We still have a mountain of boxes to work through, but things are on the up and up for Rini. She's starting to support herself sitting up now, but I still have to hold onto her legs if she's sitting on my knee. Notwithstanding, she can support herself if I hold her by the hips. I'll take small victories where I can find them, like sleeping through the night.
Recently, I got the flu, then Caitlin got it. I don't know if Rini caught it (as I didn't throw it, and I've tried not to cough directly at her), but she had a bit of trouble settling last week. There were two nights in a row (3 and 4 August 2007) that we had to give her some infants Tylenol in order to help her sleep. We thought that she was coming down with the same thing we have, and she might have. But she seems okay now, and she doesn't fuss much when we set her down.
The other explaination is that she's going through a growth spurt, and it's going to hurt no matter what we do, or she does. Oh boy.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Moving House
Our current place was great because it was close to downtown, reasonable rent, and it was close to the LRT which made it great for getting to U of A. But now we're moving to Millwoods, and some say that's a push in the wrong direction, but I would disagree. This building has seriously gone awry, and Caitlin has been badgering me for quite some time to move. The biggest thing keeping us here was the fact that it was convient to get to campus. Now, I'm done school. Not much reason to stay here anymore.
Especially since I heard about the stoned hookers sleeping in the stairwells, and people climbing the balconies to get into our neighbours place, and... it's time to move. This place is no longer the family-friendly building that we once thought. Sure it was great because we were able to have room for Rini, and possibly another child, and that was another thing we were waiting for. We'll take things a step at a time.
I've discovered that our new ward, Knottwood, has some familiar faces, namely a friend that I knew back when I was living in St. Albert. Caitlin also has a friend from her Woodvale days in the new ward. We're also going to be switching stakes, so that's going to be fun. Of course in Utah, if you moved more than five blocks away, you'd be moving out of the stake.
Is a basement suite the answer for our family? I hope so. Mind you, when I find the right job, the housing market might be in a crash cycle, and getting a house will be simple.
Then again, that housing storm might be like the rain we had today. It was bad for a few minutes, and then it was fine.
BIG MOVE TOMORROW!
Especially since I heard about the stoned hookers sleeping in the stairwells, and people climbing the balconies to get into our neighbours place, and... it's time to move. This place is no longer the family-friendly building that we once thought. Sure it was great because we were able to have room for Rini, and possibly another child, and that was another thing we were waiting for. We'll take things a step at a time.
I've discovered that our new ward, Knottwood, has some familiar faces, namely a friend that I knew back when I was living in St. Albert. Caitlin also has a friend from her Woodvale days in the new ward. We're also going to be switching stakes, so that's going to be fun. Of course in Utah, if you moved more than five blocks away, you'd be moving out of the stake.
Is a basement suite the answer for our family? I hope so. Mind you, when I find the right job, the housing market might be in a crash cycle, and getting a house will be simple.
Then again, that housing storm might be like the rain we had today. It was bad for a few minutes, and then it was fine.
BIG MOVE TOMORROW!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Nearing five months
Funny how time flies. Yesterday, my brother-in-law set off to Utah in order to prepare himself further to be a missionary in the Rosario, Argentina Mission. Won't see him for two years, and knowing my luck we won't get any mail from him for two months.
Mind you, the fact that our address is going to change doesn't help much. It wouldn't be a problem if we were going to relocate to the Tolley home, which we were toying with for some time, but something inside me screamed that living with your in-laws is the worst thing you can do for the health of your family. Emergency conditions aside, it is best to have your own homes. So as of 1 August, 2007, the Clarks will be in Millwoods. I don't know if we are going to move everything in one day, but we do get to take possesion of our basement suite that day. I really hope that we get more time, because I'm going to be streched thin with my new job as it is.
