Tuesdays With the Family

Valentine's was this week, huh?  Don't worry, we celebrated in an awesome manner: Ben worked for 16 hours and I went to bed, early, sick with the flu.  

As all parents must know, being sick is usually accompanied by children waking up all night long.  It's like an unwritten rule.   (Yeah, that happened to me.)

Speaking of children, mine are pretty cute.

Andrew is walking.  A lot.  He is so cute walking on his chubby legs!  He especially enjoys putting stuff in his mouth while he cruises.

He is also busy.  BUSY.  I know, so atypical for a one-year-old.

Just last week, he started talking so much more!  

In addition to his other words, he now says

"dahn!" (down)

"Mommy!" (Very different from mama)

"Daddy!" (Again, different from dada)

"towul" (towel)

and "Hi!" 

In connection with saying "daddy" he has also really bonded to him.  When Ben comes home, Andrew starts spinning circles (literally) because he is so thrilled.  Or he'll walk over to him and sit in his lap.  I am so glad.

As for Emily...

she is as mischievous as usual. Lately her plots include climbing onto the kitchen counters and quickly finding whatever she wants from the cupboards before I catch her.  She also has a new resting place.

We are out of hiding places.

She makes me laugh by showing me her "fish face."

And by singing a variety of songs throughout the day.  I especially enjoy her renditions of "Go To Sleep Little Baby" and "Man of Constant Sorrow" from O Brother, Where Art Thou?   And her awesome version of the Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah. 

Some of my favorite words and phrases she says lately are 

"seppup" (ketchup)

"What does [insert animal] say?" (While pointing to the animal in one of her books.)

"[Insert object/person/imaginary friend] go time out!"

She has this imaginary friend--a dinosaur, aptly named "Dinosaur"--with whom she re-enacts important events from the day.  For example, she will tell me "Dinosaur really hungry" when she is/was hungry; she sends Dinosaur into time-out when he bites/hits her and is also called "mean" after these assaults; and she will read Dinosaur books and feed him/her her snacks.  I must say, it makes me smile everyday.

Along with that, she has learned the exhilarating game of hide-and-seek.  Her version is quite entertaining.  While I count to ten, she runs around in circles in front of me and waits for me to reach "10." After that, she counts to ten (very clearly I might add) and "finds" me (I'm usually hiding behind a pillow or something).  

As for potty training...well it is in moratorium.  She will still pee on the potty but will often request diapers.  I am learning to let her go at her own pace rather than at my pace.

She has started smiling for the camera!  Of course I have 2 seconds to capture this, but at least it's a start!

She misses her dad tremendously while he is at work.

Speaking of Ben....

he is busy with work.  He loves his second job (where he works as a paraeducator in an Autistic classroom) and is frustrated with his first job.  But, as always, I am so grateful for how much he sacrifices for our family.

He is also losing weight.  Considering I think he is still as sexy as the day we met, this change is something he is working toward not something I am encouraging.  Still, I am proud of the changes he is making!  It really shows.  

He is getting more and more excited about starting medical school.  Heck, we all are!

Speaking of which, we found a place to live there!  We have filled out the paperwork and mailed our deposit check!  Woot! It is such a relief to know where we will be living for the next 2 years.  Did I mention this place has three bedrooms, a washer/dryer area, and an extra 1/2 bathroom all for the same price we are paying right now for our place?  And that it is within walking distance of the school? Yeah, it is a smoking deal.

And, lastly, me.

  

Not much to report from my end.  I love my kids and am taking care of the household.  Donations of chocolate are always greatly appreciated.

P.S. I even posted this before midnight!  A-mazing.