Yeah, I had to throw a "The Office" reference in here somehow...
On a more get-to-the-point note, you, my faithful 2.3 readers, may be happy to know some of the things I like and want to advertise a bit.
1. Tacos Daniel
Located here in Salt Lake at like 900 North and 900 West, Tacos Daniel doesn't look like much to the untrained eye. Located in a prominiently Hispanic part of Rose Park, it's easy to miss in a shopping plaza targeted toward other Hispanics. To just turn around and go somewhere else, though, would be a BIG mistake, since this place ROCKS! The servers are friendly and like Daniel and I. (although I'm pretty sure when they see us coming, they say, "Oh, it's that weird white lady who tips well and yells at the T.V. when soccer is on." I'm not saying this would be bad, just true. I'm a bit addicted to the game and even though the game is always shown on Univision at Tacos Daniel, I can figure out what's going on and get overly excited. I just realized that I'M the one who usually suggests eating here even though all three of us love the food...) The pre-meal chips and salsa are DELICIOUS, but pale in comparison to the Burrito a la Diabla! Actually, anything "a la diabla" is worth getting made fun of by friendly Hispanics because you're yelling at their T.V. and THEN asking your husband, who speaks fluent Spanish, what the commentators and refs are saying about the game. Their Nachos Fiesta are AMAZING as well, and we somehow end up eating here about once a week. Plus, if you buy something at the Rose Park Smith's, there is always Tacos Daniel coupons on the back of the reciept.
2. I Am A Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson and The Mommy Myth by Susan J. Douglas
I'll admit, sometimes I fell pretty insecure about being a mom. EVERYONE has a strong opinion about how to raise and care for kids, and every now and then, one of those opinions gets tossed at me when I'm not expecting it and I start to think things like, "Wait, what if taking away the plastic from the baby is actually stunting her emotional development?" or, "If I feed my baby anything that isn't green, maybe she won't have an I.Q. of 25 million!"
Alright, so maybe these examples are a little (or a lot) on the extreme side. However, how many of you moms look at you're mothering groove and wonder if it's the right thing for everyone in the long run? If you're like me, probably a couple times a week when things are going smoothly and all the time if something like teething or, as Anya and I are struggling with right now, a normal but exhausting phase of seperation anxiety happens? With this new seperation anxiety phase we've hit, I frequently find myself wondering, "Am I holding her too much? Not enough? Does she feel loved?"
Jane Clayson Johnson gives us comforting words about our incredible roles as "the mom." She gave her own experiences of choosing to be a stay-at-home mom instead of having her children be with nannies while she worked as a very busy journalist. Whether or not we're working moms or stay-at-home moms who can't remember the last time we actually had a conversation with another big person, I loved how she emphasized that, "every little girl knows mothers matter."
The Mommy Myth is definitely appealing to my "stick it to the man!" personality. Douglas talks about how "The Mommy Myth," modern society's misconception of what "the best mom" should be, which gives us as real moms absolutely no room to mess up with our kids or risking the earth falling into a black hole when we don't cook fresh, organic meals with a smile on our face for these little people. If nothing else, it has so far caused me to say, "Rock on!" and laugh a little bit.
3. Money
If I ever go back to school, I'm going to be a business major and probably end up taking over the world and ruling with an iron fist. Okay, so the fear of assination keeps me from that last one, but I love being the one in charge of our finances and finding ways to save money and make more money. For instance, quite a bit of money has been going to gas (argh) and eating out. With gas, I can't really control the price at the pump, but I can have control over how much gas we use. Anya and I have started walking to the grocery store and only getting what we need and what we can carry home. I end up saving money by realizing that my impulse purchases will turn the stroller into a shopping cart and I'll end up having to varry a very wiggly sack of potatoes in one arm. We get what we need without the car, and get good exercise and "fresh air." ("Fresh air?" Ha! We live in Salt Lake City! There's almost always smog in the air! Another reason to drive less!)
