"I'll sell you to the gypsies"
"I licked it, so it's mine"
"Go to sleep or be put to sleep"
"Cake or death?"
"Your indian name is CatTurd"
"Your mom and I can make more of you"
"I'll share my memories with you, you don't need any of your own"
"Pre-spankings - it was like an investment in our future"
Just a few of the funny memories (yes, my own!) I have of growing up with my dad. A talented man, my parents decided when I was 8ish that my mom would go back to medical school and my dad would stay home. I'm not sure if they thought it would be temporary or not, but soon my dad was home alone with 4 kids: 10,7,4 and newborn. My mom worked her tushy off - working 100 or more hours a week in residency, while my dad held down the fort: homeschooling, activities, family trips.
My dad was a police officer when my parents first married. Later, they both went on to become Chiropractors opening their business together. Then my mom headed back to medical school. I can't imagine doing that with one child, let alone 4. I'm just not that dedicated. God was with us though!
I tried to choke my way through a school devotion once about my dad. Talking about my parents is such an emotional subject. I appreciate my dad, more than he could know. He watches my daughter each week while I am at work. He takes her for "field trips" to cabelas, nature walks, lunch with grandma and any other fun trips he can think of. He's never complained about how much work it is, he's never complained about driving her to and from work to save me a drive in the morning and at the end of the day.
I'm just sayin', but my dad is the best.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Day of Birth
My parents are amazing - they parent without judgement, allowing us to make the choices we want on our own (and generally suffer the consequences). I like it. I think I will find it hard to not tell my children what to do all the time. I guess eventually they'll have to learn to think on their own though. I'll need to just let them be adults and stay out of their business.
Okay, that was off topic. I sit here listening to my mom, politely and gently talk to my brother about celebrating his birthday. Also known as a family dinner with a couple gifts. I've heard/had this conversation with her for 20-something :) years. Lately, the answer is "no, mom, we don't have to celebrate my birthday - there's nothing I need". Family dinners are somewhat a pain - it's hard to coordinate everyone's schedules and if i'm going to make the effort, I expect my siblings to do so as well. Therefore, when they have something else going on, I'm annoyed. Well, they're only a pain in the details and actually getting there - of course once we're all together, it's laughing, dad's jokes, mom's food and a feeling of being a kid again, living in your parents house. It's a room of love. One of the most secure feelings for me is being under the protection of my parents at their home, mom making dinner, dad researching on the internet and telling me all the latest and greatest. I soak it up. Back to birthdays...
As I approach Summer's first birthday, I selfishly want to celebrate this day for me. I did all the work! However, celebrating the beauty and the miracle of life, is what I will do. God gave me this amazing little girl, He created me for her and her for me. He handpicked me to be her parent. That's amazing. God did just that for me, for my parents.
So after listening to my mom's side of the conversation with my brother and imagining my brother saying "No mom, it's okay, we don't have to" (even if he doesn't, he might be feeling that - although i honestly don't know my brothers response) I believe that from now on, I will celebrate my birthday. In a big way - I am my mom's firstborn and she did all the work. My next birthday will be a celebration of my mom, her successful delivery of their most awesome, favorite and best child (i'm just sayin' - so i can say whatever i want). So mom, here's to you - thanks for supporting me (through all the good and bad times), loving me unconditionally and letting me learn from my mistakes. February 25 (April 26, July 20 and November 27 also) is a day for us to celebrate you!
I'm just sayin'.
Okay, that was off topic. I sit here listening to my mom, politely and gently talk to my brother about celebrating his birthday. Also known as a family dinner with a couple gifts. I've heard/had this conversation with her for 20-something :) years. Lately, the answer is "no, mom, we don't have to celebrate my birthday - there's nothing I need". Family dinners are somewhat a pain - it's hard to coordinate everyone's schedules and if i'm going to make the effort, I expect my siblings to do so as well. Therefore, when they have something else going on, I'm annoyed. Well, they're only a pain in the details and actually getting there - of course once we're all together, it's laughing, dad's jokes, mom's food and a feeling of being a kid again, living in your parents house. It's a room of love. One of the most secure feelings for me is being under the protection of my parents at their home, mom making dinner, dad researching on the internet and telling me all the latest and greatest. I soak it up. Back to birthdays...
As I approach Summer's first birthday, I selfishly want to celebrate this day for me. I did all the work! However, celebrating the beauty and the miracle of life, is what I will do. God gave me this amazing little girl, He created me for her and her for me. He handpicked me to be her parent. That's amazing. God did just that for me, for my parents.
