In some ways my experiment was harder than I thought it would be. Please don't think that I went around all the time calling people names. That's not the issue for me. Although, today I called
Leah a grumpy gills. Oops. The real issue surfaced on day two.
On day two I realized that I will say things like
"can you believe so and so said this?" Or something like "this person
did that?" I get annoyed by what people do or say, or don't do or don't
say. It will bother me when people don't do things the way I would do them. It took me the whole seven days to realize that I have no control over the choices other people
make. I can only control my reaction to them. And to be honest, that's
hard sometimes!
The second half of my week long experiment was spent at a family reunion. I did this on purpose. Why? I'm still trying to figure that one out! All of us were in the same house sharing the same space. That is hard for me. I'm what you might call a 'controlling' personality, and to have no personal space and not enough hot water for a shower gets me in a rut. Just to give you an idea, I had a list of things I needed to bring before leaving, and Steve truthfully added "a good attitude" to the bottom of my list. I had to make a conscious choice to look for the good in the people around me. Which is also hard for me. I hate to see people be disrespectful to my family or friends, but that doesn't
mean I have to judge them in a critical way. I had an epiphany while there. Whatever I look for in others I will find. I will always be able to see things that people do and how they annoy me or I how I don't agree with them. But, and this is a big but, I can always find something positive if I'm really looking for it.
I'm also trying to figure out how I can say something about someone
without it coming across in a negative way. For example, on the third night of the experiment, I was telling Steve about how the kid's swim lessons were going. I said
that Tyler was a lazy swimmer. That has a negative tone to it, even though I didn't mean it as an insult. What I should have said was Tyler needs to work on improving his endurance to become a better swimmer. Make sense? I was mentally spent trying to use my words in a way that would remove the negative, but not only that, spin it in a positive way.
Am I glad I did this? Absolutely. Did I do as well as I wanted? Nope. But it was very good to help me reflect on my attitude and the choice I have when responding to those around me. I really did feel more conscious of what I was saying. So how did your week turn out?
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Who's with me?
The subject of this post has been on my mind for weeks. I sort of hesitated to post it because it is quite telling of the person I am. But I am ultimately posting it because of the person I want to become. And by posting this, I am holding myself accountable. So here it goes!
I chatter, judge, and say things about other people that I probably wouldn't say if they were there. The more I think about it, the more I want to change this behavior. I want to be the kind of person that people know their name is safe with me. I am also doing this because I want to have more positive things in my life. Why say something negative about someone else? What good can possibly come from that? I often justify my behavior because what I'm saying is the truth. For instance, I saw a lady a few weeks ago with the worst case of "Utah hair" ever, and I just had to point out how bad it was to Steve. True or not, it should not come out of my mouth.
Therefore, I have decided to put myself to the test. I am not going to say anything negative about anyone, true or not, for one week. Seven days. That's 168 hours. Or 10,080 minutes. As I mentioned this to Steve, he said, "you know that includes yourself, right?" Curses! I am overly critical of myself, about my post baby body, habits, weaknesses, parenting fail moments...the list goes on. This might be harder than I thought. However, the week will force me to think about what comes out of my mouth.
By removing the negativity I create, I'm allowing room for positivity to flow in. In the recent months I have noticed just how negative the world is. I want to contribute to goodness. If I am not, who will? So, I ask, who's with me? Who is in for seven days of positive thinking and speaking? Who will join me in creating more goodness?
Starting Wednesday, July 17th until the 24th I am going to think before I speak. I'll post my thoughts and experience when the week is up. Who's with me?
I chatter, judge, and say things about other people that I probably wouldn't say if they were there. The more I think about it, the more I want to change this behavior. I want to be the kind of person that people know their name is safe with me. I am also doing this because I want to have more positive things in my life. Why say something negative about someone else? What good can possibly come from that? I often justify my behavior because what I'm saying is the truth. For instance, I saw a lady a few weeks ago with the worst case of "Utah hair" ever, and I just had to point out how bad it was to Steve. True or not, it should not come out of my mouth.
Therefore, I have decided to put myself to the test. I am not going to say anything negative about anyone, true or not, for one week. Seven days. That's 168 hours. Or 10,080 minutes. As I mentioned this to Steve, he said, "you know that includes yourself, right?" Curses! I am overly critical of myself, about my post baby body, habits, weaknesses, parenting fail moments...the list goes on. This might be harder than I thought. However, the week will force me to think about what comes out of my mouth.
By removing the negativity I create, I'm allowing room for positivity to flow in. In the recent months I have noticed just how negative the world is. I want to contribute to goodness. If I am not, who will? So, I ask, who's with me? Who is in for seven days of positive thinking and speaking? Who will join me in creating more goodness?
Starting Wednesday, July 17th until the 24th I am going to think before I speak. I'll post my thoughts and experience when the week is up. Who's with me?
Thursday, June 6, 2013
My how time flies!
What is the saying? Oh yeah, "time flies when you're having fun." In the past two months we've had a lot of fun, tears, late nights, early mornings, dance parties, school programs, breakfasts for dinner, dirty bathrooms, soccer games, birthdays, kisses, Uno games, snuggles, a ninth anniversary, and lots and lots of smiles.