It's my personal opinion that every woman should be at least aware of what is happening to their family's money, and should be essential to planning a budget each month. Money is something that every marriage and relationship will need to deal with on a regular basis, and men and women need to be on the same page when it comes to family finances. Daniel and I disucss our monthly budget and adjust it together. He and I both know where the money is going every month, and both commit to sticking to the budget we both approve of together.
I'll probably hit this list up more later, but for now, it's almost midnight and I have a Primary lesson to teach tomorrow. If I fall asleep during Sharing Time, somehow I don't think that I'll be setting the best example to the kids in my class.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Adoption
Since Anya was born, I've been saying, "I want to wait 2-3 years to have another baby." I've been pretty adament about this, and, in a sense, I still am. I absolutely do not want to be pregnant until AT LEAST Anya is 2. Pregnancy was hard! Add my VERY active and mischevious child to the mix, and the idea of being pregnant is kind of scary! Plus, my body doesn't like conception very much, and I'll admit, I really don't want to risk having another miscarriage right now. My dad just died. Losing a baby too would be far too much to handle. If you've experienced the pain of miscarriage, you probably know what I'm talking about on this one.
However, as I'm watching my baby become a little girl so quickly, I remember what it was like for me to be an only child for so much of my childhood. I think of my 4 bedroom house with only 2 bedrooms being used. As Daniel and I relate childhood stories with one another, I love how he always had someone to play with and fight with, as the case may have been. I also love seeing the tenderness and understanding he and his brother have toward each other even now. Although they're very different people, they obviously have a respect and loyalty to one another.
For myself, I want another child. For Anya, I want another child. However, I really am not ready to be pregnant right now.
One thing Daniel and I have looked into since before Anya was concieved is adoption. We really want to be foster parents and we'd like to adopt to add to our family. To us, it doesn't matter if we adopt a baby or an older child.
Therefore, this is me publicly stating that we need to get a few things in order to feel better about adoption, such as health insurance and starting to save up to be able to more easily pay for the adoption costs. Until then, we can benefit the lives of many children who are in foster care and whose families are working to become better parents to be able to raise these children themselves. This is something we've both felt very good about, and at least want to try.
However, as I'm watching my baby become a little girl so quickly, I remember what it was like for me to be an only child for so much of my childhood. I think of my 4 bedroom house with only 2 bedrooms being used. As Daniel and I relate childhood stories with one another, I love how he always had someone to play with and fight with, as the case may have been. I also love seeing the tenderness and understanding he and his brother have toward each other even now. Although they're very different people, they obviously have a respect and loyalty to one another.
For myself, I want another child. For Anya, I want another child. However, I really am not ready to be pregnant right now.
One thing Daniel and I have looked into since before Anya was concieved is adoption. We really want to be foster parents and we'd like to adopt to add to our family. To us, it doesn't matter if we adopt a baby or an older child.
Therefore, this is me publicly stating that we need to get a few things in order to feel better about adoption, such as health insurance and starting to save up to be able to more easily pay for the adoption costs. Until then, we can benefit the lives of many children who are in foster care and whose families are working to become better parents to be able to raise these children themselves. This is something we've both felt very good about, and at least want to try.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Daddy's Girl
Anya has become quite the Daddy's girl.
She's learning to walk, and will walk all over the house if we hold her hands to help her. Around 2 p.m. every afternoon, she asks me to help her (asks as in demands loudly) walk. Every day, we go all over the house through every room. The whole time, Anya is looking around saying, "Dad. Dad? Dad." Upon not finding Daddy since he's still at work, she gets VERY sad and wants to be by herself until he comes home around 4.
Sometimes, we have to look out the living room window and watch the garage to watch and wait for Daddy. When he pulls up, she SQUEALS! Then we have to walk to the front door to meet him!
Today, Anya was playing by herself with a toy, and while playing, started saying, "Dad. Anya. Dad. Dad. Dad. Anya." ("Anya" is her other favorite word... When I asked her to say, "Mama," she looked up, realized I wasn't Dad, and crawled away.
