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.

Family Pics and More

I've been avoiding this place.  It's not that I don't have wonderful pictures to share, funny moments to relate, or beautiful children who are doing new things, it's that I am scared to come here.  As some of you may or may not know, I struggle with severe anxiety and depression.  While I enjoy coming to this place and sharing pictures with all of you, I can't come here without feeling intense pressure in my chest because of unfounded guilt in everything: From being behind in uploading photos to not taking enough pictures of the kids.

But here I am.  Facing my fear.  I can do this now because of the help I've received from my doctor and therapist.  I no longer will set high expectations for myself, given the amount of pressure already on my shoulders because of Ben's work schedules, and I won't let guilt overwhelm my usual happiness.

As for an update, let's see what I can do.

With the exception of Ben, we are all sick.  Emily was up for a majority of the night last night screaming because of pain in her ears and cheeks.  While she seems much better this morning, I have a feeling it will get worse tonight.  Looks like another doctor appointment for us.

In other news, Emily is looking more and more grown-up every day.  Every once in a while I'll read another person's account of their 2 1/2 year old and think, "Wow! That is so old!" Until I remember that I have a 2 1/2 year old.   She says the cutest things from, "I want [to] pour milk [my]self" to "Oops! I fall down" (intentionally, I might add).  She can now read a few books completely from memory.  She especially adores Whose Mouse Are You and Click, Clack, Moo.

Andrew is walking more and more!  I would say his walking and crawling are evenly split now.  He also "talks!"  Sometimes he'll say things like, "E-I-E-I-O" and "cracker" very clearly but mostly it's still jabbering.

Ben has been able to take a few weekends off lately by using his PTO (paid time off).  This has been marvelous.  It still means only a couple days off a month, but any day off is welcome!

We are busy preparing for our up-coming move by planning where we will live, how we will find housing, etc, etc.  The closer we get the more excited we are!

A couple weekends ago my grandmother passed away.  While at the funeral, my sister took some lovely photos of our family!  Here is a sampling of the beautiful pictures.

I am tired of the cold but am doing my best to get out of the house by walking to the library, the grocery store, and friend's houses.  Obviously this week has been harder because of sickness and being forced to stay inside.  I hope this ends soon!

Until next time.

What we've been up to (i.e family update).

So I started working on this on January 6.  January 6. I think that should tell you just how our lives have been.

Let's start with the most interesting news first.

Ben



To begin with, he doesn't have an ulcer.  His symptoms are stress-related.  Heh.

In better news, he is currently hanging out with us for a rare weekend.  A 4-day weekend.  Woot! We were able to go on a date Thursday.  It was amazing.

In even better news, we have changed our plans for medical school.  Sorry Arizona, we love ya but we received an acceptance call from our first choice of medical schools.

Missouri.

I guess that means we will be leaving the west for (at least) 4 years.

In random news, we went to the dentist a couple weeks ago.  Besides a couple cavities, his teeth were great!

Amber




I also don't have an ulcer.  My nurse practitioner (np) is very frustrated by her lack of answers.  After a very long appointment yesterday, she decided to refer me to a neurologist.  I have an appointment set in February and am crossing my fingers for some answers. Seriously, not being able to sleep BECAUSE OF NAUSEA for 4 out of 7 days really sucks.  Especially when it's not pregnancy related.

As for dental work, I only had one cavity.  I know, awesome.  But, I have to get my wisdom teeth removed.  Oh,well.  I would have to do it someday and right now is the best time!

I am super excited for medical school.  That is all.


Emily

I am surprised by how grown-up she seems now!  Her list of words and sentences is far too extensive to post but here is a short list of my favorites.

"Ank u" (Thank you)
"Mommy! I wanna twick oh tweet" (trick or treat, aka candy and said with a beautiful smile)
"Mommy! Stop it!" (When I'm doing something she doesn't like.)
"No! Mines, mines, mines" (mine, used for anything she is currently playing with)
"gippopotomus" (hippopotamus)
"Sebra" (Zebra)
"I'm naked!"

She talks all the time.  And pretty much everything she says is cute.

She labels everything with colors.  Like "blue binky" or "yellow cereal" or "pink blankie."

She counts all the time.  She runs around the house screaming "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10!"  She also counts objects.  Pretty cool!

She knows "E" is for "Emily" and "A" is for "Andrew."  Though she does mix these two up sometimes.

She dances ballet to The Wiggles.  We love this.  She also knows where her hips are and how to shake them.  She takes after me and it's awesome.

Her potty training is going well.  She did poop in the toilet on day number two, but now is scared to do it again. That's okay.  We figure she'll come around to that when she's ready.  As part of her potty training, she runs around the house naked. Hence why I don't have many videos.

She has started climbing out of her crib (remember, she resides in a pack'n'play which is much harder to escape from) this week.  I'm thinking of trying the big girl bed again.

She now cuddles with us.  She'll climb into my lap, or Ben's, and hug us.  It's so sweet!  I love that she lets me hold her and comfort her.

She is waking up less than she used to, but still wakes up more than I'd like. (Ha!)

Andrew

My little buddy.  If I don't hold him first thing in the morning, I must make it up the rest of the day.  (I'm kind of kidding.)  (And I love it.)

He has started walking so much more!!  I even caught it on video (which I will post later).  He stands up in the middle of the room and takes off, usually with a big grin and squeal of laughter.  It is so cute!

He loves to jump on our bed.  And so does Emily.

He has two more teeth coming through on top.  It's been painful but he's been handling it pretty well.

He loves to play with sunglasses.

He says a few more words.
"Dum" (Jump)
"Uhuhuh" (bark for a dog)
"arrr" (lion and tiger roaring)

He gives open mouth kisses (with an accompanying "ahhh") to all of us.  It is so sweet!

When we run out of his jammies, we dress him in his sister's jammies.  He does look good in pink!

He loves to stand up and dance.  He'll just shake his thang.  He also bangs his head on items as a form of dance expression.  It's pretty awesome.

That's it for our family this week!

Love,