Inexpensive Gifts - Gone Wild!

Thank you all for your ideas on quotes...I think I'll have to do a sister's page for my scrapbook and use one - but below you'll see what I really needed them for...

So, I started out with this cute, inexpensive baby-shower gift, which is what the quotes were for...then I got carried away...and made a second gift, and eventually one for my boy's bedroom...Ryan's question was, "so, how much did that set you back?"...No comment. But it was sure fun to do! They're essentially a 12x12 canvas with a 'scrapbook page' on them...I like the blue one best - probably becasue I did it last, and I had it figured out by the time I did it. :)

These two say, "Sugar and spice and everything nice - that's what little girls are made of"

The one that's not pink, is for a mommy who hates pink...so we did green and burgandy...

Tanner's and Taylor's says, "sometimes being a brother is better than being a super hero" by marc Brown...I need to find something else to hang the stars with, but this is hanging above the crib...fun, fun, fun! Now I can put my scrapbook stuff away for a while...I got my fix!

Need a quote...any ideas?

I am looking for a quote about sisters or girls - more sisters...Any ideas? So far I have...

1. "A sister is a forever friend" (unknown)
2. "Sisters are different flowers from the same garden" (unknown)
3. Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice - That's what little girls are made of" (unknown)
and 4. "Sometimes being a sister is even better than being a princess" (adapted from Marc Brown's "Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a super hero")

Number 4 is my favorite thus far, but I'm not sure - I could tell you what I'm doing this for, but then I'd have to ...hummm... eat all your chocolate or something, so, any ideas for OTHER quotes? I'm ALL ears!

P.S.

Tanner only got out of bed once at my parents house last night! Hooray!

Too Slow for Two Days

So, you've heard the saying, "Time flies when you're having fun" - well, when you're not having fun, it stops. Literally!

All day Tuesday & Wednesday I laid on our couch with a fever of 102+ in a heap of used snotty tissues, a bottle of hand sanitizer, a rice pack from the microwave and a blanket. Oh, and a bottle of ice water and the phone were near by. I had Tanner convienently set-up in front of the computer while I let the 'fast-play' feature of our Disney movies work their magic (I always thought the fast-play feature was annoying, but I didn't realize that it plays the entire move, previews for other movies, deleted scenes, and other 'fun stuff' adding on about an hour's worth of 'movie'). Taylor 'played' on the floor next to the couch, staring at the ceiling for nearly two days. His only change of scenary was when he nursed.

I slept off and on, and when I say time stopped, I'm pretty sure it did! Multiple times, I would wake up after 'an hour' wondering why Taylor wasn't crying to be fed - in reality, it had been, oh, two minutes since I had 'crashed'. I had really thought I was out for a long time! All day Tuesday & Wednesday was like this! It drove me nuts! I think it was worse at night, because I had my alarm clock staring me in the eyes every time I opened them. 2:13. 2:14. 2:15. 2:25. Oh, good. Ten minutes of rest. I am so glad that Tanner is sleeping like he should, and that Taylor sleeps quite well, only waking to eat once at night...The sleep book - I'm tellin' ya, it's amazing!

Well, I'm finally over the fever, thankfully, and just battling with a drippy nose and congested airways. Nothing too draw-backish, but still, yucky.

My mom and dad were in Pocatello at the dentist Wednesday when they called to ask how I was feeling. I tried to cover it up, and said, "fine". They continued their drive North, an extra 45 minutes up and 2 hour drive home, just to pick up Tanner (or so I thought). I had Tanner ready to go, with a bag packed for a few days at Grandma & Grandpa's house. While here, my mom and dad (are you ready for this?) Did my dishes, fed Tanner lunch (versus cheerios and grahm crackers), cleaned my bathroom, swept my floors, picked up the living room and Tanner's bedroom, made our beds, did three loads of wash, took Tanner for a walk, bathed Taylor and took out the garbage (from the kitchen and the two bags on the back porch). While all of this was going on, I was in and out of conciousness, in my pile of blankets, messy hair, and snotty tissues, wondering what time it was, why I was hot, and cold, and sweating to death and freezing to death...all in all, my parents were here for about two hours, and they totally took care of me, when I couldn't even care for myself, let alone two kids, one of which is mobile and had free reign of everything. I LOVE my mom and dad!!!!!

I am thankfully doing better today, all symptoms of 'this crud' still present, minus the fever. I just pray that Ryan, Tanner, and Taylor don't get it. I was miserable - I wouldn't want them to be miserable, too!

Two thoughts to avoid "two days of too slow-ness":
1. wash your hands
2. wash your hands

Have a good one!

I really do love him, but some days...

