Your kid is throwing a fit and instead of raising your voice you finally sit there and think through this. You come up with this scenario: If you're going to sound like a dying cat on steroids, you may do... Continue Reading Where the Wild Things Are »
Dear Oliver, You're now 6 months old. Wow. If I think hard enough (and yes, I actually have to put effort into thinking, we'll get to the why later) I remember feeling like I would be pregnant with you for... Continue Reading Oliver: 6 months »
A few hours later and after re-reading what I wrote - I don't feel there's a terrible lot to add to that. I'm feeling frustrated with the processes we go through and the money we shell out of pocket to... Continue Reading Part II »
Yeeeaaah. There is definitely some advice I wish I was given. Here's some background. I'm the baby of our family and, well lets take the gloves off shall we?, I'm very much the baby. Spoiled, taken care of - life... Continue Reading Should have gotten this advice »
I'm loving what mightygirl is doing, as you might already know, so I'm gonna jump ahead to a fathers advice. A few of them from my last post about advice are actually from my dad or step dad - so... Continue Reading Heed this advice: from your father »
Ok folks, here's the deal. I was the helper in Jessica's preschool class this morning - in her immersion program, all Spanish speaking class. I now know how to say "sit down" in Spanish. A room full of 3 year... Continue Reading Vamanos! »
Don't forget to enter the NEWTREE Chocolate giveaway! The contest ENDS TONIGHT AT 11 PM EST. You can enter once today, more details here. Please enter on the original post. Go! Also - don't forget about the NEWTREE contest they're... Continue Reading Losing the draft for the NBA »
You super cute baby, you. With those adorable cheeks and the power to make us coo and awe at even your poop noises. You are delightful. Please sleep more. Embrace the lullaby of sleep, let it cradle you in it's... Continue Reading Suggestion box: Open »
I'm wondering if changing our diet, as in removing things like wheat/gluten etc would make significant changes in energy levels. For Jessica, we're looking for more of a controlled energy level - she's always had energy, but it's been like... Continue Reading Gluten free? »
The ridiculous proportions my body becomes when my milk comes in. And I do mean ridiculous. That sleeping in a puddle of milk really just does not bother me. I'd rather sleep than care about smelling like spoiled breast milk.... Continue Reading Things I forgot about in the 3 years since having a newborn »
When we found out we were pregnant with #1 our lives became a triage center of "preparing for baby" - our minds, money, and time went into thinking "baby" and all that it was to mean for our future. When... Continue Reading Differences between first and second offspring »
Running a marathon but forgetting that you already passed the START line and wondering when someone is going to shoot that gun already to let you know it's time. Feeding baby animals, all day long, with out a break. After... Continue Reading Having 2 kids is like ... »
Today Oliver gets circumcised - we chose to do it today because having it done at the hospital would have cost us double - the hospitals charge and the doctor's charge. So we're going into my OB's office today to... Continue Reading Doctor's visit with Oliver »
Today I'm signing Jessica up for preschool. Wow. I can't believe I'm at this milestone already, although in a way it feels so right. We're sending her to Holland Christian for their Spanish Immersion program. Here's a blurb about it... Continue Reading Jessica's going to school! »
I'm here. I know I've been gone from the internet for a few days - it's been a busy week. A good week though, one that ended with breakfast with my dad and step mom and then handing off Jessica... Continue Reading Being a parent is freakin awesome, but being mid-20s is a blast, too »
Thank you for the out pour of love and support. We're already doing 180% better, the med's are working for me. We were some of the courageous (read stupid) people to venture out in this weather to head to church... Continue Reading Because risk to us means driving in a complete white out »
We survived yesterday coming out on the other end with a few puffy eyes and a whole lot of showers. Showers are the only thing I can do in this house that no one will bother me. I take a... Continue Reading Brighter days and babies »
I spent about 2 hours last night reading through old posts about life with a newborn (when Jessica was born) and the 9 months after that. I laughed at a lot of things and cringed at some. Recently a friend... Continue Reading I started out wanting to write about how awesome my husband is, and then this came out »
