October Fun!

October is nearly over and so much has happened this month. Alden turned 1!  Hurray! AND...she's walking too! As I look back and think about how slack I was at blogging throughout her first year, I thought that I'd take a minute to jot down all of her miraculous milestones as I did with Loch.

A list of firsts...
Smile: I want to say 3 weeks...but generally that's gas!
Tooth: 4 1/2 months
Sitting Alone: 4 months 3 weeks
Eating Solids: 5 1/2 months
Taking a Bottle: 8 months
Going to Daycare: 10 months
Walking: 12 1/2 months

In the slideshow below you'll see pics of Alden's birthday party, Loch's first field trip for Pre-K, (he rode the bus!), visit to the pumpkin patch and playing at the park.
If you click on the slideshow, it will take you to my Picasa Album online!

Happy Birthday Alden

Well, we made it! Alden has turned one and is full of energy! When planning for her birthday party, Jeff and I made a unanimous decision NOT to have a repeat of Loch's first birthday. We kept it pretty simple, invited a few friends, ordered in lunch and had cupcakes. Easy-peasy!
Because I kept it simple, I got some cute little decorations and Brenda brought an adorible little cake that I hated for her to "smash" in to.
So, now that she's one...Alden is standing on her own, she's taken a few little steps, she blows kisses and waves bye-bye, brushes her teeth, combs her hair, says mama, dada, dances like a rock-star, screams like a rock-star, sleeps like an angel and all in all, is a great little girl!!!
This past year has been BUSY, but lots of fun. Loch adores his little sissy and Alden loves him back! Watching the two of them together is makes up for all of the crazy times that I don't think I'll get through. I'm lucky to have great kids and a wonderful hubby to share my family with!
Here's a video of Alden on her big day with her biggest fans! (the one's who could be there anyways!)

Alden's Birthday Movie!!!

Giving Up Control....

As I think about Teaching and Learning, 21st Century Skills, Child at the Center and Student Directed Learning, it all encompasses around one key factor...ME, Giving Up Control...letting go! I would consider myself a type A personality. I like things to be orderly, I tend to be a list-maker and a time-keeper, a planner and I definitely do things with a vision of an end result or product. I guess I get that from my father, who is the master of organization, habit and list-making.
While planning for my 5th grade lessons over the next several rotations, I'm making it my goal to give up control and allow the students to hone in on those 21st Century skills that we always talk about. Creativity, problem solving, collaboration and initiative are just a few of the capacities that the students display while in tech lab. So, here's the plan...and "generally" I tend to teach step-by-step...but for 5th grade, I'm letting go!

The Product: iMovie Presentation- Tour My School
The students will create a multimedia presentation about our school. Students will learn how to import and edit images, record their voice, add transitions, music, and finally export their project as a movie file.

How Do I Get There?

• cooperative groups
• storyboarding/brainstorming
• digital images with digital camera
• power point
• narration
• iPhoto editing
• iMovie presentation

So, thus far, the kids have seen an example of Tour My School. They came up with their groups, roles, and planning for the movie. I'm providing some guidance and facilitation with keeping things moving, but I know that Trinity students are very self-motivated and will use their leadership skills to help one another.

I'll check back in with y'all in a month or two and let you know how things have gone...

Here's to "Letting Go"!

Photo by Alexus Machine via Flickr

Last Day at the Splash Park!!!

As the last few days of September draw near, Loch and I spent the afternoon after church at the splash park. The weather was gorgeous, nearly 85 degrees and it was nice to spend some time with him alone!

This is a classic picture of Alden...full of spunk and spice!!! Balling her fists up and screaming at the top of her lungs! Oh, and we're looking for a babysitter if anyone's interested!!!

And here's the "spicey" little girl on her first shopping trip in the livingroom!!! She loves pushing her cart around!

Here's to Pre-K!!!

I can hardly believe that the time has come that my little boy actually goes to "real" school! Georgia pre-k begins tomorrow and Loch will be ready to go with his backpack loaded up with goodies! For some, entering pre-k is a milestone that can be scary. New school, new teacher, new friends. But for Loch, it won't be that much of a change since he'll be at the same school among familiar faces. Open Arms is lucky enough to be funded for Ga pre-k with amazing teachers and a great facility. His teachers will be Ms. Bostick and Ms. Russell...

Here's to growing up and going to big-boy school!

I love you to the moon and back, my little nut brown hare!

Alden turns 10 months old!

Alden has crossed some major milestones recently and is growing up so quickly! It feels as though she's moving along and time is passing much quicker than it did with Loch at this stage. Perhaps it could be that our lives are so busy and I'm back to work? I hate that time has passed by me, I'm already looking back at her "baby" pictures and getting tears in my eyes!