So much for not posting on a daily basis, and so much for getting Tanner to fall asleep on his own for his afternoon nap. (I just took him for a drive- he'll be asleep for two hours, quick, work hard!) I'm wiped out!!! It's barely 1:15pm and I'm exhausted! This morning started wtih a bang, at 12:30 (midnight) when I thought Tanner had woken up and climbed in the crib where Taylor was screaming...I lept out of bed, and got to their room in literally three steps (normally it takes only five, but still...) to find Tanner sound asleep in his bed - it turns out Taylor has another cold and can't breath out of his nose - he was screaming, panicked that he couldn't breathe and he was getting hungry...So I settled in on the couch to nurse...and remained there until Ryan woke up to shower...and Tanner woke up wanting to 'play'. That was all before six o'clock. Phew!

After breakfast and good-byes to daddy, I settled in on the couch to nurse Taylor about 10:30...it didn't last long when I heard a little 'plop'. My mind replayed Friday night as we were leaving to go to the Temple and Tanner dumped out the sugar, and Sunday after church when he dumped out the sugar again...We had thrown away the sugar after the second dump, so what was that sound? FLOUR!!! ARRRGGGH!

I know he's innocent - doesn't that face just say, "I didn't do it!" - OOOh - if only he weren't so darn cute!

Cleaning up was a treat. I got out the vacuum and -POOF! it spun it all behind the vacuum...I'm an airhead sometimes. Duh...I knew it would do that! So I swept, then used the hose on the vacuum - much more effecient!

I guess I'm done baking. Period. I am not refilling those containers that were full - I just filled them two weeks ago! 10 pound bags each! Gone! I'd throw in the towel, but I might just miss all these fun experiences.

Kudos to all you parents who can keep it together and make it anywhere without your kid's faces covered in lunch and have company without them tripping on toys strewn all over the house! My mom said "Welcome to motherhood!" this morning when I called to tell her the latest on her grandson, Thanks mom! Was I like this? I think NOT! :) Actually, I think I'll take the spilt flour and sugar over what I put my parents through! :)

Absolutely Necessary...6 for 6

Just to let all of you who are following my daily struggles know, Tanner has not been driven to sleep at night for the last six days! I am totally stoked. We're still working on naps. (I conviently run errands right before nap-time so he'll fall asleep on the way home.) However, I want you all to know that it takes just as long to drive him asleep at night (1 hour) as it does to do it the old-fashioned way (really, the best way). We've used our car as a crutch for too long, and this week, I'm re-commiting to do naps the good way, too.

The book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth has been most helpful in understanding sleep in children...I'm not even half-way through, but love every word he's said, so far. It's an amazing book! I recommend it to EVERYONE!

Catch-up, not to be confused with Ketchup

It's been a few days, so I'm playing catch-up.

First and foremost, Happy Birthday Stevie!!! You turned _____ today! I'm really sorry I don't know how old you are - I want to say 23? This is the most fun picture I have of you...(making a snowangel and pointing to Landon who is copying her.) For better, more cute pictures, I'll re-direct you to her fabulous blog...check my side bar.Secondly, I have to thank my mom. She drove two hours to our house on Friday just so Ryan and I could have a 'Valentines's Date' and go to the temple. It was a very enjoyable evening - we scarffed down dinner and really enjoyed the temple session we attended. When we got home, Taylor and Tanner were sound asleep (as was my sister Derseret who came with my mom). Might I mention we got home before 9:30. I don't know quite how my mom kept it all together while raising us seven children. I can barely keep hair on my head with only two - sometimes I'd like to just pull it all out! My mom is still sane and beautiful, and I hope and pray that I can keep it together for a few more years! Thank you, mom!

My mom is just awesome! My sister, Stephanie, is a senior this year, and so she's getting senior pictures done - well, she wanted something 'new' to wear (formal) so Saturday, my mom drove back to I.F. with Stephanie and Katelyn to find Steph a dress...we found one at Harts - it's pretty cute, and can be used for performances and also for dances...

After we got done dress-shopping, we dropped Tanner off at home to play with Daddy (who got absolutely no homework done while we were gone for two hours, which was the whole idea behind taking Tanner) and Me, Stephanie, and Katelyn went to 'Great Clips' to get our hair cut - we were all in need of a haircut. My mom started all this, by cutting her hair really short a few weeks ago. Here's a before picture of the three of us - at the 'salon' - pretty cheesy, but fun.

And here is an after picture...I am thinking I'm going to have my mom cut off the rest of the length, because I feel like I have mullet...I like it, kindof, but it looks nothing like the picture I showed my 'stylist' - she did, however, do exactly what I said, and cut more when I told her I wanted it shorter on top...yeah, can we say "mullet?" So for church (and the rest of the week) it will be 'pony-tail' day, but we'll deal with it!

