Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Saturday, May 7

Teach the Children

There's a woman who guest posted on a blog I read. Here's the post.


In her post, she shared some info that I want to write down but it's not exactly feasible at this exact second. So, here it is. Copied in all it's greatness. Now, when I do find a pen, I'll be able to write it somewhere.

If I had to, I could narrow it down to two things I hope my children never forget. Two things that I hope I have taught them to do. The first one is: You help the people you love when they need it. You help them when it isn’t convenient, when it isn’t easy, when it isn’t fun. You help them, even if part of you would rather be doing something else. You help them grieve or you help them celebrate. You wipe their tears or clean their bathroom. Because loving people means serving them.

The second thing I hope my children remember is this: Sometimes you have to say no. Sometimes you have to put yourself first and say ‘I can’t help you today.’ There are times you need to unplug the phone, clear your schedule and take care of you. When you truly need to do that, it isn’t selfish and it isn’t something you should feel guilty about doing. It is loving yourself. And that is as important as loving others.

I want to teach my kids something important. Right now the important thing I'm teaching is that if you're going to take the toys from your sister, make sure you "trade" so she doesn't know she's getting the short end of the stick. Also, when we eat fast food for lunch, we throw the trash away BEFORE we get home so Daddy doesn't see. I think I like her second point because a lot of the time, I want to tell everyone (kids included) that I can't help them today.

Man, this mom thing is hard. Mom, I don't know how you did it. I surely know I didn't thank you enough for it! So, THANK YOU. thanks. Thank you! Dae dum (that's how my little brother used to say it.)

Thursday, March 31

I wish I felt this secure with my position in life

Thursday, March 24

Eliotisms

in the bathroom: Mom, can I have privacy?


dancing to music: Ladies and gentlemen, presenting rock roll Eliot!

at the dinner table: Oh, this is scrumptious.

in the dressing room: Mommy, that dress is not pretty. Why is it all scrunchy?

in the car: are we going this way? Yes or no?

at the computer: I'm texting a email.

Tuesday, February 15

18 things I'll admit to.

I read this article a few weeks ago and it's just been running through my head since then.


18 true things moms don't want to admit (edited to list the ones that apply to Stephanie)

1. You Don't Bathe Your Kid Nearly Enough

The pediatrician recommends bathing the baby every few days or so, but a week goes by and the closest you’ve come is wiping the spit-up off his chin with a moist cloth. You tell yourself he’s a lump (albeit an incredibly cute one) who barely moves -- he’s not exactly sweating. Besides, it’s probably been more than a few days since you showered

2.You Let Her Lay in Her Bed Crying Way Too Long While You Do What You Need To Do

With so little time to get anything done for yourself, those moments when the baby is miraculously occupied by her own fingers and toes are precious. Naturally, you rush to the computer. Just as you’re getting started, she’s already whimpering. You tell yourself it’s not real crying, but she gets louder. You’re determined to get this done now so you can give her your full attention in a sec. But before you can finish, she’s shrieking. Why even bother trying?

Yes, that is Finley you hear crying even as I'm writing this.

3.You Lie to Him All the Time

You like the idea of being honest with your child, but sometimes the truth is, if we may borrow Al Gore’s favorite word, inconvenient. So you tell your child the shoe store doesn't have the wheeled shoes that light up in his size when you know they do, that Daddy ate the last brownie (when, clearly, you did), that the toy store is closed, that the shot won’t hurt, that the DVD player is “tired,” and pretty soon you’re lying as often as, well, a politician.

It's not all the time but I am getting really good at coming up with "stories"

4.You Love the Baby More Than the Older Kid

Favoring one kid over the other is something you never imagined you would do, but the baby is such a little love bug. She’s so innocent and unmanipulative, and unlike the big one, she lets you smother her with kisses. Of course you don’t love her more, but sometimes, as hilarious and clever as the older one is, it’s just easier to deal with the less complex kid.

