February 27, 2012
:(
Our computer is dead, which is why I haven't posted in so long. Since we have a lot of things we need money for before a new computer, it might be a while before I'm posting much again. *sad face*
January 31, 2012
Lengthy, if nothing else.
I know that the majority of this blog revolves around Ollie, but I guess that there comes a time every once in a while when I should write something about Justin and I. It's a little hard to think of things that don't involve Ollie, because really, he is our world right now. But that probably won't ever change. At least I hope it doesn't.
I have been trying to tap into my creative side a little more lately. I feel a huge void in my life when I'm not working on something and playing music regularly. Sometimes I get so consumed in Mommy things that I foget about this, and I get unhappy and dissatisfied and grouchy. Then I remember that maybe it's because theres a little thirst inside for something that hasn't been quenched in a while, and I'll sit down at the paino or pick up my guitar, and in a little while things are better again.
Justin has this too, I think, in a bit more of a physical way. When he doesn't run, he gets kind of crazy. It used to be when he didn't skatboard, or when he didn't play frisbee,and now that running is his thing, he has to, or else he gets fidgety, he can't sleep, and he's so much more irritable. He's been struggling a little bit lately because his bursitis has been bothering him a lot. He runs exclusively barefoot (in vibrams) now, which has seemed to help a little, but every time he tries to increase his distance, it flares up.
Anyway, I've been working on a quilt for Ollie. Right now I'm in the last phase of piecing the blocks together, and then I will have to assemble all the blocks into the quilt top. I really like it. There are 12 different fabrics, and they are all grey and aqua. When I look at it, makes me think of puddles on a sidewalk. I'm making it twin sized so that when he gets into a big bed, he can use it. I'll post pictures when I get the top done.
Two weekends ago I happened on a tatting how-to video on YouTube. I never realized how easy it was until I saw that, so of course, being the needlework enthusiast that I am, I had to try it. I made my first motif (a heart) and it turned out great. It's time consuming, but really beautiful and simple, and something on my life list over there (<---) so I'm happy to be able to check that one off! It will take a lot of practice for me to be any good, but I'm already dying to make something or buy something that I can put an edging on. Preferably something with a Peter Pan collar. For me.
I've been delving into the world of Montessori lately. Ollie is at the age where he is just soaking everything up like a sponge, and I really want to make the most of it. Having gone to a Montessori, I've always planned to use the principles in my home, and there is so much good literature out there on it, it's really only the constraints of my bank account that keep me from getting lost in it. We've started doing a few activities Montessori style, and I try to make things easily accessible and simple for Ollie so he can start doing more things independently as he's ready.
I really love so many (although not all) of the Montessori concepts. I feel like it provides a framework for children to learn at their own pace, and build confidence by being independent. Ollie has a strong will, and I can see him becoming so proud and satisfied when he masters a task on his own. I can't wait to be in a more permanent living situation so we can set up his room and toy area to be better suited for this. I'm hoping to have my Dad build some shelves-- he's already volunteered.
The weather down here has been phenomenal lately. I guess we're having an unseasonably warm winter, and those words are music to my ears. We spend most of our days out on our balcony reading, playing the guitar, playing, or just resting. We've also been able to go to the playground a lot, and take Ruby to a little dog get together several days a week. Ollie loves the playground, and has an affinity for the slides. He goes down them all by himself, but isn't big enough to climb up to them, so it ends up being a serious upper body workout for whoever is there with him, Justin or I. I wish there were things there geared toward younger kids, but it's so close that we can walk there, so I can't complain too much.
Justin has been doing AMAZINGLY well at his school. Everyone told him before we came down that he shouldn't bring his family, it was going to be too stressful, but he has proved them all wrong. He's managed to maintain an A average, which is REALLY good. He's ahd to study a lot, and I won't say that it hasn't been a sacrifice on all of our parts, especially his, but he's turned out to be quite the smarty pants. I'm seriously SO PROUD of him. He is awesome. And he never compains. He's incurably happy and satisfied with his life. In that way, among others, I want to be just like him when I grow up.
Aside from that, he's been making some new friends (another one of his talents), running, and being a good Dad to Ollie. That's about all he's had time for. He and I have opposite problems in that regard.
Sunday was my 25th birthday, and it was a great one. The boys spoiled me with their good behavior (O) and thoughtfulness (J). We went shopping almost all day on Saturday, and Justin surprised me with an appointment for a massage. Sunday we had an amazing breakfast (my favorite meal), and Justin made some delish Indian food for dinner, complete with the BEST NAAN EVER. Seriously, it was so good.
That's about it for now. I'll get back to posting regular Ollie updates soon.
I have been trying to tap into my creative side a little more lately. I feel a huge void in my life when I'm not working on something and playing music regularly. Sometimes I get so consumed in Mommy things that I foget about this, and I get unhappy and dissatisfied and grouchy. Then I remember that maybe it's because theres a little thirst inside for something that hasn't been quenched in a while, and I'll sit down at the paino or pick up my guitar, and in a little while things are better again.
Justin has this too, I think, in a bit more of a physical way. When he doesn't run, he gets kind of crazy. It used to be when he didn't skatboard, or when he didn't play frisbee,and now that running is his thing, he has to, or else he gets fidgety, he can't sleep, and he's so much more irritable. He's been struggling a little bit lately because his bursitis has been bothering him a lot. He runs exclusively barefoot (in vibrams) now, which has seemed to help a little, but every time he tries to increase his distance, it flares up.