So after listening to my mom's side of the conversation with my brother and imagining my brother saying "No mom, it's okay, we don't have to" (even if he doesn't, he might be feeling that - although i honestly don't know my brothers response) I believe that from now on, I will celebrate my birthday. In a big way - I am my mom's firstborn and she did all the work. My next birthday will be a celebration of my mom, her successful delivery of their most awesome, favorite and best child (i'm just sayin' - so i can say whatever i want). So mom, here's to you - thanks for supporting me (through all the good and bad times), loving me unconditionally and letting me learn from my mistakes. February 25 (April 26, July 20 and November 27 also) is a day for us to celebrate you!
I'm just sayin'.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Joys of Nursing
If it wasn't for my mom, I wouldn't have made it very long with breast feeding Summer. The first 3 weeks after she was born were the toughest I've experienced yet. She would not latch. We tried so many different strategies to get her to latch, I made many trips to the lactation specialist for help. But of course, each time I visited the lactation specialist, she had no problem nursing. Figures. I think I cried my way through the first 3 weeks of her life, I just wanted to feed my daughter and we couldn't get it. Between pumping and trying to feed and feeling guilty about giving her formula, I was a mess. Plus, I could hardly walk.
Finally though, she caught on. It has become my all time favorite thing. The way she perfectly fits in my arm, as my other hand gently rubs her forehead, its the sweetest moment. God is a Creator like none other. I'm proud that I will have nursed my child for the first year of her life. I worked hard those first three weeks - I can't say I would have made it though if it weren't for my mom encouraging me. Breast feeding is so, SO important. It's not just nourishment, it's bonding. And it's amazing.
After just 3 (very) short months, I was back to work. I cried... no, sobbed... the first week of dropping her off. I thank God every day for my dad who watches her (my mom watches her on Fridays). How do parents drop off their newborns at daycare? That would be so hard.
So we're almost at the year mark. I've pumped two-three times a day since August '11. I've sat through meetings, while during prayer you can hear the pumping... I try not to laugh, but it's hard when there's important people in the room, and men. The people I work with have been so generous to be flexible around my needing to pump. Meetings take place in my room to accommodate. I try to work at my desk while I sit there feeling more like a cow, than a teacher, for 30 minutes or more. I have kids to come in during my break and ask what I'm doing. "Uh.... ask your mom" if my go-to response. I have people walk by (in the middle of the day) and go "OH! Summer's here!?". I have to sadly say, it wasn't bring-your-infant-to-work-day - I'm just milking myself.
With the school year wrapping up, I can't tell if it's just that I'm more busy or if i'm starting to be ready to be done pumping in the day. Here's where you can't judge me... Summer sleeps in our bed. She snuggles with me at night as i nurse her. It often takes all of 10 minutes for her to be out. It's my favorite time with her, snuggling in bed. My husband and I have tried to move her into her room (she naps in her crib at home on the weekends and during the day with my dad).
I would LITERALLY fall apart at work if i had to get up at night to feed her. Or rock a fussy baby to sleep. I'm an emotional person WITH sleep, I'm a wreck without it. For the sake of keeping my job (okay, and because I like it), she still sleeps with me. I guess until you're me, you can't say anything about it. I shut down really quick when I was talking to someone once who was SHOCKED that Summer slept with me.
The new thing lately is that Summer will dance while she nurses - her little body wiggles as she dances. Or at night she likes to move around a lot, often ending up nursing while laying on her tummy.
I just have so much appreciation for all the Mom's out there that work and raise children. It's the hardest job ever - being a mom, a wife, running a home - but to work 40 hours outside of the home (more than that generally... hello, stack of papers i need to grade). It's just amazing.
I feel like i've climbed a mountain that few can say they've climbed. There aren't many (although lately it seems like there's more) women who can stay home and live on a single income. SO, here's a round of applause for you, if you've worked, nursed, pumped, raised children and managed to look decent and act normal for work the next day.
I'm just sayin'.
Finally though, she caught on. It has become my all time favorite thing. The way she perfectly fits in my arm, as my other hand gently rubs her forehead, its the sweetest moment. God is a Creator like none other. I'm proud that I will have nursed my child for the first year of her life. I worked hard those first three weeks - I can't say I would have made it though if it weren't for my mom encouraging me. Breast feeding is so, SO important. It's not just nourishment, it's bonding. And it's amazing.
