Simple Life

Having a 2-year old makes me stop and enjoy the simple things in life, like Play-Doh. Rolling the dough between my palms, smashing it against the table, creating long hissing snakes, and building monsters is a stress-reliever in the simplest sense. It's a time where the stacks of late work assignments, reading journals, and writing projects take a backseat. It's a time where the students with negative attitudes fade into the background noise of the T.V. and the worries of lesson planning for a new class subside.

For a moment, I am focused only on two things: Play-Doh and my son, who is only wearing Thomas the Train underwear and a smile.

The papers, the journals, the students, their parents, and the lesson planning can wait.

This is more important.

This is the only thing that is important.

Come on Summer!

You last heard from me in the midst of potty training... and, as my Cousin Sue (from New England) would point out-- WTF, there hasn't been any posts since then, what is going on with the Shaffers?!?! Here is a little update on all of us:

I am currently nursing that feels like a hangover-- muscles are sore, head throbs, and sick to my stomach. Unfortunately, I was not out into the wee morning hours drinking and carrying on and having a fun time. I was chaperoning high school prom. That's right-- prom. And, yes, that's right-- I am officially OLD since I feel hungover today after chaperoning! The theme was New York-- and the school was transformed into Central Park, Times Square, a subway, the Brooklyn Bridge, China Town, Yankee Stadium (GO BO-SOX!), and much more. The kids looked amazing and were having tons of fun. It is always nice to see them in a different element than the classroom. It was fun. (For the record, the flu is going around, so I'm pretty sure that's what's going on with me lol)

Yesterday, Todd and I went out to shoot ground squirrels at the farm. They are destroying my dad's wheat field. We were out for about and hour and a half and killed over 50 of those suckers. It was a great form of therapy-- nothing like shooting a gun-- and way to feel like we were helping rid my dad of those pesky rodents.

Todd has been plugging away at work and is looking forward to another year at VMS in the fall. This will be his last year on probation within the school district. I just signed a 2-year contract for next fall, as I am officially off of probation! It feels good to finally feel settled into a classroom, a district, and with a group of colleagues after switching jobs every year for the first three years after graduating from college. Todd will still be teaching Health and Computers, while I will keep representing Art and Sophomore English.

Speaking of work... I have completed 3 weeks since my extended bed rest leave/maternity leave. I have to say that leaving the second child is much less traumatic than the first. I have enjoyed being back. I have great kids this year and I work with outstanding people, so it was easy to come back. It's hard leaving your classroom to a sub in any situation, so that is my only complaint.

Between working full time and having two kiddos, I feel like I don't get much of a break (hence the lack of blogs lately!) But it is a good kind of busy. Summer break is right around the corner, so hopefully we get more of a rest then... and hoping that the weather picks up soon!

It's been a damn cold winter and awfully chilly spring, too. The sun is shining a lot, but it is just burrrrrrrrr. I am looking forward to it warming up. I have lots of projects I need to do around the house and Rocco just loves being outside. He is going to have a blast this summer with his new swing set, his bunny, and his big back yard to play in.

Rocco is talking phenomenally. He tells us stories, he tells us jokes, he tells us what he sees outsides, he makes stuff up, he is just talking up a storm. He is also very energetic-- he is ALL boy. His favorites are firemen, Angry Birds, Garfield, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, coloring, painting, playing outside, construction, and kissing his baby sister, who calls by her first and middle name: Ruby Fawn. He has really grown up tall, so he is leaning out and losing some of his baby fat. We have potty trained somewhat successfully-- he has the pee part down, buts still working on the poop part. He is staying dry at night (even though we put a diaper on him only at night.) He is just such a good kid-- very polite and funny. Todd took him to the park yesterday and said Rocco farted by a little girl. He laughed great big afterwards and said, "Scuse me!"

Ruby is also growing. Not in length so much, but in the chub factor-- that girl has some thighs! Her cheeks are oh-so-kissable, too. She is very alert and loves to socialize. She loves to look at other people and smile. She loves to look at herself in the mirror. She laughs, coos, and giggles. She has really started gnawing at her hands, grabbing my hair with her hands, grabbing blankets, toys, etc. She loves her play mat with hanging toys the best and has started bouncing around in her jumperoo. I am still breastfeeding her (go me!) but supplementing with some formula since I am back at work. She still hates her car seat and is waking up every two and a half hours at night, but, other than that, she is a great kid. She is super sweet most times.

