Drop Off

When Ellen first went to daycare, at 7 weeks old, I dropped her off every morning and Phillip picked her up in the afternoons/early evenings.  He knew drop off was rough for me but it wasn't until he started taking her to school that he realized just how much it stinks.  It is hard leaving her and it is such a long day.  It was a little easier when we both took her (and picked her up) but now that I am the lone dropper offer, I find myself in tears as I drive to work.  Especially when we have had a rough morning at home, including crying and irrational behavior, and she tells me she doesn't want to go to school and the car ride, although short, ends up being just as miserable.  These are the mornings I question just about every decision we have made and wonder if we are doing the right thing.  Then I call Phillip and tell him all about it and I feel better.  There is always something to laugh about - something she did or said - and that helps too.

This morning was an especially challenging one.  Ellen wanted to be beautiful and wear a skirt (she was already dressed in shorts and a tank top), she wanted different shoes, she wanted a tattoo (temporary, of course), she wanted to stay home, she didn't want to listen to music, she didn't want the windows rolled down... she could not be satisfied.  For the first time ever there was nothing cute or funny to report to Phillip.  Not today.

Tomorrow is a new day, a new beginning, and for that I am thankful.

10 weeks 4 days, as of yesterday

We're having a baby!  I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday.  The baby is due January 19th but he/she will be born at 39 weeks (if all goes as planned) since this will be a scheduled c-section.  I was not expecting to have an ultrasound so that was a nice surprise (just sad that Phillip missed it).  We are all excited about the baby, especially excited to find out if it is a boy or girl.  Ellen really wants a sister but we told her that we don't get to choose, God does.  I think she has come to terms with that.  She is going to be a great big sister either way!  I haven't been feeling very well but I am not as sick as I was with Ellen (yet?)  She put me through the ringer.  Phillip has been amazing.  He takes care of me, Ellen, the dogs, the house, the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, the grocery shopping, the yard work... you name it, he does it.  I am very thankful for his support.  Hopefully I will start feeling better soon and be able to help out more (it isn't natural for me to sit on the sidelines).  One day at a time has become my mantra and it is working surprisingly well.  Not much else to report.  We are back to work and school after a much needed, much appreciated vacation.  Life is good.    

Myrtle Beach 2011

We had a great time at the beach last week.  

Highlights: playing in the sand, jumping waves, family bonding, Mr. Fish, bedtime stories, sun-kissed cheeks, carnival on the boardwalk, collecting seashells, not one but two swimming pools(!), beauty shop, homemade banana pudding, Grandma Bones, Pictureka on the iPad, date night and celebrating... Mom's birthday (a little belated), Father's Day, our 8th wedding anniversary, my 32nd birthday and Andrea's birthday.

 (she's not really a thumbsucker)

Party Pooper

Ellen is reluctant to wish anyone happy birthday because telling someone else happy birthday means it isn't her birthday (and that is not acceptable!).  She did tell my Mom happy birthday yesterday but only after we explained a few things and answered a few questions.... Yes, it is Grandmother's birthday... No, it's not your birthday... Yes, your birthday is after Ashling's but there are several birthdays that fall between May 28th and Spetember 4th... etc.

I imagine we'll have the same conversation next week when Andrea and I celebrate our birthdays.  Should be interesting.

Odds and Ends

Our routine isn't directly affected by Summer but there is still a sense of freedom, or jealousy of other people's freedom, that sets it apart from the rest of the year.  Not only do we go on vacation every summer (usually June), there are also holidays, special occasions and birthdays galore to be celebrated.  And we do like to celebrate!

We saw Kung Fu Panda 2 yesterday afternoon with our good friends.  Happy kid-friendly birthday, Matt!  Ellen did not have a nap so I was concerned she might lose it at some point but she did just fine.  I may or may not have fallen asleep during the movie.

