Another month down

Wow hard to believe the end of March is finally here. It was a longgg month for me. Ok Richard breaking his collarbone put a bit damper on the month, but still it was long.

I was pleased to see the results of this month's poll... I would have been sad if people choose that their child didn't like books at all. I'll have the new poll up in the morning (got to pick on first).

So here's my month's end question for you all. What is your favorite part of my blog?

• As a teacher I.... (why I do what I do)
• Blake stories
• Blake pictures
• Updates on the life and times of my house
• Videos
  
• Random Weekend Thoughts
• Scrapbook pages
• Something else

Is there something that I'm missing that you'd like me to start doing? Is there something you'd like to see more of? Less of?

I write the blog for me (ok I admit it... I write what I want to... but hey don't we all?) but at the same time I want to have happy readers.

Soooo share you thoughts, your feelings, your input on me and my blog!

Here's to another month of happy blogging!!

A bit about me

Ok I have seen that on the 100th post a lot of people write 100 things about me. I'm not the list kind of person (hahaha... yes I know I write a list every Sat, but that is different). I also realize that this is so the readers get to know the blogger a bit more. So I decided to ramble about myself a bit and give you a better impression of who I am beyond a former teacher and Blake's mommy.

Ummmm where in the world do you start? Hi my name is Lori and I am a stay-at-home-mom!

I taught kindergarten for ten years. Teaching was a profession that choose me as much as I chose it. I decided when I was in about the 4th grade that I wanted to be a teacher. I originally wanted to be a doctor but decided I didn't like blood or needles so that was out. When I was in HS I had a LOT of people try to convince me to go into some type of engineering field.... nope why would I want a job where I (especially as a woman) could make good money and most likely receive a lot more respect? Then when I wouldn't give in on that people tried to convince me I was wasting my abilities by teaching little kids and should get a degree in mathematics or science and "at least teach high school". Ummm I hated high schoolers while I was one whyyyy would I want to teach them? Plus I'm only 5' tall, so I'd be shorter than 1/2 if not more than 1/2 my students.... yeah noooo.

I choose to work with young children because I wanted to provide a love of learning and help children see that you can learn in so many different ways. I wanted to help them see that everyone can learn. That everyone can achieve. That reading is fun. That learning is fun. That education is important. Soooo I got my BA in Human Growth and Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. Then went straight to grad school and got my EdM in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood.

I worked in a day care for a year in Rochester, NY. Decided that wasn't for me, it was fun to design and create my own kindergarten program, but I wasn't happy in the setting and wanted to get into the public school system. I moved back to MA and got a job teaching kindergarten in Franklin, MA. I taught there for 3 years and decided it was time for another change. So I packed up and moved to Orlando, FL. (my brother was already living and teaching here). I taught at a very low income school my first year, and would have stayed if my principal and I didn't have so many philosophy differences. So I moved on. I then taught 5 years at another school, in a very different area of the county.

It was through a co-worker that I met Richard. Long story short... I met him in a bar where he bought my phone number for $20. (sort of... it's more of a running joke than the truth... but that's another day's post).

We got married 1 year, 1 month and 2 days after our first date. Blake was born in Nov, 2006. And our next little one is due June 13th, but will be here before then.

I love being a mommy. I love watching my little one grow and develop. I love seeing that excitement. He keeps me young (which I need since I'm already in my 30s).

Thanks for reading my blog. Hope this gave you a small glimpse into who I am... as boring as it sounds! Thank you for the feedback you've provided and for allowing me to get a peek into your lives and families. I truly enjoy reading about people and getting to see that hey... I'm not so strange after all!

later I'll post my month's end post as has been my thing for the last few months!

Sunday Scrapbook page(s)

This is my 100th post.... wow I can't believe it.

random weekend thoughts

wow didn't I just do these a few days ago? This last week or so has flown by!

1. Sleep is important!

2. Sleep is something you don't get a lot of when you are pregnant, especially when your toddler is having a tough week

3. Seeing replies in my in-box makes me smile

4. Getting back in the swing of things makes life a lot easier to live

5. Seeing friends from the past is strange and fun all at the same time

6. Getting your house cleaned for company means less work the next week (in my book anyway!)

7. Watching Blake interact and get along with other children who are younger and older than him makes me think I'm doing something right

8. Taking pictures of Blake and sharing them with others brings me joy... and scrap booking them just makes them all the more special (check in tomorrow for a few new pages)

9. Having the week's menu planned ahead of time makes making dinner each night a WHOLE lot easier!

10. Laundry is a never ending chore... when are they going to create disposable clothing??

typical child... ummm nope

As a teacher, I always found it odd when you had that random child in your class who doesn't really like sweets. Occasionally you will have one that doesn't like a particular flavor (chocolate, strawberry, etc...), but usually they like something.

