Another Week

I feel like I have no time to blog anymore; sorry for the lapses and lack of pictures when I do blog. At any rate, here it is. I stayed home from school yesterday due to a doctor's appointment for Madison. It was a hectic Tuesday trying to get sub plans ready (the first sub of the year is always the most work), but it was worth it. She was fun, even though she was a bit irritable at times. I think she is teething (but I have thought that for awhile). She had a great morning nap - 2 hours! It was out of character and I didn't know what to do with myself. So, I just enjoyed the time on the couch. It's been a long time since I just sat. She had some lunch and we headed to go to the appt. We didn't learn a lot of new info about her reflux, just that it isn't that bad and needs to be tested again next year. We did learn that she is now 18 lbs (with a cloth diaper on). I knew she was packing it on - a little more than a pound in the past month. She took an hour nap when we got home. I made cookies (healthy ones - whole wheat with applesauce and oatmeal chocolate chip... surprisingly good!) and supper while she was napping. We went on a walk and played in the grass in the park on the way home. It was a beautiful day, and more like it are to come!

We have a busy rest of the week and weekend coming up, so if there is no update til Sunday or Monday that is why. Send Jeremy birthday wishes as he grows another year older and wiser this weekend.

On the Move

This weekend has been good.  I managed to get into school on Saturday morning and get some work done.  Jeremy enjoyed some daddy time.  He is super cute with Madison, especially since she is moving and really interested in everything.  Tonight Jeremy got away to golf.  It is good to share parenting responsibilities and each take breaks. 

Madison is definitely moving – not on all fours yet, but enough to have red elbows and knees at the end of the day.  She’s unstoppable!  Here is her moving progression – spy it, reach for it, out of reach, start moving, get it, eat it.  I had to vacuum tonight because I have no idea what she kept eating off our floor!  I guess it will help keep the house clean.  Here are a few pictures.

   

                            

short

Yes, this will be short. It is, once again, early morning - 6:15 to be exact. I am not sure what happened to this week, but I feel like I haven't sat down since I hit the bed. The first 2 months after Madison was born was extremely difficult - emotionally, physically, mentally, etc. This is a different kind of hard. I went back to work once, but it wasn't this draining. I like what I am doing at work better than last year in a lot of ways, so it is not that work is more draining. I have a more active girl when I come home now. And it is trying to find the rhythm in the start of school too. So, to all you working moms out there (and stay at home moms, because, honestly, that was an energy buster, too, in a different way) - kudos and blessings. It is a different kind of life that you would never trade, but have visions of being swept away from for a little while.... Have a great end to your week.

Oh, yes, Madison is now army crawling - so we will have to take seriously this childproofing thing this weekend. It is fun to watch her work and learn and grow. I'll try to get a picture sometime soon.

Still Alive ;)

Here is a quick post - and yes, I know it is 6:15am. We are surviving here. Jeremy is doing a great job of being #1 daddy while I get dinner together. Madison is having a blast at the baby sitter's house. She always seems happy when I get there - and, thankfully, very excited to see me... it is a good feeling :) School is good. I have almost all boys I am working with this year. Although it is early, they are making a great impression. I like them; they have said a lot of positive things; they seem to be ready to work. We had meet the teacher night last night from 6-8pm - brutal. I met two parents and got some work done while I was there. Now, I need to brush my teeth and wake her up so we can get on our way. Have a great Friday.

First Day of School (kinda)

Well, I headed in to school for my first day of this week.  Granted, it was a district meeting day and I didn’t have to be there til 8am, but still… the year has begun.  Madison got all dressed up for her first day in this super cute outfit from her great-Aunt Brenda.

         

She had another great day with the sitter.  There is a little girl there named Maci who is only 2-1/2 months older than Madison.  Apparently, they played well together – Maci giving Madison toys, and throwing one at her head… oops.  I think it will be fun to see how they get to be friends as the year progresses.  I work with her mom at school.

We went for a walk after school, and I managed to make supper.  Our friendly and destructive groundhog visited our deck again.  I snapped a pretty good shot of him.  Jeremy wishes he would just make himself scarce.  Maybe this winter….

Tomorrow, I have more meetings, and I don’t have to be there til 7:30.  BUT Wednesday is my real first day with the children coming and having to be there by 7:20am.  Ugh.  I figured I’d better blog now… don’t know if I’ll have the energy later this week.  Hope everyone has a great week.

Fun

Yesterday it poured down rain.  Jeremy rain out in it quickly with Madison, who wasn’t too sure what was going on.  Someday, she’ll be begging to play in the rain…. probably after she can walk and talk! 

I tried to get her smile, but she is on one side of the camera or the other in the pics.  The reason: I couldn’t be behind the camera or she quit smiling… so you get what you get.

 

Short post, but she is starting to make noise and I have a little more baby food to make (already made the equivalent of 27 4-oz jars of vegetable varieties yesterday… working on fruit today).  Here’s a last “What are you doing?” picture…

Visitors

This past week has been a week of visitors, and I have little photographic proof…

Anyway, Jeremy’s sister (Jennifer) made a surprise visit with her boyfriend – or should I say, fiance!  Yes, that is why they traveled all the way from New York City.  It is very exciting news. So, they were here, along with Maynard and Gloria on Sunday over Monday. 

Monday I enjoyed a relaxing (and hot) walk with Tara.  I will miss doing this as often as we had now that school will be starting up.  I’ll just have to make time – gotta walk anyway, right?  Monday evening, my parents came for the night and then Madison day (they rotate Tuesdays between their grandkids, so this was her day).  We had a tasty cajun shrimp and pasta dish. 

Tuesday, I went in to school to move my stuff from one room to another.  It was my first trip in.  I am not necessarily dreading this year, just wishing that I could do half days instead of full days.  I think that would be a better arrangement, but I think I am stuck with this full-time work thing.  Tuesday night we went to small group and tried to watch an educational video with two 2 year olds and a 7-1/2 month old entertaining everyone in the middle of the room; still got something out of it. 

Wednesday, Maynard and Gloria returned (travel bugs!) with Jeremy’s aunt and uncle from Indiana who hadn’t met Madison yet.  It was good to see them.  I snuck out of the house once more to do some work at school.  We went out to eat at the Rusty Bucket that evening. 

Thursday I had a teacher work day all day; so, Madison had her first day with the sitter.  Our sitter is great.  She gave me a page, front and back, of notes about the day; she played and snuggled with Madison all day.  Madison did a great job.  I got teary eyed in the morning, but managed not to break down completely. 

Finally, today, we have had no new faces in the house – although she did meet the mechanic when we picked up the car and was a little unsure of him!  This weekend will hopefully be a little quieter as I start school this coming week and am looking for a little down time before our lives get messed up once again.  Hope ya’ll have a great weekend.