every February (I'll head up to North Dakota in August as a trade :))
Here's a link to the model homes.
Love you all!
Tracey
Today we got word today that the offer we put on a house was accepted.
Here's the story:
Mid-March we placed an offer on this house for $40,000; received a counter offer of 48,000; and then countered back at 45,000. We didn't hear anything back from the bank for a few days and so dropped our offer back to $40,000. (It was the beginning of our search at that point and with all the different houses on the market here, I was optimistic that we could find a better house/deal...)
We searched for another house and nothing worked. All of our offers fell through. I was super stressed and mad at the world. When the house popped back up on the market with a listing price of $44,900; I about passed out. We immediately put in a new offer of $40,000. This time, they accepted!
The house is 1630 square feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath. It needs new flooring, paint, and a lot of cleaning but besides that its great!
I am so excited. Theresa's already planning on visiting every February (I'll head up to North Dakota in August as a trade :))
Here's a link to the model homes.
Love you all!
Tracey
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Yesterday, Joseph had beef and macaroni, corn, and pudding for dinner (mostly just pudding...) Afterwards, he was a mess and jumped into the shower with Will. As he was getting out, he pinched his fingers :( He cried so much I was cradling him like a baby. As I held him, I noticed a large bunch of snot in his nose. I thought, wow, that is massive...
But as I walked into better light, I saw that it was bright yellow. It took a few seconds for me to process this and realize that it was a piece of corn! He had stuffed a corn kernel in his nose during dinner. Fortunately I noticed it because as he was crying, he was sniffling and it was about to go all the way up. Granted, he really could have just sucked it into his mouth and then swallowed it but he also could have choked on it without us even realizing what was happening!
As I sat there cradling him, I watched the kernel make its way further into his nostril. What to do? Tweezers, of course!
I am not looking forward to the body exploration stage. I've heard so many horror stories of rocks or other things in ears or nostrils.
But as I walked into better light, I saw that it was bright yellow. It took a few seconds for me to process this and realize that it was a piece of corn! He had stuffed a corn kernel in his nose during dinner. Fortunately I noticed it because as he was crying, he was sniffling and it was about to go all the way up. Granted, he really could have just sucked it into his mouth and then swallowed it but he also could have choked on it without us even realizing what was happening!
As I sat there cradling him, I watched the kernel make its way further into his nostril. What to do? Tweezers, of course!
I am not looking forward to the body exploration stage. I've heard so many horror stories of rocks or other things in ears or nostrils.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Joseph is turning into a great helper. He is now helping me cook and is always begging to climb up onto his stool and see what's going on. He even helped make his own birthday cake (the mixing/pouring part, not the decorating.)
The other day, I made some lemon-cranberry muffins (they turned out okay, but I think I may change the recipe a little next time.) He helped me put the ingredients into the bowl, mix it up, and then helped me put the batter into the muffin tins.
The other day, I made some lemon-cranberry muffins (they turned out okay, but I think I may change the recipe a little next time.) He helped me put the ingredients into the bowl, mix it up, and then helped me put the batter into the muffin tins.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Party Time!
Now, onto the party...
Joseph opened up a huge remote monster truck...Thanks to TJ and Becky Vidaurri who gave that to us a year and a half ago. Joseph is definitely ready for it now :)
Molly and Ashlyn gave Joseph the movie The Reef which we have already watched twice :)
Joseph also received a fun penguin backpack from Great-Grandma and Grandpa Jolley, a set of building blocks (leftover from Christmas...I forgot to put them under the tree!), a Thomas the Train set of movies, and the Thomas the Tank Engine toy that I put on the cake. Ashlyn and Cash both got to take one home as a party gift.
Ta Da! Here's the cake...I loved making it.
I made it with applesauce and egg substitute so that it was relatively healthy. Of course the frosting was made with 2 lbs of powdered sugar, one cube of butter, and a half a cup of shortening...but is there anything better than buttercream frosting? Not for me!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Joseph's Birthday
Today, Joseph turned two. It was such a great day! Here are a few pictures. There will be more tomorrow...
We went to Freestone Railroad in Gilbert. Joseph loved the train!
As we traveled on the train the kids were fascinated by the ducks in the pond.
Joseph loved the wave runner ride! The cousins went on this one twice.