Ellen, little Miss No-Nap, conked out on the way home from the movies and ended up sleeping from 5:30 p.m. until about 5:45 a.m.  Crazy!  We tried to wake her around 7:30 but she wouldn't budge.  She did get up once in the night to use the bathroom but that was the only peep we heard out of her. 

We ate lunch at Logan's with Kendra and Laurie on Saturday (and did a little shopping together afterwards).  It was nice catching up with them.  Ellen just loves being with her Aunts!

Phillip's Mom recently gave me The Help (by Kathryn Stockett) and I started reading it last week.  It is so good!  It has been a while since I have really enjoyed a book like I am enjoying this one.  Thanks, Nancy!

Phillip and I have been watching Game of Thrones, a series on HBO based on the books by George R. R. Martin.  It is not for the faint of heart.  I find myself looking away from the TV a few times each episode.

I ended up shaving off half of my left eyebrow (long story) and my loving husband can't/won't stop making fun of me.  He better start sleeping with one eye open or else he might become my next victim.

Silly Willy

Update of sorts

Phillip took Ellen to the doctor on Monday and surprise, surprise... she has an ear infection (and possibly strep - Dr. White didn't test her but saw the beginning signs of it).  Sunday and Monday were rough but she is on the mend.  She is back at school and enjoying Vacation Bible School in the evenings so all is well in her world.  Tonight was actually the last night of VBS.  Ellen loved it.  Phillip was a group leader and I helped teach the 3 year olds.  It was fun watching Ellen interact with her friends, old and new (she and a little girl named Macie, unfortunately just a visitor, became good buddies this week).  We are teaching the 2-3 year olds on Sunday mornings this quarter so we will have lots of opportunities to watch her in action.  Last week was a challenge but I am optimistic it will get better over time.

I am still bitter about the various changes at work but I am working on letting go.  What has me in a tizzy (that I am willing to share online)?  Besides my job totally changing (which is reason enough), I now have to work on Saturdays.  Every other Saturday to be exact.  Another big adjustment, Phillip and I are no longer able to ride together due to the change in my hours.  Carpooling saves (saved) us a lot of money and it physically hurts to have to budget an extra $250 a month for gas.  Phillip's truck, like most trucks, is not kind to us in the mpg department.  We were both able to get Ellen ready for school in the mornings and drop her off and pick her up together - I will miss it.

We are going to the beach in a couple of weeks and that is something we are all looking forward to.  Ellen is itching to see her cousins, aunt, uncle and grandparents again so it can't come soon enough!

Not much else is happening around here.  We are plugging along the best we can.

Signs

In addition to the fever discovered early this afternoon, here are a few signs that Ellen isn't feeling well:

Sits on your lap during worship

Asks to leave church

Glassy-eyed

Takes a 3 hour nap

Cuddles with you for a prolonged period of time

Refuses ice cream

Complains that her Disney princess CD is too loud (she typically likes the volume turned way up)

She is in bed and asleep by 7:24 p.m.

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Poor girl!

Discovery

You just never know what you might find written (or drawn) on the dry erase board on any given day.  Here is a recent example.  By the way, Ellen is doing great with recognizing and writing her letters.

Relentless

Rise and shine

Wake up!

Get out of bed!

The day is starting

You are wasting the day

It's early afternoon (it was barely 7)

We did eventually get up but when your daughter bounds out of bed at 5:45 on a Saturday morning it takes some of the joy out of parenting.

Phillip is helping some friends prepare to move so Ellen and I are hanging out together. She couldn't be more thrilled. She loves stay at home days.

Dinner and a show

Memorial Day weekend

Pictures from NC... including Ashling's 5th birthday celebration

 Ready to hit the road

 The view from my seat

 Ellen and Cadey Boo, as she affectionately calls him

 Grandma!

 Socializing before the birthday meal

 I love kid art

 My beautiful sister

 My genius brother-in-law, seriously

 Kelly, award winning cousin

 Ellen and Rocky

 Taken by Ellen (the pink is just the reflection of her shirt)

 Also taken by Ellen

 My girl - looking so grown up