When they play together, she giggles for him in a way I just can't make happen myself. She loves when he puts her to bed at night and whenever she learns a new trick, she makes a point of doing it in front of him to see what his response will be. I love my baby and her daddy!
She's learning to walk, and will walk all over the house if we hold her hands to help her. Around 2 p.m. every afternoon, she asks me to help her (asks as in demands loudly) walk. Every day, we go all over the house through every room. The whole time, Anya is looking around saying, "Dad. Dad? Dad." Upon not finding Daddy since he's still at work, she gets VERY sad and wants to be by herself until he comes home around 4.
Sometimes, we have to look out the living room window and watch the garage to watch and wait for Daddy. When he pulls up, she SQUEALS! Then we have to walk to the front door to meet him!
Today, Anya was playing by herself with a toy, and while playing, started saying, "Dad. Anya. Dad. Dad. Dad. Anya." ("Anya" is her other favorite word... When I asked her to say, "Mama," she looked up, realized I wasn't Dad, and crawled away.
When they play together, she giggles for him in a way I just can't make happen myself. She loves when he puts her to bed at night and whenever she learns a new trick, she makes a point of doing it in front of him to see what his response will be. I love my baby and her daddy!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Satisfied? Finally?
With all the baby announcements going around right now, I've learned something about me. I am absolutely not baby hungry. While I'm EXTREMELY happy for all of my friends and family having new babies soon, I really don't want another one right now...like...at all. This is totally crazy for me since before I had Anya, I used to get really envious of everyone who announced their pregnancies to the point of resenting them a little bit.
I've got my baby. She's everything I've ever wanted in a child. Granted, she could have less smelly poop, but that's mostly my fault for giving her certain foods anyway.
I'm busy, I'm losing weight, and the reasons for me not to have a baby are more desirable than for me to have another one. Infertility issues aside, I really like the idea of just having one baby for a while.
So...what does all of this mean for me? I think that for once, I'm actually satisfied with my life. I have a five year plan, an awesome husband, a beautiful little girl with an awesome sense of humor who is afraid of giraffes, and, yeah. Life is good right now. I'm setting realistic goals for myself, and I feel good when I accomplish them.
This is new for me. I'm happy for everyone who is having babies, and I'm also happy for me who is not. I like this feeling... :)
I've got my baby. She's everything I've ever wanted in a child. Granted, she could have less smelly poop, but that's mostly my fault for giving her certain foods anyway.
I'm busy, I'm losing weight, and the reasons for me not to have a baby are more desirable than for me to have another one. Infertility issues aside, I really like the idea of just having one baby for a while.
So...what does all of this mean for me? I think that for once, I'm actually satisfied with my life. I have a five year plan, an awesome husband, a beautiful little girl with an awesome sense of humor who is afraid of giraffes, and, yeah. Life is good right now. I'm setting realistic goals for myself, and I feel good when I accomplish them.
This is new for me. I'm happy for everyone who is having babies, and I'm also happy for me who is not. I like this feeling... :)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
How I Save Money On Baby Food
I have found THE BEST way of saving money on baby food for Anya! I make it myself!
At WinCo foods, you can buy rice in bulk, and I found long-grain brown rice for $0.60/lb. I cook it, put it in the blender, and then serve it up with some pureed fruits or veggies which I also make myself.
Today, I went to Smith's and got a box of baby cereal for travelling purposes. The box itself was around $0.15-$0.20/oz. Multiply that by 16 oz, and it ends up at $1.80/lb!
The baby food I make only lasts for a day before I deem it "bad." (Can't have the little cutie getting sick!) However, I can usually predict how much Anya will eat, so I only have to make enough for one day. Anya loves it (except for peas. There is no getting that girl to like peas...) and our grocery bill has gone WAY down this week!
I'm a rockstar of a mom.
At WinCo foods, you can buy rice in bulk, and I found long-grain brown rice for $0.60/lb. I cook it, put it in the blender, and then serve it up with some pureed fruits or veggies which I also make myself.
