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Jan
27
Photo Friday: Washington DC
In 2007 Kathie and I enjoyed a week vacation in Washington DC. We had a great time, and would love to go back.
Capitol at Dusk
National Mall at dusk
MASH sign
Lincoln in the Capitol Building
White House south lawn
White House from the north
Jefferson Memorial
World War II Memorial
Capitol Building at night
Botanical Gardens
Jan
26
Growing a girl: Eating baby food and sharing with big brother
Yet another week of moving faster and eating more for our little girl. She is growing a lot and starting to really take to the baby foods. Cereal Puffs are a different story. She is getting better at picking them up and putting them in the mouth. After that, it is spit out and either ends up on the chin or on the high chair tray. It seems she really enjoys “sitting” at the dinner table with the family.
Jake has started to share with her, a little. He is three so we are not expecting that much. Last night while playing with his construction toys, Jill crawled over and he complained. We told him to give her one, and he chose a dump truck. She chewed on it and beat it on the bucket for the toys. Jake wanted someone to play with him, so we said Jill is there. He tried to tell her what to play with, and she didn’t care. She just continued to chew and wave the truck around.
This morning at drop off, the kids that were there already were asking if Jill was there, and where she was. She must be the life of the party there. She smiles at everyone and seems to enjoy all of the activity and attention. This has been a great week for Jill. We are so looking forward to taking the two kids to the Children’s Museum this weekend. It should be a lot of fun and some great memories.
Jan
25
My son’s view: Sleeping and staying in bed
Would you believe me if I told you that my 3 year will stay in bed until his Mom or I tell him it is OK to get up? No, we didn’t force Jacob to stay in bed, and his door is open at night. Since we have had him in a “big kid” bed, it has been this way. We did not have a need for the side rails either.
I don’t know how it got started like this. There have only been maybe 2 or 3 times that he was out of bed when we did not say he could be. Those were middle of the night times, and we just helped Jake back to bed, no yelling or telling him that was wrong. We just told him to go back to sleep because it was not morning time.
With him being potty trained now, we had to introduce that it was OK to get up and get Mom or Dad if you had to go at night. He pushed it during the first couple of weeks, by only being in bed 30 minutes and “needing” to go. Now it is maybe once or twice a week that it happens.
Jacob can sleep through his sister crying in the next room, but wakes up when there is thunder. I have had to lay down on the floor a couple times when storms came through. Then there are the mornings that he acts more like a teenager. We get the “Get out of my room, I don’t want to wake up, turn off that light” and so on. It is hard not to laugh sometimes, remembering that I was like that at one point.
I know we are lucky to have such a kid, and hope Jill is like this, and not wanting to go everywhere. After 7 months, I am sensing that it will not be the case. One can hope. Did you get out of bed at anytime when you were a child, or now have a child that gets up at night? I don’t have answers, only experiences.
Jan
24
Family Tuesday: Family trips (Groceries and beyond)
So before we had any kids, we could just get and go anywhere at any time. Then with Jake we had to plan for an extra person. Now, there are two. This means toys, distractions, making sure someone has gone potty and a lot more. It is only beginning, I know.
Jake has gotten easier, as he talks, and can do a lot more. Jill has to have something either to chew on or play gravity with Mom or Dad. Yep, it still works. Even if she has a lot of toys to play with, she ends up chewing on the edge of the day. That is when we hope the table is close to clean.
Trying to fit outings in between, feedings, naptimes and happy times is a struggle sometimes. We go out with a plan, a list or a very good idea of what we want to do. There really is not a lot of time to shop for something with little patience that we are blessed with. If two stores are involved, then we usually split up to get what is needed. We have started to do this with grocery shopping as well. This has cut the time spent in store from 45 minutes to 20 to 25 minutes. We don’t race through the store, we go to opposite sides and work on the list until we meet somewhere in the middle.
We are very lucky that are two travel well. We try to time long trips (2+ hours) during nap times, to maximize the quiet time in the car. This has worked so far. Next weekend, we will be packing up early and heading to St. Paul to the Children’s Museum. This has been an annual trip for us so far. We may make a second run later this year. It will not be Jill’s first trip to the capital; we went to the state fair as well.