5.You Think Playing With Your Child Is Really Boring

You’ve just played “teenager” or “doggie” or whatever else you’re kid is obsessed with for the past hour, and he still isn’t sick of it. At this point, you would seriously rather clean the bathroom than go through another round of the game. How can you love your children so much yet be so entirely uninterested in the games they want to play? Here’s something that will get you in the mood: Ten years from now, when they want absolutely nothing do to with you that doesn’t involve you giving them cash, you’ll be begging them to play choo-choos!

7.You Leave Her Locked in the Car While You Run Into the House to Pee or Get Something You Forgot

It’s cruel to leave a dog locked in a car -- but is it cruel to do so with a child? In your book, running inside the house to grab a forgotten something (especially for the kid!) is appropriate. So is having a quick tinkle. Running into a store? That’s where you draw the line.

Although I have left them in the car at the dry cleaners and at the gas station. It was to get a drink and I could see them the whole time. And I left the car on as a signal to everyone else that I didn't forget they were there nor was I being mean leaving them in a hot car. Yes, I'm horrible.

8.You use TV as a Babysitter Way Too Often

Before you became a parent, you vowed your child wouldn’t watch TV. Now suddenly here you are asking your child why she doesn’t want to watch Curious George and trying to convince her it’s her favorite episode. It’s sad. It really is. But tomorrow is another day -- you can always renew your vows.

I'd never get anything done (even a shower) without the tv.

9.You Would Rather Sleep, Sometimes Even Work, Than Be With Your Children

Weekends used to be these amazing stretches of time when you didn’t have any obligations. These days, weekends seem almost harder than workdays. Yes, you are excited about having the free time with your children, but you also panic a little about how you are going to fill all of it. And then there is the deep longing for sleep. Saturday morning, your kids are climbing all over you, and you are blatantly ignoring them, allowing yourself to linger just a few more minutes in that haze between sleep and wakefulness. You were having such a good dream before a cute little person kneed you in the back -- that you were single, without kids.

It's really, really hard to want to be with them when Els didn't go to bed until 11:00 and then Fin was up at 12:30 and 3:00. Then at 5:30 she needed her bottle and Els was up for the day at 7. Yeah, I"m not too eager to see them today.

11. You Give Them Food You'd Never Eat Yourself

You eat grilled chicken strips over a bed of greens. They eat chicken nuggets. You have fresh fruit. They have flat sticky crap that’s rolled up in plastic. You have regular milk. They have chocolate milk. But hey, at least they're eating.

Eliot only survives on chicken nuggets and mac and cheese.

13.You Let Her Go Days Without Vegetables

You are perfectly aware of how important vegetables are for your kid’s health, but you’ve done all you can -- and the kid still won’t touch them. And honestly, you don’t like them much, either. So, you decide to drop the veggie charade. Heck, life is short, so you’re not going to waste time making everyone miserable. Of course, two days later, there you are again, trying to sneak some broccoli into the marinara.

What's a vegetable?

17.You Forget to Put the Kid’s Car-Seat Belt On

Getting out the door with kids always feels like a major accomplishment, so once you’re finally in the car, you want to turn on the ignition and go. That said, every mom jumps the gun at least once. If it hasn’t already happened to you, one day, you just may get to the end of your block, only to hear a familiar little voice scolding you: "Mom! You forgot to buckle me!" OMG! You will urgently pull over, buckle up the kid (who is loving this a little too much), and take a guilty look around to make sure there are no cops waiting to haul you away for being the worst mom ever.

Thursday, January 20

We went to the doctor for Fin's four month checkup.
Her head is 96%.
The doctor said big heads are genetic. I keep looking at El's head to see if it's big too.
He said it may take her longer to learn how to roll over because she has to get more momentum to move her big head.
What do they do if a head gets too big?
I'm already starting to design the helmet I'm sure she's going to have to wear ;)
Sorry child. I'm sure it's your dad's fault. He's the one who went to Harvard.

Sunday, January 16


The older one is now exclusively sleeping in her big-girl bed. I guess that's what happens when you take the crib out of her room. Now it's time for potty training. Yuck.


The little one is four months tomorrow. She likes to scream. Not a scream like she's sad but a talking scream. Yeah screaming!

