Life as Kiera Sees It: I am 9 Months Old Today!

I am 9 months today.

Weight: 22 pounds 8 ounces

Height: 30 inches

I got my 3rd tooth.

I can stand up and cruise on the furniture.

I got my bangs trimmed.

I said "Mama" though I haven't said it since.

My child you touched my soul right from the start and showed me how to love in a way I never knew.  I know it was for you I have yearned all these years.  In one moment my life was changed forever, and if I live forever, there can never be anyone who will fill my heart with such a joy and love. ~ La Tourelle

Sleep Training - Night 3

The Third Night
Victory is Mine

Our poor little girl has lost her voice from cryng so much.  She has a little squeaky voice now, and higher pitch whines.  It has made her cries even harder to listen to.

She went to bed with out a problem at 9:00 pm.  Not a peep.  Things are getting better. Will tonight be the night?  She was up at 9:40 pm for 10 minutes, then again at 10:30 pm for 5 minutes. 

Glory Be!  She didn't wake again until 8:00 this morning.  Eureka, she's got it.

Baby girl is stubborn though.  She takes after her father.  She has taken the battle to her nap time now.  She won't nap for more than 15 minutes until she is so tired that she collapses around dinner time.  Even then, she only sleeps for an hour.

At least, I can deal with that.

Sleep Training - Night 2

The Second Night - We caved.

Well, we modified our plan.  We did the bed time routine and put her in her crib at 8:30 pm as planned.  We knew what to expect, so it should be a little easier.  As expected, she started crying the second we put her down.  We managed to get through the alloted 5 minutes, then Mike went to comfort her.  I promised Mike I would try again as well, but he took the first shift.

I played with my Blackberry as I waited for him.  Hmmm, quiet, thats a good sign.  Mike didn't return after the 2 minutes.  He didn't return after 5 minutes.  Whats going on?  Finally, he comes out, tears in his eyes, feeling so dejected.  Apparently he heard "Please daddy, pick me up.  Don't leave me here!" 

As we watched to clock count down the time until we can go back in, we talk about what to do.  I know I was not strong enough to stick with it, and Mike didn't think he was either.  However, if we stop now, we undo anything we might have accomplished, and it is doubtful we will go back to this if something else doesn't work.

We worked out a plan.  We continue with a bedtime routine and quiet time after 8:00 pm, but we let her fall asleep when she wants.  However, once she is in her crib, she stays there.  Having decided this, we happily rescue our screaming child.  I know we just postponed the drama, but I felt relief.  Baby girl fell asleep and was put into her crib at 9:15 pm, without a peep.

In anticipation of a rough night, mommy tossed and turned.  Baby girl on the otherhand, didn't anticipate a rough night.  She slept peacefully until midnight.  At midnight, she woke up, cried for a minute, then fell back to sleep.

She woke again at 2:30 pm.  Daddy only had to get up once to comfort her before she fell back to sleep.  It is so much easier to deal with her at 2:00 in the morning.  She is only crying halfheartedly, and I think it is only to prove that she is the boss.  She woke at 7:00 am.

Modifying the method has helped us relax about the process, which I think will make it easier to stick with.  Besides, she's a smart girl.  She should catch on soon.  I hope.

Are the Electronic Gods Mad at Me?

In the past week, we have lost 3 well used electronic pieces.  I think I have upset the ruler of electronic things.

First was the camera.  My beloved camera. 

We were all outside enjoying the sun.  Kiera and I were watching daddy remove a bush.  As I came inside, the strap broke on the camera, and the camera landed on the floor.  Camera's don't bounce and they don't like to hit the floor.  It is currently at London Drugs, and we are awaiting the verdict.  Please let it be alright.

A couple of days later, we were faced with the ring of death.

The ring of death occurs when you start the XBox, and you see a red ring instead of a green one.  Ouch.  I'll never see Mike now.  He will be in his office playing his games.

Today, on my way to the Canadian Cancer Society, I climbed into the truck and noticed the glove box, ash tray and center console open.

