My Latest Annoyances

First and foremost: RICHARD. Of course. He's driving me crazy. For multiple reasons. It's shocking, I know.

Like, for example, he is not really ... accepting of the fact that Aden is 16 months old, not even. He's just way too eager for him to grow up. It drives me crazy. The age he's at is so ... amazing, and he just wants it to be done.

Today, I was in the kitchen baking, and Aden started crying. I asked what happened, and Richard says "he's just standing there" -- then Aden started crying harder, and I asked what happened again. This time it was "he stepped on a block". But instead of picking Aden up and comforting him, Richard just let him cry. I'm not one to pick up my kid at every whimper, but sometimes it's okay to comfort him! And Richard of all people should know how much it hurts to step on those blocks. Aden was upset and needed comforting -- enough said. He picked him up, and comforted him for maybe 5 minutes, before putting him down again and telling him to go play. And then, of course, Aden came running to the kitchen for me to comfort him, because he was still upset.

And Richard wonders why Aden doesn't go to him when he gets hurt or something. He goes to me first, because he knows (if he's actually sad) I'll pick him up and help him feel better. Richard gets more mad than anything when Aden is crying. It drives me crazy. 16 month olds deserve to be held when they're hurt or upset. I don't pick Aden up everytime he cries (especially since he's mastered the fake cry), but I know when he's really upset and needs comforting. There is no harm in that.


And earlier today, he was getting Aden's evening milk bottle, and Aden was standing there going "ba", for bottle. Richard went, "I'm not giving it to you until you say bottle." I said "he's not going to say bottle." And Richard goes "fine, say milk." Obviously the best Aden could do was "ma", so he said that. Richard sounded so disappointed, and grudgingly gave him the bottle.

HE'S 16 MONTHS OLD, NOT A BLOODY GENIUS.

I said "Aden is good at talking." And Richard goes "I know, but he could be better."

He's constantly trying to push him to do better, at just 16 months. Aden is smart, he's strong, he's independent ... he sleeps well, he's not picky about food, he's always laughing ... honestly, what more could you ask for in a toddler? Like ... in the future, if Richard is constantly pushing him to always do better, Aden's going to HATE him. Richard says he just wants him to do his best ... but if that was the case, wouldn't he NOT push him to do better? I'm very proud of everything Aden does, even if it's climbing on things in order to get his hands on something he shouldn't ... because it's just him growing up.

Frankly, I find it quite sad that Richard feels the need to push his son. I can't stand it. Ultimately, if he doesn't quit ... it'll really put a strain on both our relationship, and our family. That's not what I want.

Ugh ...

Mormon Missionaries

I finally got a letter from a Mormon friend of mine who is on his mission in Argentina right now. He's been gone almost 2 years (he'll be back next month) and I just got a letter from him. It made my day.

He told me about how different it is there, and how different it will be when he comes home. He said he's having the best time of his whole life there, and that he will be both happy and sad to be back home next month. I must say, though ... I'm looking forward to seeing him again. He'll get to meet Aden, and for that, I'm excited. He'll love Aden ... because well, who doesn't?

I was really glad to have heard from him, because up until now, I was afraid he was joining the ranks of friends lost due to pregnancy. Thankfully, that is not the case. He knows I have made mistakes in my life, and I'm glad he has accepted that I'm not perfect. He just thinks Richard and I should be married -- good thing we're engaged!

Yay ... what a good day.

Because It's Too Expensive, That's Why

All in all, here is the reason I won't study for my learners:

IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.


First, I would have to pay to take the test ... which would be what, $60?

Then, I would have to pay for the card itself ... and I'm not sure what that would cost, but we'll say overall, my learners would cost $70.

$70 we don't have. Ever. We don't even have the money to save for it, since we can't afford to save for all the other stuff we're supposed to be saving for.

Then, in a year, I'd have to get my licsense, which would be what ... another $70? Actually, I think it would be even more.

Of course, then I would have to find a cheap car, so that's like ... thousands we don't have (and never will).

I don't even want to think about all the gas I'd have no money for ... plus insurance (yeah right, keep dreaming).

Richard's outlook: He puts away $70 for when I want to take my test. We start saving after that for a year so I can be driving.

Um ... where does paying for a WEDDING fall into place here? Or the house he wants to buy? Or the second child.

HELLO!

Blowing Raspberries

Here is Aden, blowing raspberries on our leather ottoman. I apologize for Richard's half-nakedness ... it was a hot day, apparently!

Kayla's Rules for Home Haircuts

I just gave Aden his second hair cut (his first all-over hair cut) and decided to share a few pointers for cutting your own child's hair.

1. You can't expect to give a half-decent haircut without first distracting your child. It just won't work.

2. If there is a cartoon on TV, his delightful father will not be able to pay attention, and will therefore not be able to stop the child from screwing around. Be sure to turn off the television. If the TV was the child's distraction, find something else.

3. Only do the minimal amount of cutting needed to get the job done. Your child is bound to get bored, and when they do, cutting their hair won't be a simple task.

4. Don't do the haircut remotely close to naptime, bedtime, meal time, or snacktime. This should be obvious, but you never know.

5. Don't let the child play with the comb ... particularly when they are also eating a marshmallow banana. You will end up with sticky banana spit in the comb, and in the hair. That's not what you want ... especially if you have just washed their hair ...

