Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Dave is growing weary...

What a man I am married to. He’s so wonderful, taking on voluntary overtime to earn a little extra to help us out once I quit my job (of which, by the way, I only have 2 working days left!). But all the overtime (which amounts to working 60 hours a week of HARD labor) is making him tired and weary. I feel bad for the guy. I try to make things easier for him by having dinner ready every evening and having things at home to make lunches easier to pack, doing almost all of the household chores and trying to keep the kids out of his hair when he’s resting (HA!).

Dave is probably the hardest working man I have ever known. I appreciate his work and his dedication to our family. He has such confidence in our decision to have me quit, and I appreciate that because sometimes I’m not so sure I’m making the right choice.

His work has taken notice of his hard work, too. Last week, the CEO of his company came up to Dave and said he had heard good things about him. He asked if Dave plays softball, which he does, and invited him to join the company team. So of course Dave wants to rub elbows with the boss man so he says of course he’ll join! To heck with sleep! Who needs it, anyway? He only gets up at 3 in the morning, what’s sleep when you have SOFTBALL!

At first I thought he was a little insane for saying he’d join. But after talking to my lovely sister Leslie, she made the point that he needs to be able to do something for himself that he enjoys, and may actually be a SMART move. Because he won’t be putting 100% of his effort into earning a living anymore. He’ll get some time that is just HIS. And that can do a lot for keeping mental breakdowns at bay. So now I’m glad he’s on the team. He can not only have fun playing, but he can spend time with the CEO and other higher ups of his company, making a name for himself not only as a hard worker but as a generally good guy that’s fun to have around. Dave would like to advance in the company he’s at, hopefully going into a job that doesn’t require hard physical labor in a few years, and this is a great way to get your face out there. I’m still hoping he’ll go to taxidermy school, but the way he’s talking, it looks like he’s not going to go, at least not in Pennsylvania, anyway. As long as he’s happy in a career that he enjoys, that’s all I care about.

So starting next week, here’s the plan. I’m going to pack a picnic dinner every Wednesday and the girls and I will watch him play ball. That way, he can have food, have fun, see his girls and wife, and not feel guilty for adding something else to his plate. We’re not going tonight because it is a double header, but I want to start going to the games next week.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Miracle of miracles

Yesterday at church, I did not have to leave the chapel even one time. Neither did Dave. It’s a miracle! Lacy has sat in church two Sundays in a row without asking to leave. And Rose was able to fall asleep and stay in the chapel as well. Lacy joined me on the stand as we were singing a choir number, and she sat with Sidsey for part of church as well. I’m so proud of her—she’s really growing up!

Rose cut another bottom tooth this weekend. So she’s up to 7 teeth now. She’s also waving all the time at people and is as happy as ever. Except when she has to poop. She’s been constipated lately and will cry when she starts pooping. So I will sit her on the potty and Lacy and I will go in there and cheer her on. Yesterday I gave her some prune juice and she is now officially unblocked. I think she’s been blocked up so much because of all the grown up food she’s been eating lately—chicken pot pie and shepherd’s pie have been on the menu this past week, and she’s eaten them without any alterations. I have been making a concerted effort to ensure she eats enough fruit, because I think that will help with her plugged up-ness too.

Only 5 more days that I have to work until I get to goof off and eat bon bons all day long!

Friday, April 20, 2007

Lacy in describing her owie to Diane

I probably have the cutest kids alive. Lacy in particular is cute because she’s 2 and I love 2 year olds. They’re so much fun. Lacy’s babysitter today is Diane, who used to watch her but was diagnosed with cancer a couple months after Rose was born, so she hasn’t been watching them since I went back to work the second time. In explaining her burn to Diane (“I burned it on the cornbread”), she told her that daddy gave her a blessing. No, TWO blessings. And thinking about it, yes he did, because he anointed her with oil then sealed it with the blessing. I’m impressed she remembered, but then again she did specifically ask for her dad to give her a blessing, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

And speaking of Lacy, she just called me. What was the pressing issue she wanted to talk about? She went poop, of course! I’m so glad I know that now. I’m sure my day will be full wonders and delight now that she has revealed this stunning fact to me.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

A few of Lacy's favorite things

Lacy likes…

Music! Shipoopi, Fiddler On The Roof, Songs sung by toddlers, Where is Thumbkin, I’m A Little Teapot. She likes to play piano, too, and knows how to change CDs in her stereo.

Dancing! Especially to Young Ambassadors. She learns some basic ballet moves from Emily

Food! All-time favorite food is noodles of any kind. Pizza has been a past favorite but it is currently out of favor. She likes ice cream but not cookies so much. Favorite veggies are carrots, broccoli, and asparagus.

Family! Her sister, Rose, especially. She sometimes will stroke her hair and say things like, “Rose, you’re so pretty, sweetie!” She speaks to her in total motherease. It’s cute! She also adores her daddy and says to me, “Mommy, I just want you.” She likes to snuggle with her family.

Friends! Her best friend and worst enemy is Wynnie. She doesn’t have too many other friends her own age but there are a few. She loves other adults, mostly Diane and Tuana.

Toys! Everything’s a toy to this girl. Dolls and teddy bears are more enjoyable than other playthings. And the more a toy cost, the less fun it is.

Art! Especially coloring.

Cooking! Yes, she burned her tummy helping me cook the other day while leaning over a hot pan of cornbread. But that doesn’t stop this girl from stirring and adding ingredients, and even (gasp!) cracking eggs when I need them.

Lacy likes lots of other things, too, but these are most of the things that are really important to her.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Jack In The Box

Mom and Dad are watching the girls today. For lunch, Mom and Dad dropped the girls off at Jack In The Box and they went down to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office to claim their missing jewelry. Unfortunately it wasn’t as much as they had thought.

Anyway, while we were there, I took the girls in to use the bathroom. Rose was crying and wanted me so she was clinging to my leg. I had to walk away from her to help Lacy and she stayed standing in the middle of the room, unassisted! Holy cow! She’s growing up (sniff, sniff).

Not to be outdone, after we were done eating (I ate three burgers and Lacy at a half of one, Rose ate some portions of a bun because I’m too mean to give her french fries yet!) Lacy had to shake her little booty to the music. She made me laugh so hard! It was priceless. There was an older couple in the restaurant too, and she nudged her husband and they started smiling at my cute girl. Lacy also helped me out by getting ketchup twice. I kept an eye on her though! She went over and kindly asked someone to give her some ketchup and then said thank you very nicely (so I assume anyway, since she was out of earshot).

After lunch, we hung out in their car, I nursed Rose and Lacy lost the car key while she was “driving.” It took a few minutes to find it, but Lacy said a prayer and we found it right afterward. That was a sweet little lesson on answers to prayers, in action. Then Mom and Dad returned, and I annoyed Dad by fixing the car seat which actually took a long time, but eventually they left and I returned to work. Alas, all good things must come to an end.

Only 11 more working days (and 17 days total) until I am a stay-at-home mom and get to see even more funny things that my kids do! I can’t wait!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Hi, Regan!

Conversation between Lacy and (imaginary) Regan on Lacy’s pretend phone yesterday:

“Hi, Regan! It’s Lacy! How are you? Oh, you’re at home? OK, I’ll call you on your land phone!”

Oh my gosh that made me giggle so much! Silly kid must be listening to her parents on the phone a lot!