We've been making good use of the outlets around town that allow Jessica to run around like a madwomen and be recklessly 2 1/2 years old. Insert Crazy Bounce. This morning we had a play date with Stacey (the mom)... Continue Reading Keeping busy this winter »
Yesterday's post turned out a little differently than I had thought it would. I was going for some comedic relief and it turned melancholy. Either way, it was a good exercise in writing for me. Something other than updates on... Continue Reading A day in the life »
You haven't seen the outside of your house for a good 72 hours and this is your reason ... "Just haven't needed to go out and don't have the energy to put the effort into dressing the Tasmanian child or... Continue Reading You know you're a mom when ... »
We made it through the weekend. It was quite tiring and trying as parents. We did alot of staying in the house due to some 3 feet attitude and temper tantrums. But this morning things are looking up. For one,... Continue Reading Getting creative »
Jessica has become a little more aggressive in her play tactics lately and this morning we tried to tell her that she'll have to share with her new brother or sister when it comes. You should have seen her face.... Continue Reading Jessica on being 2.5 »
I'm going to go ahead and say it. I totally forgot what the first part of pregnancy is really all about and if I had remembered more clearly I think I would have been a bit more leery about volunteering... Continue Reading 1st Trimester woes »
We didn't actually get done with the tiling this weekend. Aaron had to work on Sunday and Jessica just keeps getting sicker. It started with a running nose after the Grandparent extravaganza weekend, which we expected because her diet usually... Continue Reading Brand New Bike! »
Hardest thing about being a parent is consistently following through. Some times I just want to suck my thumb and lay in bed all day, with my own blankie.... Continue Reading on parenting »
So I'm researching home schooling options for Jessica pretty seriously. Any suggestions? I'd like to start something this fall with her - she's very ready for a little more of a challenge, and no I'm not going to go crazy... Continue Reading thinking about homeschooling »
Per our daily dance parties here - our music selection was a little over done so I decided to import all my old CD's into my iTunes library - even N'Sync and the entertainers alike. And then I bought Billie... Continue Reading Dance party Friday »
It has become increasingly important for us to watch what we say around Jessica. She's been repeating everything new and interesting. Like Oh My Gosh. And Geez. And these aren't "bad" per se but they're offensive out of a 2... Continue Reading Crap! Geez! Ah NUTS! »
Potty training is like a four letter word to me right now. It's frustrating. Mostly because she is, but doesn't care about it. So this morning I asked her what the problem was and she said - I want diapers.... Continue Reading We regress »
I'm not slacking ... putting videos on my site is hard work. But the content has been lacking, I know. We've been in lock down over here, in Potty Training Boot Camp. Why? Well, I'm so glad you asked. Jessica... Continue Reading Not caring about your standards »
Setting1: Jessica's first train ride - we took her on the Cottontail Express where the Easter Bunny made a surprise appearance! Background: Jessica throws a fit whenever we say no to her, at all, on the train. Plot: Once we... Continue Reading A fun day, with a terrible two. Oxymoron? »
I think we reversed our potty training woes this morning. It took a turn for the worse after we took Jessica to the ER for her eye. She reminded us almost everyday that she fell on the table and that... Continue Reading Trouble shooting »
There hasn't been a nap today. Well, there was that 35 minutes in the car from GR back to Holland that she shut her eyes. Other than that - we're on the brink of a mental and physical break down... Continue Reading Very very long day, did I mention is was long »
She climbed out of her crib again today. It was nap time - and she decided it was play time, so out she climbed and I met her at the door where she was naked (taking off all your clothes... Continue Reading Transistions »
Why is it so hard to find a babysitter? I call ahead of time and usually have to leave messages on their cell phones and then they wait until the DAY BEFORE I had originally asked them to work to... Continue Reading uh, answer your damn phone »
It happened. It was bound to happen. It's not like she's very good at sitting still. And she loves to jump. And climb. She fell out of her crib today. Or really, she climbed out of her crib, didn't cry... Continue Reading I would do this to my child »
Jessica is successfully potty trained as of some time last week. I know, I'm a terrible mother for not knowing the exact hour this all happened. But hey. One night we tried a pantie instead of a diaper just to... Continue Reading Taking "Big Girl" seriously »
