Limbo

Things are finally starting to slow down a bit these days.  Phew!  The calm before the storm, perhaps??

We're in a weird state of limbo right now.  Summer activities are over.  The pool is closing at the end of this week.  The weather has cooled off drastically -- 70's and lots of rain!  Most of our friends are starting school (Kindergarten) next week.  However, because we're sending Tanner to Pre-K this year, school doesn't begin for my boys for another 3.5 weeks.  I feel like I don't really have a plan for the next few weeks, and that bothers me.  I really need to come up with something that keeps us on a semi-regular schedule.    Every once in a while, an entire day or two spent at home is a welcome break from our busy-ness, but I find we all do much better and get along much better if we are able to get out and about in the mornings.

I've got to be honest.  I'm really nervous about this fall!  Landon will be in school 2 mornings/week from 9-11:30.  Tanner will be going 4 afternoons/week from 11:45-2:45.  I have a baby who needs 2 naps/day.  And I REALLY want to start going back to the gym.  I know it will all work out, but I'm anxious for us to find our new groove.

The start of a new school year always makes me miss teaching just a little bit.  I've been having the big boys sit down at the table with me every morning while Kellen naps to do "schoolwork."  Nothing big, and the boys seemed to love it the first time we did it, but now they whine and pout the whole time.  Of course, I take this much too personally and end up getting upset.  Why won't they PLAY with me??!!  I've been digging into my teacher stuff, making up fun learning games.  I'm working on counting and pre-writing skills with Landon and helping Tanner learn about addition, subtraction, and reviewing letter sounds.  I bribe them with stickers and treats.  One thing is for sure, my boys are not cut out for homeschooling -- and I'm not either.  But, I'm going to keep at it!  My goal is that Landon is comfortable holding a pencil and tracing simple lines by the time he starts in a few weeks.  And I would be thrilled if Tanner could see a letter and confidently identify the sound it makes.

A few weeks ago, I spent a Saturday afternoon taking Tanner and Landon on individual "dates."  What a special day for all of us!  Each boy picked their own activity with a little guidance from me.  Landon and I started the afternoon off with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.  It was great to just follow him around and watch him use all of his coins, share some pizza, and then pick out prizes.  Tanner and I went to the "Painted Penguin" in the mall, where we both painted a little ceramic piece.  Tanner chose a Scooby Doo plaque.  Boy, did he have a lot to say while his hands were busy painting!  I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and hearing his thoughts while we sat and worked.  We finished the date by getting ice cream in the food court while we waited for our paintings to dry.  We're already talking about what we want to do for our next round of dates.  Can't wait!!

Kellen, oh Kellen!  People ask me all the time how the boys have adjusted to having him in the house.  Can I just say that he is the MOST POPULAR person in our entire home?  He never fails to put a smile on anyone's face.  The big boys adore him and are truly so good with him.  And I know that Kellen is very fond of them as well.  He and Tanner seem to have an especially close bond.  Since Kellen is rear-facing, and Tanner is in the WAAAAY back of the van, they actually face each other.  Sometimes I'll be driving and listening to Kellen just CRACK UP at Tanner.  He is just this little, chubby, super-soft, smiley, squealing bundle of joy.  I love him so much and I just try to cherish each day with him since I already feel the time passing much too quickly.  He's already 5 months old!!!  We just tried solids for the first time this past weekend.  He wasn't a happy camper having rice cereal spooned into his mouth.  And bananas this morning weren't too much better.  I'm thinking maybe I should give it a few more weeks, then re-visit.  Since life in general has kind of slowed down, we've been able to get into a bit of a routine with him:

7:30am wakeup
9:00 - 10:30am  nap
2:00- 4:30pm nap
6:00pm bedtime
11:00pm dream-feed
5:00am early morning feeding

This is the first week he has dropped his 2:00am feeding, which is very encouraging!

I've been trying really hard to lose the remainder of my baby weight.  So far, 31 pounds down, 5 pounds to go.  Yay!  I'm finally starting to fit into some of my regular jeans, which feels amazing.  I'm struggling a bit these days to stay motivated, but I know in the end it will all be worth it.  I really just want a huge piece of chocolate cake!  Which I should just have, so I can stop thinking about it, right?

I'm very much looking forward to my entire family being together over Labor Day weekend at my mom and dad's house.  I can't wait to see all of my siblings and their spouses!  I miss them all so much!

That's it for now.  I'm heading to bed early so I can do some reading :)  Pictures next time!  Promise!