Well, I'll sign off and try not to overwhelm you or my blogsite with unneccary blogs - it's becoming a net I'm getting caught in, and I guess I need to mellow out...anyhow, enjoy!

My Very First Digital Scrapbook Page..I'm like a proud mother...wait...

Everything before today (including last night) was done on Word - and it looks like it. I have now officially done my very first page using Adobe PhotoShop CS2 - with only a little help from Ryan (it's really his software), but a ton of help from Stevie - she didn't directly help me with this page, but she has helped me get started, and that sure counts for something! There's room for learning, but hey, I finally did it. (it only took a really long time - all day, between playing, making cookies, and nursing...but I did it!)

Oh What a Night...

I need to express what I'm feeling right now, and Ryan has gone to bed...I am proud of myself for getting through today. I've accomplished two big things that I've been wanting to 'begin'...I say 'begin' because I had to take the first step, and there is a long way for me to go before I will have mastered (or at least got a handle on it) these two things (I'll probably always be working on them, for the rest of my life, if not a very long time).

1. I got Tanner put down without having to go for a drive. Hooray! He cried the entire time (about an hour and a half), and I actually gave up...he came out of his room and laid on the couch and fell asleep. So, like I said, a long ways to go, but I took the first step, and stood my ground for a little while...I know, I'm a wimp, but I got the ball rolling. Thanks for all your tips and encouragement. I really wasn't going to start tonight, but the whole bed-time thing tonight started as a 'time-out' gone bad, and escelated into bed time. The main thing is we didn't have to drive our loop around Idaho Falls.

2. Thanks to my neighbor and good friend, Stevie, I put together my very first scrapbook page using real digital scrapbook stuff...not just what you can find in Word...It has much to be desired, but hey, another ball rolling. My goal tonight on this project (of course I didn't start it until 9:30, after Tanner 'crashed') was to learn how to download, open and use...I did a wimpy page, but it's a start! Stevie does beautiful work, and her pages are all, well, perfect in my eyes - she has opened these doors for me, and I love them...Blogging, Digital Scrapbooking, standing my ground, etc...Thank you, Stevie! I posted my 'new' page, but for some reason the .jpg is squished and it looks funny - but I'll put a link to my place at Scrapbook.com and you can visit it - under Computer Vacations.

By-passing the Middleman, Mom

Yesterday was a beautiful day...although we have almost two feet of snow, and the temperature has been around 15 degrees, yesterday was sun-shiney, and in the mid thirties.

Prior to going outside, I wrestled with Tanner to get snow pants, boots, gloves, and even his nice winter coat on...but NO! So, I picked my battle (and luckily today he isn't sick with a cough or runny nose) and just let him go outside with his regular clothes on, shoes and a sweater...We had a ton of fun with Stevie and her little boy, Landon (who invited us to play outside). Stevie and I spent a good chunk of time trying to get some decent pictures, and only ended up with a few - I did however get this great clip. The boys had a blast splashing, but Tanner's favorite stunt was this...getting a drink of water...and by-passing the middle man, mommy. Why ask for help, when you can do it yourself?

P.S. this clip is ten times funnier than the one that was previously posted - it just took FOREVER to upload because of it's size.

Ryan...Husband, Father, Friend

Kara tagged me, and so here is some tidbits about my sweet husband, Ryan...Enjoy!

This is Ryan and his older brother, Mitch, making sugar cookies (with playdough and sugar) back in '79. :)

Camping 07.04.07 - something we love, and hope our children will, too, someday.

Who do you think is having more fun? It's really a toss-up.

WHAT IS HIS NAME: Ryan Lynn Poulsen

HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN MARRIED: 4 years on April 28th

HOW LONG DID WE DATE: We met May 6th, got engaged (officially with a ring) on December 6th, and were married April 28th, 2004

WHO SAID I LOVE YOU FIRST: Me...it was a suprize to me, too!

WHO IS TALLER: Definately Ryan

WHO SINGS BETTER: Me - I think the piano lessons helped. :)

WHO'S SMARTER: I'm book-smart, but Ryan has more logic, hands down!

WHO PAYS THE BILLS: It depends on what the bill is...if it can be paid online, we take turns, but if it can't, I write out the check - all in all, he's bringing home the baccon, so it's 'his' money.

WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED: If you're looking at the ceiling, Ryan does. The left side is closer to the door, so I can convienently get the kids, but Tanner always goes to daddy's side of the bed first. Ha!
WHO MOWS THE LAWN: Currently we don't own a lawn to mow, but I love mowing the lawn...so does Ryan, so we'll flip for it when we have grass to cut.
WHO COOKS DINNER: Usually me, sometimes Domines or Micky-D's, but Ryan loves cooking outside (camping, grilling, etc.). His specialty is ribs...they're so yummy, and homemade icecream! (we made huckleberry last night and used ice chuncks from outside...sorry we didn't share Stevie and Nick...maybe next time. :) )

WHO DRIVES: We both have licenses, (Ryan's expired Dec. 3rd and it's still not renewed...Shhh!) but Ryan always drives when we're both in the car.

WHO'S MORE STUBBORN: We take turns...it depends on the day.

WHO KISSED WHO FIRST: I kissed Ryan first...I tricked him. I told him the last guy didn't get kissed until we had dated for nine months (which was totally true), and then I smacked on one him after three weeks...Someone had to move things along.

WHO ASKED WHO OUT FIRST: Ryan was 'hitting' on me with all these smooth lines, and I didn't even pick up on it...His mom pushed the issue, though, and 'encouaged' him to ask me out. We both credit her for our meeting. It was kindof a date - more like a 'group outing', but our first date was definately initiated by him.

WHO PROPOSED: Ryan - we were supposed to have a gingerbread house building contest with another couple, but they convienently backed out (thanks, Ginger), so Ryan and I went to his house and built an awesome gingerbread house...To make a long story short, he got three Lego guys (he's a Lego king) and put them inside the house, the big guy holding the ring, and kneeling!...Quite ingenious, and really cute!

WHO HAS MORE SIBLINGS: Me - 3 brothers, 3 sisters. (Ryan - 3 brothers, 1 sister)

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY: We both wear pants. (except on Sunday, I wear a dress to church) Really though, I think we make a good team. :) Ryan is really good about discussing decisions with me, and I'm really good at well, making decisions, asking him what he thinks, and then going from there.

I TAG: Elena Manwaring (Ryan and Jarom served their missions together), Stevie Croft (I always love what she has to say) and Kate Lineberry (I don't think I've ever met her husband...& we went to high school together). You must include at least one picture of your sweetheart...more if you'd like.

Parenting failure comming right up...

Alright - I'm desparately needing some tips and tricks...the kind that might work out for us in the long run...for sleep, biting, and not minding.

Issue #1: Sleeping, or rather, a lack thereof. You see, since Taylor was born, Tanner is having a very difficult time falling asleep on his own, unless we take him for a ride in the car...He sleeps great once he's in his bed, he doesn't roll out, and for the most part sleeps until 6 or 7 in the morning. (He doesn't even wake up when Taylor cries to eat at 4am) However, it's getting him to sleep...We've tried everything from routine (we're still doing the bath, brush teeth, stories, prayers, get into bed; same time each night), to benadryl, to taking naps away, to shortening naps, to playing primary songs to waking him up earlier...In a perfect world I would dare say, "keep doing the routine, lay on his floor, walk him back to bed..." etc... How have you gotten your kids to go to sleep? We've been driving everyday for two months for naps and for bed-time...He has a lot of energy, and I do my best to get him to use it during the day, but we're really struggling. The driving thing works, but it's expensive, sometimes dangerous with the recent weather, and I don't feel right about having to drive him or 'drug' him twice a day.

Issue #2: Biting...friends, us, etc. We thought this was just a 'teething' thing, where Tanner needed to clamp down on something, but it's escalating...I've tried time-outs, biting him back, making him bite his own hand, and talking - "We don't bite, please don't bite, biting hurts, owie" etc. I'm going to try hot sauce or something that tastes nasty (soap?) today. I don't know...My guess is he's doing it for attention, and it seems like I give him all the attention in the world except for when I'm nursing Taylor, and we're still struggling...

Issue #3: Selective Hearing? Already? I can handle no response to, "time to pick up toys", but when it comes to safety, "Please don't climb on the counter" (we fold up the chairs inbetween meals now) or "Stop! Don't go in the street! Stay by the car, hold my hand (in a parking lot)", etc...Are his ears painted on? How have some of you taught your children to listen to you, especially in a dangerous situation?

I am completely open to any and all suggestions...

Six more hours...

So Tanner fell asleep at 5 o'clock - it's a no-go with no-naps. It's official, he has to have a nap from now on, but it has to be between noon and three!!! We're guarenteed to be up until midnight...So my to-do-list was pathetic, I know. But it's easier to say "I forgot" if it's written down. If I try to remember without writing it down, I kick my self over and over and over for not getting it done...Why do we women do that?