After just 3 (very) short months, I was back to work. I cried... no, sobbed... the first week of dropping her off. I thank God every day for my dad who watches her (my mom watches her on Fridays). How do parents drop off their newborns at daycare? That would be so hard.
So we're almost at the year mark. I've pumped two-three times a day since August '11. I've sat through meetings, while during prayer you can hear the pumping... I try not to laugh, but it's hard when there's important people in the room, and men. The people I work with have been so generous to be flexible around my needing to pump. Meetings take place in my room to accommodate. I try to work at my desk while I sit there feeling more like a cow, than a teacher, for 30 minutes or more. I have kids to come in during my break and ask what I'm doing. "Uh.... ask your mom" if my go-to response. I have people walk by (in the middle of the day) and go "OH! Summer's here!?". I have to sadly say, it wasn't bring-your-infant-to-work-day - I'm just milking myself.
With the school year wrapping up, I can't tell if it's just that I'm more busy or if i'm starting to be ready to be done pumping in the day. Here's where you can't judge me... Summer sleeps in our bed. She snuggles with me at night as i nurse her. It often takes all of 10 minutes for her to be out. It's my favorite time with her, snuggling in bed. My husband and I have tried to move her into her room (she naps in her crib at home on the weekends and during the day with my dad).
I would LITERALLY fall apart at work if i had to get up at night to feed her. Or rock a fussy baby to sleep. I'm an emotional person WITH sleep, I'm a wreck without it. For the sake of keeping my job (okay, and because I like it), she still sleeps with me. I guess until you're me, you can't say anything about it. I shut down really quick when I was talking to someone once who was SHOCKED that Summer slept with me.
 |
| I saw this online. It's pretty much accurate. |
I just have so much appreciation for all the Mom's out there that work and raise children. It's the hardest job ever - being a mom, a wife, running a home - but to work 40 hours outside of the home (more than that generally... hello, stack of papers i need to grade). It's just amazing.
I feel like i've climbed a mountain that few can say they've climbed. There aren't many (although lately it seems like there's more) women who can stay home and live on a single income. SO, here's a round of applause for you, if you've worked, nursed, pumped, raised children and managed to look decent and act normal for work the next day.
I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Summer Raine Ann Sherwood
Children are magnificent. I always knew i wanted to be a mom. Is there a better job? I don't think so. The story of Summer is an amazing one. We first found out we were pregnant in June 2010, a Feb due date was looking to make for a tough school year. I miscarried at 9 weeks. It was one of the saddest, most painful moments thus far.
A short time after that, I was pregnant again. This time a June due date made the idea of working and being pregnant a little easier. My pregnancy was amazing (other than the swollen legs and feet). I had no weird cravings (which was disappointing!), no early issues - just a healthy baby. Going through pregnancy at a school is really fun - all the moms share tips and the parents of my students and my co-workers even threw me a baby showers!
My last day of work was May 20th. It was a field trip in 2nd grade. 9 months pregnant, I didn't think a walking-all-day field trip sounded good. I swapped with another teacher, i taught his classes and he went on the field trip. I left work that Friday without the burden of grading papers (although report cards were still due), but it was a feeling of relief. I could sleep in, relax, put my swollen feet up, catch up on Real Housewives episodes... you know, the important stuff in life.
I woke up saturday morning peeing my pants. So much for sleeping in. My husband was off doing finishing touches on the home we were moving into the next week. I texted him, "my water broke, come home when you can." It seemed like 10 seconds later he was home. We hadn't packed anything, my due date wasn't for another almost 2 weeks. We enjoyed the moment, our last moment as just the two of us. We slowly drove up to the hospital, got coffee on the way. I called my mom (who was in Oregon, 5 hours away, also my Ob/gyn) who booked it home. She barely made it. We checked in at noon and Summer was born at 5:44p.
I can't wait for Summer to have a sibling. Have I mentioned I want 12 kids?
I'm just sayin'.
 |
| Our very 1st family photo. A memorable one at least. |
A short time after that, I was pregnant again. This time a June due date made the idea of working and being pregnant a little easier. My pregnancy was amazing (other than the swollen legs and feet). I had no weird cravings (which was disappointing!), no early issues - just a healthy baby. Going through pregnancy at a school is really fun - all the moms share tips and the parents of my students and my co-workers even threw me a baby showers!
