Hodge podge
Nathaniel finally has a bed of his own and now will actually sleep through the night. We were having a lot of trouble with that but he's very excited about his big boy bed. I cannot express adequately how much better I feel for his having his own bed. We were so lazy about getting things like that for him. It was just sad. My running joke is that we've official accepted him as a member of the family. He's starting to communicate more effectively. He still screeches a lot though. It's nice though to be able to ask him "yes/ no" questions and actually get a real answer. So far he's not saying a whole bunch but the pattern of his sounds has evolved into the pre-speech stage. In other words, his babble sounds like real speech (but another language) since his pitch/tone varies. Yesterday, he parroted my with "Oh my". I think he could say a lot more if he would apply himself. I talk to the kids all day long every day and now am reading them the Chronicles of Narnia and since then I think Nathaniel has changed more. Pehaps it's helping him. I do know that he absolutely understands what we are telling him. It's just getting the words out on his end now. We're disciplining him steadily now because if he doesn't get his way he throws back his head and screams/ cries. He's really loud and that's just not the way to deal with things (and it's really obvious when it's just a ploy/ fit). We're trying to teach better self-control. So far it seems to be working. He's doing much better. (Also... he's finally weaned. Mixed feeling here for me. I miss the intimacy of it, but am at the same time to have my body back.)
Ella has grown well over an inch in the last month. She's a full head taller than Nathaniel now and is really starting to look like a big girl. Her conversations have really changed too. Every day there is something new to amaze us. (Probably mostly because we're her parents and are entranced.) Her ability to take a melody and develop her own lyrics has improved immensely. Rich and I find this particularly funny. We both do the same thing. Take a song and make it our own. (Rich is better at this than me.) So it's really funny to witness Ella doing the same thing. At the same time as all of the wonderful things we're enjoying with her, she's most definitely in the "terrible two-four stage". She's whining a lot more now and will let her temper get the better of her when she has to be disciplined. Imagine teeth clenched and arms and legs flailing in the corner when she's placed on the naughty spot. It's pretty sad. We're trying to help her work through the frustration as best we can. I'm starting a new book today in order to maybe get some more ideas.
Rich finally finished his most recent renovation contract. We're really excited that it's done. It took a lot longer than anyone anticipated. The owners liked the work well enough that they want him to start yet another project for them. Yippee! I think work is going to start on our house again soon. (I hope.) Rich decided to take a paper route again. One of the guys that was working for our friend that still contracting at the Eagle flaked so Rich stepped in. He hasn't gotten into the rhythym again yet. So I had him at home during the day the last two weeks. But part of that was due to his being sick the first week and then his excitedly waiting for a call the second. He has a chance at a computer gig that would be really good for him. However, we're starting to doubt it will happen. The guy told us he'd call last week and didn't. Then he emailed on Friday and said he'd be calling Saturday. Still nothing. We're not getting our hopes up at this point. I really hoped this would work out and I suppose there's still a chance, but I'm not holding my breathe. It's confusing. My former boss pointed this guy towards Rich, etc. And made it sound like filling the job was a real rush because the current employee is highly unreliable and that will absolutely not work for the position. Sighhhhhh......
I do not miss working for the Bank. I miss my former co-workers. I'm finally starting to get a handle on being a SAHM. I have a daily list of chores for me (and Ella with Nathaniel helping). I'm still not getting everything on my list done each day, but I'm doing much better than I was and feel better about my home and being home. The kids drive me crazy some days but I think that's only to be expected. I think it will continue to get easier (and harder depending on stages). But for now, I'm pretty content. I'm still trying to figure out what to do for education with the kids. I've picked up a gob of preschool booklets and Ella enjoys that. We've continued our Y membership for now because I really want to lose some weight and just feel better. I'm going to try and meet with someone this week about starting a fitness program with goals. I think that may help me. Both kids are still in swimming classes and I really like their teacher. It's amazing how both have grown in the water under her watchful eye. Being in the water twice a week really makes me want to be in the water even more. So I think I'll see about swimming laps as part of my fitness regimen. I'm sure I'll look like an idiot since I know I don't breathe right, but to heck with it. it just feels good to swim. I'm also starting Namaste yoga at home. We'll see how long that lasts. The kids still climb all over me. I'm learning to knit and am getting ready to start a poncho for Ella. I'm still crocheting another blanket (my third). After these two projects, I think it'll be time to learn how to quilt. I'm really enjoying all of my crafty time.