We would like to go on some vacations and mini-vacations during summer break: a trip to La Grande/Enterprise to see friends, a trip to Condon, a trip to the beach/Lincoln City, and a trip to San Diego to meet Todd's sister's baby, Jillian. And maybe a trip to Seattle. We are hoping everything works out and Miss Ruby starts travelling better so we can get out there and see everyone. Rocco is a great little traveler now and really loves to look out the window at everything.

The other "big excitement" for this summer is my ten year high school reunion. I always thought I would be pumped about this event, but, for some reason, I am kind of dreading it! It just doesn't seem like the fun time I had in mind when I was in high school and thinking about where we'd all be 10 years later. I'm sure it will be one of those situations that I dread, then end up going and having a blast. We shall see... I will blog about it afterwards! It is over the 4th of July, which is such a great time in Vale with the parade, rodeo, people, and events in the park. There's no where else I'd rather be over the 4th than in my hometown, so I'm sure it will be a fun time.

Todd and I are still doing Weight Watchers, although it is getting more difficult by the day since I have been back to work. Eating healthy is expensive and requires a lot of prepping. If we don't plan out every little thing we eat, there is no way we can stick to the WW plan. So... we have eased up a bit on it. We are still losing or staying the same with our weight-- not gaining, which is the most important part. I would like to lose about 10 more pounds and Todd is looking at around 5. We will get there!

I guess that's all the news fit to print on my end. We are busy but uneventful at the same time-- just enjoying life and our kiddos!

Diary of a Potty-Training Mama

Rocco is going to be 3 in September. According to society, he definitely should not be wearing diapers anymore. As much as we want him to be potty-trained, I have a feeling he is not ready. Despite my gut instincts, I have decided to potty train him during Spring Break. We had read about and were suggested a 3-day crash course potty training method by many other parents, so we decided to commit to it and see how it goes.

Basically, on the morning of Day 1, you and the child throw away all diapers and Pull-Ups. From then on, it's underwear only. You do not take them to the toilet every 15 or 20 minutes, rather you keep encouraging them to keep their underwear dry and to tell you when they need to go. The hope is that the child starts taking the initiative to go to the bathroom, rather than the parents being trained to take their kid to the toilet every 15-20 minutes. With this method, there is only positive reinforcement - no discipline or negativity. Every little milestone is celebrated. Oh, and it's important that if you catch them "in the act" to rush them to the toilet. You can't leave their side for a second, in reality. Even at night time and nap time, children do not wear a diaper. By Day 4, children should, for the most part, be going on their own.

(If only it were this easy and fun...)

Here's how it went for us...

Day 1: Rocco woke up with a cold, but general happy attitude. He ate breakfast and woke up, then we took him into this room to throw away his diapers. He was happy to do so. We made a big deal about being a big boy, etc., etc. He then had an accident while sitting on the couch. We were unable to catch it in time to take him to the toilet. The next one, I was able to catch mid-pee, so I scooped him up and sat him on the toilet. He peed through his underwear into the toilet. We celebrated. The next one was a little accident in his underwear, then the rest in the toilet without underwear on-- we really, REALLY celebrated. My mom came over and Rocco proudly peed in the toilet for her-- we cheered, we danced, we sang, we gave him a cookie. He stayed dry throughout his nap, didn't have any accidents the rest of the afternoon/evening, and even stayed completely dry all night.

Day 2: Dry in the morning after going all night. We were in Seventh Heaven! He had his first pee of the day in the toilet. He then held it the rest of the morning. He refused-- REFUSED-- to go at all before his nap. We knew he'd have an accident for sure. So when he stayed dry for his entire nap, we were impressed. But, shortly after our happiness, he had an accident. I was able to catch him mid-pee, so I scooped him up and sat him on the toilet. He tried to pee more, but could not. He cried and felt bad. I hugged him, kissed him, told him that accidents happen, and put on dry underwear. He had one other accident before going to bed for the night... mostly because he refused, yet again, to have anything to do with the potty and also because Todd was helping me get Ruby ready for bed time. Anyway, as you can safely assume, Rocco peed the bed during the night and woke up wet. Oh, and he hasn't pooped since the day before Day 1.

