But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be

Tippets Family New Years Resolutions 2014

1. Spiritual- Read our scriptures over breakfast instead of at bedtime. Because I work 3-5 nights a week I miss family scripture study and that just isn't acceptable anymore. I think I'm gonna make some cheesy sign like "A scripture a day keeps satan at bay" to post on the fridge as a reminder for the more forgetful members of the family.

2. Physical- Less processed snacks. Hopefully only one a day (saved for on the go, car emergency/dr office type situations) Cary and I are very mindful to eat at least 5 fruits and veggies a day, and eat healthy balanced meals as much as possible. The children, however, do not share our affinity for healthy eats and as long as there is processed anything in the house they hold out for it. So it's gotta go. If there's only healthy snacks available... in theory that's what they'll eat. Or become crazy beggars at the playground--DON'T GIVE THEM GOLDFISH! I SWEAR I FEED THEM OR AT LEAST OFFER FOOD.

3. Mental- Less screen time. I know I'm a broken record with this one, but Cary and I really think we can benefit from less screen time, kids especially (we're probably the only people in the U.S. who think so). We no longer have tv (harder to let go of than I expected), but we definitely want to be more mindful of putting our phones away while the kids are awake and being "present." We want to teach them how to interact with people, be good listeners, be active and play. I'm sure they'll make up for their late start with technology once they get to school.

4. Social- Visit 5 new places as a family. With only 1.5 years until graduation and the possibility of leaving NC we definitely want to have experienced the fun things available around us.

If you have any fun places to visit or tips on the other goals, let me know!

Over and out.

Who's gonna stop me on the road to success

Happy New Years!

(I operate on toddler standard time... meaning somethings might sometimes get done, occasionally)

And so I bring you my New Years Resolutions a week late...

1. Spiritual Goal: Clean up my language. Quit cussing. Yes, I have gotten into a nasty habit of using (only) the biblical cuss words and have even had my 3 year old repeat one such word when she was really frustrated. Not a proud mom moment. I also need to stop saying negative things about the kids when they're in earshot, or ever (well except to Cary). Sometimes, as a mom you complain to your friends and I think that can be really damaging for the kids so I definitely want to stop that.

2. Physical:  Go to bed by 10:30 at least 4 nights a week. (I can't do weekends because I usually get home from work at 11). Currently I go to bed between 11 and 12, and am ALWAYS exhausted. Yes, I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that Tucker STILL does not sleep through the night, but I can't control Tucker (apparently) so the best I can do is go to bed earlier

Run a 5k in under 25 minutes. Just wanted something that motivates me to do something besides Insanity, and running fits my budget. Let me know if there's an awesome 5k I should sign up for!

3. Mental: Focus on teaching my children pre-school skills. Zoey's a smart cookie and I've let myself get lazy because she a) generally learns things herself b) we butt heads when I try to teach her, but I can definitely provide more opportunities and more focused activities each day. My goal is to start doing this during nap time 3 days a week.

4. Social: Help my friends more often. This is hard to measure and doesn't follow my usual advice for picking a SMART goal so it's achievable. However, I sometimes shy away from helping friends because it is really hard to do with 2 toddlers. So I want to be more cognizant of when my friends express needs, could use babysitting swaps, or any other way I can step up and be of help to lighten their loads. 

          

Ta-da! I finally decided and wrote my goals down.

Also... hopefully tomorrow I blog about our family resolutions!

Yes! I love goals so much I forced the family to participate in resoluting with me!

And I got that red lip classic thing that you like

Well, hello there! 

I wish you could hear how Zoey bounced into my room at 4:30 this morning and said "Gooood Morning!" in the most chipper voice I've ever heard!

Anyhow, let's get down to business... nothing like my new years resolution post to bring me out of a 6 month blogging hiatus.