There goes Mike's IPod, and about $3.00 change.  There was no broken glass at least, so we don't have to worry about that getting fixed.

Where does one go to appease the electronic gods? 

Sleep Training - Night 1

First - thank you everyone for your comments and encouragement.  This sleeping problem started almost 2 months ago because she was teething.  It has continued, and gotten to the point where she is awake every 2 hours, and it was taking me up to an hour to get her back to sleep.  It really has just become a habit of hers to have daddy or mommy hold her until she sleeps, so she doesn't know what to do when she wakes in the middle of the night.  We are setting up a better bedtime routine, as well as making sure she is getting enough to eat during the day, and just before bedtime.

The First Night- Lots of Tears, Lots of Cuddles - and it wasn't just Kiera.

It was h e double hockey sticks.  It is so hard to listen to baby girl cry, and not rush to her side to comfort her.  At 8:30 pm, she was rubbing her eyese and cuddling, so I decided it was time to start the process.  As soon as I put her in her crib, the crying started.  Luckily, I only have to wait 3 mintues before I comfort her.  How hard can that be?  It was 3 very long minutes.  Daddy took the first turn to comfort her.

He managed to quiet her down (though he took longer than the 2 minutes allowed).  Yay, it worked already.  Man, our child is brillant.  Opps, nope.  As soon as he closed the door, she starts crying again.  This time we ahve to wait 5 minutes before we can go back in.  This time, it's my turn.

I go in, rub her forehead, talk to her.  Then she looks at me with these pleading eyes and she is crying so hard she was hyperventalating.  All I here is "Please mommy, pick me up!"  I couldn't take it, so I pick her up and cuddle her in the rocking chair.  As I rocked her, my tears started.  The first of many.  Mike caught me, and reminded me we aren't supposed to hold her if we want this to work.  At that point, we decided I just wasn't going to be able to do this.  I know that this is for the best in the long run.  We are teaching her how to put herself to sleep, but hearing her was hard enough. 

Afgter 2 more trips to her room, she finally fell asleep at 9:15 pm.  It only took 45 minutes.  Wait a sec, it only took 45 minutes?  It felt like hours.  Of course, this was just the beginning of the night.

She woke at about 10:30 pm as we were going to bed ourselves.  It only took Mike 2 trips to get her to go back to sleep.  In between, he cuddle me as I cried.  She woke again at 2:00 am, but she fell back to sleep on her own after crying for about 5 minutes.  And again, more tears from me.  Poor Mike.

She slept until 8:00 am.  Well that wasn't so hard.  She will be good tonight, right.  Right?

April Contest Reminder

There are only 2 more days to enter the April Contest.

Crazy Going Slowly Am I

I am slowly going crazy, 1 2 3 4 5 6 switch.

Crazy going slowly am I, 6 5 4 3 2 1 switch.

This song is playing in my head right now.  I feel like I am slowly going insane.  This is the reason I haven't been posting as much this month.  I brain moves like a slug, and writing skills (and speech skills) are casualties.

My little angel, who at 4 months was sleeping thru the night, has now decided that sleep is an option, not a necessity.  I have tried to reason with her, and explain that mom needs her sleep.  But the poor girl is waking every 2 to 3 hours, and it is taking us about an hour to get her back to sleep.

I know it is my fault somehow.  The big question is "How do I fix it?" 

Sleep Training might be the answer.

There are 2 different types of sleep training.

The No Tears Method
There are many variations that fall into this catagory.  Most of them have you rock or feed the baby until they fall asleep, and you pick up to soothe the baby each time they wake up.  The idea is to respond to them each time they cry (just not to every noise they make).

The Cry It Out Method
There are many variations to this method as well, but one main one that is employed.  This is the Ferber Method.  This method has you wait a predetermined amount of time before responding to the baby's cries.  Each time you respond, the amount of time between is lengthened.  As well, you limit how much time you spend soothing the baby.