Me: Are you tired? Jessica: Yeah. Me: Do you want to take a nap? J: No. Me: Me neither, it's too early for a nap. J: Yeah. Me: {burp} J: Excuse you, mommy. Mom, excuse you.... Continue Reading P's and Q's »
Jessica: "Daddy I pooped!" Aaron: "Good Job!" Jessica to me: "Mama, where's daddy?" Me: "He's poopin'" Jessica to Aaron: "Good Job Daddy!"... Continue Reading It's working »
As I'm putting Jessica to bed this evening I'm singing to her, as usual, and she's cuddling all up in my arms while stroking her ki-ki; she usually tucks one or both of her hands under her belly during all... Continue Reading Mama's still got it »
Not for more babies, though ... so sorry to get your hopes up. You might remember me mentioning Potty Training a few months ago. I was all ready for it - and Jessica was too. We had the treats and... Continue Reading We're trying again »
We're sitting down to dinner and I ask Jessica if she can count - why? Because it's something to distract her from the fact that the food is not in front of her NOW. So she starts to count ...... Continue Reading The Count »
The other day I was running some errands and Jessica was just happily sitting in her seat dancing and singing and looking out the window. She made sure I didn't miss ANY of the big trucks that passed us and... Continue Reading bilateral and multi-cultural or something. »
Jessica wakes up around 7:15-7:30 every morning, hopefully with the time change we'll screw her up enough to think that 9 is a good time to get up. That would be heaven in so many ways. Aaron got her first... Continue Reading C'mon! »
I've been going through some old photos trying to get the ones I think are good in order for some possible gallery type things and I came across a few photos of me before motherhood. This one is of me... Continue Reading it's not for sale »
She's not 2 yet but the tantrums have begun. I have no idea what to do with these emotions Jessica is feeling. Can I punish her to behave? Do I ignore them, do I talk her through them - do... Continue Reading Uncharted Territroy »
There seems to be a big gap in the activities for mom's with kids under 2. Although there is plenty to do around Holland - you have to dig for the information and know where to go ... I've been... Continue Reading Under 2 activities »
For the past 30 minutes Jessica has been enthralled with playing "Mommy" to her baby. Putting the baby in her booster seat and feeding it, putting the baby nigh-nigh in her crib, strolling around the house with her baby in... Continue Reading Ray of God's sunshine »
I've heard stories from other mothers while I was growing up about how "they should have known - he was like that from the beginning". Or some mom's refer to the birthing experience in reference to how they've always been.... Continue Reading I think I gave birth to the tazmanian devil, I'm pretty sure. »
It finally happened. After seeing an ultrasound picture with the thumb in the baby's mouth and giving birth to a baby girl who immediately stuck her thumb in her mouth only to have a pacifier shoved in it days later... Continue Reading More sucking »
Just a quick update - the binki battle is won. She's decided not use them anymore - even when offered a brand new one - the binki is no more! Today we were with my sister's and their kids, and... Continue Reading Binki battle won »
It didn't get any better this evening. She did stop her tantrum this afternoon when I gave her the last pacifier that wasn't cut. Then when she was distracted with Aaron I snuck in her room and cut the smallest... Continue Reading I'm not a fan of dependency on rubber objects anymore. They suck. Literally. »
As I'm writing this Jessica is throwing the mother of all tantrums in her room. She's laying on her stomach and SCREAMING into the carpet, trying to bite it. I think it's a combination of getting all 4 of her... Continue Reading Tantrums »
When Jessica's asks me this question in years to come, I'm going to direct her to this photo. It's pretty self explanitory. I'm so off the hook.... Continue Reading Where do babies come from? »
JESSICA USED HER POTTY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It probably helps that while we were in the store today buying some swimming toys we ventured over to the potty training needs and saw a training potty with ELMO all over it. She fell... Continue Reading Potty training success or fluke ... »
We've begun potty-training in this house and it's been going great. We don't have a kid potty yet, so we're just using the BIG girl potty and although she has yet to USE the potty, she sits on it alot... Continue Reading And it begins »
Dooce posts a very good discussion today about having more than one child. An issue Aaron and I talk about often but still have no desire to do anything about. I always assumed I'd have 3 or more kids. I... Continue Reading To Have or Not To Have »