6. Don't expect a perfect hair cut. Like me, you might have to fix up a couple spots before the day is over.

7. If you mess up big time, always remember: it'll grow back. If you happen to have a husband who shaves his own head, you can even get him to fix it, buzz cut-style. In that case ... it grows back.

8. Spending about $20 on hair-cutting scissors will eventually save you money, as opposed to spending $10-$20 on a professional hair cut every few months, when in fact, they probably won't do much better, if you have a child who wiggles as much as mine.

9. Don't forget to sweep up the hair after. Forgetting will end up in disaster.

10. Most importantly, try your best not to cut your child. Have quick reflexes, so if they flinch, you can pull the scissors away!


I hope you enjoyed my 10 rules for hair cutting. I'm no professional, especially since this is just the second time cutting off Aden's wavy blonde locks, but in those two haircuts, I've learned a thing or two!

Hi, I'm Kayla ... I'll be Aden's mother FOREVER

I wasn't aware that watching a toddler over night gave a person the right to take over all parenting duties. Apparently I'm mistaken ... or so it might appear. No, no ... I'm pretty sure it's not me who's wrong here ...

Anyway, on with my story ...

So I gave in, and let Richard's parents watch Aden over night at their place. It seemed to go well -- besides the fact that his mom did not put him down for his 10:30 nap this morning, so he had to go down at 1:30, which screwed up his whole day ... but anyway!

After his nap was finally done around 4:30, Richard's mom invited us for dinner. So we went.

Aden was grouchy the entire time (mainly because he didn't get a chance to eat a real lunch, since his naptime was totally screwed up), and everytime he complained, Richard's mom would rush to the rescue (or so she thought) and scoop him up. Of course Aden would reach to her, because Richard and I were ignoring him (if we scooped him up everytime he bitched, we'd go insane) ... so she would get excited and pick him up, thrilled that he wanted to go to grandma.

So as if screwing up Aden's nap (and lunch), and trying to fix whatever problem he might be whining about (even though he was clearly just whining for attention) ... she just kept butting in to EVERYTHING. Just before getting ready to take off, Richard was setting up to change Aden's wet diaper. Aden, as usual, kept trying to get up and run away. Richard's mom comes over, as Richard lays Aden down again, and goes "You're having problems. Let me do it."

Um ... I think Richard knows how to change a wet diaper! Hello! Aden is 15 months old! It's not exactly a strange and new experience for Richard! Aden is just not always eager to lay down. Richard's mom just came over to them, and completely tried to take over all parenting duties.

I'm sorry ... but Richard and I are the parents. We get to make the calls for EVERYTHING. Just us. At least, until Aden is old enough to put in his two cents. Until then, it's the mom and the dad; AKA, Me, and Richard. WE will take care of the diapers, unless you are asked or we are otherwise unable to do it. WE will comfort him when he's upset, if he is actually upset and not just faking. Unless we ask you for help, don't butt in. We're doing just fine raising our kid on our own. Ugh ...

Yeah ... needless to say, she will not be our first choice of overnight babysitters ...

Our Morning on TV

Our alarm went off at 5:15 this morning. What an awful time, I know. I finally dragged myself out of bed just before 5:30 so I could get ready for our appearance on Breakfast Television. I got ready, put makeup on, got Aden's stuff together, and finally, just before 6, got Aden out of bed. He did not want to get up. He wouldn't even open his eyes, he was so happy to be sleeping. It didn't take him long to wake up, though. He was happily running around the house mere minutes after coming upstairs. I put him in a striped t-shirt, nice jeans, and his spiderweb hi-tops. He looked very cute, if I do say so myself.

We arrived at the Getaway Spa for Men at about 6:30, 15 minutes before we had to be there. It was good timing, thanks to Richard's Tom Tom. We shook hands with Jill Belland, and two people who worked at the spa.

Then it was time for us to be on TV. First they would do a teaser (you know, "when we come back ... blah blah blah"). They showed Aden and I, and Richard sitting in the chair, ready for his shave to begin. After that, Jill asked me why I nominated Richard. I stuttered something about him working a lot and not getting to spend as much time with us as he'd like ... I'm sure it didn't come out very well. But Aden was cute, so who really cares. Then she asked Richard if he was looking forward to it, or something. I'm not really sure. And they took a before shot of him.

After that, Aden got to run around the spa for awhile. He enjoyed running back and forth, and looking out the door at the puppies (we were next door to a dog grooming place). Then it was time for another teaser. Jill said "Here we are, just relaxing at the spa" and the camera guy showed Aden laying on the floor, eating Cheerios. Aden sat up and nodded at the camera. It was hilarious. He was quite the entertainment.

Richard got a hot shave done, which he said was quite relaxing, as well as some laser stuff on his neck (I think to get rid of the ingrown hairs). He said the laser part hurt a lot, and that the woman didn't do as good a job on the shave as he'd hoped, but overall I think he liked it. We found out it was about a $400 treatment that he got. Pretty fancy!

It's kind a bummer that he couldn't have the rest of the day off, but he did have to go back to work as soon as we got home. We got back home around quarter to 9, so he really only missed just about 2 hours of work, which isn't bad at all.

Overall, I'd say it was a pretty good thing, considering I can't get him a real father's day present!