2014 Resolutions Recap

1. Read the entire Standard Works: Check!!!

 (Ok, I have a couple pages to finish up, but I will get that done this week) I'm really proud of myself for doing this, although it became much harder than I expected once Tucker became a crazy toddler, we moved to a house that takes more care, and work got crazy. I ended up listening to a lot of the scriptures while cleaning and doing chores which makes certain things stick out and also caused me to not quite get the in depth study I was hoping. 

The great take away is that I used to think God was harsh and angry in the Old Testament, well let's just say now that I have a 2 year old I understand so much better...

2. Run a half marathon: Check!!! 

I was hoping to get under 2 hours, but I came in at 2 hours 8 minutes. I'm still very proud of myself since it was my first real race and the course was crazy hilly.

I have not run once since though... so much for developing a love for running ;/

3. Cut out negative talk around Zoey: Major Fail. 

This will get readdressed this year. Obviously I needed a SMART-er goal

4. Once a month spend an hour learning about photography: Not a total fail

I did bust out the real cameras much more often this year, but rather than learning how to take good photos I just take about 20 of each shot and hope for a good one...

I'm already making up for this fail by taking a photography class at Durham Tech (oh how Cary is loving making fun of me for being a "durham tech student"). He's snooty, that one. 

Overall, I'm pretty proud of my year, but excited for the much needed improvements to come in 2015!

I'm sexy and I know it

After a long... day, this made me laugh pretty hard. 

Thank you cereal advertising gurus. I appreciated the laugh.

Living in a world gone plastic

Tucker turned 8 months!! 

(And he still doesn't sleep throught the night...)

We were at Cary's brother, Jeremy's wedding this weekend and missed updating. But he had his first train ride and looked like a pro... if not slightly concerned.

Tucker finally crawled today! It's an army crawl, but it's something! 

He has finally established a pretty solid 2 nap a day schedule.

He only loves the expensive baby food that comes in the disposable pouches... of course.

He still loves me best, but is finally coming around to Cary.

At his last dr. appt we were told his height and weight are still 15th percentile and his head is 80th (or something huge, can't remember exactly)...

BIG HEAD, for big brains right?

At any rate, Cary thinks that's why he's so cute, big head and big cheeks.

Tucker loves playing with zoey and sliding down the sweet slide in our living room. 

And, I start back to work this week... so little man is in for a rude awakening. Let's hope he and Cary get used to each other real quick :/

Baby you're so classic

Time for a Zoey post...

   

At the park she saw a giant puddle, "Dad, I have a great idea! [looks at the puddle, looks back at Cary, smiles big and runs for it]" sadly, she tripped and face planted in the mud...

We gave her one of our old cell phones, and now she constantly says "where's my phone? I need my phone. I gotta call Jon Bradley." And then she has long elaborate imaginary phone conversations with Jon Bradley, who by the way "is her best friend."

Cary likes to use voice command on his phone, and now zoey will follow him around saying "Ok google now" and then laugh really hard. She thinks we're crazy.

Zoey: "Where's (fill in the blank) mom? Did you put it away?!?!?"

While sleep training tucker, "Daddy, Tucker's crying! Go check on him." Cary "I can't Zoey." "Mommy, tucker's crying go check on him!!" (seriously as if listening to your kid cry isn't bad enough already...)

Her bedtime prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank you for Jon Bradley and playgrounds, and please bless me to read my Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ. Amen"

"Daddy can I have some more milk?" "Sure, Zoey" She then kisses Cary, "thanks, you're the best!"

While at grandma's house and mom was saying something to me, "STOP TALKING TO CARLA. Grandma play with me. No more talking to Carla mommy!"

I'm definitely in the thick of challenging 2 year old behaviors filled with no's and why's... but she sure makes us laugh, makes us watch what we say, and melts my heart when she chooses to be a sweet little girl.