Day 3: Feeling utterly frustrated and like a complete failure as a parent the morning of Day 3. Rocco woke up wet, but has new, dry underwear on. And... he continues to amaze me: He just looked at me and said, "Go pee in the potty?!?! Get cookies?!?!" So we RAN to the toilet, I plopped him down, and he peed! Again, another huge celebration, and, yes, we give him a mini-Oreo cookie bite for a reward. Maybe I'm not a complete failure! Uh, oh, spoke too soon. So, the next thing we know... Rocco has pooped in his underwear. I didn't leave his side for a second, so he must have done it very sneakily. Anyway, I caught him quickly after the doo-doo occurred, so we (it was a two-person job!) rushed him to the bathroom, emptied the poo from his pants to the toilet, flushed, and cleaned up. He cried the whole time-- not sure if it was because he felt ashamed, embarrassed, or scared to poop in the toilet. He is back in dry underpants... and we're playing Fireman Sam and Penny. Another victory in our corner-- he went pee in the potty again. Maybe we're onto something here! Potty training must be similar to being bi-polar... ultimate highs and lowest of lows. As evening nears on Day 3, I am feeling much more like a Super Mom than a utter failure, poor excuse for a mom. We have only had ONE ACCIDENT TODAY and it was a poop, so that doesn't really count, right? LOL!

Day 4: There is no set plan for today. The manual we read only talks about Days 1-3. I guess we say a prayer, keep prompting Rocco, stay positive, and roll with the punches. Wish us luck!

Just an Update on Us!

Ruby:
Growing like a weed! She recently transitioned into some of her 3 month clothing and size 2 diapers, so we think she is around 12 lbs. She has some rolls on her thighs and her cheeks are definitely filling out. She is getting to be so much fun--- giggling, cooing, and smiling. She is very interactive-- much more than I remember Rocco being at this age. She has started grasping and batting at the toys hanging from her play mat-- it won't be long before she is rolling over. She has also started sleeping more at night-- 4 to 6 hours at at a time, which experts claim is the most an infant under 6 months of age should sleep without eating. We're happier with more sleep-- that's for sure!

Rocco:
Rocco is still a happy, adventurous, determined, and energetic little big boy. We recently took him to a sheep ranch where there were lots of lambs-- he was totally interested in every aspect, especially the mamas and the babies, since he has a mama with a baby at home. I think we are going to start swim lessons this summer-- he loves to "swim" in the bathtub! And he will start preschool in the fall at his babysitter's house. We are going to attempt potty training over spring break... wish us luck!!!

Todd and I:
We started Weight Watchers the end of February and have both lost quite a bit of weight in that short amount of time. Todd is noticing his pants fitting looser and I am noticing a flatter tummy and smaller behind. It's awesome. We love the program and it is working wonders for us. I'm not sure exactly how much Todd has lost, but I have lost a little over 8 pounds since starting the program. I am down 35 pounds since having Ruby, which is amazing, I think! Todd has been dabbling in Craiglist trading-- I don't get into it too much-- and no treasures yet, but moving a lot of our junk, which is good. I am eagerly and somewhat nervously looking at going back to work on April 1st after a long time at home (between bed rest and maternity leave it was 5 full months!) I am excited to see the kids and work with them because I had a great group this year. This summer, I will be taking classes to earn enough credits to move across the pay scale, so Todd and I will be gozillionaires... lol. Some of Todd's family is coming down over Easter weekend to celebrate with us-- his sister, Stephanie, and his parents. I will host Easter brunch on Sunday before they take off and Rocco will be visited by the Easter Bunny. He says he wants an "Easter fire truck"-- whatever that means!

Everyone is happy and healthy on the home front! Love to friends and family reading this.

Weight Loss

Where do I begin. From the beginning, I guess.

Before I got pregnant with Rocco, I weighed roughly 125 lbs. When I delivered, I was around 175 lbs. Through breast feeding (and nothing else-- no diet or exercise) I got down to 135 lbs. I fluctuated between 135 lbs. and 140 lbs. before getting pregnant with Ruby. I was about 185 lbs. when I delivered Ruby. After breastfeeding Ruby for a few months, I lost around 25 lbs, leaving me around 160 lbs. When I plateaued there, I decided I needed to take the necessary steps in losing more weight. Although I know that I am within a normal weight for my age and height-- and feeling actually very lucky to look the way I do after two kids and no exercise/dieting-- I don't fit into my old clothes and don't feel like "me" at this weight. My goal is to eventually get back to 135 lbs. or 130 lbs.

I'm not going to lie... It seems like an impossible task to lose 30 lbs!!!