We recently got into the routine of bathing Jessica every night before bedtime. I say recently because until about 2 weeks ago - we bathed her when and how we felt like it. Some times she showered with one of... Continue Reading New routine »
The best $30 I've spent since becoming a parent ... BY FAR. Now she can look out her window while she's misusing the chair by standing on it. Which I will condone for as long as it keeps her from... Continue Reading I don't have to be in the mood to spend money on her, it's just natural »
The past few days I've been like a madwoman getting my house clean. I have even conquered the small home improvement projects on our to do list. Like sealing and re-painting a wall in the living room, painting the cabinets... Continue Reading Making a list, checking it twice ... »
Big news for the Westshore Mall - they got a play area for kids. And it's nice. Jessica and I went this morning to meet my sister and her girls for some play time. Jessica absolutley loved it. She is... Continue Reading It is official. »
Last night we broke down and bought another pacifier. Jessica went to bed fine but woke up again around 9 and stayed awake for over and hour, crying. We tried soft music, walking around, bouncing, singing but nothing worked. So... Continue Reading Breakdown »
Putting Jessica to bed without the pacifier last night went great. She wined a little, but no screaming or loss of sleep. Then 2 am came around. Apparently she woke up and went looking for her pacifier in her crib... Continue Reading Chicken scratch #1 »
I just made one of the boldest moves in my career. I just cut the top half off of every pacifier. We have 3 of them. All of which are infant size. I refused to buy "up" as she got... Continue Reading Martha will you decorate my cell, too? »
When Jessica was born I actually never thought about her being anything other than a baby. I would have day dreams about sleep overs and kindergarten feild trips, of course. But it never registered to me that in less than... Continue Reading 1/4 life crisis, here we come »
Tonight is a perfect example of how lame Aaron and I really are as parents now. Not only does our social life come to a screeching halt at 7 pm everynight but if we do decide to hang out or... Continue Reading This is how lame we are »
After reading about freecycle in a magazine I decided to sign up for a local group and see what happened. That was about 4 months ago - and nothing's happened because I completely forgot all about it. Until last night... Continue Reading Props to Freecycle »
I'm a stay at home mom, home maker, wife, etc. We decided that this is what we wanted when we knew we were going to be having kids in the near future - it's something we've talked about in length... Continue Reading This happened, this monumental thing happen on Sept 2, 2005 »
The teething, it's in full swing. The crying, screaming, clinging and biting are also in full swing. I need a vacation. And not just a weekend away, without pumping or diapers, but a full fledged "waves ripping on sand, only... Continue Reading I want my nap back. »
I spent the better part of the first 3-4 months of life scouring books and magazines, even the Internet on What To Do When ... I think I've earned my right of passage now. I no longer am obsessively attached... Continue Reading Right of Passage »
It's happening. She's on the verge of crawling. She does that ADORABLE little teeter on her hands and knees - she just moves her body back and forth without actually going anywhere. We caught it on tape - and hopefully... Continue Reading More growing pains »
This is a true little story of a co-worker of my mom's ... "I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took... Continue Reading 2 degrees of seperation »
Consistency is really the key to good parenting. And, in my opinion, the HARDEST part about parenting. One day I'm ok with letting her cry herself to sleep when I know she's tired or it's nap time, while other days... Continue Reading There are days when I wonder if I'm completely messing with her mind. »
Yesterday I was at the dentist getting a crown and they asked me if I would like the gas and the shot for numbing effects. Of course I said yes. Gas me up!! So I was laying there, pretty high... Continue Reading High on gas »
This job gets better everyday. Although there are those days, and Jessica has gone back to Not Sleeping Through The Night but I still think this is the GREATEST. I thought I liked being a mom 2 months ago, but... Continue Reading When I grow up, I want to be ... »
So has becoming a mother made me feel older? When I look into the mirror do I see someone "older"? I spent my entire teenage youth WANTING to look older. You'd think I would say a resounding YES, and I... Continue Reading Suddenly early 20's feels older. »