Oh, another thing I've been quiet about! My job oppurtunity with Telus! I had the interview yesterday, and they were checking references today. My application has not been completely processed, but I have been informed that the training will start July 31, 2007, and continue for 10 days. Or maybe it was eight. All I know is that I get the long weekend off. I really hope that this works out because I put in my two weeks notice at work yesterday. Hence, upon condition that I get this job, I will be working on the day we will be moving. I sense trouble. Why do this to myself you ask? Because I don't know exactly when the next hiring will take place for the position I applied. Possibly September or October, but I want to get on board now. I am putting a lot on the line here, because I also put in my two weeks notice already.
On a happier note, and more in tone with the subject of the blog, Rini has started eating solids. She has taken a liking to squash, proving that you can never know what your children are going to be like. Starting small, she only takes four or five spoonfuls at a time. She does like it though, and by "like" I mean she hasn't spit it out! Some of it winds up on her lips, due to the fact that she has yet to master the finesse of using your tongue to swallow, rather than lick stuff, like daddy's head.
That's a story for another day though. Mommy and daddy need sleepy time.
Mind you, the fact that our address is going to change doesn't help much. It wouldn't be a problem if we were going to relocate to the Tolley home, which we were toying with for some time, but something inside me screamed that living with your in-laws is the worst thing you can do for the health of your family. Emergency conditions aside, it is best to have your own homes. So as of 1 August, 2007, the Clarks will be in Millwoods. I don't know if we are going to move everything in one day, but we do get to take possesion of our basement suite that day. I really hope that we get more time, because I'm going to be streched thin with my new job as it is.
Oh, another thing I've been quiet about! My job oppurtunity with Telus! I had the interview yesterday, and they were checking references today. My application has not been completely processed, but I have been informed that the training will start July 31, 2007, and continue for 10 days. Or maybe it was eight. All I know is that I get the long weekend off. I really hope that this works out because I put in my two weeks notice at work yesterday. Hence, upon condition that I get this job, I will be working on the day we will be moving. I sense trouble. Why do this to myself you ask? Because I don't know exactly when the next hiring will take place for the position I applied. Possibly September or October, but I want to get on board now. I am putting a lot on the line here, because I also put in my two weeks notice already.
On a happier note, and more in tone with the subject of the blog, Rini has started eating solids. She has taken a liking to squash, proving that you can never know what your children are going to be like. Starting small, she only takes four or five spoonfuls at a time. She does like it though, and by "like" I mean she hasn't spit it out! Some of it winds up on her lips, due to the fact that she has yet to master the finesse of using your tongue to swallow, rather than lick stuff, like daddy's head.
That's a story for another day though. Mommy and daddy need sleepy time.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Baby's first summer
Last night, we had one of the hottest nights this year, and this was Rini's first exposure to a Canadian summer. Normally this only last for a couple of days, so I don't think we need to worry about it too much. Still, at 1 am last night, it was 33C in our apartment! I know this because of the keychain temp gauge I got at MEC. Handy little gadget.
The way that Caitlin finally figured out how to get Rini to sleep was to:
1. Strip her down to her diaper.
2. Dip her head and feet in a bathtub of cold water (The tub of water helped cool down the apartment a bit too).
3. Get a fan blowing directly at her crib on the highest speed.
4. Put a tray of ice cubes in front of said fan.
5. Dip a soother in the melted tray of ice cubes, and place in her mouth.
6. Stand beside the crib until she nooded off.
I was beyond tired, or else I would have helped.
The things you think of when you're a parent!
The way that Caitlin finally figured out how to get Rini to sleep was to:
1. Strip her down to her diaper.
2. Dip her head and feet in a bathtub of cold water (The tub of water helped cool down the apartment a bit too).
3. Get a fan blowing directly at her crib on the highest speed.
4. Put a tray of ice cubes in front of said fan.
5. Dip a soother in the melted tray of ice cubes, and place in her mouth.
6. Stand beside the crib until she nooded off.
I was beyond tired, or else I would have helped.
The things you think of when you're a parent!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Our munchkin is growing so quickly!
It's amazing how quickly time flies. It seems like only last week we got home from the hospital with Erini in our arms, and now she's rolling over! It's crazy to think that she's four months old now.