Today we went the to grocery store. I usually don't stop and get Blake a cookie, but today I was getting other things in the bakery so I said... sure why not! So I get him a sugar cookie. He seems all excited and takes it and begins to nibble on it.

Yeah that lasted until we go to the deli. Once they gave us the first piece of ham to try he was so done with the cookie. I left it on the cart for him (don't you love the cart covers? I especially love the part that covers the handle because it makes a great place to put the snacks for him) to have later. Well a bit later I was breaking up some more meat for him (he ate 1 slice of ham, 1 slice of turkey and 1 slice of roast beef, part of a slice of provolone and a tiny bit of pepper jack) and he took the cookie and shoved it into the deli wrapper that the meat was in. That was it... I'm done with this cookie give me my deli!

Blake's schedule / routine

Yes, I know the last few Friday's I've posted videos... I don't have one this week... SORRY but you can go back and watch an older one if you want: just for laughs, oh that laugh, food can be fun, or reading on my own.

Ok I know I sound like I've been complaining about Blake's sleeping issues the last few days. One thing I think you probably have realized (if you've been following my blog for any length of time) is that having been a teacher, I truly believe that children need schedules. I feel that they need the routine to have productive days. That they need routine so they know what is coming next and the expectations of that behavior.

I just also know that as a mother of a 16 month old... strict schedules don't always work as well as flexible routines. Now, is this true for all families... NO! There are some children who need very rigid schedules from day one... and some mommies who do too. I tried this with Blake and realized that we were both a lot happier if I let him sleep as long as he wanted for his naps. I also realized that there are times when you just have to be flexible (another skill that is very important to learn).

A prime example of this is bedtime. Blake goes to bed anytime between 7pm and 7:30 (when Jeopardy is over he goes to bed no matter what). Most nights it's around 7:15 that he is showing signs of being tired so we get ready for bed. Last night Richard was trying to help me get the house ready for the company we are having this weekend. So after we put Blake down at 7:30, Richard began to vacuum... not Blake's favorite thing to have going at any point in the day. I was in the kitchen and could hear Blake very upset. Now typically the rule is once you go into your room... you stay there. Well my little guy was trying to climb out of his crib to see what the noise was.... so I got him up and carried him to see that it was Daddy with the vacuum cleaner. After this he fell right to sleep. If I had stuck to the no you can't leave the room rule, it would have taken him a lot longer to fall asleep.

Last night I also put an extra pacifier into the crib after Blake was asleep... and he then slept through the night. And was very happy when he woke up at 7:15am. On with the day we go!

Blake's typical day

wake up: 6:30/7:00
breakfast
walk around the block
tv time
nap time 9:00-11:00ish
lunch time
playtime
tv time
nap time1:30/2:00-3:30/4:00
play time
dinner time
walk around the block
tv time (news and Jeopardy!)
bedtime 7:00/7:30

15 min at 5am

Well, I told you all about the other night when Blake was awake at 4 and didn't want to go back to sleep...

Since then he has been waking up about 5am... searching for his pacifier (I guess??) Yesterday I got up and sat with him (he was a bit cold that morning) and then by 5:30 he was WIDE awake and ready to start the day. Ok well he goes to bed at 7:15 so getting up that early is one thing, but I don't go to bed until 9:30 and then being pregnant I don't sleep well to begin with, and the dog wakes me up at least once (not sure why... but anyway) so getting up at 5am maybe fine for him, but not me! (wow that was a longgggg statement... not sure it was really a sentence)

So this morning when he woke up I laid there and thought to myself.... hmmm I could go see what the issue is and hope he falls back to sleep, I could lay here and listen to him fuss and both Richard and I can be awake, or I can go out on the couch and listen to him from there. Well I decided to give it a bit (why should I be the only one who suffers?) but then his fussing turned more towards a cry to I went to check on him. I changed his diaper, gave him the other pacifier sat with him for maybe 3 min and then put him back to bed.

I went back to my room totally thinking ok I'm going to be back over there in 5 min... but nope he fell back to sleep and slept until after 8am... hey if 15 min of my time at 5am gets me an extra hour sleep in the morning (yes I could have slept later but I chose to get up and spend time with Richard before he left for work) then I'm all for it.

The challenge is his whole day is totally thrown off now. Most days (hahaha... yeah well wishful days anyway) he wakes up around 6:30 and is ready for his morning nap around 8:30/9:00. And will sleep until 11 typically.... Well today he didn't want to take his morning nap until 10am... we will see how late he sleeps. Then what do I do about his need to have a short afternoon nap still... oh well at least it happened on a day that Richard already knew he'd be coming home a bit later than normal.

Soooo we will see what today brings!

