6 months!

August 26th marked Reece's 6 month birthday. He's growing up so fast and is just a bundle of joy-- and as his teacher tells us, he's "jovial - but after a looong nap, he wakes up extra jovial!" I will add more later but here's my future tight-ends stats... 28.25 inches tall (95%), lean at 18.5 pounds (72%) and an avg head at 17.75(51%). He's going to be a tight end b/c that's my fave football position.. tall, good looking, yet with a nice strong build. Either that or he would make a great swimmer or tennis player. I apologize in advace for the lack of quality in the pics below.. they are on my phone since I always have that near by... I am working on trying to upload a 5 minute video off of our camcorder but it caused an error on blogger so... youtube is next.

Just after enjoying a homemade meal of squash/oatmeal followed up

with some bites of sweet potatoes.

The future Michael Phelps-- Opympics 2028.

Exactly where...

I need to be. I had a GREAT first day. Reece did great and his teachers and I had a little talk today about my expectations -- like following the 4 to 1 ration at all times. My classes were so fun. I think I am going to absolutely love 6th graders. They are so funny and a bit awkward. And watch out after recess (at 12:50) you can smell them from the end of the hall! Welcome to hormone-hood. Thank you for all of your prayers - I know that they helped. I didn't even have the crazy back to school dreams. I know I may sound flip-floppy sometimes on this issue -but maybe it was b/c I was pms-y last week. BUT I really do love being with students and watching them learn. A short school story -- we are encouraging them all to join band/orch this year. It's an elective but if they don't take it I am responsible for doing something educational with them for the last 45 minutes of school. Hence the big push from us this year. It's a strange concept to sell these kids on something that I seriously would have never ever been caught dead doing. But now, I see the real value in playing an instrument... truly. One of my "bigger" boys said he wants to play flute. Interesting. Not the drums, not the cello/bass, not the sax or even tuba, but a flute. I guess it could have been the piccolo. I am learning so much. :) Off to decide how to best teach the safety of science tools. I think that they are going to write about the "Day in the life" of a pair of safety goggles.

Impact

Needless to say this week as been rough. It started out good - hence the "Yay" post. But since Monday, I have struggled. I think maybe I should have started Reece last week at day care; for me not for him. He does fine - loves Ms. Kamlah and his new friends that he apparently yells to from exer-saucer to swing. The problem the lack of time that I am spending with him. He has been zonked when I pick him up...and I know this is to be expected but it's so hard to put him to bed when Monty is just getting home (615ish) - but he almost fell asleep in the bath the other night and that would have been bad, very bad. I know it will improve- I hope and pray that we find a new normal.
Anyway, today was particularly hard for me because Monty left for his fantasy football draft weekend --- yes it's four days long. The draft is one night. Which means single momma for 4 days which would normally be fine--- But school starts on Monday so this week is like super crazy; my mind is a disorganized to-do list of important things that must get done as well as help my mentee teacher and you know, be at school tonight from 4-6 for a casual open house/supply sale. Oh and I have to figure out what I am going to teach next week! Minor point.
Soo.. at the open house thing, I spoke to some of my parents (I had their kids in 4th gr.) and they were all so thrilled that I am their kiddos teacher. One in particular said something that made me realize why, throughout my crazy emotions and long-ass days, I love my job. I said to her to pray for me to find a balance with teaching and being a mom. Her husband said, you keep doing this because you don't realize the impact you have had on this group of children. You have touched them - and you will continue to impact them just by being here. You are affecting them and are able to be a great mom. It was a simple statement that I once said often as part of my reason for teaching - to impact lives. But I had forgotten why I guess. To know that my kids are excited to learn and also respect me and learn from me everyday -- it made my evening improve. Reece stayed awake until 7 and we played peekaboo with a wash cloth. His giggles and laughing screams made my day. It is an adjustment. But to impact my son and 50 other kids each and every day may make this do-able. So remind me if I am having a hard day or week...I am impacting children with love, respect, and of course stellar science instruction. If you are still reading, sorry for lack of punctuation and rambling but sitting down and writing is cathartic -so thank you.

Yay!

We (Reece and I) made it through our 1st day back to school. He did great at his daycare and even napped twice. Thank you for your continued thoughts and especially prayers as we all adjust to our new schedule and routines!

Sweet Home... California

Reece and I made our way to California last week for two very important reasons -

1. To see my grandpa...he's stuggling now that he's 91 and his age is catching up to him...so we went to cheer him up!
2. My cousin, Ali, had an engagement party! Reece will be her ringbearer in December on Maui!

We got in town Friday around 11 and after incorporating a breakfast of oatmeal, in the stroller at the terminal and then a screaming child on the plane, I was soo thankful to see my mom! We had lunch with my brother and our friend Laura. We had a great quick Thai lunch and then they went back to work (they all work together at my parent's Keller Williams office) and we headed home for naps. Afterwards, we went with PK (papa Ken) to Target for the needed g-parent items-- high chair and exersaucer/jumperoo. As you can see, he loves it!

Friday night, my parent's friends came over for an 08-08-08 party and to watch the Opening Ceremonies. We had wontons and fried crab things for appy's and then great salads and grilled meats for dinner.

Saturday morning, we got up and hung out - after going to the gym to work out with mom and dad's trainer - Shelly. 7 am on a Saturday is just not fun. They say that it's great b/c it gets your day started -- convienently enough.. Reece and my Dad both took a 2 hour nap when we got home. Brian and his girlfriend, Amy, came by to watch some of the Olympics and play with the munchkin. Then we all got dressed for the big party! It was held at Danny's (Ali's fiance) art studio. He's super talented -- Danny McCaw - check him out! I saw lots of old friends and met new ones too! By 9 pm, Reece was spent and needed to go home - so we put him in his pjs in the back of the car and were home at 9:30 - 11:30 his time. Good thing he's flexible because he didn't even cry, not one bit! :)

First, decked out in his little Polo outfit - the tongue-- I don't get it..

