Growing Up

  So...time slows down, when? It has to sometime, right?

  I missed posting in the month of May, where two pretty big days took place!

  First of all, this cute guy turned one! I can't believe this. He's now 13 months and walking! He took his first steps at 12 months old, but now he's walking around a lot more. Still in that wobbly/drunk walking phase, but it's getting better!

     Gabe loves: Eating. Gabe is the complete opposite of his brother when it comes to food. We practically have to bribe Alex to eat, but this chunk eats everything in site. He moved over to whole milk without a problem and will eat fruits, vegetables, and pretty much any table food we give him. It's such a nice change! He also loves babbling and talking, getting into everything, and super loves his dad. Sometimes I think he prefers daddy's company! He is really the most cuddly/huggy baby and will give so many hugs and kisses.

    Another big day- this one turned 3! Three is harder than two so far with the attitude and temper, but it's also so much fun!  Alex learns at such a rapid pace, remembers everything he learns, and loves to play. He's learning phonics and already can read some. He loves music and singing, and runs around the house all day singing nursery songs and playing games. He's also a super sweet big brother (most of the time). He loves Gabe and is always trying to help him. When Gabe gets hurt for any reason, Alex cries too and tries to comfort him. I just love it. Alex sure is a joy to be around!

   Since Alex's birthday fell on a holiday, we decided to take a short trip to San Antonio, where the boys had their first hotel experience. Surprisingly, they both did wonderfully. Gabe was in the pack n' play between the beds, and come bedtime, he plopped down and went right to sleep. No crying or fussing beforehand, even though we were right there. Alex insisted on sharing a bed with dad, so he and Gary shared a bed while I had my own. Everyone fell right to sleep! Maybe it was the stormy weather outside (puts the boys to sleep), but it was nice. Anyway, it was a fun trip and thankfully the storm was only through the night. Alex loved visiting the Alamo (last time we went, I was pregnant with Gabe), and kept saying, "rememer (remember) the Alamo!". He also loved riding the fancy alligator (elevator) in our hotel. It included a lot of walking, boat rides on the San Antonio River  (our hotel was also on the river), and some shopping.

     Also, I ended up leaving my job. It was nothing wrong with the job, of course, but it was me feeling a little too overwhelmed with the schedule. It was a 40 minute commute one way and full-time. It was actually a fun job, but right now it was just too much. Although I was able to see the boys, the hours were really hard on Alex. Every single evening included exhausted screaming and crying. Mornings he was crying because we were up early. He loved, loved school, but he just wasn't emotionally ready for so many hours of it. Gabe adjusted fine, but still wasn't really napping all that long during the nap time. Plus, as a full time student, it was hard keeping up with my studies. In the end, it was best to leave. I'm teaching some piano for the summer in the home, but that's about it.

    About school real quick, I decided to change my major. I'll still be teaching, but it's no longer Interdisciplinary K-8. Instead I'll be doing science education, specializing in biology. I thought it would be really fun to put my passion of science into it, so there you go!

   Well, that's about it! Welcome, summer!

Beautiful April

   This is seriously the best time of the year! I love how green it has been around here, and I am in awe just when I drive places! My favorite part of spring around here are our beautiful bluebonnets! They really are the best!

We've also been getting a lot of storms (nothing compared to our summer storms), but they've still been wonderful!

Anyway, we are doing well. Gabe and Alex and adjusting really well to school, and Alex really gets upset when he realized it's not a school day (but feels better when he learns he gets the whole day with us!). Gabe is much better at drop off as he just quickly goes to his toys to play in his room.

Work has been going pretty well too. The kids are finally adjusting to me, and I FINALLY have a permanent assistant, which has been marvelous. I can finally find the freedom to lesson plan more, and get my classroom organized. Plus, I can finally get their pictures and art projects up on the wall. That part has been great!

We did go through a couple of illnesses in the past month or so, but are doing better. Alex had to take a few days off school because he wasn't feeling well. I got him out of bed Wednesday morning to realize he was so warm. I took his temp which was 101. I ended up getting an appointment with his doctor that day, so I took him in. His temperature had spiked to almost 104 when we were there, and they immediately gave him some Motrin and ran some tests. Turns out it was strep and an ear infection. Poor guy. I knew he was always asking for water and saying his throat hurt too, so I'm glad we were able to get the antibiotics going. He's doing much better now!

Anyway, that's about it for now!

Yearly Update

    Okay, like a month and a half, but close enough.

    Lots of changes going on here! Baby Gabey will be 11 months in a couple of days. ELEVEN MONTHS! Who/why/how/where/when did this happen?! This is much too fast.

   So, Gabe:

• Eats everything. Seriously, this kid LOVES to eat! There is nothing he will turn down.
• Is adorably chunky (probably due to the above)
• Loves to clap his hands, follow his brother everywhere, and climb
• Cruises on everything and gets into pretty much everything
• Loves to babble and "talk". Dada, Nana, Baba
• Is such a cuddle monkey (my favorite)!!! He is so affectionate and sweet and will give you kisses all day if you let him. Melt!