Blake's new favorite toy

I think it is funny how children can get totally obsessed (ok obsessed is a strong word, but you know what I mean) with one thing. My parents got Blake a bubble mower for Easter... you'd think it was gold!

For a long time it was his yellow wagon (we have TONS of pics of him playing with that) now it's his mower. He plays with it inside and outside. He wants anyone and everyone to have a turn with it. He has trouble getting the bubbles to go, but I'll tell you he doesn't care. He just likes to push it and hear it go. Orrr turn it over and play with the wheels. Orrr tip it up and try to chew on the bottom of the "key".

Hours of fun from one toy... who could ask for more??

hmmm maybe this will be my scrapbook page for Sunday... guess I should get working on that!

more naptime comments

Last night was a rough night for Blake (ok for me too)... he decided at 4am that he did NOT want to sleep in his crib... not that he didn't want to sleep... he wanted to sleep in my arms. By 5am I was tired of playing the lets try the crib again game so I brought him out to the couch (might as well be comfortable too right?) and let him sleep until Richard came to check on me at 6:30.

Soooo... what did I do today during Blake's morning nap??

--mop the floor... now that he sits at the table I seem to have to do this a LOT more often!

--took a shower... can't skip that

--did my blog--- checked out the other's I'm following too

--posted and read here

--washed and folded 1 load of laundry

--baked chocolate chip cookies

--scheduled my glucose test

ummm yeah no nap

and now he is down for his afternoon nap... but that one isn't as long so I

--got the mail

--brought in the trash barrels

--played games on-line

--uploaded pics from yesterday

--made a scrapbook page:

I'm so going to pay later!

Nap time changes

As a teacher I always loved to do thing related to holidays with my class, but at the same time I dreaded holiday because they always through the children for a loop. It seemed that every holiday meant that they were off schedule both at home (hahaha... that's if they have some semblance of a schedule at home) and school. It always took a few days to get back into the swing of things, back on track academically, behaviorally, and all those fun -ly's that come with classrooms.

As a mom, I try very hard to keep my little one on schedule over the weekends, and on holidays... it just doesn't always work! The fact that well... Blake is always changing his schedule plays a roll in it. It's almost like he can't decide if he wants his long nap in the morning or in the afternoon. For a while I was only letting him sleep 1hr in the mornings then I was like... ok this is silly.... if he wants to sleep... why am I waking him up? Trust me I am NOT complaining that he is still willing to take 2 naps.

But, this makes it difficult to make plans with others. It makes it hard to make arrangements to go and do things. People do not always understand that Blake will not sleep in his carriage, he prefers not to sleep in his car seat (he will if he is reallyyyy tired), he will not sleep just anywhere... just like his mommy! He also likes the room to be dark and prefers quiet when he's falling asleep (not silence, but not noise...after he's asleep you could have a marching band go through his room and he may just stir a bit).

So this week we are finally getting back on track... Daddy's back at work (and driving himself), the holiday is over, and Mommy and Blake can do what we need to do to get back on routine. (until the weekend when Richard's parents come up for 4-5 days).

long overdue update!

First off... I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend... I know ours was BUSSYYYY!!

Second, thank you all for your kind words and support during the last few weeks... I know I wasn't exactly my typical "bloggy" self while I was dealing with Richard's injury.

Ok... onto the updates....

Richard is doing well... we had a doctor's appointment last week and found out that he now has a plate and 7 screws holding his collarbone together. He is doing well and is progressing better than expected. He can use his arm as long as the movements are below the shoulder and he isn't trying to pick up anything. Which is good since he works with computers for his job so at least he can type with both hands again. He is again driving too which means I don't have to drive him to and from work everyday. He begins physical therapy on April 2nd and we go back in mid-April for more x-rays and to see how he is progressing.

Blake is doing good too... yes he is stillll cutting teeth. 3 out of 4 eye teeth are almost totally full size now. 1 out of 4 molars is totally in and the other 3 well.. they each have 2-3 points through already. I will be sooo happy when he is done with this phase so the drool monster is done and so are the super poop diapers! This weekend just proved how much he depends on his routine... we were off it both days and yeah well... we've paid for it!

Me.... well the baby is doing well... at my last appointment I was still measuring on track and the heartbeat sounds good. I get to go have my fun glucose test soon (note to self... go on lab's site and schedule appointment soon). I go back in a month and then start going every 2 weeks. I only have about 10 weeks left in 6 weeks I will be scheduling my c-section date... how exciting is that. Ok the answer to the 2 questions I always get... It's a boy... no he doesn't have a name yet. Right now it will probably be either Dean, Shane or Kolby. We can't decide and probably won't until he is born.

Ok... I think that brings everyone up to date... I'll make a few scrapbook pages this week with more of the Easter pictures and post them on Sunday!

