something new

For as many years as I can remember, the first day of school was always full of anxiety for me. I'd be up half of the night before, organizing my backpack three different ways, making sure my pencils were lined up in my pencil holder, wondering what my new school year would hold. The morning of would tpyically consist of running around like a chicken whose head has been chopped off trying on myriads of outfits, and eating my hastily conceived breakfast with a slightly queasy stomach. Even when I quit the school scene as a student, for at least my first five years of teaching, I had similar experiences. My syllabii, classroom rules, first day speeches all lined up, I'd still feel apprehensive for the first hour of the day, then I'd start running on adrenaline. So, this year, with no school to start, I guess what I am missing most is the adrenaline, not the anxiety. The excitement, the newness, the starting over. To capture a teensy part of that feeling, I've started something new this fall. This time I haven't had queasy stomachs or lost sleep, just sore muscles. But, the excitement of starting something new is still there. The stirring up of a desire to achieve something different and new is all there. I love getting up for aerobics, I even like meeting some new people (a real strain on me typically). And, I can't wait to see what it's going to do for me. So, even if you've dumped school long ago (or even a short time ago), go find something new and start it.

a link

For those of you who are out of my family loop, my sister & her husband recently moved to Thailand to work as youth pastors at a church that ministers to English speakers (both ex-pats & nationals) in a suburb of Bangkok. (Did that get it right, Patrick?)

This post from their new blog made me cry, so I thought I'd share. I've also added this blog to my bloglist, so you can always see when they've updated!

http://keepingupwiththejonesesinthailand.blogspot.com/2009/08/so-what-crap.html

Please don't miss the two new posts below. I don't know what's come over me? Stay-at-home-itis?

taking the leap

Armed with a potty seat (ring that sits ON the potty), elmo panties, training pants, pull-ups and a whole new set of rules, we are attacking potty training with a vengeance. Quite a few times, Kate has asked where the potty train is. :-) Ha!
In the morning, we put her training pants on. If she goes in the potty successfully, she gets to wear her underwear. She has to wear pull-ups at nap, night, and when we're on the go. I've embraced the pee on the floor, couch, bed, rugs. (Just crossing my fingers that she choses just the floor for her accidents). Monday we had 1 time on the floor, 1 time in the potty, and 1 time in a pull-up. Tuesday, I had my goal for twice in the potty and we made it! Extra bonus: no accidents!

Prize: Ben & Jerry's sorbet

Mom got a prize, too!

looking into the future And, as a bonus: one finger or two??????

for the first time

matching outfits

Rachel -- 3 months, Kate -- 2 years 7 months

she found her fingers after this, I just like how Kate is looking down trying to calm her sis.

sisters at 3 months

These are the two bunzles at 3 months apiece! Similar, yet different, I think! Size is a bit different, though. Kate was barely getting into the larger 0-3 months items at her 3 month anniv, whereas Rachel has already moved onto larger sizes. :-) And, she sleeps much better than her sister did (if that's possible!)

Her schedule:

7:30/8:00 Wake up & eat!

Play & sleep -- she usually gets about a 2 hr nap in the morning, in her crib

12:00 Eat!

Play & sleep -- again, she usually gets a 2 or 3 hr nap in the afternoon, also in her crib

4:00 Eat!

Play, see daddy, snuggle with sister

8:00 Eat & then sleep

Deelightful!

a quickie

Life has been incredibly crazy the last few weeks, and basically, I won't catch my breath until Fall arrives, or at least that how it feels.
Kate. . .
*said "hello" to Grandma Kathy & Grandpa Rob
*got scared by Monkey Joe, trembled, but could not stop looking at him!
*sang Happy Birthday three times in one week
*said "hello" to Uncle Patrick & Aunt Susie, learned to say Susie Q
*learned the word "beluga whale"
*learned the word Thailand
*watched Daddy pack & pack for his trip to the Boundary Waters
*wanted to go with Daddy to the Boundary Waters. Maybe next year!
*played in the water with cousins Nathan and Caroline
*had three special ice cream cones from 3 different establishments: Ben & Jerry's, DQ, and Sonic
*can say "A la bi, a la bao, a la bim bom ba, Kate, Kate, Ra, Ra, Ra" -- a Mexican cheer
*wanted to know if Aunt Becky was still at the airport (we dropped her off one month ago)
*decided she still liked to sleep in her pack n play
*decided that carousel's aren't all they are cracked up to be
*said goodbye to Patrick & Susie
*said goodbye to Grandma & Grandpa
*picked out Elmo underwear
*decided she wanted to dress, undress, and do as much as she could independently!
*tried on Mommy's latest craft -- a new sundress, hopefully she'll wear it tomorrow
*learned that mom basically goes to Costco so that Kate can eat snacks!

Rachel weathered the last few weeks a bit more peacefully. She
*played a fun game with Grandma Kathy -- the giggle game!
*listened to Grandpa Rob sing his old favorites
*turned over from tummy to back twice last night!
*continues to suck her thumb, but also likes the pacifier in a pinch
*sleeps, eats, and is generally adorable all of the time!
*wears sizes 0-3 AND 3-6 months
*slept through a fun trip to the Aquarium

And, next week, we're off to Hilton Head while Josh is on his boy's trip to the Boundary Waters in MN. Oh, and if you haven't checked them out, I posted pics from all of this craziness on facebook!