home visit

Jay and I have been going back and forth for quite a while on whether or not we should adopt...a puppy. We originally thought it would be too hard right now with a new baby and all that, that entails. But truly, we're pet people - and since we put Vinny down and Mrs. Mittens died, we've been waiting patiently for the right time to adopt. We decided yesterday that we are ready.

We really want a midsized dog - one that is kind of mellow, so as not to freak Emma out. A dog that can live inside when we're home and outside during the day while we're away. A dog that I can take running but that will not be running amok in our home. A dog that Jay can take fishing that won't jump from the boat and drown. A dog that can handle having his ears and tail pulled by our kids and who won't mind when one of them falls asleep in his bed. We know it's a lot to ask of a furry friend, but we're ready to wait until we find the right dog for us.

This morning Jay came across a lady who rescues dogs and we've been going back and forth all day filling out applications, researching breeds, and figuring out what we want. Tomorrow we have an official home visit. The dog rescue lady, Debi, is going to come over and make sure that our home is appropriate for taking in a dog. (It's totally weird, I feel as if we are adopting a child.) She has a really cute Beagle that we are interested in adopting, but we have to first get the green light from her.

Our research showed that Beagles are gentle dogs. They are midsized, good natured, great around kids and other animals. They are rarely aggressive, will run when lead, but also enjoy their lazy around the house time. They can be trained easily, and are generally good swimmers. (And this one is already potty trained.) On paper, they are just what we're looking for.

Tomorrow, if the home visit goes well, we will get to spend some time with the Beagle in order to help us decide if she's a good fit for our family. (I can tell you right now that if we spend time with her, I'm going to want to keep her - that's just the way I operate.) We are all excited at the prospect of bringing home a new member of our family. So, keep your fingers crossed for us and we'll keep you posted.

Daddy's home!

Jay got home this evening after a long week away. While he was organizing and carrying out a major fish rescue at Caples Lake, we were busy trying to manage our day to day life without one of our key players. Though I often chide Jay about how little he does around the house, it was not until he was gone and actually doing nothing, that I came to realize that he is actually quite a bit more helpful than I give him credit for. Single mommyhood is exhausting. It is so exhausting in fact that this afternoon while I was pumping during my lunchtime, I fell asleep for a few moments in the small closet-like workroom where I hide out. Fortunately a duo of kindergartners ran in the classroom and woke me - I could have slept for hours. It has been a very long, and exhausting week (for all of us), and we are looking forward to spending some time together on this long holiday weekend.

And now, with the children all snug and sleeping, Jay and I are off to bed. (It's 8:30 on a Friday night! Man, we are so sad.)

3 months old!

Our little Emma is 3 months old today. Life gets better everyday, and she is a big part of the reason for that. We just love our little pumpkin.

my little analytical thinker

Me: Cody, My friend Katie is going to watch you at my school while mommy has a meeting. Is that OK with you?
Cody: Sure mom, but who is going to watch Katie?

What a day!

Since Jay is out of town all week, I have been living the life of a single parent. It's HARD! Besides all of the usually follies that come with the territory when you have two small kids, I'm pretty sure that my children are out to get me. Let me explain... My day started at about 4:30 this morning with Cody coming in to tell me that he had to go potty. (For whatever reason, he always feel the need to announce his business to Jay and I - whether the timing is right or not.)After he did his business, I sent him back to bed, and went in to feed Emma, who had awoken with a hungry cry. At around 5:45 I emerged from my shower to find Cody playing race cars on the living room floor, emphatically claiming that he was no longer tired, and couldn't sleep. I readied myself, helped Cody pick out clothes, got Emma dressed, and packed up the multitude of things that one must drag around when playing single mommy. When everything was all set, I turned to let Cody know that it was time to go, and there he was - passed out cold on the couch! I woke the poor kid up, wrestled him into the car, and went back into the house to load up Emma. Just as I lifted her up to put her in her car seat, we had a major diaper malfunction. I changed both mine and Emma's clothes, loaded her up, and finally made it out the door.

I went to work, yada, yada, yada, and then picked the kiddos up from school.

On top of everything else, it also happened that it was Back to School Night at my school. Again, Jay is out of town, so I racked my brains and finally came up with a plan that I thought was quite genius. I had one of my colleagues' daughter watch the kids in the classroom next to mine while I did my BTS night presentation. Sounds good in theory, right? Well, about 20 minutes into my presentation I hear Cody calling from the back of the classroom. "Mommy, I need you." I blush, giggle nervously, and explain to my audience that this is my son, while trying to figure out what exactly Cody could possibly need. He scrambles up to me in the front of the room and whispers loudly, "I need a hug and a kiss mommy." I quickly oblige, amidst giggles and sighs from our audience, and send him back next door. Don't get me wrong, I love that he indulges in random acts of hugging and kissing mommy, but really - he has got to work on his timing.