You would think it would be easy for us to decide which method to use.  Who likes to hear their baby crying?  Without even knowing it, we have been using the No Tears Method already.  And apparently, that is not working. 

I have never wanted to use the Cry It Out method, but we need to do something.

Our first step will be moving her bedtime to 8:00 pm.  That will take a couple of nights as her current bedtime is between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm.  As well, we have to establish a consistant bedtime routine.  Tonight, we will start with some energetic play at around 2 hours before bed to burn off any excess energy.  Then an hour before bed, we will wash up or take a bath, put on a clean diaper and PJ's.  This will be followed by the TV being turned off for a bottle, some quiet play and a bedtime story.  Then into bed.

This is when Ferber's method comes into effect.  According to his method, you say good night and leave the room.  If baby cries, you wait the alloted amount of time, then go in and comfort the baby with out picking them up.  After 2 minutes, you leave the room, even if the baby is still crying.  You then wait a slightly longer amount of time before you go back in. You keep repeating this until they fall asleep.  If they wake during the night, you start from the beginning.

Each following night, your initial waiting time is slightly longer.  Within a week, baby should be sleeping through the night. 

The hardest part will be listening to her cry.  I don't know if I can do it, but I have to try. 
Or I will go insane.

The Biggest Loser

A local fitness centre is holding a Biggest Loser program (I call it a program since you actual pay them for it).  I wrote a letter and submitted it.  Within a couple of hours, I received a phone call saying I have been accepted.  Wooohooo.

What is the Biggest Loser?  Well, here you go.

"What is the Biggest Loser program?
- Sixteen week diet/exercise contest providing you the tools to eat properly and exercise regularly
- You will receive a customized diet program and receive the support you need to stick to it
- Participate in individual and group personal training sessions with certified and experienced personal trainers
- Enjoy group classes and challenges
- Unlimited access to cardio equipment
- Choose when and how often you workout (minimum of 3x/week )

How is the winner chosen?
- You need to complete the program and have lost the highest percentage of weight loss. By competing for % of body fat lost instead of lbs, it levels the playing field for those who have a moderate of weight to loss or those with a those that have a considerable amount to loss.

What will I WIN?
- A three month certificate for unlimited personal training and ongoing diet support from Kamloops Fit Centre or the chance to participate in the next Biggest Loser program free of charge.
- A free hair cut and style
- A 2lb tub of protein powder from Fuel Sports supplements
- Various other prizes depending on sponsors

How does the program work?
- We start with an initial consultation that includes a health and lifestyle questionnaire. In this first meeting we will take your blood pressure and resting heart rate and test your blood glucose levels – all numbers you should know. Your start weight will be recorded, measurements done and before photos taken will be taken. You will be asked to set some goals and together we will make a plan. From there , you can start making your appointments to meet with the trainers and start your exercise program. One of your first appointments will also be with one of the nutritionist to set up your diet.
- Your first few training sessions will be teaching sessions. You will be shown the proper way to work your core and abdominals. The trainers will show you how to execute the exercises properly and safely.
- Training sessions are about an hour long, with 30 minutes of resistance training or weight training and then followed by your cardio. You will be expected to do 30-40 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 4-5 days a week, preferably daily. Depending on your fitness level, you may need to work up to that level in a progressive manner.
- You are expected to arrive 10-15 minutes before your training session to allow for warm-up.
- Saturdays is the official weigh-in following by a circuit class. If you can not attend on Saturdays your last weigh in of the week will be used to calculate the weekly results. There are two other circuit classes during the week , you can also attend.
- You may be weight randomly throughout the week, to monitor your progress, with the goal being to have lost 1-2 lbs per week or more."

So last week, Nina (who is participating with me) head into the centre for our initial consultation.  I nicely filled in my health and lifestyle questionaire on the computer, although I lied about how much coffee I drink. Oops.  Hopefully neatness will make the trainers go a little easier on me.

We walked into the centre, and looked around.  It didn't look like much, but it was definately functional.  Everybody was busy, so we took a seat and watched.  Hmmm....um, they aren't nice.  Well, ok.  That's what I need.