Alden is eating me out of house and home! She has really started to enjoy what we eat! Tonight was chicken (Swiss Chalet Style) and broccoli. I fed her peaches and cheerios before we ate, thinking that I'd enjoy my supper, but she wanted to join in on the deliciousness of my chicken! She's actually eating better than Loch!

Bathtime is hilarious! The kids splash and play

Another trick that she learned this week was how to climb the stairs! Yes, 10 months old and climbing to the top! She thought it was hilarious too...laughing and cracking up all the way!

I think that this picture says it all! She's WILD, and wants to get out of the cage!

Today we went swimming at Danielle's pool and Loch has just started to swim without his water wings. We still need to keep a close eye on him and he can only swim under water for as long as he can hold his breath. He jumps off of the side of the pool constantly too! I hope he'll become a good little swimmer.

Alden, on the other hand, refuses the pool floaty, hates to be held and wants to GO! Danielle and I were passing her back and forth under the water for a good while. She loved it! Every time she was safe in my arms, she wanted to go again! I guess it's time for swimming lessons times two!

Something I just learned that has nothing to do with my kids!!!!

From Wikipedia:

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data.

QR codes can contain any kind of data that you input into them. I used a website to create the codes below.

If you have an iPhone, download the qr code reader to find out what information is encoded on them! 

This proves that the inner GEEK is really in me!

This one is the link to my website for work...

I think this one is my phone number...

This one is my name...

I'd love to start using QR codes with my 5th and 6th graders if we do geocaching in discovery woods. Creating QR codes and posting them on trees and plants for descriptions would be really cool. I could see the science and math department joining in on a collaborative project. Using them for scavenger hunts and scanning them could be another possible use! 

Trying to Play Catch-up- October 2010

So, I declared that I'd really start to use diligence and post for Alden and her "Miraculous Milestones", well, needless to say, I haven't been a good mommy!
This will be my catch-up post and I'll try remember all of the insanity that's happened in our house!

October 2010
After being in the hospital for 4 days, I was ready to get home with Alden and Loch. Brenda and David had been at our house for almost a week, taking care of Loch and our house. Jeff spent a few nights at the hospital with me and Brenda spent one. During the night that Brenda spent with me, was the scariest I've ever had. I was resting in my bed...hungry! Alden was swaddled in the bassinet beside me while Brenda went searching for something to eat. Just after she left, Alden started gasping for air choking and couldn't catch her breath!!!! Jumped up, grabbed her and started to unswaddle her while I pounded on her back. Nothing, she was turning purple! I buzzed the nurse's station and yelled "My baby's not breathing!!!!" (meanwhile, at the same time, Brenda came back, unaware of everything and proceeded to tell me the choices of sandwiches that there were before she was knocked over by 3 people) They came within 7 seconds, scooped her up and banged on her! She took one big breath and was back to herself. That was crazy! I was crying, freaking out that it would happen again and Brenda was speechless...which NEVER happens. Thank GOD for the wonderful nurses at Northside Hospital!


There were lots of visitors that came to see us in the hospital and at home, here are a few of the people that couldn't wait to meet Alden.

Nah Nah and Poppy Harris

Brandi Hoyos- I work with her at Trinity

Crissy Wade- Mommy's long time friend

Dirk and Lawson Gowder- Daddy's friend

Your "loving" brother Loch!!!!

When I arrived home, Mom was on her way from the airport on MARTA, ready to spend 2 weeks with me and help out! I knew that I really wanted her here from the moment I arrived home. She knows how to take care of EVERYTHING! Cooking, cleaning, shopping, Loch, Alden and ME...she was amazing of course. Having her here allowed me to relax and enjoy things without worrying about all of the daily things that go on around the house. Jeff was in China for work the week after Alden was born, so having her here was necessary. Especially after another c-section, that wasn't healing very well, i needed my mommy! Generally, I'm not very emotional, but I was pretty upset when mom had to go home and I was left to do this all by myself! I remember crying and saying to her "How am I going to do this without you?" I meant every word of it! Thanks mom, you are amazing and taught me how to be a wonderful mommy! I love you!

The month of October flew by fairly quickly. With getting breastfeeding sorted out again, reactions to adhesives, nerve damage, Loch at daycare and figuring out two kids, I was very busy. We had lots of visitors at home. People dropping by to bring food and say hello to Alden was so nice. I was able to have lots of help and felt loved by everyone!

This was your first bath in the sink.

Your crib

Your first adjustment from Dr. Anchors

Visit from mommy's friend Kara Koetter

Your very special hat from Aunt Kelly and Uncle Craig

Loch, ready for his halloween party at school! Arrrrrgh!

Daddy relaxing with his baby girl

Loch's visit to the pumpkin patch with Daddy

Happy Birthday Dear Loch....