  Alex:

• Will be 3 soon!! But I'm in denial
• Discovered Thomas and Friends and anything train related is pretty much his favorite thing ever. He'll put his train in front and line up all cars and other trains behind it
• Still sleeps with his blankie
• Talks SO MUCH still
• Is getting into imaginative play
• Can spend all day outside if you let him
• Adores his dad and always wants to play with him
• Is also ridiculously and adorably cuddly

   Gary and I are doing well too! Gary is doing great with his job and enjoys doing a carpool now instead of public transportation (to save gas/mileage). I too got a job teaching PreK at a private preschool-kindergarten program. It was a hard decision because I LOVE staying at home. And though we don't really need the extra money, I think I mostly did it for me. Being home for 3 years made me kinda itchy to get back into working. I decided to apply for jobs, but every night when I'd go to bed, I'd laugh at myself for even considering it. However, interviews happened and things got real. So, I decided to go for it. I get to take Alex and Gabe with me, and they're just down the hall. Alex has a lot of fun with his class and often cries when it's time to leave (that's also due to being exhausted). Gabe knows now when I put him in his classroom that I will be leaving him, so naturally he cries. However, his teachers are great at redirection and he's instantly having fun. Best part is I get to see them and visit them regularly. Many of the staff members (including the owners and director) have their kids there too, so they all understand!

     I think the hardest part isn't necessarily me working and doing more each day, but the guilt of no longer staying home. Often times I wonder if this really was a good choice for the boys. If staying home is what was best. But I remind myself that I have to take care of myself too. They get to come with me and I get to see them regularly and checkup on their progress. I'm literally RIGHT THERE, so that makes it a bit easier. Anyway, I have a crazy/rowdy class, but it will eventually simmer down when I'm there a little longer. They're just being extra testy because I'm new, which is expected.

Well, that be the update!

Growths and Changes

     As mentioned in the previous post, Gary has started his new job. So far he is loving it. He enjoys having his own office and co-workers he gets along with. The commute was a little hard at first, but after he found a carpool that leaves from our area straight down to his job, it has been much smoother.

      Gabe is 9 months old now and all over the place. Crawling, standing, and getting into everything he can. I really love this age, though it definitely keeps me on my feet. At his 9 month checkup, we discovered he is now in the 28th percentile for weight (18.7 lbs.), which is great considering he was off the charts completely at 4 months. He is only nursed twice each day now, and that's starting to fade as well. I thought I'd be more together about it all, but it's been harder than expected to end the nursing relationship. The guilt hits no matter what. But I know he is going to be just fine. As for his appetite, he is a good eater! He will eat anything given to him. Table food, baby food, snacks, etc.. He LOVES food. I don't remember Alex being this obsessed with food, ever. So, that has been awesome. As for his occupational therapy, he is doing so well, it's about time to fade and end services. Their goal is to get to a year old, and during that time, help transition him to a sippy cup. However, we were told he is now pretty typical and may not requalify for services after we stop since he basically has no more issues with his mouth. What's interesting, though, is my mom sent a picture of me as a baby, and I had the same thing going on with my tongue! It was just slightly larger than normal, but as I grew, it fit better in my mouth. I never had feeding issues, though, or long term problems except I had to have 4 braces when I was a child (which also could have been because I sucked my thumb until 4th grade). My grandmother on my mom's side had the same thing as a baby. So weird! But normal and nothing to worry about.

     Alex is doing well too. I can't believe he's going to be three soon. He still talks all the time and constantly wants us to repeat what he's saying. It can get exhausting, but I know it's his way of learning how to say things correctly, so we go with it. He's also getting a little more defiant and stubborn, but of course that's expected at this age. However, he is so much fun to play with. He's starting to get into imaginative play, and is also starting to play with his brother. They don't always get along, but he has his sweet big brother moments. I love seeing them both in his room, and Alex sharing his toys and trying to talk to him. He also loves being outside and going places, and especially is obsessed with one on one time with either me or Gary. We always try and each have our own time with him without Gabe in the way, just to give him that attention he needs. Often times I feel guilty at the end of the day and wonder if I was a good enough mom to him. If I paid enough attention. I always feel bad when he says things like, "mommy Alex time," or "no more phone, mommy," or, "bye, Baby Gabe." Breaks my heart. He's still my little first baby.

     As for me, I'm doing well for the most part. I really dislike this time of year, as I get seasonal depression in February. So, it's always a rough month for me, and it's been rough this year too. Once spring rolls around I usually do much better. I purchased a rower I now use to workout on so I don't overdo my joints with running. I'm also trying to eat better, as I really need to lose weight. I'm also still putting in about 20 hours each week of study for my school, and I feel like I can't brain in some of my courses, including math. I feel like since I've had Gabe, I just can't get anything to work upstairs. It's so frustrating at times. I've been working with an endocrinologist to help level out my hormones, especially my thyroid. I'm tired of feeling like my brain is broken and I'm fighting everyday just to get a clear thought. Thankfully I have a ton of support, including my educational mentors, and of course from Gary who is always willing to help me when I need it. I still have a lot of good in my life, and I need to focus on that. I also need to better focus on letting go of constant mom guilt and learn to take care of myself and my needs.

   Anyway, that's our personal updates. The weather has already been warming up, so I've been taking the boys to parks, and we still go to our regular playdates just to get out and socialize while enjoying the warmer temps.

Playing in the backyard

Hiking at Walnut Creek Metropolitan park

Playing at Old Settler's park

Collecting sticks on a hike

Doing what he does best (getting into things)

Strapped on during a hike

Playing in his Pack n Play outside

Woodchips!

Me and my little dude in the morning

Alex playing with the dogs at Red Bud Isle park