Sunday Scrapbook page

yes I know it's Saturday, but I had a bit of time so I figured it'd post it early!

random weekend thoughts

First off... Happy Easter a bit early. I'll try to post a scrapbook page tomorrow, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to it... so I figured I'd wish everyone (those who celebrate!) a Happy Easter weekend

1. Hot chocolate is a good way to fill a morning chocolate craving

2. There should be a sign on the front door of the grocery store that say... do not expect to walk out paying less than $100 unless you shop daily

3. Having a loving family is the best thing you could ask for

4. Getting out on your own, even just to the doctors office, is always a welcome break

5. Having a toddler means you will find every scrap of paper that you saved for some reason at sometime

6. Having an active toddler means you WILL be tired at night (especially when you are pregnant on top of that)

7. Celebrating the holidays reminds you that there are others who have less in so many ways... and for that I'm grateful for what I do have

8. Having things go wrong helps you appreciate when things are going right

just for laughs

ok here are two videos from last weekend for you....


YESSSS.... I know it is sideways... grrrr, but it is too funny not to share it. (and there was no music in the background!)

This was one of the first times that Blake got to play with Daddy after the whole biking incident

Blogger buddy question

how often do you begin a post thinking you are going to go in one direction and then once you get typing you go in a total different one??

I usually type the title of my post first, but then 6 out of 10 times I have to go back and change it because the post went in a total different direction than I planned in the first place.

Is it just me and my random thought process???

need for schedules

I know I talk about schedules and routines a lot... ok as teacher we realize these are important in helping a child know what is going on, provides consistency, and in general makes life easier. As a parent, I feel the same way... Blake know that after this we do this, then this then... etc. Now Blake has more of a routine in that there is a LOT more flexibility in what we do than I allowed in school. Yes I know he is 16 months and that plays a roll... plus there is only 1 not 18-20. But, I think it is more than that...

As a teacher I knew that I HAD to accomplish x, y and z in a given day, week, month, year... As a mom there is a lot more give in what you need to do. I find I'm a pretty laid back mom (I wasn't an overly stressed kindergarten teacher, but the was still a lot of pressure there, that I obviously don't have here at home). I think I've learned that Blake will learn, grow and do on his own time frame. We do have some set things like nap and bedtime. Meals are typically around the same time every day too. But, if he wants to go outside, we go outside. If he wants to sit and read books we do that. Hey he even sometimes decides when to take a nap and of course when to wake up.

I want him to grow up with a predictable routine, but I also want him to be able to make decisions on his own. I know that he is very independent already (no shock to anyone who knows Richard or I in real life). I know that he can be very strong willed. But, he is a very loving child... so I need to foster the best in him.

Now when child number 2 comes along, things maybe totally different... we will see SOON!

Playing outside

As a teacher I used to tell the parents the first week of school... dress your child to play outside everyday. We will be going out unless the weather is really bad! I then went on often to explain what dressing to play outside means, for some reason parents don't always understand that frilly dresses and sandals make climbing and running very hard! Now, for all you parents of little girls, I have/had no issue with dresses (I did encourage parents to have their daughter wear shorts underneath), but would rather see slip ons, or buckle shoes rather than sandals (yes even her in FL).

Blake LOVESSSS to play outside. If he had a choice, I think he'd stay out for hours on end! Most of my best pictures are of him running and playing outside. I know there are parents who do not take their little ones outside and I just don't get it. Blake loves to play in the grass. He brings out his wagon and some of his trucks, but would be just as happy to run around and look at the birds, the sky and feel the wind blow his hair.

There is so much learning that takes place when he plays outside. He learns the colors when we talk about the things that he sees. He learns that sticks should not be chewed on even if Abby does! He is very good at listening when I ask him to put things down and /or not put them in his mouth. He knows where the doors are on both sides of our screened in porch and tries to open them (he has a ways to go with that since the latches are over my head!) He hears the birds and other animals playing and we talk about them as he listens.

Oh and don't forget the best benefit... exercise! What is better to wear out an energetic toddler than to run and run and run and run????

updated blog stuff

Sorry for the other 2 posts, but I decided I wanted a cleaner look... I'm getting there. When I started this I thought... ok I pick a format and just type. Yeah well when you are on here at least once a day if not more the plain formats get well... dull! So, I've been working on revamping things to be a bit more "Lori-ish". Me I like things to be clean and neat, but at the same time have everything that you want accessible well accessible. I want you the reader to still be able to access my polls, see my Blake avatar type flippy thing (yeppers that is a technical term), I want to be able to put on cute holiday things, I want you to be able to access my archive (if you so desire), I guess read the all about me and see my pic too (not sure why)... oh yeah and to be able to access my blog roll.