Lorilee, one of the owners and a trainer, finished up and came over to us.  We went through my questionaire, discussed the program and my goals.  My main goal is to lose 30 pounds at the end of this program.  Lorilee feels that it is definately achievable, and perhaps I can lose 40 pounds. 

The first scare - my stats.  She checked my blood pressure, my measurements and my weight.  I hadn't realized how much weight I had actually gained.  Apparently I am 9 months pregnant again. 

I will share my weight with you each week.  I am hoping you all will be able to help me stay on track.

The second scare - the before pictures.  She took 3 different angles, front, side and behind.  I never see my behind, so I have a fanasty that I have a J-Lo booty.  I haven't see the pictures yet, so I am still in that dream world.  "I'm Real" is playing in my head right now.

The third scare - a grumpy trainer and program manager.  Lorilee dropped a bombshell while she is doing Nina's stats.  She will be working to get into shape to complete in a bodybuilder competition so she will be grumpy, to put it mildly.  Oh goody.  Can I quit now?

We are scheduled for our nutritional consultation this week.  I know that I will be eating a lot of vegetables over the next 16 weeks, and not so much bread and pasta.  And, gulp, Lorilee has said that alcohol is forbidden.  Wine is made from grapes, so technically it is old grape juice.

On May 1st, I officially embark on this new journey.

A Day Off

Baby girl is changing so fast.  We were just at Grandma Helen's a month ago, but she wasn't crawling yet.  Hubby decided to take her to see Grandma Helen for the day.  For reference, grandma lives 2 hours away.  He asked if I wanted to come along on their little adventure.  I hummed and hawwed for about 5 seconds, before I decided to decline.  I wanted to give them a little daddy-daughter time.  Aren't I generous.

Now for me to figure out what to do with 8 hours free time.  First thing I did was start laundry and organizing the house.  Heaven help me.  I managed to pull myself away to update my facebook status, then I had a nice long relaxing shower.  I decided my only plan for the day was to take the bike out for a ride.

Nina convinced me to come visit her.  I hopped on my bike and headed on over.  She surprised me at the door with a cup of coffee, then gave me a pedicure.

I love this colour.

After coffee and a pedicure, Nina, her mom, Boog and I got on the bus, and went to Mr. Mike's for lunch (mom was buying - thank you mom).  I like their salad bar, though, I do think it is a little over priced.  Yummy cooked mushrooms.  I ordered a mushroom burger to go along with the salad since I never get mushrooms at home.  It did not quite live up to my dreams.  It was greasy, which defeated anything the salad was trying to do. 

After lunch, we went to the grocery store.  I had decided I was making a salad for dinner (still making up for the greasy burger).  We had left over BBQ'd chicken at home, so I grabbed some lettuce, dried cranberries, pecan halves and herbed feta to go with it.

Oh look, there's a Starbucks.  How convenient.  Nina bought us coffee's to go.  And when goes with coffee?  A Book!!!!  Well, everything goes with coffee, but I am using this as a transition to our next stop - the bookstore next to the grocery store.

Time to catch the bus back to Nina's.  After packing all the groceries into my saddlebags (it was a tight fit), I got on my bike to come home.  It took me longer to come home.  I wasn't ready to get off my bike, so I took a little detour.  I got home in time to make dinner, finish 3 loads of laundry, play on facebook and cuddle with the kitty.

It was a great day, but I sure missed my family.

Life with Alexis: Sweet Sixteen

Happy 16th Birthday Alexis

You have grown into such a beautiful young woman.  I am excited to see all the great things in your future.  If I can give you any words of wisdom, I will tell you this

Do not worry about what others think.  You don't see most of them after graduation.

You don't have to know what you want to do with your life right away.

Save, save, save, and don't go into debt.

Experience life now, travel if you want to; it gets harder to do later.

Never regret anything, you can't redo it.  Learn from it and move on.

Stay close to your family.

Life is short, so have fun.

