While Peyton certainly is a bright light in my life, there are probably a few updates I could provide that involve Chris and myself...
Ok well first off, I am stoked that I have just one week of classes left in this term. I think I last left a cliffhanger out there around new years about what I was doing in terms of my admin program. Well, I jumped in and took two classes. I was in school Wednesday and Thursday nights from January through next week. I took a law and finance class. They were both great and the work load, while great, was manageable for sure. I will be glad to regain some evening time though :)
Along those same lines, I interviewed and was accepted through the district to do my admin internship next year. I don't have many details yet, but hopefully I will be here at iTech with Christina. That's at least what we're planning. The district doesn't accept everyone, so hopefully I have a good chance at a job at some point, though I am not in a super rush.... In the fall, I will have one class left to take in addition to my internship work. Both the class and the internship are rumored to be a TON of work, so I may need copious amounts of chocolate and wine to make it through, but I'll get through :)
I can't believe I am almost done with my first year at iTech. We have done a ton of great work and I am proud of that, and we have some great ideas for next year as well. I am so thankful to have had the opportunities this year that I have. I LOVE middle schoolers. They are perfect for me, and I know that takes a special person to say that... (or perhaps a little on the crazy side... which I am sure is more correct).
Other than work, I don't do much outside of family time... I did do a weight loss competition with some co-workers from January-March where everyone puts up $100. If at the end of the set time, you lose 7% of your body weight you get your money back, if you don't.. those that do, get to split your money. I got mine back and I made $40 off of some people in Texas that my co-worker Becky had in the competition with us. It was great! I also completed Jillian Michael's Body Revolution. It's a 90 day program and I actually did it all with minimal misses. I love the program ( repeating it) and it's the first program that I have actually stuck with! Since January I have lost about 15 pounds, and I know I have developed some muscle in there too! I am doing Jillian again, but I haven't been as good as I was the first go round, but hey I need to remember that I aim for 7 days a week exercise, if I miss one or two, that's still 5 times a week and that's more than many people right?!
Still loving my various friend groups and I truly cherish the time that I spend with them. It's hard to do stuff without Peyton though because my time with her is already limited because of work and school that I think it is unfair to choose to be away from her any extra time. That's why I am so thankful to have friends with kids in the same age range. It's great to see the kids starting to play around each other (they won't really play WITH each other for quite sometime yet, developmentally).
Now Chris... most recently, his pool team came in second place (missing first by only 3 points!) in the spring league. They start playoffs this week and if they win they will play in the regional tournament (Tri-Cup) in June-ish. They have been to this before and took home... second I think... from that. It's nice to see them having a great season and hopefully I will have good things to report sometime later...
Chris's work schedule recently made a bit of a change. He was asked to train to be a 'lead' truck driver. This means that on certain work shifts he will be one of the lead guys that puts together a bunch of the necessary paperwork for the night. For us this means that two nights a week he now works at 9pm instead of the original 11pm and during those extra two hours, he gets paid at a higher rate. It's nice that Chris is getting recognized as a hardworker when he's only been on this job for 4 months. I mean, I know how hard he works :) I'm not sure there's really a 'next' step after this upgrade, but we'll see. Chris just really likes that this job now provides benefits (woohoo!!!) and allows him to stay home with Peyton during the day while allowing us to pay the bills :) Plus he now acrues time off, I had almost forgotten what vacations were!
We got to go out on a date day last weekend (thanks mom) and we ended up doing some wine tasting in the Portland area. Little did I know there are several wineries/tasting rooms in the area! We typically go out the Gorge. We bought a little passport (20 bucks) and it waives the tasting fees at all of the wineries inside. I think there aer 7. We visited three in the afternoon that we went out. We certainly have another date saved up in there :)
That's probably about all for us... just thought people (as if I have people) might want an update on someone other than the wonderful Peyton (yeah right :)
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Happy 19 Months to Peyton
Weight- You were 23 lb 9 oz at the doctor on April 5th which was your 18 month check up. You only gained about 3 lbs in six months which was kind of shocking to me, because you seem SOO much bigger than you did around your one year birthday! I suppose your weight distributes differently as you grow though...
Hair- Finally accomplished something here! You frequently sport pig tails on the top/side of your head, or one pony on top. We finally got you some hair ties right before spring break. Your hair was getting so long it was in your face all the time and when you had a runny nose (or had food on your face) your hair got stuck to your face.. icky! It was time. Now I had to win daddy over on the ponies but I think he's finally convinced that they are simply another avenue to your cuteness! Plus it cuts down on clean up to not have food or snot in your hair, win win in my book!