Wow that is a lot to fit on one page... oh and the posts too. Then there's my tickers (did you notice my holiday countdown tickers at the bottom?... of course not they are at the bottom, but I don't know where else to put them)

oh well... knowing me this page will always be a work in progress

longggg month

As a kindergarten teacher, I realized that there were times when well time stood still! When I taught in MA it was always March that seemed like a longggg month to me. Jan. wasn't bad because we were coming off the winter break and the kiddos always seemed to have "grown up" over that break. Feb. and April we had week long vacations so that broke things up a bit, but March was a long month!

Here in FL we came back from a 2 week winter break in Jan and then didn't have a vacation until March (this year they don't have it until April). For some reason this made Feb. seem like the longgggg month.

Last year, as a new mommy there was always something new going on, some new skill or something. (at this time last year Blake was having some minor medical issues too which took up extra time). So, I didn't feel like there was a month that seemed to drag on and on.

This year... man is March over yet? Yes, I know a lot of that has to do with the fact that Richard was hurt and home and that took a LOT of time and energy... I swear it felt like a month not a week. I have my next Dr.'s appointment on Thursday it seems like it was 3 months ago that I went the last time, not 5 weeks (I had to postpone my appointment because it was originally scheduled for the day of Richard's surgery).

I know it is a me thing. It has nothing to do with Blake... he is progressing through life doing what he needs to do (even if that means waking up at 4:35am... don't ask!). Oh well... next year ok well in 2 months, I'll have my hands full with 2 and time will fly again.

now can someone make it April already? no never mind that would mean I'd need to have more ready for the new baby... ok can someone make it Feb again? (just let's skip the broken collarbone this time around!)

New skills

As a kindergarten teacher I used to joke that the first two weeks of school I taught the kids to sit, stand and clean up. I was known for having saying that I used OVER and OVER and OVER again with my class. (consistency is a big thing with 5 year olds) Well with cleaning I used to say "Everything has a place, everything in it's place". When asked what this meant I would remind them that if they put things away where they found them thennnn when they went to use it the next time they would be able to find it (simple isn't it?).

Well for the first 16 months of Blake's life Richard and I were the ones where were putting everything in it's place. I felt that cleaning up was the next step after learning to play. Yes, I had/have every intention of getting him to clean up his own toys and be responsible, but I figured it was "the next step". Well, I guess Blake has decided to take that next step (sort of!).

The last few days he has been going out of his way to help clean up when I pick up his toys, andddd he often does it on his own too. Now let me tell you that means out of 20 legos he will put away maybe 2, but hey it is a start!! He loves to put things in other things so as long as the item is going inside something else there is a chance he will put it away.

I was over joyed at this... I thought this was a skill I'd have to start really working on with him when he was closer to 2, but if he wants to start cleaning up after himself I say whooo hooo!

Sunday Scrapbook page

Here are two I made this week... the top one the pics are from a few weeks ago, and the bottom one they are from yesterday... I have a video of Blake and Richard from this same time, but I'm saving it for Friday videos!

eeek... photos

eek! it's me... remember I'm pregnant!!!!! (There is one more new one on the side above the "all about me" section)

random weekend thoughts

Wow it was a long hard week... hard to believe it was last Sat. that Richard broke his collar bone!

O.K. onto my random thoughts:

1. Trying to keep up with a toddler and tend to someone else's needs is HARD!

2. I'm grateful for the support of family, and my many on-line friends who helped me cope with this week

3. The laugh of a little one always seems to make everything easier to deal with

4. Who ever invented lounge pants should get an award (Richard and I have lived in these this week)

5. Seeing my little one reach milestones in life, even little ones, reminds me over and over what gift children are to have

6. When reality sets in of all that needs to be done... watch out!

7. Organization helps during the crazy times

8. A well stocked freezer is a girls best friend in tough times

Oh that laugh!

ok... I thought after all the "downer" posts I've had this week, I'd upload a video from Tuesday (the morning of the surgery)

Blake has developed this snort laugh that just makes everyone else feel the need to laugh too!! I hope it brings a smile to your face!! (o:

I want attention

As a teacher you realize that children need attention.... how they get it is not always how you'd like them to! I worked on this a lot in my room... as a full day teacher of kindergarteners my goal was to spend some time with each child every day. If I didn't get one-on-one time with a child today I made a point to give him/her a bit of extra time the next day.

Richard being laid up and me having to help him has Blake seeking more attention than normal. I always find it funny that some days I could be invisible and I don't think he'd care, but as soon as there is something else I need to do... Blake needs my attention.

His big thing the last 2 days is banging on the tv... not tapping, not touching... BANGING! Then when you say something to him about it he looks at you, stops and laughs. Yes, I know he is 16 months old and will learn this is not an option, but I don't need him doing damage to a tv we CAN NOT afford to replace right now either!

