Random August thoughts

Just what I'm thinking about...

Max is busy. Like SO busy. Like I feel like I am the only parent whose kid would run 50 feet away and wouldn't even turn back to see if I was still there or following. He just wants to roam and run free. It's his fearlessness that scares me the most. No Fear = Trouble. And if you are going to tell me that every kid is like this... they aren't. I just went to my work summer party and there are like 5 women with children around Max's age and the majority are boys, and I was the only one running up the hill to capture my child before he joined the pee-wee footballers or ran into the street. I feel completely exhausted if I take him anywhere. I feel bad sometimes because I feel like I have to conjure enough energy/motivation to take him anywhere. Anyway, I'm exhausted.

Sometimes I feel like I am ready for another baby. Then I have an exhausting day with Max and I can't even fathom ever having any more. The women who have 5 kids under the age of 5 must have really good babies, or are really brave (or CrAzY). I can't even imagine being pregnant/having a newborn with Max the way he is. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Max is smarter then I realize sometimes. Every night before he goes to bed (between 7:30 and 8:00) he gets a bath. So every night before his bath I do the sign (as in sign language) "bath" as I run his tub. Well last night it was about 7:20 and he comes up to me and does the "bath" sign. I was like, "Oh it's time for your bath!" So I ran his bath. I thought it was so cute. He knows his routine well. He also tells me when he wants to eat and when he wants his milk without any prompts. He just signs. He has also learned the word Dog, Cookie, "What's that?", All done (he also sorta knows the sign), Bubble, Key (for blankie), and he jumps if you tell him to. He loves to jump.

I feel less stress now that Chris is working. The unknown was always hard for me, as well as the pressure to provide the primary income for our family. Especially with my work being slow and them calling off nurses often. I was getting more stressed about money, but I don't feel that pressure as much anymore. While we still have Chris's student loans to worry about, I feel better having both our income's to manage that. And we are working on getting me to 2 days a week.

We, like many other Americans, are stuck where we live. Not that we don't like where we live. It is actually a pretty good place, with a great ward, and a lot of amenities. But we want a house, with a back yard. Alas, if we sold our place now we would probably lose money, money we don't necessarily have. So we are stuck here. We have a little room to grow, but not much more. And I want a yard. A FENCED IN YARD, to keep my adventurous child from wandering into the road, or the Jordan River, or out of my sight.

Chris is enthusiastic about his job. I love that. He is studying hard for a certification test right now. He is getting paid to get certified/educated instead of us paying for it. I like that too. It seems like EMC is a good fit for him and I think he will do well, be happy, and have great opportunities for growth and advancement. It is crazy, in this economy, that this company is doing so well. They are a powerhouse for technology. I'm so grateful this opportunity came to us.

Anyway, life is good. I'm grateful for what we have, for Max (even if he is exhausting), for Chris and his hard work and intelligence, and for my parents and Chris's mom who have been so great at helping us with the transition to 2 full time working parents (for the moment) and being able to watch Max. Instead of being scared of the future, I'm actually excited for it!

What I'm thinking about for the moment...

Just some random thoughts...

I LOVE that Max has finally learned how to put himself to sleep for naps... in his crib... for TWO HOURS. I used to be joyous with 45 minute naps and the only way I could get them to be 45 minute naps is if I held him and rocked him back to sleep if he were to wake up. But finally I talked to the pediatrician about his terrible napping habits, and the fact that I was giving into them because I was so desperate for him to sleep and he just told me that nap time is also mommy time... or daddy time. So to just put him in his crib about the same time every day. Give him some books or toys. Then walk away. He can decide if he wants to play, cry, or sleep. And I tell you... he used to cry a lot, but now he just cries for maybe 1 minute and then SLEEP! I hope this sticks as it hasn't been going on for too long. But I am SO HAPPY. He has never slept so long during the day. I love the new time to myself!

Max was only 25lb's and almost 32 inches at his "12 month" checkup. (He was actually 13.5 months) That means he has only gained 3lb's and about 3.5 inches since he was 6 months old! I have to say I was a little bit relieved that he isn't growing at such a massive rate any longer. It is nice that his 9 month onesies still fit and he has been wearing the same size pajama's since he was 7 months old. I am glad I don't have to go buy new clothes every 3 months any more!

I am super bummed that my automatic key chain lock for my car has stopped working. I replaced the battery in my old one and it rendered it useless. Wouldn't work anymore. SO now I have to lock my car doors with my KEY... (oh the humanity!) But it is hard to have such a luxury and then have it be taken away, so I have to get used to remembering to lock my door with my key now.