In other news, Zoey seamlessly made the transition out of the crib to a big bed. She LOVES sleeping in a queen bed. She collected all her pacifiers and gave them to the store clerk to "buy" a Barbie that she has been wanting for a couple weeks. So far, she occasionally asks what happened to her "facers" but otherwise it's been no big deal. And she refuses to get her diaper changed so we're working on wearing underwear for extended periods of time to get her ready for potty training... 

  

...but I'm still waiting until Tucker decides to bless me with more than 3 hours of sleep, cause, ya know, I'm told I'm a lot nicer when I've gotten some sleep. And I can only imagine potty training will take a lot of niceness :/

What are we gonna do? Do you wanna build a snow man?

7 Months

And being March Madness we had a little basketball photo shoot.

 

  

As the last 2 posts implied we're in the thick of sleep training. Still. Nothing is working slash we keep getting interrupted by stomach flu, weird fevers, colds and other fun stuff. So I've caved. We're crying it out. Tucker just barely fell asleep after 45 minutes of screaming. Cary and I have decided if he grows up to be some awful deranged criminal it will probably all boil back down to this.

This is easily the worst part of parenting so far.

Other stats
-Tucker weighs 16.5 lbs. He's in the 15 percentile for height and weight.
-His head is in the 85th percentile.
-He LOVES LOVES LOVES bath time. I think we might have a swimmer in our midst. The kid gets absolutely giddy when we walk into the bathroom and start the water and it's all you can do to hold him down and take his clothes off before he tries to jump in.

And... my brain is overrun with cortisol right now and that's all I can think to write.

Over and out.

How am I gonna be an optimist about this

I've decided to write my Sleep Training How-To
... you know to add to the overabundance already on the internet
... and because I have 2 children, therefore I am obviously an expert

1. It helps if your child likes both parents. Work on that.

2. Pacifiers are your friend. Start from day one.

3. When your overly fussy infant finally falls asleep and your toddler wakes them up--I won't judge you for screaming, or breaking something (not on or near the children).

4. You have friends through this process. Their names are Ben & Jerry.

5. Fantasizing about elaborate plans to execute the dogs that live below you is normal and probably healthy even.

6. If you feel sleep training is going too well, I recommend passing the stomach flu around the family. You'll get the chance to really make sure what you were doing works when you have to start over from square one multiple times.

These tips free of charge!

-From one sleepy mama to yourself

I'm kind of over get told to throw my hands up in the air, so there

Attempting to sleep train Tucker is making me want to blow my brains out.

I am so beyond exhausted.

Tucker was a great sleeper early on and I counted my blessings and was amazed at how easy he was compared to Zoey! Then around Christmas we hit that dreaded 4 month regression/growth spurt/hellish hurdle whatever you want to call it, and I got tired and slipped into some bad habits--nursing to sleep, and co-sleeping.

I have been trying ever since [unsuccessfully] to get baby boy back to those glorious 6-7 hour stretches of sleep.

I feel like I have tried everything with varied success. Occasionally I feel like we start to make progress and then he gets sick, or someone else is sick, or some other hiccup.

The last couple nights I've even tried to Cry It Out (a method I generally don't agree with) and not only has it been torture, but the boy can scream for hours and never falls asleep, so I finally rock him to sleep and then he wakes up with hiccups every 30 minutes.

This post is merely so that when I someday have a child who sleeps, I won't forget that it was hard earned and if Tucker ever complains about my parenting I can return the favor of waking him up every. 2. hours. then scream in his face for at least 15 minutes and see what he has to say about it then. 

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Zoeyisms... 



the latest and greatest

"Mom, I drank my bathwater... It wasn't good."

While collecting things and obviously up to no good, Cary starts watching her "DAD! leave me alone!" 

"Uh oh What happened to my diaper? Oh oh no..." 

Wearing footie pajamas, she starts pulling at her bum "mom, my bum feels funny!" when I unzipped her pjs her diaper had fallen down to her feet. Ha, dad forgot to cinch it on

Cary putting on a snuggie "Dad, you got that on backwards..."

