tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91044832024-02-06T23:46:08.100-05:00Jabber from JoyJust a place for my thoughts and ramblings.Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.comBlogger380125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-38178637056286715222017-04-11T22:32:00.001-04:002017-04-11T22:32:54.358-04:00When Answers Aren't Actually AnswersLast fall, before Spud was born, we met with a genetics counselor. In Ontario, part of the standard testing for children with hearing loss is a genetic work-up. It's optional, but we decided to pursue it, even though, at the end of the day, the answers wouldn't change a thing. Depending on the results, the testing might have been able to tell us if Bean's loss was going to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-6619578125547754022017-04-02T00:18:00.002-04:002017-04-02T00:21:09.359-04:00On the move againReal quick post tonight since it is late... I'm thinking about reviving the blog a bit, sharing some of our journey with Bean and now Spud as well. Anyone interested? Whether you're interested or not, I may or may not still post. So, pretending I never stopped...
The last 3 months or so have been pretty crazy in the Ayala household. My sister came back for a visit from Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-52455863801741719692014-12-14T23:49:00.000-05:002014-12-14T23:49:18.358-05:00The Mommy ClubMy younger brother (Middle Brother) has an antique spinning wheel. All but one of the spokes on the wheel are identical. One of the spokes though is just a little bit different. It's still part of the wheel, but just different enough to be the odd one out.
Much of the time I have felt like that "odd" spoke. I might be part of a group, but never quite fit in. I can beAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-26685460751654647832014-10-06T22:37:00.001-04:002014-10-07T09:20:53.405-04:00I am NOT a human pacifier!The other day I was at a large baby show with many different vendors and information booths. As per my usual I perused the various booths, collecting information, chatting with vendors that I had seen at other shows (perhaps this is a sign that I go to too many shows?), and generally having a good time. One of the booths I saw was advertising help with sleep. I've got a 9.5 Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-41937854085017163862014-09-27T22:26:00.001-04:002014-09-27T22:26:51.185-04:00General Update: BeanTime for some general update posting! I'm going to start with Bean. Bean is now 9 months old and is dashingly handsome!
Reality check: He usually isn't dressed quite that stunningly - we'd just gotten home from church when I snapped that photo. Typically he looks more like this:
or this:
Last time I checked his mouth he had four teeth. His central incisors Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-67494536074191052012014-09-23T23:22:00.000-04:002014-09-23T23:22:54.538-04:00Health UpdateSomeone asked me awhile back how my health was doing because I hadn't said anything about it recently. She wondered if that meant I wasn't having any more seizures. I wish that were the case, but it is not. So this post will be a health update on me. If that doesn't interest you, you might not want to read rest of this post. And that is fine with me.
Seizures
My lastAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-86072893215914971492014-06-28T23:21:00.000-04:002014-06-28T23:21:34.611-04:00Bug Screen, otherwise known as: My husbandy is awesomeSummer has arrived in full force - meaning lots of sunshine and lots of outdoor time. In years past I have made the transition from "lots of clothes on in winter" to "lots of bare skin in summer" (which, let's face it, basically means sweater and socks to t-shirt and sandals) without paying too much attention to it. I was genetically endowed with naturally dark skin - sun burns reallyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-61238937741941290182014-06-06T21:43:00.000-04:002014-06-06T21:43:21.293-04:00Five Minute Friday: HandsIt's been a while since I joined in the party, but it's that time of the week again - Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker - five minutes of unscripted, unedited writing based on the same prompt that hundreds of other bloggers are writing on today. This week's prompt is: Hands.
Start:
Hands shape the world and hands change the world. Two appendages, each with five digits Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-37584524437801929152014-06-04T22:40:00.000-04:002014-06-04T22:40:00.609-04:00RhythmsFor the majority of my life thus far I have been a formal student - that is, enrolled in some type of formal academic program. I lived and breathed and slept and sweated and cried academia. My life had a rhythm that was dictated from outside of itself - the rhythm of the school year. It ebbed and flowed like the tide, cresting at midterms and finals, and entering a trough during the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-54768774528677443482014-05-25T22:14:00.000-04:002014-05-25T22:14:26.588-04:00Surprises in Parenting: It doesn't have to be just one wayBefore Bean was born I did some reading on parenting philosophies. I'd listened to some friends talk, read some blogs, and done a lot of thinking. I had my mind pretty set on a particular style of parenting and planned on reading more about it and following it. I figured that a solid base of one particular parenting style would be what I needed to get started on this journey of being Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-30555418161930007632014-05-10T21:48:00.001-04:002014-05-10T21:48:11.311-04:00I'm back....maybeIt has been forever since I've posted anything here. A baby kind of keeps me busy. But now that school is done and David will be home soon, I should be able to post more regularly. Key word being *should*.
In the meantime, some photos (all starring Bean) to tide you over (if anyone even reads this anymore).
Swimming with Mormor
Swimming with mommy
And if you want to see Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07255092141463404368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-48005514639478632342014-02-07T22:32:00.002-05:002014-02-07T22:32:39.320-05:00Five-Minute Friday: WriteLast night Bean put himself to bed at 7 pm. Tonight, it's almost 10 and he's still going strong, despite feeding and rocking and bouncing. He's chilling in his swing right now, so maybe I'll get 5 minutes to join in the five-minute Friday party - they just might not be 5 consecutive minutes!