Well that's about it for now. It's time to read chapter 1 of "The New Strong-Willed Child". (Three guesses why I'm reading that.) And then to wind my yarn for the poncho. Goodie... goodie.
My love, thoughts, best wishes, etc. to you all.
Ella has grown well over an inch in the last month. She's a full head taller than Nathaniel now and is really starting to look like a big girl. Her conversations have really changed too. Every day there is something new to amaze us. (Probably mostly because we're her parents and are entranced.) Her ability to take a melody and develop her own lyrics has improved immensely. Rich and I find this particularly funny. We both do the same thing. Take a song and make it our own. (Rich is better at this than me.) So it's really funny to witness Ella doing the same thing. At the same time as all of the wonderful things we're enjoying with her, she's most definitely in the "terrible two-four stage". She's whining a lot more now and will let her temper get the better of her when she has to be disciplined. Imagine teeth clenched and arms and legs flailing in the corner when she's placed on the naughty spot. It's pretty sad. We're trying to help her work through the frustration as best we can. I'm starting a new book today in order to maybe get some more ideas.
Rich finally finished his most recent renovation contract. We're really excited that it's done. It took a lot longer than anyone anticipated. The owners liked the work well enough that they want him to start yet another project for them. Yippee! I think work is going to start on our house again soon. (I hope.) Rich decided to take a paper route again. One of the guys that was working for our friend that still contracting at the Eagle flaked so Rich stepped in. He hasn't gotten into the rhythym again yet. So I had him at home during the day the last two weeks. But part of that was due to his being sick the first week and then his excitedly waiting for a call the second. He has a chance at a computer gig that would be really good for him. However, we're starting to doubt it will happen. The guy told us he'd call last week and didn't. Then he emailed on Friday and said he'd be calling Saturday. Still nothing. We're not getting our hopes up at this point. I really hoped this would work out and I suppose there's still a chance, but I'm not holding my breathe. It's confusing. My former boss pointed this guy towards Rich, etc. And made it sound like filling the job was a real rush because the current employee is highly unreliable and that will absolutely not work for the position. Sighhhhhh......
I do not miss working for the Bank. I miss my former co-workers. I'm finally starting to get a handle on being a SAHM. I have a daily list of chores for me (and Ella with Nathaniel helping). I'm still not getting everything on my list done each day, but I'm doing much better than I was and feel better about my home and being home. The kids drive me crazy some days but I think that's only to be expected. I think it will continue to get easier (and harder depending on stages). But for now, I'm pretty content. I'm still trying to figure out what to do for education with the kids. I've picked up a gob of preschool booklets and Ella enjoys that. We've continued our Y membership for now because I really want to lose some weight and just feel better. I'm going to try and meet with someone this week about starting a fitness program with goals. I think that may help me. Both kids are still in swimming classes and I really like their teacher. It's amazing how both have grown in the water under her watchful eye. Being in the water twice a week really makes me want to be in the water even more. So I think I'll see about swimming laps as part of my fitness regimen. I'm sure I'll look like an idiot since I know I don't breathe right, but to heck with it. it just feels good to swim. I'm also starting Namaste yoga at home. We'll see how long that lasts. The kids still climb all over me. I'm learning to knit and am getting ready to start a poncho for Ella. I'm still crocheting another blanket (my third). After these two projects, I think it'll be time to learn how to quilt. I'm really enjoying all of my crafty time.
Well that's about it for now. It's time to read chapter 1 of "The New Strong-Willed Child". (Three guesses why I'm reading that.) And then to wind my yarn for the poncho. Goodie... goodie.
My love, thoughts, best wishes, etc. to you all.