On the other hand, Joseph hated the mini ferris wheel...can't you tell? He only went on this one once.
After playing so hard, they ate a great lunch at the playground. I thought the day went really well! It was beautiful outside but wasn't too warm. There weren't too many people at the park. I know Joseph had so much fun!
I'm heading to bed...it was a long day! Tomorrow I will make sure to post the pictures of Joseph opening up his gifts and eating his cake.
I'm heading to bed...it was a long day! Tomorrow I will make sure to post the pictures of Joseph opening up his gifts and eating his cake.
Monday, February 9, 2009
I am so excited...this weekend I am doing a booth with Usborne! It's been such a long time. Again, I'm excited!
The event is a big fundraiser for two conjoined twins who live in our ward. They are trying to raise money for a separation surgery.
I typed up this post so that you could read this article about them. They are the cutest little girls. Keep them in your prayers, please.
The event is a big fundraiser for two conjoined twins who live in our ward. They are trying to raise money for a separation surgery.
I typed up this post so that you could read this article about them. They are the cutest little girls. Keep them in your prayers, please.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Porta Potty
I love my son! He's so cute.
As a preface, I may need to remind some of you that Joseph's potty is in the guest bathroom. We sit on it in the morning and the evening. Otherwise, there's really not much else going on in potty world.
Today I left him watching Backyardigans (again, TV :( oh well...) while I got in the shower. I usually close my bedroom door completely but instead left it a little bit ajar. I was almost done when I heard Joseph's "Mommy?" He walked into the bathroom, saw me, and then didn't say anything else. I was in the middle of washing my face and so couldn't look even though I kept hearing banging sounds. Kind of worrying. When I opened my eyes and wiped the water off the shower door, Joseph was sitting on his little potty! He had moved it to the exact same spot it was in before we put it in the guest bathroom. Maybe he missed sitting on the potty while mommy and daddy got ready in the morning :)
As a preface, I may need to remind some of you that Joseph's potty is in the guest bathroom. We sit on it in the morning and the evening. Otherwise, there's really not much else going on in potty world.
Today I left him watching Backyardigans (again, TV :( oh well...) while I got in the shower. I usually close my bedroom door completely but instead left it a little bit ajar. I was almost done when I heard Joseph's "Mommy?" He walked into the bathroom, saw me, and then didn't say anything else. I was in the middle of washing my face and so couldn't look even though I kept hearing banging sounds. Kind of worrying. When I opened my eyes and wiped the water off the shower door, Joseph was sitting on his little potty! He had moved it to the exact same spot it was in before we put it in the guest bathroom. Maybe he missed sitting on the potty while mommy and daddy got ready in the morning :)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
What Kind of Bear is it?
I was in the kitchen cooking while Joseph was watching Diego on TV (I know I said he watched too much TV...but William is home today and it's just easier.)
As I was at the stove, Diego was asking the captive audience to identify a bear he was showing a picture of. Joseph immediately said that it was a "Tare Bear!" (Did I mention he watches too much of his one and only movie that I own...Care Bears. Well, as you can tell, he does.)
BTW, the bear was a polar bear. Easy mistake for any two year old to make :)
As I was at the stove, Diego was asking the captive audience to identify a bear he was showing a picture of. Joseph immediately said that it was a "Tare Bear!" (Did I mention he watches too much of his one and only movie that I own...Care Bears. Well, as you can tell, he does.)
BTW, the bear was a polar bear. Easy mistake for any two year old to make :)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Cry It Out Method
Have you ever heard of the cry it out method? That is what Joseph has been having to do this last month, even for naps. I know it's the lack of a binkie that's causing him to cry for a longer period as he goes to sleep. Sometimes he'll cry for an hour or more before falling asleep for his naps.
If you read up on the whole "Ferber" method, it tells you that you aren't hurting your children (though leaving them for hours on end isn't really part of the actual method.) But after the conversation I had with him tonight, I wonder if I am not traumatizing him in some way.
We were leaving the grocery store in the evening and the moon was out. I pointed it out to Joseph, mentioning to him that it was small. He said, "Goodnight, moon! Shh, sleeping." Sooo cute!
Then he comes out with, "crying...moon crying."
We continued...
Me: Why is the moon crying?
Joseph: Sad
Me: Why is the moon sad?