What a day!!! Jay comes home on Friday - we can't wait!

finding her voice

Emma has been experimenting with new squeaks and squeals the past few weeks. I love listening to her "talk" to herself in the morning as she waits for us to come in and get her, or as she plays with her toys on her gymboree mat. The sound of her voice fills me with joy. I can't wait for the days of long heartfelt chats with my daughter, but for now, this is just as nice.

evidence of his affection

This morning while we were at the park Cody collected a bouquet of dandelions. He handed them to me and said sweetly, " I got these for you because you're such a good mommy." Then he hugged me and kissed me and walked away to go play in the sandbox.

I am posting this story for two reasons: 1) because it was just so innocent and sweet, and 2) because someday I'll need to prove to both Cody and myself that there indeed was a day when I was the object of his affection. I'm going to soak it all up while I still can!

What a handsome boy!

Last Friday I took the kids with me to our favorite Mexican restaurant for a TGIF with a few girls from school. While we were chatting I glimpsed Cody out of the corner of my eye checking himself out in the mirrored wall. Chuckling to myself, I asked him what he was doing. His response, " I'm just checking to see if I'm handsome." The girls and I had quite a giggle at that. But, he is one handsome little boy, and obviously we tell him that often.

dramastics

I love the Olympics! We have been tivoing the swimming and gymnastics, or as Cody calls it "dramastics," and watching them at a more decent hour, and both Cody and I are hooked. Tonight, as we were watching the uneven bar individual medal competition, Cody said to me, "Mom, pretend you're my dad and I'm Nastia. Watch me flip and win the gold medal." Jay of course says to him, "Cody, you're a boy." To which Cody responds with confidence, "Not right now I'm not. I'm Nastia." I so remember pretending to be Nadia and Mary Lou, I totally get it. But, I am positive that Jay was extremely uncomfortable with this game of pretend.

What I learned at school today...

When I picked Cody up this afternoon, he had some very exciting news to share. For a while now, he has been eagerly waiting for his fourth birthday so that he could, "change into a butterfly." Well today, though he's not quite four, his wish came true. Cody has officially "graduated" to the pre-K class at his preschool - AKA the "butterflies." He was very excited about the big move and had lots to share with me about his day. My favorite revelation - when I asked him what he learned today he replied, "I learned that we don't lick people." (FYI - thankfully I learned that he gained this wisdom from a friends innocent experimentation, not his own -eeew!)

PS - He now insists that he is 4, because "that's when I get to change into a butterfly, mom!"

finding joy in the simple things

This afternoon when I picked Cody up from preschool, he was bubbling over with glee. As I opened the door to the classroom he ran at me full speed shouting, "Guess what mommy! Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!" I of course was eager to hear what all the excitement was about so I leaned in to hear about the extraordinary thing that had happened to him. You know what he told me? "I got to be the line leader today!" I love that he is able to see small moments as such BIG deals. I could learn a thing or two from him.

I changed my mind

The only vegetables that Cody willingly eats are green beans and carrots. In an effort to broaden his horizons a bit, Jay and I frequently encourage Cody to try at least one bite of whatever vegetable we are eating. Tonight we had squash. As is pretty typical, Cody ate his entire dinner except for the squash, and then proceeded to go on and on about how he was too full to try even one bite. We finally persuaded him to try just one. After he ate it Jay asked, "did you like the squash?" Cody nodded his head yes and much to our astonishment went for another bite. About .3 seconds later Cody threw up all over the dinner table. When he had collected himself a bit, he said very nonchalantly, " I changed my mind. I don't really like squash." I guess not!

Beware of pink elephants!

Earlier today Cody had quite a bit of gas. I know, not really a very mature or appropriate post, but this is what happened...

Cody (very excitedly): Did you see that mom?
Me (confusedly): What?
Cody: A pink elephant just ran across the room.
Me: Huh?
Cody: A pink elephant!

A few minutes later I hear Cody passing gas so I ask him to please use his nice manners and say excuse me.

Cody: It wasn't me mom, it was the pink elephant.

I honestly don't know where he comes up with this stuff!

First Day

Today was the first day of school. Though I've been working like a dog to get ready, this is the least prepared I've ever felt at the beginning of the school year. My room is not only not finished being set up, it is not finished being renovated. All of the technology that was supposed to be delivered is currently in Canada, two of my windows are broken, and I do not yet have a key to my classroom door. My students, though super cute, as 5 and 6 year olds tend to be, are the most chatty group I've had to date. (Usually they are on their best behavior the first day. But, if this was their best behavior, I'm doomed.)