Ryan's class is cancled, because of 'incliment' weather - whatever - so He's playing marbleworks when he should be working on his presentation for next week. Ope - guess 'we' can't share the marbles so daddy bonding time is over - the toys are getting put away - it's gotta be rough being a two-year-old with a new brother and limited talking skills...GOSH!

So far...

I've been able to do at least three things on my list - the rest will have to wait until tommorw - Tanner and I are going to play like crazy! I've gotten in a shower (the towel is still on my head, however), I've done my dishes (that was a really hard one for me!) and I just got off the phone with my brother...I've even managed to find some chocolate - it just has to be made into something...I'm thinking brownies. Plain cocoa is just too odd.

My to-do list for today...

I figure I'll post my to-do list - it's been a running list for about two weeks now - maybe longer, I've lost track.
1. Shower (I got one yesterday, but daily showers are always a nice touch to screaming children)
2. Breakfast dishes
3. Clean out closets (yes, plural)
4. Clean Bathroom (it's been a few days, and yesterday I caught Tanner dipping his cup into the toilet and drinking it...YUCK!)
5. Wash kitchen floor
6. Put together Singing Time for the month...(note to self: Ward Conference in two weeks)
7. Find some Chocolate and EAT it!
8. Brush & Floss teeth (it's amazing how little things are enjoyable)
9. Make sure Tanner and Taylor get dressed (we're not going anywhere, but jammies get worn out when worn all night and all day) oh - and get out of sweat pants!
10. Pick up toys for Piano Lessons
11. Try to accomplish at least three things on this list...
Wish me Luck! Here I go....

"Mom! Moe noh!"

This morning Tanner and I watched out our front window, the 'beautiful' snowplows...It was fun for about 10 minutes. When the grater drove past our 'house' (it's really a four-plex) Tanner said, "Mom! Moe noh!" (Mom, more snow!) There were a few snow flakes falling, but lots of snow being pushed, too! Here's a picture - It's about to my knees...Fun for us! I can't wait to go out and play in it! We'll have to let it settle just a bit so we can walk on it, though.

How goes YOUR battle?

So, Tanner was two months old on Monday - which meant one exciting event - 2 month immunizations - lovely. So, I decided to leave a few minutes early and get an extra errand done before our appointment, which required me to go and start the car just to get it warmed up. When I left, Tanner was quietly watching a movie, and Taylor was peacefully sleeping in his swing. As I was approaching our front door not 60 seconds later, Taylor was screaming - I thought Tanner had maybe pulled him out of the swing, but it was ten times worse...

Tanner, for some reason, thinks little brothers are for picking on recently. He had bitten Taylor's forehead not once, but twice, and drew blood...



After getting Taylor settled down enough to buckle him in the carseat carrier, I started brushing my teeth while helping Tanner get shoes and a coat on...I turned my back... turned my back ...to spit in the bathroom sink, and Taylor was wailing before I got to the sink...As I litterally leaped into the front room, Tanner was cowering on the corner of the couch because he knew he was in BIG trouble! I glanced at Taylor and noticed his thumb was red - and throbbing - Tanner had bitten his fingernail - I'm suprized he didn't break the bone or worse, bite it off...

At the doctor's I was undressing Taylor to be weighed and noticed a third battle wound (actually the second in combat on this particualr day) where Tanner had bitten his knee. Good thing Taylor can have infant Tylenol now - On top of putting up with his brother's naughtiness, the nurse stuck Taylor with three needles - poor baby!

I don't know what has gotten into Tanner, but I'm frustrated!!! I guess we'll work it out - battle wounds are part of growing up, I suppose. (Sometimes I wish spanking was worth it and usefull - anymore Tanner pretty much laughs at us when we try to discipline...any tips? I'm asking for advice :) )

I love snow plows...they're beautiful

Tonight, I was thrilled to hear that I cannot park on the street after 8 am tomorrow morning because Idaho Falls is finally going to plow our street!!! YEAH!!! As I was out driving Tanner to sleep (I know, it's ridiculous and it's getting expensive) I drove up and down Sunnyside, around Holmes, and down 25th - They're actually plowing the streets and removing the snow!!! It's about TIME! I should get out my stack of thank you cards and write the department of...snow removal...and thank them. Seriously!

A Tribute...

While watching the funeral of our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, I had many thoughts of what wonderful things and miracles he as done for us...This link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DONH655IR1E will take you to a YouTube of a tribute that was made...just one of many, though. My dad 'intruduced' me to this particular tribute, and I liked it, so I wanted to share it with you! A good friend, Staci, sent me a similar e-mail saying that it was her cousin, Kerrianne Burch, who made the tribute...Thank you everyone for sharing! Enjoy. :)