Joseph: Crying
I have no idea what he's talking about but one interpretation is that he is thinking about bedtime. He spends so much time crying at night (with cries of mommy and daddy and HUG thrown in over and over again) that maybe he now associates bedtime with tears and sadness. If that's true, it kind of makes me sad, too.
I know it's good for him to learn to go to bed on his own without any help from me except a good book and a nighttime prayer. I know that...except it hurts my heart to hear him cry at night. (Unless I'm in a bad mood, and then it's a little wearing). I really don't want him to hate bedtimes! I would love to have him snuggle with me in his bed while we read a few books. Maybe someday.
For now I'll simply have to love him. Not hard to do! I love him so much. I can't hug him enough or kiss him enough.
If you read up on the whole "Ferber" method, it tells you that you aren't hurting your children (though leaving them for hours on end isn't really part of the actual method.) But after the conversation I had with him tonight, I wonder if I am not traumatizing him in some way.
We were leaving the grocery store in the evening and the moon was out. I pointed it out to Joseph, mentioning to him that it was small. He said, "Goodnight, moon! Shh, sleeping." Sooo cute!
Then he comes out with, "crying...moon crying."
We continued...
Me: Why is the moon crying?
Joseph: Sad
Me: Why is the moon sad?
Joseph: Crying
I have no idea what he's talking about but one interpretation is that he is thinking about bedtime. He spends so much time crying at night (with cries of mommy and daddy and HUG thrown in over and over again) that maybe he now associates bedtime with tears and sadness. If that's true, it kind of makes me sad, too.
I know it's good for him to learn to go to bed on his own without any help from me except a good book and a nighttime prayer. I know that...except it hurts my heart to hear him cry at night. (Unless I'm in a bad mood, and then it's a little wearing). I really don't want him to hate bedtimes! I would love to have him snuggle with me in his bed while we read a few books. Maybe someday.
For now I'll simply have to love him. Not hard to do! I love him so much. I can't hug him enough or kiss him enough.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Joseph got a phone for Christmas...don't worry it's fake! Lately, he's been calling people on the phone. It's so cute I just had to capture it on film :)
Will and I also think it's hilarious that he starts saying "hola" towards the end of the video (once to daddy and then to cash). Obviously, he's been watching too much Dora the explorer and Diego.
Will and I also think it's hilarious that he starts saying "hola" towards the end of the video (once to daddy and then to cash). Obviously, he's been watching too much Dora the explorer and Diego.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Go, Diego, Go!
What is this a picture of, you may ask? Is this really your son wiping his little bottom while only wearing his Diego shoes? Why, yes...yes it is.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Binkie Part II
Could it really be that easy? His binkie is gone...he hasn't asked for it once; he falls asleep almost as quickly; he complains just as much as bedtime/naptime as he always did...
The only downside to the whole thing is getting up an hour early in the morning. He was up at 6:00 this morning! I didn't go in and get him, though. William did :) He let me sleep in a little bit more (He is really sweet like that!)
The only downside to the whole thing is getting up an hour early in the morning. He was up at 6:00 this morning! I didn't go in and get him, though. William did :) He let me sleep in a little bit more (He is really sweet like that!)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Binkie Goes Bye-Bye
What a nice alliterative phrase for what we are attempting to do :)
Last night, Joseph slept without his binkie...it took a little bit of time to fall asleep. Not too bad, actually. He whimpered some during the night but otherwise did okay. He woke up a half-hour earlier than usual, though, which wasn't so okay!
His nap today was a little bit trickier. He screamed for a good 45 minutes (maybe even an hour) before finally falling asleep. He probably won't even sleep for his full nap time (used to be three or four hours, but ever since going to UT it's down to two.)
I am really excited to be done with the binkie...I couldn't try potty training a "big" boy but let him use a binkie, right? At least that's how I saw it :)
Last night, Joseph slept without his binkie...it took a little bit of time to fall asleep. Not too bad, actually. He whimpered some during the night but otherwise did okay. He woke up a half-hour earlier than usual, though, which wasn't so okay!
His nap today was a little bit trickier. He screamed for a good 45 minutes (maybe even an hour) before finally falling asleep. He probably won't even sleep for his full nap time (used to be three or four hours, but ever since going to UT it's down to two.)
