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The End of Daycare

So, Thursday was Ben's last day in daycare. Any other mom would probably be jumping up and down that her son gets to stay home, but me, no. I love Ben's daycare, and he loves daycare. Since JR lost his job, we moved Ben from 5 to 3 days a week. Since he was collecting unemployment, we could fit the expense into our budget. JR is also the first person to tell you, he's not a teacher - he doesn't know what Ben is supposed to know at his age so he doesn't know what to teach him. So, it worked. Ben stayed home for two days to save money, and went to school three days to learn and socially thrive (Ben especially loves music day!). JR is no longer collecting, so we tried to have Ben in school two days a week, but now it's just too much of an expense on one income. We finally called it quits. JR loves staying at home with Aaron, and I think he is happy to have Ben home 5 days a week now too. He's talking about projects to do with Ben. I asked daycare for a progress report so we know where he's at, so JR is going to work off that. So, if anyone knows any great activities for a soon to be one year old and a soon to be three year old, let us know!

Besides having Ben miss out on music day, and class time and friends, I'm going to miss a couple of things too. My favorite part of my day, was when I picked Ben up from school. I'd buckle him into his car seat (99% of the time without him screaming about being in the seat because he knew he was going home to daddy and Aaron) then get a kiss from him. Just that moment right there would put a smile on my face so deep it would penetrate into the rest of my body. I don't know what it was about that one kiss, but it became something that I looked forward to every time I picked him up.

Another thing I loved doing with Ben after work, was go to the grocery store. Now in general, I don't like stopping at the store after work, especially with one (or both) of the kids. I'd rather run in and run out. But at Shoprite, the building has those invisible doors that blow air on you when you exit (sometimes the entrance one works). I'd stop in the middle of the doorway and let the air blow Ben's hair - he just thought it was the greatest thing! It really made me smile too, to see him smile. Just one of those silly moments that are free and fun!

Those times really won't end completely. I kiss Ben every time I strap him in the car seat. In fact, he gets upset if I don't! I'm sure stopping at Shop Rite with Ben won't end either. They were just always differently special somehow before. Now, I'll just have to find new special moments.

I don't know how to relax

J.R. took Ben to bed tonight so that I could watch 24. So I watched it. The boys are asleep so I have time to myself!! However, I'm not feelin' it. The Winter Olympics are on this week. I LOVE the Olympics!! I almost had to force myself to turn it on. Figure skating is on!! I love figure skating but it's not doing anything for me. I kinda want to go to bed. Can you believe it? All 3 boys are asleep. I have the house to myself. I could be doing anything! Nope. Facebook is boring me, and I don't feel like reading my email. I'm not right...

Last weekend I thought I'd take a bath. It's been 5 years since I've had a bathtub. It's been longer since I took a nice bath. J.R. made sure I had the bathroom to myself. I drew the water, got in, said ahhhh, and that was the end of luxury. I looked at my toes sticking out of the water. My right toenail was longer than my left toenail. "I have to cut that," I thought. So I put that on my to do list. It reminded me I need to cut the boys' nails. So I put that on my to do list. I decided to read - I did remember to bring reading material in with me. Did I read a novel? A Dean Koontz book? Some smutty quick read? No. I read my Parenting magazine....you know, so I can get tips on how to be a good mom. I enjoy my Parenting magazines, but it wasn't necessarily pleasure reading. Then, after sitting in the tub for a while, I realized I was too hot. I sat up, I put one leg out of the water, finally, I had enough. I pulled the plug and got out. What's my problem?

Snowed in!

It's official...this is the snowiest winter Philadelphia has ever had. In December we had 23 inches of snow (we probably had at least 18 at our house), this past Fri/Sat we had 28 inches (at least 24 at our house) and Tues/Wed we had another 14 at least at our house, I'm not sure what the weathermen are saying is the official Philly total. And those are just the big storms! I've been out of work for 2 days. You'd think the house would be neat as a pin and personal projects complete with four days stuck inside, but no. I've actually been enjoying playing with the boys. I really only get to spend 2-3 hours a day with Aaron, and only 2 or so more with Ben. It's been fun to just hang out, and it gives JR a bit more time to himself as well.