My kids, on the other hand, are making a fantastic impression on their teachers, as they ease into daycare/preschool. Cody has always been applauded at school for his kindness, empathy, and good manners. And now, Emma is making her mark. She has captivated all of the women with her smile, easygoing nature, and new-found coos and squeals.

It may be a really long year, but at least when the day is done I get to come home to the people I love. I can't wait to see what life throws at us next!

Pity Party

Oh, poor me! That's how I felt this morning as I climbed into my car on the way to work. Today was my first paid day back at work. (Though I've been in all weekend long getting ready.) My alarm clock woke me at quarter to 5. I got myself ready, then fed Emma, and got her ready, while Jay showered and Cody got dressed. There was so much going on in our house at such an ungodly hour - it was CRAZY! When I finally left for school, at 6:45, both Cody and Emma were in tears. Need I mention what effect this had on me? I arrived to my first day of work with tears streaming down my face, mascara dripping off my nose, and my breasts leaking. Oh, poor me!

I'm NOT tired!

For the last few days, Cody has been trying to convince me that he is too big to take a nap. Well, apparently this afternoon while he was with my mom, he succeeded in convincing her of just that. When I got home he told me that he didn't sleep, but that he "rested" instead. Then he let me know that he was not going to be either tired or cranky later and that I should, "just wait and see." Here he is at 5:00.

This was followed by about 30 minutes of uncontrollable sobbing. Not tired or cranky, huh!

A visit from Grandma

My mom, AKA Grandma Cheryl, is in town for a few days. She came up to see the kiddos - her first time since Emma was born. She got in on Thursday, and we all spent some time together before Jay left for Hot August Nights and I got busy putting my classroom back together. Friday she and Cody had a lot of fun together, just the two of them. They went to the park in the morning and then to see Kung Fu Panda at the mall in the afternoon. Cody came back with a belly full of popcorn and a couple new toys. (Go figure.) This morning, we all played at the park and went to the library. Later this afternoon Grandma gets to watch both kids for a few hours while I go back to school to wrestle some more boxes. I'm grateful that she's here. I don't know what I would have done with my kids/classroom if she wasn't.

look how big she's getting

Emma sat in her Bumbo seat for the first time today. She smiled and squeaked the whole time she was in it. I think she loved feeling like such a big girl.

Emma's new baby

Grandma and Cody got Emma her first baby doll today.

A stickler for the rules!

As we were driving home from Costco this afternoon, we passed a forty-something year old man crossing the street. Suddenly, from the back seat I hear, "Hey mom, that guy's not holding hands when he crosses the street! He's not being very safe, is he." What a stickler! (But I'm glad he's been listening.)

trial run

Today I took Emma in to school for a few hours. As expected, she did very well. And, as expected, I was a mess. (I'm totally "that mom.") Fortunately, I got a call from my principal last night saying that I could get into my classroom today, so I was able to keep myself busy. Here's a picture of Emma and Miss Louise when I dropped her off. She had the same contented look on her face when I picked her up which made me feel slightly better.

getting ready

As the beginning of the school year rapidly approaches, I am beginning to get myself ready to make the transition from stay at home mommy, to "bringing home the bacon." Today I spoke with Cody's school about bringing Emma in for a trial run. My plan is to drop her off for 2 hours tomorrow, just see how she does. (Really to see how I handle it.) They are excited. I am hesitant. I trust them completely; Cody's been there for 3 years and loves all of his teachers. In fact, he often feels sad when we won't take him to school on Saturday and Sunday - a sure sign of his affection. I am hesitant only because I know that I will have a hard time leaving her. I went through it with Cody, and now I am prepared to go through it again -but not really. Baby books and magazines are always talking about separation anxiety, but they are always referring to the baby. In my case, it is me who experiences this anxiety - I'm sure Emma will be fine. She'll be well taken care of, stimulated, and doted on. So, if you happen to see me in the next few weeks, and I look forlorn and generally heartbroken, just know that I'm OK - but not really.

Cody's Learning Spanish!

They must be teaching Cody some Spanish at school. This morning I overheard him counting his race cars. It sounded something like this..."Uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco, hola, grande, ocho!" He'll be bilingual in no time!

Fairytale Town

Yesterday we went to Fairytale Town with our friends Cara and Rylan. The boys had a great time running, climbing, and going down the slides. Cody's favorite attractions were the big barn slide and the crooked mile.


Emma was just happy to be there. Her favorite activities were cruising around in her stroller, and going down the little slide with mommy. Amazingly, we had no major tantrums or catastrophes - though I was grateful that Cara was there - just in case!

All on all it was a great day!