Wednesday, December 1

See how much you write with one hand.

My daughter has OCD. It's kind of funny.
And this one has the cutest head.
And then we had Fin's baby blessing.
The end.

Friday, October 22

So lately

Finley's been sleeping 8 hour stretches! Why am I still tired?


I'm able to zip and button my non-maternity pants (but only if I have no intention of doing anything but standing).

Eliot's been waking up with night terrors. She runs around screaming "I don't want to" at 2:30 in the morning. Apparently I'm a bad mom even in her dreams. And, what makes this even more enjoyable is the first item of this list- Finley's sleeping 8 hours and I'm still having to get up.

At one month old, Finley now weighs 9 lbs and is 22 in long. Eliot, at one month, was 10 lbs 11 oz and 21.5 in. I don't know if this means Fin is small or Eliot was big. I do know that Fin isn't fitting in her cute clothes yet. I'm so tired of her NB outfits.

And finally, someone at the gym asked me if I was working out for two. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about. He said I looked pregnant. I told him thank you for saying so but I had my baby three weeks ago (at the time). He said oh, I would have thought you were three months pregnant.


Monday, October 18

She's getting bigger. I'm super tired.



Sunday, October 3

We're surviving

She's always in this position.



Wednesday, September 22

Family of Four

She's here. Right on her due date.

Finley Reese Bowen
9/17/10 9:48am
7 lbs 8 oz
19 3/4 in

I did end up being induced. They tried gels first and then I ended up getting pitocin at 4:30am. By 7:30 it was time for my epidural (YEAH!) and at 9:20 they called in the doc. Three big pushes, a few little ones, and she was here. The second was a lot easier than the first.

Now the adventure of having two is going to begin. We'll see how that goes.


Thursday, June 18

Violation of Bedroom Rules!!!

Tyler totally violated the STAY ON YOUR HALF OF THE BED rule last night.

I've gotten used to the fact that he steals the blankets.

I'm fine with the fact that sometimes he snores.

I am not okay when he compromises my personal space. I like to sleep alone. Since twin beds for married couples went out the window after all the Doris Day movies, I feel as though the way for our marital co-sleeping survival is only through this separation.

I feel bitter that I had to sleep on 1/8 of the mattress. I never really wanted a King bed before this moment. I'm starting to see it's appeal.

Thursday, April 23


we'd like to announce the addition of Ryann Mary Bowns Hulme (I don't know which of those names she's going to keep) to the Hulme family.on our trip we saw:


grandmas and great grandmas

snow (in CO...on the day of the open house. I shoveled the whole driveway twice- the snowblower was broken and I didn't want my dad to have a heart attack. jk Dad!)

lots of yummy cupcakes

because of the snow (why I live in Phoenix) there weren't as many people as expected. if you'd like some cupcakes, I'm sure there are some left. my mom's been handing them out to anyone stopping by the house and the garbage man and the mailman and the UPS man and the Schwann's man (I'm lying about all those men but I'm sure if she was having a conversation with them she would offer them some).

my cute brother Scotty was also there in cardboard form. Sorta creepy!

Eliot was a pill. On the plane, she wanted to run around. Luckily, on all but one leg of the trip, she was able to be strapped in her carseat. I didn't realize just how child proof our house is until I went somewhere that isn't child proof. She was in drawers and toilets (numerous times she's had toilet baths!) and eating toilet paper and dog food and playing in dog water bowls (did I mention she likes water?) and books and fire places and grandpa's office and kitty litter boxes and stairs- you get the point.

Once, not so long ago, things were easier. Not as fun but not as hectic. For my birthday I think I'll ask for a nap.







Friday, March 27

He better not get me the traditional gift of wood or the modern gift of silverware!

Five years ago:




4 years ago:




3 years ago:




2 years ago:


Last year:




TODAY:

5 years with that totally frustrating, absolutely wonderful hubby of mine. It took three weeks for me to know that I was going to marry him... a month and a half for him to pop the question... six months for us to get hitched... three years in Boston... two years in Phoenix... three moves... two cats... seven cars... one baby... one house...

BEST DECISION I'VE EVER MADE.

I know he'd say the same too because I am absolutely amazing and the awesomest wife and not hard to live with at all and I never leave my dirty laundry on the floor and the best thing that's ever happened to him. I'm sure he'd say the same- especially if he doesn't want to be sleeping on the couch.

Sunday, August 3

Blessings

Eliot has brought us so many blessings. What a wonderful day where we were able to witness her first blessing. I know that Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he created families. How wonderful that I have the opportunity to spend eternity with my wonderful husband and the sweet spirit that I've been charged with.

Friday, March 28

Lonely

I love being around family. It's just such a nice and comfortable feeling that few other things compare to.

I recently went home to Colorado for a baby shower. Why go all the way home? In Phoenix, I don't have enough friends to have a shower. It was great getting baby stuff. Who knew they'd need so much!

After spending five days at home, my mom and my brother came back to Phoenix with me for spring break. It was so fun having them here! I love waking up and having people to talk to. I love all the laughing and entertaining that is just so comfortable because it's with family.
The sad times come when it's time to go home. Whether it's me going home or me sending someone else off, the quietness that remains is almost deafening. I've never been good saying goodbye. This time was no different. I dropped them off this morning and then didn't know what to do with myself.
I'm excited for the baby to come so that I can have someone with whom to make noise. I'm excited to have someone always around. I also know that I need to make some friends! I need to have someone to call when my mom is on the plane (and her phone must be turned off) and my husband is on conference calls all day (unable to converse with lonely wife). For now, I'm so glad to have family- especially mine! They're the greatest.

Tuesday, February 12

My Honey


1. What's his name? Tyler Reese Bowen.
2. How long have you been married? 4 years, next month
3. How long did you date? We dated a month and a half before getting engaged. We talked about marriage after two weeks.
4. How old is he? 27
5. Who eats more? We used to eat about the same. Then I got pregnant and he got stressed with work. Now I eat practically nothing and he eats EVERYTHING! I would think it'd be the opposite.
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did... but it was "I think I'm falling in love with you." I said, "Oh, okay."
7. Who is taller? He is, unless I'm wearing heels.
8. Who sings better? I do. He can sing okay but sometimes is a bit off.
9. Who is smarter? He is. He has this amazing ability to retain and recall all sorts of information. He also likes to learn. Most of the things I know come from listening to him.
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine. Tyler is able to participate in a whole argument without ever raising his voice. That in itself makes me furious.
11. Who does the laundry? I do mostly but he does his fair share.12. Who does the dishes? I do unless it's the weekend. I've tried to institute the "if I cook it, you clean it" protocol but it doesn't work.
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? The right side looking at the bed or the right side while in bed? While in bed, Tyler's on the right. I have been known to randomly want to change sides, though.
14. Who pays the bills? Tyler brings home the bacon, I maintain the finances.
15. Who mows the lawn? We don't have a lawn. If we did, Tyler would mow it. He's a very good mower. He can put designs in the lawn.
16. Who cooks dinner? I do. Tyler is so sweet to help, but it's something I love so I take the job away from him. He'd probably be a better cook if I would let that skill develop in him. I'm stifling his creative ability. I'm a bad wife.
17. Who drives when you are together? We both do. My car is more fun to drive and I'm more paitent but sometimes I just don't feel like driving.
18. Who is more stubborn? We both are very stubborn. I'd say it's a tie.
19. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Tyler used to be the first to apologize, now it's me. Our apologizes rarely include admitting we are wrong though. Typically they are "I'm sorry your opinion is different from mine and WRONG!"
20. Whose parents do you visit most? I visit my parents the most.
21. Who proposed? Tyler. I knew something was up because he had stopped talking about "when the ring comes..."
22. Who has more friends? Tyler. All of my friends exist in cyberspace and far away.
23. Who has more siblings? Tyler. He's third of six.
24. Who wears the pants in the family? I do. Tyler does well to hold his own, but like I said, I'm very stubborn.