2014 - Week 43

Monday was a pretty standard start to the week. Christian and I were back to work, Eliza was off to my in-laws for the day, and the big girls were off to daycare/school. Back to reality! I ended up being late for work…I mean, technically I’m late pretty much every day, but I can usually make the time up with shorter breaks, staying a tad late, etc….today, I was too late though. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – it does not matter what time I get up, what I do, how cooperative the girls are, how the weather is – something ALWAYS happens to make me late. I’ve just come to accept this fate. Since I was so late this morning, I ended up taking a little extra time and leaving a tad early as well. I picked the girls up and made my way home to finish putting away yesterday’s laundry and pick up a bit. Christian picked Eliza up after work and met us at home.  It was a pretty quiet evening…dinner, a little family time. However, we did get some pretty exciting news. Olivia had a letter in her backpack from school, letting us know that she had been placed in their “Youth Scholars Program”. According to the letter, there are a few teachers that run this program; they have been going into the classrooms for the last month or so and conducting special lessons with the kids. From those lessons, and teacher input, they have selected students for this enrichment program – where they will be challenged and get to demonstrate their “higher level thinking skills”. Seriously, we’re so excited for her, and I couldn’t be more proud. And, it certainly doesn’t surprise me. Olivia, as much as she can act up at home, is so focused and well-behaved at school. She loves learning, she adapts so quickly, she is patient with herself when learning new things. She seems really excited about all of her new challenges, so I hope this will all help foster a love for learning as she gets older!

On Tuesday, I woke up with the worst migraine. I had been up with a pounding headache a few times during the night, but it was a full blown migraine by the time I woke up. I got up, showered and started to get ready. I thought I could tough it out – my little bank of leave time just makes me cringe. Then, I threw up. It was over. The day was over. I dropped the girls off at daycare, ate some breakfast, and passed out until around 10:00. Since Eliza was away, I had to pump my normal schedule. And, even though I was off, I did have to call in to a meeting that I couldn’t get out of. Luckily, it was quick. I had some lunch and rested some more. I finally started feeling better, though the degree of pain went up and down throughout the evening. I got up and did a little picking up in the living room, the kitchen and the girls’ room. So, at least the day wasn’t a complete waste. I picked the girls up, made some dinner, and we all settled in to eat once Christian was home. Eliza even tried her first food today, quinoa with apples. We don’t do rice cereal since it’s really just filler, but Eliza has been acting pretty hungry lately. The quinoa was my compromise with Christian. She didn’t really know what to think about it, and only had a few bites, but it’s a start! Finally , we got everybody to bed and we weren’t far behind. Being sick can sure take it all out of you!

First Food!

On Wednesday, I did still have a little bit of a headache, but I was feeling much better than the day before. While it’s usually my work at home day, I really don’t like to be away from work two days in a row – things just start to pile up like crazy, so I went in to work. I had a ton of stuff to route and move around, so the day went pretty fast. I also got all of our family pictures back from my friend Dawn, from this past summer. We didn’t take a ton, but I just love them. I’m so excited to finally have them! After work I picked the girls up and we made our way home for the usual dinner, baths and hang out. Eliza at a little more of her food tonight, so we’re making progress already!

More Food!

Family Pictures

Thursday was a pretty quiet day, nothing really out of the ordinary. Eliza ate almost her whole bowl of food tonight, she’s doing so well! She’s going to be ready to move onto other foods in no time! And, she also took a LOOOONG nap at daycare today, which is very rare for her, so that was a plus. Apparently, she still won’t really sleep in her crib though. I fully admit to them that it’s my fault, but there’s not too much I can do about it. At daycare, she prefers to sleep on the floor map, on the little mini-boppy pillows…I say, just let her be!

My cuties!

Official Kindergartner!

Friday was a working Friday. No fun, I was sure glad when it was over and it was finally the weekend! My mom watched Eliza today and they had a good day, always a relief. Eliza is really starting to sit well on her own now too, which is very exciting. I’m not really ready for a mobile baby anytime soon yet, but I love watching them grow and gain some independence. After work I picked the girls up and we made our way home. It was pretty nice out, so the big girls played in the backyard for a while, while Eliza and I hung out. Christian brought home some pizza for dinner, so we ate, watched some TV and hung out for the night. It was an early to bed kind of night for everybody.

Sitting so Good

Saturday was a busy day around the house. We had some breakfast, and then Christian and Olivia made their way outside to do some work in the yard/gardens. Time to start cleaning up and get ready for winter – BOO! Amelia wasn’t interested in helping them – and I don’t blame her. So, while they were busy outside, she played some games and watched some movies. Eliza was pretty crabby today, and I was fighting off a headache, so that wasn’t the best mix ever, but I finally got her down for a good nap, and got some much needed quiet time. In the afternoon, we were off to a local greenhouse to pick out some pumpkins. Luckily it wasn’t too cold out…they have a mini corn pit and hay maze, and a big pumpkin bounce house so the girls kept busy. We picked out our pumpkins and made our way home. We decorated all of the girls’ pumpkins...we decided to save a little carving time by trying out some different decorating ideas this year. For Eliza’s, we used a “Mr. Potato Head” kit, and for the big girls, we used some painting kits. Christian and I planned to carve our pumpkins, but we just were just too dang tired to do it tonight. Hopefully we’ll be in the mood later this week. Instead, we went to bed shortly after the girls…seriously, we sure party hard!

My Girls, Entertaining Themselves

Trying an Orange, LOL

A little fall fun

Decorating the girls' pumpkins

Sunday was another busy day. Feeling a bit better, I put Christian on dad duty for the morning and got to work on some chores. I got the laundry going, made some breakfast, gave the girls some baths, and worked on swapping Eliza’s closet out for her 6-9 month clothes (time to do some shopping!!). She’s growing way too fast! Christian ran out for a quick haircut, we got ready, and we were all off to my Dad’s house for lunch and some Halloween crafts with my stepmom. My oldest sister was there with her daughter and granddaughter, who is the same age as Amelia, so the girls had tons of fun playing. From there, we went straight to swim class. Amelia has been listening a lot better lately, which is a relief. Olivia is doing great, getting better and better every week. Finally, we made our way back home….had some dinner, I finished up some the laundry and we had a little family time before bed. What a day! I was a little bummed today because the last season of “Sons of Anarchy” was released on Netflix this morning and I’m DYING to watch it, but have no idea when I will be able to. I just need a day to binge….come on!

Lunch and Craft Day with Grandma Renny

Until Next Week! XOXO