"Why are you Cary?" Cary: "Because my mom named me that when I was born" "Oh" 
later... "I Zoey because I borned that"

I wrote her name and asked her what it spelled.
"o-e-y... Oh! Mickey clubhouse!" (i think a little too much cartoons whoops)

In the car after the museum
C: Ooy I'm pooped!
Z: Mom you pooped? Why? Eeew it stinks in here!!!

Picking her nose
C: Can I help you zoey?
Z: Don't worry, I got this (while digging)

I can listen to you all day

6 Months!!!

Wow. 6 months old. With babies, I feel as though I'm constantly asking myself "how has 6 months gone by already?" followed by "It's only been 6 months??? What??" 

It's a funny conundrum, where time flies and stands still at the same time. I chalk it up to sleep deprivation.

Speaking of... this last month has been rough as I finally got real about sleep training. Mr. Tucker is a social sleeper and also prefers plush pillowtop queen mattresses. So we (I) have been working (killing myself) to get him to sleep only in a crib, last until at least 3 am before eating, and take regular naps. There's more work to do, but we're getting there!

He's also mastered the pacifier, but enjoys playing with it, pulling it in and out.
He can sit up... almost... for about 5 seconds... he'll get it.
He eats everything but only loves rice cereal. Weird. I know.
He's started smiling and laughing all the time. I love it!
He looks at Zoey like she's an alien from another planet, but she usually makes him laugh.
He still hates the car.

I'm still his favorite. He cries when anyone else holds him too long and then calms down as soon as I hold him. It drives Cary crazy. He thinks he's a pansy boy that is too attached to his mom, and he needs to grow up. I kind of don't mind. I love that little boy, and it makes me feel really great that he loves me right back (zoey didn't care for me as much)! Although, it is exhausting to hold him all. the. time. So... maybe Cary is on to something.

Anywho... we sure love this little boy and now that we are firmly out of newborn phase, we're remembering why babies are the greatest ;)

I think that I should hold on, hold on

This parenting gig is rough.

I won't lie.

Two kids threw me for a loop. Well, really, as Jerry Seinfeld described, anytime 2 people enter a room and 3 come out it's already gotten crazy. So, we've been working to adjust to our new normal which is just part of the process of adding a new member to the family Thankfully it's been so much smoother than those first few months with Zoey.

However, lately I've just felt like the day to day is such a struggle. Zoey has fully embraced all the independent, assertiveness and emotion that comes along with being a toddler (read: terrible two's) and I haven't been coping well.

Sometimes, friends or family praise Zoey for things such as her sleeping habits. And though each kid comes with a personality that make certain parts of parenting easier or harder... I've always patted myself on the back for doing my research, understanding my kid and taking the necessary steps to help her be the best little sleeper she can be. In fact, sometimes I get a little annoyed when people say she is just naturally a great sleeper.

Of course the flip side to that coin... is that I should also take responsibility for those habits that still need hammering out: screaming, crying, kicking, demanding things, picky eating, talking back, not listening. 

And as I've hung my head in desperation night after night, and handed her off to Cary before I let the very mean mom under the surface blow... I think I'm finally realizing it comes down to that last trait: not listening.

I'm not listening. 

It's hard to be 2. Emotions are hard things to deal with (most adults are still figuring out how). It's hard to have a taste of independence and not be able to control very much of your day to day. It's hard to have a mom all to yourself and then share her with a baby that needs more attention and time.

So I'm reading and studying and trying to be better. I'm trying to listen. I'm trying to help her listen (which is comical. I swear she's 2 going on 16.), and I'm so happy to say the last couple days have gone worlds better. Meltdowns are few and farther between, and though I love my baby girl to pieces I think we're learning to like each other again! 

Now, hopefully that I've recorded my shortcomings and with a little help from above--I will remember these lessons in a year and a half for Tucker (fingers crossed).