Three kids has been an adventure so far. To be honest there are days where I wonder if I'm going to have any brains left by bedtime. But there were those days with just two kids. There are days when it's 11 in the morning and my patience is gone for the day. But there were those days with just two kids. For the most part, the adjustment to three has been relatively smooth. I can say that because I've had a lot of help from my husband, mom, and sister-in-law, Suzie. Thanks!
Leah is a pretty good baby. She's a great sleeper. I'll feed her at around 8:30 p.m. and she doesn't get up until 5:30 or 6 in the morning. She is a super smiler. It melts my heart every time! She is most comfortable snuggling right on my chest all curled up. Leah has chosen to not really take a pacifier. Grrr! Especially because she is super fussy for about 20-30 minutes every evening, usually starting just as we're sitting down for dinner. She's more of a crier than my other two babies. However, I find that all I do is kiss her cheeks all day long! Seriously, all day.
As of two months Leah's stats are:
Height: 23.5 inches, about 80%
Weight: 10 lbs. 12 oz., about 55% (which, incidentally, is how much Steve weighed when he was born!)
Tyler graduated from Kindergarten and loved it. Didn't he just start? He's also been playing soccer and has had the time of his life...despite scoring two goals for the other team! He's super excited it is summer time. He wants to be outside exploring or practicing fishing in the back yard!
While times does seem to fly by, we're trying to make the most of it!
Three kids has been an adventure so far. To be honest there are days where I wonder if I'm going to have any brains left by bedtime. But there were those days with just two kids. There are days when it's 11 in the morning and my patience is gone for the day. But there were those days with just two kids. For the most part, the adjustment to three has been relatively smooth. I can say that because I've had a lot of help from my husband, mom, and sister-in-law, Suzie. Thanks!
Leah is a pretty good baby. She's a great sleeper. I'll feed her at around 8:30 p.m. and she doesn't get up until 5:30 or 6 in the morning. She is a super smiler. It melts my heart every time! She is most comfortable snuggling right on my chest all curled up. Leah has chosen to not really take a pacifier. Grrr! Especially because she is super fussy for about 20-30 minutes every evening, usually starting just as we're sitting down for dinner. She's more of a crier than my other two babies. However, I find that all I do is kiss her cheeks all day long! Seriously, all day.
As of two months Leah's stats are:
Height: 23.5 inches, about 80%
Weight: 10 lbs. 12 oz., about 55% (which, incidentally, is how much Steve weighed when he was born!)
Hannah is really growing up. She is a wonderful helper. The other day
Steve was out weeding with the kids. He told them he'd give them a penny
per weed. Hannah got $2.50, while Tyler got $1. Yes, we had that many
weeds! Hannah loves to kiss Leah's cheeks, read books, dress up like a
princess, and be Tyler's shadow. She is a girl through and through!
Tyler graduated from Kindergarten and loved it. Didn't he just start? He's also been playing soccer and has had the time of his life...despite scoring two goals for the other team! He's super excited it is summer time. He wants to be outside exploring or practicing fishing in the back yard!
While times does seem to fly by, we're trying to make the most of it!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Newborns 101
There are quite a few things you forget as your children get older. What do they call it again? Mom "amnesia?" You know what I'm talking about. All those little things you don't really think about when you say, "let's have another baby." I, for one, forgot how not fun contractions are. I remembered that they weren't pleasant, but didn't realize how much I dislike them! Here are a few things I've "remembered" since welcoming sweet Leah to our home.
1. You can literally be turning to throw away a dirty diaper, and they will fill the clean one you just put them in. I honestly think "there goes $.29!"
2. That getting 3.5 hours of consecutive sleep can make you feel so rested. What happened to those nights of sleeping nine hours? Oh yeah, kids. That's what happened!
3. How wonderful a frozen pack of peas can feel when your milk is coming in.
4. Nose suckers are torture to newborns. As are the hiccups, some diaper changes, and apparently baths. Leah thinks we are killing her every time we give her a bath. Someday she will love them!
5. What it is like planning out your day (and what feels like your life) in two to three hour increments. And how fast those three hours go by!
6. How staring at a baby for hours each day never gets old. Ever.
7. It is impossible not to talk in some form of the "baby voice" when talking to Leah.
8. That something so small can grab a hold of your heart!
9. The way you have to do most things with one hand while holding a baby.
10. That the dishes, vacuuming and laundry can wait. Leah will only be little for such a short time.
11. Having a newborn must be a small taste of what heaven is like. There is only pure love for this sweet baby in our home.
1. You can literally be turning to throw away a dirty diaper, and they will fill the clean one you just put them in. I honestly think "there goes $.29!"
2. That getting 3.5 hours of consecutive sleep can make you feel so rested. What happened to those nights of sleeping nine hours? Oh yeah, kids. That's what happened!
3. How wonderful a frozen pack of peas can feel when your milk is coming in.
4. Nose suckers are torture to newborns. As are the hiccups, some diaper changes, and apparently baths. Leah thinks we are killing her every time we give her a bath. Someday she will love them!
5. What it is like planning out your day (and what feels like your life) in two to three hour increments. And how fast those three hours go by!