I am really excited to be done with the binkie...I couldn't try potty training a "big" boy but let him use a binkie, right? At least that's how I saw it :)
Monday, January 19, 2009
TV...too much!
We are watching too much TV in my house. Joseph is such a great TV watcher, though! It's sad (but such a guilty relief for me!) He could sit and watch TV all morning (and has some days) if I'll let him. So I have been trying to do new things and keep both of us busy.
Joseph is now a great helper with the dishwasher. He will take all of the silverware out of the dishwasher and put it in the silverware drawer. He just throws it in there, but who cares? I simply put them all in their slots later. He'll put the measuring cups in there, too. He knows where the cutting boards go and he'll put all of the spatulas and wooden spoons away. Emptying the dishwasher has never gone so quickly :) I'm loving it!
We also have been reading more books and I've finally gotten back into my Usborne Books At Home.
The other day, though, we tried some edible playdough (edible since I wanted to make it myself and let Joseph eat some without worrying.) It was a mixture of peanut butter, powdered sugar, flour, and oats. A pretty tasty combination, if you ask me :)
It was great fun! Here's a video of us playing with the playdough. I set up the camera and then turned it on and sat back down with Josesph. The video was originally about 10 minutes long! It'll be great in a few years to show Joseph what he was like at 23 months. Don't worry, I didn't place a 10 minute video on my blog...it's only 4 minutes (not much better, I know, but the best I could do...there was so much cute stuff that I just had to keep in there!)
Joseph is now a great helper with the dishwasher. He will take all of the silverware out of the dishwasher and put it in the silverware drawer. He just throws it in there, but who cares? I simply put them all in their slots later. He'll put the measuring cups in there, too. He knows where the cutting boards go and he'll put all of the spatulas and wooden spoons away. Emptying the dishwasher has never gone so quickly :) I'm loving it!
We also have been reading more books and I've finally gotten back into my Usborne Books At Home.
The other day, though, we tried some edible playdough (edible since I wanted to make it myself and let Joseph eat some without worrying.) It was a mixture of peanut butter, powdered sugar, flour, and oats. A pretty tasty combination, if you ask me :)
It was great fun! Here's a video of us playing with the playdough. I set up the camera and then turned it on and sat back down with Josesph. The video was originally about 10 minutes long! It'll be great in a few years to show Joseph what he was like at 23 months. Don't worry, I didn't place a 10 minute video on my blog...it's only 4 minutes (not much better, I know, but the best I could do...there was so much cute stuff that I just had to keep in there!)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Here is a great video of Joseph rocking out to Rock Band at Chris and Laurie's over the Christmas holiday. Again, it was so fun spending time with family. (BTW, the whole thing with the video not uploading correctly may have actually been something with my computer...whatever it was, I got it to work!)
Sorry, I posted this video and then deleted the post thinking the video was incomplete...So for all of you who receive emails about my posts, this will come to you twice :)
Sorry, I posted this video and then deleted the post thinking the video was incomplete...So for all of you who receive emails about my posts, this will come to you twice :)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
What! Another Potty Post?!
Yep, it's another one :)
Today, Joseph sat on the potty and peed on command (that's a very short synopsis of the entire story...but truly, he did!) After his bath with his dad, I was about to put on his diaper when I asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty. He ran back to the potty and peed. When I asked him if he needed to pee more, he peed more. When I said, "show daddy how you peed," he peed again.
Later that evening, he was in his high chair and said "potty, mama...poopoo." I could kind of already smell something but I asked him if he wanted to go to the potty. He took off running for the potty. I removed the dirty diaper right next to his potty and sat him down (he got poop all over the seat, but who cares when he's getting set for training, right?) There was no other "business" done, but I'm figuring that he won't care because he got a treat anyway for almost going in the potty.
I'm really excited in some ways and also really scared. Potty training is a big committment! That means I have to be consistent and careful. It means cleaning up messes and worrying about whether I should be putting him in training pants all the time. William suggested buying a small pack of pull-ups and putting him in them during the day when we are at home. If we go somewhere we can just use diapers. Plus, he'll need diapers at night for a while.
Wish me luck on my endeavor!