Start:
When it comes right down to it, I write a lot. It's part of being a student. I'm Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-88748777956707997302014-01-24T20:06:00.001-05:002014-01-24T20:06:53.016-05:00Five Minute Friday: VisitBean is sleeping so I'm going to steal five minutes and take part in Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker - five minutes of unscripted, unedited writing based on the same prompt that hundreds of other bloggers are writing on today. This week's prompt is: Visit
Start
Is it sad that when I hear the word "visit" the first things that come to mind are words that combine with visit?Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-84603784188651207062014-01-17T13:02:00.001-05:002014-01-24T19:54:41.755-05:00Five Minute Friday: EncouragmentIt's that time of the week again. Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker - five minutes of unscripted, unedited writing based on the same prompt that hundreds of other bloggers are writing on today. This week's prompt is: Encouragement.
Start
Never underestimate the power of encouragement. It can turn someone's day around. It can make the seemingly impossible suddenly Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-22849353272693443392014-01-08T10:20:00.000-05:002014-05-25T22:14:50.515-04:00No more dirty diapers? A surprise in parentingI don't remember the last time Bean had a dirty diaper. No, he's not sick. Yes, he is pooping regularly - just not in his diaper.
I remember reading about something called "elimination communication" while I was pregnant, but I didn't think it was something I'd try with Bean until he could sit on his own and sign to me that he needed to go (baby sign was something that I was 100% on board Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-68558621812298748582014-01-04T19:34:00.001-05:002014-01-04T19:34:48.466-05:002013 Wrap-UpSo it's already part way into 2014 and I'm just now getting to this, but I have an excuse and he's cute. See?
I'm borrowing this from Rachel over at "A Mixed Tape" since that's where I saw it first (and actually the only place I saw this specific one).
Gained or lost weight?
Lost. I blame, the minor shoulder surgery and major diet change of going gluten free, but really does anyone Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-60447036617158102362014-01-03T21:32:00.001-05:002014-01-03T21:32:57.153-05:00Five Minute Friday: FightOma is watching Bean for a a little bit - he's got a full belly and a dry diaper - so I think I can squeeze five minutes in here, then maybe the little stinker will be ready for bed. Three weeks old already...it blows my mind.
Anyhow, I'm joining up with the mob over at Five Minute Friday and today's word is "Fight".
Start
Fight.
Battle.
Struggle.
War.
Skirmish.
Overcome.
Victory.
So many Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-12523938817419535332014-01-01T13:08:00.003-05:002014-01-01T15:04:39.248-05:00A response to "Six Things Every Parent Needs to Stop Doing Right Now"A friend of mine shared this article on facebook (opens in a new window) and it garnered a fair bit of controversy. David and I read it and had some discussion on it and I wanted to share my thoughts on it. Feel free to disagree, just do so respectfully if you choose to comment.
I'm just starting on my parenting journey and I know I have a lot to learn. I don't agree with Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-86752734847913157342013-12-27T16:30:00.002-05:002013-12-27T16:30:52.982-05:00More BeanWhile my little Bean sleeps I figured I'd post some more cuteness...
A little monkey
There is a Bean in there somewhere...
Bean's first Christmas!
Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-33014138311429836272013-12-19T13:39:00.000-05:002013-12-19T13:39:42.819-05:00Welcome Samuel!So the October-December update might come later, or it might not. There's more exciting things to talk about now! Namely, one thing, who is actually a little tiny person!
Samuel David Ayala, December 13, 2013
What follows is Samuel's birth story, for anyone who is interested. As far as I can tell it's not overly graphic, but my perception may be a little skewed. In David's opinion the Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-25638435850273334822013-11-16T15:00:00.000-05:002013-11-16T15:00:04.122-05:00Update July - SeptemberCatchy title, right? I know... I do what I can. So I haven't actually posted anything but five-minute Friday posts since July (!) so there is a lot of ground to cover! So a summary will have to suffice.
July: Everyone in the big house was gone for Canadian Jamboree (big Scout to-do out West) and David and I ran the farm. We dealt with a pneumonia outbreak among the crias and Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-477920193953834372013-11-15T21:13:00.002-05:002013-11-15T21:13:54.465-05:00Five Minute Friday: TreeThis blog has fallen on the wayside...far too long without a post. I'll try and get a post up in the next few days and let you all (if anyone actually reads this) know what's been going on. However, it is Friday, and I'm sitting at the computer, so I'm going to participate in Five-Minute Friday. You can join the party here. This week's prompt is "Tree"
Start:
When I hear the Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-31347964837590117702013-09-27T21:58:00.003-04:002013-09-27T21:58:57.239-04:00Five Minute Friday: TrueI've been absent the last few weeks...Number of reasons why, none of them terribly important and most only semi-valid, except for the one Friday when my wrist/hand were so flared up I couldn't type. Pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome decided to show its head as I entered the third trimester. A reduction in the amount of typing I do and splinting have helped immensely.
So this week's Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-80611004582201702262013-08-30T12:54:00.000-04:002013-08-30T12:54:43.316-04:00Five Minute Friday: WorshipSo, for the last couple of weeks I've put off writing for Five-Minute-Friday until the evening and by then I'm too tired or too busy to make a proper post, so it doesn't happen. This week I decided to bite the bullet and do it now, while I'm awake and not currently occupied. I've got lunch in my belly and Bean is not currently demanding that I go to the bathroom. So here goes, Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104483.post-20457231552275152232013-07-26T22:47:00.001-04:002013-08-30T12:35:16.148-04:00Five Minute Friday: BrokenI'm joining up with Five Minute Friday again this week. Today the prompt is "broken".
Start:
When I read today's prompt I wasn't quite sure where to start. So much around me is broken. This world is broken. I am broken. And today is one of those days where I'm feeling my brokenness in a large way. The headaches have been pretty intense today, the pain in my Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181893019331733687noreply@blogger.com1