Ben and Aaron both like to eat the snow. In Dec, I taught Ben how to catch snowflakes with his tongue, now he likes to do it every time he goes out. He gets very excited, screaming "no, no" when he sees snow on the ground. Saturday we had fun following the snowblower guy around the complex. When he stopped to take a break, Ben was disappointed (uh, oh! he said). Then we went next door to the daycare center and sat on a snow pile watching the ATV plow guy. When that got boring we turned around and waved to all the cars going by. Aaron went out for a little bit with us on Sunday. We don't have a full snowsuit for him, so we bundle him in layers. He's not a big fan of that. Ben and JR went out for a bit yesterday, but yesterday's storm was actually a blizzard I guess, so the wind and wet rain/snow was too much to take out Aaron. Both kids were asleep before 8pm last night. Not sure if the snow had anything to do with it, but if it did...Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Another Christmas

Not really sure I have a lot to write about at this moment, but I have a little insomnia so I thought I'd throw a few pictures up of our most recent Christmas. Yes, we had more than one. JR's family came up this past weekend so we could exchange. It was a really great time (and the 2nd time I got to host a holiday!) The kids made out like bandits again. JR got a Keurig coffee maker that he is in love with, and my new sister in law and I are going to see The Lion King!! I'm so excited.

Here are those pictures I was talking about.

Aaron's a little happy!

Ben was very excited to see that there were more presents under the tree when he woke up.

Catchin' Up

Finally! I have a minute to sit down and record a few moments of the last few months. Of course,it's because I have insomnia and it's 3:30 AM! Oh well.

So yes, my computer had a virus, and thought it was taken care of. Then shortly before Thanksgiving I was having problems again. It ended up that I really couldn't use it, so I bought a new one right after Christmas. It has a webcam, which I haven't tried out yet. I'm excited to try out Skype and be able to talk to my mom and have her see the kids. That's one big reason I haven't been able to blog. So here are the highlights of the last few months....

* Aaron was Dedicated back in October. My mom and Ron came down, and J.R.'s family came up as well. We had a small party afterwards with some friends from church.

* While my parents were here we went to Boo at the Zoo. Ben also wore his costume at school, and we went trick or treating for the first time! Aaron was a monkey and Ben was Thomas the Train.

* Thanksgiving was spent at the beach. The weekend before, J.R.'s brother was married so J.R. and Aaron spent the week, while Ben and I came back up for school/work. We went to see Santa, but the kids were both had double ear infections so we didn't do the tram ride to see the lights.

* Aaron had a checkup after Thanksgiving. The doctor couldn't believe how great he was doing. He pretty much wanted to stand right after he learned to sit. Now he's crawling up a storm, cruising and just starting to stand on his own. He thought he'd walk before he'd crawl, but he'll still only take 2-3 steps when you hold his hands and let him walk.

* Ben loved the Christmas lights. On our way home from work I would point out houses to look at. On our way home from Life Group we would drive up and down a few streets so he could see all the "eyes".

* J.R. had his Gallbladder removed in Dec. We had previously made two trips to the ER, and he recovered for 2-3 weeks. He was sick for a while, but now he is doing great.

* We went to Mass for Christmas. Santa was very good to the boys, and to J.R. and I. We barely had enough room for all our new things. My dad and Kathy came down as well, so we got to see them too. It's the first time Kathy has seen Ben since last summer, and the first time she's seen Aaron. My dad had come to visit us when we went up in June. It was great to see them. We came back to Philly for New Year's, and on New Year's Day, we went to the Mummer's Parade. Ben was a little overwhelmed, I think, and Aaron was just really cold. We stayed only long enough to say we went.

* Ben has a Race Car Bed now! He loves it. The first night we set it up he slept all night in it. He hasn't really since, but he will either start off in it, or after I read books to him, we'll go in there to sleep. So, he's no longer falling asleep in our bed. If he wakes up, I'll take him into my bed, then move him (when I can, sometimes he just doesn't sleep heavily enough) back. One thing at a time, I guess.

* Aaron is still a great sleeper, but once in a while, he'll wake up. And when he does, he's up. The hard thing about the boys sleeping in the same room is that we are afraid one will wake up the other.

* Aaron is eating great. He's more of a fan of oatmeal cereal than rice, and loves squash. He's also eating sweet potatoes, peas, and green beans and we are finally introducing bananas, apples and pears a little more. We've been making all the veggies and bananas ourselves. He's also eating small cooked carrots, peas and puffs as finger foods.

* Ben is at day care only 2 day a week now. J.R.'s unemployment ran out, and now his latest extension is a bit different and he's not getting paid as regularly. Things are really tight and a huge stress, but it's working out so far. God isn't going to let us down.

* The in-laws are coming this weekend so we can do Christmas with them. J.R. and I are both excited. We all swapped names for a gift exchange with his parents and Steve and Kim, so everyone, including Kyle, will be here. Our tree looks like it needs to be recycled back to nature, but we are willing it to live for just a few more days!

* I've been made chair of the Staff Development Team at work. I'm very excited. I thought it would be an easy thing since I'm really interested in it, but it's a bit more challenging than I thought. Not in a bad way though. It's a good challenge that will help me to grow professionally as well. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to do this. We've put on one program so far, and Thursday is the big annual January workshop that is mandatory for all staff. I pray it goes well.

I think those are some of the highlights. Hopefully I can get on here a bit more often now!