I'm trying to come up with some creative ways for Richard to spend time with Blake, but it is hard! Blake is used to Richard playing with him on the floor, or letting Blake get up on the couch with him... neither of which is an option right now. And try to explain to a 16 month old that Daddy has a boo boo arm and can't _____ right now.

Yesterday, Blake decided he could stand in front of Richard and play with his feet while watching tv. He also took a few of his super simple books over to Richard to read. I try to pick him up and let him give Richard "love" every time we go to naps and Richard came and did Blake's bedtime routine with us. I know we will figure it out, it's just hard!

Next step toward being a "big boy"

It's funny how the little milestones mean so much sometimes. You forget how a little thing like where you sit can mean so much to someone so little!


My mom got Blake a booster seat for the table. He was so proud to be able to sit closer to the table and eat right at the table (not on a tray).

He then found a new use for his old space saver high chair!

quick update (yes I know it's the middle of the night)

Richard's surgery went well. It was a very longggg day yesterday. We had to be at the hospital at 12:30 and the surgery was scheduled for 3:30. He didn't get taken back to the ER until 5pm and I didn't see him again until almost 7pm.

He now has a plate and like 6 or 7 screws holding his collarbone together. He is resting somewhat comfortably with a bit of chemical help! We are doing ice treatments 30 min on 30 min off while he is awake and those seem to be helping too.

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. I'll try to get on later today and put on a real Teacher Turned Mommy post if there is an opportunity, but during one of Blake's nap I'll have to try to sleep myself since I'm up at 1:30am!

16 months ago...

We were in the hospital awaiting the birth of Blake. What a joyous time even if there were some complications.

Fast forward 16 months, and today I will again be in the hospital (ok a different one, but just across the street) this time awaiting the surgery of Richard's collar bone.

The doctor was concerned about the degree of the break and how far apart the bone are soooo in for surgery he goes today.

I'll try to keep up with the blogs (especially my own), but if I'm a bit slow this week with replies... you now know why.

So at 3:30 ET if you could just think of Richard and I, the thoughts would be appreciated. (o:

time change = messed up schedule!

As a kindergarten teacher I ALWAYS hated time changes. It meant the children had to adjust to getting up earlier (or later depending on which change it was), eating at a different time and just functioning differently.

As a mommy of a toddler... I hate it even more!! Now granted this weekend was a bit shall we say messed up with us going to visit my parents on Saturday oh and Richard breaking his collar bone... no big deal! Well... it's hard to keep Blake on his newly altered schedule when the time is now off by an hour. Granted because he hasn't been napping well during the day he still has done pretty good at night.

This morning was very strange to me. First of all it's Monday and Richard is home from work and sleeping on the couch. (our couch is a recliner and he's found this a lot easier to deal with and keeps him more stable than trying to sleep in the bed) Soooo I wake up at 7:35 and think ummm why is no one awake. I go out to the living room to find Richard and Abby (our dog) sound asleep on the couch. Go and check on Blake... he's out cold in his crib. So, I clean up the end table next to Richard, grab the monitor and go jump in the shower. I shower, dress and make the bed before anyone even stirs.

Now it's after 8am and no one is up. Ok, Blake used to go down for his morning nap at 9, yeah that's not happening. Blake finally gets up a bit after 8 and we had breakfast and went for a walk... can't watch Sesame Street now (our usual after walk tv show) it's not on! So I decided to follow his lead today. At 11 I tried to give him lunch, yeah he didn't want that because his body is telling him it is 10. Butttt, Richard has a doctor's appointment at 3:15, which means we have to leave the house at 2:40, which means Blake needs to go down for his nap around 11:30 so if he decides to take a 3 hour nap (which he probably will since he didn't have a morning nap) I don't have to wake him before he is ready.

My poor guy is going to wake up starving, and we will most likely have to be heading out the door shortly after he wakes up to have Daddy's "boo boo" arm looked at! ahhh the drama! I just hope that they feel that it isn't going to be a 12 week healing time (which puts it wayyyyy toooo close to my due date for me to feel comfortable with)... I hope they say it will be more on the 4 week side!

Tagged

I was tagged by Heather to do this fun book meme.

So, here are the rules: Pick up the closest book. Open the book, turn to page 123, count down to the fifth sentence on that page, and then post the next three sentences.

ok first I have to figure out which book closest to me has 123 pages... lol... most of the books near me are children's books and they have NO WHERE near 123 pages!

Milk Glass Moon (A Big Stone Gap novel) by Adriana Trigiani I love authors who write stories that are trilogies or longer... I never want my books to end when they have good characters and what not...

on to the meme... page 123, fifth sentence blah blah blah....
"How do you keep them straight?"
"Trevor Gilliam's cutter."
"That's as good as any system, I guess"

For this I tag Melissa, Danielle and Andrea

Sunday Scrapbook page

Here are two for today... I thought I'd share one of my favorite go to cookie recipes with you and of course a Blake page!

random weekend thoughts

Well....