Clothes- We've finally had some nice weather which has allowed us to wear some outfits in your 18 month stock that you couldn't yet. I was kind of bummed that there was one dress that I took you easter egg hunting in (green one) and it was probably the only time you'll wear it. It was kind of tight across your upper body. I was just noticing tonight that your 18 month jammies might be getting on the short side... Well some at least.. .Thankfully as we get into the warm weather you won't need footies and you'll be good to go for awhile in the non footie jams.
Teeth- Not much new in this department, I mean I'm sure you're getting more teeth but I've kind of lost track of which ones you have and don't have. Now perhaps this belongs in this 'teeth' section... To get you to sit still while I do your hair, I have discovered a trick... I give you your toothbrush and let you brush your teeth while sitting in the bathroom sink and I can do your hair. It has worked this month... we'll see if it continues. I love how much you want to brush your teeth, but you still need some help since mostly you wiggle it around a bit and suck the toothpaste off.
New Skills- You have made many improvements at the park in skill development. You are very proficient at slides, and you are getting better at climbing up small steps on just your feet instead of 'crawling' up them. You are still very safety conscious (which I appreciate) and if a step is too big, up or down, you use your old skills of crawling up or scooting down backward.
Your words are great! You know every animal sound in "The Very Busy Spider" which we keep in the car. You can also name a few animals, dog, cat, bird, turtle, monkey. You are getting good at two words and we'll start working on three at a time. You know several foods, which is helpful. You still have a very helpful nature about you. We can ask you to throw things away, push buttons, load silverware in the dishwasher, get your diaper, put your hairties away, etc and you will do it if you know how. Now sometimes you say No, but you do it anyway which I think is kind of funny :) You have got a few phrases down and I really enjoy watching your development as you learn routines. You know exactly what to expect like at bedtime or when it's time to get ready to leave. You get the right stuff and you go to the right places. It's so cool to watch you become a little person!
Foods- Most things... This month the most exciting development is your progress in using utensils. You are getting so much better at using forks and spoons. You know how they work, essentially how to hold them and how to get food into your mouth with them, WIN! Now sometimes it takes you longer than you'd like so you'll still use your other hand to shove the food in, but we offer you utensils with each meal and you at least attempt them probably 50% of the meal.
Favorite moments-
I love to watch you explore your world, inside our house and outside too. You spent a good 20 minutes playing with diapers the other day (hold your horses, they were clean!). You were in your jammies and we were playing for a bit before bedtime. You would get a diaper, sit on the floor, stretch it out, open it up, and shove it toward your crotch since you know where it goes. Then you'd toss it aside, get up and repeat with a new diaper. You probably did this with 10-12 diapers one at a time, then since you had a big pile, you gathered them up all into your lap and kept shoving them onto yourself. It was hilarious as I just sat off to the side observing, daddy asked a few days later.. what the heck happened to all these diapers? Just little moments like that are so precious.
You are fascinated with rocks outside, touching them, picking them up, moving them, giving them away, putting them back. It's fun!
You are the director of your own life for sure! Just tonight, daddy and I were sitting on the couch chatting, you were wandering around, you came over said 'please' and held out your hand wanting mine, I got up followed you... you took me to the stairs, and wanted to go up.. it was apparently time for bed, and you were taking me to get you ready! How great is that!? I hope that sticks around, it was about the right time and everything. This has happened a handful of times lately at bedtime and it's incredible!
One more... the other day our said 'up please' and 'diaper' and you needed a new diaper! How great is that... potty training sometime soon?
Least Favorite moment-
Last night!!!
No seriously, you had gone to bed all wonderfully... and daddy and I were about to go to bed. I seriously finished brushing my teeth, turned out the light and you started crying.. after letting you cry for a few, I went in to try and comfort you. We snuggled, I laid you back down, you went nuts... so I decided that we could go downstairs for a bit. That usually works, take you down for maybe 20 minutes, let you forget about whatever woke you up in the first place, and away you go....
Well we were downstairs watching Charlie and I decided to see if you wanted to snuggle against me. I lay you down so we're chest to chest, you immediately lay down for about 5 seconds, then lift your head and... barf... right between us, not a lot, but enough to scare you and totally gross me out... So begins... I go up, wake daddy up to help clean us up and walk you to the bathroom (all this with us sandwiching the barf between us. Just as we're headed into the bathroom, you barf again... well I will spare you all the details but we went through 5 pairs of jammies, both big living room jammies, countless kitchen towels, one bath/shower, two pairs of jammies for mommy, both bathrooms got cleaned... oh and my fave, your special blankie had to go through TWO cycles of wash! (ok that should give you a clear picture of our evening) yucky! We called the advice nurse for the first time ever because you were sick so many times in such a short time. I felt so bad for you, no one likes to be sick, but when you're so young, it's just scary! I think that you had just overeaten and had an upset tummy because when you awoke today you were happy as a clam. (I say you overate because I think in a two hour span you ate a can of peaches, a piece of cheese, and probably 2 cups of applesauce. Why so much applesauce? Well you were so good at getting it on your spoon that you just kept eating it and wanting more!) Needless to say, it was not an awesome evening in the Holm house!