I wanna see you be brave

CUPID'S CURTAILING THE CHUB

You may recall that Cary's New Years Resolution is "the year of the 6 pack."

Well, in an effort to help him achieve his goal and because we're always looking to earn a little extra $$... we signed up for this

http://www.dietbetter.com/games/33723

Eeek. I'm a bit nervous about losing 4 percent! That's not insane, but it's serious, and well, goodbye sweet tooth--see you in a month.

So wish me luck!

We're hoping to double our monies and be healthier for it. If you're gonna bet, might as well bet on yourself I say. 

Feel free to get crazy with me and sign up, the more the merrier! 

And remember

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And baby even on our worst nights

5 MONTHS!

Sheesh, where does time go? Except I also wonder how he's only 5 months old? August was forever ago!

Tucker Stats

-14 lb 7 oz (11%)

-Height is 45%

-Tucker started solid foods! He is still figuring out how to eat off a spoon, he tries to slurp it up, but he LOVES rice cereal so far. He screams when it takes me more than a second to get more food on the spoon.

-He had his first flight to Colorado and took it like a champ. He only cried at the very end.

-He can roll over from stomach to back and back to stomach, but he lacks motivation and usually stays just where you put him.

-He also can sit by himself... for about 5 seconds when he nosedives head first.

-Oh and his laugh is probably one of the best ever

-

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Aaron Tucker Tippets

was given a name and a blessing Saturday (January 18)

Cary decided to do a home blessing in Colorado, so his father and brothers could all be there.
It was low key, but neat to have almost all of Cary's family there.

Tucker was blessed to be a peace and comfort to this little family of ours. He was blessed to have a strong testimony and to grow up and get married in the temple (to which all the brothers said he started squirming and fussing--(tippets men don't like to be rushed when it comes to settling down ;)) He was also blessed that he would be a help to his mom. It was a sweet blessing and nice to have so much family there to participate.

Yeah you think I'm crazy, but that's not fair

Update Tuesday

(Just kidding... I can't commit to an every tuesday thing, but it is time for updates...)

In reference to the title, man it can be so frustrating trying to communicate with little people who lack the language skills to tell you what the problem is... 

back to business

Tucker-man:

-He rolled over for the first time last week!

-He has found his toes and loves to play with them

-He's moved up to a size 2 diaper and weighs 14 lbs!

(I think zoey was in size 1 until she was 9 months old...)

-He's found his voice and babbles all the time. Loudly. 

-He's in the feel around while nursing stage. It was cute at first, and now I'm just sick of his hands all over my face while he eats--super annoying.

-He was at one point sleeping usually 6 hours at night, and is back to 3 hours being his longest stretch. It's killing me. I'll probably start solids next week.

Zoeyisms:

(imagine Agnes voice about unicorns in despicable me)

We went out while it was raining, "PUDDLES! SO MUCH PUDDLES!!!"

"Mom, I want daddy to come home" "Oh really, why?" "Cause he's my best friend"

Cary and I had to run the YM/YW activity wednesday, so while she was running free in the church she found a book of mormon, tucked it under her arm and started marching "I got a book of mormon, mormon, mormon, A book of mormon..."

It was hilarious! I didn't know she even knew what a book of mormon was, and here she is marching off mission style.

I believe in Christ

I'm pretty sure everyone who reads my blog knows that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... but if you didn't... now you do.

In most congregations the first speaker in sacrament meeting is a youth speaker (age 12-18). In my branch, however, the first speaker is any member of the congregation asked to speak on "Why they believe." 

It's seriously my favorite part of church. I've been in the branch for over a year and a half and it's fascinating and uplifting to hear why all the different members believe and how the spirit has testified differently to each of them. Of course, ironically I've also dreaded them asking me to give my own why I believe. 

How does one effectively articulate a very personal belief that is a result of personal spiritual experiences? 

But here's my attempt... (because in the shower I decided if I die on the way to church I want my kids to know why I believe and that I do have a testimony (yes, I do have morbid thoughts like that... all the time))

Why I believe? 