1. A trip to your parents is always a welcome break

2. A baby with a messed up nap time is never fun for anyone!

3. Got to love the Florida weather... one day the low is 63 and the next day the high is 66... yo-yo weather is not bad when everyone else is snowed in!

4. Getting a phone call that says... hey I'm on my way to the ER is NEVER fun (my husband broke his collar bone biking today!)

5. When things are busy the blog takes a backseat, but is never far from the mind!

6. Being pregnant and having mommynesia makes it very hard to speak in complete sentences and/or complete a thought!

7. Whoever decided that changing the time on clocks was a good thing was NOT the parent of a toddler!!!

8. Typing my blog later than normal has made it hard to come up with my random thoughts for this week (o:

Food can be fun

As a kindergarten teacher, I understood the benefits of doing sloppy art projects, but often hesitated because of the clean up. When I worked with toddlers and preschoolers I was more willing to let them get messy.

As a mommy of a toddler I know that messes are a part of life, so why not just go for it. On the days that Blake gets a bath (he only gets one every other day because of his eczema) I let him have at it with his yogurt. Yes, I'm trying to get him to use a spoon, but what is the fun in that when you can just get it everywhere???

Thought you might enjoy a few pics and the video of party of our yogurt fun yesterday!

new blogger

Ok I don't often suggest bloggers (I just add them to my blog list) but I'm going to suggest this one. A friend of mine, from college (wow hard to believe we've known each other since what.... 1992?) has started a blog (on my suggestion of course).

Melissa is a pre-K teacher with a 3 year old and is sharing her experiences teaching and raising her daughter.

If you want to check out her blog its: Sonias-workingmommy

music

When I taught kindergarten there was always music playing in my classroom. I had a lot of children's music that we used to sing and learn with, Jack Hartman and Dr Jean were two of my favorites. We sang songs throughout the day as transitions, to "kill time", to "get the wiggles out", and during those times I just needed 5 minutes to regroup my thoughts.

I also had music playing in the background while the children were working. I often played classical, Disney music, and other kid friendly songs. I did this for many different reasons one being to control the volume of the children. I used to tell them that they had to hear the music over their voices and if they got too loud I would turn the music lower!

With Blake I often have the radio on in the background while we are playing. I don't play a lot of "children's music" for him, I'm not sure why, but I just don't at this time. Probably because it's a lot easier just to turn the radio on!

Blake loves music and has since he was tiny. He has a lot of musical toys that he likes to play with and use. Yesterday he was playing with his "steering wheel car toy thing" (whatever you want to call it) and he spent more time playing the 2 songs on the radio of it than actually driving the car.

He then pulled out a few of his musical instruments and was banging, shaking and just having fun making his own music. He also pulled out his Leap Frog piano toy and was playing with that for a while too.

I hope his love for music continues as I do know that there is a correlation between music and learning, plus I'm a music lover myself!

A sappy moment for me

During Blake's play times I let him decide what we are going to do together (within limits of course). His top picks are: play with cars, play peek-a-boo (he loves to hide and then pop out when you say "Where is Blake?"), play with his wagon on the porch, dump out his blocks, and read.

He is beginning to play more with higher level toys such as his shape sorters, coloring items (crayons, magadoodle, aquadoodle, etc...), and other things. He is also beginning to look at toys in different ways such as stacking the blocks, putting the balls in his cement mixer, making car noises and driving them not just playing with the wheels (although that is still a high priority when we take out a car).

Of course he is also looking at non-toys in different ways too... he now can climb up onto the kitchen chairs, climb up on the sub woofer and toy box (notice a theme of climbing here), take the chip clips off his crackers, and other things.

It's fun to watch him learn and think and do. It fascinates me that when he goes to do something that he knows I'm going to tell him to stop doing or not to do he now shakes his head while looking at me. It amazes me how quickly he learns something and then applies it to other things in his environment.

My little guy is growing up and I'm one of those lucky mommies who gets to be there every step of the way. For that I thank my husband for having a job that allows me to do it. For supporting me during the crazy times and understands he can't always have and do what he wants because we only have one income.

Well.... time to wake up my little guy to go play... no more sappy Lori for now (o:

article too good not to share!

See I knew I was losing my mind for a reason!!


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-03-03-momnesia_N.htm

Learning through play

As a kindergarten teacher, I recognize the importance of learning through play. I realize that children need to explore their world and through this exploration they will learn and grow. Teaching kindergarten in today's society children are not always allowed to play because the standards say they will meet and exceed x, y and z before being allowed to go onto first grade. I used to joke and say I don't teach kindergarten I teach boot camp for first grade!