Anything else?
I am sure I will be amazed throughout your entire life, but I can't believe how much you've grown in the last few months. You don't look like a baby anymore, you are like a little person! You're lovely and I am so thankful to have you and daddy!
Pics? Tomorrow? maybe? -- hey I would like credit for having this posted ON your 19 month date :)
Hair- Finally accomplished something here! You frequently sport pig tails on the top/side of your head, or one pony on top. We finally got you some hair ties right before spring break. Your hair was getting so long it was in your face all the time and when you had a runny nose (or had food on your face) your hair got stuck to your face.. icky! It was time. Now I had to win daddy over on the ponies but I think he's finally convinced that they are simply another avenue to your cuteness! Plus it cuts down on clean up to not have food or snot in your hair, win win in my book!
Clothes- We've finally had some nice weather which has allowed us to wear some outfits in your 18 month stock that you couldn't yet. I was kind of bummed that there was one dress that I took you easter egg hunting in (green one) and it was probably the only time you'll wear it. It was kind of tight across your upper body. I was just noticing tonight that your 18 month jammies might be getting on the short side... Well some at least.. .Thankfully as we get into the warm weather you won't need footies and you'll be good to go for awhile in the non footie jams.
Teeth- Not much new in this department, I mean I'm sure you're getting more teeth but I've kind of lost track of which ones you have and don't have. Now perhaps this belongs in this 'teeth' section... To get you to sit still while I do your hair, I have discovered a trick... I give you your toothbrush and let you brush your teeth while sitting in the bathroom sink and I can do your hair. It has worked this month... we'll see if it continues. I love how much you want to brush your teeth, but you still need some help since mostly you wiggle it around a bit and suck the toothpaste off.
New Skills- You have made many improvements at the park in skill development. You are very proficient at slides, and you are getting better at climbing up small steps on just your feet instead of 'crawling' up them. You are still very safety conscious (which I appreciate) and if a step is too big, up or down, you use your old skills of crawling up or scooting down backward.
Your words are great! You know every animal sound in "The Very Busy Spider" which we keep in the car. You can also name a few animals, dog, cat, bird, turtle, monkey. You are getting good at two words and we'll start working on three at a time. You know several foods, which is helpful. You still have a very helpful nature about you. We can ask you to throw things away, push buttons, load silverware in the dishwasher, get your diaper, put your hairties away, etc and you will do it if you know how. Now sometimes you say No, but you do it anyway which I think is kind of funny :) You have got a few phrases down and I really enjoy watching your development as you learn routines. You know exactly what to expect like at bedtime or when it's time to get ready to leave. You get the right stuff and you go to the right places. It's so cool to watch you become a little person!
Foods- Most things... This month the most exciting development is your progress in using utensils. You are getting so much better at using forks and spoons. You know how they work, essentially how to hold them and how to get food into your mouth with them, WIN! Now sometimes it takes you longer than you'd like so you'll still use your other hand to shove the food in, but we offer you utensils with each meal and you at least attempt them probably 50% of the meal.
Favorite moments-
I love to watch you explore your world, inside our house and outside too. You spent a good 20 minutes playing with diapers the other day (hold your horses, they were clean!). You were in your jammies and we were playing for a bit before bedtime. You would get a diaper, sit on the floor, stretch it out, open it up, and shove it toward your crotch since you know where it goes. Then you'd toss it aside, get up and repeat with a new diaper. You probably did this with 10-12 diapers one at a time, then since you had a big pile, you gathered them up all into your lap and kept shoving them onto yourself. It was hilarious as I just sat off to the side observing, daddy asked a few days later.. what the heck happened to all these diapers? Just little moments like that are so precious.
You are fascinated with rocks outside, touching them, picking them up, moving them, giving them away, putting them back. It's fun!
You are the director of your own life for sure! Just tonight, daddy and I were sitting on the couch chatting, you were wandering around, you came over said 'please' and held out your hand wanting mine, I got up followed you... you took me to the stairs, and wanted to go up.. it was apparently time for bed, and you were taking me to get you ready! How great is that!? I hope that sticks around, it was about the right time and everything. This has happened a handful of times lately at bedtime and it's incredible!