So, yes we can’t just get up and go any more. We plan, we go, we do and we come home. It helps us all stay as sane as possible. We like it that way.
Jan
23
Running Mondays: Treadmill training and plan overview
Well in 18 weeks I will be recovering from a half marathon. That time will fly by and I plan to stay on track with the training plan. After really looking at it, I realized that in about 5 weeks I will be running 30+ miles a week. That is about triple what I have done recently, so I think I may be tired as well.
This is all part of the training plan I chose to follow. It is meant to teach you body and mind to run when you are tired. The plan also treats every run as just as important as the last one or next one. The long runs are on the weekends because that is the best time for those runs. And there are speed and tempo training runs as well. With only one day off a week, that means a lot of miles. I better check my shoes.
A good portion of the early training will have to be on a treadmill. Lucky for me, we inherited one from my parents, and I plan to wear it out this winter. Treadmill running worried me at first, as I was getting bored after a mile or so. Then after looking at others who have trained on treadmills, I found something that work, at least for me. I set a decent pace for 3 minutes and then bump it up a little for another 3 minutes. After that set I repeat the pace changes until I reach my goal mileage. This keeps my mind off of needing to go a certain distance, to tracking time and watching sports.
I have also found running on a treadmill a sweaty experience. With the lack of airflow to cool down, I would end up drenched. So I tried a technical shirt that I had received from a race. That made a big difference. I felt cooler, and drier after the workout. So, now I rotate my running tees for that purpose.
Very light training last week and here is a look at the week ahead for training:
|
Sun |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
Wk Total |
|
4 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
15 |
Jan
21
Saturday Tech notes: Local Search Engine Optimization
Disclaimer: I do not work for any company currently optimizing any web sites. This is an independent blog, and will be presenting ideas that can be used by anyone.
It has been 7 months since I left CWS and stopped working on web sites. There have been a number of changes in search engines and rankings in that time. Some days I miss chasing the rankings, keywords, and changes in SEO. Then there are days I don’t. After going through the new Google Analytics site, I wish I had a lot of those tools at my disposal.
Working with web sites and businesses to better rank in search engines is a challenge. Juggling design, optimization, wants and actual needs is an ongoing struggle. Working on sites that competed against each other was harder. Separating the sites and the work was big task, and needed a light touch.
Now that I am not doing that for a living, I look at local sites, and see there is a lot of room for improvement. Either design, text or optimization, users are not really finding those sites. It can take some time for updates to a site to make an effect.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll present some ideas and tips for small sites to help with visitors and optimization. Most of the tips with take about 30 minutes to work into the site. 30 minutes a week does not seem like much, but it can move your web site in the right direction. I will try and use examples as much as possible.
Jan
19
Growing a Girl: Fast mover and talker
The most repeated question in our house as of late has been, where is Jill going? She seems to be moving nonstop. The only times she does stop is to rest, chew on something or climb something to stand up. I fear we may have a really active child on our hands.
Jake did not start crawling this early, but he may be the reason she is. Wanting to see what big brother is doing or playing with are big now. She also will try and follow Kathie down the hall and attempts to chase our cats. Tyler lets Jill catch him every once in a while. This is the same cat that is OK with Jake tackling and laying on him.
She has to be the happiest baby I have seen. Even with teething, a cold and not getting where she wants to go, she still smiles and does not cry that much. Of course our previous experience with a 6 month old was a teething and ear infection machine. She will smile and make friends with about anyone, and that seems to be a good thing.
Jill has also been “talking” a lot more. This is most evident at night when her cough is waking her up. She does not get that upset, she just talks for a while then starts to yell when it has been to long. She loves to talk to Jacob and will smile when ever he starts talking to her. I can’t wait for that first real word, I just wonder if it will be the same as Jake’s: Kitty. If it is, I would not be surprised.
Hopefully we can keep up with her as she starts walking and running. And also that Jake is a little more willing to share his toys as well.