Becoming a mom has been the most wonderful gift that GOD has given me. I am BLESSED to have experienced the LOVE from two precious children. I never thought that I'd have enough LOVE to give more than one child, but I've realized that it's not about sharing love, it's about creating more. There is nothing better than looking at your child and knowing that there's absolutely nothing that could break the bond that is shared between mother and child. Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet precious angel, Loch Harris. YOU are a GIFT from GOD!

Pregnancy and Delivery

Alright, so I've confessed my shortcomings for my blogging neglect in respect to Alden. Now is the time to begin catching everyone up with her story....

It was sheer joy and shock to Jeff and I when we discovered that we were pregnant with Alden in Jan 2010. After a few issues and surgeries, we were grateful that becoming pregnant was easy for us.

Here's a picture of the corner of our bedroom where you live! 

My pregnancy with Alden was pretty normal and I can't really complain. I had the typical nausea and and heartburn as I did with Loch. The only thing that I really missed out on was enjoying my pregnancy and getting to know my baby as it grew inside me. I was so busy with work and Loch and Jeff had just gotten his job with Huawei, I really had no time to focus on myself. I'm sure that's normal though. In all, I gained about 21 pounds up to her delivery.
Here are a few pics of me during my pregnancy...

Wasaga Beach July 2010 7 mos pregnant

Music Festival at Riverside Park Summer 2010

One day after church with Loch...

Loch's 3rd Birthday weekend...May 2010

Drew and Shelley's wedding July 2010

                                               Date night with the Hubbs! 38 weeks pregnant

Main Beach in Goderich at Sunset

Summer 2010

My view of 38 weeks...

Hangin' "out"

Hangin' on...

The Delivery!
Dr Samantha Anderson and Lisa Holt were the ladies who helped to bring my children into the world. Without them, my experience would be very different. They are wonderful at what they do and "IF" there's a 3rd child, they will be part of that as well. Lisa and Dr Anderson became part of our family during my pregnancies!

Here's Dr Anderson, She delivered Loch and Alden!

This is Lisa Holt, the midwife. I saw Lisa for most of my appointments!
Theses two women are amazing and helped me through the most miraculous times in our life! Thank you Ladies!!!

Alden arrived via c-section on October 11, 2010 at 11:53 am. I assumed that my experience would be similar to the first, but no. It was very different!

As before, Brenda and David were here, this time to take care of Loch. Jeff and I were up bright and early, eager to get to the hospital to get things rolling. Click here to see our morning thoughts before going to the hospital!

During pre-op, the nurse has difficulty once again finding a "good" vein and busted 2 in my hand and couldn't find one in my other...after being stabbed for about 20 minutes, they found a ripe blue vein in my wrist (comfortable? NO!) to begin my IV. I was NERVOUS...I knew what was going to happen to me this time! All I wanted was some Valium or something to settle me down and they told me that I couldn't have it! Oh, by the way, the entire time that all of this is going on, Jeff is working on his computer, wheeling and dealing, totally oblivious to my freak-out! Just as well I guess!

So finally the anesthesiologist arrives about 30 minutes before my surgery...I was most scared about the epidural, but that ended up being pretty easy! The nurse who was with me throughout the delivery arrived with a bucket full of ice and began the numbness test on me. From my feet to my chest...testing out when I'd be ready to go! In went the catheter, Jeff put on his monkey suit and out I rolled! However, before that, when the epidural really kicked in, I had a reaction to the drug and the tremors started. I was shaking and chattering my teeth uncontrollably! It was terrible! I had NO control over my body and felt like an idiot, writhing and shaking all over the bed.

So it's GO TIME! My surgery is scheduled for 11am. Dr Anderson should be waiting in there all scrubbed up right? hmmmmmm...not! I was on the operation table, staring directly at a clock on the wall, all of the nurses and surgical assistants and standing around, I'm shaking like crazy and wondering where in the hell she is! I started to worry that my epidural was going to wear off! SERIOUSLY! Well, she finally arrived at 11:25 or something...I was pretty much delirious and nervous and just wanted her to get this baby out of me!

The nurse was sitting by my side, and had heaters on my arms to keep me warm. Jeff was on the other side of me with the camera and wanted to watch the entire procedure! Funny though, I thought for a moment that the heaters on my arms where getting a little hot and I started to smell something burning...ya, that wasn't the heater...it was my flesh as they were cutting in to me!!!!

Delivering Alden actually took a lot longer than Loch. Dr Anderson said that I had a lot of scar tissue and she needed to take care of that, along with the bleeding (that I saw splatter a few times)! As I laid there, all I could think about was hearing her cry...finally, I heard it!

And well, so did the entire hospital I think! Wow, this little girl had quite the set of lungs on her! I was overjoyed and overcome with emotion as I heard her and everyone in the room ooohhh and aaahhh when she arrived! I prayed and thanked God for the miracle that was given to our family with tears rolling down the sides of my face...Jeff wiped them away and kissed me. Then I met my baby girl...