One more... the other day our said 'up please' and 'diaper' and you needed a new diaper! How great is that... potty training sometime soon?
Least Favorite moment-
Last night!!!
No seriously, you had gone to bed all wonderfully... and daddy and I were about to go to bed. I seriously finished brushing my teeth, turned out the light and you started crying.. after letting you cry for a few, I went in to try and comfort you. We snuggled, I laid you back down, you went nuts... so I decided that we could go downstairs for a bit. That usually works, take you down for maybe 20 minutes, let you forget about whatever woke you up in the first place, and away you go....
Well we were downstairs watching Charlie and I decided to see if you wanted to snuggle against me. I lay you down so we're chest to chest, you immediately lay down for about 5 seconds, then lift your head and... barf... right between us, not a lot, but enough to scare you and totally gross me out... So begins... I go up, wake daddy up to help clean us up and walk you to the bathroom (all this with us sandwiching the barf between us. Just as we're headed into the bathroom, you barf again... well I will spare you all the details but we went through 5 pairs of jammies, both big living room jammies, countless kitchen towels, one bath/shower, two pairs of jammies for mommy, both bathrooms got cleaned... oh and my fave, your special blankie had to go through TWO cycles of wash! (ok that should give you a clear picture of our evening) yucky! We called the advice nurse for the first time ever because you were sick so many times in such a short time. I felt so bad for you, no one likes to be sick, but when you're so young, it's just scary! I think that you had just overeaten and had an upset tummy because when you awoke today you were happy as a clam. (I say you overate because I think in a two hour span you ate a can of peaches, a piece of cheese, and probably 2 cups of applesauce. Why so much applesauce? Well you were so good at getting it on your spoon that you just kept eating it and wanting more!) Needless to say, it was not an awesome evening in the Holm house!
Anything else?
I am sure I will be amazed throughout your entire life, but I can't believe how much you've grown in the last few months. You don't look like a baby anymore, you are like a little person! You're lovely and I am so thankful to have you and daddy!
Pics? Tomorrow? maybe? -- hey I would like credit for having this posted ON your 19 month date :)
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Holm's visit the farm :)
I had forgotten what it was like to go on vacation! I mean yes I did travel a bit last summer, but that was work related. Other than that, for the last two and a half years, we hadn't travelled further than we could return in one day due to Chris's work schedule.
So you may not see this so much as a 'vacation' but it was blissfully relaxing and a great way to get out of the house.. .and on a budget no less!
We went over to the Yakima Valley to visit the Schilperoort's! (That is... Julie, Landon and the crew). We left WAYYYY too early for the first day of vacaction (um I was up at 3:30am showering for a 4:30 pull out) ew! I drove over in an incredibly quiet ride as Chris and Peyton slept. We arrived in time for breakfast.
Then it was time to go to the farm. Julie and Landon recently purchased a 100 acre farm, so we went to see how things are going. I might be off on my facts a bit, but from what I recall, 60 acres are cherries some bing and some rainier. the other 40 were recently cleared and wheat was planted. They have a tractor and we went for a ride. Chris's secret desire is to become a farmer I am sure! Peyton was less sure of the tractor. She was ok for the long ride out... but of course she decided she was done as we were furthest from the car... I made her tough it out and ride back (screaming most of the way). I think she was scared of the noise and motion.
Then we went to Julie's in-laws where there were BRAND new baby sheep born that morning, SO cute! We also saw a totally pissed off turkey, and some horses.
After that we went to meet Landon for lunch in a diner. We haven't taken Peyton to many restaurants since she likes to move so much. She did great!
Naps for everyone, followed by a trip to the park. Now the parks in the valley have gravel for the 'ground' around the play structures... this was the best feature of any park we could have visited. Peyton is in LOVE with rocks right now...
The next day, we toured 3 other parks, played games, and had dinner at Bob's burgers and Brews. Again, Peyton did wonderful! (We may be able to visit restaurants again, instead of just getting take out!).
Some highlight features include Peyton getting to practice so many farm animals, watching Peyton interact with family, and just relaxing away from home. Peyton was able to sleep in an unfamiliar place just fine. This was definitely a slight concern since she has slept in her bed almost exclusively since she was born (except a few naps at my mom's).
Before we left on Wednesday, we visited one more park (making for 5 different parks in 2 days), watched Julie's fish awhile longer and then we packed the car to head home.
Now we tried to time it so that Peyton would be ready for her nap when we got on the road... yeah... about that... She spent the first hour babbling and blowing spit bubbles (effectively soaking her shirt, ew) we stopped in Goldendale and she finally settled down to sleep just outside of the Dalles and got about 1.5 hours of sleep in the car.