Jan
18
My Son’s View: Tents indoors and Burrito sirens
Do you remember making a tent or fort in your room or house? Well, that is what Jake was asking for this past weekend. We had made small tents with blankets and the couch or chairs in the living room before, but now he wanted bigger, and to keep Jill out. So to his room we went.
With a couple of dining room chairs and bed sheets we quickly made the tent. Using heavy toys as weights, we anchored the sheets. I have some pictures below. I even made a “bed” for him as nap time was fast approaching. His imagination went from there.
First there were flashlights, then pillows as firewood. The “fire” was going to be in the tent because it had a fireplace and chimney. Then he had monster truck and ramps. He had a great time. I got to play a little in the tent, and I missed being a boy for a little bit.
I look forward to the time we can really go out and use a tent. It will probably be a small one in your back yard, but it should be fun. I remember I did the same when I was a kid and I don’t think I slept the night. Talking to my brother, looking at the stars and everything else at night, it was fun.
Quotes of the weekend…
After finding a Dorito on his pants after lunch and being silly…
“I have a Burrito in my pants!”
and
“Where is the Burrito siren? It did not go off today, because it is not Wednesday.”
He might be on to something with the Burrito siren…
Jan
17
Family Tuesday: Sharing the load
Saturday was one of those days that you wish you could either do over, or skip. Jill decided to party at 2:30 and stay up until about 3:45 when we fed her. We had been trying to get her to sleep all night. Well, we’ll scrap that for now. Then Jake wanted to get up at 5. Lucky for us, he just went potty and back to sleep. Then an hour later, he wanted to get up. Funny how on the weekdays he does not want to get up at 6:30, but on the weekend, 6 is fine. And this was how we started the day.
Kathie and I try and split everything we do at home and with the kids. Dropping off and picking up from daycare, making supper, doing dishes, laundry, caring for the kids, and the feedings at night. It keeps us sane and able to relax sometimes. We can cover for each other if one has a bad day.
Sharing duties and a checkbook have been great keys to our family moving forward. My father had the philosophy that if you can’t share a checkbook with your spouse, how do you intend to share anything else. All of our money goes into one pot and we can pay the bills, although Kathie does that.
Having some separation of duties can be good as well. I take care of the lawn, house repairs, kitty litter patrol, snow removal, and vacuuming. Kathie takes on more of the cooking and caring for Jill, bill paying and checkbook balancing. Jake sees me vacuum and now he had to get his out and vacuums with Daddy.
I am not afraid to cook and clean. I learned that from my father. Mom worked evenings and nights so it was Dan (brother) Dad, and I. We cleaned and vacuumed. Dad cooked and showed me that a man should not be afraid to cook. In fact it is necessary sometimes. This was true when I showed up at Kathie’s college apartment and surprised her and her roommates with supper and a cake that I had baked and frosted.
So sharing is a big part of our family and it helps us stay together and get things done. It is a great thing to teach children to not only be self-sufficient, but able to share tasks and get them done.
- @keeleyk I have been thinking more from a visitors point of view on what could I see and do in #rochmn One more...Rec Center
- @keeleyk National VB center, RCTC Sports complex, Graham Arena, County Fairgrounds, Airport
- @keeleyk Quarry Hill, Assisi Heights, Soldier's Field, Mayo Historical Suites, Mayowood Mansion, Olmsted Cty Historical Soc, Mayo Field
- @keeleyk Do you want to focus on places for visitors to see, or locals as well in #rochmn? @b_sorensen
- Waiting for the line to shrink at @jimmyjohns before I run across the street for lunch. #LifeatMayoClinic
- @b_sorensen My complaint about a QR code...When it is on a billboard by a busy highway, just before a sharp turn. #why
- Management wanting to make sure I have a good work/life balance. #LifeatMayoClinic
- Photo Friday: Washington DC http://t.co/VOmXDJSj #rochmn
- Having a friendly competition with coworkers on running races, working out, and staying healthy. #LifeAtMayoClinic
- I enjoy hearing patient theories on why there is not a 13th floor. #LifeAtMayoClinic
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