I am not a super athletic kinda gal. I am not fan of exercise. I'd rather spend my time with my kids than at the gym, to be honest. But I needed to do something. So, I joined Weight Watchers online. My thought process was, well, not well thought out. I had finally had enough and called. I knew my insurance paid for it, so I figured there was nothing to lose (except weight.) I was skeptical that it would work-- especially when it seems like this is a diet where I actually get to eat whatever I want (within reason) and feel full at the end of the day. But, I have to admit-- IT WORKS. I have my first official weigh in on Monday, but, of course, I have been on the scale every day since I started and I have already lost weight.

I have goals that are keeping me motivated:
-fitting into my old clothes and forever getting rid of my "fat clothes" that I use between having babies and losing weight
-getting a tattoo with my bestie. We have been planning this for a LONG time and have decided that we will go together once I lose this weight. I can't let her down!

In addition, Todd has decided to join me in this weight-loss adventure. He signed up for WWonline yesterday. It will be good for both of us to hold each other accountable. Plus, as the chef in our house, it will be easier to plan dinners! He, of course, will try to make it a competition. Little does he know that I always win because I gave him children :) And that reason will get me out of anything in life-- ha ha!

I am scared and nervous about this process-- it's difficult for anyone to lose weight and change their lifestyle in regards to eating especially someone who looooooooooves cooking and food and family meals. But... I'm committed to giving it my best shot. I am not promising myself anything but that.

Continue to wish us luck. I will continue to keep you posted on our HOPEFUL success!

Our Kids Come First

My children are horrible travelers until they are about a year old. They hate their infant seats-- and Rocco hated being turned backwards. It is what it is. There's not a lot I can do about it. It makes my life incredibly difficult-- in a number of ways...

First, I'd like to point out the things I have tried in attempts to help make my children better travelers:
 -Making them warmer
-Making them cooler
-Mirrors to see themselves and me
-Toys-- dangling from the straps (illegal, by the way) and loose to manipulate with hands
-Food and drink
-Medication (Tylenol/Advil)
-Singing, music, talking or silence
-Bumpy roads/flat roads
-Binkies
-Windows blocked, windows open
-Padding/no padding

I have asked my pediatrician about what to do. I have read countless articles online seeking solutions. I have asked for advice online on forums. Believe me when I say that I have tried almost everything.

The one thing I refuse to try is the Cry-It-Out Method, which is generally reserved for sleep training, but is essentially the same idea for getting a child to travel extended lengths of time while crying incessantly  For some people, this is the choice they make as parents. I am a huge believer in parents doing what is best for them and their children.

However, I am not in favor for the CIO Method. The following articles describe my reasons:

http://drbenkim.com/articles-attachment-parenting.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fussy-baby/science-says-excessive-crying-could-be-harmful

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out

http://www.phdinparenting.com/blog/2008/7/5/cry-it-out-cio-10-reasons-why-it-is-not-for-us.html

Some people think that I am choosing not to travel with my children. This is simply not the case. I would love-- LOVE-- for Ruby to decide that traveling was her most favorite thing ever! Sadly, though, this is not the case at this time.

These people do not understand that there are so many times that I would love to be able to pack up my child and head out the door for some kind of an adventure-- shopping, lunch, dinner, etc. Hell, I would love to be able to go to the grocery store and get some basic food items for my family without facing a major meltdown from my child-- and the grocery store is literally 5 minutes away from the house. These people often forget that I have basically been on "house arrest" since November 1st trying to put my child's safety, health, well-being, happiness, and comfort first. It is not fun to be bored at home all day. It is not glamorous to spend all day in sweats. It is not fun to plan out when you can "escape" between nursing in order to run a necessary errand or attend an appointment.

I would love to be able to travel for leisure and pleasure. It would be nice to see my husband's family more often. It would be awesome to not turn down my mother's offer to take us to the coast over spring break (my favorite place) to vacation and spread some of Gramma's ashes... Or on a cruise to Alaska in June to spread my Gramma Fawn's ashes. It would be great to just hop on a plane or in the car and see my Uncle Gilbert in Seattle. I would love to visit my best friend, Katie, in La Grande. Or Beth in Reno. Or the Lantis Family or the Barnett's... who live further than the front yard.