As a mother, I find myself questioning how much I should be "teaching" Blake and how much he will learn through the exploration of his world. Can I actually prove that children learn through facilitated play by providing a rich learning environment for my own children to play in? Can I mold my children into becoming life long learners without shoving the skills at them at such an early age? Well.... I'm going to try!

It is hard as a mother to hear people talk about their children who are the same age who can copy animal sounds, point to their body parts, know some of their colors, etc... when if you ask Blake any of these questions he looks at you like you have five heads. But, at the same time I know he knows some of his body parts as you tell him to put his arm in the sleeve and he can do it on his own without you touching his arm. He knows to move his hand when you say watch your fingers.

I find it hard to balance the teacher and the mommy and the funny thing is the mommy is the side of me that feels like I need to "teach" him these skills. The teacher in me knows that he is learning, he is making progress and he will show it in his own time. The mommy in me wants to make him learn to clap his hands and give high fives so people will stop looking at him like... why don't you do that. The teacher in me knows that Blake learns what he sees Richard and I doing and imitates our behaviors... how often do you go around giving high fives your husband??

oh YUCK!

Just a funny story today! This weekend we went and did some bulk shopping at BJ's. And, one thing we got was a new box of diapers for Blake.

That night at dinner Blake decided he wanted to finish Richard's water... which was fine, but I offered to help so Richard could finish eating... big mistake! In the transition between Richard and myself I couldn't see what I was doing (or actually how Blake was doing) and he spilled the water allllll over himself. Ok no big deal it's water.

So after dinner we decided to change him into his pj's since he wasn't getting a bath that night. We go into his room and he realizes... hey I have a new box to play with. Richard began stripping Blake down to change him while he climbed up, on and and around the new diaper box. Well shortly after taking Blake's diaper off... we heard him let out some gas. Well at first we were both like... phewwww just gas... then the next thing we know there it is.... poop on the box! YUCK!

Now he has poop on him (obvious), on the box, oh and he had socks on still and managed to get it on the socks too. So I scoop him up and take him to the bathroom (hey might as well plop him on the toilet if he's naked and pooping, but that didn't work). I got him cleaned up, and then we took the box out of his room after we cleaned up the biggest parts.

Well... at least it wasn't on the rug!

Tagged again... twice this time

Last week I was tagged twice... never knew I was popular ...lol

Pam tagged me with this one:

5 things I want my kids to know:
1. An eduction is important and one of the only things that no one can take away from you

2. That no matter what your family will be there for you

3. That he isn't a bad person even when he makes bad choices

4. That change maybe tough, but it is worth it

5. That there are 2 things to remember Never go to bed angry, and never leave without saying I love you


5 things you want to tell your children when they are grown up:
1. I gave you two gifts and wish for you to pass them on... roots and wings!

2. That it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all

3. The things that don't kill you make you stronger

4. Making a difference in the life of a child is the best thing you can do

5. Remember to do something for those who have less than you because you never know when you will need someone to do something for you


5 things you want to tell your child before you die:
1. That they were the greatest gift given to me by God

2. That life is worth living, as long as you realize that you have to look to the future while having fun in the present

3. Sometimes the road less traveled on is the road with the most adventure

4. That relationships are worth fighting for and fighting over

5. I loved them with all my heart, no matter what!


5 things you want your child to know before she dies:
1. The love of a lover who is also your best friend

2. The love of a child... innocence is a great gift

3. The strength of knowledge... it will get you far

4. Passion for something you believe in.... it is a powerful thing

5. Financial security... freedom from that worry is something everyone should experience

This one is too good not to pass on so I tag: Karen and Andrea


Heather tagged me with this one:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.

So here are six strange facts about me:
1. I always have one place in my house the I just let be messy (in this house it is the desk in our office)

2. I was a recovering chocoholic before I got pregnant

3. I'm actually pretty shy around people I don't know well

4. I'm sooooo NOT shy around people I do know

5. I'm super modest beyond most people

6. I'm good at making things look cleaner than they are... lol

For this I tag: Danielle, Pam, and Christine

I'll try to post a regular blog later... lol

Sunday Scrapbook page

This picture was from last week... Blake decided that his dinosaur ball thing would make a great seat to sit and watch tv!

random weekend thoughts

1. Pregnancy makes everything seem bigger... and not just your belly!

2. I agree with Noggin... everything should be based on preschool

3. Quick dinners are the best way to go

4. Chocolate is the food of the Gods (now hopefully I won't pay later because it's all I want now)

5. A shower is a daily necessity that I fear I'll have to "squeeze in" once I have 2 under 2

6. Progress is a good thing... now if rooms would only paint themselves (we've almost got the new baby's room cleared out and the new gym cleared out so we can make the big switch)

7. New friends... even those on-line.... are fun to meet and get to know