Christmas Fun

The Christmas Festivities have officially begun for us. This morning we visited Mike's best friend's parents' house for their annual Christmas Brunch. We always enjoy our visit there and were disappointed to have to leave early to come home and host our own party with my family.

Although my family arrived fashionably(?) late, we had an afternoon of good food and good fun. Here is an irresistible picture of Morgan showing off her new purse, bracelet, and necklace that her Aunt Sissie Lynn gave her. She was just as happy with the jar of honey and the buzzing bumblebee that my mom, her G-maw, got her.

Kenna was a great sport at being passed from person to person all day. She was also a good sport about her Momma making her look silly with the reindeer antlers that Grandmom Hale bought for Morgan. She gave us big smiles for the musical antlers until we started taking pictures. I think she will have the same aversion to picture taking that her mom has.

Picky Eaters

You know two-year old children are notorious for being picky eaters. Well, Morgan in many ways is an exception to that rule. She eats a wide variety of healthy foods. She does eat "junk" food just like the rest of us, but she is just as (or possibly more) likely to choose strawberries as her snack instead of chocolate frosted cupcakes. This was proven at a recent playdate at the park!

But, she is quite picky in the plate, cup, or utensils that she will use. The other day I was working on a Christmas gift for Michael and in the craft drawer she found an ashtray. It is really a beautiful thing - blue and white pattern. It was picked up in Mexico from friends who live in Texas - interestingly enough they sent it to use as a Christmas gift the same year Michael stopped smoking.

Well, later when she wanted vegetable soup as a snack, I put the soup in one of her bowls. She immediately started yelling at me that she didn't want that bowl. She wanted the blue plate! I'm not sure if a cigarette has ever even touched the ashtray, but I quickly washed it and transferred the soup to the "plate." She ate 3 large helpings in that ashtray!

The moral of this story? Picky eaters are quite common. If they want to eat vegetable soup in an ashtray go for it; it's better than eating ice cream in their bowl.

Most needed baby-item

When I was pregnant with Morgan, I often wondered what items other parents just couldn't live without. Sometimes I asked. Often the suggestions turned out to be things that I look upon as convenience items, but not "must haves." Now that I am an experienced mom, I have my own "must haves" list. The only item on the list that you can purchase is a sling.


The sling I use is a Maya Wrap ring sling. There are other sorts of versatile carriers available. I would recommend any of them you can find at Mother Nurture in Lexington. It is by far the one baby-care item that I can't live without. I used it frequently when Morgan was a tiny baby, and even more when she was a bigger baby. Although less so, I still carry her in it now on occasion - like last week when she was sick. It is just much easier to lug a 30 pound child around in a sling than it is to use my arm muscles. The sling also allows me to keep both hands free to do other things. This aspect of the sling can't be overemphasized.



I use the sling pretty much constantly now. It is part of my daily wardrobe - it's far more important than a bra or underwear. With Kenna in the sling, I am still able to help Morgan get un/dressed, go pee, throw-up, cook (although the label clearly states not to do this), push a stroller, etc. You get the idea, with the sling it is almost like I am still pregnant instead of carrying a baby around in one arm while trying to do everything else one handed.

Explovsive Breastfed-baby Poop!

I know you probably don't need to see this, but I have to share the amazing feats that my dear youngest daughter can do. Yes, ladies and gentelmen, that is almost an entire poop on the outside of her diaper. The diaper Kenna is wearing here is a Kiss-a-luvs fitted diaper that is a size too big for her; so, I can completely understand why it came out of the leg holes. Luckily, I had a good fitting cover on with it.



I am so glad that I use cloth diapers - you can put most anything inside one of those good covers and be pretty darn sure that the mess will be contained. The few times that my girls have pooped while wearing a disposable diapers I end up having to clean poop from clothes or an entire body (chin to toes). Knocking on wood very hard right now, but I've never had to clean like that with cloth diapers. She is just getting a bath here because it was time to give her a bath soon anyway. With all of the poop outside of the diaper it just took a couple of wipes to get it all off of her leg and bottom.

Ok, 'nough said.

I forgot to knock on wood

When you say “I don’t know how I would….” The universe seems to think it should let you figure out how you would.

At the library last Wednesday, one of the women from the mom’s group I hang out with told me that one of the other mom’s was sick with a stomach bug. We commented how that would be a difficult predicament to be in. I said “I don’t know how I would even take care of my kids if I felt really sick besides calling Michael and telling him to come home.”

On Wednesday night about 10 PM Morgan (who has never been sicker than a runny nose and cough) woke up throwing-up. Poor girl did not have any clue what was going on with her body. After completely stripping her, the bed, and cleaning the floor, we put her in the shower. She did enjoy the shower and did not want to get out. We felt that it was probably something she ate; so, we got her back into PJs and she went back to sleep. She slept for awhile, puked for a while, slept for a while, puked for a while… You get the idea. By 2 AM, she was all done puking and slept until around 8 or 8:30.

