Last Weekend

We had a fun weekend last weekend. Jeremy had one more mandatory day off to take before the end of the month(funny how five years ago, mandatory days off were unheard of?), so we headed down to his parents place. We took a stop off in Woodburn for the Tulip Festival. I have wanted to go for years, and finally did this year. It was fun and a perfect day for it- not too hot, not too cool. The kids seemed to enjoy it too.

Saturday the kids went fishing in Grandpa's Boat. I cuddled with Kathryn all day long.

This is a hand-me-down Carina Dress made by Grandma Conser. Isn't she just a doll?

Language

Language is so interesting for me. I loved French in high school and decided to learn more I needed to live in a french speaking home. My parents obliged and I lived in Brussels Belgium, french speaking section, for my senior year of school. I would never call myself a master of the language, but I did learn enough to get myself around. That year in Belgium made my accelerated 2 years of French in college pretty easy. I was amazed last summer with Wendy's visit how fast it came back to me.


Right now my baby is cooing and making the sweetest sounds. I learned that in no matter the language or culture, all babies start cooing at the same age(a month and half or so). We all start out the same! I think that is wonderful.

I am thinking of this as I placed Kathryn in front of the Baby Einstein DVD Language Nursery and she is listening to songs and poems in several languages. I am also reflecting because we will be applying to have Leila in the two-way Spanish immersion classes at her new school. I plan on taking a few conversation classes in Spanish so I can learn along with her.

Also, what is up with learning the language of a toddler? I think Nathan speaks so well, until we get around people who aren't used to his "l's" be "w's", or the cute words I have yet to correct him on(Like a gun being a boomer, or food being "electable" instead of delectable, and his wanting to watch a woovie.)

Life is but a scream- really.

I have so much on my mind. Life is really crazy. I am holding this sweet wiggly baby who has again surprised me at how much more love my heart is capable of giving. She is growing too fast- but I am enjoying so much of it. We have her blessing scheduled for Sunday. I went against the norm of doing it on the first Sunday of the month and am doing it on Mother's day, mostly so I can have this special day/connection in my mind. I decided to make it all about me. :o) I am touched by how excited my friends and family are for her blessing. A baby is probably the best reason to celebrate and I am thankful for those joining in.

One of my best friends is in the hospital trying not to give birth to her twin girls that aren't due for another 9 weeks. She has to be one of the most amazing people I know. She feels she can not provide them the home they deserve and has decided to place them up for adoption. She is in great spirits and very happy she is giving them such a great start at life. But my heart breaks for her for her loss. I am grateful I can provide her support and love. She will need it.

Leila had her Kindergarten Orientation and "LOVED IT" even though she was very shy at first and Daddy had to walk her the classrooms where they played with the teachers and then went on a bus ride around the block. I was worried about the school we are putting her in. Its huge. k-8- abut 1000 students. But after talking with the principal, both Jeremy and I feel really good about it. We will apply to have Leila enrolled in the Spanish immersion classes. We think she will do really well. And considering she will be going full days, five days a week, I think she can use the extra challenge. This school also offers a pre-K class, so I have Nathan signed up for that. Its based on need and he will be assessed early June. It is free and transportation is provided- so we hope he gets in. That would really help us out a lot.

We had some disappointing news with some of the issues my Dad is dealing with. Much too complicated and personal to blog about. But I appreciate all the love, support and prayers offered on his behalf. I love my Dad. He is just an amazing person and I have been blessed to have him in my life.

There is a lot of good in our lives right now too. Good adds to the craziness, but is still good. I am feeling a lot better about my routines. I am enjoying my relationship with my husband. My children, while challenging, are happy and healthy. My husband is employed. We have a home. We can make ends meet. We are looking forward to a fun and busy summer with another visitor from Belgium(Leila Melignon- my host sister- will be staying with us for a month and a half- we will refer to her as "big Leila" and our Leila as "little Leila"). I have the best friends I could ever ask for. My sister is helping me be a better cook. Life is good.