I hate feeling like I have no time. I guess I do, but I use it up playing with Max or trying to tackle the house work. Working full time, having a husband, a household, two cats, and having Max seems to take up most of my time. And the little time I do have, I usually spend it doing things for myself. So I feel like I'm a bad friend, a bad sister, and a bad daughter sometimes. I really love all you peeps out there. I just always feel like I never have enough time!

Chris and I have only spent money eating out twice this month. And that was last night and today. That has to be some kind of record for us. Not only have we been eating better, but we have been eating at home so much more since he was diagnosed with diabetes. It is nice to know that we eat a little healthier and are saving money! I have even lost about 5lb's! If I just exercised a little more that could be even more!

I want to use more coupons. I am not talking about crazy coupon people that can get a $1000 grocery bill down to $26.53. That seems like too much work... and NOT how I want to spend my free time. I am just talking about saving money on items I already buy. Like $3 off diapers since I am buying them at Costco anyway or $0.50 off Kraft singles because I refuse to buy the off brand (they taste weird) If anyone knows how to help me with this I am open to ideas!

My work is starting to get slow again. RSV season has died down and we don't have as many patients. While in a way I am relieved not only for the fact that there are less sick kids, but that it is a lot less busy and stressful at work. I don't feel like I'm drowning most my shifts which is nice. However, I don't like the stress it puts on me as the primary income for our household. If I don't work... and I don't use my vacation/sick/leave time... we don't have money. I am just hoping Chris finds a good job.

Chris GRADUATES in 9 days!!! Only 9 more days. Then he has the big task of finding an ENTRY LEVEL networking job which are apparently more difficult to find as most companies out there want experience networkers. And he has to bunker down and get ready for his certification exams. But I am so proud of him for all the hard work and dedication he has put into his schooling and the fantastic grades he has earned!

Well... Max just woke up from his 2.5 hours nap!!! So I got to go!

Utah State Fair

I have never been to the Utah State Fair. (I know, so un-Utahn of me!) So when my sister-in-law invited us, I wanted to go for the experience.

The fair is located in Rose Park/Salt Lake City area on the State Fair Grounds (Surprise!) The only time I have ever been to these grounds was for the many Warped Tours and Big Ass Shows that I have attended in my youth. I have fond memories of the great music, moshing, sweaty bodies, and the time I found blood across my shirt after a fabulous performance by Yellowcard. It wasn't MY blood, by the way (GROSS!!) I know... I was so hardcore!

I learned a lot by going to the State Fair and decided to share my wealth of knowledge to my 9-ish blog readers (the max comments I have ever received is 9 so I am guessing that is about how many read this blog?) This way, all you first time fair goers will know what to expect when you try out the Utah State Fair.

1. It is EXPENSIVE. I am not sure how much tickets cost since my generous mother-in-law bought them for us. But after you get in, the rides cost money, the food cost money, and then there is loads of booths selling anything from scary medieval swords and creepy porcelain dolls. But they got good stuff too. Knock off purses, info-mercial stuff, clothes, jewelery. I ended up walking out with an awesome ring cleaner and a Sham-WOW. My ring does look awesome, by the way! I probably should have ran from the booths with my hands over my ears, because I easily get suckered into buying stuff all the time.

2. The food is crazy! I have heard there are fried peanut butter sandwiches, fried snickers, fried corn dogs, french fries, scones, fried Navajo tacos, funnel cakes. Everything is deep fried. Chris and I shared a funnel cake and all I can say is NEVER AGAIN! I was burping a strong vegetable oil taste the rest of the night which made me SOOO nauseous. Blech! It's like Cafe Rio dressing. So tasty, but you pay for it the rest of the night!

3. Plan on stepping in animal feces. If you go to look at the prize winning animals, it is a given. Poor Chris stepped in a large pile of manure when not looking. He wasn't happy about this... so don't bring it up.

4. If you eat a lot you may end up, at the end of the day, looking like this:

Apparently we visited the pigs during nap time. Only the one the size of a cow was awake.

5. Bring children, if you know any. We had my nephew. You have an excuse for cutting people off when they walk to slow. After all, you are running after a child. You can ride the kiddie rides with them if they are too short. Plus, it is so much more fun to see them get a kick out of a pony ride, then just wondering aimlessly in the heat.

6. There are shows, but I wouldn't bother. Either they are sort of lame (mind reading guy) or you can't see the tigers because the crowd is so large. I'd rather go to the Zoo or the Mirage to see tigers anyway.

7. I remember why I stopped going to Warped Tour. The fair grounds exude heat. It was only supposed to be like 76 degree's, but I was sweltering! Wear as little clothing as possible, or you will be soaked with sweat.

8. It was a great excuse to get out of the house for the day. Oh and have your husband just love hanging out with his adorable nephew!