She seemed her normal self Thursday morning. So, we thought she was all better. We went to visit grandma, then she took a really long nap. On Friday morning we had our first hint that the throwing up episode may have been something more than what she ate. She had a temperature of 101. We put her in the car to let her sleep while we ran some errands in Lexington.

I know by this point of reading you’re wondering when the “Knock on Wood” part comes in. Well here it is. By the time we got back from Lexington both Michael and I were not feeling too well. Just a little upset to our stomachs. By 1:30, we were basically taking turns passing Kenna off on the other to run while we ran to the toilet. Heck, at one time Michael was in the bathroom and all I could do was get a bucket that we’d used for Morgan a couple of nights before, while holding the nursing Kenna in the sling.

So, here’s all I can say about taking care of your kids while you’re sick – Hope that they are willing to hang out in bed for the duration or are old enough to entertain themselves well. I wish that Morgan wasn’t sick, but her willingness to just lay in the bed with her pathetic parents for days was extremely helpful. Of course there was not much rest for the weary since she is quite a squirmer, but at least we didn’t have to chase her around the house.

During the entire time we were lounging in bed, there was a definite rule. If the covers were not completely covering Morgan we were to immediately remedy the situation. If we did not cover her we heard “Blankets Momma/Daddy, Blankets!” We realized the seriousness of her infatuation with the blankets when we were saying rounds of I love yous. “I love you Michael. I love you Kenna. I love you Morgan.” “I love you Kimberly, I love you Morgan, I love you Kenna.” To which Morgan responded “I love you blankets.” I cracked up, which got me in big trouble, but now I know where I rank.

Trials of technology

I have a couple of priceless videos of my daughters interacting. Mostly they consist of Morgan doing loving (or sometimes not so loving) things to her sister while her sister sits quietly and accepts it for a short time - then starts to fuss.

Unfortunately I can't share these with you right now because my Palm Treo just will not synch with my computer tonight. I've had this problem with the Treo basicly since I got it. Sometimes it will synch and other times it will not. Tonight it will not and I've been trying various configurations on the computer and the Palm to make it work. I give up for tonight since it's bed time now.

I hope to share some of the great videos soon.

I can't find time to write

Everyday my life generates several things that I’d like to write about, but I never seem to actually get the time to expound on them while I have access to the computer and two free hands to type. Here is a list of some of the things that have come to mind lately.

1. Don’t assume that a two-year old can’t bite through the plastic! I was rearranging the freezer to make room for groceries and decided to throw out some really old popsicles and various other items that were not likely to be eaten this century. Upon spotting the popsicles Morgan insisted on having one (they are they ones for sickly kids). She was really interested in the cold sensation; so, I in my infinite wisdom decided to let her have one to chew on. I figured if I didn’t open the package she could not make a mess. Wrong! :)

2. Two-year olds are a lot of fun to play with. I actually spent some time playing with my daughter. I realized one afternoon that I had not really played with her for a while. Sure I had taken care of her needs (poured the juice, helped with pooping on the potty, finding the bunny, etc), but I had not really spent time while she was doing her full-time job – play.

We spent some quality time playing follow the leader with her trucks, which I should tell you requires quite some contortion for a thirty-something momma. You have to basically do the downward dog yoga pose and push a truck along the floor. I guess some people do that type of contortion on a regular basis, but I am not one of them.

After playing trucks, we moved on to blocks. We stacked and knocked over the blocks more times that even I can count. We enjoyed counting and seeing how high we could make the stack before Morgan pulled the blocks out from the bottom – her favorite way to knock it down. She successfully stacked 8 before it feel down. I could only get to 10 by the time she was tired of waiting and knocked mine down.

3. We’ve about finished our Christmas shopping. We actually did not have to purchase much this year. I can’t say what we did get as someone might see their gift listed here. I just need to get Michael a couple more things. We’re finished buying for the girls, the nieces and nephews, and parents. We do still need to get a couple more things for friends of the family.

I usually get into the spirit of wanting to pick a great gift for everyone that I buy for. I also usually have the chore of shopping done before Thanksgiving. This year did not work out that way, but I’m hoping to finish up this week sometime.

4. Speaking of great gift ideas, some close friends of Michael gave Morgan Jo a subscription to BabyBug magazine. This magazine is designed for babies six months through two years (and beyond). Morgan loves it! We read the two issues we’ve received so far several times a day. The company also produces another magazine for older toddlers (Ladybug) as well as several selections for children and teens. Check out Babybug.

5. Kenna has begun to smile at us. It really warms a heart to see those smiles just for Mom or Dad…ok, she gives them to other people too. Here’s a great picture of her with her big sister.

Blogger seems to be having a problem with the photos. I will try again later.

6. Check out this blog from my friend Deborah. It is really a blog to post updates to her distant relatives about her family, but there's a post about my aunt's farm there. Be sure to check out "Three babies, Two Mommas, and a Truck."

EKU Outreach Job

Here’s a little info about the new job I will be starting in January. It is a faculty position at Eastern Kentucky University in the Interpreter Training Program. I will be teaching two courses and doing outreach for the other half of my job. The outreach consists of coordinating/planning workshops and training sessions for interpreters across the state as well as designing some on-line courses for interpreters and mentors.