I have always believed. I know in my heart it is true. Unlike most, I can not identify one specific point of conversion or several instances that added up to my belief, it's just something I know in my heart to be true.  Of course, I have had many wonderful experiences and I see the hand of the Lord in my life on such a regular basis that I can not deny my belief, and the truth of this gospel is regularly testified to me by the spirit. 

I suppose to a skeptic, just saying I know because the holy spirit has testified to me is never enough. It's not "proof."

So I sometimes ponder the approach, Why wouldn't I believe? We all have hangups. We all have aspects of the gospel that we don't understand or we just don't know or are perhaps still praying to receive a testimony. I also have questions and a great deal about the gospel that I don't understand. But I'm ok with this. I think Satan knows we have hangups and he uses them as a tool to drive a wedge between us and the lord, to drive us away from what the spirit has testified to us. 

I think Elder Utchdorf gave wise counsel this past conference when he (my summary) counseled us to not toss away our beliefs because we have doubts. 

And although there's a lot I don't understand, I do know god lives and he loves each one of us. I know that we matter to him. I know because I have prayed to know and the spirit has testified of this truth to me. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that the Atonement is real, and it's healing power is real. I know this because I have felt Christ's love in my darkest days. I have never been alone, when I seek after Christ I find his comfort. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know this because I have read it. I know that we can grow closer to god by following it's teachings, because I have tried it. I know I'm happier when I am following Christ's teachings, when I am striving to love others and live righteously. I know we have a prophet who lives today. I believe he receives guidance for our day and provides counsel to guide us and protect us from the storms of today as well as tomorrow. And I believe that these things are enough to get by, that the Lord will help me understand what I need to know as I need to know it.

And yes, I want my kids to have a record of my testimony, but I hope to live a better life that is a testimony itself of these truths. I leave this as my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Everyday I fight for all my future somethings

Ok, I can't just tell you my goals. I, for some reason, feel the need to spread my love of goal setting and explain why I think it's important first ;) (scroll to bottom for my actual goals)


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1. Goals give you something to plan and work for (read: energy and focus to progress)
2. Goals make the unachieveable achievable. Breaking a goal into steps over a year increases motivation and satisfaction
3. Goals fuel ambition.
4. Goals hold us accountable.
5. Goals help us figure out what we really want.
6. Goals help us live a full life by helping us achieve those things we want to achieve.

As I was researching and trying to decide what exactly I want out of 2014, I came across the book the 4 hour work week. The author recommends having a "dreamline" where you write down things you dream of having (house, great clothes, etc), being (great cook, fluent in foreign language), and doing.

If you're struggling to think of goals for the year he recommends
-1 place to visit
-1 thing to do before you die (memory of a lifetime)
-1 thing to do daily
-1 thing to do weekly
-1 thing you've always wanted to learn.

------------------------------------------------------------

Anywho... after deciding on some goals, and then actually taking into account the reality that I live in, and re-deciding on some goals, I came up with goals that will be challenging but do-able... hopefully ;)

  
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1. Read the entire Standard works.
-(Yup here we go again, but with 2 months under my belt. And they say it only takes 21 days to make a habit, blah, blah, blah...)

2. Run a half marathon. 
-Yikes. Right now the High County Triple Crown in Boone NC on August 24 looks like the one.

3. Cut out negative talk around Zoey. 
-About myself and about others because as Cary and I like to say "Little piggies have big ears"
-To make this quantifiable Cary got me a jar and everytime I slip I have to put a quarter in the jar that he gets to spend however he wants (read: I better be careful or I see lots of lotto tickets in the future... (or maybe he'll buy me a book on how to be positive ;))

4. Once a month spend at least an hour learning about photography and practicing with the camera.


As for Cary, he has decided it's the year of the 6-pack Abs! 

HERE WE COME 2014!!!