Reaching 16 is a milestone,

a happy point in life.

You've set your personality

and your tolerance for strife.

By now you know right from wrong

and how to influence friends.

It’s time to look down the road

at forks and around the bends.

The road ahead is wonderful,

some choices will be clear.

Your path depends on bravery

to push aside the fear.

When you chose this way or that,

slow choices or if snappy,

make the choices best for you,

the ones that make you happy.

by Michael Charles Messineo

We love you Alexis.

Spring and the April Contest

Spring has sprung and the weather is gorgeous! 

Spring means...

Sunny Weather

Motorcycle Rides

Shorts

Sandles (oops, need a pedicure)

Picnic's

Flowers

Water Parks

Sun Dresses

Taking Pictures

Fresh Air in the House

Yard Work (ewww)

Cleaning and Organizing

Making Room to Buy New Things

I have been dying to go into Urban Barn and do some shopping.  They have some really cool stuff for the house.  So in honour of cleaning, organizing and decorating the house, I am having a contest this month.

What

$25.00 Gift Certificate to the Urban Barn.

How

You get one entry if you reply to this post with what you would buy for your house, if you could buy anything.

You can get a second entry if you become a follower.

When

The contest closes midnight April 30th and the winner will be announced on May 1st.

Enjoy the Spring.

Ode to Timmy

Only glass separates you from your one true love.  Electricity flows you in anticipation.  All you have to do is open the door and walk thru, and he will be yours.  He is not fancy, but he is strong, and his strength is what keeps you going. 

Taking in a deep breath, you push yourself onward, through the portal to bliss.  You pause, you dream of his warmth embracing you, filling your soul.  You taste him on your lips.  After waiting so long, you will finally together.  How do you express your feelings, and how important he is?  You say the first thing that comes to mind: "Can I have a Double Double please?"

Note: The cup was empty, I do not feed baby girl coffee.  I do want her to sleep!

March Goal Review

It's a little late.  Over the past week or 2, I have been extremely tired.  It is not Kiera as she has been sleeping mostly through the night.  To tell you the truth, I am not sure what is causing the exhaustion.  I suspect that it is depression rearing it's not so friendly head, trying one last attempt before summer comes and the sun is out.

Leisure Time

I will get my motorcycle license by July 1, 2010.

* We got our bike's insured and serviced.  I started my couse, and have passed my MST (Motorcycle Skills Test).  The MST is the 1st part.  We started riding in the city yesterday.  If anyone is interested, call John at Dallas Driving School.

my bike :)

I will read 10 books per year, 2 of which must be nonfiction.

* I have read 5 books so far, 3 of which were none fiction.  I have reviewed 2 of the books in previous posts.

Community Involvement

I will volunteer by March 31st, 2010.

* I decided to volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society.  I worked the table at Save On Foods, selling daffodil pins on March 28th.  I did my volunteer orientation on April 9th - Daffodil Day, and I do my first training session on April 22nd.  I am really excited to be doing this. 

Personal Growth

I will reconnect with my friends by the end of the year.

* Our Earth Hour Murder Mystery went really well.  I am hoping to plan something again next month.  I do meet once a week for coffee with Nina, my BFF.

I will post to my blog 3 times per week.

* I changed this one to 12 times per month.  I met that for March, but I am a little behind for April.  Better get crack-a-lacking.

Health and Fitness

I will work out for 30 minutes, 3 times per week.

* This goal has fallen short.  I don't enjoy working out, so it is the most difficult one for me to accomplish.  I have become a participant in the local Biggest Loser contest beginning May 1st.  Ouch.  I will keep you posted on how well all that works.  I am hoping for Bob. 

* I also joined the Hula Hunnies for the Relay for Life.  We are hosting a Father Daughter Ball on May 15th.  Let me know if you are interested.

Baby Girl and I are back in Mother Goose.  She is going to have a lot more fun this time.  Well, better go out and enjoy the sun!!