Ice Castles

Leila has been wanting to take an ice skating class for ages now-- probably since the beginning of last year. I have hummed and hawed. We didn't have the money for a while, so the class was not an option. When we got our tax return money we decided to splurge and let her have a go. She was so excited and was sure she would be an instant pro. She wasn't. Ice Skating is hard. She was pushed to the limit of her comfort. I could barely watch my sweet little girl so uncomfortable out on the ice, not knowing exactly what to do, not sure exactly how to ask for help. I wanted to be out there with her, except I wouldn't do much better.

Last week she got her progress report. She is good at falling and getting back up(yes, that is an area they "grade"). Her posture is good. She needs a lot of work in all the other areas. But, the cooperation was a big fat "E"- that is 'e' for excellent. She is enjoying the class. She only has two more classes- one being tonight. I think she enjoyed it and I might let her do it again(although I might push dancing a bit harder).

It was hard for me to watch her be independent and learn on her own desired skills. She started the class clinging for her life to the assistant teachers, she can now cross the rink all by her self. So the video attached may not seem like anything special, but she has come a long way. I on the other hand still tense up as I watch her little face concentrate so hard on this fun new skill she is learning, but am impressed at her determination. Isn't that smile on her what its all about anyway?

Wwwwaaaaahhhhhhh!

I just DON'T like baths Mommy!!!

Back to the Lists

OK- so I am physically over any childbirth issues. Which I must say is nice to feel physically normal again. However, my back hurts- from holding the baby so much. My headaches are back full force making me keep Jeremy home a bit later in the mornings during the week. I can't decide if I should go in to the doctor or not. I know most of the reasons: Lack of sleep, hormonal fluctuation, not the best nutrition. Until baby is sleeping thru the night and as a result, I am too, I would rather wait to go in and see how the patterns change.

My left arm is getting nice and toned again from holding baby and packing around her baby seat with her in it so much. Now I need to work on the rest of my body. I did do yoga two weeks ago, but got distracted and haven't been back to it. My body is longing for me to start up an exercise schedule, but I can't seem to get motivated. I know I would feel so much better once I do so.

I lost a bunch of weight at first and nursing helped-leaving only 15 lbs to loose. But its coming back on because I have loved the freedom of indulging and am doing so on a daily basis. I started up WW last week by myself. I did good for two days. I think I need to go in and start paying until I loose the weight- it was the motivation that worked for me last time, it will have to work this time so I can save on money.

I feel I am getting back in the groove, but my laundry has flown away from me. I washed, dried, and put away 5 loads of laundry the otherday to look over at our laundry hamper, and the lid was over flowing. Plus, we always seem to have a load of dishes to unload and load up immediately. I understand the laundry, we have another person, but why, OH WHY do the dishes have to get out of hand? K doesn't use anything up yet???

Everything seems to be just a bit messier and just a bit more unorganized than I like to have it- and I am not obsessive about this kind of thing- so that tells you how bad I feel my life is. My way of coping? LISTS-- back to the lists. I haven't made a list except for groceries since before the baby was born. Its been 2 1/2 months- its time.

Here is my list for this week. Some are higher priorities than others(like the grocery shopping since we do not have much food in our home). I do not plan on completing this list, but it helps me to write down all my needs with the intent to at least identify my desires:

• Work on Leila's "Baby Mine" book
• Find inspiration for Nathan's "Baby Mine" (after Leila's is done most likely)
• Get caught up on laundry
• clean/organize upstairs bedrooms
• vacuum upstairs - at least once
• vacuum downstairs every other day
• put away my clothes pile
• cook dinner(no take out!)
• WINCO-#1 priority for Monday!
• pedicure(use my gift card! yay!)
• Take books to library(due 30th)
• Pay off fines at library(must have cash!)
• check balance on my relia-cash card
• Organize office
• Start up on my writing project again
• Really start using WW plan again
• Set up work out schedule
• Call or e-mail a couple of friends who have been on my mind

Link to Family Pictures

My friend Jenny took our pictures- she posted a few on her blog. Check them out-- I LOVE THEM and will likely post more on here after we get our CD.

http://www.jenniferlynnphotography.blogspot.com/