Today, I went to Smith's and got a box of baby cereal for travelling purposes. The box itself was around $0.15-$0.20/oz. Multiply that by 16 oz, and it ends up at $1.80/lb!
The baby food I make only lasts for a day before I deem it "bad." (Can't have the little cutie getting sick!) However, I can usually predict how much Anya will eat, so I only have to make enough for one day. Anya loves it (except for peas. There is no getting that girl to like peas...) and our grocery bill has gone WAY down this week!
I'm a rockstar of a mom.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
"I'm White"
Anya and I were looking in the mirror talking about colors. I was wearing a pink shirt and Anya was wearing pink pants. I said, "Anya, are we the same? We are! We're both pink!"
Daniel, in the bedroom at the time I said this, walks through the hall in his white Sunday shirt and sings, "I'm Whiiiiiiite!"
Daniel, in the bedroom at the time I said this, walks through the hall in his white Sunday shirt and sings, "I'm Whiiiiiiite!"
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tracy Aviary
Yesterday afternoon, we went on a family outing with just the three of us! I was SO excited to do so since we haven't been able to go out together for a month.
We decided to go out for lunch and then to the Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park. After a mediocre lunch at Beto's Mexican Food (Rancheritos is SO much better!) we went to see the birds.
After we paid and went into the aviary, we say the pelicans and ducks first. Anya, in the stroller, LOVED this part! I've never seen her big blue eyes get that big! We got there right as the birds were being fed, so we had some entertainment in seeing the ducks beat each other up in order to get to the food. Then some geese came. Then the geese and pelicans decided to beat the ducks up together.
Anyway, our stroller converts into a backpack, so you can carry the baby and have free hands. We thought she might be able to see better if we put her on Daniel's back, and that made such a big difference for my baby girl! Once she could see over the fence, she was so focused on the birds!
There were lots of South American birds. The one's we liked the best were these green and yellow things which all came as close as they could to us and started squawking at us! Anya made her, "how does THAT work?" face, which means she'll be trying to figure it out with her own noises for a while.
She also really liked the "South American Adventure." (By Anya, I'm pretty sure I mean us. It was SO cool!) This was an indoor exhibit which is kept to about 70 degrees to keep the birds comfortable.
We also watched Turkey Vultures eat their dinners, which besides totally gross, was very educational. These birds would rip the heds off of whatever animal they'd been given, and just suck out the innards.
Anya was SUCH a good girl during our outing! She didn't fuss at all! I'm so thankful for my little family and the adventures we get to share together!
We decided to go out for lunch and then to the Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park. After a mediocre lunch at Beto's Mexican Food (Rancheritos is SO much better!) we went to see the birds.
After we paid and went into the aviary, we say the pelicans and ducks first. Anya, in the stroller, LOVED this part! I've never seen her big blue eyes get that big! We got there right as the birds were being fed, so we had some entertainment in seeing the ducks beat each other up in order to get to the food. Then some geese came. Then the geese and pelicans decided to beat the ducks up together.
Anyway, our stroller converts into a backpack, so you can carry the baby and have free hands. We thought she might be able to see better if we put her on Daniel's back, and that made such a big difference for my baby girl! Once she could see over the fence, she was so focused on the birds!
There were lots of South American birds. The one's we liked the best were these green and yellow things which all came as close as they could to us and started squawking at us! Anya made her, "how does THAT work?" face, which means she'll be trying to figure it out with her own noises for a while.
She also really liked the "South American Adventure." (By Anya, I'm pretty sure I mean us. It was SO cool!) This was an indoor exhibit which is kept to about 70 degrees to keep the birds comfortable.
We also watched Turkey Vultures eat their dinners, which besides totally gross, was very educational. These birds would rip the heds off of whatever animal they'd been given, and just suck out the innards.
Anya was SUCH a good girl during our outing! She didn't fuss at all! I'm so thankful for my little family and the adventures we get to share together!
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