6. How staring at a baby for hours each day never gets old. Ever.
7. It is impossible not to talk in some form of the "baby voice" when talking to Leah.
8. That something so small can grab a hold of your heart!
9. The way you have to do most things with one hand while holding a baby.
10. That the dishes, vacuuming and laundry can wait. Leah will only be little for such a short time.
11. Having a newborn must be a small taste of what heaven is like. There is only pure love for this sweet baby in our home.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Leah Grace Pulley
Our sweet Leah was born six days early on April 4, 2013 at 4:31 in the morning. She is my only baby to come early! I always love hearing about the birth story, so I'll share mine!
Wednesday, the 3rd, I woke up feeling energized and went on a nice long walk. Around 10 a.m. I had a contraction, but didn't think anything of it. I was going to take the kids to lunch and the zoo later that day, and thought it would be an uneventful day. All that morning and while at the zoo I had really random contractions. I still didn't think anything of it. I guess all that walking did something. From about 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. the contractions were about every 10-15 minutes apart. I even went to a friend's baby shower that night and everyone asked me if I was in labor. I still didn't think I was! The contractions weren't too strong and didn't seem to be getting much worse, so I took a Unisom at 10 and tried to get some rest. The key word...tried!
By 11 p.m. they were every 3-7 minutes apart. We called my mom just before midnight to come stay with the kids. Even as we were leaving for the hospital, I felt sure they were going to send me back home. However, that 20 minute drive to the hospital changed my mind. I had a few bad contractions that made me realize I was in labor. The hospital admitted me around 1 a.m., when the nurse checked and I was a 4+. I got my epidural at around 2:30 a.m. The super great nurse said my body was having enough contractions on my own that I didn't need to have pitocin. After checking me at 3:15 and being a 5+, the nurse said she'd be back in a few hours to check my progress and for me to get some sleep.
Steve instantly fell asleep and I listened to my relaxing music on my phone. Exactly a half hour later at 3:45 a.m., I felt the urge to push. The nurse came in, and sure enough I'd gone from a 5 to 10 in just 30 minutes. They called my doctor who was home sleeping, and he came into the hospital around 4:15. Once he got all set up, I only pushed for about seven minutes and Leah was born.
The moment they put her on my chest, I could tell she was so tiny. Both Tyler and Hannah were close to 8.5 pounds. Leah weighed 7 pounds even and was 21 inches long. Hearing her cry was the best sound in the world. A healthy baby is simply a miracle. I couldn't have asked for a smoother labor or delivery.
Since being home, Leah has been pretty calm and a good sleeper. She'll eat at night, and go back to sleep for about three hours. The kids have loved watching her and trying get her attention by showing her their toys and such! Tyler likes kissing her cheeks, and Hannah touches her face with her pointer finger! I am feeling pretty good, thanks to the help of family. I'm just trying to enjoy this time with a sweet little newborn!
Wednesday, the 3rd, I woke up feeling energized and went on a nice long walk. Around 10 a.m. I had a contraction, but didn't think anything of it. I was going to take the kids to lunch and the zoo later that day, and thought it would be an uneventful day. All that morning and while at the zoo I had really random contractions. I still didn't think anything of it. I guess all that walking did something. From about 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. the contractions were about every 10-15 minutes apart. I even went to a friend's baby shower that night and everyone asked me if I was in labor. I still didn't think I was! The contractions weren't too strong and didn't seem to be getting much worse, so I took a Unisom at 10 and tried to get some rest. The key word...tried!
By 11 p.m. they were every 3-7 minutes apart. We called my mom just before midnight to come stay with the kids. Even as we were leaving for the hospital, I felt sure they were going to send me back home. However, that 20 minute drive to the hospital changed my mind. I had a few bad contractions that made me realize I was in labor. The hospital admitted me around 1 a.m., when the nurse checked and I was a 4+. I got my epidural at around 2:30 a.m. The super great nurse said my body was having enough contractions on my own that I didn't need to have pitocin. After checking me at 3:15 and being a 5+, the nurse said she'd be back in a few hours to check my progress and for me to get some sleep.
Steve instantly fell asleep and I listened to my relaxing music on my phone. Exactly a half hour later at 3:45 a.m., I felt the urge to push. The nurse came in, and sure enough I'd gone from a 5 to 10 in just 30 minutes. They called my doctor who was home sleeping, and he came into the hospital around 4:15. Once he got all set up, I only pushed for about seven minutes and Leah was born.
The moment they put her on my chest, I could tell she was so tiny. Both Tyler and Hannah were close to 8.5 pounds. Leah weighed 7 pounds even and was 21 inches long. Hearing her cry was the best sound in the world. A healthy baby is simply a miracle. I couldn't have asked for a smoother labor or delivery.
Since being home, Leah has been pretty calm and a good sleeper. She'll eat at night, and go back to sleep for about three hours. The kids have loved watching her and trying get her attention by showing her their toys and such! Tyler likes kissing her cheeks, and Hannah touches her face with her pointer finger! I am feeling pretty good, thanks to the help of family. I'm just trying to enjoy this time with a sweet little newborn!
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