Basically, my position is grant funded from the Kentucky Department of Education to provide training for interpreters in public schools and for mentors working with those interpreters.

I’m pretty excited about starting the job. I will have a fairly flexible schedule for when I do much of the work. I will also get to travel across the state with family to the workshop sites. (The family has to go with me since Kenna still drinks only from “Mom’s All-Day and Night Diner.”)

I’ll post more about the job in January.

Ordering Dinner

Why is it that every time I go out to eat I tell myself that I will order a salad, but then when I get my hands on the 4-page menu I just can't help myself from looking right past the salads and on to the more indulgent items. At least tonight my meal included some vegetables (green peppers count, right?).

I really do like salad. I think when I see all of those choices that I’m too lazy or don’t know how to make it is just too tempting to order one of those things instead of a more healthful/fewer calories for the bulk salad.

I’m really going to try harder next time. I mean I’ve got 20 pounds stuck on my hips that wasn’t there before I conceived Kenna – I’ve got to do something. I am going to be working in January and I really don’t want to buy a new work-pants/skirt wardrobe. I already need to purchase new shirts since nursing a second child seems to have added even more to the expanded bosom.

Naptime? - You mean I'm supposed to sleep?

Ok, so naptime is important, we’ve already established that. But what do little people really do when mom closes the door and says it’s time for resting? Today while I was posting why moms like nap time, Morgan Jo was supposed to be “napping.” Really what that meant today was stay in your room and play quietly since it is obvious to me that you’re not going to nap. We have this routine – sometimes she naps and sometimes she plays quietly (and happily) for a while until I finish my pressing business and go into her room to tell her that “resting time” is finished.

She did finally nap today, but not until after she built and climbed Mount Everest to get into her bed. If you look carefully you’ll find her.

About the time I was finished with my “chores” and was ready to go in and tell her “resting time” was over, I realized that I had not heard her making noise in a while. She slept for well over 2 hours after playing so hard.

Naps are for Mommas

Yes, it is true that children need naps. If they don’t get enough sleep they can get quite grouchy, but the real reason that moms require naps of young children is because moms need the break! Here are a few reasons/things I do (in no particular order and not exhaustive) when my kids nap:

1. take a nap
2. read
3. get the bookkeeping done
4. pay the bills
5. investigate the policies, etc for my new job
6. eat chocolate (or whatever) without having to share
7. grocery shop (If you haven’t tried EW James shop from home service you should)
8. check e-mail in peace
9. stare off into space
10. dream about riding my bike
11. catch up on reading Gretchen's blog (www.mind-flush.blogspot.com)
12. clean my house

Happy Birthday Morgan Josephine!

On the eve of her second birthday, I am struck by how much she has grown and changed in the last 2 years. This comparison is made slightly easier given that we have a one month old hanging out at our house now. Morgan is quite a little person and besides the occasional meltdowns a joy to be around.

She had her first official birthday party yesterday. She thoroughly enjoyed it. She had grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins galore to help her celebrate. When we began talking about a birthday party she told me that she wanted to go to the Hundred-acre Wood for her party and that she needed a party hat. Well, she got both!

We did not do much in the way of decorations, but we did manage a few steamers and some Winnie the Pooh plates. She selected a very festive party hat. She actually wore for it most of the party. I think we’re going to make it the official Birthday hat.

Michael and I decided to get her a grocery cart for her birthday. So, we asked people to bring one item each to help fill it… Well, I’m sure you know how family can be. They each brought more than one item, but I forgave them. :) She has more fruits, vegetables, and various other groceries and kitchen implements that we need new shelves in her kitchen (i.e. the dining room). She also received Curious George, which we have read at least a half dozen times already.

Not so much about raising Hales

Ok, so as my first blog post for Hale Raisers I should post something about our children (Morgan and Kenna). I just can’t bring myself to do that. Since I decided that it was absolutely time to write something (I set up the site weeks ago) the most impressive thing to happen, in my mind, was the dusting of snow we had yesterday.

We did take the kids outside to play in it first thing in the morning this was after all the first snow of the season, and the first snow of Kenna’s life.


The most important aspect of the snow for me though was the realization that I really do like the warm South Carolina weather that we left. Here it is November and we already have snow in Kentucky. I know quite a few people who would be happy about this, but I’m a bit nostalgic for the t-shirt and jeans weather that I’m sure SC is experiencing as I write this. Heck most of the time in SC, it never even felt like winter until the end of January and by March it was spring. If I have to have four seasons that’s as long I want the winter to be.

A week or so ago, Mike and I took the kids shopping with us. It was cold enough outside that we all wore hats and jackets. Mike commented that the only part of cold weather that he doesn’t like is lugging all of that stuff around the store. The only thing I could think was that I just don’t like it being cold enough to need more than a light jacket. This cold weather is just made worse by the fact that all of the pregnancy hormones that keep me heated up enough to not mind cold weather are getting out of my system right when the weather is turning colder. I’ve got to stop having babies in the fall and winter!