My last day of work was May 20th. It was a field trip in 2nd grade. 9 months pregnant, I didn't think a walking-all-day field trip sounded good. I swapped with another teacher, i taught his classes and he went on the field trip. I left work that Friday without the burden of grading papers (although report cards were still due), but it was a feeling of relief. I could sleep in, relax, put my swollen feet up, catch up on Real Housewives episodes... you know, the important stuff in life.
I woke up saturday morning peeing my pants. So much for sleeping in. My husband was off doing finishing touches on the home we were moving into the next week. I texted him, "my water broke, come home when you can." It seemed like 10 seconds later he was home. We hadn't packed anything, my due date wasn't for another almost 2 weeks. We enjoyed the moment, our last moment as just the two of us. We slowly drove up to the hospital, got coffee on the way. I called my mom (who was in Oregon, 5 hours away, also my Ob/gyn) who booked it home. She barely made it. We checked in at noon and Summer was born at 5:44p.
I can't wait for Summer to have a sibling. Have I mentioned I want 12 kids?
I'm just sayin'.
When One Door Closes...
Since my husband and I met, it's been a whirlwind for him - bless his heart. He's had to learn 4 new (completely different jobs) in 8 years. I've had random jobs during college, but since graduating, I've been teaching the same grade.
We have two new exciting changes though! First of all, i'll share my news. It's less exciting than Erik's news but nonetheless, I'm pretty excited to FEEL excited about this opportunity. For the past, almost, 3 years I've taught 2nd grade. I love this age, I love the curriculum, I love my kids and I love their families.
However, this is my first year teaching as a new mom and can I just say, it's been very difficult. I feel torn each night between grading papers and spending time with my daughter. On the weekends, I feel torn between spending quality time with my family and again, grading papers. I haven't found that fine line yet between balancing work and life. I respect the school I work for and I want to be the best ME for their program. I requested a couple week ago to be considered for the computer position that was open and I was offered the job yesterday! I love computers, I love to tinker with things and most of all I love to feel like I'm successful at something. Yes, it's something new, but I prayed and prayed about a change for next year - I considered opening an in-home daycare, I prayed about a change at work, I prayed for a raise for my husband... something other than teaching 2nd grade in an advanced program and God is faithful! He heard me and prayers have been answered!
With that, my husbands news is slightly different, though more exciting. Erik is a college grad, sports fanatic, business minded and all around, smart guy. He worked in the coffee industry since college (we are in Seattle, after all). He owned and successfully operated his own coffee business until the poor economy (Obama) ate it up. So in 2009 he was hired as a cell tower technician - climbing hundreds of feet in the middle of the night to fix cell towers - often in horrible weather, sometimes he was gone for 48 hours working on a tower, it was ridiculous. And the pay was horrible considering he was risking his life each time. With that in mind, he had no previous construction experience. Then after a night of climbing a tower where the guy he worked with was unsafe and almost killed them both, he quit. Through the networking of his family, he was able to secure a new job working with a home builder. At first it was odd jobs, then full time hire and he's become close friends with his boss. I can't tell you how thankful I am for the current man he works for - he's taken care of our family like you wouldn't believe. We asked him to be Summer's Godfather and he's taken great care and interest in her as well. Okay, okay, so the news..... My husband is still new to the industry, he's still shaken about losing his business, but he's been offered a 6-8 week trial run at running the job sites. It's a pay increase that helps out our family tremendously.
I'm so proud of my husband. Whether he gets the job or not, I know that he will give it 110% (and i'm pretty sure he'll nail it). I'll just be honest, working was never my first choice. I think I should have been born in the 50's because I believe that this woman belongs in the kitchen makin' food and babies. However much i love my job, i love my family more. I'm not one of those women that needs to work and have a social life outside of the home, i'm the type to give 200% into my children and my husband. However, God has a different plan and His plan is far greater than our own, so we will follow where He leads.
When one door closes, another will open.
I'm just sayin'.
We have two new exciting changes though! First of all, i'll share my news. It's less exciting than Erik's news but nonetheless, I'm pretty excited to FEEL excited about this opportunity. For the past, almost, 3 years I've taught 2nd grade. I love this age, I love the curriculum, I love my kids and I love their families.