~~and then with my cousin Katie (soph at U of Ariz.). Our family is so close that we call her Aunt Katie. We grew up less than a mile apart so when I was ten, Ali and I would take care of her like a momma...tongue again

And Ali, the bride.

Sunday morning we were up at 6 and heading out the door to Papa's beach house at 8:30. When we got there he decided that we should go to the country club to eat brunch- good thinking b/c they know him and allow for his crazy requests -- like a hot mug for fresh coffee! Afterwards, we headed back to his house so he could nap and Reece could have his first ocean experience. This meant a lot to me; I had my first beach experience here as well. After some good "visiting" and water play and no nap for Reece, it was time to get in the car for a road induced sleepy time.

Papa with Reece and his tongue... always hanging out.

The fist to help with chomping on teeth 3 and 4

The view from his deck. The rocks have taken over the sand due to the constant building up the coast.

His first touch of cold rocks and temperate water!

The crashing waves!

He started anticipating the water coming and would lift his feet up and down and shake his hands! So neat...

So when we left Papa's house, we drove to my Aunt and Uncle's summer rental for the night. We rode on the duffy at sunset (a small boat with plastic windows - like a gondola or a ride at disneyland with a roof). The house they are renting is on the bay in Newport Beach, so it's calm water and perfect for watching people and boats. We had a big family style meal of home-made spaghetti (with green olives and sauteed mushrooms!!!:)) Monday am we woke up at 545 - and had a bottle on the dock and enjoyed the jumping fish and crew teams out for their practice. We walked to Starbucks when everyone else woke up (not including the 8 college soph's who were "asleep" on the couches downstairs.) and then headed to the beach club for lunch and more sand time.

On the duffy --she's getting married soon...she has to look this good right?! ;)

Ali and Reece

Dock... perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine or in our case a bottle of formula!

Still a fan of the frogger position!

Me and my sweet angel!

He was loving it!!

Ali and Jules (my cousin in law) buried his legs -- he was not a fan of this!
If you look close at his face when Jules is holding him, he looks very determined!

On our way out of town, we stopped by his "Aunt" Ashley's to see Emma and look at the belly that is housing baby J.J who is due any day now! My camera was dead by then...so Ash email me the pics!!

Monday night we had a family dinner - typical for us - Grilled Swordfish and Filets with potatoes and a green salad... and of course the necessary Guac and chips to start with. Tuesday, Reece and I packed up our stuff, had lunch at one of my fave's - Houston's - and headed to the airport! We were at home that night at 9:30!

Before bed with his GJ -having our last dinner on their patio -- yes you can do that there in August; sometimes even needing a sweater!

We had a fantabulous time with my family! Thanks you babe for "letting" us go away for 5 days without you.

CB- this recap is for you b/c you always do such a great job!

Home again

Reece and I landed in Dallas last night and it is so nice to be home again. We had a great time and so many things happened while we were out in L.A. So I am going to work on a longer more detailed blog... but here's a teaser...

Today is my second to last day of my summer vacation AND stay-at-home mom-hood. Officially, I have to report to school on Monday, but will have to be on campus Friday for some "teacher stuff." I am having extremely mixed feelings about going back-- I love my job, my coworkers, my kiddos, and especially adult conversation about things other than babies. BUT my little guy is just growing so fast that I hate that the caregiver at his daycare may see something new before I do. Reece is so flexible and relaxed that I am not worried for him a bit... he naps in the car, on a plane(after screaming a bit), with the crazy dogs barking incessently at a squirrel or the pool guy- he will be able to enjoy his new friends and have a grand ol' time. I am choosing to head back to a world that I love...I pray that over the next couple of weeks that I am able to figure out the balance in my day.

I hope that I am also able to figure out how to teach 6th grade science - not what you want your child's teacher to say but seriously, a unit on cochoroaches (how do you even spelll that) might be the end of me.
Also, if you have a good lady who likes to clean, please send her my way. I have a feeling that scrubbing the sinks and mopping floors are going to be the absolute last thing on my to -do list. Monty will tell you that they have always been the last thing on my priority list but even more so now!
I am writing this while drinking my coffee out of my cute pink coffee mug with a 50's-esque lady in a pink dress and glasses...with the caption..."i was never meant to work." Some sort of irony.

Realization

Prunes=BM's....lots of them.

We did our 4 days of baby prunes and Reece LOVED them - seriously. But as the lady in Joyland (nursery at church) told me, you should only use them in times of "need." True.




Also, my child seems to not understand developmental stages. 1. Roll over tummy to back. wait. 2. Roll over back to tummy. wait. 3. Sit up. wait. 4.


On Saturday he rolled over back to tummy; Saturday night he started sitting up. Is that normal?? He would now prefer to sit for a few minutes than roll around on the floor. Strange. I guess he just likes looking at everything?

out and about

A few things we have been up to for the last week!

- Family lake trip to Possum Kingdom
-Mommy and Reece trip to Austin - where we fed deer, shopped, and relaxed with "auntie"Katie and her mom, Nana.
-Playdates with Jackson (Monday and Friday) the mom's had important things- hair appointments and conference calls at work!
-Reece's first cold or allergies -- whatever causes a runny runny nose!
-Finally rolling over in both directions - yay!!
-Planning for another trip back to Cali this Friday -- I know I said that I wouldn't go again for a long time - well it's been almost 8 weeks! ;)

Me skiing after about a 11-12 year break.

Monty is a tubin' fool!

Family boat ride

playing with Jackson