Some people think that my husband and I are choosing not to travel with our children because we are "avoiding his family"... That's clearly not the case, seeing as we have turned down multiple vacations with my family, as well as seeing family members who do not live nearby. We have not gone to visit our friends, whom we adore and think of as family, because it requires a lengthy car ride or plane ride. It's awfully sad that some people think so lowly of us and do not realize that we are merely putting our children's happiness, comfort, and well-being above everything (including our own selfish desires.)

It boggles my mind that some people would try to paint us as bad people for doing what we feel is the absolute best for our kids-- to be happy and comfortable. I would think that instead of being mean, disrespectful, and downright rude to us, you would commend us for being selfless parents.

It might piss some people off-- it might piss you off-- that they are unable to see us or our children whenever they would like or as much as they would like, but the fact of the matter is that we don't care if it pisses people off-- we don't care if it pisses you off-- we care about our kids first and foremost-- above anyone else, including ourselves.

Nothing will change that.

The Set-Up

"If you're f*cking with me, I'm going to kill you," I said as I furiously scribbled my number onto a sheet of paper.

"I'm not f*cking with you!" Doug said, grinning from ear-to-ear.

That grin either meant that he was seriously not messing with me... or that he was about to pull off the most epic practical joke of all time. For those of you who do not know this Doug character I speak of, let me briefly describe him. Doug is loud and thoroughly enjoys playing pranks on people. He's the guy who would ask me, "Did you even brush your hair today? You look like crap" fulling knowing that I had spent hours perfecting my coif for the day. On the other hand, he was the first to split his lunch with me in the teacher's lounge when I was too tired to pack my own, always rooted for the under dog, and was one of the best dads around. Like I said before-- this was either going to be great... or a total disaster. I envisioned him posting my number in each of the boy's restrooms at the middle school and lavishing every minute of me retelling stories of pre-pubescent boys calling me "for a good time."

Doug had been trying to set me up with the cute PE teacher at the high school-- Todd Shaffer-- the entire school year.  In the beginning of the year, I was single-- and casually dating two or three guys. Todd, on the other hand, was with his on-again/off-again girlfriend (I have conveniently nick-named her "The Stripper" for future reference, because it's not nice to use real names.) The timing was off. Then, towards the middle of the school year, when Todd was off-again, I was only dating one of those initial three guys (nick-named "The Rock Star.") Poor Doug just couldn't make it work out despite his best efforts. So, you can imagine his delight when the timing finally was right.

"Hey," Doug loudly whispered to me in the midst of an "all-important" all-staff training that spring, "are you still dating 'The Rock Star'?"

"No," I grinned, knowing where this was going (a week or so before, I had caught the cute PE teacher making eyes at me from across the commons area during parent-teacher conferences. I will admit, I, too, was looking... but I never got caught.. and, yes, I thought he was cute.) I said, "Things didn't work out with him."

"Give me your number!" Doug said, his face lit up like a little kid's on Christmas morning, "He's not dating 'The Stripper' anymore!"

I looked toward our mutual friend, whom I fully trusted, for a little back-up. After much discussion, I reluctantly scribbled down my number and handed it over to Doug. He proclaimed that he was going to find Todd that instant and give it to him. I literally ran out of the training before he had the chance to publicly humiliate me.

xxx

"You better not be f*cking with me," Todd said as Doug handed him the piece of paper with my number on it.

"I'm not f*cking with you! Call her!" Doug replied, "This is really her number!"

xxx

I look like crap. And I smell like wet dog. I am not going out on a first date looking like this............

Oh, what the hell?

I highly doubt this will turn into anything serious. And, if it does, he's going to have to see me looking a whole heck of a lot crappier than this.

"I'll meet you there in ten minutes," I said. I stood at the bathroom mirror looking at my reflection. My makeup had mostly worn off after a full day of work. My hair was flat and probably dirty. I had on jeans and a t-shirt, which was wet, as I had just gotten done giving Tucker a bath. He smelled great. Me-- not so much.

I figured I had nothing to lose. After-all, I had dated my fair share of losers. I was more than likely going on a date with yet another loser to add to my growing list.

I decided to at least change my shirt and wash my hands.

xxx

Todd says, "I decided to ask Kacie out for ice cream for our first date because it was low-pressure. If I didn't like her or she didn't like me or the date wasn't going well, it'd be easy to leave and it'd only cost me an ice cream... And who doesn't like ice cream?"

Needless to say, he didn't have high hopes for the date either...

xxx

Todd said that he would always ask his mom, "How do you know?"

She would reply, "You just know!"

And I was always told by others, "Love will find you when you least expect it."