Tuesdays With the Family

Let's just pretend this is Tuesday....

So this past week was eventful.  I managed to lose 5 lbs!  The thing is, I didn't need to lose the weight.  I contracted a few illnesses that left my entire body drained.  I'm talking ear and sinus infections along with a stomach and the influenza viruses.  Like at the same time.  Yeah it was pretty miserable.  There were a few days where I just wanted to push my face into a pile of snow and sleep all day long.  Unfortunately, having two babies and a husband working 70 hours did not allow me any breaks.  I'm just glad the kids are still alive after last week.

After starting my new meds, I feel so much more like the person I used to be.  It's wonderful to look at my kids and actually feel the love I have for them.  Now every day I wake up I feel absolutely blessed to have these babies in my life.  I can't kiss, hold, or hug them enough.  I feel so blessed that my little Emily likes to take naps with me and that Andrew enjoys sitting in my lap and slathering my face with his sweet kisses.

I've also fallen in love with Ben all over again.  He is such an incredible person; I believe God blessed me greatly by bringing us together.  

Big news! Ben put his two week's notice in for one of his jobs.  This means we will see him for more than a few hours a week AND have weekends together.  What are we going to do with all that extra time?  

Ben is becoming quite the activist.  He reported the facility he works for to DCFS and our state's representative because they are depriving the boys with a very basic right: religious services.  Seriously? How did I snag this guy?  He is absolutely incredible.  

Last Friday, while I was writhing in pain and fighting dizziness on the couch, Emily came out of our room (where she had been sleeping) and decided to feed herself.  If I hadn't been delirious, the accident that followed might have been avoided.  She climbed on top of the stove, grabbed a rice krispie treat package from the cupboard, picked up a knife, and proceeded to cut open the package.  I woke up to her screaming, "Mommy!"  and found her on the counter top with blood poring out of a wound.  As I wasn't sure where the wound was, I picked her up and called for Ben.  Thank goodness he knows how to fix up wounds!  He found the source--her middle finger had a big gash in it--and quickly wrapped her finger up to stop the bleeding.

She has picked up a few...phrases lately.

"That sucks!" (Really? Where did she learn this?)

"Oh my gosh!" 

I'm just waiting for her to curse.  (Not that I ever do that.) 

This girl is beautiful.  BEAUTIFUL.  She had her first professional haircut on Monday.  The hairstylist didn't change much, just cleaned up Em's bangs and hair.  This girl has the curliest, cutest hair!  

This boy walks all over the place!  It is so adorable!  Watching him walk into the bathroom, the kitchen, our bedrooms, and the living room never fails to elicit a smile.  He has also started talking so much more!  

He now says

"Fituck!" (firetruck)

"Joos!" (juice)

"Do!" (dog)

and knows the sounds of these animals

elephant

dog

lion and tiger (same sound)

and even says the occasional sentence

"I want that!"  

One of his favorite things to do is dance to the Wiggles.  He does the silliest bounce dance.  That's the only way to describe it.  All I know is he makes me laugh every day!

I am sure there are a few things that I've missed today; I blame the lingering sickness.  

Until next week...

Love,

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.