And from the sound of things, not very happy right now...
Excuse me...
And from the sound of things, not very happy right now...
Excuse me...
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Water Girl
Rini had her first swim today at the Grant MacEwan Centre for Sports and Wellness. At first I wasn't sure how well this would work, but that was due to a lot of things. First, wearing a swim diaper and a swim suit. Not something she was used to, and we also put the suit on backwards. Oops! That led to a bit of crying, and she was a little uneasy about going into a big pool. After a bit though she was kicking around like crazy! We even spent a little time over at the hot tub. We just dipped her in, we're not that irresponsible to leave our daughter to cook in 40C water. Just a taste, in and out, but mostly on the steps.
I knew that swimming tuckered you out, but I had no idea what it would do for Rini. After she had her fuss getting changed, we put her in the stroller and she promptly slept for the next four hours!
In the mean time, I need to get to sleep, or I am going to be in attrocious shape for work tomorrow.
I knew that swimming tuckered you out, but I had no idea what it would do for Rini. After she had her fuss getting changed, we put her in the stroller and she promptly slept for the next four hours!
In the mean time, I need to get to sleep, or I am going to be in attrocious shape for work tomorrow.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Father's Day
This is my first official father's day, and it's given me a moment to think about the previous twenty-seven to which I gave hommage to my dad. I'm still going to give him a call and talk to him, it is his day after all, buy now I have something to celebrate with him. I'm not the most experienced parent at this point, as my wife would be quick to second, but in the past four months my daughter and I have worked at establishing a bond. It's comforting to know that the emotional bond we have is reinforced by the sealing bond that my wife and I have to each other, our daughter, and any other children that will be born to us in the future.
The great irony to this is the thought that our screaming, squalling, and messy daughter will be with us for eternity. But with that we also have our cute, adorable, and peaceful daughter. Gotta take the good with the bad, and I suppose in the long run, it's all good.
It's odd that you develop a greater appreciation for your parents once you become a parent yourself, but that is probably one of the greatest things of God's plan for his children. Great joy is born from great sorrow, as is portrayed in the scriptures countless times, and is a contributing factor as to why a baby's cry is one of the most irritating and heartbreaking things to the human ear. Although Erini has not started talking yet, I'm sure my heart will melt the first time I hear her say, "Daddy" or "Dada" or whatever babbling I'll convince myself is speech that seems to resemble one of the many titles for a father. Just so long as she doesn't refer to me as a personal ATM, I'll be fine.
Or I might be like my father-in-law, who when his daughter got married, dressed up in a King Henry costume and recited the poem, "A Father's Lament," which he wrote himself, hence I couldn't find it on the net. I'll see if I can convince him to dig it up, but in summary, he goes to great length describing what he went through raising his beloved daughter, and how he never complained, until August 2, 2003, when his little girl got married.
The great irony to this is the thought that our screaming, squalling, and messy daughter will be with us for eternity. But with that we also have our cute, adorable, and peaceful daughter. Gotta take the good with the bad, and I suppose in the long run, it's all good.
It's odd that you develop a greater appreciation for your parents once you become a parent yourself, but that is probably one of the greatest things of God's plan for his children. Great joy is born from great sorrow, as is portrayed in the scriptures countless times, and is a contributing factor as to why a baby's cry is one of the most irritating and heartbreaking things to the human ear. Although Erini has not started talking yet, I'm sure my heart will melt the first time I hear her say, "Daddy" or "Dada" or whatever babbling I'll convince myself is speech that seems to resemble one of the many titles for a father. Just so long as she doesn't refer to me as a personal ATM, I'll be fine.
Or I might be like my father-in-law, who when his daughter got married, dressed up in a King Henry costume and recited the poem, "A Father's Lament," which he wrote himself, hence I couldn't find it on the net. I'll see if I can convince him to dig it up, but in summary, he goes to great length describing what he went through raising his beloved daughter, and how he never complained, until August 2, 2003, when his little girl got married.
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