We made it. Jessica did wonderful on the plane. She slept through most of it, was only awake to eat. And there was no screaming for take-off or landing. It was awesome. We had a blast in Washington, in a... Continue Reading Detox 101 »
We leave our house for the airport to take us to Washington at 5:30 in the ungodly AM Thursday morning. I'm surprisingly calm. I actually don't ever freak out about traveling - it's a bit of a second nature to... Continue Reading T-minus 40 hours »
When a child is screaming out of hunger in the backseat of the car and you have 15 minutes left before you're home do you; A) Check your blind spot, asses the traffic situation, activate your turn signal and safely... Continue Reading Someone take away my license, no really. »
Yesterday we witenessed something that I'm sure is NOT supposed to happen for atleast 2 more months yet. Jessica was taking her early evening nap - and about an hour into it she started crying, which is sometimes normal -... Continue Reading Why is this happeneing already? WHY! »
It's about time I update this site again, now isn't it? I thought so too. So we've had a busy week or two lately. I've been busy getting ready to launch my antique booth with my mom - we've... Continue Reading I don't think I have a complete sentence anywhere in this post - a little bit terrible when your mother-in-law teaches English ... hee hee. »
She did it again, slept through the night. This is a phase I like. I can get used to this phase. I don't like the phases that force me to put away some of her outfits because they're already too... Continue Reading I lu-lu-lu-lu-lu-LOVE this phase »
JESSICA SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! THROUGH. THE. NIGHT!!! This is me: AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was Jessica while I was jumping up and down, after she had woken up and I was trying to get the self timer to work right ...... Continue Reading OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! »
So I finally bought non-maternity pants and let me tell you how much I LOVE wearing them. ALOT. Except it's been about 8 months give or take since I've had to deal with a zipper, and apparently zippers take some... Continue Reading There aren't any photos in this post ... just words. »
My daughter is officially sleeping through the morning. She doesn't know what night is yet, still working on that one. But she's been sleeping since 5:20 this morning, that makes it over 5 hours, which is considered "through the night"... Continue Reading Celebrating »
Minutes after posting "Because I said so ... " This is what she looks like. I have no power. I am powerless. And I love it, because who could resist this face - of course she can sleep -... Continue Reading Proof of my power »
Jessica had her first talkin to this morning. And I used the words "Because we're your parents and we said so." I know. I hate myself too. But it was totally called for. She stays AWAKE for an hour, sometimes... Continue Reading Because I said so ... »
Just to clarify - I wasn't COMPLETELY disappointed the first week and half of her life - there were moments of sheer joy and elation. But for all intents and purposes ... it was alot different, right at first, than... Continue Reading To clarify ... »
Ok now that I've given you an update on the photos - the only thing you're all interested in right now anyway - I think I can babble on and on about something for a time now. The baby is... Continue Reading Being a mom »
Morning has come once again. I made it through another night of tossing, turing, peeing and dreaming. We had an interesting start to our night last night - we were timing contractions. Which turned out to be the Braxon Hicks... Continue Reading My feet are swollen? I must be in labor!!! »
I've become a wilderness wife for the next 3 days. As per annual tradition Aaron and his buddies head up to Wilderness every year about this time to do some male bonding, catch up, talk about whatever it is they... Continue Reading Wilderness Wife »
It's predicted that December 29 I'll have this baby. Anyone else care to wager in on this little game? My family is eerily equipped with some sort of sixth sense, if they're not having dreams about the situation they're getting... Continue Reading Predictions »
I'm totally in the category of being a super mom right now. I just successfully TRIPPLED a batch of chocolate chip cookies without a calculator or the frustrating need to start all over - (uh, I'm tripling the batch because... Continue Reading Supermom »
Because being 8 months pregnant isn't project enough for the Schaaps - we're also having our roof torn off and re-done this week, along with a few other minor updates inside the house. Atleast we've gotten smart enough to outsource... Continue Reading More remodeling of the Schaap house »