Today, Joseph sat on the potty and peed on command (that's a very short synopsis of the entire story...but truly, he did!) After his bath with his dad, I was about to put on his diaper when I asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty. He ran back to the potty and peed. When I asked him if he needed to pee more, he peed more. When I said, "show daddy how you peed," he peed again.
Later that evening, he was in his high chair and said "potty, mama...poopoo." I could kind of already smell something but I asked him if he wanted to go to the potty. He took off running for the potty. I removed the dirty diaper right next to his potty and sat him down (he got poop all over the seat, but who cares when he's getting set for training, right?) There was no other "business" done, but I'm figuring that he won't care because he got a treat anyway for almost going in the potty.
I'm really excited in some ways and also really scared. Potty training is a big committment! That means I have to be consistent and careful. It means cleaning up messes and worrying about whether I should be putting him in training pants all the time. William suggested buying a small pack of pull-ups and putting him in them during the day when we are at home. If we go somewhere we can just use diapers. Plus, he'll need diapers at night for a while.
Wish me luck on my endeavor!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Potty Successes
Yesterday and today Joseph said "potty?" and went to go sit on the potty. Both days it was after his bath, which surprises me. Isn't he just going potty in the bathtub like every other kid?
Oh well, to get back to the story...
Both times I left him on the potty for 30 seconds tops and when I came back there was "pee pee" in the potty! When he stood up and showed me, he immediately got a treat. Hooray!
I'm not going to start potty training per se but I guess I will continue on this same path of casual reminders of the importance of potties. It would be nice to have him out of diapers soon, but I don't have high expectations...that way I'm not pressuring either of us. He doesn't need to grow up too fast, right?
Oh well, to get back to the story...
Both times I left him on the potty for 30 seconds tops and when I came back there was "pee pee" in the potty! When he stood up and showed me, he immediately got a treat. Hooray!
I'm not going to start potty training per se but I guess I will continue on this same path of casual reminders of the importance of potties. It would be nice to have him out of diapers soon, but I don't have high expectations...that way I'm not pressuring either of us. He doesn't need to grow up too fast, right?
Funny Story
Yesterday, the funniest thing happened with Joseph.
He was sitting on the computer cord so that it was pulling where it was hooked to the laptop. So I "pushed" him off the cord (yes, it really was a push...I need to watch myself and teach manners by example. A "please move Joseph" is in order from now on.)
He fell over onto his shoulder and turned to me with a dirty look on his face. Out of his mouth came this really long sentence that I could not even attempt to remember. But I will paraphrase:
"Mommy, you pushed Joseph. You need a spanking!"
At this point in the conversation, still looking mad, Joseph slapped my knee and said again "spanking!"
I apologized and let him know I was sorry. I really will try harder next time not to just assume I can push him around. He really is growing up!
Again, I repeat, I love this age. He is sooo cute!
He was sitting on the computer cord so that it was pulling where it was hooked to the laptop. So I "pushed" him off the cord (yes, it really was a push...I need to watch myself and teach manners by example. A "please move Joseph" is in order from now on.)
He fell over onto his shoulder and turned to me with a dirty look on his face. Out of his mouth came this really long sentence that I could not even attempt to remember. But I will paraphrase:
"Mommy, you pushed Joseph. You need a spanking!"
At this point in the conversation, still looking mad, Joseph slapped my knee and said again "spanking!"
I apologized and let him know I was sorry. I really will try harder next time not to just assume I can push him around. He really is growing up!
Again, I repeat, I love this age. He is sooo cute!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Other Side of Christmas
Here's Christmas with the other side of the family. We had so much fun in UT! I didn't take many pictures, unfortunately. I sent my camera home early with my husband :(
Playing with Grandpa Jolley around Laurie's beautiful Christmas dinner table...the cousins couldn't get enough of it!
My hunky hubby...isn't he great!
Joseph rocking out with Rock Band2...he loved playing the drums
The ball room...what a great place to hang out!
Sorry, I had another great video to place on this post but I am having some major issues with blogger right now. I'm so frustrated I think I may create another blog with another blog host...we'll see.
Sorry, I had another great video to place on this post but I am having some major issues with blogger right now. I'm so frustrated I think I may create another blog with another blog host...we'll see.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I love you, Mama
Today is a day I need to remember. Joseph said "I love you, Mama" twice without any provication. It makes my heart melt :)
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