Anyway, I've been working on a quilt for Ollie. Right now I'm in the last phase of piecing the blocks together, and then I will have to assemble all the blocks into the quilt top. I really like it. There are 12 different fabrics, and they are all grey and aqua. When I look at it, makes me think of puddles on a sidewalk. I'm making it twin sized so that when he gets into a big bed, he can use it. I'll post pictures when I get the top done.
Two weekends ago I happened on a tatting how-to video on YouTube. I never realized how easy it was until I saw that, so of course, being the needlework enthusiast that I am, I had to try it. I made my first motif (a heart) and it turned out great. It's time consuming, but really beautiful and simple, and something on my life list over there (<---) so I'm happy to be able to check that one off! It will take a lot of practice for me to be any good, but I'm already dying to make something or buy something that I can put an edging on. Preferably something with a Peter Pan collar. For me.
I've been delving into the world of Montessori lately. Ollie is at the age where he is just soaking everything up like a sponge, and I really want to make the most of it. Having gone to a Montessori, I've always planned to use the principles in my home, and there is so much good literature out there on it, it's really only the constraints of my bank account that keep me from getting lost in it. We've started doing a few activities Montessori style, and I try to make things easily accessible and simple for Ollie so he can start doing more things independently as he's ready.
I really love so many (although not all) of the Montessori concepts. I feel like it provides a framework for children to learn at their own pace, and build confidence by being independent. Ollie has a strong will, and I can see him becoming so proud and satisfied when he masters a task on his own. I can't wait to be in a more permanent living situation so we can set up his room and toy area to be better suited for this. I'm hoping to have my Dad build some shelves-- he's already volunteered.
The weather down here has been phenomenal lately. I guess we're having an unseasonably warm winter, and those words are music to my ears. We spend most of our days out on our balcony reading, playing the guitar, playing, or just resting. We've also been able to go to the playground a lot, and take Ruby to a little dog get together several days a week. Ollie loves the playground, and has an affinity for the slides. He goes down them all by himself, but isn't big enough to climb up to them, so it ends up being a serious upper body workout for whoever is there with him, Justin or I. I wish there were things there geared toward younger kids, but it's so close that we can walk there, so I can't complain too much.
Justin has been doing AMAZINGLY well at his school. Everyone told him before we came down that he shouldn't bring his family, it was going to be too stressful, but he has proved them all wrong. He's managed to maintain an A average, which is REALLY good. He's ahd to study a lot, and I won't say that it hasn't been a sacrifice on all of our parts, especially his, but he's turned out to be quite the smarty pants. I'm seriously SO PROUD of him. He is awesome. And he never compains. He's incurably happy and satisfied with his life. In that way, among others, I want to be just like him when I grow up.
Aside from that, he's been making some new friends (another one of his talents), running, and being a good Dad to Ollie. That's about all he's had time for. He and I have opposite problems in that regard.
Sunday was my 25th birthday, and it was a great one. The boys spoiled me with their good behavior (O) and thoughtfulness (J). We went shopping almost all day on Saturday, and Justin surprised me with an appointment for a massage. Sunday we had an amazing breakfast (my favorite meal), and Justin made some delish Indian food for dinner, complete with the BEST NAAN EVER. Seriously, it was so good.
That's about it for now. I'll get back to posting regular Ollie updates soon.
January 26, 2012
18 months
I've had these pictures for a little while, but we've been having some major computer issues here (aka we need a new one). But it finally worked long enough for me to get these up. I can't believe he's 18 (almost 19!) months old. Time goes by so quickly! I still feel like a new mom, and like I'm trying to get adjusted to taking care of a little person. But it's already been a year and a half.
He is so sweet though. He blows kisses, folds his arms and closes his eyes for prayers, give big bear hugs, and loves his pup pup. I wanted to get some pictures of him with pup pup since we usually remove her for pictures. But he loves her so much, I wanted to document it. He gives her kisses more than he does Justin or I combined, he feeds her bites of his food, and puts her on his bike for rides. It's really so sweet and just melts my heart. At night if he's left pup pup out in the living room and is already tucked in, we'll go back out to get her, and when he sees us with her coming back into the room he squeals with excitement. Just one of the many reasons I'm sure all of our apartment neighbors hate us.
But I still think it's adorable.
January 16, 2012
January 12, 2012
Mega picture update
These pictures are from my phone, and I haven't put any of those up in, oh, about 9 months or so. There are a ton of them. They go from newest to oldest.
Some doilies I made this weekend.
Ollie's yogurt face at breakfast this morning
On a walk, doing his favorite thing... pointing.
Excited about a waterfall
That's part of a stick stuck under his nose, not a really gross boogy.
At the lake by our SC apartment
Hiking with Dad.
This was her when we moved in. To welcome us to SC?
Reading a book about Trucks.
Workshop buddies.
Where's Ollie?
He loves Q-Tips.
Checking out the tree with AJ
First carousel ride. He was afraid of the horses though...
Found a stick at Mather!
Chillin on the porch with Gran. Pointin' at stuff.
Pumpkin carving
Helping Mom and Gran walk the Dogs.
Sharing a seat with Pup Pup.
The only way to enjoy a long car ride is snuggling with your best bud.
An unidentified member of our family who happens to be a Green Man!
Ollie wasn't sure about him at all.
Reading with Dad.
This never happens. But it did, once.
First ice cream cone, at Maceys.
Wearing Dad's shoes!
We miss Calvin.
Visiting Dad at work.
Silly boy!
A cross stitch sampler I made. And Ollie stepped on.
Justin bought me a guitar! I'm teaching myself how to play.
Gangsta!
Monkey...
First lollipop, from the checkout guy at the grocery store.
Sweet sticky heaven.
At the splash pad by our house in Spanish Fork.
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