Overall, a very successful trip, I'm glad we were able to spend Chris's days off and my spring break together with family :)
Photo Story :)
So you may not see this so much as a 'vacation' but it was blissfully relaxing and a great way to get out of the house.. .and on a budget no less!
We went over to the Yakima Valley to visit the Schilperoort's! (That is... Julie, Landon and the crew). We left WAYYYY too early for the first day of vacaction (um I was up at 3:30am showering for a 4:30 pull out) ew! I drove over in an incredibly quiet ride as Chris and Peyton slept. We arrived in time for breakfast.
Then it was time to go to the farm. Julie and Landon recently purchased a 100 acre farm, so we went to see how things are going. I might be off on my facts a bit, but from what I recall, 60 acres are cherries some bing and some rainier. the other 40 were recently cleared and wheat was planted. They have a tractor and we went for a ride. Chris's secret desire is to become a farmer I am sure! Peyton was less sure of the tractor. She was ok for the long ride out... but of course she decided she was done as we were furthest from the car... I made her tough it out and ride back (screaming most of the way). I think she was scared of the noise and motion.
Then we went to Julie's in-laws where there were BRAND new baby sheep born that morning, SO cute! We also saw a totally pissed off turkey, and some horses.
After that we went to meet Landon for lunch in a diner. We haven't taken Peyton to many restaurants since she likes to move so much. She did great!
Naps for everyone, followed by a trip to the park. Now the parks in the valley have gravel for the 'ground' around the play structures... this was the best feature of any park we could have visited. Peyton is in LOVE with rocks right now...
The next day, we toured 3 other parks, played games, and had dinner at Bob's burgers and Brews. Again, Peyton did wonderful! (We may be able to visit restaurants again, instead of just getting take out!).
Some highlight features include Peyton getting to practice so many farm animals, watching Peyton interact with family, and just relaxing away from home. Peyton was able to sleep in an unfamiliar place just fine. This was definitely a slight concern since she has slept in her bed almost exclusively since she was born (except a few naps at my mom's).
Before we left on Wednesday, we visited one more park (making for 5 different parks in 2 days), watched Julie's fish awhile longer and then we packed the car to head home.
Now we tried to time it so that Peyton would be ready for her nap when we got on the road... yeah... about that... She spent the first hour babbling and blowing spit bubbles (effectively soaking her shirt, ew) we stopped in Goldendale and she finally settled down to sleep just outside of the Dalles and got about 1.5 hours of sleep in the car.
Overall, a very successful trip, I'm glad we were able to spend Chris's days off and my spring break together with family :)
Photo Story :)
Peyton sittin' on the tractor... I should have known from this face that she wasn't convinced it was a good idea..
Pretty Peyton in her wagon ready for an adventure on the farm, waiting for daddy to get his tractor lesson from Julie.
Daddy and Julie conferring about the operation of a stick shift tractor :)
Here we go! Daddy the farmer
This really captures the moment if I do say so myself, the trees on the right are the cherry trees, getting buds. Bees were brought in the day after this to get to pollinating!
So this is at the top of a hill overlooking the farm. Julie and Landon have dreams of building a house up on this hill. Peyton was thankful that the tractor ride was over for now..
Family picture! on the hill mentioned above. The farm is down there somewhere...
In the above shot, we're on this rock... Now Peyton decided to climb the rock, in this picture, I have just discovered bird poop on Peyton's butt as I reached down to help her up onto the rocks... eww!
See the tears? This is on the way back down to the car, Peyton was a sad baby!
Aww much better, I like the quiet orchard and standing on my own feet!
Even when you're sad, you're adorable!
Daddy livin' the dream! I'm going to send him back up there in June to help harvest cherries!
Remember the sheep mentioned above... these are them, born just that morning! fun fact, these sheep have hair not wool... making them essentially decorative/pet sheep, since the Schilperoort's have no use for them... The flock sure has grown though!
Horses! On Wednesday we went to visit all these animals again before leaving. That time the horses actually came to say hi and Peyton got to pet them!
Tom the ugly and really mad turkey. He's super puffed up, who knew they could do that?! He was supposed to be last year's turkey dinner, he's still here, how can he complain... Peyton thought he was a rooster so she 'cock-a-doodle-do-ed' each time she saw him.
In case you weren't convinced that Tom was ugly...
Well there you have it, The Holm Family finally left Vancouver! Boo missed us terribly and was happy upon our return, Peyton did great in the car, and I look forward to more trips this summer!
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