 

Sun, Grass and a Camera

Every week, Ree over at the Pioneer Woman site holds a photography contest.  She names a topic, and anyone can sumbit a photo.  The photo's submitted are amazing, and I am hoping one day to enter the contest.  This weeks topic is Macro's.  A Macro lens is soooo on my wishlist.  The lens allows you to zoom so close to a subject that you can see the hair on a bug's legs, though I'm not sure I really need to see that.  I love the idea of this type of picture.

We don't have a macro lens, but we do have a zoom lens.  Hubby asked me to come outside for a second, so I grabbed baby and camera.

Here is what I captured.

Maintaining a Healthy Level of Insanity

This is an email I received this morning.  After a long night with baby girl (poor  thing is teething), I needed this. 

1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.


2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice!

3..Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that.

4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks . Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write ' For Marijuana.

6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many looks you get.

7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.

9. Sing Along At The Opera.

10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You have a headache.

11.When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'

12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'

13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

Say Cheese.....

A year ago I purchased the book "Complete Digital Photography" by Tom Ang for my husband.  We had just purchased our new Nikon D60 Digital SLR Camera in honour of our impending arrival, Kiera.  The book has collected dust on the top of our fridge since it came into the house.  As a side note, the camera is used almost every day.  It is a great camera, and I haven't even used all the features yet.

Working on my blog has reawakened a passion for photography in me.  I have been avidly snapping pictures for a couple of months now.  Having an adorable little girl makes that easy.  Well that and not having to pay for film.  Yay technology.

I was taking photos with a friend's camera (that will teach her to leave it at my house), and I realized want to delve more into the artistic side of photography, and photographic effects.  That is when the flash went off and I remembered the book on the fridge.  I pulled it down, dusted it off and read it.

Let me first say that the edition I read was published in 2005, so the technology is already outdated.  My other issue with the book is that it only had 1 chapter on actual photography.  This would be a good book for anyone brand new to digital camera's and the technology associated.  The book was not all bad.  I did learn a couple of techniques I decided to try out and share with you.

Most digital camera's offer an auto focus when you press the button half way.  The camera also reads the amount of light available to determine the proper exposure.  Exposure is the amount of light to allowed to reach the image sensor.  For example, an underexposed image will be dark as not enough light reaches the sensor.

Exposure

Sometimes you can use overexposing or underexposing to your advantage.  With the right subject or image, the effects can change the feeling of the photo.

Original - just point and shoot.

Silhouette

Though you can't see a big change in the image, this effect is achieved by focusing the camera on the brightest or lightest part of the image.  Before completely pressing the button, reposition the camera back to take the image you want.  This will make dark areas darker.  This works best with clearly defined forms.

High Key

High Key is created when you focus on the darkest part of the picture then reposition the camera to snap the shot.  This is ideal to soften an image.

 Exposure can be changed using software as well.

Original Image

Extra Exposure

Less Exposure

In this case, I much prefer the Less Exposed image.  I find the colours richer.  Again, using more exposure will lighten or soften the subject.

Contrast

Contrast is the difference in the brightness between the light and dark areas.  Changing contrast can make an image more dramatic.

Original

Low Contrast

High Contrast

I am using extreme levels to show the differences.  The high contrast image is more dramatic and artistic.

Saturation

Sometimes you may want to intensify just one colour in an image.  To do this, you would change the saturation.  Saturation measures the purity of a colour.

Original

Increase Master (all colours)

Increase Red Only

Increase Green Only

Increase Blue Only

Increasing the saturation can cause the colours to become too strong.  However, it works well if we just increase the blues.

There are many more effects you can do when using photo editting software.  Some are practical, some are purely for entertainment.  As I explore, I would love to share my trials and errors with you.  I am hoping I can keep you entertained as I explore the world through a camera lens.

Life as Kiera Sees It: 8 Months Old

It's long over due, but here is Kiera at 8 months old.

Weight: 20 pounds

Height: 30 inches

In March, I

Learned to crawl

Got my bottom 2 teeth

Started sharing mommy and daddy's dinner

Here is the world from my point of view.