However, this is my first year teaching as a new mom and can I just say, it's been very difficult. I feel torn each night between grading papers and spending time with my daughter. On the weekends, I feel torn between spending quality time with my family and again, grading papers. I haven't found that fine line yet between balancing work and life. I respect the school I work for and I want to be the best ME for their program. I requested a couple week ago to be considered for the computer position that was open and I was offered the job yesterday! I love computers, I love to tinker with things and most of all I love to feel like I'm successful at something. Yes, it's something new, but I prayed and prayed about a change for next year - I considered opening an in-home daycare, I prayed about a change at work, I prayed for a raise for my husband... something other than teaching 2nd grade in an advanced program and God is faithful! He heard me and prayers have been answered!
With that, my husbands news is slightly different, though more exciting. Erik is a college grad, sports fanatic, business minded and all around, smart guy. He worked in the coffee industry since college (we are in Seattle, after all). He owned and successfully operated his own coffee business until the poor economy (Obama) ate it up. So in 2009 he was hired as a cell tower technician - climbing hundreds of feet in the middle of the night to fix cell towers - often in horrible weather, sometimes he was gone for 48 hours working on a tower, it was ridiculous. And the pay was horrible considering he was risking his life each time. With that in mind, he had no previous construction experience. Then after a night of climbing a tower where the guy he worked with was unsafe and almost killed them both, he quit. Through the networking of his family, he was able to secure a new job working with a home builder. At first it was odd jobs, then full time hire and he's become close friends with his boss. I can't tell you how thankful I am for the current man he works for - he's taken care of our family like you wouldn't believe. We asked him to be Summer's Godfather and he's taken great care and interest in her as well. Okay, okay, so the news..... My husband is still new to the industry, he's still shaken about losing his business, but he's been offered a 6-8 week trial run at running the job sites. It's a pay increase that helps out our family tremendously.
 |
| He lost a bet! I think pink it fitting since his boss NAILED the date Summer was born |
I'm so proud of my husband. Whether he gets the job or not, I know that he will give it 110% (and i'm pretty sure he'll nail it). I'll just be honest, working was never my first choice. I think I should have been born in the 50's because I believe that this woman belongs in the kitchen makin' food and babies. However much i love my job, i love my family more. I'm not one of those women that needs to work and have a social life outside of the home, i'm the type to give 200% into my children and my husband. However, God has a different plan and His plan is far greater than our own, so we will follow where He leads.
When one door closes, another will open.
I'm just sayin'.
The "all about me" first post
As if I needed one more thing to fill my time with, I decided writing a blog would be something enjoyable. Not for any other purpose than my own enjoyment. Sharing family news, things our daughter does, exciting moments in life etc. With that, here's some background:
I'm a born and raised California girl and proud of it. I graduated high school in 2002 and moved with my family to the state of Washington. It was practically culture shock. It still is actually.
I met my husband, Erik in 2003 when we were both working at the same events center. He opened a coffee stand and well.... i'm a caffeine junkie. We married 5 years later in 2008. I graduated college that summer and got my first job right away. In May 2011 we welcomed our first child, a daughter named Summer and she is the love of our life.
I have 2 brothers and a sister. There's 10 years between the 4 of us, I am the oldest. When I was 10 my mom went back to school and my dad stayed home with us. He's the most amazing man ever to be able to tackle 4 kids like that - he literally had to tackle us sometimes. As I grow up I reflect on what I remember being the most amazing childhood. We would visit my mom, she worked 100+ hours a week. The rest of the time we just did fun stuff with my dad: Disneyland annual passes, the zoo, Knotts, California beaches, Lake Arrowhead, all the fun SoCal things.
I desperately wish we had those things here in Washington. Great Wolf Lodge just doesn't seem to cut it.
It's a long standing joke in my family that you can say whatever you want as long as you say "i'm just sayin'" after. So since it's my blog, I can say whatever I want.
I'm just sayin'.
I'm a born and raised California girl and proud of it. I graduated high school in 2002 and moved with my family to the state of Washington. It was practically culture shock. It still is actually.
I met my husband, Erik in 2003 when we were both working at the same events center. He opened a coffee stand and well.... i'm a caffeine junkie. We married 5 years later in 2008. I graduated college that summer and got my first job right away. In May 2011 we welcomed our first child, a daughter named Summer and she is the love of our life.
 |
| Family photo at my brother's recent wedding |
I desperately wish we had those things here in Washington. Great Wolf Lodge just doesn't seem to cut it.
It's a long standing joke in my family that you can say whatever you want as long as you say "i'm just sayin'" after. So since it's my blog, I can say whatever I want.
I'm just sayin'.
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