2010-01
2010-01-24
All About Meadow
Meadow, now 12 weeks old, has developed an awesome personality. She is a lot of fun to have around these days, and even lets us sleep every once in a while!
Almost everyone we meet comments on how "interactive" and "alert" she is for such a young baby. She loves to watch what others are doing, and smile at them if they look over at her. She especially enjoys watching young children play; today at church Meadow squealed with happiness as a four-year-old did a little dance for her! I think she will enjoy having foster kids around when we decide we are ready for that.
But Meadow is not always bright and chipper; she is quite vocal about her preferences, and if she doesn't like something, she will let you know! For instance, because she is such a social bug, Meadow hates being in her car seat. Being alone in the back of the car is not her idea of fun. She also gets quite angry if you aren't in the same room she is in (even if you're just stepping into the bathroom for a second)! Yes, she is a big fan of attention and people!
Another strong preference she has: she does not like to lay down except when sleeping. She doesn't have reflux or anything; I think she just likes sit up so she can see everything. Also, when she is carried she only wants to be held facing outward - nothing else is acceptable!
I know, we have a pretty high-maintenance baby. But honestly, I don't think I would want it any other way. It's great having a child with a strong personality at a such a young age. She will grow up to be "her own person," and that is exciting to me.
I will end my little post with the obligatory "baby in the bath" video that it seems every parent is supposed to make at some point :-)
Almost everyone we meet comments on how "interactive" and "alert" she is for such a young baby. She loves to watch what others are doing, and smile at them if they look over at her. She especially enjoys watching young children play; today at church Meadow squealed with happiness as a four-year-old did a little dance for her! I think she will enjoy having foster kids around when we decide we are ready for that.
But Meadow is not always bright and chipper; she is quite vocal about her preferences, and if she doesn't like something, she will let you know! For instance, because she is such a social bug, Meadow hates being in her car seat. Being alone in the back of the car is not her idea of fun. She also gets quite angry if you aren't in the same room she is in (even if you're just stepping into the bathroom for a second)! Yes, she is a big fan of attention and people!
Another strong preference she has: she does not like to lay down except when sleeping. She doesn't have reflux or anything; I think she just likes sit up so she can see everything. Also, when she is carried she only wants to be held facing outward - nothing else is acceptable!
I know, we have a pretty high-maintenance baby. But honestly, I don't think I would want it any other way. It's great having a child with a strong personality at a such a young age. She will grow up to be "her own person," and that is exciting to me.
I will end my little post with the obligatory "baby in the bath" video that it seems every parent is supposed to make at some point :-)
2010-01-20
Racist!
I promise I will write an update about Meadow soon, but something interesting happened today that I just have to write about.
Jason and I have started looking for another house. We would LOVE to live near Reid Park, a giant park in the center of Tucson with four playgrounds, an outdoor stage, baseball fields, two ponds, a rose garden, a golf course, a zoo, and pretty much the only large trees/grassy areas in town.
The only downside to this plan is that all of the surrounding communities were build in the 50s and 60s. One thing we have to do with these older properties is look through old paperwork in the property's file for addition permits, major repairs (or lack thereof), etc. Today I came across a phrase in a property contract which shocked my socks off. I copied it so I could share with you:
Yes, I know it was the 50s, but it is still baffling to me that they would actually write in the contract that no one except white people were allowed to occupy houses in this neighborhood! Also, why were "Asiatics" allowed to own the houses on Campbell Road, but nowhere else? Apparently they are only marginally acceptable?
I know racism is still around in our day and age, but I am soooo glad that I live in a time where, at the very least, our mortgage contracts are no longer racist. Because that is just crazy.
Jason and I have started looking for another house. We would LOVE to live near Reid Park, a giant park in the center of Tucson with four playgrounds, an outdoor stage, baseball fields, two ponds, a rose garden, a golf course, a zoo, and pretty much the only large trees/grassy areas in town.
The only downside to this plan is that all of the surrounding communities were build in the 50s and 60s. One thing we have to do with these older properties is look through old paperwork in the property's file for addition permits, major repairs (or lack thereof), etc. Today I came across a phrase in a property contract which shocked my socks off. I copied it so I could share with you:
Yes, I know it was the 50s, but it is still baffling to me that they would actually write in the contract that no one except white people were allowed to occupy houses in this neighborhood! Also, why were "Asiatics" allowed to own the houses on Campbell Road, but nowhere else? Apparently they are only marginally acceptable?
I know racism is still around in our day and age, but I am soooo glad that I live in a time where, at the very least, our mortgage contracts are no longer racist. Because that is just crazy.
2010-01-02
Happy Holidays!
We survived four different plane rides with an infant! (Hopefully the other passengers survived, too!)
We first traveled to Colorado where we spent a week with Jason's family. We had lots of fun spending time with the relatives as well as some of Jason's childhood friends. Meadow loved the side-to-side baby swing so much that we bought one off Craigslist when we got home - a great investment!
Christmas Eve was the last day we had there, so that was when we opened presents. The best part was seeing Grandma and Grandpa open the present we bought them, which was just perfect for our poker-playing hunter Grandpa. Thanks, Ebay!
Jason's sister Candace is starting up a photography business, so she took a bunch of cutesy pictures of Meadow and the fam. Here is just a taste:
On Christmas day we flew to Iowa, since my brother Taylor was getting married the next day. It was a beautiful wedding, and we had a lot of fun despite the bitter cold and loads of snow. Here is Taylor with his bride, Anna. What a great couple they are.
We also finally got to meet our nephew, Reuben (Taylor and Anna's son) for the first time. He is adorable in every way!
I didn't take very many pictures while on holiday, but I am hoping to get some more from the relatives that did take some - especially of Meadow and our other nephew, Nathan (Candace and Jeremy's son). But here is one last picture that I have - a picture of Meadow Joyce Ard with her Grandma Joyce, who she is named after:
We first traveled to Colorado where we spent a week with Jason's family. We had lots of fun spending time with the relatives as well as some of Jason's childhood friends. Meadow loved the side-to-side baby swing so much that we bought one off Craigslist when we got home - a great investment!
Christmas Eve was the last day we had there, so that was when we opened presents. The best part was seeing Grandma and Grandpa open the present we bought them, which was just perfect for our poker-playing hunter Grandpa. Thanks, Ebay!
Jason's sister Candace is starting up a photography business, so she took a bunch of cutesy pictures of Meadow and the fam. Here is just a taste:
On Christmas day we flew to Iowa, since my brother Taylor was getting married the next day. It was a beautiful wedding, and we had a lot of fun despite the bitter cold and loads of snow. Here is Taylor with his bride, Anna. What a great couple they are.
We also finally got to meet our nephew, Reuben (Taylor and Anna's son) for the first time. He is adorable in every way!
I didn't take very many pictures while on holiday, but I am hoping to get some more from the relatives that did take some - especially of Meadow and our other nephew, Nathan (Candace and Jeremy's son). But here is one last picture that I have - a picture of Meadow Joyce Ard with her Grandma Joyce, who she is named after: